Richmond Roundup

Compromise reached for Bay to Breakers
City officials, including the mayor's office, race organizers and race supporters agreed in late February to a compromise that preserves the traditional aspects of Bay to Breakers, the 97-year old foot race that crosses the length of Golden Gate Park in May. The changes were proposed because of public intoxication and a general rowdiness of participants the past two years.

"We won a great victory today," stated Edward Sharpless, chair of Citizens for the Preservation of Bay2Breakers. "A community group grew to almost 25,000 members in two weeks. They rallied to preserve the traditions of the race."

Floats will be allowed, if they start at the back of the starting line and do not contain alcohol, and nudity laws will not be enforced as part of the agreement.

"We were successful at getting the zero-tolerance bans on floats, nudity and alcohol lifted, and San Franciscan's can once again enjoy this great celebration of our City," said Sharpless.

All parties agreed to continue to work together to implement logistical solutions to eliminate any negative impact the race has previously had on neighborhoods, residents and private property. Race organizers have already committed to an increase in porta-potties along the route and will increase the number of other resources in conjunction with new registrations.

For more information on the Citizens for the Preservation of Bay2Breakers, visit www.savebay2breakers.org.

Safety Network Program at RAMS closes
The Safety Network program based at Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS), was closed as of Feb. 28.

The Safety Network Partnership, a citywide program of the SF Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), is a collaboration (total of 10 partner agencies/organizations, including RAMS) that utilizes district-based community organizers to build the capacity of neighborhoods to increase public safety and prevent violence.

The Safety Network Partnership had recently renegotiated its contract in the fall of 2008. However, due to San Francisco's current city budget crisis and shortfall, the total Safety Network Partnership contract was reduced from 10 neighborhoods to three (excluding the Richmond District).

"RAMS is committed to serving the San Francisco community and Richmond District residents. As the agency has remained in the Richmond District since 1974, we shall continue to have an active role in the community," said Kavoos Bassiri, president and CEO of RAMS, which is located at 3626 Balboa St.

Richmond District is official
The SF Board of Supervisors officially named the Richmond District the Richmond District in February. A resolution by Supervisor Eric Mar made the distinction official, reversing a resolution from about 90 years ago that declared the district the Park Presidio District.

The Richmond got its namesake from an early inhabitant from Richmond Australia in the 1800s.

Inner Balboa St. sewers to be replaced
The sewer lines beneath Balboa Street, between Second and Funston avenues, are being replaced over the next six months. Construction work will occur one block at a time. First there will be a trench cut, then the lines will be replaced and the trench recovered.

After work is completed, curb ramps will be installed and the street will be repaved. For more information, call the SF Department of Public Works' public relations officer Alex Murillo at (415) 437-7009 or e-mail alex.m.murillo@sfdpw.org.

Grant to aid Asian/Pacific Islander college students
City College of San Francisco has received a two-year, $1.23 million federal grant from the Department of Education to help increase the number of under-represented college students with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) backgrounds in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The grant specifically targets Asian/Pacific Islanders, but all under-represented students are eligible to participate. The award to City College of San Francisco is one of only six in the nation.

"I am very pleased that the Department of Education awarded this two-year federal grant to expand the college's capacity to better serve low-income and Asian American and Pacific Islander students," said City College Board President Milton Marks. "The new Asian/Pacific Islander STEM Achievement Program may well serve as a model for colleges around the nation interested in increasing the number of under-performing and under-represented students enrolling in science, technology, engineering and mathematics."

Local businessman, Lion passes away
Anthony "Andy" Wirth, a long-time proprietor, property owner and service club member in the Richmond District, passed away Feb. 7.

Wirth, 88, who ran the Wirth Brothers Bakery on Outer Geary Boulevard after his father retired, was a member of the Park Presidio Lions Club, a non-profit organization that provides eye care for individuals and financial assistance for community groups. A memorial service will be held at St. Anne of the Sunset Church, located at 850 Judah St., on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m.

Presidio scales back Main Post project
The Presidio Trust has scaled back development at the Main Post, including the size of a proposed hotel and a modern art museum, a part of which would be built underground.

But, opponents say the action does not go far enough to preserve the historic value of the post, which originated as a military base for the Spanish and American armies.

In January the SF Board of Supervisors voted 9 - 2 to request that the museum be located outside of the national park. The Presidio Trust has scheduled two meetings to discuss the proposed changes. The first will be held on April 1 and the second on April 16. Both evening meetings will be at the Presidio's Golden Gate Club. For more information, go to the Web site at www.presidio.gov.

New executive director at Fort Mason
Veteran non-profit executive Ann Blumlein Lazarus has been named executive director of the Fort Mason Center, the historic cultural center on San Francisco's northern waterfront.

"Her deep roots in the community, her skilled management style, and her ability and desire to bring together a broad range of constituencies make Ann the perfect fit as we enter a dynamic period in our history," said Bob Starzel, chairman of the Fort Mason Center's search committee.

Fort Mason Center has recently signed a new 60-year lease with the National Park Service, which allows the center to move forward in a campaign to further renovate and preserve historic piers and buildings.

"Although we are in a challenging economic period, I am confident that Fort Mason Center will be able to advance our mission to provide a premier waterfront destination for thought provoking programs, events and organizations which support and reflect the evolving cultural fabric of San Francisco," said Lazarus, a resident of the Presidio Heights.

Lazarus holds a BA and MBA from Stanford University and she was the CEO of the Mount Zion Health Fund from 1991 - 2004. Her husband Jim is a former city supervisor candidate who currently works as a vice president at the SF Chamber of Commerce.

Group to honor local leaders, volunteers
Jewish Family and Children's Services (JFCS) will hold its 25th annual FAMMY Awards on March 7.

The gala will pay tribute to leaders and volunteers who have given selflessly to the community, including the recognition of JFCS' Executive Director Dr. Anita Friedman, who is being given the Board of Directors' Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for her 30 years of service to JFCS and the Bay Area community. Friedman is nationally renowned for her work in the human services sector. For more information, call JFCS at (415) 449-1200.

Heron watch dates announced for April, May
Each year since 1993, the great blue herons have returned to Stow Lake to court, mate and raise their young. To date, 119 chicks have fledged at the location.

The public can observe the great blue herons at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park on six upcoming Saturdays: April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. San Francisco Nature Education middle- and high-school interns have spotting scopes to show the birds to the public.

Additionally, naturalists lead two separate nature walks - one for adults and one for families - around Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill from 10:30 a.m. until noon. There is a $10 suggested donation for tours. For more information, call (415) 387-9160.

Zion students at inaugural
Two students at Zion Lutheran School were lucky enough to garner a couple of tickets to President Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Joel Laney, a seventh grade student at Zion, has been a part of the San Francisco Boys Chorus for six years. The chorus and the SF Girls Chorus traveled to Washington D.C. and performed as a part of the historic inauguration.

"My trip to Washington D.C. was fun and exciting," said Laney. "We were sitting about 20 feet from President Obama."

While the girls and boys choirs were seated directly behind the new president, members of the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference were some miles away at the National Mall. A member of the conference for three years, Zion student Marie Tajon-Scott traveled to Washington D.C. with the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

According to the organization's Web site, the group gives "mature, high-achieving middle school students the opportunity to learn about leadership by studying the leaders of the past and by focusing on social advocacy to make a positive impact in their homes and communities."

"We just had fun," Tajon-Scott said. "We never knew what would come next."

Presidio students raise money
Students at Presidio Middle School collected hundreds of pounds of pennies to be donated to the non-profit Every Penny Counts program. The students, and drive coordinator Judi Adami, were honored for their contributions to the program, which provides services for individuals with HIV/AIDS.

The top classroom at Presidio, located at Clement Street and 30th Avenue, was led by teacher Sam Kasnakjian, whose students put 205 pounds of pennies on the scale.

New non-profit debuts to help people live in homes
A new non-profit group has been organized to help people above the age of 50 to stay in their homes as they get older. The San Francisco Village "offers a network of high-quality resources, services and providers for practical, daily, living needs; for health and wellness support; for social, cultural and educational activities; and for enriching volunteer opportunities."

The group held its kickoff meeting at the SF Jewish Community Center on Feb. 7. For more information, call (415) 387-1375 or visit the Web site at www.sfvillage.org.