Supervisor Eric Mar: New programs, events

Summer's over - support our schools! Wow! Summer really raced by quickly and school is back in session for Richmond kids and families! My daughter Jade is happy with her new fourth grade teacher and classmates at McCoppin Elementary School (Sixth Avenue at Balboa Street). But, unfortunately, she's already complaining about "too much homework."

Board of Education member and longtime Richmond parent Sandra Fewer and I visited a number of Richmond District schools to support students, teachers and staff on their first day. It is great to see all of the students, teachers and staff back from their summer vacations raring to go for, hopefully, another great year for Richmond District schools.

Whether you are parents or not, our Richmond District schools, children and teachers need your help and support. Drop in on your local schools to say hello and ask how you can support the PTAs (Parent Teacher Associations). SF School Volunteers is holding orientations for new volunteers on Sept. 15, 19 and 29. To volunteer, contact them at (415) 749-3700 or check out the Web site at www.sfsv.org.

While many are ramping up for a new academic year, the SF Board of Supervisors isÊnow on its legislative recess. This is giving me time to rest, clean up my office, and research upcoming legislation I am working on for our return in mid-September.

Win-win for homeowners and environmentalists
I am excited to share with you innovative legislation that I am working on with the SF Department of the Environment, SF Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the mayor's office and others that will help property owners with costly energy and water efficiency retrofits.

Currently, the largest barrier to the City's buildings becoming more efficient in their use of energy and water is the large up-front cost of these improvements. This legislation will set up a Mello-Roos Special Tax District that would be available to finance privatelyÐowned energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation improvements. The repayment obligation is attached to the property, rather than the individual, and is paid back through property taxes over the useful life of the improvements.Ê

With almost half of SF's greenhouse gas emissions produced by our homes and local buildings, this new green financing program will drastically curb our city's carbon footprint and reduce the strain on our regional water supply. It will also help put San Franciscans to work through our growing green jobs academies and programs.

It is my hope that many home and building owners will opt into this great program and reap the benefits of lower utility and water bills while also helping our city achieve its ambitious climate action plan goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving water. San Francisco will be the nation's first large city to implement a program of this type. Contact my office for additional information.

Community Challenge Grant Program
The Community Challenge Grant Program (CCGP) provides matching grants to local residents, businesses, non-profits and other community groups to make physical improvements to their neighborhoods. I hope that residents and non-profit groups in the Richmond will put some great ideas forward and create more green spaces.

This fall, the PUC's Urban Watershed Management Program and the CCGP have partnered to create an exciting new grant category: Watershed Stewardship Grants! Green storm water management projects are eligible for funding through this new grant program. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 30. For more information, go to the Web site at www.sfgov.org/site/ccg_index.asp and click on "documents" on the right to fill out the Watershed Stewardship Grant Application.

Contact Sarah Minick for more information at sminick@sfwater.org or by calling (415) 551-4868

Upcoming events
Support Our Libraries! Authors Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket) and Lisa Brown invite you to enjoy their favorite family movie, "Young Frankenstein," at the Balboa Theatre (3630 Balboa St.), on Sunday, Sept. 13, at noon. Admission to the movie is free although there is a $25 reception (free for children under 12) with Daniel Handler at 11a.m. Proceeds benefit Richmond District libraries.

RSVP to Sara Basset, call (415) 626-7512, ext. 106, or e-mail sara.basset@friendssfpl.org.

Coffee with Eric
This month, I will be at the Simple Pleasures Cafe in the Outer Richmond (3434 Balboa St., at 36th Avenue), on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Come meet with me and other Richmond District residents and share what's on your mind!

Bike to Work Day
Each month a growing group of riders have been joining us for a fun and leisurely bike ride from the Richmond to City Hall. Meet us at Velo Rouge Cafe, 798 Arguello Blvd., at Cabrillo Street, on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8 a.m. Ride with us!

Supervisor Eric Mar represents District 1.