Sam Spade's San Francisco

As I write this 90 minutes remain before July 1st and the budget deadline. I came across the following plea from St. Anthony Foundation. The piece was written with extraordinary clarity about what will happen to the people they serve. Here it is:

As we have been rallied, warned, encouraged and informed by our resident advocacy expert, Colleen, the state budget deadline is upon us. By midnight tonight California’s legislature and governor must reach an agreement on this both fiscally and emotionally draining budget dilemma.

Democrats have rallied behind the idea of raising taxes on oil and tobacco to help meet the $24.3 billion deficit; however, the governor has resolved to veto any revenue increasing measures.

Read more about the countdown to the budget deadline here.

Everyone in California will be affected by this budget. The proposed cuts will deeply impact several communities, many of them are groups that we already see in St. Anthony Foundation programs; the elderly, the mentally and physically ill, people struggling to overcome addiction, families in need of food, clothing and health care.

We wait in solidarity with our guests, our community, to see what the governor’s tomorrow will look like. And, remain steadfast in our mission and commitment to be the hands below that safety net, providing services to sustain and stabilize those most in need.

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I am and have been Barack Obama's strong supporter since I wrote this post in October 2006, Barack Obama: our best hope since RFK.

I contributed money to Barack Obama's campaign and I campaigned for him well before the California primaries.

My domestic partner (I am gay and not allowed to marry in California) and I were even invited to the Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

I still admire and support President Obama and I am convinced he will become one of our country's greatest presidents.

So, I have earned the right to ask the President: WHAT IN HELL IS TAKING YOU SO LONG TO END DADT?

Keith Olbermann aired a brilliant segment on his Countdown program on MSNBC. Take a few minutes to watch it. You will be glad you did:



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The Coast Guard and the Vallejo Ferry, Intintoli, rescued 33 people from the motor vessel Farallones, an 85-foot sea scout training vessel owned by the Sea Scouts, after it started taking on water in Suisun Bay (a portion of San Francisco Bay), June 30, 2009. The vessel had 27 kids and six adults aboard the vessel.

"Kids", however, is not the right word for Sea Scouts - at least not these Sea Scouts. It is reported that they all jumped into action and behaved with extraordinary professionalism. Ultimately they saved their ship from sinking. Wow.

Photo: The training vessel Farallones

Coast Guard Stations Rio Vista and Vallejo rescue crews disembarked the Sea Scouts and transferred them to the passenger ferry Intintoli, which took them to the ferry terminal in Vallejo.

The Intintoli is one of the Vallejo Bay Link ferries.

A Coast Guard video of the rescue was made by Air Station San Francisco and can be seen here.
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Camp Courage: Sign up to participate in the Courage Campaign's Sacramento training on July 11-12.

Here's Camp Courage described in their own words:
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Inspired by the "Camp Obama" trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California.
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Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills.
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Camp Courage is designed primarily for new activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies.
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Camp Courage trainings have already been held in Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland and San Diego. All four events have received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.26 (on a scale of 1 to 10).
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To see highlights of the Los Angeles training, watch the YouTube video below.

WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers

WHERE: Sacramento (location provided once registration is confirmed)

WHEN: Saturday, July 11 (8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.) AND Sunday, July 12 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

RECEPTION: Location TBA, but will be in conjunction with "Second Saturday" festivities

Camp Courage will cover basic community and political organizing skills, including:

- Finding your voice by telling your “story of self”

- Leadership development

- Principles of successful organizing

- Developing collaboration and building effective teams

- Techniques of voter persuasion

- Organizing a phonebank

- Tabling

- Throwing house parties

A background in community organizing or an organizational affiliation is not a requirement to attend Camp Courage. The only requirements are energy, commitment, and a desire to broaden your leadership abilities.

Camp Courage is organized by Torie Osborn, Mike Bonin, and Lisa Powell. Osborn is a senior advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the United Way, and former executive director of the Liberty Hill Foundation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Bonin is a former regional field organizer for Obama for America, a veteran campaign staffer, and a community activist. Powell is an attorney, longtime trainer, community leader, and co-founder of United Lesbians of African Heritage.

Our Sacramento training is the fifth of several planned around the state in the coming months. If you are interested in our future trainings, please email:
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To watch the video, just turn-up the sound and push the play button:

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Last year more than 90,000 people came to San Francisco for the renowned Fillmore Jazz Festival. This year everyone expects the event to top 100,000 attendees.

Jazz on Filllmore Street goes back to World War II. Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Louis Armstrong all played Fillmore Street. Today the tradition continues with a well-planned two-day open-air jazz festival with three stages and lots of good food.
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Photo: view of the Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco
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When: July 4th and 5th - 10am to 6pm
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Where: Fillmore Street, San Francisco - between Jackson and Eddy Streets - FREE!
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>> Live jazz will be coming from 3 stages at the festival.
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>> Click here for a list of performers for the 2009 festival.
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>> The festival's new Chef Stage cooking demos will be offering some sizzling food creations.
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>> Click here for a map, driving instructions and transit options.
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>> Follow the Fillmore Jazz Festival on at
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>> For other options, go to: Fourth of July - Independence Dqay - San Francisco 2009 - It's our 233rd Birthday!

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The Buddhist concept of reincarnation, while both mysterious and enchanting, is hard for most westerners to grasp. UNMISTAKEN CHILD follows the four-year search for the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a world-renowned Tibetan master who passed away in 2001 at age 84. The Dalai Lama charges the deceased monk’s devoted disciple, Tenzin Zopa (who had been in his service since the age of seven), to search for his master’s reincarnation.

Tenzin sets off on this unforgettable quest on foot, mule and even helicopter, through breathtaking landscapes and remote traditional Tibetan villages. Along the way, Tenzin listens to stories about young children with special characteristics, and performs rarely seen ritualistic tests designed to determine the likelihood of reincarnation. He eventually presents the child he believes to be his reincarnated master to the Dalai Lama so that he can make the final decision.

Stunningly shot, UNMISTAKEN CHILD is a beguiling, surprising, touching, even humorous experience. Try not to miss this film!

In San Francisco the film is currently being shown at Landmark Theatres
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State Budget Update from Tom Ammiano at the State Capitol:

Dear Friends:

With the July 1st deadline for a state budget revision fast approaching, I want to give you an update on where things stand in our on-going attempts to solve California’s $24 billion budget deficit.Last Thursday, the Assembly Democratic caucus put forth a proposal that included $12 billion in service cuts and $2 billion in new revenue from increased taxes on oil and tobacco products, along with several measures to accelerate revenue collection. This balanced budget package, which required a 2/3 supermajority vote for approval, failed to gain any Republican support. Yesterday, Assembly Democrats passed a similar package with a majority vote, which if signed by the Governor, would go into effect in 90 days. However, the Governor has vowed to veto that package of bills as well.

Facing the harsh reality of the State Controller having to issue IOUs without a budget deal, the Assembly passed a stop-gap set of bills that would make some cuts and defer some payments to schools, in order to keep enough cash in the state treasury, to pay the state's bills. Unfortunately, Republicans in the Senate blocked even that modest proposal.

We have offered a fair, balanced budget proposal but I feel strongly that we cannot allow the budget deficit to be used as an excuse to eliminate our safety net programs and weaken our public education system. The state’s budget simply cannot be balanced on the backs of our state’s most vulnerable populations.

Specifically, I am proud of our effort to fight against the Governor’s attempts to eliminate HIV/AIDS funding and the cuts will now be limited to $10 million. Unfortunately, deep budget reductions will be made to the Office of AIDS but we did manage to save ADAP, therapeutic monitoring, counseling, education and prevention, and early intervention programs. I intend to continue fighting for this funding because I know these programs literally save lives.

Without a budget solution by the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1st, the Controller will have to issue IOUs for payment further weakening California’s credit rating and hindering the state’s overall economic recovery.

I am committed to providing responsible leadership in this difficult time and I will keep you informed about any progress that is made with the state budget.

Tom Ammiano, Assemblymember, 13th District of California (San Francisco)
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was right. It’s the revenge of the nerds in America right now. These past few years we’ve seen self-proclaimed, highly-influential nerds using the power of online technology to play a huge role in driving public policy, political campaigns and organizing grassroots engagement. In the 2008 presidential campaign both McCain and Obama harnessed the power of new media to address voters, raise millions and rally their supporters. And just in the last two weeks, Twitter is revolutionizing the way protests are coordinated and communicated in Iran.
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This post was written by Paul Rieckoff for the IAVA blog
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But social networking isn’t just for electoral battles. It’s transforming the way communities organize for the public good. And now, nerds--and I say that with the utmost respect-- are changing the lives of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Case in point, Rey Leal, an Iraq veteran, found his community online and began his journey home from war:
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Rey served in Fallujah during some of the heaviest fighting, earning a Bronze Star with valor as a Private First Class, an almost unheard of accomplishment for a Marine of his rank. When he was discharged in February 2008, Rey looked forward to returning to Texas to begin a new chapter with his wife and infant son. Unfortunately, Rey’s transition home from combat was far from easy. He struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and spent months trying to deal with his symptoms, including severe depression and insomnia. His marriage at a breaking point, Rey sought treatment.

Yet, instead of having resources at his fingertips, his closest VA hospital was over five hours away. And at his nearest outpatient clinic, there was just one psychologist, taking appointments only two days a week. It wasn’t until Rey saw IAVA’s on TV that his transitional journey began.

He decided to check out the website, CommunityofVeterans.org—a social network exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The first of its kind, the website is the lynchpin of a new national outreach campaign to ease the transition for vets returning home from combat.

Immediately, Rey found a community on CommunityofVeterans.org. Thousands of other veterans were inside. For the first time since returning home, Rey started to feel like he wasn’t operating in a silo with unique issues, but could share them with his peers, many of whom were all tackling the same issues he was.

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Read the rest of the story from it's origin, the IAVA blog.

Paul Rieckoff is executive director and founder of IAVA. Follow him on :

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Lt. Dan Choi, a Grand Marshal of the 2009 San Francisco Pride Parade, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Iraq War veteran. On Tuesday, he will face a panel of colonels who will decide whether or not to fire him -- to discharge him from the military for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

An amazing 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama a few weeks ago. Now he needs your help again. Please sign the letter of support and add your own (optional) personal message.

Lt. Choi will submit your signatures and your comments to the Army at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, which is tomorrow:

" We, the undersigned, urge you not to discharge Lt. Daniel Dan Choi from the Army National Guard.

Lt. Dan Choi, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an Iraq War veteran, is a capable soldier and leader who can continue to play a vital role in this time of war.

As a member of the military who is fluent in Arabic, Lt. Choi's skills are especially needed at this critical time in our nation's history. America's national security is dependent on the service of soldiers like Lt. Choi, who is ready to deploy again if his country calls on him.

Lt. Choi's dedication to West Point and the Army brings credit to the military. His fighting spirit on behalf of his country -- and on behalf of supporting the freedom of gay and lesbian Americans to serve -- demonstrates the values of honor and duty so vital to our nation's military.

Please do not discharge Lt. Choi and deprive him of the right to serve his country. "

119,406 people have signed this letter as of Monday, 12:53 p.m. PT. Please help Lt. Choi before Tuesday's trial by adding your name now.

Go to: http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/SupportDan

See the new Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
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Steinhart Aquarium is home to 38,000 live animals from around the world, representing more than 900 separate species. Come nose-to-beak with an African penguin, watch sharks and stingrays cruise beneath your feet, check out the set of teeth on a piranha, and learn about the critical, life-sustaining role that water plays on Earth.
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Just turn-up the sound and push the play button:
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For inside tips to parking, transit, dining and visiting the Academy, go to:
Parking & Inside Tips for the California Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park


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Susan Rice, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said Sunday that while the public protests over Iran’s disputed elections have been snuffed out, the events marked an important shift for the country.
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“Something extraordinary has happened of late in Iran and the popular discontent, the incredible diversity of the coalition that has come together to demand change … has been quite extraordinary,” she said. “And I think this is a profound moment of change in Iran the implications and consequences of which we are yet to see fully unfold.”
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On CBS’ Face the Nation, host Bob Schieffer asked Rice if the United States considers the Iranian government legitimate and if officials are prepared to talk to Iran.
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“Legitimacy obviously is in the eyes of the people and obviously the government's legitimacy has been called into question by the protests in the streets. But that’s not the critical issue in terms of our dealings with Iran. We are concerned for our own national interests to ensure that Iran doesn’t pursue its nuclear program. We didn’t have diplomatic relations with Iran before the election. Obviously, we don’t’ have them at present.”

Watch this video from the source of this story, Politico.com

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Here are a few good bets for an enjoyable light breakfast in the neighborhood near San Francisco's Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero:
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Crossroads Cafe (a Delancy Street Foundation program)
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Red's Java House
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Eppler's Bakery
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Amy's Cafe
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Boulettes Larder
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Perry's
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Yes Burgers and Malts (yes, breakfast too)
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Russia's Pacific Fleet will send a new task force led by a missile destroyer with two helicopters to the Gulf of Aden on June 29, a fleet spokesman said on Friday.

About the photo: The Russian Navy's Admiral Tributs, a Udaloy-class destroyer that is the counterpart to the U. S. Navy's Arleigh Burke class destroyer

"A task force, comprising the Admiral Tributs destroyer, the Boris Butoma tanker and the MB-99 salvage tug, will head to the next Monday," the official said, adding that a naval infantry unit would also be dispatched to the region.

The Admiral Tributs is an Udaloy class missile destroyer armed with anti-ship missiles, 30-mm and 100-mm guns, and two Ka-27 Helix helicopters designed for long-range reconnaissance and search missions.

The Russian Navy joined international anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast in October 2008. Three warships have so far participated in the mission - the Baltic Fleet's Neustrashimy (Fearless) frigate, and the Pacific Fleet's Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Panteleyev destroyers.

Read the rest of the story from Defence Talk

Also see: Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces

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The United States is to dramatically overhaul its anti-drug strategy in Afghanistan, phasing out its opium poppy eradication program, the US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan said.

U. S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the President's Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, said on Saturday that poppy eradication - for years a cornerstone of US and UN drug trafficking efforts in the country - was not working and was only driving Afghan farmers into the hands of the Taliban.

"Eradication is a waste of money," Holbrooke said on the sidelines of a G8 foreign ministers' meeting on Afghanistan, during which he briefed regional representatives on the new policy.

"It might destroy some acreage, but it didn't reduce the amount of money the Taliban got by one dollar.

"It just helped the Taliban. So we're going to phase out eradication," he said.

Eradication efforts were seen as inefficient because too little was being destroyed at too high a cost, Antonio Maria Costa, the UN drug chief said.

The old policy was unpopular among powerless small-scale farmers, who often were targeted in the eradication efforts.

Read the rest of the story from it's source, Al Jazeera.

Also read:
PRESS BRIEFING BY BRUCE RIEDEL, AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE, AND MICHELLE FLOURNOY ON THE NEW STRATEGY FOR AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN - The White House, March 27, 2009

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With California Democrat Ellen Tauscher heading to the State Department, former Army captain and West Point grad Anthony Woods has set his sights on her congressional seat. After two tours in Iraq, Woods came out of the closet and had to leave the military.

Outlook's Rachel Dry spoke with him about the Obama administration's position on gay rights, the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and why "don't ask, don't tell" is the least of the president's problems.

Excerpts:

Q. Why did you decide to come out?

A. That was one of the toughest choices I had to make in my entire life. I struggled with it, because I knew that my decision would ultimately cost me something that I really loved -- my career in the military. And you know I weighed that with the very real fact that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is asking people to lie, and there's something that's fundamentally wrong with a policy that's encouraging people to compromise their integrity and to lie about who they are.

Read the rest of the story from its source: The Washington Post

Anthony Woods Quick Facts:

• - Born at Travis Air Force Base, California
• - West Point Graduate
• - Master's degree, Harvard University - Kennedy School of Government
• - Served with the rank of Captain, U. S. Army
• - Two Iraq deployments
• - Awarded the Bronze Star for bravery

Resources:

About Anthony Woods and the courage of his convictions

Anthony Woods for Congress

SLDN (Servicemembers Legal Defense Network)

Support Lt. Col. Fehrenbach - sign this letter from SLDN

Watch "Ask Not" - powerful new video from SLDN





IAVA - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

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Four local chefs will be battling it out on the grills at the historic San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace: Mark Sullivan of Spruce, Andrew Swallow of Mixt Greens, Taylor Boetticher of Fatted Calf, and Elizabeth Falkner of Orson.
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Chefs will use grass-fed beef and other meats from Marin Sun Farms ( some of the finest beef you will ever have an opportunity to enjoy. See their butcher shop website) to concoct their best burgers, and each will create a surprise side dish with ingredients from the market.
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A limited number of mini-burgers will be available for a $2 donation.

A reporter on Headline News (HLN) cable television network said today that the news of Michael Jackson's death caused the Internet to spike and reach it's greatest level ever. Not true!

Soon after news of Michael Jackson's death broke out on the web around 5:30 p.m., the blogosphere was filled with accounts of news sites and social networks creaking under the strain of spiking traffic.

Akamai Technologies, which delivers online content for more than 100 global news companies, said traffic peaked at about 4.2 million global visitors per minute.

To put that in perspective, however, it is actually less than half of the peak last Nov. 4, the day Barack Obama was elected president, when worldwide traffic hit 8.5 million per minute.

In fact, traffic at the 6:30 p.m. peak yesterday did not even rank in the top 15 peaks since Akamai started its net usage index on Aug. 18., 2005. Normal traffic is in the range of 2 million visitors per minute globally, Akamai said.

The truth should be retold, not re-written.
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This note comes to us by way of Supervisor Bevan Dufty:

What: SF Pride Grand Marshal's Brunch
When: Saturday, June 27, 2009
What time: 11 AM to 2 PM
Where: Hotel Whitcomb (see below for address, map)
Cost: $75 to $100

Donna Sachet and Gary Virginia will host the 11th annual brunch honoring the San Francisco Pride Grand Marshals at Hotel Whitcomb, 1231 Market @ 8th Street (). The ticket price of $75 supports the work of the Positive Resource Center. This is another wonderful tradition celebrating the amazing group of marshals honored by SF Pride.
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In the photo: Cloris Leachman, Celebrity Grand Marshal, SF Pride Parade 2009 and San Francisco's own Diva Delight, Donna Sachet.

Donna Sachet's website informs us that the brunch will include the Dixieland Dykes + 3 (sizzling jazz), a Stolichnaya vodka bar, a silent auction and a live auction for a $5,000 Harrah's Lake Tahoe super-VIP package.

This note comes to us by way of Supervisor Bevan Dufty:

Patrick Carney has once again organized the installation of the Pink Triangle on Twin Peaks. It is a moving and uplifting ceremony that takes place this Saturday @ 10:30 a.m. at the top of Twin Peaks. Kudos to Les Natali of Badlands/Toad Hall who made a major gift to complete the 2009 fund drive.
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Here are all the details for the 2009 Pink Triangle dedication event:

The Pink Triangle starts in 1 day , on Saturday-Sunday 27-28 June 2009.

Set-up is Saturday morning, 7 am - 10:30 am. Volunteers needed. Pink Triangle t-shirts, coffee, and donuts will be provided for all those that get up early to help out.

Commemoration Ceremony starts at 10:30 am.

Break-down is Sunday evening, 6 pm - 7 pm. Volunteers needed.

Driving Directions

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Honored Guests: Expected are California Senator Mark Leno, California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors David Chui, San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, along with some Grand Marshals of S. F. Pride.

Guest speaker Cloris Leachman will be telling "The History of the Pink Triangle." She is an Emmy and Oscar-winning actress of stage, film, and television. She has won eight Primetime Emmy Awards--more than any other female performer, and won an Oscar for "The Last Picture Show."

Guest speaker Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado, recently returned from Iraq, who will speak of the outrageous and tragic events that are taking place there toward the LGBT community.

The goal of the Pink Triangle ceremony is to remind people that even though the hatred that existed in Germany 70 years ago that led to the creation of the Pink Triangle no longer exists there, such hatred certainly persists in other countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Congressman Polis' recent trip makes his talk perfect for the goal of the Pink Triangle.

Guest speaker Lieutenant Dan Choi graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point in 2003 with a degree in Arabic and Environmental Engineering. His fluency in Arabic and West Point degree became very useful to the Army's mission in Iraq as he did not need to use an interpreter. He declared his sexual orientation publicly on national television, on The Rachel Maddow Show, resulting in his recent notification of discharge despite his desire to continue serving. He fights for the repeal of the discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy and reminds all soldiers that they are not alone, and they should never be ashamed of being honest with themselves and others.

The Band We are delighted that The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band will be performing for us again this year.

Don't believe everything you read. This evening, for example, Iranian Police and the Basij were sending out hundreds of robo-tweets. They came from several Twitter accounts. Those guys in Tehran who work for Ahmadinejad don't seem to be very creative. All their phony Twitter accounts started with "xyz" and were followed by three digits in numerical sequence. That's some pretty mundane thinking.

These guys were phishing for IP addresses. If someone bites at the bait, they are able to harvest the victim's IP address. Once they locate the source they send out the goons to beat, arrest or kill the person at their keyboard. Yes. Things are that bad!

In the middle of last night the game changed. When it became clear to the Basij that they had been exposed by numerous re-tweets, they tried a new tactic. They began flooding Twitter with as many copies of the same message as they could generate.

Here's the message they sent out with actual URL not included:

#IranElection Tehran Mousavi Iran #neda Neda - How to send an anonymous email ... - http://......

If you use Twitter you can help protect these brave Iranians. Here's how:

..- Set up a new Twitter account specifically for your Iran tweeting action.

While attempting to bring us the truth, two American journalists were detained in North Korea.

San Francisco is organizing a community-wide gathering to join the nation in solidarity for the release of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, American journalists sentenced to 12 years in labor prison after being convicted of illegally crossing the border into North Korea and "grave crimes" against North Korea. The two had been working on a story on human trafficking, from the Chinese side of the border, for Current TV, headquartered in San Francisco. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called the charges "baseless" and has been working all channels for their release.

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will attend a prime-time conversation on health care with the President at White House tonight!
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Following Tuesday’s House passage of advance funding for VA health care, IAVA Member Veterans are scheduled to visit the White House Wednesday evening to participate in a prime-time ABC News special called “Questions for the President: Prescription for America.”
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The town hall forum will focus on the future of America’s health care system, including veterans’ access to VA health care. Tune in to ABC News at 10 pm EST to watch or follow on Twitter for live updates.
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Additional info from ABC News
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans of America (IAVA)
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Times:	Sunday, June 28 at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Host:	Jay Cash
Location:	A and PI Booth in front of building (in front of Vet Center) (San Francisco, CA) 505 Polk Street San Francisco, CA 94102 Maps: MapQuest
Directions:	On Polk, between Golden Gate and Turk. 1.5 blocks north of City Hall on Polk.
Associated Groups:	NorCal LGBT for Obama, San Francisco for Obama

June 24, 2009. Message from First Lady Michelle Obama:

National and community service has been a cornerstone of my life, as I know it has been for many Americans. And with the daily struggles now confronting so many families, it's especially important for us to reach out to one another and offer a helping hand.

I've just launched United We Serve, a national initiative to tackle our toughest problems by working hand-in-hand in communities across the country. We aim to make a real difference right now and bring more and more Americans into a tradition of life-long service to make an even greater difference down the road.

I'd like to invite you to be a part of it by joining Organizing for America's National Health Care Day of Service this weekend. You can join up with other local OFA supporters to help improve health care services in your community and make a difference as we work to reform America's health care system.
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Sign up now to participate in a National Health Care Day of Service event this Saturday, June 27th.


There's an old Thomas Edison quote I've always liked: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." It's no secret that our country faces some enormous challenges right now, and meeting them will take a lot of hard work. But in that work lies an equally great opportunity -- a chance to serve. And I do believe the chance to serve is a precious gift indeed.

Service has played a transformative role in my life -- bringing me tremendous joy and helping me find the path that led to where I am today. As a parent, I believe service is a great way to demonstrate values and to teach our children firsthand what it means to commit to a purpose beyond ourselves.

It should be a part of everyone's life. From the moment someone can walk to the day they leave this planet, service should be a part of how we give back, how we say thank you, how we express our gratitude for the lives that we've been given.

So I'm deeply honored for this chance to support our United We Serve initiative and Organizing for America, and I hope you'll be able to participate this weekend. Please sign up now to volunteer at a local event:
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http://my.barackobama.com/hcserviceattend

Thank you,

First Lady Michelle Obama

Also see: Volunteer and Service Work in San Francisco in 2009

Thursday, June 24, 2009. This just in from :

Lawyers for President Obama are quietly drafting first-of-their kind guidelines barring workplace discrimination against transgender federal employees, officials said Tuesday.

The guidelines will be in an updated federal handbook for managers and supervisors to be distributed and posted online in the next couple of months, and they could also be included in other materials for managers. They will list transgender people — those who identify their gender differently from the information on their birth certificates — as among several groups protected by antidiscrimination laws.

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For more information contact the Transgender Law Center, San Francisco

Also read: U. S. Asylum based on gender identity persecution

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Thursday, June 25, 2009
6:30-8:00 p.m.
at The SF/SPCA Adoption Center, 250 Florida Street ()
(cross-street 16th Street)
$10 admission includes two drink tickets*

Celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month by mingling with available cats (and dogs) and sampling specialty cocktails and appetizers.

Take the Meet Your Match Feline-ality assessment and learn which feline companions are your purr-fect match.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact Laura Gretch at or by email ()

Wine sponsor: Mutt Lynch Winery

Please leave your pets at home.
* must be 21 to consume alcohol

Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24th on KQED public radio's Forum at 10 AM:

Modern mountain biking was born on the trails of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County in the 1970s. We talk to some of the pioneers of the sport who are featured in a new documentary, "Klunkerz." Guests include: Joe Breeze, founder of Breezer Bikes; Charlie Kelly, creator of the Repack races and founder of the first magazine devoted to mountain biking; and Gary Fisher, founder of Gary Fisher Bicycles and mountain biking icon.

If you are reading this after 10 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, you may be able to listen to the program on-demand at KQED Public Radio
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Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24th on KQED's public radio forum at 9:30 AM:

With hundreds of classes on the chopping block because of budget cuts, San Francisco City College chancellor Don Griffin is proposing that private donors sponsor classes in exchange for naming rights. We welcome Milton Marks, president of the City College Board of Trustees for a discussion of the idea and the potential cuts.

If you are reading this after 9:30 AM on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, you may be able to listen to the program on-demand at KQED Public Radio.
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Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 24th on KQED public radio's Forum at 9 AM:

Bay Area transportation officials are preparing for the possibility of a BART strike. Contract negotiations between the rail system's unions and managers are underway, and the rough economy is raising the stakes. KQED talks about the approaching contract deadline and next steps with guests Tom Blalock, president of the BART Board of Directors and Randy Rentschler, director of legislation and public affairs for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

If you are reading this after 9 Am on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, you may be able to listen to the program on-demand at KQED Public Radio.

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Today, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation’s first and largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, applauded the House for passing the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act (H.R. 1016). This critical legislation will provide timely, predictable funding for veterans’ health care by authorizing Congress to approve a health care budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at least one year in advance:

“Today, as the President committed to overhauling the nation's healthcare system, Congress took an important step in reforming the way the VA is funded. Advance appropriations means an end to years of late budgets, and the rationing of care for our country's veterans. This is a sound investment in the future of veterans' healthcare that will benefit millions of American heroes,” said IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff. “IAVA salutes Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Filner for their leadership, and representatives from both sides of the aisle for their support. We look forward to working with the Senate to ensure this bill reaches the President's desk.”

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the country's first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. Its mission is to improve the lives of this country's newest generation of veterans and their families.

There is a great article on San Francisco's new groundbreaking recycling legislation.

Read the full story from The Huffington Post in an article written by our own Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Here is The Huffington Post bio for Mayor Newsom and here is the Mayor's official city website.

Gavin Newsom is a candidate for Governor of California and you can reach his campaign website here.

Also see:

Gavin Newsom for California Governor: the historical perspective

Veterans in California: Gavin Newsom's Plan

Gavin Newsom chosen to lead U. S. Mayors' Health Reform Task Force

An urgent message from Gavin Newsom of the Prop 8 decision

Global Partnership for Sustained Tourism Criteria & Gavin Newsom

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