Dining Out For Life
Various Locations
Tuesday, April 26
The race for a Covid cure has outweighed research efforts for HIV/AIDS. That other pandemic, often eclipsed by the coronavirus that has claimed almost 1 million American lives, is still very much with us. And San Francisco has one of the largest populations living with HIV in the United States.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, San Francisco AIDS Foundation confronts this ongoing public health crisis by hosting Dining Out For Life, an annual dining fundraiser where restaurants all over the city donate 25% or more of Tuesday’s profits to SFAF.
In a typical year, the event will raise around 250k annually, according to Eric Jost, the associate director of marketing at SFAF. The foundation has a health and wellness center in the Castro, a harm reduction center on 6th St. and mobile services throughout various neighborhoods. The foundation also has services for people over the age of 50 living with HIV.
Diners don’t have to be knowledgeable about the program to participate. Ambassadors are stationed at each restaurant to greet guests and explain the event and the initiative. Emer Braddock, a 12-year ambassador veteran, passionately volunteers because she believes that HIV impacts communities already struggling with social burdens. “If we could leverage lessons from the pandemic to recognize that marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS—just as they were by Covid—then perhaps we can move forward in a more committed way,” said Braddock, who you’ll find at Cocotte.
Although Covid hit the restaurant industry the hardest, local eateries participating in DOFL remain generous. Owner of the bakery Kahnfections, Judy Kahn, emphasized that her bakery isn’t big and glamorous but a part of the neighborhood. And like a good neighbor, they will be donating 100% of their proceeds to the cause. For those who prefer a more savory than sweet breakfast, stop by and try their most popular dish—buttermilk biscuit sandwiches.
After grabbing breakfast there, have dinner at Canela. The LGBTQ+-owned Spanish restaurant is located in the Castro and participates in DOFL. “It’s close to home,” said Mat Schuster, the chef-owner. “It just makes sense on so many levels for us to raise awareness, to raise funds. It wouldn’t make sense for us not to.”
There are 40 partnering restaurants in San Francisco, and many others nation wide. You can see the local list here. To-go orders and other qualifying orders vary from restaurant to restaurant, so be sure to ask.
— Rosalie Tapavalu
Battery Bluff Park Opens Up
Battery Bluff Trail | 640 Mason St
Battery Bluff opened on April 23 and became San Francisco’s newest urban park. Battery Bluff is filled with rich San Francisco history—its name inspired by the historic gun batteries placed there as the U.S. Army defended the Bay in 1899 to 1902. Now it’s cleaned, repaired, and accessible to visitors for the very first time. Enjoy a picnic there at tables and benches with breathtaking views to choose from—the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel and Alcatraz islands. If the bay isn’t your thing, there are also 60,000 plants bringing vibrant colors. (RT)
Chat With SFPD Chief Bill Scott
Virtual
Monday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. | Free
SFPD Chief Scott takes an interview at The Paloalto Digest with Micheal Barba on March 24, 2022. | Camille Cohen
Are you curious about recent crime trends in San Francisco? Chief Bill Scott, with other SFPD captains, will hold a citywide virtual conference on public safety this evening at 5:30 p.m. Chief among San Franciscans’ safety concerns is a shift in drug activity as the city pushes dealers out of the Tenderloin, staffing shortages and the slow creep of crime returning to pre-pandemic levels. If you’ve got the time, updates from Chief Scott regarding recent crime trends, new resident-driven public safety strategies, and the department’s reform efforts. Most importantly, Use the opportunity to express your concerns and get answers to your questions and share your ideas. (MM)
How to Start a Co-Op With SF LGBT Center
Virtual
Tuesday, April 26, 1 p.m. | Free
Massive layoffs, widespread economic inequality, a resurgence in union-busting and rising disillusionment with corporations have popularized the worker-owned business model. Seizing upon that interest, the San Francisco LGBT Center, which—among many things—provides resources for the city’s LGBTQ community to start and operate a mom-and-pop-style business, hosts a workshop on who to create a co-op or worker-led business. Business lawyer Galia Schmidt will go over how to set up and run a co-op and talk about ways workers can have a more significant role and voice in their businesses. (CJC)
Explore the Science of Gardening
Candlestick Point Community Garden | 1150 Carroll Ave.
Wednesday, April 27, 4 p.m. | Free
April’s showers bring May’s flowers, even in this concrete jungle. This Wednesday, the Bay Area Science Festival is bringing families together for a lesson on urban community gardening at California’s first urban state park. This will be a hands-on learning experience where you’ll explore how soil health, food webs, observation and scientific tools can elevate your garden. At the end of the lesson, attendees will get to take home a seedling to apply their new skills at home. This event is part of a 9-day series of events for the 2022 Bay Area Science Festival. The Bay Area Science Festival brings science to the youth, adults and families of the Bay Area and connects them with STEM role models. (RT)
Civic Skills Workshop For Teens
Virtual
Wednesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. | Free
In a workshop hosted by the United Democratic Club Youth Committeejournalist Joel Engardio breaks down how local government works through his popular Politics 101 presentation.
Join Engardio and moderators Ewan Barker Plummer, a San Francisco Youth Commissioner, and Maddie Shenkan, an SF-based youth activist and organizer, to discuss the many ways young people can work to make the city better. (CJC)
Town Hall With Jeffrey Tumlin, Director of Transportation
Manny’s | 3092 16th St
Thursday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Free
San Franciscans have a lot to say—and ask— about public transportation in the city. How long does it take for a transportation project to get approved and executed? Hint: Decades. Why are some buses always late? And most importantly: What can be done to make MUNI operate effectively?
While the MUNI system in San Francisco has many issues, it is still the most essential part of the city’s transit network. SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin will come to Manny’s for a live Q&A as part of a new monthly town hall to connect municipal leaders with the general public. (MM)
Slow Lake Street Parade
3rd & Lake Street
Saturday, April 30, 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Free
Kelsey Gorder and Ben Renard walking with their three children on Lake Street. | Nancy Mullane
Bring your bike, scooter or walking shoes to this family-friendly community parade celebrating the city’s Slow Streets and the city’s Climate Action Month. All are invited to stroll, scoot, pedal, sing or dance down Lake Street from 3rd to 23rd avenues. Meet at the corner of 3rd and Lake 15 minutes before the 11 a.m. step off. (CJC)
Save the Date: The Week Ahead
Surviving the High School Grind with Comedian Irene Tu
KQED Headquarters, 2601, Mariposa St.
Monday, May 2, 7 p.m. | Free
Hannah Chikere, a Lowell High School student, speaks into her cell phone during the student comment section of a chaotic school board meeting outside the protest at SFUSD on Feb 22, 2022. | Camille Cohen
High school is no joke at Lowell, the city’s competitive public high school, at least as depicted in documentarian Debbie Lum’s inside look into the school’s “pressure-cooker” atmosphere and the grueling college application process for five of its students. Fortunately, comedian Irene Tu is there to lighten the mood during KQED’s live storytelling event, featuring clips from Lum’s film, Try Harder!. Joining her are Bay Area students to talk about the chase for elite college acceptances and high academic achievement—is it worth the stress? The event will also be live-streamed for those who can’t make it IRL. (CJC)
The post This Week In Civics: Dine Out for Life, Start a Co-op, Get Outside appeared first on The Paloalto Digest.
