Police warn Chinese community of latest “blessing” scam

A woman was approached by the first of three suspects, an Asian female, who asked for

directions to a healing salon. The second suspect, an Asian male, pretending to just be

walking by, approached and offered to use his smart phone to help locate

the salon. The male suspect then convinced the victim to walk to a nearby car where the

third suspect, an older Asian male, was waiting.

The victim was led to believe she had cancer and gave the suspects $5,000 as payment for

a cure. The suspects promised to return some of the money later that day, but never did.

The SF Police Department urges older members of the Chinese community to be

suspicious of strangers claiming to provide relief from a curse, illness or to provide

“purification” ceremonies, in which cash and valuable items must be offered as part of

the process. Potential victims are strongly advised to contact police immediately if

confronted with such a situation.

Children and caregivers of elder Chinese community members should discuss the scam

and instruct the elders to call a family member if anyone approaches them under

similar circumstances.

Presidio hosts free Shakespeare Festival

The SF Shakespeare Festival celebrates 35 years of free Shakespeare performances by

presenting “Hamlet” for the first time.

Set in Denmark in 1559, the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet is called to

wreak upon his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet.

Claudius had murdered his own brother and seized the throne, also marrying Gertrude,

his deceased brother’s widow.

The plays will be performed at the Main Post parade ground, on

Sept. 2, 3 (preview), 4, 9, 10, 16 and 17, at 2 p.m.

For more information, call (415) 561-4323 or go to the website at

http://www.presidio.gov/events.

New Orleans-style jazz band plays for wedding

 Ginny and David Hirtz tied the knot at the Bazaar Cafe.

To cement the union of two Richmond District residents on July 29, a New Orleans-style

jazz band was summoned. The seven-piece ensemble blasted horns, banged drums and

sang southern classics on California Street, near 22nd Avenue. It then took its act into

the back yard of the Bazaar Cafe, where Ginny and David Hirtz were tying the knot.

After the vows were exchanged, M.J.’s Brass Boppers Brass Band

(www.mjsbrassboppersband.com) started swinging as guests mingled and congratulated

the newlyweds.

 Sutro Nursery needs vols

The Mt. Sutro Stewards, a non-profit organization that works to preserve and support

Mt. Sutro, is looking for volunteers to work at the nursery sowing seeds, transplanting

plants, working at a demonstration garden, weeding and planting.

The Mt. Sutro Stewards and volunteers work on Wednesdays, from

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meeting place is at 476 Johnstone Dr., which is off

Clarendon Dr. behind the UCSF campus.

For more information or to register, send and e-mail to events@sutrostewards.org.

The Mt. Sutro Stewards also have volunteer opportunities working to maintain hiking

trails at the preserve on some Saturdays.

Environmental report for Mt. Sutro Forest released

Due to the “rapidly declining conditions” at the University of California, San Francisco’s

Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, the university began a public process two years ago to

develop a plan to restore the forest’s health.

The goals of the Mount Sutra Open Space Vegetation Management Plan are to: protect

the safety of people and structures in and around the reserve; improve the health of the

ecosystem; enhance the visual design and preserve the forest experience; and, ensure

public access.

The plan outlines a process to: gradually remove thousands of dead and dying trees;

replant both eucalyptus and native species to restore the reserve’s canopy and improve

the biodiversity of the vegetation; improve the safety of the reserve.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project was released in July. A

copy can be downloaded at the website at http://www.campusplanning.ucsf.edu.

The university urges the public to review the DEIR and provide

comments before its September deadline.