Community updates

Sandra Lee Fewer

In the neighborhood

September saw the return of trash cans at Ocean Beach – a long-overdue change that I

was very happy to help make happen, thanks to the neighbors who alerted us to this

problem.

Small businesses along Geary Boulevard also benefited from power washing and street

repairs by the SF Department of Public Works and I was happy to greet Richmond

runners at the fifth annual Jog in the Fog, which benefited the Richmond Y this year.

Also, a big thanks to our Richmond shoppers who donated to Grocery Outlet’s fundraiser,

yielding almost $6,500 for the Richmond Senior Center! Thank you to Travis and Rose,

the owners of the Grocery Outlet. In the Richmond, we take care of each other.

In September, we also had a District 1 public safety Town Hall Meeting: Thanks to SF

Police Chief William Scott, Commander David Lazar and Capt. Alexa O’Brien for joining

our public safety forum on Sept. 14. I was very impressed by the discussion from

neighbors as well as the responses from the SF Police Department about how

to improve public safety in our district.

We also held the Richmond District’s very first Autumn Moon Festival on Clement

Street, which was a success. Our office worked closely with Assemblymember Phil Ting,

Richmond District Neighborhood Center, Community Youth Center and the Clement

Street Merchants Association to bring together thousands of neighbors, vendors

and volunteers in celebration.

We also saw fantastic performances from neighborhood groups like Tat Wong Kung Fu

and the Golden Gate Park Senior Center. It was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday

afternoon.

Also in September, I honored Green Apple Books, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. I

was proud to pay homage to this incredible legacy business that has served our

neighborhood and city so well.

I was also able to honor Devi Joseph, a committed Richmond resident who has tended

the Cabrillo Playground dahlia garden for the past eight years, a fabulous destination

point featuring the official flower of San Francisco.

There were events in Golden Gate Park too. As you know, Golden Gate Park hosts many

large events, like the Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festivals, as well as

marathons and other smaller events. And while it is wonderful to host such vibrant

occasions, we know these kinds of events have a real impact on the neighborhood.

My office will be hosting a community meeting this month about planning for these “big

events.” Find out more information by contacting my aide Nick at

Nick.Pagoulatos@sfgov.org.

Planning projects

In the coming months, there are four exciting ways for residents to get involved in

planning improvements in the Richmond:

● Dog park improvements – We have secured $2 million for improvements to the dog

run area in Golden Gate Park, thanks to Assemblymember Ting. To get involved, contact

Nick Pagoulatos;

● Fulton corridor pedestrian safety – I want to work with neighbors to improve

pedestrian safety. To get engaged, contact my aide Angelina at Angelina.Yu@sfgov.org;

● Park Presidio greenbelt improvements – The stretches of green open space bordering

Park Presidio Boulevard are currently underutilized. Join us in visualizing ways to

improve the greenbelt. For more information, contact my aide Angelina Yu;

● Senior playground planning – My office secured funds to engage the senior

community in envisioning a senior-friendly play and exercise area in the Richmond.

Contact Angelina Yu for more information.

Office hours

I will be changing office hours to prioritize visiting senior and community centers on

Friday mornings to reach more constituents. But, I will continue to hold Sunday office

hours and will be adding a monthly “happy hour” as well. The October meeting

dates are:

• Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-noon: Neighborhood office hours at the Clement Street Farmer’s

Market (parklet outside of Cumaica, located on Clement Street and Third Avenue). I will

be joined by newly-appointed District 1 youth commissioner Elsie Lipson, who would

love to connect with other young people in the district;

• Thursday, Oct. 19, 5-6:30 p.m.: Neighborhood office hours at the parklet outside Simple

Pleasures Cafe, 3434 Balboa St.

I hope everyone is enjoying our Richmond summer and the long days before daylight

savings time ends.

Sandra Lee Fewer represents District 1.