Richmond Roundup

Geary Merchants Honored at Luncheon
The 63rd annual luncheon put on by the Geary merchants was just like every other one - over the top with musical acts, top-shelf politicians and a recognition of the district's small businesses.

About 400 people filled a grand ballroom at the Cathedral Hill Hotel on Sept. 16 to hear a keynote address by state Attorney General Jerry Brown and a host of other public servants, including Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, who had a musical number by "Dean Martin" dedicated to her, Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp, and District 1 Supervisor Eric Mar.

Brown extolled the virtues of the Richmond District, where many of his family members have lived, including his grandmother.

Entertainment was provided by a couple of members of the Rat Pack, crooners dressed like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin who each sang a song solo before teaming up for a team performance.

Among the merchants being recognized for outstanding service to the community or the environment were:

• Merchants award - Michael, David and Jennifer Puente at the House of Bagels; and Nelson and Esther Chao at Belly Burger;

• Community service award - Richmond Police Station Capt. Richard Corriea presented awards to Patricia and Richard Gibbs, founders of the San Francisco Free Clinic, Pat Kaussen from the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, and Gary Delagnes and Kevin Martin from the San Francisco Police Officers' Association;

• Centennial award - San Francisco Chamber of Commerce President Steve Falk presented awards to Terry Hanley and Lynda McCarthy at the Star of the Sea and to Dan Hountalas at the Cliff House Restaurant for serving the community for 100 years or more;

• Environmental sustainability award - Helen Hobbs at Tia Margarita and Greg and Laura Truppelli at the Beach Chalet were honored by Golden Gate Restaurant Association director Kevin Westlye for their environmental efforts.

Also recognized were a pair of doctors who treat the vision-stealing disease glaucoma. Doctors Terri Pickering and Andrew Iwach, who work at the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco, accepted certificates of appreciation after a short speech by Alessandro Barccari.

For more information about the Greater Geary Boulevard Merchants and Property Owners Association, go to the Web site at www.gearyblvd.org.

It Was A Giant Night
San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Wilson and third base coach Tim Flannery appeared at "Giants Night" at the United Irish Cultural Center on Sept. 13 to participate in a fundraiser for the Giants Community Fund.

The event featured a reception, panel discussion, question-and-answer session and traditional music performed by The Rogues.

The Giants Community Fund uses baseball as a forum to encourage youngsters and families to live healthy, productive lives. The fund supports Junior Giants summer leagues throughout Northern California and collaborates efforts with the SF Giants to provide assistance for targeted community efforts in the areas of education, health and violence prevention.

Richmond Reform Demos Elect Officers
The Richmond Reform Democratic Club has elected a new slate of officers to oversee the club's activities during the next year.

Elected were President Brian Larkin, Vice President Michele Stratton, Secretary Tania Bauer and Treasurer Reggie Vance. Serving on the club's board of directors are David Hirtz, Margie Hom-Brown, Sue Fry, Catherine Robyns, Alexandria Yudovich and Antonio White.

The organization will monitor and assist numerous issues in the Richmond District, including neighborhood schools, small business issues, the condo conversion process, the relationship between the Richmond and city government, the plan to implement a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program on Geary Boulevard, and election and redistricting issues.

Public Memorial Complete at Academy
Renowned artist Maya Lin debuted her final public memorial, "What is Missing," at the California Academy of Sciences on Sept. 17. The memorial is dedicated to raising awareness about biodiversity and habitat loss.

The dedication of the sculpture, which was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission, coincides with the Academy's one-year anniversary. It is the only institution in the world to house two permanent sculptures - an artwork and a memorial - by Lin.

The California Academy of Sciences is located at 55 Music Concourse Dr. in Golden Gate Park.

Former Assemblyman to be Honored
The SF Police Officers' Association will honor former Assemblyman Charlie Meyers at its monthly board of directors meeting on Oct. 21.

Association President Gary Delagnes will present a plaque to Meyers for his work passing the Meyers, Milias, Brown Act, which "greatly affected California's public sector employees and their families."

Tour De Fat Rolls into Town
Thousands gathered on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Speedway Meadows in Golden Gate Park when the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition hosted the 2009 Tour De Fat, along with their co-sponsors the Bay Area Ridge Trails Council and the New Belgium Brewing Co.

Music and other entertainment were provided by Sean Hayes and the Loyd Family Players drum corps., the March Fourth Marching Band, Squirm Burpee Circus and Honeymoon Cabaret. There was a bicycle parade, a mock funeral procession for the automobile, a raffle for a brand new, red "Fat Tire" bicycle and dozens of unique cycle-based designs riding around, though some were more successfully engineered than others.

Free bike racks for merchants
The SF Metropolitan Transportation Authority, in cooperation with the SF Bicycle Coalition, is planning to install 700 bicycle parking racks across the City during the next year. Priority for the free racks will go to merchants who request them for their businesses.

For more information or to request a bicycle rack, go to the Web site at www.sfbike.org.

New Program for Seniors
A business has been formed to match seniors with people who share a common interest.

The aim of the Engage as You Age program is to keep seniors engaged in activities they like to improve their health and quality of life and to keep their minds active.

It costs $50 an hour to match a senior with someone with an Engage as You Age employee with like interests, but a sliding scale is possible for low-income seniors. Lewis said he is working to create a non-profit arm of Engage as well. All employees are trained, bonded and insured.

Engage as You Age is located at 275 Fifth St., Suite 320. For more information or a free consultation, call (415) 690-6944.