And the beat goes on: The new poets of North Beach.

I have met quite a few poets in North that I feel have a beautiful way with words. Here are some of my favorites:

Stellar Cassidy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un7J18o73Q4

J. Brandon Loberg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibFES8j_m6M

Ricardo Luna 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uimpnZHlPI0

Philip Hackett
http://www.examiner.com/music-in-national/san-fran-s-king-of-poetry-continues-to-inspire-artists?fb_comment=27230021

The Meeting Adventure, Round 2

Let me preface this tale by saying that it is nowhere near as exciting as the first. This story has no five and a half hour accomplishment, nor does it have the interesting little (creepy) bit about being hit on by a man nearly three times my age.

Nope, nowhere near as exciting. Yet, still interesting in its own right.

I finally managed to find time to get to a meeting for the Haight Ashbury Improvement Association (more commonly written HAIA and pronounced "hiya"). I had to cancel a tutoring session and hurry over after right after school, feeling definitely underprepared to meet my new profile subject, but hey, I still made it.

What blew me away more than anything else right off the bat was the demographic. White people. Seriously. Not a single person in that room wasn't white. Three of the four board members who showed up were in the prime of their lives (as in, at least 50). Of course, they all either live or work in the Haight (except one who has apparently since moved to San Mateo for some reason unknown to me).

I think what amazed me more than anything else about this meeting was the issues they were interested in. It reminds me of those little random things that my dad used to tell me about when I was growing up. Issues that seem to have nothing to do with anything (like the color you paint the trim on your house, or how long the trash cans can sit out in front of your house before you should be forced to put them behind the fence). I never really saw the importance of these issues until I went to this meeting.

Because let's think about it: the Haight is definitely the most upstanding neighborhood in San Francisco. No hippies, no homeless, and nothing to worry about. Except making sure that AT&T doesn't install more boxes to render internet and phone services to customers there.

(For those of you who have't figured it out: I'm poking fun.)

Seriously. Seriously? Twenty minutes on these phone boxes, including a vote to have the organization oppose their installation. Oh, and another twenty spent on how there needs to be volunteers armed with cell phones at Bay to Breakers (preferably two on every block) when things get out of hand so they can give a timely call to the cops. Seriously?

I'm trying to figure out why it matters. Maybe it's because I'm not a homeowner (or even a renter) and I don't see the problems that come with having to deal with such things. Or maybe it's because I don't really live in San Francisco and see the problems. Or maybe it's because I don't understand how rowdy the homeless can get. Or maybe it's because I don't understand why it matters that people spend some time sitting on the sidewalk and asking passersby for some extra change.

Maybe I just think that the Haight used to symbolize for some freedom and be a bit on the side of liberal, and this organization sounds like anything but.

Or maybe I just don't understand.

Profile... this is hard.

Last week I was trying to get my profile story subject all set so I would have no trouble this week doing it. I was really banking on Janice Mirikitani, a Poet Laureate and a founder of many services at Glide Memorial, to give me some time for an interview. However, her schedule was busy...busier than I had originally anticipated. She seemed very open  and willing to do it when I met her and her assistants. But it didn't go through. 

On top of that the Guardian Angels have moved from patrolling the Tenderloin to patrolling the Mission due to the increased gang violence. This is a bummer because they were going to be one of my mine sources in my story. However, I am hoping I will still be able to get some quotes from people who have been on the corner of Turk and Taylor. 

So I have begun to observe the corner of Turk and Taylor. But to top this off it has been raining so the activity on the corner is less than it usually is. Interestingly enough however there are still drug transactions going on. 

This profile story is by far the hardest I've had to do ever. It is not only very involved, but it will be difficult to get people to talk about the action on the corner. From the people I've talked to already some of the business owners on the corner may be in cahoots with drug dealers. They protect each others business. The owners don't report the drug dealers because it attracts more traffic to their businesses and the dealers protect the businesses from troublemakers because they want to prevent the police from coming to the corner. 

It is an interesting dynamic but one that will be dificult to uncover. Any suggestions may be much appreciated. 

A mile in 1900

The air is warm today. Without the misty ocean spray blowing over the rolling dry hills to refresh my sensibilities, it would be easy to lose myself in the tactile triviality of this particular moment. My shoes, just purchased from the general store, are uncomfortable on my feet. Yet, the way that they sink into the mud of the track where horses once ran is an inspiriting thought. I'm just wearing my white flanel shirt today. Ma would have been upset if I got my Sunday clothes dirty again. She hates doing the wash twice a week. I take a deep breath, trying to open my nostrils the way I've seen my cousin's horse do. It's difficult to pull in a lot of air, but the sweet scent of sweat and the tangy aroma of alum from the tanned leather fill my lungs. Maybe I can make it all the way around this time without stopping. I start to run again...

My but this, San Francisco, is different from Boston. The harbor is yet to be filled with ships and the houses are very nearly miles apart this far from the city center. Pa says in his boisterous voice, the one he uses when he's excited about something, "It is the epitome of urban and country living, all rolled into one!" At least that's what the pamphlet he's reading from says. I haven't yet learned to read and Ma says it could be some time before we can afford another tutor. We did get to walk down Market Street this morning though. Just like those who are better off. I put on my vest and derby hat for the occasion, so I would fit in better. Even though my shoes aren't exactly agreeable to my feet, they sure looked good all polished and shining as the fog cleared. That's another odd thing about this place. The fog. It seems to come when it wants, sits over the city like a slumbering sow, and eventually lazily departs once dinner is ready. It sure can be dreary at times.

I think my favorite part of this new city are the smells. Not old and stale like back home, but new, and inviting. Reminiscent of when Ma used to make freshly baked corn muffins for my birthday, and the smell would lure me to the breakfast table. Every corner of this, I think Pa called it a 'peninsula," is ripe for exploration. Yep. I'll grab my straw hat later today and see if I can't find a new place to set up. There's a hill just to the east of our house that looks out all the way to Market Street. I think I'll look there first. Ma called it, "Twin Peaks." Though, I'm not sure why as there's only one 'peak' really. It's just lumpy at the top.

The dust settles on my shoes as I come back to my starting point and look around. Taking in fresh air with each heavy, fatigue-laden breath. This place could be alright. At least I get to see the horses run again.

Here's the site I told you students I would post that shows the before and after tsunami photos:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm

South Beach in the Rain

I know the rain hinders all foot traffic. But I swear, my neighborhood is like a ghost town in the rain. There is no one out or in restaurants or in the parks. South Beach is not easily accessible to Muni or Bart, and therefore foot traffic is pretty much the only means of travel. It's great on sunny days, people out, willing to talk. Rain=zilch. It's like two different places.

Restaurant owner Chinnmaye has said that her business hasn't declined so much because of the rain, but that's because people like Indian food when it's chilly (I think her location of San Francisco is ideal for that reason). Visit her restaurant, it's called Ruchi on 3rd and Bryant. The Chicken Chettinadu and Green Pullakora are amazing. Or you can get a Dosa for $8.

On a side note, a lot of my investigating has been towards the yachting community of South Beach, specifically the Golden Gate Yacht Club and South Beach Yacht Club. I was surprised and happy to hear that they collaborating to raise money for Japanese tsunami survivors by donating all of their proceeds from their next youth sailing lessons.

A Friend Witnessing the Disaster in Japan

Due to my grandmother getting out of the hospital after her knee surgery on Sunday, I was unable to actually go to Japantown and interview people about their families back home. [I was at her house literally ALL weekend taking care of her].

Late Saturday night, I get a text message from a friend of mine who is studying in Tokyo. "OMG, Leigh... EARTHQUAKE! OMG...." Not knowing who the person was due to an international phone number difference, or whatever, I asked, "Um... who is this?"... Then I put two and two together and texted back "OMG MISSY! ARE YOU OKAY?!"

She texted me hours later saying she was fine and needed sleep. The 8.9 earthquake startled her. She said that she has never experienced such an earthquake in her life. (She doesn't remember the Loma Prieta earthquake). She also said that she can't stand to watch the news because of the tsunami.

According to Missy, more than 1800 people have been identified at dead.

"I keep watching my phone, seeing who will respond to texts or return calls. So far I have heard from all my friends except for three. I'm hoping they're okay," Missy said.

----

Now, since she is one of my best and oldest friends, I am just glad she is okay. I got NO sleep. I plan on writing an article for [X] Press and for my Journalism 226 (Digital News Gathering) class, since we did some work for the Japan tsunami.

I'll post what Elissa and I did for that class.