Urbia Adventure League kicks off the first Saturday of Summer!

View the city from secret hilltops where butterflies delight via a new adventure booklet

What: Unveiling of new sense-of-place seasonal treasure hunt for San Francisco families

When: This Saturday, June 27th, drop-in between 10 a.m. and noon to pick up a free adventure packet

Where: Starting at the bottom of the colorful mosaic stairway at 16th Avenue and Moraga Street

This summer, a staycation opportunity debuts in the form of a new series of outdoor “sense of place” treasure hunts for families. Urbia Adventure No.1 is being offered for free and guides you to numerous surprises as families work as a team to solve riddle-like clues in a booklet titled “Islands in the Sky.” Adults and children together sharpen their abilities to read the natural landscape features easily missed in this urban environment and enhance their future travels in the city or out in the wild.

Unlike traditional guided tours, Urbia Adventure League offers themed, seasonal adventures-by-mail that allow you to decide when to go and who to bring along. The tools: an adventure booklet, a pencil and a team’s collective wits and senses. The rewards: serendipity, a deeper “sense of place” in San Francisco, and fun team-building. Each journey is an experience to treasure, and a hidden box at the end contains an added reward for finding your way by solving the clues in this new booklet.

Following his recent outing, travel writer Larry Habegger remarked “Finally I discovered that amazing wild land in the heart of the Sunset and got to explore it with my family. My girls can’t wait for our next Urbia adventure.”

Upcoming booklets will explore rocky outcrops near Twin Peaks and a unique „green‟ corridor in the Mission District. Subscriptions to the Urbia Adventure League benefit San Francisco non-profit Nature in the City.

For more information about this new San Francisco tradition, please visit www.urbikids.com or contact Damien Raffa by calling 415.992.8141, or email@urbikids.com.

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TICKETS ON SALE THIS MONDAY, APRIL 6, FOR
 
TUTANKHAMUN AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE PHARAOHS

AT THE DE YOUNG MUSEUM

 

SAN FRANCISCO (April 1, 2009) — Tickets to this summer’s highly anticipated exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, go on sale to the general public online on Monday, April 6, 2009 (please note that the de Young is closed on this day). Tickets go on sale at the museum on Tuesday, April 7. The exhibition opens on June 27, 2009 at the de Young Museum and runs through March 28, 2010. The de Young is the only venue for this exhibition north of Los Angeles and west of Dallas.
 
Advance purchases are recommended to secure tickets for desired date and time.  On weekdays (Monday-Thursday), ticket prices are $27.50 for adults, $25.50 for seniors 65+, and $16.50 for youth ages 6-17. On weekends (Friday-Sunday), ticket prices are $32.50 for adults, $30.50 for seniors and $16.50 for youth.  Children ages 5 and under are free at all times.
 
A special Family Package is available that includes admission for two adults and two youth plus four audio tours.  This package is $99 on weekdays and $109 on weekends, a savings of $17 over tickets purchased separately.
 
Tickets can be purchased online through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com); by calling 877.TUT.TKTS (877.888.8587); or in person at the de Young’s admission desk as of April 7. For groups of ten or more please call the group sales office at 415.750.3620.
 
The exhibition is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.  Proceeds generated from the tour are being used to help preserve Egypt’s treasures, including the construction of a new museum in Cairo where antiquities will be housed.
 
The exhibition will be open to the public daily from 9am-9pm from June 27 through September 30, 2009. The exhibition will resume with new hours from October 1, 2009 through March 28, 2010.  These hours are 9am-6:30pm (Tuesday-Sunday) and 9am-8:45pm on Fridays.  Mondays will be reserved for school group visits.
 

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs provides insight into the life of Tutankhamun and other royals of the 18th Dynasty (1555-1305 BC).  All of the treasures in the exhibition are more than 3,000 years old.
 
Tutankhamun was one of the last kings of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty and ruled during a crucial, turmoil-filled period of Egyptian history.  The boy king died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 18 or 19, in the ninth year of his reign (1323 BC).  Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings was filled with magnificent treasures meant to ensure his divine immortality. Many objects belonging to the young king, including exquisite personal items used in his daily life, were placed in the tomb.
 
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs offers glimpses of that critical period in Egyptian history. On display will be 50 of Tutankhamun’s burial objects, including one of the gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.  Also included are many of the day-to-day objects enjoyed by the young king including a finely crafted child’s chair and an inlaid game board, one of four in the tomb.
 
The de Young presentation is part of a U.S. encore tour.  New to the encore tour are two nested coffinettes that contained the remains of two fetuses that are now undergoing DNA testing to reveal their relationship to King Tut. Also new to the exhibition from Tutankhamun’s tomb is a beautiful bracelet featuring a central image of a scarab representing the sun god. An elaborate pectoral, a masterpiece of jewelry making, contains a rare, yellow-green glass stone carved in the shape of a scarab beetle that some scientists believe to be a fragment of an ancient meteorite.
 
More than 80 additional objects from tombs of 18th Dynasty royals, as well the possessions of elite individuals with close connections to the royal family also will be exhibited.  These stone, faience and wooden pieces from burial sites before Tut’s reign will give visitors a sense of what the burials of both royalty and the elite may have been like and what the Egyptians of that time considered essential for the afterlife.
 
Northern Trust is the proud cultural partner of the exhibition, and American Airlines is the official airline. The San Francisco presentation is sponsored by Mrs. Thomas B. Crowley, Sr.
 
 
EXHIBITION IMAGE SITE
 
EXHIBITION WEB SITE
 
ABOUT THE DE YOUNG
The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international textile arts and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa.
 
Address:                      Golden Gate Park
                                    50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
                                    San Francisco, CA 94118

Information:                 www.deyoungmuseum.org
                                    415.750.3600

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Sunset Farmers Market - Exploratory Survey

The Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center and Supervisor Carmen Chu’s Office are working with community members and the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association to explore the possibility of starting a Sunset Farmers Market.  We would like to hear your thoughts.  Please complete this super short survey (only 5 questions) to let us know what you think.  If you already filled out a paper survey, we’ve got you covered, otherwise respond now!

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Help San Francisco Celebrate Arbor Day!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunset Boulevard at Ortega Street
9 am to 2 pm
Plant and care for trees in a major reforestation effort along San Francisco’s Sunset Boulevard.

More information at www.sfarborday.org

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Wine Tasting to Benefit the Richmond District Libraries Campaign

When: Sunday, February 8, 2009 from 2 pm to 5 pm

Where: Presidio Golf Club, 300 Finley Road at Arguello Gate (take a right through the gate and a left into parking lot)

Details: Enjoy a fabulous afternoon of tastings from 20 different wineries and delicious appetizers. All proceeds benefit the Richmond District Libraries Campaign to raise money for furniture, fixtures, and equipment to complete the renovations for the Richmond/Senator Milton Marks and Anza branch libraries. For a list of participating wineries and to check out our stellar silent auction items, visit us at www.friendssfpl.org/?Event&id=96. Tickets are limited, advance ticket purchase recommended. To order tickets, contact Mary Abler at 415-626-7512 x 107 or via email to Mary.Abler@Friendssfpl.org. A small quantity of tickets will be available at the door. Tickets are $50.

Chinese New Year Concert and Celebration
When: Sun, Feb 8 2008 4pm
*Where: Davies Symphony Hall

Tickets: starting at $22
Details: Celebrate music, family, and tradition at the Chinese New Year Celebration. This festive collaboration of East and West celebrates the Lunar New year with an exotic mix of music and instruments. All ticket holders are invited to the post- concert festival reception, featuring complimentary food from popular Chinese restaurants, lion dancing, children’s entertainment, and good luck symbols. For information on the Imperial Dinner with preferred concert seating, please call the Volunteer Council at (415) 503-5500.

A Course on Sidewalks & Pedestrian Safety Pedestrian Safety Advocacy Training
Community-Building Lunches and Cantonese Translation AND ALL FOR FREE
When: February 10th, 16th, 24th & March 2nd 9:30 am to 2:30 pm  
*Where: AT Taraval Police Station Community Room, 2345 - 24th Ave. / Taraval
Details: During the month of February, Senior University will focus on Sidewalks and Pedestrian Safety in the Sunset.  Classes will include training in public speaking, how to do walkability assessment walks and writing a pedestrian safety resolution. Speakers include Jessie Lorenz, Lighthouse of the Blind; Darrow Vanderburgh-Wertz, Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center; Robert Planthold, California Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Gillian Gillett, The San Jose/Guerrero Coalition to Save Our Streets, and Katy Tang, Legislation aide to Supervisor Carmen Chu. 415.546.2096

Outdoor Movie Night at Cabrillo Playground
When: FRIDAY, February 13, 2009.  Stop by between 4:30 PM TO 5:15PM to sign up for family accounts.
Where: Cabrillo Playground, 851 - 38th Avenue (between Fulton & Cabrillo)
Details: The movie will come on after family account sign ups. This event is highly recommended for outer Richmond residents and families to participate.  Subject to cancel, if it rains.  For more information, please call (415) 666-7010.

Police Community Relations Forum [flyer]
When: Tuesday, February 17^th, 7pm
Where: Richmond District Police Station, Community Room, 461 6^th Avenue (at Geary)
Topic: Department of Parking and Traffic will have a representative to speak and answer questions about traffic and keeping the neighborhood streets safe.

Details:  Captain Richard Corriea invites you and your neighbors to discuss public safety issues and learn about community safety programs.  For more information, contact: Officer Connolly at 666-8000 or Kitty Ha at 668-5955 ext. 375.

WAR AND DISSENT:
THE U.S. IN THE PHILIPPINES 1898-1915
When: Through February 22, 2009
Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue
Details: The Spanish-American War and the Philippine War were turning points in U.S. history and had a great impact on the Presidio. This exhibit of photographs, diaries, letters, political cartoons, recordings, maps, and flags looks at events from several perspectives. www.presidio.gov/calendar

Seniors Moving to Better Health
When: Mondays: 10-11:00 am & Wednesdays: 9:30-10:30am Drop-ins welcome
Where: St James Community Learning Center, 4620 California Street @ 8^th Avenue
Details: Join “Always Active” FREE exercise program for seniors.  Fall Prevention, Strength and flexibility training.  Free Wellness Plan.  For more information call 415 752-0139.

Multi Cultural Children’s Art Workshops MCAP (Multi Cultural Children’s Arts Program)
When:  Saturday mornings, 10-12pm
Where:  Richmond District Neighborhood Center, 741 30th Avenue, (between Balboa and Cabrillo)
Cost:  Refundable fee, $5/class/child
Details:  Spring Arts Workshops are for children ages 6-12.  There is a different workshop each Saturday.  You can sign up two workshops per child.  Please call Jane at 751-6600for class availabilities and information or visit www.rdnc.org.
The Multi Cultural Children’s Arts Program is a program of the Richmond District Neighborhood Center

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Supervisor Carmen Chu invites you to donate….

HALLOWEEN COSTUMES FOR KIDS

What are you going to be for Halloween?

With Halloween right around the corner, that’s a question that every kid’s hearing right now. 

Donate costumes, dress-up clothes, festive accessories, masks and props to the:

DISTRICT 4 COSTUME DRIVE

WHEN:  October 10^th through the 25^th

DONATION LOCATIONS:

·        Taraval Police Station, 2345 Taraval St.

·        The NEW Java Beach at 2650 Sloat Blvd.

·        Sunset Recreation Center, 2201 Lawton St. at 28^th Ave.

·        Taraval Street Fair October 25, Taraval St. between 46^th Ave & Great Highway

Look for our spookily decorated donation bins

DISTRIBUTION:  Children in need of a costume are invited to select a costume from the donations at the Taraval Street Fair on October 25

For further information call: 415-554-7460 or email chustaff@sfgov.org

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The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC) is collaborating with Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF), Timberland, and SF Rec and Park on Dig It!, an Outer Sunset greening event on Saturday morning, October 18, 2008.

Approximately 400 volunteers will work on various greening projects throughout the Outer Sunset, including tree plantings, and playground, park and schoolyard cleanups.

Two of the playgrounds that volunteers will be working on, Sunset and West Sunset Playground, received a failing grade in NPC¹s 2008 Playground Report Card, meaning that these sites have safety and health concerns for the children of the Outer Sunset who play there.

Therefore, Dig It! is an exciting opportunity for San Franciscans to improve the condition of the recreational spaces in the Outer Sunset that need the most attention. Moreover, Dig It! addresses the fact that the Outer Sunset is an area of the City that greatly lacks adequate street trees and parks.

EVENT DETAILS

The event kick-off will begin will begin at 8am on Saturday, October 18 at West Sunset Playground at 3223 Ortega. At 1:00pm, volunteers will reconvene at West Sunset for lunch and prizes. Scheduled to appear are Sunset District Supervisor Carmen Chu and world-renowned environmental photographer James Balog.

The first 400 volunteers will receive a special Timberland t-shirt and a ticket to a concert that evening from 6:00 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. featuring Stone Gossard, founding member of Pearl Jam, at the Regency Center¹s Grand Ballroom (1290 Sutter).

VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP

To volunteer at a Dig It! park, playground, or schoolyard cleanup project, contact NPC Outreach Coordinator Matthew Silva at (415) 621-3260 ext. 116 or msilva@sfnpc.org.

To volunteer at Dig It! tree plantings contact Reed Milnes at the Friends of the Urban Forest at reed@fuf.net or (415) 561-6890 ext. 103.

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In response to the tragic murder of Jordan McKay on September 17, 2008 at Cabrillo Street and 15th Avenue in our Richmond District, the Central Richmond District Safety Committee (CRDSC) is holding a community meeting. The goals of the meeting are:

- Provide whatever details are available about this particular incident
- Understand crime trends in our neighborhood — is crime getting better or worse, and why?
- Know what steps we can take to reduce crime and make our neighborhood safer

When:

Wednesday October 1, 2008, 6:00 pm

Where:

San Francisco Police Department Richmond Station
461 6th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 666-8000
map: http://bit.ly/4tjV2u

Speakers / Agenda:

- Irina Chatsova, SF Safe
- Kitty Ha, Safety Network / RAMS
- An officer from the San Francisco Police Department’s Richmond Station
- Q&A

Questions? Email crdsc.steering.committee@gmail.com
Comments: Post to the Central Richmond District forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/centralrichmonddistrict/

Finally, a reminder that anyone with tips may anonymously call the  SFPD Tip Line at: (415) 575-4444. (Refer to Case #: 080 986 135)

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Thursday, October 2, 6-8pm
City Hall, North Light Court

This promises to be a unique and exciting community event to help rebuild West Sunset Playground for our families and residents. Come join us for an evening of gourmet food and wine and good company at City Hall. There will be a silent auction with items such as spa and restaurant certificates, lunches with local politicians, and many more great items donated by local businesses and friends of San Francisco’s parks.  If you are interested in donating a silent auction item or know of any local businesses interested in helping West Sunset Playground, please let us know!

To register for the event and make your donation, visit our website at http://www.fowsp.org/SunsetSoiree.php

West Sunset Playground, located in the Sunset District on 39th Avenue and Ortega, is a heavily used playground surrounded by a high concentration of schools, a public library and residential homes. This playground is in dire need of repair as it was deemed unsafe by the Neighborhood Parks Council in their recent April 2008 assessment survey. Let’s work together to rebuild this playground for our children and our community!

For more information contact us at 415-839-8875 or events@fowsp.org.

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Saturday, September 27, 11am-4pm
Sunset Rec Center, 28th Ave and Lawton St
FREE

The Sunset Community festival will include exhibits and entertainment that celebrate the neighborhood’s successes, will feature exhibits highlighting all that is “green” which will help community members learn how to better manage natural resources and control waste, and ensure that the greater Sunset community will continue to be a safe, family-friendly environment that is culturally, socially and economically inclusive. Of course, we will continue the tradition of providing a truly fantastic, delightful day in the Sunset with live performances, fun activities, great food, and much, much more.

In keeping with the “green” theme of the Festival, this year’s event will feature garden displays from Eco SF, a Bike Roadeo for kids to learn the rules of the road, a Bike Doctor to tune-up your ride, SF PUC’s “GoSolarSF” show with many solar companies on hand, an electricity generating bike from West Sunset RecConnect’s Sunset Green youth, and many more fun and exciting ways to explore going green.  And don’t forget to bring your electronic waste for free e-recycling!

FREE E-Recycling at the Sunset Festival!

Bring your unwanted and broken electronic items to the Sunset Festival on Saturday, September 27, 11am-4pm, at the Sunset Rec Center and we will proeperly and safely recycle them.

We CAN take:
Screens (i.e. televisions, monitors & LCD displays), home and office electronics, small kitchen appliances, computers, wire, metals, batteries, vacuum cleaners, etc.
 
We CANNOT take:
Refrigerators, stoves, florescent light bulbs or other hazardous materials for disposal such as paints and chemicals (or anything with liquid).

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