POLICE REPORT

March Mission Merchants meeting, Mission Police Captain Stephen Tacchini announced that in response to recent shootings and other violence, he has increased foot patrols in the Mission corridor, with particular

 emphasis on the 16^th and Mission area.  He reported that gang arrests are up and the number of traffic citations has doubled since 2005.  He repeated again his priority of community policing, and urged merchants to participate in the SF SAFE program (www.sfsafe.org).  He reported that there have been several robberies on Valencia Street and his officers have made multiple arrests.  In response to an MMA member’s inquiry of a car incident on February 28^th where a woman drove into the Wells Fargo office at the corner of 22^nd and Mission, Captain Tacchini stated that the driver was a 49 year-old woman who was arrested for DUI.  Luckily, there were no fatalities and only 1 person was injured.  When asked about the effectiveness of the city’s surveillance cameras at certain Mission blocks, Captain Tacchini responded that because they are not allowed to monitor the cameras and can only review the tapes after an incident has occurred, he would rather put efforts into community policing.  Whether it be homeless people in your doorway, drug deals happening on your block, or other public safety issues, Captain Tacchini said it was imperative to contact the police.  He encouraged the merchants to contact him directly and provided his direct line at the station and his email address:  558-5444, stephen.tacchini@sfgov.org.  For anonymous tips, call 575-4444.

IN THE NEWS

Mayor’s Stimulus Package Includes Help for Small Businesses

In February, the Mayor introduced a five-part plan to stimulate San Francisco’s economy, including: (i) accelerating capital spending, (ii) investing in local businesses, (iii) reducing the burdens local government places on local businesses, (iv) supporting our workforce and (v) attracting more foreign investment to San Francisco.  As part of the plan, the city is creating a Revolving Loan Fund to provide small businesses with up to $50,000 loans to meet operational expenses.  The loans are anticipated to be available in late April.  In addition, the city is working on providing over $23 million in no-interest loans to local businesses.  The city is also implementing a payroll tax credit so that businesses will not have to pay payroll tax on any increase in payroll over 2008 levels for two years.  For more information, go to the city’s Small Business Office’s website:  http://www.sfgov.org/site/osb_index.asp.  The SBO also has assistance for businesses regarding State Enterprise Zone tax credits for wages and business expenses and other incentives, which are available to businesses in the Mission District and a few other San Francisco communities.  Go to http://sanfrancisco.cciconstellation.net/Renewal-Community.aspx for more information.  For a complete list of the Mayor’s Stimulus Package, go to http://www.sfgov.org/site/mayor_index.asp?id=98522.

Ninth Circuit Refuses Full Court Review of SF’s Health Care Security Ordinance

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association’s lawsuit challenging the validity of employer payments under San Francisco’s universal health care ordinance was dealt with another setback.  After the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ordinance last fall, the GGRA petitioned the full court to rehear the case.  On March 9, 2009, the Court of Appeals denied GGRA’s request.  GGRA has stated that it will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.  In the meantime, the ordinance, which requires San Francisco employers with 20 to 99 employees to pay $1.23 per worker per hour and employers with 100 or more employees to pay $1.85 per worker for hour, is effective.  For more information about the ordinance, go to http://www.sfgov.org/site/olse_index.asp?id=45168.  Meanwhile, the city has expanded the Healthy San Francisco program to now include residents with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty level (for one person $52,000; for a family of four $106,000).  For more information about Health San Francisco, go to http://www.healthysanfrancisco.org.

Register Now for San Francisco’s Small Business Week Activities,
May 16-23

The week’s activities include a city-wide sidewalk sale on May 16.  The city will waive the permit fees, so businesses are encouraged to join their neighbors in hosting a block sale.  There will also be a Flavors of San Francisco reception on May 18.  To apply for the waiver or participate in the Flavors of San Francisco reception, contact Regina Dick-Endrizzi at the Small Business Office:  Regina.Dick-Endrizzi@sfgov.org,  415-554-6481.
www.sfsmallbusinessweek.com  

  SAVE THE DATES

Valencia Streetscape Artwork Selection
between 16th &19th Streets
Thursday March 19, 6:30 - 8:00pm
SFPD-Mission Station 630 Valencia at 17th
DPW's Valencia Streetscape Improvement Program will include new public art. You can be part of the selection process. This is a chance to share thoughts, values and visions. Participants will elect two members of the community to serve on the artist selection committee. Applications must be submitted by noon on March 19. An example of this process is on display at this location with the 7 rocks in the lobby and the mythical phoenix in the entry on 17th St. More info: contact Tonia Macneil, Project Mnaager 415-252-2551 or tonia.macneil@sfgov.org

El Tecolote Newspaper Fundraiser,
Sunday, March 15, 2009, 3:00-8:00 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission St.

Since 1970, El Tecolote has operated as a community-based bilingual newspaper in the Mission District.  Run primarily by volunteers, El Tecolote is committed to telling the stories often overlooked by corporate media.  This event will feature fresh, baked Chilean empanadas
 from Chile Lindo. Music from Rumbache, as well as free salsa lessons at 3:15 pm.  Tickets are $6-$20, sliding scale at the door; 21+ over.  For more information, contact Martha Duenas at 415-648-1045, maduenas@accionlatina.org. 

Reception for SF’s New Supervisors,
Monday, March 16, 6:00-8:00 p.m.,
Old Mint Building, 5^th and Mission Streets

Here’s your chance to meet San Francisco’s newly-elected supervisors:  John Avalos (District 11), David Campos (District 9), David Chiu (District 3), and Eric Mar (District 1).  This event is co-hosted by the San Francisco Council of District Merchants and the Small Business Network of San Francisco.  To RSVP, contact execdirector@sfsbn.org. For more information, go to www.sfsbn.org and www.sfcdma.org.

Art in the Public Realm,
Monday, March 23, 5:45 p.m., Electric Works, 130 8th St @ Minna

The definition of art is constantly changing, evolving and creating new boundaries. Recently, street style inspired art has been making its way into galleries (such as Banksy).  Does that make graffiti a legitimately accepted art form and should it be appreciated as such?  What are the factors/policies that prohibit it and are those adequate or outdated?  Join SPUR as they welcome Jill Manton, Program Director of the SF Arts Commission's Public Art Program, Susan Cervantes from Precita Eyes Mural Arts and other speakers to discuss the issues of art in the public realm.  Free for SPUR members, $20 for non-members. Admission includes panel discussion, mingling, a drink on SPUR and light food.  RSVP to events@spur.org or 415-781-8726 x120.

March Gladness Tournament,
Saturday, March 28, 2009,10am-2pm, Minnie & Lovie Ward Recreation Center at Oceanview Playground (650 Capitol Avenue @ Montana Street)
The City, in collaboration with various community groups, will be hosting the Sixth Annual March Gladness Basketball and Soccer Tournament in the Oceanview District of San Francisco.  March Gladness is a community recreation Shape – Up San Francisco event
bringing together children, youth, families, and community members to celebrate what is good in the neighborhood, and bring needed resources to the community.  Local neighborhood youth will be teamed up and compete in basketball and soccer matches. There will be a free BBQ, activities for children, and resources for youth, families and community members provided by city agencies and community-based organizations.  To sign up for the Basketball and Soccer tournaments please call the Recreation and Parks Department at 415-831-6318.  There will also be Wells Fargo Financial Literacy Workshops for Parents:  How to Save for Your Child’s College Education -10:30am-12pm; and The A,B,C’s of Credit - 12:30pm-2pm.  For more event information contact: Alfredo Pedroza at 415-554-6622 or alfredo.pedroza@sfgov.org.

Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Parade and Festival,
Saturday, April 4, 12:00-5:00 p.m.
Join the celebration commemorating the life and work of labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.  The parade will go down 19^th Street from Dolores to Mission, then continue to 24^th and finishing at Harrison.  A family-oriented festival with entertainment and facepainting, among other activities, will take place on 24^th Street, between Harrison and Bryant.  For more information, including sponsorship, volunteer opportunities, and participation in the parade, call (415) 621-2665, or go to www.cesarchavezday.org.

Concierge Trade Show,
 April 9, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Hilton Financial District

Hosted by the Northern California Concierge Association, this bi-annual event has grown to be the largest hospitality industry event in northern California.  This Trade Show brings together concierge, hotel sales managers, meeting planners, tour guides, and other guest service professionals to meet with vendors that provide goods and services to the hospitality and tourism industry. The range of exhibitors will include tour, travel, neighborhood/nearby community associations, wineries, and every other imaginable vendor that caters to the needs of the number one industry in the San Francisco Bay Area: Tourism.  The Mission Merchants Association will host a table at this event, and is looking for Mission District promotional materials and volunteers to attend this event.  For more information, contact Jean Feilmoser at gypsyj@att.net.

Conference on Microfinance in California,
 Thursday, May 28, Stanford University   

Urban Solutions is partnering with Microfinance California 2009 - the first statewide conference highlighting microfinance as a smart investment for California. Presented by Opportunity Fund, Kiva, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, with principal sponsors Wells Fargo and Chevron, this conference convenes on May 28 at Stanford University.
Learn the nuts and bolts of domestic microfinance; Understand the impact and future of microfinance in California; Discover your role in the field of microfinance through small group dinners with practitioners, leaders and investors. Visit www.microfinancecalifornia.org to learn more and register.  Early bird registration until April 15.