We are excited to be the first community group to hold an event at the just-renovated Dogpatch Saloon on 3rd St at 22nd. Set for 5-8pm on Saturday, September 28th, this community party + Club fundraiser will feature live jazz, great food & fabulous stuff to bid on from the wonderful merchants, artists and neighbors of Potrero Hill and Dogpatch. No-host bar, free admission. See you there!
Category: Uncategorized
Tuesday, August 6th: More sunshine at City Hall
Our July “meeting” took place in Dolores Park on a sizzling Fourth, campaigning for the CA DISCLOSE Act, registering voters, and watching the SF Mime Troupe’s premier performance. Then we were ready to return to our regular venue on the Hill.
City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu (center, r. to l.), having introduced a package of local ethics reform legislation, both appeared on a panel with Larry Bush (left), editor of CitiReport.com and a member of Friends of Ethics. The excellent, illuminating and thought-provoking panel was skilfully moderated by club secretary J.R. Eppler (right). Photo by Jo Elias-Jackson.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 6th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St
Sunday Streets in the Mission, July 28th. Volunteers take a break from registering voters and campaigning for the California DISCLOSE Act. Photo by Linda Post.
Tuesday, June 4th: Oil & Waterfront
OIL. The upper safety limit for atmospheric CO2 is 350 parts per million (ppm). We’ve just hit 400 ppm. Dave Massen (SF group leader) and Jeff Whittington of Citizens Climate Lobby (click here for recent NY Times article about CCL) want to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote transition to a green energy economy through carbon fee and dividend: taxing carbon pollution from fossil fuels, and returning the proceeds to American households. This idea is an alternative to cap and trade, which now exists in California. After the presentation (photo above by Maulik Shah), Club members voted to sign on to a letter urging Congress to enact carbon fee & div
idend legislation.
WATERFRONT. Is the proposed Golden State Warriors Arena development project for Piers 30-32 being rushed through without appropriate scrutiny? Former Mayor Art Agnos of the San Francisco Waterfront Alliance thinks so, and he told us why. Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts joined Mayor Agnos with a different perspective. Many questions, much passion, a great meeting.
Photo by Linda Post
WHEN: Tuesday, June 4th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St
Tuesday, May 7th: Health Care Reform and What it Means to You
The Affordable Care Act, known as “Obamacare,” will be fully enacted come January 1, 2014. But did you know that the new California Health Benefit Exchange (known as Covered California) will be open for enrollment in October?
Our extremely knowledgeable panel consisted of (left to right) Bonnie Preston, MSPH, Outreach & Policy Specialist at the US Department of Health & Human Services, to discuss basics about the federal law and our state’s insurance exchange, (Covered California) where people can compare plans and determine eligibility for tax credits; Patricia McGinnis, Executive Director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, on the effects of reform on seniors;Â Sumi Sousa, Officer of Policy Development and Coverage Programs at San Francisco Health Plan, with a San Francisco perspective. Ms. Sousa also helped write the law that created Covered California. The discussion, including extensive audience Q&A, was both detailed and far-ranging. Another illuminating evening at PHDC! The Club also passed a resolution opposing cuts to Social Security benefits and advocating lifting or scrapping the cap on income subject to Social Security taxes .
WHEN: Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St
March 5th meeting: Saving City College
You may have heard about the recent occupation of the Administration Building by CCSF students, with four specific demands in response to sanctions imposed by the accreditation commission. Students, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni all want to keep City College of San Francisco open – but they don’t all agree on the best approach. Panel discussion with representatives from:
City College of SF Board of Trustees – Two members with differing perspectives: Rafael Mandelman and Steve Ngo.
Save CCSF – Coalition of faculty, students, staff, & community members: Professor Rodger Scott and student Inder Grewal
A civil discussion was held around the various takes on the situation, with questions from the audience. After the panel discussion, Club members had a separate meeting and voted to endorse and attend the Save CCSF rally at City Hall on March 14th at 4pm. There’s our banner at the rally, above.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 5th, 6:45pm (program at 7pm sharp!)
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro St
Feb. 7th: Gun Control – finally they dare speak its name
What are the chances for a meaningful, effective response to the ever-increasing gun violence in this country? Three excellent speakers engaged the audience around this question. Robyn Thomas, Executive Director of Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, discussed current gun laws, the Second Amendment and the prospects for proposed legislation to pass. She emphasized showing elected officials that we are watching; till now the anti-gun control side has been much louder and stronger. Tell the President and other electeds what you think: Thank them for their efforts to reduce gun violence. Captain Robert O’Sullivan of the Bayview Police Station discussed what his officers see – and seize – on the ground. He urged those in attendance to mentor young people who need positive role models. Assistant District Attorney Mike Maffei talked about the San Francisco DA’s office’s handling of cases involving guns. The conversations lasted well after the meeting was adjourned.
2013 Club officers were elected by acclamation.
WHEN: Thursday, February 7th at 7pm
WHERE: Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro @ Southern Heights
December 4th meeting: New possibilities in the aftermath of the election
The December meeting of Potrero Hill Democratic Club – co-sponsored by Noe Valley Democratic Club and San Francisco for Democracy – was about the (mostly gratifying) results of the election – especially the unanticipated gift of a Democratic super-majority in both of California’s state houses. Special guests included Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (left), who began the program by describing the situation and prospects for reform in Sacramento, and then took questions. Next, CA Democratic Party Region 4 Director and Calitics blogger Brian Leubitz and Helen Grieco, Common Cause Organizer for Northen California spoke briefly, then joined a series of small round-table discussions with attendees. The gathering concluded with brief reports from each table “host,” then Helen led a wrap-up discussion with Q&A. Conversations centered around what issues participants most wanted to see addressed by elected representatives, and ultimately how we, individually and as a club, can best work to move forward in realizing our goals. It was one of our liveliest meetings, and quite well-attended.
Tuesday, December 4 at 7pm
Potrero Hill Neighborhood House
953 De Haro St @ Southern Heights
Wed Oct 3rd: Debate Watch Party
We met on the first Wednesday instead of the Tuesday, because that’s when the first Presidential Debate happened. We enjoyed food, drink, friends, neighbors, campaign speakers, strange debate performances and door prizes at the Connecticut Yankee that night.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 6 – 8pm
WHERE: Connecticut Yankee, 100 Connecticut St @ 17th
Two endorsement meetings in September
Tuesday, Sept 4, 6:30 – 9pm: Ballot measure endorsement meeting. State and local ballot measures, speakers pro and con. Q&A of course. Check out the results of voting here. To be endorsed, a proposition or candidate must get 60% of votes cast.
Tuesday, Sept 11, 7 – 9pm: Candidate endorsement meeting. Candidates for Board of Education and SF Community College Board of Trustees. Candidate questionnaires received from these folks may be viewed here. Candidates for BART Director for District 7 (includes Dogpatch) and District 9 (includes Potrero Hill) were also invited to speak. Here are the Club’s endorsements.
Both meetings took place at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, 953 De Haro @ Southern Heights.
Thank you Party & “Shop Local” Auction donors!
Our event August 11th was a great success, largely thanks to the generosity of our donors. What a phenomenal neighborhood!
All States Best Foods
Aperto
ARCH Drafting Supplies Inc
Bell & Trunk Flowers
Jason Benlevi author
Dr. Ann Brinkley, DC
Senator John Burton and Supervisor Malia Cohen
Career Insiders
Chat’s
Chiotras Grocery
Christopher’s Books
Collage Gallery
Connecticut Yankee
Dig
Dogpatch Saloon
Joni Eisen Cake Portraits
Farley’s
Fei Tian Academy of the Arts
Fregosi & Company Paints
Ganim’s Market
Gilberths Rotisserie & Grill
Goat Hill Pizza
The Good Life Grocery
Grand Pu Pah Thai Restaurant & Bar
Hazel’s Kitchen
Just For You Café
Kate’s Closet
Allana Lee Katz jewelry
Peter Linenthal author & illustrator
Marcella’s Lasagneria & Cucina
Moshi Moshi Sushi & Grill
Pawtrero Bath House & Feed Co
Pera
Photography by Emily Payne
Plow
Post & Parcel, Inc
Potrero Chiropractors & Acupuncture
Quince Spa
The Ramp
Rickshaw Bagworks
Rocketfish
Skool Restaurant
Marlene Tran
Winnie S. Tsang
The Workshop Residence
Yield Wine Bar
Potrero Hill Democratic Club 