Story Archives

by Christina Heatherton with Dee Gray/ For Courtwatch/PNN

POVERTY.

Swallowed by the mouthful,

the word can sear an empty stomach

with a burning shame-

that boils the blood to gas,

chars the bone to ash,

and makes the broken body

disappear.

...CH

"I am an invisible man", declares the narrator in the opening lines of Ralph Ellison's landmark novel The Invisible Man. Many Berkeley residents encountered Ellison's nameless narrator over the summer months as they participated in a city wide reading of the book, sponsored by the Berkeley Public Library and the Berkeley Arts Festival. Today, nearly fifty years after the novel was written, Ellison's critical reflections on the American experience, particularly the African American experience of invisibility in America, endures. As every African American I interviewed about the book noted, "Black people are still invisible".

Walking around Berkeley, one realizes quickly that it’s not just African descendants who are invisible. A young white girl on Telegraph Ave. counts a thousand unseeing faces pass her by as she panhandles with her infant son. An elder man on Shattuck echoes the words of Ellison’s narrator who says when people refuse to see you, "you often doubt if you really exist."

Scanning the news recently, I’ve also come across another invisible population: Poor mothers. In Steubenville, Ohio last week, a poor woman was arrested on three felony counts of child endangerment because her children had gotten sunburned. In Jacksonville, Florida, a five year old child was taken from her grandmother’s home by Child Protective Services and lost in a gross oversight by the foster care system there. PNN’s CourtWatch recounts the testimonies of mothers whose children were seriously injured or abused while in the "protection" of Child Protective Services (CPS).

Just as poor men of color, particularly African American men, have become grist for the prison industry’s mill, so have poor minority mothers been exploited to feed the colossal child welfare machine, or as some call it "The Child Abuse Industry". CPS receives an absurd amount of money for each child they take in. The children who are targeted are most often those of poor, single women who do not have the capacities to fight back. From the testimonies I’ve read, it seems that CPS often acts with the arrogant assumption that they are doing what is best for the children while actually destroying the family structure and the mental and physical health of the children.

I’ve been assigned to cover the Child Protective Services in light of two recent groundbreaking cases; one in Los Angeles where a mother won a million dollar cash settlement and an apology from the county for their mistreatment and subsequent death of her son, and the other before Judge Weinstein in New York - who ruled that Foster Care is a form of slavery, in regards to the separation of children from Battered Mothers. These cases illustrate the invisibility of the rights of poor mothers.

Debra Reid’s nine year old son, Jonathan, was seized in 1997 after phony allegations that the boy was not receiving proper medical care at his mother’s hands. The boy suffered from severe asthma and was prone to panic-driven anxiety attacks. According to an article in the New Times, (link below) the onset of Jonathan’s attacks occurred after his four year old brother was taken away by Department of Children and Family Services, or DCFS. Among the false claims of the county was testimony by a doctor that Reid suffered from a mental disorder called "Munchausen's Syndrome By Proxy" where a parent fakes their child’s illness in order to gain the glory and praise of being the child’s caretaker. The doctor based this diagnosis without ever meeting Reid. The diagnosis also overlooked the fact that the symptoms of Jonathan’s ailments: asthma and diabetes can not be falsely created. Investigators additionally ignored testimony from Jonathan’s doctor and nurses that Reid was taking excellent care of her son.

For his protection, Jonathan was taken by DCFS. DCFS workers ignored Reid’s repeated pleas to attend to her son’s asthmatic condition. They told her that her son was healthy. The New Times Article reports that Jonathan repeatedly asked to go home to his mother and tried running away to her, even jumping out of his social worker’s moving car. Six weeks after being placed in foster care, Jonathan died from an asthma attack. PNN co-editor, Tiny, a lifelong sufferer of panic driven asthma – often an ailment of being poor, insists that the child died from terror. Debra Reid received word that her son had died from the hospital. She never received a phone call from DCFS to tell her that her son was dead much less an apology from them. Reid has fought the county in court for five long years ever since.

On July 30, Reid spoke before L.A. County Board of Supervisors pleading for a criminal investigation into her son’s death. She was awarded a $1 million dollar settlement and a tearful apology from County Supervisor Gloria Molina. ABC news quotes Reed as saying, "We sought true justice, and we have not received it….Until someone sends this case for criminal investigation, our family has not received justice."

After much work and extensive organizing, Reid has gained a settlement and visibility for her and her son’s rights. The case also sets a precedent that will perhaps enable other mothers to gain visibility in the CPS system. Courtwatch will be following her progress and trying to aid her as best as we can as she works for a criminal investigation into her son’s death.

The case of Debra Reid and other mothers entangled in the CPS system speaks for a larger population of poor minority invisibility. Their pleas can be read in the final lines of Ellison’s novel:

"Being invisible, without substance,

a disembodied voice, as it were, what else could I do?

What else but try to tell you what was really happening when your eyes were looking through?

And this is what frightens me..

Who knows but that, on the lower frequencies, I speak for you too?"

The New Times Article "Protected to Death" can be located at: http://www.newtimesla.com/issues/1998-10-08/feature.html/page1.html

by Joe B.

Sup. Gavin Newsom, is he’s a Figurehead, puppet, with handlers, backers or whatever you’d call ‘em working behind the scenes.

Maybe he’s is in total control of his own campaign within the working of the political system either way I have a slight suggestion to the "Care Not Cash" iniative it could be improved with a few adjustments.

If memory serves me I think I proposed at least to me an economic solution to both joblessness and human downsizing [folks layoff their jobs through no fault of their own as multi national corps and get lean ‘n mean to compete internationally].

The pieces were No-Work Society and Rich Economy.

The main points with going the whole thing again.
* G.D.P. [Gross Domestic Product(s)]
S&P [Standard & POOR(s)]
NASDAQ [National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotes] Yeah, it’s a mouth full of stuff to chew on but on to the main point, now that the economy was tanking big time an hemorrhaging money like a bullet riddled bucket leaking water.

It could be a time of experimentation and exploration economically speaking, This is what America and other countries have learned right and America is suppose to be a past master invention and reinventing it self right?

Here goes.
Instead of Newsom’s $59 dollar or less "Care Not Cash" plan why not place the as little as 5% of the individual affected in a combination investment /trust and annuity fund so some their money is working for them while they try rebuilding their lives an are helped by non profits.

In this way houseless, working poor single and families can participate and benefit.

There are quarterly financial statements and in two or four years accrued interest on the growing 5% principle

Is given by annuity check while part of the excess dividends are reinvested.

The death of individuals is a problem if there are no relatives or friends that monies and or estates are given to it may go to the state and other people so they too can benefit from this ongoing economic programs.

It sounds more complicated but don’t we a ‘kinda technology called supercomputers that can easily work out the math of compounded interest for the hundreds of thousands of people who may benefit?

This may cause certain types of havoc like people take their checks an buying homes, more savvy about money, traveling to other cities, across country, and continents also buying more abandoned office buildings turning time into co-ops.

Some portfolios might make millionaires out of a few.

They too can do nothing all day while their money works hard for them. That could be a problem, too many formally, working poor and homeless/houseless rubbing elbows and ideas with captains, scions, prince and princes of industry.

All this takes is a slight rethinking of economics and using both government and international investing to help and serve a needier population.

Yes, a crackpot idea but has anyone tried it?

I’d like to know if what I proposed is feasible and if not what can take its place because so far what have going is a lot of "Cheap ‘N’ Cheesy" legislation making people do more with less.

As an ad it’s a quickie answer but in reality… well things are more complex in real life. Bye.

by PNN staff writers and editors, concept by Dee

The following is a list of restaurants that are
members of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association
(GGRA). Please support POOR Magazine in boycotting
the following restaurants because they are members of the GGRA,
which support Gavin Newsome's Proposition N, which contrary to its claims of "care" will put more poor people on the streets by taking away their rent money, reducing drug treatment services, healthcare and pay folks pennies per hour for their work-fare (the work required by the City to recieve your monthly cash assistance)

POOR contacted GGRA several times to inquire about their reason for
supporting Prop N, but they did not respond, so we are asking our subscribers and readers to join us in boycotting these restaurants in opposition to this very harmful legislation.

Please join us in boycotting the following restaurants until their owners disavow membership in GGRA and denounce Newsom’s Proposition N.

GGRA is active in the greater Bay Area. For members in your area, please check www.ggra.org members dining guide.

Phone numbers are provided to inform OWNERS of the boycott and why. As long as the owners remain affiliated with GGRA, they will remain targets of an on-going boycott. Restaurant workers are not the target of this boycott campaign.

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar 415-551-1590

398 Hayes Street

San Francisco

Hayes Valley

Alfred's Steakhouse (415)781-7058

659 Merchant

San Francisco

TransAmerica/Chinatown

Alioto's Restaurant (415)673-0183

8 Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco

Wharf

Allegro Restaurant 928-4002

1701 Jones Street

San Francisco

Amante 362-4400

570 Green Street

San Francisco

Amphora Wine Merchant 863-1104

384A Hayes Street

San Francisco

Andale Taqueria 749-0506

2150 Chestnut Street

San Francisco

*Angelina's Deli-Café & Catering

6000 California Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 221-7801

Anjou 392-5373

44 Campton Place

San Francisco

Ansonia Hotel (415)673-1298

711 Post Street

San Francisco

Aqua (415)956-9662

252 California Street

San Francisco

Arlequin To Go (415)626-1211

384B Hayes Street

San Francisco

*Axum Café

698 Haight Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 252-7912

*Axum East

1233 Polk Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 474-7743

*B44 (415)986-6287

44 Belden Place

San Francisco

Downtown

Balboa CafÈ (415)921-3944

3199 Fillmore Street (corner of Greenwich)

San Francisco

Upper Fillmore

Baskin Robbins Lakeshore (415)681-2253 ??NOL

1539 Sloat Boulevard

San Francisco

Bayside Sports Bar & Grill (415)673-1565

1787 Union Street

San Francisco

Marina

*Beale Street Bar & Grill

133 Beale Street at Mission

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 543-1961

www.bealestreet.citysearch.com

*BeauCoup

1001 California Street (at Mason)

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 409-8500

Betelnut (415)929-8855

2030 Union Street

San Francisco

Marina

Big Nate's Barbeque (415)861-4242

1665 Folsom Street

San Francisco

SOMA

Bistro 1650 (415)876-1650

1650 Balboa St.

San Francisco

Bix (415)433-6300

56 Gold Street

San Francisco

Bizou 543-2222

598 Fourth Street

San Francisco

Blondies Bar & No Grill 846-2419

540 Valencia Street (between 16th & 17th)

San Francisco

Blowfish - Sushi To Die For 285-3848

2170 Bryant Street

San Francisco

*Blue

2337 Market Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 863-2583

Boulevard 543-6084

One Mission Street

San Francisco

Brazen Head Restaurant 921-7600

3166 Buchanan St.

San Francisco

*Brickhouse Café

426 Brannan Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 369-0222

Bruno's 648-7701

2389 Mission Street

San Francisco (Jon Varnedot/foreign cinema)

Buena Vista CafÈ 474-5044

2765 Hyde Street

San Francisco (Getty/Newsom venture??)

Bus Stop 567-6905

1901 Union St

San Francisco

Butter 863-5964

354 11th Street

San Francisco

Butterfly 864-5575

1710 Mission Street (at Duboce)

San Francisco

Buzz 9 255-8783

139 - 8th Street

San Francisco

Caesar's Italian Restaurant 989-6000

2299 Powell Street

San Francisco

CafÈ Bastille 986-5673

22 Belden Place

San Francisco

CafÈ Claude 392-3505

7 Claude Lane

San Francisco

Cafe de la Presse 398-2680

352 Grant Ave

San Francisco

Cafe Desiree 543-0452

160 Spear Street

San Francisco

CafÈ deStijl 291-0808

One Union St.

San Francisco

CafÈ Dolci 392-9222

740 Market St.

San Francisco

CaffÈ Focaccia 415-495-3521

101 Spear Street

San Francisco

CafÈ Lil Bean 776-6620

754 Post Street

San Francisco

CafÈ Mars 621-6277

798 Brannan Street

San Francisco

Cafe Mozart 391-8480

708 Bush St

San Francisco

CafÈ Niebaum-Coppola 291-1700

916 Kearny St.

San Francisco

CafÈ Pescatore 415-561-1111

2455 Mason Street Tuscan Inn

San Francisco

CafÈ Rosso (NL) SFSU

SFSU 1600 Holloway Drive

San Francisco

Cafe Venue 546-1144

721 Market Street

San Francisco

Cafe Venue 576-1144

70 Leidesdorff Street

San Francisco

Cafe Venue 989-1144

218 Montgomery Street

San Francisco

*Cafe Venue

721 Market Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 546-1144

Caffe Espresso 415-395-8585

462 Powell Sreet Sir Francis Drake

San Francisco

Caffe Museo - in the SF MOMA 415-357-4500

151 Third Street

San Francisco

Calzone's Pizza Cucina 397-3600

430 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Capp's Corner 415-989-2589

1600 Powell Street

San Francisco

Careme Room at the California Culinary Academy

625 Polk Street

San Francisco

Phone: (800) 229-2433

Carnelian Room 433-7500

555 California Street, 52nd Floor

San Francisco

Casa Sanchez 415-282-2400

2778 24th Street

San Francisco

Cassidy's 415-241-9990

1145 Folsom Street

San Francisco

Lolli's Castagnola's 776-5015

286 Jefferson Street

San Francisco

Catering With Style 285-8863

2800 Bryant St

San Francisco

Charles Nob Hill 771-5400

1250 Jones Street

San Francisco

Chow 415-552-2469

215 Church Street

San Francisco

Chowders 391-4737

Space A3, Pier 39

San Francisco

Cioppino's on the Wharf (415)775-9311

496 Jefferson Street

San Francisco

Citizen Cake 775-9311

399 Grove Street

San Francisco

Cityscape Bar & Restaurant 923-5002

333 O'Farrell Street Atop the Hilton

San Francisco

Cliff House 415-386-3330

1090 Point Lobos

San Francisco

*Clown Alley

42 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 421-2540

Compass Rose 415-774-0167

335 Powell St.

San Francisco

Conard 9th Street CafÈ 487-1706

160 9th Street

San Francisco

Conard Montgomery Street CafÈ 415-392-3649

710 Montgomery Street

San Francisco

Cozmo's Corner Grill (415)351-0175

2001 Chestnut Street

San Francisco Marina

Crab House at Pier 39 (415)434-2722

203C, Pier 39

San Francisco

Crustacean
San Francisco (415)776-2722

1475 Polk Street

San Francisco

*Cybelle's Pizza And Grill

3782 24th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 285-3212

Daily Grill (415)616-5000

347 Geary Street

San Francisco

*Delfina Restaurant

3621 18th Street (near Dolores)

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 552-4094

Diamond Corner CafÈ (415)282-9551

751 Diamond St

San Francisco

Divas (415)474-3482

1081 Post Street

San Francisco

Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant 864-2700

225 11th Street

San Francisco

Dulcinea Café and Catering

371 Eleventh Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 552-5599

East Coast West Deli (415)563-3542

1725 Polk Street

San Francisco

Eastside West (415)885-4000

3154 Fillmore Street

San Francisco

Edward II Inn and Suites (415)922-3000

3155 Scott Blvd

San Francisco

Enrico's (415)982-6223

504 Broadway

San Francisco

Erzulie

485 Pine Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 362-3998

Farallon 956-6969

450 Post Street

San Francisco

Faz CafÈ at Bechtel Bldg. (415) 768-7244

50 Beale Street, 2nd Floor

San Francisco

Faz Restaurant 415-362-0404

161 Sutter Street

San Francisco

Fiddler's Green (415)441-9758

1333 Columbus Ave

San Francisco

Fifth Floor 348-1555

12 Fourth Street (at Market) Hotel Palomar

San Francisco

Figaro Ristorante Italiano

414 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 398-1300

Fior d'Italia 986-1868

601 Union Street

San Francisco

Firewood Café

4248 18th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 252-0999

Firewood Café SFO

P.O. Box 250413

San Francisco

Phone:

www.firewoodcafe.citysearch.com

Cuisine: American , Italian

Firewood Sony - GM Foods

101 4th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 369-6199

Fishermen's Grotto 673-7025

No. 9 Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco

Fleur de Lys (415)673-7779

777 Sutter Street

San Francisco

Florio (415)775-4300

1915 Fillmore Street

San Francisco

*Fly Trap

606 Folsom Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 243-0580

Fog City Diner (415)982-2000

1300 Battery Street

San Francisco

Food Court, North Beach Deli, Crab Pot

SF International Airport P.O. Box 251600

San Francisco

Foreign Cinema (415)648-7600

2534 Mission Street

San Francisco

Franciscan Restaurant (415)362-7733

Pier 43 1/2 Fishermans Wharf

San Francisco

Ghirardelli Chocolate Manufactory (415)771-4901

Ghirardelli Square Clock Tower 900 North Point Street

San Francisco

Gino & Carlo (415)421-0896

548 Green Street

San Francisco

Globe (415)391-4132

290 Pacific Ave

San Francisco

Goat Hill Pizza (415)641-1440

300 Connecticut Street

San Francisco

Gold Spike Restaurant (415)986-9747

527 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Grand CafÈ (415)292-0101

501 Geary Street Hotel Monaco SF

San Francisco

Harrington's Bar & Grill (415)392-7595

245 Front Street

San Francisco

Harry Denton's Starlight Room (415)395-8595

450 Powell Street Sir Francis Drake

San Francisco

Hatley Restaurants Inc.

870 Market Street, Suite 1150

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 834-1717

Hemlock Tavern (415)923-0923

1131 Polk Street

San Francisco

Holy Cow Nightclub (415)621-6087

1535 Folsom Street

San Francisco

House of Prime Rib (415)885-4605

1906 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco

Houston's Restaurant (415)392-9280

1800 Montgomery Street

San Francisco Su-Thu

Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana (415)986-0100

1265 Battery Street

San Francisco

It's Tops Coffee Shop (415)431-6395

1801 Market Street

San Francisco

Jacks Elixir (415)552-1633

3200 16th Street

San Francisco

Jardiniere (415)861-5555

300 Grove Street

San Francisco

Jeanty at Jack's

615 Sacramento Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 693-0941

Jelly's A Dance CafÈ (415)495-3099 Pier 50

295 Terry Francois Blvd/Pier 50

San Francisco

Jester's (415) 974-6400

50 Third St

San Francisco

Jianna (415)398-0422

1548 Stockton Street

San Francisco

Johnny Foley's Irish House (415)954-0777

243 O'Farrell Street

San Francisco

Judi's Place (415)863-5834

1414 Market Street

San Francisco

Julius Castle Restaurant (415)392-2222

1541 Montgomery Street

San Francisco

*Just Desserts

248 Church Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 626-5774

*Just Desserts

3 Embarcadero Center Lobby Level

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 421-1609

*Just Desserts

3735 Buchanan Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 922-8675

*Just Desserts

Sony Metreon 101 4th Street at Mission

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 369-6137

Kate O'Brien's (415)882-7240

579 Howard St

San Francisco

Kelly's Mission Rock (415)626-5355

817 China Basin

San Francisco

Kelly's on Trinity (415)362-4454

333 Bush St. #101

San Francisco

Kiku of Tokyo (415)441-5458

333 O'Farrell Sreet

San Francisco

Kilowatt (415)861-2595

3160 16th Street

San Francisco

Kokkari Estiatorio (415)981-0983

200 Jackson Street

San Francisco

Kuleto's Italian Restaurant (415)397-7720

221 Powell Street Villa Florence

San Francisco

La Folie (415)776-5577

2316 Polk Street

San Francisco

La Mediterranee (415)921-2956

2210 Fillmore Street

San Francisco

La Mediterranee (415)431-7210

288 Noe St

San Francisco

Lalo

2247 Market Street

San Francisco

Lapis Restaurant 982-0203

Pier 33 The Embarcadero

San Francisco

Lavash Mediterranean Bistro (415)982-2233

4 Embarcadero Center

San Francisco

Le Central Bistro (415)391-2233

453 Bush Street

San Francisco

Le Colonial (415)931-3600

20 Cosmo Place

San Francisco

Le Zinc (415)647-9400

4063 - 24th Street

San Francisco

Lefty O'Doul's (415)982-8900

333 Geary Street

San Francisco

Liverpool Lil's (415)921-6664

2942 Lyon St

San Francisco

L'Olivier Restaurant (415)981-7824

465 Davis Court

San Francisco

*Los Socios

690 Sacramento Street

San Francisco
Phone: (415) 989-5763

L'Ottavo Ristorante 922-3944

692 Sutter Street

San Francisco

Louis Restaurant (415)387-6330

902 Point Lobos

San Francisco

Lou's Pier 47

300 Jefferson Street

San Francisco

: (415) 771-5687

Luques Restaurant & Bar

433 Powell Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 248-2475

MacArthur Park (415)398-5700

607 Front Street

San Francisco

Market Place Café

2353 Lombard Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 494-9400

Market Street Grill (415)487-4414

1231 Market Street

San Francisco

Martin Macks Bar & Restaurant (415)864-0124

1568 Haight Street

San Francisco

Masa's (415)989-7154

648 Bush Street Hotel Vintage Court

San Francisco (Iron Chef Champ

MATRIXFILLMORE (415)563-4180

www.plumpjack.com

3138 Fillmore Street

San Francisco

Maya (415)543-2928

303 Second St

San Francisco

RESUME HERE

Mel's Drive In (415)292-6357

1050 Van Ness

San Francisco

Mel's Drive In (415)387-2244

3355 Geary Blvd.

San Francisco

Mel's Drive In 227-4477

801 Mission Street

San Francisco

Mel's Drive In (415)921-3039

2165 Lombard Street

San Francisco

Miz Brown's Feed Bag (415)752-2039

3401 California Street

San Francisco

MoMo's (415)227-8660

760 Second Street

San Francisco

Moose's (415)989-7800

1652 Stockton Street

San Francisco

Mozzarella DiBufala Pizzeria I (415)346-9888

1529 Fillmore Street

2114 Fillmore 346-9949

San Francisco

*Mozzarella DiBufala Pizzeria II (415)661-8900

69 West Portal Ave

San Francisco

'N Touch Bar (415)441-8413

1548 Polk Street

San Francisco

Napa Ranch CafÈ (415)433-9151

201 Spear Street

San Francisco

Napa Ranch CafÈ (415)?

3415 California Street

San Francisco

Napa Ranch CafÈ (415)981-6901

465 California Street

San Francisco

Napa Ranch CafÈ (415)291-8215

280 Battery Street

San Francisco

New Pisa (415)989-2289

550 Green Street

San Francisco

*Nick's Lighthouse (415)929-1300

2815 Taylor Street

San Francisco

*Night Monkey

2223 Union Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 775-1130

Nob Hill Noshery (415)928-6674

1400 Pacific Ave

San Francisco

*Noe Valley Bakery & Bread (415)550-1405

2277 Shafter Avenue

San Francisco

North Beach Pizza (415)433-2444

1499 Grant Avenue

San Francisco

North Beach Restaurant (415)392-1700

1512 Stockton Street

San Francisco

*Oak Room

335 Powell Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 774-0264

One Market Restaurant (415)777-5577

1 Market Street

San Francisco

O'Reilly's Irish Pub & Restaurant (415)989-6222

622 Green St.

San Francisco

Original Joe's (415)775-4877

144 Taylor Street

San Francisco

*Original U.S. Restaurant (415)?

515 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

*Orphan Andy's

3991A 17th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 864-9795

Palio d'Asti (415)395-9800

640 Sacramento Street

San Francisco

Palio Paninoteca (415)681-9925

500 Parnassus Avenue

San Francisco

Palio Paninoteca (415)362-6900

505 Montgomery Street

San Francisco

Palomino (415)512-7400

345 Spear Street

San Francisco

PAN-O-RAMA BAKING Company (415)522-5500

500 Florida Street

San Francisco

Paragon Restaurant & Bar (415)537-9020

701 Second Street

San Francisco

Park Chow (415)665-9912

1240 Ninth Street

San Francisco

Parkside CafÈ (415)503-0393

1600 17th Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 831-0900

3611 California Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 558-8123

2304 Market Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 474-3400 Not on GGRA list

2027 Chestnut Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 399-0300

655 Union Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 771-7900

1875 Union Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 920-9904

4000 24th Street

San Francisco x

Pasta Pomodoro 674-1826

1865 Post Street

San Francisco

Pasta Pomodoro 566-0900

816 Irving Street

San Francisco

Pasticci 392-7072

8 Trinity Street

San Francisco

*Pasticci

35 New Montgomery Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 495-3566

Pat's CafÈ (415)776-8735

2701 Leavenworth St

San Francisco

Pauline's Pizza Pie 552-2050

260 Valencia Street

San Francisco

Pazzia Caffe & Trattoria (415)512-1693

337 Third Street

San Francisco

Perry's (415)922-9022

1944 Union St

San Francisco

*Perry's Downtown 989-6895

185 Sutter Street

San Francisco

Pier 23 CafÈ (415)362-5125

The Embarcadero

San Francisco Owner: "Flicka" also owns Sweeties

Pizzeria Uno (415)397-8667

2 Embarcadero Center

San Francisco

Pizzeria Uno (415)563-3144

2200 Lombard Street

San Francisco

PJ's Oyster Bed (415)566-7775

737 Irving Street

San Francisco

Plouf (415)986-6491

40 Belden Place

San Francisco

GAVIN NEWSOMS PLACE

PlumpJack CafÈ (415)563-4755

3127 Fillmore Street www.plumpjack.com

San Francisco

Pompei's Grotto (415)776-9265

340 Jefferson Street

San Francisco

Ponzu (415)775-7979

401 Taylor Street Serrano Hotel

San Francisco

Postrio (415)776-7825

545 Post Street Prescott Hotel

San Francisco

Prego Ristorante (415)563-3305

2000 Union Street

San Francisco

Puccini & Pinetti (415)392-5500

129 Ellis Street Monticello Inn

San Francisco

Puerto Alegre Restaurant (415)255-8201

546 Valencia Street

San Francisco

Red Herring (415)495-6500

155 Steuart St., At the Hotel Griffon

San Francisco

Red Grill

4063 18th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 255-2733

Restaurant Jeanne D'Arc (415)421-3154

715 Bush Street

San Francisco

Rose Pistola (415)399-0499

532 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Rose's CafÈ (415)775-2200

2298 Union Street

San Francisco

Rubicon (415)434-4100

558 Sacramento

San Francisco

Ruby Skye Nightclub (415)693-0777

420 Mason Street

San Francisco

*Samovar Tea Lounge

466 Arkansas Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 786-3622

Sam's Grill (415)421-0594

374 Bush Street

San Francisco

San Francisco Brewing Co. (415)434-3344

155 Columbus Ave.

San Francisco

*San Francisco Soup Company

221 Montgomery Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 834-0472

*
San Francisco Soup Company

One Market Bayside Cuisines Food Court

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 495-4765

*San Francisco Soup Company

50 Post Street Crocker Galleria, 3rd Level

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 397-7687

*San Francisco Soup Company

201 Mission Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 278-9878

Sanraku (415)771-0803

704 Sutter Street

San Francisco

Sanraku (415)369-6166

101 4th Street (at the Metreon)

San Francisco

Scala's Bistro (415)395-8555

432 Powell Street Sir Francis Drake

San Francisco

Scoma's Restaurant (415)771-4383

Pier 47 One Al Scoma Way

San Francisco

*Sellers Market

2078 Green Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 336-3305

Shanghai Kelly's Saloon (415)771-3300

2064 Polk St.

San Francisco

Silks at Mandarin Oriental Hotel (415)986-2020

222 Sansome Sreet

San Francisco

**South Park Cafe

108 South Park

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 495-7275

Spoon (415)268-0140

2209 Polk Street

San Francisco

Stars Bar and Dining (415)861-7827

555 Golden Gate Avenue

San Francisco

Station CafÈ SFSU

1600 Holloway Drive

San Francisco

*Steps of Rome

348 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 397-0435

*Steps of Rome Trattoria

362 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 986-6480

Subway Sandwiches & Salads (415)771-5583

1500 Fillmore St.

San Francisco

Subway Sandwiches & Salads (415)543-1505

1 Market Plaza

San Francisco

Subway Sandwiches & Salads (415)928-1055

753 Polk Street

San Francisco

*Subway Sandwiches & Salads

101 Spear Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 495-1942

Sushi Chardonnay (415)346-5070

1785 Union St

San Francisco

Sushi Groove (415)440-1905

1916 Hyde Street

San Francisco

Swan Oyster Depot (415)673-1101

1517 Polk Street

San Francisco

Sweetie's (415)433-2343

475 Francisco Street

San Francisco same owner as Pier 23 "Flicka"

Tadich Grill (415)391-1849

240 California St

San Francisco

Tad's Steak House (415)982-1718

120 Powell Street

San Francisco

Taqueria Zapata (415)861-4470

4150 18th St

San Francisco

Tarantino's Restaurant (415)775-5600

206 Jefferson

San Francisco

Taste Catering (415)550-6464

3450 3rd Street, # 4D

San Francisco

Tazza D'oro NL

Airport Rental Area 780 McDonnel Road

San Francisco

Terra Brazilis (415)241-1900

602 Hayes Street

San Francisco

**Restaurant (650) 877-0955

San Francisco International Airport Terminal 3

San Francisco

*Thai Me Up

5700 Geary Boulevard

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 387-3999

Thanh Long (415)665-1146

4101 Judah Street

San Francisco

*Thanya & Salee Thai / Lingba Lounge

1469 - 18th Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 699-2101

The Argent Hotel (415)974-6400

50 Third St

San Francisco

The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant (415)386-8439

1000 Great Highway

San Francisco

The Blue Light (415)922-5510

1979 Union Street

San Francisco

The Cosmopolitan CafÈ (415)543-4001

121 Spear Street

San Francisco

The Endup! biz off (415)896-1075; 896-1095; fax:541-9422

401 6th Street

San Francisco

The Grove (415)474-1419

2016 Fillmore Street

San Francisco

The Liberties Irish Bar & Restaurant

998 Guerrero Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 282-6789

The Magic Flute Garden Ristorante (415)922-1225

3673 Sacramento St

San Francisco

The Occidental Grill (415)834-0484

453 Pine Street

San Francisco

*The Phoenix Irish Bar And Gathering House

811 Valencia Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 695-1811

The Ramp (415)621-2378

855 China Basin

San Francisco

The Slanted Door 861-8032

100 Brannan Street

San Francisco

The Stinking Rose 781-7673

325 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco

The Waterfront 391-2696

Pier 7 on the Embarcadero

San Francisco

Tia Margarita (415)752-9274

300 - 19th Ave

San Francisco

Tommy's Joynt 775-4216

1101 Geary Blvd

San Francisco

Tony Roma's (415)296-0902

126 Ellis Street

San Francisco

Toraya (415)931-9455

1734 Post Street

San Francisco

Tosca CafÈ (415)391-1244

242 Columbus Avenue

San Francisco Owner: Jeannette Etheridge

*Town's End Restaurant & Bakery

2 Townsend Street

San Francisco

Phone: (415) 512-0749

Trattoria Contadina (415)982-5728

1800 Mason Street

San Francisco

Treasure Island Job Corp (415)362-4465;277-2400

655 H Avenue, Bldg. #442

San Francisco

Upton's Catering (415)567-1335

2435 Lombard Street

San Francisco

Village Pizzeria (415)673-7771

1243 Van Ness Avenue

San Francisco

XYZ Restaurant (415)817-7836

181 3rd Street

San Francisco

Yank Sing Restaurant (415)541-4949closed?

49 Stevenson Street

San Francisco

Yank Sing Restaurant (415)957-9300

101 Spear Street (at Rincon Center)

San Francisco

You See Sushi (We Be Sushi)(415)681-4010

94 Judah Street

San Francisco

Zao Noodle Bar (415)864-2888

3583 - 16th Street

San Francisco

Zao Noodle Bar (415)928-3088

2031 Chestnut Street

San Francisco

Zao Noodle Bar (415)345-8088

2406 California Street

San Francisco

Boycott Appeal also posted at sf.indymedia.org

GGRA information from www.ggra.org members dining guide.

by Liz Rodda/PoorNewsNetwork

One by one the land assets of Beatrice Sloan seem to have vanished from beneath her. Thirty years a dishwasher, she labored tirelessly to one day relieve her family of poverty. A nearly implausible task for one person, Mrs. Sloan succeeded in both buying and maintaining four homes for her family. A woman of incredible self-sacrifice, life began to take its toll on her aged body and she grew seriously ill. A court date was set concerning her health for which her daughter and conservator would never be informed of in time. As a result, Alameda County Social Services assigned her to the Excell Nursing Home as well as public guardian and estate manager/ investigator, Alfred Fischer. Instead of allowing her own family to care for her, the Social Services Department decided to assign a nurse for which Fischer then sold their property as "payment". With only two properties left, Mrs. Sloan’s family was never given so much notice as a "for sale sign" in Fischer’s sale of their mother’s property.

Life grew increasingly hostile for the Sloans. They were soon informed that Mr. Fischer intended to evict them from home on the basis that their living quarters were "unhealthy" due to lack of sufficient space. What Alfred Fischer apparently fails to realize is that a small home beats homelessness any day. As Mr. Sloan put it, "we don’t have no where to go… that is why I see so many homeless people on the street." Without a lawyer or any desperately needed defense, the Sloans attended their first hearing, for which they stated their case, "We are here to take over the conservator of person." The court returned, "I am afraid you can’t do that today. You can state your objection to the county taking over conservator of person which they are filing for, but you would have to file a formal petition to the court with your objections." POOR Magazine co-founder Lisa Gray-Garcia, a.k.a. Tiny, along with several other PNN staff writers who appeared in court with the family, "Your honor this family cannot do these legal documents themselves- they need a lawyer appointed to the case." A chilling answer in response, the judge replied that an attorney was not to be required to be assigned for the case.

A second serious concern arose as Lisa implored, "what about the fact that Mrs. Sloan is being abused by the care facility she is in?" For the duration of her stay at the Excell Nursing Home, Mrs. Sloan has received negligence and abuse, much to the Sloan’s horror. The judge responded, "I am not able to deal with an elder abuse case but the family should contact the County Council’s office about that." The fact is they have repetitively contacted the Councils office with absolutely no success in the issue’s address. The judge continued that a new date would be set for July 13th by which they would be able to file objections or petition to become conservator of person by June 20th.

I was with the Sloan family on the morning of the hearing, sitting alongside them in the confining square room. Their faces contorted as they acknowledged the possibility of their homelessness and the abuse their mother was facing without the "authority" to care for her. Despite the circumstances, the Sloans appeared a beautiful unit. Their close family attachment gave them strength that appeared nowhere else in the courtroom. I felt honored to be there with them and to shake their hands. However bleak life seemed, the Sloans are a family who make it through with grace.

This past Thursday POOR Media members gathered in a tight circle for the POOR Magazine newsroom group session. Tiny’s voice filled the room as she commenced the meeting. "I have news on the Sloans" she began. We held our breath, braced for the worst-case. A brilliant smile spread across Tiny’s face as she revealed, "Their eviction has been dismissed!" The room stirred with disbelief, which became thrill. Tiny spoke over our excitement "At POOR we don't just report, we support. That is why we have this victory!" At POOR Magazine, we report on people in poverty who are in crisis. It is not just enough to write a story about poor folks. In the Sloans case, POOR members appeared in court, advocated at the nursing home, protested, wrote stories, made endless telephone calls, organized with other agencies. As new problems arose concerning the Sloan’s eviction, POOR Magazine advocates got them a lawyer. "For poor people there are no lawyers," Dee declared solemnly, "so this is the Most Herculean of tasks, but we did it cause they CANNOT be evicted! Then all of our work would be for Naught!" The dismissal was something wonderfully rare as Tiny and mother, Dee, had been evicted twenty-one times without one successful dismissal.

The question at POOR became "just how did the dismissal come about?" Hence, my research began. I contacted Leo Stegman, POOR Magazine alumni organizer and revolutionary of East Bay Community Law Center who had helped represent the Sloans. Here, he like many other lawyers works tirelessly to defend low-income people in cases involving eviction, government benefits, and AIDS law. I was greeted with an amiable, rather hoarse, "Hello, how are you… it has been one long week for me." Eviction case after eviction case, it took Mr. Stegman a moment to recall the details of the Sloan Case as he pulled up their files. He was more than willing to inform me of all they had gone through to receive the dismissal. "In most cases" he explained, "if you can get an attorney you have a much better chance. Still, the proceeding for an eviction case moves faster than any type of civil lawsuit. You must follow strict requirements, otherwise you will fail." His voice was rough but extremely decisive. I could imagine his lips moving forcefully into the receiver as he enunciated each word. He continued on to the specifics of the Sloans case. Apparently, the Sloans had filed a demur on the account that the rent had failed to list the rental amount on the thirty-day notice. In Oakland, it is law to list this dollar amount under municipal code A22-100E. The Sloan’s landlords had failed to follow these strict statuary requirements. Mr. Stegman continued to relay the information thoroughly, "If you are given civil code section 146 notice, termination of tenancy without cause, you are required to put the rental cost." Oakland requires one to list the rent so it is impossible to raise rents high for the next tenant. According to the 1946 notice, you are barred for two years to raise rent. "The demur was therefore granted." He concluded, however, that this would most likely not be the last of it for the Sloans. "It wouldn’t surprise me if the Sloans received another thirty-day notice." I sighed in harmony with him. As Mr. Stegman continued to inform me, the court has not yet decided the case’s mass. Therefore, the possibility of retaliatory eviction is likely.

Despite this prospect, the Sloan family is relieved at this primary dismissal. I telephoned Javlyn Woods of the Sloan family several days ago, first congratulating them on the dismissal. "Thank you," her voice saccharine and smooth. I continued to ask her the details of her part in the situation and how she was feeling along with her family. "Basically, we turned in a demur and some things were wrong with the actual eviction… the judge must have seen there was something wrong," she began "but let me give you to my father, he knows more." For several minutes I was entertained by the sounds of children’s laughter until Scott Sloan’s voice erupted on the telephone with a bellowing hello. Without delay, he began to unfold the further details of what he knew of the case, "I went down in person because I couldn’t read so well and they told me the judge threw it all out. They wouldn’t tell me why. That was it." His voice hissed from the anger of not knowing the details of his own situation. "I am paying to stay in my mom’s house and they are trying to move me out." He revealed to me he was sure they only intended to sell it. "We would have been out cold."

Scott Sloan disclosed another disturbing piece, "My brother and I are taking care of our father (at home) and they are trying to do the same thing to him. Where ever we are going we are taking him with us." Mr. Sloan meant what he said. It was obvious he wasn’t about to take any more bullshit. Early on in the assignment of the health care of Mrs. Sloan, "They moved my mother from the hospital to a nursing home without telling us." Mr. Sloan and his family were going to see her one Monday when they discovered, much to their alarm, that she had been moved one Friday night without so much as informing them. "We still don’t where her money went (from her properties sold) even after I got a court order for them to tell me." Mr. Sloan took a breath and calmed himself, "We don’t know why. The judge just dismissed everything." The Sloans have a court date scheduled for the 15th where they hope to be disclosed further detail. As for now they are paying to live on their mother’s property and only want to care for her as a family. Scott Sloan spoke into the receiver with incredible determination, "I’m fighting with everything I’ve got." I set down the receiver and sank into the floor.

by Mike Vizcarra/PNN Media Intern

The street was quiet. Too quiet. And empty. Almost like one
of those western movies where there’s no one on the streets and a tumbleweed
goes by. It was a bright day and sunny day and I was thinking maybe I should
have put sunscreen on. But I’m Filipino. I don’t burn. I also had another
strange thought as I walked up Washington Street towards Kearny, “It seems
abnormally quiet around here. What if no one is at Portsmouth Square? What
if no one came to support?” But my worries subsided when I reached the
square and saw volunteers helping set up the stage of Manilatown’s 25th Year
Eviction Commemoration of the International Hotel.

It was exactly 25 years ago to the day when San Francisco police
evicted over 50 elderly Filipino and Chinese tenants from the International
Hotel (I-Hotel). The International Hotel had been the home to many
immigrants dating back to 1910. Starting in the 1920s, there was an influx
of Filipino immigrants to the United States. They helped to fill the need
for labor created by the exclusion of the Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, and
Asian Indians. But they still could not own land or property and thus had
to stay in rooming houses or hotels. Thus, the I-Hotel housed Filipino and
Chinese workers for $50 a month in the center of what was known as
“Manilatown.”

The building was demolished at the end of 1977 but nothing was
built in its place because of the efforts of activists and city officials
who rejected any kind of development on the site that did not include
low-income housing. Now, after 25 years, a new building is being developed
that will include a 105-unit senior housing facility.

I arrived a little early to the commemoration, hoping to speak
with someone from the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, one of the organizers
of the affair. As I asked around for certain individuals to interview,
everyone was very helpful and excited to see that I was there. Excited to
see me? I didn’t even know these people but was not surprised of their
Filipino hospitality (offering food and drinks while I waited). I soon
found the person I was looking for, Bill Sorro, Board Vice-President of the
Manilatown Heritage Foundation.

Mr. Sorro explains that around 1996/1997, the Foundation was
formed in response to the community asking, “What’s happening to the
community?” He was a tenant of the I-Hotel for 5 years (from 1971-1976) and
was an activist against the eviction of the tenants of the hotel in 1977.
“The Manila Heritage Foundation is a link to the past of the Filipino
community and to future generations; and to everybody, all Asian
communities,” he says. They are responsible for securing and building the
Manilatown Center and museum, which will be in the new building, along with
the senior housing facility, a gymnasium, and a Catholic elementary school
and Chinese-language schools.

As the commemoration started, I couldn’t help but notice the
amount of people and media that turned out for the event. On stage, former
tenants spoke of their time at the I-Hotel. Representatives from Saint
Mary’s Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the International
Hotel Senior Housing, Inc., PG&E, and others talked about the importance of
this development, how it’s been a long time coming. Writers and poets read
their work. Dancers and performers were also on display showcasing their
ethnic dance and instruments. Chants of “Power to the People!” and “Long
live the I-Hotel!” echoed through the speakers.

Willie Brown was also present giving a speech and also
presenting a plaque to Emil de Guzman, Board President of Manila Heritage
Foundation. But even the Mayor acknowledged the significance of the loss of
the I-Hotel. “No, it will not make whole the damage done on August 4, 1977,
but it will provide a light and an indication of what the future can be,” he
said.

Board of Supervisor, Tom Amiano, also spoke at the event saying,
“When you’re being oppressed, you need what you have least of… patience.”

Also present was Board of Supervisor, Chris Daly, who said it
was great to see the community working together, the Filipinos and Chinese.
“It speaks to what this city is going to be in San Francisco. Everyday
people, that is what the International Hotel is about. That’s why we’re
fighting for rent control.” It’s also interesting to note that after the
Mayor and other Board of Supervisors had spoken and left the event, so did
the media. But Mr. Daly stayed until the very end of the event, even
donning a shirt that read, “Serve The People”, supplied by the group,
Filipinos for Global Justice, Not War.

The fight for the I-Hotel is a fight for affordable housing in
San Francisco. Mr. Sorro reminded me of this. “We oppose the eviction 25
years ago. And we are for the anti-eviction protests that is happening
today,” he says. “We are in solidarity with Poor Magazine and the people,
for better living conditions and housing. The common thread in
commemorating the eviction,” said Sorro, “is the new I-Hotel is a result of
the power of the people.”

As the commemoration neared the end, I was feeling very
empowered. There was so much to learn, so much more to do. I touched my
face and realized that I was sunburned. I didn’t care. Four hours in the
sun at this event was worth every minute. I felt the small rumble of change
in progress. And I felt that I was a part of it.

by Valerie Schwartz/PNN Community Journalist

On October 21, 1992 I was starting the ascent of the hill starting at Leavenworth and Ellis in the Tenderloin of San Francisco. The sun was out and the wind was picking up and whispering the harsh reality of the attitudes and indifference of the hood. I know this corner well from selling drugs and being involved in the " street life" AKA "the life", as a means of survival for longer than I'd like to admit.

As I had maybe proceeded ten-yards up the block towards O'Farrell I was assaulted. This dude... I won't call him a "man" started to harass me, tried to intimidate me out of my dope. I kept trying to side step him, get around him not knowing that a handful of people were now kitty-corner watching, but not getting involved with what was happening. I finally managed to fake a move and proceeded up the hill towards what was then "home". I took one more step and as I was taking it there was a momentary singular sound like a drunk attempting to slice the wind. The next thing I realized was that I had been hit in the head with... something?

As I was hitting the sidewalk, I remember seeing the mural on the side of Martha Jawad's store in a flash as the cast iron gate on the side of the building winked at me. Lights out! My head was split open and when I came back to reality there was blood everywhere, mine. I then saw a young Latino boy, about 16, chase the man up the hill yelling "you leave her alone!" as he hooked a right onto O'Farrell. At least someone did care enough to help although it was not anyone from across the street that I knew.

I staggered to my feet and made my way to our spot/shared studio. I must have looked like I was dying from the awful contorted faces people were making as I entered the building. I woke up (again) after being out for almost an hour. The police and paramedics were there and I was covered in blood. I didn't know where I was, whom the people were who were with me, or even really who I was. All I knew was that I was afraid of going to the hospital, jail or anywhere and would not leave, because I didn't have a clue. I remembered that I had been hit but couldn't focus on anything else. Everything else was a blank. It was one of the most frightening things I've been through. Not the violence... the loss of memory.

The thought of losing my memory or what sanity I have been blessed with has always been scary to me. I've seen too many people lose theirs. My step-father died from Alzheimer's. I've watched friends in advanced stages of AIDS succumb to dementia; to witness this was like watching a beautiful nascent bloom wither in the midst of a storm. It took a while but I came around. Bottom line was that I had been stabbed in the head 2-times and the other side was split open. I couldn't work I couldn't do anything. I had a severe concussion and was having entirely too many seizures.

My wife had to go out and get money to support our habits and take care of us. It tore me up, because I literally couldn't help her or myself. Knowing that I had used prostitution before as a means of making money, I didn't want her to take another step down the ladder to hell. I didn't want her to have knowledge of all the abhorrence that goes with it and how it can affect one.

We went through a multitude of things, trials and tribulations before things got back to a semblance of normalcy if in fact there is such a thing as "normal" for people who live on the fringes of society between the rock and the hard place. It was more than an awful thing to have experienced... but I survived it.

In retrospect, I have somehow, for reasons not yet revealed to me... survived a long and incremental suicide and today I can say that I have made a conscious decision to join the living.

So, in trying to wrap up this very short story from a long life of craziness, let me tell you a few things about what is going on in my life today. With the help others I am in recovery. I am a woman who is finally trying to redefine my life not as a waste or as a person who becomes overwhelmed easily and stuffs her anger, thus turning it against herself. I have re-found the desire to; live again, learn to live life on life's terms and the desire to become a whole person... (That is something I'm not sure that I've ever been). I am a person who has made some rather poor decisions in my life and learned a lot as a result... a wealth of knowledge that I couldn't have received anywhere else other than in " the life".

I want to attain the feeling of being grounded instead of being grounded by an act of violence like another punch-drunk victim on the floor of a concrete arena whose only radiance comes from the shards of glass on the ground reflecting hate and calculated indifference. I am saying that I'd like to be self assured rather than arrogant, afraid, and unsure. I want to learn new things and re-learn some of the things I never truly grasped or held onto for whatever reasons... to find my voice.

by Joe B.

A night or two ago on channel 7 one the authors of The "Left Behind" books about the End Times.

I’ve been avoiding it being a closet cryonics-immoralist person but maybe I should especially since I’m also of the Catholic Faith.

Wasn’t there something in the bible saying to ‘God’s a day is a thousand years?

If its true does that mean he’s been cooling his feet for weeks or months or even a couple of decades?

If true the End Times are simultaneously near and far from our limited human short life span perspectives.

I’m gambling (figure of speech) on a longer time and this is a false alarm to keep us on edge.

Its good to know that if I’m wrong I’ll just be one more frozen dead guy in a cold coffin but if I’m right and wake up to people not floating upwards well I can still prepared for the real deal.

The only warped side effect is waking up with slightly better technologies, getting younger then finding I’m just in time to witness the end times-upward flight and missing it, even if immortality is finally achieved living forever just at the moment of old earth death and new earth reborn will be a transition few immortals will be able to transition into.

Who knows, eternal life may be achieved as the old world is reborn by we who’ve spoiled it.

I just want the choice of a more life and if living through the end times is the price one must pay well… Its no free lunch time.

How would any you readers out their cope with being immortal and knowing you are also living in the end times, Hypothetically speaking?

That’s my pondering on those left behind books which I’ll begin reading as soon as I find them in old book stores.

It seems the longer one lives the more complex life, death and beyond gets.

Folks be aware of your personal Karma Be Very Aware… Bye…

P.S. "News Flash" if you are or were on G.A. and know you work for your money and were but not anymore or never was on drugs or drink (alcohol)

You might be on part of a possible ad campaign refuting Sup.Gavin Newsom's
socalled "Care Not Cash"
Initiative or as say Crap "n' Crud-$12 million money grap of G.A. monies.

Where: 255 9th Street 2nd floor of the historic I.L.W.U. Local 6 in San Francisco.

When: Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2002. Time 6pm to 8 I hope.

4 to 6 (15 to 30 second spots to tell your side how it really it is so millions of folks can see and hear the truth not the stuff in the newspaper.

There will be food, soft drinks, chips.

And if can spare (potluck) because we are really a Poor organiziation.

More later GTG now.

Joe B.

by Joe B.

How time flies when we’re busy living our lives.

Remember when Big "G" Jr. and ‘Vicy Cheney, Att. Gen. Ashcroft, and T. ‘Ridge were riding high and in charge after 9/11/’01.

They were golden, could do no wrong, but times change.

As investigations in business practices mount.
Terrorism on everyone’s mind our economy is going through a screaming sick sloppy slide and inching slowly upwards.

I don’t know which tribe calls themselves "humans" but the first humans [ Native inhabitants in the pre-named America’s]. with their casino money are causing havoc with their gambling monies buying or helping other tribes buy what is originally their own lands back from the Federal government of America at least that’s what I think what’s happening.

Those other American descendents of Africa and causing endless problems with reparations while Mexican America's too have their own beef with the "Manifest Destiny" of which they’re stories hidden so long are only now coming out.

On the other hand 2004 may rewrite past errors or compound them.

Then the applied science of Plastic TV with new and improved Light Emitting Polymers. (LEP)

All I can figure out from a Headline News report is coupled with 3D imaging and you have an emerging immersion technology that speeds up learning for military or civilians but make gameboys, X-cube, play-stations games so addictive it would rival cocaine addiction.

I’m thinking, 3 dimension versions could possibly seduce the human brain with its vivid colors, shapes, forms, sounds, and realistic worlds.

To those especially with a scientific bent, creative, or couch potato inclined
could very easily be drawn into it as some people have by 2 dimensional games.

If 2 dimensional games got people hooked think how powerful 3 will be?

The closest I can compare this E-Diction [Electronic Addiction] game or other things is the old Perry Rhodan Science Fiction series.

Its where an Advance race: "The Akron’s" become a decadent race only after indulging in their own global multi world avatars playing their endless games for years on end.

Its possible that we’re headed the way of the fictional Arkonian’s.

Of course, the race had explored the cosmos in both military and civilian generational transport ships.

The best, brightest, daring cream of Akron’s peoples though millennia’s are the vigorous past, more vital generations once lost re-awakened are ready to conquer both known and unknown galaxy's not knowing their home world had fallen.

(Read the series though it has a silly premise of earther’s hiding radio signals from hostile alien threats.)

We must be careful and protect our selves from destructive addictions, ideas, if we are to survive for the next centuries to come.

I was also thinking of wrist watch TV’s radio’s, camera’s, locators, and the now ubiquitous calculator.

I might not like or trust technology but must know something of it or I’d be a complete idiot right now I’m just less of one.

What has all this got to do with September 11, 2001?

Well without that tragic incident.

Lots of applied science would take its time; it would be here eventually but now everything especially bio science and communications has jumped a few decades and that’s good if it saves or prevents some folks from dying who would’ve died before.

REMEMBER, THE LONGER ONE LIVES NO LONGER MEANS CLOSER TO DEATH BUT ANOTHER DECADE OR MORE TO LIVE

ISN’T REVERSE ENTROPY TRIPPY?

Yeah, we’re still mortal, still die, but old ‘grim isn’t as swift and most of the carnage is caused by our own hand not reapers scythe.

Reader’s hope you enjoyed the summer soon busses, cars, trains, plains, will be full of our futures you know high school, college, university, grad and under grad youth.

Me, I’m not worried, Like "The WHO" song "The Kid’s Are Alright."

In every generation there are moments at first unclear then comes in focus that show what you, me, all of us must do.

1776, 1812, 1860,1889, 1914,
1929,1941, 1945 1954,
1960, 1968, 1969,

1977, 1984, 1985, 1999
2000–2001 2002.

I know many other years are skipped that are as or more important if readers know of more just email them.

Hope I get them. Take Sept. slow. Bye.

by Liz Rodda/PNN media Intern

Clamped shut in a neck brace and convex back, I watched Grace Wells sit amongst her beloved world. Here a plastic rendition of a carpet curled high at the edges of her favorite room, crushed under scattered plant life. The two windows of vision to the outside world remained shut covered in long white strips of cotton. Despite the deep aroma of aging musk, to this 89-year-old woman these walls are her single source of solace in a rapidly changing world. With no family or close friends to speak of, Grace is absolutely dependant on her home as the only constant sense of security she has. One can only imagine her immediate panic when Grace was recently informed the home she has lived in since 1989 would be reaped from her entirely. After receiving two eviction notices, Grace must now ask herself a terrifying question: how will a low-income disabled senior manage to survive in a chaotic world that owes no one favors?

Under the State Ellis Act, that allows one to terminate responsibility as a landlord, Mr. and Mrs. Croucher are attempting to evict Grace Wells from the lower compartment of their San Francisco apartment complex. Apparently, they desire to turn the three separate units they own into a single-family mansion. They have shirked from numerous laws that prohibit evictions of seniors, disabled, and catastrophically ill persons while also completely ignoring the welfare of their long-term disabled tenant. Grace presently suffers from arthritis, Diabetes, a heart condition, as well as senior status. "They treat me cool," Grace’s lips pressed tightly together, "very cold. They want to make the house into one big building and the lady said she’s going to stay here and build a family. But you need a baby to start a family." As far as Grace Wells was concerned, the Crouchers have never had any real intentions of moving into the house to "start a family", but desire to build a house for economic profit.

Despite her extreme physical discomfort, Grace maintains her name, charming visitors and neighbors with her poise. "I’ve lived in this area for a long time. I came to San Francisco in 1942 and have always lived in this area," Grace reflected. "Now they are expecting me to move and with the cost of rent it will be hard on me, not on them." Grace attempted to shift her aged body, but remained prisoner of a neck brace and trembling hands. "Do you see my hands?" she asked me, "My hands are all crippled. It’s challenging. I’m trying to live nice and comfortable, but I have terrible arthritis and of course I can’t leave here." Grace sighed and looked up to Dean, a neighbor and friend who assisted her in daily complications.

The echoes of a picket march outside her home became more intense as Grace was assisted in peering out her window to wave to her supporters. Shouts rang aloud, "Croucher, Croucher stole my pad, Croucher, Croucher, bad, bad, bad." Hand-made signs floated by her window demanding, "Say no to evictions!" and "This is bull shit!" When asked Grace how she felt about the march against her eviction, she smiled, answering with a laugh, "I appreciate them trying to help me because it is so hard. It is hard tryin to pack when you’re old with arthritis. It will be hard. It sure will be hard." Grace returned to her torn fabric chair to rest her worn body. I thanked Grace for allowing me to speak with her. She responded with a wink, "thank you." I left the apartment in a daze, wondering how a woman of such genuine personal appeal could be so obviously discarded. I had to ask myself, what in the world could Mrs. And Mr. Croucher be thinking in demanding the eviction of Grace Wells?

by Joe B.

The Hip Hop Film Festival this Friday past.

That's Aug. 17, 2002.

There are consecutive days for this event of dance, movies, and discussions about the Hunter’s Point Community’s fight to keep the Bay View
of Hunter's Point alive.

Its San Francisco’s "National Black Newspaper of the year.

I went on August 17, 7pm. and saw the Blow-up of the Hip Hop-Rap nation go global.

In countries like Columbia, Japan, and anywhere young people know what’s happening.

Even in place like Brazil the young ones began their own kinds of Hip Hop.

Its almost as if kids from Harlem, Watts, ‘Chi town mentally hooked up internationally!

I couldn’t stay but between the movies about Mr. Mumia Abu Jumal’s story before and after he was arrested, tried, and convicted for killing a Philadelphia cop.

Mr. Mumia supposedly had a fair trial though there is compelling evidence of a "Get Mumia" set up.

This benefit for the Bay View Newspaper will help it survive but is still up subscribers across the bay an around the world to show big biz that other voices, views that will also be heard too.

Over 400 years of physical, psychological, lawless, institutionalized hell, this is what Reparations for African American’s is all about.

Many other struggling papers and people also struggle to keep us informed of the truth.

These outlets should link up helping each other against the vast media-multi-corp-prison- industrial complex.

What sort of country has a system that makes more prisons than schools?

Mr. Kevin Epps the "Straight Out Of Hunter’s Point is one the featured films and Artists like
T-Kash of The Coup
Askari X, Umoja Jazz Ensemble and others I couldn’t name are also on board.

Me, I’m listening, spreading the word so other folks can get there own belly fire flaring.

Hip Hop during and after the film ‘fest ends will keep rolling, ‘rockin, ‘knockin making its own doors into and against entrenched, reactionary, closed-minded global media.

Remember we are the rainbow masses and we’re getting louder it don’t matter if they say we’re not heard.

You’ve heard of some big strong guy called "The Rock"
Well he say’s "Just Bring it."

That’s what we’ll do against media hype of the corporate 9 multi nationals; they need our cash we don’t have to buy their stuff.
"We’ll Just Bring It" to our own spaces, places, neighborhoods.

Oops, where did that come from?

Like I said I left as the panel were going to question /answer segment but It did make me glad of being a bit older because young folks have a lot of work ahead of 'em.

I’m sure they have the inner fire to shake things up, get things started, and get it done.

Outside its getting a little nippy and as I quickly walk towards Market Street I now know the young folks I’ve left are awake, and are already causing corporate media, government and bad apple cops mega migraine headaches.

All I can say folks is
for years we had to deal with their sick mental states long enough; now lets correct ‘n’ disinfect, cure our present wrong headed stuff and do right for everyone once and for all. Bye.