Author: Alfredo Casuso

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Manny’s Opens Nation’s First Outdoor Socially-Distant “Victory Booths” to Phone Bank / Text / Write Letters to Spur Voter Turnout and Defeat Donald Trump

www.welcometomannys.com

tinyurl.com/victoryboothshifts

21 September 2020 – San Francisco, CA:  In the final days before 2020 election Manny’s at 3092 16^th  Street at Valencia (www.welcometomannys.com)has stepped up its work to defeat Donald Trump this November by building the Victory Booths.  Manny’s has built the country’s first outdoor socially distanced set of booths where community members have already begun to come to phone bank, text bank, and write letters to swing state voters.

“It’s crucial in these final weeks that everyone in California spend as much time talking to voters in swing states as possible,” said Manny Yekutiel, 31, who founded and runs the eponymous community engagement space and café dubbed “the New Hampshire of California” (KCBS Radio) for its hosting of myriad political events including hosting 17 Democratic presidential candidates. “That’s what these first-in -the nation victory booths are here for.”

Over the next 7 weeks (or 50 days), Manny’s “Victory Booths” will be sending over 10,000 letters to swing state voters in Florida, making thousands of calls and sending tens of thousands of text messages with one goal in mind: elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and defeat Donald Trump. The link to sign up for a shift is tinyurl.com/victoryboothshifts

“Manny’s was created to be a space for political discourse, activism and advocacy for social justice,” says Yekutiel, who expects to announce some “significant VIP attendance” later this week for the effort. “Until we can once again gather for political action inside Manny’s we’re inviting people to gather outside, socially distant but politically active, at 16^th and Valencia.”

Since opening its doors on Election Night 2018, Manny’s has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 500 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities, and hosted 17 presidential candidates in his first year alone. Also, in addition to receiving much media and public attention, Manny’s was recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the Year.” 

Manny’s is a people powered, community focused meeting and learning place in the heart of San Francisco that combines a restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space. Manny’s goal: to create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen. Manny’s offers its events space to nonprofits, activists and civic organizations to spread their message and do their work as well as hosting its own civic and arts related programming. Manny’s kitchen is run by the non-profit, Farming Hope, which hires formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them in the food skills needed to work in the restaurant industry.

Media Contacts: 

Shannon Riley  / (508) 523-4944 / shannon@building180.com

David Perry & Associates, Inc / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Sunday, September 27, 12pm – 4pm

Paint the Void and Union Square BID celebrate their 100th Mural in action

Public invited to meet the artists live painting murals and take self-directed Art Walks.

Re-beautification during COVID-19 shows support to small businesses and community

17 September 2020 – San Francisco: Paint the Void, a nonprofit initiative created in collaboration with Building 180 and Art for Civil Discourse, is partnering with the Union Square Business Improvement District to unveil two new murals. Their completion will mark 100 murals created by the group. This new partnership invites the public to join a celebratory Art Walk to safely explore the murals, as well as drive foot traffic to small businesses who have lost customer support during the pandemic. The Art Walk is available for self-discovery via an online map: https://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/mural-art-walk.  Sunday, September 27, 12pm – 4pm, Paint the Void will host socially-distanced guided tours and a “meet-the-artists” pop up at their respective murals. The Art Walk Tour will lead the public to 20 murals around the Square and commence at the 100th mural where the artists will live-paint the SFMTA station on Geary at Stockton. 

San Francisco artist Bianca Rivera is creating a memorial to commemorate some of the more than110 people who have died at the hands of the police in the Bay Area since 2015. Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, an Oakland based artist, sometimes known as “Wolfe Pack,” will be painting in her figurative colorful style with themes that foster empowerment and liberation. Guided tour sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-walk-union-square-tickets-120424622287.   Paint the Void was founded to generate grants for artists to paint murals as a response to the void left by the boarded-up businesses in the wake of COVID-19.

“Beautifying Union Square during these difficult times with temporary murals with culturally significant themes is uplifting and sends a message of inclusivity.” says Karin Flood, Executive Director of Union Square Business Improvement District. “Union Square has long been a gathering place for peaceful protests and expression. It is fitting to have the 100th mural at the new Central Subway entrance near Union Square Park.”

“Over the past few months, we witnessed the hardships that COVID-19 has brought. Despite this, artists have stepped up to work together withbusinesses to remind us what still remains in our neighborhoods, even if they are closed for a period of time,” said Shannon Riley, co-founder of Paint the Void. “As people start to flee the city it is important to remember that many people are still here and are doing what they can to keep their home vibrant. The arts have always been at the heart of San Francisco. Paint the Void and its artists remind us what makes this city great. This project is a reminder to support our artists and community.”

Paint the Void began in April with a goal to create 15 murals but the overwhelming support and influx of donations from crowdfunding campaigns has allowed for the creation of 100 Bay Area public murals. Plans are to continue this momentum to support local artists with grants to turn the Bay Area into a public art power house in these unprecedented times. With support from donors and partnerships from local organizations Paint the Void has issued 95 grants to Bay Area artists to keep them engaged and paid during COVID-19.

The 100th live-mural painting will be at the plywood barricades at the SFMTA station, Geary at Stockton at Union Square. COVID regulations are strictly enforced. Participants must wear a mask, be in small groups and social distance. Paint the Void, Union Square BID and muralists will only be out if air quality is considered satisfactory and air pollution poses little or no risk.

HIGH RES IMAGES & VIDEO AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD BELOW

Union Square Mural Map: https://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/mural-art-walk

A library of photos of the existing Union Square Murals are available here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3pxix20mhq4r6b4/AAAv1xqtQbg_JNkSy2JoglA0a?dl=0

Paint the Void Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEV12EmgfJc&t=6s

About Union Square Business Improvement District:

The Union Square BID serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the District’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. 

About Union Square Art Walk:

Sign up to join us for a self-guided or guided tour on our eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-walk-union-square-tickets-120424622287. Self-guided tours are available for your own use; a downloadable and printable map can be found here: https://www.visitunionsquaresf.com/mural-art-walk. One-hour guided tours will available on Sunday, September 30 at 12pm., 1:15pm and 2:30pm and are limited to 10 people per tour due to COVID safety restrictions. Tours will be guided by Heather Jain with opportunities to meet and speak with both the muralists and members of the Paint the Void Team. Jain is an NYU Institute of Fine Arts-educated art historian, former SFMOMA curator and current educator, who is exploring opportunities and partnerships to develop material (curate exhibitions, design educational content and/or curriculums) that seeks to foster empathy through art education as a way to encourage greater social understanding, tolerance and justice. For many years in San Francisco and two years in London, she has organized and led art tours using art to foster dialogue and understanding.

Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith is an American painter and muralist. Primarily self-taught, her practice evolved through working with other artists and mentors and taking specialized courses, carving out a style that is both classical and cutting edge. Immersed in fringe cultures, fascinated by science and ancient mystics, an avid traveler, and of African-American and Jewish heritage, her subject matter never settles in one place. Applying mediums with palette knife aerosol oil crayon and brush, her focus and applications constantly evolve through each body of work. As a large-scale muralist, her studio work is sometimes influenced by elements of graffiti and street art. She has been hosted as a muralist at events in the US, Costa Rica, and Australia, and her works have been displayed in galleries throughout California, Oregon, New York, and Miami. Wolfe-Goldsmith currently lives and works in Oakland. @wolfe_.pack  http://www.rachelwolfegoldsmith.com/

Bianca Marie Rivera is a visual artist whose practice primarily consists of illustration, photography and digital collage. Although her Puerto-Rican heritage and New York upbringing have informed and fueled her studio practice, her deep love of people-watching, adult cartoons, hip-hop, alternative and street culture have aided in a resulting style that leans heavily towards the absurd. Her work has been exhibited in the Bay Area with collaborative projects spanning from New York to California. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she is currently lives in San Francisco. @biancabonk.ai https://www.biancabonk.com/ 

Muralists: 

Maya Amit

Kaliani Anderson

Inga Bard

Donavon Brutus

Max Ehrman

Bailey Fu

Rachel Wolfe Goldsmith

Matley Hurd

Nathan Richard Phelps

Mariana Prutton

Bianca Rivera

 Lucie Scanlon

James Shields

Kate Tova

Yon and more

Paint the Void is a fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) nonprofit, born from an idea to keep artists engaged and paid as guardians of hope and beauty in a time of fear and uncertainty. Public art organization Building 180 and nonprofit, Art for Civil Discourse joined forces to raise funds for artist grants as a response to COVID-19. Since mid-April, the effort has facilitated and supported the creation of 100 Bay Area murals, funding over 95 artists. Paint the Void is funded through individual donations, grants and collaborations with larger institutions for permanent murals. Donate / sponsorship info: www.paintthevoid.org. #paintthevoid

 DEMpress@sfgov.org  415-558-2712 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 14, 2020 

Contact: Joint Information Center 

(415) 558-2712, dempress@sfgov.org 

*** Press Release *** 

San Francisco Releases Health Guidance Detailing Requirements for the Additional Activities Reopening Today 

San Francisco, CA – Today, San Francisco posted additional guidance and requirements for lower-risk indoor and outdoor activities reopening today. Each of the following additional activities pose a lower risk only if all published safety requirements are followed. Establishments are still strongly encouraged to continue providing services outdoors where they are allowed to do so. 

The gradual reopening of businesses and activities will increase travel and interaction throughout the city, which means increasing community spread of the virus and an increase in cases. Public health officials will regularly assess the Key Public Health Indicators, particularly new positive case counts and hospitalizations to ensure San Francisco has the necessary resources available for those that are infected. 

The following summary is only a partial list of activities reopening today along with some key requirements to safely reopen. Businesses should review the detailed guidance to learn about specific health recommendations and requirements designed to protect personnel and customers, like face coverings, sanitation, physical distancing, and employee/customer health screenings. 

Indoor Personal Services 

Services include hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, massage (in a non-healthcare setting), estheticians, skin care, and cosmetology services, electrology, tattooing, piercing, and microblading. The additional guidance also allows indoor personal services in other situations where customers have contact with equipment but no contact with the provider, like tanning salons, but the equipment can be cleaned between customers to also make them lower risk. 

Removal of face coverings for indoor personal services is not allowed under any circumstances. 

Capacity Limits 

 The establishments must have all stations and other areas to be configured to ensure at least six feet of physical distancing between customers. 

 The number of customers allowed in a facility at any given moment is the amount that can safely maintain at least six feet of physical distance at all times. 

DEMpress@sfgov.org  415-558-2712 

Detailed Requirements and Guidance for Indoor Personal Services Here. 

Indoor Gyms and Fitness Centers 

Gyms and fitness centers may open indoors for one-on-one personal training and self-directed exercise. Example fitness activities include weightlifting or solo basketball. Locker rooms, saunas, steam rooms, showers, indoor pools, and climbing walls must remain closed for the time being. Group cardio/aerobic fitness classes (such as spinning, kickboxing, etc.) are not permitted indoors at this time. Adequate ventilation and at least 12 feet of distance must be maintained at all times around those who are performing any physical activity that increases breathing rate or intensity (including weightlifting, treadmills, spin bikes, etc.). People must maintain at least six feet distance for stationary activities that do not increase breathing rate or intensity, such as stretching, gentle yoga or meditation. 

Customers and personnel must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and wear face coverings at all times, including while using cardio equipment. All equipment must be disinfected before and after use. 

Capacity Limits 

 Establishments may open only up to the lesser of 10% capacity or the number of people who can fit in a space while remaining at least six feet apart at all times and 12 feet apart from anyone who is performing an activity that increases breathing rate or intensity. 

 Children are not permitted inside indoor gyms and fitness centers. 

Detailed Requirements and Guidance for Indoor Gyms and Fitness Centers Here. 

Lodging Facilities for Tourism 

Lodging facilities, including hotels, motels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, inns and short-term rentals, are now open for tourist use. Rentals of one room in an occupied unit is not permitted at this time (e.g. all short-term rentals must be “whole home rentals”). Indoor personal services, open under applicable health directives, such as hair, nail salons, and massage may resume. Outdoor facilities, also permitted under applicable health directives, such as golf, fitness, outdoor tennis may resume. 

Indoor fitness centers, indoor pools, and indoor dining facilities, ballrooms, conference rooms, business centers, lounge areas, and other indoor gathering places must remain closed at this time. 

Capacity and Room Limitations 

 Lobbies and common areas based on the number of people able to fit in the space with required physical distancing (about 113 square feet per person). Lobbies and other common areas must be closed to people who are not personnel, guests or customers of businesses who need access to the area. 

 Guests should be encouraged to limit their room occupancy to those in the same household. Visitors to rooms are not allowed. 

DEMpress@sfgov.org  415-558-2712 

 Guests must not be in the room during cleaning, and before housekeeping personnel begin cleaning the room it must be allowed to air out for at least 15 minutes by turning ventilation on and opening doors and any operable windows. 

Detailed Requirements and Guidance for Lodging Facilities for Tourism Here. 

Small Business Support: 

To support a safer reopening, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development is coordinating the distribution of free personal protective equipment for San Francisco’s small businesses. Small businesses that would like to request a 30-day supply of hand sanitizer, surgical masks, and face shields should coordinate with their nearest participating community-based organization. Program details and availability can be found online here. 

Additional information and guidance for other activities reopening on September 14 and San Francisco’s reopening plan may be found at sf.gov/reopening. 

# # # 

San Francisco’s Path to Reopening San Francisco’s reopening plan is available online at SF.gov/reopening. Reopening is dependent upon San Francisco’s Health indicators remaining stable or improving, and the plan is subject to change. All San Franciscans must do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, including face masking, social distancing and handwashing. The reopening of most activities and businesses requires limited capacity and health and safety plans. San Francisco continues to evaluate ways to bring higher risk activities, including indoor movies, dining, bars, night life, and offices back safely. 

Media Contact:
David Perry & Associates, Inc/David Perry  (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Cuttin’ It Up with Broobs: A Collage Workshop

Monday, September 28 – Thursday, October 1 5pm-8pm (Pacific Time)
Online Workshop via Zoom

Rare Opportunity for One-On-One Experience with Queer Artist & Activist whose clients include The California Endowment, Netflix, Wired & Elle
www.letterformarchive.org

14 September 2020 — San Francisco, CA: You’ve seen the work. Now meet the artist behind hundreds of iconic images on Instagram, Twitter and most any social media account with a social consciousness. The artist known to legions of their fans is Broobs. a collage creator and photographer who melds the past and present, finding inspiration in nature, botanical elements, and classic color palettes to create fresh imagery. From Monday, September 28 – Thursday, October 1 (5pm-8pm Pacific Time),  attendees will get the rare opportunity to spend four days (three hours each day) with Broobs, learning cut-and-paste methods for making fresh and powerful imagery.  Registration for this limited special event is available at https://letterformarchive.org/events/cuttin-it-up-with-broobs-a-collage-workshop

“Art has historically been a powerful tool for political activists. This year that is especially true,” said Grendl Löfkvist, Education Director for San Francisco’s Letterform Archive.  “Broobs’s unique collage constructions illustrating stories of queer icons, victims of police violence and hate crimes, and other progressive political ideals have become an iconic visual language of this time.”

This workshop will reveal Broobs’s techniques for using source material to create different collage styles, including how to incorporate text and make compelling compositions.

During its five-year history, Letterform Archive has welcomed over 10,000 visitors from 30 countries, including students, practitioners, and letterform admirers from every creative background. Later this year, the Archive will move into a new, expanded building, providing more hands-on access, when such access is once again available. Meanwhile, the organization is offering many workshops, lectures, and other programs online at lettarc.org/events.