Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

MORE THAN 10,000 SAN FRANCISCO HOTEL WORKERS UNEMPLOYED

Almost half of city’s hotels remain closed; hurt by new “Healthy Buildings” ordinance

3 August 2020 — SAN FRANCISCO, CA: More than 10,000 San Francisco hotel employees are out of work and nearly half of the city’s hotels are closed representing more than half of all guest rooms, according to state data compiled through July 31 as San Francisco remains one of only four California counties not allowing hotels to reopen, the Hotel Council of San Francisco announced today.

The 10,899 employees furloughed, temporarily laid off and, increasingly, permanently laid off, represent 44 percent of San Francisco’s 25,000 hotel workers while the 92 closed hotels represent 42 percent of the city’s 215 hotels. The data was compiled by the California Employment Development Department and with the Hotel Council’s own statistics.

Hotels have not been allowed to be open for tourists since mid-March and now face increased health risks for employees imposed by the Board of Supervisors’ “Healthy Buildings” ordinance signed by Mayor Breed on July 17. The ordinance demands the daily cleaning of guest rooms even when the guest stays a second night, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, which is counter to all public health recommendations. 

“The new so-called ‘Healthy Buildings’ ordinance has made a bad situation worse,” said Kevin Carroll, President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “San Francisco’s hotels already are prepared to have the most-stringent cleaning protocols in the nation. Many of our hotel jobs will never come back as some hotels will be forced to close forever.”

San Francisco hotels have worked closely with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, Gov. Newsom, California Department of Public Health, Cal/OSHA and San Francisco’s public health office to develop health safety standards that exceed any other industry, short of hospitals. Those Clean + Safe guidelines were issued more than two months before the Healthy Buildings ordinance became law. The hotel health standards for employees include:

• Customized COVID-19 plans to include all areas of a hotel’s operations
• Employee safety trainings in English & Spanish
• Clear and appropriate social distancing signage
• Delivery and use of personal protective equipment for employees
• Cleaning directions that keep employees and guests safe

The hotel standards follow the CDC, CDPH and Cal/OSHA recommendations that have been utilized as guidance for reopening by 54 of 58 California counties.

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

Dezart Performs Nominated for 27 Desert Stars Awards
Honors Will Be Announced Online By The Desert Theatre League October 4

www.dezartperforms.org 

3 August 2020 – Palm Springs, CA: Following a the most successful and critically acclaimed, but COVID-enforced shorter than expected 12^th season, the celebrated Dezart Performs (www.dezartperforms.org)  has secured 27 nominations for the annual “Desert Star Awards” including the categories of Outstanding Director of a Comedy, three nominations for Outstanding Production of a Comedy/Drama, The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama,  plus Outstanding Set, Sound Design and Props and Special Effects shout outs. Dezart Performs also achieved an almost unprecedented domination of all the major actor categories, including eight  for Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress and seven for Outstanding Supporting Actor/Actress nominations.

 The winners of the 33rd annual Desert Theatre League “Desert Stars” Awards will be announced online October 4, 2020.   It was the second highest number of nominations ever for Dezart Performs, all the more incredible because of the truncated season for all companies in the Coachella Valley and beyond.

“This moment of celebration comes at a much-needed time for our theatre community,” said Dezart Performs Founding Artistic Director Michael Shaw. “With the shutdown, and cancellation of so many shows, this moment reminds us of the great work that we were all in the middle of accomplishing. Bittersweet, yes, but affirming, as we are all look forward to the future and reemergence of live theatre.”

The complete list of “Desert Star Awards” nominations for Dezart Performs are as follows: 

Outstanding Director of a Comedy – Professional 

Michael Shaw – Hand to God 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy – Professional

Eddie Vona – Hand to God 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy – Professional

Yo Younger – Hand to God 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy – Professional

Roy Abramsohn – Hand to God 

Danny Gomez – Hand to God 

Outstanding Production of a Comedy/Drama – Professional

Daniel’s Husband 

Hand to God 

Sweat 

The Michael Cruickshank Award for Outstanding Director of a Drama – Professional

Darin Anthony – Daniel’s Husband 

Michael Shaw – Sweat

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Professional

Cortez Johnson – Sweat 

Corydon Melgoza – Sweat

Michael Shaw – Daniel’s Husband 

David Youse – Daniel’s Husband 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama 

Desireé Clarke – Sweat 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama – Professional

Theresa Jewett – Sweat

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama 

Miguel Arballo – Sweat

Mike Truelock – Sweat

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama – Professional

Hanz Enyeart – Daniel’s Husband 

Cary Thompson – Sweat

Chuck Yates – Daniel’s Husband 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama 

Melanie Blue – Sweat

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama – Professional

Deborah Harmon – Daniel’s Husband 

Outstanding Set Design – Professional 

Thomas L. Valach – Daniel’s Husband 

Outstanding Sound Design – Professional 

Clark Dugger – Daniel’s Husband 

Clark Dugger – Sweat

Outstanding Props and Special Effects 

Cecilia Orosco – Sweat

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley.

Details about the upcoming 13^th Season for Dezart Performs will be announced later this summer. For more information go online at www.dezartperforms.org, or call (760) 322-0179.

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

Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company Elevates Leadership Team

Kevin O’Riordan Appointed Executive Vice President
Sara Carmody Promoted to Senior Vice President

23 July 2020 – San Francisco, CA: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction (www.hathawaydinwiddie.com) today announced two promotions within its senior ranks, and the retirement of one of its most respected team members. Kevin O’Riordan has been appointed Executive Vice President and Sara Carmody has been elevated to the role of Senior Vice President. After 40 years with the company, longtime Hathaway Dinwiddie executive Gordon Smith has announced his retirement effective January 2021. 

 “Along with our Board of Directors, I want to thank Gordon for four decades of superior work and commitment,” said Greg Cosko, President & CEO of Hathaway Dinwiddie. “I’m especially happy and proud for Kevin and Sara for these well-earned promotions, for our company, and our clients and for the industry at large. Their new leadership roles continue our great tradition of internal opportunity and recognition. They are both special people with special skills and talents that they have dedicated to the betterment of our business.”

“I’m excited about my new position and the bar has been set high. I’ve got a tough act to follow,” said O’Riordan 56, a 35-year veteran with the company who has helped build, lead, and support the Northern California Special Projects Group for many years. Also, O’Riordan was key in the establishment of HDCCO’s Seattle office.  “My predecessor Gordon Smith has been a huge part of the company’s success throughout his career. I appreciate his guidance and support during my transition into this new role”. 

Most recently Kevin has added to his responsibilities the  oversight and administration of the Northern California region (Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices) as Smith transitions into his retirement.  

“With a bit of luck and a whole lot of hard work, I have established an incredible niche of constructing world class life science facilities,” said Carmody 46, having been with the company for 21 years. A graduate of Santa Clara University, Carmody has been instrumental in the construction of more than five million square feet in South San Francisco, Brisbane, and the greater Peninsula.  In addition to her new leadership responsibilities, she will continue her role overseeing Hathaway Dinwiddie’s Life Science sector in Northern California.  “I am so blessed to be working with the very best clients and the very best people in building World Class facilities and I am proud to be breaking ground as a woman in leadership at Hathaway Dinwiddie and am grateful to work for an organization that is so supportive.”

Hathaway Dinwiddie celebrated its 100^th year of business in California in 2011. The company focuses on the California market and is known for constructing many of the state’s iconic buildings. Consistently ranked in the ENR Top 100 General Contractors in the United States, Hathaway Dinwiddie provides General Contracting, Project Planning and Management services in California’s most dynamic markets.  The company has helped the nation’s premier companies and institutions develop landmark structures and quality interior spaces throughout Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley. 

A Note About COVID 19
As one of California’s premier builders, Hathaway Dinwiddie is committed to maintaining a workplace that keeps people safe while continuing to meet the expectations of our clients. The firm continues to follow all state and local health orders, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cal-OSHA, as well as that of labor leaders and building trades organizations. The company is also addressing the need for safe practices with our on-site supervisors and trade partners. This means giving full attention to everything from fall protection to protecting against infections on the jobsite.  Hathaway Dinwiddie sees this as a long-term commitment that requires employees and trades to put everyone’s health first. Hathaway Dinwiddie places the highest value on the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, trade partners and the communities in all its business sectors and regions. To meet this commitment, the company and its staff and teams are continually monitoring and improving our work practices in today’s building environment.

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

17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival Goes Virtual with
Reconnecting Summer 2020
Featuring all 54 Films, plus online panels, discussions and audience Q&A
July 30 – August 9
www.intloceanfilmfest.org

2021 Festival Slated for In-Person Viewing March 11 -14

23 July 2020 – San Francisco, CA. Buoyed by enthusiastic response to the online Student Film Competition, the International  Annual Ocean Film Festival will present  Reconnecting Summer 2020,  a virtual experience showcasing all of the official selections of this year’s 17^th annual event July 30 – August 9.   In addition to the online screenings of all 54 films during the unprecedented 11-day event, the festival will host livestream interviews, Q&A sessions and panel discussions with filmmakers.  Tickets and information are available on the Virtual Film Festival page at www.intloceanfilmfest.org

“We’re all connected by our oceans, and one thing we’ve learned from the ongoing global pandemic is how much we all benefit by staying connected,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director of the International Ocean Film Festival.  “Our global online student film competition earlier this spring was incredibly successful, so we know our audience is ready to keep saving our oceans, one film at a time, from the comfort and safety of their own homes.”

The virtual festival will include feature length films, a new program of 14 shorts and nine themed programs: Adventure & Ocean Sports; Coastal Culture; Environment & Conservation ; Innovations in Ocean Sustainability; CineMare International Ocean Film Festival Kiel, Germany; Marine Sciences and Wildlife; Sharks; Surfing and Whales. All films will be eligible for a first ever Global Audience Choice Award.

Prices for the Reconnecting Summer 2020 virtual film festival are: Feature Films: $10; Themed Programs: $12; Shorts Program: $12; Special Screening: Pay what you can.  Festival passes are available at the following levels:

• All Access VIP Pass: $100: Includes access to watch all 10 feature films, nine themed programs, shorts program, special screenings and Q&As throughout the duration of the virtual film festival.
• Blue Whale Pass: $60 Includes access to watch each of the nine themed programs.
• Sea Turtle Pass: $45 Includes access to any five feature films and three themed programs of the viewer’s choice.

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental activists. Since then, the Festival has presented over 600 films from 50 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years.

Current sponsors for the 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary, BigBus of San Francisco, Gray Line Tours, SSA, Alcatraz Cruises, the Port of San Francisco, the Consul General of Canada, Blue and Gold Ferry, RBC Wealth Management, Heidrick & Struggles, Pacific Gas & Electric and Troutman Sanders LLC.

The International Ocean Film Festival encourages its patrons, supporters and partners to follow the most current advice from the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization for preventing the further spread of the COVID-19 in Northern California and beyond, and to stay tuned for announcements about International Ocean Film Festival events once the threat level is reduced. The 18th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is currently scheduled to take place March 11 – 14, 2021 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit. www.intloceanfilmfest.org and social at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest
• Twitter @oceanfilmfest
• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest