Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

7^th Annual Women in Leadership Forum Returns
 June 23  at the Westin St. Francis

Hotel Council of San Francisco Event
Aims to Empower Women in the Hospitality Field

Featuring California’s Highest-Ranking Stateswoman

www.hotelcouncilsf.org

Keynote Address by Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California

25 May 2023 – San Francisco, CA: The widely anticipated and wildly popular Women in Leadership Forum from the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org), is back for its seventh year – live and in person —  with a half-day program of networking and inspirational speakers. The event will take place Friday, June 23 (8am – 2pm) at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco with an opening keynote address from Eleni Kounalakis, Lieutenant Governor of California. Sponsored by Alaska Airlines, the event features a “who’s who” of California leaders from the world of hospitality, travel, government, and tech. Tickets are on sale now at https://hotelcouncilsf.org/events/.

The program will feature a special lunchtime chat with LinkedIn Career Expert, Catherine Fisher. Moderating this year’s sessions is Ella Sogomonian of KRON 4, with featured speakers and participants including Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney; Marisa Rodriguez of Union Square Alliance; Papia Gambelin of United Airlines; Jyoti Sarolia of Ellis Hospitality; Carla Murray and Keri Robinson of Marriott International.

“Every year, we strive to create a platform for women to connect, learn, and grow professionally,” said Alex Bastian, President & CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “In 2023, we’re focusing on critical issues like health, well-being, and balance in the workplace. We believe that these are essential elements for women to thrive in their careers, and we’re excited to delve into these topics.”

The event will feature keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions on topics such as combatting imposter syndrome, creating a healthy work-life balance, understanding and leveraging one’s network, broadening communication and negotiation skills, and finding passion and clarifying career goals. A full detailed schedule of panels, honorees and keynote speakers will follow in the coming days.

This year, the Women in Leadership Forum will collaborate with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in support of their mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. 

Each year, this gathering brings together a diverse group of professionals from various levels within the workplace and from a wide array of backgrounds,” said Bastian.  “Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from an array of curated leaders, who will share their insights, advice, and data supporting women’s career advancement and wage equality.”

Presenting sponsor for the 7^th Annual Women in Leadership is Alaska Airlines with additional support from sponsors Expedia Group, United Airlines, and Big Bus San Francisco. 

Tickets and tables for the 7^th Annual Women in Leadership Forum are on sale now at https://hotelcouncilsf.org/events/.

About the Hotel Council of San Francisco:
The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit membership-based organization advocating for the economic and social vitality of the hospitality industry in San Francisco. Their membership roster includes over 200 hotels, allied members, and partner organizations. The Hotel Council is dedicated to protecting the San Francisco hospitality industry and connecting its members to support the growth and success of the industry.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023  

Contact: Mayor’s Communications Office, mayorspressoffice@sfgov.org   

***PRESS RELEASE***  

MAYOR BREED’S ROADMAP TO DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO’S FUTURE: THREE MONTH PROGRESS UPDATE  

Major legislative changes, administrative reforms, new programs to transform and activate Downtown’s corridor, and other work moving forward as part of plan to revitalize Downtown   

 
San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today provided a three-month update on the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, which is the City’s plan to transform Downtown into a stronger, resilient, economic and global destination.   

Mayor Breed set out her vision for a revitalized Downtown at her State of the City address earlier this year on February 9^th when she announced the launch of the Roadmap, along with five key priorities:   

• An economically diverse and resilient job engine   
• A welcoming clean and safe environment  
• A dynamic destination active at all hours, every day   
• A world class transportation experience   
• An equitable economy that supports full participation by all     

In the Roadmap’s first three months, the City has reached major milestones that will improve the future of Downtown and San Francisco as a whole, while attracting tourists, workers, and businesses to this important economic corridor.  

“I am proud of the aggressive first steps we’ve taken to support Downtown, but we have a lot more work to do,” said Mayor London Breed. “Reimagining Downtown is going to require long and hard work, and it’s going to require us to have the vision to set our future. It’s in our DNA as San Franciscans to think bigger always and dream of the possibilities of what our City can be, and that’s what the Roadmap is all about.” 

 In May 2023, the key quarterly milestones for the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future include: 

Strategy 1: Ensure Downtown is clean, safe, and inviting with smart and strategic investments that increase public safety and improve street conditions in a coordinated, efficient, and effective manner.      

Status: 

• Passed legislation providing $25 million for police overtime to maintain an adequate level of public safety response and approving a new police contract to improve officer attraction and retention.   
• Extended contracts for Mid-Market Safety Ambassadors to provide non-police responses to urgent street conditions and Downtown Welcome Ambassadors to help visitors throughout the Financial District, Union Square, and the waterfront.   
• Announced the Home by the Bay Plan to reduce unsheltered homelessness by half over the next five years.    

“Safe and Clean streets are of the utmost importance when looking at the future of Downtown,” said Wade Rose, President of Advance SF. “This is only the beginning, but we applaud Mayor Breed and City Hall for focusing on this issue and for their execution of initiatives that aim to make Downtown a welcoming neighborhood for all.”  

Strategy 2: Attract and retain a diverse range of industries and employers by identifying and recruiting strategic sectors that support San Francisco’s resilience.   

Status:  

• Introduced new tax policy legislation to pause previously scheduled business tax increases for struggling businesses and create an Office Attraction Tax Credit for new office-based businesses through 2028.   
• Initiated a business tax reform process to make the City’s tax structure more resilient and attractive.    

“I share Mayor Breed’s vision that we must attract and retain a diverse range of businesses and industries to revitalize our downtown,” said Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. “Today’s update to the Roadmap for Downtown San Francisco’s Future is another step towards a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant downtown where residents, visitors, and workers all want to spend time.”  

Strategy 3: Facilitate new uses and flexibility in buildings by maximizing the ability to update and adapt office buildings to meet the needs of new interested tenants.   

Status:   

• Introduced Downtown zoning legislation to allow new uses and activities, support new businesses in Union Square, and create an Adaptive Reuse Program for the conversion of underutilized office buildings to housing. This legislation is actively underway and will be heard by the Board of Supervisors in June.  

“The Mayor’s Downtown Roadmap presents a comprehensive vision for the future of downtown, transforming it from a single-use workplace to a vibrant, 24/7, mixed-use district where people from all walks of life feel they belong,” said Sujata Srivastava, San Francisco Director, SPUR. “Office-to-residential conversion projects activate vacant downtown buildings and create much-needed workforce housing in San Francisco. The legislation introduced by the Mayor and President Peskin will remove regulatory hurdles to adapt vacant office spaces into housing and facilitated the adaptation of downtown buildings into diverse businesses. SPUR looks forward to working in partnership with the City to implement additional policies that foster a more resilient and diverse downtown.”  

Strategy 4: Make it easier to start and grow a business by creating transparency, streamlining processes, and building out systems to support new businesses opening in San Francisco.   

Status:  

• Launched the Vacant to Vibrant program to match aspiring entrepreneurs and artists with vacant ground floor space Downtown, star-up grants, and permitting assistance.      
• Announced legislation to simplify small business permitting by removing barriers and allowing more flexibility.  

“I started my jewelry business as a way to share my culture with others, said Superna Grover, owner of local small business, Suvarn Jewels. “The programs the City has put forward now are incredibly helpful for small businesses like mine – the Bhangra and Beats Night Market activation downtown where we were able to have a booth recently as well as the Vacant to Vibrant Pop-Up Small Business program that we’ve applied to, provide much needed exposure for us. We’re so grateful for all of these programs and the policy reforms the Mayor has made around permitting. It’s a great time to start a business in San Francisco!”  

Strategy 5: Grow and prepare our workforce by preparing San Franciscans for growing industry sectors, as well as new ways to unlock housing production and ensure the city has adequate housing to meet the demands of a growing labor force.   

Status:  

• Implementing the Mayor’s Housing for All plan by creating new infrastructure financing tools, announcing site permit process reforms, and introducing comprehensive housing streamlining legislation.   
• Expanding outreach to grow our workforce with hospitality sector, small business, and City job fairs.   

“In the last three months, we have seen Mayor Breed and her team investing in public safety, working with us to recruit and expand our workforce, and leaning into our city’s strengths as an international leader on arts and culture through activations,” said Alex Bastian, President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. “These activations include the Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market, Union Square in Bloom, Bhangra & Beats Night Market in the Financial District, and the Our Place in the Park AAPI film festival in SOMA. We need to work together to support these actions, as well as other forthcoming investments, that our Mayor is making on behalf of our city.”   

Strategy 6: Transform Downtown into a leading arts, culture, and nightlife destination by creating an entertainment zone and seeding new businesses, events, activities, and experiences for a more vibrant Downtown.   

Status:  

• Supporting activations and events including the Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market, Union Square in Bloom, Bhangra & Beats Night Market in the Financial District and the Our Place in the Park AAPI film festival in SOMA.  

“Downtown is the heart of the city and where most visitors choose to stay,” said Joe D’Allesandro, President and CEO of SF Travel. “New reoccurring activations like the Bhangra & Beats Night Market and Yerba Buena Art & Makers Market add incredible vibrancy to Downtown and make San Francisco an even more compelling destination. These types of events, along with annual ones such as the Pride Parade march down Market Street, showcase what makes San Francisco so exciting—its diversity, innovative spirit and positive energy—and help attract visitors from across the globe.”  

Strategy 7: Enhance public spaces to showcase Downtown by investing in enhancing and expanding plazas, alleyways, and other public space to improve people’s experience of Downtown.   

Status:  

• Funding the Powell Street Promenade to refresh a key gateway to Union Square and help fill retail vacancies.   
• Completed the transition of the emergency Shared Spaces program to a permanent tool for street activation.    

“Union Square stands as our crown jewel, a beacon of pride for all San Franciscans and residents of the Bay Area,” said Marisa Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Union Square Alliance. “It is where we gather to work, celebrate life’s moments, and find inspiration. This significant investment by Mayor Breed and Board President Peskin to transform Powell Street will help make an unforgettable first impression for many visitors that sets the tone for the entire city. By attracting businesses and re-establishing a vibrant atmosphere, we lay the foundation for a prosperous future.”  

  
Strategy 8: Invest in transportation connections to maintain access to Downtown by every mode of transportation available while continuing to improve the reliability, efficiency, and quality of service.   

Status:  

• Launched the 1X California Express pilot connecting the Outer Richmond to the Financial District.    
• Completed protected bike lanes on Battery and Sansome between Market and Broadway.  

“Clean, reliable, and safe transit options are an absolute necessity when it comes to bringing folks back into our cities centers and keeping them thriving,” said Jim Wunderman, CEO and President of Bay Area Council. “For folks to return to San Francisco’s offices, shops, restaurants and more, they must be as accessible as possible. We applaud the Mayor on her work to improve transit to downtown San Francisco and are excited for the investment to come.”  

Strategy 9: Tell our story through proactive marketing to emphasize our strengths and reclaim our brand.   

Status:  

• Partnered with SF Travel to launch a national Always San Francisco campaign in May to remind visitors of our unique allure.
• Released the Make Your Future San Francisco campaign to invite entrepreneurs and innovators Downtown. 

“As the Executive Director of OEWD which is focused on the Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, I’m thrilled to see the City making such great progress in just three months,” said Kate Sofis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “The Mayor has set forward a powerful agenda that will bring Downtown, our business community, the arts, and innovation roaring back here in San Francisco — and we’re just getting started.”  

To learn more about Mayor Breed’s vision for San Francisco’s Downtown future, please visit sf.gov/downtownroadmap.  

###  

Crowden School Launches 40^th Anniversary Year with Spring Concert Thursday, May 25

Evening Features Premiere of New Commission for String Orchestra
by Crowden Alum Gabriella Smith

23 May 2023 – Berkeley, CA: The acclaimed Crowden School (www.crowden.org) kicks off its 40^th anniversary year by celebrating the accomplishments of its inspiring Crowden School musicians at this annual end-of-the-year musical extravaganza, Thursday, May 25, 6:30pm (1475 Rose Street, Berkeley, California).  This all-school concert features chamber music, choruses, and orchestras, shining a spotlight on Crowden’s Upper School students in particular. This year’s premiere features a new commission for string orchestra, Capybaraologyin honor of Crowden’s 40th anniversary by Crowden alum Gabriella Smith.

“We are thrilled to premiere Crowden alumna Gabriella Smith’s piece for string orchestra, Capybaraology, at our upcoming Spring Concert to launch Crowden’s 40th anniversary season,” said Crowden Artistic Director  Eugene Sor. “Reflective of so many alumni who have attended The Crowden School and have participated in our acclaimed community programs over the past four decades, Gabriella embodies Crowden’s spirit of curiosity, creativity, and community-mindedness. It is an honor to continue to work with brilliant young Crowden students, who like Gabriella and the generations of alumni before them, will surely develop into amazing adults who make a significant impact on the world.”

Smith attended The Crowden School for two years, and later returned to study in Crowden’s John Adams Young Composers Program. She is a frequent guest artist for both programs.

“I approached this piece by recreating all the things I enjoyed doing on my violin at that age: exploring new sounds and techniques, harmonics, groove, and pretty melodies passed around the ensemble,” said Smith, 31. “I also included a technique called aleatory, a type of guided improvisation, that I did not learn about until a few years later as a teenager. This type of flexible timing is central to the feel of my work as a whole and also a nice reminder that music is not just about the notes and rhythms, but about having fun and looking at, listening to, and responding to each other. After I finished the piece, I asked if the students would enjoy coming up with a title for it. A few weeks later, I received a list of their title suggestions and was delighted to discover that a surprising number were related to capybaras, the world’s largest rodent, that lives in the rainforests. So in honor of their love of capybaras, I decided to call the piece Capybaraology.”

In addition to the Capybaraology performance on May 25, Smith’s work will also be featured under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel that same evening with her Los Angeles Philharmonic commission Lost Coast.

When violinist Anne Crowden founded the Crowden School in 1983, she called it her “Grand Experiment.” She was entering unknown territory, and she certainly never imagined that her dreams of a supportive educational environment for musical children would develop into a thriving, established Bay Area cultural institution. Anne succeeded because of the quality of her vision and musical standards, and the force of her personality. Like Anne herself, Crowden inspires unusual dedication and passion.

Today, Crowden is a home for all to explore, to learn, to rehearse, to perform, and to listen to music. Between its rich array of music education offerings for the general public, day school for grades 3 to 8, concerts and events, and community partnerships, Crowden serves roughly 8,000 individuals each year. Anne’s unique stamp—the commitment to musical excellence, the intimate family atmosphere, the particular passion for chamber and new music, the deep experience of interdisciplinary and creative learning—still combine into that tangible Crowden magic.

In 2021, with a $10 million gift from the Getty Foundation, the Crowden Board of Trustees established the Ann and Gordon Getty Fund, to further Mr. and Mrs. Getty’s commitment to opening the doors to a Crowden education for all children and to reduce financial barriers to accessing a Crowden education for often marginalized groups of young people.

Ann and Gordon Getty’s extended relationship with Crowden spans over three decades. In addition to this truly transformative gift and annual support from the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Getty have hosted regular receptions in their home to nurture the creative endeavors of Crowden’s young musicians, introducing many emerging talents to their first influential audiences. A composer himself, Mr. Getty has a particular interest in the incubation of young composers and was instrumental in founding Crowden’s John Adams Young Composers Program.

“Ann and Gordon have always valued Crowden’s philosophy of blending music with academic scholarship as the secret to a balanced education, and the foundational work that we specialize in,” remarked Crowden’s Director Emeritus Doris Fukawa. “Crowden started as a labor of love by teachers and that continues today. We really see each student, and we care, and our students know that—they feel seen, and are comfortable being and finding themselves. Our shared love for music, and the joy of playing together, translates for our students into a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning in all areas.”

In a few weeks, the Crowden School will announce details of its full schedule for its 40^th anniversary year with the following “Save the Dates” put forth for advance calendaring:

• May 25, 2023            
  Crowden School Spring Concert featuring premiere from Gabriella Smith (Crowden School ’05 and John Adams Young Composers Program)
•  September 17, 2023
  Sundays @ Four: Baumer String Quartet (featuring Crowden alums Nathan Olson (’00), David Requiro (’99), and Aaron Requiro (‘95))
• October 8, 2023                   
  Community Music Day
•  November 12, 2023             
  Sundays @ Four: Jay Campbell (’03)
• February 17–19, 2024         
  Chamber Music Festival featuring Alexander String Quartet
• March 3, 2024          
  Sundays @ Four: Fry Street Quartet
• Spring (March or April) 2024         
  Crowden School Tour
• April 21, 2024                       
  Sundays @ Four: Catalyst Quartet featuring Crowden alum Karla Donehew Perez (‘99)
• May 10, 2024            
  Crowden School Spring Concert
• May 25, 2024            
  40th Anniversary Concert (Hertz Hall) & Reception
• May 26, 2024            
  Alumni Brunch (at Crowden)
• June TBD                   
  Cello Bash

.  For more information, go to www.crowden.org 

About The Crowden School:

The Crowden School for grades 3–8 combines inspiring, collaborative academics with daily music to empower students to become their best, most curious and confident selves. The Crowden School’s project-based academics challenge students to develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, self-confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. Small class sizes and close student-teacher interactions give each student the opportunity to be recognized and appreciated as a unique individual, and to develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Established in 1983 and still the only school of its kind in the country, Crowden’s unique chamber music inspired curriculum features intellectually engaging academics side by side with its esteemed music program. Experiential learning, Socratic questioning, and discussion inspire curiosity about the world, while interdisciplinary projects engage students in active problem-solving, tap into their creativity, and build independence. This approach cultivates an environment of empathy and trust, and fosters close bonds of friendship and respect among students.

Learn how music changes everything at https://www.crowdenschool.org.

Crowden School Spring Concert Program

In addition to Capybaraology, the program includes chamber, choral, and orchestral works by:

·        Richard Meyer

·        Wu Man

·        Charlton Singleton

·        Gioacchino Rossini

·        Ludwig van Beethoven

·        Felix Mendelssohn

·        Lajos Bárdos

·        Robert Hugh

·        Irving Berlin

·        Serge Rachmaninoff

·        Alexander Glazunov

·        W.A. Mozart (including 1 piece arranged by Crowden faculty member Arkadi Serper)

·        P.I. Tchaikovsky

·        Franz Schubert

·        Johannes Brahms

·        Sviridov/Shostakovich/Khachaturian (arr. by two Crowden faculty, Eugene Chukhlov, Arkadi Serper)

·        G. F. Handel, arr. Nelson

·        Leroy Anderson’s Fiddle Faddle (traditional close to all Crowden School Spring Concerts)

About Crowden Music Center:

Crowden Music Center, a nonprofit Berkeley cultural institution founded in 1983, is committed to excellence in education, performance, and creative endeavor, and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. It serves over 8,000 individuals each year with a rich array of music education programs and concerts, including more than 1,000 community music students of all ages and levels of experience. Crowden is renowned as an innovative incubator of young musicians and composers, and children in general, with its focus on using the collaborative art of chamber music in remarkable ways to nurture, inspire, and develop young people in their formative stages. Flagship programs include The Crowden School for grades 3–8, the John Adams Young Composers Program, and Crowden’s esteemed chamber music programs for youth and adults. We believe that music is an inherent part of being human, and we believe in the power of music to change lives—indeed, to change everything.

About Gabriella Smith:
Crowden connection: Gabriella attended The Crowden School (Class of 2005), and later studied in the John Adams Young Composers Program.  Composer Gabriella Smith grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area playing and writing music, hiking, backpacking, and volunteering on a songbird research project. Described as “the coolest, most exciting, most inventive new voice I’ve heard in ages” (Musical America) and an “outright sensation” (LA Times), Gabriella’s music comes from a love of play, exploring new sounds on instruments, building compelling musical arcs, and connecting listeners with the natural world in an invitation to find joy in climate action. Recent highlights include the premiere of her organ concerto, Breathing Forests, written for James McVinnie and LA Phil, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen; performances of Tumblebird Contrails by San Francisco Symphony and Esa-Pekka Salonen, both at home and on their European tour; and the release of her first full-length album, Lost Coast, recorded in Iceland with cellist Gabriel Cabezas, named one of NPR Music’s “26 Favorite Albums Of 2021 (So Far)” and a “Classical Album to Hear Right Now” by The New York Times. Gabriel and Gabriella have since debuted a (cello-violin-voice-electronics) duo version of Lost Coast at the Philharmonie de Paris, and in May 2023 Gabriel will premiere the cello concerto version of Lost Coast with LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

About Capybaraology:

Capybaraology is a Crowden commission by Crowden alum Gabriella Smith, in honor of Crowden’s 40^th Anniversary. Written for string orchestra and conductor, it will be premiered by 18 Crowden School  students, in fifth–eighth grades, and conducted by Crowden Artistic Director Eugene Sor. Preview an excerpt of Capybaraology, performed at Crowden’s Spring 2023 Benefit April 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhq_xHQoZ_w

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

La Junta Directiva de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs visitará San Miguel de Allende del 3 al 6 de Agosto, 2023

Delegación de Palm Springs liderada por la Alcaldesa Grace Garner y líderes culturales y de negocios de la ciudad www.sistercitiesps.org

22 de mayo de 2023 – Palm Springs, CA: La Junta Directiva de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs (www.sistercitiesps.org) realizará un viaje de cuatro días a San Miguel de Allende, México, del 3 al 6 de agosto de 2023, para celebrar la segunda firma oficial del acuerdo de ciudad hermana entre ambas ciudades. El viaje también incluirá actividades culturales y educativas, así como oportunidades para fortalecer los lazos de amistad y cooperación entre ambos municipios. Una ceremonia de firma inicial se llevó a cabo en febrero pasado en Palm Springs cuando el alcalde de San Miguel, Mauricio Trejo, lideró una delegación hacia el norte.

La delegación a San Miguel será liderada por la alcaldesa de Palm Springs, Grace Garner, miembros de la Junta Directiva de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs y representantes comunitarios, empresariales, de hospitalidad y culturales del área. Los aspectos destacados del viaje incluirán una visita a la histórica Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, una iglesia neo-gótica que domina el horizonte de la ciudad, así como reuniones de negocios para fortalecer los lazos económicos y los intercambios culturales, culinarios y educativos. La culminación del viaje será una ceremonia oficial de firma en el Ayuntamiento de San Miguel de Allende.

Un calendario definitivo de eventos y una lista completa de la delegación se darán a conocer en las próximas semanas. Aunque la Ciudad de San Miguel y las empresas afiliadas serán las anfitrionas de la delegación durante su estancia, todos los costos de transporte y gastos incidentales para la Alcaldesa Garner y la Delegación de Palm Springs serán pagados de forma privada por los fondos recaudados por la Delegación de la Ciudad Hermana y sus seguidores.

“Esta es una ocasión trascendental para ambas ciudades, ya que formalizamos nuestra relación y nos comprometemos a trabajar juntas en cuestiones de interés y beneficio mutuo”, dijo la Alcaldesa Garner. “San Miguel de Allende es una ciudad hermosa y vibrante con una rica historia y cultura, y nos sentimos honrados de ser su primera ciudad hermana en California. Como alguien cuya familia tiene profundas raíces mexicanas, liderar esta delegación es especialmente conmovedor para mí.”

El Alcalde Mauricio Trejo hizo eco de los sentimientos de su homóloga y expresó su entusiasmo por el intercambio. “Estamos encantados de recibir a nuestros amigos de Palm Springs y mostrarles lo mejor de nuestra ciudad y nuestra gente”, dijo. “Compartimos muchas similitudes con Palm Springs, como nuestro espíritu artístico y creativo, nuestra industria turística y nuestro respeto por la diversidad y la inclusión. Esperamos aprender el uno del otro y colaborar en proyectos que mejorarán la calidad de vida en ambas comunidades.”

El viaje también incluirá visitas a algunas de las atracciones más icónicas de San Miguel de Allende, como el Instituto Allende, una escuela de arte fundada por veteranos estadounidenses en 1950; la Escuela de Bellas Artes, un centro cultural ubicado en un antiguo convento; y el Santuario de Atotonilco, un sitio del Patrimonio Mundial conocido por sus elaborados murales que representan escenas bíblicas. La delegación también disfrutará de la cocina local, la música y las artesanías, así como interactuará con estudiantes, artistas y líderes empresariales.

San Miguel de Allende es una ciudad de alrededor de 140,000 personas ubicada en el estado de Guanajuato en el centro de México. Fundada en el siglo XVI por exploradores españoles, se convirtió en un centro de la Guerra de Independencia de México a principios del siglo XIX. Hoy en día, es un destino popular para turistas y expatriados que se sienten atraídos por su arquitectura colonial, su escena artística y su clima templado. Su centro histórico y meticulosamente conservado fue declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 2008.

Palm Springs es una ciudad de aproximadamente 45,000 personas ubicada en el condado de Riverside en el sur de California. Está situada en el Valle de Coachella al pie de las montañas de San Jacinto. Originalmente fue habitada por los indios Cahuilla que la llamaban Séc-he (agua hirviendo). Se convirtió en un elegante resort para celebridades de Hollywood y visitantes adinerados a mediados del siglo XX. Hoy en día, es conocida por su arquitectura moderna de mediados de siglo, elementos de diseño, escena artística y cultural, y actividades recreativas.

El origen del Comité de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs provino del dueño de Destination PSP (y ahora miembro del Ayuntamiento) Jeffrey Bernstein quien presentó su idea en una reunión del Ayuntamiento de Palm Springs en 2019 justo antes del brote de COVID. Poco después, Bernstein atrajo la participación de otros líderes empresariales y comunitarios locales que han pasado el último año como un esfuerzo totalmente voluntario, organizando el grupo y uniendo a las Ciudades Hermanas Internacionales, el organismo de gobierno para tales asociaciones cívicas. La junta ahora está compuesta por Al Jones (Presidente), Hugo Loyola (Vicepresidente), Andrea Davis (Tesorera), Ellen Goodman (Secretaria), Gary Armstrong, Marlene V. Coulis, Sid Craig, John Miraglia, Scott Nevins, David Eugene Perry y Deb Pierrel.

“Me emociona ver cómo esto toma forma”, dijo Bernstein quien renunció a la Junta de la Ciudad Hermana tras su elección al Ayuntamiento. “Siempre he creído en el turismo como una forma de impulsar los lazos económicos y culturales. Sé que comparto este entusiasmo con mis colegas del consejo y esperamos pronto visitar San Miguel.”

“Ha sido un primer año emocionante para nosotros”, dijo el Presidente de la Junta de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs, Jones. “Durante COVID, exploramos varias opciones para la primera ciudad hermana contemporánea de Palm Springs, y San Miguel se convirtió rápidamente en una elección obvia. Estamos encantados y honrados de que aceptaron nuestra invitación, y esperamos años de intercambios y relaciones ricas y crecientes.”

El Comité de la Ciudad Hermana de Palm Springs es una organización benéfica pública exenta de impuestos 501(c)(3) y no recibe fondos públicos. El trabajo del Comité es completamente autofinanciado a través de donaciones de los miembros del Comité y miembros interesados del público. Las Ciudades Hermanas de Palm Springs fueron creadas con el propósito de mejorar la paz mundial promoviendo y atendiendo las relaciones entre la Ciudad de Palm Springs y otras unidades de gobierno similares en países extranjeros con el objetivo de desarrollar una comprensión y cooperación más estrechas entre las personas de esas respectivas unidades de gobierno. El grupo espera asegurar un mundo de paz a través de la buena voluntad, la compasión y la ayuda a otras culturas.

En el centro de todos los programas de Ciudades Hermanas se encuentra un acuerdo, firmado por los alcaldes de cada Ciudad Hermana, que confirma el compromiso de cada comunidad con el programa de Ciudades Hermanas. Las Ciudades Hermanas acuerdan enviar y recibir delegaciones de varios tipos, incluidos líderes políticos y empresariales, representantes de las artes y la cultura, educadores y expertos técnicos porque estos intercambios promueven la comprensión intercultural, la cooperación municipal y técnica, y las oportunidades de negocio. Cada Ciudad Hermana está respaldada por un comité de voluntarios que están comprometidos con los objetivos y objetivos del programa.

Palm Springs tuvo una relación de ciudad hermana no solo con Victoria, B.C. Canadá a finales de la década de 1960 y principios de la década de 1970, sino también con Puerto Vallarta, México y Nikki, Japón.

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

Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors to Visit San Miguel de Allende
August 3 – 6, 2023

Delegation from Palm Springs Led by Mayor Grace Garner
and City Cultural and Business Leaders
www.sistercitiesps.org

22 May 2023 – Palm Springs, CA:  The Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors (www.sistercitiesps.org) will embark on a four-day trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, from August 3 to 6, 2023, to celebrate the second official signing of the sister city agreement between the two cities. The trip will also include cultural and educational activities, as well as opportunities to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two municipalities.  An initial signing ceremony was held this past February in Palm Springs when San Miguel Mayor Mauricio Trejo led a delegation north.

The delegation to San Miguel will be led by Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner, members of the Palm Springs Sister City Board of Directors and area community, business, hospitality and cultural representatives.  Highlights of the trip will include a visit to the historic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a neo-Gothic church that dominates the city skyline, as well as business-to-business meetings to build economic ties as well as cultural, culinary and educational exchanges.  The culmination of the trip will be an official signing ceremony in the San Miguel de Allende City Hall.

A definitive schedule of events, and a full delegation list, will be forthcoming in the next several weeks. While the City of San Miguel and affiliated businesses will host the delegation while there, all costs for transportation and incidentals for Mayor Garner, and the Palm Springs Delegation, will be paid for privately by monies raised by the Sister City Delegation and its supporters.

“This is a momentous occasion for both of our cities, as we formalize our relationship and commit to working together on issues of mutual interest and benefit,” said Mayor Garner. “San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful and vibrant city with a rich history and culture, and we are honored to be its first sister city in California. As someone whose family has deep Mexican roots, to lead this delegation is especially moving for me.”

Mayor Mauricio Trejo echoed the sentiments of his counterpart and expressed his enthusiasm for the exchange. “We are delighted to host our friends from Palm Springs and show them the best of our city and our people,” he said. “We share many similarities with Palm Springs, such as our artistic and creative spirit, our tourism industry, and our respect for diversity and inclusion. We look forward to learning from each other and collaborating on projects that will enhance the quality of life in both of our communities.”

The trip will also feature visits to some of San Miguel de Allende’s most iconic attractions, such as the Instituto Allende, an art school founded by American veterans in 1950; the Escuela de Bellas Artes, a cultural center housed in a former convent; and the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, a World Heritage Site known for its elaborate murals depicting  Biblical scenes. The delegation will also enjoy local cuisine, music, and crafts, as well as interact with students, artists, and business leaders.

San Miguel de Allende is a city of about 140,000 people located in the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish explores, it became a hub of the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century. Today, it is a popular destination for tourists and expatriates who are drawn to its colonial architecture, artistic scene, and mild climate. It’s historic and impeccably preserved center city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Palm Springs is a city of about 45,000 people located in Riverside County in southern California. It is situated in the Coachella Valley at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. It was originally inhabited by the Cahuilla Indians who called it Séc-he (boiling water). It became a fashionable resort for Hollywood celebrities and wealthy visitors in the mid-20th century. Today, it is known for its mid-century modern architecture, design elements, arts and cultural scene, and recreational activities.

The genesis for the Palm Springs Sister City Committee came from Destination PSP owner (and now City Councilmember) Jeffrey Bernstein who first presented his idea at a meeting of the Palm Springs City Council in 2019 just before the outbreak of COVID.   Soon thereafter, Bernstein drew in the participation of other local business and community leaders who have spent the last year as an all-volunteer effort, organizing the group and joining Sister Cities International, the governing body for such civic partnerships.  The board is now comprised of Al Jones (President), Hugo Loyola (Vice President), Andrea Davis (Treasurer), Ellen Goodman (Secretary), Gary Armstrong, Marlene V. Coulis, Sid Craig, John Miraglia, Scott Nevins, David Eugene Perry and Deb Pierrel.

“It thrills me to see this take shape,” said Bernstein who resigned from the Sister City Board upon his election to City Council. “I’ve always been a believer in tourism as a way to boost economic and cultural ties. I know I share this enthusiasm with my fellow council members and we look forward to soon visiting San Miguel.”

“It’s been an exciting first year for us,” said Palm Springs Sister Board Chair Jones. “During COVID, we explored a number of options for Palm Springs first contemporary sister city, and San Miguel quickly became an obvious choice. We are delighted and honored that they accepted our invitation, and look forward to years of rich and growing exchanges and relationships.”

The Palm Springs Sister City Committee is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity and receives no public funds. The work of the Committee is completely self-funded through donations from the Committee members and interested members of the public.  Palm Springs Sister Cities was created with the purpose of enhancing world peace by promoting and servicing relationships between the City of Palm Springs and other similar government units in foreign countries with the object of developing closer understanding and cooperation between people of those respective governmental units.  The group hopes to ensure a world of peace through goodwill, compassion, and helping other cultures.

At the heart of all Sister City programs is an agreement, signed by the mayors of each Sister City, confirming the commitment of each community to the Sister City program. Sister Cities agree to send and receive delegations of various types, including political and business leaders, arts and cultural representatives, educators, and technical experts because these exchanges promote cross-cultural understanding, municipal and technical cooperation, and business opportunities. Each Sister City is supported by a committee of volunteers who are committed to the goals and objectives of the program.

​Palm Springs had a sister city relationship not only with Victoria, B.C. Canada in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but also with Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Nikki, Japan.