Media contact: DP&A, Inc. / David Perry / (415) 676-7007 /news@davidperry.com
Union Square Alliance Welcomes BART’s New Deployment Strategy for a Cleaner, Safer District
21 March 2023, San Francisco, CA: In a recent press conference, the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced a new deployment strategy to increase safety and cleanliness on their trains and platforms. This initiative aligns with the Union Square Alliance’s strategic plan to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment in the Union Square District.
BART’s new deployment strategy, outlined by BART Police Chief Alvarez, involves maximizing the visible presence of the BART Police Department throughout the transit system. The plan includes the removal of seven traditional vehicle patrols per shift, redeploying those officers inside trains, and increasing the number of officers patrolling trains per shift to 18. Furthermore, the strategy will incorporate non-sworn staff such as transit ambassadors, crisis intervention specialists, fire inspectors, and community service officers.
This initiative is a response to concerns from BART riders, who have expressed frustrations about the system’s current state. As the city and region recover, BART aims to regain the public’s trust and encourage ridership.
The Union Square Alliance, a key stakeholder in maintaining the district’s prosperity, voiced its support for the new deployment strategy. Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance, said “A clean and safe transportation environment is vital to attracting visitors and workers back downtown.”
The Alliance focuses on enhancing the district’s appeal through initiatives such as economic development, public realm improvements, and creating events for the community to enjoy.
John Grubb, Chief Operating Officer of the Bay Area Council, also supported the new strategy, stating that a safer BART system would encourage ridership and help prevent the transit system from going bankrupt. The Bay Area Council will work with BART on officer recruitment campaigns and seek additional funding from state and federal governments.
As part of its ongoing efforts, BART is also evaluating bids for new fare gates to prevent fare evasion, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to improving the transit experience for riders and stakeholders.
About Union Square Alliance: The Union Square Alliance 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, 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. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street, and on the west by Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go to www.visitunionsquaresf.com.
Deadline to Nominate a Hotel Hero is Tomorrow March 21
20 March 2023: Three years ago, San Francisco shut its doors for the common good and the public health. Three years later, the “City That Knows How” has opened them to welcome back the world. On Thursday, April 27th (6pm reception; 7pm dinner and awards) the Hotel Council of San Francisco (www.hotelcouncilsf.org) returns with its annual Hotel Hero Awardat the Hilton San Francisco Union Square (333 O’Farrell Street) to celebrate the City’s hospitality industry and salute its frontline heroes who made San Francisco a model for other cities as we recover from the Pandemic. Members of the public and hospitality colleagues are encouraged to nominate their own “Hotel Hero”. Nominations are open until COB Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21 by emailing nroumph@hotelcouncilsf.org and putting “Hotel Hero Nomination” in the subject line.
“San Francisco’s hospitality and tourism industry is the engine that is driving our city’s economic and business renaissance,” said Alex Bastian, Hotel Council President and CEO. “Our world class hotel workers are the engineers driving that train and our ambassadors to the world. Thank you is never enough, but this is our night to do just that: say ‘thank you.’ ”
Established in 2003, the Hotel Hero awards were created to pay tribute to the people who dedicate their lives to the hospitality industry. As the largest industry in San Francisco, hotels and tourism directly impact the success of many businesses throughout San Francisco, supporting over 86,000 jobs. Prices for the 20th Annual Hotel Hero Gala are: Table of 10: $3000; half table $1500. Individual Member Ticket, $ 350; Individual Non-Member Ticket, $425: available at www.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.
17 March 2023 — San Francisco, CA: Celebrating “20 years of saving the world’s oceans, one film at a time,” San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) is honoring this year’s “Ocean Champions” at its annual benefit, Friday, March 31 (7pm) at the California Academy of Sciences:Ashlan & Philippe Cousteau. The evening will feature food, fine wine, a silent auction and a live auction spearheaded by “Warriors Hype Man” Franco Finn. The evening’s schedule is 5:30pm – 7pm cocktail reception; 7pm-9pm dinner and program; 9pm ‘til 10:30pm music by DJ Bryce. Highlighted during the evening will be previews of the Festival’s upcoming films. Individual tickets are $ 225 and can be purchased at www.intloceanfilmfest.org (direct event link: https://intloceanfilmfest.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/MakingWaves/tabid/1352412/Default.aspx ). Also, sponsorship are available for full tables.
“It’s so good to be back in person” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “This year’s event gives us the opportunity to gather, restore and celebrate with ocean loving friends including a change to engage with ocean scientists and filmmaker and directors.”
Award recipient Ashlan Cousteau has an almost two-decade career as a journalist and TV Host. During the first half of her career she was a producer for MSNBC an on camera host and fill-in anchor for Emmy-winning shows E News and Entertainment Tonight. In 2013 she shifted gears to leveraging her experience in media and pop-culture to help new audiences learn about and connect with the ocean. Since then she has co-hosted and produced several programs for Discovery, Travel Channel, and more. She has also become a sought-after speaker and host for everything from the United Nations to the Society of Environmental Journalists to numerous universities. She is also the author of Oceans for Dummies.
Philippe Cousteau has dedicated his life to the conservation and exploration of the ocean. He has hosted/produced over 100 hours of documentaries for CNN, BBC, Discovery and more, including his Emmy-nominated series Awesome Planet. His most recent work has been in partnership with his wife Ashlan, including a series with Travel Channel. He is also an author of several children’s books and guides for youth.
In 2005, Philippe founded EarthEcho International based on a simple concept: youth have the power to change the world. At the time there were no organizations focused on fostering and building pathways for youth to become informed and active ocean champions. Today, EarthEcho is a leader in the growing movement of youth-focused ocean advocacy. With the fight to protect and restore our ocean planet reaching critical levels, youth leaders are emerging as powerful change agents, from tackling plastic pollution and species decline to influencing policies. To date EarthEcho International has worked with over 2 million youth in 146 countries. Most recently, EarthEcho launched GenSea, an initiative and digital platform that convenes a global community of young ocean advocates, ages 13-25, and partners connected through networking, learning, and collective action to protect and restore our ocean. Ashlan and Philippe added, ““We are honored to be the recipients of this year’s Ocean Champions Award. As storytellers, authors, and entrepreneurs, everything we do is focused on bringing people closer to the ocean and helping them recognize that the health of the ocean is vital to all life on earth.”
Past recipients of the Ocean Champion Award includelegendary oceanographer and marine activist Dr. Sylvia Earle, Kip Evans, director of Expeditions for Mission Blue, Academy-Award winning director Louie Psihoyos, Jeff Boehmn, Executive Director of the Marine Mammal Center and Swedish environmentalist and climate change activist Greta Thunberg.
The 20th annual Festival, April 13 – 16 takes place at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason and San Rafael’s Smith Center: 33 films representing 11 countries. Especially anticipated is the Festival’s opening night offering Deep Rising, a Sundance Film Festival winner. This up-to-the-minute tale of geopolitical, scientific, and corporate intrigue that exposes the machinations of a secretive organization empowered to greenlight massive extraction of metals from the deep seafloor that are deemed essential to the electric battery revolution. Other Festival highlights include Collision, an eye opening film about the main cause of death in large whales, and Patrick and the Whale in which stunning underwater footage explores the fascinating nature of the Sperm Whale and its intriguing and complex intelligence and relationship with humanity.
The Festival accepts films of all genres that focus on any of the varied aspects of our big, blue ocean. Subject matter ranges from, but is not limited to, marine wildlife, conservation efforts, ocean environments, coastal cultures, ocean sports and exploration, ocean heroes, and innovative technology designed to help protect the ocean. Films can be documentaries, narratives, shorts, animation, and full-length films from around the world. A number of finalists from the main film festival program will be selected to participate in the world-renowned International Ocean Film Festival Traveling Program. This year’s film categories include Environmental, Marine Sciences/Wildlife, Exploration & Ocean Sports, Coastal Island Culture. Animation,Conservation, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Shorts and Female Directors.
Sponsors for this year’s festival include RingCentral, Jenga Ocean, Hapag Lloyd, SSA Group and the Consul General of Canada in San Francisco. Note: Additional sponsorship opportunities are available through March 1st.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 supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented over 815 films from 40 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.
Below is the full list (in alphabetical order by title, followed by director, country of origin and running time) for this year’s 20th Anniversary Festival.
1. And yet, I remain, Rick Wall (South Africa) 8 min
2. The Arctic Halocline, Amy Lauren (USA) 21 min
3. Big Waves Guardians, Luke Stirtz (USA) 90 min
4. Blue Carbon, Paul Nicklen (USA) 3 min
5. Bottle Cap, Marie Hyon & Marco Spier (USA) 5 min
6. Changing Seas: Vanishing Whales, Alexa Elliott (USA) 27 min
7. Cold Refuge, Judy Irving (USA) 79 min
8. Collision, Philip Hamilton (UK) 80 min
9. Deep Look: Barnacles Go To Unbelievable Lengths To Hook Up, Josh Cassidy (USA) 4 min
10. Deep Rising, Matthieu Rytz (USA) 98 min
11. Fishing Into The Future: A San Diego Story, Lindsay Bauman & Andrea Sanchez Davidson (USA) 5 min
12. Gender Outlaw, a bodysurfing story, Peter Williams (USA) 16 min
13. The Gift of Bathsheba, Zach Hellmuth (USA) 4 min
14. Havana Libre, Corey McLean (USA) 85 min
15. Huff, David Mangum (USA) 7 min
16. Hypnotise, Ste Everington (Australia) 4 min
17. The Impossible Wave, Jessica Frankovelgia Johnson & Jay Johnson (USA) 40 min
18. Inseparable: Ava, Andrew Harrison Brown (USA) 11 min
19. Mediterranean LIFE UNDER SIEGE, Fred Fougea (France) 91 min
20. New Boats, Lansana Mansaray (Sierra Leone) 50 min
21. Patrick and the Whale, Mark Fletcher (Austria) 72 min
22. Planting Coral Forests, Johann Vorster (Kenya) 27 min
23. PLSTC, Laen Sanches (France) 2 min
24. Restoring the Farallon Islands: A Critical Conservation Opportunity, Brandon Schilling (USA) 4 min
25. Rise of the Clambassador, Alexander Davidowski (USA) 8 min
26. Robots in the Deep, Leo Richards (UK) 13 min
27. SAGRES, José Eduardo Zuzarte (Portugal) 44 min
28. SB2508: A Death Threat to Everglades Restoration, Noah Alexander Miller (USA) 30 min
29. Seagrass for Sea Change, Whitney Beer-Kerr (Australia) 12 min
30. The Storm Chaser, Jack Pirie (UK) 7 min
31. Tangled in the Tides, Henk Ekermans & Barend van der Watt (South Africa) 50 min
32. Truluck, Matt Cannon & Jake Smallwood (UK) 20 min
33. Washed Ashore, Ley Heimgartner, Cameron Nielsen (USA) 16 min
The 20th International Ocean Film Festival runs April 13 – 16, 2023 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. The International Ocean Film Festival is a 501(c) 3 non-profit.
(updated 14 March) original release 17 February 2023 – Palm Springs: Lindsay Joelle’s “finely crafted play, laced with wit and wisdom” (Broadway World) THE GARBOLOGISTS rounds out the 15th Season for Dezart Performs (www.dezartperforms.org) April 14 – 23. As the lives of a white conservative and a Black liberal working together in a New York City garbage truck become more entwined, they discover some things are easier to toss than others. It is a play that is a hopeful story about finding common ground in uncommon times. The play runs 90 minutes without intermission and is a “delightfully intimate, surprising, and profound, filled with sometimes unexpected laughter and even tears.” — onStage Pittsburgh.
“As the old adage goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” said Dezart Performs founding artistic director Michael Shaw who is directing the play. “Lindsay Joelle’s beautifully written and perfectly pitched dialogue is itself something to be treasured. In a world of great economic and social disparity, Danny and Marlowe show us the true meaning of friendship and that our ‘jobs’ are not always a reflection of our rich inner lives.”
Danny (Jacob Alden Roa), a nine-year veteran of DSNY (The City of New York Department of Sanitation) is matched with Marlowe (Nathalie Bennett) on her first day as a garbage collector. Danny is world weary, gruff and more than a little politically incorrect with a degree from the school of hard knocks. Marlowe is a Columbia graduate who did her “Master’s Thesis on the proliferation of Anglo-Indian intaglio travel printmaking as a byproduct of 19th century colonialism.” The chances of a friendship, or even a chance meeting, at a Manhattan bar would be unlikely. Daily intimate conversations over rancid trash bags during a NYC winter even more so between two such radically different people. Both Danny and Marlowe have secrets. Both have things in their lives they wish they could have kept, and both have thrown much away. The result is a moving and memorable “buddy play” that will stay with the audience for a long time.
THE GARBOLOGISTS runs April 14 – 23,. All performances take place at the Pearl McManus Theater (at the historic Palm Springs Woman’s Club) 314 S Cahuilla Road, Downtown Palm Springs. Ticket prices are $39 – $50. Tickets may be purchased online at www.dezartperforms.org, or by calling (760) 322-0179. Showtimes are Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm; Sundays at 2pm.
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.
Meet the Cast: Nathalie Bennett is a Bay Area native and UCLA alumna. She received a “Best Principal Actress” nomination by San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle for Camae in THE MOUNTAINTOP. Theatre credits include title role in TOYPURINA, leading roles inTHE GIRLS OF SUMMER, THIS LAND WAS MADE, WHEN WE WERE COLORED, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, THE PIANO LESSON, STEAL AWAY including one-woman plays THE DOROTHY DANDRIDGE STORY, A SHADOW IN THE CLOUDS (Bessie Coleman Story) and TITUBA. Film credits includes Netflix feature film, REBIRTHandaward-winning festival short, JACOB STONE. Studies include Margie Haber in Los Angeles and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Member SAG-AFTRA and Actor’s Equity Association. She is honored to play Marlowe in THE GARBOLOGISTS.
Jacob Alden Roa (Danny) is an Actor/Writer/Musician and professional Astrologer, with over a decade in NYC telling stories on stage and screen. In New York, he made his Off-Broadway Debut in INDEPENDENTS at Soho Playhouse and performed at The Park Ave Armory and The Public Theater working with composers and theater artists Mark Sonnenblick, Greta Gertler Gold, Stew and Jocelyn Mackenzie. New to the west coast, Jacob is excited to make his Dezart Performs debut bringing this beautiful human story to life. Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. Shout out to his folks and his partner, Susana, for the support and inspiration that make this life of storytelling possible. Find him on Instagram: @jacobaldenroa.
15th Dezart Performs’ Season Listing
THE GARBOLOGISTS
April 14 – 23, 2023
Written by Lindsay Joelle Directed by Michael Shaw
New comedy/drama
“THE GARBOLOGISTS takes us on a ride of sadness, joy, anger, disbelief, and understanding.” –Grid Magazine
“Lindsay Joelle’s finely crafted play is laced with wit and wisdom.” – Broadway World
“[THE GARBOLOGISTS] is delightfully intimate, surprising, and profound, filled with sometimes unexpected laughter and even tears..” – onStage Pittsburgh
Friday, April 28 Be Part of LGBTQ+ History at the Palm Springs Cultural Center www.PSCulturalCenter.org
The 30th Anniversary Celebration of Nicholas Snow’s Historic Public Access Television Show Tinseltown’s Queer: Activism Hollywood Style
13 March 2023 – Palm Springs, CA: Long before Will & Grace, Brokeback Mountain, Queer Eye or RuPaul, there was Nicholas Snow and Tinseltown’s Queer.On Friday, April 28 (7pm ‘til 9pm) at the Palm Springs Cultural Center Friday, be part of Queer media history as we commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Nicholas Snow’s ground-breaking public access television show, Tinseltown’s Queer. The celebratory evening of iconic archival television clips features some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, as well as champions of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
Tinseltown’s Queer, Snow’s brainchild combining media savvy and queer activism, reached up to 600,000 households on a regular basis on four different cable systems in the Los Angeles metropolitan area throughout most of the 1990s.
“The editorial mission of Tinseltown’s Queer,” explains Snow, “was to examine the relationship between the entertainment industry and the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, thereby positively impacting the movement itself. I’ve been a multimedia entertainment activist ever since. It’s been my life’s work.”
The April 28th evening, to be emceed by popular KGAY Radio DJJohn Taylor, will feature iconic archival interviews with not only some of Hollywood’s biggest stars but also giants in the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movement.
Some of Snow’s guests included LGBTQ+ icons Quentin Crisp, Robin Tyler, Melissa Etheridge, Armistead Maupin, Patricia Nell Warren and Morris Kight, and celebs Drew Carey, Christine Baranski, Cristina Applegate, Katey Sagal, Hugh Hefner and many more. The first episode of Tinseltown’s Queer was taped April 28, 1993, three days after a March on Washington.
“Tinseltown’s Queer is a solid piece of LGBTQ+ history, and also a chronicle of what was happening in LA and on the West Coast at the time,” said Michael C. Green, Executive Director of the Palm Springs Cultural Center. “So often when people think about LGBTQ+ history, it’s about things that happened in New York and Washington DC. I think it’s critical to expand that universe. That’s why I find this program so important. And that’s why the Cultural Center is so proud to be a part of it.”
Snow will screen this night what he describes as “the pilot for the consummate documentary” with the goal of inspiring others realize the historic value of this footage so they will support the process of digitizing and preserving the archives by becoming PromoHomo.TV® Superstars.
PromoHomo.TV® Superstars support Snow’s activism by voluntarily subscribing on the Patreon platform for as little as $1/month. Most subscribers participate at $10/month. Those who subscribe at $100/month receive an Associate Producer credit. All subscribers will have exclusive online streaming access to the 30-year retrospective video May 1st, 2023. Choose your subscription level at www.Patreon.com/PromoHomoTV.
To be spotlighted before the screening are longtime supporters of Snow’s media activism including DAP Health, EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, Palm Springs Pride, KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs / GayDesertGuide.LGBT, Pink Media, #ILoveGay Campaign, David Perry and Associates, Inc. and The Palm Springs Cultural Center.
