Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival 
April 7 – 10 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theater Fort Mason

Virtual Presentations April 11 – 24  

Tickets Go on Sale March 10 for
Largest Festival in the World for Ocean-Related Films 

Full schedule of films announced February 21

15 February 2022 – San Francisco, CA: After two years of battering COVID waves, attendees to this year’s 19^thAnnual International Ocean Film Festival will hear ocean waves as they walk into San Francisco’s Cowell Theater at Fort Mason, April 7 – 10 for the first in-person event since 2019. In addition, virtual presentations will also be offered April 11 – 24. The full schedule of films will be announced on February 20, and tickets to the entire festival go on sale March 10.

“We’re back! To say we’re excited is an understatement,” said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the Festival. “This year’s festival will not only be an extraordinary homecoming to the Cowell Theatre, but will also highlight some of the lessons we learned from the pandemic.  The silver lining of the last two years has been reaching more and new audiences through our virtual component, which now is a permanent part of the full festival.”

This year’s 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival is marked with 18 days of ocean-focused, independent films. In addition, the Festival will host  lively Q&A panels with film directors, marine scientists, and industry experts, as they discuss the films and share insights into ocean conservation, preservation, and legislation. 

“Also, one of the Festival’s most important components is the 10^th Annual Student Film Competition,” says Blanco. “It’s a way for students to tell their stories about the ocean and explore the exciting world of filmmaking. We are delighted to have PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors) supporting the Student Film Competition.”

The Student Film Competition is open to middle school and high school students (grades 6 through 12) from around the world. Films must be five minutes or less in duration, and touch upon some subject matter regarding the ocean. The deadline for submission is February 28.

According to Blanco, the past two years’ “Virtual Oceans” online Festivals were seen by a record breaking 10,000 people and more than 2500 students took part in the online education series.  During 2020 and 2021, submissions were received from around the world, including films from the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia and Germany. For this year’s 19^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival, Blanco is expecting an even great number – and greater diversity – of submissions.

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 offinalists 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.

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 40different 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 upcoming 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include, The Consul General of Canada of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Laura Wais Underwater Imaging, NOAA, PG&E, RingCentral, RBC Wealth Management and The SSA Group.

Our generous hotel and hospitality partners are:  The Hotel Griffon, The Hotel Zetta, the J.W. Marriott, the Kimpton Alton Hotel, Le Meridien, the Lodge at the Presidio and the Omni Hotel.

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 19th Annual International Ocean Film Festival will take place April 7 – 10 at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture and April 11 – 23 online at www.intloceanfilmfest.org. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.• www.intloceanfilmfest.org• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest• Twitter @oceanfilmfest• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

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

AsiaSF / Palm Springs Celebrates its “Ribbon Cutting 2.0”
Wednesday, February 9: 5pm
Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton & PS Chamber Officiates

Two Years After Its Record-Breaking Grand Opening in January 2020
Iconic Entertainment Brand Featuring Transgender “Ladies of AsiaSF”
and Award Winning Cuisine Officially Welcomes Back the World

www.asiasf.com

8 February 2022 – Palm Springs, CA:Two years after its record-breaking grand opening and subsequent COVID enforced shut-down, AsiaSF/Palm Springs (www.asiasf.com), is back! The SoCal branch of the storied San Francisco dinner theatre and cabaret featuring the world-famous transgender Ladies of AsiaSF welcomed back its first paying customers earlier this year. Now, they’re ready to officially announce their full return. The “Ribbon Cutting 2.0” will take place tomorrow – Wednesday, February 9 at 5pm – at 1555 South Palm Canyon Drive.  Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton and representatives from The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will officiate. Proof of full vaccination is required for all employees, guests and entertainers and masks are required for entry and when guests are not actively eating or drinking.

“What a difference a pandemic makes,” said Larry Hashbarger, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AsiaSF. “For two years we’ve been hibernating and wrapped in a COVID cocoon. But now, the butterfly is ready to burst forth! ”

With Vegas commercial style choreography by Ronnie Reddick and award-winning Cal-Asian cuisine, AsiaSF/Palm Springs is a unique interactive, cabaret and dinner entertainment experience. From the moment one enters, the internationally acclaimed “Ladies of AsiaSF” will entertain and enlighten you, complete with stand-out-performances featuring original creations by Julian Mendez Couture and Prime Kreations of Los Angeles who has designed for Beyoncé and Kendall Jenner.  AsiaSF’s spectacular interiors, calling to mind a “1930s Shanghai” aesthetic are by Joshua Rowland Interiors.  In addition, taking advantage of the Coachella Valley’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle, the location features a special outdoor pool club event space with cabanas, bar and luxurious lawn known as The Sonoran at AsiaSF/Palm Springs.

Founded by Hashbarger and Skip Young, AsiaSF has been packing in sell-out crowds at its original location for over 23 years, with legions of fans traveling to San Francisco from all over the world. Millions more have had the “AsiaSF experience” via the Fuse TV show featuring the AsiaSF cast, Transcendent. Voted “One of America’s Hottest 100 Restaurants” by Opentable, AsiaSF has hosted over 1 million patrons since it opened its doors in 1998. 

“AsiaSF is a complete entertainment and food/cocktail experience,” says Hashbarger, the creator/producer of Passport – America’s premier fashion show and HIV/AIDS fundraiser – during his three decades as Director of Special Productions for Macy’s. “Our beautiful and talented transgender cast bring our guests into their world from the first second they enter the space. They serve drinks. They serve food. They dish up a stand-on-the-table and applaud-‘til-your-hands-are-sore song and dance experience that is, literally, transformative. I couldn’t be prouder of these inspiring women.“

“We’re thrilled and excited to be back,” said Aaron Nelson, President, COO of AsiaSF and also an ownership partner. “During the last few months, we’ve been doing a series of pre-opening events, including private functions for The Dinah and Palm Springs Pride. Now, fully staffed and fully vaxxed, we’re ready for AsiaSF/PS 2.0.” 

AsiaSF has been a visionary pioneer in supporting the transgender community through empowerment by creating a safe space and unique employment opportunities that showcase its beautiful and multi-talented transgender stars, the Ladies of AsiaSF, who not only entertain but also educate and enlighten people about the transgender experience and human diversity.

“One of our missions of AsiaSF/Palm Springs is to create a trans-positive environment that educates and raises awareness about living your truth and being your authentic self,” Hashbarger sums up, “while at the same time providing our guests with a ‘time of your life’ experience.

About The AsiaSF/Palm Springs Management Team:

Larry Hashbarger — Founder, Chairman & CEO:  In addition to being a founder and creative force behind AsiaSF, Larry was the Director of Special Productions for the Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group. In that role, he created and produced the iconic Macy’s Passport – America’s premier fashion show and HIV/AIDS fundraiser, as well as other iconic annual events such as the Junior League Fashion Show, Macy’s Flower Show and Tree Lighting events. He has been in the San Francisco nightlife scene for over 25 years and in 1995 founded Asia – a mega late night Asian gay dance club, which became one of the most successful clubs in the City. He has been involved with and supported many non profit organizations and served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Friends and was the organization’s Chairman for two years.

Skip Young — Co-Founder: Skip was an investment advisor for ten years and for seven years Vice President, Creative Development for RTC, a subsidiary of WPP Group plc – the world’s largest advertising conglomerate. For almost 30 years he has been President of the Choo-San Goh – H. Robert Magee Foundation, awarding choreographic grants to dance companies worldwide. Mr. Young is also an Eagle Scout.

Aaron Nelson —  President & Chief Operating Officer: Aaron joined AsiaSF shortly after its inception in 2000, and became an ownership partner in 2010. A previous small business owner, his passion for the hospitality industry and attention to detail lends itself perfectly to AsiaSF’s unique offerings of nightlife, dining, and entertainment. When he has some time to get away, he still enjoys returning home to his native city of Chico, CA.

Ronnie Reddick​ — show director/choreographer: Ronnie is one of California’s most dynamic and multi-talented choreographers with an edge of what’s happening in the world of dance and fashion today.  This multifaceted San Francisco based choreographer/dancer made his mark by combining hip hop, jazz, fashion and theatrics to create an explosive and dynamic new style, making him one of the most sought-after choreographers in the Bay Area and beyond. In the  entertainment world, Ronnie has worked with such artists as Michael and Janet Jackson, Deborah Cox, Paula Abdul, Kristine W., Tony, Toni, Tone, Jody Watley, Liza Minelli, Santana, Ultra Nate, Kelly Price, Vicky Shepard, RuPaul, Jeanie Tracy, Abigail and M.C. Hammer along with many corporations like Gap, Macy’s, MAC Viva Glam Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Starbucks, API, Apple Computer, Google, Sun Microsystems, BEBE, Univision Television, E*Trade, Coca Cola, Microsoft, Bill Graham Presents and recently a video for Hillary Clinton, just to name a few.  Mr. Reddick has also choreographed and worked with many designers and fashion brands, including Kenneth Cole, Puma, Barcelino, Tommy Bahama, BeBe,West Coast Leather, YB Timepieces and Diesel.  He has also had the privilege and honor to be invited to teach master classes for the cast of the prestigious Las Vegas show A New Day featuring Celine Dion at Caesars Palace. Mr. Reddick also teaches at Stanford University, University of Santa Clara and just recently started teaching a few master classes at Princeton University.   “Technique is only the beginning of what makes a memorable dancer, and we don’t start dancing to end up doing chorus”, says Reddick. “You have got to have that extra something.”  It is through his experience and selfless devotion that Ronnie Reddick is inspiring a new generation of talent.

Interior Design: Joshua Rowland Interiors
Be it extravagant or subdued, sophisticated or subversive, Joshua Rowland Interior’s intent is the same: Make it beautiful, make it exciting and keep it engaging. His obsessions with haute couture fashion, art history, science, and an overactive imagination, create a combination of spectacularly potent influences. Joshua Rowland Interiors experience spans almost two decades as a practicing designer. Expertise includes creating luxury hospitality, residential, boutique retail, furniture and textile design. Commissions are executed with charm, luxury and bespoke details. Collaborations span treasured residences, destination wineries, boutique hotels, nightlife venues, restaurants and luxury retail hospitality located at domestic and international addresses. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   

Thursday, January 27, 2022   

Contact: Communications Director Alison Hawkes, DPH.Press@sfdph.org   

   

*** PRESS RELEASE ***   

UPDATES TO SAN FRANCISCO’S COVID-19 HEALTH ORDER INCLUDES CHANGES TO INDOOR MASKING, TESTING AND VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS   

With COVID-19 cases still high but dropping rapidly, local health order changes begin to ease mask requirements and take steps toward longer term shift in bringing local health orders into alignment with state guidelines where it can be done safely    

   

San Francisco, CA — Beginning on February 1, San Francisco office workers, gym members and other “stable cohorts” of people may remove masks indoors again, reinstating the mask exemption that was in place before the latest Omicron surge. Given the highly transmissible nature of the variant, there is an additional requirement that individuals in these stable cohort groups be “up to date” on their vaccinations, including the primary series and boosters when eligible, as the best protection against the virus.   

Other COVID-19 safety guidelines in these settings remain in effect and include a means for others who do not or cannot meet the vaccination requirements to join the group with the added safety of showing a negative test and wearing a mask.

Additional updates begin a new shift in bringing San Francisco’s Safer Together Health Order into closer alignment with current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) requirements, where it can be done safely. These include allowing patrons to enter indoor “mega-events” of 500 people or more with a negative COVID-19 test as an alternative to being “up to date” on vaccinations (masking would still be required). Further changes allow religious and medical exemptions to vaccination requirements with a negative COVID-19 test, affecting locations such as indoor restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness centers, and other venues where food or drink is consumed or where people have elevated breathing. These changes also begin February 1. The public should be mindful that people in some settings may not be fully vaccinated or boosted and so should use good judgment when attending gatherings or events.   

Consistent with the state’s current mask rules, San Francisco’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect for most public settings, regardless of vaccination status. For more details on the changes to the health order, go to: https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus-healthorders.asp

“As we come out of this latest surge and face a future in which COVID-19 will remain among us, San Francisco will take a balanced approach in our response to COVID-19 by aligning with state requirements and guidelines where we can do so safely,” said Health Officer, Dr. Susan Philip. “We also acknowledge areas where we can San Francisco can be further ahead in easing restrictions, such as the indoor mask exemption for stable cohorts, given our highly vaccinated and boosted population. We will do so carefully and by following our local data and the science, as there are still San Franciscans who are medically vulnerable to the disease and communities that remain highly impacted when case rates are high.”  

Rapid antigen tests may be taken within the day before entry, and PCR laboratory tests may be taken within two days before entry. A photo taken of a self-administered rapid antigen test (such as an at-home test) is not acceptable proof of a negative test. Verification of the test result from a third party is needed. For these events and locations, a printed or electronic document from the test provider or laboratory may be used.    

The health order also added a definition for “booster-eligible,” which means the time when a person qualifies to receive a booster under U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Until a person is eligible for a booster, they are considered “up to date” on their vaccination. More information about booster eligibility can be found at: sf.gov/information/get-your-booster.  

Clarification has also been provided on when a person may receive a vaccination or booster following a COVID-19 infection. While clinical data does not yet provide a definitive answer to this question, for now the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) recommends that people get vaccinated or receive a booster dose as soon as possible at least 10 days but no more than 30 days after recovery from infection and discontinuation of isolation, unless a healthcare provider has a strong reason for the booster to be delayed.   

Additional changes to the health order affect personnel in high-risk settings and include:  

• Extending the deadline a month from February 1 to March 1 for personnel in high-risk settings to be up-to-date on vaccination, meaning receiving a booster shot when eligible. The extension of the deadline aligns with state requirements, but also includes San Francisco’s health order requirements on boosters for people whose regular work hours are outside of designated high-risk settings, but who visit high-risk settings as part of their work (such as many police officers, paramedics, and deputy sheriffs working in jails)  

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Department of Public Health

City and County of San Francisco

Twitter: @SF_DPH

Facebook: @sfpublichealth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

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

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

MAYOR LONDON BREED PROPOSES FUNDING TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING SHORTAGES

$22.5 million funding to Fire and Police departments must be approved to continue to provide essential public safety services amid significant staffing shortages

San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today introduced a Public Safety Funding measure for the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) and San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) to ensure critical services continue through the end of the fiscal year. The proposal, which calls for an allocation of $22.5 million, would provide an additional $7.9 million to SFPD and $14.6 million for SFFD so that the Departments can continue to provide essential city services and avoid cuts that would reduce the ability to address serious crime, maintain emergency response times, and meet other basic safety needs. This legislation is co-sponsored by Supervisor Catherine Stefani.

Today’s proposal comes as both SFPD and SFFD have experienced an increase in the use of overtime pay due to significant staffing shortages. The cost of overtime is greater than any salary savings from unfilled positions, causing the projected budget shortfalls. Staffing shortages are the result of high levels of attrition and retirements, limited hiring over the last few years, and high uses of sick and administrative leave due to COVID-19 exposure, illness, and quarantines. Both SFPD and SFFD have seen the departure of approximately 10% of total staff over the past two years in addition to employees out on sick or other types of short-term leave. The supplemental is strictly to fill current shortages and does not allocate funding to either department to hire additional staff beyond what has already been approved in the budget. 

Recent discussion of SFPD overtime has focused on operations within the Tenderloin and the Tenderloin Emergency, but overtime deployments in the Tenderloin make up only a portion of the overall overtime usage in the department. The greatest use of overtime has been to fill basic station operations and patrols due to the lack of available staff.

“We have a responsibility to make sure everyone in this City feels safe and that we can deliver the essential emergency services our residents deserve,” said Mayor Breed. “Right now, our public safety departments are in a staffing crisis, which requires both immediate solutions like this Public Safety Funding, and a long-term commitment to funding and filling Academy Classes. We need police officers out on the street engaging in community policing and addressing crime, and we need our firefighters and paramedics responding to emergency calls when people are at their most vulnerable. That funding must be approved quickly so we can continue to meet our basic responsibilities.” 

As of January 2022, uniformed staffing levels are down 20% across SFPD and 16% across SFFD, compared to pre-pandemic levels, due to both permanent departures and current personnel out on leave. To meet the growing public safety demands of the City, remaining department staff are working extremely high levels of overtime to backfill vacancies and those on leave, further straining employees and department budgets. Currently in the SFFD, the majority of overtime shifts are considered ‘mandatory OT,’ resulting in higher costs as all hours are paid at time and a half compared to ‘voluntary OT,’ where the first half of an individual’s shift is paid at their normal rate.

“I believe our highest priority as a city should be to keep San Franciscans safe, and we cannot meet that responsibility without this supplemental appropriation,” said Supervisor Catherine Stefani. “For more than two years, we’ve known that our patrol staffing levels were severely inadequate, and the situation is only getting worse. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the conditions in our city or ignore the thousands of San Franciscans who call 911 in crisis every single day. This supplemental is absolutely necessary to ensure we meet our public safety obligations.”

“Like other public agencies across the State, the San Francisco Fire Department has been impacted by COVID-19 in many ways,” said Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson. “The Department has been utilizing contingency plans to sustain operations, however, this has tasked our members with working an unprecedented amount of overtime. This public safety measure will shore up our base operations so the Department can continue to safeguard the City and people in it.”  

“Most major city law enforcement agencies today are grappling with a police staffing crisis that’s a nationwide phenomenon, and the San Francisco Police Department is no exception,” said Chief of Police Bill Scott. “At a time where many police officers hired across our country in the early 1990s are approaching retirement, we’re sadly seeing fewer and fewer people choose a career in the policing profession. It’s a long-term challenge we must all work together to solve, but it starts by meeting our short-term needs. This proposed funding package will address our current staffing shortage and enable us to avoid problematic cuts.”

If the funding is not approved, the Departments will have to find ways to address the shortfall within their existing budget. On Monday, the City Controller sent a letter to the Chiefs of both SFPD and SFFD informing them that the City Controller will work with the Departments to place fiscal controls on the Departments to ensure each remain within budget. These controls could result in significant operational challenges, with possible options including reducing deployments of officers throughout the City, the suspension of planned training academies for both Departments, which are intended to add new permanent staff that will help alleviate current staffing shortages, and an inability to move forward with critical equipment purchases or contracts. The City Controller will be working with SFPD and SFFD on these contingency plans in the coming weeks.

The supplemental will need to be heard and approved by the Board’s Budget and Finance committee before going to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote. The Mayor has requested the supplemental be heard as soon as possible to ensure that SFPD and SFFD can continue to meet public safety demands, and not need to implement the fiscal controls described above. This includes requesting that the Board of Supervisors waives the traditional 30 day hold that all legislation goes through, which is a common request for legislation that must be addressed urgently. 

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