My name is phil ginsberg. I am the general manager of your San Francisco recreation and parks department. We want to welcome you to the 90 th, think about that. The 90th annual Tree Lighting. This started december 20th, 90 years ago on John Mclarens birthday and his spirit is here tonight because it is not raining. [laughter] this is truly one of our signature events of the year. Certainly one of my personal favourites. And if you see all the incredible stuff happening here down j. F. K. , if you havent walked down the street, there are rides and food and games and you get a goat of conservatory of flowers from night bloom or the outside of the building and the inside of the building are all lit up. It is super cool. The start of our show tonight is right next to me. Our mayor, london breed. Mayor, thank you for joining. We will have you wait just a second. The mayor is a magician and she will make the magic happen tonight with this tree. Before we make that happen, we need to acknowle
[cheers and applause] thank you. I am really, really excited to be here. Last year i was able to attend the grand opening of Natalie Graham commons and it was absolutely amazing. Some of you know the history of Natalie Grubb and the work that she did to help create the Tax Credit Program that allows for opportunity to invest in Affordable Housing like this one that we are standing in and her family was here. It was a great occasion. 120 families of low income are living in this property as we speak. And today, when we open this preschool, they will be prioritized for the slots in this location, which is absolutely exactly what we should be doing in San Francisco how incredible is that . [applause] so im joined here by number of great people and i like to see the young people already playing this place isnt opening until next week, but they decided they wanted to try the place out. That is why they are here today. This new transbay Child Development center is a welcome addition to this
You to do the right thing to shop local and shop in the castro or the haight or wherever your best neighborhood is. But i want to remind everybody why the best reason to shop local, to get out and get offline is because shopping is fun. And its social. You remember how it used to be when you would go with your best friend and you would go shopping and get that special thing for your mom or get that special thing for your boyfriend or girlfriend or whoever it was or your dad, shopping is fun. And thats why its important that you remember you go back to what it used to be like. And i want to encourage everyone to take a challenge this weekend and not shop online. To get out and shop in the castro instead, because, again, shopping is something that you do with your friends and family, and you can enjoy your relationships and build on that and have an experience that is really fun and interesting and unique. And we have some really great, unique stores in the castro, as a matter of fact. T
Year participating in it. They took the kids everywhere around San Francisco. This year, owner talking about placing them in summer camps, all he wanted to do was spend the entire summer with them. He has strong women in his life, so he really appreciates it. I think that carries through and i appreciate the fact that there are more strong women in the world like that. I met dandrea 25 years ago, and we met through our interest in karate. Our professor started on cortland years ago, so we grew up here at this location, we out he outgrew the space and he moved ten years later. He decided to reopen this location after he moved. Initially, i came back to say, hey, because it might have been 15 years since i even put on a uniform. My Business Partner was here basically by herself, and the person she was supposed to run the studio with said great, you are here, i started new Nursing School so you can take over. And she said wait, that is not what i am here for i was by myself before for a m
Shop and dine on the 49 promotes local businesses and challenges residents to do shopping and dining within the 49 square miles of San Francisco by supporting local Services Within neighborhood. We help San Francisco remain unique, successful and vibrant. Where will you shop and dine in the 49 . San francisco owes the charm to the unique character of the neighborhood comer hall district. Each corridor has its own personality. Our neighborhoods are the engine of the city. You are putting money and support back to the community you live in and you are helping Small Businesses grow. It is more environmentally friendly. Shopping local is very important. I have had relationships with my local growers for 30 years. By shopping here and supporting us locally, you are also supporting the growers of the flowers, they are fresh and they have a price point that is not imported. It is really good for everybody. Shopping locally is crucial. Without that support, Small Business cant survive, and if