Notes from Kerry
New Custodian at City Hall
City Hall Exhibits
Do"s & Docents
Lost & Found
"Out to Lunch" Summer Concert Series
Hearing Rooms
Introducing Sgt. Kevin Winch
Earthquake Safety Tips
Isn"t it beautiful out today?

Notes from Kerry
My message this month is made up of a mix of thoughts about our building, and things we’re doing to make it more ‘alive.’

Building operations has a new rule you may want to try within your department. It’s called the “five and dime rule.” This means if anyone is 5 feet from one of our staff, our staff are expected to address or acknowledge you. If they are 10 feet from you they are expected to acknowledge with a nod or smile because you are too far to speak to. Test us out next time you walk throughout the building. See how many housekeepers, docents, and engineers say hello or wish you a nice day. We’ve also added two staff members to better serve all the tenants and visitors to the building. The first is Paco our new housekeeping manager, and the second is Kevin our new Sheriff in charge of the City Hall unit. Both are featured in this month’s newsletter. Be sure to say hello when you see them. Our web site is getting bigger and better every day. We are developing a virtual tour, putting the rental brochure complete with pictures together and featuring our newsletter along with restoration research. Check it out -- it keeps getting better. FYI…For those who wish to stay and visit with your fellow employees after work, the North Light Court Cafe now has a wine and beer license. It’s a great place to meet and mingle. Keep it in mind! Remember, drink responsibly and never drink and drive. Ellen Schumer is joining the permanent building staff to better serve the tourist/docent program. If you join one of her children’s tours in the Legislative Chamber, you will get to see a live lesson on democracy. They get to choose a topic and vote on it. Today’s issue was ‘Homework: Good or Bad.’ Guess which side won!

"Out to Lunch" Summer Concert Series
To celebrate the arrival of summer, we invite you to join us for some fun in the sun. We are launching our "Out to Lunch" concert series on Thursday, July 8th from noon to 1 p.m. in the Alioto Performing Arts Piazza in front of City Hall.

When City Hall reopened six months ago, we dedicated the Civic Center Plaza as the Alioto Performing Arts Piazza with the intention of making it a destination for our tourists and our City"s residents. Keeping in the spirit of the Piazza and honoring the memory of former Mayor Joseph Alioto, a great supporter of the arts, we have created a weekly series of concerts in the Piazza.

The performances will range each week from Classical and Jazz to Latin and Swing --- so get out from behind that desk, go across the street for an hour of tanning and tunes!

Concerts are scheduled every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m., from June 8th through September 30th. You can pick up a program schedule at the information kiosks in the City Hall lobbies, or visit the New Summer Concert Series web page.

New Custodian at City Hall
Have you met Paco Ancelovici yet? Paco is the new General Services Manager of City Hall. With 20 years’ experience in his field under his belt, Paco has had no difficulty adjusting to his new facility.

One of his most memorable experiences was management of the Moscone Center in 1989 when it was used to accommodate 2,000 victims after the earthquake. “I was responsible for supplying food, sanitation and sleeping space, all without any warning,” he says, adding “my crew successfully handled that chaotic situation.”

Paco speaks fluent Spanish and can converse in Italian. Welcome aboard, Señor (Signor) Ancelovici.

Hearing Rooms
Commissions, committees, department director’s meetings, hearings, advisory councils, boards, special meetings, etc., etc., etc. all of these are reasons to schedule one of the three City Hall hearing rooms located on the 4th floor. These rooms are not for conference room use. To reserve space, please contact Jeannie Taulealo of Building

Services at: City Hall, Room 368, phone: 554-5780, fax: 554-5736 or e-mail: Jeannie_Taulealo@ci.sf.ca.us

Thanks Rachel…
As most of you now know, Rachel Arnstine-O’Hara no longer schedules the hearing rooms and Rachel’s ability to gather, coordinate and juggle rooms while keeping up with her heavy workload deserves a pat on the back. Rachel can be reached at:

City Hall, Room 362,
phone: 554-6083
or via e-mail: Rachel_ArnstineO’Hara@ci.sf.ca.us

It’s never too late to stop by and thank Rachel for a wonderful job of scheduling.

City Hall Exhibits
Temporary art exhibitions organized by the S.F. Arts Commisison Gallery continue throughout the lower level. Of special interest this July is the San Francisco Art Dealers Association’s annual "Introductions" exhibition of works by some of the Bay Area"s best young artists. Be sure to catch "A Summer Evening Art Walk," July 8, also sponsored by the Association -- it"s a wonderful opportunity to have fun while seeing lots of great art throughout the city. Brochures are now available in the lower level.

Also of special interest is "Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age" -- a series of photographs and interviews by Julian C. R. Okwu. Additionally, Okwu"s most recent series, "As I Am: Young African American Women in a Critical Age," will be shown at the Art Commission Gallery during July. Just published by Chronicle Books, "As I Am" celebrates the tremendous successes and potential of young black women today. A reception will be held at the Gallery, 401 Van Ness (Veterans’ Building) during the Art Walk, Thursday, July 8, 6 to 9 p.m. All events are free.

July exhibitions:
• Introductions 99

• V.I.P - Very Important Photography -- works from the First Exposures Youth Photography Program

• Hospitality House -- group show

• Joel Howe -- photographs

• Face Forward: Young African American Men in a Critical Age - photographs by Julian C.R. Okwu

Introducing Sgt. Kevin Winch
City Hall"s new sheriff, Sgt. Kevin Winch (Badge #1017), was born and raised in the Bay Area and grew up in Pacifica. A member of the Sheriff"s Department since March 1989, his first post was at the Maximum Security Jail.

In 1990, he then transferred to County Jail #01 (the old booking facility). Promoted to Sr. Deputy in 1996, Sgt. Winch transferred to the Direct Supervision Housing Facility. Transferring once again, he was a member of the team which opened the new Booking and Release Center. In May of this year, he became a permanent Sergeant in the San Francisco Sheriff"s Department, a position he"s held since his temporary promotion 16 months earlier. On Flag Day (June 14), he became the new Sheriff in charge of City Hall.

Service to the community in the Sheriff"s Department is a family affair for the Winch"s. His father has been in the Department for 28 years and his brother for 12 years. Coincidentally, each currently holds the rank of Sergeant.

Well Sgt. Kevin Winch, you are uniquely ours now. Welcome to your new home!

Do’s and Docents Pop Quiz


Can you answer these questions about the City and County of San Francisco Seal?
A. What does Oro en Paz, Fierro en Guerra mean?
B. What is the symbolic bird of San Francisco?
C. What do the two figures represent?

The first person that responds via e-mail to paula_benton@ci.sf.ca.us with the correct answer gets a complimentary group tour with celebrity docent, Ellen Schumer.

Earthquake Safety Tips

Look, Duck, Cover, and Hold!
When you feel an earthquake, the first thing to do is look. Look around! Look above! See what could hurt you, what could save you from injury. Get your bearings for your next move. Find cover and duck under a desk or sturdy table. Stay away from windows, bookcases, file cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other heavy objects that could fall. Watch out for falling plaster or ceiling tiles. Stay under cover until the shaking stops. Hold onto the desk or table. If it moves, move with it. Here are some additional tips for specific locations:

High-rise buildings: If you are not near a desk or table, move against an interior wall, protect your head with your arms. Do not use the elevators. Do not be surprised if the fire alarm or sprinkler systems come on.

Outdoors: Move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings, or downed electrical wires and poles. Sidewalk near buildings: Duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.

Driving: Pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. Always carry emergency supplies. Crowded store or other public place: Do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. If items begin to fall, duck under shelves.

Wheelchair: Stay in it. Move to cover, if possible, lock your wheels and protect your head with your arms.

Kitchen: Move away from the refrigerator, stove, and overhead cupboards. (Take the time now to anchor appliances and install security latches on cupboard doors to reduce hazards.) Stadium or theater: Stay in your seat and protect your head with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then leave in a calm, orderly manner.

Modified from: California Office of Emergency Services.

Lost & Found
City Hall’s Lost & Found section is in Room 008, Building Operations. After events, a wide variety of items are left –from keys and pagers to briefcases to coats.

If you lose an item, it’s best to call back quickly. Some personal items, such as caps or t-shirts are saved only 7 days.

Items left over 30 days may be recycled or donated. To contact Lost & Found, call 554-4933.

Isn"t it beautiful out today?
Unfortunately, with the warm weather often comes unhealthy air. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District declared June 29 the first Spare the Air day of the summer smog season. Throughout the summer, the Air District will notify Bay Area residents of Spare the Air days (those days when air pollution is predicted to exceed Federal health standards). The Air District expects to call between ten and twenty Spare the Air days this season.

The City and County of San Francisco supports the Air District"s efforts to improve air quality and encourages its employees and residents to participate in the Spare the Air program. Unhealthy air is preventable -- on Spare the Days you can reduce air pollution by reducing automobile use and avoiding the use of aerosol consumer products. Spare the Air this summer by taking transit, carpooling, bicycling, and walking to work on Spare the Air days. You can register for e-mail notification of Spare the Air days over the web at www.esurvey.com/sparetheair/registration.html. Everyone who registers for e-mail notification will be entered for a prize drawing that includes a vacation getaway, a bicycle, roller skates, software, and much more.

The City Employees Commute Assistance Program (CECAP) assists employees of the City and County of San Francisco in finding alternatives to driving alone during their daily commute. We can assist you with finding a carpool or vanpool partner, taking public transit, and other commute questions. We also administer the commuter check program, which can save you $100 to $300 per year on your transit costs. If you have questions about your commute, please phone our office at 554-6074 or reply to this email. Thank you for doing your part to keep our air clean and healthy.