By WARREN FURUTANI

Harry Manaka’s iconic book, “Sansei Rocker,” along with the resurgence of the music that drove the dance scene in the Japanese and Asian American community in the ’60s and ’70s, has experienced a rebirth. One reason is the Sansei generation is now retired and attracted to those special times.

No longer at Roger Young auditorium, Parkview Woman’s Club or Baby Lions, you can now catch Elemental Funk and the singing group Asian Persuasion at venues like the Gardena Elks Club or at Nishi Hongwanji Temple.

But another branch of the music tree from those times was not rooted in the Motown sound or other dance music; it was unequivocally rooted in the jazz/fusion genre. One of the pioneers and practitioners of this trend was Alan Furutani.

Alan passed away Aug. 24, 2023. But the musical tradition that he and so many other musicians established in the community continues and many are still “wood shedding” and playing at obscure venues and on the big stage ala Hiroshima (jazz fusion).

Alan was a sax man and played most of the woodwind instruments (tenor sax, soprano sax and the flute). He also founded many different jazz bands over the years, including Fujazz and Visions. He also played with many other jazz-based groups from So Cal, Nor Cal and the Pacific Northwest. But Alan was not a snob. He also played in several dance and garage bands like Street Flower and the Benjo Blues Band.

Alan’s jazz roots can be attributed to his father, Chuck, and their neighbors when he was growing up. The Stones, Floyd and Vernell, were musicians and Floyd was the owner of CS Music store on Western Avenue in Gardena. Alan, along with his older brothers, Norman and Warren, took music lessons from the Stones. The youngest Furutani brother, Stony, was named after Floyd Stone, whose nickname was Stony.

Chuck was a working man and a 442nd veteran. He met the Furutani brothers’ mother in the swamps of Arkansas in the Rohwer and later Jerome concentration camps. Mary Yamada Furutani was from the Elk Grove area south of Sacramento and Chuck and his family were Terminal Islanders.

Chuck grew up with many different cultural influences, being from an island in the Port of Los Angeles. He was also a Sansei (third generation Japanese American), which made him different from most of his Japanese American peers who were second-generation Nisei.

He was also a jazz drummer and singer who plied his musical trade at small clubs and bars like the Bluebird Club on Western Avenue in South L.A. Chuck indoctrinated his sons in the ways of music, especially Jazz.

Norman, the oldest, played in the marching bands at Peary Junior High School, Gardena High School, and Cal State Long Beach. He also played in the local big band, the Esquires. Warren, the second-oldest, played guitar and was influenced by the folk and protest music traditions of the ’60s.

But Alan played the consummate jazz instrument, the tenor sax. He enjoyed playing groove-based tunes like John Coltrane’s “Equinox and Naima.” Of course, Herbie Hancock’s “Maiden Voyage” and Herbie Mann’s jazzy blues tune “Comin’ Home Baby” were on Alan’s playlist.

He was strongly influenced by the jazz and R&B sound of the ’70s and such artists as Pharoah Sanders, Grover Washington Jr, and Idris Muhammad. And although the sax was Alan’s main axe, he was an excellent flute player and Herbie Hancock and Hubert Laws seeded his early style.

He and his wife and soulmate, Marsha (Kawagoye), played at the inaugural San Francisco Asian Amerasian Jazz Festival in 1985. Alan started the Amerasia Bookstore Jazz Festival and performed at many more Asian American and other jazz festivals. He and Marsha also played at three San Francisco Nihonmachi Street Fairs and later held down the small stage at the Coffee Cartel Coffee House in the Hollywood Rivera for 17 years.  Marsha is a singer.

Alan worked at many different kinds of jobs to pay the bills. His last job was as a dispatcher for Jo-Mi Plumbing in the Sawtelle area. But make no mistake, Alan was a musician to the end. He was practicing, “wood shedding,” with his last breath.

He will be missed by his family and friends. But his music will live on. The family is having an intimate family gathering to send him off but his musical compadres are planning a musical tribute and memorial celebrating Alan’s music and lifelong commitment to jazz and other styles and music genres in the spring of 2024.

Alan is now playing his flute as he and Obachan walk through his favorite pear orchard and through Ojichan’s strawberry patch.

——————–

Warren Furutani has served as a member of the Los Angeles Unified District Board of Education, the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, and California State Assembly. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.

The post OG-SAN: Reflections — Alan Den Furutani (Oct. 15, 1951 – Aug. 24, 2023) appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Cars keep screwing up. Companies won’t share key data. Some regulators say OK, others call for service cuts. What the heck’s going on?

Take the Cannoli? One of Cruise’s cutely named robotaxis maneuvers through Hayes Valley traffic earlier this year. (Photo: Alex Lash)

San Francisco’s acceleration into 24/7 autonomous vehicle service lasted barely a week before having to pump the brakes. About 10 days ago, the state Department of Motor Vehicles requested that Cruise cut its SF robotaxi fleet in half — down to 50 during the day and 150 at night — after several alarming incidents, including a collision with a fire truck.

The mishaps took place just after the California Public Utilities Commission voted to allow Cruise and rival Waymo to roll out unlimited service on Aug. 10 after more than five hours of passionate public comment both for and against the robocars. Commissioner John Reynolds, previously a top attorney for Cruise, based his approval on the power of regulators to keep the companies in check.

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(Editor’s note: The Frisc covered the meeting live; start here for the blow-by-blow.)

The DMV’s request shows this system appears to have worked, at least in this instance; Cruise is complying. But road safety advocate Shaun Kildare has a different take: “Waiting for crashes to happen isn’t the way to go about safety,” says Kildare, senior director of research for Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

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SF’s Municipal Transportation Agency is in charge of streets, bike lanes, public transit, and taxis too (the ones with a human at the wheel). But the agency isn’t party to the regulation of driverless taxis, despite SF being first the test lab and now ground zero for the companies’ first major for-profit rollout.

SFMTA executive director Jeffrey Tumlin has complained about the lack of transparency and the pace of the rollout. SF city attorney David Chiu petitioned the CPUC on behalf of several city agencies on Aug. 16 to pause the service expansion of Cruise and Waymo, which his office says will preserve other legal options. As of now, the CPUC has not taken further action.

Several blind speakers spoke in favor of the robotaxi service at the Aug. 10 CPUC meeting.

All this raises big questions about safety, data, regulation, and more in a fast-changing situation. Let’s dive in.

Who regulates robocars?

The federal government has tried crafting legislation to regulate these vehicles as recently as 2018, after an autonomous Uber with a supervising driver killed a pedestrian in Arizona. That effort came up empty.

Yet the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration began in 2021 requiring the companies to report collisions, in part because of several crashes involving Teslas in “full self-driving” mode, dating back to 2014.

NHTSA earlier this year also pressured Tesla to recall nearly 363,000 cars because of their potential to “infringe on local traffic laws” — that is, break speed limits and travel through intersections — in self-driving mode. (The recall was voluntary.)

Largely, though, states have taken the regulatory lead. California is considered to have the most stringent requirements in the country, with oversight divided between the DMV and the CPUC. The DMV issues permits to operate vehicles, while the CPUC regulates commercial passenger service and oversees passenger safety.

How does a company get a permit?

To get a permit from the DMV, companies must have $5 million worth of insurance. They must also employ operators trained to drive the cars, whether the vehicle has a test driver or not. The driverless car must have two-way communication for both first responders and passengers. (At a hearing days before the CPUC vote, both Waymo and Cruise suggested first responders attend sessions to “familiarize” themselves with autonomous technology — a nonstarter for police and fire officials.)

For a CPUC permit, a company has to fulfill all DMV requirements, plus provide a passenger safety plan and a detailed map where the cars will operate. The final permit requires approval by a majority of the five-member commission. The Aug. 10 vote allowed both Cruise and Waymo to charge for driverless taxi service around the clock across SF.

Both the CPUC and DMV mandate regular reports. In addition, the DMV requires notification of collisions resulting in property damage, injury or death within 10 days of the incident. Companies must also file annual reports showing how often vehicles are taken out of autonomous mode when operated by humans — which indicates malfunctions or manual intervention for safety reasons.

Waymo and Cruise cite stiff competition and rider privacy as reasons to hold back information. They’ve declined to hand over data on the dates of trips, mileage traveled, and zip codes where rides take place.

For its part, the CPUC requires quarterly reports on a company’s operations in a city, including mileage traveled, total number of passengers carried, collisions, and customer complaints.

As of now, 40 companies have California DMV permits to test vehicles with a driver, and seven can do it without a driver. As of July, only four have permits to deploy driverless cars.

What do the companies have to report to regulators?

Whether it’s to the DMV or the CPUC, the robocar companies are self-reporting. What they tell regulators, and what they say they can’t, is revealing.

The companies say stiff competition compels them to guard trade secrets; they also cite rider privacy. Both Waymo and Cruise are using this rationale to hold back information in their quarterly CPUC reports. They’ve declined to hand over data on the dates of trips, mileage traveled on each trip, and zip codes where rides take place. Instead, they’ve only provided quarterly summaries of these aggregated data to the CPUC.

Regulators and the public have to take their word that in March, for example, Cruise robotaxis traveled a total of 17,909 miles while Waymo vehicles traveled 73,795 miles total.

Without location data, not even zip codes, it’s impossible to know where the cars are getting the most use — something that could easily be supplied “without giving away confidential business information,” according to Kildare.

What Cruise and Waymo report to the DMV is more straightforward: annual mileage (broken down by month and vehicle identification number); annual disengagement incidents (when human drivers take a car out of autonomous mode and the reason for the action); and collisions with property, other vehicles, and people. Since they began offering driverless service in 2022, the companies have reported 169 crashes combined, with all but six in San Francisco, according to data through Aug. 2.

In these 169 events, the companies reported they were at fault 34 times. In 20 of the 34 “at fault” instances, the driver had switched to manual operation either just before or as the crash happened.

Hello, Waymo: A driverless car pauses in a Richmond District handicapped spot as it attempts a three-point turn. (Photo: Alex Lash)

One complaint from officials like Tumlin is the lack of access to the companies’ safety data. What’s made public is, like the information to the state, self-reported.

For instance, Cruise wrote in an April 28 blog post how its driverless fleet outperformed human drivers “by a wide margin,” using a study it completed with the University of Michigan and Virginia Tech University. One of the Michigan researchers told The Frisc they were asked to analyze data from the ride-hailing service Maven when it operated in San Francisco. General Motors — the majority stakeholder in Cruise — owned Maven. GM, which paid for the study, would not release Cruise data to the researchers.

Safety advocate Kildare has also asked for the data, to no avail. He noted that the study was based on public observations — gathered on public streets — yet GM won’t make it public.

When The Frisc asked Cruise for the study data, a company spokeswoman replied, “We are working to provide additional information on the study in the near future.”

What about ‘bricking’?

Perhaps the biggest hole in all this self-reported information is the number of times Cruise and Waymo cars interfere with the flow of traffic, with first responders, or get into other sticky situations — like driving into wet cement — that don’t fit into the “collision” category.

One example is the pod of Cruises that froze and gummed up North Beach the day after the CPUC approved 24/7 robotaxi service. (Cruise first blamed the “bricking” on Wi-Fi interference from Outside Lands, then said, no, a meddling pedestrian did it.)

With no official regulatory channel to work from, SFMTA has decided to piece together its own data via 911 calls, first responder reports, SFMTA staff, social media, and media reporting. Those reports tell a different story: Nearly 600 incidents have been reported since driverless service began in 2022, with Cruise being the major culprit. The subset of these incidents collected by the SF Fire Department were first reported by Mission Local.

SFMTA spokesperson Stephen Chun cautioned that the agency is not the official source and the tally is “by no means 100 percent accurate.”

SFMTA has tallied nearly 600 incidents involving driverless cars since 2022. A spokesperson cautioned that the count is pieced together from outside sources, not the companies themselves, and “is by no means 100% accurate.” (Courtesy SFMTA)

Three days prior to their vote to let Cruise and Waymo go 24/7, CPUC commissioners heard SFFD chief Jeanine Nicholson warn about robocars blocking streets and driving into emergency operations.

These accounts weren’t enough to sway the vote. But soon after, a Cruise vehicle got stuck in cement and another crashed into a fire truck with flashing lights heading to an emergency. That’s when the DMV stepped in with its request that Cruise cut its SF fleet by 50 percent.

Waymo, though, can drive on with unfettered expansion, and almost certainly will, unless it gets itself into a lot of hot water (or moist concrete), or the CPUC grants San Francisco’s legal request to reconsider its green light.

Staff writer Kristi Coale covers streets, transit and more for The Frisc.

MORE STREETS AND TRANSIT COVERAGE IN THE FRISC

The post The Robotaxi State of affairs in SF Is Transferring Quick. Right here’s a FAQ to Steer You By means of It | by Kristi Coale | Aug, 2023 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

But those families moved out of San Francisco, taking their business with them. Duggan’s daughter, Leticia Duggan Welch, was running the funeral home in those years. She had to lay off most of her employees, and sold her house on Dolores Street to buy paint for the funeral home, Welch says.

More recently, local Black communities have come to Duggan’s for funeral services, and in the 1990s, the business was running about 700 funerals a year, up from 100 or so a year in the 1980s.

“We’ve been the biggest provider for that community since the late 1990s,” Welch said, noting that San Francisco used to have a half-dozen Black-owned funeral homes, but none remain. And now, “that population is declining. No one can afford to live here.”

These days, business is quiet, more like it was in the 1970s, Welch says. He makes most of his money from a cluster of other death-centered businesses, including a crematorium in Benicia, the Chapel By the Sea funeral home in Pacifica, and College Chapel Mortuary, an online service that provides low-cost cremations.

Welch is holding out hope that he won’t be the last in his family to keep Duggan’s alive. His daughter, an engineer who’s worked on biotechnology labs and the Uber headquarters on Third Street, isn’t interested in switching careers. But his son James, a National Guardsman who maintains Chinook helicopters, “thinks about it. He says — maybe when he’s more mature,” Welch says. His niece, Megan Doyle, recently joined the business in an administrative role.

In the meantime, Welch says, “I’ll keep it going as long as I can.”

The post Inside San Francisco’s 105-year-old funeral house | by The Daring Italic | Aug, 2023 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Musicals at Richter (MAR), now in its 35th season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, concludes its 2019 offerings with Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins Jr.,” performed by students from its Summer Youth Musical Theater Workshop.

Staged on the grounds of the Richter House Arts Center in Danbury, performances take place outdoors at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, Aug. 15-17.

Click here for tickets and details.

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Adapted from the award-winning Broadway musical and beloved Disney film, “Mary Poppins Jr.” introduces us to the Banks family in 1910 London as their world is turned upside down by new nanny Mary Poppins. Using a combination of magic and common sense, Mary Poppins must teach the Banks family members how to value each other again. She takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it.”

With music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman and additional songs by George Stiles and Andrew Drewe, the score includes as “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” “Practically Perfect,” “Jolly Holiday,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” “Step in Time,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and other engaging songs.

Directed by Jen Yates McPartlin (New Fairfield) and choreographed by Tori Kuffler (Danbury), “Mary Poppins Jr.” features a cast of more than 20 young area performers. Aaliyah Frank (Danbury) portrays the mysteriously magical Mary Poppins and Hannah McGuire (Bethel) is Mary’s chimney sweep friend Bert. Madison Montelione (New Fairfield) and Isabelle Stein (Danbury) play Jane and Michael Banks, and Morwenna Zarba (Danbury) and Alana Ferreira (New Milford) are the children’s parents WInifred and George Banks.

Olivia Scherer and Dylan Robinson-D’Imperio (both of Danbury) portray the Banks’ housekeeper Mrs. Brill and servant Robinson Ay, respectively. Sara Heinen (Sandy Hook) takes on the role of the Bird Woman; VitaBella Mellaci (Brookfield) is Mrs. Corry, the magic sweet shop owner; and Curtis Rodriguez (Danbury) plays Miss Andrew, George Banks’ overbearing and scary childhood nanny.

Rounding out the company in a variety of singing and dancing roles are: Izzy Ferro (Brewster, N.Y.); Claire Calomeni, Tatiana Frouge, Fallon Rivard, Jenna Saltzman, Jack Scherer and Aviana Steele (Danbury); Chloe Adams and Magdalena Nusbacher (New Fairfield); and Ava Squeglia (New Milford).

The creative team also includes as music director Angela Klimaytis and set designer RJ Bogues. Costumes are by Donald Birely; lighting and sound design are by Ryan Evans and Jose Alves, respectively.

The production staff includes Jack Armstrong, Andrew Cadmus, Robert Fontenelli, Vincent Fontenelli, Kris Heyel, Molly Tarnowski and Erik Wallin.

Richter House Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Road, Danbury. Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 15-17, 8 p.m. Grounds open at 7 p.m. for picnicking. $15, $10 seniors/students (with I.D.), $5 ages 10 and under. 203-748-6873.

The post ‘Mary Poppins Jr.’ at Danbury’s Musicals at Richter Aug. 15-17 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

[Arcade Monsters] 
Game On at Arcade Monsters

Laura Paquette,
laura.paquette@srqme.com

At St. Armands Circle, Arcade Monsters brings all the fun of nostalgic arcades to tourists and locals alike. Adrian Ravello is the owner and founder of Arcade Monsters, which has locations in Oviedo, Melbourne and Lake Mary. “I’ve been gaming since the 1980s, and I made a lot of lifelong friends in arcades. There are no real arcades anymore; mostly people go to kiddie casino ticket redemption places,” he says. “I wanted to bring back the arcades of my day in the 1980s and 1990s.”

About 150 different games fill the space at Arcade Monsters, appealing to various gaming tastes. “I provide the greatest lineup of arcade games on the planet,” Ravello adds. “I pick the top 20 games of all time from each category, such as the 20 best pinball games, fighting, co-op, and shooting, then I compile them. We have things that no one else has, like Japanese rhythm dance and anime-based games.” Classic Frogger, air hockey and Dance Dance Revolution are a sampling of the options offered. He describes the arcade itself as an immersive space decked out in glow-in-the-dark paint. “All ages are welcome, but after 9:30pm it takes on a more adult vibe,” he says. Unlimited gameplay costs $19.99 per person, making the arcade especially appealing for affordable rainy-day family fun.

A hidden gem at Arcade Monsters is the food and drink options. Alcoholic slushies put a grown-up twist on a familiar treat. The food is scratch made and celebrates Cuban flavors in the form of empanadas, Cuban-style tacos and the famous Cuban sandwich. “People from Miami tell us we have the best version of the sandwich they’ve ever tasted,” Ravello adds.

For anyone with a competitive streak looking for an alternative to a day at the beach, Arcade Monsters is an ideal option, striking a balance between nostalgia and modern-day fun.

Arcade Monsters, 326 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, arcademonsters.com. 

Pictured: A Star Wars game at Arcade Monsters, a destination perfect for guests of all ages. Photo Courtesy of Arcade Monsters.

Arcade Monsters

[Arts & Entertainment] 
Sarasota Youth Opera Hosts a Free Family Day at the Opera House

On Saturday, August 19, from 12 to 2 pm, bring the whole family to a free “Family Day” event and come see what Sarasota Youth Opera is all about! The Sarasota Opera House will be abuzz with activities – you can hear the Youth Opera sing, attend a “Find Your Own Opera Voice” singing session, join in fun acting games, and stand on the opera stage when you take a tour of the opera house. You can even get creative and make some props, have fun at the wig and makeup demonstration, explore the beautiful costumes, and more! This fall Sarasota Youth Opera will present Benjamin Britten’s The Little Sweep on the Sarasota Opera House stage, complete with professional sets, costumes, and orchestra. The opera tells the charming story about a group of children who join together to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master and send him back to his family. The fall program starts up on August 15th, and auditions for the lead roles will be held on August 22 and 24. No prior experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome! To learn more about Youth Opera visit https://www.sarasotaopera.org/youth-opera-program.

Saturday, August 19, 2022, from 12 to 2 pm, Sarasota Opera, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, 941-366-8450. 

To learn more, visit

[Arts & Entertainment] 
Allman Betts Family Revival Coming to the Van Wezel

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is excited to welcome the ALLMAN BETTS FAMILY REVIVAL to Sarasota on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. ET. It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven years since Devon Allman put together a show at the Fillmore in San Francisco to celebrate the life of his father Gregg Allman. What started as one night of the Devon Allman Project featuring Duane Betts along with a bunch of guest artists has turned into a one-night festival visiting 18-20 cities a year. This year we are especially excited to announce the official rebranding of the Allman Family Revival to the Allman Betts Family Revival. We have programmed an array of guests who will perform two sets – one featuring songs by Gregg Allman and one featuring songs by Dickey Betts. Enjoy listening to the hits along with the deep cuts from their legendary Allman Brother’s catalog performed by Anders Osborne, Luther Dickinson & Cody Dickenson (North Mississippi Allstars), Jimmy Hall (Jeff Beck, Wet Willie), Jackie Greene, Larry McCray, Alex “Orbi” Orbison, Ally Venable, Devon Allman, Duane Betts, and the Allman Betts Band featuring the Tal Wilkenfeld on Bass (Jeff Beck). There will also be some incredible artists that will join us in select cities including Sierra Hull & G Love with more to be added. The tour will also welcome back The Brotherhood of Light for the otherworldly visuals Allman Brothers fans experienced at the height of their career. The Allman Betts Family Revival is nearly three action-packed hours that will leave you with a great musical experience and warmness in your heart. Join us as we celebrate one of the greatest bands in the world. Tickets start at $59.50 and can be purchased at www.VanWezel.org, by calling the box office at 941-263-6799 or by visiting the box office Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups of 10 or more should contact 941-263-6726. Pre-show dining is available through Mattison’s at the Van Wezel which is located inside the theatre. Reservations can be made on VanWezel.org or through the box office.  

To learn more, visit

[Arts & Entertainment] 
Music Bingo at Hamlet’s Eatery

Myra Mains is back! Get ready for Music Bingo this Friday, Aug. 11th at Hamlet’s Eatery from 5-8pm. Music Bingo is a fun and exciting take on classic bingo where anyone can play. Hostess Myra Mains will entertain you while you enjoy great food and drinks from Hamlet’s Eatery. Free to play and open to all ages. Hamlet’s Eatery will open at 5pm for food and the games will be begin at 5:30pm. There will be four rounds. Play one or play all! Prizes include gift certificates from The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime, Hamlet’s and more! Hamlet’s Eatery has a great menu including vegan options. They have craft beer, wine, and Prosecco on tap available. Located outside with seating under a covered patio, 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit www.hamletseatery.com or call 941-445-1938. 

[Announcements] 
New College Announces Coaching Staff for Inaugural Year of Intercollegiate Athletic Competition

New College of Florida (NCF) has announced the head coaches for each of its six varsity intercollegiate athletic teams which will begin competition in the 2023-2024 academic year. The announcement was made by athletic director and head men’s baseball coach Mariano Jimenez, Jr. More than 130 student-athletes have enrolled for the first season of Mighty Banyans athletics. Dr. Glodi Konga – Men’s Soccer. Konga joins NCF after spending the previous two seasons at Eastern University (PA), where he was the head coach in 2022. He holds a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) B license. His playing career included an NJCAA national championship at Cloud County CC (KS), two years at NCAA Division I Liberty University, and a professional stint with the Philadelphia Fury. Konga earned his Ph.D. in sports leadership from Concordia University in Chicago. Debbie Pekel – Women’s Soccer. Pekel is one of the most decorated women’s soccer players in the history of Grace Christian University (MI) and served as an assistant coach last year at Bob Jones University (SC). She led all of NCCAA Division II in goals in 2013, and is Grace’s second all-time career scorer. Pekel holds goalkeeping level one and level two licenses from United Soccer Coaches and her U.S. Soccer Federation C license for coaching. Andrew Wingreen – Men’s Basketball. Wingreen was a part of the Stetson University basketball staff from 2019-2023. A graduate of Northland International University (WI), Wingreen got his start in coaching as a student assistant during his college years. He helped launch the Bob Jones University basketball program as an assistant coach from 2012-2017, and has worked camps at some of the top basketball programs in the nation, including Kansas, Duke, and Wisconsin. Brian Cruz – Women’s Basketball. Cruz brings more than a decade of coaching experience to New College. He was especially known for his recruiting prowess as an assistant coach at Warner University, where he was a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year nominee in 2022-2023. As a head coach, Cruz posted a .748 winning percentage over four seasons at Cape Coral High School, qualifying for the post season each year. Aly Bermudez – Softball. Bermudez is a Tincher Pitching certified instructor who has trained girls from as young as eight years old to collegiate athletes in the circle. In addition to her private instruction business, Bermudez served as the pitching coach at Bishop Verot High School. She pitched collegiately at Lasell University (MA). 

[Safety] 
Health Officials Urge the Public to Take Precautions During Heat Advisory

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (FDOH-Sarasota) is urging residents to take necessary precautions and follow safety measures during the current heat advisory in the Southwest Florida region. With temperatures soaring and heat indexes reaching dangerous levels, it is important to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for southwest Florida, forecasting high temperatures and humidity that pose health risks. FDOH-Sarasota recognizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting measures to ensure the safety of residents during extreme weather conditions. During this heat advisory, FDOH-Sarasota recommends the following safety measures to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies:. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, as they can lead to dehydration. Stay cool. Avoid direct sunlight and long exposure to the sun. Spend time in air-conditioned environments. If you do not have access to air conditioning, consider visiting public buildings or public spaces with shade. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help your body regulate its temperature. Protect your head and face with a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Minimize outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in shaded areas and avoid strenuous physical exertion. Check on vulnerable individuals. Keep an eye on elderly neighbors, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Ensure they have access to a cool environment and sufficient hydration. Never leave children, vulnerable individuals, or pets unattended in vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, even with the windows slightly open, and can be life-threatening. FDOH-Sarasota urges everyone to remain vigilant and look out for one another during this heat advisory. By following these safety measures, we can collectively reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies. Stay informed about the heat advisory by following the National Weather Service or your local news. For further information about heat related health issues, please visit www.sarasotahealth.org 

[Feature] 
A Story of Passion for Circus Arts

A STORY OF PASSION FOR CIRCUS ARTS | Celebrating a remarkable 25 years of blood, sweat, tears, grit and cotton candy to preserve the circus arts legacy for our future, July/August 2023. 

Read Here!

[SOON] 
GRAB BAG:
RECREATION Sarasota Cars and Coffee at University Town Center , March 11 – December 9, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

This monthly gathering of car enthusiasts brings together automobile lovers from every walk of life, not to mention a wide array of spectacular cars. Bring your own vehicle (all makes and models are welcome) to show off, or check out the hundreds of cars on display. Each month, the event sponsors a different charity, and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 to benefit the charity. The event, occuring on the second Sunday of each month, will feature live music, complimentary coffee and more. To learn more, visit facebook.com/carsandcoffee941. Sarasota Cars and Coffee, The West District at University Town Center near Ford’s Garage, 295 N. Cattlemen Rd., Sarasota.

[SOON] 
BUSINESS:
BUSINESS Resources for Veterans Starting a Business , August 30, 12 to 1 pm

Learn what resources are available for veterans interested in starting their own businesses. We will review some of the national programs available including the SBA Boots to Business program as well as other free and low cost resources available for both the government, non profit and private sector. This webinar is free. Visit www.score.org/manasota to register.

[SOON] 
GALA:
PHILANTHROPY Toast Local , August 19, 1-5 pm

On Saturday, August 19th from 1-5pm, at Robarts Arena in Sarasota join us for Toast Local, and raise a glass to local charities. Benefiting The Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation, enjoy a craft cocktail and beer tasting with delicious bites, plus special musical guest Kettle of Fish. The fun begins with a free family-friendly car show from 9am to 1pm. The Rotary Club of Sarasota is a network of active and retired business, professional, and community leaders dedicated to helping make Sarasota and the world a better place. Each year, the club receives requests from a number of local not-for-profit agencies seeking support. Toast Local will bring the local community together for an afternoon this summer to taste local beers, cocktails, and food. All proceeds will then be donated back to the local community. Information and tickets at rotaryclubofsarasota.com/toast-local, 21 and older.

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GALLERY:
ARTS AND CULTURE Flora at Art Uptown Gallery , July 29 – August 25, Various times

From July 29 to August 25, Art Uptown Gallery will display their artists creative interpretations on the theme Flora. The gallery will offer paintings and flower filled collages, plein air landscapes, abstract and traditional florals, decorative glass, ceramics, whimsical garden sculptures, bronze and glass mosaics to enchant visitors with a variety of plant based fine art. The First Friday Flora opening public reception will be on Friday, August 4 from 6 to 9 pm. The exhibit opens on Saturday, July 29 and runs through Friday, August 25. Art Uptown Gallery welcomes patrons and friends at 1367 Main Street where the diverse work of regional award-winning artists is exhibited. Visit www.artuptown.com for further information.

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SCIENCE AND NATURE:
ARTS AND CULTURE John Pirman, Diving Into Nature , July 22 – September 17, Garden Hours

Dive into nature this summer at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus, where a retrospective-like show of the career of Sarasota artist John Pirman to date can be seen inside the Museum of Botany and the Arts and outside in the Gardens. The show features several of his signature views of Sarasota, including iconic scenes of Selby Gardens itself, along with diverse works from his 30-year career in New York City and even pieces from his childhood in Ohio. On view daily through September 17. Learn more at selby.org.

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FILM:
ARTS AND CULTURE Cinema at The Bay ON PAUSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE , July 20 – December 31, 8pm

Join us for a free screening of Everything Everywhere All At Once at The Bay Park at 8 pm on Thursday, July 20. Bring your blankets, chairs, family, and friends to enjoy a wonderful evening under the stars. Enjoy tasty food from Nakos Tacos Food Truck and refreshing beverages from The Nest. The Bay Park, The Oval at The Bay, 1055 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota, thebaysarasota.org.

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MUSIC:
ARTS AND CULTURE Jazz Thursdays , July 13 – December 14, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Join Sarasota Art Museum for Jazz Thursdays featuring live jazz music, contemporary art, and sips and bites from Bistro. Hosted by the Jazz Club of Sarasota. Jazz Thursday happens on the second Thursday of each month, 5:30-8 p.m. Galleries, Bistro, and SHOP open. FREE for Members, $20 for Not-Yet Members.

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THEATER:
ARTS AND CULTURE Divas Three , July 11 – September 17, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre presents Divas Three, a dynamic music revue featuring four decades of hits by some of the most influential women of music. With songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Carole King, and more, this original revue pays tribute to the artists whose musical impact has earned them the coveted title of diva. Created by Nancy Allen Productions, Divas Three begins playing on July 11 in the FST Court Cabaret. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000. Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 1st St., Sarasota.

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GRAB BAG:
WEEKEND Friendly City Flea , June 25 – December 31, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up season at Oscura in Old Manatee for our July 23rd Friendly City Flea on Sunday, June 25th, from 10 AM -3 PM. We encourage you to walk the Neighborhood to visit our vendors in multiple locations. Enjoy live performances from Drunken Shrubbery. Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E., Bradenton, oscura.live.

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GRAB BAG:
WEEKEND Bradenton Public Market , June 24 – August 26, 9 am to 2 pm

Realize Bradenton is pleased to announce the continuation of the Bradenton Public Market through the summer months. The summer Markets are scheduled once a month on the last Saturdays of each month, on June 24th, July 29th and August 26th on Old Main Street and 3rd Ave West in Bradenton. Our Market family is excited to see their customers throughout the summer while still enjoying some well-earned time off. The Market was founded in April of 1979 in a Downtown Bradenton parking lot. Over the past 44 years, the Market has grown and evolved to fill Old Main Street with produce, local artisans, and prepared foods. realizebradenton.com/market.

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PERFORMANCE:
ARTS AND CULTURE The Surfer Boys at Florida Studio Theatre , June 13 – August 13, Various times

Florida Studio Theatre kicks off its Summer Cabaret Series with The Surfer Boys,an energetic tribute to the music of The Beach Boys. Featuring such hits as California Girls, Good Vibrations, Barbara Ann, and Surfin USA, The Surfer Boys is filled with the honey-tinged harmonies and unforgettable melodies that defined 1960s California and pop music. The Surfer Boys begins playing June 13 in the FST Goldstein Cabaret. Tickets are now on sale at FloridaStudioTheatre.org or at 941.366.9000.

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SCIENCE AND NATURE:
PHILANTHROPY Conservation Foundation Trivia Nights , June 9 – August 11, 5 to 8 p.m.

Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is excited to announce a monthly trivia series this summer at their Bay Preserve headquarters in Osprey on June 9, July 14 and August 11. The free community events will take place from 5pm to 8pm with trivia beginning at 6pm. Each month a different food truck duo will be onsite offering a variety of tasty options the whole family can enjoy. The public is invited to come watch, play, or simply enjoy nature and food with family and friends. Each monthly event will have a different theme with a variety of questions covering categories ranging from movies and music to science and nature. Teams can have up to eight members and multi-generational teams are encouraged. The winning team for each individual monthly event will receive a prize package in recognition of their win. Points will also be accumulated across the series, with the overall winning team receiving their choice of a private, guided hike or kayak trip for up to ten people. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit upon for this outdoor, picnic-style gathering. In the event of rain, the trivia component will be moved to an area under cover. Learn more and RSVP at conservationfoundation.com/events. Conservation Foundation, 400 Palmetto Ave., Osprey.

[SOON] 
THEATER:
ARTS AND CULTURE The Graduate at The Players Centre , August 17 – August 27, Various times

The Players is closing its 93rd season with the stage adaptation of, The Graduate, a play adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb and the Motion Picture Screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry by Special Arrangement with StudioCanal. This play is sure to grab your attention and never let it go. The Players Centre, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, the players.org.

The post SRQ Each day Aug 10, 2023 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Consultants less valuable than polling residents

For the last few years, Marin County has continually spent large sums of money hiring housing consultants.

These consultants usually come to Marin from other parts of the country. I suspect most really know nothing about our unique lifestyle. Thus, we ultimately end up with a lot of housing element babble and no real solutions. I find some of their information to be so far-fetched, it’s laughable.

My suggestion would be to ask Marin’s residents directly as to what they are facing as homeowners and renters in regard to their income, expenses, mortgages, leases, rents and their rights. That invaluable information would be a lot cheaper to collect than hiring another consultant.

— Sandra Macleod White, San Rafael

Novato’s empty buildings can become more useful

The recent article on Novato’s vacant buildings (“Novato to weigh ideas for abating vacant, blighted buildings,” July 19) is a timely summary of the problem.

This is a worldwide issue. It is especially troubling in San Francisco. What is needed is a combination of relaxed building code and occupancy permitting so live/work and multiple uses can form congregate situations.

This is not new. While “cohousing” is succeeding in a number of California locations, some European cities are producing environments where families and individuals, including elderly, can create a community that is economical, stable, friendly and supportive.

Using organizations like Habitat for Humanity, “sweat equity” projects can save older structures, reducing the cost of rehab. This reduces the amount of construction waste that goes into landfill.

In San Francisco during the 1970s, artists swamped commercial building vacancies. They reshaped these buildings as live/work opportunities. San Francisco’s city planning and inspection offices became aware of the dangers to health and safety at the same time they realized it was a solution to the mass vacancies.

Art groups worked to create new guidelines to address dangerous potential conditions. This avoided disasters like the terrible 2016 Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland, where officials appeared to simply ignore the developing situation.

The new guidelines allowed owners to rent buildings to artists and craftspeople that would otherwise be unused spaces, allowing each artist to create the space and utility (electrical/plumbing) infrastructure.

Costs were low and inspections maintained safety. Unfortunately, this created a “loft” living movement where architects, lawyers and other professions competed for the spaces, driving up prices by the 1990s.

— Niccolo Caldararo, Fairfax

Novato City Council is only standing in the way

I am writing in regard to the article published July 19 with the headline, “Novato to weigh ideas for abating vacant, blighted buildings.”

From my perspective, it appears these properties are vacant because the Novato City Council is in the way of a buyer and seller getting together. This has been the case for a long time.

In the history of our country, there is no reason why the owner of private property needs the OK of the government, local or otherwise, to do a transaction. Otherwise, property rights have no meaning.

The IJ’s recent editorial (“It’s time Novato addressed issue of long building vacancies,” July 30) implies that the City Council should take its time to make long-overdue decisions about matters the council is inept to deal with. I totally disagree. Doing so will only ensure that transactions do not occur in the natural flow of buyers and sellers operating in their own best interest.

The council should have no say in all this. I believe in the foundational axiom that the more government gets involved in a matter the more it gets the matter fouled up. I dare anyone to challenge that assertion.

Simple capitalism has been solving situations like this for over 233 years. If it didn’t, we would be like a lot of other countries — eternally stuck in a morass.

While time is being frittered away by the Novato City Council, other communities are outgrowing Novato readily. The City Council’s range of authority should be substantially reduced.

— Roland Underhill, Novato

Schools should look into Linux computers

I am writing in regard to the article published July 25 with the headline, “Marin schools face expirations of COVID-era Chromebooks.”

It’s a pity schools in the state, or perhaps even across the country, can’t get together and each contribute a small amount to the Linux operating system community to provide money to encourage the development of open-source software meeting their students’ needs.

Computers can last many years with a Linux OS — there are still perfectly good Linux systems that run on older, less powerful machines that have been around for many years.

— Edward Clapp, Corte Madera

San Quentin should be closed immediately

After closely reading the Marin IJ recently, I feel prepared to critique Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to turn San Quentin State Prison into a Scandinavian model favoring rehabilitation over punishment.

First, on July 27 the IJ picked up an article by the Los Angeles Times headlined “Newsom’s signature move: Jam the Legislature.” It pointed out his disputed strategy of ramming his major policy programs through. The author stated that Newsom “has a penchant for publicly manufacturing a sense of urgency and giving lawmakers as little time as possible to act.”

The next day, the headline on another LA Times article in the IJ read, “Newsom’s San Quentin plan advances despite questions.” This $380 million plan is a perfect example of the above strategy. His lack of information is particularly alarming to most, as is the rushed timeline and high cost.

Doubling down on rehabilitation-based incarceration might have merits, but why do this at San Quentin? According to the article, the program is mostly focused on inmates with shorter sentences because they will be released sooner. But San Quentin, a male-only prison, has a high percentage of “lifers.” Why not try this experiment with female inmates too?

The state wants to close several prisons. Why not close the oldest, most expensive one to operate in the highest cost of living area for its staff? Prisons should be in small markets where an influx of revenue is needed, and housing costs are moderate.

This property should be turned into a state-of-the-art transportation hub with retail, commercial, and residential buildings, plus parks. The ferry terminal should move there.

This would shorten the commute to San Francisco and would eliminate the agonizingly slow boat speeds between Larkspur Landing and San Quentin (mandated to minimize wave action in the shallow bay).

— John Neuenburg, San Rafael

Ballot transparency measure must go further

It is good to read about the discussion the state has created by requiring the naming of top supporters of ballot measures (“Marin County opts out of law aimed at ballot transparency,” July 23). However, I believe that all tax ballot measures should at least also include the total local, state and federal tax burdens for taxpayers, in addition to the additions each measure adds to that burden.

Ballot measures for raising or continuing taxes should also include a comprehensive list of future anticipated tax measures and their anticipated tax burdens, so that the public has a complete context upon which to base a more fully informed vote.

Local authorities could require these ballot enhancements, but the state needs to step up and get the process begun, the sooner the better.

— Randall Knox, San Rafael

The post Marin IJ Readers’ Discussion board for Aug. 5, 2023 – Marin Unbiased Journal appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Many ways to help kids through difficult spots

I am writing in regard to the editorial by the IJ article concerning the partnership between the Point Reyes Seashore Association and Camp Avary for children with incarcerated parents (“Camp’s Pt. Reyes partnership a winning connection for underserved group,” July 27).

Camp Avary, like the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program, gives kids hope and a way to cope day to day, other than staring at the internet. As a 10-year “big brother” whose “little brother” was going through many of the same things I did growing up, I shared some of the healthy activities I used to cope with it all when I was growing up. Our Saturday get-togethers involved fishing the lakes (Bon Tempe or Laganitas) or taking in a ball game.

I entered the program as a person wondering whether I would have the stuff it takes to be a parent. After one year of our match, I knew that I could bring something to the parenting table. My “little brother” would later become godfather to my son.

Although he did not graduate college, my “little brother” did become a Renaissance man by learning the plumbing and butcher trades. Given his language skills, he also did well in his work on the suicide prevention hot line.

If you can spare the time to be a big brother or sister, it is well worth the effort.

— Rick Johnson, Novato

Don’t allow one person to impact traffic for all

I am writing to express my concern of the events of July 21 and 22, with respect to the closure of the eastbound lanes of Richmond-San Rafael Bridge during one person’s mental health crisis (“CHP: Safety concerns necessitated Richmond-San Rafael Bridge closure,” July 25).

I would implore our leaders to please review and come up with a more expedient plan for future incidents. I am very surprised that there has not been a greater uproar over this situation.

It is unacceptable that one individual could disrupt thousands of commuters throughout Marin, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco counties. I would expect that all of you must share this concern and frustration.

I have been worried about dedicating the third lane on the westbound upper deck of the bridge to bikes and pedestrians. With only two lanes open to vehicles, any hiccup results in stopped traffic. Now it is a concern that one disturbed individual can access the bridge and completely block it for many hours. People were stuck for hours with no food, no water and no facilities — all on an afternoon with air quality so poor it was designated as a “Spare the Air” day. Cars were in danger of running out of gas or having their electric battery run out. People in poor health could have become ill.

This all happened because of one person. Certainly there had to be steps that could have been taken to remove this individual quicker. Accommodating these people is not in the interest of the greater good.

— Kim Sandholdt, San Rafael

Put focus back on using public transportation

Why am I reading reports that Bay Area transit agencies are running out of money, yet the traffic jams on Highway 101 are back to pre-pandemic levels? Nowadays, many people in our area are working at home either most or some of the time. When considering the cause of these related observations, I can only deduce that former transit riders must now be driving.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 29% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by transportation. To help address this locally, I think Marin County officials have done a wonderful job gathering information and providing rebates to encourage emissions reduction.

Let’s not forget about the opportunity public transit provides to shrink our carbon footprints.

— Karen Andresen, Novato

Too many off-leash dog parks across Marin

Judy Spelman’s recently published letter to the editor suggests that a beach in Tomales Bay State Park (Millerton Point) should be opened up to off-leash dog recreation, adding that she hopes to garner letters of support for her initiative.

In opposition, I write in support of the regulations that Spelman seeks to have removed. I don’t find her argument that “managing a leashed dog can lead to human falls (and) limits freedom to focus on nature” to be persuasive. People at risk of falls caused by walking with a leashed dog can avoid injury by recreating in a less challenging environment, or by recreating without their dog. Additionally, I would say that, because dogs are domesticated pets and are not part of nature, walking without a dog (leashed or unleashed) is the best way to “focus on nature.”

Aside from chasing, maiming or killing wildlife, dogs also generate waste that can spread diseases to wildlife (and people). The Environmental Protection Agency says dog waste contains hazardous pollutants. Given that dog waste can foul nearby water bodies with pathogens, it is sensible to conclude that dogs should not be allowed on any beaches, whether leashed or unleashed.

Spelman’s group seeks to remove leashing regulations at one beach, but she ends her letter with the hope that “other parks will follow our lead.” In opposition, I will end my letter with the hope that Spelman’s efforts fail, and that future attempts to rewrite sensible regulations pertaining to dogs in county, state and federal parks are ignored. Far too many public outdoor spaces in Marin have been converted into dog parks (aka “dog toilets”) to the detriment of wildlife, the environment and public safety.

— Byron Wilson, Kentfield

Supreme Court correct to flip affirmative action

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court correctly ruled that race-based preferences (aka “affirmative action”) are illegal in direct contradiction of our Constitution and civil rights laws.

In her recently published Marin Voice commentary (“North Bay Leadership Council CEO responds to affirmative action ruling,” July 15), Cynthia Murray disagrees and is seeking a workaround under the banner of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion). She lauds the virtues of a “diverse” workforce without citing specific examples.

Murray is far from alone. Despite scant evidence, it appears to me that nearly all politically liberal people agree that “diversity” is more important than a merit-based system.

Some, including President Joe Biden, appear to not only look to flout the Supreme Court’s ruling, they support packing the court with additional justices who are like-minded.

We should demand a higher burden of proof for a policy that I am convinced goes completely against the principles of equality under the law and a color-blind society.

— Michael Hartnett, Greenbrae

Understandable fear of police leads to injuries

My first time as a juror was in the 1980s in Honolulu. The defendant was a young man who led police on a high-speed chase. His defense was that he was afraid the police would beat him up if he stopped. When he did stop, it appeared to everyone that the police did just that. Our jury voted unanimously to acquit. I was reminded of this seeing the horrific traffic stop in Ohio (“Black man attacked by Ohio police dog during traffic stop,” June 23).

The 23-year-old man who was driving a semi-truck with a missing mud flap said he was afraid to pull over while being chased by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. When his truck was finally stopped with the help of tire-deflation devices, he exited the truck with his hands raised. On the video posted online, a member of OSHP can be heard telling a Circleville Police Department officer not to release a police dog on the suspect, yet the local officer did anyway.

The young man now faces charges of failure to comply, a fourth-degree felony. Where is the justice in this?

— Kay Noguchi, Terra Linda

The post Marin IJ Readers’ Discussion board for Aug. 2, 2023 – Marin Impartial Journal appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.