Letters to the Editor

Editor:

Supporters of the Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens have been working for several years to better inform San Franciscans and others about the exhilarating experience and beauty that awaits anyone who visits the gardens - adults and children alike. Yet, we realize that many people don't immediately understand exactly what the place is and where it's located.

We've decided to ask the SF Recreation and Park Commission to change our name to one that doesn't require a plant expert to understand. Our goal is to have a name that clearly communicates both where we are (San Francisco) and what we are (a botanical garden). To this end, we have asked that the name be changed to San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum.

Our purpose is to create a name that is much more understandable and accessible to all of the Bay Area's diverse communities. The new name would be more consistent with the names of other San Francisco institutions that leave no doubt in your mind about where and what they are, such as the SF Museum of Modern Art or the SF Asian Art Museum.

Lots of people who love this garden have helped us with the renaming effort. We've worked closely with the Strybing family, SF Recreation and Park Department and our many devoted supporters to create a name that is less confusing while continuing to honor the name of the family who provided the funds to start the botanical garden.

We have informed our volunteers, members and many visitors of the proposed name change. The response was 95 percent in favor of the new name. Now we want to hear from you, our neighbors and regular visitors, to find out if you agree. Please let us know what you think of this proposed new name. Contact us with your support, concerns and opinions by leaving a message at (414) 661-1316, ext. 353, or via e-mail at feedback@strybing.org.

Dr. Joseph Barbaccia
Chair, Strybing Arboretum Society Board of Trustees

Editor:

With the proliferation of outlets selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts, it's essential that Richmond residents remember that the best glazed doughnuts in the neighborhood - indeed, the City - are to be had at Wirth Brothers Bakery at 23rd Avenue and Geary Boulevard. Get them at 8:15 a.m. or so when they're nice and hot.

And try the pastries, too. The enormous cheese danishes, bear claws, fruit danishes, etc. are still only $1.25 (out of the oven about 8:45 a.m.).

Bob Schneider

Editor:

The centennial of the great San Francisco earthquake is approaching: April 18, 2006. We can petition the United States Postal Service to issue a stamp to commemorate this important historical and scientific San Francisco event.

If you think this is a good idea, send a short note or postcard requesting that a San Francisco earthquake commemorative stamp be issued on April 18, 2006, to: Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, Room 5800, Washington, D.C. 20260-6753.

Thomas E. Convery

Editor:

You may be aware that there is a measure on the San Francisco ballot this November relating to taxicabs.

Proposition N would allow privileged taxi permit holders to keep their city-owned permits (medallion) for life once they can no longer drive a cab, turning the permit into a private retirement plan from which all non-permit holding cab drivers (more than 4,000 drivers, or more than 80 percent of the total) are excluded.

Proposition N is a one-sided and unfair measure that will help only a privileged minority of taxi drivers at the expense of the rest. It will also have a negative impact on taxi service and safety. Creating a new class of absentee permit holders will mean poorer neighborhood service, since permit holders who are not earning their living as drivers may be more concerned with maximizing profits from the permit than in providing good service. The quality and condition of the cab is also likely to be better when the person responsible for it is behind the wheel.

Please vote no on Prop. N.

Ruach Graffis
United Taxicab Workers

Editor:

In an on-going effort to make life in San Francisco as pleasant and positive as possible, a group of neighbors in the Richmond District are banding together with the Friends of the Urban Forest to plant street trees.

The planting area includes all blocks between Park Presidio Boulevard and 23rd Avenue and Geary Boulevard and Fulton Street. A second planting is being planned between 23rd and 30th avenues and Geary Boulevard and Fulton Street. Friends of the Urban Forest will assist with city permits, cutting the sidewalks and providing trees. A minimum of 30 trees are required for each planting area, and already we have neighbors signed up for 15 trees.

If the public is interested in planting a street tree on their sidewalk, and/or volunteering to help with the neighborhood tree planting, please have them contact me at (415) 387-1974.

Tom Scharffenberger

Editor:

Many residents may not be aware that there is a new city department to provide child support services and that all services are provided free of charge.

On behalf of the SF Department of Child Support Services, I thank you for you assistance in helping us reach out to the public in the September issue of the Richmond Review concerning our agency's child support services.

Eddie Chin
Community Outreach Coordinator