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Small Business Owners Step Up for First Responders

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After a nurse-friend who works at Kaiser Vacaville shared the difficulties of serving on the COVID-19 front lines, Jennifer Arrouzet, who co-owns Café Soleil in El Sobrante with her husband Todd, worked her community contacts to round up hundreds of Clorox wipes and sanitizer spray bottles to donate to nurses at the medical center.

She didn’t stop there. She secured 5,000 N-95 masks and 20,000 gloves purchased for donation by a former neighbor, Tom Bolling, who knew Jennifer would find a good place for them.

The San Pablo Police Department picked up 1,000 masks, leaving with the promise that they’d share them with the Richmond Police Department, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department, San Pablo Fire Department and El Sobrante Fire Department—which they did.

Another 3,000 masks will be dispersed by Jennifer’s business to Kaiser Vacaville and Kaiser Richmond today via her nurse-friend. She’s saving the remaining 1,000 masks to give to any other first responders who need them in an emergency situation and donated the gloves to local police and Kaiser Vacaville.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, local small businesses that are facing an uncertain future are still finding creative ways to support first responders.

San Pablo police and city officials have received donations of food and additional personal protective equipment from local businesses such as Maya Thai Laos Restaurant, La Strada Restaurant, FoodMaxx, and Krispy Krunchy Chicken, said San Pablo police Capt. Brian Bubar. Bubar thanked the San Pablo EDC for providing support and connections for both small businesses and first responders.

This week, Abraham Alex, owner of Krispy Krunchy Chicken in Pinole, began delivering chicken to police, calling law enforcement “the backbone that keeps it all together.

“We in business must do our part for them,” he said, adding that his business is also looking to donate to individuals and families in need.

In turn, police are doing their part to support local businesses. Last week, a San Pablo police sergeant bought 13 members of his team lunch at La Strada on Church Lane, which is offering takeout during the pandemic. The gesture deeply touched the Italian restaurant’s 24-year owner, Martin Gonzalez.

Right then, Gonzalez decided to offer 20 percent discounts for all first responders.

“Everybody is struggling here, we are all in the boat,” Gonzales said. “There are no words to express having the support of the San Pablo Police Department to help keep our doors open.”

All in the same boat indeed. Small business owners and their staff are enduring an uncertain future after having to close their doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Many restaurants are relying solely on takeout or delivery or simply shutting down for the time being.

At the start of the shelter-in-place order, however, small business owners like Jennifer and Todd Arrouzet appeared more worried about their staff and the community than their personal survival.

“I just saw a need, and it was desperate, and I acted,” Jennifer said, noting that she didn’t think anybody was prepared for the pandemic. “It’s so heartbreaking to see any first responder have to go through this. They can’t say, ‘no, I’m not coming in,’ and they’re human, just like us. That’s my drive.”

In addition to the donations of supplies to first responders, Jennifer created “Essential Packages” that customers can purchase for $40 from Café Soleil at 3550 San Pablo Dam Rd. The packages, which can be used by the purchaser or donated, include three pounds of chicken, one dozen eggs, one gallon of milk, one loaf of bread, one pound of flour/risotto/sugar, three pounds of red potatoes and one sanitizer spray bottle (while supplies last). The packages can be picked up or delivered.

“My attitude from day one of this virus has been that if we can’t be at our best during the worst of times, what’s the point? We need to be kind. Everybody is suffering and I feel that. I’m just trying to set an example…If anyone is suffering or in need, call me,” said Jennifer.

“I’ve always believed that if you take care of your community and your people, you don’t need to worry about the rest. It will be ok,” she added.

Capt. Bubar echoed the sentiment.

“We are thankful of the words of encouragement we’ve received within the community and our social media platforms,” the captain said. “As first responders, our staff understands the responsibility to come to work every day and face this challenge head-on. As difficult as this can be, we are here knowing our community recognizes and appreciates that challenge. We will get through this together.”

Kathy Chouteau and Mike Kinney

Kathy Chouteau and Mike Kinney

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored. 

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Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.
Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Bay Area

Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

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San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)
San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)

By Oakland Post Staff

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP).

The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).

In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”

“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen.  “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”

Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.

In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.

The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.

“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.

“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.

“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

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Bay Area

East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

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The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.
The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.

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