The Castro is a neighborhood famous for its rich history. It made the transition into modernity while still encouraging a general awareness of past events that shaped the neighborhood into what it is today.  For example, Harvey Milk Plaza, The LGBT Museum, and the Human Rights Campaign are characteristic of the Castro’s charm and also solidify the history of challenges its residents have overcome.

I learned the most about the neighborhood not from reading about it or even spending time there, but from talking to the people. I was lucky enough to have opportunities to learn from homeless men and women, restaurant and shop workers, students, drug addicts, activists, realtors, security and law enforcement, yogis, nudists, and Castro natives. Each individual had a different story and experience to share, but all of them agreed that the Castro is a one-of-a-kind lively neighborhood that is experiencing many changes.

The Castro is sometimes referred to by its original name, Eureka Valley. It was dominated by Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian immigrant families in the early 20th century. After World War II, thousands of gay members of the military were discharged in San Francisco, and by the 1960s, the Castro was the center for LGBT rights. In the 1970s, Harvey Milk put the neighborhood on the map as his campaign to improve the lives of the gay community gained media attention. Ever since, the Castro has been known as the United State’s largest gay community, and the neighborhood prides itself for being tolerant and accepting.

From my experiences, almost everyone I spoke with was friendly and had something interesting to say about the neighborhood and their experiences with it. At the beginning of the semester, I was wary about having to talk to strangers. I was worried about how they would react and I didn’t think anyone would be willing to talk to me. However, this grew to be one of my favorite aspects of reporting. It’s a wonderful feeling talking to others, and most of the time it would make them happy to know that someone was interested in what they had to say. It’s also a great feeling getting first hand opinions of happenings in the neighborhood.

I’ve always loved the Castro, and now I have a new appreciation for the neighborhood. I feel more connected, as if reporting on the neighborhood made me apart of it. Being a reporter in general has helped me see things differently. I pay closer attention to things that are happening, I notice small details, and try to spot people that have a story to tell. It has opened my eyes to things I normally would have missed, and that alone has made this a wonderful learning experience.

The roof of the building is meant to move with wind in order to generate power…..still in the works

I have also gotten some positive feedback from both the class and some online publications on the stories I have covered in the SoMa. My aim to get better acquainted with the people rather than the place. Over the semester I only wished to have more time to do more of anything, but primary to be better suited with a place I was spending so much time in and thinking of. Already there are stories that have happened than I wished had come sooner so I would be able to write about it and share it with the class.

As of now I am taking a lot of lessons learned from the SoMa. It taught me to be tough when needed and not looking on guard all the time. People can tell when you just want to get the hell past 6th Street.But as I made my decent from there day in and day out I found out that people will read you and take what they transcribed. I found people who were not just homeless, but kind and wanting to just talk to someone.I found men who would cat call to the point of no end, but once told how uncomfortable it made me they would later just say hello when I saw them again. I have threatened people who thought my response to them would be passive and submissive, but walked away not feeling like a victim.

If anything I have learned to respect the neighborhood. Officials, locals, and tourist can wish for it to be different or more comfortable to their lifestyle, but there is a line of respect for all sides that must be accepted. It is the way it is because of the actions we have acted on in the past. That is why I think what we take away from our neighborhood is important. It will change our approach when entering a new or even familiar place.

My bags are carefully prepared, exactly what I need, no more, because if I loose something I don’t want to loose it all.

Depending on the timing I will need two or three different trains. N-Judah, jump in and jump out at embarcadero; Bart train one, jump in and jump out at 19th avenue; Bart train two, jump in and jump out once I get there. At this point I am so used to the transitions and the timings that I can almost jump from one train to the other like locals do.

I should mention how much I love using public transport. The kind of people I have seen! Today, this guy was sitting next to me with his instrument. He looked mad. Maybe they got on a fight.

“Ashby station,” I’m getting close… “El Cerrito del Norte,” I’m in the neighborhood… “Richmond station, this train is now out of service,” I’m here.

I step out to a clean and solitary Bart station in the heart of the city.

Little has changed since I first came here three months ago… The Jehovah’s witnesses are still there, still displaying their small books in the cold cement bench inside the station.

There’s always representation of the homeless/drug addict community, but I must confessed I never saw the 32-cents lady again. Maybe she got her cash an fled the city.

The Spanish sounds mixed with the mispronunciation of English is also there.

City Hall… so many times I had to come here!

Again, it feels like home, but after so many visits in only 15 weeks, it has turned into a new home.

Despite the feeling of familiarity, this new home is different because it has gone and it is going through a lot that is new for me.

When you think about it, Richmond is not that big. It only has 100,000 inhabitants and even though it looked really big on the map, I have discovered that with one hour between appointments I can actually walk from one corner to the other (there is no better gym)

But this small city has the problems of a metropolis: wealthy industry mixed with extreme poverty; violence mixed with faith and church; black mixed with white, mixed with brown, mix with yellow.

Reporting about this city has been a wonderfully challenging experience.

The challenge of telling stories with words has always been there, but doing so about Richmond has been wonderful because it gave me the opportunity to use my bilingual skills, it kept me close to the issues I care to report about, and it pushed my sixth sense to develop even more, always asking myself, where’s the story? Where’s the danger? Where’s the Bart station again?

I have met amazing people in the process. From my editor at the Pulse, Malcolm Marshall, who’s been an unconditional supporter, to former drug-dealing young men that are trying to make their life a more productive one, for them and their city.

There are so many people in this city doing good that I think is really sad how only the bad some people do gets out to the world.

That is why my reporting talked mostly about the good and not the bad: Mrs Bennie, 23^rd Street, Cease Fire program, young poets, proud police officers.

But I also got to see the consequences of the bad by reporting about the Grisby Case.

Many fathers and sons have been lost in this city. They pain is strong and hard to let go. A wall with photos and trophies from Grisby’s and Bell’s football championship.

It is so sad to see two young lives wasted: Gene Grisby died at 16-years-old just because he was born in a particular neighborhood and that day he walked to the gym. Tyris Franklin was found guilty of first degree murder and on May 25 he will hear his sentence, which could go from 50 years to a life in prison.

Lately I met six people that shine. They have been giving without reserve to the city for many years and the city wanted to honor them for it, they are the winners of the 2012 Distinguished Service Awards.

Allow me to introduce you…

Bea Roberson posses for a photo outside of City Hall at Richmond on Friday, April 27, 2012. Roberson received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award in the special category for her service to the city of Richmond for decades. Roberson is the president of the Richmond Neighborhood City Counsel, the Chairman of the Police Commission, treasurer of the Richmond and El Cerrito Fire and Police Holiday Program, member of the Crime Prevention Board, logistic chair of the June 10 celebrations and the Home Front Festival, among others. Roberson moved to Richmond from Oklahoma in 1964. “€œI need to go back to work to get a vacation,” said Roberson when she talked about how busy she is.

Bradley Blake posses for a portrait at the Career Center at Richmond High School on Thursday May 3, 2012. Blake received the Distinguished Service Award in the Education category for his service to the city of Richmond for creating “College is Real.” College is Real gives kids from the the poorest areas the chance to think about and/or consider going to college, and if they chose to go to college they are shown the way.

Isela Gonzales poses for a photo at Nevin Park on Tuesday May 1, 2012. Gonzales received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award in the Public Safety category for her service to the city of Richmond for the past five years. The 35-year-old woman native from Mexico is the Co-Chair for Dinner Dialogue, the representative of the voice of the Latino community. She has participated in many Iron Triangle community organized events, including the street clean up of 7th, 8th and 9th street.

Cameron J. Williams posses for a portrait at the Center for Human Development youth community garden in North Richmond on Wednesday May 16, 2012. Williams received the Distinguished Service Award in the City Beautification category for his service to the city of Richmond for the past 10 years as a volunteer at Teens Wiping Away Stereotypes (TWAS). Cameron has work in several projects, mostly in community sustainability and improving the physical appearance of North Richmond, like the community garden, the 100 Community Bricks, and leading a petition against developers building condos and houses on Breuner Marsh, which is a local regional park and home to several migrating birds.

Jan Schilling posses for a portrait at Richmond Veteran’s Hall on Friday May 5, 2012. Schilling received the Distinguished Service Award in the Health and Wellness category for his service to the city of Richmond for the past six years. Schilling is the volunteer Executive Director and founder of Weight of life, a program for the under-served community in Richmond where residents have access to a high-quality, culturally appropriate, low-cost way to engage in vigorous physical activity, learn about nutrition, eat nutritious foods, and support each other along the way.

Goshi Kogure posses for a portrait at Richmond Art Center on Thursday May 3, 2012. Kogure received the Distinguished Service Award in the Arts category for his service to the city of Richmond for the past two years. Kogure takes care of the bones of the Art Center by vacuuming, light plumbing, cleaning bathrooms, gardening, mopping, dusting, and others. He also trains and supervises community service workers.

Reporting from and about Richmond in the past 16 weeks improved my hearing and note taking skills, it exercised my capacity to see and dig for stories and it reminded me that no matter where you come from and where you are going to, humans are humans, and we all share the same desires, the same hopes, the same fears and the same needs, whether we externalize them in Spanish or English.

Richmond has help me become a better journalist, a decent writer and a more compassionate person.

Oh! and it also help me gain a couple of pounds! The Mexican food was amazing!

At Pepito’s Deli having a quesadilla today, Wednesday May 16, 2012.

All that news is important, but for a city with such ranging cultures, ethnically and socially, Temescal is a gem. It is a world of it’s own! A microcosm as, Joe Mintz called it. There is such much going on within its few little blocks. A great deal of that action is positive and bridging the community together. Whether it is Art Hop showcasing local artistic talent or organic-minded businesses that are mindful of the planet, it is community oriented. It may be the active members of the Bicycle Coalition or Neighborhood Watch groups keeping pedestrians and residents safe. It may be the tasty treats served along Telegraph Avenue or just the pleasant smiles by passers-by.

Somehow these Temescal residents have blended well together in their neighborhood. The diverse cultures and socio-economic levels have embraced each other. The business corridor is booming with vibrant shops and restaurants serving up delectable dishes.

Don’t be fooled—this is not Berkeley, although it is very close. It may have originally started off as a connector between Oakland and Berkeley, but it is a haven in itself now.

What strikes me most is the art scene and sense of community. No matter who I spoke to, they were sure to mention their appreciation of the art community and the diversity of the neighborhood. That is a far cry from a decade ago.

Gentrification is hard on many. Long-time locals are skeptical of newcomers’ intentions. New arrivals are trying to find the good in their chosen area. Redevelopment can be positive, like in Temescal, when locals support each other. One sure way to keep the neighborhood revitalized is by patronizing it.

Even in the current recession, Temescal businesses have flourished. Ground is being broke on new ventures in the area. That is promising.

No, Temescal is not crime or tension free, but it has gotten MUCH better in the past few years. The new recession has brought a rise to burglaries and robberies. Residents and business owners are keeping watch though.

I enjoy this neighborhood very much and feel lucky to live within biking distance. I, like the locals must feel, enjoy a shop-owner greeting me by name or striking up a conversation as if we’re old friends.

No need to look for the one business or landmark that screams out Temescal. The beauty of this community is in it’s eclectic mix. Each person and shop brings something to the neighborhood that wasn’t there before and adds a piece to the puzzle. The mix of Eritrean, African American, Korean, Ethiopian and white-American residents all have pride in their cultural roots by sharing with others.

If you decide to visit, you may see me at Arbor Café sipping drip-coffee or grabbing brunch at Aunt Mary’s Café before perusing the art galleries. I recommend you come during the day for shopping and stay through the night for partying!

As the natives would say, “I hella love Oakland!”

I ran into a lot of surprises this semester, and situations that made me uncomfortable. All the way up until my last day (today) of reporting. I had earlier conducted (or rather listened) to a 1.5 hour interview in a man’s smokey SRO, sitting through his life story and show biz resume (including lots of Broadway and drag shows). On the flip side, I had a 20 minute interview with a powerful lawyer who gave me short, literal answers. I feel like after this semester, I’ve experienced it all, and have grown so much as a journalist. I’ve also grown in my understanding of people.

In the Tenderloin, I met people I would never have spoken to if I didn’t have to. I’m glad I did.

I know in my blog posts, I always talk up the Tenderloin, and how great it is. But after being there for a whole semester, I’ve become critical of so much also. I hate the lack of zeal and desire to live in its people. I hate the feelings of unworthiness and hopelessness in all of them. I hate the deaths and despair. I hate the inability of many non-profits to help these issues, but instead make Tenderloin residents helpless and dependent on free services. I hate the city’s policies of containment of poverty, drug issues, and mental illness. I hate the slum lords that profit off of the blight. And I hate the proclivity of outsiders to judge the Tenderloin and its issues.

As you can see, it’s not just a black and white issue, the Tenderloin. Its complex and multifaceted. Its messy and everyone has their own solution.

For me, my solution is writing. I write, tell truth, and let the people figure it out. Many times this semester I thought about my future role in the Tenderloin. Do I want to start volunteering? (I’ve pondered this so many times.) Or do I continue to objectively observe?

The Tenderloin has enough volunteers. It needs more fair coverage.

That’s all. Thanks for reading about the TL this semester.

Lindsay

This map show crimes around the Jones and Golden Gate block nearby both mosques in 2012.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=210200227265441414150.0004be5ce2e32e3bed1a1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=37.781815,-122.411873&spn=0.001484,0.00228&z=18&output=embed
View Crime near Tenderloin mosques in a larger map

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For me the experience of blogging the neighborhood of North Beach has been both challenging and enriching. As a writer it is heaven. I get to observe tons of interesting characters, smell fantastic foods and listen to live music. The senses are assaulted the moment you get into North Beach. At the same time it was almost too much to handle. Or rather, my thoughts were too disorganized to have any discernible plan of action.

This is where the reporting class came in. It forced me to create a plan for the story, it wasn’t required but it was NECESSARY. Sounds like simple logic or common sense to any journalist, but this has been my first foray into actual reporting of any kind. I have stretched my boundaries as a writer and as a person. I am geographically aware of the city and how areas create a polyglot culture.

The most interesting thing about North Beach to me is the eclectic nature of the place. There is literary genius next to topless entertainment. A growing Chinese wave pounding at the shores of an established Italian community. It would be pointless of me to keep reiterating this characteristic, but it is the most prevalent one. This constant collision between culture and shared living space has made North Beach a place where the air is thick with movement, thick with ideas. I look forward to spending a few more sunny afternoons in Washington Square as a result of taking this class.

Thank you all for a great semester, it’s been a pleasure and privilege to read your contributions to the class. I look forward to working with those who will be in pub lab next semester.

Take care =)

With any other districts, I had this preconceived idea of Bernal Heights before even going there. I thought Bernal Heights was just another yuppie filled neighborhood with a bunch of dogs, babies, and boutiques. Of course, I also thought it was the reverse Castro as well because I knew there was a large lesbian demographic there.

In some aspect, some of these generalizations of Bernal Heights are true. Yes, there are a lot of dogs and babies running around. Bernal Heights even got its nickname Maternal Heights because there are so many mothers with babies there. Push aside these stereotypes and you will discover that Bernal Heights has a lot more to offer than meets the eyes.

Just like a lot of other districts in San Francisco, there is a huge disparity between the old and the new, the poor and the rich, and the non-English speaking citizens and the English-speaking residents in Bernal Heights. Gentrification is a huge issue there that many long time residents see as a threat to the mixed-income and multi-cultural atmosphere of Bernal Heights. There’s even a Bernal Heights neighborhood center whose mission is “to preserve and enhance the ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity of Bernal Heights and surrounding neighborhoods.” I shall get back to the neighborhood center shortly…

Although the influx of new residents pushed a lot of the old working class residents out, they also brought with them positive changes to the neighborhood. In the 1980s, the area succumbed to drug traffickers, daily gang-to-gang violence, and related crime that left residents living in fear. By the 90s, shops opened up, starting with Good Life Grocery and Liberty Café, and the new residents along with the community activists in Bernal Heights cleaned up the neighborhood. Robberies and daily crimes still occur, but the neighborhood crime rate definitely has changed dramatically for the better.

Throughout this whole semester, I got to learn about the internal struggle Bernal Heights faces with preserving their heritage and cultural diversity in times of change. Trying to find that balance of embracing changes and maintaining history is a difficult task that the residents of Bernal Heights face, but it is something that’s unavoidable and that is being addressed now. My final story about the library mural touches on this topic.

Anyways, back to the neighborhood center…If it weren’t for the neighborhood center, I would’ve failed and crashed in this class. I literally got all of my stories from them, starting from hood to my final trend story. I wrote about every program they offered, including their senior programs, youth programs, and low-income housing programs. The Bernal Heights neighborhood center is literally the heart of the community and I am so thankful it exists.

My first trip to Bernal Heights was the most daunting task ever! I can still vividly remember the cold sweat I got from being so nervous about approaching complete strangers. I’m somewhat of a shy person, but because of this class I had to overcome my fears of talking to strangers. Thankfully, all of the residents who I’ve encountered at Bernal Heights were all approachable, except for that one lady I wrote about in my other blog…but even then, in the end she was still helpful. This class taught me the value of talking to a stranger and learning about his/her stories. You’ll never know what interesting stories are out there until you put yourself out there. Of course, not all stories are interesting or relevant, but it’s worth the try. I can say I’ve mastered the art of bullshitting, thanks to this class.

Thank you Yvonne and everyone for a wonderful semester ☺