Finding a marketing expert to employ was no problem. The challenge for the boutique creative agency located in the Mission was finding the money to make the hire. Enter Jobs Now!, a city program funded by the stimulus to subsidize employment. “We found someone who had been laid off from a very successful company,” said Sir Less, the chief executive officer of Integrated Alchemy Media Inc. on 24th Street. The new employee, Less said, has helped the company go to the next level. Jobs Now! has surpassed its initial goal of placing 1,000 San Francisco locals in jobs between May 2009 and September 2010 by 138 placements. The program subsidizes 100 percent of employee’s wages and Bay Area companies are invited to participate as long as they hire un- or underemployed San Francisco residents who have a dependent child. So far 117 employees from the Mission have benefited from the jobs program. “When you put a person of that caliber to work, it generates more work,” said Less. Because of the new employee, his company has been able to get more projects and hire more contractors. Less said that his company has grown and when the program is over, they won’t need government subsidies to pay their new expert’s salary. Michelle Singletary, a 26-year-old single mother, was laid off from Levis six months ago and recently found work through Jobs Now. “With this program you start working immediately. I applied and the next week I had a job,” Singletary said. Singletary was placed in Laundry Locker Inc., a company based at 1530 Custer Ave. that provides door-to-door dry cleaning services throughout San Francisco. Arik Levy, the CEO of this company said that through Jobs Now they were able to hire two drivers, two operations workers and one sales manager. “We are growing since we started the program,” Levy said. The company is doing much more than it used to before. “A year from now, we think we can definitely keep them when the subsidy runs out,” said Levy about his new employees. Although the salary is subsidized with Jobs Now!, the employer is responsible for regular payroll taxes including FICA, SUI, SDI and worker’s compensation insurance. Despite of these employer expenses, Levy said the program “has been fantastic for us.” And Less said, “it is great what the program does, use the stimulus money to put people to work.” Since the program started in May, 3,777 eligible employees have applied and 1,138 have been placed in jobs, according to the last report. Roxana Vasquez-Morales, business account representative at the One Stop Career Link Center in the Mission said, “We try to match the clients with a job.” There isn’t a match for everyone immediately. Some applicants are waiting but the program will continue until next year and they are still taking applications. Interested employers and employees click here for more information. Mission Local DECEMBER 12, 2009

Pictures of a girl masturbating for an audience, a nude androgynous man being taken away by cops during Mardi Gras and one of William S. Burroughs, in front of a lie detector, were among the photographs shown at the San Francisco Art Institute, at the second of a three-day celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Naked Lunch, written by Burroughs. The lie detector, was, of course, “to test if he was lying.” said Charles Gatewood, a friend of the author and a photographer of the underground scene that Burroughs wrote about. The celebration, which started Friday with a round table discussion of the novel,  published in Paris, runs through Sunday. Contemporary writers will gather tonight at Amnesia Bar to read excerpts from Naked Lunch, considered a landmark in American literature because of its obscenity and the court case surrounding the story of a homosexual junkie. At the Saturday event, Burroughs’ friends shared their photos, videos and anecdotes of the author. “We both were junkies and liked getting high,” said Mel Clay, poet, play writer and Burroughs’ friend.  When Clay was 22, he went to Morocco with Burroughs. On more than one occasion, Burroughs and Clay went from doctor to doctor pretending that Burroughs had kidney problems so they could get a Domorohl, a prescription drug. “It is not the drugs that will kill you, it’s the lack of them,” said Clay, quoting Burroughs. A Skype screen was widely projected in the auditorium so the audience could hear Kathelin Gray speak from New Mexico. “William Burroughs was a shaman healer. That’s a side that not many people know,” said Gray, founder of the Theater of all Possibilities and close friend with Burroughs. Gray described personal moments, dreams, and supernatural events that connected them. V. Vale, the publisher of RE/Search, a magazine on counterculture topics, said she had trouble reading Naked Lunch. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that he became a real fan after reading an interview with Burroughs at the Atlantic Monthly Review. To close with the perfect finale, contemporary local authors will read excerpts of Naked Lunch Sunday night at Amnesia Bar, at 853 Valencia Street. “It is going to be more like a party,” said Peter Maravelis, City Light Bookstore events coordinator, a North Beach store that has sponsored the anniversary celebration. Maravelis said that Amnesia Bar is an intimate setting, far from the academic world, where people can relax and have a drink while listening to the excerpts of the book. Maravelis expects a younger crowd and likes closing the event at Amnesia because “it can evoke Burroughs spirit. “He was also a performer who liked rock and roll and was friends with Kurt Cobain and Jimmy Page,” Maravelis said of Burroughs. Mission Local NOVEMBER 22, 2009

Bay Area residents can come to the Mission District, show their zip code and get a discount when they shop, wine, dine, get an acupuncture session and more. It’s a citywide promotion called Show Your Zip. “It is a great idea to promote business locally,” said Julie Baumhofser, owner of Bu Tong Acupuncture. Bay Area residents get 50 percent off in their first visit to Bu Tong in 2390 Mission Street. Show Your ZIP is a program part of the city’s Economic Stimulus Plan. The goal is to encourage sales in San Francisco. It’s pretty simple. The businesses that signed up to participate will give discounts of 15 percent or more and offer promotions when Bay Area residents show them ZIP codes from 94000 to 95100. “It’s a nice idea that would help me increase my sales,” said Patty Nason, the owner of Gavaphoto at 3150 18th Street. Her studio is giving $50 off per portrait session. Businesses are encouraged to accept any document that shows one of the zip codes. The documents include a driver’s license, business card or even bills. The discounts are valid from Nov. 15, 2009, through Jan. 31, 2010. Residents in the nine-county Bay Area qualify, including San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano and Santa Clara. Last year more than 200 businesses provided Show Your ZIP offers. Businesses interested in participating click here:http://iebms.sfcvb.org/iebms/logon/log_p4_add_acct.aspx?oc=10&cc=LOGSHP So far 15 Mission District businesses have signed up and more are expected. Participating Mission District businesses: El Perol Complimentary dessert with every $20.00 purchase. 2590 Mission Street Garcon Restaurant Complimentary apperatif. 1101 Valencia Street 415-401-8959http://www.garconsf.com Valentina Ristorante Complimentary glass of Prosecco with purchase. 419 Cortland Avenue 415-285-6000 VinoRosso Complimentary glass of Prosecco (sparkling wine) with purchase. 629 Cortland Avenue Artillery Apparel Gallery 15% discount on purchases, use key word: Frisco 2751 Mission Street 415-374-7841 www.artillery-ag.com Gypsy Honeymoon 15% discount on purchases. 3599 24th Street 415-821-1713 Headline Shirts 10% discount at HeadlineShirts.net on any order. Free in-store pickup for San Franciscans! 3265 17th Street, Suite 104 4156262967 www.headlineshirts.net Heartfelt 15% discount on all Christmas ornaments and decorations. 436 Cortland Avenue (This is Bernal Heights) 415-648-1380 www.heartfeltsf.com Kathleen McMahon Fine Art 15% discount on any art, glasswork, craft, handbags, website consulting work. 3150 18th Street, Suite 105 415-673-0802http://www.kathleenmcmahonfineart.com/ Siegel’s Clothing Superstore & Tuxedos 15% discount in store on non-sale merchandise (not valid with any other offers). 2366 Mission Street 415-824-7729http://www.siegelsclothing.com Valerie Valentina and Little Fox Wear Spend $50.00 or more receive a free gift. 3150 18th, Suite 110 MB 309 415 240-6016 www.valerievalentina.com Bu Tong Acupuncture 50% discount on first visit. 2390 Mission Street, Suite 301 (415) 832-9392http://www.butongacupuncture.com/ Gavaphoto $50.00 off portrait session (professional portraits, families, more). 3150 18th Street, Suite 462, Box 408 415.412.9740 www.gavaphoto.com KINKARACO Purchase a PURELIGHT green burial shroud and get a discount GREEN gravesite at Ferwood (California’s first green cemetery). 126 Precita Avenue 415-874-9698 www.kinkaraco.com Twirl Management Complimentary one-hour consultation – How to green your event. 3150 18th Street, Suite 208 415-864-4118 http://www.twirlmanagement.com Mission Local NOVEMBER 20, 2009

Although 24th Street from Valencia to Folsom remains full of foot traffic, merchants said few customers are walking into their stores and sales have yet to recover.  Nevertheless, instead of layoffs, many are cutting hours or trying other innovations including selling aging elixirs. “We don’t whine about it and work hard,” said Martha Andrade, owner of Gacela Professional Hair Designers where business is down 20 percent compared to last year. Nevertheless, she’s kept her three employees and so far hasn’t cut their hours. Despite a city unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, the jewelers, artisans and restaurants along 24th street said they haven’t yet had significant layoffs, but they are feeling the recession in lower revenues. Some had to make major changes to survive. “We are starting to sell natural products,” said Alejandro Morales, owner of Monserrat Jewelry and Loans. Morales said that the jewelry business started going down two and a half years ago, so the store became a pawnshop as well. That was not enough, so Morales plans to launch a health products business: Energizer capsules, fiber powder for weight loss and anti-aging remedies will fill his shelves. Eco Jewelers had a hard time too. “We had to restructure the way of doing things,” said Jose Campos, the owner. This meant cutting everyone’s hours, getting rid of the fax and turning the lights on only when it’s dark. Campos said these changes enabled them to keep his three employees. At the legal offices of Herrera-Escobar Service, Karim Guardique, an administrative assistant said their business had slowed, “but there are always divorces and marriages.” At Mixcoatl Arts and Crafts, the owner, Connie Rivera said, “We open later and we close earlier.” Sales had dropped and for Rivera, it doesn’t make sense to open the store if there are no customers. However, Rivera expects things to get better: “We have faith.” Claudia Rodriguez, the cashier of Tonayense Taquería, said, “Slow,” referring to the business – as a result the owner has cut employee hours. Only a handful of the businesses said that they had not been affected. “Every year the business goes up in the cold season,” said Carmen Elias, the owner of La Mejor Bakery. Her revenues too are expected to rise and so she hasn’t cut hours or let anyone go. Phil Jaber, owner of Philz Coffee said he has no complaints. “In this economy I opened five shops and hired 50 people,” he said. There are some that felt the recession in a positive way. “It is better than last year,” said Dan Borg, owner of The House of Brakes. He thinks that the closing of similar businesses like Ellis Brooks Chevrolet and San Francisco Chrysler Jeep sent new customers his way. “They call and search online,” said Borg about how customers shop for the best price. “I’ve been here over 30 years and my prices are good.” Mission Local NOVEMBER 20, 2009

As soon as the Day of the Dead was over, the Christmas season started on Mission Street. “We do it every year,” said Arline Santos, the daughter of the owner of Joannna’s Bridal & Fashion, which has already put out Christmas lights and decorations. From pharmacies to one-dollar stores, many Mission merchants take advantage of the commercial spirit of holidays by putting up decorations early. “People will pass by and see that our store holds this merchandise,” said Santos. The same is true for One $ Only, according to Said, one of the store’s cashiers. “After Thanksgiving we’ll put more on display,” he said. Angie Alattica, who is from the Phillipines said she’s accustomed to the early holiday season. “In my country we have a long Christmas,” said Alattica, an assistant manager at Goodwill. “We start decorating in September and keep the decorations until January.” “We expect people to buy more,” said Sandy Li, manager of Sealano Trading Inc.  She said that this year they displayed Christmas products about a month earlier. “The business is going down,” she said. The store sells mostly Chinese merchandise, toys, t-shirts, handbags, etc. Now at the front of the store they have music lights and Santa Clauses. “It’s not so early,” said Julieta Olivero, cashier of La Internacional Productos para su Salud y Belleza. “Big stores are doing it. I’ve seen it in Costco.” Other merchants think that selling Christmas retail the first days of November is timely. “If we put the merchandise on display at the beginning of December, we won’t sell what we have on stock,” said Ivan Sanches, customer service employee from Ana’s Linens. The store normally sells curtains, sheets, towels and now they have house decorations like Christmas kitchen mittens and Santa’s door decorations. “People buy little by little,” said Sanches. Walgreens at Mission and 23rd streets has its display window full of Christmas goods. “Macy’s does it too,” said Abe Bitar, store manager. The store looks nicer, he said and women shoppers go to the Christmas aisles. “Women like to plan ahead and buy their Christmas stuff in advance.” Discount City $1.00 Only starts selling Christmas products in mid-October. “We put out our Halloween together with Christmas merchandise,” said Sheffi Mohamed, the store manager. “People buy,” he said pointing to a customer, ready to pay for her wrapping paper. Mission local NOVEMBER 12, 2009

San Francisco residents were turned away this afternoon when the Department of Public Works ran out of sandbags due to high demand. “The city means well but oftentimes promises more than what they can deliver,” said Jul Niemier, a Mission resident lucky enough to get the last 10 sand bags at 1:20 p.m. With a storm predicted to start Monday, city officials decided to offer sandbags to help residents prevent flooding. The limit was 10 bags per address. When they ran out, city workers started collecting names and numbers to call residents when more supplies arrive. Nevertheless, residents kept arriving at the public works yard to get the bags. So did the media. Mohammed Nuru, deputy director of operations, showed up at the site and said 500 bags would be delivered in an hour. Nuru said they had given out 2,000 bags, but a worker said only 16 pallets of 50 bags each — or 800 bags — had arrived so far. The rainy weather is predicted to start tonight and continue through Wednesday. The storm will bring wind gusts up to 40 mph, one to three inches of rain in coastal areas, and as many as five inches of rain in the hills, according to the National Weather Service Forecast. “It is very unusual to run out so fast,” said Henry Luna, general laborer at the public works department. He was in charge of giving away the bags at the Department of Public Works Yard on Cesar Chavez Street. He said people arrived as early as 6 a.m. Peter Nord, who lives near Dolores Park and works as a caregiver for an elderly lady, said his employer sent him to get bags. “She heard the news about the storm and her basement is below level so she wanted me to get some bags.” Tina and Tony Botts, who were also turned away, said they hadn’t experienced flooding problems but wanted to get the bags just in case. “We live on a hill,” they said. By Verónica Moscoso Mission Local OCTOBER 12, 2009