Today was bittersweet because we adopted out our foster (for almost four months), Jacques. He was injured when we got him from a dew claw injury, but he has been a joy. The family that adopted him had a dog named BONNIE who died a few months ago and looked just like Jacques. That’s very cool since my dog Bonnie is adopted from HSNB, of course. Only a few weeks after we got him, he moved to this house with us, so things were already in upheaval. He immediately bonded with Shea, which was sweet and timely since we had just adopted out (big) Perry, who Shea was also close with. Young, healthy dogs like these are much easier to say goodbye to, so we can make room for a special-needs dog. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t pull at our heartstrings, and it doesn’t mean we don’t love them. We just can’t have a large number of dogs and still be available for fostering dogs in crisis.
As if it wasn’t bad enough that the bias is skewed only to retailers going “broke” rather than what’s best for their patrons, now we have this.
Open letter to “journalist” Olivia Peluso who mentions me as a key element of her recent article on Smoke-free Bar Patio Article full of inaccuracies about me in San Francisco Gazetter: Your article about the June 8 further continuance of the Smokefree Bar Patio ordinance with the Land Use Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors mentions me and is full of inaccuracies that I hope you will correct on the record. There’s no reason for this kind of journalistic sloppiness and absurd assumptions, particularly about my career and motivation for poison-free air for everybody who desires it.
• I was NOT in attendance on June 8. I was at the previous May hearing of the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee.
• I was one of the last people to speak and was there until all public comment was done, so there was no leaving in the middle of anything. My public comments are available online with the City of San Francisco’s own recording system, and it will show that I was not there on June 8.
• I have NEVER been paid by any anti-tobacco advocacy organization in the 35 years of being involved with these sorts of groups all over the United States. I am 100% a volunteer.
• I had no hand in creating the petition or its language! I am one of about two thousand signatories on the petition you mention. I don’t deserve the credit for this.
I know you go to great lengths to show that people who don’t live in San Francisco have opinions, but may I remind you that we are not only residents of the Bay Area, but our money is just as green. Last I checked, San Francisco really enjoyed tourist money and patronage of its amazing establishments. For years I worked in San Francisco proper, and most of my life I’ve lived in the Bay Area as a second-generation Californian. I suggest you do your homework as a “food and drink reporter” for your periodical. Perhaps the next time you want to divulge personal information about the subjects in your article, you try to reach out to them and interview them directly to make sure you get the story right.
I hope more people consider fostering dogs in need! It’s not lost on me that for the past several weeks since I decided to start fostering Derry, I was back to having SEVEN DOGS, and two of them were blind, which is an eerie parallel to before the fire, and definitely not by design. Derry was a special case, being a double merle puppy. He was born blind. We got to watch him grow and learn every single day from the time he was only four weeks old. He should not have even been weaned by then. He was much more frenetic than the other dogs. Today we got a call from a rescue partner that had a foster waiting for him, so Derry and two other dogs from our HSNB shelter were pulled, including at least one other puppy.
Derry loves adventures and everybody, so I know he’ll thrive wherever. I’m not worried about him in that way. The timing was good because seven dogs — with one being a needy puppy — was a lot to handle, particularly with so much else going on. These other six dogs are senior and special needs, which I gravitate towards. While I forget that Bonnie is also blind, it did make for some mishaps, especially since Derry was always experimenting with pushing boundaries. The other dogs’ patience was sometimes tried. Derry was at the “chew everything” stage, so it was a constant task to redirect him. Both Shea and I are going to miss this little “Daredevil” Derry. Yes, I have a special place in my heart for blind dogs, but Derry will most certainly have a very enriched life and be a wonderful pet for any family with just a little extra patience. This is probably the last picture I’ll take of Derry, but I’ll be following up to make sure he is thriving through this nearby rescue. I’ll always be grateful that we had time with this puppy.
It was wonderful having Perrito (fka Miso) visit for the weekend while his dads were in Vancouver, BC, for a family reunion. He was a wonderful wrestling buddy for Derry. Every time Perry comes to visit, it’s as if he never left. He recognizes us and loves to hang out without any anxiety, so it feels good. However, he’s always thrilled when his dad comes back to get him, as he loves his life in San Francisco. Bella and Ella are catching the glory of the morning sun in the lanai. This is a sweet spot for them, which I encourage while I have my coffee in my favorite spot in the house, especially with the new back deck cover. Yes, I’ll have my coffee (and cheesecake) on the lanai, Blanche.
My new co-worker, blind foster puppy Derry, has found this old chaise that a friend suggested I turn into a dog bed once one of the legs broke off beyond repair. I scoffed at the idea originally, but the dogs freaking love it, and it fits very well under my side desk return. It’s a little bit of a climb for Derry, but he’s finally mastered the step up and down. It’s a doozy.
Temporary front porch gate is helpful to have while the retaining wall work is being done in the backyard. The dogs can safely hang out here and avoid the dust and workmen who had to rearrange all the backyard contents.
My good friend of many years, Hugh, with his three dogs and a couple of mine mixed in.
I created this AI graphic that helps illustrate why I’m so in favor of smoke-free bar patios in San Francisco. Hundreds of other California cities have already enacted this ordinance, including Oakland and San Jose, the two other large cities in the Bay Area. Why is SF so far behind when it has been so progressive on worker health and the comfort of tourists who bring untold billions to the city? The few bars whining about how poor they’ll be belies empirical evidence over many decades that patronage only increases when an establishment goes smokefree. More importantly, what about the right to breathe fresh air in a public space without having to disclose one’s medical conditions to justify that right? Do the people of San Francisco not remember health crises that they helped bring to the world’s attention? Tobacco-related illness is the MOST preventable cause of death in the world. How does that casually get dismissed as an opportunity to monetize? Even if businesses had to shave off a little bit of profit, which has never been proven to have happened, I think the health of staff and patrons should always be paramount. I currently choose not to avoid bar patios because I cannot get fresh air from a stuffy bar if I’m forced to inhale poison from any number of people who smoke in these confined spaces, albeit “outdoors” in an urban setting directly beneath apartment windows.
I had the privilege of going to a memorial for my friend and neighbor, Satish “Sam” Chohan. I knew he was a terrific person, but to hear about his life journey and how beloved he was by his family, son-in-law, stepdaughter, etc., was so amazing to hear. What a wonderful influence, and how nice to also have my friend Larry speak at Satish’s funeral, as they have been so involved with the Toastmasters group here in the area. Satish and his amazing wife Surekha approached me at a neighborhood event several years ago. I was thrilled when Satish asked to join the Glen Cove Community Association with me. I was president at the time. He was full of so many enriching ideas; most notably among them were the benches along our main thoroughfare with amazing views of the water. I’m so glad he lived long enough to see that come to fruition. We will honor him with that wonderful idea.
World No Tobacco Day was May 31, so I was happy to participate in LGBTQ Minus Tobacco‘s event in Livermore, where the City Council is contemplating updating its tobacco ordinance to once again be a leader in the Bay Area by setting a good example for its residents. I’m so proud to be volunteering with this group in many counties in the Bay Area, particularly after the amazing progress we were able to make in Vallejo. The goal is for no one to die from tobacco-related illness, so there’s a long way to go, particularly with this backward administration in Washington, DC, allowing itself to be bought at the expense of the health of people who become addicted to this poison.
At the last minute, I was asked to accept the Pride proclamation on behalf of the LGBTQIA community at Vallejo’s City Council meeting last night, which was an unexpected honor. Happy Pride, everybody!
Good evening, Honorable Mayor, Members of the City Council, and fellow residents of Vallejo. I am deeply touched to stand before you today to accept this Pride Month Proclamation on behalf of VGN — the Vallejo Gay Network, our vibrant LGBTQIA community, and our steadfast allies here in Vallejo.
I have to say, when people talk about the ‘Gay Agenda,’ it usually just involves brunch and good lighting, but we are honored to be on the City Council’s agenda tonight.
Vallejo is a city that has been defined by its long-standing extraordinary diversity—a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and lived experiences, which drew me to research, relocate, and settle here permanently years ago. By issuing this proclamation, Vallejo sends a clear, resonant message: that here, everyone belongs. This City Council affirms that our community is not just tolerated but SEEN, valued, celebrated, and, most importantly, RESPECTED as an integral part of what makes this city so deeply special.
Pride is, at its heart, a celebration of joy and authentic self-expression. But we must also remember that the Pride we speak of began as a protest. It is rooted in the profound courage of those who stood up against discrimination, who fought tirelessly for the simple human right to exist authentically …and to love openly. Today, we honor their legacy.
While we raise the pride flag in Vallejo above our government buildings and celebrate the remarkable progress we have made together in some parts of this country, we also recognize the work that still lies ahead. In a world where many still face barriers to full equality, local leadership matters immensely. Let this proclamation serve not just as a ceremonial gesture, but as a renewed, everyday commitment to fostering a Vallejo where compassion guides our community’s policies. That will, in turn, create a safe space where residents who grow up here can feel protected when discovering themselves.
In June, we will have our 28th annual Pride picnic, and of course the Vallejo Gay Network has been having monthly potlucks since 1998. Events at so many venues like the Madhatter events and Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum are always there for the LGBTQIA residents to enjoy.
Thank you to the Mayor, the City Council, and the community of Vallejo for standing with us, for lifting up our voices, and for leading with inclusivity.
