San Francisco Days

While half the city has seemingly left town for the long weekend, I stayed put (in part because of dear friends Steven and Frannie's wedding ceremony taking place today). Despite the bouts of fog, a post-rehearsal, July 4 BBQ hosted by Hayes Valley hosts-with-the-mosts Heather & David was festive and relaxed. Amid the grilling, djing, card-playing, eating and laughter, I was delighted to talk to Liz Lerma, the "Shaman of the San Francisco Department of Public Works." In her roll, Liz, a fourth generation Chicana whose family 'were ranchers in Texas when Texas was Mexico, "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us!") supervises the Bureau of Urban Forests. Yup, our new parks, medians and public spaces get blessed.