Author: Alfredo Casuso

Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / news@davidperry.com / (415) 676-7007

Gilbane Building Company Joins BuildOUT California
to Help Break the ‘Concrete Ceiling’ for LGBT-Owned Firms in A&E, Construction, Real Estate Development and Related Industries

One of America’s oldest and largest construction management firms
joins forces with the world’s first industry association dedicated to
the sustainable growth of LGBT owned and certified businesses

4 January 2021 – San Francisco, CA: BuildOUT California (www.buildoutcalifornia.org), announced today that Gilbane Building Company (www.gilbaneco.com) has joined the organization to further open the doors of opportunity and job creation. 

“Throughout Gilbane’s 150-year history, the company has been committed to creating opportunity,” said Michael McKelvy, President & CEO, Gilbane Building Company. “We believe that our workforce and our subcontracting partners should reflect the communities that we serve. We are proud to collaborate with BuildOUT California because we know that inclusion and diversity support a robust industry and strong economy.”

“This is enormously significant” stated Sandra Escalante, owner of the LGBT, Women, Minority-certified firm of Laner Electric headquartered in Richmond, California which is a wholesale distributor of electrical construction materials. “People want to do business with people they know. Gilbane is sending a strong message that they value diversity, equity and inclusion within an industry which is not known for embracing women and minorities.”

BuildOUT California’s President, Paul Pendergast, went on to add “At a time when our nation’s, and California’s, infrastructure needs immediate attention it is important that LGBT firms in A&E and construction are invited to actively participate in the competitive bidding process.  Having a company like Gilbane, which is a significant prime contractor throughout the United States, open their doors to not only team with LGBT businesses, but to proactively work to mentor them, is immensely important news.”

Gilbane’s construction projects in California span multiple market sectors that reflect the state’s diverse economy. Notable completed projects include Genentech, Inc. Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Campus in Vacaville and the General Service Administration Federal Courthouse in Bakersfield, and among its current projects are the California State University, Monterey Bay Otter Student Union and the Department of General Services 10^th & O Street State Office Building in Sacramento.

There are over 500 LGBT-certified firms listed within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Supplier Clearinghouse database.

“AGC [Associated General Contractors]of California just celebrated 100 years and now, more than ever, are looking to advance diversity and inclusion – it starts with innovative partnerships like BuildOUT and Gilbane working together” added Peter Tateishi, CEO, AGC of California.  “It’s this type of collaboration from a key member company that makes me proud to be part of this industry.”

Gilbane’s partnership with BuildOUT California includes the placement of Debi Hertz, Senior Project Manager DBIA, CCM, on the organization’s roster of founders, participation in BuildOUT California’s ground-breaking Mentor/Protégé program and a strong presence in providing technical assistance/training to make LGBT A&E/Construction firms more competitive in the marketplace.

About Gilbane Building Company:

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Since 1995, Gilbane has been delivering construction services in California for clients across diverse market sectors. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com

About BuildOUT California:

BuildOUT California is the world’s first LGBT Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBT owned & certified businesses, and our allies, in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Construction Services, Real Estate Development, and Related Industries. BuildOUT California’s efforts are directed toward advocacy at the regional, statewide and national levels, providing relevant technical assistance & training and delivering connections that lead to measurable business growth. BuildOUT California’s 21 Founders represent over 620 years of experience in the A&E/Construction industries. For more information, visit www.buildoutcalifornia.org

 DEMpress@sfgov.org 415-558-2712 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 31, 2020 

Contact: Joint Information Center 

(415) 558-2712, dempress@sfgov.org 

*** PRESS RELEASE *** 

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO EXTEND MANDATORY TRAVEL QUARANTINE AND STAY SAFER AT HOME HEALTH ORDERS 

As cases surge and regional ICU bed capacity continues to fall, San Francisco extends requirement that those traveling into San Francisco from outside of the Bay Area quarantine for 10 days and extends the local Stay Safer at Home order. 

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax today announced the extension beyond January 4th of the public health order implemented on December 17th that places a mandatory quarantine of 10 days on anyone traveling, moving, or returning to San Francisco from anywhere outside the Bay Area and discouraging any non-essential travel. The extension to the travel quarantine order responds to the significant prevalence of the coronavirus throughout the State and Country as well as the need to reduce the exposure and isolate people who may be contagious in order to protect our region’s ability to provide intensive care for critically ill patients. The order also protects against the spread of a new variant of the virus detected recently in the United Kingdom, Colorado, and California. 

Additionally, San Francisco extended its local Stay Safer at Home order implemented on December 3rd and subsequently required on December 17 by the State of California when the Bay Area’s ICU bed availability fell below 15%. The earliest the State could lift its Regional Stay at Home order for the Bay Area is January 7th. But due to ongoing regional ICU capacity limitations and continuing increase of cases, San Francisco does not expect the Bay Area will meet the State’s thresholds for lifting the order by that date. 

The extension of both health orders will continue until the Bay Area Region is no longer subject to the State’s Regional Stay at Home Order. Once the State lifts its Regional Stay at Home order, San Francisco will reassess the key health indicators to determine if they support relaxing the current restrictions on businesses and activities, and resuming the measured re-opening process, guided by the State’s tier framework. Those key health indicators include ICU bed availability and other hospital capacity system-wide in San Francisco, as well as COVID-19 case rates. As of Wednesday, December 30th the Bay Area’s ICU capacity hovered at approximately 7.5% and cases continued to climb regionally, indicating that it is unlikely demand for ICU care will decline in the coming weeks. It will also be at least two weeks before the City fully understands the impact of travel and gatherings associated with the December and 2021 New Year’s holidays. DEMpress@sfgov.org 415-558-2712 

Preliminary data shows that the Stay Safer at Home order and the travel quarantine order seem to have slowed the infections. Though cases continue to climb, they are increasing at a slower rate than when the orders were implemented. As a result of our collective actions, more than 400 deaths may have prevented. 

Public Health officials are watching the data carefully to see what impact the December holidays will have on case rates and hospital capacity. They expect to better understand this impact and project when the Bay Area may meet the State’s threshold for lifting the order in the weeks following the holidays. 

“We have been proactive in putting the stay at home order and travel quarantine in place to protect San Franciscans and in the hopes that by acting quickly, we could flatten the curve and re-open faster,” said Mayor Breed. “This seems to be working but we need more time to determine that we are moving in the right direction and that the December holidays don’t set us back. There are glimmers of hope and now is not the time to let up.” 

Travel outside the Bay Area increases an individual’s chance of getting infected and spreading the virus to others upon their return. Moreover, in light of the first case of the new strain of COVID originating in the UK being detected in the United States and because the nature of travel often includes interactions and close contact with many people, reducing travel as much as possible and quarantining after any travel outside of the Bay Area is of critical importance to stopping the spread of the virus. 

“The steps we have taken together have served us well, but the fact remains that San Francisco is in the midst of its worst surge yet,” said Dr. Grant Colfax. “We must continue to take the preventative measures that we know slow the spread of the virus and save lives. Please continue to avoid gatherings, wear facial coverings, and keep your distance. We’ve crushed the curve before and can do it again.” 

The travel quarantine order strongly discourages non-essential travel of any kind and within any distance, including from one location to another within the Bay Area. Additionally, it requires anyone who comes to San Francisco to quarantine for 10 days if they spent any time outside the following 9 Bay Area counties: San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, Sonoma, Napa, Marin and Santa Cruz. This includes returning residents, people moving to San Francisco, those who work in San Francisco, and visitors, unless specifically exempted by the order. The travel quarantine order allows exemptions for medical professionals, first responders, official government business, essential infrastructure work, and other activities, including any travel to receive medical care or travel required by a court order, like transferring custody of a child. People transiting through San Francisco International Airport on connecting flights and not staying overnight in San Francisco are not required to quarantine. For a full list of exemptions visit www.sfcdcp.org/travel. 

Individuals required to quarantine must remain home without physical interaction with others who are not part of their household except in emergency or health care situations. They are not allowed to go to work, school, or any other venue outside their home for 10 days. For further assistance during quarantine, visit sf.gov/quarantining-covid-19. 

The Stay Safer at Home order placed restrictions on activities as described below. DEMpress@sfgov.org 415-558-2712 

The following activities must remain temporarily closed until further notice: 

• • Personal services. Establishments offering personal care services including hair and nail salons, barbers, tattoo, piercing, estheticians and massage must cease operations, including both indoor and outdoor operations. 
• • Outdoor dining. Restaurants and any other establishments offering meal service, may only operate for delivery or take-out. Eating and drinking on the premises, including in shared spaces, is prohibited. 
• • Outdoor museums, aquariums, and zoos. Outdoor installations or exhibits associated with museums, aquariums, or zoos may not allow entrance to visitors. Outdoor botanical gardens and historic sites may remain open. 
• • Indoor gyms. Limited 1:1 personal training within gyms and fitness centers that was allowed under the previous health order must cease, but may take place outdoors (see below). 
• • Drive-in gatherings. Drive in theaters and other performances delivered in a drive-in context must cease. 
• • Outdoor family entertainment centers. Outdoor family entertainment centers including skate parks, roller and ice skating rinks, batting cages, go kart racing and miniature golf must close. 
• • Open-air bus and boat operators. Operators of open-air busses offering sightseeing and other tour services and open-air boat excursions, including leisure and fishing expeditions, must cease operations. 

The following activities must continue to operate at reduced capacity: 

• • Retail. All retail establishments such as shopping centers, hardware stores, convenience stores, equipment rental, and specialty shops, must reduce capacity to 20% (and implement a metering system (see below). Standalone grocery stores can operate at 35% capacity. 
• • Low Contact Retail. Service oriented retail such as dog groomers, electronics repair services and shoe repair services can operate in a curbside drop off context only. 

The following activities may continue with the stated modifications in place: 

• • Hotels and lodging. Hotels may only accept reservations from essential workers travelling for work purposes or to support critical infrastructure including accommodations for isolation and quarantine purposes. If an individual from out of state who is not travelling for essential purposes makes a reservation, it must be at least for the number of days required for quarantine. The persons identified in the reservation must quarantine in the hotel or lodging facility for the entirety of the time required. Reservations from non-essential travelers residing in CA may not be accepted or honored. 
• • Small gatherings. Small outdoor gatherings must limit themselves to members of 1 household with a maximum number of 12 people, or a maximum of 2 individuals from 2 households. Face coverings must remain on at all times except when eating or drinking. Indoor gatherings among different households are not allowed. 
• • Outdoor gyms. Outdoor gym or fitness center activities as well as outdoor fitness in-person group classes (such as boot camps, dance, yoga, tai-chi, etc.) are limited to groups of 12 

DEMpress@sfgov.org 415-558-2712 

• people, including personnel, and must maintain strict distance and face covering requirements. Running groups are prohibited. 
• • Youth sports. Youth sports activities affiliated with a childcare program, Out of School Time program, or other organized and supervised youth sports program may continue operating outdoors only without competitions or spectators and with strict social distancing and face covering requirements in place. 
• • Indoor activities open to public. Any establishment allowing members of the public to access indoor areas, including shopping centers, grocery stores, corner stores, financial services, hardware stores, pharmacies, etc. must establish a metering system to monitor capacity thresholds and ensure capacity does not exceed limits. In effect, a business will need to assign a specific staff person to monitor the number of people in the establishment and ensure that the 20% capacity threshold (or 35% capacity for standalone grocery stores) is maintained at all times. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. 
• • Adult Recreation. No/low contact adult recreational activities such as golf, tennis, pickle ball, and bocce ball may continue outdoors subject to limits (golf limited to twosomes and members of different households may not share a cart; tennis and pickleball limited to singles with no shared equipment). 

Also, the State’s Limited Stay at Home Order remains in effect, which requires non-essential businesses to close to the public between 10 pm and 5 am and restricts gatherings during that period. The State’s Limited Stay at Home Order does not affect take-out and delivery by restaurants, essential workers, or public transit. 

Additional information about which businesses and activities can operate in San Francisco and what modifications are required at this time is available at www.sf.gov/step-by-step/reopening-san-francisco. For the full health order and answers to frequently asked questions about the health order, visit www.sfcdcp.org/travel. For information on celebrating the holidays safely at home, visit www.sf.gov/HolidaysAtHome. 

### 

media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Dezart Performs Presents Mental Amusements January 13 – 24, 2021

An online, live-streaming virtual journey through the mind with award-winning Mentalist Vinny DePonto 

www.dezartperforms.org 

17 December 2020 – Palm Springs, CA:  Dezart Performs wants to know what you’re thinking – and with Mental Amusements performed by internationally acclaimed Vinny DePonto, they will! Known to legions of fans from his Off-Broadway, pre-COVID performances, DePonto presents this online, live-streaming experience January 13 – 24, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm (PST) and Sundays at 4pm (PST). At-home viewers have the option to participate interactively in the show when they purchase a Front Row Experience ticket. Or, they can sit back, relax and watch the performance with a General Viewing Experience ticket. 

“Vinny’s’ virtual interactive show has been wowing people all over the world for the last few months,” said Dezart Performs Founding Artistic Director Michael Shaw. “As soon as I saw it, I thought this was a unique and amazing journey that I wanted to share with our audience.”

Designed exclusively for the virtual stage as an interactive live-streamed event, Mental Amusements uses a combination of psychological tricks, illusion, visual art, and immersive storytelling to astonish audiences with DePonto’s mind-boggling skills.

“My goal is to create an experience that brings people together much like a carnival draws folks from all around to rediscover wondrous amusements together,” says DePonto.  “This show has been an unexpected joy to perform. I’ve connected with folks from all around the world and rather than their faces getting lost in a dark theater, I have been able to look them each in the eyes, albeit via a screen, and say thank you for being here. It’s a very personal experience which is what I love so much about this craft. Hope you’ll join me for a night out in the carnival of our minds.”

DePonto’s most recent Off-Broadway stage show Charlatan was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Production. In addition to his live performances, his consulting work has been featured in hit television shows on The Discovery Channel, NBC, and Netflix, in the most recent Broadway production of Angels in America, and at Lincoln Center in Ghost Light, by the award-winning theater group Third Rail Projects, of which he is a member.

Of Mental Amusements, the New York Timessays”Mr. DePonto’s craftsmanship consistently impresses” while the New Yorker raves that “this online production has an endearing lo-fi charm. DePonto pulls off some real whoppers.”

The show runs approximately 60 minutes. Front Row Experience tickets, priced at $54 per household, put audiences right into the action, participating in the show and having their minds read. General Viewing Experience tickets, priced at $39 per household, allow viewers to watch, without being seen or heard. Tickets are available now at www.dezartperforms.org .

Dezart Performs, one of the Coachella Valley’s preeminent theatre companies, recognizes that the performing arts enrich the life and culture of a community, promote greater understanding and provoke insightful discussion. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, its mission is to provide an artistic home for bold and cutting–edge plays, creating an atmosphere of artistic growth for actors, writers, and directors who uniquely contribute to the diverse theatrical environment in the Coachella Valley. For more information go online at www.dezartperforms.org, or call (760) 322-0179.

Media contact:
DP&A, Inc. / David Perry. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

World’s Most Unique Holiday Tree
A gift to the world from the LGBTQ Community
Promoting Peace, Love and Humanitarian Action

People Around the World Asked to Submit
“Wishes for the Future of the World”
to be hung on tree decorated with thousands of Folded Origami Cranes

Largest such annual installation on the planet

The 15th Rainbow World Fund “World Tree of Hope”
at Grace Cathedral through January 10, 2021 

Wishes will be added to the Tree throughout December
Virtual Tree Lighting Monday, December 21, 7pm

www.worldtreeofhope.org

14 December 2020 – San Francisco:  Wishes are powerful — they are the seeds of action. For the 15th year, those seeds bear fruit. Rainbow World Fund (RWF) invites the people of the world to submit wishes to decorate the RWF World Tree of Hope, a global symbol of unity and hope for a better world and a unique and inspirational feature of San Francisco’s holiday season.  Since 2006, its first year, hundreds of thousands of wishes have be sent in online and by mail from people in over seventy countries to adorn the Tree.

The RWF World Tree of Hope is the largest origami decorated holiday tree in the world, traditionally decorated with over 17,000 origami cranes and stars. Each crane or star is hand folded and inscribed with wishes for the future of the world. 

The RWF World Tree of Hope is a gift to the San Francisco Bay Area and the world from the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community. The tree is on display in the AIDS Memorial Chapel of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco until January 10, 2021 (per COVID-19, visit https://gracecathedral.org to see when the Cathedral is open). 

Designed as the world’s most unique holiday tree, people worldwide can help decorate the tree by simply sharing their wish for the future. The wishes come from people of all ages, all faiths and all walks of life. Wishes are sent in from around the world online at http://www.worldtreeofhope.org or via mail to RWF World Tree of Hope / 4111 18th Street # 5 / San Francisco, CA 94114. The wishes are then printed and folded into origami cranes by a diverse team of volunteers including members of San Francisco’s LGBTQ and Japanese American communities, survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, local children, and life-sentence prisoners from San Quentin. The origami “crane wishes” are then placed on the tree. Submitting a wish is FREE and open to everyone. Wishes will be added to the Tree throughout December and are accepted year round.

“We created the World Tree of Hope to inspire hope and to encourage people to think about what they would like for the future of the world, and then take action,” said Jeff Cotter, Rainbow World Fund founder and executive director. “The tree illustrates that while a single person’s offering is valuable, the collective effort of many possesses great power and strength. If each person would do just one small thing that is good for our world today, we will be better off tomorrow than we were yesterday.”

Notable wishes on the Tree have come from President Barack Obama, Dame Jane Goodall, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Isabel Allende, the late SF Mayor Edwin M. Lee, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Mariela Castro, Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī, the late Shirley Temple Black, Frances Moore Lappe, Danielle Steel, the late Patty Duke, Sharon Gless, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Jane Elliot, Stanlee Gatti and RuPaul.  

“A world for our children more just, more fair, and more kind than the one we know now.” –President Barack Obama

“I dare to wish for a world in which people live in harmony with each other and with the natural world and all the wondrous animals with whom we share the planet.” –Dame Jane Goodall

Samples of celebrity and children’s wishes are at https://www.worldtreeofhope.org/celebrity-wishes 

The Tree is inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, the Japanese child whose journey and death several years after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima transformed the origami crane into a symbol of world peace. In 1955, the origami crane became an international symbol of peace when the world learned the story of Sadako Sasaki. Ten years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, 12 year old Sadako contracted leukemia. While in the hospital, a friend told her about a Japanese legend that the folder of a thousand paper cranes would be granted one wish. Sadako started folding but grew weaker with time. Her wish to be healed grew into a wish for peace for all the world. Sadako passed away and was 356 cranes short of her goal. Her classmates folded the rest and all 1,000 were buried with her. On the wings of her cranes Sadako would write messages. One deeply profound message read, “I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.” Her hope, strength and determination have inspired millions to this day.

“The Rainbow World Fund World Tree of Hope taps into two of our most powerful resources – the human mind and heart,” Cotter sums up. “It gives individuals a way to join together to express our hopes and intentions for the future of our global community. It is a celebration of the power of hope — how essential it is to our survival, our healing and humanity”

This will be the fourth year that Grace Cathedral has hosted the Tree. In addition to being a beautiful venue that is open to the public, Grace Cathedral has a tradition of welcoming people of all faiths and spiritualities and being a strong supported of the LGBTQ community. Tree is created by Rainbow World Fund, an LGBTQ based nonprofit.  The Tree’s purpose is purely humanitarian with a message one of universal love. It is for everyone regardless of belief or non-belief. The Tree was previous displayed at San Francisco City Hall for eleven years.

The official online-virtual tree lighting celebration will be on Monday, December 21 at 7 pm at this Youtube Premiere link:  https://bit.ly/WorldTreeOfHope2020-Lighting

Featuring Emcee Donna Sachet ● The Right Reverend Marc Andrus, Bishop of California ● The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral ● Opera virtuoso Breanna Sinclairé ● jazz vocalist Veronica Klaus ● Pianist Tammy Hall ● Origami Artist Linda Mihara ● Rainbow World Fund Founder Jeff ● The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will bless the tree ● and much more! Admission is FREE.

About Rainbow World Fund: RWF’s mission is to promote peace, unity and hope by leading the LGBTQ movement in participating in local and humanitarian relief efforts. Founded in 2000, RWF is the world’s first LGBTQ-based humanitarian aid organization. RWF works to help people affected by natural disasters, hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and war by raising awareness in, and funds from, the LGBTQ community to support relief efforts around the world. RWF provides a united voice, a large visible presence both in the United States and abroad, and a proven structure to deliver LGBTQ charitable assistance to the larger world community. RWF has donated over $5 million in grants and life saving aid and provided over 75,000 volunteers hours helping both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ in need around the world. RWF’s philosophy is that we are all “One Human Family” and that we are living in a time that tells us that our survival on this planet depends on us all giving more to each other. RWF is 100% volunteer run. Learn more at: www.rainbowfund.org

CALENDAR LISTINGS: Events/ Benefits:

WHAT: Rainbow World Fund presents THE WORLD TREE OF HOPE – The world’s most unique holiday tree decorated with thousands of white origami cranes, each containing written wishes of hope and peace from children and individuals from around the world. Wishes can be submitted online for free at http://www.worldtreeofhope.org The wishes are printed, folded into origami cranes and placed on the tree. Be part of this unique symbol of global unity and hope!

WHEN: The tree is on display in the AIDS Memorial Chapel of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco until January 10, 2021 (per COVID-19, visit https://gracecathedral.org to see when the Cathedral is open).

VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Monday, December 21, 2020 at 7 p.m. on Youtube: https://bit.ly/WorldTreeOfHope2020-Lighting – Featuring Emcee Donna Sachet ● The Right Reverend Marc Andrus, Bishop of California ● The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Dean of Grace Cathedral ● Opera virtuoso Breanna Sinclairé ● Jazz vocalist Veronica Klaus ● Pianist Tammy Hall ● Origami Artist Linda Mihara ● Rainbow World Fund Founder Jeff ● The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will bless the tree ● and much more! Admission is FREE.

Event details:http://www.worldtreeofhope.org/tree-lighting

FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/713681865951298

WHERE: Grace Cathedral, 1100 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Wishes will be added to the tree throughout December 2020. Submitting a wish is free!

SUBMIT A WISH ONLINE: http://www.worldtreeofhope.org

MAIL WISHES TO: Rainbow World Fund, 4111 – 18th Street #5, San Francisco, CA 94114

INFO: 415-431-1485 or http://www.worldtreeofhope.org

PRESS INFO. & ASSETS:

YouTube Tree Invitation to Hope: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD-oLJZHJDA

YouTube 1 minute time lapse of decorating tree (2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqq1vrqJT

MEDIA ADVISORY / COVERAGE REQUEST: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 & EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH JANUARY 20

Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

WHO: Manny’s Presents

WHAT:
National book club with former senior Obama Administration
Officials around President Obama’s new book
“A Promised Land”

WHEN: Every Wednesday December 9 – January 20
5pm – 6:30pm PST

WHERE: Online at: www.welcometomannys.com

HOW MUCH: $ 10 

WHY: In an unprecedented online gathering, Manny’s is sponsoring a special bookclub with former senior officials from the Barack Obama Administration focused on President Obama’s new book “A Promised Land.” Taking place every Wednesday, December 9 – January 20, 2021 (Inauguration Day for President Elect Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris), the event costs $ 10 per event with registration online at www.welcometomannys.com. 

“We need community during these times more than ever and it’s my sincere hope that the weekly Obama book club with former senior administration officials will provide exactly that,” said Manny Yekutiel, 31, who founded and runs the eponymous community engagement space and café dubbed “the New Hampshire of California” (KCBS Radio) for its hosting of myriad political events including hosting 17 Democratic presidential candidates.  “It’s a way to foster community, learning, inspiration, and growth and deep to way to end a difficult year. Also, to be able really understand Barack Obama and his legacy. Finally, to learn real lessons from his time in office to apply to today and the future.”

Yekutiel notes with a smile: “Yes, people are required to complete reading the book before each meeting.” 

The schedule of this once-in-a-lifetime book club follows:

December 9:  Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President (longest serving)

December 16: David Plouffe, Campaign Manager of the ’08 Presidential Campaign

December 23:  David Simas, Director of Political Affairs and Special Assistant to the President, current CEO of the Obama Foundation

December 30: Sam Kass, Chef to the Obamas, Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition Policy, and Executive Director for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign

January 6, 2021: Lisa Jackson, Environmental Protection Agency  Administrator

January 13, 2021:  Cecilia Munoz, Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, 

January 20, 2021: Brian Bond, White House LGBT Liaison Deputy director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Since opening its doors on Election Night 2018, Manny’s has become an epicenter of community involvement, dialogue and civic engagement having served over 50,000 people, staged over 500 events, donated space to more than 150 area nonprofits and charities, and hosted 17 presidential candidates in his first year alone. Also, in addition to receiving much media and public attention, Manny’s was recognized for his above-and-beyond achievements by the California State Senate as “Small Business of the Year.” 

Manny’s is a people powered, community focused meeting and learning place in the heart of San Francisco that combines a restaurant, political bookshop, and civic events space. Manny’s goal: to create a central and affordable place to become a better informed and more involved citizen. Manny’s offers its events space to nonprofits, activists and civic organizations to spread their message and do their work as well as hosting its own civic and arts related programming. Manny’s kitchen is run by the non-profit, Farming Hope, which hires formerly homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them in the food skills needed to work in the restaurant industry.