50th Anniversary Tribute to Tony Bennett’s iconic song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”

WHO:
The City & County of San Francisco present
WHEN:
Tuesday, February 14 – Valentine’s Day – 12noon
WHERE:
San Francisco Civic Center Plaza San Francisco City Hall / 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
www.sanfrancisco.travel

As the centerpiece of a citywide civic celebration to honor the acclaimed, award winning singer Tony Bennett whose signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was recorded 50 years ago, San Francisco City Hall will host free public tribute with Tony Bennett on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at noon. Featured will be performances by the San Francisco Girls Chorus, the San Francisco Boy’s Chorus, the Choir from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and Misa Malone from Beach Blanket Babylon. Also unveiled will be a video featuring testimonials from Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., San Francisco Chief of Protocol Charlotte Shultz and others. The event will be emceed by “The Voice of the San Francisco Giants”, Renel Brooks-Moon. In addition, SF Travel will launch a “I Left My Heat in San Francisco” tribute contest and announce the winner of their “Love Letter to San Francisco” contest inspired by Bennett’s iconic rendition of San Francisco’s Official Ballad: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”

“Thanks to Tony Bennett, people have been experiencing the magic of San Francisco for 50 years no matter where they are in the world,” said Mayor Lee. “The song reminds us of why we love our City so much and when we are away, it calls us home. Mr. Bennett’s signature voice is celebrated around the world, and when he comes back to San Francisco, our hearts will surely be lifted.”

Every radio station that broadcasts in the City has been asked to play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at or near noon. KOIT 96.5FM will preempt the noon news and will play “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at exactly noon because of their long-standing relationship with Tony Bennett and his music. At noon, the song will also be played over the public address system in Union Square and at Hallidie Plaza, courtesy of the Union Square Business Improvement District. San Franciscans are encouraged to stop what they are doing and sing along to “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” from office building, parks, sidewalks or where ever they are in the City. SFMTA will outfit historic cable cars to celebrate Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” which will run all day. In the evening, City Hall will be illuminated in red for the celebration of Tony Bennett on Valentine’s Day.

Tony Bennett first sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at the Venetian Room at the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in December of 1961, and he returns there on the evening of Valentine’s Day to sing at a sold-out benefit dinner and concert to raise money for heart research at UCSF. He recorded the song in 1962.

About Tony Bennett:

Entering his seventh decade as a recording artist with over 100 albums and 15 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over. He remains the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label. His 2007 prime-time special, “Tony Bennett: An American Classic,” won seven Emmy Awards and was directed by Academy Award winner Rob Marshall. He has performed for 10 U.S. Presidents, from Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush Jr. and Obama. He also worked with and marched alongside Martin Luther King in his 1965 civil rights march and was honored with the Martin Luther King’s Salute to Greatness Award. In addition to performing, he is a visual artist as well, with three of his original paintings featured in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian, including his portraits of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington. His humanitarian efforts are renowned and the United Nations honored him with their Humanitarian Award in 2007. He has published three books – his autobiography, “The Good Life,” and two books of his paintings, “Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen,” and “Tony Bennett In the Studio: A Life of Art and Music.” Bennett founded, in association with the Department of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts – a public arts high school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization which supports arts education in NYC public high schools. Exploring the Arts supports 14 public high schools throughout New York City. For more information about Tony Bennett, go to: www.tonybennett.com
Lyrics to Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome is of another day
I’ve been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I’m going home to my city by the Bay
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don’t care
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me

The International Culture Exchange Group

Unveils / Illuminates giant “Dragon Boat” made from recycled materials for Lunar New Year

Monday, February 6: 4pm*

WHAT:
Unveils / Illuminates giant “Dragon Boat” made from recycled materials for Lunar New Year
WHO:
The International Culture Exchange Group
WHEN:
Monday, February 6: 4pm*
 * Speakers begin at 4:30pm
4pm – Dragon Dancers 
4:30pm – San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
4:33pm – California State Assemblywoman, Fiona Ma
4:36pm – President and CEO of ICEG, Lulu Huang
4:40pm – Chinese Consul General Gao Zhansheng
4:43pm – AT&T Regional Vice President, Marc Blakeman
4:45pm – “Dragon Boat” illuminated by Mayor Lee
WHERE:
San Francisco Civic Center Plaza (Dr. Carlton B.Goodlett Place between McAllister & Grove
www.globalwonderland.org

To mark the Lunar “Year of the Dragon”, a giant “Dragon Boat” made from silk and reconstructed materials will be unveiled in front of San Francisco City Hall where it will remain on public view for the next two weeks. Produced by Lulu Huang’s International Culture Exchange, the giant Chinese lantern was the centerpiece of this past month’s Global Winter Wonderland’s holiday festival of giant lanterns. The largest such event ever held outside of China, Global Winter Wonderland drew more than 415,000 visitors in its U.S. premiere year, covering over nine acres on Santa Clara’s Great America Parkway from November 25, 2011, through January 2, 2012.

Following is a video overview of Global Winter Wonderland: youtu.be/o37Iq73uWBw

“I want to thank Mayor Lee, the City and County of San Francisco and the SF Recreation & Parks Department for allowing us to bring the joy and wonder of Chinese lanterns to the front door of City Hall,” said International Culture Exchange Group (ICEG) Founder and President Lulu Huang. “It’s completely consistent with the mission of my company to build a better understanding to overcome adversity through cultural exchange events.”

“This is a perfect partner for us,” said Phil Ginsburg, Executive Director of the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department. “Our job is to fill our public spaces, such as Civic Center Plaza, with unique experiences that educate, illuminate and entertain. This is a wonderful example of all three.”

ABOUT GLOBAL WINTER WONDERLAND The largest such festival ever presented outside of China, the 2011 U.S. premiere of Global Winter Wonderland featured giant illuminated lanterns depicting creatures and scenes that included a Christmas holiday village, animals real and imagined, and people and scenes from around the world. Highlights included recreations of some of the world’s greatest architectural achievements, including the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, Chichen Itza, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The eco-friendly lanterns, some of which towered more than 50 feet high and spanned nearly 100 feet wide, were illuminated with low voltage LEDs and fluorescent lights, with several structures powered by solar panels. Several of the lanterns, designed by engineers who built lanterns for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, were made from recycled everyday materials, including recycled water bottles, CDs, porcelain dishes, and medicine bottles. The Bay Area’s new family event of the holiday season also featured a dinosaur maze for children, carnival games, international cuisine, arts and crafts, live entertainment, and celebrations of holiday traditions from around the world. 


About The International Culture Exchange Group: International Culture Exchange Group is working to embrace cultural diversities between countries and beliefs. We believe that in order to promote greater understanding between civilizations it is imperative to break down social barriers and misconceptions. We promote, create, sponsor and organize memorable cultural experiences internationally. www.cultureexchange.us / Telephone: (510) 962-8586 / Email: info@cultureexchange.us / 44063 Fremont Blvd Ste. B Fremont, CA 94538

MEDIA ADVISORY: Request for onsite coverage – Saturday, 2/11: 1pm

Chinese Historical Society Launches 2012 Second Saturday Series with Talk by Ben Fong-Torres

Saturday, February 11 at 1pm

www.chsa.org
WHAT:
The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) launches the 2012 Second Saturday Series with “Musings of a Pop Cultural Icon: A Talk with Ben Fong-Torres”
WHO:
Author and rock icon Ben Fong-Torres will speak about his illustrious history with the rise of rock n’ roll.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 11 at 1pm
WHERE:
Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA), 965 Clay Street, San Francisco CA 94108
HOW MUCH:
FREE with Museum admission (Adults $5; College students (with ID) and Seniors $3; Children 6-17 $2; Free for CHSA members and children 5 and under). Reservations are suggested.
INFO:
To RSVP, please call (415) 391-1188 x101 or email info@chsa.org

Ben Fong-Torres was born in Alameda, California, in 1945, and raised in Oakland’s Chinatown, where his parents owned a restaurant. He attended San Francisco State College from 1962-66, majored in Radio-TV-Film and served as a reporter and editor of the campus daily.

Fong-Torres began writing for Rolling Stone magazine in 1968, in only its eighth issue. Prior to that, he had a full-time job at another publication: Pacific Telephone’s employee magazine and by night, he was a volunteer editor at East West, a bilingual Chinatown newspaper. In May 1969, Ben joined Rolling Stone as news editor. His interview subjects included Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Diamond, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, the Grateful Dead, and Ike & Tina Turner. Ben left Rolling Stone in 1981 and has since written for dozens of magazines, including Esquire, GQ, Parade, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, Travel & Leisure, American Film, TV Guide, and Harper’s Bazaar.

He hosted KQED-FM’s live weekly arts show, Fog City Radio, and has co-anchored KTVU-TV’s coverage of the Chinese New Year Parade since 1997, for which he and co-anchor Julie Haener have won three Emmys. In 1983, Fong-Torres joined the San Francisco Chronicle, where he was a feature writer and radio columnist and where he continues to write the Radio Waves column on Sunday. He is also a prolific published author, including his memoirs The Rice Room: From Number Two Son to Rock and Roll (1994), Not Fade Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll (1999), followed by a second collection, Becoming Almost Famous, in 2006. He wrote The Doors by the Doors (2007), Grateful Dead Scrapbook (2009), and Eagles: Taking It to the Limit (2011). He contributes articles to AsianConnections.com and writes a regular music blog at Wolfgang’s Vault’s site. He is a real-life character in Almost Famous, the 2000 film by Cameron Crowe.

About the Chinese Historical Society of America: Founded in 1963, the Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to the documentation, study, and presentation of Chinese American history. Through exhibitions, publications, and educational, public programming, CHSA promotes the contributions and legacy of Chinese America. In 2001, the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum opened in the 1932 landmark Julia Morgan-designed Chinatown YWCA building at 965 Clay Street. For more information visit www.chsa.org

MAYOR LEE ANNOUNCES NEW CHINASF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darlene Chiu Bryant to Lead Office & Focus on Continued Growth of Cross National Investment with China

www.chinasf.org

San Francisco, CA—Today on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined the Board of ChinaSF to announce Darlene Chiu Bryant as the new Executive Director of ChinaSF. A San Francisco native, Bryant brings a decade of work experience in Hong Kong and in the public and private sectors to an office that will increase economic development and job creation in San Francisco through strategic investments from China and the overseas promotion of San Francisco businesses.

“Darlene has the skillset and experience we have been looking for to lead ChinaSF,” said Mayor Lee. “Expanding international trade is a centerpiece of my jobs plan, and I am confident that under Darlene’s leadership, ChinaSF will continue to drive job creation and spur new business growth in our City.”

“The San Francisco Center for Economic Development is happy to have such a strong Director in this important role to promote and engage cross cultural business relations,” said San Francisco Center for Economic Development Executive Director Dennis Congahan.

Bryant brings a wealth of experience from the public and private sector, working not only in San Francisco, but also in Hong Kong, where she developed strong ties to China. Most recently as Vice President and Public Affairs Manager at East West Bank after leaving Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) as External Communications Manager, Bryant has served as Commissioner on the City’s Small Business Commission from 2008-2010, and was Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Chief Deputy Communications Director during his first term as Mayor. She accompanied Mayor Newsom on his first trip to China in 2005.

About ChinaSF

Established in 2008, ChinaSF, a partnership of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and San Francisco Center for Economic Development, provides support to enable and increase business exchange between China and the City of San Francisco. Over the last 3 years, ChinaSF has successfully helped more than 13 Chinese firms establish their U.S. presence in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Community Meeting to review latest plans for Jefferson Street Redesign in Fisherman’s Wharf

Presented by the SF Planning Department & Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District

Wednesday, January 25: 10am & 6pm (two meetings)

Wax Museum Building, 145 Jefferson St. Suite 100 (3rd Floor), SF – Entry door just to the left of McDonalds

www.visitfishermanswharf.com

The San Francisco Planning Department invites interested members of the community to a public meeting to review the proposed design for Jefferson Street. “This plan has been in the works for four years,” said FWCBD executive director Christine Maley-Grubl. “And now with the added anticipation of the America’s Cup, we are anxious to do all we can to make Fisherman’s Wharf enjoyable and easily accessible for all visitors and our local businesses.”

Since 2007, the San Francisco Planning Department has led an effort in coordination with the Fisherman’s Wharf CBD, local community organizations, and city-wide groups to explore improvements to the area. The Jefferson Street redesign, stretching between Powell and Hyde Streets, includes a dramatically improved public realm that will be more attractive, safer, and more vibrant. Specific improvements proposed involve the widening of sidewalks, increased space for outdoor dining, new public seating, upgraded materials, more space for bicycles, and clear wayfinding to parking facilities. The improvements to Jefferson Street will result in the improved safety and overall experience of pedestrians and bicyclists. The implementation of these and other projects is designed to preserve and enhance the character and economic vitality of the Fisherman’s Wharf area and ensure that it is San Francisco’s destination of choice for residents and visitors alike.

Fisherman’s Wharf is a world famous tourist attraction and a thriving and vibrant local neighborhood and commercial area. Home to world-class dining, shopping, hotels and endless entertainment opportunities, the Wharf is truly the place to start your San Francisco experience. As the home of San Francisco’s fishing fleet, moored along Jefferson Street, Fisherman’s Wharf is the important center of the city’s historic fishing industry. Along its neighborhood’s “Fish Alley” one can still see fishermen – and fisherwomen — at work, which is always a fun and unique San Francisco experience. The Wharf area is also the launching point for Bay cruises and charters.

Family entertainment is a neighborhood specialty. With its famous sea lions, Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Musee Mechanique, The Aquarium of the Bay at PIER 39, the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien and the World War II submarine USS Pampanito, Fisherman’s Wharf is the perfect place to bring the kids. Specialty shops and restaurants line the Wharf, including PIER 39, Anchorage Square, THE CANNERY, and the world-famous Ghirardelli Square.

For more information, visit www.visitfishermanswharf.com