#wsf2018

#tbt Blog Post by Ceili Smaw, Caleb Hsu, and Claire Hansen

The Ground View

Before San Francisco’s major earthquake in 1906, the Marina was used as landfill along with other areas near the Bay. The Marina began residential development after the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in 1915. When talking about the neighborhood’s past and present condition, one witty resident said, “You know the people who live there really love it since they’re willing to pay that much rent to live on landfill.”

During the 80’s, the Marina saw a shift in its demographic from primarily middle class to over half of the residents being professionals in their 20s and 30s.

That is exactly what you see there today. If you were to walk down Chestnut street or Marina Avenue, you would see joggers, yacht owners, and young professionals all enjoying the open spaces and quiet views found in the Marina.

The open spaces in the Marina welcome many different kinds of community events. Whether at the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field, or Fort Mason, you can find people gathering to support local business and causes.

One event held at Fort Mason occurs weekly on Friday nights. Off The Grid has become a local favorite. It is a food truck event where people from the neighborhood can hang out in one place and eat food from every place. It’s a family friendly outing that made one dad call it his “favorite part of Friday nights.”

The Marina is known for its nightlife. Chestnut street is full of restaurants and bars that young people from all over the city come to enjoy. A neighborhood favorite is The Tipsy Pig, where you can expect a full house almost every night.

Unforgettable are the views found near the waterfront. From the Marina Green and the boat docs, you can see both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Island of Alcatraz at once.

Despite the chilly winds coming off of the Bay, tourists and residents alike are crawling along Marina Boulevard taking in the historic sights and youthful energy of the Marina. 

Who can resist such a fun and beautiful combination?

Students often wonder, “Where’s the beach in North Beach?” One group explored the history of this intriguing neighborhood. Enjoy!

by Katherine Hou, Lila Chapman, and Emmy Hamilton

North Beach covers several of the large tourist attractions including northeast towards Fisherman’s Wharf, further east from there – Telegraph Hill, and further south where you’ll find Little Italy. The northeast shoreline was at one time a beach before it was filled in with landfill in the late 19th century. 

This “slice” of San Francisco covers decades of European heritage and history. Now the area is multiethnic and it is more common to find more tourists and commuters than native inhabitants.

This Italian-American hotspot started in the 19th century. Italians were some of the first European immigrants to settle in California (The Bancroft Library). Initially North Beach was a fishing town, populated by Italians in between World War I and World War II (FoundSF). Before that, the borders of Chinatown and Little Italy were part of an infamous red-light district in the late 1840s (Culture Trip). 

Soldiers from the Mexican-American War became gangsters who began regulating Mexican-American inhabitants (Culture Trip). 

Aside from its promiscuous past, there are quite a few places that embody the communal and unique spirit of North Beach, such as the Coit Tower built in 1933 as a memorial to the volunteer firemen, the Saint Francis of Assisi Church that is a national shrine, and the Liquria Bakery that bakes only the best Focaccia bread since 1950 (Huffington Post). 

Let’s also not forget the City Lights Bookstore and Beat museum, which are physical manifestations of the Beat movement as one of its founders was part of the original Beat Generation group with Jack Kerouac. Not to mention, a great public space to find Chinese grandparents practicing tai chi, while a young families picnic under the rare, but full sun in Washington Square Park, right across from Saints Peter and Paul Church. 

By Emily Bark, Kate Chase and Carita DeTellis

The Mission is a beautiful district in San Francisco that serves as a stronghold for culture, history and art. Within the last two decades many low-income families have left their homes in these neighborhoods because of increasing costs, while wealthier families have been able to move in.

So, what should you do if you’re one of the people that recently moved to the Mission? Gentrification isn’t a simple issue, but we spoke to some of the residents to try and learn from their perspective on the topic. One of the main takeaways was the importance of preserving community. The neighborhood is closely knit and even as newcomers move in the original residents would like to see them engage with their community by taking part in activities as much as possible. Lucky for you this is one of the most fun and interesting communities to take part in!

One of the ways we enjoyed participating in the Mission’s activities was by celebrating Calle 24 Día de las Américas. This festival commemorates several Latin American countries independence through cultural, artistic and music events. We were able to watch an Aztec dance performed and shopped around at artisan stores with beaded jewelry sold for the event.

Rebecca (Becca) Kouwe, Business and Psychology Major at Wheaton College, interned at Key Events  Spring 2018

To Future Clunie House Residents:

Well, you did it - you made it to San Francisco! Maybe you came all the way across the country, or maybe you’re only a few miles from home. Either way, you have the privilege of calling this historic and beautiful house your home for the next few months. 

This is no ordinary house, it is one with character, with stories to tell. It has seen beautiful sunny days and it’s seen the darkest of storms.

As you start your adventure here, I have some insider tips for you, from one Clunie kid to another:

1. When watching a movie in the basement, always take the day bed. The brown couch may look comfortable, but trust me, after ten minutes your butt will be numb.

2. Leave your door open, whenever you can. Some of the best conversations you will have in this house will come out of someone walking into an open room. One of the best parts about living in community is the community, don’t miss out!

3. Clean the kitchen. Just do it. Don’t be the reason the nanny-cam gets turned on - no one likes that person.

4. Explore the city; make the most of your time here. Four months may seem like a long time but, trust me, it flies by so soak it up while you can.

5. Don’t be afraid go places alone. This is your semester - make sure you take time for yourself!

6. Get to know Brad and Karen and Kailie. They are not just staff members who work here. If you let them, they can become mentors, confidants, and friends.

There are so many other life lessons you will learn along the way, but I hope these suggestions prove helpful to you in your first few weeks here. 

Each person's experience in this city is unique and challenging in its own way, but you have the distinct honor of walking through this season of life together. Take advantage of the friendships, experiences, and resources around you, and I’m sure you’ll get just as much out of this semester as I did.

Enjoy!

[Photo Credit: Renee Chan]

Kodi Haney, Social Work and Sociology major at Gordon College, interned at Eviction Defense Collaborative

Enjoy Kodi Haney’s #tbt post on his first encounter with this vibrant city, breathing in its welcoming air.

I remember my first night in San Francisco. It was raining, typical for January. It was much colder than I expected. I landed at about 8:30pm and, as the minutes passed, I became increasingly hungry.  

I had been travelling since 8am and was tired, so I hopped in the Uber going to my hotel. As I gazed out the windows, a strange feeling began washing over me, something I had never felt before. Air.

For the first time in my adult life, I felt air. My lungs, unaware of their immeasurable importance, shouted with joy. Quickly my entire body began to quake, until all I could do was cry tears of joy in the backseat of that Uber.

As I  reflect upon the semester’s experiences, those feelings begin to creep up again. Tears of pure joy stream down my face as I remember back to the time some woman on the street saw all of us with our backpacks on going to Rodeo Beach and asked, “Are you on the Urban Program?”

[Photo Credit: Kodi Haney]

Or, when I remember the time we all played sardines in the Clunie house. Or, even thinking about our accident on the most crowded bus of the twenty-first century.

San Francisco has given me something I had come to accept did not exist for me; it gave me life. Its vibrancy, pizzazz, and uniqueness have overflowed my heart with incredible joy and love.

The moments and people who have filled each and every day have renewed my spirits and given me a new song to sing. Most importantly, San Francisco has taught me what it means to breathe in and breathe out fresh and wholesome air.

Summer WSF Blog: May 21, 2018

Brad Berky, WSF Associate Director and Internship Coordinator, has revamped our Summer Internship Program, and it’s off to a great beginning!

Our new cohort of students - one from Gordon College and twelve from Westmont - immediately immersed themselves in the city, their new internships, and communal life together in the Clunie House.

Enjoy a few photos from our first week together:

Brad Berky and Kailie Barnes with a group of Clunie House residents at the infamous Bay to Breakers race. (Photo Credit: Brad Berky)

Bernal Heights Park (PC: Brad Berky)

Bernal Heights Park (PC: Brad Berky)

Balmy Alley Murals (PC: Brad Berky)

Balmy Alley Murals (PC: Brad Berky)

Philz Coffee (PC: Brad Berky)