>> a way of life in san francisco. when the next major quake hits, the city hopes a new law requiring seismic upgrades to

five story buildings will help keep more residents safe and sound. tell me a little about the soft story program. what is it? >> it's a program the mayor signed into law about a year and a half ago and the whole idea behind it was to help homeowners strengthen buildings so that they would not collapse. >> did you the soft story program apply to all buildings or building that were built in a certain time frame? >> it only applies to buildings built in the time frame of 1978 and earlier. it's aimed at wood framed buildings that are three or more stories and five or more units. but the openings at the garage level and the street level aren't supported in many buildings. and without the support during a major earthquake, they are

expected to pancake and flatten ~. many of the buildings in this program are under rent control so it's to everybody's advantage to do the work and make sure they protect their investment and their tenant. >> notices have gone out to more than 6,000 owners of potentially at-risk properties but fewer than one-third have responded and thousands might miss an important deadline in september to tell the city what they plan to do. let's talk worst case scenario. what happens in a collapse? >> buildings have the tendency of rolling over. the first soft story walls lean over and the building collapse. in an earthquake the building is a total loss. >> can you describe what kind of strengthening is involved in the retrofit? >> one of the basic concepts, you want to think of this building kind of like rubber band and the upper three floor are very rigid box and the garage is a very flexible element. in an earthquake the garage

will have a tendency to rollover. you have to rubber band analogy that the first floor is a very tough but flexible rubber band such that you never drive force he to the upper floors. where all your damage goes into controlled element like plywood or steel frame. >> so, here we are actually inside of a soft story building. can we talk a little about what kinds of repairs property owners might expect? >> it's a very simple process. we deliberately tried to keep it that way. so, what's involved is plywood, which when you install it and make a wall as we have done here already, then you cover it with this gypsum material. this adds some flexibility so that during the earthquake you'll get movement but not collapse. and that gets strengthened even more when we go over to the steel frame to support the

upper floor. >> so, potentially the wood and the steel -- it sounds like a fairly straightforward process takes your odds of collapse from one in 4 to one in 30? >> that's exactly right. that's why we're hoping that people will move quickly and make this happen. >> great. let's take a look. so, let's talk steel frames. tell me what we have going on here. >> well, we have a steel frame here. there are two of these and they go up to the lower floor and there is a beam that go across, basically a box that is much stiffer and stronger. ~ goes so that during the earthquake the upper floor will not collapse down on this story. it can be done in about two weeks' time. voila, you're done. easy. >> for more information on how to get your building ear

>> hi, my name is malia cohen and i'm the current elected representative of the san francisco board of supervisors representing district 10. i'm one of five girls raised by my parents in the southeastern neighborhoods of san francisco. and i know the history of the difficult challenges that the southeast has faced as my family has faced them, too. however, what i see is what many residents see. neighborhoods that are unlike any other. contradict 10 is comprised of communities where people are familiar with each other, where families have lived for generations and where people look out for one another. i vividly remember being told by my grandmother and friend of my grandparents to work hard,

get good grades, serve others and never forget where you come from. and to remember to help those coming up behind you. that's a large part of the reason i ran for district 10 supervisor four years ago, because i have a calling for public service. now, i'm proud to be a product of san francisco's public schools, a beneficiary of the public transportation system as well as the library system. this city made me and now it is my time to give back to the city and the institution that has given me so much. now, in my first four years on the board of supervisors, i've been proud to deliver for all of the neighborhoods inside the southeastern sector. i've been a community organizer, a small business owner, and a former city employee. my work experience in each of these areas has afforded me the knowledge and skills to spearhead legislation, advocate for important issues, and interface with diverse communities to move forward the policies that have a positive impact on our southeastern

neighborhood. the most pressing issues facing our city are housing affordability, jobs, living wages and, of course, public safety. these issues are disproportionately felt in our southeastern neighborhoods. and in my first term on the board of supervisors, i have focused on crafting and supporting legislation that delivers pragmatic and tangible solution to these problems. in my first term on the board of supervisors i delivered for district 10 and residents of san francisco by championing the development of affordable housing for seniors and families, establishing a mediation program to ensure foreclosed victims have legal support, breaking ground on rebuilding public housing sites, opening new libraries and renovating parks, acquiring new properties for public open space in areas that lack adequate access to clean and safe parks. i've also spearhead landmark legislation to toughen regulations on guns and lethal

ammunition to curb the violence. i've been tackling quality of life issues by toughening enforcement standards on blight and substandard housing, increasing the penalty for illegal dumping and reforming the city's regulations of scrap metal dealers. i've been busy creating and protecting local jobs and construction and the manufacturing industry and more importantly, securing funding to reduce domestic violence as well as increasing healthy food options and expanding language access services so that all of our residents can have access to city services regardless of the language that they speak. i've been instrumental in supporting programs such a free muni for youth and fighting to secure more funds for transportation, fighting poorly planned development projects and sponsoring legislation that gives residents more say in neighborhood planning by establishing a neighborhood land use committee, additional neighborhood notification requirements.

i've coauthored legislation that provide a fair chance at jobs and affordable housing for individuals with the conviction history. this removes barrier for those reentering in our communities who want to be productive. i've championed legislation to support pay equity and participated in education campaigns to encourage more employers to evaluate their own policies to ensure that they are paying employees fairly. and i spearhead the investment of $50 million for pension fund to assist first time home buyer in our city. these issues that impact district 10 don't always generate front page news but they do make a real difference in the lives of residents in our city. and being an elected official isn't thinking about your next elected office, what it will be or how often you can get your name in the paper, but it's been about delivering for constituents that you serve and representing their interest above your own. and that is the approach that i bring to the san francisco board of supervisors.

in my second term on the board of supervisors my priorities will be to continue to tackle housing, affordability, prioritizing the construction of new affordable housing units and fulfilling our commitment to rebuild public housing with a zero displacement policy, increasing public safety and bringing more living wage jobs to residents in district 10. ♪ ♪ >> hello, i'm tony kelly and i'm running for supervisor in district 10. i what born in st. louis hospital in the mission, lost my father and mother when i was a teenager and graduated from stanford on scholarship. i moved back to san francisco in 1989 to potrero hill in 1994, and since then i've been a small businessman living and working in district 10. now, district 10 has the city's biggest challenges, but also its greatest opportunities. we have vibrant diverse

neighborhoods, yet the worst unemployment, infant mortality, and violent crime rates in the city. we have miles of beautiful waterfront, yet the worst management of open spaces, transit services, and public schools. we are part of one of the richest cities in the world yet city hall consistently cuts deals with big companies at the expense of our neighborhoods. we can and must do better. it's time for a change. and if there is going to be change at the board, if city hall is going to start paying more attention to the needs of the neighborhoods, it's going to happen in district 10 this year on this campaign. i have been a neighborhood advocate for more than a decade. i've served on task forces and advisory board to the mayor, the port, and the board of supervisors. this is the job i've been trained to do and this is the job we need to do. that's why i'm running to be the district 10 supervisor. when we look at homicide statistics for the bayview

precinct, it's clear things haven't gotten any better in the past four years. we can't wait any longer to stop this epidemic of unemployment, crime, incarceration. this tragic cycle is bigger than any one person, but if any one person must address it, it's the district 10 supervisor. my plan for safety in district 10 includes the following items. $10 million in emergency support for families and youth to prevent violent crime in district 10, a renewed commitment to community policing and community service. and filling the board of supervisors vacant seat on the reentry council. now, there's no question that san francisco also has to do a better job building affordable housing. progress there starts with supervisors who are independent from luxury condo developers. that's why i am not seeking or accepting any contributions from developers, big real estate interests or ellis act evicters to my campaign. developers would rather pay money and they'd rather do anything than actually provide

affordable housing units in their developments and the city has been very happy to accept that for years and years while telling us that we can't build 30% affordable housing in our city. if we can't do that for the 60, 70, 80% of us who need affordable housing, we are in deep trouble. the city's retirement fund is $19 billion, none of which is used to build housing in san francisco. it's invested in wells fargo and bank of america so we're investing in foreclosures with that money, but we're not investing in affordable housing with that money. we need to do that. here are some of the points in my affordable housing plan. a minimum of one-third for low and mod rated income household. immediate construction of all hope sf sites for the city's worst public housing and low interest loan for small businesses and families. i have also developed in-depth

plans to address unemployment, the achievement gap in our schools, transit inequity, and public health threats in district 10's neighborhoods. as you may know, a child born today in the bayview can expect to live about 14 years less than a child born on russian hill. some candidates run for office to be something and some run to do something. i'm running to do something. i'm not a trained career politician. i'm not trying to climb that ladder. i'm not going to photo opportunities or try to decide which side of an issue is better for me. i have been a neighborhood advocate. that is my history, my values, and my commitment. that's why i'm committed to having office hours in the district every day of the year no appointment necessary. i am also commit today responding to every call or e-mail to my office within 24 hours. that's why i've been endorsed by former mayor agnes, supervisors avalos and campos, assemblyman ammiano, san francisco rising, the harvey

milk democratic club, sierra club, potrero club, s.f. latino democratic club and neighborhood leaders throughout district 10 and san francisco. to learn more about me and my campaign, please visit my website, tony kelly 2014.com. thank you for your time and i would appreciate your vote this november. ♪ ♪ >> hi, i'm marlene tran, i'm running for supervisor in district 10. if you are a resident in our neighborhoods, you may recognize me sharing information with neighbors, attending neighborhood community meetings or translating for folks. this election marks a great opportunity for the people to elect a true grassroots leader and i'm ready to earn your vote. district 10 is the fastest growing district in san

francisco with the most available land for potential housing developments and large capital investments such a the new candlestick park. we have diverse merchant corridors and thriving minority communities ranging from the asian pacific islander, african-american, and hispanic communities. in essence, we are a working class district fighting hard to gain a fair share of the resources in san francisco. and in contrast, we also have the highest rate of violent crimes, unemployment, environmental and health issues. but a drastic rate of our city's homicides are committed within our district borders. this is alarming and this has to be addressed. with 25 years of grassroots advocacy and collaboration with community advocates, i am the community leader who will stand with you to bring together community outreach, minority groups and coalitions to take back our streets. enough is enough. we will work with local law

enforcement and join in district wide public safety programs with language based efforts. therefore, i pledge to work with our law enforcement and all stakeholders to stay focused on fighting violent and petty crimes within our district, and that is just one of my five points of focus to improve quality of life issues in district 10. as an educator for over 35 years in the san francisco unified school district and city college of san francisco, i understand the value of improving and impacting lives. i will be actively engaged with all stakeholders to make significant improvements in our low performing schools and support city college programs to benefit 80,000 san franciscans' education and community investment come hand in hand. ~ i will fight for neighborhood resource he to secure grants and build partnerships to

encourage the frustrated workforce. from savings and day and evening teaching i became a small property owner in visitacion valley. however, given the he economic hardship i experienced in my teens, i fully understand the challenges low-income families face every day. therefore, i have been helping many of my former students and neighbors who are also renters about their housing rights. i am proud to be the only district 10 candidate to be endorsed by the san francisco moderates and the first choice endorsement from the small property owners of san francisco. to help our businesses thrive, i will be actively engaged with them to offer resource he, referrals and other business needs. given the fact the district 10 will be tied to the future of san francisco, housing developments is important ~. it is imperative that every thoughtful and careful planning processes be considered. as the supervisor, i will work

with developers to build responsibly with the approval of community groups and neighborhood consensus. gentrification is happening so we must start the dialogue before it's too late. continuing on my efforts to provide job opportunities, i will seek to expand location of training in construction, computer science, learning, food and service industries and the technology sectors. everyone deserves an opportunity to be employed to support themselves and their families. i support building stronger transportation that work within district 10. our residents will lie heavily on muni so i will fight to aloe exciteving expanding serve is he. i will advocate alternative transportation through the dedication of increased bicycle lanes and shared lane bicycle markings. i will work towards securing better traffic signage, protecting pedestrians and support the walk san francisco. in closing, i have attended

hundreds of meetings in our district and have the true support of a diverse constituency. i am the best candidate to unify all the neighborhoods and break the necessary grass root chains that district 10 needs to city hall as a supervisor. i'm marlene tran. i ask for your vote on november 4th. thank you. [music playing]

annenberg media ♪ by: narrador: bienvenidos al episodio 41 de destinos: an introduction to spanish. primero vamos a ver algunas escenas de este episodio. raquel, es mejor que entres sola primero y hables con él.