elements into the backdrop of the building. this will create to inspire a lot of visions. the main performance spaces can be quickly transformed into a formal threat to an informal one. this space up by the small windows to be con founder in a number of ways as classrooms or event spaces. the two-story lobby will contain the box office and a large space for people to meet in the daytime. it's a dynamic space set where the stairs and balconies and

large projector room are the screen backdrop. it can protect images and is a reminded of the old market screen. it severs as is making make can he. the imagine on the screen will be transformed to the character of the building through those large windows. the strand theatre represents a renewal once vitality part of the city and one of the san francisco's great cultural neighborhood. it's an honor to work with the inspiring people at k c e t as well as builders and other who have donated their time. i want to recognize the neighborhood groups that have

come through to support something significant to our city. we ladder to seeing you in the spring of 2015 for the opening. thanks >> okay. now you get the photo op moment of inarguing the theatre. >> and are we ready. let's do a count down 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

(clapping) >> yeah.

arab heritage month celebration. (singing).(applause).

can we have another round of applause for that wonderful performance? (applause) . at this time, i would like to call up two of our committee members on stage if you could all join us please, and if you could all give them a big round of applause so my name is shady and i work with themary's city ever services here in city call hall and i want to welcome great a i think this thure we programmed over ten institutions in the city of san francisco including the air film festival the arab culture and committee center but also with the tamp pais public library to have two events showcasing the rich arab america culture that exists here in the city of san francisco and i want to thank you all for coming and i want to introduce

joaquin for resident who ska great member of our community and has helped organize this event. (applause). . thank you very much and good evening everyone on behalf of mayorly who will be joining us in a few moments i want to say thanks to all of you for being here tonight it's always a pleasure for you go to welcome the community into city hall - because you remind us our purpose in government so to serve and you you certainly bring life and culture and community into our very state halls and bring life to us, so thank you again. i want to thank the nominating committee and the planning committee for their excellent work in ensuring that those very important community members who do so much to ensure that our communities remain strong and vibrant, those who are

under served typically continue to be served that our communities are strengthened and our ties are bound and strong. so, in 2012, of this year, we are very lucky enough to have two very distinguished honorees for our distinguished service a word for the city and county of san francisco and the first person we will recognize tonight is vera noon tear if you can please u.s.a. plast she is the social director at the arab culture and community center and she helps hundreds of families in trans by providing social work service and is i know how important that work is and how difficult that work is and i

can't thank you enough to ensure that all of our communities are cared for and ensure that all of our competency ask ins san francisco serve the arab and arab community know what to do when people walk through their doors so thank you so much vera. (applause). . >> thank you so much for your support san francisco we really appreciated it the arab community really appreciates it and tomorrow is a huge day for the community it's the beginning of the big holiday, so happy new year,

(arab) thank you. you. thank you vera. >> (applause). vera i do say with ask you to stay with us up here for a moment. hard work is never done alone and the best work is done in collaboration among very very strong key members in any organization. and so it's with great pride we are able to recognize someone who has been serving the community for song here in san francisco. and his name is abraham if you could please join us here on

stage. (applause). . for those of you who are very strong supporters of the arab culture and community center you know abraham's work very well you joined in 2,003 as the america cultural and community center youth program coordinate 98or for over a decade he has provided services to the arab couldn't health and education and immigration his days start in the early mornings, commuting between court appointments homes of low increase and disabled clints, hospitals and schools and his work leads into the late evenings he can be found in the late trip ac's where he tutors nearly 50 america youth to help them understand the important of education their futures in the world and academic

excellence his mint doesn't stop at mentoring he helps many student pursue scholarships to per view their dreams for higher education he understand the value and importance of community service and empowering our people to be strong and proud and conscious and capable members of the community who never forgot their heritage. so abraham, on behalf of the city and county of the san francisco x we will like to presented you with the 2012 distinguished service award. (applause). thank you all and i appreciate this very much from the government of san francisco and i thanks our

community at large and everyone who is here and for them, i thank them also and we will try our best and the commitment to work with our arabs will never be interrupted or anything the work is continuous work all the time and that is what is suppose to be doing all of us. thank you all and thank you all our community for support. >> thank you very much. i want to take a few moments to thank all of the organizers tonight. and also, to make sure that we recognize those sponsors who is been quite quite generous with their support for this arab heritage month celebration here in city hall they are p g and e. eleven narrow and bar two. many many of the media outreach worked throughout the community to make sure that people were in union

square at the celebrations and if he is activities. (applause). yes mis. >> i was fortunate enough to join the opening of the festival at the castro theater and i can't thank them enough for making us all aware of that work as well and,phd has been a kind sponsor with the coffee which we all know keeps us awake and ice -- which keeps us well well fed. yes, please give it up. and we all know the work that takes place, here to allow all of us to enjoy the city like this could not be wad without a very strong organizing work of our planning committee and so to all of you i want to say thank you again again and particularly again to shad dee alcarra. who's-who really has been a beakon of

energy inside of our office at the mayor's office and neighborhood service and is sweating through our work to make sure we are well on point to have a great celebration here at city hall and so again shad dei thank you very much for your work. to all of you here tonight from the city family i want to saw thank you for joining us here as well and to really encourage you to take part of in all of the if he istivities that we have to offer here at city hall and for those of you who have an opportunity to tine sign in at the front please do so we can reach you through the mayor's office and neighborhood services center which highlights the many services and if he is activities that occur in san francisco and in our city. and so while we take a pause, for a moment, to bring some more art into our hall, we would

like to pause for one more musical enter lewd and to begin with the rest of our program. so thank you all very much.