roll call. president clinch? >> here. >> vice president mel berg? >> here. >> commissioner lee? >> here. >> commissioner mar? >> here. >> commissioner mccarthy? >> here. >> and commissioner walker? >> here. >> and commissioner mccray is excused. we have a quorum. and the next item is item e, the oath. would all persons that may be giving testimony today please stand and raise your right hand? do you swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth to the best of your knowledge? >> yes. >> thank you. you may be seated. next item is item c, approval of minutes, discussion of possible action to adopt the minutes for the meeting held on october 24th, 2012. >> move to approve. >> second. >> all in favor of approving the minutes?

>> aye. >> any opposed? seeing none, the minutes -- i'm sorry, public comment. is there any public comment on the minutes? the minutes of october 24th are approved. item d, new appeals, orders of abatement, case no. 6771, [speaker not understood], agent for the appellant, james grossman, action requested by appellant, the appellant is requesting that the order of abatement be revoked and assessment be waived. >> good morning. [speaker not understood] for the department. in reviewing this case for this board, we discovered that executor of the estate got all the permits and cleared the

violations, inspections done, signed off, so taking that into consideration, we would recommend that you grant the appellant's request and it would be appropriate there would be no assessment of trust. that's our presentation. thank you. >> thank you. >> so, the appellant has asked that you waive the abatement and [speaker not understood] the assessment of vote. you need to vote and have public comment. >> public comment first? >> yeah. >> [speaker not understood]. >> is the appellant present? would you like to speak at all

or -- you don't have to. you don't have to. [inaudible]. >> come up to the microphone. >> the recommendation is to reverse the order and negate the fees, is that correct? i'm in total agreement with that. i appreciate it. >> okay. >> well, that's the department's recommendation. i just wonder, what do you feel? you couldn't say anything to us, too. no, i think we're just glad that the action is being considered and the recommendations are positive. appreciate it. >> we need a motion. >> yes, there needs to be a motion. is there any additional public comment on this item? then there needs to be a motion.

>> commissioner walker? >> yeah, i move to take the recommendation of staff and reverse the action and not assess these. >> second. >> okay, there is a first and a second. i'll take a roll call vote. president clinch? >> yes. >> vice president melgar? >> yes. >> commissioner lee? >> yes. >> commissioner mar? >> yes. >> commissioner mccarthy? >> yes. >> and commissioner walker? >> yes. >> motion carries unanimously. case no. 67 77 3, 13 16 to 2022 mariposa street. owner of record and appellant richard e. thomas. action requested by appellant, the appellant is requesting that the order be reversed and

that he be reimbursed for the cost of this appeal. >> is there somebody from the department to present? >> yes, rosemary. >> oh, sorry. >> good morning, members of the board. rosemary goff, housing inspector. the reason it took me a bit getting up here is i understand the appellant on these items has requested a continuance. and i do not believe he is here. >> looks like it. >> yes, he requested a continuance on all three cases. and the secretary of the abatement granted his request for continuance. so, all of you would just have to vote on that. >> okay. is it a motion or just a vote? >> i guess just a vote on this.

>> i think the president can grant the continuance if the department concurs and there are no objections by any of the parties. >> okay. is there any need for public comment? grant the continuance. >> just to clarify, that's for all three matters. >> all three matters, yes. >> do you want to list them just so the record is clear? >> well, before we do that, i'd like a clarification on the other two matters. i understand one of them is a request for jurisdiction. what's the last one? is that the same request for jurisdiction as well? >> the two remaining cases, one is eight cases that were clearly filed way after the 15-day period after orders were issued. >> okay. >> and then the other case is a situation where the property owner is appealing to you to waive the assessment of costs,

which is not attached -- >> but no order was -- >> no order -- >> that's what i was confused -- >> there has been time spent on the case. >> okay. >> and you do have some substantive information in the staff report on that with respect to a building permit that -- >> okay, got it. thanks for the clarification. that's what i was wondering. okay. >> so, for the record, the cases are going to be continued for case no. 677 3, 13 16 to 13 22 mariposa street. case no. 677 2 35 58 san bruno avenue. 355 2 san bruno avenue number 1 and 2 and 135 80 [speaker not understood] and case no. 677 4 to 64 7 brewin owe aka 12 65

gerard street. >> this will be next month? >> yes, at the march -- on march 20. item f, general public comment, is there any general public comment for the abatement appeals board for items not listed on the agenda? seeing none, item g, adjournment. is there a motion to adjourn? >> move to adjourn. >> second. >> okay. >> all in favor? >> aye. >> any opposed? >> no. >> okay, we're adjourned as the abate baitment appeals board and it's 9:13 a.m. thank you. [adjourned]

(music)

>> herb theatre,open rehearsal. listen to the rehearsal. i think it is fun for them, they see our work process, our discussions, the decisions we make. it is good for us. we kind of behavior little bit when we have people in the audience. msk (music) >> we are rehearsing for our most expensive tour; plus two concerts here. we are proud that the growth of the orchestra, and how it is expanded and it is being accepted. my ambition when i came on as music director here --

it was evident we needed absolutely excellent work. also evident to me that i thought everyone should know that. this was my purpose. and after we opened, which was a spectacular opening concert about five weeks after that the economy completely crashed. my plan -- and i'm absolutely dogmatic about my plans --were delayed slightly. i would say that in this very difficult timefor the arts and everyone, especially the arts, it's phenomenal how new century has grown where many unfortunate organizations have stopped. during this period we

got ourselves on national radio presence; we started touring, releasing cds, a dvd. we continue to tour. reputation grows and grows and grows and it has never stopped going forward. msk(music) >> the bay area knows the orchestra. you maybe take things for granted a little bit. that is simply not the case will go on the road. the audiences go crazy. they don't see vitality like this on stage. we are capable of conveying joy when we play. msk(music) >> any performance that we do, that a program, that will be something on the program that you haven't heard before. string orchestra repertoire is pretty small.

i used to be boxed into small repertoire. i kept constantly looking for new repertoire and commissioning new arrangements. if you look at the first of the program you have very early, young vibrant mendelson; fabulous opener and then you have this fabulous concerto written for us in the orchestra. is our gift. msk(music) >> and then you have strauss, extraordinary piece. the most challenging of all. string orchestra work. 23 solo instrument, no violin section, now viola section;

everybody is responsible for their part in this piece. the challenge is something that i felt not only that we could do , absolutely could do, but i wanted to show off. i can't tell you how aware i am of the audience. not only what i hear but their vibes, so strong. i have been doing this for a long time. i kind of make them feel what i want them to feel. there is nobody in that audience or anywhere that is not going to know that particular song by the fourth note.

and that is our encore on tour. by the way. i am proud to play it, we are from san francisco. we are going to play that piece no matter where we are. >> i want to learn more about it. >> social networking and e-mail. >> i want to know how to use it. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> divisional divide is a divide between those with access to use digital tools and those who don't. >> with young people, having computers and i just don't

know. they're doing it fast. so, i want to know. >> not knowing how to navigate the internet or at a loss of what to do. >> we don't have a computer. >> we're a nonprofit that unites organizations and volunteers to transform lies through literacy. our big problem right now is the broadband opportunity program. a federally funded project through the department of aging. so, we're working in 26 locations. our volunteers are trained to be tutors and trainers, offering everything from basic classes all the way to genealogy and job search. >> to me computers, knowing how to use it. >> i think it's really important to everybody and possibly especially seniors to get enough of these skills to stay in touch. >> it's been fun. with seniors, to get them out

of their homes. >> so they can connect with their family members. or their family members. >> [speaking in spanish]. >> so, what we focus on is transferring skills from volunteer to learner to help them get onto facebook, find housing in crisis, be able to connect with friends and family. >> i decided to teach what i learn and it made me want to give back. i discovered that seniors do a

lot of review. >> i am a beginner, so, little by little i learn. i learn a lot now. >> if you get the basics, you can learn it. it's simple. it's easy. once you know it. and that's what i want to learn, how to make my life easier and more knowledgeable with the computer. >> so, what we need right now are more people who speak languages other than english or in addition to english who can give their time during the day and who care deeply ideally about helping to close the divide. >> it's a humbling experience. it's something simple to ask in our daily life, but to someone that doesn't know and to help somebody gain that experience in any way is awesome. >> [speaking in spanish].

>> no matter how tired or cranky or whatever i might feel, when i walk into this place i always walk out feeling great. >> if you feel comfortable using computers and you have patience, we want you on our team. >> would you show me how to type? >> [speaking in spanish]. >> will you help me learn more?

>> you're watching quick bites, the show that is san francisco. and today you're in for a real treat. oh, my! food inspired by the mediterranean and middle east with a twist so unique you can only find it in one place in san francisco. we're at the 55th annual armenian festival and bizarre. this is extra special not only because i happen to be armenian, but there is so much delicious food here. and i can't wait to share it with all of you. let's go.

armenia, culture and cusine has had much cultural exchanges with its neighbors. today armenian food infuses he flavor from the mediterranean, middle east, and eastern europe. >> this is our 55th year and in san francisco we're the largest armenian food festival and widely recognized as one of the best food festivals in the area. we have vendors that come up from fresno, from los angeles showing off their craft. we really feel like we have something for everyone in the neighborhood and that's really what it is, is drawing people to see a little bit of our culture and experience what we experience weekend in and weekend out. >> we are behind the scenes now watching the chef at work preparing some delicious armenian kabob. this is a staple in armenian cooking, is that right? >> absolutely, since the beginning of time. our soldiers used to skewer it on the swords.

we have a combination of beef and lam and parsley. and every september over 2000 pounds of meat being cooked in three days. >> after all that savory protein, i was ready to check out the fresh veggie options. >> this is armenian cheat sheet. it's tomatos and mint and olive oil. that makes summer food. and what i'm doing is i'm putting some nutmeg. it is kind of like cream cheese. in armenia when they offer you food, you have to eat it. they would welcome you and food is very important for them. >> in every armenian community we feel like we're a "smallville"age and they come together to put on something like this. what i find really interesting about san francisco is the blends of armenia that come together. once they are here, the way people work together at any age, including our

grandmothers, our grandfathers, skewering the meat, it's fun to see. fun to see everybody get together. >> we call it subarek. it's a cheese turn over if you want. we make the dough from scratch. we boil it like you do for la san i can't. >> the amount of love and karin fused in these foods is tremendous. they come in every day to prepare, cook and bake bread, all in preparation for this big festival. >> nobody says no. when you come them, they have to come tomorrow for the feast. >> what a treat it is to taste a delicious recipe, all made from scratch and passed down through generations. it really makes you appreciate the little things. >> it's one of the best festivals. it's outstanding, a marvelous occasion. >> we're outside checking some of the food to go options. i grabbed myself a ka bob sandwich, all kinds of herbs and spices. i'm going to taste this. looking fantastic.

one of the best i've had in a long time. you know it's delicious b i have just enough room for dessert, my favorite part. we're behind the scenes right now watching how all the pastries get made. and we've got a whole array of pastries here. honey and nuts and cinnamon, all kinds of great ingredients. this is amazing. here's another yummy pastry made with filo dough. oh, my god. really sweet and similar, it's lighter. this is what i like. we have a lovely row here. looks like a very delicious and exciting surprise. i'm going to bite into it. here we go. um. this is great with armenian coffee.

now we're making some incredible armenian coffee. >> we buy our coffee, they have the best coffee. they come from armenia, specially made. and would you like to try it? >> i would like to try. >> would you like sugar or no sugar? >> no sugar today. i'm so excited. really earthy. you can really taste the grain. i think that's what makes it so special. really comes out. i hope you try it. we're having a great time at the armenian festival. we ate, we saw, and we definitely conquered. i don't know about you, but i have to go down to the food. check out our blog for so much more at sf bites at tums

abler.com. until next time, may the force be with you. ♪ ♪ >> first of all, everybody is welcome and we ask two things when they get here. one, that they try something they've never tried before. be it food or be it dancing or doing something. and if they feel like it was worth their while to tell one person and bring that person, that family member, that friend down the street to come with them. >> we're going to have to do a lot of eating so get ready. >> get ready. and you diet tomorrow.