[♪] [♪] [♪]

[♪] [♪] [cheers and applause]

>> wow. wasn't that phenomenal? let's give it another round of applause for the christmas tree tappers. >> they can really dance. >> before we keep going tonight, we would like to give a big special thank you to tonight's sponsor. redwood credit. they have a beautiful new branch a few blocks away from here. >> and we have a number of redwood folks here tonight, as well as the bank's mascot. thank you for sponsoring tonight 's festivities, especially santa's maker village >> and our next acts are the poet athletes of america scores. >> these students usually come to civic centre in their soccer jerseys to play in their weekly soccer game, but not today. today they are wearing their

finest holiday sweaters. they made them themselves. our young poets come from america's scores program. the civic centre plaza is there home-field. >> they usually play for gold, but tonight is all about poetry and spreading christmas joy. >> please welcome america scores [cheers and applause]

>> my name is elin and i am from reading elementary. >> my name is hannah and i'm also a fourth-grader. >> my name is jordan and i am in the fifth grade. we are poets from reading elementary. [cheers and applause] >> we wrote personification poems. >> it is a type of figurative language. >> it is when writers turn non human beings into life forms. >> with these poems, we become emotion. >> two emotion say or do if they were human? >> let us show you.

>> i am guilts. i wonder if people will ever forgive themselves. i hear your regrets and your doubts. i see you hiding your tears behind a fake smile. >> i am sorrow. i wonder if i can be cured like the flu. i hear your tears dripping on the floor as loud as ocean waves crashing onto the shore. i see you trying to -- i hang on to your heart. >> i am empathy. i wonder what would happen if i did not exist. i hear with -- whispers but feel them for myself so you don't have to. >> i am guilts. i keep you up at night. i pretend to be fine but i am not. i feel your embarrassment coursing down your veins. i touch your sorrow across your heart. i worry if i will be forgotten. i cry for you.

>> i am sorrow. i feel your misery every second. i touch the broken heart in your body and it feels like a cracked phone -- bone. i worried you will abandon me just like grief. i cry because you might replace me. >> i am empathy. i see your cries as powerful as the ocean. i feel like i will absorb it. i hear laughs seeping into the air and you breathe me in. i want tears but smiles as well. >> i am guilts. i fester in your body, spreading slowly and control your being. i will not stop you from feeling me. i try to tried to stay but i can't. >> i am sorrow. i know you don't like me, but try to understand me. i say you should focus on sadness as much as happiness. i dream i am loved by you. i try to make myself part of

your life. >> i am empathy. i care even when you don't. i feel your pain through the toughest times. my hands trembled when you are disappointed and my heart bursts when you are excited. my eyes widen and people grow when you feel love. >> i hope you remember me, but secretly i want you to let me go so you are free. >> i understand that you don't like me, but i will always be with you. i am sorrow and i want you to know that you need me to feel alive. i touch your sorrow and try to transform it into happiness. i cry every time you lie. i am empathy. i understand how you feel and i know how you feel and hope you depend on me for everything. >> we are love and we live inside each other and each of you. >> emotions make you feel deeply and we make your hearts fuller.

happy holidays. we wish you to embrace this. love, the season, and spread us all around. thank you. [cheers and applause] [indiscernible]

[indiscernible] [singing] [indiscernible] >> the twin going -- twinkling lights on the tree type of lights. >> they filled our streets. >> once we get hit, let the fiesta begins. >> food and family, culture, everybody wins. [speaking spanish] >> those are the lyrics to the city jingle. >> can you hear it? can you hear our song? >> it sounds like babies laughing and joining along. [indiscernible]

>> bay bridge to golden gate. everyone saying our song. can you hear us? >> like the sound of cars honking. >> from one block to the next, we sing with everyone from everywhere. [indiscernible] whether you wear an apron, a brown hat or a hardhat. >> come on and sing with us. the city jingle will have you jingling and mingling. >> can you hear it? >> it is pretty catchy. [indiscernible] >> the city jingle makes you move.

>> can you hear it? you can. sing-along. this city jingle can never go wrong. [cheers and applause] >> let's give another big round of applause. they play soccer and write poems how cool is that? >> all right. they are hosting an event this friday. all are welcome. for more info or to rsvp, go to their website. >> and now we are pleased to introduce six fabulous performers from move school. the theatre education program. they perform a medley of timeless holiday classics by --

classics by ervin burling. >> i love that one. >> now playing through december 22nd at the gateway theatre. >> welcome to the stage... [cheers and applause] [♪] [singing]

[singing] [singing] [singing]

[singing] [singing]

[singing] [♪]

[singing] [singing] [singing]

[cheers and applause] >> let's give another big round of applause for moon school. [cheers and applause]. >> weren't they wonderful? >> they were so wonderful. i love all of those songs. >> our next act has appeared on national and international television. they have toured internationally to england, argentina, and mexico. >> ages seven, 10, 11, and 13. here they are. the most musically talented siblings, stars aligned!

[indiscernible]

[♪] [♪]

[cheers and applause] [♪] [♪]

[cheers and applause] [♪] [♪]

[cheers and applause] [cheers and applause]

>> all right, it is a very, very special time of night. are we ready? >> i think we are ready. oh, boy. >> time to light the christmas tree? >> are you ready to light the christmas tree? [cheering]. >> we have to get some special guests up here tonight. are special guests include phil ginsberg, general manager of the san francisco recreation and parks department, naomi campbell >> and walking torres. and our san francisco mayor, london breed. [cheers and applause] [♪]

[indiscernible] >> all right, everyone. it is time for a christmas countdown. here we go. loud and proud. >> we have to get our special christmas tree lighting plunger. >> it is my first time. i forgot about the plunger. >> thank you so much. >> don't drop it, don't drop it. >> there we go. >> for you, miss mayor. [cheers and applause]. >> all right. let's get a countdown started from five,. >> here we go. do you want to come up and help? >> we need some people to help the mayor. >> come on up. >> oh, boy. we are all here. we are ready. >> you have to help me now.

are you ready? >> are we starting from 10? >> we've got it. let's do it. >> countdown from 10. >> ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. [cheers and applause] [♪] >> thank you so much for all your help. thank you for so much for all your help, everyone. hi, how are you? >> i went through a lot of struggles in my life, and i am blessed to be part of this.

i am familiar with what people are going through to relate and empathy and compassion to their struggle so they can see i came out of the struggle, it gives them hope to come up and do something positive. ♪ ♪ i am a community ambassador.

we work a lot with homeless, visitors, a lot of people in the area. >> what i like doing is posting up at hotspots to let people see visibility. they ask you questions, ask you directions, they might have a question about what services are available. checking in, you guys. >> wellness check. we walk by to see any individual, you know may be sitting on the sidewalk, we make sure they are okay, alive. you never know. somebody might walk by and they are laying there for hours. you never know if they are alive. we let them know we are in the area and we are here to promote safety, and if they have somebody that is, you know,

hanging around that they don't want to call the police on, they don't have to call the police. they can call us. we can direct them to the services they might need. >> we do the three one one to keep the city neighborhoods clean. there are people dumping, waste on the ground and needles on the ground. it is unsafe for children and adults to commute through the streets. when we see them we take a picture dispatch to 311. they give us a tracking number and they come later on to pick it up. we take pride. when we come back later in the day and we see the loose trash or debris is picked up it makes you feel good about what you are doing. >> it makes you feel did about escorting kids and having them feel safe walking to the play area and back. the stuff we do as ambassadors

makes us feel proud to help keep the city clean, helping the residents. >> you can see the community ambassadors. i used to be on the streets. i didn't think i could become a community ambassador. it was too far out there for me to grab, you know. doing this job makes me feel good. because i came from where a lot of them are, homeless and on the street, i feel like i can give them hope because i was once there. i am not afraid to tell them i used to be here. i used to be like this, you know. i have compassion for people that are on the streets like the homeless and people that are caught up with their addiction because now, i feel like i can give them hope. it reminds you every day of

where i used to be and where i where i used to be and where i [applause] >> let me begin by thanking you all for joining us this morning right here in the heart of san francisco, right in front of our famed and beloved turnaround. we are here today to announce a very exciting initiative that involves the downtown and waterfront neighborhood here in san francisco. and what people can expect to see during the holiday season. i would like to begin by introducing our mayor, london breed, who is providing our city with the leadership and the

investment that are helping us keep san francisco clean all your own -- all year long. just this past spring, the mayor announced nearly $12 million in dedicated funding to street cleanliness initiatives and programs. these new investments are critical in our efforts to keep san francisco beautiful, sustainable, and a clean city. join me in welcoming our mayor, london breed. [cheers and applause]. >> thank you, mohammed. thank you to all the ambassadors , to the people who work with pcw, to urban alchemy, to downtown streets, to all of the amazing nonprofit and city organizations that work every single day tirelessly, every single day to keep this safety green and clean. thank you all so much. [applause]

today i want us to have an honest conversation about what we need to do better to make sure that people understand how much we love our city. we want people to make sure that they are cleaning up after themselves, that they are not trashing this amazing and beautiful city and the people that are here today are the folks, who every single day, they do the work. they are out there cleaning up the streets, but they are not your housekeeper. we all have to take responsibility for cleaning up san francisco. everyone. everyone who is out here, there are garbage cans, there are places to dump trash and i know that it's important to make sure that this city is green and clean for all of. it matters.

it matters that we care and it matters that we show that we care by making sure that we are cleaning up after ourselves and taking care of the city, but we also know there are real challenges. what that means is we need to make the kinds of investments that will make sure that we are doing power washing and all the other amazing things that will enhance the beauty of this already beautiful city. i want to thank mohammed and the department of public works. they have been the leaders in the effort to get creative around taking care of san francisco in ways that sometimes go unnoticed and unappreciated. i want you all to know that we see you out here every single day doing the hard work. [applause] we are truly grateful for our partners. the san francisco police department are out here every single day keeping people safe.

the folks who are part of our community business districts who raise private funds to invest in more big belly trash cans. to invest in more resources so that we can do everything we can to keep san francisco clean. we will go a step further. we decided that it is clear that during the holiday season we have so many people who are visiting san francisco, where shopping in san francisco, and we want people to have good experiences. let's be clear. the way that we pay for the services that we provide, whether it is munimobile, whether it is street cleaning and all these other things, whether it is shelters and services for our homeless community, a lot of how we generate revenue depends on our economy. it depends on the shopping and the things that people do to

help to generate the revenue necessary to keep san francisco going. so we have to do a better job of creating a better space, a festive space, and exciting space. and the new program that we are providing will do just that. eco- blitz, i don't know who came up with that name, but why not, it is an effort to invest even more resources into cleaning and greening the downtown area so that people who visit this area, so that people who shop in this area and people who work in this area have a clean, safe, green place that they can enjoy their experience in. today is about the enhancement that we need in order to make san francisco a better place. i don't know about you, but i'm tired of people talking trash about our city. it is time that we continue to

do what's necessary to create a different environment, a different way in which how we take care of our city and it starts with more investment in areas where we know we have lots of people who are walking, who are catching munimobile, who are working, who are shopping. we are going to make san francisco better now during the holiday season and in the future because of our new investment. we are excited about what this is going to do to enhance the experience in our downtown community. thank you all so much for being here. at this time, i want to introduce our city administrator , naomi kelly. [applause] >> thank you for the love our city campaign. thank you to mohammed and the public works crews and teams. it has been 20 years since we have been doing this. i can't tell you how important

it is that we love our city and keeping it clean. thank you to karen from the union square business improvement district for partnering with us. i go out once a month with my family to the community clean team. we hit different neighborhoods. i can't tell you how important it is because a, not only are we upping our -- loving our city and giving back to our city, but i'm bonding with my family. i am meeting different neighborhood associations, merchants associations, different public works crews, different downtown streets, everyone is coming out. it brings everyone together for common cause keeping our city clean, keeping it sustainable, and giving civic pride. this is why these events are very important. i also oversee the city's 311 call center. it is a 24-hour operation where we have folks taking phone calls from different residents and

many of the phone calls are about graffiti removal, illegal dumping, downed trees and encampments. they're very much a part of working with everyone here so that we know where the areas are that we need to focus and keep clean. i want to thank everyone again for being here today and taking pride in keeping our union square, our market street corridor and all of san francisco clean. thank you. [applause] >> all right. before i introduce our next speaker, there's quite a number of people to acknowledge. the echo blitz is coming together of everybody. it is like a village. it brings all types of city departments, the community, the businesses and everyone together so that is what an eco- blitz is and rec -- representing the port is byron matz. please give him a hand. tom maguire from m.t.a. is here.

the police department, chief bill scott, all of the officers making sure we are safe. recreation and parkas here. the department of environment is here. give them a hand. our fire chief is here. give her a hand. our office of economic workforce development and our partners at recology. [applause] we are also joined by several community leaders and these are partners that we are working year-round -- year in and year out. they have stepped out for the holiday season. they have been part of this campaign.

a few weeks ago we went to all these various neighborhoods and we did a punch punchlist. now we are all out of work with all the agencies and community works, making it able for the city to shine. i want to thank randall scott from the fisherman's wharf, captain marvin from the community benefit district, andrew robinson from the east coast community benefit district , and speaking on behalf of all of those community groups , i will ask karen to come up and say a few words. [applause] >> thank you, mohammed. good morning, everyone. i am the executive director of union square. as mohammed mentioned, we are here at the historic cable car turnaround, also known as the gateway to union square and to san francisco. here in union square all of our merchants and hotel owners are getting ready for the holidays. they are putting the finishing

touches on the holiday windows. the ice rink has opened, the tree is up and it will be lit the day after christmas. we are getting ready to have an even cleaner and safer and festive holiday season down here we are looking forward to this. this is our most favorite time of the year. i would like to thank madam mayor for suggesting that we bring back the eco- blitz. it is sort of like when you have family and friends over for thanksgiving. you have to clean up the house and clean up the living room, but visitors are coming and that is what we are doing. thank you so much, mayor breed forth adjusting the eco- blitz, and also for making it making it a priority. it is really so important for us down here. thank you to mohammed newer with public works and for sending us all of your team. we spent last week with them. a big round of applause. absolutely. here they are.

easily recognizable. and we walked the district. we developed a punchlist and we will get some curbs painted. we needs some help from m.t.a. on that. we will build potholes, we will plant flowers. i heard that was already done. we will shine of up these bricks right here. we are going to do a deep clean and we really appreciate it and a comp went all the work that our team here has done. thank you so much. also to add another round of applause. yes, yes, yes. good job. and this service has already enhanced with the property owners down here just recommitted to. we recommitted to the bid for 10 more years which means committing assessments to the tune of about $6 million. this is a 60% increase. you will see more of these folks in red out and about, especially in the afternoon and evening, keeping the area cleaner and safer. we will be upping our pressure washing of the sidewalks to

weekly. we are excited to have a new toy we have this new machine right behind you. it is super cool. it is a vacuum. we are getting our vacuuming done here. it works really well. it helps with the morning crew. [cheers and applause] absolutely. so as mohammed mentioned, a lot of the other communities are also getting an eco- blitz. there's big events down there, too. i know the auto show is happening. join us for that. if you haven't been down to union square in a while, please come down. there's so much to do. there is a harry potter show going on. i mentioned the tree lining, and shopping. lots of shopping. thank you. we have some really nice shops here. make sure you stop by. finally, stockton street is open central subway has cleaned up

stockton street. you can drive down and we are going to move the winter walk over to grand avenue. please doing us there. we are hoping to have a much cleaner and safer and more festive holiday season for us all. thank you. >> thank you. we are really serious. we will get down to the level of government. that is a level of cleaning that we will get down to. we have a long punchlist and we will work hard and make sure that our city continues to be clean. this is the most beautiful city in the world. we all know it and we will keep it that way. [applause] i want to thank all the agencies and the community partners and our mayor for coming up today. we are starting this eco- blitz. we started two weeks ago. we are starting today in tenth city. when you visit these neighborhoods, you will see crews getting ready. we are bustling and getting ready and cleaning for the winter. please say hello to them and

thank them for the work that they are doing. again, this program will be in full force. many of the neighborhood commercial areas, please visit them. spend some money and make sure people who come to san francisco have a great experience. are we going to make sure that happens? [cheers and applause] this is part of our love our city campaign. and the eco- blitz will be there for public works reminding people and property owners to do their part. the mayor said it, the agencies alone cannot do it. all the businesses and everyone has to do their part. right? we will be out there reminding them to do their part and love our city campaign is on. i want to thank you all for coming. we will take the mayor and show her a few of our machines. you all have a great day. [applause] -

>> tenderloin is unique neighborhood where geographically place in downtown san francisco and on every street corner have liquor store in the corner it stores pretty much every single block has a liquor store but there are impoverishes grocery stores i'm the co-coordinated of the healthy corner store collaboration close to 35 hundred residents 4 thousand are children the medium is about $23,000 a year

so a low income neighborhood many new immigrants and many people on fixed incomes residents have it travel outside of their neighborhood to assess fruits and vegetables it can be come senator for seniors and hard to travel get on a bus to get an apple or a pear or like tomatoes to fit into their meals my my name is ryan the co-coordinate for the tenderloin healthy store he coalition we work in the neighborhood trying to support small businesses and improving access to healthy produce in the tenderloin that is one of the most neighborhoods that didn't have access to a

full service grocery store and we california together out of the meeting held in 2012 through the major development center the survey with the corners stores many stores do have access and some are bad quality and an overwhelming support from community members wanting to utilities the service spas we decided to work with the small businesses as their role within the community and bringing more fresh produce produce cerebrothe neighborhood their compassionate about creating a healthy environment when we get into the work they rise up to leadership. >> the different stores and assessment and trying to get them to understand the value of having healthy foods at a reasonable price you can offer

people fruits and vegetables and healthy produce they can't afford it not going to be able to allow it so that's why i want to get involved and we just make sure that there are alternatives to people can come into a store and not just see cookies and candies and potting chips and that kind of thing hi, i'm cindy the director of the a preif you believe program it is so important about healthy retail in the low income community is how it brings that health and hope to the communities i worked in the tenderloin for 20 years the difference you walk out the door and there is a bright new list of fresh fruits and vegetables some place you know is safe and welcoming it

makes. >> huge difference to the whole environment of the community what so important about retail environments in those neighborhoods it that sense of dignity and community safe way. >> this is why it is important for the neighborhood we have families that needs healthy have a lot of families that live up here most of them fruits and vegetables so that's good as far been doing good. >> now that i had this this is really great for me, i, go and get fresh fruits and vegetables it is healthy being a diabetic you're not

supposed to get carbons but getting extra food a all carbons not eating a lot of vegetables was bringing up my whether or not pressure once i got on the program everybody o everything i lost weight and my blood pressure came down helped in so many different ways the most important piece to me when we start seeing the business owners engagement and their participation in the program but how proud to speak that is the most moving piece of this program yes economic and social benefits and so forth but the personal pride business owners talk about in the program

is interesting and regarding starting to understand how they're part of the larger fabric of the community and this is just not the corner store they have influence over their community. >> it is an owner of this in the department of interior i see the great impact usually that is like people having especially with a small family think liquor store sells alcohol traditional alcohol but when they see this their vision is changed it is a small grocery store for them so they more options not just beer and wine but healthy options good for the business and good for the community i wish to have

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