. >> hello, my name is laila. i am a working artist. i have been living and working in the san francisco mission district for the last ten years. i also wrote a letter of support -- in support of the shambala healing center. today i will read a letter from debra walker. dear commissioners i'm writing this letter as a personal reference in support of christy kiefer. i have known miss kiefer as a friend and fellow artist for over ten years. we have worked together to forward positive planning in the eastern part of town. we've also worked together on issues affecting the arts community. christy and i served with dozens of or the representatives on the arts task force. her contributions to the mission, to the arts community and to the women's community have enriched our community for decades. miss kiefer has run a world renown dance company, two major dance centers and has mentored many of the dancers and organizations thriving in san francisco. she's well respected for her integrity, commitment to stake and neighborhood. i know she's star

laila was all set for a trip of her life. she booked a flight for two for a vacation in london, then a connecting flight on to spain. charging to it her american express card and the company called to verify the charges. >> so i said yes. it's mean. one of them is virgin atlantic to london. another with iberia. >> she was set, until... she showed up a day after the flight. >> virgin atlantic says i don't have a ticket. and i was surprised. >> she called american express and the rep told her nothing could be gun out a manager who wasn't there. >> at this point i had to make a decision. if i didn't go i would have lost the rest of the itinerary. the everything paid for loor tickets she bought for $1600 now costing $7,000. >> i charged it. i didn't have the money. i was so sure american express would know i had called and this was their mistake. >> she called american express during the trip and after the trip and the company would not budge. >> it was hard. i had manic tacks and waking up thinking... what if i have to pay for t