MOVIE NIGHT APRIL 29 – TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Outdoor Movie Night returns to Duboce Park on Saturday, April 29 with Top Gun: Maverick, starring Tom Cruise.  The 2022 action film is a sequel to the 1986 Top Gun with Cruise reprising his starring role as the naval aviator Maverick.  Top Gun: Maverick was the highest-grossing film of 2022, grossing $1.487 billion, the highest grossing film of Cruise’s career.

It won the Academy Award for Best Sound and was nominated for five other Oscars including Best Picture, Best Achievement in film Editing, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Best Achievement in Visual Effects, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The movie will start around 8 p.m. Friends of Duboce Park will once again have a refreshment stand with popcorn, healthy snacks, and cocoa. Movie Night is cosponsored by San Francisco Rec and Parks.

The first outdoor movie in Duboce Park was shown in 2010 and featured Pursuit of Happiness starring Will Smith with Duboce Park and the Duboce Triangle in supporting roles. Movies with a San Francisco theme have been shown at all of our previous Movie Nights: The Rock in 2011, The Incredibles in 2011, Mrs. Doubtfire in 2012, Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 2013, So I Married an Axe Murderer in 2014, Milk in 2015, and Inside Out in 2016.

DOGFEST

DogFest is a celebration of dogs, families, community, and spring in San Francisco. It’s also a charitable event that raises funds for McKinley Elementary – a small public school in the neighborhood. Starting 15 years ago as a small, grassroots event, DogFest has grown into a beloved San Francisco tradition with thousands of supporters and hundreds of businesses participating.

DogFest attendees can expect nonstop fun and games. The park fills with carnival-style games staffed by McKinley students, while at the top end jumping castles keep the little ones busy. Dogs are the star of the event, of course, with a daylong show and contest. Food trucks ensure that everyone is well fed, while the book fair, merchant stalls, and the doggie adoption zone provide wonderful ways to support the community.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has been a dog show judge since 2013 and Senator Scott Weiner has been on our judges’ panel every year since 2011.

If you’re looking for ways to get involved, for more information, the schedule of events, visit the DogFest 2023 website.

VOLUNTEER IN THE PARK THIS SATURDAY

Our next volunteer day in the park is this Saturday, April 8, from 10 a.m.-noon. A special thanks to our March volunteers, who cleaned up the planted areas inside the Children’s Playground. All gloves and tools are provided and young children are always welcome! Rain will cancel the event.

Even 30 minutes of your time makes a big difference in the appearance of Duboce Park. Our volunteer day is always the second Saturday of every month. Contact Rose at 415-255-8370 or rose@friendsofdubocepark.org for more information or with any questions or comments. Our past few volunteer days were cancelled due to rain.

ART CLASSES AT REC CENTER THIS SPRING

Rec & Park is offering four art classes at the Harvey Milk Center this Spring, including Little People’s Art Studio, Watercolor & Inking Methods, and Watercolor & Narrative for Seniors.

Registration is open now for these and all Spring activities, programs, and classes. There are courses for all ages: tots; youth; tweens & teens; adults; and, adults 55 and older. A complete listing of all courses, with descriptions, times, and costs is available online at sfreconline.org or in the 72-page catalogue available at the Rec Center or Photo Center.

Little People’s Art Studio lets your child express themselves through art in this creative art class. This class promotes artistic cognitive development, linking tactile and visual fun in a casual environment. For ages 2-1/2-5 years, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10-11 a.m.

Watercolor & Inking Methods allows students to work with spot color drawings and light tables to create line drawings which will then be transferred to watercolor paper. Students will learn inking methods and work with collage methods to create their pieces.

SUMMER DAY CAMPS

Summer Day Camp registration is now open. Summer art day camps are being offered at the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts.  Four 2-week camps for ages 8-12 are being offered, starting on June 5, June 20, July 10, and July 24.

If your child loves to make art all day long, then this is the camp for them! Rec and Park is offering intensive art making where campers can explore and develop their artistic abilities in visual art, creative writing, storytelling, and movement, led by art specialists. Projects will focus on multi-step processes and challenge fine motor skills.

Young People’s Teen Musical Theater Company (YPMTC) is offering three-day camps at Harvey Milk to teenagers 13-17 years old: Writing Camp from June 20-30, Vocal & Acting Camp from July-10-21, and Dance Camp from July 24-August 4.

There are still the old-time favorites at other City parks, like Silver Tree and Pine Lake, but also some new camps. The Ropes Course Experience will challenge campers while teaching teamwork at the McLaren Park Ropes Course, Camp Mania is a new sports camp for tween & teens at Glen Park and Eco Center’s Wetland Explorers will having camper’s exploring nature through hikes and science based activities.

There’s also a multitude of sports camps being offered around our City at centers like Kezar Pavilion, Crocker Amazon, and more. Urban Sports at Moscone Rec Center and the All Girls Sports Camps are some awesome choices. For more information or the catalogue of camps, please visit sfreconline.org.

TREES FALL DURING STORMS

San Francisco recorded its 13th-wettest March on record. Some 700 trees and limbs cracked and toppled during the very wet and gusty storm conditions in March.

More than a dozen trees and many more limbs topped in San Francisco parks, including eight large trees that went down in Golden Gate Park. An approximately 85-foot eucalyptus tree fell (picture at lelft) onto the Trocadero Clubhouse in Sigmund Stern Grove on March 11 causing severe damage to the San Francisco Historical Landmark.

Two trees went down in Duboce Park, one on Scott Street and one in the alley between the Rec Center and the end house on Carmelita Street. Fortunately, no injuries in either case.

Taller trees with denser crowns tend to be more prone to collapse, according to UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Joe McBride. In urban areas, trees that been planted without enough space to grow a root system, such as at the edge of a street, also fall more easily.

PHOTO SHOW “OUR MOTHERS OUTSELVES”

Join the Harvey Milk Photo Center (50 Scott Street) for the opening reception of Our Mothers Ourselves – Legacies that Shape Us on Saturday, April 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. Curated by Ellen Konar and Adrienne Defendi, the exhibit features 10 artists who explore maternal legacies, sharing perspectives through photo-based images, constructed objects, and audio narratives.

Present or absent, revered or denied, mothers and motherhood are central to families and communities, and a fascination in art throughout the ages.  In light of the current battle about who makes decisions about motherhood, a refocus on our own mothers and our maternal legacies is especially timely.

Each photographic series narrates a unique set of relationships and explores how certain individuals continue to shape the lives of those remaining. For more information, including the full list of artists involved in this exhibit, click here.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP FOR BEGINNERS

Take your photographs to the next level with Adobe Photoshop’s powerful digital editing tools. Beginning Adobe Photoshop will teach you how to navigate a wide variety of features including layers, color manipulation, text, brushes and filters while working on individual class projects. Learn the basics while having fun. Please bring a laptop with current version of Photoshop and thumb drive. Basic computer skills required. The class meets on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. starting April 27.

There are lots of other great photography classes being offered at the Harvey Milk Photo Center including: Darkroom Essentials & Processes, Introduction to Ink Jet Printing, Matter & Framing Presenting Your Photos, Scanning & Digitizing Your Negatives & Slides, Cyanotype for the Artist, Getting to Know Your DSLR, Basic BW Film Development, and Cyanotype All. A complete list and description of courses is available here.

PARKS IN THE NEWS

Outside Lands announced the lineup for its 2023 festival and its 15th year. Outside Lands is a 3-Day Festival celebrating music, food, wine, beer, art, and everything we love about the Bay Area. It will take place from August 11 to 13 and will feature headliners such as Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza, Lana Del Rey and more! For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

It’s Bug Day at the Randall Museum this Saturday. The bugs are back LIVE at the Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) on Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the incredible extravaganza of insects at the Randall’s free Bug Day event celebrating everything insect with hands-on science and art activities, games, live music, movies and more! If your kids have never been to the Randall Museum, this is a great opportunity to take them.

Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg has been elected to chairperson of the California State Park and Recreation Commission. Ginsburg was unanimously elected to the position by his fellow California State Parks and Recreation Commissioners at their March 3 meeting.

Ginsburg was appointed to the California State Parks and Recreation Commission by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019 and reappointed in 2022.  As General Manager, San Francisco has been consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top five park systems.

COYOTE TIPS

Coyotes continue to be spotted in our parks and on our streets. They are naturally wary of people but can habituate to our presence and the reliable food sources that we provide. If a coyote approaches you – shout, wave your arms, stomp your feet. The goal is to startle the coyote and encourage them to move away.

It is unlawful to harass or injure coyotes. San Francisco Animal Care and Control has these tips if you encounter a coyote:

•  Walk away. Keep moving away from the coyote. Don’t run.
•  Pick up small dogs and carry them if you see a coyote.
•  Do not let your dog interact with a coyote. Do not allow dogs to chase coyotes.
•  Keep your dog on leash – even in designated off leash areas – if coyotes are present.
•  Carry a cane/stick, an air horn or a whistle with you on walks.
•  Never let a coyote come between you and your child or pet.

JOIN FRIENDS OF DUBOCE PARK

Annual Membership dues for a Supporting Member are $25 per person and entitle you to voting privileges and participation in the governance of the organization. Your dues help cover the few costs we have, such as our website, newsletter, movie nights, and insurance.

Your tax-deductible membership is gratefully accepted and should be sent to Friends of Duboce Park, 71 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94117. Friends of Duboce Park are a 501(c)(3) organization. General Membership is still available at no cost but does not carry any voting privileges. Another way to show your support is by getting involved.

Our Mission Statement includes the following: “to organize and represent the collective interests regarding Duboce Park; to beautify and promote safety within Duboce Park; and, to initiate and/or support beneficial neighborhood projects on behalf of Duboce Park.”

APRIL-MAY 2023 CALENDAR

Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-noon. Friends of Duboce Park Volunteer Day. Contact rose@friendsofdubocepark.org.

Tuesday, April 11, 6:30-8 p.m. Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association General Meeting. Harvey Milk Center. Visit dtna.org.

Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. DogFest. Duboce Park. Visit mckinleyschool.org/dogfest/.

Wednesday, April 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Park Station Community Meeting via Zoom. RSVP to community@sfsafesafe.org.

Saturday, April 29, 8 p.m. Outdoor Movie Night, Upper Lawn, Duboce Park. Showing Top Gun: Maverick.

Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m.-noon. Friends of Duboce Park Volunteer Day. Contact rose@friendsofdubocepark.org.

Wednesday, May 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Park Station Community Meeting via Zoom. RSVP to community@sfsafesafe.org.