San Francisco Beautiful Grants Millionth Dollar Toward Creation of Carlos Santana Peace Garden at San Franciscos James Lick M



What'ss in a name For San Francisco Beautiful ( www.sfbeautiful.org ) -- everything. This weekend, the esteemed nonprofit had a million reasons to celebrate making San Francisco beautiful as it marked its millionth dollar granted, toward the creation of The Carlos Santana Peace Garden. The garden at James Lick Middle School was dedicated by its namesake, a graduate of the Noe Valley school whom California State Assemblyman Mark Leno described as a creator and purveyor of peace during the dedication ceremonies which drew a enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 under sunny skies.

Our mission is our name, said Dee Dee Workman, marking her 10th year as Executive Director for San Francisco Beautiful, which contributed $5,400 towards the creation of the project. Certainly, there is nothing more beautiful than peace. What a perfect serendipity that we mark our millionth dollar with creation of a living garden that will continue to provide lessons and beauty over the years.

Noe Valley'ss James Lick Middle School occupies a classic Art Deco-era building that spans an entire city block. Led by a committee of parents, teachers, community members and students, the school formed a committee to deal with the school'ss over-grown and unkempt frontage on Noe Street. Large trees blocked sunlight to the area beneath, including classrooms, and prevented plants other than weeds from growing there. With pro bono assistance from landscape architect -- and school parent -- James Stickley, of Wallace, Roberts and Todd (WRT), the group is in the midst of creating The Carlos Santana Peace Garden. In addition to the support of San Francisco Beautiful, the effort has received funding from the City'ss Community Challenge Grant program and private donations.

We are so grateful to Dee Dee and everyone at San Francisco Beautiful, said Carmelo Sgarlato, principal of James Lick Middle School. We'sre proud to be part of their family, and delighted that our garden'ss namesake was on-hand for the event.

There'ss a lot of light and hope at this school, said Carlos Santana before Saturday'ss dedication ceremony. I'sm very honored to be back here at the first place I came to in San Francisco from Tijuana.

From restoring landmarks to saving parks, the nonprofit San Francisco Beautiful acts for the benefit of all who live, work and play in San Francisco. Through civic initiatives and outreach, grants and award programs, San Francisco Beautiful helps ensure that this celebrated City by the Bay becomes even better. On Thursday, October 18, San Francisco Beautiful will hold its 60th Anniversary Celebration and Beautification Awards Dinner in San Francisco City Hall. For the past 35 years, the Beautification Awards have recognized individuals, organizations, community groups and businesses that improve the quality of life in San Francisco. San Francisco Beautiful was founded in 1947 by City resident Friedel Klussmann, the outgrowth of her successful effort to save the city'ss Cable Cars. Her one-woman campaign made possible the preservation of these internationally-beloved icons -- the only Moving National Monument in the United States. San Francisco Beautiful is the only organization in the City whose sole purpose is to protect and enhance the urban environment: working year round to improve the quality of daily life, strengthen communities, and empower citizens to maintain the character of the city'ss parks, neighborhoods and streets.

The Carlos Santana Peace Garden at James Lick Middle School is exactly the sort of project San Francisco Beautiful is set up to fund, continued Workman. This green schoolyard project will have a huge impact on the neighborhood.

For more information go to www.sfbeautiful.org .





San Francisco Beautiful Grants Millionth Dollar Toward Creation of Carlos Santana Peace Garden at San Franciscos James Lick M