As we all face truly overwhelming challenges, may you keep your spirits strong, live in the moment, and retain a positive outlook on the future. There is so much to be frustrated about, so keeping one's nerves in check is a monumental undertaking. Without a doubt, we are facing the unknown on so many levels and it is remarkable how we've had to reinvent ourselves overnight, from school attendance to restaurant service. I look around and tell myself "it looks like this reality is here for the long run" as restaurants build outdoor facilities throughout the City and teachers take on the colossal task of online schooling. It's extraordinary how resilient we are, and how we are "carrying on" through virtual meetings which have become the "new normal" for so many annual events. I attended the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center's virtual fundraiser, "2020 Small Business Big Impact," and watched in awe at how smoothly things flowed, and how its Executive Director, Sharon Miller, succeeded in acknowledging her team, the clients, and raising funds for the program.

Before I invite you to this week's upcoming "Off the Beaten Track at 16th & Capp," I want to thank all the fabulous musicians that have performed at this weekly event, giving us a chance to forget our troubles for a while and to instead mingle with friends and community. From all of us THANK YOU!

This Friday, September 18th, we commemorate Chilean Independence with a tip of the hat to all of the Latin American countries that celebrate their "Fiestas Patrias" this month: Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. For the occasion we are going to extend the program from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, and, we are thrilled to announce that Banda Sin Nombre is performing. Some of you may recall that Banda Sin Nombre was a hit when they opened for my production of Chilean composer and musician Catalina Claro in 2015 at the Make Out Room. Since then, this Mission district band went on to tour through Europe and open for Los Van Van at Stern Grove in 2019. We are so lucky to have them playing for this event, as its members are natives of different countries and their music is rooted in traditional folk from boleros to blue grass.

Finally, let me remind you that Slate Bar (now offering pisco sours), Maruya (now offering back patio seating at their gorgeous Zen Garden) and Chile Lindo, have joined forces to keep "Off the Beaten Track at 16th & Capp" going every Friday evening for you to enjoy live music, cocktails, sushi, empanadas, and community. Please bring cash to tip the band and bring a handkerchief to learn to dance "la cueca." And, a special thank you goes to Freddy Agurto (Tomé, Chile), for the fabulous flier.

Saludos y cariños, nos vemos pal "18",

Paula Tejeda

Chile Lindo

To make a contribution to the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center please go to https://www.rencenter.org/donate

Agep-V is Sausalito-Viña del Mar Sister Cities' cultural exchange partner in Viña del Mar, Chile. Twenty years ago las chicas Agep formed a women's group to support each other's small businesses and entrepreneurial spirits. ¡Bravo!

Chile Lindo Empanadas

The Consul General of Chile in San Francisco, Guillermo Martínez, with his wife Eliane Ache, at last year's Centro Chileno Lautaro's Independence Day picnic. Sadly, Guillermo just ended his appointment and returned to Chile. I know I speak for many when I wish him all the best, as he was truly supportive of the community at-large. ¡Suerte Sr. Cónsul, you will be missed!

Boriana Benev Ode was assigned Interim Consul to San Francisco, and she looks forward to meeting the community and focussing on cultural projects before she returns to the Embassy of Chile in Washington, D.C., once a new consul is assigned to San Francisco.