JULY Newsletter l Chile Lindo featured in SF Chronicle Datebook. Weekend Highlights: Isabel Allende at Book Passage, Flower Piano at SF Botanical Garden... and more.

July 19, 2019

Hello Dear Readers:

I've been asked more than once "who's your publicist?" I've never had a publicist but somehow Chile Lindo is always featured in the news, and not just in San Francisco but in Chile as well. Why? I don't know, but for one reason or another, something's always up at Chile Lindo.

So, what's happening this time on the illustrious corner of 16th & Capp? The Redstone Building, where Chile Lindo is located, is up for sale. The building, formerly known as the San Francisco Labor Temple, is a historic landmark built in 1914, and it is a "temple" for many artists and non-profits. In fact, a couple of tenants consider me persona non grata-- the capitalist--as I'm the only small business left in the building. Ha! ...meanwhile back at the ranch it's 24/7 community service: napkins, hot water, forks, ice and free coffee for the homeless; change for the meters; giving information and directions; cleaning the street; promoting artists, etc., etc. Not to mention the revolving-door of employees that got their introduction to the US work ethic at Chile Lindo and then moved on. In fact, one of the most gratifying things about my work at Chile Lindo is that I know, for a fact, that it's had a direct positive effect on the lives of many people. Could it be divine justice that Chile Lindo often gets press? It's certainly good for business and I get at least one new customer if not more.

On Saturday, July 13th, an article on the impending sale of the building was published on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle Datebook: Redstone, a refuge for artists and activists, needs $6.5 million to save building.

Thank you Grace Li for the article.

Personally, I'm not worried that the building is up for sale because as stated in the article, the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is doing everything possible to buy the building and I think MEDA will succeed. Also, very important, the Redstone Building's owner wants to sell to someone that will not displace the tenants. Me, the "capitalist tenant" is also one of the few in the building that has a good relationship with the landlord. In fact, he's been very fair with me over the years as more than once payroll came before rent. He's also an absentee landlord and no self-respecting New Yorker would complain about that. Once sold, there will be many changes as the building will have to undergo the countless upgrades and retrofits imposed by the city once you move a single screw on the premises.

I've been a tenant at the Redstone since 1995, and I love the building just as it is (maybe not entirely, upgrading the bathrooms would be a good thing). Unfortunately, it must undergo many repairs, yet still, I'm convinced it's one of the sturdiest buildings in the city. How can it not be? It was built to last by the San Francisco Labor Council to serve as the headquarters for the city's labor unions. From what I understand, back in the day Chile Lindo was the building's local barber shop. That may explain why the drain works so well. What's my greatest concern?--that the structural changes will weaken the building rather than make it safer. Of course, once again--a lone voice wary of the experts.

There is one thing that unites all of us tenants. We all share a commitment to core values that we demonstrate through our day-to-day work. Those values are rooted in the conviction that in life you put people before profits. The non-profit organizations in the Redstone Building are dedicated to helping marginalized communities. These non-profits are not the type to get hefty grants or endowments from conventional sources. In that sense the Redstone Building, occupied by artists and social justice groups, is a refuge and it's the last of its kind in San Francisco. It is a safe heaven for us all; people that understand the difference between urban and suburban, and that do not squirm at the people affected by the hardships inherent in major cities but rather contribute towards helping them in whatever way possible. We share the philosophy that we must try to take the edge off the blows and burdens of our highly materialist and individualistic urbanized insanity. After twenty-five years of running a business on this corner, and witnessing many changes over the years, never before have I seen such desperation on our streets. And that goes for the entire city not just 16th & Capp.

Following are a couple of links to the building's history and a gofundme campaign, organized by the RTA (Redstone Tenants' Association), to raise funds to give support to MEDA as it negotiates to buy the building. Thank you RTA, MEDA, and Mr. David Lucchesi for working towards keeping the Redstone Building accessible to the present tenants.

Saludos,

Paula Tejeda

Chile Lindo

In 1997 the Clarion Alley Mural Project obtained support from The Lab to get grants from Mayor Willie Brown's office to create murals depicting the building's history through out the building's lobby.

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The history of the building is quite fascinating, so if you're interested in reading about it you can visit http://www.rlta.org/history.htm

"Bring world-changing projects to life by rebuilding San Francisco's most important space for art and activism!"

Save the Redstone Labor Temple! Mini-documentary

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Happening this weekend...

Book Passage presents

Isabel Allende -

Largo pétalo de mar

Saturday, July 20, 2019 - 6:00pm

51 Tamal Vista Blvd

Corte Madera, CA 94925

Book and Event in Spanish

Photo: Book Passage website

I am so looking forward to reading this novel! It is based on the history of the SS Winnipeg, the French steamer that Pablo Neruda, during the Spanish Civil War, used to organize what the Laureate poet coined "the noblest mission I have ever undertaken." Neruda, who had worked as Chilean consul in Spain before his assignment to Paris, exercised diplomatic "poetic license" to ensure passage to Chile for 2,200 Spanish Republicans fleeing Franco's brutal dictatorship. The ship docked at the port of Valparaíso on September 3rd, 1939.

I have a customer that told me his father immigrated to Chile on the Winnipeg; and my grandmother often told me the story about the time she and my grandfather, a friend of Neruda's, went to Valparaíso to welcome the Winnipeg. Among the guests of honor was Nicolás Guillén, the Cuban National Poet also lending aid to the mission. My grandmother remembered the celebratory dinner prepared by Guillén and tasting for the first time Cuban style black beans prepared by the renowned poet.

A Long Petal of the Sea will be published in English in January, 2020.

It's here...

Sunset Piano &

San Francisco

Botanical Garden

Present

Fifth Year Anniversary

Photo & Art Work: Mauro Ffortissimo

Flower Piano

Thursday, July 11 - Monday July 22

San Francisco Botanical Garden

Golden Gate Park

If you go to Flower Piano, be sure not to miss the native Chilean Puya alpestris in full bloom at the SF Botanical Garden.

Photo: Sonia Frank

"Five years ago, Sunset Piano and San Francisco Botanical Garden (SFBG) joined forces to offer the public a uniquely interactive experience of music in nature, placing twelve pianos in some of the Garden’s most beautiful locations and inviting anyone to come and play what they like." Read more...

https://www.sfbg.org/flowerpiano

COMING SOON...

Welcome Back Agep-V Women

The delegation arrives on August 27th and leaves September 8th

Sausalito-Viña del Mar Sister Cities is happy to announce the upcoming visit of the delegation of women representing Agep-V (Trade Association of Impresario and Professional Women of the 5th Region--Viña del Mar).

The fabulous Sister Cities operation's council has done it again by putting together a spectacular program of activities for women visiting from Chile.

One of the highlights this year is that one of the delegates, María Britania (Mitty) Salinas Mayne, will participate in the highly competitive Sausalito Art Festival, and she will get the opportunity to exhibit and sell her artwork at this highly acclaimed and competitive annual event. Congratulations Mitty!

María Britania's paintings are original oils on canvas. To her right a painting of a Patagonian Selk´nam. His body paint represents Shéit, the owl spirit, as he prepares to join the ceremonial ritual known as Hain.

Aug 31 at 10 AM – Sep 2 at 5 PM

Marinship Park

2200 Marinship Way

Sausalito, California 94965

Tickets:

Sausalito Art Festival

Stay tuned for more information on the Sister Cities' program and their activities during the delegation's stay in Sausalito, CA. There will be a trunk show where you can purchase some of the members' crafts and art work, brought from Chile.

Meet the delegation visiting this year (left-to-right): M. Britania Salinas, Paula López, Karina Andrade, Gladys Córdoba, Carmen Yáñez, Elena Ríos, M. Antonieta Allamand (Agep-V President), and Silvia Villablanca.

Agep-V.cl

Great Wines of the Andes

SAN FRANCISCO, USA - 2019

Internationally acclaimed wine critic and former senior editor and European bureau chief of Wine Spectator , James Suckling, will once again showcase some of Argentina's and Chile's finest wines at his annual Great Wines event.

San Francisco Grand Tasting

September 29, 2019

Presidio Golden Gate Club

3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

TICKETS

With wine critic extraordinaire, James Suckling, promoting "Cine Chileno in San Francisco" at last year's Great Wines of the Andes event.

With Charles de Bournet of Casa Lapostolle.

COMING SOON...IN CHILE.

United Nations Climate Change Conference

COP25

Santiago Climate Change Conference - December 2019

02 Dec, 2019 - 13 Dec, 2019

#TiempoDeActuar es AHORA

#TimeForAction is NOW

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Following are a few photos from last year's fabulous Flower Piano. This event is the creation of Mauro ffortissimo and Dean Mermell. I can't say enough as to how wonderful it is to experience the San Francisco Botanical Garden with piano players hidden away throughout the park. There are numerous programmed events including Flower Piano at Night taking place tonight and tomorrow night. For tickets and information click here .