by Mayor Willie L. Brown

Last month I announced plans for a comprehensive outreach and education program to alleviate pedestrian fatalities in the City and County of San Francisco. There were forty-one pedestrian fatalities last year, double the amount compared to the same time the year before.

The pedestrian safety program will be coordinated across several city departments, including the Department of Parking and Traffic, Department of Public Works and the San Francisco Police Department, all of which will work with the San Francisco Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and several area community non-profits.

The two-pronged program will include the crackdown on aggressive drivers and, since half of the fatalities were due to pedestrian carelessness, the second program will entail a public outreach and education program on street safety.

Crackdown on aggressive drivers will include:

Stepped-up surveillance of red light and stop sign runners and the placement of visible signs outlining fines for stop sing offenders. There will be a total of 40 violation signs that will be attached to stop signs in the Sunset and OMI districts.

Outstanding fines for driver transgressions: Stops Sign- $104 / Red Light- $271

Other facets of the pedestrian safety program include:

Expansion of the San Francisco Traffic Offender Program (STOP): This three-year old pilot program provides for a 30-day confiscation of any vehicle that is drive by a person with a suspended license, no license or outstanding warrants. A self-funded program, the police department currently confiscates 600-800 cars a month.

Stop-sign Patrol: Police officers will increase patrols of neighborhood stop-sign runners by parking near stop-sign intersections on a regular basis in order to increase awareness.

Head Start" Signal Timing: Increased "Head Start" signal timing, in which lights at a 4-way intersection all remain red for a few seconds while giving a pedestrians the "walk" signal. A pilot program at 3rd and Folsom streets was very successful and the Department of Parking and Traffic will implement two more programs at 3rd and Mission and 3rd and Howard streets.

Senior Citizen Safety: The Department of Parking and Traffic will survey intersections near senior citizen housing to determine if "Head Start" programs are necessary

Red Light Cameras: New red light cameras will be installed within the nest 6 months.

The public education portion of the pedestrian safety program will also involve multi-departmental coordination to implement several
new measures to increase street safety awarness. Some examples of upcoming programs include:

Student Safety and Awareness: The San Francisco Police Department will visit every elementary school in the city to speak with kids and parents about pedestrian safety.

DPW Inspections: The Department of Public Works will inspect intersections in the evenings to see if increased lighting is necessary at dark intersections. Inspections will be done in coordination with the Police Department and the California Highway Patrol.

Park Police Monitors: The Park police will work to ensure the monitoring of city streets, state highways (such as Van Ness and 19th Avenues) and park and Presidio roads.

The mayor's office, the Police Department and every department concerned with the safety and welfare of the city's residents has a simple message: we have zero tolerance for dangerous drivers. At the same time, we ask that pedestrians also take care of themselves when walking in city traffic.

People are in too much of a hurry and drivers aren't signaling turns or checking crosswalks. This is clearly a dangerous combination and we are out to end it. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of several departments, the input of the Pedestrian Safety Task Force Committee and tireless efforts of area non-profits, we will keep our drivers and our walkers, safe.

Recycling in San Francisco

by Debby Dunn, Public Outreach Coordinator, S.F. Recycling Program

San Franciscans often have questions about recycling. To help provide more information and improve recycling, this column will answer recycling questions and give waste prevention tips each month.

Q: What types of paper can residents recycle?

A: Residents can recycle most types of paper. Some businesses can recycle the same materials, while other programs only take some of the items below. The types of paper residents can recycle are: mail, computer and office paper (staples OK), colored paper, envelopes (windows OK), dry food boxes (e.g., cereal boxes, soda/beer packs, egg cartons), catalogs and magazines, paper bags and packaging, phone books, newspapers, cardboard (flattened and broken down to no larger than 3' x 2').

The only types of papers that are currently not recyclable are: coated paper (e.g., food packaging, drink boxes or cups that are plastic, wax or foil coated), and tissue paper (e.g., napkins, paper towels, toilet paper). Residents with curbside recycling can put all their paper in a paper bag and set it next to their blue bin on their recycling day. Apartment residents can take all their paper and place it in their building's large gray recycling container marked "Paper Only".

Q: How can I reduce the amount of unwanted advertising (aka: "junk mail") that I receive?

A: There are several ways to reduce the amount of unwanted advertising addressed to your home and office:

1) Write to Mail Preference Service: Send your name (with all variations of spelling) and address to the address below, and state that you do not want to receive unsolicited mailings. This will take your name off many mailing lists for five years. Direct Marketing Association, Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735-9008.

2) Credit Card Solicitations (Even my cat has received one of these!): A 1999 Federal law enables consumers to remove their names from the lists that credit reporting agencies provide to credit card issuers. Call the following toll free number to request that your name be removed from these mailing lists: 1-888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688).

3) Mail Order Catalogs: Call the customer service number on the catalog or use the postage paid envelopes or cards and ask to be removed from their mailing list. When ordering from catalog companies, request that your name not be given or sold to other companies.

4) Warranty Cards: You should consider not filling out warranty cards. They are used solely to gather names for mailing lists since you're covered by the manufacturer's warranty whether the card is returned or not.

5) Prevent junk mail before it starts. When placing catalog or Internet orders, making charitable contributions, or subscribing to a magazine, request that your name be placed on an "in-house" listing only. This helps insure that you will be contacted only by that company or organization, and that your name will not be sold or traded to anyone else. After reducing your junk mail, remember that whatever you still receive can be recycled in San Francisco's recycling program (see question above for more information).

Waste Prevention Tip
Bring your own bags (canvas, paper or plastic) to the grocery store. Not only will this save paper and/or plastic, but it can save you money too. Many markets will give you a $0.05 credit on each bag you bring in. A family of four can easily save $26.00 a year with this one simple waste prevention tip. More serious recyclers can even reuse produce bags at the grocery store. After a few good uses, the bag's final life can be used to clean up after your pet.

For more waste prevention tips, call the San Francisco Recycling Program at (415) 554-3400 and request the Environmental Shopping Guide. If you have questions or article ideas that you would like to see in coming issues, please call (415) 554-3400 or e-mail sfrecycle@ci.sf.ca.us I look forward to hearing from you.

Healthtalk:
Getting the Lowdown on High Blood Pressure

As you are reading this newspaper, your blood pressure could be high--and you wouldn't even know it.

"There are usually no symptoms at all, and yet hypertension-or high blood pressure--is one of the leading causes of both heart attacks and strokes," said Kathryn Caubert, PhD, a senior scientist with the American Heart Association.

When your blood pressure is high, it means your heart is working too hard to push blood through the veins and arteries in your body. "The longer that you have untreated hypertension, the more damage it does to your blood vessels," said Caubert.

The only way to know your blood pressure is by taking a blood pressure reading, which your doctor should perform at each visit. For most people, your blood pressure is considered high if it is greater than 140/90.

While the exact causes of hypertension are not known, many risk factors contribute to blood pressure. Some you can't control, like having a family history of hypertension or getting older.

Other risk factors you can control--like your weight and your diet. Here are some steps you can take to control your blood pressure, based on recommendations from the American Heart Association:

*Ask your doctor what your current blood pressure is. If your blood pressure is high, ask your doctor what your goal should be and how often your blood pressure should be checked.

*If you are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight may improve your blood pressure. Eating a low-fat diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables is a healthy way to help you lose weight.

*Cut salt from your recipes--and from your table. For flavor, try spices like thyme, oregano and dry mustard, or herbs, garlic, onions, lemon and vinegar.

*Talk to your doctor about starting an exercise program that is right for you. Regular exercise--even walking 30-60 minutes several times a week--can help you lose weight and feel better.

*If you are on blood pressure medicines, take your medicine every day, exactly as prescribed. Remember, although you may feel good, your blood pressure could be high.

*Tell your doctor all the medications you are currently taking. Some medications, like steroids, nasal decongestants, diet pills, antidepressants, and many over-the counter non-prescription medicines, may raise your blood pressure.

Contact these organizations to learn more about high blood pressure and heart disease:

*American Heart Association, 800-242-8721, www.americanheart.org

*National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 800-575-9355, 301-592-8573, www.nhlbi.nih.gov

*American Dietetic Association, 800-366-1655, www.eatright.org

Stephanie E. Mazzeo-Caputo, MSW, MS, RD is vice president of Health Education for Doctors and Designers in Westfield, New Jersey, a relationship marketing company that specializes in patient-centered health education programs.

Gardening Made Easy
Tool Ideas from Tilling to Feeding

Summertime is usually the busiest time of the year. Your schedule is filled with little league games, summer camps and family vacations which can prevent you from spending time in your garden. There are certain tools and techniques that can help you maintain a beautiful garden easier, more convenient and in less time.

On the Move
Most people garden in multiple locations throughout their property. There are several items that can make moving across the yard easier and more convenient. A small garden storage bin on wheels works great for holding your small tools while going from one location to another. The bin also works as a seat while you work.

The traditional wheel barrel has been good for projects such as moving dirt or mixing soil with fertilizer. A yard cart serves the same purpose, but has a few more features, including holes to hold garden tools. In addition, these plastic containers are on two or four wheels which prevents tipping.

Watering
Plants need about one inch of water a week. During the hot summer months watering becomes a constant chore fore gardeners.
Just as the popularity for automatic lawn sprinklers continues to increase, smaller watering systems are growing in use by gardeners. The mini-watering system is a convenient, effective way to provide your garden with a routine watering pattern without lugging a garden hose throughout the yard.

Another watering option is to use a water sprinkler with a timer. You can set the sprinkler to water your garden area on a regular basis, perfect for your busy schedule or summer vacation.

There are several kinds of nozzles that work well for watering. It is best to select a nozzle head that has multiple spray options to adapt to your watering needs. An extended wand sprayer works great for tough to reach areas and hanging planters. A wand sprayer adds approximately three feet to your reach.

Don't you get tired of the garden hose getting stuck on the corner of your house or the landscaping rock? Now, there are plastic guides that you can stake into the ground and keep the hose from getting caught as you turn corners.

Feeding
Throughout the summer, you need to feed your plants to make everything in your garden grow better. Plants get some of their necessary nutrients from the soil and water. But commercial plant food supplies plants with nutrient supplements that are not always naturally available. Water-soluble plant food, such as Peters Professional Plant Food, is the most common form of plant food and can be provided to plants in various ways. Mixing plant food in a watering can is the traditional method gardeners feed their plants. However, using a feeder attached to the garden hose is an easier more effective feeding approach. With a Peters Professional EZ Feed 7-in-1 Feeder, gardeners have the capacity to select from seven different feeding options. The new EZ Feed 7-in-1 Feeder combines fertilizing and watering of your yard and garden into one easy step. Simply run a hose from the faucet to the feeder with Peters Professional Plant Food and connect another hose with a sprinkler on the other end of the feeder. Position the sprinkler, turn on the water and you're finished.

Tilling and Planting
Tilling and digging can be difficult, especially with the wrong tools. Instead of using a traditional spade to plant or transplant bulbs, select a "bulb" shovel specifically designed for the procedure. this is a quick and easy way to plant bulbs and eliminates the guess work of how deep to dig.

There are several ways to till a garden. The tool to best meet your tilling needs is dependent upon your garden setup. If you need to till a large area, a shovel, spade or oversized garden hoe may work the best. Whereas, a smaller hoe or a claw-like tiler works better in smaller confines. At your local garden center, check out the garden tillers with adjustable sizes and features.

Beautifying
Everyone dreams of having a pond with lily pads in their backyard. Well, dreams can come true. Ponds now can be purchased ready to add beaut to your garden. You can select from a variety of pre-formed ponds that come with a water pump, fountain nozzle, water treatment and silk lilies. Although extensive setup work still remains, the custom-made ponds make the beautification process easier.

Two Sides of the Coin
Parents Responsible for Moral Decline,
But Are Best Hope for Improving Moral Standards

HOUSTON--Americans say the example set by parents--more than politicians or the media--is the cause of a perceived decline in moral values today, but they also believe the family is the best hope for improving such standards.

These are among the major findings of the third edition of the Shell Poll, an opinion survey of Americans conducted for Shell Oil Company by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. Values, as they pertain to families, politics, corporate America, the media, health and technology, make up the prominent components of this poll.

Fifty-six percent of Americans identify moral values as a much more serious problem than race relations, the environment, the economy or national defense. Indeed, the second-closest choice is race relations, but is chosen by just 14 percent.

Reinforcing these figures, two-thirds of Americans say society's standards are getting worse (66 percent) rather than better (6 percent). More than a quarter of them say moral standards are staying about the same.

Eighty-two percent of Americans believe young people today do not have a strong sense of right and wrong as young people did 50 years ago, and a majority blame parents.

"Families not teaching children good values" is pointed to as a very major cause for the decline in moral values by a majority of Americans (64 percent). Only the rise in drug abuse (61 percent) comes close to parenting in being seen as a leading source of moral decay.

The "example parents set for their children" is seen by more Americans (47 percent) as the greatest problem in our society today than is "the portrayal of life and values by television and the movies" (33 percent) or "the standards set by public officials" (16 percent).

"The moral ills that plague the nation can be traced to the most fundamental unit on which many believe society is built--the family," said pollster Peter D. Hart. "Americans are pointing a finger of blame at the institution of family as the cause of moral decay today."

However, Americans also say the family represents the best hope for improving moral standards in America. Sixty-five percent say families must take the lead in improving moral standards, far outranking religious institutions, the media, schools and government.
Seventy-two percent of Americans say parents have the greatest potential to positively shape children's moral development--far more than peers and friends (26 percent, teachers (18 percent), religious officials (15 percent and television (8 percent).

Tolerance Findings Indicate Conflicts
when asked to assess the strength of 10 important values,, a majority say the nation has become weaker on eight: respect for authority, commitment to marriage, respect for the law, respect for other people, personal responsibility, good citizenship, the work ethic, and belief in God and religion.

A majority of Americans report that the country has become stronger on only one value: tolerance for people who are different.
Americans' views on tolerance, though, indicate conflicts: Responses show that tolerance of diverse populations--as a key value--is improving, but other responses show they also believe tolerance of unacceptable behavior is a key reason for the country's state of moral affairs.

For example, eight in 10 adults think a major cause of moral decline is "society becoming too tolerant of bad behavior" (including 49 percent naming it a "very major cause"). Furthermore, when given a list of public figures, Americans name President Bill Clinton as "the person who most symbolizes what is wrong with the nation." Yet a strong majority of those polled (55 percent) say Clinton "should not have been convicted and removed from office."

"Americans may lament society's excessive tolerance, but many have a personal philosophy that in fact embraces tolerance," said Hart. "Most adults feel reluctant to pass judgement on other people's morality, and many believe in accepting others' moral failings."

Although Americans do not name public officials as major causes of society's moral decline, the Clinton-Lewinsky affair clearly represents to those polled a powerful symbol of these value-related problems. For example:

*When given a list of public figures, Clinton (30 percent) is viewed as the person who most symbolizes what is wrong with the nation's moral values, slightly ahead of Jerry Springer (27 percent) and well ahead of Linda Tripp (12 percent), Larry Flynt (9 percent) and Mike Tyson (8 percent).

*Clinton finished last at 1 percent--and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, second to last (6 percent)--as a preferred role model for today's youth, trailing a field led by Colin Powell (24 percent), Pope John Paul II (19 percent), Michael Jordan (18 percent), Oprah Winfrey (11 percent), and Mark McGwire (9 percent).

*Thirty-four percent of those polled view Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky as the most powerful symbol of America's declining values, far more than "Woodstock and the acceptance of free love and drugs" (19 percent) and "the Watergate scandal" (13 percent). "The Olympic bribery scandal" is near the bottom of the list--with 6 percent--as an important symbol of America's declining values.

"The one silver lining for Mr. Clinton," said Hart, "is that the moral infidelity of his idol, President John F. Kennedy, barely registers today as a symbol of moral decline. President Clinton can only hope that his transgressions also will seem more forgivable through the lens of history."

The media, who have played a crucial role in informing the general public about the Clinton-Lewinsky affair, are not high in the public's estimation, either. Only 13 percent of Americans believe the media can be trusted to do what is right for their audiences all or most of the time, whereas almost half (48 percent) say the media can be trusted very little of the time.

Other key findings include:

*Strong majorities of Americans who are currently married believe that spouses can be trusted to do what is right for their mates all or most of the time--however, Americans are notably less convinced of men's integrity to marriage. Only 58 percent believe that husbands can be trusted to do what is right for their wives all or most of the time.

*"Having ethical business practices" is one of the public's top priorities for businesses (39 percent say it is one of the most important values), but it is also an area that receives one of the worst ratings ( 33 percent excellent/good, 63 percent just fair/poor).

*One-third of those polled (34 percent) think doctors recommend treatment based on their own financial interest rather than on the patient's best interest (51 percent).

*In the area of ethics in medical technology, 88 percent of those polled name cloning human beings as an unethical use of technology. Americans are split on the issue of euthanasia, with 46 percent believing the practice is ethical and 45 percent viewing the practice as unethical.

*"Credit bureaus accumulating and selling financial information about people" is viewed as a tremendous invasion of privacy among eight in 10 adults. Additional "major invasions of privacy" are "companies selling information about their customers to other companies" (77 percent), "states selling their driver's license lists to security companies" (76 percent) and "health insurance companies sharing medical records with other companies" (55 percent).

Telephone interviews were conducted March 16-20, 1999 by interviewers with a representative national sample of 1,277 randomly selected adults ages 18 and over.

A Slogan Not True to Its Meaning

by David Matthews

Everyone is well aware of the slogan ethnic cleansing which has been coined as a euphemism for an "undetermined level of genocide." But, to use this slogan diminishes the crime, promotes bigotry and encourages even more genocide.

By definition, "cleansing" necessarily refers to an object that is "dirty" or "filthy." The meaning of ethnic cleansing therefore is: a "filthy (religious, racial, political, or cultural) group being made free from dirt, defilement, or guilt." By contrast, Webster's defines "genocide" as: "systematic, planned annihilation of a racial, political, or cultural group."

Ethnic cleansing is not a legal term or even technically accurate. Moreover this slogan is offensive and debases the victims. It effectively means the victims are a group of "guilty" people and therefore deserve retribution. It can not be a process of "cleansing" unless you mean that the ethnic group is "dirty," "guilty" or a "defilement" of a society.

Ethnic cleansing is a bigoted slogan that has been coined to distinguish one extreme level of genocide from another less extreme form of genocide. However, if you are a member of an ethnic group that is being raped, murdered and deported, you do not consider that to be a cleansing process.

Every time you use the slogan "ethnic cleansing," you are unwittingly accepting, reinforcing and promoting the belief that ethnic groups are "dirty." It is this precisely this deeply rooted belief that is at the heart of hate groups in America and around the world today.

Nazis were able to carry out widespread genocide because of their ability to propagandize simple racist slogans. These slogans went to the heart of bigoted beliefs and hatred and empowered the Nazis to conduct ethnic cleansing. It is not clear who originally coined the slogan ethnic cleansing, but to continue use of it is no less reprehensible than a Nazi saying, "I was only following orders."

We often loose sight of the meaning of slogans that we adopt and use, but there is no excuse for using such a demeaning slogan. The euphemistic slogan ethnic cleansing is technically inaccurate and horribly, tragically bigoted. By accepting and adopting it, society unwittingly gives racists, hate mongers and murders the very social license and empowerment they need to perpetrate violent hate crimes, genocide and other crimes against humanity.

Five Years Ago in the Grapevine

JUNE 1994

*Members of the S.F. Police Department's Lion Dance Team were among the many guests performing at the tenth annual Visitacion Valley Street Fair and Art Show on May 21.

*Visitacion Valley Branch Library began a special Family Saturday program enabling working parents and their children to spend time together at the library.

*The Girls After School Academy received a $7,500 in-kind contribution to conduct a multi-faceted violence prevention program targeted for young female residents.

*Visitacion Valley Elementary School celebrated Latino, Filipino and Samoan cultures May 19 during two school assemblies.

*S.F. Park and Rec introduced a proposal to install lighting for Little Hollywood Community Park.

Historic Proportions

Match clues to answers.

1979

1. El Salvador removed him from the presidency on Oct. 15.
2. Winners of Super Bowl XIII on Jan. 21.
3. No longer being made by UK as of Sept. 10.
4. On May 3, she became Europe's first woman Prime Minister
5. He returned to rule Iran on Feb. 1.
6. Free in Algeria on July 4 after 14 years of house arrest.
7. Worst nuclear accident in U.S. history here on Mar. 31.
8. Ousted from power in Nicaragua on July 25.
9. Agreement to set missile limits on June 18 between U.S. and Soviet Union.
10. He became CEO of Chrysler on Nov. 1.
11. After seven years, civil war ended her on Dec. 21.
12. On Oct. 17, they overcame 3-1 game deficit to win World Series.
13. Best Film at Academy Awards on Apr. 9.
14. Ailing company shut 10 plants on Nov. 27.
15. They became champions of the NBA.
16. On Dec. 10, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
17. Soviet Union launched invasion here in December.
18. They were singing about "My Sharona."

A. Ahmed Ben Bella
B. Rhodesia
C. Mother Teresa
D. Pittsburgh Pirates
E. Anastasio Somoza
F. U.S. Steel
G. SALT II
H. Ayatollah Khomeini
I. Afghanistan
J. Seattle Supersonics
K. Margaret Thatcher
L. Three Mile Island
M. Pittsburgh Steelers
N. The Knack
O. Carlos Romero
P. MG sportscar
Q. The Deer Hunter
R. Lee A. Iacocca

Answers: 1-O; 2-M; 3-P; 4-K; 5-H; 6-A; 7-L; 8-E; 9-G; 10-R; 11-B; 12-D; 13-Q; 14-F; 15-J; 16-C; 17-I; 18-N.

Sez Who?

Match quotes to speakers.

1. "In wildness is the preservation of the world."
2. "Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes, there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him."
3. "Architecture is the art of how to waste space."
4. "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
5. "You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jelly beans."
6. "The one sure thing about politics is that what goes up comes down and what goes down often comes up."
7. "A Constitution should be short and obscure."
8. "Man's real like is happy, chiefly because he is ever expecting that it soon will be so."
9. "Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing."

A. Harry S. Truman
B. Ralph Waldo Emerson
C. Henry David Thoreau
D. Edgar Allan Poe
E. Philip Johnson
F. Samuel Johnson
G. Ronald Reagan
H. Napoleon Bonaparte
I. Richard Nixon

Answers: 1-C; 2-F; 3-E; 4-A; 5-G; 6-I; 7-H; 8-D; 9-B.