I & E @ Golden Gate
February 2016
Highlights and Updates
Black History Month
Black History month, celebrates and honors important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. We are proud to have Rik Penn represent the National Park Service and commemorate Black History Month in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library. If you have not seen Rik present, consider attending these highly engaging and transformative presentations.
Bayview Branch Library
5075 3rd Street, San Francisco
Thursday, February 4th, 6-7:30 pm
"African American John Harris sued former San Francisco Mayor Adolf Sutro over the color barrier at the Sutro Baths." This case, based on the 1897 Dibble Civil Rights Act, influenced the course of human rights into the 21st Century.
Merced Branch Library
155 Winston Drive, San Francisco
Wednesday, February 17, 7-8:30 pm
Sunset Branch Library
1305 18th Ave., San Francisco
Saturday February 20th, 2-3:30 pm
On the 150th anniversary of the Buffalo Soldiers, Ranger Rik Penn discusses a time of deep moral dilemma and soul searching in the history of these African-American soldiers as their segregated regiments had to enforce harsh government policies toward Native Americans. The period leading up to and following the Philippine-American War brackets a perplexing period in the Buffalo Soldier saga as Ranger Penn will demonstrate through the use of newspaper articles, personal letters, and other historical writings.Every Kid In A Park at Alcatraz
In support of the Centennial's Every Kid in the Park Program, Alcatraz NPS staff is working in partnership with Alcatraz Cruises to bring 4th graders and their families to the island for free. A limited number of free tickets will be available each month from now until August 2016. We will work with GOGA's outreach team to reach the widest diversity of participants. For additional information please contact Katheryn Daskal.
Recent Success
Accessibility Presentation at SF Public Library Main Branch
A small but enthusiastic group came out on a Wednesday night in January to hear about the array of accessible programs offered at the GGNRA. Participants received a full virtual tour of the park as well as experience first had the numerous braille and large print publications as well as audio transcribed programs. Special thanks to Michael Faw and Kay Wang for representing.
Interpretive Skills Workshop
During the week of January 12th, our division hosted its bi-annual Interpretive Skills Workshop at 989. In the past few years, the training has placed a greater emphasis on relevancy and dialogue and we are excited to have staff from all divisions, interns and long term volunteers receiving the training to better engage the muticultural visitors that come to our parks. Special thanks to Terry Kreidler and the many trainers on our staff that make this week happen.
Safety Talk
Last month, our interpretive management team welcomed Stacy Wertman, SF Network Safety Officer, to our meeting to review the (Green Amber Red) (GAR model and remind us of Operational Leadership best practices. As a result, we have committed to completing Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and GAR models for our regular education program, repeat interpretive programs and upcoming special events within the next few months. This is a good habitat for us to start implementing in order to improve our culture of safety. Completion of these will be a group effort and your supervisor will be in touch, if she/he has not already, about it. Thanks in advance to everyone for your dedication to a safe and healthy workplace.
STAFF ARRIVALS, RETURNS AND THE REGULARS
Congratulations to Kelsi Ju for being hired as our Education Ranger at the Crissy Field Center. Kelsi started with GGNRA at Muir Woods as a seasonal this summer and stayed to on assist us at the Presidio this winter. She completed several years in the Peace Corps where she did everything from building eco-pit latrines to teaching sustainable school gardening. We are very excited to have Kelsi a part of our permanent team!
Michael Faw has been hired as our new Exhibit and Accessibility Media Specialist. Many know Michael from his work on our many accessibility projects, but did you know he has extraordinary skills in set design and construction, exhibit development and fabrication and more. He will be more fully putting those talents to use in his new position and we are thrilled to have him a part of our permanent team as well.
Jose Roldon, our Interpretive Ranger and Volunteer Coordinator in the Presidio has made a move to Fort Point. Jose will not only be the day to day contact at Fort Point, but supervising and mentoring the staff, interns and volunteers at that site. We are excited to have Jose take on these new responsibilities and continue with the division of Interpretation.
Mike Morales was out on medical leave for two months following surgery on his back We are very excited to have a healthy Mike returning on February 7th. With Mike’s return, Alex Duncan is moving over to Presidio/Fort Point and we want to thank him for all his flexibility and help around the Headlands in Mike’s absence.
Todd Hisaichi is headed to Arizona for a short detail as a Supervisory Park Ranger (Interpretation) at Petrified Forest National Park! This is an exciting opportunity for Todd to develop his supervisory skills, contribute to the development of a program that engages Native American youth in national park stewardship projects, and "give back" to a park that shaped his early career in the NPS. We look forward to welcoming Todd, with new skills and perspectives, back to Muir Woods on February 21.
Lastly, a big congratulations to Jenn Flores and Frank LargeEspada as they are expecting a baby girl in the next few weeks! To be named Arya, after the kick butt female character in Games of Thrones, I am sure this baby girl is going to give her parents a run for their money. Jenn will be out on maternity leave from March 4 to the end of May.
Staff Bios
The diversity of our staff is pretty darn amazing. Each of us brings unique life experiences, perspectives, and heritage to our work. Every newsletter, we will recognize what makes us unique by include bios of new, returning, and long time staff to better get to know each other
Marisol Gutierrez, Budget Analyst
Marisol Gutierrez, born and raised in SF. Lowell High School graduate; achieved Cosmetology license during senior year in high school as part of School of Business and Commerce program; graduated from Heald College with double major in Business Management and Hospitality and Tourism. Achieved scholarship to Achieve BA in Business Management and graduated from Menlo College, Atherton. Have a high interest in being an eternal learner. Graduated from World School of Holistic Healing and Massage Therapy in 2014. My passion is giving from my heart to all people, rescuing all animals from harm, having love for all living beings and contributing to their lives without reserve. If there was such a career of that of being a Fairy God Mother for making all good wishes come true, that would be my career choice. My life's motto is that of always giving more than is expected, giving and contributing from a place of complete genuineness and whole heart, lifting the weight of the world off other people's shoulders when possible just because I care and perceiving all smiles of relief and joy.
Lucy Scott, Interpretive Ranger
Danielle Shinmoto, Academic Intern
Relevancy, Diversity and Inclusion Resources
The NPS Interpretive Development Program launched this January. Born out of an "Interpretive (R)evolution" 20 years ago, the IDP's next iteration asks for your active engagement to prepare us for who we can be in our second century. Check out some of the offerings and askings this coming quarter.
Monthly Nike Veterans Open House
Saturday, Feb 6, 2016, 12:30 PM
Marin Headlands
All Tribes Day
In celebration of the NPS Centennial, Alcatraz staff will host the first Indians of All Tribes Day on 2-13-16 to share stories in commemoration of the Indian Occupation of 1969-1971. All original occupiers are invited for a day of talks, walks, music and dancing. Their programs will provide the public a vital opportunity to connect with this rich period of island history through those who were directly involved.
Saturday, Feb 13, 2016, 10:00 AM
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA, United States
SF Chinese New Year Parade
Saturday, Feb 20, 2016, 05:00 PM
Downtown San Francisco
Health and Safety Week
Monday, Feb 22, 2016, 09:00 AM
GGNRA
Annie Leibovitz - WOMEN: New Portraits
'WOMEN: New Portraits', an exhibition of newly commissioned photographs by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz will open to the public in San Francisco on 25 March 2016 in The Presidio as part of a 10-city global tour.
Leibovitz's new work is a continuation of a project that began over fifteen years ago when her most enduringly popular series of photographs, 'Women', was published in 1999. Susan Sontag, with whom the original project was a collaboration, called it "a work in progress". 'WOMEN: New Portraits' will reflect the changes in the roles of women today and evolve over the coming year as Leibovitz photographs women in each of the host cities and regions.
The new portraits unveiled in London today feature women of outstanding achievement including artists musicians, CEOs, politicians, writers and philanthropists. In addition to the new photographs, the exhibition includes work from the original series, as well as other unpublished photographs taken since.
Friday, Mar 25, 2016, 10:00 AM
649 Mason St. Presidio, San Francisco
To find out more with what is happening in the park, check out other upcoming Park Events page on the Parks Conservancy website.
Michele Gee
Chief of Interpretation & Education
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
National Park Service
Fort Mason Building 201
San Francisco, CA 94123
415-561-4759
Cell 613-4220
Email: michele_gee@nps.gov
Website: http://share.inside.nps.gov/sites/PWR/goga/SitePages/Home.aspx
Location: San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: (415) 561-4759