Thursday, February 10, 2011

Activity Leader FAQ


SF Refresh Activity Leader FAQ


SF Refresh is not an informational fair, rather it is a space for activities and actual services to be provided. Activity Leaders are invited to participate in SF Refresh by providing or leading an activity that enhances the programming and is appropriate for SF Refresh audiences.

Who may participate as an Activity Leader?
Any individual, non-profit organization or locally based single shop small business may provide an activity for SF Refresh. For profit partners (eg. Businesses with multiple locations, franchises or chains) must come on as a sponsor to participate in SF Refresh.

Are there costs involved?
We ask that all Activity Leaders be completely self-sufficient in running their activity, which means bringing all needed equipment, staffing and supplies required for your event.

Activity Leaders must also provide a ‘Certificate of Additional Insured’. SF Refresh organizers will work to identify ways to obtain insurance if you do not have a policy, however, insurance is required for all activities involving the public at SF Refresh. Community Based Organizations interested in participating with an information table must also fill out an application to participate, but no insurance is required.

All of the Activity Leaders are volunteers and are not paid for their time or services provided during SF Refresh. We encourage SF Refresh participants to support Activity Leader’s businesses, and permit banners and distribution of information or coupons for these local businesses or organizations.

What kinds of Activities are encouraged?
SF Refresh has a range of programming, organized by activity type, with a coordinator for each type. We emphasize activities that encourage whole body health (mind, body, spirit and psyche). Activities can include, but are not limited to: gardening classes, yoga, life coaching, meditation, trauma care, nutrition classes, massage, accupuncture, tea and coffee cuppings, movement classes, preventitive health care information.

Is there an application process?
Yes, each Activity Leader must fill out an application and coordinate with SF Refresh organizers. The application includes logistic information needed to coordinate each activity. Community Based Organizations interested in participating with an information table must also fill out an application to participate, but no insurance is required.

How does it work?
Coordinators for the activity type, or the Program Coordinator if the activity does not fit within the categories above, work with each Activity Leader to identify and place activities, establish and promote schedules if applicable.

What is prohibited?
• Booths that are only providing information without some sort of educational activity, unless it is about the garden that is hosting the event.
• Activities that are conducted for primarily for marketing purposes that do not enhance the event (this is to keep the event commercial free and focused on fitness and fun).
• Vending of any kind
• Charging for services rendered at SF Refresh
• “Selling through” activity space provided to paying sponsors for your activity without approval by SF Refresh organizers
• Equipment that requires additional permits (eg generators, sound systems, stage) without approval from event organizers
• Food or beverage sampling without approval from event organizers
• No booths, tables or other structures may be set blocking any sidewalks
SF Refresh organizers can address any questions about proposed activities and will work with Activity Leaders to develop programs that are appropriate, safe and fun.

What about political campaigns?
SF Refresh is not an informational fair, rather it is a space for activities and actual services to be provided. Activities or services on behalf of political candidates and initiatives are encouraged at SF Refresh, however, SF Refresh may not provide any materials or support on behalf of any campaign, initiative or candidate. Political activities may take place at any publicly accessible location as long as they are not blocking participant access or set up in a location that has been assigned to an official SF Refresh activity. No structures may be blocking the sidewalks.

How are Activities marketed?
We encourage Activity Leaders to proactively promote your individual event through your networks, such as:
• Making a flier or poster with your activity details and posting it in places where you work or visit; for instance, Yoga instructors should post info at Yoga studios and local gyms.
• Social networking sites, such as Facebook, My Space, Twitter;
• Listing on online calendars and posting on blogs targeted towards those who are interested in your activity, such as Yoga and Fitness sites and blogs, websites for parents, etc.
Please use approved banners and graphics here for your fliers and other informational materials.

Leader Profile: Linda Leu


Linda was classically trained in Ashtanga Yoga in India, and is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher. Linda believes yoga is the best way to connect with all that is beautiful and divine in the universe around us and within. Yoga is for everyone, and everywhere and Linda loves to share the gift of yoga with others who seek freedom from pain and suffering. Outside of yoga, Linda works in health care advocacy and really loves cooking and eating delicious vegetarian food. Linda will be teaching yoga at


The Free Farm (Eddy/Gough)

Saturday, April 16th

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)


Saturday, May 21st

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)


Sunday, July 24th

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)


Saturday, August 20th

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)


Sunday, September 25th

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)


Saturday, October 15th

- 8:00 AM: All Levels (Flow Style)

- 1:00 PM: Yoga for Kids

- 4:00 PM: All Levels (Flow Style)

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Leader Profile: Tree

Tree would be the first to tell you that the real story is the garden, not his biography or resume. But, I'll tell you that Tree is an amazingly generous man who has dedicated his life to food justice and urban agriculture. In addition to being a great mentor to gardeners/farmers across the Bay Area, Tree is the founder of the Free Farm Stand and one of the founders of the Free Farm.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Leader Profile: Anne Seeman

Anne received a BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She moved to Visitacion Valley in 1991, and lives in a former bakery which local lore claims was the only bakery to survive the 1906 Earthquake.

With the birth if her daughter in 1994, Anne became interested in creating a better neighborhood for her daughter to grow up in. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the city Recreation and Parks Department initiated a series of meetings at this time, to help the community organize and prioritize goals for parks and open space. Anne was a founding member of the Friends of Visitacion Valley Parks, and advocated for her community at City Hall and McLaren Lodge.

Inspired by this process, Anne came up with the initial vision for the Greenway, and together with Rebecca Lillis of TPL, mapped a conceptual plan giving each of the 6 lots its unique theme. A petition drive was launched to build support for the plan, as the lots at that time were threatened with development. During this time, Anne met Fran and Jim, whose artwork and meticulous design have raised the Greenway to an aesthetic standard beyond that of most neighborhood parks anywhere. The Greenway continues to be a collaboration of neighbors, city departments and nonprofit organizations. It is a laboratory of possibilities, enriched by all who participate.

Anne is a co-coordinator of programs on the Greenway, and works with children, youth, and adult volunteers. She teaches cooking and art to children. She is currently seeking interviews with community members who would like to share gardening tips, recipes and folklore, representing the diverse cultures of our community, potentially for a childrens' book. She has served on the Board of the Visitacion Valley Community Center, is currently on the Board of the Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance, and is a member of the Schlage Lock Redevelopment Citizens' Advisory Committee. Other pursuits include playing steel guitar with the Tin Pan Haoles, and banjo with Murray's Banjo Racketeers.

Leader Profile: Fran Martin

Fran received and M.A. in Art in 1973. She fabricated and exhibited sculpture until 1995 and was represented by John Berggruen Gallery. Her work is in the collections of the San Francisco Airport and City of San Francisco, as well as many private collections

Since 1994, she has been co-founder of the award winning Visitacion Valley Greenway Project (VVGP). She has been responsible for co-ordination of volunteers, fund raising, design and construction on behalf of the community, as well as working as a teacher on site with children, youth and adults. She contributed significantly to the design, implementation of signature art pieces and identity of the Visitacion Valley Greenway gardens. She created 2 of the Greenway's gates, weir walls, tile work and patios with columns sites.

She is Chairperson of the Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance (VVPA), which was created in 1999. VVPA has advocated for community planning to bring neighborhood serving retail (particularly a food market), jobs, housing, open space and neighborhood services to the community with an emphasis on aesthetically pleasing development.

Fran has served on many boards and advisory committees including being a board member of San Francisco Parks Trust, and Friends of the Urban Forest (past) and a member of the Visitacion Valley Redevelopment Area and SF Transportation Authority Citizen Advisory committees. She serves as a consultant on the Design Review Committee at SFO.