Holiday Luncheon

By Frances Neagley

The Hayes Valley Community Partners “Fostering a Safe and Caring Community” holiday season community luncheon was held on Saturday, December 23rd, at the old site of John’s Market on Hayes Street at Laguna. This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Patricia Walkup. It was a festive occasion attended by a broad cross-section of the community, including Captain Dillon and other police officers from the Northern Station, Regina Dick-Endrizzi from Ross Mirkarimi’s office, and of course, lots of kids. Camille Dawkins, from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, made her first official duty in that office a visit to the neighborhood to participate.

Richard Johnson and his crew came in early and transformed the empty market space into a festive setting with lights and greenery. Thomas Joubert brought toys and inflatable musical instruments for decorations and as party favors.

The food was prepared by Catering for Two or More and there was turkey, ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, bread, salad, fruit and cookies. Sheryl Davis, Alisha Eisert, Frances Neagley, Thomas Joubert and Horus Tolson served up the meals.

HVNA Board Member Horus Tolson serves up food and laughter at the Fostering event.
Photo: Barbara Wenger

Many groups and individuals were involved in making the 2006 Holiday season a great success, including Richard Johnson, Vallie Brown, DelMonte Foods, AgeSong, McCormack-Barron Management, Shute, Mihaly and Weinberger, LLP; SF Federal Credit Union; First Baptist Church; SF Zen Center; Captain Dillon and the officers of Northern Station; Officers Jeff Sung, Ron Liberta and Antron Barron; SF Police Officers Association; Market Street Safeway. We appreciate all their efforts.

Everyone who attended got a raffle ticket for special surprise bags that Thomas also brought from Le Meridien Hotel. Lt. Tom Johnson from Northern Station, assisted by Richard and Regina, drew the tickets and handed out the bags. In addition, all attendees received books donated by the San Francisco School Volunteers.

Miss Ruby and the Western Addition Drill Team closed the program with a rousing routine. Everyone left with presents, happy stomachs and smiles on their faces.