News Briefs: Sunset Dunes Park to hold open house

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will hold a public open house to gather input about Sunset Dunes, the new park alongside Ocean Beach. The park was created following the passage last year of Proposition K, which permanently closed a portion of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic.

The open house takes place Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to noon at Sunset Dunes and Judah Street.

An announcement from the Friends of Sunset Dunes noted that in recent months, the area has started looking more like a park, with art, signage, seating, and native plantings. The open house is to discuss next steps. The Bay Area Reporter recently profiled two queer artists, Emily Fromm and Orlie Kapitulnik, who have painted murals at the new park.

The announcement stated that there will be small group discussions with Rec and Park staff and CMG Landscape Architecture and interactive boards and an online survey for people to share ideas and feedback.

“This first phase of the Sunset Funds community engagement process will continue through the end of this year, helping to prepare for a full vision and planning process commencing in 2026,” the friends’ announcement stated. “Every idea, comment, and perspective shared along the way will help shape the future of this space.”

To register for the open house, click here.

Those who can’t attend the open house can take an online survey, which was not posted at press time. Organizers said that a second open house is planned for September 17.

For more information go to sunsetdunes.org.

The Prop K ballot measure was controversial, with an overwhelming majority of nearby residents voting against the initiative. It also spawned the recall effort against gay District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, with Sunset District voters set to decide his political fate on September 16.

In another setback for Engardio, he recently announced that the popular Sunset night market that he helped start two years ago would be canceled this year. Engardio put the blame on politics and supporters of the recall. Others said they had to wait too long for reimbursement from the city.

SF library to hold genealogy symposium
The San Francisco Public Library will hold a two-day symposium on genealogy and family history. “Genealogy and Family History Symposium: A Two-Day Exploration of Ancestry and Resources” will be held Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days in the Koret Auditorium at the main library, 100 Larkin Street. The conference is free.

The event will feature speakers from the library and local genealogy organizations, who will cover a diverse range of topics to enhance attendees’ research skills, a news release noted.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about valuable resources available at the library, both physical and electronic, that can aid in their genealogical research. The symposium will also provide insights on how to effectively search for specific ancestors, including those from Chinese, Irish, Jewish, Japanese, LGBTQIA, and other backgrounds, according to the release.

The symposium is perfect for both novice and experienced genealogists looking to deepen their understanding of family history research. Participants will leave with practical knowledge and tools to assist them in their journey of discovery.

“Unleash your inner history detective. Join us and learn how to unravel the threads that connect generations, and leave with the tools, tips and expert advice to tell your family’s story like never before,” stated Richard Le, event organizer and North Beach Branch Library manager.

LGBTQ family history buffs might be interested in Stewart Traiman’s presentation on July 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. “LGBTQ+ Genealogy” will allow attendees, through photographs, obituaries, census data, and LGBTQ archives, to identify ancestors who may have been LGBTQ and learn how historical context and documentation come together to honor and preserve the narratives of LGBTQ ancestors.

Traiman is a gay man and former board member of the California Genealogy Society, which is based in Oakland.

Linda Okazaki, a past president of CGS and a member of the Nikkei Genealogical Society, will talk about Japanese American Genealogy in an introductory discussion on July 23 from 11 a.m. to noon. She will provide information on how people can discover Japanese American records, including census, immigration, and incarceration documents.

For a complete list of speakers and the schedule, click here.

Santa Clara County launches meth prevention campaign
The Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Sciences Department has launched a new public awareness campaign to prevent methamphetamine use among residents. A news release noted that the campaign targets adults between the ages of 18-35 – the age group most at risk of trying meth for the first time.

The campaign was launched June 30, the last day of Pride Month, and is set to run for nine weeks. The campaign highlights the serious mental and physical health risks associated with meth use, even from the first time, the release stated. Over the past five years, 61% of the county’s drug-related deaths involved methamphetamine, according to the release. That figure rose to 64% in the most recent year, according to County Medical Examiner-Coroner data.

“Methamphetamine use is more common than many people think,” stated Dr. Cheryl Ho, behavioral health medical director for county substance use treatment services. “The increasing number of methamphetamine-related deaths was a clear signal that we need to talk directly to our community. This drug is present in our neighborhoods, and people deserve honest information about its effects. Our goal is to provide the facts that might make someone think twice before trying meth.”

The campaign, released in English and Spanish, includes billboards, print ads on VTA buses and at bus stops, video and digital display ads online and on smart TVs, and digital screen displays in high-traffic areas like doctors’ offices, gas stations, transit hubs, restaurants, gyms, college campuses, and community centers. Ads feature a link or QR code to sccbhsd.org, where people can view the campaign. People can also contact the county behavioral health call center at 800-704-0900.

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous threat to the health and safety of our community. This campaign is about prevention through truth, giving young people the facts they need to make safer choices,” stated Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Otto Lee. “It’s a critical step in protecting public health and saving lives. The health of our residents is a top priority, and that means looking out for each other and stopping harm to our loved ones and neighbors before it starts.”