In the Works - Community Newsletter August 2017 | Page 37

The Commons on 3rd Thursdays
are, to quote legendary San
Francisco columnist Herb Caen,
an “only in Ess Eff ” kind of
celebration, uniting fun-seekers,
foodies, politicians, poets, artists,
neighbors, office workers, tourists
and kids.
The free, family-friendly
gatherings, which run from
5 p.m.to 9 p.m. on the third
Thursday of the month through
October, are part of a larger effort
to invigorate the Civic Center
public, or “common,” shared space.
On Aug. 17, as crowds were
getting warmed up with food
truck fare and reggae music,
friends, colleagues and families
mingled amid the bocce ball
court, poetry wheel and massive
bean bags set up for reading
(books were on hand to borrow or
buy) and relaxation.
The 3rd Thursdays offer what
every successful night market has:
music, lights, food and merchants.
The goal is to bring people
together to have a great time in a
safe, vibrant environment.
Indeed, people were enjoying
the offerings, including a giant
Scrabble board, kids’ DIY art
projects, macramé plant hangers
and pottery, and caloric delights
with such names as “Curryous
George” and “Orange You
Glad.” Vendors ranged from
the nonprofits 826 Valencia and
Friends of the Public Library to
the tempting Johnny Doughnuts,
Hongry Kong and Judie’s Tacos
Locos. And, thanks to Another
Planet Entertainment, Noise Pop
and People in Plazas, the music
was electric and eclectic, with
performances by the Caribbean
All Stars, Hot Flash Heat Wave,
DJ Funklor and others.
The series of four 3rd Thursdays
began in July and are part of the
Civic Center Commons Initiative,
which has played a key role in
supporting longer-term Civic
Center exhibits, including the
yarn-wrapping installation on
trees in front of City Hall, the
Exploratorium sound installation
at UN Plaza, and an open-
air gallery near the Asian Art
Museum. The outdoor displays
have remained clean and inviting
with tremendous help from the
Downtown Streets Team and
stewards from Hunters Point
Family.
The events are coordinated
through the Civic Center
Community Benefit District and
the City’s Office of Economic
and Workforce Development,
with the participation of multiple
City agencies, including Public
Works. Funding partners include
City taxpayers, the Kenneth
Rainin Foundation Discretionary
Fund, in part via the Trust for
Public Land, the Market Street
Association, Civic Center
Community Benefit District, and
Dolby Laboratories.
Be sure to mark your calendars for
the next 3rd Thursday on Sept. 21.
If you stick around long enough,
you may get to see the spectacular
finale: the lights of City Hall
switched to the Commons’
trademark colors: blue, yellow and
red.
August 2017 - San Francisco Public Works Newsletter