Beyond The Fog Radio

Peña Pachamama was recently deemed a San Francisco Legacy Restaurant– and for a very good reason. For 25 years, founders Quentin and Eddy Navia have cultivated this Bolivian vegan restaurant, bar and performance space into a San Francisco landmark with all flavors of Latin music bursting through its doors. Not only does this magical night spot feature artists from all over the world, but well-known personalities like Robin Williams have found their feet dancing on its floors. Quentin and Eddy Navia founded Peña Pachamama as a place for them to perform. Eddy is a two-time Grammy nominated Bolivian composer and performer. Quentin is a founding member of SUKAY, one of the most celebrated Andean music ensembles in North America. The two have built a beautiful life together playing music and entertaining people from their home at Peña Pachamama. We hope you enjoy our conversation with them! For more information about Quentin, Eddy and Peña Pachamama, please visit: www.penapachamama.com Meet Quentin and Eddy Navia!

San Francisco residents Anna Chiu and Valerie Santillo are fashion designers, business partners and close friends. Together they started KAMPERETT, a womenswear label whose name is an inspired blend of their mothers’ maiden names. They focus on designing elegant yet effortlessly chic pieces for discerning women, and all of their pieces are made with the highest quality materials in ethically run factories right here in the city. We had a lovely time with Anna and Valerie on a sunny spring day in Dolores Park. Please enjoy our interview with them! For more information about KAMPERETT, please visit: www.kamperett.com Meet Anna Chiu and Valerie Santillo!

In 1960’s San Francisco, the “Color Movement” swept across the city’s architectural landscape. Victorians and Edwardians were painted in bright fanciful colors as an homage to the psychedelic colorscape of the LSD experience. Inspired by this, architectural color designer Bob Buckter, aka Dr. Color, carried this movement into the 70’s and on. As his style transformed over the decades, Bob’s unique and tasteful color palette touched everything from residential homes and commercial buildings, to churches and hotels. His specialty is in historic homes. Bob is a second-generation San Franciscian. His legacy can be found not only through his family history, but also on the exteriors of some of SF’s most beautiful and iconic buildings. Please enjoy our interview with Bob Buckter, aka Dr. Color! Check out some of Bob’s work at: https://drcolor.com/ Meet Bob Buckter!

Matt Hollis is the Principal and Lead Architect at MH Architects. This San Francisco Native got his start in design as early as childhood, learning building from his father and graphic design and illustration from his mother. Having also lived abroad in Japan, Hollis developed a keen sense for design and structure that was influenced by the nature-inspired clean subtle lines of Japanese design. At MH Architects, Matt takes a hands-on approach to each project, allowing the building style to express the unique circumstances of his client, all while imbuing his clean and elegant style. Matt and his team pride themselves on their implementation of sustainable practices and systems from the onset of every project. We are very excited to share this interview from the second episode in our Home and Design Series. For more information about Matt and MH Architects, please visit: https://www.matthollis.com/ Meet Matt Hollis!

We kick off our Home and Design Series with siblings Tracy, Kelly and Jonathan Dearman — titans of the San Francisco Bay Area real estate scene. The Dearman Real Estate Group was founded by Jonathan, though the origins of his family’s business go back to the 1950s when his grandmother, Bertha Flemming, provided real estate services throughout the Bay Area. She was one of the first African-American women in the SF Bay Area to operate a real estate business, and took care to pass her legacy down to her children and grandchildren. The Dearman children were taught that service to others comes first in life, and coupled with great intelligence and kindness, they have helped countless families across the Bay Area find the perfect home. We are so excited to share our conversation with the siblings, who spoke of their experience having a dynamic grandmother whose teachings greatly influenced who they are today. For more information about The Dearman Real Estate Group, please visit: https://dearmangroup.cityrealestatesf.com/ Meet Tracy, Kelly, and Jonathan Dearman!

Kathy Fang is a renowned Contemporary Chef, On-Air Personality, and a San Francisco native. Kathy’s passion for cooking began as a child in her family’s popular SF restaurant House of Nanking, where her father taught her how to cook. As an adult, Kathy and her father opened Fang Restaurant with Kathy herself as Chef. Here she would realize her dream of creating easy, delicious and healthy dishes with unique ingredients and flavors for SF locals. Kathy has also appeared on numerous cooking and food competition shows, including “Cutthroat Kitchen” and “CHOPPED,” the latter of which she is a two-time champion. Most recently, Kathy stars in the Food Network Docuseries “Chef Dynasty: House of Fang,” which features her career as a chef and restaurant owner. We are very excited to have Kathy as the first guest in our new partnership with San Francisco Magazine, where each guest appears on our weekly podcast and the cover of the Magazine itself. As our first interview for the new year and our new partnership, please enjoy hearing from chef, restaurant owner and mother Kathy Fang! For more information about Kathy Fang, please visit: http://www.kathyfang.com/

As always, we end our series with a bit of food! This week we sat down with Cherith Spencer, baker and owner of Namesake Cheesecake in Menlo Park. Her business started when she was given singular access to the secret cheesecake recipe of a dear family friend for whom she was named. Cherith promised to honor her friend by opening Namesake Cheesecake, and today she shares her delicious cheesecake with dessert enthusiasts all over the South Bay. Cherith is charming and quirky. She is as passionate about Namesake Cheesecake as she is about her fellow cheesecake lovers. We hope this sweet-toothed episode sends you off for the holidays ready for dessert. Enjoy and happy holidays! For more information about Cherith and Namesake Cheesecake, please visit: http://namesakecheesecake.com/

Barbara Bogatin is a master cellist, a teacher of meditation and music, and a Bay Area native. She attended the Juilliard School, receiving both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music. She’s played for the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under Leonard Bernstein, and many more across the United States. In 1994, she returned home to play with the San Francisco Symphony. Barbara incorporates a daily meditation practice with her musical routine, allowing her to unlock the flow state required for outstanding musical performance. She and her neuroscientist husband lead workshops and seminars at institutions around the world, teaching about the vital connection between the two. Please listen as she discusses her career and how she discovered the benefits of meditation for her musical success. Meet Barbara Bogatin!

Victoria and Paul Ehrlich are a musical power couple. Both classical string instrumentalists, the two have played in top orchestras across the Bay Area. Vicky plays cello and has been with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra for nearly 40 years. She’s likewise an Artist in Residence at the Ruth Asawa SF School of the Arts. Paul played Principal Viola for the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra for 20 years and is a frequent extra in the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Symphony. Both Paul and Victoria collaborate in chamber music groups across the Bay Area as much as possible. Both Victoria and Paul are devoted to upholding the stellar quality of orchestral groups in and around our city. They are full of life and a joy to be around. Tune in to hear about their histories and careers, including their experience playing for a film at Skywalker Ranch! Meet Victoria and Paul Ehrlich!

Nicholas A. Garcia is the Director of Pocket Opera, a chamber opera company in San Francisco. Garcia has been extensively involved with Pocket Opera, first as a performer and then as General Director after the passing of its founder Donald Pippin in 2021. Although it’s small compared to other opera companies on this foggy peninsula, Pocket Opera created a niche that has helped it thrive since its founding in 1977. The company translates operas into English and produces shows on a smaller scale, allowing them access to non-traditional locations and a much wider audience. The late founder Donald Pippin took great pride in this fact, as Pocket Opera has now been deeply woven into San Francisco’s cultural fabric. Nicholas Garcia works hard to maintain this status for the company. He cares deeply for what Pocket Opera has accomplished so far and what lies ahead. For more information about Nicholas Garcia and Pocket Opera, please visit: https://pocketopera.org/ Meet Nicholas Garcia!

When thinking of Harlan Hays, music almost immediately comes to mind. His whole life all he’s wanted to do is sing. Growing up in San Francisco, Harlan had access to the rich musical world of his home city and asked his parents to join the San Francisco Boys Chorus (SFBC) when he was only 8 years old. For nearly 25 years he’s been part of SFBC, working now as a voice teacher and Director of the Graduate Chorale. Harlan’s musical presence extends even farther, as he sings in the Extra Chorus for the San Francisco Opera, directs SF’s Music Art and Adventure Camp, and is an artist in residence at the Ruth Asawa SF School of the Arts. Harlan is thoughtful and gentle, his warm nature and great stature reflected perfectly his bellowing operatic voice. Harlan understands the power of music to heal and inspire, and uses his gifts to share that power with his beloved city. Harlan lives what he teaches, and to him, the music he teaches is love. Meet Harlan Hays!

Beautiful, athletic and graceful, ballet dancers have discipline that is unmatched by most other professions. Dancers at San Francisco Ballet have just this and more. Our guests this week dance with SF Ballet, Max Cauthorn a Principal Dancer and Luca Ferrò a member of Corps de Ballet. The two have both originated roles and soloed in classics, all with keen artistic sensibility and intense athletic technique. While Max began with SF Ballet School at age eleven and worked his way through the ranks, Luca ventured far from his home in Novara, Italy to be part of the company. Though dancing with one of the best ballet companies in the world has been a remarkable achievement for these young men, they are nonetheless humble, hard working and kind. Meet Max Cauthorn and Luca Ferrò!

Michael Belle is a Tenor with the coveted San Francisco Opera Chorus. Starting with a trade for free voice lessons, Michael was drawn to the artistic life of a classical musician. From singing the chorus in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Porgy and Bess to performing leads in productions across New England, Michael’s career only bloomed until landing a spot in the world famous San Francisco Opera Chorus in 2009. Michael’s time at the San Francisco Opera has been one of much change. The traditionally elite European Opera culture has begun to dwindle, making way for a more ethnically and musically diverse one. As such, he’s gotten to sing in ethnically diverse casts and works by non-European composers. Michael is proud to help usher this new era for classical music. Meet Michael Belle!

Stanlee Gatti is San Francisco’s premier event designer and art administrator. Known to be one of the best of his trade, Gatti’s designs are unique, innovative and artistic. He challenged the city’s traditionally conservative taste in public art by bringing Keith Haring sculptures to the Moscone Center, and threw some of the city’s most lavish parties. In 2008 Gatti founded the SF-based art and design fair called FOG FAIR that has grown to become one of the preeminent art and design fairs in the nation. Stanlee has a beautiful and quiet charisma about him. His creative and curious mind has allowed him to turn the idea of event planning into an art itself. Enjoy our exciting interview with him! For more information about Stanlee, please visit: http://www.stanleegatti.com/ Meet Stanlee Gatti!

Innovative designer Julienne Weston is a Bay Area native and founder-owner of Weston Wear, a fashion boutique in SF’s Mission District. A lifelong dancer, Julie combined beautiful clothing designs with flexible dancewear using cotton lycra, a nearly undiscovered fabric at the time. With her dance-fashion concept, Julienne established Weston Wear in 1981. For 36 years, she designed and manufactured her eclectic collection of sensuous apparel, with inspiration from European prints to thrift shop finds. San Francisco had a very strong fashion manufacturing industry at the time, and Julie was at the top of this field throughout her career. Julienne closed Weston Wear four years ago and is currently making one of a kind creations from her collection of fabrics and market finds. We were elated to interview this creative designer in her studio this fall. Meet Julienne Weston!

John Anderson is as lovely and charming as his home state of Texas, his taste in residential design just the same. As principal designer of John K. Anderson (JKA) Design, John takes a personal approach to every client’s home, listening to their needs and desires so that every client’s unique flair can shine through. His experience spans more than 25 years of residential design in San Francisco, working with eminent Bay Area designers like Steven Volpe and Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. Since his studio opened in 2005, John has created timeless designs that beautifully blend his client tastes with his eclectic blend of mid-century, modern and classic design principles. The San Francisco Bay Area has a deep and rich architectural history. John and his design team at JKA Designs celebrate and honor it with grace. We were thrilled to interview him at his North Beach studio. For more information about John Anderson and JKA Designs, please visit: https://www.johnkanderson.com/about/ Meet John Anderson!

Dorian Webb is an award winning designer and artist specializing in jewelry, home decor and luxury art. She is inspired by her desire to elevate daily living through design and aims to exemplify, celebrate and support black excellence through her high quality products and community focused actions. She is also a frequent lecturer and panelist at universities, design schools and business conferences where she speaks about her entrepreneurial philosophy and artistry. Dorian currently sits on the board of directors for the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco. Dorian is tall, elegant, and striking. Her jewelry is no different– directly reflecting her ancestors, nature and community, Dorian’s art encompasses elements of the natural and spiritual world in the most stunning ways. We felt lucky to interview her this September. Enjoy! For more information about Dorian Webb, please visit: https://dorianwebb.com/pages/behind-the-design-inspiration-is-everywhere Please meet Dorian Webb!

The History of Fashion and Design series begins with a tribute to Wilkes Bashford, the iconic name in San Francisco fashion. With his first store in Union Square in 1966, Wilkes Bashford became SF’s top trend-setter. He introduced young European designers like Brunello Cucinelli and Brioni, and was the very first in the city to carry popular names like Ralph Lauren and Alexander Julian. Wilkes described his style as “clothing for the bold conservative” as it was favored by famous politicians like former Mayor Willie Brown Jr. Wilkes brought grace, elegance and style to San Francisco, his influence remaining strong even after his death in 2016. We sat down with three long-time friends and employees of Wilkes Bashford. Sharon Kish is a poet, humorist, and oral historian. Denise Johnson has spent her career working with Industry-leading brands that have redefined the retail experience both in the United States and abroad; the breadth of her experience includes new store openings, merchandising and sales, which makes her an asset to growing brands that seek to re-envision retail environments in the 21st Century. Yuriko Takata — wife of the late Jody Wilson, who owned the shoe and handbag concession in Bashford’s stores — was able to assist her husband on international trips to help collect the best possible goods for Bashford’s stores. We were so pleased to hear stories about Wilkes Bashford from women who all knew and loved him. We hope you enjoy this interview in his honor. For more information about Wilkes Bashford, please visit: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Wilkes-Bashford-The-man-who-gave-San-Francisco-6765886.php Meet Sharon Kish, Denise Johnson, and Yuriko Takata!

Smells of fresh bread filled the air as we interviewed Dan Giraudo, owner and CEO of Boudin Sourdough in San Francisco. This bakery has produced sourdough from the same starter used by Isidore Boudine back in 1849. Today, it is the oldest continually operating business in the city. With crisp tart edges and a fluffy core, this bread has become as iconic as the cable cars that pass it by. Tune in as Dan Giraudo tells us the history of Boudin and the story behind their famous Original San Francisco Sourdough. We hope it leaves you as hungry as us. Meet Dan Giruado!

Governor Gavin Newsom is the 40th Governor for the State of California. A fourth-generation San Franciscan, Newsom has dedicated his career to bettering our city and state. He started as an entrepreneur, learning to navigate the world through business. When his talents were noticed by then Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr., Newsom was appointed to the Parking and Traffic Commission. From there his passion and influence in SF’s political sphere continued to grow until he was elected Mayor of San Francisco in 2003. During his two terms as Mayor, Newsom led the way for big changes in SF, from marriage equality and gun control, to fighting to end homelessness. His impact in the city is apparent and appreciated by San Franciscans to this day. Governor Newsom is the perfect mix of humble, kind, brave and spirited. He had us captivated and laughing throughout his interview. Beyond the Fog Radio is very proud to present the Governor of the great State of California, Gavin Newsom!

SF native Gregangelo Herrera is the Founder and Artistic Director of the most magical place one could visit – the Gregangelo Museum. Together with his Creative Director Marcelo Defreitas, Herrera has created a fantastic immersive arts experience in his own home on the west side of the city. Local and international artists alike help create this technicolor acrobatic dreamscape, with 27 unique rooms each telling a different story of time and space, the human psyche and life itself. Herrera spent over 40 years building this artistic oasis, so we were thrilled to be able to get insight from him and Defreitas on their incredible artistic journey. Fall into the rabbit hole with us and enjoy this week’s episode! For more information and stunning photos of the Gregangelo Museum, please visit: https://www.gregangelomuseum.com Meet Gregangelo Herrera and Marcelo Defreitas!

Carolyn Tyler is most famously known in San Francisco as a reporter and news anchor on KGO ABC7 News. She had an outstanding 32 year career chronicling some of the most important moments in SF history. Tyler detailed the long fight for marriage equality starting in 2004 and brought stories of social justice for African Americans to the forefront. She also reported extensively on the impacts of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, for which she and her team won a Peabody Award. Over the years Carolyn earned the reputation for being one of the most fair-minded and hard-working journalists in the field. Since retiring, Carolyn has been blending journalism with her other passions. A fierce Golden State Warriors fan and board member of the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Company, she is currently producing a unique discussion between Warriors Coach Steve Kerr and Alonzo King on the intersection of ballet and basketball. It will be held on September 16th at SF Jazz and hosted by Carolyn herself. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Carolyn and hear about her wonderful career and latest endeavors. In the Fall, tune in to our Classical Performance series with her as our guest host! For more information about Carolyn Tyler, please visit: https://www.kqed.org/news/11696365/tv-anchor-carolyn-tyler-bids-farewell-to-three-decades-covering-san-francisco Meet Carolyn Tyler!

Our guests on this week’s episode of Beyond The Fog Radio are a very creative bunch — and they happen to be Susan’s family! Sisters Blanche Brown (Susan’s mother), Julia Vitero, Ginger Irwin-Vitero, and Dolores Presley grew up in Berkeley, California in the 1940s and 1950s, when things were quite different from how they are today. These four amazing ladies were lucky enough to experience the tidal wave of social change and freedom of expression that arrived in the Bay Area in the mid-20th Century. We welcomed the opportunity to hear about this period of time that shaped these women — and the often-heartfelt, often-wild stories that came along with it. Meet the Vitero Sisters!

PJ Johnston is one of SF’s top crisis communications specialists and political strategists. From former journalist and Press Secretary for Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. to speech writing for US Senator Kamala Harris, PJ Johnston has helped many influential people achieve their goals. He is the Principal of PJ Johnston Communications, where most of his high profile work is done. He likewise serves on the board of several non-profit organizations and is a strong advocate for women and African Americans. PJ is a smart, curious, and very invested man who loves his family and city deeply. Above all, he strives for the betterment of humankind. Please enjoy our interview with him. For more information about PJ Johnston, please visit: http://pjcommunications.com Meet PJ Johnston!

Stan Flouride (alias cum art-name of Kevin Kearny) is the unofficial historian of one of the city’s most eccentric neighborhoods, the Haight Ashbury. Stan gives historical walking tours that cover everything from the 1870s to today, with great focus on its role as a pivotal location for the cultural revolutions of the 1960s. Having inherited a strong love of history and a keen sense of justice from his progressive mother, Stan poses a complex view of the Haight. From the flower children and the Summer of Love, to the Civil Rights, Black Power, and gay rights movements, he educates San Franciscians and visitors on not only what happened there, but why it matters. Stan’s presence exudes the Haight’s essence — with purple hair and curious tattoos to show it. We were thrilled to interview him in the garden of his Haight Ashbury apartment (where he’s lived for nearly 40 years!). We hope you are equally as thrilled to listen. Meet Stan Flouride!

Welcome to Season 4 of Beyond The Fog Radio! It's our honor to begin this season with our interview with San Francisco's Mayor London Breed. Raised in San Francisco's Fillmore District by her grandmother, Mayor Breed saw firsthand how redevelopment brought great challenges to the people in her community. She began her public service career as Executive Director of the Fillmore's African American Arts and Culture Complex. Since then, after rising through the ranks to become Mayor, she hasn't forgotten her roots in the Fillmore. She deeply understands the needs of those who are suffering, and how to resolve challenges with the least amount of harm. We're truly privileged to have interviewed Mayor Breed, and we're so very proud to share our conversation with her as a start to Season 4! (For more information about the Mayor, visit: sfmayor.org .)

Beyond The Fog Radio Season 4 begins NEXT WEEK! We're so excited to begin sharing all of the great new interviews we've conducted in the past few months. But, to tide you over until then, we have one more re-release episode to present: our interview with Teresa Goines (Season 3 Episode 10), the founder and executive director of Old Skool Café in San Francisco's Bayview District. Formerly a juvenile probation officer, Teresa made a career change to give troubled youths a chance at community and purpose, instead of imprisonment. With the help of volunteer chefs and builders, Old Skool Café went from a small pop-up in Teresa's home to a beautiful 1920s-style supper club in its own building — complete with velvet curtains, luxurious booths, and ornate chandeliers. While Old Skool Café has a delicious international menu, its sense of community is its greatest strength. Kids cook, clean, wait tables, and entertain guests to learn important life skills within a healthy and supportive environment. After meeting Teresa in-person, we knew right away that her interview would be one of our favorites to date. Join us as we revisit our heartfelt conversation with the one and only Teresa Goines. ( For more information about Teresa and Old Skool Café, please visit oldskoolcafe.org .)

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is currently recording and editing new episodes for our upcoming Season 4 this August — but meanwhile, we’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week, we listen once more to our 2021 interview with Raz Kennedy (Season 2 Episode 08), a legend of the Bay Area’s music scene for the past four decades. Raz has involved himself in just about every aspect of the music business. Behind the scenes, he’s worked as a promoter, producer, and vocal coach with credits on multiple Platinum and Gold records; in the limelight, he’s sung alongside artists like Whitney Houston and Sting, and is a founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s world-renowned Voicestra project. He’s also a faculty member of the Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco. Raz never stops working to expand his vocal and musical range. It’s no wonder, then, that he’s collaborated with many different artists in many different genres — from Metallica to Hillary Duff, to Third Eye Blind, to musicians from SF Jazz and Jazz Camp West. He’s also a charismatic, warm, and thoughtful individual who was a complete joy to interview. Join us as we take a step back in time to our wonderful conversation with Raz Kennedy. (Find more information about Raz at www.razkennedy.com .)

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is hard at work recording and editing new episodes for Season 4, releasing in August! In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week, we listen back to our conversation with former Mayor of San Francisco Art Agnos (Season 3 Episode 04) — politician, social worker, and game-changer. Art Agnos served as Mayor from 1988–1992. During his term, he fought nepotism in both Fire and Police Departments to pave the way for the city’s second African-American Police Chief and first female Fire Chief. He also allowed regular citizens to sit on city commissions, appointed minorities to city positions, and bolstered civilian supervision within the Police Department. However, his biggest contribution was the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway in the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. This decision, while initially unpopular, opened San Francisco’s waterfront to a new audience, and inspired cities from Seattle to Toronto to remove or reconfigure their own elevated freeways. Though his decision cost him a second term, Agnos doesn’t regret it. The City of San Francisco has only appreciated it more as years have passed, and dedicated its most recent public pier — Pier 14 — to Agnos and his long-lasting contributions. We are so excited to re-release our interview with the incomparable and insightful Art Agnos.

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is hard at work recording and editing new episodes for Season 4, which will release this August! In the meantime, during this "summer break," we’re taking another listen to some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week's re-release is particularly special, as we revisit Sal Garcia (Season 3 Episode 03), the "Ferrari Doctor" of Waterfront Automobili in Potrero Hill. An immigrant along with his family from El Salvador, Garcia spent his formative years in the Mission District studying the English language and connecting with the neighborhood locals. After graduating from the University of San Francisco and serving as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army's Medical Service Corps, Garcia founded Waterfront Automobili to pursue his passion for fast cars and all things mechanical. Having worked with the S.F.P.D., the S.F.F.D., legal specialists, builders, and more, Garcia has a tremendous presence in San Francisco — to the point that his business continues to grow based purely on word-of-mouth! With so much love in his heart and so much to tell the world, Garcia has definitely earned his place among our favorite guests EVER on Beyond The Fog Radio. Join us as we share his incredible life story once more.

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is hard at work recording and editing new episodes for Season 4 — releasing this August! — but in the meantime, we’re looking back at some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week, we revisit our interview with developers and community leaders Michael Baines and Cathy Davis (Season 3 Episode 06). Michael Baines is a developer and contractor for low-income housing and the founder BGI Group Inc., the largest employer of formerly-incarcerated people in the Bay Area. Cathy Davis is the Executive Director of Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, a nonprofit that provides services to disadvantaged seniors in San Francisco. She also runs the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center, founded by her late husband Dr. George Davis and built by Michael’s company. Together, these two have made an immense and tangible impact on their community. Their social justice development model has broken barriers for the city’s seniors, and even involved whole communities to create a commercial kitchen that generates profit for the senior center. They do their work humbly and whole-heartedly. We believe this interview is priceless in its wisdom about helping those in need. Let’s take another listen to Michael Baines and Cathy Davis! (For more information about Michael Baines and his company, visit bgiconstruction.com/bgi-management . For more information about Cathy Davis and her work, please visit facebook.com/SanFranciscoHousingDevelopmentCorporation/videos/235718538565982 .)

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is hard at work recording and editing new episodes for Season 4 — releasing this August! — but in the meantime, we’re looking back at some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week, we revisit our interview with the longtime director of the Mill Valley Film Festival, Zoë Elton (Season 2 Episode 16). Zoë has a keen, creative eye from years of exposure to the world of film, and through the Festival has brought exposure to future Academy Award-winning films. She created the Active Cinema Program, which promotes artists with a cause, and Mind The Gap, an initiative that supports women filmmakers. A world traveler with many different projects on her résumé, Zoë certainly has a good number of wonderful stories to tell! Join us for a second listen to our fabulous interview with the fabulous Zoë Elton! (For more information about Zoë, please visit: https://www.zoeelton.com/about )

The Beyond The Fog Radio team is hard at work recording and editing new episodes for Season 4, releasing this August! In the meantime, we’re revisiting some of our favorite interviews from Seasons 2 and 3. This week, our retrospective takes us back to our interview with the utterly fashionable Bay Area power couple, Martin Luther & Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy (Season 3 Episode 1). San Francisco native Martin Luther is a musician and actor best known for his work with hip-hop collective the Roots, and as the character Jo-Jo in Julie Taymor’s 2007 film “Across the Universe”; he was also a key figure in the “neo-soul” scene of the 1990s. Artist, activist, and entrepreneur Jeanne collaborates on art projects with African-American artists both in the Bay Area and nationwide. Through their community-focused production company “A Little x,” Jeanne and Martin Luther have worked with clients such as SFJAZZ and the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD). Join us as we take another look at our interview with Martin Luther and Jeanne Anyanwu McCoy!

This San Francisco native has championed the intersection of food and nutrition services. Jenny Huston is a trained chef, former catering company owner, and holds degrees in both dietetics and food sciences. Having worked with government and non-profit social enterprises like Project Open Hand in SF, Jenny actively addresses issues of equity, nutrition and social justice within the food industry. She also teaches culinary arts at local community colleges and works with Bay Area Community Services in Oakland, where she established their current farm to table program. We are thrilled to share her wisdom about the intricacies of food’s impact on our society and environment with you this week. For more information about Jenny, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-huston-07a16910 Meet Jenny Huston!

The Sierra Club began in 1882, founded by Californians who wanted to sponsor wilderness outings. Its first president, conservationist John Muir, rallied to preserve California forests, the Sierra Nevada, and the Pacific Coast. 140 years later, the Sierra Club has evolved into the prevention and now recently environmental activist that it is today. Chance Cutrano is on the all-volunteer executive committee of the Sierra Club. Originally from Chicago, Chance studied political science and philosophy at Saint Xavier University, where he analyzed wildlife policy and systems in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Chance has traveled to Morocco, Vietnam, and Bolivia to research food, water, and energy management, and has worked on policy analysis with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign. He lives in Marin and has dedicated his adult life to the health of the planet and its people. Our guest host for this episode of Beyond The Fog Radio is John Ribeiro-Broomhead, a native to San Francisco and a recent Stanford graduate with a Master’s in Atmosphere & Energy Sciences. John’s interest is in the intersection of policy, science, people, and institutions. He is a deep thinker and a kind soul, and is ready to help others navigate the challenges to our climate that lie ahead. Meet Chance Cutrano and John Ribeiro-Broomhead! https://www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ribeiro-broomhead-37b809182/

Justice Harry Low was the first Asian-American Judge in California. He served as Municipal Judge under Governor Edmond G. "Pat" Brown, as Superior Court Judge under Governor Ronald Reagan, as a Judge in the 1st District Court of Appeals under Governor Jerry Brown, and as Insurance Commissioner under Governor Gray Davis. Justice Low reformed numerous civil rights and immigration laws. Notably, he revised the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and also partnered with Jewish attorneys to sue the government on behalf of discriminated and disenfranchised African-Americans. Even in retirement, Justice Low was a champion of equality, helping those in need to overcome language barriers and obstacles in education and healthcare. Historians and philanthropists David Lei & Bruce Quan, Jr., and university professor Anna Eng, conducted the following interview for the Bancroft Library four months prior to Justice Low's passing. We are honored to partner with them to bring you the story of Justice Harry Low (1931-2021). https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/365374-justice-harry-low-first-chinese-american-judge-in-the-bay-area-was-a-bridge-across-communities

David Phillips is a biologist, activist, and Executive Director of the Earth Island Institute. This environmental non-profit is dedicated to developing and supporting fellow environmental non-profits and projects in need of legal, financial, technical, and organizational assistance. With a strong youth division, an award winning journal, and several globally-recognized awards and achievements, Earth Island Institute is one of the leading environmental activist organizations in the U.S. today. Dave specializes in marine wildlife conservation, directing the International Marine Mammal Project at Earth Island Institute. He was integral in the institute’s successful negotiations with the world’s largest tuna companies in adopting dolphin-safe policies, and founded the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation, an initiative to oversee the historic rescue, rehabilitation and first-ever release of a captive orca whale to its native habitat. Dave is a very quiet, understated and deeply concerned individual with an immense knowledge of the environment. We were thrilled to learn about him and his work with the Earth Island Institute this April. For more information about Dave, please visit: https://www.earthisland.org/index.php/team Meet Dave Phillips!

LisaRuth Elliot is a visual artist, farmer, and longtime volunteer at Alemany Farms. This urban farm, located near the freeway in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, produces food that is donated to food-insecure neighborhoods. Serving on the Friends of Alemany Farms Auxiliary, LisaRuth has a palpable devotion to the farm. She’s attuned to all the nooks and crannies. From the best plants to ward off pests, to the birds that nest in the trees above, this green-thumbed guru’s passion for Alemany Farms is inspiring to witness. We learned so much about the farm with LisaRuth in our interview, and we’re so excited to share it with you this week. For more information about LisaRuth and Alemany Farms, please visit: @lisaruthcreates http://lisaruthcreates.com https://alemanyfarm.org/earth-day-on-the-green-april-23/ Meet LisaRuth Elliott!

Sejal Choksi-Chugh is a fierce defender of the environment. From a young age she wondered why the water was murky, why the air was polluted, and why no one seemed to be doing anything to fix it. After receiving her law degree with a certificate in environmental law in 2002 from UC Berkeley, Sejal’s been taking charge at San Francisco Baykeeper, a non-profit whose mission is to protect our Bay. Using law, science and advocacy as their tools, SF Baykeeper seeks out polluting businesses and holds them accountable by any means necessary. Sejal has been Executive Director since 2015. Sejal’s environmental advocacy work extends even beyond our bay. She sits on the governing council of the global Waterkeeper Alliance and co-founded the Bay Area chapter of Environmental Professionals of Color. We were thrilled to interview her this March on the Baykeeper boat. Enjoy! For more information about Sejal, please visit: https://baykeeper.org/content/our-team Meet Sejal Choksi-Chugh!

Jared Blumenfeld is the Secretary of Environmental Protection for the State of California. From protecting air and water quality to regulating pesticides and toxic substances, Jared has had a direct and positive impact on all of our lives here in the Golden State. Thanks to his efforts, not only does SF have the strongest recycling and composting program in the country, but we have also banned plastic bags and styrofoam and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent. Blumenfeld is somewhat of an environmental warrior, having led international campaigns like the U.N.’s World Environmental Day in 2005, or the habitat protection program for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. He knows that environmental inequality is the most pressing issue facing the Bay Area today, so we at Beyond the Fog Radio were thrilled to be able to talk to him about his plans to help our city while learning about his fascinating career. For more information about Jared Blumenfeld, please visit: https://calepa.ca.gov/about/bios/blumenfeld/ Meet Jared Blumenfeld!

Teresa Goines is Founder and Executive Director of Old Skool Cafe, a non-profit youth restaurant located in San Francisco’s Bayview District. Once a probation officer in juvenile prison, Teresa realized that locking up kids only perpetuated their troubles. She wanted to give them direction, income, community, and purpose. With the help of volunteer chefs and builders, Old Skool Cafe went from a small pop-up in Teresa’s home to a beautiful 1920s-style supper club in an old refurbished church. With velvet curtains and booths to chandeliers and international soul food, Old Skool Cafe is now a home for both challenged youth and lovers of soul food alike. The kids run everything including cooking, cleaning, waiting, and entertainment. The program trains, employs, and teaches them leadership and management skills, all the while giving them a new kind of home. Goines’ vision brought Old Skool Cafe to life, but the kids keep it alive. We are very proud to feature her as our guest this week on Beyond The Fog Radio. For more information about Teresa and Old Skool Cafe, please visit: https://www.oldskoolcafe.org/ Meet Teresa Goines!

Simon Snellgrove is Founder and Principal of Pacific Waterfront Partners, a development company dedicated to restoring the city’s Waterfront. Since San Francisco is such a difficult city to build in, this native Australian has shown immense resilience in facilitating a seamless transition between the old and new parts of the Embarcadero and Piers, all the while maintaining historical accuracy in his clean and tasteful restoration. Wayne Perry is an East Bay native and CEO and Chairman of Cornerstone Concilium. Originally started in 1986 to help churches with infrastructure, Perry’s company now provides infrastructure programs with all kinds of technical and engineering solutions in the US and Asia. Even more, he is currently building a non-profit to train people from underserved communities in engineering, technology, and all aspects of infrastructure. Our guests this week are honest, kind and hard-working men. With seagulls flying over our heads on a sunny day in March, we interviewed them about their companies, careers, and recent projects on the Waterfront. For more information about Simon and Wayne, please visit: https://www.pacificwaterfront.com/ https://cornerstoneconcilium.com/ Meet Simon Snellgrove and Wayne Perry!

Oz Erickson is the Founder and Chairman of the Emerald Fund, a San Francisco-based real estate development company dedicated to transforming entire neighborhoods. Since 1979, Erickson and his company have turned abandoned warehouses into livable communities and commercial office buildings into residential homes, totaling over 8 thousand housing units. Oz also sits on several non-profit boards, allowing him to approach his work from a humanitarian point of view. He understands deeply what it takes to build something in our city, and cannot imagine doing anything else in life. Though his humility and honesty have gotten him far, Erickson’s true success lies in his keen creative vision – where one sees a pile of rubble, Oz sees a thriving community. We hope you enjoy our interview with him. For more information about Oz Erickson and the Emerald Fund, please visit: https://www.emeraldfund.com/ Meet Oz Erickson!

Charmaine Curtis is one of the first female African American developers in the San Francisco Bay Area. She’s creative, driven, and socially-conscious, developing affordable and below-market housing to build up and better her community. From multi-family homes to urban infill projects, Curtis has overseen or participated in the development of more than seven thousand housing units. We at Beyond The Fog Radio find Charmaine to be charming, warm, and thoughtful. She describes looking at development like a puzzle, finding the best possible way to maximize opportunity for middle and lower class residents while creating lively and welcoming community spaces. We have much respect for Charmaine and her work, and we hope you enjoy learning from her as much as we did. For more information about Charmaine Curtis, please visit https://www.curtis-development.com/charmaine-curtis Meet Charmaine Curtis!

Our guests this week, Michael Baines and Cathy Davis, have done incredible work to help our city’s challenged neighborhoods. Michael Baines is a developer and contractor for low-income housing and founded his own company, BGI Group Inc. Even more, his company is the largest employer of formerly incarcerated people in the Bay Area. Cathy Davis is the Executive Director of Bayview Hunters Point Multipurpose Senior Services, a nonprofit that provides services to disadvantaged seniors in San Francisco. She likewise runs the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center, founded by her late husband George Davis, and built by Michael’s company. With Michael as the builder and Cathy running the non-profit and senior center, the two have made an immense and tangible impact on their community. They’ve made a social justice development model that’s broken barriers for the city’s seniors and even involved whole communities to create a commercial kitchen that generates profit for the senior center. They do their work humbly and whole-heartedly. We believe this interview is priceless in its wisdom about helping those in need. For more information about Michael Baines and his company, please visit: https://bgiconstruction.com/bgi-management . For more information about Cathy Davis and her work, please visit: https://facebook.com/SanFranciscoHousingDevelopmentCorporation/videos/235718538565982 . Meet Michael Baines and Cathy Davis!

With over 25 years of experience in the Bay Area’s restaurant business, Pete Sittnick has opened, operated, and supervised more than 20 restaurants in the Bay Area and beyond. From designing innovative Italian eateries to teaching hospitality at USF, Sittnick’s knack for hospitality management has helped create some of the city’s most frequented restaurants. Most notable are his sister restaurants Waterbar and Epic Roast House. One for seafood (Waterbar) and one for meat (Epic Steak), these restaurants helped transform the city’s Waterfront after the removal of the Embarcadero Freeway. Sharing the same vision as the locals in opening up the Waterfront, Sittnick was determined to make the restaurants look and feel like the rest of the city. Today it is adored by locals and visitors alike, with Sittnick still working hard to support and connect the San Francisco community. We loved interviewing Pete at the Waterbar this February and hope you enjoy it, too! For more information on Pete and Waterbar, please visit: https://www.waterbarsf.com/pete-sittnick Meet Pete Sittnick!

Politician, social worker, and champion of liberalism in San Francisco, former Mayor Art Agnos has left a lasting mark on our city’s offices and landscape. Through his 1988-1992 term, he worked to break up nepotism in the Fire and Police Departments, paving the way for our city’s second African American Police Chief and female Fire Chief. He made it possible for regular citizens to sit on city commissions. Agnos even appointed minorities, lesbians and gays to city positions, and bolstered civilian supervision within the Police Department. Agnos is best known for his leadership through the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and was responsible for removing the Embarcadero Freeway as a result. Not only did it open up the Waterfront for people to enjoy the city’s beauty, but his decision later became the model for replacing other cities’ elevated freeways from Seattle to Toronto. Though it cost him his job due to politics, Agnos’ decision is still appreciated daily by locals and visitors alike when they visit the Embarcadero. The city has since dedicated its most recent public pier, Pier 14, to honor Agnos’ leadership in opening our city’s Waterfront. For more information on Art Agnos, please visit: https://fampeople.com/cat-art-agnos_2 Meet Art Agnos!

The Ferrari Doctor, the Mayor of Potrero, the proud owner of Waterfront Automobili— Sal Garcia is a living landmark of San Francisco’s rich local communities. His story is one of immigration— from El Salvador to SF’s sunny Mission District, Garcia spent his formative years learning to master the English language and connecting with locals in his neighborhood. He graduated with Mission High with honors, and later USF with degrees in Business and Military Science. After a successful career as Lieutenant Colonel in the Medical Service Corp of the US Army, his love of Ferrari automobiles and all things mechanical inspired him to own and operate his own repair and restoration facility, Waterfront Automobili. Garcia’s success there has earned him the nickname “the Ferrari Doctor,” both in the Bay Area and beyond. Since childhood, Garcia has had a passion for being a community man. Through his work at Waterfront Automobili and his involvement with SF communities like the SFPD, SFFD, legal specialists, builders, friends and family, Garcia has helped make San Francisco feel like a home to all. In fact, his presence in the city is so strong, his success over the years has grown purely from word of mouth! The friends and organizations that Garcia has grown up with all share a mutual respect for what they each give to their beautiful city of San Francisco. We therefore felt it fitting to include him in our community here at BTFR. Meet Sal Garcia!

On a sunny February afternoon in Mission Dolores Park, Jae and I interviewed lifelong Latin dancer, arts educator, producer, and choreographer Elizabeth Soberanes. She’s been an active performer and resident in San Francisco’s Mission District for over 40 years, starting with a BA in Dance Ethnology from SFSU. Elizabeth is a champion of Latin dance styles including Afro-Haitian, Brazilian, Cuban, Capoeira, Hip Hop and Jazz. In 2009, Elizabeth founded Latin Dance Grooves (LDG) to share her love of Latin dance to her community in a welcoming environment. This later evolved into a performance ensemble that has performed at numerous occasions, including SF Pride Festival Latin Stage, Bay Area Cuban Festival, SF Carnaval, and more. Today LDG boasts some of the most popular Latin dance and fitness classes in the Bay Area. Elizabeth is also well-known for her participation in Carnaval, SF’s annual celebration of Latin and South American culture. This parade features dance, art, decorated floats, music and food, a scene where someone as cheerful as Elizabeth can always be found. Her work with LDG has helped bring so much life to Carnaval, as it’s helped her students participate in the festival for many years. Elizabeth believes that dance is a healing force for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being for the individual and the community. Who better to tell us about the meaning of San Francisco’s Carnaval than her? For more information about Elizabeth Soberanes, please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aforum/18045924320/in/photostream Meet Elizabeth Soberanes!