In the last few years, there have been several proposals to use lots throughout the city of San Francisco that are slated for development as interim green spaces.  The idea behind this is that using land for temporary parks or public spaces while development is stalled (happening frequently in this economy) is better for the community than having a chain link fence marking off the boundaries of a lot.

When I first started swimming in the SF Bay a few years ago, I thought it was thrilling on those rare occasions when I was joined by a seal or one of San Francisco's famous sea lions.  

The all-in-one (fax, printer, copier and scanner) finally stopped working.  I purchased its replacement, and took it to GreenCitizen to be recycled.   I also managed to find several old, partially working computers, an external disk drive and a few old cell phones.  Drop off for the computers was free (with the promise to destroy my hard drives).  The all-in-one had a per pound charge for a total of $17.  

It was a blast!  I left the office late in the afternoon, and was able to see just a handful of spots before my 6 PM appointment, but they were terrific.  First stop was on 2nd at South Park, a miniature golf course constructed by the Blnkt Collaborative.  There were two people on this three hole course, and half a dozen people hanging out having a great time.

I saw this video (on Twitter), and am really inspired and awed by the positive impact that design can have.  Watch the video, through to the end.  It profiles Emily Pilloton, the founder of Project H, who at the age of 26 founded this non-profit, with the belief that design can change the world.  She has enrolled hundreds of volunteers who want to make a positive social change in the world through design.

(Photo released by Hasbro, Inc. Darryl Bush)

The short block of Mason Street between Columbus and Lombard was closed a few weeks ago.  At first, I thought this was part of the city's plan to make urban parks (like the one in the Castro at 17th Street).  I realized that it is part of the renovation of the North Beach branch library. 

San Francisco's Hula School, Na Lei Hulu | Ka Wekiu, is doing a series of performances throughout the city today (August 15th 2009) in an event known as Hit and Run Hula.  The school, dedicated to the preservation of Hawaiian culture through the teaching of Hula also offers instruction in language, history and crafts.  Very cool.