Items
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San Francisco Bay Area
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2020-09-07
Do we live up to the values of the past?
this is a essay writen for american studies about how modern americans are living up to our values of eficency and protest. -
2020-09-08
Core Values of Equality and Diversity in America
This essay argues that America is currently not living up to the core values of equality and diversity. Includes information from presidential debate, women in politics, and Companies that are owned by People of color. -
2020-09-07
We Can Do This So Much Better
This essay was produced as a part of the American Studies program at California High School in San Ramon, California. The essay is in response to the prompt "Is America currently living up to its core values?" This essay argues that the BLM movement is taking advantage of its core values or equality and protest. It also includes references to the following modern events: BLM and riots -
2020-09-07
American Values Essay, Lesson Plan
This curriculum was designed for a junior level US History course. Students are asked to identify core American values and to formulate a claim in response to the essential question, "Is America currently living up to its core values?" The curriculum and student essays are being submitted to the JOTPY archive to provide a picture of how teenagers view America as a whole in 2020. They also give insight into the vast array of perspectives teenagers living during the COVID-19 pandemic have based on the diversity of their current life experiences. -
2020-09-06
Crowded Crissy Field on Labor Day
A friend that lives in San Francisco posted this video on his Instagram stories. It is a video of Crissy Field, the park and beach area near Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It is a spot beloved by locals because of the open space and picturesque backdrop of the Bridge. The San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing an intense heat wave over Labor Day weekend. The heat, and the smoke from surrounding wildfires, has pushed residents from around the Bay Area to locations with cooler climates and cleaner air. While a number of local beaches are closed, it appears as if Crissy Field was not one of them. This video captures the crowds of people that flocked to Crissy Field over the Labor Day weekend. -
2020-09-01
Greetings From...San Francisco
A wonderful group of students from my first year of teaching (2011-12) has stayed in touch since they graduated in 2015. They have an annual tradition of coming back to the Bay Area at least once per year and spending the day in San Francisco. They take a photograph in front of the Golden Gate Bridge - even if it is completely covered in fog - to mark their time together. The COVID-19 pandemic made their tradition impossible this year. They still decided to mark the year by creating this "Greeting from...San Francisco" postcard style photoshopped image. It is such a sign of the times! I am grateful that the group is finding a way to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2020-09-02
San Francisco Hair Stylists Operate Outdoors
As California moved from the "watch list" system to a "color-coded tiered" system, San Francisco Bay Area businesses are still navigating re-opening plans. Only 2 counties in the Bay Area are currently in the "red" zone which allows for some non-essential businesses to re-open. All others are currently in the "purple" zone. While the time frame and requirements to re-open continue to create confusion across the region, San Francisco hair saloons were able to operate outdoors for the first time since March shelter-in-place orders. Aside from the important re-opening information in this article, the image of hair stylists operating outside of their establishment in San Francisco, with Pride flags displayed proudly in the salon's windows, caught my attention. While life as we knew it has completely changed in the San Francisco Bay Area, this image feels very "San Francisco" to me. I am curious what aspects of the COVID-19 world will stick with us long after the pandemic is over. Will some businesses, like hair salons, continue to offer outdoor services? -
2020-08-29
Halloween in August
After 5.5 months in quarantine, we are bored. Like really bored. My kids starting asking if we could put up Halloween decorations around August 10th. We love Halloween. My birthday is even on Halloween. But Halloween decorations in August is a bit much - even for me! After a few weeks, asking turned into begging. By August 29th I decided "What the heck?! Let's do it. Halloween in August it is!" The kids, in their matching candy corn pajamas, had a blast decorating the house and trying on old Halloween costumes. Now let's hope we can keep the excitement up for 2 months until Halloween actually arrives! -
2020-08-30
COVID Camping
Our family loves the outdoors. Since the birth of our first child, we have made it a priority to camp at least once each summer. We all look forward to this tradition as a time of togetherness as we disconnect from our busy lives, if even for just a few days. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, camping looks a bit different. But we decided to roll with it and continue our family tradition. Our first camping "trip" was in our backyard. And it was magical. We played and slept outside for 3 straight days. Our second camping "trip" was in our living room. Due the wildfires ravaging Northern California, we have been unable to even go outside for over a week. The kids were thrilled for this new camping experience. Despite the many challenges that 2020 continues to throw our way, the resiliency and positivity of my children remind me that everything will (eventually) be okay. And, yes, we did enjoy s'mores during our camping "trips." -
2020-08-02
'Catastrophe': How Nation's Worst Outbreak Exploded at San Quentin
In less than two months, 19 San Quentin inmates have died, including at least eight on Death Row, more than half the number of condemned killers executed here in four decades. The official number of prisoners infected has reached 2,181 — about two-thirds of the prison population — but many refused to be tested. And alongside the prisoners plagued by a pandemic in a poorly ventilated germ-ridden lockup are the 258 prison guards and other staff who got sick too — and ultimately brought it home. -
2020-06-09
Oakland Artists Create Murals in Solidarity with Blacks Live Matter
Oakland residents find community and hope as they create street art across the city in the days following the death of George Floyd. Local artists and community members created murals on boarded up storefronts to express their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Store fronts were boarded up as a result of shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a protective measure during the protests that flooding Oakland's streets following George Floyd's murder. -
2020-08-29
San Francisco Public Library COVID-19 Community Time Capsule
The San Francisco History Center of the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) is actively archiving all types of materials, in multiple formats, to build a collection that documents and preserves the collective experiences of San Francisco residents during the COVID-19 public health emergency. They are interested in what is happening to San Francisco residents, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces. They are asking local residents to put on their archives hats and help capture what is different in our world today, what we miss, what we’ve created to reflect our new reality, and how we are communicating and living now. With your help, SFPL will build a collection that reflects the many ways San Franciscans were impacted by, and responded to, this public health crisis. All submissions will be preserved in the COVID-19 Community Time Capsule at SFPL and be shared with the public, as well as remain in the City and County Archives of San Francisco (part of the San Francisco History Center), for long term preservation. If you are interested in sharing digital content, please use our online submission form below. Digital content will ultimately be available through our online collection platforms and social media accounts. Submissions may include: photographs, blog posts or social media posts, video or audio, notices, signs or posters, including government notices or signs from private businesses, letters, emails, postcards, community newspapers, personal journal and diary entries, creative work - such as drawings, paintings, graffiti, poetry, recipes and games. This collection could be paired with the San Francisco Bay Area JOTPY Collection for a more robust picture of the impact of COVID-19 on the region. -
2020-07-29
Paint The Void: Health Care Workers & Art
Health Care workers partnered with the Paint the Void project to bring community, life, hope, art and culture to the San Francisco Bay Area. The goal of this partnership was to create a project to say "thank you for sheltering in place" and "thank you for supporting us" to the community on behalf of San Francisco's essential workers. Paint the Void has created over 91 murals across San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland. This specific mural tells the story of how interconnected people are and how an act of kindness has the ability to improve life conditions for the entire community. The title of the mural is "How we care shapes who we are." The spirit of community is represented through this specific mural and the Paint the Void initiative. -
2020-07-08
Sound and Street Art in San Francisco
A regional street art movement is bringing life and culture to San Francisco's empty streets during the COVID-19 pandemic. SF Symphony Associate Principal Bass, Dan Smith, is contributing to the movement by adding sound. In this video, Smith plays Adam Ben Ezra's "Can't Stop Running" in front of a variety of street art installments in San Francisco's Hayes Valley. As a former San Francisco resident, the sound produced by Smith, coupled with the art, feels exactly like the "City by the Bay." Art and culture are the heartbeat of San Francisco. And they remain alive and well during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
2020-07-24
A Map of San Francisco's New Street Art
Street art has proliferated across the San Francisco Bay Area in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. News outlet, Broke-Ass Stuart, featured a map of the street art that is popping up in San Francisco's public spaces. As the article states, the art is "turning many of [San Francisco's] empty, commercial corridors into actual art walks." The specific map highlights art created by artists involved in the Paint the Void initiative. -
2020-08-24
San Francisco Stays Home
The eerie and empty streets of downtown San Francisco shows social fears and ultimately the decisions to stay home amid the pandemic. -
2020-08-11
Relax. Think COVID-free thoughts.
San Francisco Bay Area artists, Mark Harris, created a stunning mural on the boarded up windows of local business, Rose Gold Piercing and Tattoo. Rose Gold shut its doors at the start of California's COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and has yet to reopen. Harris's message to "Relax, think COVID-free thoughts" is a reminder of how much our world has changed and is being dictated by the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to wreck havoc on the San Francisco Bay Area, Harris's art brings hope and beauty to local residents. Harris's mural is a part of the larger San Francisco Bay Area art initiative, Paint the Void. Over 100 murals have been created in public spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as a result of Paint the Void. -
2020-04-17
Coronavirus Kindness: Bay Area Artists Create Murals on Boarded Storefronts to Uplift Local Communities
Businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area have closed, some temporary and some permanently, as a result of California's COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. Those that hope to re-open have boarded up their windows to try to protect their stores and inventory. As a result of the crushing economic blow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vibrancy of San Francisco streets has vanished. In response, local arts are turning boarded storefronts into beautiful murals with messages of hope. Local artists are "bringing life and beauty to our streets, sending messages of love to people in their community." Two local art agencies, Building 180 and Art for Civil Discourse, have teamed up and created Paint the Void. Paint the Void pairs local artists with boarded up businesses in an attempt to beautify the city and "to bring hope into the community and inspire people." Artists hope to eventually auction their murals and donate the funds raised to those in need. -
2020-08-05
I'm incarcerated at San Quentin prison for 55 years to life. I didn't think things could get worse until COVID-19.
This article, written by a currently incarcerated man at San Quentin Prison in California, explains what it is like to be incarcerated during the Covid Pandemic and their lack of information. He asks if it is justice to leave people in prison during the pandemic, explains the stress and helplessness so many feel, talks about the racism that landed many of them in prison, and the very low recidivism rate of lifers. -
2020-08-04
Worst coronavirus outbreak in U.S.: A timeline of how San Quentin earned that infamous distinction
This article includes a video interactive timeline that shows how they believe covid was introduced to San Quentin Prison in California as well as coverage of the pandemic in several other California state prisons. -
07/06/2020
William "Billy" Cummings Oral History, 2020/07/06
William “Billy” Cummings, an employee of the food service company, Choicelunch shares his experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He describes the suddenness of the pandemic. Billy explains the impact COVID-19 had on his job and on the jobs of his co-workers. He discusses how the company he works for pivoted their business model to stay open. Billy expands upon the impact COVID-19 has had on the food service industry and food services workers. He details his initial reaction to COVID-19 and describes the pressures families are experiencing at home. And reflects upon how this experience may impact the types of jobs people have in the future. Billy calls upon the greater community to come together to ease the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and families. -
07/25/2020
Anonymous Child Oral History, 2020/07/25
Shanna Gagnon interviews an anonymous 8 year old girl about the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains her initial reaction to learning about COVID-19. Anonymous describes how the pandemic has impacted her daily life. She discusses how her family and friends are responding to COVID-19. She talks of the things that are important to and worrying people right now. Anonymous details the most difficult parts of the pandemic for her. She shares how COVID-19 is impacting local businesses and schools. She also discusses how she thinks life will be different moving forward and includes her thoughts on vacations and milestone celebrations, such as Halloween and birthdays. -
2020-07-25
Break the Union
Recently my school district announced that we will begin the school year with remote learning. While many members of the community were in favor of remote learning, many were also incredibly vocal about their wish for a return to full in-person learning. This does not surprise me. There will always be multiple perspectives and positions on any major decisions that need to be made that impact large groups of people. Some individuals in support of full in-person learning have taken to social media and have begun attacking district teachers blaming them and their union for the district's decision to start the school year with remote learning. There is an aggressive tone to many of these posts. As a parent of children that attend school within the district, as well as teacher within the district, I worry about the environment that teacher's are going to be educating children in this year. With remote learning, we will literally be teaching in the homes of parents that are openly demonstrating hostility toward teachers. This brings a great deal of worry and anxiety as I prepare for the upcoming school year. -
2020-05-10
Cookies Wearing Masks
Local San Ramon baker, KrisPetites, features cookies that reflect the reality of masks in our COVID-19 world. The cookies are round sugar cookies with yellow royal icing emoji faces wearing masks. The cookies expression is sweet - as if the cookie is actually smiling - and the masks are vibrant with unique detailing. -
2020-07-11
Honey Bear Hunt in San Francisco
Across San Francisco, honey bears wearing masks - created by the artist fnnch - are popping up on storefronts and in resident's windows. The message is clear, "Please wear a mask. It's simple." The featured bears are masked versions of the Bowie Bear, the Bowtie Bear, the Classic Bear, the Pizza Bear holding a BLM sign, the Love Bear near a sign that reads "Hey Honey! Let's stick together." and the Avocado Bear. The originator of this post is also wearing a Honey Bear mask created by fnnch and included a photo of his mask collection that sits near his front door. -
2020-04-13
Music Lifts Neighborhood Spirits
A month into shelter-in-place orders, the streets of San Francisco's Marina District were filled with the sound of a local resident playing an accordion outside. People came out to share in the joy of music during this difficult time. -
2020-07-01
What should the school year of 2020-2021 mean for Cal High’s students?
The Californian, a student run newspaper at California High School in San Ramon, recently ran the story "What should the school year of 2020-2021 mean for Cal High's students?" The story features three student articles, each advocating for a different scenario. The first discusses returning to school full time, the second champions a hybrid learning model, and the third article evaluates fully remote online learning. All of the articles address the challenges and realities of education during the COVID-19 pandemic for students. Interestingly, none of the articles discuss the impact of these models on teachers. -
2020-07-06
Socially Distanced Homeless Encampments, San Francisco City Hall
The San Francisco Chronicle profiled social distanced homeless encampments in front of the cities City Hall. These encampments were designed in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 amongst San Francisco's vulnerable homeless population. The caption for the photo on Instagram reads: "In May, a city-sanctioned homeless encampment was set up using social distancing rectangles at S.F.’s Civic Center. The Bay Area’s homeless crisis was severe before the coronavirus, and the pandemic seems certain to make things worse. Now the fight is urgent to keep those on the street from dying, and from seeing the homeless population proliferate to unimaginable numbers. But could there be a silver lining? Optimistic experts and program managers say a ravaged economy might actually be good for helping the homeless. A struggling real estate market could free up distressed properties that governments could buy or lease to use as homeless shelters and housing. The shock of millions of Americans losing jobs, homes and health insurance could trigger a wave of New Deal-style government programs to lift the poor." -
2020-06-22
Masks at Blackhawk Plaza
A whimsical statue of a child and adult reading a storybook with geese emerging from the pages is adorned with masks. The presence of COVID-19 is evident in many local public spaces, even when the public spaces are devoid from crowds of people. This photograph was taken in Danville, California at Blackhawk Plaza. -
2020-07-04
Oakland Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal in Alameda County. But that did not stop Oakland, a city within Alameda County, from celebrating with fireworks on the 4th of July. While all official firework shows across the Bay Area were cancelled this year, this video shows the private firework shows that lit up the sky of Oakland this 4th of July. -
2020-07-10
Religious Worship on Golden Gate Bridge
Shannon Grove, the CA State Senator for the 16th Senate District and the Senate Republican Leader, posted a religious group of over 500 people who gathered to worship on the Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the worshipers wore masks but many did not. One image shows signs that read "Let Us Worship" and "Hold the Line! Worship." -
2020-07-03
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 112
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. Another puzzle complete on Day 2 of our get away. A puzzle to match his shirt! -
2020-07-02
Another Day, Another Puzzle - Day 111
With calendars cleared as a result of shelter-in-place orders we have had more time to enjoy some of our family's favorite past-times. Cards and board games that were collecting dust have made their way out of cabinets. But what we've spent more time on than anything is puzzling. While each member of our family will puzzle here and there, our 5 year old son is a constant at the puzzle board. His attention and focus to puzzling is way beyond his years. Puzzling has given us the gifts of togetherness, joy, and consistency during these uncertain times. A family member that lives nearby was out of town so we decided to pack up for a little get away. The change of scenery was incredible on so many levels. We also scored access to a new collection of puzzles. We started with a small 200 piece puzzle within 30 minutes of arriving! -
2020-06-22
Sharks and Santa Clara County Host Free COVID-19 Testing at SAP Center
The San Jose Sharks teamed up with local community organizations to encourage COVID-19 testing at SAP Center at San Jose. Individuals who came in to get tested received free San Jose Sharks or San Jose Barracuda memorabilia. -
2020-06-29
San Jose Sharks COVID-19 Social Media Campaign - Goalies
Photograph collage showing San Jose Sharks goaltenders Martin Jones, Evgeni Nabokov, and Brian Hayward wearing goalie masks, along with three face masks. This photograph was posted on San Jose Sharks social media channels with the caption, "Our favorite masks 😍." -
2020-07-06
San Jose Sharks COVID-19 Social Media Campaign - Brent Burns
Edited photograph showing San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns wearing a mask while celebrating a goal. This photograph was posted on San Jose Sharks social media channels with the caption, "Stop the spread. Stay stick-feet apart." -
2020-06-28
Protest Supporting San Quentin Early Release
This is a Twitter post (social media) and the responses it received about a protest urging California governor Gavin Newsom to give early release to inmates to protect them from contracting covid-19. Here is a link to an article referenced in the thread https://www.orlandomedicalnews.com/article/3545/letter-to-the-editor-why-increasing-number-of-cases-of-covid-19-is-not-bad-news -
2020-06-29
Heroes Work Here
The Reutlinger is a senior living community, specializing in assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing, nearby my home. About a week into our shelter-in-place orders, this sign appeared near the main entrance to the facility. The sign reads "Heroes Work Here." Senior care facilities have been hit the hardest during the COVID-19 pandemic. When an outbreak of the virus occurs within these facilities, it spreads quickly and typically results in a large number of fatalities. Those working at the Reutlinger during this pandemic are working on the front lines and are heroes as they risk their safety to care for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. -
2020-03-20
A child plays at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts
A small child plays on an empty lawn in front of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. A favorite place to relax for local residents, as well as a event and tourist hot spot, the Palace of Fine Arts is typically a spectacle. On any given day, groups gather for picnics, bridal parties pose for photographs, and tourists zoom by on Segways. The emptiness of the Palace of Fine Arts during the early days of California's shelter-in-place orders is definitely a moment in time. -
2020-05-24
Nearly Empty San Francisco Street
A friend visited San Francisco with her family as shelter-in-place order begin to reverse. This photograph shows the very light traffic on San Francisco streets during this time. Most cars in the photograph are parked along the street. The skyline of downtown San Francisco is seen in the distance. -
2020-04-22
Coronavirus Cake
We consider our nanny to be part of our family and she was part of our quaran-team. Her April 22 birthday posed a particular challenge for a cake. We would normally visit Ambrosia Bakery, but with more time, we decided to bake it instead. With extra raspberries on hand and some Valentine’s candy about to go out the window, we threw together the SARS-CoV-2 cake to celebrate the unusual times of celebrating in quarantine. -
2020-05-24
Empty Golden Gate Bridge
As the San Francisco Bay Area's shelter-in-place orders began to relax, a friend ventured into the city for a drive. She took this video of the light traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is typically packed with cars. This is the lightest amount of traffic I have personally ever seen on the bridge. -
2020-05-15
Empty Path To Golden Gate Bridge
A friend that lives in San Francisco sent me this photograph she took on a recent run. The image is of a path that runs alongside Crissy Field. It is one of the most popular walking/running paths for locals and tourists alike as it includes an incredibly picturesque view of the Golden Gate Bridge. This path is typically full of people. During shelter-in-place orders, however, hardly anyone was on the trail. There are 2-3 figures on the pier in the distance. And the rooftop of just 2 cars is visible on the Golden Gate Bridge. -
2020-06-28
San Francisco Pride, 50-Year Anniversary
2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the San Francisco Pride Celebrations and Festivals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all in person events were cancelled. The SF Pride organization instead created a virtual celebration. Following tradition, all virtual events are being held the last weekend in June, June 27-28, 2020. SF Pride events are available on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook. Additionally CBS will broadcast all events. -
2020-06-25
COVID-19 and SF Pride
Street photographer, Alex Stemplewski, captured a special moment between a gay couple during June, pride month, in San Francisco. The video begins as Alex approaches the couple. The viewer is reminded of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic of a mask in the opening of the video. In addition to taking stunning photographs for the couple, Alex listened to what the couple had to say about challenges facing the gay community today. -
2020-06-26
Exploring...Finally
Our family has been following strict a shelter-in-place since March 13. We have only left the house for contactless grocery pick up and have visited the gas station once. Other than that, we have been isolated. Today, we decided that it would do us all some good to get some fresh air. We left for a favorite nearby hike as soon as we woke up to beat the crowds. We encountered a total of 10 people but were successfully able to keep our distance of 6-10 feet. All but 2 people were masked on the trail. It baffles me as to why people still refuse to wear masks. Especially in this situation in which they could easily remove the mask once they passed other people. Overall, the hike was wonderfully and did us all a lot of good. I was really impressed by my children who had no problems masking independently throughout the hike. -
2020-06-26
Covered Store Front
I liked how this picture captured a lot of current events. The signs showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, the pride flag and the boarded up building encompasses a lot of what is happening right now. -
2020-06-26
Empty Street, SF
I saw the empty street and wanted to photograph it because it felt odd to see such a quiet street at night in a city. Due to the virus the night activities have gone down, and I liked how this picture illustrated that. -
2020-06-26
Boardwalk Lights
I like how the image showed how empty and calm the boardwalk was on a Friday night because of the virus. That with the woman wearing the mask (right side of the picture) showed how the virus has changed Friday night activities. -
2020-06-26
Ferry Station
I loved the way the lights from the ferry station looked at night. It also showed how empty the station was given that it was a Friday night in SF.