Eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day to bring good luck and wealth is an old Southern U.S. tradition where peas represent coins, and collard greens symbolize paper money.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission is seeking public feedback on the search for its new General Manager. It lists four opportunities for the public to express their thoughts; see https://sfrecpark.org/1856/Commission-Seeks-Feedback-on-GM-Search for date/time/location for two January 2026 in-person town halls, one virtual meeting to be scheduled for February, and survey to complete and submit.
History was made early this month on the west side as Mexican culture – past and present – was proudly displayed in the Outer Richmond’s first “Dia de Muertos” (Day of the Dead) festival on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Zitouna opened its doors this May, bringing a new taste of North Africa to Clement Street and 26th Avenue. The smell of spices drift into the sidewalk, and inside, owner Mehdi Karoui moves through the kitchen the way he tells stories – fast, sensory and anchored by muscle memory.
Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR) is hosting a free public Town Hall Forum to educate the community about Mayor Lurie’s “Family Zoning Plan.” This plan will impact businesses, tenants, and homeowners. Speakers will include former Richmond District supervisors. Neighborhood and community groups will also table. All are welcome. Nov. 15, 5-7pm, Internet Archive, 300 Funston Ave.
The Western Neighborhoods Project (WNP) is thrilled to announce that the Cliff House name has been formally donated to the community history nonprofit by Demosthenis (Dan) and Mary Hountalas.
On Diwali holidays, as opposed to sharing traditional gift items, people in India visit relatives and friends to exchange and share food. Popular food to share during Diwali in Indian households are sweets. I have fond memories of my mother making many different sweets, days before Diwali, and she would hide them to save for the holidays. She also made savory items. My favorite were “dhoklas.”
Del Sol Quartet’s new work, “Facing the Moon: Songs of the Diaspora,” will premiere at the Presidio Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2:00 p.m.
The San Francisco Sober October Festival on Oct. 4 at the Eye & Hand Society was sponsored and hosted by Joshua James of Ocean Beach Cafe at 734 La Playa St.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 