Third Street Stroll – and beyond

by Rochelle Metcalfe

WHAT’S GOING ON??? An unarmed BLACK man shot down on the sidewalk of THIRD Street – MY BEAT – in COLD BLOOD, allegedly 20 plus times, holding only a KNIFE in his hand!!!

NO PEACE UNTIL JUSTICE IS SERVED OVER THE POLICE KILLING OF 26-year-old MARIO WOODS, a HUMAN BEING, MASSACRED BY five SF POLICE officers on DEC 2, in the Bayview, on THIRD STREET, between Fitzgerald and Hollister, across from CORNERSTONE BAPTIST CHURCH, at Third and Paul, where funeral services were held days later.

WHAT’S GOING ON??? An unarmed BLACK man shot down on the sidewalk of THIRD Street – MY BEAT – in COLD BLOOD.

SHOCKING to see a video, aired on TV, taken at the scene, of the killing!!! HORRIBLE – UNTHINKABLE!!! This writer totally upset by what I saw – Woods seen holding a knife – looked like a steak knife. WHY did those officers feel it was necessary to discharge their weapons at the BROTHER???

Mario-Woods-memorial-1215-by-Rochelle-300x225, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
The altar built as a memorial to Mario Woods is in disarray here, but it’s tended daily by people who live nearby or who come to pay their respects. The candles are upside down to keep the wicks dry. – Photo: Rochelle Metcalfe

Woods did not seem to pose a direct threat; that could not have been handled in a different way. The Woods family hired ATTORNEY JOHN BURRIS’ law office to further investigate his death. A lawsuit filed on Dec. 11, 2015, in U.S. District Court Northern District of California.

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE FOR JUSTICE! A MOVEMENT is building – JUSTICE FOR MARIO WOODS COALITION that urges POLICE CHIEF GREG SUHR MUST BE FIRED OR HE HAS TO RESIGN, and the five officers involved must be PROSECUTED!!! The Black community especially MUST KEEP THE PRESSURE ON. What a way to start 2016!

The BAYVIEW COMMUNITY and beyond are OUTRAGED as seen at the S.F. POLICE COMMISSION MEETING Dec. 9! What pain Mario’s mother has to suffer, like so many mothers at the hands of the police! NO JUSTICE – NO PEACE!!!

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE FOR JUSTICE! A MOVEMENT is building – JUSTICE FOR MARIO WOODS COALITION that urges POLICE CHIEF GREG SUHR MUST BE FIRED OR HE HAS TO RESIGN, and the five officers involved must be PROSECUTED!!!

MOVING ON – I forgot about the 100-bed shelter that was to be available in the space immediately next door to MOTHER BROWN’s kitchen, located in the BAYVIEW, at the corner of Jennings and Van Dyke. Thought plans were underway when approved earlier last year, UNTIL I read the project had been DROPPED!!! WHY??? Bayview has the SECOND highest homeless population in the City.

City officials have WITHDRAWN an application for state funding to help construct a 100-bed shelter in the Bayview Hunters Point District. NOT moving forward on the project because it would cost too much! WHAT??? The city has money for everything else!!! Understand City looking for supportive housing! ONLY ONE other shelter in the neighborhood, Providence Baptist Church on McKinnon Avenue, is open overnight for homeless people, but not during the day.

Mr.-Otis-once-homeless-14-months-now-resident-Armstrong-Senior-Apts-by-Rochelle-300x225, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Mr. Otis, once homeless for 14 months, is happy now to be a resident of Armstrong Senior Apartments. – Photo: Rochelle Metcalfe

According to Mother Brown’s Director GWENDOLYN WESTBROOK, the United Council of Human Services is looking for another place. Seemed so convenient next to the facilities where meals are served twice a day, a place to nod in a chair overnight. Times are hard, weather cold. Positive changes all over the city, WHY DENY THE HOMELESS problem in Bayview!!!

ARMSTRONG PLACE, on Third between Armstrong and Bancroft , is a comfortable residence for independent seniors, blessed to have two lovely event planners assigned to the residence – MISS TIFFANY GAGE AND MISS VANESSA HARLIN who have livened up the multicultural residents, featuring social activities within and short trips to spots like S.F. ZOO, WALMART and CHEER during the Holiday Season.

Regina-Douglas-James-Jordan-at-Armstrong-Place-event-300x225, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Regina Douglas, who passed in October, enjoys an event with James Jordan at Armstrong Place. – Photo: Rochelle Metcalfe

The ladies show love and interest in making the environment interesting and fun, and they’ve brought residents of ALL cultures together. They are to be recognized by SUPPORT SERVICES out of Providence Baptist Church, one of the many programs under Providence Foundation of San Francisco. AND not to be overlooked, RODELL RAMOS under the same program works with many of the seniors and has done a marvelous job since Armstrong opened in 2011.

SAD to lose several Armstrong residents in 2015, among them REGINA DOUGLAS, a dynamic community activist during her active years in the Bayview. She passed Oct. 27, age 67. HOMEGOING SERVICE held at St. James Missionary Baptist Church on Hudson. DR. MICHAEL S. WILLIAMS, PASTOR, OFFICIATING.

Douglas was an active participant in her community and served as a fierce advocate for social change and justice. She passionately championed causes for the elderly as well as for the youth of the Bayview Hunters Point community through a number of organizations. She leaves her ARMSTRONG family to mourn her passing.

Linda-Jamerson-owner-Scorpions-Hair-Salon-on-Third-Street-by-Rochelle-300x225, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Linda Jamerson, owner of Scorpion’s Hair Salon on Third Street, smells her beautiful roses, a gift for her birthday. – Photo: Rochelle Metcalfe

THIRD STREET MERCHANTS NEWS – MISS LINDA JAMERSON, Third Street owner SCORPION’s Hair Salon, next door to “LET’S EAT BARBECUE,” celebrated her ??? BIRTHDAY, Nov. 17. Photo SHOWN posing with beautiful long stemmed roses. I happened to be in the shop when she received them (stylist MISS CAMILLE styles my hair). Ms. Linda’s client, fabulous MARILYN FRENCH-SPELLAR, executive director, MEALS ON WHEELS, personally delivered her gift. Birthday girl gives an ANNUAL birthday CASINO bus trip celebrating her day. HEARD, ALWAYS A BLAST!

Rev.-Victor-Medearis-at-Mendell-Plaza-summer-2012-by-Rochelle-300x240, Third Street Stroll – and beyond, Culture Currents
Rev. Victor Medearis, pictured here in Mendell Plaza at Third and Palou in the summer of 2012, was a powerful force for good in Bayview Hunters Point. – Photo: Rochelle Metcalfe

BAYVIEW’S RENOWNED REV. VICTOR MEDEARIS passed Oct. 18; HE WAS 94 YEARS OLD. Pastor for more than 60 years at Double Rock Baptist Church.

MY condolences to IRENE WILLIAMS DOSS in the loss of her beloved husband, LaRON STEVE DOSS, who passed Oct. 18. HOMEGOING, Duggan’s Funeral Service, San Francisco. REPAST held at the JAZZ ROOM on Third that saw many come by to give her comfort, including club regulars DON JUAN, MR.ROY, FREDDIE, ICONIC mixologist, MS. CLARA JACKSON, retired, CECELIA KENNEDY, to name a few. AND R.I.P. to a fine gentleman, MR. HERMAN PHILLIPS, who passed in mid-December.

LOVE, PEACE AND HAPPINESS TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE, AS WE MEET THE CHALLENGES AT HOME AND BEYOND … STAY STRONG, FOR THE WORLD WE LIVE IN HAS CHANGED!

HEY, IT’S NICE TO BE NICE AND TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE … LOOK FOR ME … I’LL BE THERE …

Email Rochelle at iheard@earthlink.net.