Everything South City Founder Bids Farewell to our Small Town Community

South San Francisco, CA  January 1, 2023

HOWDY HO NEIGHBORS!

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, it became official, my retirement from Everything South City, a community-driven resource committed to sharing local ‘hookups by local folks’, an endeavor I created 14 years ago to allow our ‘small town feeling’ a place to continue to flourish as we started to witness mass development with higher and higher rooflines that seemed to overshadow us, in view, and often in speech.

From lost dogs to lost jobs, from lost homes to lost loved ones, we have been a conduit for locals to find help, resources, encouragement, and support. We have highlighted the accomplishments, the successes, the triumphs hard earned and won, and we have worked to champion them, along with promoting our small businesses. From community happenings to local news and views, it has been a privilege to have covered it all.

THE TEAM

I say ‘we’ because there has always been a TEAM ESC behind the scenes, dedicated to helping as they could, when they could, which rounded out the driving force of this online media resource.

In the early years, volunteering their assistance admining our FB page, we were proud to have Grace Furci, Karen McEvoy (RIP), Angela De Benedetto, Franklin Chun, Steve Carey, and Anita Purpose. We also acknowledge Angela Silva, then owner of Savvy Social Strategies, for providing a weekly digest as well as other supportive responsibilities as we got our start.

Throughout our time we have greatly appreciated Angelique Presidente being there to help when and where needed, from FB admin to covering stories, to working our fundraising and/or community events.

Roger Cain is another South City native who has graced our website since the beginning as a photojournalist, covering many important moments in our lives in addition to his portfolio crafted as a professional aerial photographer. Roger covers pretty much everything up in the sky, on the water, on the tracks with a special eye towards our Military.  He has his own space on our website so enjoy more of his work HERE.

Mel Ellison, another talented photographer, has also covered articles for our website HERE and continues to share his thought-provoking essays with his incredible photos on his FB page, open to the public view HERE and his photos can be viewed on his website HERE.

One of the many photo captures by Mel Ellison for ESC

Allie Saults has been my right hand for the better half of this ride, invisible in the background but so visible in what she has brought to this venture. The owner of Old Soul Social Media Design, Allie has been producing our weekly digest for the past 7 years, along with our graphics, providing content for our website as needed, along with overseeing our Instagram and Facebook. Thank you isn’t big enough for all she has had to contend with through the years, a sounding board and support, and her dedication has her offering to keep our social media alive for the next month or so until the right party takes the reins.

To all those who have helped as our ‘ad hoc’ advisory board through the years – thank you!

I would be remiss if I did not thank my biggest supporter of all time, my husband Dave Silva, who has patiently stood by me through the years, listening to my rants, proofreading my writing, escorting me to events, accepting my ‘but ESC…’ when I put it first and us on hold, waking up to find me pacing the floor, wiping my tears when stories broke my heart or frustration stole my spirit, for giving me the nod of the head and the wink saying ‘You got this’. Thank you and I look forward to sharing our retirement time together, finally.

WHERE’S THE MONEY?!  

Without the generous funds from local businesses sponsoring our efforts, we would not have been able to accomplish all that we have done. Although we have had many ask to ‘advertise’ on our site through the years, we have been very selective, only choosing those companies we know have our community’s interest at heart, and we ask that you continue to support those who have supported us and our efforts through the years. Because of their support, we were able to pay the bills, donate to clubs, schools, and individuals in need, support community events, and offer some incredible prizes for our many GAME ON contests.

South San Francisco Scavenger Company, INC: It’s a law in South City that you must have garbage service so there is no competition, therefore no reason for them to ‘advertise’ with us – but this is the precise reason we have been so fortunate to have their support – they are so community focused from City wide clean-ups to special events, they are there! They have believed in our efforts to connect our community and it has been a true honor working with them. Scavengers is owned by local families who are our neighbors, they know first-hand what is needed, and what is important, and they are responsive, unlike other companies that may be owned by out-of-state corporations.

South City Grocery Outlet: Another locally owned business, Michelle and Dave Radcliff have been supporting ESC for half a decade, both with advertising sponsorship and through their partnership with GAME ON Contests and efforts we’ve made to help our homebound seniors receive food and supplies delivered to them, for free, during the pandemic shutdown. They work tirelessly, together and as a family, to provide us with fresh, good quality food and supplies at reduced prices – they know how hard it is to feed a growing family, how to make our budgets go further, and we cannot thank them enough for all they do!

Chajinel Home Care Services: Because I truly believe our society is reflected in how we treat our elders, Chajinel proudly earned a place with us, not only as a sponsor but as a community partner. Chajinel is Mayan for ‘Care of the Soul’ which is reflected in the personal attention given to their clients, who are treated as beloved aunties and uncles, with respect.  Owner Daniela Jonguitud’s passion runs so deep that she has established another senior care business in Mexico, allowing her to give back to her country of origin. On a personal note, I can attest to the excellence they offer as I called upon them to help with my own father in a time of great need and concern.

Garden Chapel Funeral Services: Owner and Director, Al Banfield, is not a stranger to any of us, we know him through his good works in our City having been acknowledged as ‘the Pillar of our Community’ by our Chamber for his work with YMI, Italian American Citizen’s Club, SSF ICF, SSFPAL, ELKS and more. As a highly decorated SSG (Retired) US Army and Disabled Vietnam Veteran, Al is also a member of the Purple Heart Society and knows well the value of service and the meaning of sacrifice.

Because of who he is, so many of us have entrusted Al with the care of our loved ones who have died, the last act of caring we can offer them, knowing Al and his staff will treat them with respect and dignity. Garden Chapel is one of the last independently owned funeral homes around, most have become corporate-owned by out-of-state entities.

Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco: Because health is wealth and they offer so much outreach, not only to their members but to our whole community in the health fares and seminars they host, we were excited to have them come aboard early on, special thanks to Joe Fragola. We have appreciated the great working relationship we have had with many of their outreach directors, especially Stacey Wagner.  And we offer heartfelt thanks to Dr. John Skerry for his leadership as Chief of Staff and congratulate him on his retirement from this position this past month.

Financial Partners Credit Union: Formerly known as Sierra Credit Union, we appreciate the extra bucks we’ve been able to keep because they have not charged us monthly fees through the years. They understand how tough it is to keep hard-earned monies in our pocket which is why they are offering 4% + on savings – way higher than local banks!

Please support those who support our community!

IN CLOSING

At this time, we have not found the right party to take the reins of ESC and we are still accepting letters of interest. In the meantime, our website will remain online as a valuable resource full of archived information curated over the past 14 years, please check it out HERE! Although this will be our last digest, Allie will continue to monitor our social media for the time being.

As I sign off I would like to thank our wonderful community for your support, and your confidence through the years and my hope is you continue your efforts to keep our ‘small town feeling’, it truly is what makes South City our home.

With respect and gratitude.

Kamala Silva Wolfe