The Semaphore Spring 2000 SPECIAL EDITION

12 Pages·0.93 MB·English

by  Telegraph Hill Dwellers

Thank You, Pat!
ISSUE 151.2 SPECIAL “Thank You, Pat!” EDITION
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 2
P ’ L
RESIDENT S ETTER
y
oi
D
n
by Aaron Peskin, THD President 1999-present of who is president she so
a
After seven years as editor, overseeing the doggedly maintains her edi- y J
b
publication of 22 issues of the Semaphore torial autonomy (a line I’ve oto
h
Patricia Cady is retiring and returning to learned not to cross). Even p
Aaron Peskin
civilian life. We all owe her a deep debt of grat- as deadlines loom she always
itude for her professional and loving steward- stays calm, thoughtful and focused. Despite the
ship of our 46 year-old quarterly. time commitment and having to nag people (like
Of all of the myriad functions which makes me) to finish their articles Pat never treats the job
the Telegraph Hill Dwellers one of the most like a burden and never whines.
effective neighborhood organizations in the city Many members — even folks who have left
(all of them volunteer), producing the Semaphore the Hill and moved to other Cities — have told
is arguably the most important, time-consuming me that they remain members so that they con-
and demanding. tinue to receive the Semaphore. From time to
If there were awards for neighborhood asso- time we have had tourists join THD after read-
ciation publications (it’s is more than a mere ing a copy of the Semaphore in a local cafe.
“newsletter”) I have no doubt that under Pat’s Members of the press (who are also provided
editorship the Semaphorewould be the recipient courtesy copies) look forward to it and call to
of no end of awards: for elegant design, compre- follow up and write articles on issues that they
hensive content and editorial quality. first learn about in the Semaphore.
The title editor doesn’t do her or the position As president, I am the one who is lucky enough
justice (although she is an editor’s editor). Pat to field many of the resounding compliments THD
sees the whole task through from start to finish gets for the Semaphore(which is always a welcome
four times a year from assigning the articles to respite from the day to day complaints about noise
editing them, laying it out, and coordinating pro- and film companies and the like).
duction and distribution. THD and its efforts to preserve and improve
We all have a bit of a sense of Pat — her our corner of the world is as good as the volun-
determined but gentle spirit is woven into each teers who devote their time, energy and soul. Pat
issue of the Semaphore. Working with Pat has has spent countless hours seeing it through issue
been a delight for me and each of the five THD after issue, year after year. On behalf of Telegraph
presidents she has worked with. And regardless Hill Dwellers, thank you Pat.
Cover and introductory comments by Rod Freebairn-Smith: Neighbors and Hill Dwellers salute
the many years of Pat Cady’s acute writing and editing the Semaphore, her famous dead-eye edi-
torial precision at the Semaphore’s helm. We’re grateful for her steadfast support of neighbor-
hood values. On the cover some of her many projects surround her Pioneer Park, Coit Tower,
Our Lady of Guadalupe, the trees at the Shrine of St. Francis, the landmarking of Washington
Square. With heartfelt thanks for so many years of service to San Francisco, North Beach and
Telegraph Hill we salute our Semaphorecover girl this April 2000.
Editor: Dawne Bernhardt. Co-editors: Aaron Peskin & Billie Atlas
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 3
P P the Hill Dwellers before the Parking and Traffic
AST RESIDENTS
Commis-sion. The fix was already in—the
Gerry Crowley Commission was just going through the motions
THD President 1997-1999 of a hearing.
Iliken Pat Cady’s five years as Leading the charge for the Commission was
editor of the Semaphore to a Sharon Bretz, then one of its commissioners.
five-year pregnancy, always in Compared to her, Attila the Hun was a smooth-
the third trimester, awaiting ie. “What”, she demanded as I began to speak,
birth at the end of each quarter, “are the Hill Dwellers’ boundaries?”. The impli-
the birth of a new edition. cation was clear—since the garage was a block
Although countless THDers contributed to the and a half outside our boundaries, I might as
Semaphore during her tenure, the publication was well sit down.
always Pat’s baby. It was she who nurtured and Midway through her harangue, however,
molded it, always with passion and professionalism she interrupted herself—”You publish The
Pat’s passions, well known to Semaphore Semaphore, don’t you?”. I had to admit we did.
readers, include the history of North Beach, “It’s a great paper”, she barked, “I read every bit
Telegraph Hill and The Waterfront as well as of it”.
the protection against negative development Wow, I thought to myself, even those who
and unnecessary demolition of historic build- won’t give us the time of day read The
ings.She has championed the improvement of Semaphore! And of course Sharon Bretz and
local parks and defined the culture of our com- everybody else read it due to one person, Pat
munity through coverage of the people whose Cady. For The Semaphore IS Pat Cady. Editor,
lives and work have defined that culture. writer, cajoler, deadline-meeter, you name it, Pat
On a personal level, I have appreciated Pat’s Cady has made The Semaphore happen, and the
unfailing patience with me during times of Hill Dwellers have benefited accordingly. In no
writer’s block, when I couldn’t meet the deadline other way do the Dwellers reach as many people
for the President’s Letter. Her humor never took as they do through the Semaphore, and that
a vacation. I also appreciated her humility when includes the membership at large.
praise was bestowed upon her. In turn, she has There can be no sweeter, gentler person
always been generous with her praise of others. than Pat Cady; and can she put out a paper! Is
As she leaves her watch, Pat has the satisfac- it too early to talk about canonization?
tion of knowing that the Semaphore is the most
outstanding neighborhood publication in San Mia Morrill
Francisco. Happy Trails, God THD President 1995-1996
Bless and Grazie. We have depended on
her and she has
Joe Luttrell never let us down.
THD President 1996-1997 We have benefited from her
It was early on in the struggle loyalty to the Hill Dwellers, her
over the North Beach love of our neighborhood and her strong sense
garage. I was appearing for
continued on page 10
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 4
P C . . .
AT ADY
If I had a do-good angel on my shoulder, Good Show, Pat!
whispering into my ear, she might look a lot
There are many things to salute in Pat
like Patricia Cady. There are quite a number
Cady’s remarkable tenure at the
of do-good deeds that I’ve gotten credit for that
Semaphore. I am glad to have this opportu-
originated with Pat’s whispering in my ear. It’s
nity to applaud her community activism as Editor.
quite a talent, to recognize what needs to be
Pat not only wrote articulate and pungent
done, what fights must be waged; to mix logic
editorials about the controversies that swirled
and pleading with righteous indignation; to
around the Hill during her editorship, she also
cajole, rouse, and deputize others to take up the
took time to attend meetings and make speech-
pen, banner or sword. Pat Cady excels at it.
es and stood tall in the defense of threatened
Much lip service is paid these days to find-
institutions.
ing one’s compass, living morally. Many have
I am thinking particularly (and gratefully)
forgotten faith and how to live by it. These
about her efforts to save the North Beach
traits are Pat’s hallmarks. But she’s not one of
Garage, which was eventually lost, and her pas-
those glassy-eyed, passive angels—Pat can
sionate fight to prevent the loss of historic St.
kvetch and tussle with the best of them. And
Francis of Assisi Church, which was closed
her willingness to take on the good cause, and
amid many bitter tears and then reopened in an
her ability to raise others to the task, makes her
important new role.
a valuable friend and formidable foe. I am
As a friend I watched with awe as Pat kept
pleased—and relieved—to be on the friend side
her temper, her courtesy and her sense of humor
of that equation.
in her writings and in her talk with the obdurate
I have worked with Pat on countless
forces determined to padlock the wonderful old
Semaphores in the past years—from 400 Trees,
church.
through Pioneer Park, now Washington Square
Pat remained reasonable throughout the
and the North Beach Playground. She has been
months and years of the battle to preserve St.
more tireless and hardworking and professional
Francis of Assisi and then played a significant
than any volunteer need be. She has been as
role in recreating the church as the national
patient and accommodating as any friend could
shrine that we have today in North Beach.
be. And, in light of her many contributions, I
A community that does not preserve and pro-
am willing to overlook all the “projects” she’s
tect its heritage is a place without meaning, with-
gotten me into.
out tradition, without color and without a heart.
I speak for so many in saluting Pat on her
Salute, Pat Cady — June A. Osterberg
“retirement” from the Semaphore, and in thank-
ing her for the information and enjoyment she’s
A Tribute to Pat Cady
provided the Hill Dwellers in the past years. I
am sure she will think of us fondly —at least Last weekend I was in North Beach for the
once every quarter. day, and in the evening I caught a cable
— Julienne M. Christensen car to Market Street, from whence I
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 5
. . . P C
ASSIONATE RUSADER
would take BART to my home in the East Bay. Faith, Perseverance, and
As the cable car passed Broadway and Mason, I
Literacy
heard a tourist remark, “What a pretty
church!” That Nuestra Sonora de Guadalupe
Who was this voice in the background,
still stands is a tribute to Pat Cady and her part-
this quiet unassuming person at the
ners in preservation, Clementina Garcia, Irene
heart of efforts to preserve two North
Jimenez, Daisy Lem and others. I was able to
Beach Churches? How was it that entrenched
watch their effort closely, and I was struck by
institutions came to embrace her vision?
how effectively they marshaled support for this
Working with others, Patricia created a com-
cause. None of them, to my knowledge, had
munity which shared and championed her goal,
ever been involved in historic preservation
the productive use of these places of worship
before the Catholic Church closures of the early
into the future.
1990s. Learning the planning process can be
The people one met in the campaign for
quite intimidating; these women did that. They
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe were entrancing:
researched Guadalupe Church’s history, they
the mariachis who played at dawn in December,
produced a case report for the Landmarks
the man who restored the mosaics on the
Board, they organized neighbors, former parish-
Church he was married in, the retired Pulitzer
ioners, and preservationists, and they deter-
Prize winning columnist who told the Board of
minedly saw the process through to a successful
Supervisors of his encounter with Jack Kerouac
conclusion over many, many months. The
in the church in the 1950’s, the Chinese
crowd they brought to the Planning Commis-
Panamanian San Franciscans who drove across
sion meeting was one of the largest I’ve ever
town to worship here for its meaning to their
seen for a preservation cause. They put on a
larger community, the historian who showed
clinic for the rest of the preservation communi-
one the burn marks on the wall in the basement
ty to learn from.
from the Great Fire. Not to mention her co-
Residents of North Beach, Russian Hill and
conspirators; Clementina, Daisy, and Irene who
Telegraph Hill found common cause in this
never forgot a face or a name.
campaign, and they have worked together ever
Patricia’s success lay in her ability to tell
since. Than you, Pat, for helping to forge the
just enough of a story that people who heard it,
links that must remain strong if we are to pre-
or read it, were compelled to supply their own
serve the beauty and history of these neighbor-
ending. In the process, they got the byline, just
hoods. Although you are leaving as Semaphore
like an editor soliciting stories for a newsletter,
editor, I am sure you will remain active in the
her role receded. Her faith, perseverance, and
neighborhood in other ways.
literacy, whether guiding the Semaphore, or cre-
— William Kostura, architectural historian
ating a National Shrine, was her gift to us all.
and former S.F. Landmarks Board member
—F. Joseph Butler
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 6
P C . . .
AT ADY
Dear Patricia Sullivan Cady: and wit; never do you sentimentalize or indulge
in nostalgic fantasy. More likely than the big or
If there were a Pulitzer Prize for Best
sensational issues, it is the serendipitous, the
Neighborhood Newsletter Editor, you would be
personal, the quirky and the joyous details that
the winner.
catch your eye: the celebrations of the spirit and
For the part seven year, you have given hun-
the senses. As a result, your editorial voice is
dreds of hours to edit our outstanding
unique. But, much as I will miss it on the pages
Sempahore—coping with deadlines, sometimes
of the Semaphore, I can’t help thinking your
sloppy copy, fragile egos, dark photos, stubborn
“retirement” will allow us more time for lovely
layout artists, overworked printers, late deliver-
days exploring and talking, otherwise called
ies, and even lost mail.
“rattling around”.
You always came through, Pat, unflappable,
— Lisa Steadman
professional, tactful and kind. Your hundreds of
loyal readers are grateful. Elsewhere on these She Made it Look Easy
pages are tributes from many other THDers on
It’s hard to believe that Pat Cady is no
your countless and praiseworthy accomplish-
longer the editor of the Semaphore. To describe
ments on behalf of our community and our City.
Pat in her capacity as editor is a bit tricky.
In closing, Pat, I’m nominating you for
Usually you think of an editor as an irascible
THD’s own, special Pulitzer Prize.
person always fighting deadlines, jumping on
— Billie Atlas
reporters for being late, screaming at printers
She Always Cared and layout people, and in general looking like a
person caught in the throes of a bout of dyspep-
Your years of editing the Semaphore have
sia. I worked with Pat over a period of seven
demonstrated exceptional stores of the three req-
years, and there was none of this – not her style!
uisite qualities of good editors: intelligence, per-
Pat was such a smooth operator. Things just
severance , and humor. But less well-known is
went right. She’d call and give me the deadline.
the fact that you worried each issues of the
Sometimes she’s suggest a story she’d like cov-
Semaphore into existence. Everything else went
ered, but she never pushed you in a direction
“on hold” while you were busy getting an issue
you didn’t want to go. If you needed to edit an
ready for the printer. Every aspect of each issue
article down to fit, she would let you know well
needed to meet you high standards (and really,
in advance. And most importantly, the end
how few ever did!) All because you care deeply
product was inevitably better. She had a won-
about this lovely city and the lives of the people
derful way with words.
in it.
Many Hill Dwellers contributed to the
More than anything else it is an apprecia-
Semaphore over the years. I suspect Pat dealt
tion of what is beautiful and unique that is your
with all of her “reporters” in this thoughtful,
editorial strength. Years of observing what is
considerate and understanding way. That meant
going on around you have sharpened you senses
countless hours. Over the years, the quality of
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 7
. . . Semaphore Editor par excellence
the product showed her professionalism. She hoods, in fact), the parishioners, and God only
was always on top of the late breaking neigh- knows who else that Saturday morning to show
borhood news. And she was a logistics expert. the support she had rallied. And she won!
On more than one occasion Pat would hot-foot- The accomplishment got her on the THD
it-down to the United States Postal Service to Board, and we have been taking advantage of
loosen a log jam or help find the lost pallet of Pat’s ability, and willingness, and enthusiasm to
Semaphores. just do it ! ever since.
During all the interactions Pat had with con- She’s been instrumental in keeping St.
tributors, with layout people, with printers, postal Francis Church alive, and part of the neighbor-
service and yes, with the occasional irate sub- hood. When there was nobody to put the
scriber, she was unflap- Semaphore together, she
pable. Pat always kept her patriciacadythelady.freeperson.com decided she could do that
cool gracefully rearranging Having come to the THD Board in 1997 too—and has, with enor-
her day to accommodate and being shuttled to Parking and Traffic… mous success, forever, it
any and all emergencies. where I quickly developed a flat tire…a seems.
Once in a while when wild-eyed-but-perfectly-groomed red She has been a regular
haired Editorperson (who called everybody
things were going particu- at the THD recruiting
“pet” and “pal”, when she wasn’t miffed,
larly wrong, she’d jokingly booth at the North Beach
or let ‘em have it, when she was – (“which they well
say something like, “I’m Fair—I’ve been her part-
deserve, God bless ‘em”) appeared on the grim
not in it for the money.” ner in those efforts a few
road rage horizon and saved me. Saved me from
Pat was the incarnate edi- times, and believe me,
late-onset acne (probably) and a host of disagreeable
tor and a great person to she’s good! In fact, if
psychiatric maladies.
work with. She made it and surprise, surprise, She was not just funny, there’s anything that
look easy. appreciating the healing qualities of cashmere needs doing, just let Pat
— Gerry Hurtado for the body and a quick trip to Paris for the soul know—and it’s done. All
(talk about practical Zen); she was intelligent this, while dealing with the
Pat Cady’s Retiring??
and caring not to mention a pit bull
vagaries and fluctuating
Not Really, I’m Sure
in print with certain socio/political creeps.
demands of the free-
My first acquaintance Eager to stick her neck out for the sake of
lancer’s life.
with Pat waw when she community justice, she also appreciated good
So retiring? Can’t
lookin’ guys and dogs (or, was that vice versa?),
asked us to help her in
believe it! It’s just a ques-
So who could resist sidling up the Semaphore
saving Our Lady of
tion of the next project,
Queen’s team of one. Not I. Nor, will I ever by sorry.
Guadalupe from the
the next cause.
diocesan ax. I said I
Sheila Black, Advertising Manager Many, many thanks,
thought we’d be interest-
Part, for what you’ve done
ed, and then met Pat in
for THD, for the neighborhood, for all of us.
person on the steps of the church. She had
— June Fraps
mobilized the neighborhood (several neighbor-
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 8
T ’ S . . .
HERE S OMETHING
A Great And Gutsy Journalist Pat became Editor. I suggest we could increase
our revenues by signing up some Broadway
It was almost time to stop working on the
strip-joints and adult bookstores. I had always
next issue of the Semaphore. Time to make that
wanted an excuse to visit these businesses any-
end-of-day martini, when the doorbell rang.
way. She came down strong that this is no way to
The lady in red handed me a last minute
treat our readers. Pat is a lady.
article for the next issue that scathingly
—Stephen Y. Hord
attacked the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Pat
Cady was outraged at the planned closing of Our Katydid Cady
Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church.
Katydids make cheerful sounds,
Pat has never dimmed her crusading spark,
Our Cady did though more profound.
either in her victory on church closure or any of
North Beach to me in days of old,
the other issues she herded though the
Longed to have its stories told.
Semaphore’s columns as she became a regular
You viewed my stuff without hauteur,
and eventually replaced me as editor.
It’s fun to be published autheur!
— Clyde Steiner
— Helen von Ammon
She’s Thoughtful and Conscientious
We’ve known you for quite a while, but The Power of Prayer –
have come to know you better since we assumed A tribute to Pat Cady
the roles of Membership Chairman and
Those of us who know the success of Pat
Webmaster, and watched you join the 20th cen-
Cady’s activist history to preserve Catholic
tury, though in its waning moments, by becom-
churches throughout the City from being sold off
ing a member of the ranks of those who rely
must reflect thoughtfully when she says there is
more and more on email.
power in Prayer. Saint Francis of Assisi Church
Always thoughtful and conscientious;
was Pat’s parish. It was closed down. By a letter
“How many Semaphores will you need so that
directive from then Archbishop Quinn to a com-
you can send a copy to each new member?” and
mittee trying to save the church, the church was
always planning: “It’s almost time to email the
forbidden ever again to be a place of “divine wor-
member addresses to the mailing house for the
ship”. Today the Church is the Shrine of Saint
new Semaphore, but don’t do it till the day after
Francis of Assisi, and masses are held regularly.
tomorrow—Harry would probably lose the file.”
Many prayers were uttered by the committee of
Thanks for the Semaphore—it will be in
Pat, Arlene and Irene.
good hands but it has been in great hands.
I am from a different tradition of belief not
— Rozell and Peter Overmire
tutored in the use of prayer or the comprehen-
She’s a Lady! sion of its possible efficacy. Yet, I’ve had to won-
I was handling Semaphoreadvertising when der how Pat might be on to something. I received
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 9
. . . A P
BOUT AT
a a get well card from Pat recently letting me Upon her Retirement (to Pat Cady)
know that a candle was lit for me at the Shrine
As editor of the Semaphore
with prayers. My health made a dramatic turn
she muchly improved it
around just about that time. Coincidence,
which is also what editors are for.
maybe.
Besides, I mean, submitting
Pat Cady has always been a person of faith.
clean copy to the printers on time
She has faith in the power of prayer, in the
and not permitting, for instance,
teachings of the Church, in the inherent good-
the splintering of words, bad grammar
ness of people, in the democratic process, and in
and flights of fanciful metaphors.
the timely submission by writers of articles for
the Semaphore.
At the basic, difficult task of soliciting
While some of you my not be convinced
articles
about the power of prayer, why not give it a try.
with maybe a groan and certainly a plea
Here’s a list:
from numerous members of THD
• Timely and under budget construction of
that keep us informed in an attractive format
Pioneer Park Plan
of what is going on it our neighborhood
• St. Francis Church’s rectory vacated and
Pat was good.
turned over to the Franciscans
In fact she was great
• Funds for seismic reinforcement of the
and never late.
Shrine and early completion
Bless you, too, Pat Cady
Therefore:
— Arthur Chang
cadenced compliments to
Pat Cady, who,
A Chinese proverb says:
By the way is a charming lady.
“A good memory does not equal pale ink.”
— John D. Dolan
Thank you Patricia for your journalistic
A Song in Her Heart
flair, gentle nudging and patience,
in eliciting from so many, so much and Pat Cady’s fascination with and enthusiasm
so often—- for people, for music – and for the things of life –
all the while walking the neighborhood are a welcome inspiration!
beat and pounding them typewriter — Elaine Lust
keys—- Pat The Historian
the historical essence of Telegraph Hill
North Beach Brach Library was lucky
Dwellers
enough to have Patricia Cady and Marsha
for generations to come.
Garland give a presentation entitled “The True
History of North Beach,” on September 19,
—Howard Wong AIA
continued on page 11
THANK YOU, PAT! SPRING 2000 • PAGE 10
THD’ T C A
S RIPLE ROWN WARD
Creating and presenting awards was the highlight of being the NICE Committee Chair.
Writing them up for the Semaphore was grueling—a nightmare which I survived, thanks to Pat’s
encouragement, editing, and exquisite patience.
No other project could have brought me from happy retirement than Aaron’s request to coor-
dinate this tribute to Pat Cady.
Congratulations Pat, you deserve all three of the awards that THD bestows.
— Dawne Bernhardt, NICE Committee Chair (retired)
PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Pat Cady
Semaphore Editor par Excellence
DECEMBER 1994–MARCH 2000
Honoring the
GREEN THUMB
HERITAGE OF THE HILL
Honor Roll
Pat Cady
Pat Cady
Passionate Crusader Dedicated Preservationist