Soon, 7×7 San Francisco will be putting out their Neighborhoods Issue, which they describe as “a groundbreaking portrait of the city’s top 10 neighborhoods”. For it, they tried a different twist and asked residents in those neighborhoods to submit Flickr photos or write 300-word love letters about their neighborhood.
Unfortunately I didn’t find out about their project until the last day for entries (June 12), otherwise I would have rallied all of you to contribute. But I thought you might enjoy reading the love letters that were submitted for the Richmond District. They’re really fun to read. Links to all the letters below, and some highlights included here. I’ll keep an eye out for their Neighborhoods issue and let you know when it’s up.
Love Letters to the Inner Richmond
Love letters to the Outer Richmond
…Dearest R.D., I can’t believe I’m actually writing this to you – I mean, we’ve been together for so many years, and we never say it to each other. About love, I mean. My family has been with you for over 80 years – and you and me? We’ve got our own long term relationship…
…So through the Golden Gate Bridge lies my heart To the right crash Pacific waves Glory and Légion d’Honneur at Lands End I stand before this great granite stone; A grave chiseled with hope, dreams, and life The element of true Americans amass and alone That is my Land of the Free and my home of the Brave…
…From the creepy bison to the creepier, questionably aged Pink Popcorn of Golden Gate Park. From the hidden treasures of the Legion of Honor to the more blatant awesomeness of each unexpected bar and pub lining Geary (The Nag’s Head take the cake for most original name). Outer Richmond, you have it all. May we enjoy many more years of domestic bliss…
…I’ve lived in the city most of my adult life, and am still scratching my head as to why I didn’t spend more of it in the Inner Richmond. Having just moved to this diverse hood six short months ago, I’m agog daily discovering new gems…
…Do you know what it is that’s got me so in love? It’s how you know just how to fit my any mood. When it’s late night eats I’m looking for, you give me the 24-hour donut shop and Pizza Orgasmica. When it’s good reads, you give me Green Apple Books and the newly renovated Richmond branch of the library. And when I want to escape from it all, you give me an authentic slice of Asia, with Quickly bubble tea, Kamei, and the fish market down the street…
Sarah B.