Author: Manny Kagan

This story is the first in a series about the streets of San Francisco. After working on my book, “42 Encounters in San Francisco”, and photographing throughout different parts of our beautiful and special city, I decided to use the opportunity to share some of my discoveries with you. On the weekends, whenever possible, I take Muni to visit different streets for my encounters.

This time my destination was to Valencia Street. I left home at about 2 pm and told my wife Elfa that I was planning to be back by 4 pm. I took the #48 Muni Bus at West Portal next to the entrance to the Twin Peaks Tunnel. Its’ route is through 24th Street through Noe Valley, and I got off on the corner of Valencia. My plan was to walk up to Market Street and to take the Muni underground train back home after about two hours. When my phone rang and my wife inquired where I was, I realized that it was almost 6 pm and I did not even reach 18th Street.

From some online research, I learned that according to historian Louis K. Loewenstein, Valencia Street takes its name from either Jose Manuel Valencia or his son, Candelario Valencia. Since its establishment, Valencia Street featured an ethnically diverse population. Soon after we arrived in San Francisco in 1980, we learned that the Castro district is considered to be a center for gay men, while Valencia Street, according to an article in the Chronicle, was called “The Women’s’ District.” It gained notice as an “emerging bohemia”. At the same time, according to the same article, “it (Valencia Street) served a mix that included Mexican, Central American, South American, Native American, Caucasian, Black and other ethnic groups, as well gay of both genders.” The historical essay I was quoting from was written in 1997, almost twenty years ago. In our fast moving city, especially in the last few years, that is a long time. Valencia Street could not avoid gentrification and today it is a young dynamic, fun place to spend time and live in. According to old photographs taken at the beginning of the 20th century, Valencia Street had already established itself as an area that had a mix of residences and businesses, as it has today. This was why I was barely able to walk six blocks in four hours. I jaywalked, crossing each block to visit the businesses and stores on both sides of the street. I explored two used books stores, and two vintage record stores. One just opened the day before, across from the other one. A young woman was selling her own ceramic cups literally in the space between two stores. There were stores that sold beautiful jewelry, one that sold exquisite perfume, there were stores that sold cards, gifts and hats, antiques and teas. I discovered an art gallery, restaurants and coffee shops. One of them sells delicious Xanath Ice Cream. The last place I visited before my wife reminded me of the time, was Dandelion Chocolate. Unfortunately, I did not have time to indulge in its delicacies. But I am planning to return; this time together with Elfa. Hope you’ll follow my steps. Enjoy and Share.

P.S. Four images are only a few I brought back from my short trip. Some of them will end up in my next photo-book “42 Encounters with Couples in San Francisco”. The first one “42 Encounters in San Francisco” is being printed and is going to be ready before the end of September. It will cost $24.00. Start saving. I guarantee you will buy more than one book.

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We started spending more time in Los Angeles twelve years ago after our daughter Tamar moved there from New York. We usually drive there, which takes us about six hours. The last two visits we flew in, and our daughter chauffeured us around, which is nice, since in spite of going there so many times, I still do not know my way around. Tamar lives in the West Hollywood area, specifically in the square between La Brea, Melrose, Fairfax and Santa Monica Blvd. I like to go for my hour-long walks around the neighborhood in the morning. In the area, there are single-family homes with some three-story apartment buildings and condominiums like the one where Tamar lives. The area is changing. Developers have been buying small houses on big lofts, to be demolished and replaced by huge square boxes (which I don’t particularly find attractive), and are sold for millions. On the surrounding streets, there are new condo projects that have replaced vacant lots. Slowly the old charm is diminishing. Over our weekend visit we did not do as much as we normally do, like see a show or visit museums. We did go meet with one of Tamar’s clients (Tamar is a real estate agent) and the rest of the time we spent shopping, eating, resting and of course photographing. I brought photo prints of my next book “42 Encounters with Couples in San Francisco” with me, and we went through a selection process, witling down the images for the book. I also printed some black and white images for my future book.

While showing the prints to my family, Elfa, instead of just saying whether she liked an image or not, tried to make a comment. I interpreted her comment as her telling me how I should photograph, and even before she could finish her sentence, I got angry and I snapped at her. She got upset and the showing was over. A minute later I cooled down, but it was too late. In our 49 years of marriage we have rarely fought with each other, but I can be forceful in defending my position (though not necessarily right). Elfa usually patiently waits for my rambling to end, and then most of the time I find her suggestion to be right anyway, which I then acknowledge. But this small incident lead me to think about my previous week’s writing. In that story, I wrote that pets as children need to be trained/educated, if we want them to behave a certain way. And in the most cases, the education starts with the animals’ owners. As a part of this training, instead of telling those in our charge what they should do, just evaluate whether the result of their action is satisfactory, and then encourage the positive or discourage the negative actions.

What do you think about this suggestion? Please let me know. Enjoy and Share.

P.S. Through the years, I’ve had many interesting encounters in Los Angeles. Perhaps, sometime in the future, I will make a photography book titled “42 Encounters in Los Angeles.” Meanwhile, please enjoy the four images from this recent trip.

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In the story you received from me a few weeks ago, I wrote about my experience with the pets that we’ve had over the years. A number of my readers sent me their comments, primarily sharing their pet stories. One response was different. My friend Gloria, who among her other talents, trains dogs, remarked that there are no bad dogs who misbehave, but rather owners who do not know how to take care of their animals, who are supposed to be our best friends. When we spoke on the phone, Gloria pointed out that a similar problem exists between parents and children.

This got me thinking. She is one hundred percent right. In our family, as probably many of my readers have pets and/or children for our own pleasure without taking the responsibility to educate ourselves on how to act and behave with those in our care. As a result, we have “misbehaving” dogs, who bark all the time, or we have children who drive us crazy. All of my stories about our experiences with our cats and dogs confirm this. How about our children? We are blessed with two wonderful daughters with whom we have a great relationship. However, they have pointed out to us that if we would be stricter, and more present as parents (I have always worked long hours), their lives could be different. But how can we learn? As far as pets are concerned, there are number of venues where your loving creature can be trained. The best ones start with training the owners. Before getting a new pet or even if you already have one, read Cesar Millan’s, “Short Guide to a Happy Dog” as well as “Cesar’s Way” and check out his videos.

With children, I think, the answer is more complicated. Among other things, sometimes there is a conflict between parents and grandparents, who now have more time and want to spoil their grandchildren. Our daughters were privileged to grow up with their grandmother Masha, who lived with us until her passing. I remember her complaining about Alona doing her homework while sitting on the floor, or about her messy room. My mother-in-law has passed, but she was part of what made our daughters who they are now – good people. I am sure that there are many books related to how to bring up children. I know about “Baby and Child Care” by Dr. Benjamin McLane Spock. He was an American Pediatrician, whose book, which was published in 1946, is one of the best –sellers of all time as well Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman. Enjoy and Share.

P.S. I’m writing this story in Los Angeles, while visiting our daughter Tamar and soon to be (September 16th) son-in-law, David. During our visit, they had a companion – a dachshund named Gary, whom they were dog-sitting for friends. My images of Gary and children were taken during this trip. Next week, I will write more about our LA experience.

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Living in the Bay Area is like living in a big village. Starting in January 24, 1848, when gold was first discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California, thousands of people from all over the world rushed to the Port of San Francisco. In addition people born in other parts of the United States and whose ancestors came from Europe, travelled there by land. Thus, the process of the melting pot started almost 168 years ago.

Nevertheless, each group tried to retain its individuality by celebrating specific holidays akin to their background that eventually became the traditions celebrated by many and not only by those who live in San Francisco. The Irish have their Saint Patrick’s Day, the Chinese celebrate the colorful Chinese New Year, Mexicans have Cinco De Mayo, the Japanese have their annual Cherry Blossom festival. Later on, more immigrants started to pour in, including people from different countries in Europe, Africa, Australia and Asia as well as different republics of the former Soviet Union.

Our family is originally from Latvia and we moved to San Francisco in August, 1980. There were also immigrants who came from Mongolia. It started in 1949. By now there are about 5,000 people of Mongolian descent in the State of California, with about 3,000 living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I came across this wonderful ethnic group and met some of them last year while we had an intern working for our company over the summer. Bill is a very smart and capable person. This year he is graduating from college in San Diego. It was thanks to him that I attended the Mongolian Festival in Golden Gate Park for the first time last year, commemorating the national holiday called Naadam. This year Bill’s parents invited me again to join them in the Park. “Naadam” literally translates to “Game”. Part of the celebration is “the three games of men”, which are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing and archery.

This year, the 18th Annual Naadam Festival took place on July 11th and was a very good opportunity for me to meet the people in their national costumes and of course to take photographs. Two of the images are going to be included in my next book “42 Encounters in San Francisco with Couples.” I expect it to be ready by Thanksgiving. Enjoy and Share.

P.S. I am sorry that I can only share four images with you. I did not see any of the three sports mentioned, but there were beautiful dancers and other performers. Check your calendar for next year’s festival. It is worth the visit. No special invitation is needed.

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 Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?

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As a photographer and a storyteller, I have the incredible opportunity to share my insights with you. But how can I know what you are feeling while reading my stories or just glancing at my images? Sometimes the feedback I get is that you are receiving a positive message or that my photos make you smile. Can I expect more? After all, it has taken a lot of my time, discipline and motivation week after week to send you my images, since I’ve been sending them to you over the last four years. Why should I put so much energy in working on my stories and books? The answer came during our recent trip to The Sea Ranch, that I wrote about last week. On our relaxing trip, I was reading Mikkel Aaland’s book “The Sword of Heaven”. In the introduction of Part Three he writes, “Things that have affinity in their inmost natures seek one another”. I found a number of definitions online for the word affinity – “a feeling of closeness and understanding that someone has for another person because of their similar qualities, ideas.” “A relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin.” Reading this I remembered a message from one of my photography teachers, a well-known National Geographic Photographer, Sam Abel. He shared a lesson with us that he received from his father, who was also a photographer – “Be ready and wait, the object will appear in front of you”. I’m familiar with this concept in the mortgage business as well. Sometimes I do not see how to solve the challenging circumstances in one of my clients’ loan requests, right away. I put their file aside and then spontaneously, a solution comes, but only if there is an affinity between me and my client. But there is yet another important element, which is summarized in the Russian proverb, which I have mentioned previously in my writing – “The prey runs towards its hunter”. One needs to be a hunter, in other words, to have an affinity with its prey, the hunter needs to be ready for the encounter.

The famous French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson called it the “decisive moment”. When a photographer with a camera in his hands is ready, the subject will appear. You can see the remarkable results in his photography books.

Back home I am reading Mikkel Aaland’s latest book “The River in My Background.” There he describes his experience in Norway during the winter. “Beauty surrounds me, when just moment ago all was mundane and ordinary. All I have to do is slow down and look and the marvel of it will be revealed.”

As a photographer I am learning how to develop an affinity with the environments that I photograph. This is how I was able to create the images that became a part of my forthcoming photography book, “42 Encounters in San Francisco”. The book is being printed and you will soon be able to hold it in your hands, and enjoy reading and smiling on every page. Enjoy and Share.

P.S. The images of the fox that I captured in The Sea Ranch are a good example of the allegory of the hunter and the prey. When was the last time that you saw a fox in the wild, peeing and yawning before settling down for a nap? I was able to take those shots because in that moment, I had an affinity with nature. Fortunately for the fox, I was shooting with my pocket camera, not a rifle.

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 Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?

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