This is such a simple idea and an easy way to help others this holiday season:

Happy Holidaze! We are excited to announce the Muni Manners Holiday Fast Pass Drive – a simple way for riders to give back to the com-Muni-ty without spending a dime.

How does it work? From Dec 10 through Dec 21, individuals leaving town for the holidays drop off an otherwise wasted Muni Fast Pass, and we donate the transit tickets to local women’s shelters to provide those in need with a ride home or transportation to a safe haven. The locations listed below have agreed to host our drop-off boxes. Once collected, Fast Passes will be donated to the La Casa de Las Madres and Asian Women’s Shelter in San Francisco. We’ve spoken to both shelters and they are thrilled to receive the passes for their clients.

Safeway, 2300 16th St & Potrero Ave
Safeway, 2020 Market St & Church St
Safeway, 15 Marina Blvd & Laguna St
One Market Lobby @ the Market St entrance

Smooth riding,
SF Muni Ladies
Angelie Agarwal & Julie Hayes

I’ve been invited back this year as an All-Star cast member of the Oakland Ballet’s Nutcracker.   Ronn Guidi is bringing back the holiday favorite from December 18-24th at the Paramount Theater.   The All-Star show will be a matinee on Saturday, December 20th at 2pm.
I will be dressed as a toy soldier and I’m working on the battle scene with those pesky mice!!  Should be fun.  Come out with your friends and family and have a great time.

Dang! We are one interesting species and here is one more bit of proof. A video out of Japan where there seems to be a fascination (at least for one man) with turning vegetables into musical instruments…a whole line of healthful instruments you play, then eat. Wow! Thanks to Rik Malone for forwarding this to me. "Broccoli We Have Heard on High", just in time for Christmas…dinner.

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Once again we’re participating in the Gingerbread House competition at the Palace Hotel. KDFC’s entry this year (photo below) is adorable, with little marzipan mice exploring a music stand with white chocolate music and a cello in yummy chocolate gingerbread.  The concept is the brainchild of our Marketing guru, Val Robichaud and pastry chef Sarah I. Joos.  They call it "Midnight Mouse" and everything is made of gingerbread. Stop by the Palace Hotel at 2 New Montgomery Street in SF through December 31st and vote for the KDFC Gingerbread design.  Your vote will help our chosen non-profit organization, Music in Schools Today, win $2000!

Not all of us do it, but we all seem to have opinions about it. Tipping. When, how much, why, etc. Some people we might like to tip, like a flight attendant who was really nice to you in the midst of your miserable travel experience is not allowed (unfortunately) to accept any remuneration. They are just doing their job and besides, that may cement the vision of them being really well trained wait persons instead of trained safety professionals. But I digress. There are so many people in our lives that may deserve a little "thank you" in the form of a gift card or cash. Consumer Reports recently made a list of suggested amounts. As I mentioned on the air when I read some of them, this is a nationwide average. Remember we live in one of the most expensive areas in the country and you might want to give more.

• Cleaning person $50
• Child’s teacher $20
• Hairdresser $20
• Child care provider $38
• Manicurist $20
• Newspaper carrier $20
• Barber $15
• Building superintendent $25
• Pet care provider $25
• Mail carrier $20
• Lawn care worker $25
• School bus driver $15
• Fitness instructor $25
• Sanitation worker $20

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