Today was the fifth annual OMI Festival. As I sat at the dinner table tonight with Marcia and my children we all reflected on what a good day it was. We were tired, yet for very good reason. The OMI is the neighborhood where we've lived for the past five years. The festival is becoming a magnet of inclusion in a once neglected region of San Francisco's western neighborhoods. I've actually had the pleasure of being involved with this event in each of the five years. During that time we've seen the Cultural Participation Project, one of the main drivers of this event, organize as a non-profit; moved the festival from Oceanview Rec Center to Faxon Ave.; gain corporate sponsorship; involved a growing number of local merchants; and grown in attendance. A goal of this event is to facilitate an environment to include and celebrate folks who live and work in the OMI. It's been a real joy to be involved in the OMI Festival and see it become what it is. It's genuinely an event where all players are welcome at the table - businesses, neighborhood groups, churches, schools, politicians, and social agencies. There is a place at the table for those who care to make this a better place to live. I feel that kind of responsibility and it's an outgrowth of my desire to seek first the Kingdom of God. This week is time to start planning for next year... Peace.
Today was the fifth annual OMI Festival. As I sat at the dinner table tonight with Marcia and my children we all reflected on what a good day it was. We were tired, yet for very good reason. The OMI is the neighborhood where we've lived for the past five years. The festival is becoming a magnet of inclusion in a once neglected region of San Francisco's western neighborhoods. I've actually had the pleasure of being involved with this event in each of the five years. During that time we've seen the Cultural Participation Project, one of the main drivers of this event, organize as a non-profit; moved the festival from Oceanview Rec Center to Faxon Ave.; gain corporate sponsorship; involved a growing number of local merchants; and grown in attendance. A goal of this event is to facilitate an environment to include and celebrate folks who live and work in the OMI. It's been a real joy to be involved in the OMI Festival and see it become what it is. It's genuinely an event where all players are welcome at the table - businesses, neighborhood groups, churches, schools, politicians, and social agencies. There is a place at the table for those who care to make this a better place to live. I feel that kind of responsibility and it's an outgrowth of my desire to seek first the Kingdom of God. This week is time to start planning for next year... Peace.
1 comment:
Saraj:
Thanks for your kind words. You blessed me with your comment. Thank you. The OMI Festival is a neighborhood festival in our city. It's named after the neighborhoods - Oceanview Merced Ingleside. Take the first letter of each name out and you have OMI. :-) Thanks for asking.
David
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