Two Ways to Become Part of San Francisco’s Italian Legacy

This year, the season of giving will continue into January 2015 at the historic Bimbo’s 365 Club.

On Wednesday, January 14, enjoy a memorable evening – A Night Out in North Beach – at the  Joe DiMaggio Playground fundraising event.  Honorary hosts include California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, California Assemblymember David Chiu, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and the Honorable Willie Brown.

Yes, Bimbo’s is adding yet another fabulous event to their 84 years in the neighborhood with a glittering, musical, tasty and fun gathering, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at 1025 Columbus Avenue.  The event will feature local musical star GG Amos and treats from Original Joe’s, Mama’s, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, Park Tavern, and other North Beach favorites in one of San Francisco’s most iconic venues.

Old timers will mix with the techie newcomers, young families will mingle with the old families, and neighbors and friends of all stripes will gather to celebrate a common cause, raising money for renovation of the Joe DiMaggio Playground, at this only-in-North-Beach night out.

The Joe DiMaggio Playground in San Francisco’s North Beach dates back to 1910.  At that time, it was called the North Beach Playground but was renamed in 1981 for neighborhood hero, Joe DiMaggio. Now, in 2014, the 104 year old playground will be renovated with the project scheduled to begin at the end of 2014 and reopening in early 2016.

What better place to celebrate and fundraise for a historic playground than at the historic Bimbo’s 365 Club.   In operation for over eight decades under the ownership of the Bimbo’s family, it was originally located at 365 Market Street, which is where the “365” originates.

The name “Bimbo” evolved when Agostino Giuntoli left Tuscany, Italy in 1922, sailing to America at age 19.  He worked as a cook in San Francisco where his employer had difficulty pronouncing his name and gave him the nickname of “Bimbo”, the Italian word for boy.

In 1931, Agostino opened Bimbo’s on Market Street moving to Columbus Avenue in 1951.  Through the ups and downs of the bay area economy, through San Francisco’s legendary and never-ending

social and cultural change, Bimbo’s has maintained its iconic reputation as the City’s celebrity hot spot and entertainment venue.  Who has stood on Bimbo’s stage?

Just about every type of entertainer, including Rita Cansino, also known as Rita Hayworth, Robin Williams, Chris Isaack, and Dolphina, The Girl in the Fishbowl.  Dolphina would appear to swim nude in the fish tank behind the bar.  The list is long and star-studded and you can add yourself to the hundreds of people that have enjoyed “A Night Out In North Beach”.  See details below.  For more information on donation levels and purchasing event tickets, go to https://www.sfpt.ejoinme.org/?tabid=564364.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015   6:00 – 9:00 PM

Bimbo’s 365 Club, 1025 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco

Please note admission is for those ages 21 and over only.

There is still time to contribute and become part of North Beach history while supporting a historic neighborhood park.  Although much of the funding to renovate the Joe DiMaggio playground is in place, the opportunity to purchase a legacy tile will be available until December 31, 2014.

Friends of Joe DiMaggio Playground is partnering with other neighborhood groups to help raise $300,000 needed to make sure the playground can be used by neighbors of all ages and is ready for the next 100 years by building a commemorative wall around the renovated playground. The wall will honor successive generations of families, individuals and institutions that have sustained North Beach over the years.  Individuals are able to donate by purchasing tiles with the names of their parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren, their businesses and civic organizations.

The band of commemorative tiles, handmade in California by Fireclay Tile, will encircle the Joe DiMaggio Playground on the perimeter wall along Greenwich, Powell and Lombard Streets.  Donation levels are $300 (4” x 8” tile) and $500 (8” x 8” tile). The Friends of Joe DiMaggio Playground are working with their fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Parks Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and tile donations are tax deductible.

You still have time to purchase your legacy tile and can do so until December 31, 2014. Details about legacy tiles and how to order them can be found on the Friends of Joe DiMaggio Playground website at http://www.DiMaggioPlayground.org.