Iowayna Peña, a former co-chair of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, has been named director of San Francisco Workforce Development. The workforce division falls under the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development and its executive director, Sarah Dennis Phillips, made the announcement January 7.
Peña, who is Black and Native American and identifies as a lesbian, started in the position January 6, according to a news release from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Her division trains and connects unemployed, underemployed, and hard-to-employ residents to sustainable job opportunities in a variety of industries, the release noted.
Previously, Peña was the director of government affairs and real estate development for the San Francisco Giants. During her five-year tenure, she played an integral role in delivering phase one of the Mission Rock development project, a new mixed-use neighborhood along the city's southern waterfront. She also led the launch and implementation of Mission Rock Academy, an apprenticeship program focused on training and placing residents from underrepresented communities in the building trades.
In 2023, the San Francisco Business Times named her one of the "Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business."
"Iowayna brings exactly the right mix of public-sector passion and private-sector know-how to supercharge our work creating pathways to good paying jobs while advancing equity and inclusion," Phillips stated. "We are thrilled to have Iowayna join the city's leadership team."
Peña stated that her goal is to empower and support San Franciscans through innovative programs.
"I look forward to collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and our community partners as we create and implement targeted, evidence-based programs that address the specific needs of our diverse labor market," she stated.
Peña has previous experience working for the city. She is a former legislative aide and district director for former District 10 supervisor Malia Cohen, who's now the state's elected controller.
"Having worked closely with Iowayna, I can attest to her brilliance and her commitment to improving the lives of all San Francisco residents," Cohen stated.
Rainbow World Fund responds to SoCal fires
The Rainbow World Fund, an LGBTQ humanitarian nonprofit in San Francisco, has put out the call for donations to help victims of the deadly wildfires in Southern California. Executive Director Jeff Cotter, a gay man, said the fires have hit close to home, as his elderly father was evacuated from the veterans care home he lives in.
"As we face the aftermath of these catastrophic wildfires, it is crucial that we unite in support of those impacted," Cotter stated in an email sent to supporters. "The ongoing crisis has disrupted lives, homes, and our community's spirit."
He added that RWF is "dedicated to rallying support for marginalized communities affected by this disaster."
"RWF is partnering with local groups that are mobilizing to provide front-line aid," Cotter stated. "RWF is focused on helping the undocumented and other vulnerable communities most impacted."
To donate, go to rainbowfund.org or send a check to 4111 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. Specify "Disaster Recovery" when making a contribution.
Comic convention in Petaluma
LumaCon, a quirky and creative comic convention, returns to Petaluma Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 North McDowell Boulevard.
A joint project of the Casa Grande High School and Petaluma High School libraries, and the Petaluma Regional Library, admission is free, though donations are accepted.
A news release stated that the community center will come alive with creators of all ages. Highlights include cosplay, which typically includes costumes of comic and superhero characters but is open to all ideas. There will be a competition for those aged 8-18, with gift card prizes from local stores. Competitors must register before 2 p.m.
There will be live action role play (LARP), and youth participants are encouraged to come in costume and participate in (safe and supervised) short sword making workshops and faux battles, the release noted.
An artists' alley will include professional and emerging artists and craftspeople selling wares.
Other activities will include chess, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), a bake sale, the Sonoma County Library Biblio Bus, kids' crafts, and opportunities to draw comics.
For more information, go to lumacon.net.
Haring postage stamp unveiled
The late gay artist Keith Haring was known for his animated imagery and now one of his works is the U.S. Postal Service's 2025 Love Forever postage stamp, which is currently available.
A USPS news release stated that the stamp features an untitled 1985 drawing by Haring that includes two moving figures reaching toward a red heart. It was a theme Haring returned to throughout his career, making several variations, each in his signature style, the release noted.
"The non-specificity of the figures allows a variety of people to see themselves in this stamp," stated Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS who selected Haring's work for the stamp design. "Partners getting married, celebrating an anniversary, siblings sending each other a heartfelt greeting, or even party planners setting a positive tone for their event."
Intended to evoke feelings of warmth and playfulness, the stamp's release is perfectly timed for Valentine's Day cards and can add sentiment and whimsy to letters, birthday or graduation cards, baby shower invitations or notes of thanks throughout the year, the release stated.
Haring's pop art emerged from the New York City graffiti subculture in the 1980s. His popularity grew from his spontaneous drawings in New York City subways, where his chalk outlines of figures, dogs, and other stylized items became widely recognizable. He died of AIDS-related complications in 1990 at the age of 31.
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the postal store at usps.com/shopstamps, or their local post office.
Theme announced for Jack London park's young writers contest
Jack London State Historic Park in Sonoma County has announced that "Surviving the Wild" is the theme of this year's 10th annual Young Writers contest, which is now open, a news release stated.
The announcement was made January 12, the 149th birthday of the park's namesake.
"For our 10th annual Young Writers contest, we celebrate Jack London's compendium of stories about high adventure in the wilderness, like 'Call of the Wild,' 'White Fang,' 'To Build A Fire,' and many others," stated Matt Leffert, executive director of Jack London State Historic Park.
Students in grades six through eight entering this year's contest are instructed to write a short story involving a group of friends on a camping trip who get stranded in the wilderness and discover a mysterious set of footprints surrounding their campsite. The stories are typically between 1,500 and 2,000 words and should be inspired by the works of London.
Prizes have been increased this year to celebrate a decade of the contest. The prizes are $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $150 for third place. The contest is judged blindly by a panel of volunteers (not employees of Jack London Park Partners, the nonprofit that manages the park).
The contest closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 31, and winners will be announced by April 21, according to the release.
Complete contest rules and the entry form are available here. Links to the 2024 winning entries are also available there.
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