In the spirit of moving forward from a heated District 3 supervisor race, over 50 North Beach residents gathered on Saturday at the former Piazza Market, the planned location for the new Mama’s restaurant at the corner of Vallejo and Columbus. The event was co-organized by Vince Sanchez, one of Christensen’s biggest backers, and Lance Carnes, one of Peskin’s most ardent supporters.

If you didn't know the event was planned as an opportunity for locals to shake off political tensions, it would look just like any other casual weekend mixer, with a spread of beverages and snacks on the table, including pasta provided by Piazza Pellegrini (659 Columbus).

“I was expecting it to be more political, but thankfully, it was just neighbors meeting neighbors,” said local resident Roger Weinman.

The tensions of the contentious District 3 supervisor race, which eventually saw incumbent Julie Christensen defeated by Aaron Peskin, saw plenty of attacks, allegations and general discord among the district's voters. On Saturday, the mood was just the opposite. 

“I met a lot people I’ve seen walking down the sidewalk but never talked to before,” said event organizer Lance Carnes. “It’s meaningful—a new beginning.”

From left: Vincent L. Sanchez, Laura Mancuso and Lance Carnes (Photo: Mama's/Facebook)

Residents found it refreshing to have politics unite the community without politicians campaigning. Neither Christensen nor Peskin, who's vacationing in Nepal, were in attendance, though Wilma Pang did drop by. Little kids drank sodas and ran in circles. Old men drank white wine. And the pasta was delicious.

“Supervisors will come and go," said Laura Mancuso, another local resident, "but the neighborhood will remain."