Over the years since Haight Street Voice got born in 2017, I’ve been ever grateful and honored by the kind words that have found their way to me from folks who are riding along on this incredible trip living a dream. Here are a few, and more to come. Thank you, one and all, for taking the time and sharing your thoughts. Love from the Haight!
“Ever the journalist, Linda (aka “Linda from Orinda”) attended my journalism courses at San Francisco State in the early 1980s. Even back then, she already displayed a level of creativity, curiosity, wit and drive that was palpable. Her passion for live music, both at SF State and local San Francisco venues (birthplaces of the SF Sound and psychedelics in the ‘60s, as if you didn’t know!), infused her writing and made for vibrant, relevant, cutting-edge articles in the Golden Gator school paper. Her ability to interview artists, research histories, and then create compelling articles was fearless and impressive — and in 1995 she authored Deadheads: Stories from Fellow Artists, Friends & Followers of the Grateful Dead (Citadel Books). She was hungry to learn and grow as a student, reporter, writer, person — and still is today. Linda graduated SF State cum laude, and with good reason.
“Fast forward to 2017, she founded her (now rapidly growing) hyper-local magazine, Haight Street Voice, in which she brings the community to light, and gives voice to the people. I even gave a shout-out in December 2021 about Haight Street Voice on my show on MoonAliceRadio.com!
“Linda’s passion for gathering peoples’ stories and sharing them with the world has clearly continued to blossom, and here she is a seasoned journalist and author, applying for this grant, which, quite frankly, seems such a perfect fit for her rock & roll wheelhouse and life experience.
“It’s clear to me that Linda will continue to grow and go far in making the world a better place through her work as a journalist. She’s got a special spark.” — Ben Fong-Torres, Rolling Stone journalist, San Francisco
“The Haight-Ashbury is already a very close-knit community. What Haight Street Voice brings — interviews, art, events, stories, and more — is an even deeper connection between us all. HSV makes our community stronger.” — Uti, owner, Piedmont Boutique on Haight
“I am so happy to find you and your page. I feel like I am connected back with the neighborhood, the people, and all that it stands for. So thanks for being you and being there and soon everywhere! Please let me know if I can help with anything from afar. The sky’s the limit. I’m sure you will be in every state and all over the world. I’ve got you covered in the Midwest! I’m happy to be your first subscriber. Cheers, you are awesome!” – Mark Jenkins, Nebraska
“I like everything you do its fabulous. Thank you!” — Mike Nuzzo, Massachussetts
“Actual mags, unlike electronic mags, are a keepsake to be handed down. I still have some of my copies of Rolling Stone magazine from the late ’60s early 70s. Was really neat the way it opened up back then! Where I come from, there are some very important issues that simply cannot be found on the internet. Like actual cash money, actual print media is your information to hold and keep, whereas whatever is saved on the cloud can disappear no matter what they tell you! Why bother burning books when all you have to do is put all the books on the cloud and then pull the big plug? I commend you for your wonderful Haight Street Voice!” — Kimmer Skrinak, Maryland
“Keep on keeping on, I love following your work.” –Timothy Herrick, U.S.
“Digging you on this side of the planet here in Asia, where x-Haight (including Waller @ Clayton) travelers are now.” — Richard S. Ehrlich, Thailand
“Haight Street Voice IS Linda Kelly. You can feel the love she has for the Haight and its community in every page, while also experiencing her mastery of words instilled with her unique personality. Bravo to Linda for pouring her heart and soul into a physical medium which stands the test of time, and is a refreshing experience in the age of digital. HSV is a San Francisco gem, and amongst the best in hyper local media, anywhere.” — Christina Michelle, musician, San Francisco