Sunset at Ocean Beach, San Francisco
photo Adam Turner
Dr. Nathan Hare enjoyed his 86th birthday at San Francisco's Cliff House on Ocean Beach. We selected the Cliff House because he and Julia (RIP) lived in the area during the 1968 BSU/Third World Strike at San Francisco State University to establish Black and Ethnic Studies. When I drove him to Ocean Beach shortly after the demise of his wife of 62 years, he suddenly came alive with memories of eating at the Cliff House, jogging on the beach and sipping wine by the fireplace at their apartment. I invited Julia's close friend, Amelia Ashley-Ward, Publisher of the San Francisco Sun Reporter. Although Amelia said she was on her way to SF City Hall to observe a meeting on the closing of Juvenile Hall, she agreed to meet us at 7PM.
Dr. Nathan Hare, Marvin X, Amelia Ashley-Ward, Publisher of the San Francisco Sun Reporter Newspaper at San Francisco's Cliff House Restaurant for Dr. Hare's 86 b day
photo Adam Turner
We wanted a seat by the window but had to wait, so we went out on the balcony for photographer Adam Turner to depict Dr. Hare looking at the ocean. It was too cold and windy for Amelia, so she went inside during the photo shoot.
Marvin X and Dr. Nathan Hare looking at the Pacific Ocean
photo Adam Turner
Over dinner, we discussed many things, e.g., how Dr. Julia Hare mentored and advised Amelia, especially while raising her manchild in the promised land as a single parent. Dr. Hare recalled those phone calls. Dr. Hare reminded Amelia that when Julia was asked a difficult question, she would turn to him for the answer as Amelia waited on the phone. Dr. Hare said he deeply appreciated Amelia and I for giving Julia memorial services in San Francisco and Oakland.
Dr. Hare, Amelia and Marvin deciding what to eat.
photo Adam Turner
Dr. Hare ordered crab cakes, Amelia, Adam and I ordered New York steak. The men enjoyed a bottle of Merlot, Amelia drank ice tea. Amelia showed us the many pics of herself with VIPs, including Senator Kamala Harris, Mayor London Breed, Barack and Mechelle Obama, Dick Gregory, et al.
We were all full after the meal and didn't want dessert but the Cliff House gave Dr. Hare something special for his birthday.
Dr. Nathan Hare, 86
photo Adam Turner
"Hapi b day, Dr. Nathan Hare. We love you madly!"
--Marvin X
photo Adam Turner