Member Spotlight—Jamie H.
Jamie is a people person and connector, a kick-ass construction manager, and a huge fan of long walks through Golden Gate Park.
Read about why Jamie takes the long way to work, what drew her to Tillage, and the impact of a hand-written note.
How long have you been in the city? Tell us a little about your journey.
I moved here maybe 18-20 years ago. It was before I had a smart phone or social media, so who really knows? I'm from Texas and got here via New York and Ohio.
How many steps are you away from Tillage?
I am about 1200 steps from Tillage, but lately I've been walking through the Park to 19th and doubling back, which makes my commute a lovely 1.5 miles and a beautiful way to start the day.
What does a typical day or week look like for you, and how has Tillage become a part of that routine?
I manage construction projects, so spend a lot of my day on job sites. I'm typically at Tillage for 2-3 hours in the middle of the day between appointments and site checks. I love having a division between work & home and Tillage is the perfect spot.
What drew you to Tillage, and what have you enjoyed about being part of the community so far?
I joined Tillage in December after seeing the sign. It quickly became part of my daily routine. The energy in the space is a much more conducive work environment than home! I love that Tillage is an actual community and not just a bland office space. I've enjoyed meeting people and chatting (sometimes too much) about work and non-work.
Where's your favorite spot at Tillage?
My favorite spot at Tillage is the family-style table in the front room. I use a 2nd screen so prefer to be on one of the ends next to a power outlet. When I get tired of sitting, I'll stand at the bar in the kitchen or the one next to the meeting booths in the back room.
What’s your favorite Tillage Gathering?
The happy hours are a fun way to get to know people who are on different schedules than I am.
What does being a community member mean to you?
I'm a connector by nature, and community is a big part of my psyche. I grew up in a large warm church community in a very small town, and to me the Inner Sunset feels like a small town. I love knowing my butcher, my banker, all the neighborhood dogs, and recognizing familiar faces every time I leave the house. In an increasingly insular world, it makes me feel safe and seen.
What’s one local spot you couldn’t live without, and what’s one memory you’ve made there?
I spend most of my free time roaming Golden Gate Park. I try to take a walk every day, and this time of year it's always the Dahlia Garden.
The Little Shamrock (2nd oldest bar in SF!) is my true "3rd space" community. Most of the regulars there I've known for almost 20 years and neighbors become family. There's a retired elderly man that comes in every afternoon and has two non-alcoholic beers. He brings us vegetables from his garden and on my birthday last year he gave me a hand-written card with a $5 bill in it. ❤️
