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What happens when your kid’s school assignment isn’t tied to your address, but to a citywide lottery? In this episode of The Sunset Connection, host Jessica Ho sits down with four Sunset District parents to unpack the complexities of San Francisco’s public school system.

You’ll hear from:

• Gabi Wu, a real estate agent and bilingual education advocate who started researching kindergarten options when her daughter was three.
• Alex Wong, chair of SF Parent Action, who walks us through the school assignment process, from values to waitlists.
• Lucy Wang, a PTA leader and longtime public servant, who shares what it really takes to stay in the system through high school.
• Patrick Wolff, former U.S. Chess Champion turned education advocate, who pushes for better funding and special ed support.

Plus, we wrap up with a fun trivia round on San Francisco schools!

Whether you’re planning to start a family, already navigating TK applications, or just trying to understand how education shapes our city, this episode is for you.

🎶 Original music for this episode was licensed via Soundstripe.
Special thanks to the artists who bring these stories to life.

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✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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The aroma hits you first: smoky, rich, unmistakably Texan. But this isn’t Houston. You’re in San Francisco’s Sunset District, where Daniel Ramirez and his wife, Lareina, have built something special at Smoking D’s BBQ.

Daniel, a Houston native, missed the Texas barbecue of his hometown, so he made it himself and his own. What began as casual taste tests for homesick friends turned into a farmers market hustle, and eventually, a brick-and-mortar hit on Irving Street that now sells out almost every weekend. But it wasn’t just the brisket that turned heads — it was the bao.

Inspired by a trip to a night market in China, Daniel had the idea to merge his 18-hour smoked brisket with the pillowy softness of a Chinese pork bun. After several experiments (and a few delicious mistakes), the brisket bao was born — a cross-cultural creation that honors his Mexican roots and Lareina’s Chinese heritage. It’s now their breakout hit.

🎙️ In this episode, we talk about:

• What makes Texas brisket so legendary — and so hard to master
• How Daniel and Lareina blend Mexican, Chinese, and Texan traditions in every bite
• Why doing barbecue in San Francisco comes with unique challenges
• What it takes to grow from backyard cookouts to a full-time restaurant
• And how a bao changed everything

📍 Smoking D’s BBQ is located at 2181 Irving Street in San Francisco. They’re open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–6pm — but go early. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

🎧 Like the episode? Share it, hit follow, and leave a quick review. It helps more neighbors find the show.

💬 Got a guest idea or feedback? Reach out on social media or email me at jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Stay Connected

📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
📷 Follow on Instagram
📘 Like us on Facebook
▶️ Watch on YouTube
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

Subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more neighbors find the show!

The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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What does it mean to grow up Chinese American? And how do the stories of Chinese families in the Sunset District resonate with communities everywhere?

In this episode, Jessica sits down with Lily Wong, Director of Community Engagement at Wah Mei School and Director of the Sunset Chinese Cultural District, to explore the stories that don’t always make the headlines.

Together, they dive into:

• How Wah Mei became a pioneering bilingual, bicultural preschool in the Sunset District
• How the Sunset Chinese Cultural District was born during a moment of crisis. Website: https://sfsccd.org/en/
• What it means to find belonging across cultures, generations, and neighborhoods
• How murals, street festivals, and everyday victories are weaving new roots for the future

Along the way, Lily shares personal memories of growing up in the Mission District, witnessing neighborhood change, and reconnecting with her heritage in powerful new ways.

🌟 Plus: Stick around for a fun round of Sunset District trivia! (Spoiler: Lily wins… kind of.)

Whether you grew up in San Francisco, are part of an immigrant family, or simply love stories about neighborhoods and community pride, this episode is for you.

Come for the ideas and perspectives, and stay for the heart, history, and hope.

Stay Connected

📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
📷 Follow on Instagram
📘 Like us on Facebook
▶️ Watch on YouTube
✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

Subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more neighbors find the show!

The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.