GPN glen park news
Fall 2011 The Newspaper of the Glen Park Association Volume 29, No. 3 www.glenparkassociation.org Glen Canyon Park Plan Moves Forward Picture Glen Canyon Park with a new playground and tennis courts, an accessi- ble trail leading directly into by the canyon, a new plaza and Bonnee native plants garden, and Waldstein repaired Recreation Center and bathrooms, roof and heat- Elizabeth ing system. Those are ele- Weise ments of the Glen Canyon The Glen Canyon Park Improvement Plan, a Park tennis conceptual plan to improve the park that courts, with won key approvals by the Recreation and eucalyptus Park Commission and Board of Supervi- trees beyond. sors this summer. A proposed the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, redesign of the which crafted the proposal with help from park would move City officials, neighbors and advocacy the tennis courts groups, received the mayoral-appointed and require the commission’s OK of the plan in August. cutting of the trees, a move now the design team is working on ardently opposed a more detailed plan to be presented to by some. Glen Park this fall. Among the outstand- ing issues that must be resolved: Photo • The size of the playground and the by materials to be used to build it. Parents Elizabeth Weise want to make sure that the equipment is free of toxins. should the chainsaws be fired up. hillside—with connectors that make Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks • Proposed removal of the eucalyptus • Whether improved access between sense. A handicapped-accessible trail Bond approved by voters in 2008, and trees on the hill above the present ten- the top of the park and the School of the loop would be created along Alms Road $900,000 set aside by the City for trail nis courts. A vocal group of neighbors Arts campus can be created. (the dirt road that starts above the tennis improvements. But that falls far short of hopes to save the trees, and they have the project, titled “The Glen Can- courts) and then back along the west side the estimated $22 million price tag to posted notices on the trees decrying their yon Park Improvement Plan,” calls for of the creek. The accessible trail would fund everything on the wish list that was possible loss; one person has threatened retaining the park’s three major trails— not extend into the more wild areas of the developed as a result of feedback during to chain herself to the jeopardized trees along both sides of the creek and on the canyon. Steep drop-offs above the creek nine community meetings, eight focus would be stabilized. groups and hundreds of written submis- park access will be improved, but the sions from dedicated park users and advo- Glen Park Association Meeting rustic aspect will remain. There also are cates during the past three years. proposals to improve pedestrian access to “The intent of this plan is not only Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7 p.m. the park from Elk Street. to guide short- and long-term improve- Glen Park Recreation Center the final design, construction draw- ments to the park, but also to serve as a Elk and Chenery Streets ings, bids and contract awards are expected fund-raising tool,” said Trudy Garber, a by winter 2011 and spring 2012, with representative of Trust for Public Land. (past the tennis courts) construction expected to commence soon now the challenge will be to priori- after. Meanwhile, fund-raising will begin, tize the so-called Phase One improvement Hear representatives of both November Pension Reform Propositions. to help pay for the ambitious makeover projects that got the go-ahead from the Glen Canyon Park Improvement Plan update. of the park. Recreation and Park Commission and the project already has $6.7 mil- Board of Supervisors. SF Solar Reimbursement Program. lion committed—$5.8 million from the Continued on page 11
Inside: tollywood on chenery, call to localize, school news, ed lee running for mayor Glen Park News Page 2 Fall 2011
Glen Park News The Glen Park News is pub- Glen Park Business Roundup lished quarterly by the Glen Park Glen Park’s business district has stretched 1625 Palmetto Ave. in Pacifica. He says is back behind the counter on Chenery Association. Signed articles are the around the corner with the advent of he specializes in healthy and organic food Street. He has had as many as five stores opinions of the authors and not Cup, the latest addition for animals, joking, “The only thing I around the Bay Area, but the Glen Park necessarily those of the Glen Park by to the caffeination of our don’t have is little frou-frou sweaters.” pet emporium was “my first store, and it’s Association. Gail neighborhood. Critter Fritters owner Barry Leonard still my favorite,” he says. Bensinger To advertise in the Glen Park News the new coffee house, call 908-6728 or e-mail advertis- located at 6 Monterey [email protected]. Blvd., draws much of its daytime clien- tele from up the hill along Monterey and Farmersʼ Market is Extended Joost, says Kamal Naser, Cup’s owner. The menu of coffee drinks, tea and pas- Through Thanksgiving Week Please support our tries is familiar, but Cup expands Glen Park’s open mic opportunities beyond The weekly Glen Park Farmers’ Market has been a total success. Each Sunday Advertisers; the Monday poetry sessions offered by throngs of Glen Park residents can be seen walking to the market and then Bird & Beckett (Community Calendar, strolling home again laden with all manner of fresh fruits, produce, meat, they support us! Page 20). cheeses and baked goods. So far there’s no set schedule, but So much so that the seasonal market, originally scheduled to end the Sunday once or twice a month the Workshop before Halloween, will now stay open until the Sunday before Thanksgiving, SF, the house band, plays. Everyone allowing all of us to plan our holiday dinners around the bounty available Glen Park News is invited to add their own contribu- locally. 2912 Diamond St. #407 tions—music, stand-up comedy, per- a partnership of the Glen Park Merchants’ Association, BART and the San Francisco, CA 94131 cussionists, young teens with guitars—a Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, the market hosts more than 15 (415) 908-6728 trend Naser notes approvingly. “There farmers and producers each week at the BART parking lot on Bosworth Street [email protected] are a lot of kids in the neighborhood at Arlington. who don’t have an outlet in the area,” the farmers’ market, which launched on May 15, is open every Sunday he says. And, yes, poets too. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmers come from no further than 150 miles away to With his brother, Eddie, Naser sell produce and other items. According to the market manager, it’s been getting Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Weise owns the three Toast eateries—they about 1,200 customers a week. And as San Francisco’s mayoral race heats up, Deputy Editor Rachel Gordon seem to have a knack for basic names— it's becoming a weekly rallying point for supporters of various candidates. Photo Editors Chris Hardy but this is their first coffee-only place. plans for the market’s 2012 reopening will be announced as Spring Liz Mangelsdorf The décor is stylish, and the friendly approaches. Design Editor Mary Mottola chief barista is Naser’s cousin, Freddie Copy Editor Denis Wade Nazzal, who came out of retirement to Advertising Nora Dowley lend a hand. at the other end of our business dis- The mission of the Glen Park Association is to promote the collective trict, the East-West Integrative Medicine interests of all persons living in Glen Park, to inform and educate about Reporters Gail Bensinger Clinic is expanding into the next-door neighborhood and citywide issues, to promote sociability and friendships Dolan Eargle space vacated by the Kiki-Yo yoga and and to support beneficial neighborhood projects. Ashley Hathaway Pilates studio. According to Marnie Lewison Lem McCurdy, East-West’s owner, their cur- Rebecca Murray Metzger rent premises at 605 Chenery St. are “a GPA Board of Directors and Officers for 2011 Murray Schneider little bit cramped.” Jodell Scott While current zoning rules prohibit Bonnee Waldstein opening the wall between the two store- President Michael Rice 337-9894 fronts, McCurdy says the extra space [email protected] will allow the clinic to offer additional Vice-President Carolyn Deacy Columnists Bill Berry services, including a physical therapist [email protected] Kay Hamilton Estey and a psychotherapist. The initial offer- Treasurer Dennis Mullen 239-8337 Monika Lewis ings of acupuncture, message, nutrition Corresponding Secretary Michael Ames Cathy Meyer and herbal medicine will be augmented Recording Secretary Volunteer needed Miriam Moss by “more of the same and a little bit dif- Membership Secretary Heather World Michael Rice ferent,” she says. [email protected] Denise Sanderson other business changes have come Health & Environment Volunteer needed Shelley Smith to our shopping district. Eggettes has [email protected] Scott Wiener rebranded itself as Rock-It Swirl, as the Neighborhood Improvement John Walmsley 452-0277 Bill Wilson owners ended their franchise with the Glen Park News Elizabeth Weise 908-6728 local chain of its former name. The new [email protected] emphasis is on house-made yogurts and Public Safety Carolyn Deacy Photographers Chris Hardy Gelato Classico ice cream as well as the [email protected] Bonnie Mills familiar bubble drinks and smoothies. Recreation & Park Ashley Hathaway 648-0862 Ashley Hathaway and one familiar face has left the Traffic, Parking & Transportation Lewison Lem [email protected] Murray Schneider neighborhood. After 15 years, Nate Zoning & Planning D. Valentine [email protected] Michael Waldstein Greenberg has left his job at Critter Frit- Program Volunteer needed ters to open Fog City Pet Supplies, at Fall 2011 Page 3 Glen Park News glen park association news
My family moved to Glen Park in Sep- Not to mention seismic-safety benefits. will bring the park up to current needs, Glen Park Association board of directors tember,1986 and this Labor Day weekend neighborhoods are like old houses. consistent with the original values. This commented on the draft plan and we made marked our 25th year on Sus- We want to keep the feel and look of our will be the first major Glen Canyon Park specific recommendations on design guide- by sex Street. We also celebrated Glen Park, but after a while, things need upgrade in, yes, about 75 years. lines and traffic and open space improve- Michael this month when our masonry upgrading. The flyers, postings, e-mails, the Glen Park Community Plan also ments along Bosworth Street. Rice contractor finished up what workshops, and meetings around the Glen has evolved through the public process, and We also know that these plan approvals started as a minor waterproof- Canyon Park Trails Plan, the Glen Can- will be ready for review and approval at the are only one step. The neighborhood will need ing fix around our windows and ended as yon Park Recreation Center Plans and the Planning Commission in October. Among to be very involved in making sure funding is a lesson on maintenance of a brick house. Glen Park Community Plan brought out many other possibilities for neighborhood available to complete the park plans, through When the scaffold and netting came down, a cross-section of people from the neigh- input, the Glen Park Association sponsored new bond measures and other sources. The all the mortar had been repointed, steel borhood and beyond with comments, several Community Plan workshops at the improvements around the BART station have lintels were replaced over the windows, questions, concerns and disagreements. Glen Park library. The proposed zoning seed money, but City officials will need to and pins were inserted and hidden to hold the park plans have moved ahead amendments recognize the character and hear from us to keep funds flowing. some really wobbly brick together. from workshops and field trips to concep- scale of “downtown” Glen Park. The plan also these plans for Glen Park will main- our contractor told us that brick walls tual approval by the Recreation and Park has major ideas for the Diamond/Bosworth tain our distinctiveness, but will make the need this kind of work every 50 years, but Commission. Those plans, in the opinion intersection to help pedestrians, BART and “upkeep” easier. we made it to the house’s 80th year. We are of the Glen Park Association board of bus passengers, and car movements. These proud of upgrading this distinctive house, directors, carefully balance open space will be the first major improvements around Michael Rice is president of the Glen Park and keeping the original design in place. and recreation values of the canyon, and the BART station in almost 40 years. The Association from the editors
The Glen Park News is published four times of her time, and for her creativity, mani- is moving on. Grace Clark, who oversaw been very much appreciated and will be a year, put together by an all-volunteer staff fested in our attractive, professionally our delivery team—a job that involved missed. Grace is working with a volun- of reporters, columnists, editors, photog- redesigned newspaper. moving lots and lots of papers, many by teer to take over her distribution director raphers, an advertising rep, a delivery crew the second thing we want to do is ask hand-cart—has moved with her family duties beginning with this issue. 2” 2.25” and a layout guru. whether any of you are interested in taking to the Peninsula. Soon after the finished product hits over as our layout editor, or if you know Her ability to organize the routes residents’ doorsteps, we start preparing for anyone who might be. and round up volunteers to hand-deliver the next issue. Working on the paper is a great way to the Glen Park News on their blocks has e-mails go back and forth among the get involved in the community in a hyper- editors about upcoming events and ongo- local way. Mary has developed an excellent ing issues in the neighborhood that we working template, using InDesign software, should cover. Our regular contributors so whoever takes over won’t have to start also come up with from scratch. But their own ideas. We can’t offer any money, there’s also plenty Eventually the list of room for the • Grades K–8 • Innovative Programs comes together— next designer to but we can offer a chance • Challenging • Extended Care stories and photos work on changes, Academics • Tuition Assistance are assigned and to get involved in the to put his or her Open House deadlines are set. We mark—with con- Saturday, December 3 check on ad sales to neighborhood. sensus of the other 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. see how many pages editors—on the we’ll be able to afford to publish, and then look of the paper. 1387 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 we get down to business. A few weeks We’re especially looking forward to www.synergyschool.org (415) 567-6177 before publication, we start getting the highlighting the excellent photographs our 3 copy to edit. Glen Park News photographers are taking and then the magic happens. these days. If you’ve got ideas about new all the edited copy, photos and designs, we'd love to hear them. ads are sent electronically to our design We can’t offer any money, but we can editor, Mary Mottola. Her job: Make offer a chance to get involved in the neigh- everything fit—and make it look good. borhood, to help work on a project from start 3.875 No easy task. But it’s a challenge Mary to finish (until the next issue, when you’ll has met with enthusiasm and patience. work from start to finish all over again), to Unfortunately for us, Mary has decided put your computer and design skills to use to move on, needing to devote more time and to stretch your imagination. to her career. if you’re interested, please contact Edi- 4.625 tor Beth Weise at [email protected]. Help Wanted The first thing we want to do is thank Thank You, Grace Mary for her five years of dedication to We also want to send a big thank you to the Glen Park News, for giving generously another of our devoted volunteers who Glen Park News Page 4 Fall 2011 New Top Cop Debuts and News from City Hall Top Packed Agenda at Neighborhood Forum
The summer meeting of the GPA on July high visibility, make pedestrians particu- 13 was billed as a dessert social, and most larly vulnerable. folks brought goodies to share. Another as an example of poetic justice, special feature was its location—the Sun- Capt. Mahoney told of a person who was nyside Conservatory—where residents robbed of his iPhone on Mission Street. could marvel at their sur- The phone had a free Mobile Me app by roundings as they par- on it, so the police officer used his own Bonnee ticipated in a jam-packed phone to log onto the app, and located Waldstein agenda. Sally Ross of the suspect whose “pocket” sounded in Friends of Sunnyside Con- response. The best advice: if you have a servatory gave an historical summation of smart phone, add a GPS system that you the property, its decay and rebirth over can log onto. the years. More information about the our district covers 6.5 square miles venue can be found at www.sunnyside- and is very transitory, Mahoney said. The conservatory.org. police are trying to focus their efforts on Michael Rice, president of the Glen the major arteries leading to Diamond Park Association, announced that $500 Heights and Sunnydale. They are increas- had been raised for the families of fire- ing their visible patrols in Glen Park early fighters Vincent Perez and Anthony Val- in the day, at 8 a.m. or so, adding plain- erio, and the GPA would be matching clothes patrols at midday and using decoy Dist. 8 Supervisor Scott Weiner (rt.), Glen Park Association President Michael that amount. Firefighters Union Local operations. Rice, Karen Mauney-Brodek of Rec and Park, and Alejandra Chiesa, of the Trust 798 is administering the fund. emergency phone calls are another for Public Land. Photo by Michael Waldstein important item Capt. Mahoney men- • He also talked about the ATT A welcoming entryway to the park will Ingleside Station Update tioned: Dialing 911 on a land line routes Uverse proposal and the utility box issue, be built, and the Elk Street entrance will For many, the meeting was their first your call directly to San Francisco dis- which would impact our sidewalks. be made more user friendly. Basic ameni- chance to meet our new Ingleside police patch on Turk Street and displays your You can contact Wiener at scott.wie- ties in the Rec Center will be improved, captain, Daniel Mahoney, after our previ- name and address. But a cell phone call [email protected], or 554-6968. including restrooms and ADA accessible ous captain, Louis Cassenego, moved to to 911 goes to the CHP in Vallejo, which district 7 Supervisor Sean Elsbernd entrances. The foundation of the gym will the SFPD’s Forensic Services. Citing the transfers it to San Francisco dispatch, also addressed the meeting. His district get minor improvements. fact that our precinct has had three chiefs which displays the cell phone number includes a small part of Glen Park and Future projects that will need to be in two years, Mahoney acknowledged but not your location. To use a cell phone Sunnyside. He spoke about one of his funded over time—through bonds, grants the community's frustration: “I get it,” in an emergency call the local number signature projects, the pension-reform and other methods—are the major reno- he said. He attributed the turnover in 553-8090, which routes the call directly charter amendment that will go to vot- vation of the Rec Center, improvements part to changes in the department’s top to San Francisco dispatch. ers in November. He is also shepherding in athletic fields, and the addition of a command, which led to changes in the to contact Capt. Mahoney at Ingle- the redevelopment of ParkMerced, which nature play area. district commands. side Station, call 404-4030 or e-mail would entail demolishing 3,200 of the this fall, another round of workshops Mahoney’s background includes [email protected]. low-story units and building 30,000 new will address the finer details of the plan, stints at internal affairs, the legal divi- ones over the next 20–25 years. such as playground design and equip- sion, professional standards, media and News From our Supervisors ment, the tennis courts, the main park community relations, and risk manage- Our District 8 Supervisor, Scott Wiener, Glen Park Improvement Plans entryway, and specifics of trail improve- ment. Also, he was the other finalist for brought us up to date on his activities. To Residents then received updates on the ments. the City’s police chief job, which went to name a few that have particular neighbor- two major projects for improvements in Greg Suhr. hood interest: Glen Park. Jon Swae and John Billovitz He’s pleased with the job Mayor • Half of the City’s proposed $6 million of the Planning Department summarized Lee is doing, and says Lee is taking the cut in tree maintenance has been restored. where we stand in the development of the department in the right direction, espe- The original proposal was to shift the entire Glen Park Community Plan. cially with his support of community cost over to property owners. Wiener said he Karen Mauney-Brodek of Rec and policing. is working on getting a sustainable funding Park and Alejandra Chiesa of the Trust Regarding crime in Glen Park, stream for this vital service, which impacts for Public Land presented the Glen Can- Mahoney listed several challenges. Lock public safety in terms of falling trees and yon Park Improvement Plan update. The picks and attempted burglaries are on sidewalk damage. Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks bond the rise. There’s also been an uptick in • A class has been added at the Police of 2008 provided $5.8 million in fund- robberies. The BART station is one of Academy on Diamond Heights, for the ing for Phase 1 improvements in the two major trouble spots in the Ingleside first time in several years. The force has active recreational areas of the park, plus district, the other being the Sunnydale declined from 2,000 to 1,900 officers and $900,000 for trails improvements. housing. Lone people exiting the sta- may get as low as 1,300, so new recruits Based on numerous community tion and walking on local streets, such are essential. meetings, focus groups and written com- as Chenery and Thor, have been targeted • Weiner is also looking into regula- ments, a consensus was reached about by thieves driving around looking to tions for commercial dog walkers using how the funds should be allocated: The steal iPods and iPads, cell phones and City parks: “The bad ones give the good play area will be expanded. New tennis laptops. White headphones, with their ones a bad name,” he said. courts will be built in a different location. Fall 2011 Page 5 Glen Park News Bird & Beckett Books: Lights, Camera, Action This summer Bird & Beckett Books and who had learned about the filming from son! This is a great send-off for the melt- mapriya strolled to shelves that housed Records briefly became a sound stage craigslist and traveled from Sebastopol ing pot he’ll experience in New York.” children’s books. The extras took their to Tollywood, the Bengali-language to take part—hit their marks, noncha- Padmapriya waited as a cameraman set places. Set Director Neha asked Whit- commercial equivalent to lantly leafing through books displayed up an establishing shot. The lead actress, tington for a book bag to serve as a by the Hindi-language Bolly- on the new-fiction and non-fiction a real-life graduate of New York Univer- prop. Padmapriya affected a worried Murray wood. Well-known Indian shelves. sity in Manhattan, looked thoughtful: look, as the script called for. She peeked Schneider director Aniruddha Roy While extras perused the books, “The film is about relationships. I play from behind a stack of Harry Potter Chowdhury spent the Padmapriya stared through the win- a young economist who grew up in San fantasies. The camera rolled. morning of July 18 there, directing his dow, toward the automobiles parked Francisco.” neha announced that there would upcoming film, Aparajita Tumi. on Chenery. “Cut!” Chowdhury said. the film is based on a novel by Sunil be another shoot in Golden Gate Park, danny Yanow, a South San Fran- Filmmaking, even on Chenery Street, Gangopadhyay, a Bengali writer who has for any interested extras. Jeremy Lipsin’s cisco seventh-grade teacher who lives involves lots of hurry up and waiting. published well over 200 books of poetry, mother took notes. The crew gathered on Persia Street, heard about the shoot outside, the crew began setting up fiction and essays in his 60-year career. up its gear. and came over from the Excelsior. “I love for a street scene to be staged on Chen- Megan Stafford, a high school classmate Whittington looked satisfied. He’d these movies,” he said, “their dancing ery near Carrie Street. Jeremy Lipsin, of Lipsin’s who plans to attend U.C. sold some books, well before the hour and their beautiful women.” As befitting a June graduate of Analy High School Santa Cruz this fall, smiled: “It’s neat he’d normally be open for business. He cerebral Bird & Beckett, though, Yanow in Sebastopol who is destined for Sarah to be here. Jeremy and I had a fun film greeted people new to the neighbor- was about to be enlisted as an extra for Lawrence College to study drama, pre- class together.” hood, and best of all he contemplated a more art-house sort of film. pared for his movie debut. “This is Hiten Vora, a cameraman from a reciprocal visit to India. In January Chowdhury’s first film, Anuranan awesome,” he said. “I’m an extra in a Mumbai, agreed: “San Francisco is too 2012, when the film he’d just hosted is (2006), won Best Feature Film in movie.” good. The scenery is too good, and the scheduled to open, he plans to be off Bengali at the National Film Awards His mother, Susy, walked over: “We lighting and weather are fine.” to Kolkata with his family to see its (NFA), India’s equivalent to the Ameri- left at 6 o’clock. The things I do for my Back inside for one last scene, Pad- premiere. can Oscars®. His second film, Antaheen (2009), won four NFA awards two years ago, including Best Picture and Best Cinematography. His film company, numbering some 15 crew members, descended upon Glen Park at 9:30 a.m. They spent a month in the Bay Area, with additional locations in Berkeley and San Jose. the new film features prominent bookshop scenes. Eric Whittington, pro- prietor of Bird & Beckett, got involved after learning of Chowdhury’s project from Bishu Chatterjee, a bassist with drummer Jimmy Ryan who plays jazz at Bird & Beckett each month. Chowdhury and Chatterjee know one another from India. Chowdhury stood next to Janakira- man Padmapriya, the young star of his film. He positioned his young actress in front of Bird & Beckett’s window display while, outside, his director of photogra- phy, Ranjan Palit, framed the shot. taking time from discussing how she should stand and move in a scene, he said, “This bookshop is very cozy. The ambience is nice and it has the right kind of books. I loved the store right away.” He moved Padmapriya a bit closer to the window, which displayed the work of Van Buren Street’s Dolan Eargle, as well as that of Picasso and Matisse. “This is the first shot of the day,” he reminded her. “Act natural and divert your eyes.” The diminutive actress brushed aside strands of brown hair with one hand and held a book with the other. Behind her several extras— Camera Crew films a movie at Bird & Beckett on July 18. Photo by Elizabeth Weise Glen Park News Page 6 Fall 2011 Bosworth Glen Park—A Walkable Neighborhood What makes Glen Park a special neigh- also make the sidewalk more accessible to the neighborhood very quickly by open- borhood? Of course, many handicapped persons who use wheelchairs ing up more walking paths on the parking Condos by things make a neighborhood or are just slow walkers, and those like me lot property. Lewison special, but the fact that Glen whose vision is not too good to start with Likewise, the City departments respon- Finally Lem Park is “walkable” is one of and not getting better as we get older. sible for the land where a “social trail” has the important reasons. Some of these planned improvements grown up over Islais Creek could work to When I first came to Glen Park, will make a positive difference for walkers, improve the walking path. Improvements Debut I noticed that people said hello to one just as the handicapped-accessible ramps to “Islais Trail,” the semi-public trail in the another as they passed on Chenery Street. now being installed on corners around green space between Bosworth and Chen- Delays have pushed back the debut of Having lived most of my life in big cit- San Francisco are making a difference, ery, would surely benefit the neighbor- the long-awaited condos on Bosworth ies, I recognized this immediately as a one intersection at a time. hood and provide a more natural setting and Rousseau streets numerous times, sign that the neighborhood was special: But there is more that can be done to for walking most of the distance between but significant progress has Gasp!—a complete stranger said hello to make Glen Park more friendly to walkers. the village and the park. by been made recently and four me and smiled for no reason other than One of the major problem locations has the Glen Park Community Plan pre- Jodell of the units have now been to say hello! been identified through the planning pro- viously had some options to “daylight” Scott put on the market. Hikers often do say hello to one cess for potential improvements to Glen the creek along the public right-of-way the reasons for the lat- another as they cross paths on the trails Canyon Park. The entrance to the park between the park and the village, bring- est delays have been largely out of the in the parks around the on Elk Street scares ing it up to the surface again, removing developer’s hands, according to Robert Bay Area, including in Some of the planned me and other par- the buried culvert it has long flowed Huggins, representative of the current Glen Canyon Park. Of ents of small children through. The possibility of daylighting developer, Encore, which bought the course, not everyone improvements will… because cars often seems to be a long-term idea, but in the foreclosed project in December, 2010. follows this practice, come barreling down meantime there are social trails behind St. In the bureaucracy of the San Francisco but it happens often make a difference one the steep hill on Elk John School and along Bosworth in the Water Department and PG&E, Huggins enough that when so fast that it makes riparian area where the creek runs under- said, emergencies rank above construc- someone says hello intersection at a time. you want to pick up ground. Some incremental improvements tion projects, so those agencies’ sched- to you, you do feel a and carry your child to these trails between the park and the uled and necessary visits to the construc- responsibility to “pass it on” and say hello across the street every time. village would allow for residents and visi- tion site were delayed several times. But to the next person. I think this is part of the plan for improvements to the tors to walk in a more natural setting. sidewalks are finally in and work on rear what happens in a special neighborhood Glen Canyon Park entrance includes every day and night in Glen Park, and front landscaping is under way. The like Glen Park, when people walk by one some improvements to the sidewalk and people are lucky enough to be able to possibility of trees in front was suggested another and see each other face to face. the crosswalk on Elk Street (see the story enjoy walking in a safe and friendly envi- by a neighbor, and is being considered the Glen Park neighborhood is also on Page 1). In addition, added parking ronment. Let’s appreciate how lucky we by Encore. special because you can run into both spaces are proposed where drivers can are, but let’s also work to make Glen Park the first of the 12 condos, four large friends and acquaintances on the street. drop off and pick up passengers along the a more walkable neighborhood. units on Bosworth Street, were scheduled Since so many of us go to the village park side of Elk Street. These improve- to go on the Multiple Listing Service the to buy things or run errands, or walk ments should enhance pedestrian safety. week of September 17, with plans for a through the village on our way home, We should not find the existing situa- Mob of Vandals kick-off weekend BBQ for brokers and this makes it an unsurprising occurrence tion acceptable in Glen Park. Parents should neighbors. Paragon Realty is in charge when you run into someone you recog- know that children can walk to and from Wreak Havoc of marketing the units, and the Realtors’ nize. The walking neighborhood even the park, playground, recreation center and website highlighting the condos will be slows down some cars, because you know playing fields without worrying about auto- at Glen Park up soon, said Huggins. that very possibly you will see someone mobiles. Fortunately, the recently completed as for the controversial, unattractive you know on the street while driving. plan for improvements to Glen Canyon BART Station structures around the corner on Rousseau How often have you slowed down and Park gives improvements to the Elk Street Street, Huggins explained that extensive breathed a sigh of relief after getting off entrance one of the highest priorities for A gang of hammer-wielding hooligans testing has shown that the framing is the freeway and arriving on the quieter future funding. These improvements can- vandalized the Glen Park BART station sound. Those badly weathered structures streets of Glen Park? not come soon enough, and we all should at about 9:45 p.m. Sept. 8, smashing represent $100,000 in construction costs, of course, many things can be done to encourage our public officials to make this ticket machines, fare gates and Clipper he said, so much of the original Rous- make the neighborhood more friendly to the very top priority! card readers. seau Street construction—approximately pedestrians. During the rush hour, there are imagine a Glen Park that would be the hoodie-clad vandals also ripped two-thirds of the original structure—is so many cars crossing through the intersec- safe enough that children can walk on down lights from the flower stall of long- salvageable. Roofs and flooring will be tion at Diamond and Bosworth that pedes- their own from the park to the village, time merchant Joanne Woods, who has removed from much of the structure, and trians have to be extra watchful, especially and throughout the neighborhood. Glen been selling flowers in the plaza of the the site will be cosmetically cleaned up for cars making turns. Seeing this, I worry Park is already seen as a haven for walk- Glen Park station for years. before the Bosworth units hit the mar- about the safety of the intersection for older ing children on Halloween in Glen Park, authorities believe the culprits may ket, which should significantly improve persons and small children. when parents from across the city bring have been involved in protests earlier the development’s appearance. Fortunately, the San Francisco Plan- their children to our neighborhood to that day at BART stations in downtown after years of legal proceedings and ning Department and the City transpor- enjoy trick-or-treating in a safe, family- San Francisco. Police had arrested at foreclosure, permit renewals and con- tation planners are trying to improve the oriented environment. least two dozen protesters at the Pow- struction delays, neighborhood frus- situation. The Glen Park Plan’s neighbor- the sight of all the people walking to ell Street station prior to the vandalism tration and patience, the debut of the hood improvements include proposals to the Sunday Farmers’ Market at the BART in Glen Park. An estimated eight to 12 Bosworth condos is being applauded by “bulb out” some sidewalks at corners so parking lot also gives us reason to think men, dressed in black, were involved in nearby residents who will finally have pedestrians have a shorter distance to cross that more pedestrian pathways should the Glen Park rampage, BART spokes- new neighbors in place of a fenced-off, and less need to race across the street before be opened throughout the village area. woman Luna Salaver told the San Fran- derelict construction site. the light changes. Those bulb-outs could BART could improve its relationship with cisco Chronicle. Fall 2011 Page 7 Glen Park News Bikes and Beats: A Call to Localize Musicians Morgan Nilsen and Justin Ancheta live in Glen Park and created a sustainable movement they coined “A Call To Localize.” The motivation for its creation grew from a desire they both have to bring community by together while creating sus- Ashley tainable ways to maintain Hathaway culture, opportunity, health, transportation and many of the other elements that fuel a thriving neighborhood. as music brought them together, community keeps them together. Both Musicians Nilsen and Ancheta live with an organized Morgan collective of artists in one house, sharing Nilsen common chores and meal preparation. and Justin They met at the Zambaleta World Ancheta are Music School in the Mission District promoting “A Call To and soon started collaborating on music. Localize.” They eventually formed their musical duo “Cradle Duende.” Nilsen plays clarinet, Photo Ancheta guitar and vocals. They soon by realized that they were touring nation- Ashley ally but not locally. They wanted to bring Hathaway their music and local inspiration back home. “Touring other places means not one idea that’s brewing: Food runs upcoming A Call To Localize shows. much the people around us know us and connecting locally,” says Nilsen. by bike, delivering produce from the Ancheta and Nilsen are definitely not work together” says Ancheta. one of their favorite places to present Sunday farmers’ market with their large motivated by money. “Wealth is not how performance schedules and informa- A Call To Localize and perform their music cargo bicycles to Glen Park residents. The much money we have, but how well we tion about Cradle Duende are at http:// is the Glen Park Station bar on Diamond idea is to provide access to the fresh local know the people around us and how cradleduende.org. Street. Nilsen and Ancheta call their style produce for those who are home-bound of music “Klezmenco”—a combination of or who live too far up the hill to walk to Klezmer and Flamenco—which includes and from the market, and to help reduce influences of Latin, Reggae and Ska, with the number of cars making the short trip. Something To about Afro-Cuban beats to back it. They also Nilsen and Ancheta have four bikes and Smile play with the internationally known artist their housemates and neighbors could Dr. Longa and Dr. Dickerson Longa MC RAI, who also lives in Glen Park, is help with runs if needed. are highly skilled in all areas of Family Dentistry including from Tunisia and sings in Arabic. Ancheta they’re confident each of them pediatric dentistry, sedation dentistry, invisalign, neuromuscular dentistry, describes Cradle Duende as their “own could service about 10 houses on one TMJ disorders, smile makeovers, whitening, periodontal therapy, veneers, implants and much more. project of music—a cultural sharing of farmers’ market run. They have started Their goal is to provide the highest level of care and different styles from around the world.” a sign-up sheet at the Glen Park Station advanced technology to their patients, educate all ages to pproper He explains that A Call To Localize is “a for this service. They hope to begin the and healthy dental care, and to make their expertise accessible way of bringing in other local artists to service before the market ends its season to everyone in the community. implement that music—trying to create in November. a message behind the music with the idea the cargo bikes are their primary Laser Dentistry for a Beautiful, Healthy Smile! that it’s a gathering of ideas on sustain- mode of transportation, and also a way Glen Park Dental is now equipped with the latest dental LASER technology. In an effort to provide their patients with the best dental experience possible, ability and true culture.” for them to participate in many other Drs. Longa and Dickerson have undergone specific training unique to laser dentistry. they have presented A Call To Local- community-driven activities and events Laser energized water, (Hydrokinetics) replaces the drill in many instances. Since there is no heat or vibration, the laser reduces the need for needles ize at Glen Park Station a handful of times such as San Francisco Sunday Streets, bike and anesthesia. This often means no shot, no drill, less pain! this year, most recently in September. The music tours, and generating “pedal power” Call us at 415-585-1500 for more information or to schedule an appointment! next Glen Park Station show is scheduled for live music. They pedal-powered a live for Oct. 16 (See Community Calendar, band for the recent San Francisco mara- Dr. Kimberlee Page 20). thon, and started the “Bicycle Music Fes- Dickerson Longa Cradle Duende performs in local ven- tival,” now worldwide and the largest 100 & Dr. Carlos Longa ues such as Yoshi’s, Freight & Salvage, Oak- percent bicycle-powered music festival in land’s new Sustainable Living Center and the world. the Red Poppy Art House. They also hope these are no ordinary bikes. They to perform at the Glen Park Festival. are the creation of Paul Freedman and a Call To Localize not only gives his company, Rock The Bike. The models the neighborhood a chance to enjoy the Nilsen and Ancheta ride have a rear-hub 590 Bosworth Street music of Cradle Duende, it also provides battery-powered motor that is engaged San Francisco, CA 94131 an opportunity to present ideas to the mostly for uphill hauling. The bikes also 415-585-1500 community through various special guests provide an easy, efficient way for to them GlenParkDental.com and speakers. to deliver flyers informing neighbors of Glen Park News Page 8 Fall 2011
Just Sold!
San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, who grew up in Glen Park. Photo by Chris Hardy Fire Chief’s Ties to Glen Park San Francisco’s Fire Chief paid Glen Park and the $2,000 the Glen Park Association 309 Surrey Street a visit this summer. contributed to the families of Valerio and She came unescorted. Perez. “Beth Kershaw and Don Gable of Hill & Co. recently by No brass trailed in her “It’s like a small town in a big city,” represented me in the sale of my home. From our first Murray wake. She wasn’t looking she said, gazing through the window at Schneider for fire code violations, the onslaught of afternoon village com- meeting they were enthusiastic, professional and thorough, always and she wasn’t checking on mute traffic. “It’s more crowded now, with my best interests in mind. Their experience and expertise in the whether the fire hydrant in more of a transit hub.” Glen Park neighborhood was evident. They immediately came up front of Buddies Market functioned prop- She shook her head at the memory: with a sales/marketing plan that met with my needs. erly. “I used to sit in my dad’s office and he’d “ She wore a stylish jacket, blouse and let me type on his typewriter. Afterward “They were readily available whenever necessary to respond slacks rather than her command uniform. he’d take me to Tyger’s. to my endless questions and concerns. The house sold And her hair wasn’t tied in the military- She lifted her coffee: “Other times I’d as a result of the first open house… I had five offers in the first six precision bun style she’d worn on June play CYO softball. Or I’d take walks on days following the listing of the house. Without any reluctance or 6 when she visited Engine Company Canyon trails. It was always [like being] reservations I strongly recommend Beth, Don and Hill & Co. They are 26 to pay her respects to the families of outside the city, far from the city, yet hik- not only my realtor, they are now my friends.” firefighters Anthony M. Valerio, 53, and ing in the city.” Vincent A. Perez, 48, who lost their lives across the street a father and daugh- “ Sally Lovell in a tragic Diamond Heights home fire ter left the Canyon Market with an armful on June 2. of groceries. Chief Joanne Hayes-White came “Even now I have my hair cut at to Glen Park on July 29 to express her Dalere’s,” she said, “and La Corneta’s Coming Soon! thanks to a familiar childhood neighbor- Joel Campos catered my sons Riley and ” hood and reminisce a bit. Logan’s St. Stephen’s eighth-grade gradu- 283 Surrey, offered at $699,000. Great opportunity to own your She pushed through the door of Peb- ation parties.” own home on a special Glen Park block. Built in the 1950’s, this bles Café on Diamond Street, next door the Fire Chief was born in 1964 and mid century home has 2 bedrooms plus an additional rear room to where her late father, plastering con- grew up west of Twin Peaks, close to the overlooking the oversized deep lot. There are hardwood floors, tractor Tom Hayes, had shared an office Stonestown/Buckingham Way firehouse. the original kitchen and bath, corner fireplace in the living room with realtor Bernie Kelly. She walked to Her dad, who died in 2010, was born in and high ceilings in the basement. Tremendous potential for future the counter and exchanged pleasantries County Limerick in Ireland, immigrated development. Call us today to make an appointment to see it! with Pebbles’ Sheena Lee, a 17-year ten- to San Francisco in 1949, and married ant of her dad’s. San Francisco native Patricia Brosnan. Hayes-White poured herself a cup “Joel is an immigrant, just like my of coffee and moved to a window table, father,” she said. “His staff is so stable Beth Kershaw the one nearest her father’s former place because he’s such a great employer.” (415) 260-2321 of business, the one that looks across to She attended St. Stephen’s Elemen- [email protected] the Canyon Market. tary School on Eucalyptus Drive and DRE License # 00876376 “Glen Park reached out after the graduated from Mercy High School in Donald Gable Berkeley Way fire,” she said. “There was 1982, where she served as senior class (415) 350-3854 such an outpouring of support from the president and found time to compete in [email protected] DRE License # 01724961 neighborhood.” She referred to the many prep basketball and volleyball. sympathy cards that wended their way up But it was fire alarms, not a referee’s the hill to the home of Engine Company whistle, that caught her attention: “I 26, the number of people who dropped by loved fire engines as a little girl,” she said. the station to convey their condolences, Continued on page 10 Fall 2011 Page 9 Glen Park News Ed Lee Shakes Up The Race for Mayor The San Francisco mayor’s race took an Farmers’ Market on a recent Sunday. “I’m affordable housing opportunities. ity. That happened last year in Oakland, unexpected turn this summer when Ed much more concerned about the issues.” Most political insiders in San Fran- when Don Perata secured the most first- Lee, the appointed incumbent and a Glen polls have suggested that other San cisco say the race is Lee’s to lose, given place votes but not enough to put him Park resident, went back on Francisco voters feel similarly. Despite his strong standing in the polls. But two over the 50 percent mark, and one of his by his word and decided to run the bombardment of hits by Lee’s oppo- factors have inserted enough uncertainty rivals, Jean Quan, ended up the victor Rachel for a full four- year term—a nents, his favorability rating has remained into the race to give others a fighting after the second-pick and third-pick votes Gordon decision that immediately cast strong. chance. were tallied. him as the front-runner and Falcone, however, plans to cast his the first is public financing, which in addition to Lee, Herrera, Avalos forced the other candidates to rethink vote for Supervisor John Avalos, who tilts has allowed eligible candidates to bolster and Chiu, the other major candidates their strategies. the furthest left of any of the prominent their campaign war chests with the use in the race are Bevan Dufty, the former Lee was appointed by the Board candidates in the 16-person race. “I like of money from the City’s general fund supervisor who represented Glen Park of Supervisors last January to fill out his progressive bent,” he said. to pay for mail, robocalls, paid staff and and other District 8 neighborhoods; for- the remaining year of Gavin Newsom’s tom Masterson, a Sunnyside resi- the like. mer supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier and term as mayor after Newsom left for the dent, also shrugged off the fact that Lee the other is ranked-choice voting, Tony Hall; state Sen. Leland Yee; Pub- lieutenant governor’s post. At the time, broke his promise, and said that if the which allows voters to choose up to three lic Defender Jeff Adachi; City Assessor- Lee—who has held several jobs in city election were held today he’d probably candidates in order of preference. Under Recorder Phil Ting; and political new- government as a top-level administrator— cast his ballot for the sitting mayor: “I like the system, if no candidate wins more comer Joanna Rees, a venture capitalist. promised he would be a caretaker mayor the way he’s handled himself. He’s shown than 50 percent of the vote in the first Ballots for the Nov. 8 election can be and would not run in this November’s he’s someone who can cross bridges to round of vote counting, last-place candi- cast early, starting on Oct. 10 at City Hall. election. Once sworn in to the city’s top bring people together,” Masterson said. “I dates are eliminated and the second- and That day, the Department of Elections will job, he became the first Asian American don’t fault him for running after he said third-place votes from those ballots are also send out vote-by-mail ballots. The last to serve as San Francisco mayor. he wouldn’t. There was a lot of pressure redistributed until someone wins a major- day to register to vote is Oct. 24. Lee’s months of denials that he would from people who like the way he’s been run started to give way in late July to sub- running the city.” tle hints that he would after all. On Aug. But Edwin Critchlow, who lives in 8, he entered the race. Several of his oppo- Glen Park, said he hasn’t decided who Glen Park Festival Benefits nents, among them Board of Supervisors will get his vote in the Nov. 8 election, President David Chiu and City Attorney even though his partner already put up Neighborhood Children Dennis Herrera, blasted the mayor for his a window sign for Herrera: “It’s still up about-face and questioned his integrity. in the air,” Critchlow said. The deciding The 2012 Glen Park Festival will be of Tree Frog Treks, and Bird & Beck- “A lot of that’s just a sideshow,’’ said factors, he explained, will be how well he held Sunday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to ett hosted storytime sessions and book Scott Falcone, a 42-year-old Mission Ter- thinks the candidates would do as mayor 4:30 p.m. in downtown give-aways. Residents displayed their race resident, as he shopped at the Glen Park to improve Muni service and expand by Glen Park. This annual neighborhood pride and supported the Rebecca neighborhood event is Festival’s grant program by purchasing Murray organized by volunteers, snazzy festival T-shirts, raffle tickets and Metzger including neighbors and beverages in the beer and wine garden. business owners. aside from bringing our neighbor- planning for the 2012 Festival will hood together, the Glen Park Festival begin in November. The committee wel- benefits the community in ways that comes new members. To join in the plan- extend beyond the fun-filled festival day. ning and preparations or to volunteer Each year, proceeds from the Festival are your help on the day of the festival, visit awarded to schools and children’s organi- the festival website at www.glenparkfes- zations in the Glen Park area. tival.com or call 729-4059. in 2011, six organizations were the 13th annual Festival this past awarded a total of $5,300. Supported May 1 provided entertainment on the projects include materials for a new indoor main stage throughout the day, featur- play structure at Glenridge Cooperative ing rising local music star Misisipi Mike Nursery School; lumber, planting soil Wolf as the Master of Ceremonies/DJ. and seeds for planting beds at Miraloma More than 50 vendor booths represented Cooperative Nursery School; a new read- local artists and craftspeople, area schools ing curriculum for St. Paul Elementary and organizations, and neighborhood- School’s K-5 students; age-appropriate affiliated businesses. In addition to the basketball and gardening equipment for many Glen Park eateries, the “Off the children at Fairmount Elementary School; Grid” food court provided sustenance for a new refrigerator for cooking projects for festival-goers via a collection of mobile children at Glen Park Elementary School; street food vendors. and assistance funding a new math spe- Families enjoyed an expanded chil- cialist for Sunnyside Elementary School. dren’s area at the 2011 Festival. In addi- The Festival association also donated to tion to the fire truck, talking police car, the funds set up to assist the families of bounce houses and balloon artist of years Firefighters Lt. Vincent Perez and Fire- past, children of all ages participated in man Anthony Valerio of Station 26, who a mini Gymboree class, learned about died fighting a Diamond Heights house and touched snakes and lizards courtesy fire this year. Glen Park News Page 10 Fall 2011
Throngs of cel- ebrants turned out for Laidley Street's famous 4th of July parade and street fair.
Photo by Chris Hardy
Fire Chief She didn’t have long to wait. In service. “I tell my three sons, no motor- ond family together.” Continued From page 8 1992, voters passed a bond measure cycles and no tattoos!” glen Park is never far from her “They were fascinating.” and separate bathrooms, locker rooms In 1993 Hayes-White was promoted mind—Patty, one of her three siblings, above all, though, her parents valued and properly sized safety gear became to lieutenant, in 1996 to captain and in lives just around the corner from Pebbles education, so Hayes-White entered the the rule-of-thumb in the City’s 46 fire- 1998 to assistant deputy chief. In 2004 Café, on Bosworth Street. But neither University of Santa Clara, graduating with houses, including one on Treasure Island, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed her are fires: “The homes here are turn-of- a business administration degree in 1986. one in the Presidio and three at SFO. Fire Chief. She traded going into hot the-century, wood-framed. One of the About then a federal court consent degree “We were adults,” she said with tact. burning buildings for dealing with hot- smartest things residents can do to pro- mandated that the SFFD redress the pau- “We made it work.” button administrative issues. Budget cuts tect themselves from fire is to change the city of women and minorities serving in Firefighting was everything she had and personnel matters now occupy much batteries in their smoke detectors in the the department. In 1990 Hayes-White expected—and much more—and con- of her time. fall and spring when they change their expressed an interest in firefighting to firmed that her parents had good cause “My goal is to provide high-qual- clocks.” her parents. “They were supportive, but for their skepticism: “There was a two- ity service with no adverse operational Bringing safety to another level, she skeptical,” she admitted. alarm fire in the Mission and we were impacts, including layoffs or station clo- added: “Become involved in the Neigh- the ranks of women grew from a on the roof; the roof was spongy, the sures,” she said. borhood Emergency Response Team paltry 10 or so in 1990 to well over 200 footing treacherous. Another firefighter She pulled a smartphone from her (NERT) program, and have an emer- in 2011, comprising 15 percent of the pulled me back to the adjacent house belt and checked messages, an activity gency and escape plan for your family.” SFFD staff according to a January, 2011 before the roof gave way.” never required of her when she hefted With the same lack of pomp and Fire Commission meeting report. The It didn’t take Hayes-White long extension ladders or ran lengthy lines of circumstance she had shown on enter- national average for women in U.S. fire to rise in the ranks. With her athletic fire hose. ing the café, San Francisco’s Fire Chief departments is 3.7 percent. background she wasn’t bothered by “I miss the adrenaline rush of being scooped up the empty coffee cups and “Vince Perez was a classmate at the the physical demands of the job but, close to a fire, though,” she said, “but the bussed them to the counter. She shrugged academy and we’d tease one another,” she admittedly, she had some trepidation skills I’m using now validate my parents’ her shoulders, as if to explain. “It’s the recalled. “He’d call me the Mercy girl and about her sketchy mechanical aptitude: investment in my education.” mother in me.” I’d call him the Riordan guy.” “I studied hydraulics. And even now I Less clubby, less old-boy and less old- That makes sense. Wasn’t it our When Hayes-White and Perez were keep my driver’s license current, even school than it was when she joined the mothers who bandaged our scrapes, stationed at their first firehouses, there tillering, which allows me to maneuver department, the 1,550-member SFFD salved our burns and told us never to play was a scandalous lack of separate facili- the rear end of a tractor-trailer ladder is like family. Hayes-White credits the with matches? ties for women: “We’d return from a truck.” ubiquity of cooking as the common lan- fire, and we looked and smelled like it,” She also keeps her EMT training up guage that helped break down gender Those interested in learning more about the Hayes-White remembered. “I waited my to speed and says she’s seen her share of walls and crack the fire department glass SFFD’s NERT program can contact Pro- turn because there was only one set of both serious and fatal motorcycle acci- ceiling. “In a firehouse you have to share gram Coordinator, Lt. Erica Arteseros, at showers.” dents during her 21 years of firefighting two meals,” she said. “We become a sec- 970-2022 or -email [email protected]. Fall 2011 Page 11 Glen Park News Sushi Bar Set Veteran Recreation Advocate Critiques For Chenery Glen Canyon Park Improvement Plan An as-yet-unnamed Japanese sushi bar and restaurant will be the The Glen Canyon Park Improvement Plan of children, baseball and soccer teams, fami- Building 101” teaches you that a court by new tenant in the space on is likely to set the form for our canyon lies and basketball players every year. should always be oriented north to south, Gail Chenery Street vacated by and park for the next 50 years. So get- there are 60 acres of the canyon, so the sun is not in players’ faces. However, Bensinger Sel & Vin wine bar. ting it right is important. But after hav- and only six acres dedicated to recreation. I was told the “the majority” of attendees The owners are Ken Lui, ing attended the planning meetings and Yet the planners spent a great deal of didn’t want the courts north of the Rec Kenny Zhu and Raymond Ho, who looked over the plan, I feel thought—and hope to spend a great deal Center. I can understand why. They want already operate two popular sushi and sake that something important is of money—to “integrate the canyon and to keep that area for their dogs. by places—Tataki at California at Divisadero, being ignored. The design for the recreation area.” To them the way to So the planners plan to move the ten- Miriam and Tataki South, on Church Street near our future park has lost focus do this is to “daylight” Islais Creek out to nis courts off the field area and up onto Moss Day. (Check them out at www.tatakisu- for active recreation—for play- the front of the park. Alms Road, the dirt road above the present shibar.com.) grounds, for baseball, for soccer, for tennis, the planners also spent time talking tennis courts. They also plan to keep the according to Lui, the trio are hoping for football. It is designed to look pretty about things totally out of their jurisdiction, courts oriented east/west. This is totally for a December opening. They still are and emphasize nature, but it’s not designed such as majestic entrances to the park at the unacceptable. There will be tree root prob- debating what to call the new enterprise, to facilitate people in Glen Park actually top of Bosworth Street and at Elk Street. lems and wet drip from the trees, which and exactly what kind of menu they will getting out and playing. at each meeting, planners spoke for will quickly undermine the courts. offer in addition to the sushi bar—other Six community meetings were held the first hour and a half and then broke the playground is another very types of small plates or full entrees are to discuss the plan. Unfortunately most the public up into six small groups. Only important issue that isn’t getting the atten- being considered. But the food will defi- were held Thursday evenings at 6:30 when one person got to summarize what the tion it deserves. As the plan stands now, it nitely be Japanese, and they are committed families could not attend. The vast major- “majority” wanted at each table. We were will be rebuilt at 6,000 square feet. But it to using sustainable fish for the sushi, plus ity of people who were able to attend the told there were too many people for all of should be at least 10,000 square feet. At St. organic meat and produce. Beer, wine and meetings were the users of the canyon and us to be heard. Finally, at the last meet- Mary’s Park, $3 million was spent on the sake will be available. dog owners who had their own agenda for ing, they said we could have one minute new playground, and at Mission Dolores they plan to remodel, with an empha- what they wanted not to be changed. to speak after the vote on the phasing. Of Park $3.5 million will be spent—but our sis on wood and bamboo. It probably will the planners met once at the play- course by then the plan was a done deal. planning process has allocated a mere $1.4 be open every night for dinner, at least at ground to get input from parents, and had this plan was not decided by consensus. million for the Glen Park playground. the start, and Liu said there would be a one focus group with baseball and tennis Not once did they invite anyone from the Remember, this is a well-used play- half-dozen or so new employees. reps. I was at that meeting, and I can say recreation side of the department to come ground that serves not only innumerable Before signing a lease, Liu said they did that not one thing we said has been put and speak about the needs of recreation. toddlers from the neighborhood but also research on the neighborhood, and liked into the plan. in an era when 30 percent of our chil- the Silver Tree day camp—150 kids per the village atmosphere. “We loved the vibe, another set of meetings on the trails dren are obese—and need more than ever day for 11 weeks—plus many schools that we loved the environment,” he said. development issue were held because trails to get outside and play—I think we should come for field trips, local nursery schools development money comes from a differ- plan for as much active recreation as the and the neighborhood. ent part of the Bond. It is not part of the six acres will allow, and integrate recreation part of the space that might be used Park Plan $5.8 million for the Glen Park Recreation into the canyon. to expand the playground has been taken Continued From page 1 Improvement Plan. What does daylighting the creek— up with plans for a grand entrance from Future improvements could come the first two meetings were to dis- which is planning-speak for bringing the Elk Street back to the Rec Center. It is so in a Phase Two, and would depend on cuss the canyon and did not discuss the buried creek up to the surface again—do wide that two cars could use it as a road. whether a contemplated future bond issue Recreation area—the playground, the Rec for active recreation? Nothing. It would one area that could be added to the is approved, new grants become available, Center building, the playing fields and the only serve to attract mosquitoes and six playground has instead been broken off and if money is provided by the San Fran- tennis courts. However the Bond was spe- months of the year it will be a dry, open and termed an “Outdoor Classroom.” cisco Public Utilities Commission and cifically intended to fix up the Rec Center trench. It will end up as an attractive That seems a silly use of space—after all the San Francisco Municipal Transporta- side of the park. nuisance. we have the whole 60 acres of Glen Can- tion Agency, as well as grants and private i believe that too much money is being the planners have allocated more yon as an outdoor classroom. The “Nature donations. spent on the canyon and too little on the money to daylight the creek than for the Play Area” and the “Rain Garden” are also phase Two projects, which combined recreation portion that is used by thousands playground! things that belong in the Canyon, not tak- carry a projected price tag of $16.2 mil- the plan also suggests that the space ing up space that could be a playground. lion, include rebuilding and expanding north of (behind) the Rec Center be desig- Drop by and watch kids playing there the Recreation Center, improving the such as logs, ponds, stumps—that would nated “an informal picnic area.” Originally some time; it’s amazing what they can do athletic fields and baseball diamonds, sharpen and challenge the physical skills that area was for T- Ball, but 10 years ago in such a small and poorly designed place. building major sidewalks on Elk Street of children. Not to mention exercise sta- the dog owners took that whole area over Image what it could be like if we put real alongside the park, and enhancing natu- tions, directional and interpretative sig- and now use it to run their dogs off-leash. money and planning into it, instead of ral glade areas and bringing Islais Creek nage and a picnic area and overlook. If left as in the plan as an “informal a picnic acting as if it were somehow less important to the surface where it now runs under- Rec and Park staff are now moving area” that is exactly what it will stay—an than the natural spaces of the Canyon. ground through the park—and possibly forward with the project. The Trust for illegal off-leash dog area. another possibility that was rejected by into downtown Glen Park. Public Land will work with its design that area instead should be for active the planners was a new Rec building where even the Phase Two proposals, team and our neighborhood to finalize sports. Kids need more than a playground. the existing tennis courts sit. They decided however, don’t complete the long list of the design for the portions of the improve- They need space to run and jump. They it would delay the plan because they said it future projects for which the community ments to be funded by the 2008 bond. A need that space for circle games, 4-Square, would take a year to get an Environmental is clamoring: Silver Tree renovation and new set of workshops and input sessions hopscotch, tetherball, scooter and tricycle Impact Review. I’m not sure why this would site improvements; hillside restoration; will begin this fall. riding, basketball and the tennis courts. even be needed, as the space is already a park and creation of a nature challenge area, drawings of the proposed changes are another serious problem is the place- and that is how it would continue to be a play area made of natural structures— online at http://bit.ly/qndG9U. ment of the tennis courts. “Tennis Court used. They would be able to better design Continued on page 12 Glen Park News Page 12 Fall 2011
Friends and family of fallen firefighter and paramedic Tony Valerio release balloons at Station 26 on Aug. 14 to mark what would have been his 54th birthday. Valerio and comrade Vincent Perez died in a tragic Berkeley Way home fire on June 2, 2011.
Photo by Chris Hardy
Park Plan Critique Continued From page 11 look closely at this plan and draw your Chat with Marc Dickow-Realtor own independent conclusions. The bot- [email protected] (AIM) a playground and other parts of the park tom line: This plan has lost focus for active Available with the building up front. recreation. It is designed to look pretty My feeling is that we have been waiting but it is not designed to facilitate active MaMarc, rc Wh, I’ym should think I useing a of Realtor selling to buy my or home sell my. home How? is since 2000, so another year or so wouldn’t recreation. the market in Glen Park right now? make a difference. We do not have the the Rec Center building is not always money to touch the building yet anyway. open. We need the opportunity to stay fit by We never will unless another bond gets having a great six acres for active play. Now is a great time to list your home in Glen Park! passed, allocating money for our park. The median sale price in Glen Park is up 36% from 2009. Glen Canyon Park is the only San Fran- There are simply fewer homes for sale in our neighborhood cisco park that didn’t get full funding for Glen Park resident Miriam Moss is a longtime than there are people who want to live here. its renovation and is having to phase in the advocate for, and supporter of, Glen Canyon improvements. Park. For many years she was president of the the devil is in the details, so please Glen Park Advisory Board. A couple of important points that I can help you with when you are ready to sell your home: PRICE IT RIGHT I can also advise you on how to PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY for market. Dalere’s Beauty Salon For more tips and market information, subscribe to Hair Designs by Glory and Marian my e-mail newsletter by texting MARC to 22828 or just send me an e-mail or call me at Celebrating 43 years in Glen Park 415-722-4018. See you around the neighborhood Happy Holidays & Thank You For Your Support!
660 Chenery St. San Francisco, CA 94131 (415)586-3980 Marc Dickow - Realtor 415-722-4018 (Closed Sunday and Tuesday) www.altrockrealtor.com [email protected] DRE# 01870650
Marc, Why should I use a Realtor to buy or sell my home?
Marc, Why should I use a Realtor to buy or sell my home?
Marc, Why should I use a Realtor to buy or sell my home? Fall 2011 Page 13 Glen Park News
Strollin' with Dolan Seldom-Seen Glen Park: Where the Wild Things Are Most of us around here walk about, some- the rest of the slope just gets to be itself, was another of our seldom seen “lanelets” occasional rhythm of Muni streetcars on times because we’re going to or from work, with fallen tree branches and vigorously (8), but it is now completely choked off by the rails below? These trails make for a or just to stroll, at other times just to take wild versions of flowering plants. But you exuberant growths. The path is only about fine stroll. Ignore, if possible, the trash a long or short walk (healthy, you know). can’t take the unpaved part all the way to two feet wide, so I checked a Google map discarded by irresponsible vagrants. Arling- For the most part we just the end of Poppy Lane. The south tail to to see if it was really there. It does appear— ton Street residents whose back yards abut by glance at the latest modi- Bemis has been blocked by a chain link only as a fat gray line, as distinguished from the walkway on the west side of the Cut, Dolan fication or paint job on a fence. City maps show this as Poppy, but I the usual skinny property lines. try to keep up the area—a constant but Eargle home, or at a new gardens believe the adjacent neighbors have wisely Wander along Bemis Street and climb rewarding task. someone has planted—like prevented foot traffic through this steep the long concrete staircase near the foot alongside the Cut, someone is taking at Lippard and Chenery and muddy end. of Addison (9). The little undeveloped care of a block-long stretch along Arlington, streets, for instance. there’s also a broad swath alongside area at the top is named Fairmount Plaza. making it into a pleasant spot for a sit or Most of us also observe patches of land upper Swiss Street that leads down a steep Perched over a huge rock face, it provides a picnic (11). One final spot, not so sel- that have no apparent guardian—aban- slope. It is preciously undeveloped land a wonderful view to the Bay. dom seen—and far from neglected—is the doned, isolated, difficult to manage, hid- that overlays an unstable clay slope with in a more urban setting, one cannot community garden On Arlington near the den, overgrown. Our eyes usually pass right a spring at the lower side (4). Makes for ignore the long, greenish, tree-shaded Highland Avenue bridge (12). Amazing, the over these places. The following are a few a pretty view. Another similar but smaller banks on both sides of San Jose Avenue’s long sign-up list for space for a plot. Go, see offerings that may appeal to wandering—or spring-fed swath extends south of More- Bernal Cut (10). Did you know there are and marvel at the variety of vegetables and wondering—eyes. The numbers show their land down alongside a home on Diamond great paved trail walks above both sides flowers. locations on the accompanying map. at Moffitt. Ignore the immense metal stor- of the Cut, with very fine views, and the probably the neighborhood’s longest age box at the top and enjoy a pretty sight stretch of undeveloped, semi-wild land is to a garden below (5). What Irks Mr. Eargle? along Bosworth Street, between Brompton once upon a time, there was a lane “BART and Muni—Do you have something against putting up a sign at and Elk, extending into the park up to parallel to Surrey Street, westward from Lip- your Glen Park station with an arrow to the J-Church stop in the middle of San O’Shaughnessy (1). I’m not talking about pard. It might be called the Lippard Spur Jose Avenue? Yes, we know it isn’t wheelchair accessible, but a lot of people would Production Specifi cations: that marvelous little stretch of dirt path— (6). For years one lone home sat on the Publication:like to know Glen Parkthat News it’s there (and a lot of people who do know would like to see it which incidentally is atop Islais Creek— spur with the remainder choked with black- Mediacleaned Unit: up!).Quarter Page Vertical from Brompton to Burnside, but the area berry brambles. Then some people needed Live Area:“CALTRANS—How 5.0” x 6.0” about refreshing the paint on those sloping bridge struts some 20 feet north of the Bosworth side- access to their back yards for construction Bleedover Area: San None Jose Avenue with a bright orange, like the spectacular bridges in Luxem- walk. work—for this, the spur was opened and Printing:bourg? BW What a sight it would be, and easily done.” there’s also an extension of this path- extended. Look, but you can’t go onto this way in the park, an ancient, crumbling seldom-seen scene (nice new fence). cement path along Bosworth, impassable one more little place to be found is in many parts, which has caught the atten- the path connecting the southeast end of tion of the alert people doing the proposed Penny Lane uphill to Bemis and down- remodel of the Glen Park Plan (2). Encour- hill to Surrey (7). Upward, it is carefully age them. tended by a resident. Downward, the path Maybe the next-longest neglected area is nearly obscured by a glorious spreading is the extension of Poppy Lane beyond of nasturtium leaves and flowers. the newer home in the lane, just east of the little community garden on Dia- Diamond Street (3). Two or three hom- mond Street just above Chenery, tended eowners on Moffitt Street, above the lane, by the Glen Park Garden Club, guards a have—with great effort—carved paths lane that runs behind the homes on Surrey down the steep slope to Poppy, but I doubt and the shops on Diamond. It leads to a EST: 1990 they get used much owing to the slope. So wooden gate at Chenery, near Castro. This
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sunnyside I’m focusing on improving two areas years, the board will be able to amend where we as a city can do better: our or repeal the measure with a minimum ballot measure system and two-thirds vote (support of at least eight The Monterey Boulevard median the San Francisco Fire Department by the way we maintain our of the 11 supervisors). After seven years, improvement project has provides Neighborhood Emergency Supervisor trees. the measure will be treated like any other by been chosen as one of the Response Team (NERT) training. It is Scott piece of legislation and can be amended Bill District 7 Clean City projects too late to sign up for the classes that Wiener Improving Our Broken or repealed by a simple board majority. Wilson for this October. The plant- started in August in Glen Park, but for Ballot Measure System this proposal will reduce the incen- ings that are currently in front those who don’t have time to take the Two of the most common questions I’m tive for the board and mayor to place of the Sunnyside Conservatory will be six-week course, the NERT team has asked as an elected official are, “Why do ordinances on the ballot that we should extended from the freeway entrance all put together a two-day intensive course you make us vote on so many things?” handle through the legislative process. the way to Ridgewood Avenue. at San Francisco State University in the and “Why doesn't the Board of Super- No longer will supervisors and mayors Volunteers will be recruited city- fall. visors do its job and pass legislation have an incentive to bypass the legislative wide, but neighbors are always wel- You can go to the SFFD website, without asking us to pass it for you?” I process by proposing ballot legislation come. Join us on Saturday, Oct. 15 at www.sf-fire.org, and follow the link am sponsoring a charter amendment— that then becomes frozen in time. 9 a.m. to the NERT website for more infor- placed on the Nov. 8 ballot by the Board The Department of Public Works mation. You can also e-mail NERT of Supervisors—that will start us on the Doing a Better Job wants to complete the entire median in staff at [email protected] or call 970- long road of reforming our ballot mea- Maintaining Our Trees one day because they will need to close 2022. sure system. Our city’s trees—street trees and park one lane of traffic in each direction the best tribute we could pay to My proposal deals with the inflex- trees—are among our most important while the planting is going on, so they those first responders who daily put ibility of ballot measures once they’re assets. Yet, we devote few resources to want to do it as quickly as possible. their lives in danger for our safety is passed. California is the only state in actually caring for them. We all see the as this column is being written, to be prepared so we know what to do. the country where legislation passed by results—trees or limbs falling, sometimes the nation is pausing and remember- That way we don’t become part of the the voters can be amended only by going damaging property or injuring people; ing the events of Sept. 11, 2011, and problem. back to the voters with yet another bal- diseased trees; and broken sidewalks. the aftermath of the earthquake and lot measure. No matter how much time Currently, the Recreation and Park Hurricane Irene on the East Coast. has passed, no matter how small or large Department’s tree-maintenance bud- I urge my fellow citizens to be pre- Columnist Bill Wilson is president of the the change, no matter how outdated a get is so small that its staff can perform pared for whatever disaster might Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, provision, no matter the consensus for preventive maintenance on trees once come our way. www.snasf.org. changing a measure, once the voters every 50 years. The Department of Pub- have adopted legislation, it cannot be lic Works only maintains one third of amended by our legislature. our street trees, with maintenance for the same is true in San Francisco, the other two thirds foisted on prop- unless a ballot measure provides that it erty owners who may not have planted can be amended by the Board of Supervi- the trees, may not want them and may sors—and ballot measures rarely provide not know how to care for them. Despite for this. Once they are adopted, they are having a terrific crew of arborists, DPW frozen in time. And because going back doesn’t have enough resources to do a to the voters with an amendment is a consistent job on the trees that are City- significant undertaking—requiring the maintained. mounting of an electoral campaign— this situation isn’t acceptable. And, people who see flaws in voter-adopted it’s hard to see how we can solve it with legislation typically don’t bother trying our current budget. Trees, unfortunately, to amend it. are often seen as expendable during bad this permanent restriction on budget years. For example, during this amending voter-adopted legislation isn’t year’s budget process, the mayor’s pro- the only dysfunction in our ballot mea- posed budget cut $600,000 from DPW sure system, but reform starts with one street-tree maintenance. I was able to get small step, and my proposal takes that half of that cut restored, but even had first step by making the system more we restored the full cut, the budget still flexible. It does so by gradually making would have been inadequate. some ballot measures amendable by the I am working closely with DPW, Board of Supervisors as part of the nor- Rec & Park and others to come up with mal legislative process. It would apply to a dedicated funding stream for main- ordinances or policy statements placed taining our street and park trees. My on the ballot by the Board of Supervi- goal is to fund them such that our park sors or the mayor. It would not apply trees actually receive the maintenance to any initiative placed on the ballot by they need and DPW can take respon- voter signature. It is forward-looking and sibility for all, or almost all, street trees doesn’t apply to past ballot measures. and then maintain them. There are vari- Here’s how it would work: After ous options for this dedicated stream of voters adopt an ordinance, the board funding, including a modest parcel tax will not be able touch the measure for or a tree assessment district. The ques- the first three years. For the next four Continued on page 16 Fall 2011 Page 15 Glen Park News school news
memory table. Kimberly Wong, a former neighborhood families could not secure landscaping yards. The garden coordinator Glen Park Glen Park student and current Glen Park a spot in our kindergarten classes after will develop a hands-on science curriculum Elementary School kindergarten teacher, has been leading the Round One. As a school, we do not want with teachers that takes students and sci- charge to gather alumni. this to happen. ence into the school yard. Celebrating 100 years arts programs are expanding. Move- Following the completion of Help Our Green Schoolyard Finally Finished ment now will be available for kindergar- by the modernization project, Glen Park School is lucky to have one of the Starting at the end of July, my kids ten through 3rd- grade students. Students Shelley Glen Park School’s grand larger outdoor school spaces in San Fran- repeatedly peppered me with questions: in 4th and 5th grades will complete course- Wharton reopening celebration was cisco. We are looking forward to adding a “Is school ready?” “When does it start?” work with poet Gail Newman during the Smith held Saturday, Sept. 24, from school garden, more trees, flowers along the They watched as the new play structure spring semester. Partnerships with the de 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone in front, and natural play features in the yard, went up in the yard and the gazebo rose Young Museum’s “Young at Art” program, the Glen Park neighborhood was invited and we will need help from our neighbor- just off the cafeteria. As co-president of the Contemporary Jewish Museum and to join us. hood as we launch our Green Schoolyard the GPPTO, I spent quite a few summer Asian Art Museum will expand to more Visitors could see our beautifully project. Do you have a green thumb? Please days volunteering at the school to help classrooms this year. renewed building, meet our amazing feel free to contact the Glen Park Parent ensure that it would be ready for the first By the end of the fall semester, Sunny- teachers and staff, talk to current parents, Teacher Organization (GPPTO) at glen- day of classes. side will have a mobile computer lab. The and hear about the exciting plans for the [email protected] or stop by the GPPTO the week before school started was joint venture between the ExCel afterschool school yard. There were children’s activi- booth at the celebration. a mad dash. Contractors were busily program and the PTA will include 30 lap- ties, including face-painting, crafts and a painting everywhere, teachers were des- tops, three laptop carts and the introduction hula-hoop contest. We also had live music, Tour & Select Glen Park School Early perately trying to ensure the classrooms of smart boards in instruction. food and bake sale and a raffle with some Tours of the school will begin on Nov. 8, were ready, cleaners were washing off con- School tours start in October. If you exciting prizes. Our festival was a great after the San Francisco Unified School struction dust, volunteers were digging want to know more about Sunnyside day to celebrate the school’s 100 years of District’s Enrollment Fair on Nov. 5. out books from storage, and others were before then, check out our new website, connection to our neighborhood. Tours will be conducted every Tuesday putting in windows, doors and finishing [email protected], for more i love meeting people who have from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., until applications touches. With that final push, the school information about Sunnyside events, staff enrolled their children or their grandchil- are due, Jan. 27. Call the school at 469- was ready Aug. 15 for its primary mission and programs. School tour information dren in Glen Park School following their 4713 to schedule a tour. of educating San Francisco’s children. I will be posted the first week of October. own attendance years ago. People who We urge prospective families to come want to thank everyone who worked so the second annual “Run to the Sun- attended Glen Park Elementary shared and check out Glen Park School before hard on our school. The construction nyside!” fun run, walkathon and potluck memories and pictures of Glen Park School Round One applications are due. We were process, like any other big remodeling was held at Aptos Middle School on Sun- at our grand reopening celebration at the overenrolled this year and, sadly, many project, was not easy, but the building is day, Sept. 25. This “fun”draiser is a healthy beautiful and I look forward to the school way for families to raise money, build com- serving our neighborhood’s children for munity spirit and support PTA-sponsored another 100 years! programs. ST. JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL the San Francisco Unified School where community matters Shelley Wharton Smith is co-president of the District-sponsored bond measure, Proposi- Glen Park Parent Teacher Organization. tion A, will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. This is the final stage of modernizing district facilities to provide a safe instructional Sunnyside environment. Sunnyside Elementary was Elementary School built in 1927 and is one of the facilities covered under the latest bond measure. The school year has started off with good Improvements will include seismically news and new programs at Sunnyside upgrading boilers and plumbing, adding Elementary. The 2011 API test two classrooms, replacing four bungalows by scores were announced and Sun- with a permanent structure and creating a Cathy nyside students scored 807, a 39 green school yard area. Meyer point increase over last year. Improvements to the curricu- Cathy Meyer is president of the Sunny- lum will continue, thanks to generous side Elementary School PTA
PHOTO: sonphoto.com sponsorship from our community part- ners. The Glen Park Festival awarded a $1,100 grant supporting the Sunnyside Glen Park combining traditional math program, creating fun, math-based projects for the entire class and working News faith-based education with small groups of 1st-grade through 5th-grade students. Classifieds while utilizing the best that Sunnyside is in the process of hiring technology offers a garden coordinator! This is the culmi- End Homework nation of three years of effort by parents Hassles who dedicated more than 1,000 hours of Family time’s better spent! volunteer time writing grants; building www.mystudybuddy.org 925 CHENERY STREET • SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131 planter boxes, a shed and composting and Jane Radcliffe 415-586-4577. www.stjohnseagles.com 415.584.8383 rain-catchment systems; and clearing and Glen Park News Page 16 Fall 2011
Weiner Column versations on both of these important Continued From page 14 issues. As always, feel free to contact my office at 554-6968 or e-mail me at scott. tion for property owners will be whether [email protected]. paying a tax or assessment will be worth it to eliminate responsibility for main- taining adjacent street trees. For many, Scott Wiener represents Glen Park and it will be well worth it. other District Eight neighborhoods on i look forward to continuing con- the Board of Supervisors.
Dr. Carrie Lee, O.D. Optometrist Glen Park E-mail Lists 2786 Diamond Street San Francisco, CA 94131 The Glen Park Association hosts a free electronic mail list open (415) 334-2020 to all Glen Park residents. It is moderated by membership coor- www.eyedentityvision.com dinator Heather World and consists of a weekly calendar and news update, with very occasional late-breaking news stories and police updates. To subscribe, send e-mail to glenparkassociation- ● Comprehensive adult and pediatric eye exams [email protected]. Also, don’t forget the Glen Park ● Contact lens fittings ● Screenings for glaucoma, Association website at www.glenparkassociation.org. cataracts, and macular degeneration ● Emergency appointments ● LASIK surgery evaluation and co- Other neighborhood lists include: management ● Customized eyeglasses and sunglasses ● Eyeglass repairs and adjustments Ingleside Police Station Crime Report To receive the daily Ingleside Station Newsletter please send Vision Service Plan accepted an e-mail to: [email protected] Glen Park Parents Over 700 families in Glen Park and environs. Includes groups for new parents and parents-to-be. Moderated and spam-free. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glenparkparents/ Glen Park Expectant Parents group E-mail [email protected] for information. Gay Glen Park A low-traffic list for gay and lesbian residents, their friends and families. Moderated and spam-free. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gayglenpark/ Glen Park Dog Owners [email protected] Glen Park-Fairmount Heights Neighbors Association [email protected]
Come Make Music! For students ages 4 through adult Now registering for summer: July 5 - August 29
CMC’s Mission Branch 544 Capp at 21st Street (415) 647-6015 [email protected] www.sfcmc.org
Glen Park - 5”x3” Fall 2011 Page 17 Glen Park News
JUST LISTED! 1107 BOSwORTH GLEN PARk Howard Reinstein #1 Glen Park Agent
JUST SOLD! 130 VICkSBURG TOP PRODUCER - 15 STRAIGHT YEARS NOE VALLEY • $155,000 OVER ASkING! Consistency Counts!
Howard Reinstein Noe Valley Office Manager [email protected] 415-296-2105 JUST SOLD! 265 BEMIS www.howardreinstein.com GLEN PARk $41,000 OVER ASkING!
#1 Glen Park Agent | Top 2% Nationally More Glen Park Homes Sold Over $1 Million Chairman of Sponsor Development, The Glen Park Festival 20 Year Glen Park Home Owner 35 wILDER Partner Chenery Park Restaurant PENDING SALE IN 6 DAYS • GLEN PARk All up-to-date Glen Park sold prices are available at www.glenparkneighbors.com
100 Clipper Street | 415-296-2105 Glen Park News Page 18 Fall 2011 in glen canyon park digging the dirt:
Among the most prominent animals distance from the trail, so cameras with news from the garden club seen in Glen Canyon Park are the various a zoom feature or binoculars are useful species of birds. Twenty-three species are for getting a close-up view of the bird. A big treat right now for gardeners is the site is best for most bulbs. Plant bulbs 2–3 known to live in and visit the If people sit or stand in one place for availability of bulbs—all promising a times as deep as the height of the bulb. by park, from hawks, gulls and a time, the birds may get used to their gorgeous display of blooms Use gopher baskets if these critters are in Monika owls to smaller birds such presence and move closer to the bird- by next spring and summer. your garden. Lewis as swallows, hummingbirds watchers. Kay We interviewed Hazel daffodils and narcissus and the oth- and sparrows. When viewing wildlife, people Hamilton White of Flowercraft Nurs- ers can be planted in November without on a walk through the park this should leave the area as they found it. Too Estey ery on Bayshore Boulevard refrigeration. They should be stored in a summer I saw several species including much disruption of the natural habitat for more information. dark, cool location until time to plant. house finches, sparrows, hummingbirds, can be harmful to native plants and the What bulbs are in the store now? Water them well; then the rain will take yellow warblers and California towhees. animals that depend on them for food Alliums, anemone, calla lilies, crocus, daf- care of the rest. While people and shelter, but fodils, freesia, gladiolus, hyacinth, ipheion, Bulbs do very well in containers, walking around Twenty-three species of spending time iris, ixia, muscari, narcissus, ranunculus, planted deeply in good soil with excel- the Glen Park to understand scilla, snowflakes, sparaxis, tulips and wat- lent drainage in a warm location. neighborhood birds are known to live in nature helps sonia. Lilies arrive in January. indoors, grow paperwhites (narcissus) most often see ensure that it When does each of these bloom? in a shallow bowl half-full of pebbles. Nes- such birds as and visit the park. can be pre- Crocus, scilla and narcissus: early spring. tle the bulbs in the pebbles, pointed-end r o c k d o v e s , served. Muscari, snowflakes, tulips: mid-spring. up, and fill in more pebbles. Add water to mourning doves the Friends Alliums, anemone, freesias, ipheion, just below the bottom of the bulbs. Do not and finches, the natural areas of Glen of Glen Canyon Park website, http:// ranunculus, sparaxis, watsonia: late spring let the bowl dry out. Place in a dark place Canyon Park offer a wider variety of spe- bit.ly/glencanyonpark, has a wealth of and early summer. until sprouts appear, then move to a well- cies, which live in a wild environment information about the park and activities When is the best time to plant bulbs? lit location. Cool temperatures increase the among the native plants. taking place there. The next Bird Walk is Tulips, crocus and hyacinth need to be life of the blooms. Don’t forget those big the area of Islais Creek, which runs scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 13, is listed put into a paper bag and placed in a veg- flashy amaryllis; they also grow very well through the park, is a popular venue for in the Community Calendar on Page 20 etable drawer in the refrigerator for 6–7 indoors and bloom for a long time. the birds to congregate, with willows, of this issue. weeks. Do not store apples in the same Maintenance blackberry plants and other vegetation drawer. Plant them immediately upon Start by buying large, healthy bulbs with in which the birds perch, feed and seek removal from their improvised “winter.” no damp or soft spots. Use organic com- shelter from the elements and preda- Monika E. Lewis writes about our neigh- Bulbs must be planted in soil that post to improve drainage, and add bone tors. borhood canyon. drains well. Amend that clay soil! A sunny meal when you plant. in the drier areas of the hillside, do not cut back the plant after the California towhees can be seen scratch- bloom has faded. The plant needs the ing chicken-like at the ground, followed energy from those fading leaves to flourish by retrieving their prey and eating them, visitors the next year. Grow light and airy peren- or carrying the insects off to their nest to nials around the bulbs as a cover. feed their young. They thrive in wood- welcome unfortunately, bulbs such as tulips, land areas, including city parks and gar- crocus and hyacinth require a cold winter dens, building their nests in bushes close celebrating during which they lie dormant under- to the ground. ground, gathering strength for the next the towhees blend into their sur- tradition & diversity bloom. In this moderate climate you can roundings well with their light-brown 9am Sunday Family Service dig them up in the fall and keep the bulbs feathers. In the spring and summer This energetic celebration of God's inclusive love is designed to be in the fridge for their false winter, or, if months, the birds can be seen collect- child-friendly and is also widely attended by many who do not have kids. you are a lazy gardener like me, you can ing nesting materials or food and flying Coffee and refreshments follow the service. treat them as annuals and forget about it. off to a more secluded location where During the school year, Godly Play begins at 10 o'clock for children 3 to I think it’s worth buying them each year. they maintain their nesting sites. Innocents 10. Based on a Montessori model, the children are invited to wonder Alternatives and Resources each species of bird has a distinctive about the meaning of Biblical stories. Consider planting native California bulbs. call along with flight pattern, coloration Many are well suited to our climate and soil. and other distinct habits that make them 11am Sunday Choral Eucharist Try some of the many South African bulbs. readily identifiable. Following the model of more traditional Anglican worship, incense, For instance the delicate gladiolus species While the park’s resident owls hunt organ and choral music are used in this high-church service. While it is thrive in containers outdoors in this area. at night, most birds are more active dur- a very traditional service in most aspects we use more inclusive online sources of information are language in our references to God so that a wider variety of 21st century ing the day. When bird-watching, people Holy Telos Rare Bulbs at www.telosrarebulbs. people may feel included and so that we can continue to expand our often bring binoculars and a bird book. image of a loving God. Children are always welcome. com, and California Native Bulbs at www. They may even adapt their clothes to Coffee hour follows. californianativebulbs.com. Flowercraft better blend in with the natural sur- 25th Garden Center is at 550 Bayshore Blvd., roundings when viewing the birds up Last Sunday of each month, there is a 824-1900. close. single combined service at 9:30am Dolores Fair Oaks Bird-watchers will be more success- followed by brunch. Guerrero Kay Hamilton Estey is the Glen Park Gar- ful in small groups, minimizing their 26th den Club columnist for the Glen Park movements to keep from scaring off the www.holyinsf.org News. If you have questions, comments, or birds they are attempting to view. Birds Holy Innocents Episcopal Church • (415) 824-5142 • 455 Fair Oaks Street want to know more about the Garden Club, often perch on trees or shrubs at a slight For more info, contact the Rev. Rosa Lee Harden: [email protected] e-mail her at [email protected].
Fall 2011 Page 19 Glen Park News
Residential properties sold in Glen Park this summer: glen park real estate Address Listed Sold Days on the Market There is an upside to the downgrade. And sumer and producer inflation rates were 39 Arbor St. $1,299,000 $1,299,000 26 here’s why: Despite all of the recent volatil- shrugged off by the market, though if 375 Arlington St. $859,000 $854,000 42 ity and the protracted debt ceil- those rates continue to disappoint, upward by 414 Arlington St. $589,000 $570,000 49 ing debate—which led to the movement in home-loan rates almost cer- Bill subsequent downgrade of the tainly will take place. 1866 Church St. $1,499,000 $1,425,000 68 Berry U.S credit rating—the Federal So, while all of the ups and downs are 45 Digby St. $735,000 $678,850 64 Reserve announced that it is unnerving and the job picture continues 57 Digby St. $749,000 $735,000 74 freezing the discount rate (which is almost to disappoint, if one is able to get into the 55 Elk St. $899,000 $950,000 14 zero right now) for the next two years. market now, the mortgage rates would 2 Everson St. $3,800,000 $3,500,000 45 this is good news for those who have let someone afford more house than they 31 Fairmount St. $1,270,000 $1,270,000 49 adjustable-rate mortgages. originally had thought. My best advice is to 279 Laidley St. $769,000 $755,000 43 ironically, the takeaway for the real estate establish a relationship with an experienced 171 Melrose Ave. $649,000 $705,000 33 market generally was positive in that the Fed’s mortgage broker who can explain the dif- action keeps downward pressure on mort- ferent loan options and balance those prod- 191 Melrose Ave. $625,000 $615,000 275 gage interest rates, which are at near-record ucts with your down payment. Remember, 81 Miguel St. $810,000 $825,000 10 lows, and provides some near-term stability FHA (Federal Housing Administration) 19 Mizpah St. $689,000 $699,000 28 in home equity line rates as well. loans let qualified buyers put as little as 148 Moffitt St. $729,000 $745,000 14 and, if the Federal Reserve decides to 3.5 percent down! 41 Wilder St. $825,000 $875,000 34 implement further measures to stimulate 35 Whitney St. $1,275,000 $1,300,000 22 the economy, some of those actions are Bill Berry is a Realtor with Zephyr Real 36 Laidley St. $2,650,000 $2,525,000 33 likely to focus on holding down long-term Estate. He can be contacted at www.Bill- interest rates. BerrySF.com, [email protected] or Recent higher-than-expected con- 378-7300 check it out at the library ELAC presents/presenta The San Francisco Public Library is p.m. A lecture on Italian opera, complete excited to announce that Packing for with film clips, will be offered by Alex- A celebration of Latin-American food, music and culture Mars: The Curious Science andra Amati-Camperi at 4 p.m. Light by of Life in the Void by Mary Italian-style refreshments will be available Denise Roach is our 7th annual throughout the program. Sanderson One City One Book! our monthly school-aged program Known for her candid “First Fridays,” geared toward kids ages and hilarious explorations of the odder 6 and up, starts Friday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. side of science, Mary Roach now turns The first month’s program will be but- to her most compelling subject yet— ton-making. The kids can either bring Friday, September 30, 2011-6:30-9:30pm space—a world devoid of the things an image they want to turn into a button we need to live and thrive: air, gravity, or create their own with materials we will Placita de Fairmount, 65 Chenery Street hot showers, fresh produce, privacy and provide. On Friday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m., we beer. will be hosting a science program on chro- For info and tickets: wearefairmount.com From the space shuttle training toi- matography, which is a fun way to explore let to a crash test of NASA’s new space the separation of color pigments. capsule, Packing for Mars takes us on a More library events are listed in the Sugested Donation: $15 per family of 4, $5 solo. Kids under 4 free surreally entertaining trip into the science Community Calendar on Page 20 of this of life in space and space on Earth. issue. For additional information about “One City One Book: San Francisco our programs and other library news, Reads” is an annual citywide literary please visit our Glen Park Library blog at event that encourages members of the http://glenparklibrarysfpl.blogspot.com/ San Francisco community to read the or the library website, http://sfpl.org/. same book at the same time and then discuss it in book groups and at events Glen Park Branch Library throughout the city. At the Glen Park 2825 Diamond Street (near Bosworth) Library our discussion of the book was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21. If Monday 10-6 you missed the event, don’t miss this great Tuesday 10-6 book! Wednesday 12-8 on Oct. 22 we will once again host Thursday 1-7 a special cultural program. This year we Friday 1-6 will take you to Italy. Due Zighi Baci, Saturday 1-6 featuring accordionist Sheri Mignano Sunday – Closed and tenore lirico Michael Van Why, will entertain with beautiful songs from the Denise Sanderson is the Glen Park Branch streets and cafes of Italia, starting at 3 Librarian. Sponsors: Eric's Restaurant * Event Magic * Glen Park Nail * Goood Frikin Chicken * Lashfully * Martha & Bros * Nervous Dog Cafe * Pacitas Bakery * The Palacio Latino * The Ramp * Squat and Gobble Cafe * Twin Peaks Pizza Glen Park News Page 20 Fall 2011 community calendar
Glen Park Association who keep our neighborhood safe. (or any other neighborhood). Then click and teacher. Quarterly meetings are held in January, next dates: Oct. 18, Nov. 15, on an artist’s name for information and Sunday, Oct. 9, 3 pm: Allan Jacobs, April, July and October. Everyone is wel- Dec. 20. sample artworks. former San Francisco City planning direc- come, members and non-members alike. two Glen Park artists will open their tor and renowned urban designer, reads Annual dues of just $10 support the Asso- Glen Park Branch Library studios and welcome visitors to see their essays from his recent book, The Good ciation's important work on behalf of the Denise Sanderson, manager of the Glen work the weekend of Oct. 8–9, 11 am–6 City: Reflections & Imaginations. neighborhood. Park Branch at 2825 Diamond St., over- pm. View samples at the Artspan website, Monday, Oct. 10 (on-site) & Thurs- next meeting: Thursday, Oct. 13, sees a lively agenda of events at our local and stop by and meet these neighbors: day, Oct. 13 (off-site): B&B Litquake 7–9 pm, Glen Canyon Park Rec Center. library. See her column on Page 19 for Kathy Voutyras, 268 Joost Ave. Events; call store for details. Agenda includes representatives from more details. A full schedule is always Elizabeth McClellan, 42 Chenery St. Sunday, Oct. 16, 2 pm: Poet David both pension reform ballot propositions; available at the library, and all programs Meltzer will be interviewed on-stage by Glen Park plan update; solar reimburse- are free. A Call to Localize Gerry Fialka. ment program. Following are a few of the events Sunday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m., Glen Park Sta- Sunday, Oct. 23: Multi-media artist planned this fall: tion bar, Diamond Street near Chenery: Mitzi Wortman & friends present work Friends of Glen Canyon Park Performing duo Cradle Duende, mem- on “brave girls.” The Friends sponsor a variety of activities Children’s Programs bers of a Glen Park artists’ collective, com- to maintain and improve our neighbor- Baby Rhymes & Playtime: Every bines music with a message. See story on Weekly & Monthly Series: hood park and enhance our knowledge Tuesday, 10:30 am. Rhymes, stories and Page 7. . Three book groups meet monthly, at and enjoyment of the city’s natural won- fingerplays, ages birth–3 years. 7 pm. Call the store for title(s). derland. To join Friends of Glen Canyon Read for the Record: Thursday, Oct. St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church Bird &Beckett Book Club: 1st Thurs- Park or learn more about their activities, 6, 4:30 p.m. For children of all ages. St. Aidan’s, 101 Gold Mine Drive at Dia- days. contact Richard Craib at 648-0862 or First Fridays: Friday, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4, mond Heights Boulevard, offers a variety political Book Discussion Group: [email protected], or call Jean Conner 4 pm. For children 6 and up. of programs that may be of interest to 2nd Thursdays. at 584-8576. their Glen Park neighbors. For informa- eminent Authors’ Birthdays Open Meet behind the Rec Center for these Teen Programs (Ages 12–18) tion, please contact the church at 285- Reading: 4th Thursdays. educational events in the Canyon: teen Gaming: Thursdays, Oct 20 9540. Live Jazz in the Bookshop: A neigh- Geology Walk: Saturday, Oct. 8, 9 and Nov 17, 4 pm. Food Pantry: Every Friday, 1–2 pm, borhood party every Friday, 5:30–8 pm. am. A tour and talk by Gary Fie. Monster Makeup: Friday, Oct. 28, for low-income and disabled clients who 1st Friday of the month: Don Prell's Bird Walk: Sunday, Nov. 13, 9 am. 4 pm. live in the 94131 ZIP code. SeaBop Ensemble. Docent to be announced. This walk will 2nd Fridays: The Jimmy Ryan Quin- mark the debut of the Friends’ new bro- Adult Programs Bird & Beckett Events tet. chure, Feathered Friends of Glen Canyon author Reading - Comfort Garden: Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 3rd Fridays: The Chuck Peterson/ Park. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6:30 pm. Chenery St., presents literary and musical Scott Foster/Don Prell/Ron Marabuto Meetings and Plant Restoration Work A day of Italian Culture: Saturday, Oct. events under the auspices of the nonprofit Quartet. Parties: Third Saturday of each month, 22, 3 pm. Bird & Beckett Cultural Legacy Project. 4th Fridays: The Chuck Peterson 9 am–noon. Next dates: Oct. 15, Nov. Admission is free, but requested dona- Quintet. 19, Dec.17. Meet behind the Recreation Glen Park School tions make the series possible, and your Which Way West?: Every Sunday, Center. Tools, gloves and instruction are Every Tuesday, Nov. 8 thru Jan. 23, 9–10 purchases are vital to keep the book store 4:30–6:30 pm. This concert series fea- provided. am: School Tours for families of prospec- open. Tax-deductible contributions to the tures Americana roots bands, jazz groups, Weekly Work Parties: Every Wednes- tive enrollees. Call 469-4713 to sched- Cultural Legacy Project help keep cultural world music performers, classical music day, 9 am–noon. For the current week’s ule a tour. Shelley Wharton Smith writes programming alive in Glen Park. and more. All ages welcome. meeting place contact Richard Craib, about the school on Page 15. Check online for the latest infor- oct. 2: Fingerstyle guitar soloist. 648-0862. mation at birdbeckett.com, pick up a oct. 9: Black Crown String Band Sunnyside School monthly events schedule at the bookshop, (old-time/bluegrass). Glen Park Farmers’ Market School tour information will be posted or call proprietor Eric Whittington at oct. 16: Parlor Tricks (old-time Every Sunday, 10 am–2 pm, BART Park- the first week of October. Cathy Meyer’s 586-3733. Shop hours are 11 am–8 pm rag). ing Lot, Bosworth & Arlington streets. column on Page 15 has more school infor- Monday–Thursday, 10 am–9 pm Friday– oct. 23: Jinx Jones (jazz guitar). Seasonal, through Nov. 20 (the Sunday mation. Saturday, 10 am–7 pm Sunday. oct. 30: Tango No. 9. before Thanksgiving). The market returns next spring. Sunnyside Neighborhood Special Events: Poetry with Open Mic: 1st & 3rd Association Sunday, Oct. 2, 1 pm: Poets Brant Mondays, 7–9 pm. Troubadour/Bard SFPD Community Forums Monterey Boulevard Median Planting: Lyon, Mary Mackey and Jane Omerod. Jerry Ferraz hosts two featured readers Third Tuesday of every month, 7–8 pm, Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 am, Ridgewood Ave- Sunday, Oct. 2, 2 pm: Authors Elaine and an open mic. at Ingleside Police Station, John V. Young nue to the freeway entrance. Volunteers Elinson and Stan Yogi talk about the oct. 3: Peter Sherburn-Zimmer, Way off San Jose Avenue. For details call can help ensure completion of this project women’s suffrage struggle in San Fran- Clara Hsu & Bill Mercer. the station at 404-4000, or visit the web- in a single day. See story on Page 14. cisco 100 years ago, and present their Oct. 17: Nancy Wakeman & Don site InglesidePoliceStation.com. book Wherever There’s a Fight: How Brennan. all residents are encouraged to par- Artist Open Studios Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, nov. 7: John Landry & Marina ticipate in these informative monthly Every weekend in October, artists in Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties Lazzara. Community Relations Forums hosted rotating San Francisco neighborhoods in California. by Capt. Daniel Mahoney, Ingleside Sta- will open their studios to visitors. To find Sunday, Oct. 9, 1 pm: Vaganova Literary Talks: Last Sundays at 2:30 tion’s commanding officer. Keep up to participating artists, visit www.artspan. Today: Author Catherine E. Pawlick pm (September to June). Walker Brents date on neighborhood police issues, get org, click “Artists,” scan down the Open discusses the enduring influence of the III addresses literary, mythological and acquainted with the dedicated people Studios list at right and click “Glen Park” Russian ballet dancer, choreographer philosophical topics.