FALL 2020 VOLUME 38, NO. 3

Glen Park Businesses Reopen at a Trickle f Glen Park residents are looking a Facials or treatments that require booked until the end of September, Manicure and pedicure services are little less unkempt these days, we can clients to remove their masks aren’t despite limited hours, via their on-line available now, too. Glen Park Nails, I thank the local hair and nail salons permitted yet, although Carvalho reservation service. But, she noted, at 74 Wilder St., has room for four that have reopened—in a pandemic- does offer “virtual facials” via Zoom. “We always welcome texting if some- socially distanced customers at a time, conscious way—since the But other services are available in by one can’t find a time slot. We do our and is open seven days a week, accord- City eased its rules for Gail person—and in demand, Carvalho best to accommodate.” Check the web- ing to manager Kerry Van. All the Bensinger hands-on businesses in said. By opening day, they were fully site at ponoboutique.com. previous employees are back, she said. mid-September. “We’re doing the best we can. People “My day went really don’t know we’re open.” well. I was nervous at first but my Most other hair and mani-pedi salons clients were so happy to see me, so it’s are open, too. Masks for customers and great to be back,” Marian Dalere, owner employees are required, of course. Park of Dalere’s Beauty Salon, said about her Salon, at 669 Chenery St., has socially first day open after a six-month-long distanced stations for three customers closure to comply with local and state at a time. In the row of beauty busi- Covid-19 rules. “I’m taking one client nesses on Diamond Street across from at a time, and more time is needed to the BART station, Mina Spa celebrated sanitize the salon after a client leaves, so its opening with an array of balloons my day was really long.” at the door. At the end of the block, Dalere is the second-generation owner Dior’s Hair Salon and Sunshine Nail of the 52-year-old salon, at 660 Chenery Salon were both ready for customers. St., Glen Park’s oldest business. She said Other businesses have made corona- she was booked solid for the first weeks virus accommodations. Tekka House after the Sept. 14 opening with “shaggy sushi restaurant has a new street parklet and in-need-of-hair-color clients.” Slots in front of its home at 678 Chenery in her schedule are available by appoint- St., as does Glen Park Station at 2816 ment only—no drop-ins, and clients Diamond St. and La Corneta Taqueria must wear masks. Still, she noted, “I’m next door. Tyger’s, the convivial break- glad to be moving forward.” fast-and-lunch cafe at 2798 Diamond At Pono, a skincare and waxing spa St., has tables on the sidewalk along at 2860 Diamond St., a one-client-at-a- both the Chenery Street and Diamond time rule also is in place. Owner Debra Street sides, air quality permitting. Carvalho and her two assistants suit up With good health on everyone’s mind, in masks, face shields and gloves, and Dr. Kylie Rowe has taken over the check clients’ temperatures. Stations are space vacated by Little Artistas at 667 cleaned thoroughly between appoint- Chenery St., to open Living Healthy ments using disinfectants and a UV Physical Therapy. Rowe, a native of light wand for extra sanitation. Pono owner Debra Carvalho prepares for a client. Photo by Marcello Waqued CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 GLEN PARK Mask Crusaders Come to the Rescue ASSOCIATION e’re in a major health Her answer was to get masks into the Now, many months into a pandemic QUARTERLY MEETING emergency, and neigh- hands of hospitals and health facilities that has claimed more than 200,000 “Wbors looked around as soon as possible. American lives, the saying is as relevant Thursday Oct. 22, 7 p.m. and asked, ‘How can I get involved, Lasselle, who has lived on Laidley as ever. how can I help my com- Street since 1987, is a charter member Lasselle collects about 175 to 200 Via Zoom by munity?’” Joan Lasselle of It Takes a Village, a nonprofit that masks a week, all of them sewn by Glen Murray wondered. “How can credits its name to an African proverb Find the Zoom link at: Schneider Park residents, for hospitals and medi- I support those people prompting an entire community to glenparkassociation.org cal facility first-responders throughout most vulnerable, the interact with children so each can grow the region. Her 10 Glen Park mask- people not well served?” in a safe and healthy environment. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

A NEW NORMAL ~ PG. 4 GYM'S FIGHT TO REOPEN ~ PG. 12 MUSIC FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS ~ PG. 14 2 Glen Park News | Fall 2020

Glen Park S GLEN PARK ASSOCIATION S ou may have noticed the new ing, or retail pickup.” Having access to ment in construction and insurance. News platform constructed in the outdoor seating is especially crucial for He looks forward to serving sushi and The Glen Park News is pub- Y parking lane outside Tekka bars and restaurants, with eating and ramen to neighbors in the new outdoor House, at 678 Chenery St. just east drinking indoors banned or limited space soon. lished quarterly by the Glen of Diamond. Or maybe you’ve visited by order of the Department of Public Next I visited the Glen Park Station Park Association. Signed Valencia Street in the Health. To date, 89 applications have bar, whose Shared Spaces permit has articles are the opinions of by also been approved. The outdoor drink- Hilary Mission, where several been approved in District 8, which ing space opened in late September, the authors and not neces- Schiraldi blocks are car-free and includes Glen Park. sarily those of the Glen Park open for dining in the Here in Glen Park on the last week- and I’m looking forward to enjoying a Association. evenings. Both are cour- end in August, Tekka House had started spicy michelada outside on Diamond tesy of San Francisco’s Shared Spaces building its outdoor dining space on Street in the coming weeks. Editor-in-Chief Rachel Gordon program, which helps businesses oper- Chenery Street. I spoke with owner You can learn more about the ate safely during the Covid-19 pan- Andrew Chen, who hopes an invit- Shared Streets program on its website: Deputy Editor Gail Bensinger demic. ing outdoor space will coax neighbors sf.gov/use-sidewalk-or-parking-lane- A Shared Spaces permit is free, and outside and promote foot traffic for your-business. S Copy Editor Denis Wade allows shops, services, and restaurants all the merchants. He is grateful that “to use the sidewalk or parking lane for the program has no permit fee, but Hilary Schiraldi is vice president of the Art Director Liz Mangelsdorf business operations, like seating, din- noted that the business made an invest- Glen Park Association. Calendar Editor Caroline Mangelsdorf S NEWS FROM CITY HALL S Online Editor Elizabeth Weise reetings Glen Park! trail improvements on the Advertising Manager Nora Dowley More than half a year Glen Park Greenway, George Ginto the pandemic, Christopher Park improve- Distribution Manager with wildfires raging across ments, and support for the Murray Schneider the state, in the midst of a Diamond Heights Boulevard national upris- Median Project. by Reporters ing against Supporting Our Small Rafael systemic rac- Businesses: In recent months Gail Bensinger Mandelman Ashley Hathaway ism and police my office has worked closely Michael Rice violence, and with merchant associations, Kylie E. Rowe rapidly approaching the most small businesses, neighbors Murray Schneider consequential election of our and City staff to assist busi- Bonnee Waldstein lifetimes, we live in “interest- nesses interested in partici- Columnists ing times.” I hope that you pating in the Shared Spaces Marc Dickow and your family are healthy, program. The program Betsy Eddy and that we all get the chance allows our local merchants Kay Hamilton Estey to see each other in person in to safely offer outdoor din- Eric Kammerud the not-too-distant future. ing and retail by making use Rafael Mandelman My office in City Hall of sidewalks, parking spaces Kate Patterson remains closed to the public as and street closures.While Evelyn Rose we continue to shelter in place, indoor dining remains lim- but we are available by email ited throughout the city, busi- Photographers at [email protected]. nesses throughout District 8 Betsy Eddy Most Fridays at 2 p.m., I host have been able to reopen by Murray Schneider an informal Zoom update/ expanding onto sidewalks Bonnee Waldstein conversation and Q&A with a and into parking spaces, with Michael Waldstein special guest. Join us to share Supervisor Mandelman speaks to small business groups pro- businesses on 18th Street in testing at City Hall. Photo Courtesy of Jeanne Eriksen Marcello Waqued your questions or concerns the Castro and Valencia Street and receive news from my in the Mission joining forces office. Email [email protected] for to respond to people in mental to organize street closures. To support 2912 Diamond St. #407 more information. health crisis on our streets and a safe reopening, my office continues to San Francisco, CA 94131 Investing in the Needs of District divert 21,000 calls for service that aid businesses applying to the Shared [email protected] 8: Covid-19 has had a huge economic would otherwise go to SFPD. Spaces program in Glen Park and [email protected] impact on San Francisco, of course, • An expansion of the Safe Sleeping around the district, and we have also and that impact has been reflected in Village program to move unhoused been able to secure personal protective our City finances. As a member of people from unregulated and unsafe equipment for district businesses and the Budget Committee, I worked with encampments into safer and more their workers. For assistance with the Please support my colleagues, advocates and neigh- appropriate spaces. Shared Spaces program or to request borhood leaders to make some hard • Support for District 8 small busi- PPE, businesses can contact my office our choices while prioritizing important nesses doing outdoor dining and at [email protected]. S investments in this year’s budget. retail through the City’s Shared Advertisers Some of my top priorities that we Spaces program. Rafael Mandelman represents District 8, were able to fund include: • Funding for neighborhood parks which includes Glen Park, on the San • Six new street crisis-response teams and community spaces. including Francisco Board of Supervisors. Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 3

Michael Rice: Letter from Portland GPA Board of ichael, now that dard 4,850-square-foot vacant Directors and Officers you’ve moved to site. The developer heard some Portland, did you design comments, and explained for 2020 “M President join the neighborhood associa- how no off-street parking is Scott Stawicki tion? Won’t you dive right in and required or planned. Sandy [email protected] take on neighborhood issues? Boulevard, a major transit and commercial corridor, like outer Vice President You have so much Hilary Schiraldi by good experience Mission Street, was a block away. Michael [email protected] with Glen Park!” Adding parking and driveways Rice After Jane and I would push the plan down to two Membership Secretary or three units. The zoning code Adrienne Lacau moved to Portland [email protected] last year, after 33 years in Glen supported the five-unit plan. Park, and 15-plus years with the Some lessons to share with San Recording Secretary Glen Park Association, I heard Francisco friends: Heather World [email protected] many versions of those questions •Portland’s plans and codes from our San Francisco friends. allow well-designed higher Commuications Secretary The short answer? No. density residential develop- Bonnee Waldstein Neighborhood association ment based on clear require- [email protected] activities were not top of my list. ments. That would be better Treasurer We were happy to settle in the Michael Rice on his balcony in Portland. than the 5,000-square-foot Dennis Mullen Oregon city we had been visiting single-family units that have [email protected] for years, where our grandchildren now rary steel and window patterns. appeared around Glen Park. Glen Park News Editors live. Downsizing to an apartment with My life in urban planning, San • In Portland, there are no two-hour Rachel Gordon (print) a view of the Willamette River, with no Francisco and Glen Park has not faded planning commission hearings with Elizabeth Weise (blog) stairs to climb and no garden to main- away. I’ve observed how land use plans neighbors appealing an expanded [email protected] tain, we explored the city on foot or by and zoning codes work in Portland, deck or added floor within the Glen Park Association Website light-rail and bus. We are in the Pearl in ways quite different from San height limit. Producers District, former railyards and ware- Francisco. The local issues, though, are • ADUs within existing building or Bonnee Waldstein houses rebuilt with a range of housing very familiar: neighborhood character garage space with appropriate plans Heather World and parks, and walking distance to and viable local business districts; traf- get over-the-counter approval. A Glen Park News Association Powell’s, the largest independent book- fic congestion and parking; housing Glen Park neighbor waited a year Webmaster store in the United States. (Powell’s just affordability and density. How are the for City review of a good ADU plan Mary Szczepanik reopened after the necessary pandemic neighborhoods dealing with develop- on his ground floor. Glen Park News Advertising Rep. lockdown. With social-distancing, the ment changes and growth? • Portland’s standard 4,850-square- Nora Dowley line to enter is around the block!) A five-person, at-large city coun- foot lot is twice as large as a typical [email protected] San Francisco 25-foot by 100-foot As we walked around Portland, many cil, including the mayor, governs Health & Environment Chair grid-pattern blocks of shingle bunga- Portland’s 130 square miles. To balance lot, so accommodating more units Stephany Wilkes lows felt like Berkeley or San Francisco’s the absence of district-based elected or an ADU conversion in a garage is [email protected] Ingleside. Other areas have early 20th- officials, the city codes set up a defined easier. The larger lot size also leaves Neighborhood Improvement Chair century apartments in brick, stucco or network of 50 mapped neighborhood more curb space between driveways Carolyn White Art Deco designs, like Russian Hill. associations and seven neighborhood for street parking. [email protected] Laurelhurst or Willamette Heights here coalitions. The coalitions have plan- In these turbulent times, Portland’s officials and community leaders are Program Chair would compare with St. Francis Wood ning department staff support. All Carolyn Deacy or Forest Hill. One neighborhood development proposals are referred to taking on other questions: [email protected] about 20 minutes from downtown, the local neighborhood associations • Do neighborhood associations and with older, modest homes on hilly for review and comment. The reviews their role in land use review reflect Public Safety Chair Carolyn Deacy all segments of the community? Are streets above a busy commercial area, are advisory, but developers under- [email protected] with cafes, a bookstore, and a branch stand that listening to these groups and there other ways to assure that rent- library, feels a lot like Glen Park village. adjusting their projects will move the ers or lower-income communities Recreation & Parks Chair It’s called Multnomah Village. approvals along. are heard? Jessica Bogo [email protected] Everywhere, though, on residen- Compared to San Francisco, • Affordability is a growing issue. tial streets, retail corridors and major Portland’s process has fewer ways a Right now, large projects negotiate Transportation Chair streets, Portland’s pro-housing planning group or opponent can appeal or delay affordability components on a case- Scott Stawicki policies are evident. Attached two- and a project. An infill project that meets by-case basis. [email protected] three-unit row houses replace an older zoning density, dimensions, setbacks San Francisco and Portland may be Zoning and Planning Chair single-family home. Apartments of all and other codes can proceed with plan- separated by 633 miles, but many Tania Treis shapes and sizes are infilled on park- ning department approvals. of the challenges are the same. I’m [email protected] ing lots, former gas stations or older Our son’s family lives in the still learning how my newly adopted one-story blocks. Also noticeable are Hollywood neighborhood, named for hometown takes them on. It’s been a The mission of the Glen Park Association new, larger single-family homes, often the Hollywood Theater, a restored welcome adventure. S is to promote the collective interests of all including an add-on dwelling unit, movie place now run by a nonprofit. persons living in Glen Park, to inform and Michael and Jane Rice moved to Portland educate about neighborhood and citywide known bureaucratically as an ADU or I attended a neighborhood outreach issues, to promote sociability and friend- accessory dwelling unit, replacing one- meeting for a proposal three lots away in 2019. He served 12 terms as president ships and to support beneficial story houses. Their architecture brings from our son’s house. A five-unit apart- of the Glen Park Association, from 2005 neighborhood projects. a bigger bungalow style, or contempo- ment building was proposed on a stan- through 2016. 4 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 Covid Forces an Entrepreneur to Pivot f you had told me I’d be witness- and I had to focus and get creative. ing a full-fledged worldwide pan- After looking at a few available spaces I demic, would lose my office space on Chenery Street, with rental prices and almost my livelihood and then far above my budget, I was totally dis- be working as a front-line grocery couraged and finding a storage unit was employee—all within next on the list. by a matter of weeks— Then I suddenly remembered—a Ashley I would have laughed friend had recently renovated a flat Hathaway hysterically to the point over in Crocker-Amazon. I sent a of tears. text: “Hey, is that apartment space still Well, that has all become a full- unoccupied?” He texted right back fledged reality and I’m not laughing. “Yes, what’s up?” Turns out he had I am, however, extremely grateful. been unable to rent the space due to the Grateful that I have remained totally pandemic, and was willing to rent it to healthy. Grateful that I found a new me for my offices at a greatly reduced office space. And grateful that I have rate. Done deal. Sigh of relief! multiple sources of income during a With no free time in my weekly global public health crisis of epic pro- schedule, I shifted into overdrive— portions. maintaining my hours at the market, I had been working out of a sub- keeping up with nutrition client Zoom let office space at 661 Chenery St. calls, and packing boxes for the move. for many years—operating my private My new normal was juggling two jobs, practice as a holistic health practitio- wearing an uncomfortable mask on my ner. On March 12, the medical doctor face, and uprooting my office location I leased my space from shut down the (which was a 7-minute walk from my entire office due to the Covid-related Glen Park home). health order restriction. Just like that, We all now have our “new normal” and everyone in the office was suddenly there isn’t a human being on the planet trying to work from home in a line of who hasn’t been profoundly affected by work that relies on face-to-face human the multitude of tragic circumstances contact. that continue to unfold day after day Stunned and scrambling for ideas, in every corner of our world. An inter- I needed a backup plan stat. Virtual national health disaster, economic col- consultations were an obvious solution, lapse, community unrest, political strife, but much of my work and the work of unemployment numbers akin to the everybody else practicing in the office Great Depression and wildfires destroy- Ashley Hathaway working at Canyon Market. Photo courstesy of Ashley Hathaway involved personal and close contact. It ing homes, lives and our landscape. was a strange and frightening reality for paying monthly rent for an office I dizzy head. Would I dissolve my private In these challenging times, many us all and I didn't know what was going was unable to use for the very personal practice entirely? Should I put every- of us have come to realize that even to happen from one day to the next. work integral to my practice, it was thing in storage? Would it make sense though we seemingly have our lives Three weeks in, I had to get really a no-brainer. By the third week of to look for a new space in the middle under control with that steady job, a creative. The office wasn’t going to April, my days consisted of nutrition of a pandemic in a city with already- safe living space, our health and the reopen anytime soon and my livelihood consultations skyrocketing health of our loved ones, we actually was put on hold. I knew there had to be by Zoom at I am extremely grateful that rents? It was a have very little control over any of it. opportunity out there, and I came up home and part- lot to digest and Life is somehow secretly designed to with the idea that I could use my skills time hours at I have remained totally I found myself be completely unpredictable. It can be in a completely different way right in Canyon Market feeling over- a wonderful adventure one day, and a my neighborhood. as the health healthy. Grateful that I whelmed with horrible nightmare the next. Back in 2006, when Canyon Market and beauty a monumental At this juncture—one of the most first opened, I met owners Janet and department found a new office space. task looming difficult and unpredictable times of Richard Tarlov while writing a Glen buyer. Getting on top of every- my life (and arguably for our history Park News story about the market’s out of the And grateful that I have thing else. on this planet)—what I’ve discovered grand opening. I maintained a relation- house, interact- multiple sources of income Never in my is a crystal-clear picture of what truly ship with them over the years and when ing with people, wildest dreams matters for me and the greater good I noticed there was rarely anyone work- and using my during a global public health would I have of society. It’s not a fancy car or a big ing in the vitamin and sundries depart- unique skills imagined myself bank account. It’s not a cute haircut ment since shelter-in-place orders were was a life-saver. crisis of epic proportions. working a front- or an exotic vacation. It’s striving for announced, I asked Richard if he could I felt useful and line job in gro- vibrant health and the health and love use some help there. my daily rou- cery, in the mid- of friends and family. It’s breathing There was indeed a need, and with tine now had a good groove. dle of a global crisis, wearing a face clean air and having a job. It’s helping my 10-plus years’ experience in the In early June, as I was settling into this mask for hours, while simultaneously people in need and appreciating the healing arts and nutrition field it was a new normal, another unforeseen chal- trying to maintain a private practice little things. I happen to think it’s also good fit. It was also somewhat of a sav- lenge came into play: My office space from home and searching for a new knowing that we really don’t know, and ing grace for me. Feeling very trapped would close permanently and I had 30 office space. every moment of this impossible life is at home, with diminished income and days to move out. Questions flooded my Wildest dreams were now the reality just a gift in disguise. S Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 5 ECOSF Farm Vandalized he birds and the bees at the Pleaner coaxed the reluctant chick- ECOSF student farm next to the ens back into the semi-destroyed working for you TSchool of the Arts atop Diamond coop, then barricaded the door and Heights endured near-death experi- wire fence with spare pieces of scrap ences over the summer, when vandals lumber. A more permanent recon- WE BRING YOU THE GLEN PARK NEWS destroyed a chicken struction awaited the school's reopen- Our all-volunteer news teams write, publish (and deliver!) by coop and smashed an ing in the fall. the Glen Park News to homes and businesses throughout Murray adjacent beehive. As for the beehive, Fernando the neighborhood. And, at www.glenparkassociation.org we keep up with the latest news, profiles and events. Schneider The first to discover Aguilar, one of the farm’s two resident the damage was Glen beekeepers, found the damaged hive Park resident Allan Pleaner, who vis- and arranged for repairs. WE MAKE GLEN PARK (EVEN MORE) BEAUTIFUL ited the farm on July 7 and found the SOTA students operate the farm We’ve secured more than $500,000 in grants chickens roaming free and the honey- and sell produce, including honey, at toward garden improvements for the Glen Park Greenway and the Arlington Street path. bees circling their desecrated hive. a weekly farmers’ market. S

WE KEEP OUR OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE Our robust neighborhood association means the Glen Park voice is influential at City Hall, in the state capitol and with city agencies like SF Rec and Park and SFPD.

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Glen Park Association membership is just $10 per year.

We use membership funds to publish this newspaper, pay for our website, secure matching grant funds for our parks and open spaces, and pay for community events throughout the year.

Please join today at www.glenparkassociation.org/membership

The vandalized beehives at the ECOSF student farm. Photo by Murray Schneider

REVIVE YOUR HEALTH! Call 415-823-9333 Ashley Hathaway, Holistic Health Practitioner

Specializing in: Weight Loss & Digestive Health Pain & Stress Management

San Francisco Nutritional Therapy & Theraphi Center www.sfnutritionaltherapy.com • www.theraphisf.com [email protected] 6 Glen Park News | Fall 2020

S (HI)STORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS S here is little disagreement that San Francisco is one of the hilliest T cities in the world. Exactly how many hills are there? Various sources place the range anywhere from 40 to more than 50, with some hills catego- by rized as “official,” others Evelyn not so much. One hill Rose that never appears on any list is Martha Hill in Glen Park. Immediately south of Glen Canyon, with an elevation of just under 400 feet at its peak near the intersection of Baden Street and Martha Avenue, Martha Hill has a colorful history. After cattle were introduced into the San Francisco landscape by the Anza Expedition in 1776 (Glen Park News, Summer 2017), bovines would range through the district until 1940, with milch ranching (dairying) being the predominant industry. In 1868, Alfred Nobel personally licensed his invention, dynamite, for manufacture and distribution at a site in Glen Canyon just north of Martha Cattle from New York Dairy range along Islais Creek in 1891 at the site of today’s Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center. Martha Hill. When the facility was destroyed Hill appears in the upper right. Image courtesy of the California Historical Society in a massive explosion in late 1869 (Glen Park News, Winter 2007/2008; ing roads and promenades for visitors Moreover, there have been reports the backyards in question, the answer Glen Park News, Summer 2017), the to enjoy the attractions, wild animal of evidence of a former bear pit in remains elusive, as does the existence land returned to the ruminators. displays and rolling landscape. the backyards of certain residences on of a zookeeper having once resided Cows were still roaming when real- Over the past century, the existence Martha Hill’s Congo Street. It is pos- on Congo. To date, no evidence of a tor A.S. Baldwin of Baldwin & Howell of a funicular—a cable-driven rail sys- sible a bear pit did exist on Martha resident with a stated occupation of opened his 145-acre Glen Park and the tem that navigates in a straight line up a Hill sometime after 1898, during the “zookeeper” has been located. Mission Zoo in 1898, his plan to entice steep incline—has been passed through heyday of Glen Park and the Mission The population boom in Glen Park buyers to take a trip out to the country generations of Martha Hill residents. Zoo, and after 1901 when the Crocker following the 1906 earthquake would where his Glen Park Terrace home lots In fact, the installation of a tramway Estate took over the pleasuring grounds change the local landscape. New cot- would go up for auction in 1899 (Glen at Glen Park and the Mission Zoo was as a private resort. Oral histories have tages began springing up as the Crocker Park News, Summer 2016). Attended announced in November 1898, but provided evidence of exotic animals in Estate released home lots to earthquake by thousands of people each Sunday, proof of its completion has not yet the canyon as late as the mid-1910s. refugees around the periphery of the Baldwin's park and zoo featured wind- been found. Yet, until access can be gained to Glen Park resort. In 1898, Baldwin had constructed a large promenade that ran somewhat parallel to Bosworth and looped the northern face of Martha Hill. The far western edge of the loop nearly abut- ted the original terminus of Congo Street near Mangels Avenue, the former having extended north from Circular Avenue in Sunnyside. Today’s tortuous configuration following the route of Congo Street at Bosworth Avenue to Martha Avenue to Stillings Avenue to Congo Street further up the hill may be an artifact of this loop. The first residents of Martha Hill appear to have been Ada and Calvin Stillings (Glen Park News, Winter 2016), who constructed their home at the corner of Stillings Avenue and Nordhoff Street in 1908. As pioneer residents of Martha Hill, they appar- ently claimed naming rights for the hill and some of its streets. Certainly, that In this map by Chevalier in 1911, the promenades of Glen Park are visible. The big loop of Glen Park and the Mission Zoo is visible is the case with Stillings Avenue. just north of the terminus of Baden and Congo Streets. Courtesy of David Rumsey Maps CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 7

S (HI)STORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS S

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 the way over Martha Hill to Ada's descendants believe Berkshire (later Bosworth) Martha Hill and Martha Avenue Street until 1911, so it appears were named for Calvin’s beloved that the derivation of Congo paternal grandmother, Martha having been associated with leg- Tuttle of New Hampshire ends of a zookeeper and exotic (1790-1868), the daughter of animals residing on Martha Hill Lt. Nicholas Tuttle (1708-1793) is pure happenstance. who had served in the American With this rich history in mind, Provincial Army in Quebec whenever you come across a list during the French and Indian tallying the number of hills in War (1754-1763). During the San Francisco, be sure to add American Revolution, Tuttle “plus one” for the Glen Park hill furnished supplies to the named Martha. S Continental Army while serv- ing as Selectman (mayor) of Nottingham, N.H. Evelyn Rose, director and founder Nordhoff Street was origi- of the Glen Park Neighborhoods nally called Midway, a name History Project, is documenting that may be another artifact of the histories of Glen Park and the big loop (“Midway” had first nearby neighborhoods. To learn been used as a term for a walk- more about our local histories, way or promenade at the 1893 visit www.GlenParkHistory.org. World Columbian Exposition The house constructed in 1908 by Ada and Calvin Stillings on Martha Hill. Image circa 1915, The Glen Park Neighborhoods Photo courtesy of the Ada Parker Stillings Family in Chicago). In 1909, Midway History Project is offering inter- was changed to Nordhoff Street. mittent virtual programs dur- Ada Stilling's descendants believe daughter of Sir John Lubbock, who met Stanley or at least known he had ing the ongoing health crisis. Join the Nordhoff was named for Calvin's favor- had married a financier by the name of recently visited the Bay Area, Joost mailing list: GlenParkHistory@gmail. ite author, Charles Nordhoff. As a boy, Ferdinand van Zandt. The van Zandts may have gotten the idea to name a com. The Glen Park Neighborhoods Calvin had enjoyed a popular book lived in Menlo Park, and many of San Sunnyside street “Congo.” History Project is fiscally sponsored by of the time, Man-of-War Life: A Boy’s Francisco’s elite spent weekends on Congo Street did not extend all Independent Arts & Media. Experience in the U. S. Navy, describ- their property, including the Stanfords, ing Nordhoff’s adventures at sea. After Hopkins and Athertons. Such a gather- joining the U.S. Navy at the age of 15, ing was reported when Stanley was in Nordhoff traveled around the world town in March 1891. glen park dental on the USS Columbus. Nordhoff died The next month, April 1891, Behrend Beautiful Smiles for life in San Francisco in 1901, his only Joost and the Sunnyside Land Company 415 | 585-1500 glenparkdental.com known connection with the city. He acquired 200 acres of the San Miguel was the grandfather of Charles Bernard Ranch that James P. McCarthy had Nordhoff, author of Mutiny on the recently purchased from Sen. Leland New Patient Special! Bounty. Stanford. To connect his new Sunnyside Stillings Avenue, Martha Avenue and residents to downtown San Francisco, Midway Street first appeared in the Joost concurrently built the San Comprehensive Exam with X-rays for $189 San Francisco directory in 1908, with Francisco-San Mateo Electric Railway, Call 415 . 585 . 1500 Midway changed to Nordhoff Street by the first of its kind in San Francisco. to schedule your appointment today! 1910. But what about Congo? Given Joost’s wealth, much of it After explorer Henry M. Stanley acquired through investment in the * mention the Glen Park News and get a free home whitening kit! * located Dr. David Livingston in the French phase of the Panama Canal in African Congo in 1871, hundreds of the early 1880s, it would not be out articles describing the little-known of the question that Joost may have Dr. Longa and Dr. Dickerson Longa are region as the “Dark Continent” met Stanley in person during his 1891 highly skilled in all areas of Family Dentistry, including: appeared in the San Francisco newspa- visit. Joost was a native of Germany, • pediatric dentistry • Invisalign pers over the ensuing decades, a period which had become a leading investor • sleep apnea/snoring •TMJ disorders when the region’s indigenous popula- in the Congo region. Having either • periodontal therapy • veneers tion and resources were • smile makeovers • whitening • neuromuscular dentistry • implants being exploited for profit. Law Office of Jonathan McCurdy In San Francisco in Legal Services in Your Home Their goal is to provide the December 1890, Stanley Since 1977 highest level of care and advanced presented a talk about technology to their patients, educate all his experiences in the ages to proper and healthy dental care, Congo, and he returned and to make their expertise accessible to everyone in their community. in March 1891 for a lec- ture in Oakland that was attended by 3,000 people. glen park dental Conveniently located across the 590 Bosworth Street • San Francisco street from Glen Park BART! Stanley’s wife was a P.O. Box 720125 Tel: 415-505-3273 childhood friend of the San Francisco, CA 94172 Fax:G 415-826-9177 8 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 S CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY S n Spanish, “viva” translates as “to live,” and this fall San Francisco I Public Library is giving the pub- lic plenty of reasons to enjoy life with its virtual fiesta, by ¡Viva! Latino Hispanic Kate Heritage Month. Patterson The Library is com- ing alive with a kalei- doscope of free online programs for youth, families and adults, including craft programs, a family cooking class, artist and author talks, Queer Latinx History, Latinx kid-lit panels, a con- cert and more. Many of the programs will be offered in Spanish as well as English. “This year’s theme is Harvesting Hope,” said City Librarian Michael Lambert. “We want ¡Viva! to be a bright spot for the community during these challenging times. Each week, we will offer a fresh and engaging way to experience Latino Hispanic culture with some of the Bay Area’s most tal- On Oct. 21 at 5 p.m., the Library Murguía, Leticia Hernández-Linares again via the Library’s contact-free ented artists, writers and thinkers.” will host a talk with Celia Stahr, and José Héctor Cadena. front-door pickup service “SFPL To Adults can look forward to a cel- author of Frida In America: The Cultural programs for youth and Go” now at the Main Library, Marina, ebration of culture, art and authors, Creative Awakening of a Great Artist, a families abound, including a Selena Merced, Mission Bay and Excelsior all available at the library’s website, riveting story of how three years spent and Cumbia listening and craft party locations. There’s no word yet on sfpl.org. in the United States transformed Frida on Oct. 9 at 3 p.m.; a Dia de los when the Glen Park branch will offer Kahlo into the artist we know today. Muertos Cempasúchil flower work- this service, but we hope you take The Library will also take patrons shop on Oct. 16 at 3 p.m., and more! advantage of the other branch loca- ing 2 at 0 Y behind the scenes for an intimate look Weekly Facebook Live storytimes tions to pick up materials. Visit sfpl. br e e a l r at the art practice of Oaxacan-born in English and Spanish offer an early org/sfpl-to-go. S e s ! C Calixto Robles, a painter, printmaker literacy foundation for caregivers of and ceramic sculptor whose work is children up to 5 years old. For a full Kate Patterson is director of commu- inspired by the Native Cultures of the program of events and book recom- nications of the San Francisco Public World. This program will be presented mendations for every reading level, Library system. Michelle Waddy, the in Spanish on Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. visit sfpl.org/viva. manager of the Glen Park branch, has On Oct. 23 at noon, enjoy an after- In other big news, the public can been reassigned for the duration of the noon of ¡VIVA! poetry with Alejandro now check out physical materials Covid- 19 closure. Live Music and Poetry BOOKS New / Used Collectible JAZZ 33-1/3 & 45 rpm RECORDS

Founded May 1999 Bird & Beckett BOOKS AND RECORDS 653 Chenery St. San Francisco birdbeckett.com Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 9 Scoop: Mitchell's Ice Cream Back Open

any things have changed The Mitchell siblings’ generosity about the legendary Mitchell’s paid off in more ways than one. MIce Cream in its 67 years, but “Thirty-five employees are back on never the quality. the job again,” she said. “We lost In 1860, Edward and Margaret several people, two to Oregon and Mitchell ran a dairy on 29th Street and one who had ill parents.” grazed their cows on Red Rock Hill, just Mitchell’s reopened on June 2. above what’s now Glen Canyon Park. “And we’re hiring now,” she said then. In 1953 their grandchildren Jack and During the first months of the Larry—A San Francisco lockdown, Linda and Brian con- by firefighter—opened an tinued to work, supervising a small Murray ice cream store. crew of ice cream makers. “Grocery Schneider And now, in the midst stores hounded us for supply,” Linda of a global pandemic, said. Mitchell’s manufactures all of the almost unthinkable is happening: its ice cream in the back of the store, no ice cream cones. But that doesn’t in a space barely 11-by-11 feet. The mean no ice cream. customer serving area in front is only “We’re scooping lots of Mocha Fudge a bit larger. again,” Larry’s daughter Linda Mitchell “The new normal has made for told the Glen Park News on June 22. several changes,” Linda Mitchell said A City health directive shuttered by phone. “In order to maintain the ice cream parlor at 688 San Jose social distancing, we now have two Ave. for more than two months due to lines outside the door—one stretches Covid-19. Within minutes of Mayor south on San Jose Avenue and angles London Breed’s mid-March edict, onto 29th Street, the other directs Mitchell’s was locked up tight. “By customers to the north and into our 11:30 that morning we were closed,” parking lot.” said Linda Mitchell, the current owner. When customers face the front Employees take orders at the front door of Mitchell's Ice Cream. “I furloughed all 38 employees.” doors, the line to the right is for Photos Courtesy of Linda Mitchell But for Mitchell, such a wholesale purchasing pre-packed half gallons dismissal left a sour taste. “My brother or picking up pre-ordered ice cream hanging out are no longer options. “It’s Linda Mitchell—like many San Brian and I paid each of our workers cakes. The line to the left is for all take-out now,” Mitchell said. “We Francisco business owners—is still for two months, until the Payment everything else. feel responsible for what goes on here.” working out the details. “We’ve Protection Program began,” she said, In perhaps the biggest change imag- In the “old days,” Mitchell’s was added GrubHub for delivery, along “and we were happy to continue pay- inable, the new normal means that staffed with six to seven behind-the- with Postmates, and we’ll be adding ing their full salaries. It took a lot of everyone gets their ice cream in a cup. counter scoopers who dipped into the DoorDash. We’re also going to be stress off us, knowing that they were “Cones make people want to stay, 40 ice cream flavors on sale each day. adding online orders on our website receiving their paychecks.” and we don’t want to endanger cus- Customers herded up to take a num- so customers can place their order and “Brian and I received a card from tomers,” said Mitchell, eying the two ber, then waited their turn. pick up at set times,” she said. Juan, our head cake decorator for 19 popular benches in front of her store. Because of the close quarters, “We’re trying to think outside the years,” said Mitchell, “that indicated “We want customers to enjoy their ice Mitchell’s now limits counter service box. In the long run we need to how thoughtful we were and how our cream safely, in their cars or at home.” to just two or three masked scoopers. become more efficient,” she continued. support meant so much to him and his Mitchell’s commitment to social Customers wait next to the cashier, “Bottom line, though, I’m happy and family.” distancing also means, to her patrons’ who communicates their orders to appreciative to be able to work, not chagrin, no milk the scoopers. Behind Plexiglas barriers, just sit at home.” shakes and no ice the scoopers wear masks and dispos- A graduate of Lowell High School, cream sundaes. “Both able gloves that are repeatedly changed Mitchell has roots in San Francisco. shakes and sundaes throughout a shift. Washing hands for Her business sits in a building at tend to make people at least 20 seconds is emphasized, and the crossroads of Glen Park and linger,” she noted. sanitizing and disinfecting take place Noe Valley, with Bernal Heights and Nearly two years around the shop throughout the day Mission Street just blocks away. Her ago, the winter 2018 and after each customer uses the credit comfort food bridges neighborhoods, Glen Park News noted card terminals. transcending socio-economic divides. that “Mitchell’s is “Marlon, our assistant manager— She serves hand-packed ice cream that more than an ice who has been with us for 32 years— truly reflects San Francisco’s diversity: cream parlor. It’s installed five touchless hand-sanitizing ube (purple yam) from the Philippines, a third place, like a dispensers,” Mitchell said. lucuma from Peru, Mexican horchata coffee shop or corner As it did before the pandemic, the and café serré from Vietnam. tavern. It’s not home; store produces 550 gallons of ice cream “People have been wonderful, and it’s not work. It’s a a day. Over-the-counter orders account it has been touching,” she said. Cars place where strangers for 75 percent of sales, and 25 percent drive by and honk when they see the mingle, a place where of the ice cream goes to local grocers line, and a scooper reported hearing a people go to hang such as Canyon Market in Glen Park cry from one of them: Carry-out customers line up outside Mitchell's Ice Cream. out.” Mingling and and Mollie Stone’s on Portola Drive. “Yay! Mitchell’s is open.” S 10 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 + DIGGING THE DIRT + et's discover the outstanding street Catalina ironwood and, nearby, a trees of San Francisco! Mask up, Marina strawberry tree with perfect L take a walk, meet some marvelous form. trees, wonder at their beauty and learn Email me with your suggestions their common and scientific names. An ([email protected]), and I excellent way to get rid of the Covid will work to help get that map avail- blues. able to Glen Parkers. If you can't iden- by Kay Fortunately for tree tify your suggested tree, don't worry, Hamilton lovers, Mike Sullivan of send a photo and the address. It may Estey San Francisco has cre- take a while, but we will be doing our ated a useful website part to raise awareness and apprecia- (www.sftrees.com) just for this pur- tion of street trees. They are breathing pose. He has mapped the locations of for us, and their mysterious, stately outstanding trees by street address, and beauty is calming and supportive. Let's recommended various neighborhood support them in return. walks for folks like us to follow. First, read the list of San Francisco's Resources: Top 10 Landmark Trees to whet your • www.sftrees.com: San Francisco's appetite. Then keep the link on your urban forest with tree locations and phone, select Landmark Trees and start suggested walks. on your discovery journey. Each tree on • The Trees of San Francisco, Mike the map is identified with an address, a Sullivan, Wilderness Press, 2013. common name and a scientific name. • The Trees of Golden Gate Park The trees were chosen for size, splen- and San Francisco, Elizabeth dor, beauty, rarity and history. McClintock and Richard Turner, One of my favorite choices is the editors, Heyday Books, 2001. six giant Australian blue gums in the • www.fuf.net: Friends of the Urban 1600 block of Octavia Street, planted Forest help select and plant street by Mary Ann Pleasant, born a slave, trees. Information clarifying the who rose to wealth and prominence City's responsibility for street tree in San Francisco. There is a side- maintenance and how to select suit- walk plaque where her house used The Australian blue gum trees on Octavia Street. Photos courtesy of Mike Sullivan able trees. to be, commemorating her work in • www.sfpublicworks.org/trees: creating the “Western Terminus of the has even contracted with Friends of the Scroll down the blog to find a link to “Trees ... are an essential compo- Underground Railway for Fugitive Urban Forest to preserve this historic 11 other tree walks in our city. nent of the City's ecosystem... They Slaves.” Her trees thrive to this day. tree. Action item: There is no walking help manage storm water, reduce Another well-known favorite is Mike and fellow tree geeks Jason tour of Glen Park street trees (yet!), air pollution, sequester carbon, save the massive Monterey cypress at the Dewees and Dick Turner have begun but Mike is aware of some splendid energy, increase property values, Panhandle entrance to Golden Gate chalking information such as com- trees here. He mentioned the red flow- provide wildlife habitat, calm traf- Park. Planted around 1880 and draped mon name and scientific name on the ering gums on Bosworth and Chenery, fic, provide a more pleasant pedes- in lights each December, it is San sidewalk for trees on each self-guiding and the large Canary Island pines trian experience and benefit human Francisco's official holiday tree. #Covidtreetour. You can start on your in the median strip of Bosworth. I health.” S After exploring the website, I can't walk by going to www.sftrees.com/ recommend strongly that we make a wait to visit the largest California buck- blog, where you will find instructions, list of sensational trees in the streets Kay Hamilton Estey is the Glen Park eye in San Francisco, a gorgeous, huge maps, addresses and the names of the of our neighborhood and work with Garden Club columnist. For more infor- flowering tree on the 2000 block of trees. Check out the one for a central Mike and his team to get a Glen Park mation about the garden club, contact McAllister Street. The property owner Mission walking tour of fabulous trees. tree walk on the website. Without her at [email protected]. To partici- moving from my desk, I can think of pate in the Glen Park tree walk project, two lovely trees on Sussex Street—a email [email protected]. Wash Away Ash Help your plants cope with smoke-filled air: Dust and debris will block the ability of leaves to “breathe” through stomata, which, under a microscope, look like tiny mouths on the leaf surface. Lenticels on woodier plants also breathe. When it’s safe to be outside, hose your plants down, wash that ash off the leaves and branches. It will help your plants survive the rest of this smoke-filled dry season. The California buckeye tree on McAllister Street near the University of San Francisco. Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 11 Creative Outdoor Exercise During Pandemic f you need a reason to be grateful to live in Glen Park during a pandemic, Ijust think of all the opportunities you have to get in shape, or keep in shape, at absolutely no cost. Just put your mask on, go out your by front door and walk up Kylie E. a hill, or climb one of Rowe the many staircases that and make our neighborhood Bonnee a fitness panacea. Waldstein Controversy abounds as to the steepest street in San Francisco. (There’s so much at stake!) Lo and behold, Glen Park or Sunnyside, depending on which refer- ence is used, has gotten a nod. The nondescript half-block stretch of Baden Street above Mangels Avenue has gar- nered the honors. According to data nerd Stephen von Worley, the block has a grade of 34 percent, making it the fifth steepest in the city. Continue climbing after the pavement ends and enjoy the vistas from Dorothy Erskine Park atop Martha Hill. Rushing out to investigate, and no disrespect to the folks who live on this perfectly fine residential street, there is no sense of revelation in arriving at the bottom of this block and then master- ing this very brief stretch of concrete. That is, until, in the name of research, Baden Street at Mangels Avenue in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Photo by Bonnee Waldstein one trudges up this one block of doom. The legs cry out for mercy. glutes more, while landing on your benefit from a professional evaluation. arm muscles to help your legs. They For insight into the pain, let’s look toes engages your quads and calves Going downhill is a different story. are useful if you are not strong, and/or into some light anatomy and physiol- more. Leaning forward more engages The same muscles work differently— your balance is not so good (which is ogy. your glutes and hamstrings more, and think of it as controlled muscle length- key, especially when going down hills What muscles do we use to get up a walking more upright engages your ening or controlled falling. These are or stairs). Hiking poles are assistive hill? Basically, all the muscles in your quadriceps more. “eccentric” contractions, which work devices, so the goal is to try to go with- legs work to get you up and down hills In terms of mechanics, the most better when done quickly in small out them, eventually. and stairs at different times and in efficient and easi- steps. In summary, all your leg muscles different stages. The muscles used to est way to climb all the muscles in your If possible, lean- work to get you up and down hills and climb hills and stairs are your: uphill is by leaning ing slightly forward stairs. Which ones activate when are • anterior thigh muscles (quadriceps) slightly forward legs work to get you and keeping your affected by the size of the steps, how • posterior thigh muscles (hamstrings) and taking smaller hips and knees far you lean into the step, whether you • butt muscles (glutes) steps. In this way, up and down hills and slightly bent allows land on your heels or toes, and whether • calf muscles (gastrocs, soleus and all the leg muscles gravity to assist the you are going up or down hill. tibialis posterior—this last one func- work together, stairs at different times descent and reduce San Franciscans can be spotted any- tions to build our arches and raise our and the joints are the impact on your where in the world because they always heels) less strained. That and in different stages. joints. Think of it as walk leaning forward! When you take a step up the hill, the is also why, when sitting down slightly Back to Baden Street: Again, no leading leg pushes you up the hill using climbing stairs, as you descend. disrespect, but it just seems like in all your quadriceps and glutes. While your many small steps are easier to climb The trick is finding that happy bal- of San Francisco there must be steeper leading leg works essentially to push than fewer big steps. ance of letting gravity do most of the inclines that would snag fifth place in you up, your back leg also drives you If you are having trouble climbing work while allowing your muscles to a contest. The point is, get out and up by using your calf, quadriceps and hills or stairs, you may have weakness control the descent without braking walk, climb, and challenge those hams, glutes. in some, if not all, of the muscles in too much. That’s why smaller, quicker quads, and glutes. You need go no fur- Which muscles engage when your legs. You should be able to go steps work better going downhill. Less ther than a few blocks to find vertical depends on the size of the steps you from sit to stand more than ten times braking, more controlled descent. nirvana in Glen Park S. take, how much you lean forward, in 30 seconds and do at least 10 single Adding hiking poles can help by and whether you land on your heel heel raises on each leg. If you are unable bringing your arms in to help your Dr. Kylie E. Rowe, PT, is a local physi- or toe with the leading leg. Landing to do these exercises, you will have legs. It widens your base of support cal therapist, owner of Living Healthy on your heel engages your hams and trouble with hills and stairs and would to help your balance and adds your Physical Therapy. 12 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 Local Gym Reopens with New Protections fter a six-month shutdown businesses, but gyms remained shut- strict sanitizing practices before and risk points identified to date.” and a long, frustrating fight tered by City decree. after equipment use, enhanced ventila- The Glen Park Merchants Association A with the City over how to In order to promote a phased tion systems, and contact tracing pro- was helpful, Eriksen noted. They kept admit members safely, fitGLENfit reopening of neighborhood gyms in cedures if a member reports exposure. neighborhood business owners noti- gym was finally cleared to reopen— San Francisco, Eriksen and a number To complicate matters further for the fied about City initiatives and avail- with restrictions and in of other operators joined forces to Eriksens, they are four years into the able government relief funds, as well by limited capacity—as of develop a strategy to get their voices process of developing a third gym loca- as information from the state and the Bonnee Sept. 14. heard by the City and their message tion, in the Outer Sunset. The project federal government. Waldstein FitGLENfit, at 666 out to the public. is 90 percent complete, but further All the staff, except for the man- Chenery St., has been a They formed an organization—the progress was at a standstill. ager, Jim Wolff, had been let go. popular small neighborhood gym since San Francisco Independent Fitness “Keeping up on payments for three (Fortunately, many of them were able it opened in 2013. Sunporch Yoga, Studio Coalition—of about 70 fit- locations and other related costs is to make other plans.) While the facili- under the same business umbrella, ness businesses with 700 employees daunting,” Eriksen said as the city-wide ties remained closed, membership dues has its studio space there, too. A sec- to lobby the City, including the may- gym lockdown neared its end. “Even were suspended, unless the member ond gym, fitBERNALfit, on Cortland or’s office, the Office of Economic though they’re closed, we’re faced with had offered to continue being billed. Avenue, opened in 2009. The website Workforce Development (OEWD) a number of operational expenses to To help fill the workout gap, the gyms for all locations is www.fitlocalfit.com. and the Department of Public Health retain memberships and general busi- offered livestream classes. All three facilities are owned by (DPH). Dave Karraker of MX3 Fitness ness practices.” The coalition engaged a law firm Dean Eriksen, 44, and Jeanne Eriksen, in the Castro was a driving force He added, of the City’s seeming foot- that submitted a formal public records 42, parents of an 8-year-old daughter, behind the coalition. dragging, “We’ve invested 10 years of request to the City for documentation Charley. Small independent gyms are treated our life, paid our taxes on time, devel- and scientific evidence showing that a To review some painful history, the same way as big-box gyms regard- oped value for the community, acted gym cannot be a safe environment with beginning early in the cursed year of ing reopening strategy, which the ethically—and this is the support we the proper measures. 2020: coalition contended was holding them get? This is by far the worst scenario By law, a City agency must respond The first signs of trouble began in back, despite their ability to alter their I could have imagined on March 17.” to such a request within 10 days. After late February, when Covid-19 became procedures to operate more safely. Eriksen was frustrated by what he felt an additional two-week deferral, a lot a clear threat. Dean Eriksen took addi- The coalition presented a model for was the City’s misunderstanding of the of content was sent in response, mainly tional steps to keep the gyms sanitized ensuring a safe environment, at every risks and benefits of phased reopening in a generic PowerPoint about reopen- and began rethinking operations. On step, that exceeds state requirements of the gyms. He thought officials mis- ing various business sectors. “There March 16, everything changed defini- for fitness centers. They’ve detailed, interpreted gym safety. As to why the was no information related to our tively, for everyone. The gyms had for example, a member reservation City is took its position, he said, “I question regarding scientific evidence to close, along with other businesses system, enforced occupancy limits, face honestly don’t know. Pre-Covid, gyms to support keeping the fitness industry deemed nonessential. As time passed, covering requirements, workout zones were a completely different operation. closed,” said Eriksen. conditions loosened for some types of incorporating physical distancing, Post-Covid, we’ve addressed all of the Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, supported the coalition and helped line up a meeting for them with San Francisco’s health officer, Dr. Tomas Aragon. At a meeting between the coalition and the Small Business Commission on Aug. 10, Aragon was asked was asked why small fitness studios cannot operate in the same safe way physical therapists and hair salons are allowed to operate. Aragon responded: “I can’t give you a rational reason why a physical therapist can do this and someone who does personal services, who I know can mitigate risk, can’t.” On Aug. 25, the coalition joined with other small business groups, including nail salons, massage and tattoo parlors, in a peaceful protest at City Hall. They were there to call attention to their demands that the City prioritize small businesses and provide immedi- ate financial relief, and that they for- mulate plans for when and how these business sectors could reopen. District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman was there to lend his support. He committed his office to work with other supervisors and the Dean and Jeanne Eriksen at fitGLENfit during their reopening. Photo by Michael Waldstein CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 13 Local Gym Reopens Born and Raised With New Protections Glen Park Native, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 limit, so for now, Eriksen will be coalition to get a response from DPH supervising the flow and staffing the Neighbor, and to their reopening proposals. front desk. At the end of August, the City He’s ecstatic with the turn of events announced that gyms could open for that, after six months, came suddenly: Real Estate Resource outdoor activity on Sept. 9, but that “[We’d] had a call with OEWD and a wouldn’t have helped the Glen Park few supervisor offices and the outlook location, which lacks useable outdoor was not favorable at all. This triggered Having grown up on Chenery Street, I know how just special this neighbor- space. a massive contact blitz by all coalition hood and community is. My wife and I attended Glenridge Nursery School and Despite the many proposed labor- members to their respective supervi- are now raising our two young children here. intensive workarounds, there’s no sub- sors and [the reopening] news was a stitute for the indoor gym experience. complete and uplifting shock to all of One of my recent contributions to our community was working with Evelyn With the rainy season approaching, us. I was out salmon fishing in Bodega Rose and my Parlor at the Native Sons of the Golden West to raise 100% of outdoor alternatives will become lim- Bay and almost jumped off the boat in the funds needed to purchase and install the plaque dedicated to the historic ited. Wildfires have already brought excitement!” dynamite factory in Glen Park. Other local memberships include The Glen Park air-quality challenges. In any case, Eriksen credits Supervisors Hillary Neighborhood Association, SPUR, The Small Properties Owners Institute, many people with health issues cannot Ronen, whose district includes Bernal The Residential Builders Association, and The Olympic Club. exercise outdoors; many gym members Heights, and Mandelman and the join mainly to use treadmills and other OEWD for putting gym reopening As a real estate agent at Compass, my business specializes in buying and heavy equipment that can’t be used on the front burner. Ronen emailed selling a mix of residential, commercial, multifamily and new construction outdoors; and many streets in San Eriksen that the coalition had been properties. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any needs, Francisco aren’t conducive to sharing instrumental in convincing the City questions, or just want to chat regarding real estate. space in this manner. that gyms were safer venues than oth- Eriksen was particularly incensed ers that had been allowed to open that indoor gyms operated by the earlier. Client Testimonial City for its employees, including the The coalition is working on their Police Department, Coroner’s office next round of questions about future and Public Works, had obtained waiv- occupancy increases. The City hasn’t ers to open from Cal OSHA. When defined what would trigger another this hit the news on Sept. 2, it wasn’t lockdown, so the future is a big “Kevin was our agent for our rental property that we purchased in San long before health officer Aragon unknown. “We’ve learned the impor- Francisco. We interviewed 4 agents and we quickly realized that Kevin had announced they would be closed tance of persistent communication much more knowledge of the SF market compared to the others. This is the 7th real estate transaction that my husband and I have done and Kevin is by “effectively immediately.” with City officials,” Eriksen noted. far the best agent we have encountered. He was professional, patient, According to Joe Eskenazi of the The City has advised caution. “Today, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable. He was extremely organized and online news site Mission Local, “Dave as we prepare to reopen additional ensured that we found a place within 90 days of working with him in order Karraker [of the coalition] says he feels businesses indoors for the first time in to avoid paying massive fees through our 1031 Exchange.” the cops’ ongoing indoor gym usage months, it’s important to remember has, inadvertently, made his case for that our progress is not automatic or —Glen Park Neighbor, Vidya B. him. “If these SFPD fitness centers inevitable,” said Joaquín Torres, direc- have been open the entire time, then tor of the Office of Economic and they are the perfect case studies to Workforce Development. “In June, prove that indoor fitness is safe,” he we had to pause our reopening due said. “If none of them closed because to an alarming uptick in spread of the of a Covid outbreak, that suggests that virus. Today, we’re able to move for- other gyms could operate indoors with ward again, for the second time in less the exact same protocols and be safe.” than a month, thanks to the personal A sudden turnaround happened sacrifices of so many San Franciscans Sept. 10, when the mayor announced to slow the spread. Let’s honor those Kevin McCollom 415.710.8713 that gyms could reopen at 10 percent sacrifices by continuing to do what’s [email protected] capacity, consistent with state guide- necessary to stop this virus and keep KevinSF.com lines, on Sept. 14. reopening. Our small businesses are DRE 01947291 During the lockdown, the Eriksens counting on us.” had deep-cleaned and repainted the Exercise is an important way to boost gyms, redefined the overall layout, the immune system, Eriksen pointed and relocated or removed equipment. out. One of the coalition’s goals was However, it was a 72-hour scramble that small independent gyms be recog- to reopen the Glen Park and Bernal nized as essential health and wellness locations. businesses. In the meantime, Eriksen The result is a more sparsely fur- encourages everyone to focus on their nished and populated space, consistent health and well-being. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235v All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made with the new Covid reality. For gym-goers, that is now a little without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. Staff counts toward the occupancy easier. S 14 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 Trumpet Man Honors Essential Workers f you’ve been in Glen Canyon Park dogleg down its steep 700 block to at 7 p.m. and wondered where the Bosworth when Hathaway experienced Ihaunting strains of “America the her epiphany. Beautiful” came from, it’s Geoffrey “At exactly 7 p.m. we drove right by Gallegos playing on his front steps over Geoffrey,” she said. “In a split second on Congo Street. I was able to lean out the car window by He’s been playing since with an enthusiastic hand wave and Murray early April to honor shouted, ‘No way, it’s YOU! THANK Schneider essential workers—gro- YOU, Trumpet Man!’ cery clerks, public tran- “We found him! It was a glorious sit employees, physicians, sanitation moment,” she said. workers—who have helped us through Hathaway left a handwritten thank the current catastrophe that so far has you note at Gallegos’s house. “After a the killed about 200,000 Americans. couple of visits to watch Geoffrey, I For July 21’s performance, the San decided to deliver the personal note Francisco-born musician stood on his to his doorstep on the afternoon of front porch and tuned up for another July 6,” she said. “That was also the unaccompanied performance. After day [Italian movie composer] Ennio greeting a group of 10 socially dis- Morricone had passed away. In my tanced and seriously spread out neigh- note I thanked Geoffrey for his gift of bors, he let loose with “My Way,” a nightly music and for sharing his tal- Frank Sinatra standard. ents with all of us. I also requested he “This seems appropriate,” he said. play a tribute to Morricone, and that After all, he’s been performing his way evening my request was granted. more than 100 times since the pan- “A few days later I received a won- demic began. derful hand-written note in my mail- Gallegos first picked up a trumpet box from Geoffrey, and since then as a 9-year-old while attending Glen we’ve exchanged several emails,” she Park Elementary School. “I was 4 when said. “I frequently send him requests we moved to Congo Street from Noe and he indulges me if it’s a tune he Valley, and was in the fourth grade hasn’t played.” when I began playing the instrument,” Hathaway’s neighbor, Evelyn he told the Glen Park News by tele- Rose, the director of the Glen Park phone. Neighborhoods History Project and Eventually, Gallegos went on to author of the Glen Park News his- become music director and conductor tory column, has communicated with of the Golden Gate Philharmonic in Gallegos, too. “We love how your 2001, and artistic director and prin- trumpet echoes over us on Mizpah,” cipal conductor of the San Francisco she emailed him on July 28, “and how Youth Orchestra in 2018. incredible that it’s coming all the way On the evening when he played “My Geoffrey Gallegos plays the trumpet from his front steps. Photos by Murray Schneider over the southern portion of Glen Way,” he was dressed informally, in a Canyon from Congo Street.” black sweater and blue jeans. He was “We began by banging a drum and “The silver lining in all of this,” On July 23—opening day of the announced by Dave Stout, a neighbor ringing bells in support of essential said Abbas, “is while we’re sheltering- abbreviated 2020 major league baseball who lives at the Stillings Avenue cor- workers,” she said. “A few days later, in-place, Geoffrey’s real-time trumpet season—Gallegos performed wearing ner and bangs on a pot each evening, Geoffrey volunteered to start serenad- allows us to experience life, not just a Giants cap. “The hat’s a little bit of alerting neighbors that Gallegos’s per- ing us each night with musical selec- Zoom it. a giveaway,” he announced, segueing formance is only moments from begin- tions. When someone on our block “Best of all,” she was quick to add, into a rendition of “Take Me Out to ning. has a birthday, Geoffrey entertains us “he takes requests.” the Ballgame.” Christophe Pouchard, a front-line with ‘Happy Birthday.’ He played a Gallegos’s notes waft down and across Next, he performed a rendition of Laguna Honda Hospital administrative beautiful ‘Bolero’ in honor of Bastille Bosworth Street, along Chenery Street Dvorak’s “Humoresque,” composed in nurse, has lived with his wife and son Day, and when I told him I loved and up to the top of Mizpah Street, 1892. The piece had been requested by directly across the street from Gallegos Hamilton he did the King George where Ashley Hathaway first heard a neighbor. Afterward, he passed along since 2010. He listened, then observed III parts. And when Mary Ann lost Gallegos in mid-April. “The question a bit of Hollywood trivia, telling his that the 1969 Sinatra song actually has her mother, he performed Leonard then became, ‘Who is this person and audience that in the film Humoresque, French origins. Gallegos responded yes, Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah.’” where is he playing?’” Hathaway said John Garfield’s solo pieces were per- explaining that the music owes a debt Gallegos has showcased selections by email. “My husband Tim and I pon- formed by virtuoso violinist Isaac to “Comme d’habitude” by the late from the Great American Songbook, dered this for several weeks.” Stern, a San Francisco native. French songwriter Claude Francois. renditions of jazz, blues and folk, as well They began exploring, thinking early On Aug. 3, as the city experienced a Rehana Abbas, another Gallegos as music from the classical and operatic on that the music emanated from Glen “major resurgence,” Gallegos told his neighbor, chimed in. “In March, I canon. Neighbors and strollers have Canyon’s softball field. “The mystery audience: “Over the last week or so, emailed neighbors a Congo Street been treated to the likes of Gershwin, was spontaneously solved one night knowing people are staying-in-place, spreadsheet,” she said. “It has brought Kern, Porter, the Beatles, Simon and in mid-June,” she wrote. The cou- I’ve embarked on a cross-country us out each evening to thank workers Garfunkel, Rodgers and Hammerstein, ple was returning from Joost Avenue, road show of tunes.” His musical map such as Christophe. Ellington, Ravel, Dvorak and Bizet. cresting Congo Street and about to CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 15 Trumpet Man Honors Renée Gonsalves Our Essential Workers Local. Experienced. Committed. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 he said. “And picking up the trumpet included “Viva Las Vegas,” “Route 66” again, well, playing has been fun. and “On the Trail” from Ferde Grofe’s “Besides, at 7 p.m., before all this “Grand Canyon Suite.” difficulty I’d be driving to rehearsal,” “So, we’re going to travel to New he said. “Now I look forward to these Mexico,” he said. evenings that can bring a little cheer.” “‘O Fair New “It’s a beautifully SOLD! Mexico’ is the state’s “I believe what official song.” profound way for him Geoffrey is doing When he’s not goes far beyond playing, Gallegos to share his passion for acknowledgement has had ample of front-line work- time to reflect. music ... all the while ers and the cur- “There’s not rent health crisis,” an orchestra in doing something Hathaway said. “It’s the country that a beautifully pro- hasn’t undergone creatively positive for found way for him a systemic change to share his passion himself and others over the last sev- . for music, to renew eral months, and and refresh his con- live performances, at least for a while, nection to playing the trumpet, all the 536 Chenery Street | Sold: $1,335,000 | 536Chenery.com are not happening,” he said. “In this while doing something creatively posi- moment, it’s kind of an irony that shel- tive for himself and others around him. I'm safely selling homes in San Francisco. Here is my latest Glen tering-in-place has actually brought “Geoffrey is shedding lots of beauti- Park sale. I represented the seller and seamlessly managed the us closer. Even with neighbors who ful light on one of the darkest, most Compass Concierge Program, enabling the seller to restore her don’t come out to listen, there’s now challenging times in our history,” she home to really shine which generated the best price! Compass a greater awareness of one another,” said. “What a gift.” S paid upfront costs for painting, hauling, staging, and more - at no extra costs to the seller. If you're thinking of selling, or just curious about the market, please reach out! I am always happy to help.

Glen Park Market Updates: The market still remains strong in Glen Park for single-family homes. Since SIP, 22 homes have sold. Buyers are taking advantage of the record low interest rates and seeking more space. Although not as many houses have sold compared to 2019 (Jan-Aug), prices have gone up 7.5%. 2020 Glen Park Highlights:

↑7.5% $2.050M $1,272

Average Average Home Prices Home Price Price/Sq. Ft. 2020 vs. last year

Here is what my recent Glen Park client had to say: “I met Renée when she was selling a house in Glen Park, and when it was time to sell my home, I chose her and couldn’t be happier with her services. She explained everything clearly and patiently, laid out a plan and she was spot on. Her team did a great job prepping the house for sale and her plan for listing and showing was completed without a hitch. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable. She made a potentially stressful situation so easy! Wish I could give her more than five stars !! - Ann S. (Feb, 2020)

Renée Gonsalves 415.260.5805 [email protected] DRE 01365295 ReneeSellsGlenPark.com

Renée Gonsalves is a real estate sales person licensed in CA affiliated with Compass. Compass is a real estate Neighbors Dave Stout and Christophe Pouchard listen to Geoffrey Gallegos. broker licensed in CA and abides by equal housing opportunity laws 16 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 Glen Park Mask Crusaders Come to the Rescue

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 munications, and Shelly and I coordi- makers, or “sewists,” as she calls them, nate to whom we donate.” have been working since March. Since its inception, ITAV has deliv- “During the week of Aug. 17, we ered to its Bay Area recipients a stag- sent 825 face masks to hospitals gering 46,149 masks and 13,465 face throughout San Francisco, San Mateo shields. To date, ITAV has enlisted 240 and Alameda counties, with a portion volunteer sewers and raised $38,000 of last week’s effort finding its way to through GoFundMe, with a goal of Salinas farm workers.” making 1,000 masks a week. In her pre-pandemic life, Lasselle It has even been on the receiving traveled to Silicon Valley, where her end of Coca Cola largess. The soft IT company provided tech support drink behemoth and other companies to Bay Area businesses. But since donated polycarbonate to ITAV so it the mid-March lockdown began, she can fabricate its protective face shields, has instead deliv- using Boy Scout ered sewing kits troops to staff the throughout Glen production line. Park and surround- Susan Tauber, ing neighborhoods. who with her “Each kit is made husband Hal up of cut cotton owned Glen Park fabric, elastic and Hardware until nose wire.” their retirement It Takes a Village in 2016, is one of was begun in Lasselle’s neighbor- March. Its mission hood volunteers. is to assemble a “I collect Susan’s volunteer commu- Masks made with fabric from Berkeley's masks on Friday, nity that fashions Bryn Walker. then launder them and delivers masks with others at a to health care workers who support high temperature, then press each,” underserved populations. said Lasselle. She then counts, sorts “We were founded by Shelly Wong, and eventually delivers them to hos- an Alameda entrepreneur, who pulled pitals and health care providers. The in me, Eva Camp, Julia Chin and masks go to essential workers, and UCSF social worker Meher Singh receives It Takes A Village protective Covid-19 masks. Sheryl Stuart to form the leadership sometimes to discharged patients or Photo courtesy of UCSF team,” said Lasselle. “Like all startups, patients coming in for routine doctor’s everyone does what’s needed to keep appointments. machine from Melissa, our daughter, film student at Tufts University, cre- things going. Julia manages the sew- Tauber said that she’s been stitching and early on I managed only 15 masks ated a promotional video to tell the ing, including putting together kits; since early June. “At first I was an ama- a week, but now I’m up to 30.” ITAV story.” Eva manages assembly of face shields, teur, so I clicked on a YouTube video Tauber said she was slow at first, but “We operate on in-kind donations,” packaging and coordinating deliveries; and learned how to make them,” she now she takes just 20 minutes to com- said Lasselle, who culls discarded lin- Sheryl focuses on marketing and com- noted. “I had to retrieve my sewing plete a single mask. Asked why she took ens from Peninsula hotels and gets new on the sewing gig, Tauber’s response was fabric from Bryn Walker in Berkeley. simple: “I had the skills and the tools “We’re all about being volunteer, rapid- and I wanted to be useful.” response and grass-roots.” Lasselle and Wong are both entrepre- Some of the neighborhood mask- neurs, and organizational know-how is makers are solo practitioners. “I’m not second nature to them. a seamstress, and the last time I’d used Lasselle filled her Glen Park roster of my sewing machine was 12 years ago eager volunteers the old-fashioned way. to make throw pillows,” Laidley Street “It’s really nothing more than word of resident Dot Adams said. “Making mouth and Sales 101,” said Lasselle. masks made sense to me right away, “It’s a lot of networking, and our lead- despite the government’s assertion at ership team meets regularly.” the time that they did little to fight the She cited the contributions of three coronavirus spread.” student volunteers. “Chelsea Camp, The first mask she made was for her Eva’s daughter, is a high school eleventh husband. It was by no means perfect, grader in Oakland and she designed, but a point of pride nevertheless, given built and continues to maintain our that she had to scrounge for materials. ITAV website” (www.it-takes-a-village. “Elastic was difficult to find,” she said. org). Jack Chan, Julia’s son, a high “So I improvised and used the elastic school junior, coordinates volunteer from one of my old bathing suits.” Dot Adams and her dog, Monkey, greet friends on Laidley Street. efforts with his Boy Scout troop in That’s when she, too, decided to go Photos by Murray Schneider Piedmont. And Tyler Markovich, a CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 17 Mask Crusaders Help Let Judy Stop Covid Spread be your Guide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 always wearing Dot’s mask.” online for a YouTube tutorial. Those masks are made of double- “I realized that in order to be more layered quilting cotton, with a pocket effective, I needed to dust off my sewing for a filter and a bendable metal piece In these uncertain times, you machine,” she said. “The first week of at the nose bridge. Since she began mask-making was a huge learning curve. working at her sewing machine she has need someone to guide you My machine’s ‘footer’ broke and wouldn’t fashioned 160 of them, dipping into through the decision-making engage, and I broke three needles.” her own purse to the tune of $500 for Next, Adams made masks next for the fabric, and refusing to take pay- process. her seven siblings spread across the ment for them. country. Then she put a brief post “I wash my hands before and after I on NextDoor Glen Park: “It is now deliver, and put each mask in a Ziplock Judy has developed her skills to understand required to wear a mask in most cir- bag and place each in a designated the housing and real estate industries. cumstances when outside. If you need mailbox, or reach through the passen- Judy has completed many of her own a mask I can make one for you.” ger seat window and hand them off.” renovations in the City. Denis Wade, a longtime Glen Park She’s delivered nearly 100 masks to News editor and an octogenarian, read Glen Park residents. On her daily walks Judy is a Glen Park resident, raised her Adams’s message and made contact. with Monkey, her 12-year old poodle- “Dot and I connected by phone, and mix, she sometimes leaves masks on son here, and is the Glen Park Festival she immediately hopped into her car doorknobs. Sponsorship Chair. and brought me two masks, complete A step or two from her front door with HEPA filters,” Wade said by email hangs a chalkboard where she’s in the Judy has ongoing contributions to Glen Park from his home on Diamond Street. habit of placing several of her masks Festival and Larkin Street Youth Services. “Having a mask with a filter makes each day. By sundown, they’re gone. me feel better about taking BART to “For me it’s all about community, my next dental appointment,” said making connections,” she said. “I feel Judy has the experience and background to prepare your Wade, who sharpened his journalistic a compulsion to get people to wear a home for the market and the temperament to get you the skills in the 1960s at the San Mateo mask. best possible results. Times and NBC News. “You protect me, I protect you.” As the fires ravaging Northern Not that long after she began fashion- Buying or selling? Give Judy a call today and see the California caused public health offi- ing protective masks, Adams borrowed difference! cials to urge seniors to remain indoors, a thought from Herman Melville: “We

Wade found that Adams’s HEPA mask cannot live only for ourselves. A thou- Trusted in business, a savvy realtor, Judy is needed now kept smoke at bay, too. sand fibers connect us with our fel- “To cope with cabin fever, I have low men; and among those fibers, as more than ever! a ‘mental ankle bracelet’ I’ve slipped sympathetic threads, our actions run off a couple of times to sneak out to as causes, and they come back to us as the supermarket,” he admitted, “but effects.” S Things I Provide My Clients 1. Data Analysis 5. Marketing 2. Technology 6. Negotiation 3. Connections 7. Coordination 4. Preparation 8. Protection

Judy Marrocco 415.407.2572 [email protected] judymarrocco.com DRE 01919006

Compass is the brand name used for services provided by one or more of the Compass group Susan Tauber receives her weekly sewing kit and delivers 30 protective Covid-19 face of subsidiary companies. Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01866771. Home must qualify under masks. Photo by Murray Schneider Compass Concierge guidelines. Subject to additional terms and conditions. 18 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 S NEWS FROM GLEN PARK SCHOOL S reetings from Glen Park To make sure all of our students have more information. fundraiser that is particularly popular Elementary School! The the tools they need to complete their Of course, none of these events would with our students—during distance G 2020-21 school year is under- classwork from home until in-person be successful without the help of school learning in the Spring. way and, as with many other aspects learning can resume, we have held faculty and staff and parent volunteers. Each student who raised more than of our lives, the current coronavirus several technology and materials distri- Thank you to all who pitched in! $100 dollars or collected more than 10 pandemic has required a bution events on the Brompton Street In addition to supporting our donations received a $10 gift certificate by new way of going about schoolyard. At the start of the school school community, the Parent Teacher to Mitchell’s. Additionally, two top Eric our everyday lives. year, students received Big Blue Bags Organization has been working to help fundraisers in each grade—one with Kammerud The San Francisco containing books, learning tools and the greater Glen Park community as the largest number of donations col- Unified School District school supplies well. We’re doing lected and one with the most money announced in August that all classes like pens, pencils, Our teachers, staff our part to sup- raised—received Bird & Beckett gift would start the year in distance-learn- crayons and mark- port local busi- cards. In all, the event brought in more ing mode, meaning that students are ers. Students in and families have been nesses like Cheese than $24,000 to help fund the projects attending classes virtually rather than need of technology Boutique, Bird and staff positions the PTO supports. on campus. assistance have also working hard to & Beckett Books Finally, we’d like to welcome some Our teachers, staff and families have been able to receive & Records and folks to the Glen Park School team. We been working hard to adjust to this Chromebooks and adjust to this new Mitchell’s Ice have a new third-grade teacher, Cinthia new way of teaching and learning. Wi-Fi hotspots Cream by buying Conlon, in our Spanish biliteracy class- way of teaching While the exact structure varies a bit from the school gift certificates to room. She replaces Ilze Castellani, who by grade, students attend multiple district. and learning. give out as teacher moved into one of the general educa- sessions of online learning with their Teachers are appreciation gifts tion rooms. Jabril Rollins will fill in for teachers and classmates each day and sending additional and contest prizes. April Atencio, the school social worker, have additional work to complete and materials home throughout the year. Among the beneficiaries of those who is on sabbatical this year. And hand in electronically. To accommodate the continued flow gifts at Big Blue were the winners Mary Ogike has joined us as a parapro- It’s taking some getting used to, of materials and supplies, we’ll hold of last year’s Rainbow Create-athon. fessional. Welcome to Big Blue!S but we appreciate everyone’s patience additional distribution dates as the Students requested donations from as we adjust. The road to reopening year goes on. Families who can’t attend family and friends and showed off their Eric Kammerud is the communications is a long one, and it remains to be the pick-up events because of health, creativity by making, doing and play- co-chair of the Glen Park Parent Teacher seen when SFUSD schools will be work or other concerns can request ing along with a different theme each Organization. For updates on school able to put in place all of the neces- delivery. Keep an eye on our web- day during the four-day event. The events, go to glenparkschool.org. Follow sary accommodations to allow for in- site, glenparkschool.org, or email com- Create-athon was a substitute for our us on Facebook at facebook.com/glen- person learning. [email protected] for annual Rainbow Runathon event—a parkschool.

ST. JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (K–8) Saint Aidan’s where community matters Episcopal Church A Joyful Community of the Spirit In this time of social distancing, we are still very much connected in solidarity and hope.

On-Line Worship Sundays at 8 am & 10 am Morning Prayer: Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30 am Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 6:30 pm Contemplative Prayer: Tues, Thurs, Sat at 9 am Email [email protected] for connection info.

IMAGE: SONPHOTO.COM Food Ministries (Food to Go) Food Pantry: Friday, 1 - 2 pm offering traditional Diamond Diners: First Wednesday, 12 - 1 pm faith-based education St. Aidans Mission is to embrace Christ’s teachings of service and love for all people. while incorporating Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church cutting edge technology 101 Gold Mine Drive, San Francisco, 94131 (@ Diamond Hts. Blvd., Across from Safeway) Phone: 415.285.9540 925 CHENERY STREET • SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131 www.stjohnseagles.com 415.584.8383 www.staidansf.org Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 19 S NEWS FROM DIAMOND HEIGHTS S mid smoke, Covid-19 and our mainly in the Civic Center area. usual summer fog, Diamond Formerly, the nonprofit made “Angel A Heights carries on. In a bit Runs” to provide burritos to persons of good news, the renovations for living on the streets once a week, but George Christopher now they provide hot meals, water, by Park are scheduled for clothing, face masks, hand sanitizer Betsy completion in fall 2020. and chocolates six times per week. Eddy Though much more Since its creation in 2015, Urban of the park will open, Angels has continued to sort and pro- the City will decide when the fabu- vide donated clothing to people in lous new playground structures will need. In July, Urban Angels conducted be permitted for use, because of the a Sock Drive, resulting in 1,400 pairs Dr. Carrie Lee, O.D. Covid-19 restrictions. We are grateful of socks for the unhoused. In August, Optometrist to the San Francisco Recreation and Urban Angels provided 240 backpacks Park Department for adding funds for filled with school supplies for children 2786 Diamond Street new baseball fencing and for resurfac- living in family homeless shelters. ing the tennis court. A big thank you The energy and motivation of Nelson San Francisco, CA 94131 to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman for and his volunteers continues to expand advocating for these improvements. and add new, important programs that (415) 334-2020 The Diamond Heights Boulevard need volunteers to accomplish its good www.eyedentityvision.com Median Project will soon have money works. To volunteer at the office on the for the Vincent Buchanan Internship second floor in the Diamond Heights ● Comprehensive adult and pediatric eye exams Program to continue ongoing care Shopping Center, or to volunteer to of the plants on the median islands make Angel Runs, contact Barry at ● Contact lens fittings ● Screenings for glaucoma, between Duncan and Diamond [email protected], or 415- cataracts, and macular degeneration ● Emergency streets. Funding is being provided 952-0711. Please go to the Urban appointments ● LASIK surgery evaluation and co- by Supervisor Mandelman and from Angels website to see a full account- management ● Customized eyeglasses and sunglasses a Community Challenge Grant to ing of its services: urbanangelssf.com. ● Eyeglass repairs and adjustments the project’s fiscal sponsor, the San At the website, consider donating to Francisco Parks Alliance. In May and this awesome local program or mail a Vision Service Plan accepted June, the Median Project installed new check to Urban Angels, 5228 Diamond plants on the median islands. We will Heights Blvd., San Francisco 94131. soon be able to enjoy the plants with- Donations are needed for the dramatic out so many weeds. increase in service, from 3,000 home- Since the start of the pandemic, less people in all of 2019 to more than Urban Angels San Francisco, founded 15,000 already in 2020. S by Nelson Barry and located in his law office in the Diamond Heights Betsy Eddy is president of the Diamond Shopping Center, has greatly stepped Heights Community Association. Contact up its service to unhoused people, her at [email protected].

The play structures during construction at Christopher Park. Photo by Betsy Eddy 20 Glen Park News | Fall 2020 Glen Park Businesses MARCDICKOW Reopen at a Trickle Broker, Realtor, Partner CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for other insurance plans. Check her Australia, has been a physical therapist website at drkylierowept.com. for more than 30 years and holds a PT Since mid-March, Bird & Beckett, doctorate from the University of South the neighborhood’s beloved bookstore Dakota. Before the lockdown began, and jazz joint at 653 Chenery St., she was associated with fitGLENfit and has switched to streaming jazz twice Sunrise Health and Fitness, two neigh- weekly instead of offering live music borhood gyms in the to a live audi- heart of downtown Bird & Beckett, the ence three days Glen Park. She also a week. Recently, makes house calls and neighborhood’s beloved owner Eric phone consultations. Whittington The new location bookstore and jazz said, the shop is wheelchair-accessi- joint, has switched has made “signif- ble and has an airy icant improve- open space behind the to streaming jazz ments in tech- building, Rowe noted. nology, so the ®   President of San Francisco Association of REALTORS Until the health rules twice weekly images and change, she is seeing sound are stable one person at a time, and of much and also offering online classes and higher quality.” The $5,000-plus cost consultations. represents a big investment for a busi- She sees clients of all ages, especially ness with a narrow profit margin at the over-50 age group. Neck and back the best of times. issues are her specialty. “I love helping You can tune in to birdbeckett.com P  BRE # people who struggle with problems they to hear the music being performed live E [email protected] W altrockrealtor.com have had for a very long time,” she said. at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, Rowe says she is a Medicare provider or hear past performances on YouTube and an out-of-network service provider (go to YouTube and type in Bird and As a Glen Park resident, I really do know how best to market Beckett) or the store’s Facebook page your property. I can help you from preparing your home to put on (search for Bird and Beckett on the the market through the close of escrow and everything in between. Facebook home page). Occasionally Cheese Whittington slips in something extra, Check out my real estate column in this newspaper! — MARC DICKOW such as the recent Labor Day marathon Boutique that had 11 bands playing in 15-minutes sets for nine hours, or classical music by the San Francisco Opera Chamber “Marc did a phenomenal job selling our home!” Quartet on Oct. 1. But mostly it’s jazz “Marc and his team did everything to ensure we received top dollar for our in 90-minute or 2-hour increments. home and that it was as painless as possible. He was patient and thorough in Whittington is passionate about all the details. His team responded at all hours of the day and no question was both the music and the musicians who too small or silly. He is incredibly professional, responsive, caring, and it’s clear are struggling to earn money when live he loves what he does. Thank you Marc, we truly felt supported throughout this Fresh Sandwiches music is one of the pleasures on hold whole process.” —J.C., Seller Imported Cheeses during the pandemic. “The economic Homemade Hummus, issues for musicians are a big thing,” “Marc is extremely professional…” he noted. “Professional musicians are “and well-organized. He was also very considerate and patient in answering Baba Ganoush, Tabouli performers and not buskers.” all of my questions. In addition, he is well-connected, which allowed me the He asks for donations from the live- opportunity to get a special, personal tour of a beautiful historic building, 660 Chenery Street stream audience, and is planning a fund- and a sneak peak at units before they were about to be listed. I never felt pressured. I highly recommend him to anyone who is buying or selling a home, 415-333-3390 raising campaign in October. He pays and looking for an experienced, professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and the musicians via his non- patient real estate agent.” —E.W. , Buyer profit foundation, which gets small donations from music lovers and slightly bigger ones from a range of sources, including the A portion of each of Marc’s commissions go to fund projects for his Core Concern: City’s hotel tax fund for LOCAL SCHOOL MUSIC AND ART PROGRAMS the arts. Check the book- store’s Calendar at bird- becket.com for upcoming performances. S Fall 2020 | Glen Park News 21 S GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE S

hat a summer! So many ups Single-Family Homes many condos do not. It may also be and downs—personally, that in the year of social distancing, professionally, with family ADDRESS SALE DATE DOM LIST PRICE SALE PRICE SP/LP some buyers are looking for their own W 38 Chenery St. 6/3/20 5 $1,195,000 $1,628,000 136.23% and in our community. space as opposed to living in a high-rise The past three months have been 53 Martha Ave. 6/25/20 2 $1,625,000 $1,775,000 109.23% building. just crazy busy in the real estate world. 538 Laidley St. 6/25/20 12 $3,095,000 $3,045,000 98.38% Having said all of that, this could all be temporary—no one really knows. by Activity in Glen Park 1768 Sanchez St. 6/26/20 10 $2,500,000 $2,550,000 102.00% Marc was no exception. 170 Stillings Ave. 7/7/20 8 $995,000 $1,300,000 130.65% There will be many factors in play over Dickow Between May 26 and 86 Whitney St. 7/10/20 1 $2,500,000 $2,515,000 100.60% the next few months, not the least of Aug. 26, 25 homes were which is the presidential election in 380 Laidley St. 7/14/20 8 $2,995,000 $2,900,000 96.83% sold in Glen Park. That’s a 66 percent November. Interest rates are certainly increase from the previous quarter, 1812 Church St. 7/15/20 18 $1,695,000 $1,900,000 112.09% a factor in increased buying power. We which should be no surprise to anyone, 26 Roanoke St. 7/15/20 18 $2,395,000 $2,450,000 102.30% are seeing rates as low as 2.75 percent considering the big hit the market took 311 Surrey St. 7/24/20 7 $1,395,000 $1,670,000 119.71% on fixed loans for single-family homes. during the first couple of months of 152 Fairmount St. 7/24/20 24 $2,195,000 $2,400,000 109.34% That is not likely to change much over shelter-in-place due to Covid-19. 2563 Diamond St. 7/27/20 0 $2,245,000 $2,245,000 100.00% the next year or two. The median sale price for a single 55 Laidley St. 7/30/20 15 $1,400,000 $1,255,000 89.64% I am very interested to see what the family home was $1,900,000, up from 258 Sussex St. 8/10/20 6 $1,398,000 $1,625,000 116.24% rest of 2020 has in store for us all. $1,770,000 since the last quarter. The I believe this real estate market will 272 Arlington St. 8/17/20 7 $1,349,000 $1,700,000 126.02% median list price was $1,695,000. The remain very strong and the year won’t average overbid was just over 7 percent 72 Harper St. 8/18/20 11 $1,795,000 $2,100,000 116.99% end up as bad as some feared when the over asking. The median price per 124 Miguel St. 8/21/20 28 $1,395,000 $1,465,000 105.02% pandemic started. square foot was $1,190. The average Condominiums/Multi Unit Buildings While I’m writing this, the wildfires days on market dropped to 10 for sin- ADDRESS SALE DATE DOM LIST PRICE SALE PRICE SP/LP here in California are still raging and so many people have been affected. My gle-family homes. However, the aver- 82 Malta Dr. 6/17/20 76 $1,595,000 $1,445,000 90.60% age days on market for condominiums heart goes out to those who have lost 178 Randall St. 7/15/20 11 $1,695,000 $1,900,000 112.09% was 39. More on that in a moment. their homes and especially their loved As I write this, there are 14 homes 152 Everson St. 7/16/20 70 $1,298,000 $1,107,893 85.35% ones. I hope that by the time you read for sale here in Glen Park, which is up 1843 Church St. 7/27/20 50 $1,795,000 $1,790,000 99.72% this, most of the fires will have been quite a bit. Much more of a healthy 40 Chenery St. 7/31/20 21 $999,000 $1,252,000 125.33% contained, although reports that this market. I would expect quite a bit 158 Laidley St. #3 8/13/20 19 $895,000 $930,000 103.91% year is already the worst on record for of activity for the rest of the year as 131 Charles St. 8/21/20 43 $1,125,000 $1,090,000 96.89% fires are not encouraging. well. We are still seeing the results of 49 Miguel St. #A 8/21/20 22 $1,175,000 $1,275,000 108.51% Last, I urge every one of you to vote pent-up seller and buyer demand from DOM - Days on market SP/LP - % over or under list price in the November election. To say that Covid 19. our democracy is at stake is, I believe, While we are all still adjusting to This is a testament to the strength of ter was 39. If you look at the city as a an understatement. Enough said. the “new normal” in our industry, it San Francisco real estate. Normally the whole, the average days on market for I hope that you all are staying safe certainly is not hindering homes being summer months, particularly August, condos is currently 25, which is con- and healthy. Please continue to follow listed and sold. As of this writing, tra- are a bit slower, but we certainly did siderably higher than a year ago at this all social distancing protocols includ- ditional open houses are still not per- not see that this summer. We saw the time. Compare that to the average days ing wearing a mask when out of your mitted in San Francisco, and we are all market bounce back from the early on market for single-family homes in house. That is how we will overcome following protocols on doing in-person months of the pandemic. the city: 13 days. That is actually down this pandemic until a vaccine is found. showings of property. It’s a little more If we look at San Francisco as a whole, by almost 10 percent from last year at You may have been wondering where paperwork and juggling of schedules, there are some interesting things hap- this time. your last paper copy of the Glen Park but Realtors, sellers and buyers all have pening in the condominium market. This is partially a matter of supply News was. The summer issue was been adjusting. While Glen Park doesn’t have a large and demand. More inventory in con- only online, so if you missed it, you There has been a lot of media cov- inventory of condominiums, there are dos means more choices for buyers, so should check it out on the Glen Park erage saying that everyone is fleeing areas of the city that do—South of the properties are going to take longer Association website. So many people San Francisco for various reasons: Market, South Beach and Downtown to sell. I have spoken with many sell- come together to get this wonderful work from home, the homeless on the in particular. There has been a large ers and other agents who tell me that paper done and out to you. I want to streets, the cleanliness of the city, etc. increase in inventory of condos in their condominiums were investment thank everyone involved. I’m always But honestly, we just aren’t seeing that these markets. We’ve seen as much as properties that they were renting out. happy to be a part of it. in general. a 46 percent increase in inventory of Some landlords have had a more dif- I’m pleased that this is an interactive Yes, some people are leaving the city condos year over year. That seems like ficult time renting out their places or column answering questions that you for various reasons. Many of them a huge increase, but consider the actual have had to reduce their rents. Some have and writing about topics that are are renters who are able to work from numbers. are deciding it’s time to sell them. of interest to you as a reader. You can anywhere and are relocating to less At the end of July 2020, there were It’s not easy being a landlord in San send any questions or topic requests to expensive areas. Rents are said to be 469 new condo listings as compared Francisco, which has some of the strict- me at [email protected]. S down by around 10 percent since the to 320 in July 2019. That’s only 149 est rent control and eviction laws in the pandemic hit. We may see additional more condos on the market. In a city of country. Marc Dickow, a Glen Park resident, is the shifts in both the rental and sales mar- 881,000 people that’s not a whole lot Another reason may well be that due broker/owner at Core7 Real Estate. He is kets this fall. more. However, because of the increase to the pandemic, buyers are looking also the president of the San Francisco However, the numbers don’t lie and in inventory in condos, we are seeing for more space, particularly some out- Association of Realtors for 2020. He can people are buying homes here. Prices them moving more slowly. door space that is their own, as well as be reached at [email protected], or by have remained very steady or have The average days on market for the space for a home office. Single-family phone at 415-722-4018. His website is increased slightly during the pandemic. condos in Glen Park in the past quar- homes offer such amenities, while www.altrockrealtor.com.