■ INSIDE ■ FOOD & DRINK ■ DESIGN
Letters 2 Crime Watch 4 Change at the Retail Report 5 Coff ee Shop New Parklet: 9 First Person A whiff of concern as 12 Pro and Con Art Royal Ground spiff s up 14 Home Sales PAGE 7 PAGE 15 THE NEW FILLMORE
SANSAN FRANCISCO FRANCISCO ■ ■ AUGUST APRIL 2010 2012 A Local Olympian
Like Father, Like Son for a Family of Fencers By Julia Irwin
eighborhood resident and fencing champion Alexander Massialas is realizing a dream — and continuing a family legacy — by competing in the Nsummer Olympics in London. His father and coach, Greg Massialas, also fenced in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games and qualifi ed for the 1980 games in Moscow, which the U.S. boycotted. “It’s a really special bond we have, so having my dad here at the Olympic village is kind of incredible, because this is something he’s gone through himself as an athlete,” Alex said in an interview from London shortly before the games began. “Walking through the opening ceremonies, it’s going to be something I probably won’t even have words for.” Two days later, there he was — right at the front when Team USA marched in during the opening ceremonies. Alex, who turned 18 in April, won his fi rst round, but was eliminated in the quarterfi nals of the individual men’s foil on July 31. He will compete again in the men’s team foil event Alexander Massialas (above and top left) is the youngest member of the U.S. fencing team. on August 5. TO PAGE 10 X CORRESPONDENCE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Fallout From the Jazz Fest to the editors: walking up and down the street buy- e are grateful to have the ing on impulse. I am sure that I am not New Fillmore as a resource alone. I would guess that the mer chants for neighborhood news and selling the same stuff that is at every events.W In reading about the controversy other fair will be adversely aff ected by over creating beer gardens at the Fillmore the ban on walking around with a glass Jazz Festival, [“Crackdown on Booze at of wine or beer. Th ese are impulse buys Jazz Fest Th is Year,” July] we have to and if people are sitting listening to jazz Alamo Square Neighborhood Association add our voices to those who are upset by and then stuck in “gardens” the sales will this change. We live a couple of blocks be way down. from Fillmore Street and have enjoyed Nobody benefi ts by this other than 29th ANNUAL the festival for many years; however, that the wine vendors sanctioned by the fair. changed dramatically this year. Beth Wells ALAMO SQUARE We observed that the beer gardens ■ seemed to attract people who were more nteresting article, but in this interested in drinking in public rather case I side with [Captain Ann] FLEA MARKET than the festival itself. At the California Mannix. C’est la vie. Stage, the beer garden was located mid- I Andre Bolaffi ■ way between California and Sacramento At Lafayette Park (left), dogs are now welcome only in a small area on the north side of the park. At Alta Plaza, a new irrigation system is being installed on the south side terraces. Street. Th is eliminated signifi cant space he Fillmore Jazz Festival has where people could have stood to enjoy been my favorite city festival for the music. Th e noise from the beer gar- years. Th is festival held out on Saturday, August 18, 2012 den during Kim Nalley’s performance theT beer gardens, and that really made made it impossible for us to enjoy or it enjoyable. Well, this year the beer Local Parks Dug Up; Complaint Stalls Work at Lafayette 9 am - 3 pm even hear the music. Our group of six gardens made an appearance, and sim- t’s summertime, and the living is not so easy for deluxe new playground. About three-quarters of the park Parks Department said they were confi dent the appeal was simply left. ply destroyed the Fillmore Jazz Festival those in the neighborhood who take their dogs — or was fenced off when construction began in June. But then without merit and would be rejected, and that the project Scott, Hayes and Fulton Th e police have been a presence at experience for me. Th e beer gardens themselves — for a walk in the park. a neighbor’s complaint brought the work to a halt. could be completed in 10 months as planned. the festival in past years and always were overcrowded to a point where my IBoth of the neighborhood’s four-block hilltop greens — Shannon Gallagher, who lives across from Lafayette Some in the audience of approximately 100 residents Join us for our 29th Annual Flea Market! appeared ready to address any issue friends and I could not fi nd space to Lafayette Park and Alta Plaza Park — are mostly brown Park, appealed one of the permits for the project. Her questioned why Gallagher had not raised her objections related to alcohol use, though it seems a have a drink and enjoy the music. this summer. Both are undergoing renovation. detailed written objections are due by August 9 and will be during public planning sessions for the project, and why problem has occurred rarely, if ever. I recommend you lose the beer gar- At Alta Plaza, what’s billed as a “water conservation pro- heard by the Board of Appeals on August 22. she wasn’t at the meeting. Creating the beer gardens is a solu- dens next year, or potentially try to turn ject” includes a new irrigation system on the south side ter- Gallagher was pilloried as a prime example of the “She had to go out of town because people were threat- tion in search of a problem. Th e Fill- the whole street into a “beer garden.” If races, which are dug up and fenced off , except for the grand “tyranny of the few” by Chronicle columnist C. W. Nevius, ening her,” responded Pat Lovelock, who described herself www.alamosq.org more Jazz Festival has been an example not, I think this may be my last year at staircase at Pierce Street. Th e northern half of the park too common in what he called “the city that can’t say yes.” as a friend of Gallagher’s and said she shared her concerns of how a street festival can bring the any of the San Francisco street festivals. remains open, including the playground and tennis courts. Gallagher was a no-show at an August 1 community about proper permitting, dust and disabled access. community together and celebrate its It’s a real shame the powers that be can Th e project is on track to be completed in September. meeting on the Lafayette Park renovation. Others at the meeting questioned the removal of trees, Antiques • Estate •Vintage • Handmade • Local heritage. Let’s not sacrifi ce that. destroy an incredible event like this. Lafayette Park is getting a full-blown makeover, thanks At the meeting, project manager Mary Hobson said and whether trees, plants and birds are being properly Carlos A. Garcia & Lea Ross Chad Mosley to $10 million from a bond measure passed in 2008 and work had resumed under permits that were not appealed. cared for during construction. Revised plans call for the ■ ■ additional funds raised by Friends of Lafayette Park for a Hobson and other staff ers from the city’s Recreation & removal of 44 trees, with 58 new trees to be planted. efore even commenting on just want to weigh in and say I the alcohol policy at this year’s hope 2013 is better than this year. fair, I woud like to comment on We come up from Southern Cali- yourB dreadful headline. Booze. Booze is forniaI and, if this had been the fi rst a derogatory word — why not liquor, time, we’d not come back. Th ere was alcohol or wine and beer? You are show- very little music playing as we walked ing your prejudice here. up and down the street. (Th e guys on However, booze might not be a the sidewalk had the best consistent wrong word considering that the quality sound.) Speaking of sidewalks, the foot of the wine that was served at last year’s traffi c around the California stage at 5 fair was swill. I did not have any beer so p.m. bordered on dangerous, with peo- I cannot judge the quality of the beer. ple being pushed, shoved and trampled Years ago the wine was probably not as they tried to move up the street. up to the quality that Mike Politz sells Finally, the beer corrals are a terrible at D&M Liquors, but it was drinkable. idea. Did the city mandate this? Th ey Also, the fi rst glass was sold for a dollar simply added to the logjam, made so more in a souvenir Fillmore fair glass. much noise as to drown out the music Last year I took an old glass to the fair and forced people to sling down huge because drinking wine out of a plastic beers to get out of the pack. cup has no ambiance. But the swill they I certainly hope you can address some served last year tasted like swill despite of these issues and make the festival fun the Fillmore glass. again. I often go to the fair alone and enjoy Ed Schumann
THE NEW FILLMORE newfi llmore.com
2130 Fillmore Street #202 ■ San Francisco, CA 94115 ■ 415.441.6070 editors@newfi llmore.com
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Connecting the neighborhood Every month, 20,000 copies of the New Fillmore are delivered to homes and An oasis of serenity in the heart of San Francisco. businesses in the Fillmore, Pacifi c Heights and Japantown. We thank you for your support and encouragement and welcome your ideas and suggestions. Japan Center 1750 Geary Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94115 415.922.6000 kabukisprings.com newfi llmore.com | updates, videos and an archive of back issues KABUKI SPRINGS & SPA IS A JOIE DE VIVRE SPA
2 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 August 2012 NEW FILLMORE 3 CRIME WATCH RETAIL REPORT
Outstanding Warrant had just broken into his car. When police Jackson Street and Van Ness Avenue arrived, he pointed out the suspect to them. July 5, 8:42 a.m. Offi cers followed the man, who fl ed. Th ey A man reported to police that an indi- chased him through several back yards, and Mimi’s Great Sorority vidual was sleeping in his driveway. When when they fi nally caught him he wrestled offi cers arrived, they noted the sleeping with them, resisting arrest. Eventually they For 26 years, Mimi Lawrence has presided over her Union Street boutique. But change is brewing. man was preventing anyone from enter- managed to handcuff him. Th e man who ing or leaving the house’s garage. Th ey had called police gave them a video he’d By Marjorie Leet Ford “You’re my model. Th e other day you contacted the individual and discovered taken on his cell phone camera; it showed walked down Union Street wearing that he had outstanding warrants for driving the suspect moving about inside his car. A imi Lawrence always wanted black jacket and a pencil skirt, and you without a license, driving while drunk and computer check revealed the suspect was to have her own store. were such a knockout that three people vandalism. Th e man was booked at North- on probation for auto burglary. “I started in retail when I stopped you to ask where you got it. ern Station. wasM six,” she says, recalling her childhood I know, because all three came in and Aggravated Assault in New Jersey. “I loaded an ice chest of bought it.” Forcible Entry Sacramento and Buchanan Streets soda pop into a little rowboat with a Another customer, who lives in Geary Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue July 18, 10:30 a.m. one-and-a-half horsepower motor, like Boston, comes in and says, “I don’t July 10, 3:47 p.m. Offi cers responded to a call about a fi ght an eggbeater, and rode around the harbor buy anything in Boston. I shop here.” Offi cers received a call concerning a on a Muni bus that involved fi ve people. selling pop to people in sailboats.” Another, going through hand-painted burglary in progress at a boarded-up busi- Th e woman who had instigated the distur- Years later, she worked for Lord & silk tops by an artist shown at the ness. When the offi cers arrived, they saw bance jumped off the bus after hitting sev- Taylor in New York, then for Joseph Smithsonian, says, “Every time you come three men dragging a garbage can fi lled eral people, then ran into a nearby building. Magnin in San Francisco. She especially in here, you’re coming home.” with copper pipes and various metal objects Th e offi cers tracked her down and detained loved J. Magnin because it bravely broke During the many years she’s owned away from the scene. Th e police saw that her. She had assaulted several people and the rules. the store, Lawrence has added just three the lock to the front gate of the business one person was injured. While the offi cers “At that time the only lingerie you employees, careful to choose personalities had been cut and found a bent metal gate were doing a booking search of the woman could get was black, white or cream,” that “people feel comfortable with,” she with an opening large enough for a person at Northern Station, she kicked one offi cer Lawrence says. “Suddenly a runway show says. All three are still there. In 1992, Amaretto to squeeze through. Th ey entered the build- in the leg. He was not injured. had shortie nightgowns in orange, green, Joan Diamond joined the staff ; fi ve years Amaretto is a handsome orange tabby with a large personality to ing through this opening and found holes and purple. People were shocked!” later, Elaine Aguilar came on the scene. punched into the wall, along with places Obstructing a Peace Offi cer Twenty-six years ago, she opened And a year and a half ago, Trish Blaire match! He loves to socialize and is quite the athlete when it comes where copper pipes appeared to have been in the Line of Duty her dream store — Mimi’s, on Union left Macy’s, where she was a buyer, to to playtime. Amaretto is looking for an active home that will have removed. Offi cers arrested the men, one of Van Ness Avenue and Pine Street Street near Fillmore. To stock it, she join the crew at Mimi’s. All three know time to give him as much attention as he can return. Amaretto is whom was carrying burglary tools. All had July 18, 7:04 p.m. says, she searched far and wide to fi nd the customers and remember what they strong and sweet like his namesake, and will make a happy addition committed similar crimes in the past. Th ey Offi cers approached an individual pan- fashions that were comfortable and bought, so they have a sense of each to just about any environment. Please let me know if you have any were booked at county jail. handling on the median strip and asked practical, great for travel — and “a little woman’s style. ■ questions! http://www.petsunlimited.org/amaretto/ him to step to the sidewalk so they could adventurous.” Terrorist Th reats issue him a citation. He quickly walked ■ But change is brewing. As of August Van Ness Avenue and Pine Street away while cursing at them. Th ey stopped Realizing the dream has brought with 1, Mimi Lawrence will leave the store. July 13, 9:50 a.m. him a second time and one offi cer used a it some unexpected satisfaction. She is off to a new adventure: retirement. 2343 Fillmore Street Offi cers received a call concerning an control hold to escort him from the median. “You’re in business, doing your thing, But her name will remain on the store, assault and were told a citizen was detain- Th e man turned around and attempted to and you don’t realize how much it means and shoppers will still see a familiar face: Adoption Center: (415) 568-3058 ing the assailant. Th e man who had been pull away from the police; offi cers wrestled to people,” Lawrence says. “After the Trish Blaire is the new proprietor. Do something good for pets Visit us at: www.petsunlimited.org assaulted was a gas station employee who him to the ground, while he kicked wildly. earthquake in 1989, people came in here Lawrence says she doesn’t intend to was working the counter when he saw a He would not give up his hands to be just to tell their stories — and to fi nd out slow down much in her retirement. For man he knew from prior incidents harass- handcuff ed, but eventually offi cers subdued if others were okay. When Anita Hill’s one thing, she’ll continue to play the ing customers. Th is individual panhandles him and transported him to Northern testimony came up, this place became a ukulele — not the usual twangs, but at the gas station even though management Station. clearinghouse. People just opened up. It Bach and Beethoven. Every Saturday has asked him to stop numerous times. Th e was like a great sorority.” afternoon for years, she’s been playing employee asked him to leave, but the pan- Petty Th eft Most stores are places you go just to classical music on ukulele with a group handler responded, “I’m gonna wait for you Van Ness Avenue and Eddy Street buy something. In this brave new world, of ambitious ukeleleists. to get off and stab you.” Moments later, a July 19, 11 a.m. a lot of towns and neighborhoods have She also has a bunch of nieces she’s cab driver approached the employee at the Offi cers received a call from security only those: Walmart, Safeway, Home already taken to Spain and the South cash register and complained there was a guards at Walgreen’s concerning a man Depot. of France. She’ll keep on being Auntie man outside aggressively asking for money. they were holding for shoplifting. Th e But in San Francisco we still have Mame, showing them the rest of the Experience counts and we offer our clients and colleagues a level of When the employee walked outside, the guards had seen the man walk into the shops you can step into just for the world. She plans a trip to China and expertise and dedication that’s hard to find. Specializing in: panhandler swung a piece of wood at him, store and place multiple bottles of sham- fun of it — like Mimi’s. It’s a feminine another to India. She’ll keep up her Over 31 years of service and results. s 7RONGFUL $EATH
striking him several times on the head. poo and conditioner inside a gift bag. M. CHRISTINE TORRINGTON version of an English pub. Th ere’s no Saturday morning walks at Crissy Field, Our specialty is in representing s -EDICAL -ALPRACTICE Several bystanders rushed to his aid; they Security followed him and watched as he beer, only clothes that are “wearable art”; going to Berkeley Rep, ACT, Word for our clients in mediations, s 3ERIOUS 0ERSONAL )NJURY seized the suspect and held him down exited, making no attempt to pay for the no men, only women who may not know Word and the Freight and Salvage. trials, arbitrations, and s $ISABILITY )NSURANCE until police arrived. He was then booked at merchandise. Th e man is well known by “You’re in business, doing your thing, and you don’t each other when they walk in, but get And as ever, she’ll go to the opera. appeals. The initial s )NSURANCE "AD &AITH Northern Station. security; they have held him in the past for locked in talk about everything from “I haven’t missed an opening night in consultation is without charge; s )NSURANCE #OVERAGE shoplifting. Th e shoplifter told the security realize how much it means to people.” kids and jobs to jewelry and jeans. 40 years,” she says, which allows her to we work on a contingency or s 4AX 3HELTER &RAUD )2# Vehicle Burglary guards he intended to sell the shampoo and ■ combine her two great passions: operatic fee-based structure. There are s ,IFE )NSURANCE 3ALES &RAUD Geary Boulevard and Laguna Street — MIMI LAWRENCE many alternatives so that our conditioner on the street to make money One day recently a woman walked in music and dressing up in fabulous s %LDER !BUSE July 15, 5:05 p.m. proprietor of Mimi’s on Union Street services are available to you. to buy cocaine. Th e offi cers took custody of to the shop. “I’m here so often, people clothes. s ,EGAL -ALPRACTICE Plainclothes offi cers received a call the man and transported him to Northern will think I work here,” she says. You’ll probably see her shopping at Guy O. Kornblum s 2EAL %STATE ,ITIGATION from a man who said that an individual Station. “Well you do!” responds Lawrence. Mimi’s. s "USINESS $ISPUTES Estate Planning Services at Reasonable Costs If you are a young family unit, newly married, or are just getting started with a partner, or have nieces and nephews to whom you want to give your Floral Design estate, we can help you design an estate plan. Most of us put this aside as we think we can get to it later. But life has its way. And the best plan is to have a plan — you need a Will, perhaps a Living Trust and a Power of Attorney (over your affairs if you are incapacitated) and a Health Care Directive so someone can make health care decisions for you if you cannot. Award Winning Modern Luxury If you have a young family, you may need to consider life insurance. You Designs Wedding at also need to look at what insurance you have. Do you have adequate auto cov- Wedding flowers Ritz-Carlton erage for you and your family. What if you or a family member is injured by a motorist with NO insurance. Who pays the bills then? Fresh & Silk flowers Sunday, August 12 We can help you with the Basic GKA Family Plan. We have fixed rates to Japanese Ikebana modernluxurywed- go over your affairs and make sure you have the protection you need. Avoid dings.com Probate, provide for a succession plan, and make sure you have taken care of your personal desires so that your family is spared the burdens of doing that for you. We can help. Call us for a quote on the Basic GKA Family Plan. Reason- able prices for legal assistance to give you peace of mind. Place Orders Visit kornblumlaw.com for more information. Phone: (415) 749 -1533 Online: bloomingfloraldesign.com 1388 Sutter Street, Suite 820, San Francisco, CA 94109 415.440.7800 kornblumlaw.com [email protected]
4 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 August 2012 NEW FILLMORE 5 FOOD & DRINK
he weekly Bay Guardian Benitez have reworked an old mattress published its annual Best of the store into an absolutely lovely space with Bay issue on July 25, and the brick walls and blond wood fl oors. Here’s listT included a number of neighborhood where you’ll score that funky two-tone establishments. cardigan, irreplaceable Macarthur shirt or dreamy summer beach dress. You’ll have BEST A LA CART to supply your own air of undergrad STATE BIRD PROVISIONS opened in late gravitas. 2011, honoring Lower Fillmore’s jazz 1850 Fillmore Street, 567-5953 spirit with inventive plates (a bargain asmblyhall.com at $5 to $18 a dish) fl owing from the kitchen like high-fl ying jazz riff s — BEST FADES WITH FLAIR with one major innovative twist. Most Guys, it’s that time again: the moment are presented dim sum-style, rolled your friends have ceased to be fooled by through the pegboard-walled dining that hat you wear to cover up the fact room on carts or off ered on trays that you desperately need a touch-up on for your pick-and-choose pleasure. your fade. Never fear, the NEW CHICAGO Dynamic husband-wife chef duo Stuart BARBERSHOP #3 is a time-tested solution to
Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, formerly O’LEARY KATHI your lackluster attention to your grooming. Change comes of Rubicon, change the menu constantly, Ron and Tricia Benitez, husband-wife owners of Asmbly Hall, offer Ivy League-ish style. Plus, the place has fl air: step in the shop, slowly at the transcending now-typical seasonality and feel like you’ve stepped back into an southeast corner restraints to take fl ight with visionary early-1970s Fillmore District business. of Fillmore and fl avor combinations and presentations. With pictures of Dizzy Gillespie and California, which Royal Ground took A helpful map of the nation’s state birds Muhammad Ali on the walls, a shoeshine over in 1987. adorns the restroom, but there’s only one BEST of the BAY station and never-ending barbershop on the menu: the California quail, of banter, this is as authentic as it gets. For PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL BAHMANI course. Fried and crusted with pumpkin A number of local favorites make this year’s list 45 years, the longest-standing shop on the seeds; sided with a couple of cart picks block has cut local stars, visiting celebrities like eggplant “fries” with pimenton and slaughterhouse scraps. But worry not, BEST FRESH PREP and everyday neighborhood residents. charred wax beans with pickled-egg sweet things, BENKYODO COMPANY has treats Holy Vampire Weekend, Kanye — no Just don’t let the old-school vibe fool salad; and chased down with dreamy that top the standby campfi re comfort. need to waste your time drooling over the you—New Chicago’s haircuts will make shots of peanut muscovado milk; it’s a Namely, mochi, a Japanese delight made archives of Street Etiquette, the sharpest you feel like a new man. real plate-licker. of glutinous rice that is pounded and neo-preppy style blog of our time. Fulfi ll 1551 Fillmore Street, 563-9793 & 1529 Fillmore Street, 795-1273 molded into sweet submission. Soft your up-to-the-minute Ivy League-ish newchicagobarbershop.net Spiffi ng Up Stirring Concern statebirdsf.com clouds of heaven — and they come in a yearnings (with a dash of street-level variety of fl avors like strawberry, green snazzy) at ASMBLY HALL, the Fillmore Topping the Bay Guardian Readers BEST PEANUT BUTTER CLOUDS An old-school coff eehouse is adding beer and wine, but promises not to lose its familiar feeling tea, mugwort, adzuki, and wow, peanut men’s and women’s clothing shop for the Poll were these local businesses: Despite our American love for all butter. Benkyodo’s mochi has the texture sophisticated prepster. Th e natty clothes ■ Best Day Spa: Kabuki Springs things soft, saccharine and somehow of your favorite childhood sweet, with the aren’t priced too outrageously (button- and Spa, 1750 Geary By Chris Barnett like a family enterprise than just another link in a corpo- edible, vegans and equinophiles alike fl avors—and food justice acumen — of a down shirts are around $80), and familiar ■ Best Middle Eastern: La Medi- rate chain. Alhjat, who was an electrician and a cab driver are saddened by the innocuous-seeming grown-up gourmand. classics are tweaked with unique elements terranee, 2210 Fillmore illmore Street’s oldest coff eehouse is gussying in his native Palestine and owned a liquor store at 15th marshmallow, which often includes gelatin 1747 Buchanan, 922-1244 like scalloped collars and stripy inseams. ■ Best Indian: Dosa, 1700 Fillmore itself up, and there’s a whiff of concern in the air. and Church before setting up shop in the neighborhood, ■ derived from horse hooves and other benkyodocompany.com Husband-wife owners Ron and Tricia Best Jazz Club: Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore Royal Ground, a funky haunt for neighbor- has amassed a lovely, lively family there. hoodF caff eine addicts for 25 years, last month rearranged A soft-spoken gentleman named Ray Bagleh, deemed its milk and sugar stand and its refrigerated juice display. one of the city’s most creative cookie makers when he ran OPEN Hardly a full facelift, but some customers were fl um- his own Market Street shop, came out of retirement six seven days moxed. Loyalists who pay for their coff ee or lattes at the years ago at Alhjat’s urging. Bagleh works the morning
WHERE front counter piled high with seductive sweets habitually shift at Royal Ground now — cooking breakfast, mak- the fi llmore district, step over to the scarred, wooden milk bar for a sweetener ing sandwiches and salads, toasting bagels and slathering 1300 fi llmore at eddy or a stir stick. But it’s been moved — from the left to the them with cream cheese and concocting everything else right of the counter. probably sell the wine for $4 to $5 a glass, considerably that’s listed on the back wall menu above the industrial- PARKING A few weeks earlier, a legal notice had been taped below most neighborhood saloons. He’s been waiting for sized coff ee makers. public garage and inside the front window announcing that Royal Ground a liquor license for a year and feels confi dent he’ll be pop- “Ray is the best,” says Alhjat, breaking into one of his weekend valet parking had applied for a license to pour wine and serve beer. Plus, ping his fi rst cork in the fall. wide grins. “He’s like a brother to me, like a dad. He’s ■ RESERVATIONS the lighting at night seems darker and moodier, giving rise cooking here as a hobby, not for the money.” MEXICAN CLASSICS 415.771.7100 made with to fears that the humble storefront with its prime location Change comes slowly at the southeast corner of Fill- Adds Bagleh: “Actually, I’m working here for the fun 1300fi llmore.com local organic ingredients, at 2060 Fillmore will be transformed from a vintage cof- more and California, which Royal Ground took over in of it. I don’t want to lose my brain.” line-caught fresh fish, fee shop into a rambunctious pub. 1987. Th e space, brightened by sunlight streaming in two Alhjat’s son, Anthony, age 8, also sometimes pitches in free-range chicken breast, Not to worry. Ibrahim Alhjat, Royal Ground’s genial walls of windows, was previously home for decades to Bi- part-time — taking orders, drawing the coff ee and mak- all-natural pork and owner for the last 10 years, insists the minor changes will Rite Liquors. Alhjat also owns the laundromat next door, ing sure all transactions are rung up on the register. He black angus beef. neither destroy nor disturb the coff ee shop’s successful the Wash ’n’ Royal, where you can do it yourself or have works seriously and silently until you coax a conversation ecology, where a small cuppa joe still sells for just $1.50, Sylvia Hernandez wash, fl uff and fold your sheets, shirts, out of him; then his stiff upper lip melts into his dad’s We love catering your fiestas. less than nearly all of the street’s other coff ee shops. socks and skivvies, with reliable one-day service, for $8 a signature smile. Please call Jack at 786-9406. Royal Ground’s planned new limited off erings of pound. Royal Ground serves coff ee roasted by the McLaughlin wine (four whites and four reds) and beer (fi ve bottles, no At one time there were 24 Royal Ground coff ee shops Coff ee Co. in the East Bay. And there is also no shortage 2401 California Street @ Fillmore draughts) will be aimed at patrons who prefer something dotting the Bay Area. While that number has been of food — cakes, muffi ns, fruit, energy bars, homemade 415tacobar.com more than a Macchiato or an Americano. Alhjat says he’ll shrinking, the cozy coff eehouse on Fillmore feels more TO PAGE 8 X
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6 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 August 2012 NEW FILLMORE 7 FIRST PERSON
‘We’re a
By Barbara Kate Repa each step in the treatment unexpected Coff ee Shop — and sometimes a little shocking. y friend Johanna and I honor To begin, she douses you with pans of for Locals’ a tradition of embarking on an lukewarm water, then scrubs the bejesus adventure together to celebrate out of your skin with a rough sort of X FROM PAGE 7 ourM birthdays, loosely based on Eleanor loofah mitt. Th e scrubbing is hard and falafel, chicken kabobs, hummus and other At Royal Ground, Roosevelt’s exhortation that doing scary brisk. Arms are thrown overhead with you’ll likely be salads. Just about everything on the menu is things makes you stronger. some force and vigor while armpits are greeted by one $6 to $7 except the breakfast bagels, which of three Russian So when my big day neared this year, scrubbed. And not a square inch of skin run from $2.50 to $5.75. Th ere’s also a bas- baristas: from left, I urged an outing to the Imperial Spa at gets missed as your body is manipulated, ket of day-old muffi ns, scones, pastries, and Tyatiana Shifruk, 1875 Geary. It’s an unlikely spot for a spa, legs and arms arched akimbo. Other spa- sticky buns for a mere buck apiece. Tina Kuznetsova next door to the post offi ce, on the former goers say they were wowed by the mounds ■ and Natasha site of the People’s Temple presided over of dead skin that are sloughed off during Lysova. But it seems that at least some of Royal by the Rev. Jim Jones, who infamously this drubbing, but I am not adventurous Ground’s customers come in for the smiles, led more than 900 of his followers from enough to peek out from under the towel schmooze and genuine greetings as much the Fillmore to a mass suicide in Guyana. they’ve thrown over my head. as the food or the coff ee. DANIEL BAHMANI Now the site is a short strip mall where Next comes the massage featuring Th e baristas, three young Russian women the smell of Kentucky Fried Chicken surprises of its own, including being who swap shifts and run the shop from 6 hood recently, says one of her biggest sur- Not that ducking into Royal Ground fan of the neighborhood. “Fillmore is dif- hangs heavy in the air. smacked by a very hot towel before the a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, all oblige. prises about the U.S. is seeing people order is all that risky. One recent night, eight ferent than any other place I’ve been to in Two other friends who know skin masseuse jumps on the table to do a death Siberian-born Tyatiana Shifruk has coff ee and lattes to go. “In Russia, you members of a book club gathered to dissect San Francisco. It has a diff erent attitude. and muscle — one an aesthetician, the grip on my back muscles with her elbows. high energy, a dramatic fl air and a gift never take food out on the street and eat it and discuss the tome of the month. “Th ey Not too slow, but no one is in a rush,” she other a masseuse — had separately sung I indulge in regular trigger point massages for remembering many of her customers’ or drink. It’s rude,” she says. “In fact, in my all drink decaf,” says Lysova, who, like her says. “People on this street smile and you the praises of the spa. But since neither in my less adventuresome life, so I am no names and what’s going on in their lives. Siberian town of 100,000 — Ust-Ilimsk — sister baristas sharing the late shift, fi nds see the same people every day. Th at’s what Johanna nor I had experienced a Korean stranger to painful manipulations. And A geography and economy major tak- they don’t have coff ee shops.” herself preparing food right up to 10 p.m. a real neighborhood is.” Her local favorite: massage and scrub, the proposed outing a Midwesterner by birth, I am pridefully ing a break from studies at St. Petersburg Natasha Lysova, a St. Petersburg native, for customers who also work or study late, “Th e soups across the street at Tacobar. held some of the requisite fear factors. stoic. But this is real, prolonged pain. I State University, she says she loves her prefers the night shift because she’s study- or who party and get the munchies. At the Best soup ever except for my mother’s Rus- Johanna made reservations — and off focus my mind and search for a mantra work. ing psychology at UC-Berkeley. She has stroke of 10, the kitchen closes. sian borscht.” we went, showing up early to partake of to lend some hope: “Others have had this “It’s great for a foreigner like me a following of regular guests running the ■ With a little luck, Royal Ground will the communal facilities as the experienced treatment — and have survived.” Johanna because you’re always improving your Eng- gamut from University of the Pacifi c dental Tina Kuznetsova, who works morning remain an island of funk and friendliness spa-goers had suggested. later confesses she had the same mantra. lish, learning the culture, making friends,” students — who fi ll the place to eat, drink and night shifts, studied fi nance in Russia in the neighborhood’s sea of stylish store- ■ Other surprises include having my she says. “I’m a communicative person and bone up for exams — to San Fran- and is taking accounting classes here, but fronts. Th e well-worn chairs and tables just On arrival, we admit to the woman face slathered with a cucumber and and I like to get opinions on all the dif- cisco police offi cers, who gather around 10 is also a drumbeater for Royal Ground. fi t the place. Th e Wi-Fi, free for those who at the desk that we are newbies, but she yogurt mince, then being urged to wash ferent things going on in the city and in p.m. for coff ee and an informal update on “We’re a coff ee shop for locals and we have buy something, works with minimal hassle off ers no advice or direction — merely it away with some warmish white liquid the world. And when I don’t know how to the night’s happenings in the neighbor- the lowest prices on the street except for and there are enough AC outlets for lap- handing us two pink terrycloth robes, in a pan. Th e attendant breaks her silence say something in English, I talk with my hood. Burger King,” she says. “But their coff ee is toppers. each wrapped around towels, and waving to explain: “It’s milk.” Th en she yanks hands. People understand.” “I like having the cops here,” says Lys- no comparison to ours.” All that — and soon, wine and beer, vaguely to a doorway. the scrunchie off my head and gives my Shifruk, who moved to the neighbor- ova. “Th ey protect us.” Kuznetsova, who lives nearby, is a big too. “How will they fi nd us when it’s time hair and head a rough wash with some for our treatments?” Johanna asks. DICKIE SPRITZER undisclosed agent. “Don’t worry — they’ll fi nd you. The Imperial Spa at 1875 Geary shares a parking lot with KFC and Meaders Cleaners. ■ Th ey’ve got your number,” assures another When our treatments are over, I seek woman in a pink robe who seems to be out Johanna, two soggy massage tables at home in the place, pointing to the over. I’m thinking she looks scared; Mrs. numbers on the locker keys. Roosevelt would be proud. Released back Left to our own wanderings, we don Not for the Delicate to the dressing room, we are shaken and the robes and some pink plastic sandals stirred, readying ourselves for dinner and a we discover near the dressing room, Mrs. Roosevelt and a visit to the Korean bath retox after the detox. then clack as quietly as possible around But we are uncharacteristically silent. the women’s area. We discover a bevy of We have clearly received “treatments”; spalike off erings, including a cold tub, hot no one is on them, we claim a couple. is not for the modest, prudish, delicate our skin is polished and nary a muscle tub, sauna, steam room, several basins for After a relaxing half hour of gossiping — or those who can’t appreciate the knot could have survived that energetic Living washing, something we dare not enter while prone on the mats, Johanna poses true adventure of being ministered to pummeling. But we are both still gauging that resembles an operating room with a the empirical question: “Do you feel like by women clad only in black underwear whether the gain is worth the pain. gurney in it, and the most beckoning you have more oxygen in you?” while lying buck naked on a plastic- Back out into the parking lot where the place of all: the Oxygen Room. “I think so,” I say. wrapped massage table alongside several air is perfumed with fried chicken, I take Th e wood-paneled room is warm but Much therapeutic giggling follows. other women who are similarly splayed a brief break from fondling the skin on LARGER not hot, with walls imbued with yellow Possibly oxygenated and willing to and displayed. my newly soft elbows and arms to pose a clay, thought to rid the body of impurities, be true believers, we are then beckoned ■ question to my co-adventurer: “Would Write your next, best chapter right here at and jade, said to be good for skin and upstairs to the women’s treatment room to No questions are asked. Th e fi rst order you go back?” blood circulation. Fragrant herbs hang receive what is described as a “Purifi cation is to lie on your stomach. “Oh sure,” Johanna says. “But I think I San Francisco Towers, the remarkable senior living in cloth bags on the walls. Th ere are Body Scrub & Oil Massage, 80 minutes.” After that, the attendant speaks little might take someone with me who I really bamboo mats on the fl oor — and since Some words of warning: Th is treatment and for long stretches not at all, making don’t like.” community ideally located in the heart of the city. To learn more, or for your personal tour, please call 415.447.5527 or visit sanfranciscotowers-esc.org.
1661 Pine Street San Francisco, CA 94109
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Q Political Behavior in the 2012 ElectionQOpera HistoryQ Artistic Couples: Creativity and 13 Intimate Partnership QWalking San FranciscoQ American Political ThoughtQ How the Brain Works and Learns QWriting Non-Fiction and MemoirQInvestment Analysis ChecklistQ Digital Photography QShakespeare’s HamletQ Documentary FilmQ Baroque Rococo Women ArtistsQImproving Balance and Reducing Falls QTheatre Imagination Info Session/Aug 28 Fall Session I Preview/Aug 30 Noon-1pm, Main Campus, Creative Arts Building 1:30-4pm, Downtown Campus, Sixth Floor
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8 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 August 2012 NEW FILLMORE 9 X FROM PAGE ONE I’m just another kid and he’s just my coach,” As a child, Alex often watched his Alex said. “He’s a coach on the strip and a father give lessons at the fencing academy father at home. Otherwise, I have a pretty he owns, Massialas Foundation at Halber- decent body for fencing. I’m tall and long. stadt, located in the Mission District. I’m quick. But it’s really just a lot of hard “I loved it right from the get-go — even work and dedication.” before I started fencing,” Alex said. “Some Training for Alex meant four to fi ve days I’d be ecstatic because I got to see the hours of training on an average school sport I wanted to do so badly. And other day, a portion of which might be devoted days I’d be crying on the sidelines because to other sports, or to cross-training in the he wouldn’t let me join in.” pool or at the gym. After graduating from He still remembers his fi rst introduc- the neighborhood’s Drew School on May tory class, which he took when he was 7 31, he ramped it up even more, focusing years old. full time on fencing. “It really just hit me then that was the He will enter Stanford in the fall, with a sport I’m going to follow for the rest of my four-year fencing scholarship. life,” he said. “I love playing all sports, but I “I want to achieve the goals I set for think fencing combines the best of athletic myself,” Alex said. “I want to be an Olym- ability and mental capability. You have to OF GREG MASSIALAS PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY pic champion one day. I want to achieve be able to out-think your opponent and Drew School graduate Alexander Massialas will enter Stanford University in the fall. the goal I’ve been thinking of since way keep cool under high-pressure situations. before I even started fencing. So I think Yet you have to be really athletic as well, that’s really what drives me — just the love just to keep up with the other fencer.” of what I do. I do this because I love it, not Greg Massialas found that his son had ‘I Loved It From the Get-Go — because I’m good at it.” the talent, drive and attitude to match his Both father and son are optimistic about love for the sport. this year’s Olympics. “I saw that he had a passion; he worked Even Before I Started Fencing’ “Alex has intensity, passion, athleticism really hard from the ages of 9, 10, 11 years and he thinks very quickly on his feet,” old — and he didn’t fear anything,” Greg Among his many record-breaking “We’re out there trying to prove our- Greg said. “He actually has very legitimate said. “He just believed. He’s a great athlete achievements, at 16 Alex became the selves, and we have nothing to lose because opportunities. Once you get to the top and a rather smart kid, and all those ele- youngest fencer ever to win a men’s foil we have so much longer to go,” he said. “As eight, it’s anybody’s game.” ments came together.” Division I national championship. At 17, for the old guys, they don’t want to lose to Shortly after he arrived in London, Alex Under his dad’s coaching, Alex began to he became the youngest to win a medal at the new guys, so the pressure’s on them, not was feeling confi dent. succeed in competitions against older and the Seoul World Cup, earning a bronze. me.” “I think realistically I do have a shot at a more experienced opponents. Greg, who In this year’s Olympics, Alex is among the It would be easy to attribute Alex’s medal this Olympics, because I’ve medaled began fencing at 11, described Alex’s early younger athletes at the Olympics, but both success to genetics — his younger sister at a couple senior world cups in the past success as a “completely diff erent” pathway father and son see that as an advantage. Sabrina is also an up-and-coming fencer few seasons,” he said. “It’s been pretty hard than his own. “Th ere’s so much pressure,” Greg said. well positioned for the 2016 Olympics — in the past year just to get to this moment. “When I was 14 years old, I got my fi rst “It’s some people’s last games. Some have or to Greg’s unique dual role as father and Th is is your time to shine, this is do or die, electric foil for Christmas,” Greg said. “At families, mortgages and kids.” coach. go out there, give it 100 percent, and hope- 14 years old, Alex had already won a Divi- Alex wants to deliver at this year’s games, “Th e fact that my father’s my coach, it’s fully I’m going to come back with some sion I national tournament.” but said his youth gives him freedom. a good bonus, but when I’m on the strip hardware for the U.S.”
10 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 ART
all the junkyards, the beaches, the streets, the syncopated rhythm of the combo, or dumps, auto graveyards and recycling cen- the sounds coming from the strings of the ters and collects the debris that suits his “Street Harp” (1997) being played by a leg- From Debris, fancy. Th en the fabulist makes it into fi gu- less beggar who sits on the street with a rative sculptures that tell their own tales. sorrowful expression. For Barrish, it is the process of collect- Many viewers see mostly humor in He Creates ing stuff that dictates the appearance of the Barrish’s work, but there are a good many fi nal sculptures. At certain times, to be sure, pieces that are sad and painful. Not so he will search for material to complete an “Dizzy” (1996), who plays his trumpet with Sculpture Playing at the image in his head. Th ere is no formula. Per- concentration. His head was once part of jazz center haps this is the reason that he feels special a sprinkler system and there are auto and Jerry Barrish — an artist affi nity to Dada and Surrealism. plumbing parts and a toy truck. Dizzy An exhibition of Jerry In 2005, after hearing Michael Tilson Gillespie, made up of all these parts, plays and a bail bondsman — Barrish’s sculptures of musicians created Th omas conduct the San Francisco Sym- his trumpet standing on a piece of wood has musical tales to tell from found materials, phony, he made a tableau, “Orchestra,” in from the beach. “RHYTHM SPIRIT MOTION,” which the numbered heads of the musi- It all reminds us of Picasso’s bronzes in By Peter Selz will be on view this cians were once a part of a child’s billiard which he cast found objects, such as the month at the Lush Life set. Sitting in the audience, Barrish spent toy car that became the monkey’s face in erry Barrish lives in Pacifi ca in a Gallery in the Fillmore more time and attention looking at the “Baboon and Young” (1951). He would Jazz Heritage Center at house that is directly on the ocean. 1320 Fillmore Street. gestures and the body language of the have enjoyed seeing the progeny of the One winter’s day, looking out at the The exhibition opens conductor and musicians than listening to work he did in Vallauris in the early 1950s J beach, he noticed the debris strewn on on August 5 with a what they were playing. In the humorous when a water pitcher became the belly of the sand and decided to collect it to make reception from 2 to 5 “Shtetl-Aires” (2004) we see them playing a goat. Referring to Picasso’s earlier Cub- his Christmas tree. p.m. and continues Klezmer music. Or there is the “Yellow ist period Barrish has made the amazing Barrish was 50 years old when he began through September 30. Tuba Player” (2004) whose instrument was “Braque Playing Picasso’s Guitar” (1993) For more information, his career as an assemblage sculptor. Born call 255-7745 or visit once a funnel and keys were golf tees. in which an odometer serves as Braque’s in 1939 in San Francisco, he recalls being jazzheritagecenter.org. Th e viewer is captivated by the way the head, perhaps to measure the time of the “overwhelmed” when at about age seven he fi gures look and how and from what they collaboration between the two artists. was taken to the de Young Museum and were made. Th e head in “Big Trumpet” Th e tragic pieces by the artist include saw painting and sculpture, an experience derives from a child’s bowling ball and the the poignant “Strange Fruit” (2002), that aff ected his life. As soon as he was able torso from a car bumper. inspired by Billie Holiday’s painful song to drive, he went to museums and early on gangster Mickey Cohen. When Cohen was rights and free speech and the Vietnam making feature fi lms including Dan’s Motel, Years of California Assemblage” at the San whimsy, fi nds an echo in Barrish’s sculpture. ■ about lynching, and “Grim Reaper” (1995). he studied with a stonecutter. During his convicted of tax evasion and sent to Alca- war, Barrish was the man who posted bail Recent Sorrows and Shuttlecock, which were Jose Museum of Art in 1989 affi rmed his Looking at the work on exhibit in San Jose, Barrish made many pieces dealing with His scythe was a hockey stick and its service in the Army, he went to museums in traz, he managed to post bail while waiting for the demonstrators and rebels, keeping shown at the Berlin Film Festival, in the own project. Here was the work of more he realized that none of these assemblage music — mostly jazz. Th ere is the large blade is borrowed from automobile parts. Germany and France. When he returned to to appeal. So when Barrish met Cohen’s bail them out of jail. New Directors series at Lincoln Center than 50 artists, working with a great variety artists made use of plastic and, further- “Trio: Trombone, Sax, Bass” (1994) made It reminds us, as Freud has taught us and San Francisco he opened an offi ce as a bail bondsman at a party, the bondsman sug- ■ in New York, in festivals in Holland, Bel- of materials from small verifaxes by Wallace more, that almost none of them told stories of all manner of found materials, still the Surrealists have demonstrated, that bondsman — certainly an unusual occupa- gested to the young veteran that he might All along he managed to collect minor gium and China, as well as at the Museum Berman to large multimedia assemblages with their work. He, a former fi lmmaker, recalling their earlier function, but now in repressed feelings of the tragic often fi nd tion for a budding artist. go into the bail business. As a bondsman art pieces, and in 1971 he decided to enroll of Modern Art’s fi lm series in New York by Bruce Conner and the absurdly inven- found a personal niche in the making of an imaginative new combination the detri- release through humor and wit. Jerry’s father, who was a professional Barrish had to work 24 hours a day seven at the San Francisco Art Institute. While and the Pacifi c Film Archive in Berkeley. tive pieces of William T. Wiley. Wiley was narrative pieces that were assembled from tus is elevated to this jazz trio. boxer and contender in major fi ghts, met days a week, sleeping in his offi ce when there he took classes in the fi ne arts, but In 2004 Barrish was honored with a fi lm a key luminary of Funk art, which, with throwaway plastic. Th e artist says that he would be looking — Excerpted from Skulpturen, the catalog such movie stars as Frank Sinatra and he could. During the crucial controversies specialized in fi lm and graduated from retrospective in Hof, Germany. its ribald humor, visual puns and innova- Jerry Barrish is a bricoleur (the English at the musicians rather than hearing them, for a 2007 exhibition of Jerry Barrish’s work Edward G. Robinson and the notorious at the University of California over civil their fi lm program in 1975. He began Seeing the extensive exhibition, “Forty tive use of materials as well as its sense of “putterer” doesn’t quite do it). He haunts but the viewers of this trio can almost hear curated by Peter Selz. VitaminExpress Here for You since 1982 Your health I want to make sure he learns is a second language. your wealth Incredible Selection Find the perfect school for your little one with our Personalized Service Knowledgeable Staff searchable database of 200+ schools. 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2390 Bush St. (at Steiner) t (415) 567-7824 t Free Parking
12 NEW FILLMORE August 2012 August 2012 NEW FILLMORE 13 NEIGHBORHOOD HOME SALES FURTHERMORE
Single Family Homes BR BA PK Sq ft Days Date Asking Sale 1864 Greenwich St 2 1 2 1510 16 6/19/12 1,350,000 1,510,000 2810 Laguna St 2 2 1 1670 56 6/26/12 1,659,000 1,590,000 lthough I am a huge proponent am thrilled to hear about the incoming 2846 Baker St 3 3 2 2250 33 6/19/12 1,649,000 1,680,000 of parklets, [the Fillmore Stoop vines. Th is plus the removal of the orange 2816 Broderick St 3 3 2 43 6/26/12 2,100,000 2,050,000 on California near Fillmore] has traffi c cones — what a game changer. 2422 Clay St 3 2.5 2 21 7/3/12 2,395,000 2,526,750 stirredA quite a bit of controversy among Th ank you and forgive me for my initial 2148 Pine St 4 3.5 2 32 7/11/12 3,200,000 3,388,833 residents and businesses. condemnation. I could have indeed 3871 Jackson St 4 3.5 2 3480 13 7/6/12 3,495,000 4,250,000 1. It seems to be more of an outdoor more kindly solicited an improvement as 2980 Vallejo St 5 4.5 1 87 6/20/12 6,850,000 6,550,000 dining area for Delfi na than a general opposed to slamming the eff ort. benefi t to the area’s residents and other Regarding my other point: I didn’t businesses. In fact, Delfi na is now consider that the entire project was pro 268 Seadrift Road One of the most distinguished properties in the gated Condos / Co-ops / TICs / Lofts community of Seadrift is the magnificent ocean pavilion of 268 Seadrift 3720 Sacramento St #1 1 1 1 28 7/11/12 449,000 425,000 stationing its own tables within the bono and instead assumed that Chase Road. Masterfully des igned by architect Joseph Esherick, this inspired 1805 Pine St #25 1 1 1 661 77 6/22/12 439,000 439,000 parklet, further creating the impression had paid for the project entirely (inferred home reflects the refined and elegant taste of the McGuire family of San 1700 Gough St #209 1 1 1 43 6/29/12 489,000 493,000 that this is their “real estate.” How is this from their $25,000), but now realize that Francisco, the original owners. This is a most sophisticated and elegant 2170 Vallejo St #102 1 1 1 879 83 7/13/12 550,000 528,500 fair to Dino’s or Curbside Cafe? wouldn’t begin to cover all the costs. And I property. Offered at $6,895,0000 View online at www.268seadrift.com 1817 California St #204 2 1.5 1 716 45 7/13/12 570,000 552,000 2. Th e street-facing side of the parklet, concede that navigating the parklet codes ,BUJF#FBDPDLL LBUJF!TFBESJGUDPN 1820 Vallejo St #202 1 1 1 64 6/26/12 649,000 645,000 described as a “barricade,” is in fact and stakeholder requirements must have 'PSBDPNQMFUFMJTUJOHPGPVS3FBM&TUBUFBOE1SFNJVN7BDBUJPO3FOUBMQSPQFSUJFT 1769 Broadway #11 S 1 1 1 922 36 7/3/12 685,000 675,000 nothing more than a barricade, both in been “challenging,” to say the least, and form and function. Could the architects required compromise and sacrifi ce. So, WJTJUXXXTFBESJGUDPN $"%3& 2341 Franklin St #3 1 1 0 1306 23 6/29/12 729,000 690,000 think of nothing more imaginative than DANIEL BAHMANI thank you on those counts. 2064 Pine St 2 1 0 1093 0 7/6/12 743,750 743,750 a fl at concrete slab emulating actual road The Fillmore Stoop is a parklet recently constructed on California Street near Fillmore. Inevitably, parklets disproportionately 1840 Washington St #301 2 2 1 874 0 6/26/12 838,000 838,000 barriers? It is an eyesore when viewed benefi t the businesses in the immediate 2075 Sutter St #231 2 2 1 1120 25 7/6/12 779,000 841,000 from across the street and gives the proximity, but that is certainly no reason 2101 Baker St #10 2 2 1 1300 118 7/9/12 925,000 870,000 impression of a construction zone more not to have them, as the hope is that 2800 California St #303 2 2.5 1 1288 43 6/26/12 869,000 895,000 than anything else. Lame. Fillmore Stoop: Pro and Con they add to the overall fl avor of the 1840 Washington St #302 2 2 1 985 0 6/26/12 935,000 935,000 — Clayton Chrisman neighborhood. And I do think that is the 1840 Washington St #402 2 2 1 985 33 6/21/12 965,000 965,000 posted on newfi llmore.com site that was fl at, south facing and in of such an aff ront to California Street case in this scenario, particularly with the 1840 Washington St #502 2 2 1 985 0 6/26/12 979,110 979,110 ■ alignment with the city parklet codes. It you would have noticed a cable system street-facing design improvements. I can’t 2062 Pine St 2 2.5 2 1809 27 7/6/12 1,249,000 1,243,750 t’s your local design fi rm Siol here was certainly a reductive exercise that left being installed. We look forward to having say that I’ve noticed anyone but Delfi na 2368 Union St 2 2 1 1422 25 7/3/12 1,149,000 1,262,000 to address your obvious “Stoop” pains. us with just a couple of potential sites. glorious vines nesting themselves around customers benefi tting, so I’ll take your 1751 Lyon St 3 1.5 1 1650 16 6/26/12 1,295,000 1,271,500 Alas, this textured fabric we call urban Delfi na did step up as they were willing our Stoop. However, nature, and human word for it. And since they are covering 2370 Union St 3 2 2 1800 23 7/3/12 1,349,000 1,405,000 lifeI is complex on many levels. I will to pay the insurance and take care of nature at that, will work at its own pace, the maintenance and insurance, it seems 1846 Greenwich St 3 2 2 1890 27 6/29/12 1,575,000 1,650,000 briefl y endeavor to answer your questions. maintenance on a daily basis. despite a society that yearns for things fair for them to disproportionately benefi t, 1840 Washington St #802 3 2.5 1 1467 46 6/19/12 2,095,000 1,995,000 However, please do contact us directly if Th at said, the Stoop is a public venue to be completed. To rephrase the words I suppose. You can’t make everyone happy. you wish to further delve into the realms and was designed so that only a third of of John Wheatman, our local legendary I am now better informed as to the of urban planning, restrictive codes and its length could possibly be taken up with designer, “A good house [or parklet] is what/how/why’s around this parklet and social behaviorism. We have a penchant table seating. You may have also noticed never done.” appreciate the complexities, your eff orts for debate at our design table. that the parklet is used by the adjacent yoga — Kevin Hackett, Siol Studios and the time you took to correct my 1. Th is pro bono community project studio, child care facility and health clinic. ■ impressions. I’ll do my part and spread the The view began as a mere seed more than three 2. Patience is indeed a virtue. As ou beat me to updating my word. And I’ll try to be more constructive from 2295 years ago. We worked closely with the with the evolution of community, the original post. After returning in my future criticisms before assuming Vallejo #401, Fillmore Merchants Association and organic sensibilities of design do not from a week-plus vacation, I did that all is lost. now on the explored the neighborhood for a suitable happen overnight. If you were so aware indeedY see the new cable system and — Clayton Chrisman market.
Summer, when it sizzles 7HJPÄJ/LPNO[Z 3HRL:[YLL[ As much of the rest of the nation sweats through the hottest summer on record, 7HJPÄJ/LPNO[Z Affordable Family Housing Opportunity Offered at $4,500,000 Offered at $3,295,000 Offered at $2,250,000 the weather in San Francisco is cool, but the real estate market continues to sizzle. The fi ercely competitive market that emerged this spring has held its own Spacious Edwardian ,,SLNHU[-\SS-SVVY )LH\[PM\S9LTVKLSLK Mary Helen Rogers Senior Community – Located at: Home. This 5BD/4.5BA 22BD/2.5BA Co-op in a Home. This spacious long after the typical seasonal downturn. There are some signs of the summer 701 Golden Gate Ave in San Francisco home has been SSmall Exclusive 4BD/3BA home is bright doldrums emerging, with less and less inventory each week. But given the extensively and tastefully
NNotot mmanyany ccitiesities ccanan bboastoast a vvibrantibrant ssectionection ooff ttownown tthathat iiss uupscalepscale bbutut aapproachable,pproachable, ffashionableashionable bbutut nnotot eelitist,litist, ccomfortableomfortable wwithoutithout bbeingeing bboring.oring. SSanan FFrancisco’srancisco’s FFillmoreillmore iiss aallll tthesehese — aand,nd, bbestest ooff aall,ll, iit’st’s nnotot sstrivingtriving ttoo bbee ooriginal.riginal. IItt jjustust iis.s. — Gourmet magazine FillmoreStreetSF.com Find us on Facebook