SPRING 2020 VOLUME 38, NO. 1

Glen Park Responds to COVID Crisis hen the Bay Area went into uniforms heading to Cuppa for frozen Bakery, or over tuna sandwiches or their accompanying adults assembling COVID-19 lockdown on yogurt and bubble tea. No solitary pancakes at Tyger’s. No gym regulars for story hour at the library. No steady W March 17, downtown Glen techies with laptops setting up office at working out at FitGlenFit. No hum of traffic coming from Highway Park, for the most part, shut its doors, Bello. No families grabbing a table at aficionados assembling for live con- 280. too. Gialina’s for pizza night. No one get- certs at Bird & Beckett. No baseball And no Glen Park Festival on April by No streams of com- ting a mani-pedi at any of the salons on the diamond in , 26. The organizers emailed in mid- Gail muters pouring out of on Diamond Street or a haircut at any and nobody on the climbing wall March: “We have decided to postpone Bensinger the BART station. No salon. in the Rec Center. No noise on the this April’s festival in the best interest clumps of St. John No seniors lingering and chatting playgrounds at Big Blue or Dolores of our community, attendees, support- school kids in their slightly disheveled over muffins and coffee at Destination Huerta Elementary. No toddlers and ers and general public health. We do hope to still host a 2020 festival later in the summer. We will announce a new date as soon as one has been set.” They requested that sponsors and vendors keep pledges, contributions and reservations in place for the to-be- rescheduled street fair. Now just a few doors are open at neighborhood businesses: Canyon Market and the two corner mom-and- pop stores on Diamond Street—Buddies at Chenery and Glen Park Delicatessen at Bosworth—provide groceries and snacks. Glen Park Hardware, Glen Park Cleaners and Critter Fritters are con- sidered “essential” businesses under the City’s shelter-in-place regulations. The Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care facility across from the BART station is open to handle non-coronavirus-related medical needs. But the near-empty sidewalks and empty parking places along Chenery and Diamond streets highlight a neigh- borhood under siege by a disease. Probably most of us have been stunned by the rapid transition of the Shoppers line up outside of Canyon Market after it started limiting the number of people in the store at one time. Photo by Liz Mangelsdorf epidemic from a few isolated hotspots to an all-consuming pandemic that has changed the lives of most people S FROM THE EDITORS S on Earth. As the reality of the dangers of COVID-19 became clear, sugges- nprecedented. We hear that ployment and freefall of the stock mar- being dropped off at your doorstep tions became policy, which in turn word a lot in this era of the ket. The unprecedented run on toilet or left in stacks for readers to pick became official orders. Two days after U COVID-19 pandemic. The paper and canned beans and giant bags up at local shops and the library, and other Bay Area unprecedented shutdown of businesses. of rice. Seems one of the few things we’re publishing this edition only counties directed people to stay home The unprecedented closure of schools. that grocery stores are not running out online. Driving that decision was the and all but select businesses to remain The unprecedented forced distancing of is frozen okra. Department of Public Health’s social open, Gov. Gavin Newsom of neighbors, co-workers, friends, fam- Also unprecedented? No quarterly distancing order. Most Glen Park busi- ordered that all of the state’s residents ily members and other loved ones. The printed edition of the Glen Park News. nesses have been shuttered, or are open shelter in place. unprecedented quick spike in unem- Instead of the neighborhood paper CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

TANAGER COMES TO THE CANYON ~ PG. 4 FAIRMOUNT PLAZA ~ PG. 7 BIRD & BECKETT ANNIVERSARY ~ PG. 12 2 Glen Park News | Spring 2020

Glen Park S GLEN PARK ASSOCIATION S alifornia’s housing crisis has (D-District 8) has responded with his the size of single-family homes, while News been in the news lately, and our own plan, “Density With Character: allowing multi-family buildings to The Glen Park News is pub- C elected officials have been hard Glen Park Pilot,” which was unveiled have more square footage on that at work addressing the twin problems to the Glen Park Association before same lot. The mechanism is to use lished quarterly by the Glen of not enough homes for Bay Area SB-50’s fate was decided. You can find “floor area ratios” (FAR), which is the Park Association. Signed workers and available Bonnee Waldstein’s Notes on the winter square footage of the structure divided articles are the opinions of by homes being too expen- meeting of the Glen Park Association by the lot size. the authors and not neces- Hilary sive for most would-be on Page 6 and at glenparkassociation. The version of the plan shared with sarily those of the Glen Park Schiraldi residents to afford. org. Here are some highlights: the GPA proposes an FAR of 0.6 for a Association. State Sen. Scott Mandelman identifies two prob- single-family home; that is, on a 2,500 Wiener (D-San Francisco) introduced lems he’s heard about from Glen square foot lot, a single family home Editor-in-Chief Rachel Gordon Senate Bill 50 last year. After months Park constituents, which he would could be 1,500 square feet. But a two- in committee, it was tabled until this like to address: the housing crisis family house, or a house plus a cottage, Deputy Editor Gail Bensinger year’s session, then (not enough homes, and available could have an FAR of 1.2, for a total defeated in January. homes are too expensive) and “mon- floor space of 3,000 square feet on that Copy Editor Denis Wade SB-50 would have ster homes” (conversion of existing lot. Triplexes could have an FAR of allowed taller, single-family homes into ever-larger 1.8, and fourplexes 2.4. Setbacks and Art Director Liz Mangelsdorf multi-unit apart- single-family homes). His goals were lot coverage requirements would be ment buildings near to limit monster homes and promote maintained. Calendar Editor Caroline Mangelsdorf transit stops like density (more units per lot). The proposed FARs are subject to Glen Park BART. With the help of the Planning change, so Mandelman wants to gather Online Editor Elizabeth Weise Scott Wiener However, while Department, Mandelman developed constituent feedback as to whether SB-50 would have a proposal to change zoning in Glen neighbors are comfortable with these Advertising Manager Nora Dowley permitted these buildings to have more Park to meet those goals: Retain exist- values or want them to be raised or units, it didn’t require them, so tall ing height limits, for the most part, lowered.S Distribution Manager single-family homes would have con- while legalizing small townhouses and Murray Schneider formed to the new zoning. multi-family homes. The plan incen- Hilary Schiraldi is vice president of the Supervisor Rafael Mandelman tivizes additional units by restricting Glen Park Association. Reporters Gail Bensinger S S Murray Schneider FROM THE EDITORS Bonnee Waldstein CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 didn’t make sense, when even the daily empty streets, and the shuttered busi- strictly for takeout service, so there are print and broadcast media are hav- nesses, and the businesses that have Columnists few places to drop off the paper. We ing trouble keeping up with the latest remained open to serve the neighbor- Marc Dickow also didn’t want to put our volunteer developments. hood. Betsy Eddy calvalry of paper carriers at unneces- But that doesn’t mean there isn’t As we write this, the expected surge Kay Hamilton Estey sary risk when they drop the Glen Park a Glen Park News. We still have our of COVID-19 cases has not yet hit San Rafael Mandelman News at people’s front doors. columns, photos and stories. You can Francisco. At this time, we can only Evelyn Rose Then there’s the timing issue. By the find all of them here, in our traditional hope (with all hope) that our neigh- Hilary Schiraldi time you read this, what we wrote may layout, only this time in digital format. bors will be spared, and those who be outdated. The news is changing by We expect this to be a one-time situa- are sick will recover. As many of us Photographers the hour. Printing a newspaper that’s tion, and to roar back with a printed shelter in place and telecommute from Betsy Eddy published every three months at this summer edition. home, we want to give a big thanks to Liz Mangelsdorf unprecedented period of history just You will read on this site about the those who are working on the front Murray Schneider lines—the doctors, nurses and other Bonnee Waldstein medical workers, police, firefighters, street cleaners, bus drivers, mail carri- ers, delivery service workers, grocers, 2912 Diamond St. #407 garbage men, construction workers, San Francisco, CA 94131 journalists, cooks at takeout restau- [email protected] rants, nursing home staff and many [email protected] others. This essential workforce has been amazing. So, too, have our many neighbors who have been looking out for each Please other—shopping and running errands for the homebound and checking in with folks via phone and computer support our to make sure those who have been isolated from the outside world aren’t Advertisers forgotten. And let’s not forget, it’s spring. they support There’s a lesson in this season: rebirth and hope. The note on the Win Garden's front door announcing its temporary closure. S us! Photo by Liz Mangelsdorf We will get through this, together. Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 3

S NEWS FROM CITY HALL S GPA Board of ore than 110 neighbors All-Electric Buildings: On Jan. Park, while discouraging monster attended a community meet- 7, my legislation to incentivize all- homes and protecting the character of Directors and Officers M ing hosted by my office on electric buildings and curb the use of the neighborhood. We are working on for 2020 Jan. 28 to discuss a 305 percent increase natural gas in new construction was a “Density with Character” proposal President in car break-ins in and around the passed unanimously by the Board of to make it harder to build oversized Scott Stawicki Diamond Heights Shopping Center. Supervisors. The next day, we kicked single-family homes, while allowing [email protected] (See “News from Diamond Heights,” off the next phase of our Climate and encouraging increased density for Vice President below.) We convened Emergency efforts with a stakeholder smaller homes within existing height Hilary Schiraldi by this meeting because we meeting to build consensus on banning limits. [email protected] Rafael need to work together natural gas in new construction. I heard a lot of support at the meet- Mandelman to curb this alarming The months-long fires that raged ing for increasing housing opportuni- Membership Secretary increase, even at a time across Australia are a tragic reminder ties in San Francisco and particularly Adrienne Lacau [email protected] when reported car break-ins are down that we must act boldly and swiftly for increasing housing in areas with 2 percent citywide. to reduce our carbon footprint and access to transit, like Glen Park, while Recording Secretary The meeting was also an opportunity combat climate change. In the months also preserving the character of the Heather World for residents to meet and talk with our ahead, my office will be collaborating neighborhood. My office is further [email protected] new District Attorney Chesa Boudin with environmental advocates, labor developing this proposal and will con- Commuications Secretary and new Ingleside Police Station Capt. unions, developers and all stakeholders tinue to engage the Glen Park com- Bonnee Waldstein Chris Woon. I look forward to working to end the use of natural gas in new munity as we finalize legislation later [email protected] S with each of them on implementing buildings in San Francisco. this spring. Treasurer effective crime prevention strategies, Density with Character: On Jan. Dennis Mullen improving City response for victims of 23, I joined the Glen Park Association’s Rafael Mandelman represents District 8, [email protected] crime, and increasing successful pros- winter meeting to discuss ways to which includes Glen Park, on the San Glen Park News Editors ecutions of car break-in cases. allow more housing units in Glen Francisco Board of Supervisors. Rachel Gordon (print) Elizabeth Weise (blog) S NEWS FROM DIAMOND HEIGHTS S [email protected] Glen Park Association Website ollowing the outcry after a car shopping center planned to upgrade Respond to Auto Break-ins.” Producers window was smashed during a its security cameras as a deterrent It is hoped that these new crime Bonnee Waldstein F robbery, while a man and his and to help with crime prosecu- prevention measures will help stem Heather World the 305 percent increase in crime last daughter were in the car, tion. New LED lighting and signage Glen Park News Association by at the Diamond Heights indicating not to leave belongings year within a perimeter of 1,000 feet Webmaster Betsy Shopping Center park- in cars will be installed. And the around the shopping center. Nineteen Mary Szczepanik Eddy ing lot, Supervisor incidents had been reported in 2018, shopping center will pass out cards Glen Park News Advertising Rep. Rafael Mandelman con- with instructions entitled “How to a number that jumped to 77 in 2019. Nora Dowley vened a Community Playground update: [email protected] Safety Meeting on Jan. With no rain in February, Health & Environment Chair 28. More than 110 the contractor doing the Stephany Wilkes people came to hear renovations at Christopher [email protected] from Mandelman, Park was able to lay rebar District Attorney and concrete foundations Neighborhood Improvement Chair Carolyn White Chesa Boudin, for some of the play- [email protected] Ingleside Police Capt. ground work; the fence Chris Woon, and SF extension around the Noe Program Chair Carolyn Deacy SAFE and shopping Valley Nursery School in [email protected] center representatives. the park was completed As a response to the so that the preschool stu- Public Safety Chair increase in thefts from dents have a safer play Carolyn Deacy [email protected] cars in the shopping area during construction; center, Henry Avila, and trees and shrubbery Recreation & Parks Chair senior vice president of were removed so that the Jessica Bogo operations of Donahue pathway from Duncan [email protected] Schriber, the company Street to the park can be Transportation Chair that owns the shop- replaced. Construction Scott Stawicki ping center, itemized updates may be found at [email protected] a number of crime sfrecpark.org/1145/George- Zoning and Planning Chair prevention measures Christopher-Playground- Tania Treis already undertaken or Improvements. The con- [email protected] in the works: struction is scheduled for Security personnel completion in fall 2020. S The mission of the Glen Park Association are now using a Segway is to promote the collective interests of all motorized scooter to Betsy Eddy is president of persons living in Glen Park, to inform and monitor the park- the Diamond Heights educate about neighborhood and citywide Community Association. issues, to promote sociability and friend- ing lot more quickly. ships and to support beneficial Security hours have Jay Davis, security guard at the Diamond Heights Shopping Center. Contact her at dhcasf@ neighborhood projects. been increased. The Photo by Betsy Eddy gmail.com. 4 Glen Park News | Spring 2020 Rare Sighting: A Tanager in Glen Canyon

len Canyon was aflutter on the early morning of Jan. 22. G A flock of bird watchers descended on the 70-acre natural area, armed with cameras boasting the latest high-powered lenses. They stood, even sat, beneath the eucalyptus tree that houses great horned owls each year, trained their cameras by on another gum tree Murray rooted on the bank Schneider of and watched with patented birder patience. That patience paid off. Perched on a branch, a bright red male summer tanager stared back at the Audubon-loving eavesdroppers and sightseers that Wednesday morning. The vagrant songbird was far from its territory, which is the southern , Mexico and northern South America. The first sighting of the flame-col- ored bird came on Friday, Jan. 17, by parents at the Glenridge Cooperative Nursery School, located in the park, according to the school’s director, Mame Campbell. “I have been wor- ried about it surviving, but maybe it is doing a good job of dodging the red- tailed hawk,” she said. Prior to January, this bird species doesn’t appear to have bxeen sighted ever before in Glen Canyon. But word This bright-red tanager perches in Glen Canyon Park, far from its natural habitat. Photo courtsey of Grace Ruth spread via the power of the Internet, on eBird.org and iNaturalist.org. naturalist. “It’s here for a good meal “It didn’t have to go to Mexico this and water.” year,” said Dylan Hayes, a Recreation Hayes, as he is each Wednesday, was and Park Natural Resource Division in the canyon to supervise Friends of Glen Canyon Park volunteers, several of whom had arrived on time at 9 a.m. for their regular work party, only to discover a sea of unfamiliar faces and a bird that was hundreds of miles from its familiar habitat. “It’s off-course,” said Hayes, “It’ll get a good meal here. Water, too.” After the previous day’s rain, Islais Creek was running high. The tanager’s home habitat is open wooded areas, especially where there is oak, of which Glen Canyon has its fair share. They eat mainly insects— especially bees and wasps—and berries. With the canyon’s abundant native and Himalayan blackberry, the migrant visitor had ample sustenance while it Photographers wait to get a glimpse of the tanager in Glen Canyon Park. remained. Photo by Liz Mangelsdorf On her way out of the canyon, a dog walker stopped a Friends of Glen red-tailed hawk, she said, the closest The volunteer told her that it was. Canyon Park volunteer and told him she’d seen such a raptor in all the years “I’m so glad,” the dog walker said. She A red-tailed hawk in Glen Canyon Park. she’d seen the tanager the day before. she’s been walking her dog. She hoped and her canine companion walked over Photo courtsey of Grace Ruth. Sitting on a branch opposite it was a the bird was still in one piece. to take a look for themselves. S

ello from your friendly neigh- borhood library. H On Sept. 16, 2019, the San Francisco Public Library went fabu- lously fine free. Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 5 + DIGGING THE DIRT +

ewild your garden! that have seeded in, some dropped by This practice can be a soothing The Lake Isle of Innisfree birds, others just repeats of something R antidote to our deep fears about by William Butler Yeats already there. the consequences of climate change. •The battle still rages: Some insects The constant rumble of bad news I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, are big eaters. My treasured large is disheartening: raging forest fires, And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made; orange daylilies sprouted the other retreating glaciers, spe- day. The next day the shoots were by Kay cies disappearing at a Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, completely gone. I surrounded the Hamilton frightening rate, and And live alone in the bee-loud glade. empty space with ground eggshells and Estey now the news that the coffee grounds and bingo—the evil Antarctic ice is melting And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow, eaters went away and the daylilies are faster than expected. Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings; growing again. It’s difficult, but I basi- Many Glen Park gardeners are noting There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow, cally leave the insects alone. The milk- declining bee and bird populations. We weed is covered in large, rather smart- all want to act, pick a cause and fight And evening full of the linnet’s wings. looking yellow and black aphids. They for our planet. arrive each year for a month, eat, then Rewilding or wilding is a widespread I will arise and go now, for always night and day suddenly disappear. I try to cultivate a movement. One joyful example is I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore; Zen attitude toward them, and they do the cascade of healing environmental While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey, not kill the plants. events that followed the reintroduc- I hear it in the deep heart’s core. •Lawn: People love lawns, and I get tion of gray wolves into Yellowstone that. But let your grass grow longer, National Park (see reference below). and tolerate more flowering weeds. Farmers are returning exhausted land is death, the frozen garden created by plants that need intensive chemical Keep it watered, and it will add to the back to nature, letting their water- the chemical industry. The perfectly help to thrive. This is no time to be precious insect life of your garden. The lands creep back in, leaving fields fal- tended weed-free garden, with its rows delicate. Native plants, roses developed front lawn of the famous Great Dixter low and reducing the use of chemicals. of blooming plants, is basically a chem- for this area that resist fungus, all the house and garden in the Cotswolds is These projects aren’t fast fixes, but ical creation (and a lot of work). Those salvias you can find, fungus- and mite- a wild meadow. Definitely not neat, there is an opportunity here for all gar- immaculate roses are drug-addicted resistant fuchsias—you can still have it is filled with green waving grasses deners to help restore balance in their darlings hooked on the constant appli- beauty. dotted with wildflowers and native local environment. cation of herbicides, fungicides and •Weed judiciously: I still pull out orchids. It looks wonderful. It buzzes Let’s consider starting small. We can pesticides. There is another way! oxalis and a nasty grass that seeds in with life. preserve insect and bird life, and even •Drop the chemicals: No matter everywhere. I don’t want to be over- I am advocating rewilding as a more safeguard the rich microbial life of the what the label says, they are bad for whelmed by invasive opportunists, but gentle and accommodating approach soil. Here are 10 quick pointers to get the environment. Perhaps the contents many other “weeds” aren’t harmful and to nature, where we try to fit in with started: are “bee-friendly” or “safe for perch- can just be left alone. it, rather than forcing it into shape. •Change the aesthetic: Perfection ing birds,” but what are they doing •Let overgrown and rangy plants Call it “ungardening” if you wish! Yeats to your soil? Slowly kill- have a place: Perfection, frankly, is a expressed so clearly our deep connec- ing the rich bacterial life bore, and the new wild aesthetic has tion with nature in his poem “The underground that nur- its own wonderful charm, humming Lake Isle of Innisfree.” Please enjoy tures thousands of useful and buzzing with insect and bird life, your own version of his “bee-loud” creepy crawlies, includ- and heavy with the scents of rambling glade. The birds, bees and butterflies ing microbes and bacte- salvias. will love you for it. ria. The delicate webs of •Put water in somewhere: Everything Resources: fungus-like mycelium in loves water, a precious resource in this •The Bee-Friendly Garden, Kate Frey the soil transmit nutrients semi-arid climate. Even bees will sip at and Gretchen LeBuhn, Ten Speed and water to plant roots, a flat plate of water dotted with a few Press, 2016. even providing immunity small stones to land on. Birds will hang •Wilding: The Return of Nature to to disease. Soil saturated out near a sheltered, safe water source. a British Farm, Isabella Tree, Picador, with chemicals is dead •Leave a bit of bare dirt: Gretchen 2018. soil with no insect life, LeBuhn, a biology professor at San •www.theguardian.com/uk/envi- leading to declining pop- Francisco State University and a pol- ronment. Articles on recent climate ulations of birds, bees, lination expert, recently gave a fact- change news, rewilding. butterflies—their food filled talk to the garden club about •Rewilding.org. Articles from has gone! her research into native bees and their the Rewilding Institute, includ- •Plant tougher unfortunate decline in this area. She ing Kenneth Brower on Point Reyes and hardier plants: suggests leaving some bare dirt for our National Seashore. Rewilding is not a recom- native solitary bumblebees, which bur- •www.yellowstonepark.com/things- mendation for ugly gar- row into the soil to raise their young. to-do/wolf-reintroduction-changes- dens—far from it. You Her recent book, “The Bee-Friendly ecosystem. A great read. S can still fill your gardens Garden,” is packed with useful planting with blooms; in fact, ideas. You can order it at from Bird & Kay Hamilton Estey is the Glen Park bees will be drawn to all Beckett Books. Garden Club columnist. For more infor- those bright colors. You •Love the accidental garden: My mation about the garden club, including A scarlet sage plant (Salvia splendens). just need to be careful garden is now 30 years old. It’s some- its activities and lecture series, contact Photo courtesy André Karwath/Creative Commons about introducing tender what neglected, and filled with plants her at [email protected].

ello from your friendly neigh- borhood library. H On Sept. 16, 2019, the San Francisco Public Library went fabu- lously fine free. 6 Glen Park News | Spring 2020 New Ingleside Captain Meets with GPA

he winter meeting of the Glen crime, infection and syringe litter. He over this. By California state code, it’s Park Association had a great turn- realizes this is an uphill climb with the CalTrans’ responsibility because the Tout—folks were anxious to hear current administration in Washington. bus zone is adjacent to a highway. from several local leaders who came to •After several years of intransigence, Google and Genentech voluntarily pay give updates and hear about neighbor- the has ceased holding gun to use the bus zone; UCSF chooses not hood concerns. shows. It’s the result of a temporary to pay. Introducing Capt. Woon: Ingleside ban; there will be legislation to make •Traffic Calming on Residential Police Capt. Chris Woon made his first the ban permanent. Streets: SFMTA seems to be more will- appearance at the GPA since assuming Glen Park Association Updates: ing to do this. The latest example is the his position at the Ingleside Station. GPA president Scott Stawicki gave a pending installation of speed humps on Born and raised in the Ingleside, he rundown of some transit issues in Glen Chenery Street around Lippard Street. gave a brief rundown of his extensive Park. To get traffic calming on a street, 50 and varied law enforce- •Diamond/Bosworth Intersection: percent of the residents must sign a by ment positions over the The improvements made thus far (traf- petition to the SFMTA. Stop signs are Bonnee past 25 years, including: fic light patterns, lane adjustment, not part of the traffic calming program. Waldstein airport bureau patrol; sidewalk bulb-outs, etc.) were actually •Elk-Sussex crosswalk: This project officer at Northern, Phase One. Phase Two was meant to was supposed to be completed but Ingleside and Taraval districts; dog address the Arlington/Bosworth inter- it hasn’t been started. We now hear handler for explosives (“best partner Capt. Chris Woon section. The San Francisco Municipal construction will start in late spring to in the world”); sergeant at the Mission Transportation Agency presented sev- install a pedestrian-activated flashing and Southern stations with the inves- Wiener, whose district includes Glen eral concept plans, none of which were beacon at both sides of the intersection. tigations and risk management units. Park, noted that the state has been deemed to be improvements and, in All parking on the Glen Canyon Park Woon explained that each captain relitigating what he called the Trump fact, worsened the traffic situation in side of the street will be removed for must apportion resources according administration’s nonstop assault on some respects. That part of the plan is safety considerations. to the needs of the district. Ingleside California’s basic values. “With all the now dormant. GPA Officers Election: The annual is one of the largest, and officers are chaos, we also have problems we have •Pedestrian Crosswalk at the I-280 election of officers is mandated in the spread out all over. In the event of a created, and we have to fix.” South On-Ramp: The GPA is pushing bylaws of the Glen Park Association. serious crime, officers from other dis- Homelessness is exacerbated by the for safety improvements. SFMTA tends This year there was only one change tricts provide backup to each other. housing crisis, meth, opioids and men- to take a “comprehensive” approach to in the slate of candidates, which was An Ingleside officer is assigned to do tal health issues. Major encampments problem solving, which causes solu- elected by voice vote of the members traffic enforcement. The downtown have spread outside the cities—into tions, even seemingly simple ones, to in attendance: Hilary Schiraldi, for- motorcycle unit will come out to pro- the suburbs and coastal and inland get stalled for a very long time. merly a chair of the Safety Committee, vide support to troubled areas, such areas. California has 25 percent of the •Private Buses at the BART Station: has replaced Stephany Wilkes as vice as the Elk and Chenery intersection. nation’s homeless population. They block sight lines for vehicles president). The GPA officers are listed Plainclothes officers use the crosswalk Gov. Gavin Newsom has allocated attempting to enter the I-280 South on Page 3. to catch violations. more than $1 billion to help cities and on-ramp. SFMTA has no jurisdiction Congratulations and thanks to all! S The captain gave some statistics. counties ramp up emer- The top increases in need for police gency shelters, mental over the past couple of years are home- health services, eviction lessness and quality-of-life issues, peo- support and access to ple living in cars, living on sidewalks MediCal. and in need of medical assistance. Wiener cited his leg- These take up a lot of resources, as islative activity: do violent crimes—domestic violence, •Legislation passed to assaults, and robberies and burglar- streamline approval of ies. However, burglaries are down 30 navigation centers. percent and robberies are down 13 •Legislation to create percent. a pilot program of con- What can we do to deter crime? servatorship for persons Neighbors can form a neighborhood with intractable issues watch, facilitated by SF SAFE. They of mental health and will also do free home security assess- addiction. ments. Have a phone tree with your •Proposed legislation neighbors. Be aware of your surround- to require insurance ings. Don’t leave items visible in your companies to approve car. Get a dog! all mental health and Most importantly, report ALL crimes addiction care, not only so the police can allocate their resources in crisis. He wants to where needed. Any crime in progress expand access to young or having just happened should be people in high school reported to 911. If it’s a “cold crime,” and college. call police at the non-urgent number, •Wiener favors state 415-553-0123. authorization for safe The intersection of Elk and Sussex streets, where construction of a pedestrian-activated flashing beacon Legislative Update: State Sen. Scott injection sites to deter is scheduled to begin later this year. Photo by Liz Mangelsdorf Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 7 Fairmont Plaza Open Space Comes to Life airmount Plaza sounds as if it’s ground to thwart further erosion. located at an El Camino Real John Kleman, who lives on Bemis F shopping mall in San Mateo Street, volunteered alongside Rec and County. Park personnel on both work days. He Actually, it hugs a hilltop—part was accompanied his daughter Sonia. of the Rancho San Miguel Mexican “It’s going to be great to walk land grant bestowed to José de Jesús through here, give it a chance and see Noé in 1845—and now its progress,” Kleman told the Glen by serves as a natural area Park News. “It’s been a collaboration Murray frontier separating San between neighbors and Rec and Park, Schneider Francisco’s Fairmount and signals community building as well Heights and Diamond as park building.” Heights neighborhoods. “This was a neglected space,” echoed To get there from Glen Park, take the Cherie Mayman, who has lived on 90 steps of Amatista Lane that rise near Everson Street for 50 years. On Jan. 11 the corner of Miguel and Bemis streets. she joined Kleman in placing gallon- On Jan. 11 and again on Feb. 15, sized coffee berry plants in the ground. neighbors either selected this route or “I can walk through here now and not dropped down from Everson Street be scared for fear of a branch falling.” to the postage-stamp-sized park to She took a moment and pointed out plant 900 drought-tolerant shrubs a particular tree. “I used to have a fort and plants under the watchful eye of in that tree.” Recreation and Park’s Natural Resource Near it dangled a jury-rigged rope Division (NRD). swing that Rec and Park would remove, Once a derelict thicket strewn with as it posed public safety issues. moribund eucalyptus and threatened by The department had already removed an eroding hillside, the minuscule space, approximately 20 trees, focusing on a long-time destination for unleashed aged-out eucalyptus that constituted dogs and the occasional homeless a threat. With the gum trees gone, an encampment, has been transformed by expansive scenic overlook of Bernal pathways, box steps, and native plants Hill and downtown San Francisco now that offer nectar sources and potential gets plenty of daylight. Rec and Park employees use an auger to dig holes for native plants. fruits, berries and nuts for wildlife. Kleman and Mayman were among Strategically planned, the space will 18 volunteers who assisted eight NRD The collaboration was a long in which they thrived in the late 18th act as habitat for perching and nesting gardeners supervised by Christopher time coming. “The Recreation and century, when indigenous Americans resident and migratory birds, as ground Campbell, a chief natural resource spe- Park Department and the Friends of traveled across the same ground deliver- cover for wildlife, and as stabilized cialist. Fairmount Heights have been part- ing cattle from Mission Dolores to the nering for this wildlife enhancement Presidio. and erosion control for 15 years,” said Over a three-hour period on two Madison Sink, Recreation and Park Saturday mornings, volunteers teased communication associate for policy and open gallon containers, removed plants public affairs. “The project is supported and placed them in pre-dug holes, by department operations staff, and was along with a handful of super-absorbent reviewed by the neighborhood volun- polymers called water babies that pro- teer group that provided seven letters vide hydration for plants as they take of support.” root. Then each plant was backfilled “Fairmount neighbors, park users with soil, and a downhill berm was and Rec and Park’s Natural Resource fashioned. Division have been working side-by- On Feb. 15, Christopher Campbell side to beautify and restore the area,” stood next to first grader Sonia Campbell added. “Patrick Rafferty, a Kleman, who attends Glen Park neighbor and our greatest advocate for Elementary School. Sonia’s mother the project, has been instrumental in fingered a plant, one of 300 that would encouraging and enlisting his neighbors be planted that morning, while Sonia to volunteer.” studied it. The work on Jan. 11 proved a mam- Campbell asked if she knew what her moth endeavor, during which 600 mother held. Sonia nodded and said native plants were planted in holes dug she liked it. Campbell told her it was an with augers and rotor hammers. Now iris and it would grow and boast pretty yarrow, California sage, iris, lupine, blue colors. monkey flower, hummingbird sage, Campbell, who is a plein-air painter California fuchsia, Point Reyes cean- when he’s not wielding an auger, said Work party volunteers and Rec and Park's employee, Christopher Campbell. othus, gooseberry and red flowering by email, “Projects like this build a pro- Photos by Murray Schneider currant have been restored to habitat found sense of ownership. S 8 Glen Park News | Spring 2020

S (HI)STORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS S

s it “Is-LISS”? Maybe it’s “Is-LAY- tinue to struggle with the pronuncia- resides four miles south of Mission Windeler arrived in San Francisco iss”? Or, is it “Is-LAY”? The origin tion today. Let’s look at the proposed Dolores and who has between thirty or aboard the ship Probus. With the Gold I and pronunciation of Islais Creek origins of the name Islais, and add forty acres of land under cultivation,” Rush in full swing, the crew abandoned has long been a matter of debate. another possibility to the queue. was called out for the wagonloads of the ship and headed for the Sierra It was once the largest creek in First, what Islais Creek is not: The fresh vegetables he transported into foothills. Windeler notes in his diary San Francisco. Now, United States Coast Survey map of the city daily. In 1859, the captain is that the commander of the Probus was by a tributary still flows 1859 identifies the creek as “Du Vree’s arriving in port from Japan. a Capt. DeVries. Perhaps the captain Evelyn above ground through Creek.” The origin of this name has The distance from Mission Dolores had decided to abandon ship and stay Rose Glen Canyon from the been a mystery, but new research has to the railroad crossing noted at “Islar’s in California, as well. southern slopes of Twin revealed a few insights. Creek,” (derivation unclear) is only Now, for the potential derivation of Peaks (a second tributary flowed from The first mention of a William about two miles, whereas going four “Islais.” the base of the northern slopes of San “Dufrees” appears in the Daily Alta miles south of Mission Dolores would Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier who Bruno Mountain and converged near California in September 1851. In a place him generally in today’s Crocker- had traveled with the Portola expedi- today’s Bosworth and Lyell Streets). description of the ticket for the upcom- Amazon district near the route of the tion in 1769 and later became governor Nearly a century ago, the creek was ing election, “Dufrees” is running for old Mission Road and the origin of the of Alta California, was the first to tran- diverted below ground just north of county justice of the peace. In an article creek’s San Bruno tributary. In both scribe the term as “yslay,” having heard today’s Glen Canyon Park Recreation a few months later describing the pro- cases, the captain is situated some- the term while among the Salinan Center. From there, it continues its posed route of the Pacific & Atlantic where near the creek. tribe of the Salinas Valley. According historic course under the Glen Park Railroad before it crossed Precita Creek Because the captain’s first name is to later researchers, Fages’ definition Greenway and from the south, “the line then crosses never shared, and that there seem to be is very clear that the term referred to to its mouth at , Islar’s Creek and is conducted along the so many phonetically spelled names for the cherry, a highly valued food among just south of Cesar Chavez and Third slope of the high ground at the head “De Vries,” we may never know his true native peoples of the California coast. Street. of the marsh three fourths of a mile origins. However, one additional piece It is theorized that since the explorers- After more than 200 years of con- above Capt. DeFrees’ house.” Then, in of information may provide a clue. conquerors had no Spanish name for jecture and possible misinterpretation a March 1852 article of the same paper, In December 1849, a German- the plant, they adopted the native

of fact, it is no surprise that we con- “Captain DeVries, a gentleman who born sailor by the name of Adolphus CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

A snapshot of a portion of the 1859 U.S. Coast Survey map. On the far left is “Du Vrees Creek,” the first American name given to Islais Creek. Map courtesy of David Rumsey Map Collection. Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 9

S (HI)STORIES OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS S

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE moniker. By the early 1800s, it had become part of the California Spanish lexicon. One of the earliest appearances of “Islais” or “Yslais” on Spanish maps occurs in the mid-1800s. A hand- drawn map from the Spanish and Mexican Land Grant Records of the Salinas y Visitacion Rancho of San Francisco, dated 1834 and housed at the California State Archives, includes the words “Los Islais.” In 1857 court documents submitted for obtaining an American patent for his 4,300-acre Rancho San Miguel (on which Glen Park is now located), José de Jesús Noé included a map showing “Arroyo de los Yslais” next to a “penasco” just south of “Precita.” In Spanish, “penasco” refers to a “large rock.” In fact, a large rock about 40 feet high was represented on San Francisco maps into the 1870s, near today’s site of the Glen Park J-Church streetcar stop. Anthropologists, linguists and natu- ralists have generally agreed that “Islais” is a modern spelling of the Native American name of the holly-leafed cherry (Prunus ilicifolia) that is said to have grown abundantly along the banks of the creek. In the 1940s, Smithsonian ethnologist John P. Harrington declared Map of Rancho San Miguel, 1857, from the court case submitted by José de Jesús Noé. “Arroyo de los Yslais” and “penasco” can be seen on the left side of the drawing. The viewer’s orientation is looking southwest. the word “slay” to be of Salinan origins. Map courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California at Berkeley via Online Archive of California. As noted earlier, the Salinans lived in the area of today’s Salinas Valley and be the grandson of the man for whom have been Teodoro Yslas, who was only rect. Fages may have documented a along the Coast range near Monterey. the creek was named. The difference 2 years old at the time of the naming. word for the cherry used (and eaten) by Their language was considered similar in spelling between “Yslas” and “Islais” If accurate, that was quite a gift Juan the Salinans and Chumash. Yet, with- to that of the Prunus ilicifolia who was said to be due to the differences Bautista gave to his brother’s young son. out native holly-leafed cherries in San populated the region of Santa Barbara. between English and Spanish spelling As described in the Glen Park News Francisco, the creek may have instead Of note, the Costanoan language of the and pronunciation. (Summer 2017), the route first taken been named for Anza’s nephew. Ohlone, whose territory ranged from According to Florencio and his by Anza as the expedition left the Language differences, varying inter- Santa Cruz to the , was daughter, he had come overland to upper peninsula in 1776 became the pretations by researchers over time, unrelated to the Salinan language. California from Sonora, Mexico, in route of the original El Camino Real, and forgotten recollections of long- However, the holly-leafed cherry was 1849 with his father, José Francisco which already may have been an exist- passed residents have forever mud- apparently not very abundant in San Yslas. According to family trees at ing trail established by the Ohlone dled Islais Creek’s true namesake. And Francisco. In fact, no evidence has been Ancestry.com, Florencio was one of centuries earlier. Later known as the for the pronunciation? According to found in historical literature docu- 15 children of José and Maria Teresa Old San Jose Road, it passed through Spanish resources, “Yslas” appears to menting the presence of native Prunus Bernal, the latter also of Sonora. José Fairmount Heights and Glen Park be pronounced “Is-LISS.” icifolia farther north than San Mateo was the son of Teodoro Yslas. Teodoro before turning south in the area of Creek. Could there be another deriva- married Anna Maria Anza of Tubac, today’s Diamond and Chenery streets. Evelyn Rose, director and founder of tion of the name? Santa Cruz, Arizona, Mexico. Anna It is this general area where Anza would the Glen Park Neighborhoods History In March 1907, an obituary appeared Maria’s father was Francisco Anza, have first crossed the creek he named Project, is documenting the histories of in the San Francisco Call: “SCION OF whose brother, Juan Bautista Anza, led for Teodoro Yslas. Glen Park and nearby neighborhoods. To OLD MEXICO CITY DIES IN CITY. the expedition that established the San So, which is it? Is Islais Creek named learn more, visit www.GlenParkHistory. Islais Creek is Said to Have Received Francisco Presidio and Mission Dolores for the cherry, or Juan Bautista Anza’s org. The Glen Park Neighborhoods Name From His Ancestors.” As told in 1776. Therefore, Juan Bautista Anza nephew? Given the similarity in the History Project meets four times a year in the article, 74-year-old Florencio was Florencio’s great-grand-uncle. pronunciations of “islay” or “slay” for and offers a portfolio of history walks Yslas, a member of a prominent fam- Florencio had claimed the creek was the cherry and “yslas” for the boy, it to choose from. Join the mailing list: ily of early California, had claimed to named for his grandfather. That would may be that both derivations are cor- [email protected]. S 10 Glen Park News | Spring 2020 Glen Park Responds to COVID Crisis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 When tech workers and others started telecommuting from home, a few local businesses saw an upswing. Lunch-time sandwich sales increased noticeably, said Rick Malouf, the owner of Cheese Boutique. At Pebbles, the number of both in-house and carry-out lunches also were higher than usual, according to Claudio Waqued, who helps his son Marcello, the owner. But that wasn’t true for every- one. Tommy Baik, who owns Glen Park Cleaners, said business dropped because his clients were working from home—presumably while wear- ing casual clothes that don’t need dry cleaning. That all changed on March 16, when Mayor London Breed announced that San Francisco and other Bay Area counties were imposing a draconian stay-at-home order to minimize spread of the disease. Epidemiologists talk about “flattening the curve”—spread- ing the potential for succumbing to illness over time, crucially, to prevent a sudden spike of new cases that will The empty sidewalk in front of Cuppa, above, and the boarded-up overwhelm the medical system. That is windows at Glen Park Station, right. the aim of the new rules. Photos by Liz Mangelsdorf The order directed everyone to stay at home as much as possible, and vidually owned businesses, this has fluctuate day by day, those at greatest risk—anyone over 65 been a difficult and confusing time. and sometimes hour or with an underlying condition that Manhal Jweinat, owner of Manzoni, by hour, depending might make a virus infection lethal— Le P’tit Laurent and Higher Grounds, on when deliveries to stay at home at all times. There were decided to shut all three of his eating come in. exceptions for all but the most at-risk: spots on March 14. Cuppa down- Joseph Tingin, You can shop for food or medicine, or shifted to takeout only, then closed manager of Glen go to the bank or the gas station. But altogether. Win Garden, the Chinese Park Hardware, virtually all other in-person business restaurant closed, and One Waan, the spent a recent day and work came to a halt. City govern- Thai one, switched to takeout, as did restocking shelves ment in San Francisco also is up and Bello coffee house. and showing cus- running, with a priority on essentials, Canyon Market kept its doors open tomers where clean- such as police, fire, medical, street and reserved its first hour of business, ing products and cleaning, public works construction 7 a.m.–8 a.m., for seniors, complete disinfectants were and animal care. with the 10 percent discount that nor- located. He said St. John Catholic School closed mally applies only three days a week. there had been a run when the Bay Area diocese shut all “Seniors are able to shop when the on hand sanitizer, 90 of its schools on March 12. Glen store is less busy, and recently after the which they hadn’t Park Elementary and Dolores Huerta store gets cleaned at night,” said Janet been able to replen- Elementary closed when City public Tarlov, who co-owns the market with ish, but that they schools were shut down March 16. The her husband Richard. had other cleaning Glen Park Library first cut its group On the day before the mandatory supplies. programs, then closed altogether. Rec closures took effect, Canyon customers As the crisis con- and Park cancelled all public classes lined up to be admitted, so that not tinues, keep in mind and organized events in Glen Canyon too many of them crowded the narrow that what was true, Park, although the trails remain open aisles. But people were clearly stocking or the best possible for hikers and people walking their up—the paper goods and dairy shelves information, as this dogs. The library and recreation center had plenty of bare space, and a lot of story was written may well be out of hours or restrictions.) were opened for emergency child care fresh vegetable bins were picked over. date as new developments overtake us This is hard on everybody, but the for City employees required to work The inventory at the market, as well as all. Before you set out to shop, call goal is to keep us all as healthy as pos- in the emergency and for low-income grocery stores across the city, including your places of destination to make sible. And we in Glen Park are not families. the Safeways on Monterey and in the sure they’re open. (Many websites alone. Everyone everywhere is going For a neighborhood of small, indi- Diamond Heights shopping center, have not been updated to reflect new through this, too S. Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 11 SOTA Cyclists Pedal Towards the Future

ver 45 days and 3,350 miles the largest yet undertaken by SOTA’s this summer, eight students Leadership Club, whose students orga- Ofrom the Ruth Asawa San nize wilderness expeditions like treks Francisco School of the Arts at the top in Mt. Diablo State Park and along the of Glen Canyon plan to spread their John Muir Trail. environmental message While doing everything they can to by of “pedaling towards keep expenses down, they still need to Bonnee the future.” That future raise money for the cross-country trip Waldstein would see a healthier and are relying mainly on GoFundMe planet, the result of donations plus individual contribu- promoting sustainable transportation, tions. lowering greenhouse gases and com- The adult sponsor and chaperon bating climate change. of the students on the adventure will The students hope to grab a lot of be outdoorsman Andy Padlo, SOTA’s attention for the global issue of climate European literature teacher. All crew change by taking on this major non- members will ride their own standard academic test. touring bike, and will need to carry up Bike wheels will start spinning the to 40 pounds of their personal supplies morning of June 5 at Ocean Beach. and some group gear. Averaging 85 miles a day, with stops To prepare for the ride, the students The SOTA bike crew rests during an overnight practice ride. for overnight camping, the group plans will be biking as much as they can Photo courtesy of Emmet Forde to reach New York City on July 27. while keeping up with their studies. The weary travelers will relax for three Although his family owns a car, Emmet the effects of climate change, they want “We are seeking to expand our world days on the Amtrak train that will will bike to and from school every day. to see efforts to mitigate that damage. view by seeing parts of the country we bring them and their gear home. In an interview with the SF Bike They also want to encourage young wouldn’t be likely to see otherwise,” The ride is being organized and led Coalition, Emmet observed that the people to get outside and be physically said Emmet, “which we know can help by Glen Park resident Emmet Forde, trip represents work toward a future active, and to venture beyond their to inform our own activism and help a 17-year-old senior at SOTA, who is that is brighter, safer and healthier comfort zone as they take a step toward push efforts to understand each other studying technical theater and work- for young people, one that values adulthood. Along the way, they will be in an increasingly divided nation.” ing part-time at Destination Bakery on those goals above fossil fuel interests. welcoming other young people to join You can follow their journey on Chenery Street. The challenge is by far Knowing their future will be shaped by them in a section of the ride. Instagram: @youthbikeamerica. S Shopping in the Age of a Public Health Emergency he morning chill was still upon Over the course of the hour people stepped up to keep the store running. “Our staff is putting themselves out Glen Park on the morning of entered and exited. Tarlov stood at “No one asked our staff to be an there,” she said. “The Glen Park com- T March 24, when the line started the Diamond Street entrance, greet- essential service, but they are and they munity spirit is evident and it’s heart- forming outside of Canyon Market. ing shoppers and using a towel and are amazing,” she said. “The challenge ening that most everyone is respect- By 6:50 a.m. shop- a bucket of heavy-duty food-grade is to balance this service while helping fully working together, especially since by pers over age 65 began sanitizer to clean the handles of shop- make our staff and the public as safe as there is no reason to believe matters Murray queueing up outside, ping baskets before handing them to possible during this health crisis.” will change soon.” S Schneider in the second week of customers. the market’s 7–8 a.m. The store keeps a large sign by the senior citizen shopping hour. entrance telling incoming customers Wearing a French beret, a puffy what has sold out. Sometimes it has coat and boots to ward off the chill, included bread, eggs, milk and flour, co-owner Janet Tarlov played host to but what’s available changes daily. seniors who’d social-distanced them- Canyon Market is also learning new selves by six feet while waiting in line. habits. “We no longer serve hot soup,” At exactly 7 a.m. she opened the Tarlov said. “Now we list the soups of doors. the day and customers must go to the An older woman asked Tarlov if deli to request them.” she’d be checking identification. By the time this reporter and his wife “It’s the honor system,” Tarlov left the store, hefting three stuffed-to- answered. “I trust everyone.” the-brim cloth bags, it was 7:28 a.m. Later that afternoon, on the tele- and there were at least 25 people cir- phone, she clarified: “If a pregnant cling the aisles or waiting to check out. young woman walked in,” she said, “I Everyone shopping during the early- wouldn’t stop her.” morning hour got a senior discount, The store is keeping its Wilder even though it was a Tuesday, because Street door locked so it can limit the the discount has been extended to the number of shoppers in the store at any senior hour every day. The sign on Canyon Market's doors, announcing the seniors-only shopping hours. one time. Tarlov said her employees have Photo by Murray Schneider 12 Glen Park News | Spring 2020 Jazz Tradition Lives on at Bird & Beckett essica Levant makes a habit of crisscrossing San Francisco, J sometimes two or three times a week, looking for jazz joints and dive bars where she can by hear incomparable West Murray Coast jazz and bebop. Schneider Levant frequents supper clubs such as Bix’s and Feinstein’s and bars such as the Saloon and the Lucky Horseshoe. On Dec. 13 she staked out another favorite haunt—Bird & Beckett’s post- age stamp-size performance stage—to listen to Eric Shifrin front Eric & the In Crowd. “Bird & Beckett is in a neighbor- hood,” Levant told the Glen Park News. “It brings a sense of community to people, and owner Eric Whittington is especially personal. He knows your name, and on top of that he’s passion- ate about jazz.” Levant, whose photographs have hung at the San Francisco Women Artists Gallery in the Inner Sunset, has compiled two books on local jazz musicians and clubs where they hone Howie Dudune and Chuck Peterson at Bird & Beckett in 2014. Photo by Murray Schneider their chops. She’s a lifetime jazz buff, whose opinions on the quintessential “You go to Bird & Beckett to be pianist for 15 years. Shifrin is one music to the late saxophonist Ralph American musical genre are respected interactive, to listen to jazz in an inti- of 250 elite musicians Levant and Carney, a revered sideman. Carney in Bay Area jazz circles. mate setting,” she said. “The interac- contributor Linda McGilvray photo- had performed with Tom Waits, and “I ushered at SFJAZZ for eight years tion between seasoned players, even graphed and profiled in a two-volume recorded with Neko Case, k.d. lang, at the Masonic Auditorium and Herbst if they haven’t played together before, work, "San Francisco Bay Area Jazz Laura Veirs and Elvis Costello. Hall,” she said. “But I prefer watching creates an experience both visual and and Bluesicians." Carney’s career underscores Ethel music at clubs and bars. I want to hear auditory.” Whittington weighed in on Shifrin’s Merman’s advice: “I just pick up an and interact with musicians and listen “I like to sit in Eric’s bookstore and I pedigree, saying, “He’s like Mose instrument and blow,” he’d said. to them interact with one another.” enjoy players saying to another, ‘What Allison, Dr. John and Albert Ammons.” Carney performed with Shifrin doz- Whittington, proprietor of Bird & key are we playing?’ Or simply over- Shifrin had dedicated the evening’s CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE Beckett Books and Records since 1999, hearing the patter with one another receives die-hard neighborhood sup- between numbers.” port. He runs his business as a 501(c) The night she attended, Shifrin and (3) nonprofit, the Bird & Beckett Rick Elmore, the band’s trombon- Cultural Legacy Project. In addition ist, played off one another, verbally to selling books, LPs and CDs, he also as well as musically. Elmore recalled sponsors book launches and poetry Little Willie John, a bluesman whose readings to celebrate the written word. R&B career was cut short because of He has cultivated a cozy jazz vibe, an explosive temper. It landed Little moving bookshelves around and set- Willie in the penitentiary after he com- ting out folding chairs for his music mitted a homicide. Elmore went on to audiences. And he lines up jazz and tell the audience, which was hooked, blues musicians who have few peers. that it was like the time Dick Cavett The bookstore’s jazz connoisseurs, interviewed Ethel Merman and asked like Levant, know their music. Until the her what was the secret of her success. Covid-19 shutdown, Bird & Beckett “Repeat bookings,” the Broadway hadn’t missed offering a Friday night of musical actress had replied. jazz in two decades. Whittington asks “We’re just working musicians,” his audience for donations to “help pay Elmore told the audience. “We keep the band.” playing gigs.” “You go to SFJAZZ and see Dave Shifrin was now well into his first Brubeck, Etta James and Ruth Brown, set, ending the final notes of Bob as I did, and you’re in a concert setting,” Dorough’s “Devil May Care.” There’s said Jessica Levant. “You’re receiving nothing minor league about Shifrin, and the musicians are giving.” who was the Fairmont Hotel house Eric Shifrin and Jessica Levant at Bird & Beckett. Photo by Murray Schneider Spring 2020 | Glen Park News 13 Jazz Tradition Lives on at Bird & Beckett CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE “Pianist Frank Jackson and guitarist ens of times. “Ralph and I played Eddie Duran are in the second row,” together in a band called EaR Candy. said Whittington. “In the fourth row Ralph named it for Eric and Ralph. are alto Bishop Norman Williams and Get it? EaRCandy,” Shifrin said. “We drummer Benny Barth. Pianist, com- played together, oh, over 25 times in poser and jazz historian Don Alberts dive bars like The Lucky Horseshoe is in the fifth row, and bassist Chuck and the Rite Spot Cafe.” Metcalf is in the seventh row.” Taped on the Bird & Beckett window Shifrin delights in telling a story is a photograph of Bay Area jazz musi- about Vernon Alley. cians taken in front of San Francisco “I played maybe five years at the City Hall. It’s an homage to the classic House of Shields on New Montgomery 1958 Esquire photo “A Great Day in Street,” Shifrin said. “Probably around Harlem,” by photographer Art Kane 1995, Vernon drops by and we invite - on a Harlem front stoop at 17 East him to sit in.” He smiled at the recol- 126th St. lection. “I made sure to play above my Sitting in the front row is former everyday level. San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, “The drinkers were doing a lot of jab- surrounded by local music legends. bering,” Shifrin said. “Vernon stopped Jimbo Edwards sits in the front row and told them, ‘Something important next to Sonny Buxton. Edwards ran is happening here.’” Jimbo’s Bop City, a Fillmore District Whittington has seen his own club where Billie Holiday and John changes after 21 years in Glen Park. Coltrane once performed. John Handy In the past decade, two part-time is there, as is guitarist Eddie Duran, book store clerks have departed. who played sets with Blanche Bibb passed away, and Loretta and a very young at the Say Marcel moved to Portland, Ore., where When Club in the 1950s. So is Vernon Ralph Carney died at age 61, after sus- Alley, who is seated next to fellow San taining an injury in a fall at his home. Franciscan Duran in the second row. Drummer Jimmy Ryan and horn Alley played at the 1959 Monterey player Howie Dudune died, and blues Jazz Festival with Coleman Hawkins, vocalist Dorothy Lefkovits moved to Ben Webster and Roy Eldridge and, New Jersey. Tenor saxophonist Chuck like Eric Shifrin, was a fixture at the Peterson relocated to Santa Rosa. Ralph Carney, photographed in 2015 by Jessica Levant. Fairmont Hotel. Bird & Beckett is a third place—that “In that photograph, which was is, neither home nor work. It’s embroi- date, Jimmy Ryan would spend the took it. Blackman picked up a cornet taken in 1999, the month Bird & dered into the fabric of Glen Park, next day practicing at his house across and quipped, “This is going to be a Beckett opened, are some of the play- a cultural phenomenon where music I280 in the Excelsior. Chuck Peterson culture shock!” ers who performed in the bookstore,” aficionados can assemble and enjoy a on Arlington Street would do the Then he took a place next to bassist said Whittington. “Sadly, many are quintessential American art form. same. While Whittington didn’t dis- Nathan. gone now.” After a Friday night Bird & Beckett cover either, he provided a space to The jabber among the musicians hit showcase each of them. high notes. Wright volunteered that “If Jessica Levant turned up again at I Can Be with You One Hour Tonight” Bird & Beckett on Jan. 24 to hear was a favorite tune. Later, about “Down Grant Levin, then again on Jan. 31 in the Alley,” she doubled down, saying to hear the Macy Blackman Trio. “We haven’t done this in an eternity,” Blackman, whom Whittington which egged Blackman to rib, “We’ve describes as Fats Domino meets been together for 13 years. That’s an Professor Longhair, was backed eternity.” by tenor sax player Nancy Wright Nathan didn’t take second fiddle. and on bass by the ubiquitous “You’ve heard of mindfulness; this is Bing Nathan. The threesome went mindlessness,” he joshed through two sets of New Orleans At the set break, Blackman, took a ragtime, covering King Oliver and drink from a water bottle and surveyed James P. Johnson. the milling throng. “There aren’t any Between numbers Wright spot- places like this to play anymore,” he ted Eric Shifrin, who’d dropped by told the Glen Park News. “That’s why to pay his respects and who’d cam- it’s important. ouflaged himself between Elmore “Besides, every time I come here, I Leonard and Dennis Lehane. buy stuff!” “You never know who’s going to Earlier, Jessica Levant emailed a sim- walk into Bird & Beckett,” Wright ilar refrain: “Playing jazz in a bookstore Macy Blackman Trio, with Nancy Wright, Eric Shifrin, Macy Blackman, and Bing Nathan at quipped. is the perfect thing—if you can swing the book and jazz venue in January. Photo courtesy of Jessica Levant Blackman vacated his stool. Shifrin it!” S 14 Glen Park News | Spring 2020 S GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE S

lthough I’m not one to toot Single-Family Homes increase of 4.5 percent over 2018) my own horn, I still want Average Sale Price: $2,013,811 (an to share that in January, at a ADDRESS SALE DATE DOM LIST PRICE SALE PRICE SP/LP increase of 2.3 percent over 2018) A 159 Laidley St. 11/5/19 0 $1,999,000 $2,700,000 135.07% wonderful gala at the Palace of Fine Average Days on Market: 25 Arts, I was installed as president of the 66 Sussex St. 11/6/19 26 $3,500,000 $3,500,000 100.00% Average Price per square foot: $1,012 San Francisco Association of Realtors 52 Harper St. 11/12/19 4 $1,275,000 $1,510,000 118.43% If you would like a full copy of the stats for San Francisco, which also by for 2020. I am honored 55 Sussex St. 11/12/19 14 $1,495,000 $1,850,000 123.75% Marc and humbled to repre- 1716 Sanchez St. 11/14/19 45 $1,995,000 $1,995,000 100.00% includes condos and breakdowns by Dickow sent my fellow Realtors 1753 Noe St. 12/2/19 5 $4,995,000 $4,995,000 100.00% district, feel free to email me your in our wonderful city. request at [email protected] and I’ll 845 Chenery St. 12/6/19 28 $2,395,000 $2,650,000 110.65% While my duties include traveling all send you a copy of the report. over the country each month, I will still 185 Beacon St. 12/11/19 14 $2,495,000 $2,950,000 118.24% Predictions for 2020: I predict be representing my clients in the sale 56 Conrad St. 12/16/19 19 $1,688,000 $1,648,800 97.68% that we’ll continue to see conservative and purchase of their homes. 37 Chenery St. 12/20/19 61 $1,550,000 $1,575,000 101.61% appreciation in home prices, as we did I’m often asked if I like what I do, 10 Mercato Ct. 12/23/19 0 $1,795,000 $1,800,000 100.28% in 2019. We had overall appreciation of and I can say without hesitation that I 135 Stillings Ave. 12/27/19 12 $1,095,000 $1,200,000 109.59% 2.3 percent last year, so I expect it to be love it. Thank you to so many of you 250 Beacon St. 1/13/20 0 $4,500,000 $4,990,000 110.89% similar in 2020—2 to 4 percent. for all your support over the years. 91 Whitney St. 2/11/20 12 $1,295,000 $1,635,000 126.25% So the question is: Is this a normal The Recent Market: This is the market? Well, what’s normal in this city? 536 Chenery St. 2/12/20 14 $1,095,000 $1,335,000 121.92% time when I wrap up the previous But having watched the real estate year and give you all the interesting Condominiums/Multi Unit Buildings market for the better part of 30 years, numbers. Before I do that, let’s take a ADDRESS SALE DATE DOM LIST PRICE SALE PRICE SP/LP this is what I would consider a stable look at the previous quarter. Between 4 Joost Ave. #2 - 11/4/19 41 $729,000 $760,000 104.25% and healthy real estate market. Solid Nov. 4 and Feb. 16, 20 homes were Condominium appreciation at a steady rate. This makes sold in Glen Park. The median sale 1883 Church St. - 11/22/19 60 $1,895,000 $1,850,000 97.63% for much more affordable housing over- price for a single-family home here was 2-unit Building all. Interest rates continue to play a big $1,850,000; the median list price was 691-699 Chenery 12/26/19 190 $2,795,000 $2,400,000 85.87% factor as they have come down a full $1,795,000. St. - 3-unit Mixed percentage point from a year ago. The Use Building The average overbid was about 9 per- Federal Reserve recently lowered the 1849 Church St. - 12/31/19 14 $1,795,000 $2,025,000 112.81% cent over the asking price. The median 4-unit Building prime rate, and we are unlikely to see price per square foot is still hovering any rate increases in 2020. 216 Roanoke St. - 2/4/20 87 $799,000 $818,000 102.38% just over $1,000. The average days on Condominium In the meantime, enjoy the spring- market was 17, unchanged from the time weather, and I’ll see you in the DOM - Days on market SP/LP - % over or under list price previous quarter. Over all, it was a very neighborhood! active period with a good amount of I’m pleased that this is an interactive inventory coming onto the market. Average List Price: $1,763,101 average list and sale price were down a column answering questions that you As of this writing, there are 10 homes Average Sale Price: $1,965,274 bit from 2018. Still amazing numbers, have and writing about topics that are for sale in Glen Park. Currently there Average Days on Market: 24 considering that five years ago the aver- of interest to you as a reader. You can are 1,056 active listings in the city, Average Price per square foot: $1,156 age sale price was $1,491,000. That’s send any questions or topic requests to which is just about what it was during How does this compare to 2018? an increase in value of 31 percent in me at [email protected]. the last quarter. That’s a lot of homes Total Number of Homes Sold in Glen just five years. compared to what we’ve seen over the Park: 63 How do Glen Park’s numbers com- Marc Dickow, a Glen Park resident, is the past couple years. Average List Price: $1,991,758 pare to the rest of the city as a whole? Broker/Owner at Core7 Real Estate. He Now, let’s take a look at the numbers Average Sale Price: $2,180,376 Here are the numbers for 2019 for all is also the president of the San Francisco from 2019 as a whole, for single-family Average Days on Market: 21 of San Francisco: Association of Realtors for 2020. He can homes in Glen Park: Average Price per square foot: $1,206 Total Number of Homes Sold in San be reached at [email protected], or by Total Number of Homes Sold in Glen Comparing year to year, the number Francisco: 2,172 phone at 415-722-4018. His website is Park: 69 (up 9 percent from 2018) of homes sold was up a bit in 2019. The Average List Price: $1,851,316 (an www.altrockrealtor.com.

Marc Dickow (CAL MedianBRE #01870650) SalesOffice: (415)Price 722-4018 Marc Dickow (CALMedian BRE #01870650) SalesOffice: (415)Price 722-4018 Marc Dickow (CALMedian BRE #01870650) SalesOffice: (415)Price 722-4018 Broker, Partner - Core7 Real Estate Cell: (415) 722-4018 Broker, Partner - Core7 Real Estate Cell: (415) 722-4018 Broker, Partner - Core7 Real Estate Cell: (415) 722-4018 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] San Franciscowww.core7realestate.com/marc Glen Parkwww.core7realestate.com/marc Sunnysidewww.core7realestate.com/marc Median Sales Price Median Sales Price Median Sales Price San Francisco County Glen Park Sunnyside $1.8M $1.9M $1.5M

$1.4M

$1.6M $1.8M $1.3M

$1.2M

$1.4M $1.7M

$1.1M

$1.0M $1.2M $1.6M

$0.9M

$1.0M $1.5M $0.8M 1-2015 1-2016 1-2017 1-2018 1-2019 1-2020 1-2017 1-2018 1-2019 1-2020 1-2015 1-2016 1-2017 1-2018 1-2019 1-2020 San Francisco County: Single Family Glen Park: Single Family Sunnyside: Single Family Each data point is three months of activity. Data is from February 18, 2020. Each data point is 12 months of activity. Data is from February 18, 2020. Each data point is 12 months of activity. Data is from February 18, 2020. All data from the San Francisco MLS. InfoSparks © 2020 ShowingTime. All data from the San Francisco MLS. InfoSparks © 2020 ShowingTime. All data from the San Francisco MLS. InfoSparks © 2020 ShowingTime.