Gpn Fall 2007

Fall 2007

GLEN PARK NEWS Volume 25, No. 3

Official Newspaper of the Glen Park Association www.glenparkassociation.org

Published Quarterly

SFPD Station House Shuffle: Grotty Potties! City Vows Glen Park Gets New Captain Rec Center Improvements Capt. Paul C. Chignell, the popular commanding officer of the SFPDʼs Ingleside Staby tion since 2004, has been Rachel Gordon transferred to a new command, the Taraval Station, by Chief Heather Fong. The chief tapped Capt. Denis OʼLeary to take command of Ingleside Station. The move, announced at our press deadline Friday afternoon, Sept.7, was to take effect Sept. 15. Ingleside Station covers Glen Park, Sunnyside, Bernal Heights, Diamond Heights and several other neighborhoods including the high-crime Sunnydale near the Cow Palace. Their reassignments were part of a larger group of unexpected transfers in that rank. The job of station captain is

considered a plum assignment in the San Francisco Police Department, but also one of the most difficult. The captains often serve as the public face of the department, juggling the demands of residents, merchants, special-interest activists, elected leaders at City Hall, police brass and the men and women who serve under their command. By nature, it is a high-pressure job that requires political deftness and dexterity. Chignell, whose taste for politics is evident—he once served as mayor of San Anselmo in Marin County—said the Ingleside assignment has been the most rewarding of his police career. “I must say that in the three years and five months that I have had the CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Chenery Residents Help Nab Strong-Arm Robbery Suspect There are a thousand stories in the naked city. This is one of them. It was June 21, a sunny afternoon. A woman was walking on the 200 block of by Elizabeth Chenery when she heard Weise someone come up from behind her. She thought he only wanted to get by and moved out of his way. Instead, he grabbed her purse. The victim, despite the pain in her arm from having it violently jerked, ran after the man yelling for help. The suspect, identified by police as Julio Ramirez, began to rifle through her purse as he fled. At that moment, Glen Park Association membership secretary Heather World was walking along the 100

block of Chenery street toward her home. In the distance, she heard the woman screaming for help. One block up, she saw a man running toward her, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Entering the Glen Park Recreation Center public bathrooms long has been one of those hold-your-nose propositions, an urban by Rachel adventure not for thrill Gordon seekers but for those left with few alternatives. “I had to go to the bathroom, and I was shocked. It was so substandard,” said John Zaugg, a retired graphic designer who visited the menʼs room for the first time in late June when he was on a four-hour outing at Glen Canyon Park as an assignment for a watercolor class he was taking through City College. He returned the next day, this time with a digital camera, to document the filth. Human excrement and urine splattered the toilet and urinal, graffiti marred the walls, and toilet paper littered the floor. “It was appalling,” said Zaugg, a 66-year-old resident of the Upper Haight who soon contacted Bevan Dufty, Glen Parkʼs representative on the Board of Supervisors. Dufty contacted the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which responded with an explanation that there was a shortage of custodians. Translation: The park bathrooms were

Glen Park Association Meeting Notice Tuesday, October 9, 2007, 7 p.m. St. John’s School, 925 Chenery St. Meet Our New Police Captain, Denis O’Leary, at 7:00 BART Officials Discuss Plans for Glen Park BART Development at 7:30

Disgusting.

Photo by John Zaugg

rarely cleaned—a sorry state of affairs for the tiny tots, basketball players, dog walkers, tennis players, joggers, nature lovers, baseball players and picnickers who visit the popular park. But there is good news. And his name is Glen Loi, a Recreation and Park Department custodian who was transferred in August to the Glen Park Rec Center from Portsmouth Square in Chinatown. “Now weʼre getting the bathrooms cleaned every day,ʼʼ said Glen Park rec director Allison Kent. “You come in here in the morning and the first thing you smell is bleach. Thereʼs a big difference.ʼʼ Loi, who works Monday through Friday, isnʼt at Glen Park rec center every day, but is there most days heʼs on the clock. For instance, he was assigned to work at Balboa Park one recent shift, he said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Glen Park News

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From the Editors Help Plan Your Neighborhood Itʼs been four years since the San Francisco Planning Department endorsed the Glen Park Neighborhood Plan, a document hashed out at a series of workshops attended by residents, local business owners and representatives from various city, regional and state government agencies. The process, according to city planners, was a community effort in which participants “worked hard to resolve existing traffic, transit and parking problems, improve connections and pedestrian safety, enhance local business vitality, build transit-served housing and explore ways of retaining the beloved character of Glen Park into the future.” Turning that grand vision into reality has a long way to go, and once again city planners are looking to the Glen Park community for help. A pub-

Glen Park News

2912 Diamond St. #407 San Francisco, CA 94131 (415) 908-6728 [email protected]

Editor-in-Chief Deputy Editor Photo Editor Design Editor Copy Editor Advertising

Elizabeth Weise Rachel Gordon Liz Mangelsdorf Mary Mottola Denis Wade Nora Dowley

Reporters

Dolan Eargle Ashley Hathaway Miriam Moss Paula Levine Joanna Pearlstein Karen Peteros Emma Bland Smith Bonnie Wach Bonnee Waldstein

Columnists

Vince Beaudet Jean Conner Susan Evans Ric López Michael Walsh

Photographers

Ellen Rosenthal Michael Waldstein John Zaugg

lic meeting is tentatively scheduled for December—date, time and location to be determined—to remind people whatʼs in the plan and to give them a chance to weigh in with new concerns and ideas. The timing of the forum comes before the City is set to commence drafting an environmental impact report that will look at how the proposals in the plan will impact everything from traffic flow to open space. The City will contract with a consultant to conduct the environmental assessment. Eventually, the goal is to incorporate the Glen Park Community Plan into a more formal “Area Plan”ʼ and eventually into the Cityʼs General Plan that serves as a guide to development and preservation in San Francisco. The General Plan covers a broad range of areas, from air quality and transportation to commerce and housing. The environmental impact report is not expected to be completed for another year or so. Meanwhile, in addition to the meeting planned for December, the City plans to hold at least two other public forums over the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Fall 2007

Glen Park Association News I have read thousands of words about what happens to cars when they are not moving, when we “park” them. Even the word park by is a bit ambiguous. Is it Michael open space with grass Rice and paths? Is it a line of four-wheeled vehicles almost blocking your driveway? Linguistically, itʼs the same word, according to my unabridged dictionary—an enclosure set aside for public use or for military equipment or for cars. When the Glen Park Marketplace was proposed, many in the neighborhood wanted to see more parking. When the Glen Park Association worked with the City to tighten parking controls on Bosworth Street, we heard complaints about loss of spaces near BART for commuters. With more restaurants open in Glen Park, where will the patrons park? Is a one-off-street-space-perunit requirement enough parking for housing? If BART develops its Glen Park parking lot, what happens to the 54 public spaces? Iʼve written before about the walkability of our neighborhood, our transit connections, our urban village, but my wife and I do use our car for errands in

The mission of the Glen Park Association is to promote the collective interests of all persons living in Glen Park, to inform and educate about neighborhood and citywide issues, to promote sociability and friendships and to support beneficial neighborhood projects.

GPA Board of Directors and Officers for 2007 President

Michael Rice 337-9894 [email protected] Vice-President Jeff Britt 239-4347 [email protected] Treasurer Dennis Mullen 239-8337 Recording Secretary Kim Watts 902-4767 Corresponding Secretary Tiffany Farr 215-2320 Membership Secretary Heather World [email protected] Health & Environment Michael Ames [email protected] Neighborhood Improvement John Walmsley 452-0277 Glen Park News Elizabeth Weise 908-6728 [email protected] Public Safety Volunteer needed [email protected] Recreation & Park Richard Craib 648-0862 Traffic, Parking & Transportation Volunteer needed [email protected] Zoning & Planning D. Valentine [email protected] Program Volunteer needed

Glen Park and around San Francisco. Sometimes we make decisions on movies based on the parking expectations. We have “secret” blocks for easy parking, in such neighborhoods as West Portal, the Castro, the Inner Sunset and the Haight. Well, no, I havenʼt figured out a secret parking spot in the Haight. I donʼt hide my bias for diverse mixes of land uses vs. a lot of parking. I donʼt think we want Glen Park to look like the Diamond Heights Shopping Center, or have a big garage. Letʼs keep open minds on parking, as the City and BART move ahead on plans around the village, the BART station and the BART lot. The BART lot has been a good reservoir of parking for the merchants, BART travelers and shoppers, for a long time. I have already heard strong opinions in favor of the parking as is, and concerns on the scale and density of any new development. Others envision a site that can become part of the neighborhood and less of a blacktop space. There will be lots of discussion, opinions, studies and public reviews before those decisions are made. The Glen Park Association always will take an active role in the dialogue on the future of parking in the neighborhood. Michael Rice is president of the Glen Park Association

Join the Glen Park Association Only $10 per person. PO Box 31292 San Francisco, CA 94131 or online at www.glenparkassociation.org

Glen Park News The Glen Park News is published quarterly by the Glen Park Association. Signed articles are the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Glen Park Association. To advertise in the Glen Park News call 908-6728 or e-mail advertising@ glenparkassociation.org.

Fall 2007

Letter to the Editor This letter was sent in response to Glen Park Association President Michael Riceʼs column in the Summer 2007 Glen Park News. I read your article about “New Urbanism” or “Urbanism” in the summer Glen Park News. You are correct; we do have a great neighborhood to maintain, but I question why it needs to grow. For instance, this BART proposal to jam 50 to 60 housing units onto the BART parking lot brings up two questions: One, does Mr. Radulovich realize the parking problem? The fact that the owners of Canyon Market have to ask for volunteers to deliver groceries reminds me of a meeting I attended where a young woman said she “could hardly wait to walk to a grocery store.” Two, does he have a secret water supply, or hasnʼt he heard the dire prognostications about next yearʼs water availability? We have to ask ourselves about some of the proposals that have been floated about “improving” our neighborhood. Would we be better off if the Crosstown Freeway or the widening of OʼShaughnessy Boulevard had taken place in the 1960s? City Hallers thought it a great idea. The people who lived in Walnut Creek thought it a great idea. One lingering reminder of a commuter-friendly city is the traffic light at Elk and Bosworth. It certainly does not favor the natives. BART itself constitutes a mixed blessing. Yes, we can zip downtown or to the airport. But it has, if not created the parking problem, certainly exacerbated it. Pay to park in front of your house—this is inprovment?

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Has moving St. Johnʼs School from St. Maryʼs Park to its present location helped the neighborhood? One questions how many children from Glen Park actually attend the school when every school morning and afternoon a parade of cars goes up and down Chenery and Burnside streets. The school administration does a good job of controlling the traffic but putting the school there displaced many old-time residents. Does having a nursery school in the Park improve the neighborhood? No other place could be found? Good things: The FACE program in the ʼ60s helped many Glen Park residents bring their homes up to code and prevent Redevelopment (aka, move you out, tear down your home, put something else there). That, coupled with with Proposition 13, allowed many older—or not very rich—people to remain in their homes. Actually, Glen Park was very nice as a “bucolic backwater” of the city! Joan Seiwald Longtime Resident Editorʼs Note: Ms. Seiwald has outstanding credentials for critiquing Glen Park neighborhood development proposals. She was one of three women derisively dubbed “the gum tree girls” for their efforts to block the proposed crosstown freeway, which would have wiped out groves of eucalyptus as it soared above Glen Canyon Park. She and her fellow activists are largely responsible for saving the “village” ambience we take for granted today. The “freeway revolt” led by Seiwald, Zoanne Nordstrom and Jerry Arkush is described in Emma Bland Smithʼs new “Images of America” book, San Franciscoʼs Glen Park and Diamond Heights, available at Bird and Beck-

Glen Park News

ett Books and Records. Under the Federally Assisted Code Enforcement (FACE) program, every residence in a FACE district was to be brought up to code, under City supervision. Low-interest loans were available for owners who couldnʼt afford the work. Glen Park and Bernal Heights each had a FACE district. n ���������������

Note from Editors CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

next year on the future of the neighborhood, said Charles Rivasplata, the new Glen Park project planner. The Glen Park News urges people to pay attention and get involved. If youʼre concerned about pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, housing density, the viability of the Glen Park commercial corridor or any and all related issues, the Glen Park Community Plan is a good place to start. For more information, check out the City web site, http://www.sfgov.org, and type “Glen Park Plan” in the search engine. Rivasplata said heʼd also be happy to field questions. His direct line is 558-6255. A lot has happened in Glen Park since the Community Plan was hatched—and a lot more changes are in the works. The good news is that the people who live and work in our village have an opportunity to help shape our future. n

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Fall 2007

Robbery

time he finally did break away, officers a purse in his hand. Behind him came from Ingleside Station had arrived. the screaming woman. Lanir gave officers a description of The man continued running and the suspect and they found him hiding in World realized he was heading toward the bushes at the school. “As the officers a running and unoccupied Ford Escort removed the suspect from the bushes, Mr. wagon parked at the corner on Fairmount Lanir, who steadfastly remained at the Street. Police later said it was registered scene, shouted, ʻThatʼs the guy I chased,ʼ” to the suspect. says the Police Commendation. Acting entirely on instinct, World Police told the couple they plan to reached in and turned off the engine charge the man with a felony. However, before the man could reach the car. Then the hearing has been postponed twice, he came at her, trying for the keys. During World said. But in court she met another the ensuing struggle the victim, a young woman key broke off in the igniwho was mugged in tion. World threw the key Don’t mess the Excelsior. She told ring over the manʼs head, World that the thief ran to the woman whose purse with Glen Park, up to her, shook her and had been stolen. grabbed her bag. It was “He was kind of manbecause we will found in the car alleghandling me for the keys, edly parked by Ramirez and I didnʼt know what to take you down! on Fairmount Street. do!” she said. Ramirez was being The original victim then held on $150,000 bail kicked the keys under a parked van. Worldʼs at the San Francisco county jail, said assailant dropped the purse and ran off. Bilen Mesfin of the Office of the DisAs all this was happening, Worldʼs trict Attorney. husband Dan Lanir was in their dining Both World and Lanir were given room. He had heard screams and— commendations by the police depart“instinctively and without compunction,” ment for their quick work in stopping in the worlds of the Police Commenda- the world-be thief. A ceremony will be tion—ran to assist his wife when he found held soon at the Ingleside station. the man attacking her on the street. “The best part of all this is that about Ramirez tried to evade Lanir by five neighbors came out of their houses running and then hurdling a guardrail at when they heard the woman scream,” Fairmont and Arlington streets. But Lanir said World. “Iʼve said it before, and Iʼll caught up with the man in the bushes on say it again: donʼt mess with Glen Park, the sloped hillside between Arlington and because we will take you down!” San Jose Avenue. They wrestled for “a And the other best part is that the good ten minutes” World said. purse-snatch victim, reportedly visiting “Dan called for help when he saw from Canada, got her purse back thanks to two passers-by walking together, but the Glen Park residents who didnʼt hesitate the two men made moves to use cell to get involved to help a stranger. n phones for police and did nothing else,” she said. Lanir held on to the manʼs sweatshirt but he broke away and ran World was told by police that her asto the bushes at Fairmount Elementary sailant had been sentenced. However School, where he hid. at press time the District Attorneyʼs “Despite a 12-year-difference in age,” office had not been able to track down said the police report, Lanir managed to the case and confirm. We will update in delay the suspect long enough that by the the next edition of the paper.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE1

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Fall 2007

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Glen Park News

New Branch Libraryʼs Artwork Bird and Beckett on the Move; Reflects People, Places in Rich Village Volunteers Set to Help a village to move a bookstore. pared with the original 1,050, there History That Shaped Glen Park ItAttakes least in the case of Bird and Beckett will now be room for a permanent If youʼve had a chance to glance through the glass doors of our soon-to-open by new branch library, Ashley Hathaway then youʼve caught a glimpse of Glen Parkʼs past through a piece of art. On closer inspection, details in the art reveal elements unique to Glen Parkʼs history—a very crucial element for the artwork, according to Reddy Lieb and Linda Raynsford, the San Francisco artists who were chosen to create it. Lieb and Raynsford asked people from the area (Glen Park and Diamond Heights) what was most important to them, and many said that it had to be our greatest natural resource—Glen Canyon Park. Raynsford explains, “We think its important to honor the people and events that have shaped this park [and Artwork graces wall at new library. the neighborhood] and also to reflect Photo by Liz Mangelsdorf the challenging times that we live in, and the need to move out of chaos into Libraryʼs Branch Library Improvement wholeness.” Program. The primary materials are Raynsford also says they both glass and metal, in addition to paint, recognized that Glen Parkʼs history is photo silk-screened images, copper leaf interesting and diverse and varnish. Recycled and wanted to reflect materials were also that in the work. The The art reflects Glen used. artists admit that the Additional pieces are project presented its Park’s diverse and to be added to the challenges, “…yet artwork on the lower we were honored to unique history. portion of the wall do it!” once the furniture is The artwork was brought into the front commissioned by the San Francisco lobby. Upon the scheduled October 13 Arts Commissionʼs Public Art Program opening, detailed information about the as part of the San Francisco Public art and artists will be available. n

Books and Records, a shop which has developed a devoted clientele since it opened in May 1999. According to proprietor by Bonnee Eric Whittington, on the Waldstein weekend of September 22–23, the bookstore plans to move to the former Glen Park Library building at 653 Chenery St. To cover moving expenses, there were a few well-attended, very successful fundraisers. For moving day, Eric is lining up volunteers with pickup trucks and strong arms to load books into boxes, ferry them two blocks to the new location and unload them onto the shelves left by the vacating library, with perhaps a band in one of the trucks to spur productivity. In addition to the inventory at the store, Eric also has books stored in his garage, as well as in a rented storage area in South San Francisco and in crawlspace underneath the store. An interesting question is just how many books are there? “I have absolutely no idea,” answers Eric emphatically. Ericʼs vision for his new location includes more used books; more books in original languages—such as Indian, Arabic and Russian—and an overall “deepening” of his stock. He would like to import more books as well, though this might be difficult. Bird and Beckettʼs other incarnation as a cultural hub will be expanded. With the new locationʼs larger space, 1,500 square feet com-

stage, more chairs and space for lounging. Coffee and tea will be available, but Eric has no plans to turn the store into a café. The lease on the building is five years, with a few options, which Eric intends to exercise. With that security, some structural changes are planned, including a more direct, welcoming and user-friendly entryway. A building permit for that work has been applied for. Another problem to work out is how to enhance visibility despite the four trees that span the front of the property. If these issues can be successfully overcome, the added foot and vehicular traffic on Chenery Street vs. Diamond Street should result in increased business. Volunteer help in setting up has arrived from many corners of the neighborhood: Carl Scheidenhelm of SF Arc on Chenery Street is lending his professional architectural services. Collette Crutcher is creating a mosaic store sign. Neighbors Dan Richman and Bruce Helmberger are acting as general contractors, and electrician Chris Eccles is supplying his services. Paula Levine, a San Francisco State teacher, is consulting on color schemes. Once the “heavy lifting” is completed, Eric is thinking about a weeklong celebration in October, featuring music, poetry and a reunion of the volunteers who helped put it all together. Eric is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support heʼs received. n

Glen Park News

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One of the worldʼs oldest dance forms.

Fall 2007

Photo by Michael

A Lot of Shaking Going On Glen Park can boast neither colorful foreign animals nor tropiby cal splendor. But for those Bonnee seeking an exotic experiWaldstein ence, there is Tribal Belly Dancing. The class is one of many varied offerings at the Kiki-yo personal training and yoga studio on Chenery Street. One night a week for six weeks, you can discard the shackles of the humdrum workday and become immersed in shaking your hips and waving your arms to mystical music. Belly dancing is based on the social dances of North Africa and the Middle East, some of the oldest in world history. In those places both boys and girls learn it through imitating their elders, and the dances are performed at family and community functions, not in glamorous nightclubs—thatʼs a Western show business creation dating from the early 20th Century. In fact, native costumes are concealing rather than revealing, and only a scarf around the waist accents the dance movements. Sue Erokan, the instructor at Kikiyo, has a day job in the animation department of PDI Dreamworks. Her belly dancing career began 10 years ago, and she has performed at all manner of parties and festivals, bachelor parties, gay pride events, corporate affairs, even wakes. She describes the belly dancing style she teaches as tribal fusion, with Silk Road, Flamenco, Indian, Hip Hop and Modern influences. Most of the basic steps rely on isolated motions of one part of the body. This niche style actually originated in San Francisco in the early 1990s.

The most recent class had around eight participants—few enough people to get to know a bit, but a large enough group that there was hope that some clumsy missteps might go unnoticed. Everyone enjoyed the camaraderie as well as the chance to get some great exercise. As youʼd expect, most were from the neighborhood, but others came from greater distances. Heather Dever, a math textbook editor, has been following Sue for three or four years and had come all the way from Treasure Island for this class. Why learn belly dancing? Karen Goore, of Chilton Street, is a former gymnast and the mother of a 4-year-old; she wanted to do something “just for me. Itʼs addictive,” she said, “so much fun.” Debbie May of Congo Street has been repeating the class since April 2006 when her (dance-averse) husband signed her up as a birthday gift. She calls herself a “devotee,” and the class gives her the chance to dance without whining about not having a partner. Moher Downing had a stroke a year and a half ago and says, “Itʼs good to move my body like this. Itʼs helping my mental and emotional recovery.” As you do the slow, snaky taxim, the washerwoman or the ghawazee shimmy, in the dim light of the studio and with Eastern melodies filling the room, the workaday world seems very far away indeed. n Kiki-yo studio is at 605b Chenery St. Class schedules are available in a box outside the door. www.kiki-yo.com.

Fall 2007

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Community Invited to Libraryʼs Grand Opening Fete on Oct. 13 It was a bittersweet day, Saturday, Sept. 1, when the old Glen Park library said its final goodbyes. A crowd of dignitaries and by Elizabeth neighborhood library lovWeise ers crowded the smallest of all the cityʼs branches for one last look. Susan Tauber, of Glen Park Hardware, checked out the last book. There were speeches, a ceremonial emptying of the cash register by longtime clerk Precy Manalo, and then the library was locked up and with it, 29 years of library history in the building came to an end. There has been a branch of the San Francisco Public Library in the Glen Park neighborhood for more than 70 years. The first was the twelfth established in the San Francisco Public Library system; it opened in January 1927 at 700 Bosworth St. In 1964 the branch moved to 2909 Diamond St., just south of Bosworth, when the previous building was demolished during construction of Interstate 280. That site, in turn, was demolished in 1969 when the Glen Park BART station was built. The branch stood where the steps from Diamond Street down to the BART plaza are now. It next moved to 2842 Diamond at Kern Street, and then, in 1978, to its most recent home at 653 Chenery St., in quarters especially designed for the library by the owner, Wilhelm Tietz, whose son, Torr, still lives in the family home next door. Each of those locations was leased. But on Oct. 13 the Glen Park branch library will finally have a permanent home with the opening of the new

library at 2825 Diamond St. There it shares a building with the Canyon Market and residential condominiums above and behind it. But the Glen Park branch library itself, for the first time, will be owned by the City of San Francisco. Volunteers, supporters and major donors got a sneak peak of the new space on Wednesday, Sept. 5. More than 50 fanned out across the over 8,000-square-foot space, awash in natural light from a huge banks of openable windows across the buildingʼs west and north facades. That number of windows would never have even fit in the old library, several attendees noted. The new library has six times more space, two times more books (34,000 or so), twice as much staff (from four to eight) and five times as many computers (from three to 15). Look for more childrenʼs programming, including a Wednesday night Pajama Story Time, said Denise Sanderson, interim manager and childrenʼs librarian at the branch. Thereʼs also a large, glassed-in community room for meetings, activities and programs. “I canʼt wait for it to open,” said Kate Benn of Sussex Street, a library user since 1994. “Iʼm really looking forward to having the space to walk around and actually look at the books.” The Grand Opening ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Oct. 13 and will feature lion dancers, musicians, childrenʼs entertainers and a festive street fair on Diamond Street. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. Library services begin at 2 p.m. Diamond Street will be closed to through traffic between Bosworth and Chenery during the event. n

Glen Park News

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At the library preview, kids hit the books.

Photo by Denis Wade

Glen Park News

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Fall 2007

Classifieds End Homework Hassles Family time’s better spent! www.mystudybuddy.org Jane Radcliffe 415-586-4577. Charlie the Phone Guy Residence/Business/home office phone wiring. FAX/ Modem/DSL. Dead jacks made live! Remodel Planning. Free estimates. Ontime appointments. 20 years experience. 641-8654, [email protected].

About 800 Flapjacks held the bottom line.

Photo by Michael Waldstein

Pancakes and Poetry—Fundraiser Makes $2,000 Sunday morning, Aug. 12, brought typical San Francisco summer weather— gray, blustery and raw. Undeterred, some 300 people lined up on Diamond Street outside Bird and Beckett Books and Records. They were unselfishly eating pancakes to help raise by money for the bookstoreʼs Bonnee move. The event came on Waldstein the heels of another fundraiser, a poetry reading by favorites Diane di Prima and Michael McClure, which was standing-room only. The second annual pancake breakfast was a marvel of community organization and participation. Early on, the griddle was set up outside the shop and dining tables were lined up across the street. Caution tape was strung up on either side to discourage jaywalking from griddle to table. The pancakes were made from a recipe courtesy of Joe Schuverʼs Destination Bakery, mixed for the event by the expert staff at Janet and Richard Tarlovʼs Canyon Market; coffee was provided by Rick Maloufʼs Cheese Boutique. Dedicated volunteers did the cooking, cashiering, sweeping and cleaning. Owner Eric Whittington presided over the proceedings, when he wasnʼt running and fetching vats of batter and jugs of milk, juice and syrup from Canyon Market. Blanche

Bebb, Ericʼs colorful assistant, kept the coffee flowing. The crowd, though hungry, nevertheless remained patient and in good spirits as the queue moved slowly toward the griddle. They voiced unanimous sentiments of support for the continued success of an independent neighborhood bookstore in Glen Park. Adda Fleiner called it “the little bookstore that could—do it.” Wendy and Ed Ely, of Martha Avenue, showed up because, “We adore pancakes and books.” There were many from outside the neighborhood who found Bird and Beckett over the years and became regular patrons. Jim Hayes, of the Excelsior, goes to the bookshop for jazz every Friday. Gina Luzzi and Michelle Weston, of Westwood Highlands, like to hang out in Glen Park. Michael and Diane Wright have come to the bookstore from Westlake, Daly City, since they spotted the place years ago. So, how many pancakes flew off the griddle? The true answer will probably remain apocryphal—but there were nine batches of batter, each containing five pounds of flour, at two and a half gallons per batch. The rough guesstimate is 800. Will Segan was the expert batter pourer, Robert Noakes the master pancake flipper. After more than a three-hour shift without letup, both men no doubt went

to sleep that night seeing big yellow splotches before their eyes. The literary component of the pancake breakfast was a book signing by three authors of local history books: Greg Gaar, San Francisco: A Natural History, Emma Bland Smith, San Franciscoʼs Glen Park and Diamond Heights and Jacqueline Proctor, San Franciscoʼs West of Twin Peaks, all put out by Arcadia Publishing. The event was environmentally friendly, or struggled to be. Blue, black and green bins were set up to handle the waste. Many diners were seen holding their trash and eyeing the bins with a quizzical expression, before dumping all into the black bin. Sally Bland, recycling demon, hovered nearby and meticulously went through the black bin and separated the various pancake detritus into the proper bins for compost and recycling. Everyone, it seems, had a role to play. At the end, Eric cleared $2,000 beyond $800 in expenses, a tidy sum to put toward the move. The store also experienced four times as much business as on a typical day. When pressed to sum up the wildly successful occasion, Glen Park News reporter and punster Dolan Eargle cracked, “This was a case of serious panhandling!” n

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Fall 2007

Page 9

Glen Park News

Eggettes Secures New Permit; Neighborhood Fears Abated

Bistro owner Laurent Legendre, left, with patron Andrew Ross. Photo by Michael Waldstein

“Cʼest Delicieux!” Say Delighted Local Diners Le Pʼtit Laurent has only been open since July 3, but it already has regulars. Owner Laurent Legendre smiles that by Emma although he has 14 covBland eted Michelin stars under Smith his belt from his work at various elite Parisian restaurants, itʼs another French icon, the casual neighborhood bistro, that he wanted to reproduce here. In France, a bistro (on the sign itʼs spelled the French way, with a “t” at the end, which has turned out to be a conversation opener with diners) is generally considered an eatery thatʼs less formal than a restaurant, where locals drop in often and get to know the owner, and the food is comforting but high quality. From the reviews on sites like Yelp and the gossip spreading through the neighborhood (including via the Glen Park parents group), it seems that his mission is accomplished. Legendre came to the United States 12years ago, after training and working in Paris. He owned the Inner Richmond restaurants Clémentine and Bistro Clément, but sold them in 2004. Shortly after, when his wife had a baby boy (their third child), Legendre decided to stay home with the baby for one year, and take that time to look for a new restaurant location. Although he lives only five minutes away in Ingleside Terraces, when he saw the ad about the empty space in Glen Park, he asked, “Where is that?” When he got there, however, “I really liked the neighborhood,” he remembers. “It felt like a little French

village, very cute. I loved the space, too. It was a coup de cœur.” Itʼs been something like love at first sight for the locals, too. Restless with perceived delays that had kept the site vacant for over a year, Glen Parkers immediately embraced the new addition to the neighborhoodʼs dining scene. “One thing thatʼs very funny,” says Legendre, “is that people often come in to have a drink at the bar before dinner and they get to know their neighbors.” Along with his new repeat customers, loyal patrons from his Clémentine days are making the trek to Glen Park. “We have had a good response. Everybody here is very friendly, always smiling.” He stresses that families are welcome. Legendre reports that some of the most popular dishes so far are the escargots appetizer, the cassoulet, the monkfish and the rabbit. He and his chef, Soto Eliseo (previously of Fringale, Plouf and Rubicon), also develop a special three-course menu for $19.95 that changes every week (available Monday–Thursday from 5:30–7 p.m.), and plan to change the regular menu every three months, with the seasons. Some things, like the rabbit, are here to stay, though he might change the accompaniments. n

Le Pʼtit Laurent is located at 699 Chenery St. at Diamond and Wilder streets. Reservations are recommended: 3343235. Open daily for dinner starting at 5:30, and brunch on weekends from 9 a.m.–2 p.m..

The phrase “large fast food restauEggettesʼ permit was granted in rant” sent neighbors into August, and neighbors were concerned a tizzy in August when about the new designation. Some wonby Joanna a local café requested a dered if it would allow a fast-food chain Pearlstein new permit designation restaurant to move into the spot on Diafrom the city Planning mond Street if Eggettes left the neighDepartment. borhood. “People saw the words ʻlarge The café, Eggettes on Diamond fast foodʼ and thought McDonaldʼs,” Street, opened last November and Fuentes said. sells tapioca drinks, freshly cooked But thatʼs not the case, said Watty. Hong Kong-style waffles, and Asian “Neighbors should understand that if snack foods. But last year a regularly you are not a sit down restaurant and scheduled visit from the health depart- you have a big space, youʼre going to be ment revealed that considered a large the business was “People saw the words fast-food regardoperating under less.” the wrong permit, Instead, fastso the owners were ‘large fast food’ and food chain restaurequired to apply rants like McDonfor a new designaaldʼs need to go tion called “large thought McDonald’s” through a separate fast-food restaupermitting process rant.” in order to open in Food establishments in San Fran- San Francisco neighborhoods, thanks to cisco operate under one of several a new formula retail law instituted by categories, according to Elizabeth Proposition G last fall. Watty, a city planner who reviewed Under the new law, formula retail the Eggettes permit. At retail coffee stores—defined as any store with more shops, drinks may be prepared, but than 11 locations nationwide—need to not food; even a simple panini press notify the neighborhood and apply for is prohibited. At small self-service a conditional use permit before opening restaurants, food is prepared and for business. sold at a walk-up counter; pizzerias Glen Park resident Julian Gross and taquerias often operate under this said he wanted to see whether Eggdesignation. ettesʼ permit could be limited to the Large fast-food restaurants are current business, as opposed to the similar to small self-service ones: the location. But Planning Department main difference, explained Watty, is permits apply to locations, not indithat the latter designation is applied vidual businesses. to a location larger than 1,000 square If Eggettes closed, another busifeet and with more than 15 seats. The ness could open at the Eggettes locafinal restaurant designation category, tion under the same large fast-food full-service restaurant, applies to local designation without notifying the eateries like Chenery Park. neighborhood or applying for a new Eggettes began operation as a retail permit. coffee shop, though since the business But that business could not be a prepared waffles from scratch upon nationwide chain such as Burger King opening, it was operating under the unless it went through the separate perwrong permit. “There was a misunder- mit process as well. standing,” said co-owner Mark FuenFuentes said business at Eggettes tes. “Customers wanted more food, so has improved since opening last fall. instead of cutting back to just drinks [to With the new designation, the owners comply with the current permit], we plan to offer more Filipino food, addapplied for large fast food.” If Eggettes ing a fryer and an over-the-stove fan in had had fewer seats or a smaller space, coming months. it would have been categorized as small “Weʼre just trying to expand our self-service. menu and be ourselves,” said Fuentes. Watty noted that because Gialina, “If weʼd had the right guidance in the just down the block, has been operating beginning, we would have had the right as a full-service restaurant since moving permit. into the erstwhile Sunset Pizza location, “There are three of us in this busiit now needs a full-service restaurant ness,” said Fuentes. “Weʼre not big permit. corporate giants or anything.” n

Glen Park News

Page 10

Fall 2007

Police Captain Shuffle CONTINUED FROM PAGE1

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pleasure of serving the residents of and visitors to the Ingleside Police District, I have immensely enjoyed working with community organization leaders, merchants, City officials and—most importantly—the residents of the Ingleside,” he said. “In over three decades of being a San Francisco police officer I had not known the vibrancy of the many neighborhoods in the Ingleside. But I quickly found out. You are all so engaged to improve the quality of life in your communities, and the small part that I have played in enhancing that quality will never be forgotten,” he said in an e-mail message to the Ingleside community. Chignell praised his replacement as a “professional with a wealth of experience throughout many units of the San Francisco Police Department.” OʼLeary, a 26-year veteran of the department, most recently served as commanding officer at Southern Station, which is located on the ground floor of the Hall of Justice and covers the South of Market and the Embarcadero. This is his first assignment at Ingleside. In an interview with the Glen Park News he outlined his priorities. “Most importantly, I will focus on violent crime,” he said. “I will evaluate personnel levels, and staff as many foot beats as possible. I will attend as many community meetings as I can in order to hear what the residents, the merchants and the businesses have to say to the police.” OʼLeary said he hopes to continue

the daily e-mail crime report that Chignell started to alert constituents to criminal activity—from street robberies and drug dealing to traffic violations and domestic violence disputes—that occurred in the district the previous day. The reports also have provided information about ongoing and new police initiatives in the district, and have highlighted what Chignell viewed as particularly astute or heroic work by his officers. And, Chignell was known to toss in a San Francisco trivia question every now and then, announcing the answer a day or two later. “Iʼll do my best to continue the daily e-mail update,” OʼLeary said. “I start every morning reading the crime reports from the day before, so an email is a natural extension of that.” OʼLeary, who grew up in the Sunset District, is married and has three daughters. During his tenure in the SFPD he has managed the internal affairs and legal divisions and also served as commanding officer of Taraval Station. He walked beats in the Mission, Tenderloin, Polk Gulch and Western Addition Neighborhoods. Heʼs also been known to don a kilt: OʼLeary has been a bagpiper for 35 years. n

OʼLeary will meet with Glen Park residents at the Oct. 9 meeting of the Glen Park Association at St. Johnʼs School, 925 Chenery St. He is scheduled to speak at 7 p.m.

Merchantsʼ Forum An ever-changing tapestry—you can say thatʼs what living in a city is about. In Glen Park, we have enjoyed the businesses this big-hearted village has by presented, and we have Ric felt the big heartbreak López when one leaves us. We felt it when the Diamond Super burned down, and when Dr. Video closed its doors for its final show. Remember when the New Lodge ended its 25-year run? Not too long before that, on Chenery Street, the Optimum Press printing company stopped its presses, and a restaurant next door to it named Diamond Pizza made its last pizza pie. Now added to the list is Paragraph, a family-owned gift shop and boutique

on Chenery Street that will be moving to 1234 Ninth Ave. in the Inner Sunset. We will truly miss this thread woven into our neighborhood tapestry by the owners, the Viray family. So the tapestry changes with Gialina, Eggettes, Le Pʼtit Laurent, and Centered Body Pilates as the newly woven-in threads. And Bird and Beckett Books and Records and the new neighborhood library branch will be rewoven right back into the village tapestry that is Glen Park. n

Ric López, owner of Modernpast on Chenery Street, is president of the Glen Park Merchants Association.

Fall 2007

Page 11

Glen Park News

A Tail-Wagging Good Time at Benefit for Prison Puppies Hundreds of hot dogs, various gift appreciate the capacity of a dog to baskets, gift certificates, provide a connection to commuand pounds of potato nity, consistency and unconditional by salad were among the love.” Ashley many donated goodies Each puppy lives with a prisoner Hathaway that landed in the hands for 16 months and both attend classes of picnic participants at administered by Puppies Behind Bars the first-ever “Picnic for Pawsability” once a week. A few days each month held in Glen Canyon Park on Sunday, the pups go to “puppy sitters” outside June 10. the prison to be exposed to people More than 200 people attended the and things they canʼt experience in benefit BBQ, which raised $5,500 for prison—a car ride, the doorbell, a Puppies Behind Bars—a New York- busy sidewalk or the mailman. based nonprofit that provides state After their time with the prisonprison inmates with the training and ers, the dogs are tested to determine supervision required to if they have what it raise an 8-week-old puppy takes to be a trained through adulthood. These Anyone who has service dog. If they prison puppies eventually do, Puppies Behind become service dogs for ever felt isolated Bars puts each pup the disabled, guide dogs into school where for the blind, and specan appreciate they continue forcially trained canines for mal training. If at law enforcement. a dog. any point a puppy With the help doesn’t meet the of numerous volunstandards of this teers, Glen Park resident Sophie highly specialized training, the PupOʼShaughnessy organized the two- pies Behind Bars dropout is donated hour event. A minimum $20 dona- to a family with a blind child. tion was required to attend the picnic While organizing the event, (with or without a pooch) and included O’Shaughnessy also learned of a a raffle ticket, live music, childrenʼs program operating at San Quentin activities and an all-you-can-eat State Prison where inmates train BBQ. Many neighbors donated food and socialize shy or traumatized for the BBQ or goods for the raffle shelter dogs that need extra rehaand nearly every Glen Park merchant bilitation before they are adoptable. donated food or raffle prizes. Many This fledgling “Pen Pals” program is other local businesses contributed in its third year of successful operagoods as well. tion under the auspices of the Marin OʼShaughnessy says her inspira- Humane Society. tion to pull it all together was fueled O’Shaughnessy plans to organize by her relationship with her own dog, another picnic in Glen Park next sumDuke, “and the central role he plays mer, which would benefit both Puppies in my life. Anyone who has ever felt Behind Bars and Pen Pals. For more isolated or alienated—both common information, visit Puppies Behind Bars feelings among prison inmates—can at www.puppiesbehindbars.com. n

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Ernie made them all.

Photo by Denis Wade

Peek and Seek — Glen Park Offers a Walkersʼ Paradise Glen Park is one of the cityʼs best Betty, a florist, grew up. neighborhoods for walkers. Thereʼs As a teenager, Ernie became a the exercise factor—you merchant seaman in the Pacific Theby can choose a route thatʼs ater during World War II. A few years Denis mostly flat, or tackle later he was drafted during the Korean Wade some of our steeper war, affording him the opportunity to hills. And walkers can explore more of the world. A native of discover unexpected pleasures in our New Mexico, he eventually migrated midst. Like the garden at to San Francisco and 240 Chenery St. started a sign-painting Among the fruit trees Outdoor art business. and plants that cover the The Solonsʼ front of the lot thereʼs an catches a orchard includes array of kinetic sculptures apple, peach, pear, whose motions catch a passerby’s eye loquat and fig trees. passerbyʼs eye. Some are When heʼs not putsolar powered. Thereʼs on Chenery. tering in the garden, an oversize slot machine, chances are Ernie a windmill, a carousel, a may be tinkering in boxer. One wonders: Who collected his workshop. When we stopped by these mechanical gizmos? one very warm day this summer, he The answer is, they werenʼt col- was happy to take a break from dividlected. Each is the whimsical creation ing and repotting plants to chat for of Ernie Solon, an 81-year-old retired a few minutes in the coolness of his seaman-turned-signmaker, who has shop, where his current project was lived with his wife, Betty, in the creating an animated baseball batter house at the end of the driveway for as a gift for a friend whoʼs a fan of nearly 50 years. Their son, Domingo, the national pasttime. lives downstairs, behind Ernieʼs We asked Ernie what Betty thinks workshop. Daughter Fredrica lives of the unusual decor out front. “Sheʼs next door. Their second daughter, the one who started me going,” he Brooks, lives in Nebraska, where answered. n

Glen Park News

Page 12

Glen Park Restrooms

said fixing it up is a priority for her agency, but a priority thatʼs yet toilet paper and paper towels. As for to be funded. The facility missed soap, the dispenser in the womenʼs room out on getting a cut of the $105 is broken, so there is none. And neither million in bond money approved bathroom has hot water. by voters in 2000 to upgrade the But on the days that Loi isnʼt parks, playgrounds and rec cenworking, such as Saturdays, the ters. bathrooms get trashed pretty quickly. Now, the Board of Supervisors All it takes is one inconsiderate slob is looking at placing another bond to mess it up for everyone who fol- proposal before voters in Februlows until the Loi returns with his ary, this time for $185 million, mop, scrub brush and detergent. The with the bulk of the money aimed bathrooms are closed on Sundays. at park and rec facilities. Mayor But no matter how much Loi Gavin Newsom, who is running cleans, bathrooms at the cityʼs for reelection this year with the oldest rec center are never going knowledge that parks—like Muni to be pristine. The fixtures are and crime—are bread-and-butter old, the lighting is issues for a San bad and the walls Francisco politiand floors are worn. There’s good cian, is backing the “If the mayor is effort. serious about making news at the Rec Details of what San Francisco famprojects would get ily-friendly, a good Center—his name funded in the new place to start would park bond, however, be to fix up the park is Glen Loi. have yet to be finalbathrooms,” said ized, and the board Eleanor Goldman, has yet to place the who took her 4-year-old grand- proposal on the ballot. son to the playground adjacent to Even if voters approve the the rec center earlier this month. bond, the money would amount “If all he has to do is pee, I let to little more than a drop in the him go behind a tree. I look at the bucket of whatʼs needed. The Recbathroom as a last resort.” reation and Park Department has The San Francisco Neighbor- determined that an estimated $1 hood Parks Council has found that billion would be required to fund the dismal condition of the Cityʼs all the needed improvements. And park bathrooms is high on the list as the years progress, the cost of public concerns. City officials escalates. This year, $34 million know thereʼs a problem. has been set aside for capital Rose Dennis, spokeswoman for projects. the Recreation and Park DepartDennis said a price tag has yet ment, said that this yearʼs budget to be attached to upgrading the Glen provides funding for 35 additional Park rec center. The cost would custodians to help replenish the depend on the scope of the project. diminished ranks. “Hopefully weʼll But, she said, people have every right start seeing some real improve- to demand bathrooms that are clean ments,” she said. and in good working order. “We As for the Glen Park Recre- have to do more to meet the publicʼs ation Center, in particular, Dennis expectations,” she said. n

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Color-coded insect traps can be spotted in various locations around Glen Park and elsewhere. This one, placed on Arlington Street in August, is green, which means itʼs a gypsy moth trap. The cryptic markings give no clue about its origin, so we asked San Francisco County Agriculture Commissioner Scott Paulson. He explained that the traps are placed and monitored by the California Department of Food and Agriculture as part of their exotic insect trapping program. With an increasing number of threatening pests, this program is important for our health and safety. When you see a trap, observe the printed direction: “Please Do Not Disturb.” Photo by Denis Wade

Fall 2007

Fall 2007

Page 13

On Patrol in Glen Park If you subscribe to Capt. Paul Chignellʼs daily e-mail update on significant policing efforts in the Ingleside Police District, you know that Ingleside officers write far and away more moving citations than do officers at any of the other nine district stations. We do so, in part, by because the attendees Officer Michael at community meetings demand increased Walsh efforts regarding traffic safety. Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance, especially with school back in session, and with each high-profile accident in the city comes more pressure on the police and other officials to work toward a solution. Glen Park presents a special challenge when it comes to traffic safety. Our neighborhood is nestled among hills with narrow streets and very little room to maneuver in even low-peak traffic times. Now add freeway ramps, an entrance for what is basically an expressway (San Jose Avenue), five bus lines, a BART station with the traffic it draws, several schools with buses and parents who must drive children, a resurgent commercial district, street closures due to infrastructure repair and……..WOW! What a mess! Patrol officers have little impact on traffic congestion. We are not traffic planners and have no input on the placement of stop signs or traffic lights. I shake my head when I see a line of cars at 8 a.m. bottlenecked on Diamond between Bosworth and Chenery, virtually all with single occupants, and some genius yells at me, “Canʼt you do something about this?” In the midst of that confluence, enforcement action by officers can be dangerous and often adds to the congestion. To pull over a red-light violator at Bosworth and Diamond, I have to safely clear eight total lanes of traffic to make entry into the intersection, drive at high speed to overtake the violator and eliminate a lane of traffic—as I must—to complete the citation. The risk may not justify the reward in this case. Where officers can be effective, and where I have concentrated my enforcement, is on the streets that lead to the central areas of the neighborhood. Iʼm a familiar sight on Diamond Street as I cite drivers who disregard the stop signs at Sussex and Surrey. Chenery at Diamond is especially problematic for pedestrians trying to safely maintain

their rights of way in the crosswalk as drivers are intent on getting to the freeway or snatching that parking spot they saw from half a block away. If I can slow down the traffic prior to converging at that location by writing a citation for one violator and making an impact on others with my presence, I consider that effective enforcement. Speed is the component of poor driving that is most often cited at injury accidents. Itʼs true … speed kills. In our neighborhood, speed is a significant problem in a number of places. Diamond Heights Boulevard southbound to its transition to Elk Street, especially during the summer with the campers at Silvertree being dropped off and collected; it is always a potential disaster. Again, catching them on the downhill can be dangerous, so we like to get them as they run the stop sign at Chenery and Elk because they canʼt stop due to their speed. Chenery Street all the way from th 30 Street to the park can be a racetrack and, as a result, officers write a number of citations for running the stop signs, particularly at Miguel Street. Also, donʼt fall victim to the temptation to roll those stop signs on Laidley Street as you use it as an alternate route to Chenery during peak times. Some of the most horrendous accidents happen on relatively quiet streets because drivers get lulled into thinking they have the road to themselves. Remember, bicycle riders have the right to a full lane of traffic and wide, safe berth must be given to them when passing. Reciprocally, bike riders must adhere to all the rules of the road, including stop signs, red lights and pedestrian yields. Bike riders may not ride in crosswalks and are not afforded the same rights and protections under the California Vehicle Code as pedestrians. Pedestrians also bear the major responsibility for their own safety, specifically by crossing at crosswalks and obeying traffic lights. In politically charged San Francisco, traffic safety advocates abound, all scratching around for the same nonprofit dollars. Make it simple: Continue to be good neighbors by being your own best advocate for safety. Slow down and look out for each other. n San Francisco Police Department Officer Michael Walsh lives and works in Glen Park.

Glen Park News

What Programs Do You Want at the Glen Park Rec Center? Speak Up at October Forum The Glen Park Advisory Board contin- known to Scott Reese, superintenues to work to achieve a better Recre- dent of neighborhood services, at ation Center at Glen Park. 831-2745. We have just completed a circusIt is very disappointing that the themed mural for the stage area. We railings for around the picnic area are turning the area have not yet been installed. We have into a place where had them since May. Work orders by parents can drop-in are backlogged until next Spring I Miriam and play with their am told by the City. However, Iʼm Moss pre-school kids. Each working on making it happen before parent or guardian will supervise his then. Many work orders for Glen or her own child. We have gotten mats Park are already over a year old. to cover the wooden floor and railings We have just put in for a grant to to keep the kids safely enclosed. buy two tree guards. We would like This program is to again plant some scheduled to start trees. Sadly, vandals Sept. 17. Anyone We are turning destroyed the last ones who has toys in good we planted. condition to donate the area into a Fall programming for can contact me at the Park is required to [email protected]. place where be posted in September. The rec center Look it over and voice has finally hired a parents can your concerns. There custodian who started will be a meeting run August 13. We were drop-in and play by Rec and Park to talk without a custodian for about what the commualmost three months. with their nity wants in the way He will be working on of programming at the bringing the center up pre-school kids. Glen Park rec center. to an acceptable level This community meetof cleanliness. Other ing is planned for a issues that the Advisory Board has Saturday in mid-to late October, but raised will also be fixed, such as a new the date was not firm at our press floor in the kitchen, and the bathroom deadline. See the Community Calnear the stage whose walls are peeling endar, Page 20, for ways to check the will get painted. meeting date. There will also be a new superviIn the meantime if you have any sor over the custodians, who has yet ideas, or concerns you would like the to be named. In the meantime, do Advisory Board to address please let not hesitate to make your concerns us know. n

New Mural at the Rec Center.

Photo by Ellen Rosenthal

Glen Park News

Page 14

Fall 2007

In Glen Canyon Park Tired of vandalism and trash in the Park? Wonder where all the wild flowers went?” said an announcement for a Glen Park Association Meeting on June 2, 1986 concerning Glen Canyon Park, arranged by Dawn by Murayama. Jean Dawn recently said it Conner was like a town hall meeting with a large crowd of residents, Police Department, Fire Department and Recreation and Park staff. The Fire Department was invited because every June, before Silvertree Day Camp opened, the department would conduct controlled burns on the grassy slopes of the canyon in order to prevent wildfires. This policy ended at that meeting. Burning was replaced with mowing around the perimeter of the park. It became evident at that June meeting that the Park and Recreation Department, because of budgetary and other considerations, had to direct its attention and funds to the developed portions of the Park. The natural areas had needs that no single entity was addressing. A committee was formed, which became the Friends of Glen Canyon Park, and the group “adopted” the 76 acres of undeveloped parkland. A week later, on June 28, the Friends held their first nature walk along the self-guided Nature Trail that Nathaniel Stookey had built as his Eagle Scout project in 1985. By the time I joined Friends of Glen Canyon Park in 1988 the trail markers had been unfortunately vandalized. Much of the trail was overgrown with broom and blackberry. Our work parties started in the spring of 1988, and we had a huge cleanup of the canyon that fall. More than 40 volunteers from the neighborhood surrounding the canyon participated. Rec and Park supplied garbage bags and the largest garbage truck available. I donʼt know how many tons of trash we removed that day. It looked like we could assemble at least three complete cars from parts we found. There were over two dozen tires as well. Restoration work parties are now a monthly event; volunteers meet on the third Saturday morning, and weekly workdays are on Wednesday mornings. Friends of Glen Canyon Park realized the importance of having a Master Plan. The first step was to inventory the resources of the canyon. The Friends turned to the Open Space Fund in 1987. They submitted proposals three times, refining the proposal each time. Finally

$60,000 was granted, a contract was creek were removed with this funding. safety for walkers and less pollution of put out to bid and Western Ecological Friends, along with many other groups the air and Islais Creek. We have sponServices Company, Inc. (WESCO) was of volunteers, took on the job of clean- sored slide shows and talks on many selected. “Natural Resources Inventory ing the debris left behind and began the subjects including Glen Park History, of Glen Canyon Park, San Francisco” plantings. Much of the maintenance for native plants, and birds, as well as the and “Master the site has been done 1906 earthquake and fire. Nature walk Plan RecomI don’t know how by the Friends. Part subjects have included birds, insects, mendations” of the grant included butterflies, spiders, plants, spring flowwere available in erosion control and ers and geology. March 1993. An many tons of trash trailside improveA one-day Nature Festival was held additional grant ments along the trail. in August for three years. It included allowed inclusion The interpretative talks, slide shows, live animals, field of the “Survey of we removed that day. signs were finally trips and special activities for children. Arthropods” done installed. Supper in the park was served. by John Hafernik The Friends “Pancakes in the Park,” an outdoor and his San FranIt looked like we could have participated in breakfast following a bird walk (Novemcisco State Unithe Glen Park Festi- ber 11, see Community Calendar), has versity graduate val every year since become a popular activity, as has our students. assemble at least it began. We hand lunch of hot dogs and potato salad followIn 1988 the out information and ing our annual Earth Day work party. Friends embarked discuss the noteworAfter 26 years the Friends of Glen on another three complete cars thy features of the Canyon Park are still waiting for a maslongtime comCanyon and native ter plan. We are told that the environmunity project plants with anyone mental review will soon be completed. involving meetfrom parts we found. interested. We were In the meantime we are working to ings and more instrumental in the maintain the trails, grow and plant trees meetings. This campaign to keep and flowers, remove weeds and make was the challenging conflict to secure public parking and cars out of the park; the canyon a pleasant, enjoyable place. OʼShaughnessy Hollow. A real estate that campaign has resulted in greater Come join us. n sign appeared one day on the west side of OʼShaughnessy Boulevard, south of Del Vale Avenue. A call to the real estate company indicated that the 2.4-acre parcel had already been sold to a developer. Six years later the Recreation and Park Department was able to buy the property from the developer with open space funds. OʼShaughnessy Hollow became part of Glen Canyon Park, maintaining the natural state of that area of the canyon. Rec and Park received a donation to do some of the work in Glen Canyon that was recommended by the WESCO master plan. The Conservation Corps was hired with supervision from park gardeners. Friends of Glen Canyon Park assisted and advised. Trails were realigned and willows were cut back. The pools were built. Fences were put up. Planting was done. At the end of the project there was money left that could be used for signage in the park. Friends of Glen Canyon Park worked on the text and illustrations for the signs. This material was delivered to the Cityʼs Natural Areas Program personnel. The result was the first natural areas park brochure. Six signs were not installed even though they had been made at that time. Glen Canyon Park received a grant from the Coastal Conservancy in Marie Oder, a founding member of Friends of Glen Canyon Park, reads about the 2005. The eucalyptus growing in the canyon in the Glen Park News at her new home in Spokane, Washington. Photo courtesy of Marie Oder

Fall 2007

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The Police Beat The following Glen Park incidents were reported between the end of May and Sept. 1 by Capt. Paul Chignell, commander by of the SFPDʼs Ingleside Denis Station, in his daily eWade mails. This compilation does not include neighborhood crimes and misdemeanors reported online directly to the Police Department; Ingleside isnʼt notified about them. The list includes an alarming nine robberies, a carjacking and two home burglaries, all noted in bold type. Guns were used in five of these robberies and the carjacking, and a taser gun in another robbery. Two of these gun incidents took place on Diamond Heights Boulevard, close enough to make Glen Park residents wary. While most of the robberies occurred at night, two June strongarm robberies were committed at midday, on the 200 blocks of Arlington and Chenery streets. Addison Street 100 block 7/19: Vandalism, domestic violence Arlington Street 200 block 6/4, 2:29 pm: Robbery, laptop computer and purse taken 500 block 6/25, 12:52 am: Eleven officers went to the 500 block of Arlington where a man was struggling with a woman in a van. The man had struck the woman with a pipe leaving a head injury. The suspect, who lives in Berkeley, was arrested for domestic violence, felony assault, possession of marijuana and narcotics paraphernalia. 500 block 7/13, 4:04 pm: Officers Robin Odum, Carla Lee and Tyler Ropelato located a driver who had crashed into a tree and cited him for being unlicensed. His 1990 Oldsmobile was towed. @ Wilder 6/23, 6:01 pm: Officers Robin Mallorca and Shawn Phillips stopped a vehicle that was suspected of involvement in street-level drug dealing. The driver, who lives in Daly City, was driving with a suspended license. He was cited and his 1989 Toyota was towed. Bemis Street 100 block 6/3 & 6/17: Restraining order violation 200 block 8/30: Theft from locked vehicle Bosworth Street 10 block 6/27, 1:40 am: Robbery with a gun; wallet taken

400 block 6/19: Theft from locked vehicle 900 block 6/?: Stolen 1984 Chevrolet @ Chilton 7/8, 1:15 am: Officer Christopher Morris stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation. The driver, who lives on Rotteck, was driving with a suspended license. He was cited and his 2000 Volkswagen was towed. @ Chilton 8/9: Theft from locked vehicle @ Chilton 8-22, 9 am: Officers Harry Soulette and Enrique Alejandrino were alerted by a citizen that he was following a suspected drunk driver on Highway 280, then to St. Maryʼs and finally to Bosworth and Chilton. They stopped the vehicle, which had extensive body damage and parts of the vehicle falling off. The driver, who lives in San Leandro, failed all field sobriety tests. Chemical tests were taken and the driver was arrested for drunk driving. @ Diamond 5/31, 2:08 pm: Officer Frank Valiquette stopped a vehicle for turning right on a red light without stopping. The driver, who lives on Diamond Heights Boulevard, was driving with a suspended license. He was cited and his 1998 Volvo was towed. @ Lippard 7/2, 8:45 pm: Officer Kevin Horan stopped a vehicle for a stop sign violation. The driver, who lives on Naples, was driving with a suspended license. He was cited and his Chevrolet was towed. Chenery Street 10 block 6/22, 3:30 am: Officers Kevin Chin and William Tam went to an estate on the first block of Chenery where two employees had been arguing. One of the employees, who was inebriated, struck the other. The officers arrested the suspect for battery. 10 block 7/13–16: Stolen 1996 Toyota 10 block 8/20, 6:51 am: Officer Michael Walsh was on foot patrol checking out an elementary school when he spotted a person drinking alcohol. The person, who lives on Church, was cited and released. 100 block 7/12, 8 am–6 pm: Burglary, possible unlocked door, household goods taken 200 block 6/21, noon: Strongarm Robbery: A CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Glen Park News

Glen Park News

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Police Beat

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Handyman/Carpenter: Hang a door, build or repair a fence or deck, shelves, sheetrock or some electrical. I do good work for a reasonable price. Robert – 566-3389

woman visiting from Canada was walking on the 200 block of Chenery when a suspect came up behind her, got quite close, then grabbed her purse from her shoulder, causing pain to her upper body. The suspect yanked until he had the purse and then ran up Chenery to a car that was at Fairmount with the engine running. Residents in the area heard the commotion and the victimʼs pleas for assistance. The residents chased the suspect; one witness caught up to the suspect and engaged in a fight in which the suspectʼs vest was pulled off. The suspect continued to run and disappeared near Fairmount Elementary School. Officer Mitchell Campbell saw something red in nearby bushes and was joined by Officers Marion Campion-Healy, Jean Etcheveste and Sgt. Tim Plyer. The red turned out to be clothing of the suspect, who was hiding in the bushes. The suspect was detained and positively identified by the victim and witnesses as the robber. The waiting car was registered to the suspect and contained stolen property from another strongarm robbery victim. The suspect, who lives on Naples, was arrested for robbery and receiving stolen property. This was an outstanding arrest with resident assistance of a predatory street robber. 400 block 6/19: Found 1999 Truck 400 block 8/4, 7:45 pm: Robbery with a gun; construction worker confronted by three suspects, one with a gun, who took his money 500 block 6/29–7/3 (reported 7/13): Burglary, skylight entry, household items taken 600 block 8/02: Malicious mischief, rocks 800 block 6/22, 12:30 am: Robbery, four suspects, one with a gun, surround two victims and take wallet 800 block 8/21: Found 1997 Saturn 900 block 6/22: Found 1992 Dodge @ Brompton 6/13, 7:35 pm: A Volvo with no front plate was observed by Sgt. Jackson. The driver had no license or insurance. He was cited and released at the scene and his Volvo was towed. @ Burnside 8/1: Theft from locked vehicle @ Diamond 8/8: Theft; suspects detained @ Randall 6/30: Theft from locked vehicle. @ Randall

Fall 2007

8/4, 8 pm: Officer Amy Hurwitz stopped a vehicle for a license plate violation. The driver, who lives on Farnum, was driving with a suspended license. He was cited and his 1995 Buick was towed. Conrad Street 10 Block 8/25: Vandalism Diamond Street 2500 block 7/17, 10:35 pm: Robbery, 2 suspects with a taser gun took wallet 2800 block Shoplifting, liquor, 2 suspects 2800 block 7/11: Found 1991 Honda 2900 block 6/23, 3:20 am: Carjacking, 3 male suspects, one with a gun, accosted the 45 year old male victim. They took his house keys, cell phone, money and 1998 Jeep. The vehicle was recovered the next day on the 1500 block of Silver. @ Bosworth 6/8: Intentional assault with car, no injury @ Bosworth 8/16, 9:29 pm: Officers Carla Lee and Robin Odum observed a suspect drinking alcohol in public. The suspect, who lives on Flood, was also wanted on minor misdemeanor warrants. He was cited. Diamond Heights Boulevard. 5200 block 7/18, 12:25 am: Robbery with a gun, money taken @ Goldmine Drive 5/28, 9:50 pm (reported 5/30): Robbery, victim struck in face, purse taken Laidley Street 100 Block 6/8: Found 1990 Honda 100 block 6/22: Stolen 2001 Mazda 100 block 7/28: Possible shot fired 400 block 8/10, 10:33 pm: Robbery, four suspects, one with a gun, surround victim and take wallet, no injury @ Castro 8/10: Stolen 1995 Chevrolet Miguel Street 400 Block 8/25: Found 1991 Mercury Monterey @ Joost 7/15: Assault with beer bottle 7/13 - 7/16: Theft from locked vehicle Surrey Street 100 Block 7/25: Found 1994 Acura Sussex Street 100 Block 8/19: Theft from locked vehicle n

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Glen Park News

Glen Park News

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Real Estate in Glen Park by Vince Beaudet

Fall 2007

Merchants and Workers

by Paula Levine

During the spring and summer months we have seen unprecedented demand from buyers in Glen Park. With few homes put on the market in the neighborhood, we are once again seeing multiple offers for those properties that are listed for sale. Following are the 21 single-family homes sold in the neighborhood over the past three months.

Address

List Price

Sold Price

536 Arlington 213 Acadia 30 Burnside 870 Chenery 150 Chenery 714 Chenery 66 Joost 23 Laidley 371 Laidley 32 Mateo 173 Randall 15 Surrey 48 Surrey 206 Surrey 293 Surrey 267 Sussex 1725 Sanchez 64 Van Buren 10 Wilder 78 Whitney 204 Whitney

$739,000 $1,295,000 $1,125,000 $1,050,000 $1,195,000 $1,195,000 $1,495,000 $995,000 $1,199,000 $989,000 $899,000 $665,000 $879,000 $1,695,000 $599,000 $1,100,000 $1,175,000 $1,695,000 $749,000 $879,000 $1,299,000

$739,000 $1,240,000 $1,175,000 $1,257,000 $1,280,000 $1,360,000 $1,390,000 $900,000 $1,380,000 $1,015,000 $935,000 $731,000 $959,000 $1,895,000 $615,000 $1,150,000 $1,205,000 $1,800,000 $830,000 $1,055,000 $1,200,000

Average

$1,091,000

$1,148,000

Cheese Boutique 666 Chenery Street Proprietor: Rachid (Rick) Malouf Your names and relationship to each other? (l-r): Carla is Rickʼs youngest daughter. Nicholas (Nick) Malouf is the son of Rickʼs first cousin, Sadi. That makes Carla and Nicholas first cousins, once removed. How long have you been working at the Cheese Boutique? Carla has worked there for many years, helping her dad. Nicholas began working there in 2001.

Realtor Vince Beaudet works for Herth Real Estate. He can be reached at 8615222 x333 or [email protected].

What you do when you are not working there? Carla attends City College. Nicholas is job hunting. He is a recent graduate from the University of Santa Cruz, with a B.A. in Business Management. Brief history of the store: Rick Malouf has been the proprietor of Glen Parkʼs Cheese Boutique since 1992. He purchased the store from Rose Portali and family who ran a deli for many years in the same location. Rick has a second Cheese Boutique on 1298 12th Ave which he has had since 1987. Rick speaks enthusiastically about his store, about the people, the neighborhood. “If I had to do it over again,” he said, “I would do it over again. Iʼm a lucky guy and my family is very lucky too. The people are great here.”

Glen Park E-mail Lists Glen Park Association: Email: [email protected]. And the Glen Park Association website www.glenparkassociation.org Glen Park Parents http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glenparkparents/ Glen Park Expectant Parents group E-mail [email protected] for information. Gay Glen Park http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gayglenpark/ Glen Park Dog Owners [email protected] Glen Park-Fairmount Heights Neighbors Association [email protected] Fairmount Heights gay neighbors [email protected]

Critter Fritters Pet Foods 670 Chenery St Proprietor: Barry Leonard Your name? Antonio (Tony) Jerez How long have you been working at Critter Fritters? Two years in September. What you do when you are not working there? I go to City College in Fashion Design. I am also a freelance fashion show

stylist and am a stateʼcertified image consultant. Brief history of the store: Critter Fritters opened on Motherʼs Day in 1984 and has been running continuously, seven days a week, since then. “We never sell animals,” said Proprietor Barry Leonard. “We work with animal services to facilitate adoption.” “We also have on the only self-service power wash for animals in the city. The others are found at professional grooming services.” n

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Glen Park News

Glen Park News

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Fall 2007

Community Calendar Glen Park Association

Quarterly meetings are held on the second Tuesday in January, April, July and October at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome, members and non-members alike. Annual membership dues of just $10 support the Associationʼs important work on behalf of the neighborhood.. Next meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 7:30 pm, St. Johnʼs School, 925 Chenery St.

Glen Canyon Rec Center Planning Meeting

At our deadline, Rec and Park hadnʼt sorted out the date for this important community meeting, tentatively planned for a Saturday in midto late October. Fall programming for our neighborhood recreation center is required to be posted during September. Look over the list that should appear at the Rec Center, then voice your suggestions and concerns at this midday meeting. Agenda includes discussion of what programs the community wants at the Glen Park Rec Center—Quoits? Quilting? Let ʻem know. For final scheduling, watch in early October for flyers, check online at www.parks.sfgov.org, or call Scott Reese, superintendent of neighborhood services, 831-2745.

Friends of Glen Canyon Park

Geology Walk: Saturday, Oct. 27, 10 am, free. Learn about the geology of Glen Canyon with Neil Faye, retired Chevron geologist, who is also a noted authority on snails. His late wife was the Josephine Randall Museumʼs first director. Meet behind the Rec Center. ÛBird Walk: Sunday, Nov. 11, 9 am, free. David Armstrong will lead another of his popular perambulations to point out feathered friends—an easy stroll for all ages along the floor of the canyon, beginning at the back of the Rec Center. Bring your binoculars! Following the Bird Walk, stick around for the acclaimed... ‰ Pancakes in the Park: Sunday, Nov. 11, 10:30 am. After you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Bird Walk, treat more of your senses to the smells and taste of pancakes, sausages, coffee and OJ as Richard Craib whomps up another scrumptious breakfast in the park. Your $5 helps further the Friends’ invaluable work. Meetings and Plant Restoration Work Parties: Third Saturday of each month, 9 am–noon. Next dates: Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15. Meet behind the Recreation Center. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Learn about botany and ecology, exercise your green

thumb, enjoy entertaining camaraderie or examine public-lands management issues. Weekly Work Parties: Every Wednesday, 9 am–noon. For the current weekʼs meeting place contact Richard Craib, 648-0862. To join Friends of Glen Canyon Park or learn more about their activities, contact Richard Craib at 648-0862 or Jean Conner at 584-8576.

Glen Park Branch Library

Tuesday Morning Storytime: Tuesdays, 10:30 am, for children ages 5 and under, continues while the Glen Park branch is closed for relocation, thanks to the folks at Eggettes who are hosting the kids in the interim, at 2810 Diamond St., through Oct. 9. On Oct. 16, Storytime will move to the brand-new new library branch at 2825 Diamond. During the Glen Park branchʼs hiatus, patrons are urged to use the Excelsior branch, 4400 Mission St. at Cotter. Hours there are Mon. 1–9, Tue. 10–9, Wed. 12–9, Thu. 10–6, Fri.1-6, Sat. 10–6, Sun. 1–5. Grand Opening: Sat. Oct. 13. Ceremony at 1 pm, opening of the new branch at 2 pm.

CityGuides Walking Tours

Free Guided Walks provide information about the neighborhood for newcomers and old-timers alike. All you need is comfortable shoes and an hour or so of free time. Meet in front of the new Glen Park branch library, 2825 Diamond St., for these walks. Online information is at www.sfcityguides.org. Sunday, Oct. 21, 10 am, Glen Park walk. Sunday, Oct. 28, 10 am, Fairmount district walk.

Mission Dolores and the Mission district. For starting time, check the NERT web site (above). Free Autumn Training Classes: Sunset District: Friday eves., Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov. 6, 6: 30 pm–9:30 pm, LDS Church Hall, 22nd Ave. at Lawton St. Treasure Island: Thursday eves., Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 6:30 pm– 9:30 pm, Bldg. 497, Avenue I between 9th and 11th, Treasure Island

Bird & Beckett Events

Bird & Beckett Books & Records will continue to present a variety of free literary and musical events when it reopens in its new, more spacious location at 653 Chenery St. (the former Glen Park library site). The move is planned for the weekend of Sept. 22–23 (see story, page 5), and business will continue on Monday morning with minimal interruption. For the latest information, check the web site, www.bird-beckett.com, or call proprietor Eric Whittington at 586-3733. Coming Events: Every Friday, 5:30–8 pm: ØJazz in the Bookshop: Sept. 14, Jimmy Ryan’s group; Sept. 21, Don Prell’s SeaBop Ensemble; Sept. 28, Henry Irvin’s quartet. Same schedule after the move: Prell 1st & 3rd Fridays, Ryan 2nd Friday, Irvin 4th Friday. November has a fifth Friday—Chuck Peterson may return. Three &book groups meet each month at 7 pm; everyone is invited: 1st Wednesdays: Bird & Beckett

Book Club discusses a book each month; participants choose the next monthʼs selection. Oct. 3, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. 2nd Tuesdays: Eminent Authorsʼ Birthdays open reading. Bring a libation and a literary bit to share. 3rd Thursdays: Political Book Discussion Group addresses current issues. Sept. 20, Digital Destiny by Jeff Chester. Oct. 18, Paul Kennedyʼs The Parliament of Man. 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30 pm: Open Mic Poetry series with two featured poets. Scottish poet Leonard Irving says this is the best poetry venue in town! Sept. 17, meet documentary filmmaker Stephen Labovsky, new NY transplant to Glen Park, plus poet Dan Liberthson. Check Labovskyʼs blog, City by the Bard. Last Sundays, 4:30 pm: Sept. 30, Walker Brents will talk about Ovid and the famed Metamorphoses. Brush up your classics—nobody dazzles like Walker. Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 pm: Five local Asian-American Women Poets read from the anthology Cheers to Muses. Friday, Oct. 19–Sunday, Oct. 21, early afternoon till closing: Grand Opening Party at 653 Chenery, with music, poetry and dance entertainment including the popular Friday Night Jazz.. Always check with the bookstore for Special Events with local authors and personalities. More will be scheduled as things settle down following the big move. n

Glen Park Neighborhood Emergency Response Team

In a major disaster, trained Glen Park NERT members will meet other volunteers at the Glen Park Recreation Center in the park. Free classes are given all year in various San Francisco neighborhoods. Learn to be self-sufficient in a disaster, and learn basic skills to help your family and your neighbors. Register at www.sfgov.org/sffdnert or call 970-2024. Neighborhood Drill: Saturday, Oct. 13, Holly Park (Holly Park Circle at Elsie Street). Practice some NERT skills, meet others on the teams for Glen Park, Diamond Heights, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley, Eureka Valley,

Mayor Gavin Newsom and every member of the Board of Supervisors have their names listed on this sign, photographed in late August on Chenery Street near Castro, which explains that “Your Proposition K Sales Tax Dollars at Work” are paying for the latest pavement and sewer work on Chenery and Laidley streets.