Just saw this in the Examiner. Did anyone receive notice of this meeting?

As I wrote back in August, the Presidio Trust is considering closing Battery Caulfield Road to automobile traffic. It’s the road that runs from the 15th Avenue gate up into the Presidio.

There are two proposals on the table – one would close it to all car traffic 24/7 with the exception of residents that live along BC Road, the other would close it to traffic during peak time periods (7 to 9am and 5 to 7pm, as well as on weekends).

On Tuesday night at 6:30pm, the Presidio Trust will host a public hearing at the Golden Gate Club (135 Fisher Loop in the Presidio) to discuss the proposals.

Proponents of the closure are the residents on Lake Street, who have long complained about the traffic flowing in and out of the 15th Avenue gate. However, as of October 1, all inbound traffic is now being routed through the newly re-opened 14th Avenue gate, and outbound traffic through the 15th Avenue gate.

Also weighing on the discussion is the lack of recent traffic studies, as well as the need for Battery Caulfield Road to remain open during the Doyle Drive construction, which extends into 2013.

As of my last posting on this, I was told that the The Presidio Trust is taking comments and feedback on the Battery Caulfield Road proposal until October 15. To send in your comments, email batterycaulfield@presidiotrust.gov or mail a letter to: Planning Department, Presidio Trust, 34 Graham Street, P.O. Box 29052, San Francisco, CA 94129-0052 by October 15.

Sarah B.

Thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Jim, I was alerted to a nifty new map created by Mission Local that displays scores for inspections completed in the last 12 months by the Health department of places that serve food, be it restaurants, schools or other public facilities.

You won’t find every eatery on the map that’s in the neighborhood, only those that were inspected within the last year. A food establishment can be routinely inspected, inspected due to a complaint, or due to change in ownership.

Of course I dove right into check out the eateries in 94118 and 94121. Here’s what I found out:

94118
The good news is that 85% of the 218 food service establishments inspected earned a grade of 90 to 100; 26% earned perfect scores of 100. Another 12% rated in the 80-89 range, and the final 3% – only six restaurants – earned the lowest grade of 70-79 points:

Hui Lau Shan, 5217 Geary
Dragon River Restaurant, 5045 Geary
Panda Country Kitchen, 4737 Geary
Emperor Palace, 530 Balboa
Melisa’s Chinese, 450 Balboa
Star India Restaurant, 3721 Geary

Check out more restaurant inspections for 94118

94121
Results were pretty similar further out in the avenues with 80% of inspected locations earning a grade of 90 to 100; 28% had perfect scores of 100. 16% rated in the 80-89 range, with 7 restaurants, or 4%, getting the lowest scores of 70 to 79 points:

Hunan Cafe #2, 4450 Cabrillo
Golden Chariot Bakery & Restaurant, 3308 Balboa
Mayflower Restaurant, 6253 Geary
Kirin, 6135 Geary
Golden River Restaurant, 5827 Geary
Gastronom Deli, 5801 Geary
New World Market, 5641 Geary

Check out more inspections results for 94121

More good news – no Richmond restaurants rate in the 10 worst in the city. The bottom honor goes to Louie’s Dim Sum of North Beach which earned a dismal 35. Ick – how bad does it have to be to earn THAT?

Our closest low scorers – Liverpool Lil’s at Lyon and Lombard earned a score of 55. And Oriental Seafood Restaurant in the Outer Sunset earned only a 50.

Check out the article and map at Mission Local to see more data.

Sarah B.

For a second year in a row, Rooftop Elementary School and Swinerton Builders took the top prize in the 27th annual LEAP Sandcastle Contest at Ocean Beach. Their Chinese dragon was the hit of the beach.

This year’s theme was “Sand Francisco”, so there were plenty of city landmarks on display. Lombard Street, AT&T Park, sea lions, the Dutch windmill, cable cars, bridges – even a great white shark.

Congratulations to Rooftop and all the schools that participated – the sculptures were sand-tastic!

Sarah B.

The winning sculpture of a dragon from Rooftop Elementary School & Swinerton Builders

A sea lion with his catch still in his mouth. In about 2 seconds, that kid is going to stomp on his head

Coit Tower

AT&T Park complete with the Coke bottle in the outfield.

McCovey Cove at AT&T Park. Those are kayakers watching the ball splash down.

Two kids pet the great white shark

The dutch windmill of Golden Gate Park

Photo by Allison from her 4.5 mile walk in the central Richmond District.

Weed through the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass lineup & park easily
If you’re headed to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival this weekend but are feeling overwhelmed by the voluminous lineup, check out this writeup from an HSB veteran attendee over at SFAppeal.

And for those of you who have to drive to the festival, both Argonne (17th & Cabrillo) and Lafayette (36th and Anza) Elementary schools are having parking fundraisers. Park in the school lots from 9am until 8pm for $25 (tax deductible!).

Ocean Beach history: surfers and sandcastles
The new Ocean Beach Bulletin is off to a stellar start. They covered a recent reunion of ol’ school surfers who reminisced about their adventures at Ocean Beach’s Kelly’s Cove. Huddled against the steep rock wall at the northern edge of Ocean Beach, a group of old men with sun-tanned, leathery skin passed the time in the sun by drinking beer, eating birthday cake and telling stories…

In another piece, Woody LaBounty of the Western Neighborhoods Project highlights the story of sculptor James J. Taylor, who wowed crowds with his sand sculptures on Ocean Beach a century ago. It will make Saturday’s sandcastle contest even more poignant.

Green Apple loves bikers
There’s a natural lovefest between cyclists and Green Apple Books on Clement, but I think they just took their relationship to the next level. The bookstore just got the city to install a new bike rack in front, and when you show your bike helmet at checkout, you get 10% off your purchase.

Methodically walking the Richmond District
Local blogger Allison is “walking every street in San Francisco, taking pictures all the way”. She’s documented a couple of walks in the Richmond District already (“The Richmond District never ceases to amaze me.”) – 4.5 miles in the central Richmond and another 2.6 miler. What I like is that Allison’s walks aren’t typical, just looking at landmarks. It’s a closer look at the streets we all walk or drive down often but don’t give much thought to.

New book on Harold G. Stoner, creator of the Sutro Baths’ “Tropic Beach” facade
Local author Jacquie Proctor has a new book out on architect Harold G. Stoner, who at one time teamed up with the lesser known grandson of Adolph Sutro, Adolph G. Sutro, to build the “Tropic Beach” façade for the entrance to the Sutro baths, as well as some interior pieces inside Sutro Baths. Read more about Stoner’s collaborations with the Sutro family and check out Proctor’s book, Bay Area Beauty: The Artistry of Harold G. Stoner, Architect.

On Sunday, come out and enjoy the Taste of Russia Festival at the Holy Virgin Cathedral, 6210 Geary near 26th Avenue.

The festival features homemade, traditional Russian food, including Prioshki, Pelmeni, Beef Stroganoff, Golubtsi and an endless assortment of Russian desserts. Plus hourly entertainment (incl. Russian music, song & dance and cathedral choir), church tours, icon painting demos, arts, crafts, and gifts.

The festival runs from 11am to 6pm, admission is $5 per person. Free parking is available at the Presidio Jr. High School lot at 29th Avenue and Geary. For information call 668-5218.

Sarah B.

SFCitizen got a special preview of the 7 new Belles townhomes that were built in the Presidio alongside the historic Wyman Avenue homes and swanky Presidio Landmark apartments.

His review of the 3 bed / 3 bath homes? “These units are well fitted out, to a higher level than what you’ll find at the more suburban Wyman residences to the west and the more youthful (and also more empty-nester, I’d guess) Landmark Apartments to the east.”

A few pics below; see the rest over at SFCitizen.

No word yet on what rents will be for the 1,700 sq. foot townhomes, but you know the drill here. It’s livin’ in the Presidio so nothing comes cheap. Commenter Westender says a Presidio rep told him rents will be between $7000 and $10,000 a month. But damn, isn’t that a nice view from your 400 square foot deck on a clear day?

Sarah B.

…there’s bound to be a spectacled rabbit. Right? Apparently Trad’r Sam’s on Geary attracts all kinds. Photo by Keoki Seu who writes, “The rabbit needs to quit smoking so he can enjoy more of those delicious sabotage drinks at Trad’r Sam’s”.