Police are still searching for Kenneth Chin, a 73-old resident of a senior home in the Outer Richmond. He was last seen on Thursday afternoon at Balboa and 35th Avenue where he was dropped off at his residence by a transportation service. He was not walked all the way inside the door and authorities fear that he may have wandered off. Chin suffers from dementia.

Chin is described as an Asian man who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs about 170 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, a long-sleeve blue denim shirt, blue jeans and black shoes fitted with Velcro, police said.

Over the weekend, investigators went door to door in the immediate neighborhood looking for clues to his whereabouts. They talked to neighbors as well as businesses, in hopes there may be security footage with Chin on it. Police are also watching MUNI video from buses that traveled through the area during the time of his disappearance.

Anyone with information about Chin’s whereabouts should contact local police or the San Francisco Police Department’s missing persons unit at (415) 558-5508.

Let’s hope he’s ok and being taken care of somewhere.

Sarah B.

Every school could use a little financial help these days, and all teachers deserve some recognition. Here’s where you come in.

The United Way of the Bay Area is hosting a “Teachers Rock” contest, looking for teachers who inspire and make a difference.

If one comes to mind, send in your story about that teacher and you could win a $200 prize for your school. You can include photos and video with your story as well. Winning teachers will be chosen on March 15th.

Whether or not you decide to enter, let us know about your rockin’ Richmond District teacher by leaving a comment here on the blog.

Thanks for RichmondSFBlog reader Maria for the tip.

Sarah B.

In this week’s blotter, Captain Richard Correia announces that the station will soon be using Twitter to keep residents informed (http://twitter.com/Richmond_SFPD). Follow them if you want to keep up on the latest crimes in the neighborhood.

Sarah B.

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[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of February 18, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

POLICE BLOTTER – February 25, 2011

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
By early March the station will commence to tweet! Please follow us at Richmond_SFPD to receive real time crime updates and other public safety information. You can search Richmond_SFPD or Richard Corriea to locate us on Twitter.

Our next Police Community Forum is on March 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Richmond Station.

During the past week in the District there were 15 traffic accidents 4 involving injuries. There were 7 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 02/20/11 at 1:45am officers responded to a call of a possible auto burglary in progress. The caller reported that a suspect had gotten into a vehicle parked on the 3300 block of Balboa. The caller provided a description of the suspect. As the officers arrived in the area they saw the suspect walking on 34th Avenue towards Geary. When the officers stopped aside the suspect they told him they needed to speak with him and he took off running. While being chased the suspect discarded his backpack and took off his jacket. The officers were able to detain him near 34th Avenue and Clement. The officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle and determined that a wallet found in the suspect’s pant pocket had been taken from the car. The 28 year old male, who had an outstanding parole violation warrant, was charged with the theft, resisting arrest and a narcotic violation.

On 02/20/11 at 7:13am on the 4500 block of Fulton officers were called on a report of a male breaking into a
vehicle. The caller provided a description of the suspect and the vehicle the suspect was burglarizing. When the first officer arrived he could see that the window had been broken out on the passenger side of the car. As he got closer he saw that the front passenger seat was fully reclined and the suspect was in the seat with the car’s stereo in his lap and a screwdriver in his hand. A search of the suspect revealed property taken from another vehicle parked on the next block. The 41 year old male, who is on parole and has numerous prior arrests for auto burglary was charged with possession of stolen property, auto burglary, and a parole violation.

On 02/20/11 at 8:05pm officers went to another call of a male breaking into a vehicle on 5th Avenue and Lake
Street . A witness had reported seeing the suspect standing by the driver’s side door of his neighbor’s car. As the suspect walked away from the car the witness noticed that the doors were unlocked and the center console had been rummaged through. The officers detained the suspect and found foreign currency and a GPS that the victim confirmed had been taken out of his car. The 42 year old male who is on probation was charged with the theft, possession of stolen property and a probation violation.

On 02/21/11 at 2:10pm an officer responded to a call of a male juvenile doing graffiti on cars, newspaper stands and
buildings in the area of 21st Avenue and Balboa. When the officer arrived in the area the witness pointed east on Anza towards 20th Avenue , were the officer could see the suspect. The suspect who obviously didn’t see the officer proceeded to write on a mailbox on the corner. When the officer approached the suspect, the 15 year old said, “I’m sorry, can I rub it off?” The witness provided the different locations that he had seen the suspect “tag.” The suspect’s parents were contacted and the juvenile was charged with vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.

On 02/22/11 at 12:10pm officers were called to a report of a stolen vehicle on the 200 block of 3rd Avenue. The reporting party was a DPT officer and who was advising the vehicle was currently occupied. When the officers arrived on scene they detained a 50 year old suspect. When asked who the car belonged to and where he got it, he replied “I borrowed it.” The officers asked the suspect why he was on probation and he said, “For borrowing cars.” He was charged with vehicle theft.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 02/18 at 6:45pm a victim was walking on the 200 block of Parker Avenue . The suspect came up from behind her and snatched her cell phone from her hand. The victim could only say that the suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. This incident was reported the next day.

On 02/19/11 between 4:30am and 5:20am a suspect gained entry into an apartment building on the 300 block of Euclid. He took a bike from the garage. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 02/19/11 at 10:30pm a victim was walking south on the 500 block of 18th Avenue . The suspects were walking north and as they began to pass her, one of the suspects punched the victim in the face. Another suspect took her purse, while the third went through her coat pockets. The suspect took cash and then fled south on 18th Avenue . The victim reported this incident the following day.

On 02/22/11 between 4:30am and 8:30am on the unit block of Iris Street a suspect gained entry into an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway of a flat. The suspect then removed the garage door opener and gained access into the garage. The suspect then went into another vehicle parked inside and took a GPS and Bluetooth.

On 02/22/11 at 4:10pm, a victim was walking on Cabrillo at 12th Avenue . The suspect popped out from a doorway, pushed the victim to the ground and stole her purse. The victim did not get a look at the suspect and was unable to provide a description. The loss was cash and credit cards.

On 02/23/11, between 12:00pm and 2:00pm on the 600 block of 23rd Ave , the suspect gained entry into a residence by first prying open the front gate and then the front door. The loss was cash, jewelry and a game system.

Safeway held another community meeting last week where they shared the latest conceptual video of the new La Playa Safeway. For the first time you can see what the exterior architecture and landscaping around the store will look like. The video walks viewers all the way around the property, including views from La Playa and 48th Avenue.

Entrances to the store will be on the corner of La Playa and Fulton, as well as next to the underground parking entrance halfway down the block on La Playa. There is also a retail space planned for the corner of Cabrillo and La Playa.

The only part of the project not yet designed are the condominiums that will be built at the north end of the block. However those will not be built by Safeway, but rather by a future developer. So those are still shown as plain white boxes in the video.

There is still no formal start date for the project, but presumably we’ll have that soon as Safeway embarks on the permitting process. Once construction starts, Safeway estimates it will take 10 months to complete the remodel. The store will remain open during the project.

Sorry there’s no music with the video; just hum something upbeat and classical while you’re watching.

So, what do you think of Safeway’s new look?

Sarah B.

This Thursday only, the Balboa Theater (3630 Balboa Street) will host a screening of the rock ‘n roll documentary “The Harmony Game: The Making of Bridge Over Troubled Water”.

The film commemorates the 40th anniversary of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s final studio album that is “shrouded in rock n’ roll mythology with legendary tales of inspiration, innovation and separation.”

A rarely seen time-capsule of Simon & Garfunkel’s writing process and of the late-1960s, this spectacular 70+ minute documentary includes archival footage and brand new interviews with Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel discussing the creation and reception of Bridge Over Troubled Water, along with several of the duo’s collaborators from the period: Roy Halee (co-producer/engineer), Hal Blaine (drums), Joe Osborn (bass guitar), Jimmie Haskell (arranger), and Mort Lewis (manager).

The documentary is included in the new 40th anniversary CD-DVD reissue of the album from Sony Music, which comes out March 8. The documentary is being shown in select theaters, like the Balboa, for a limited time.

Thursday night’s screening begins at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door the night of the show.

Bridge Over Troubled Water (1971)
1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
2. El Condor Pasa (If I Could)
3. Cecilia
4. Keep the Customer Satisfied
5. So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright
6. The Boxer
7. Baby Driver
8. The Only Living Boy in New York
9. Why Don’t You Write Me
10. Bye Bye Love
11. Song for the Asking

Sarah B.

Photo by anniemalchang

We have a diverse selection of shops here in the Richmond but Tal-y-Tara (6439 California Street) is in a class of its own, serving up tea and crumpets amidst an assortment of equestrian accessories. You may have noticed the large horse statue that stands on the sidewalk when it’s open.

Townhog.com, a discount site, is offering a $14 special on a classic English Tea service at Tal-y-Tara for two:

Step inside the warm and inviting shop complete with an equestrian store in the front and English tea room in the back. Browse through their selection of teapots, teacups, tea cozies and other whimsical tea-inspired gifts. Relax in an outdoor secret garden and enjoy your cup of tea with their Motorloaf tea sandwiches served on semi-sweet dark bread, a secret family recipe, with varieties like cream cheese and cucumber, egg salad and capers, smoked turkey with watercress and so much more! Lastly, enjoy their award-winning scones, served with Devonshire cream and jam, which are deliciously moist and sweet. And don’t forget English trifle for dessert.

You’ll feel as though you have escaped to the English countryside where they know exactly what it takes to make a proper cup of tea! With over 50 varieties of teas and a selection of savory and sweet treats, there is plenty to choose from at Tal-y-Tara.

There’s only 30 hours left on this offer; 189 have already been sold (wow, who knew tea was so popular?!?!). Be sure to work on that fake British accent before you go. It can make tea time so much more entertaining…

Thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Talia for the tip.

Sarah B.

Tea in the back garden of Tal-y-Tara. Photo by anniemalchang

I headed out to Lands End late on Saturday afternoon to catch the sunset. I wasn’t the only one with that idea.

This morning, a 25 year old man was rescued off the cliffs after hiking during last night’s sunset and breaking his ankle in a fall. The victim did not have a cell phone and it wasn’t until early this morning that his cries were heard by passing hikers.

Firefighters eventually used a Jet Ski to transport the man to a rescue boat. One firefighter also injured his ankle during the rescue operation. Read more at sfexaminer.com

Sarah B.

Blood Centers of the Pacific is holding a blood drive this Wednesday at the VA Hospital at 4150 Clement Street. The drive will be held in Building 7, 1st Floor, Room 112.

The drive runs from 9am until 2pm and walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, visit their website and enter the sponsor code: SFVA.

If you do plan to donate, be sure to eat a good meal, drink plenty of water before donating, and bring photo identification.

Sarah B.