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Archive for September, 2011

Sep-30-2011

Win tickets to lecture by author of “Wicked Bugs” at the Conservatory, Oct. 6

Next Thursday, October 6, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate is hosting a special event for Amy Stewart‘s newest book, Wicked Bugs: The Louse that Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects.

Stewart’s earlier book was the inspiration behind the current Conservatory Exhibition “Wicked Plants: Botanical Rogues & Assassins”, which closes on October 30. The show features over 30 species of wicked plants that look harmless – often even pretty – but have highly poisonous, even fatal, properties.

Stewart took the same approach with her new book. From the horrific to the bizarre, the book documents the strange places bugs appear in pop culture, relationships, science, travel and, last but not least, the garden.

Stewart will talk about her new book at the October 6 event, and attendees will also have a chance to attend the Wicked Plants exhibit.

The event runs from 7pm until 8pm and Admission is $12. But because you read this blog, you have a chance to win a free pair of tickets! To enter, use the contact form to send us an email with your information. We’ll pick a winner at random from the entries we receive. Entries are due by Monday, Oct. 3 at 5pm.

Good luck! And watch out for those wicked bugs…

Sarah B.

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5:01 am | Posted under Events, Golden Gate Park | Add comments
Sep-29-2011

World Veg Festival in Golden Gate Park, Saturday & Sunday

Golden Gate Park is busy this weekend with Hardly Strictly Bluegrass going on at Speedway, Lindley and Marx meadows, free days at the Academy of Sciences, and the 12th Annual World Veg Festival at the County Fair Building.

The World Veg Festival is a two-day celebration of all things vegan, vegetarian and everything in between. The festival features informative lectures by the movers and shakers of the vegetarian movement plus creative vegan cooking demos; international cuisine to sample or buy; vegan friendly merchandise; a Children’s Corner; Veggie Speed Dating; a Vegan Fashion Show; and a variety of world entertainers.

Some of the outstanding speakers are John Robbins, Jeffrey Masson, Rory Freedman, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Michael Greger , Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Milton Mills, Dr. Anteneh Roba, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, & more!

View the full festival schedule

The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm at the County Fair Building in the park (9th & Lincoln).

Admission is free if you arrive in the first half hour, after that it is $8 for adults. Children under 12 and seniors are free all day long.

Sarah B.

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9:45 am | Posted under Events, Food, Golden Gate Park | Add comments
Sep-28-2011

Police Blotter – September 23, 2011 | Got pot? “Yeah, about a pound or so.”

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of September 23, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN KETIH SANFORD’S MESSAGE
Our Police Community Relations Forum meeting held on September 20th at the Richmond Police Station Community room and was well attended as the major topic of discussion focused on events in the Golden Gate Park. I was impressed with representatives from Rec & Park, those responses to questions by the community had been informative. Outside Lands representatives were also in attendance and they were interactive with the group. We have the up coming Hardly Strictly Bluegrass concert this coming weekend from September 29 through October 2. Representatives from the promoters were present at the past PCRF meeting and we hope to see the community concerns address.

Park Presidio Neighborhood Association held their annual BBQ this past weekend where numerous attendees were treated to food, family and kids entertainment. The SFFD sent a fire engine and SFPD had the Mounted Horse Unit as well as the Richmond Station Solo Motorcycle Officer. We look forward to next year’s celebration.

Geary Blvd. Merchant Association President David Heller and his wife, Shiomit celebrated their 25th year in business, The Beauty Network. It was another wonderful event and it is great having David and his wife being so active in our neighborhood.

PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT
Phone Company Employee Impersonation in the Portola

On 09/09/11 at 12:20 hrs, on the 800 block of Brussels, a Hispanic male (34-40 years, 5’8”, 150lbs) wearing an AT&T work shirt and tool belt gained entry to a residence by stating that he had a repair work order. The resident allowed entry but followed the subject throughout the house. The subject inspected wiring, cutting some of them and left the residence without repairing them. The subject stated that he had to return to his office to send a signal. The resident contacted AT&T and discovered that no such work order existed. The resident made the police report.

It is reasonable to contact companies that send representatives to conduct inspections or work orders at your home or business when you have not been notified of such actions to see if indeed it is a valid representative/company.

Also our officers have in the past three weeks arrested numerous parolees and probationary subjects who have been in possession of stolen property or have broken into properties. Home and business owners should make certain that their windows and doors are secured as well as alarms activated. Our Project SAFE can make home and business inspections for you and this assessment will help in protecting your family/home from intruders.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 09/20 at 6am, officers responded to the area of 23rd & Anza on a call of an auto burglary in progress. The caller provided a description of the suspect and officers detained her on the 500 block of 23rd Ave. The caller stated that a car alarm woke him up and he looked out his window. He observed the suspect inside a vehicle, with the passenger door open and the alarm sounding. The suspect then exited the vehicle and walked over to the bed of the caller’s pick-up truck and searched the bed of his truck. The suspect had in her possession items that were taken from the vehicle and were identified by the owner of the car. The 55 year old female was charged with burglary, possession of stolen property and a probation violation.

On 09/18 at 7:30am, a victim was walking to his vehicle which was parked in a secured apartment building garage on the 800 block of LaPlaya. He observed the suspect walking away from the area of his vehicle with items clutched to the front of his chest. He then observed the suspect get into a gray vehicle that was parked in a stall nearby. The victim then checked his car and noticed several items missing. It was determined later in the day that the vehicle the suspect had fled in had been stolen from another tenant in the same apartment building. Officers were able to retrieve video of the suspect in the building which will assist in identification. Officers over the next couple of days continued to investigate and discovered that the stolen vehicle had been in the area of 9th St & Mission on the evening of 09/20/11. Plainclothes officers went to the area of 9th & Mission on 09/21/11 and located the stolen vehicle. The suspect returned to the vehicle and drove away. A patrol unit attempted to stop the suspect who fled, but the got stuck in traffic on 3rd Street . The suspect fled the vehicle on foot but was detained by officers a short distance away. Officer located property from several other auto and residential burglaries in the vehicle. The 37 year old male who was on parole was charged with stolen auto, possession of stolen property, narcotic violations, falsifying a driver’s license and numerous other charges.

On 09/22 at 2:15pm, the victim was sitting at the bus stop on 25th Ave and California. The victim was “twittering” on her phone and had the ear buds in her ear. The suspect walked up and sat next to her and after about two minutes the suspect grabbed the victims phone and ran north on 25th Ave. Numerous units responded to the area and the suspect was located at 28th Ave and California St. The victim’s phone was found in his possession. The 15 year old male was charged with robbery.

On 09/22 at 2:20am, officers were patrolling the area of Golden Gate and Temescal when they observed the suspect riding a bike, while pushing another on Golden Gate Ave. They spoke with the suspect and ran a warrant check which came back negative. The suspect was sent on his way. The officers then drove to the direction the suspect had just come from and found an open garage door on the 2800 block of Turk St. Knowing that there had been a theft of a bicycle from a garage just two blocks away earlier in the week, the officers went back and located the suspect and detained him. An officer responded to the home on Turk and was able to contact the tenants. They went to the garage and saw that their bikes were missing. The tenants described their bikes which were the two the suspect had in his possession. The 54 year old male was charged with burglary, possession of stolen property, a parole warrant, and violation of his parole.

On 09/23 at 12:08am, officers observed a vehicle driving the wrong way on Cornwall St. The vehicle then took a turn south on 6th Ave at a high rate of speed. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on the 200 block of 6th Ave. The driver opened the door of his car and told the officers that he panicked when he saw the patrol car. As the officer was standing at the door, he could detect a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When asked if he had marijuana in the car, the driver said “Yeah, about a pound or so.” Officers located several large baggies of suspected marijuana and other narcotics in the vehicle, along with a digital scale and cash. The 20 year old male was charged with possession of narcotics for sale.

On 09/23 at 1:45am, officers responded to a call of a dispute in the area of 5th Ave and Geary Bl. Officers located several victims, some who had been spat upon by the suspect and another victim who had been hit several times with a skateboard. Officers located and detained the suspect on 5th Ave and Anza St. The victims told the officers that they had been standing outside of nearby bar, and one of the victims was approached by the suspect who tried to strike up a conversation with this victim. The victim finally told the suspect to leave her alone, and she and her friend went back inside the bar. The suspect followed the victim back inside continued to stare at her and get close to her. Again the victim told the suspect to leave her alone and she went back outside. The suspect came outside told her she was rude and spat in her face. The suspect then took his skateboard and struck the second victim numerous times in the back. The suspect, a 25 year old male was charged with aggravated assault and battery.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 09/16 at 10:22pm, officer responded to an alarm call of a residence on the 3600 block of Jackson St. When they arrived they saw that a side door leading into the basement of the residence was open. The officers made their way to the first floor of the home and saw that the door leading into the residence had been forced open. A caretaker for the home arrived and told the officers that the owner of the home was out of town, so loss was not determined.

Between 09/16, 9:30pm and 09/17, 1am on the 3100 block of Turk St, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.

Between 09/17, 11:30pm and 09/18, 2:30pm on the 2900 block of Pine St, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a bike and a set of golf clubs. There were no signs of forced entry.

Between 09/19, 12pm and 09/20, 10am on the 200 block of 21st Ave, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a cell phone from a car parked inside. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 09/20 at 2:45pm, on the 400 block of 22nd Ave, the elderly victim was home when she heard the sound of glass breaking at her front door. As she approached the door she saw two males standing just outside and saw that a pane of glass on the door was broken. She yelled at them and they fled to a small white vehicle.

On 09/21 at 2:20pm, the victim got onto a MUNI bus at 9th Ave and Geary after affixing his bike to the rack at the front of the bus. When the bus stopped at Geary and Masonic the driver made an announcement that a bike had just been stolen from the rack. The victim determined that it was his and was not able to find the suspect or his bike.

On 09/22 at 1:56pm, officers responded to a call of a burglary on the 600 block of 38th Ave. The caller was reporting that her neighbor’s front door had been kicked in. While the officers were on scene, the victim came home and reported that jewelry was in fact taken from his house. The suspects attempted to get in by breaking the glass on the front door, but because of deadbolt locks were unable, and finally kicked the door in.

On 09/23 at 9:45am officer responded to a call of a woman screaming for help in the area of Sacramento and Divisadero Sts. Officers located the victim and she told them that she had walking her dog on Sacramento St near Divisadero. She had just hung up her cell phone and put it into the back pocket of her pants. She suddenly felt a bump from behind and when she turned she saw the suspect with her phone in his hand. The suspect then fled west on Sacramento St . The victim gave chase all the while yelling for help. The suspect then went south on Broderick with the victim in pursuit and she observed the suspect place her phone in the middle of the street and continue to flee. The victim recovered her phone. The suspect was described as a male 25-30 years of age, wearing a black jacket and dark pants.

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9:14 am | Posted under Crime | 10 comments
Sep-28-2011

Local schools to open their lots for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass parking

This weekend, several schools in the neighborhood will take advantage of the influx of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass concertgoers to raise some much needed funds.

This weekend, the following schools will offer all-day parking for $25 (tax deductible!):

Argonne Elementary School, 17th Avenue & Cabrillo
Saturday & Sunday 9am-8pm

Lafayette Elementary School, 36th Avenue & Anza
Saturday & Sunday 10am-8pm

Presidio Middle School, 30th Avenue & Geary
Friday 5pm-9:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-8pm

For all of the schools, these concert parking fundraisers have helped fill the budget gap for school programs. At Argonne, the funds they raise go to support reading and learning support specialists, art, dance, classroom supplies, enrichment programming, chorus and P.E.

The free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festivals takes place at Speedway, Lindley & Marx meadows in Golden Gate Park from 11am until 7pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Full schedule

Most of the lots fill up by noon so if you plan on driving, get there early to secure your spot!

Sarah B.

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9:05 am | Posted under Events, Golden Gate Park, Live Music, Transportation | 5 comments
Sep-27-2011

Free days at the Academy of Sciences for the ‘hood, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2


A tree frog at the Academy of Sciences. Photo by tibchris

This Friday through Sunday, residents living in the 94115, 94118, 94121, and 94129 can get free admission to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.

Details on how to get in:

Each visiting adult must show a valid photo ID with proof of residency. The following items or combinations are acceptable: A driver’s license or state ID card; Photo ID plus postmarked envelope, postcard, or magazine label with name and date; Photo ID plus utility bill (gas/electric/cable), bank statement, or letter from a government agency with name and home address (not a P.O. Box). Only residents from the zip codes invited on the designated dates will be admitted free of charge.

Each visiting adult is limited to six children for free entry.

The Academy is open from 9:30am until 5pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 11am until 5pm on Sunday. If you’ve got an iPhone, don’t forget to download the free Academy Insider app to enhance your visit.

Sarah B.

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1:28 pm | Posted under Free stuff, Golden Gate Park, Kids, Museums | 4 comments
Sep-27-2011

Clement food news: Steins opens; King of Thai closed shortly for remodeling


The new Steins restaurant, located at 731 Clement Street

While out for dinner Monday night, I noticed a couple of restaurant changes on Clement Street.

The former Burma Tea Leaf restaurant at 731 Clement Street near 9th Avenue is now “Steins”, an American/German eatery offering lots of beer, five flat screen televisions over the bar, and a varied menu that includes bruschetta, burgers, chicken sandwiches, ghoulash, and bratwurst. The restaurant has a heavy emphasis on beer judging by the German beer signs and steins lined up on the bar.

The place was about half full, with many baseball-cap-wearing guys watching Monday night football. :) If you’ve eaten there, leave a review for us in the comments!

A block up at 639 Clement is the home of King of Thai Noodle House, one of the neighborhood’s best hole-in-the-wall places. They have closed their doors temporarily through September 30 for remodeling.

Coincidentally the space next door, a former photo store, recently moved out so I had high hopes King of Thai might be expanding their footprint (they only have about 6 tables inside). But alas, after eating dinner at their sister restaurant at 346 Clement, I confirmed that they won’t be expanding, just re-opening after the remodel.

Bon apetit,

Sarah B.

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10:30 am | Posted under Business, Food | 21 comments
Sep-27-2011

Local links: Bike with your Supe, street cleaning calc, Library boozing & more


The mechanical horse warning sign at Toy Boat Cafe. Photo by chopperwelder

Here are a few local tidbits for your Tuesday:

  • Bike to Work Day with Supervisor Eric Mar this Wednesday, Sept. 28. Meet at the Velo Rouge Café, 798 Arguello at 8am to ride downtown. If it rains, no ride.
  • Shop at the new Fresh & Easy at 32nd & Clement? Save your receipts to help George Washington High School fundraise. Shop from Sept. 15 – Dec. 31 and send your receipts in to help them out. Details here
  • Tired of street-cleaning tickets? Use this handy mobile website to calculate the next cleaning day and how many days are remaining. Custom made for the Richmond District by a resident!
  • Get buzzed at your local library! Friends of the SF Public Library are hosting IMBIBE at the Richmond District Branch Library on Friday, Sept. 30 from 7-10pm. Live music by Little Creatures (a Talking Heads tribute band) plus snacks and drinks. FSPL membership required.
  • Want to know more about the new Lands End Lookout visitor center being built? Join them for an information session on Saturday, October 1 from 10am to 11am. Meet in the Lands End Parking Lot on Pt. Lobos Avenue.
  • Only 2 more weeks for the “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris” show at the de Young Museum. Tickets are going fast, so be sure to purchase them in advance to secure your spot. Closes October 10.
  • Hey calendar lovers! Green Apple Books just got in their 2012 calendars, 900 different ones to be exact.
  • CBS5 picks Na Ya Dessert House (5338 Geary Blvd) as a staff favorite for cheap eats. “It’s a real Asian sweet treat (they serve Japanese, Taiwanese, and of course Thai dessert which is hard to find in the US), and it’s affordable just 10 dollars for two desserts and a drink.”
  • 7×7 has the details on communing with the SFPD’s equine officers. “Farther west into the park, patrolling officers mount their horses at the red Golden Gate Park Police Stables. Visit any 9am-2pm to pet and feed the equine force.” Located next to the Polo Fields near 36th Avenue, 415-752-6255.
  • This $3.9 million property features an indoor lap pool and an “original speakeasy with secret passageway” that is now the media room. Oh if walls could talk.
  • Noodle on this name change: Chiang Mai (5020 Geary at Park Presidio), is under new ownership and will become Amphawa Thai Noodle House.

Sarah B.

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5:05 am | Posted under Eric Mar, Food, Golden Gate Park, Museums | Add comments
Sep-26-2011

Young volunteers hit the streets to help register voters


Volunteers help register voters on outside the See’s Candy on Clement & 9th Avenue

On Saturday and Sunday, nearly 100 volunteers spent time helping local residents get registered for the upcoming November 8 election.

The voter registration drive was organized and led by Executive Director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, David Lee. Lee teaches political science at San Francisco State and also serves on the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Commission.

Volunteers met at the Committee’s Richmond District headquarters at the State Farm Insurance office at 4442 Geary. Participants were provided with voter registration forms and trained on how to approach people on the street. They were then dispatched into the Richmond district with the goal of registering residents to vote.

Roughly 50 volunteers participated on Saturday, registering voters in the busy Clement Street shopping district. Another 35 volunteers came out on Sunday.

Lee says “our mission is to help the Richmond vote and to train young people to apply themselves towards improving their neighborhood. We are nonpartisan so our goal is strictly to increase voter turnout without steering voters to any particular candidate, party or issue.”

The Chinese American Voters Education Committee will be out every weekend until the election, helping register new voters.

Are you registered to vote for the upcoming election? If not, click here for all the details.

Sarah B.


The group of volunteers outside the Chinese American Voters Education Committee office on Saturday


David Lee, Executive Director of the Chinese American Voters Education Committee, speaks to the volunteers


Volunteers outside the Goodwill store on Clement Street

More photos

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9:09 am | Posted under Politics, Volunteer | 2 comments
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