“Layers” by Mike Dillon

• In case you hadn’t heard, Mayor Ed Lee is running for mayor. No really, he is. He’ll open his Richmond District field office on Saturday at 10am, 389 Arguello Blvd. at Clement.
• The woman who scammed potential renters of her Richmond District apartment out of $100k+ plead guilty and will likely get 2 years in prison. Plus she has to pay it all back. Sentencing is October 19th.
• The Stow Lake legal saga may finally be nearing an end next week when the current vendor will finally vacate for the new one, Ortega Enterprises to take over. Ortega is planning to spend over $200k on renovations and plans to begin operations by end of September.
• Itching to tango? Stop by the Lands End parking lot at Merrie Way every Sunday at 2pm for a free lesson. The Chron’s got the scoop on the tango trend and tangomango.com or @bayareatango has the where and when.
• The Internet Archive at Clement & Funston announced the launch of Understanding 9/11: A Television News Archive, a library of news coverage of the events of 9/11/2001 and their aftermath as presented by U.S. and international broadcasters.
• Safeway is making progress on the remodel of their Ocean Beach / La Playa location, receiving their Preliminary Project Assessment (PPA) from the Planning Dept. Next up is a meeting with the city to determine a date for their formal development application.
• The de Young will be open on Labor Day even though it’s normally closed on Mondays. Good excuse to go see the Picasso exhibit!

I hope everyone has a great Labor Day weekend!

Sarah B.

Sometimes I am delighted about what lands in my inbox. That was definitely the case when this poem arrived, recently written by Kenneth Werda who grew up in the Richmond District; he is now 82 years old. His sister Joan sent it to me and asked if the blog would be the right place to share it? Absolutely!

I’ve added some SFPL archive images to accompany Kenneth’s references in the poem, all taken around 1947, when he graduated from George Washington High School. Enjoy,

Sarah B.

AN ODE TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE CITY
by Kenneth Werda

From “Hilltop High” I can see the Bay
all my realm before me lay
I marvel at the vast array
and know here’s where I want to stay

My stucco house all painted white
will catch the sun and reflect its light
in all the world no other sight
could fill my heart with such delight

Arguello, Geary and Clement
along these streets my boyhood spent
days and years of such content
a Richmond District resident

I think of days now gone before
saddened there will be no more
of dunes and sand and open land
the “Col”, the “Al” so very grand
Sutro’s house and old Playland
all gone by the wrecker’s hand

If heaven’s doors allow me in
I know my face will wear a grin
’cause I’m sure what I will see
is my old Richmond there for me

Taken from the roof of George Washington High School, aka “Hilltop High”, June 16, 1945.
Looking west on Anza to the ocean | Courtesy SFPL

The Alexandria Theater, Sept. 25, 1942 | Courtesy SFPL

The Coliseum Theater, 1944. Corner of Clement and 9th Avenue (now a Walgreens). | Courtesy SFPL

Group of boys on a ride at Playland at the Beach, July 14, 1947 | Courtesy SFPL