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Archive for January, 2012

Jan-31-2012

Win tickets to Playland history lecture at the Conservatory, Feb. 7


Photo courtesy of the SF Public Library archive

Next Tuesday night, California historian James R. Smith will be at the Conservatory of Flowers to give a special lecture “San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach: The Early Years 1914-1945″.

Smith will share rare photos and stories from his book about the once bustling amusement park that sat across from Ocean Beach on the Great Highway.

You’ll start your evening with a private viewing of the Conservatory’s delightful garden railway exhibition, “Playland at the Conservatory.” While you’re there, try your hand at vintage arcade games and chat with former Playland carny Marvin Gold who will be on hand to answer questions and tell you about the memorabilia. Then sit back and enjoy the ride as Smith explores the phenomenon that was Playland at the Beach.

We’re giving away a pair of passes to the event. To enter, simply send us an email via our contact form by Friday, February 3 at 12noon. We’ll draw a winner randomly from the entries.

The lecture begins at 7pm, doors open at 6pm for viewing the Playland exhibition beforehand. And even if you don’t win the free pair of passes, tickets are only $5 per person.

Sarah B.


Playland, 1962. Courtesy SFPL.


Playland, 1949. Courtesy of SFPL

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11:38 am | Posted under Events, History | 3 comments
Jan-30-2012

Multimedia presentation about the Beatles’ White Album at the Balboa, Feb. 6

Next Monday night, the Balboa Theater is hosting a special presentation of “Looking Through A Glass Onion: Deconstructing the Beatles’ White Album”.

Using rare audio and video clips, as well as anecdotes about the creation of the songs, “Looking Through A Glass Onion” explores the groundbreaking production techniques that went into producing this landmark piece of music history. Composer, Producer and Beatles Expert Scott Freiman will discuss the creation of songs like “Revolution”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, and “Blackbird”, plus many other classic songs from the White Album.

The Beatles’ 1968 self-titled album (commonly referred to as the White Album) is the bestselling album of the Beatles’ career. Its thirty songs span almost every style of music – from hard rock to country to chamber music to avant garde. Its recording took place during a remarkable year in Beatles history that included a lengthy trip to India and the arrival of Yoko Ono. In Looking Through A Glass Onion: Deconstructing The Beatles’ White Album, composer/producer Scott Freiman takes Beatles fans young and old into the studio as the Beatles create this masterpiece.

“As a composer and producer, I have always been fascinated by the Beatles innovations in songwriting and recording,” said Freiman. “It is truly exciting to listen to songs we know so well evolve from a home demo to a finished recording. There’s a reason why the Beatles’ music continues to strike a chord with new generations of fans, 40 years after their last recording.”

The 2 hour presentation begins at 7:30pm and tickets are $15. Purchase them online in advance or at the door.

Sarah B.

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3:01 pm | Posted under Events | Add comments
Jan-30-2012

Photo: Light tails at the Cliff House

Photo by Kyo PR

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9:34 am | Posted under Photos | 4 comments
Jan-27-2012

Vandals remove portion of handrail on steep block of 48th Avenue


The handrail on 48th Avenue at Balboa. The circled area is where a portion was sawed off on Thursday afternoon.

In May of last year, after urging from residents and Supervisor Eric Mar, the DPW installed a new handrail alongside some very steep stairs on 48th Avenue at Balboa.

The railing had been wiped out by a truck with runaway brakes a few years back. After an elderly resident fell and injured herself on the hill, neighbor Gabriel Lampert went on a personal crusade to get the handrail replaced. With help from Supervisor Mar’s office, the DPW stepped up and replaced it.

But as they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Gabriel returned home on Thursday afternoon to find that a portion of the handrail had been sawed off by vandals.

“Skateboarders had been out here often mumbling to themselves that the segment impeded their best jumps, so I’m guessing that’s who did this,” Gabriel told us.

The vandals removed the top portion of the longest stretch of the handrail.

Certainly not the crime of the century, but a shame to see something that many worked hard on be so carelessly vandalized.

Sarah B.

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10:32 am | Posted under Crime | 12 comments
Jan-27-2012

Photo: Waiting on dim sum

Patient, hungry patrons look on as the staff at Good Luck Dim Sum on Clement replenishes. Photo by Cameron Wu.

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5:15 am | Posted under Food, Photos | 6 comments
Jan-26-2012

Police Blotter – January 27, 2012

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of January 27, 2012. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN ERIC VINTERO’S MESSAGE
Traffic Concerns
Traffic safety is a very high priority for the Officers at Richmond Station. I value all of the e-mails regarding locations in the District where individuals are violating traffic laws, and I take your concerns very seriously. We have experienced several serious traffic collisions this week, especially on Fulton Street . Officers are deployed to locations around the district based on the analysis of motor vehicle collision data and community input. This week I analyzed the data for over 300 traffic accidents which occurred in 2011. The three main corridors where accidents occurred were:

1) Geary Boulevard
2) Fulton Street
3) Park Presidio Boulevard

The primary collision factor for the majority of these accidents was unsafe speed (speeding).

Yesterday, Officers at Richmond Station conducted a pedestrian decoy operation at Fulton and 37th Avenue and Geary Boulevard @ 22nd Avenue . 35 citations were issued to drivers who failed to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. There were two arrests for persons driving on a suspended license. In addition, radar speed trailers have been strategically placed on Fulton Avenue and on Point Lobos Ave. Richmond Station Officers will continue to conduct weekly pedestrian and radar sting operations at various problematic locations in an effort to reduce collisions and improve community safety. Please drive carefully and be mindful of all traffic control devices, speed limits, and of pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways. With the rainy season finally here, it’s also a good time to conduct a vehicle light and safety inspection. Please ensure that all of your vehicle lights are in proper working order, tires have proper tread, and that the windshield wipers are not worn out. All of these factors make your vehicle more noticeable and improve your safety on the road.

The next Richmond District community meeting will be held at Richmond Station on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 7pm.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 01/23 at 11:15am, plainclothes officers were in the area of 38th and Geary Bl when they observed a male from
previous arrests and knew he was on probation. The officers stopped to speak to him and conduct a probation search. In the suspect’s backpack they found a computer monitor and 2 video surveillance cameras. They also located a large amount of methamphetamine. The 38 year old male was charged with probation and narcotics violations.

On 01/25 at 12:50am, officers were in the area of 38th Ave and Fulton and observed a vehicle traveling east on
Fulton . As the officers turned onto Fulton from 38th Ave , the vehicle made an abrupt left turn onto 35th without signaling. The officers conducted a traffic stop and the driver of the vehicle immediately exited saying he was lost. When the officer asked the driver to sit, the driver began to walk away while removing his jacket. The officers detained the male and had the female passenger exit the vehicle. The officer illuminated the interior of the vehicle and saw a large Ziploc baggie containing a large amount of cocaine, packaged for sales and cash. The 27 year old male was charged with various narcotic violations.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
Between 01/22, 10:15am and 01/23, 7am on the 5900 block of California St, a suspect entered a rear garden area and entered an unlocked storage area. The suspect attempted to gain access into a locked container but was unsuccessful. The suspect then entered the rear of the business by a side door. The suspect opened the cash register but there was no money inside.

Between 01/22, 8pm and 01/23, 7:30am on the 2000 block of Baker, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took 2 bicycles. The garage door may have been malfunctioning.

Between 01/23, 11pm and 01/24, 9am on the 3500 block of Balboa, a suspect gained entry into a restaurant by smashing the glass panel on the front door. The suspect took cash from the register.

On 01/24 at 10am, 3 female suspects entered a clothing store all carrying bags. They stuffed the bags with clothes from the racks and ran out the door. The suspects were described as females in their early 20’s, one wearing a purple knit hat and one with a hooded black windbreaker with the interior lining of the hood being white.

On 01/25 at 4:35am, a male was walking by the bus stop on Fulton near 16th Ave. He observed what he believed marijuana inside a torn garbage bag on the sidewalk. The officers responded and located the bag and estimated the weight to be about two pounds. The marijuana was sent to the lab for destruction.

On 01/25, between 8:30am and 9:30pm on the 2900 block of California St, a suspect gained entry into an apartment by forcing open a rear door. The suspect took jewelry and two laptops,

On 01/26 at 12:30am, a caller was reporting that he had observed a female spray painting the side of a truck. The caller heard the sound of a spray can being shaken and saw the suspect standing with another male. The caller asked the woman if she had a spray can and she said “no.” They both walked away and the caller then observed her spraying the side of a truck. The caller stopped her and called the police. The 18 year old was charged with vandalism and possession of graffiti tools.

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1:59 pm | Posted under Crime | 6 comments
Jan-25-2012

Woof woof! Pet adoption event at Cal’s Pet Supply this Saturday

Got room in your home for a new family member?

This Saturday from 11am until 2pm, Cal’s Pet Supply (California & 22nd Avenue) is hosting a SF SPCA Pet Adoption Event featuring cats and dogs.

They held their last event in September where they found homes for all the animals that were available for adoption.

And if you do find that special cat or dog to take home, stocking up on supplies won’t be too hard on your wallet. Cal’s will give a one-time, 10% discount on any purchases to those lucky new pet owners who adopt during the drive.

Sarah B.

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4:19 pm | Posted under Pets | 2 comments
Jan-25-2012

Local Links: Free classes, Mar on the Grammy’s, Stow Lake mtg & more


Photo by Elijah Ellis

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10:59 am | Posted under Eric Mar, Golden Gate Park, Live Music, Shopping | 16 comments
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