Yesterday’s Sunday Streets, dubbed “Penguin to Penguin” because of its start at the Academy of Sciences and its end at the Zoo, brought out two great things in abundance – San Franciscans and sunshine.

Thousands came out to enjoy a car free Golden Gate Park and Great Highway, riding their bikes, rollerskating, skateboarding or just walking. At Lincoln and Great Highway there were dozens of vendors set up ranging from Clif Bar to Sports Basement to dog rescue organizations. There was plenty of live music, games for kids and cultural activities. Even a MUNI bus was parked for kids to explore and run around in.

Waiting at the end of the route at Sloat and Great Highway was another special surprise – a penguin mascot – who as you’ll see in the video, definitely had the moves.

Did you come out for Sunday Streets?

Sarah B.

We first told you about Amybelle’s Wash & Dry at 3220 Balboa back in December. They let us know that co-owner Amy Capule would be offering a special service to lend a hand during these tough economic times.

That special service is resume counseling. Amy is a seasoned recruiter who has seen her fair share of resumes over the years. Every Saturday from 10am until 12noon, you’ll find her at the laundromat meeting with people and coaching them on how to improve their resumes. All for free.

SF Public Press recently published a video profile of the wash & dry / career center. Check it out below to see what Amybelle’s is up to and what sage advice Amy has for your resume.

Sarah B.

Ellen Murphy celebrates her 100th birthday. Photo by Marilyn Garry-Mulkeen from the Bay Citizen

The Bay Citizen today has a nice article by Martin Mulkeen about his 100 year old great aunt who has spent her entire life living in the Richmond District.

Having moved only once in her life – from 23rd and Lake to 27th and Balboa – Ellen Murphy must hold the record (or at least be in the top 3) for the longest residency in our neighborhood.

The article has some interesting reflections on her years in the city – riding the trolley cars, wooden sidewalks, and her memories of swimming at Sutro Baths.

She recently celebrated her 100th birthday at where else…the Cliff House! She recalled when the sea lions were constantly barking and she could hear them blocks away at her home. And she reflected sadly on the time when her brother drowned in the bay.

Read the full article here

Happy 100th birthday to Miss Murphy! I’ve only got about 90 more years to catch up with her Richmond District record, what about you?

Sarah B.

Our friends over at the Richmond District Neighborhood Center are running a community survey to assess the needs of adults in our area.

RDNC Coordinator Mila Diaz says the survey information will be used to determine what the Richmond District has, where we are duplicating services and where people have needs that are not being met. The RDNC will also be holding focus groups and interviews as part of the research.

The results will then be shared with Richmond District community based organizations as well as our neighborhood Merchant Associations.

To participate, click one of the links below. Your responses are anonymous and it takes just a few minutes to complete the survey.

English survey
Chinese survey

Sarah B.

In AAA’s recent issue of Via Magazine, they have a nice writeup on the Richmond District and why it’s a destination of choice. They called me a few months back to verify some facts and get some advice on what to check out. So I’m thrilled to see it was finally published. A few excerpts below; read the whole article here.

By the way, the woman in the photo looks SO familiar but I can’t place which Clement Street store I’ve seen her at. Anyone recognize her?

Sarah B.

VIA MAGAZINE | July 2010
Spiciest city scene: San Francisco’s Richmond District
In the city’s northwest corner, lively ethnic eateries lure culinary day-trippers
By Nino Padova

Spices,” Carlos Ayala beams. “You’ve got to check out these spices.” The 34-year-old Guatemalan American clerk skitters out from behind the counter and heads toward the back of Haig’s Delicacies, a dimly lit specialty food and sandwich shop on Clement Street in San Francisco’s Richmond District. He stops at a large rack stuffed with dozens of packaged powders and seasonings: Hungarian paprika, Ethiopian bird’s-eye chiles, Indonesian squash seeds, dried Persian lemons. The array is intoxicating—flavors from around the world, in a store owned by an Armenian immigrant … next door to a Hawaiian barbecue joint and across the street from a Thai noodle house sandwiched between a Vietnamese deli and a Chinese fish market. Up and down the street, dozens of ethnic shops and restaurants sit together, forming if not the heart of the city, then at least its hungry belly.

The Richmond’s oldest, best-known attractions—the Cliff House, Lands End, and the Legion of Honor—are clustered at its beachy end. But to get a taste of the area’s ethnic eclecticism you’ll need to venture further inland, to the lively blocks of Clement Street and Geary Boulevard between Arguello and 25th Avenue…

Read the full article at viamagazine.com

Sarah B.

“Hola. Me llamo Sara.” Those were the first words I learned in Spanish. I progressed well beyond that but every now and then, I still throw out a few phrases just to stay on my toes.

This summer, the Richmond District Neighborhood Center is offering free Spanish classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Drop in to learn the language or just brush up on your skills.

Classes meet from 6:30pm until 8:30pm at the RDNC, located at 741 30th Avenue. For more information, call 532-7181.

Adios,

Sarah B.

One of the most annoying and costly problems that businesses and homeowners face in the Richmond District is graffiti.

The city of San Francisco knows this problem all too well. The Department of Public Works (DPW) plans to spend $3.6 million removing graffiti in the city this year and notifying property owners to do the same. The city’s 311 service center has already received 25,857 graffiti-related service requests during the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Recently, the DPW kicked off two new programs that call on the community to help combat the growing graffiti problem.

Graffiti Watch
The first is a new program called Graffiti Watch, which encourages residents to take ownership of a heavily-tagged four-block area in their neighborhood and remove graffiti from public property such as utility poles, mailboxes, trash receptacles and other street furniture. In return, the DPW provides training and tools.

Any police officer or DPW official will tell you that the best way to prevent future graffiti vandalism is to remove it within 24 hours. The faster graffiti tags are painted over, the less likely it is that the vandals will return. The Graffiti Watch program calls on local residents to be the eyes and ears in graffiti prevention and arms them with the tools to remove it as early as possible.

To become a member of the Graffiti Watch, download and complete the application or visit the website for more information.

And if adopting a four block area sounds like too big a commitment, you can also join the Adopt-a-Street program to receive free graffiti supplies.

Graffiti Rewards
If being a mindful citizen sounds good, but you need a little more incentive, how does $250 cash sound? That’s what the city will pay as part of their new Graffiti Rewards Fund, which offers cash rewards to good Samaritans who report graffiti crimes and work with police and the District Attorney to convict vandals.

“On behalf of the City, I thank those who take the time and effort to report graffiti vandalism,” said Mayor Newsom. “Engaging residents is our best defense against graffiti vandalism, keeps our city beautiful, and allows us to spend much needed city resources elsewhere.”

To be eligible for a Graffiti Reward, participants must file a police report, provide information that leads to an arrest and cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation and any trial proceedings. The program is retroactive back to crimes reported on or after February 22, 2008.

For more information on who’s eligible for a Graffiti reward and how to apply, visit the Graffiti Rewards website.

Sarah B.

SFGate had a nice “Street Date” feature last week, focused on Russian treats along Geary Boulevard here in the Richmond District. The date starts in the outer Richmond with shopping at Troika Gifts and ends with a spot of tea Katia’s.

Here’s your Russian street date itinerary:

1. Troika Gifts, 6300 Geary Boulevard
Eggs adorned with hand-painted hummingbirds share a shelf with Russian nesting dolls in this gift shop.

2. Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 6210 Geary Boulevard
Built in the early 1960s, its magnificent interior houses exquisite murals frescoed by Archimandrite Kiprian. Website

3. Holy Virgin Cathedral Bookstore, 6200 Geary Boulevard
In this bookstore next to the cathedral, you’ll find religious books, icons, incense, crosses and books for children. Open 10:30am – 2pm, 3-6pm Tuesday through Friday, 10:30am – 3pm on Saturdays.

4. Yana Deli, 4605 Geary Boulevard
If you don’t speak Russian, get in line and once at the counter, point at piroshki, sausages, cheese and other tasty Russian fare.

5. Cinderella Russian Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa Street @ 5th Avenue
Start out with a crunchy, mushroom-filled piroshki, warm from the oven, or try the potato, cheese or cherry vareniki. Website

6. Katia’s, 600 Fifth Avenue near Balboa
This cozy Russian tearoom serves an afternoon tea that includes Russian-style tea and a medley of savory and dessert choices. Website

Read the full article at SFGate.com

Thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Paul for sending this in. Any other Russian stops you’d add to this street date itinerary?

Sarah B.