Photo by Elijah Ellis

• Free adult classes start at the Richmond Village Beacon on January 30th. Ballroom dance, yoga, tai chi, knitting, computers and English (ESL) instruction – all free! View class schedule
• Kisha Studio (210 Clement) has a spring sale event this Saturday. Free champagne, and hair mini makeover sessions from 1-5pm (call 422-0468 for an appt). Plus 10% off any purchase when you mention the Richmond Blog.
• Supervisor Mar’s latest resolution to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday was about the Grammy Awards and their limited selection of musical genres. No word yet on the Board’s reaction.
• SFCitizen reports that there will be a public meeting on January 26 about the remodel of the Stow Lake Boathouse. Hall of Flowers, 7pm.
• SF Rec & Park is planning a free tribute concert to Warren Hellman on February 19 from 11am until 5pm. Location will be either Hellman Hollow or Ocean Beach parking lots, depending on the weather. Organizers also hope to stream it live online.
• Feeling lucky? Enter to win a Green Apple $20 gift card from FunCheapSF.

Residents met with police and city officials on January 20th about the Jack in the Box
after hours permit request. Photo by David H.

Last Friday afternoon, the Richmond District police station hosted a community meeting about the Jack in the Box restaurant on Geary at 11th Avenue. At tomorrow’s Entertainment Commission meeting, the restaurant will be asking for their after-hours permit to be renewed, allowing them to remain open between the hours of 2am and 6am.

About ten neighbors attended the meeting, along with owners of two local bars – The Hearth and Would You Believe? – that are located just across the street from the restaurant. Others in attendance included new Richmond District station Captain Eric Vintero, two members of the Entertainment Commission, a representative from Jack in the Box, and Supervisor Eric Mar, who led the meeting.

Up for discussion was whether or not Jack in the Box should be permitted to stay open 24 hours. A fight began early on Thanksgiving morning in the restaurant, which then led to a brutal hit-n-run crime a couple of blocks away. After the incident, the city took a closer look at the restaurant and realized it no longer had the proper permits to operate after hours. So since early December, the Jack in the Box has been closed between 2am and 6am.

Neighbors who live nearby say it’s been a great improvement since the restaurant reduced its hours. There’s been less noise and a general sense of feeling safer.

“People have said for years it’s been like an alarm clock at 2 a.m.,” Lee said. “Now we can sleep through the night, and we feel safer to be shopping and walking around. It has transformed our neighborhood immediately around Jack in the Box, and we are here to fight to keep it this way,” resident David Lee told The Examiner.

The Examiner reports that police calls are down. The SFPD has received only 3 calls in the 7 weeks since Jack in the Box reduced their hours. In the months prior, when the restaurant was open 24/7, they were averaging 7 calls a month; a total of 270 calls in 2010. The majority of those occurred between 9pm and 4am.

While many residents are opposed to Jack in the Box being granted an after-hours permit, the SFPD are not. At the meeting, the police said they supported Jack in the Box being open 24 hours a day, with the stipulation that they increase their security.

Last year, the manager at the Jack in the Box worked with the Richmond Police Advisory Board and SAFE to make security improvements to the property, including improved lighting, adding security guards on Thursday through Saturday nights, and trimming overgrown landscaping.

Things seemed to be improving after the security changes, but the Thanksgiving day incident brought a high-powered microscope over the restaurant, one of only two businesses in the Richmond District that is open 24 hours a day.

The other is the Subway sandwich shop (5650 Geary at 21st Avenue) which, as it turns out, also does not have the proper permits to stay open after hours. The city is working to get them in to compliance. At last Friday’s meeting, Clement Street’s Rockit Room was mentioned several times as another source of neighborhood problems, resulting in police calls. Residents claim that so far, the club’s owners have not responded to the offer of a free security survey offer from SAFE, like the one that was provided for Jack in the Box last year.

The real fireworks will come at tomorrow’s meeting of the Entertainment Commission (6:30pm at City Hall, Room 400), when arguments will be heard from both sides about whether or not Jack in the Box should be allowed to operate after hours.

David Lee, a Richmond District resident and business owner, will no doubt present his petition for which he has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures from neighbors, all opposing Jack in the Box extending its hours.

But with the SFPD supporting a 24 hour operation and there being so few in the neighborhood, it’s possible that Jack in the Box could get its permit back.

Which way would you vote? To let Jack in the Box stay open 24 hours, or stay with their reduced hours?

Special thanks to cub reporter David H. for the details and photo from last Friday’s meeting.

Sarah B.

On Tuesday evening, the City’s Entertainment Commission met. On their agenda was to decide whether or not the Jack in the Box on Geary at 11th Avenue should get their after-hours permit approved, which would enable them to once again stay open from 2am until 6am every night.

During the meeting, the Commission voted instead to delay action on Jack In The Box’s application until their meeting on January 24 (6:30pm at City Hall). The reason given was to allow time for Supervisor Eric Mar to convene a neighborhood meeting that includes residents and the owners of the Jack in the Box restaurant.

Prior to the meeting, a petition was circulated that opposes Jack in the Box’s request to stay open after hours.

The petition has received 714 digital signatures so far. In the CBS news video above, organizer David Lee claims that he has gathered over 1,500 signatures from residents opposed to the Jack in the Box returning to 24 hour operations.

Jack in the Box’s status in the neighborhood came into question after a tragic incident. In the early hours of Thanksgiving morning, a fight inside the Jack in the Box later led to a brutal hit and run accident on the corner of 9th and Geary.

The victim, 29 year old Albert Bartal, remains hospitalized with serious brain trauma. Bartal’s family started a Facebook page and a website to raise funds for his recovery. According to a post from his mother, Albert remains in a coma.

Police eventually arrested Eduardo Shaparo Esquivel, a 22-year old South San Francisco man who was identified from security footage from inside the Jack in the Box during the initial fight.

Since the incident, it was revealed that the Jack in the Box was staying open 24 hours a day, despite not having the required city permits to do so. As a result, they were forced to cut their hours and close at 2am every night.

The Entertainment Commission will address the issue again on their January 24 agenda. In the meantime, expect a neighborhood meeting to be scheduled by Supervisor Mar.

On a humorous note, the Examiner pointed out today that while testifying at the Commission meeting, Supervisor Mar admitted a penchant for Jack in the Box’s tacos.

“I eat late night tacos at Jack in the Box,” he said. “I just admitted I eat fast food.” It’s a tad ironic given his McDonald’s Happy Meal legislation that went into effect last month (which even earned him an interview on the Daily Show).

Sarah B.

In late October, after a prolonged dogfight with City Hall and neighborhood pet store owners, PETCO officially withdrew their application for the space.

We asked how readers felt about PETCO being shown the doggie door in a survey in late July. The results? 61% disagreed with the Board of Supervisor’s approval of the uber-specific legislation that banned formula pet retailers from Geary between 14th and 28th Avenues.

You all had plenty to say about it in the comments too. ”

It seems that keeping chain pet stores out of the Richmond District isn’t enough for Supervisor Mar, who tells the Examiner he is concerned about the upcoming Target store openings, including one at Masonic and Geary.

“I am concerned about the many ways corporate chain stores threaten the well-being and quality of life of our community,” Mar said.

In typical City Hall style, there will be a hearing on the topic, spearheaded by Mar.

So, what do you think? Are you in favor of continuing to keep any chain store out of the Richmond District? Or should we allow them in to help fill the many vacant retail spaces in the neighborhood? Leave a comment to let us know.

Sarah B.

On Saturday, hundreds laid down in the sand at Ocean Beach to spell out “TAX THE 1%” to support the current wave of “We are the 99%” protests taking place across the country.

The event was organized by Bay Area taxi driver Brad Newsham. “I work hard every day,” said Newsham. “It isn’t right that I pay higher taxes than billionaires like Warren Buffet. And actually, Mr. Buffet agrees with me on this.”

Newsham hired a helicopter and photographer to fly overhead and take pictures. He also organized the “Slash Oil” protest at Ocean Beach in June of last year.

RichmondSFBlog reader Jean B. was on the scene, where she spotted Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar and Supervisor (and mayoral candidate) John Avalos.

Sarah B.

Supervisors Eric Mar (L) and John Avalos | Photo by Steve Rhodes

Photo by Steve Rhodes

• Interacting with constituents via telephone or in-person
• Data entry
• Responding to constituent requests and casework
• Working closely with staff on committee assignments
• Perform outreach to neighborhood groups, community leaders, and constituents
• Other miscellaneous tasks, as required

The unpaid internship is part-time, with a minimum commitment of 5-10 hours per week (you can work during the shifts Monday through Friday 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm).

To find out more about the position including how to apply, visit the job listing on Supervisor Mar’s website.

Sarah B.

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.

Yesterday, the 106-year-old Samuel Murphy Windmill in Golden Gate Park, also known as the “South Windmill”, got back its 60+ ton copper dome, which was restored and put back in place during a “capping” ceremony.

It’s been a long time coming – the cap’s restoration project, which took place in the Netherlands, lasted 10 years. According to The Chronicle, “The dome was sent by ship to Lucas Verbij of Verbij Hoogmade, a company in the Netherlands that has been designing and building windmills since 1868.”

Some history on the windmill, courtesy of the SF Examiner:

The Murphy Windmill, named after a local banker and benefactor, was constructed in 1905 after the successful creation of the Dutch Windmill. The Dutch Windmill, which now sits next to the Beach Chalet restaurant, was built in 1902. At one time, both windmills were responsible for pumping as many as 1.5 million gallons of water everyday, according to the park department.

Despite their simple technology, windmill restoration doesn’t come cheap. Restoring the wind-welcoming giants has cost more than $6 million in private and public money. The Chronicle writes, “The current stage, which costs about $2.4 million, involves rehabilitating the base and installing the cap, sails and gears. It also includes refurbishing Millwright’s Cottage, which stands next to the windmill.”

The complete restoration of the Murphy Windmill is scheduled for completion by mid-2012. Final steps are to reconstruct the windmill, landscape the area around it and get water to circulate within the windmill. The plan is to eventually pump water throughout the park using the two windmills.

Sarah B.

RichmondSFBlog cub reporter David was on the scene last night at the annual National Night Out event at the Richmond District police station on 6th Avenue near Geary. The night was part of a nationwide event designed to develop partnerships between the police department and the community.

A record crowd of over 150 came by the station where they were treated to a BBQ meal that included hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken. Two horses from the Golden Gate Park paddock clopped by and the San Francisco Fire Department sent an engine truck as well as a surf rescue unit. Kids had a great time climbing on the rigs and romping inside the bouncy house that was set up.

Kids also enjoyed getting their faces painted by officers. “That had a bigger line than the cookies and desserts!” David said.

Tours of the Richmond District police station were a popular activity at the event, as neighborhood residents got to see where the bad guys get locked up, the officer’s roll call area, and the various offices in the station house.

The new Richmond District commander, Captain Keith Sanford, was one of the many official greeters at the event, welcoming the community to the station. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar also stopped in to say hello.

San Francisco SAFE was also at the event, providing information on ways that neighbors can work together to prevent crime in their area.

David said this year’s event had many more officers on hand and the highest attendance he had seen in recent year. One visiting commander remarked this was the biggest turnout and participation they had seen in their stops to the various stations across the city.

Thanks to the men and women of the Richmond District police station for providing such a fun community event!

Sarah B.

As we wrote about earlier this week, the dog fight between PETCO and our neighborhood pet stores and Richmond District Supervisor Eric Mar came to a head at City Hall. On Monday, the Land Use Committee, on which Mar sits, approved the proposal to ban formula pet retailers from Geary between 14th and 28th Avenues.

As a result, it went to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday where they voted 8-3 in approval of the legislation. The Examiner reported:

Supervisor Eric Mar, who introduced the legislation, said the ban protects smaller, independently owned pet shops in the area. Supervisor Scott Wiener opposed the legislation along with Supervisors Sean Elsbernd and Carmen Chu. Wiener said it was a mistake to change the rules and instead Mar should let the application run its course using the existing voter-approved process.

Today, the issue comes before the Planning Commission, who like the Land Use Committee and Board of Supervisors, is recommending that PETCO’s conditional use permit be denied. Read their full recommendation document here which includes these reasons for disapproving the PETCO permit:

The proposed new use will not provide a development that is necessary or desirable with the surrounding neighborhood. There are a number of pet stores and services within the area, including two smaller locally-owned pet supply stores in the immediate vicinity and several others within two miles of the subject site, making the proposed use unnecessary.

The proposed formula retail establishment could have a negative impact on existing neighborhood character by displacing smaller local stores that provide similar products and services.

So, it looks like 5411 Geary will remain vacant for the time being, or at least until another potential tenant is found or if PETCO tries to appeal the decision.

Do you agree or disagree with the city’s action? Answer the poll above and leave a us a comment with your thoughts.

Sarah B.