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Apr-3-2013

Rec & Park responsible for GGP mini door disappearance – and reappearance

The culprit in the disappearance of the mini door in Golden Gate Park has been revealed – our very own Recreation & Parks Department.

According to ABC News, Rec & Park removed the door from the base of the concourse elm tree “because it had damaged the tree”.

Ironic, considering one of their employees, Andy Stone, told two different news stations – on camera – that the department had no plans to remove the door.

“As of now we don’t have any plans to do anything but just leave the elf door and continue to take care of Golden Gate Park,” Stone told NBC Bay Area News last week.

When we went to see the door on Tuesday night, we were shocked to see it missing, and most of the offerings had been whisked away as well. In the 15 minutes we were there, at least 10 other people wandered up, in search of the door, deeply disappointed.

That’s what happens when something is covered in local, national and even international news. Did Rec & Park think no one would notice or care that the door was gone? Did they even consider posting a sign, explaining its disappearance?

The ABC News article says that due to the outcry after the door was removed, Rec & Park has since re-installed the door at the base of the elm tree. We haven’t laid eyes on it, so if you’re in the park today and catch a glimpse of it, let us know.

We’re scratching our heads over this one, Rec & Park…

UPDATE 4/4/13: A reader visited the door on Wednesday night only to discover that it was an imposter – the original door is no longer in place. And the Chronicle reports that Rec & Park has plans to remove the door altogether, due to their policy of removing anything that is nailed into a tree (claiming it damages the tree). “Hogwash!” we think the elf would say…

Sarah B.


Rec & Parks Dept. employee Andy Stone told NBC News that the department had no intention of removing the door

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 10:49 am | Posted under Golden Gate Park | 9 comments
Apr-3-2013

Community painting party for new Argonne School mural, this Saturday

Argonne Elementary School debuted their new play structure at the start of the 2012-2013 school year, and now work is underway on a new schoolyard mural.

In July of last year, the Mayor’s Office handed out a round of Community Challenge grants to local residents, businesses, schools, non-profits and other community groups for greening and beautification improvements. Among the 28 recipients was the Argonne Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), who received a $20,000 grant for a new mural in the schoolyard.

The new 53 ft. x 24 ft. mural will be painted on a south-facing wall of Argonne’s schoolyard, and will be visible from both Cabrillo and 17th Avenues.

The mural, designed by Precita Eyes Muralists, includes illustrations about the history of California as well as the school’s neighborhood, the Richmond District.

The mural theme is “Connecting the Richmond’s Past to Its Present.” The images were inspired by drawings by Argonne third graders, representing what is important to their neighborhood and schools, as well as San Francisco history. “A mural celebrating the Richmond’s evolution from sand dunes during the era of the Ohlone to a thriving, multicultural community.”

Playland and Sutro Baths can be seen in the mural, along with the Conservatory of Flowers, Alexandria Theater, and the school’s own community garden mirrored alongside Ohlone Indians tending to a garden. A lion dancer and the Green Apple mascot rest on an open book in the middle of the mural.

This Saturday, the school is hosting a community painting party, and anyone is welcome to come by and contribute their painting skills. Don’t worry – the mural is being sketched onto the wall this week, so as long as you can paint between the lines, you’ll be good to go. ;)

The painting event runs from 11:00 am to 4:30pm. If you do plan to attend, please RSVP to greenargonne@gmail.com.

The project also has a Kickstarter campaign to help raise the final $3,888 that is needed to fund the project.

Thanks to organizer and Argonne PTO parent Tina Eshaghpour for providing photos. We can’t wait to see the finished mural!

Sarah B.


Click to enlarge. The drawing of the new mural planned for the schoolyard at Argonne Elementary School

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 5:07 am | Posted under Schools | 2 comments
Apr-2-2013

Now you’re just a mini door I used to know…

We finally made the trek out to see the mini door in the tree in Golden Gate Park’s concourse last night, only to discover that it had been removed! Heartbreaking.

Some commenters over the last week feared that all the media attention the fairy door received would eventually lead to its disappearance. We just didn’t want to believe that could happen. But some killjoy just couldn’t help themselves.

Also gone were most of the offerings the people had left inside the tree – notes, flowers, plastic mini cupcakes… All that remained were a couple of notes (“Is the fairy tooth real? Love, Viviana”, “Dear Elves, Hi my name is Becky I would like to know if you can predict the future?”), twigs and a pencil.

Perhaps the occupant had to leave in a hurry, but in reality, it’s probably more that people just suck sometimes. We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the door may reappear there – or elsewhere.

Thank you fairy door for bringing a little bit of whimsy into our lives.

UPDATE: ABC News reports that the door was removed by Rec & Park “because it had damaged the tree”. But due to outcry, they have restored it. We haven’t checked, but hoping it’s back where it belongs…

Sarah B.

The Atlantic Cities: An Awful Person Destroyed Golden Gate Park’s ‘Fairy Door’

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 10:19 am | Posted under Golden Gate Park | 12 comments
Apr-2-2013

Will drivers ever understand the new lanes in GGP? Should they have to?

Reader Rico T. was in Golden Gate Park on Monday morning and snapped a pic of this mis-parking by several cars on JFK Drive. Based on the new bike lanes, cars are no longer supposed to park against the curb, but rather in the lane to LEFT of where you see the bikers in the photo, creating an isolated lane for bikers along the curb.

The new lanes were a hot topic of discussion here on the blog back in January, with readers and even regular bicyclists commenting that the lanes are detrimental to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

This photo illustrates one of the biggest issues with the new configuration – drive awareness and education. Most visitors to Golden Gate Park are transient – they are tourists or just passing through. So expecting them to understand the new configuration is asking a lot since they don’t encounter it regularly.

In this instance, one driver likely parked against the curb, and the other cars followed suit. Which in reality, they would have to, otherwise bikers would be blocked altogether or pushed out into the car lane.

And really, bikers lucked out on Monday, considering the big puddles they got to bypass because the cars took over their lane. ;)

We know some people like these new lanes, but most don’t. So what will be done about it? The Richmond District Democratic Club held a public forum about it, but no one at the SFMTA or SF Bike Coalition seems to want to admit that this was a bad idea and should be changed back to what it was.

It’s been 9 months; clearly these lanes are not working. Is anyone going to step up?

Sarah B.

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 5:13 am | Posted under Golden Gate Park | 109 comments
Apr-1-2013

Don’t dump it…learn how to fix it! Fix-It Clinic at the RDNC, April 7

Sometimes things break – a key gets stuck on your keyboard, a toy doll loses its arm, or the remote stops working on your tv. And our tendency is to dump it and go buy a new one, or leave it in the garage gathering dust.

But what if someone could help you fix it, or show you how to do it yourself? Wouldn’t you rather keep using that household item? Well your chance is coming up at the Fix-It event on Sunday, April 7.

Amy Z. is a Richmond District resident and a student at SFSU, enrolled in a class entitled “Geography of Garbage”.

“One of the assignments is to organize an event to help reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. Four of us decided that we wanted to organize a Fix – It Clinic,” Amy write to us in an email.

What is a Fix-It Clinic you ask? It’s an event where people can bring in broken electronics, appliances, toys, etc. to receive guidance on how to disassemble, diagnose, and hopefully fix the problem. The objective is to educate people on how to fix things so less items end up in landfills.

The event runs from 11am until 2pm at the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, 741 30th Avenue. Just bring over your non-working item to learn more about how it works, and hopefully, get it back in working order.

If you are planning to attend and know what you’re bringing for repair, go ahead and RSVP on the Meetup page.

Are you handy with repairs? Amy and her crew are looking for “anyone that likes to tinker” to help out. “It would be great if they had their own tools to share,” she says but it’s not required. Drop her a note through the meetup page for more information on volunteering.

Sarah B.

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 5:12 am | Posted under Events, Green | 3 comments
Mar-31-2013

Video: Rainbow over the Richmond District

From Saturday, March 30. Thanks to Paul M. for sharing!

Sarah B.

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 7:34 am | Posted under Video, Weather | 1 comment
Mar-29-2013

Police Blotter – March 29, 2013

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of March 29, 2013. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
Richmond Station is participating in Eggstravaganza a Park and Recreation event this Saturday March 30, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:p.m. in Sharon Meadows in Golden Gate Park. Part of Eggstravaganza includes a rib cook off competition. If you are out and about this weekend please come by and egg on our team! I have my top chefs prepping for the competition and I am hoping we do not get chopped.

April 3rd kicks off Distracted Driver Week. Richmond Station, along with the entire Police Department will be taking a zero tolerance in distracted driving. With the weather improving more and more visitors and neighbors are out and about enjoying our district. Make a note to yourself to pay close attention as you drive and walk about. Have a terrific Holiday Weekend

Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 03/24/13 at 8:15am, officers were sent to a call of a couple yelling at each other at 31st and Geary Bl. Officers determined that the couple was fighting because the male does not come home every night. The male, who is on parole, was also in possession of methamphetamine. He was charged with parole and narcotic violations.

On 03/26/13 at 10:10am, officers were sent to the 5400 block of Geary Blvd regarding an assault. Numerous citizens called to report the incident and one saw the suspect get on a 38 Geary MUNI line towards downtown. The victim told the officers that the suspect had been standing near a table that had sugar and cream on it. The victim was pulling a small suitcase and asked the suspect if he wouldn’t mind moving as she didn’t want to roll over his foot. The suspect began to yell and swear at the victim and suddenly threw a hot cup of coffee in the victim’s face. He continued to yell and finally another patron stepped in between the two. The officers located the suspect on the bus at Geary and Arguello and detained him. The 33 year old male was charged with aggravated assault.

On 03/27/13 at 5:35pm, a male walked into the gift shop at 1000 Great Highway. He walked over to the clerk with two candy bars in his hand and pulled back his jacket and called her a name and told her to “give me the stuff.” The victim ran out of the shop and went running to the manager’s office. On her way she yelled at a co-worker to call the police that someone was stealing items. The co-worker confronted the suspect who swore at her as well and said that he left “your f*****g money on the counter, b***h!” He then fled on a bike south on the Great Highway. Because there was a short amount on time he was in the shop alone, it was unknown what else was taken. Officers search the area but were unable to locate the suspect. At 7:52pm, an officer was in the area of Lincoln and LaPlaya and located the suspect. The suspect was in possession of a sock that had a bicycle chain inside, indicative of a “black jack” which is a prohibited weapon. He was also in possession of a social security card, driver’s license and credit card that belonged to a victim of an auto burglary from Feb. 27th, on the 1400 block of Pine St. The 43 year old suspect was charged with robbery, burglary and a probation violation.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 03/21/13, between 10am and 11am on the 2500 block of Pine St, a suspect forced open a tradesman’s door and made his way to the back of a residence. He then found a rock and smashed open the rear glass door that lead into the kitchen. One inside the suspect took a laptop and television. He also located the car keys and the garage remote to the unattached garage. The suspect then took the victim’s vehicle from the garage.

On 03/21/13 at 12:50pm, a man using a metal detector came across what turned out to be a hand grenade. This was in the area of 25th and Martin Luther King Drive. The area was evacuated and the device was detonated on scene.

Between 03/21/13, 8pm and 03/23/13, 7am on the 3400 block of California St, a suspect gained entry into a restaurant by prying open the front door. The suspect opened the cash register, but as the restaurant is new and not opened for business yet, there was no cash.

On 03/22/13 at 9:30am, the residents of a home on the 4400 block of Cabrillo locked up their home and left. When they returned at 1:45pm, they discovered that the chain on the front door’s interior was locked from inside. They went around the back and saw that someone had forced open the side door to the garage. In the garage on the floor near the dryer was clothing that she did not recognize. The resident entered the home and found that someone had taken a cell phone, laptop and jewelry. The tenant in the lower unit then told the victim that at around 10:50am, he heard noises coming from above and thought that the victims were home. He then heard his door knob jiggling and thought it was his girlfriend. He open the door, there was a black female standing there with keys in her hand. He asked what she was doing there and she replied “I found these keys.” The neighbor took the keys which turned out to be the spare to the victim’s home. The suspect then left pulling a suitcase. She was described as being 20-25yrs, wearing dark colored clothing and had shoulder length hair.

On 03/22/13 between 10:45am and 11:10am on the 400 block of 7th Ave, a suspect entered a garage by unknown means and took a bike. The suspect left behind a brown paper bag that contained woman’s clothing and tools.

On 03/24/13 at 10:20am, the victim was standing on the 2100 block of Sutter, waiting for a business to open. She was texting on her phone when suddenly the suspect, who was on a bike, snatched the phone from her hand and fled south on Pierce St. He was described as a black male 20-25 years wearing dark clothing.

On 03/24/13 at 12pm, the suspect walked into a business on the 3400 block of Sacramento St. The clerk acknowledged the suspect who walked upstairs and came back down with two jackets draped over his arm. The clerk asked if she could set the items aside for him, but the suspect kept walking towards the front door. The clerk tried to grab the jackets, but the suspect pulled then back, finally fleeing the store with one of the coats. He was described as a white male, 45-50yrs, balding, wearing a red and black pullover jacket, blue jeans and had a strong smell of body odor.

On 03/224/13, at 2:55pm, the victim had stopped to look into a window of a business on the 3500 block of Sacramento St. The suspect approached the victim from behind and pulled her purse from her shoulder, knocking her to the ground and fled south on Locust St. The suspect was described as a white or Hispanic male, wearing a tan long sleeved jacket or work shirt and blue jeans.

On 03/24/13 at 10:23pm, the victim was walking on 17th Ave towards Cabrillo. As she got to the corner, the suspect came from Cabrillo, holding a black handgun and pointed it at the victim. He told her to give him her purse and she complied. The suspect began to walk away and the victim followed, begging him to give back her ID card. The suspect then threw her ID back on the sidewalk. He was described as a black male, 25-30yrs, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark beanie and dark pants.

Between 03/25/13, 6am and 03/28/13, 4pm on the 300 block of 26th Ave, a suspect gained entry into a garage and took a GPS from the vehicle parked inside. There were no signs of forced entry into the garage and the vehicle was unlocked.

On 03/26/13, between 2pm and 9pm on the 200 block of 5th Ave, a suspect gained entry into an apartment garage and broke into a vehicle parked inside. The suspect took cash from the vehicle.

On 03/26/13 at 7pm, the victim was sitting in a coffee shop on the 3500 block of California St. with her phone on the table directly in front of her. The suspect came up, said “Hi” and grabbed the victim’s phone from the table and fled. The victim chased the suspect out of the store and saw the suspect enter the passenger door of a white sedan, possibly a Honda. The victim was able to grab the suspect’s arm, but the car pulled away with the victim’s phone. The suspect was described as a Hispanic female, 20-25yrs, wearing dark clothing.

On 03/27/13 at 5:30pm, a witness called 911 to report a suspect stealing a bike on the unit block of Clement St. The caller had observed the suspect cut the cable lock and then ride south on Arguello Blvd towards Geary. The suspect was a white male, 30-35yrs, with blonde hair, wearing a dark blue jacket with white lettering.

Between 03/27/13, 6pm and 03/28/13, 7am on the 400 block of 21st Ave, a suspect entered a garage and took a GPS and walkie talkie radio from a vehicle parked inside. There were no signs of forced entry.

Between 03/27/13, 10pm and 03/28/13, 6:30am, on the 500 block of 7th Ave, a suspect broke into two vehicles parked in a residential garage and took a GPS, iPod nano and sunglasses.

On 03/28/13, between 12am and 6:15pm, a suspect entered a garage storage area and took a backpack and two pairs of boots. The suspect may have used a tool to manipulate the front gate.

On 03/28/13, between 9:30am and 8:30pm on the 100 block of Palm Ave, a suspect entered an apartment building by unknown means. Once inside, the suspect entered an apartment and took two laptops. It is unknown how the suspect entered the apartment.

On 03/28/13, between 8:40am and 6:45pm, the suspect entered an apartment building and pried open the door to one of the units. The suspect took jewelry, laptops, tablets and an iPhone.

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 1:44 pm | Posted under Crime | 1 comment
Mar-29-2013

Mini door might be getting a giant ego with all this media coverage

It looks like everyone enjoys a little whimsy… The mysterious miniature door in Golden Gate Park has been capturing our imaginations for the last week, and now the mainstream media is lavishing it with coverage.

NBC News Bay Area (Video): The Mystery of the Tiny Door in a Tree
ABC News: Itty-Bitty Park Door Opens to a World of Mystery
CBS 5 San Francisco (Video): Tree With Door Enchants Golden Gate Park Visitors
Yahoo! News: Mystery elf door in park sparks attention on the Web
NY Daily News: Enchanting elf-sized door in San Francisco fascinates visitors of Golden Gate Park
Daily Mail (UK): Welcome to Wonderland!
Good Morning America (Video): Tiny Door in Tree Opens Imaginations in San Francisco Community
ABC 7 News (Video): Crowds drawn to small door in tree at SF’s GG Park

Whoever lives behind that door might want to look into some security from paparazzi! ;)

Sarah B.


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 11:22 am | Posted under Golden Gate Park | 11 comments