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.

Photo by Kyo PR

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.

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

[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.

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.

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.

Last night, the Entertainment Commission met to review the request for an after-hours permit for the Jack in the Box restaurant on Geary at 11th Avenue. The restaurant had been forced to close from 2am until 6am after it was discovered last December that they did not have the proper permit.

At the meeting, the Entertainment Commission voted to grant the after-hours permit to Jack in the Box, but with conditions. The restaurant must close between the hours of 4am until 6am. However they can stay open from 2am until 4am – key hours for the restaurant as patrons empty out of nearby bars and head to Jack in the Box for late night dining.

Leading up to the decision, residents were circulating a petition urging the city to not allow Jack in the Box to stay open from 2am until 4am. At last night’s meeting, Supervisor Eric Mar supported this same strategy. Two nearby bar owners also supported the restaurant being closed after-hours.

But despite the petition’s 1,500 signatures, and recommendations from Supervisor Mar and business owners, it was not enough to sway the Entertainment Commission. They voted to allow the restaurant to stay open exactly during the hours that the opposition pushed for it to be closed.

At a community meeting last Friday, SFPD also expressed support for the restaurant to remain open 24 hours, despite police calls from the business being down since they reduced their hours in early December.

At last night’s meeting, one Commissioner cited the need for drunk people to have a place to sober up as a good reason to allow the restaurant to operate after-hours.

“It’s very important that we have food [available late at night]; it helps people not be as drunk,” said Commissioner Audrey Joseph. [SF Examiner]

It may also be a little cleaner around Jack in the Box too. The Entertainment Commission said that staff are required to clean up any litter within 50 feet of the restaurant.

It looks like Jack’s neon “OPEN 24 HOURS” sign in the window will have to stay dark. But after hours diners will have a place to get burgers, fries and real ice cream shakes between 2am and 4am in the Richmond District.

Sarah B.