I’ve never known much about lawn bowling, but there’s something appealing about those ultra-flat grass plains and shiny balls that glide smoothly across them.

There are a few lawn bowling venues in San Francisco, including North Beach and in the Sunset alongside 19th Avenue. But the one in Golden Gate Park near the Children’s Playground is one of the nicest places to play.

The Examiner recently profiled Al and Cheryl Minvielle who took up the sport post-retirement. They both have the Richmond District in their blood; they met as high school sweethearts in George Washington High School’s class of 1965.

Since taking up lawn bowling, the couple is hooked. It gives them something they can enjoy together and, well, they’re good at it. Cheryl has earned a couple of trophies in various tournaments. “I’m becoming more competitive here than I’ve ever been in my life,” Cheryl said.

Cheryl also volunteers her time to keep the lawn bowling club looking nice, pitching in on landscaping projects.

“Being a part of this is more than just a game,” said Al, who grew up in the Richmond district and settled with his family in the Inner Sunset. “It’s our neighborhood, our park, our clubhouse and our sporting community.”

Read the full article at sfexaminer.com

The San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club welcomes new members anytime. For about $100 a year, members get a key to the clubhouse and open access to the three bowling greens. Visit their website or call 487-8787 for more information.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of July 16, 2010. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN RICHARD CORREIA’S MESSAGE
You may recall that the Police Commission had planned to hold its weekly meeting in the Richmond District on July 28, 2010. As such we canceled our July Police Community Forum meeting.

Unfortunately the Police Commission’s agenda grew to include items that required a closed session meeting for part of the evening so they must meet at City Hall and will not be meeting in the Richmond .

During the past week, there were 19 traffic accidents, 6 involving injuries. There were 7 citations issued for driving without a license or driving on a suspended license. There were 5 arrests for driving under the influence.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 06/28/10 at 11:15pm a MUNI driver exited his bus at 48th Avenue and Point Lobos and secured the vehicle’s doors. As the driver walked to the restroom, he looked back at the bus and saw two suspects had opened the vehicle’s driver’s side window. The suspects reached in and took the drivers jacket from the seat and fled westbound. The driver contacted the police at that time. On 07/09/10 at 8:05pm the same driver was driving the 38 Geary outbound when he recognized one of the passengers as the male who had run off with his jacket. When the bus got to 6th Avenue and Geary, the suspect exited the bus and the driver flagged down a police officer that was standing on the corner. The 15 year old male was detained and charged with the theft. He was released to his parent.

As a result of an investigation conducted by plain clothes officers in the Richmond District, a series of searches were conducted at 4 different locations on July 12th and 13th. Three searches were conducted on the 3300 block of California and one on the 500 block of 43rd Avenue . All four residential locations housed marijuana grow houses. Officers seized over one hundred pounds of harvested marijuana and hundreds of Marijuana plants. At two of the locations officers noted illegal and dangerous electrical wiring and by-passed electrical meters. Two males where charged with narcotic violations and theft of utility services.

On 07/14/10 at 4:35pm officers were called to the area behind the senior center at 37th Avenue and Fulton. The caller reported that a male was setting fire to the brush behind the center. Officers arrived and detained the male who told then officers “There’s a demon in my head.” The 48 year old male was charged with arson.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 07/11/10 at 5:20am a victim was waiting for a bus at Geary Boulevard & Spruce Street. The victim was approached by three males, one of whom simulated a weapon. The suspect demanded the victim’s purse and she complied. The victim asked if she could keep her bus pass and identification as the suspect was going through her wallet. The suspect took a cell phone and credit cards, handed her back her purse and fled on Geary. The suspects were described as males in their 20’s wearing dark clothing.

On 07/12/10 at 11:25am a suspect entered a business on the 3700 block of Balboa armed with a handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the employee and demanded cash. The victim complied and the suspect fled southbound on 39th Avenue. The suspect was described as a female, 30-40 years of age wearing a white blouse and gray slacks.

On 07/12/10 between 11:30am and 3:00pm on the 100 block of 9th Avenue a suspect entered an apartment by prying open the front door. The suspect took a small safe containing antique coin, a laptop, camera and jewelry.

Between 07/12/10 at 3:30pm and 07/13/10 at 12:25pm on the 300 block of 24th Avenue a suspect gained entry into a garage by unknown means. The suspect took and I-pod and sunglasses from a vehicle parked inside.

On 07/13/10 at 11:25pm a victim was standing on the corner of 18th Avenue and Anza making a phone call when she was approached by two suspects. One of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim and demanded her phone and money. The victim complied and the suspects fled west on Anza Street. They were described as males, 18-25 yrs, and one wearing a black hat with red writing, the other black jeans with a red patch on the back.

On 07/15/10 at 1:10am a victim was walking north on Baker Street from Geary. The victim felt her purse
being tugged off of her shoulder and turned to see the suspect behind her. She pulled back with her shoulder and told the suspect to stop. The suspect then pushed her to the ground and took her purse, fleeing east on Geary Boulevard . The suspect is a male 20-30 yrs wearing a baseball cap and a black hooded jacket.

In case you haven’t heard or weren’t able to make the first public meeting in late June, CVS Pharmacy is planning to move into the retail space at 3132 Clement at 32nd Avenue that has been vacant since 2006. CVS will occupy half of the space, sharing tenancy with Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market who will move in later, date TBD.

CVS will host another public open house at the retail site (3132 Clement) on Thursday, July 29th at 6pm to address comments and questions from residents.

To help make the meeting more productive, feel free to send in your questions or comments in advance to CVSPharmacySF@gmail.com. CVS will also do their best to respond to emails directly as well as cover them in the meeting.

To RSVP, request translation services or for more information, contact Luis Cuadra at 415-788-1000 ext. 207 or email to CVSPharmacySF@gmail.com.

Here’s a wrap-up from the first public meeting on June 24.

Sarah B.

In their continuing series of The Buddy Club Children’s Shows, the Botanical Garden welcomes performer Greg Frisbee on July 25th at 11am.

Frisbee’s show is full of all the tricks that kids love – juggling, mind-reading, fire-eating, upside-down escape – they definitely won’t be bored.

Families are invited to come out and enjoy the show in the garden. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. To attend, enter the Botanical Garden at the “Friend Entrance”, across from the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park (directions).

The garden hosts Family Shows the last Sunday of every month from June to September. Remaining shows coming up include:

Aug 29th: “The Comedy Magician” Robert Strong
Sept 26th: Award-Winning Magician Timothy James

Sarah B.

The explorers over at Spots Unknown take us on a walk at Land’s End to a place few of us have probably seen. Don’t miss the blooper reel at the end.

And before anyone comments on it: no, this is not my endorsement to ignore posted warning signs…

Sarah B.

Good news from the crew behind Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic, which has been battling the Rec & Park Department for several months about whether they can continue to use Speedway Meadow for their 20+ year old event.

Mark your calendars – this year’s picnic will be held on Saturday, October 16 at Speedway Meadow. Note the picnic is usually on a Sunday so this is a new change.

The whole dispute with the Rec & Park Department revolved around money, though the department led residents and picnic supporters to believe it was about their concerns for the grass in Speedway Meadow.

Ahem, I don’t think so. I attended Alice 97.3’s recent Summerthing concert in Speedway Meadow where thousands were camped out on the grass for hours with blankets. Are you telling me that is any better for the grass than a few hundred parked cars?

Predictably, Jimmy’s is having to pay up for the privilege of using the park. On their blog, Jimmy’s says “SF Rec & Park raised our permit fees through the roof!” so the fees that car enthusiasts pay to display their classics and hot rods at the event will be going up.

I’m thrilled to know this great Golden Gate Park tradition will be continuing on Saturday, October 16. Stay tuned to Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic website for updates on the event.

Sarah B.

The crowd on Speedway Meadow for Alice 97.3’s Summerthing concert earlier this summer.

This Friday night at 6:30pm, Green Apple Books welcomes author James Kaelan, who is cycling into town to promote his new book, We’re Getting On.

We’re Getting On is a series of interconnected short stories and novellas which explore youth, dissolution, the impact technology has on the modern world, and what happens when one tries to live completely off the grid.

Kaelan is on a 1,900 mile BIKE tour to promote his book that’s taken him from Vancouver to Ashland, OR to San Francisco; he’ll end the tour in Santa Monica.

It’s part of the author’s “Zero Emission Book Project” which means the actual printing of the book is also green – the covers are made of seed paper that, upon burial, germinate and grow into birch trees, allowing the book to offset its own carbon footprint ten times over.

Don’t miss Kaelan as he (literally) cycles into Green Apple Books on Friday night to read from, discuss, and sign copies of his new book. Green Apple Books is located at 506 Clement Street at 6th Avenue.

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.