This holiday season, the Richmond District Police Station is hosting a donation barrel in their front lobby for the Operation Dream Toy Drive. Toys will be given to children in San Francisco Public Housing.

To donate, bring a new, unwrapped toy (no toy guns or weapons please) to the station at 461 6th Avenue.

Operation Dream (Diverse Response to Education, Activities, and Mentorship) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 by members of the San Francisco Police Department’s Housing Task Force. The organization is made up of San Francisco citizens, business owners, and police officers and is focused on the needs of disadvantaged children in San Francisco.

Stop by on Tuesday, December 13th between 1pm and 5pm and you can also take part in the station’s holiday party, where you can chat with local merchants and residents in the station’s Community Room.

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of December 9, 2011. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN KEITH SANFORD’S MESSAGE
During the holidays Richmond Police Station Officers will continue the enforcement operations at the local bars around Geary Blvd. and Clement St. , due to the continual complaints of noise, underage drinking, physical fights and permit violations. We anticipate meeting with the property owners and managers to seek avenues for resolutions to the listed problems.

The incident involving a fight at the Jack in the Box last month revealed that the after hour operating permit was not current. As a result of this Jack in the Box management are in the process of obtaining current permits from the Entertainment Commission. The Jack in the Box management has been notified and they’ve proceeded to halt business at 2am as required. The suspect in the assault case has been arrested.

Just a reminder that Richmond Station’s Holiday Event is Tuesday, December 13 from 1pm to 5pm. We will have refreshments and ask that attendees bring a toy to donate to SFPD Operation Dream. There is a donation barrel in the lobby of Richmond Station if you would like to donate and are unable to attend on Tuesday.

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 12/03 at 1:43am, an officer on-viewed a large fight at 3rd Ave and Geary in front of a bar while the back up officers was responding the officer was abating the fight and dispersing the crowd. Two of the officers went into the bar to help clear it out and noticed that another physical fight broke out at the front door. The officers determined that one of the participants was the bouncer and he was trying to eject an intoxicated male. They went outside to located the male and saw the other officer attempting to place handcuffs on him. The intoxicated male was resisting the officer and they both fell to the ground. The suspect continued to fight with all of the officers until they were finally able to detain him. The initial officer who was attempting to place him into custody was injured and was transported to a local hospital. The 27 year old male was charged with battery on an officer, resisting arrest and public intoxication.

On 12/05 at 4am officer were patrolling the area of Post and Scott Sts when they observed a male spray painting the side of a delivery truck. The suspect did not notice the officers and continued south on Scott St. The officers stopped the male who said, “Wow that was dumb, I don’t know what I was thinking.” The 20 year old male was charged with vandalism.

On 12/07 at 2:08am, officers were called to the 700 block of 30th Ave on a report of a suspicious vehicle. When the officers arrived they located the vehicle with it’s headlights on and playing loud music. The driver appeared to be asleep and was slumped over. Officers knocked several times on the window to awake the driver and when he did he was instructed to turn off the engine and roll down his window. Initially the driver was cooperative but as one of the officers stood near the front of the drivers door to read the VIN number he reached for the key and turned the engine back on. He tried to put the car in drive and continued to rev the engine as the officers repeatedly order him to stop. Finally one of the officers was able to reach the key and remove it from the ignition. When they attempted to remove him from the car he resisted the officers by kicking them and thrashing about. Once the suspect was detained the officers determined that the vehicle was stolen and located a large amount of narcotics in the vehicle. The 28 year old male was charged with aggravated assault, stolen auto and narcotic violations.

On 12/07 at 12:45pm, officers were in the area of 8th Ave and JFK Drive when they observed the suspect casing the different bike racks within the park. Officers conducted a surveillance of the suspect until he finally exited the park at MLK Drive and Lincoln Way where he was detained. The officers determined that the 40 year old suspect who is on parole was also in possession of burglar tools and narcotics. He was charged accordingly.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 12/03 between 12am and 5:30am in the area of 30th and Balboa, a suspect using a BB gun, shot out the windows of 10 different vehicles.

Between 12/06, 7pm and 12/07, 9am on the 600 block of Presidio, a suspect gained entry into a storage unit of an apartment building and took a bike. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 12/07, between 11:15am and 6:30pm on the 3100 block of Geary, the suspect gained entry into an apartment and took a laptop. There were no signs of forced entry.

There are a couple of fun holiday-themed events going on this Sunday in the neighborhood.

From 11:30am until 3:30pm, St. Monica’s School is hosting Santa’s Village, a community event where you can have brunch with Santa, get your photo photo with Santa, let your kids become an elf in Santa’s Workshop, and do a little Christmas shopping list in their Christmas Boutique.

Entry is $13 per person. St. Monica’s School is located at 5950 Geary Blvd near 23rd Avenue.

Also on Sunday is the first of two Tal-y-Tara Christmas Teas, held at their shop on California Street near 27th Avenue. Tal-y-Tara is an English tearoom with high-tea service, as well as a polo and equestrian shop.

They serve a full tea service with sandwiches and scones, featuring live musical performances and sing-a-long, lots of games, and even Santa Claus will be on hand to read stories to the children (you’ll have to ask Santa how he’s managing to be at St. Monica’s AND Tal-y-Tara at the same time!).

Christmas Tea at Tal-y-Tara is offered this Sunday, Dec. 11 from 12noon until 6pm, as well as next Sunday, Dec. 18. The price is $25 per person – make reservations by calling 751-9275.

Sarah B.

The Bay Citizen reports that this week, the Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to support a resolution renaming Speedway Meadow in Golden Gate Park after Warren Hellman.

Warren Hellman is well-known, local financier who has made many contributions to Golden Gate Park over the years. He personally finances the popular Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival every summer and was instrumental in getting the underground parking garage built for the Academy of Sciences and de Young Museum.

Speedway Meadow is home to the Bluegrass festival every year, hence the effort to rename it in Hellman’s honor.

“I am absolutely blown away by this gesture,” Hellman said in a statement. “Golden Gate Park is home to some of the best (and worst) moments of my life: family picnics with my wife, kids and grandkids, morning runs, over a decade of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and of course the longest eight years of my life building the underground garage. There are no words and my fingers couldn’t pluck a tune to express my gratitude. My only hope is that others experience the joy and happiness I’ve found standing, singing, plunking and listening in this beautiful meadow. Thank you,” Hellman told the Bay Citizen (of which he is Chairman).

While this sounds like a nice gesture to honor Hellman’s significant contributions to the park, not everyone is on board. Several commenters on the Bay Citizen story said it is in poor taste to name something after somebody who is still living. Hellman, 77, has been hospitalized recently for a treatable form of leukemia.

Other commenters say that is just one step closer to handing the park over to corporate interests. “Now he’s buying part of Golden Gate Park,” one person wrote. “Naming public realm for wealthy private citizens is the camel’s nose under the tent,” wrote another.

The Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a resolution recommending the name change to the Recreation and Park Commission next week. If approved, the Rec & Park Commission will then vote on whether to rename Speedway Meadow.

What do you think? Take the poll above and leave a comment to let us know your thoughts.

Sarah B.

Back in October, it was announced that the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation (SFNTF) and the Balboa Theater would be teaming up to extend the theater’s lease through 2024.

Now that they’ve established that the Balboa will stay open, there’s still a lot to be done to help it meet the demands of the next movie-going generation.

Next Tuesday night at 7pm, the Balboa Theater will host a special event and auction at the theater to help raise funds for needed improvements (all digital projection systems) and ongoing maintenance at SFNTF theaters. The event will feature a big screen presentation of San Francisco Theatres: Then & Now, an Oscar season preview and a live auction.

The live auction will feature tons of movie themed items and memorabilia including a chance for you and 200 friends to takeover the theater for a night, copies of the recent Playland and Sutro’s documentaries, a HUGO poster signed by Martin Scorcese, a pair of house seats to a Cal Performances concert of your choice, and much, much more.

The SFNTF has also pledged to match any money raised at the benefit, so whatever you donate via your ticket puchase or for auction items will be worth twice as much. Proceeds raised will go towards upgrades at the Vogue and Balboa theaters for new heaters, marquee and façade restoration, plus new seats and wall coverings.

Tickets start at just $35 and can be ordered online at the SFNTF website.

The Balboa is also offering patrons a chance to put their name on the new seats that will be installed sometime in the future.

Sarah B.

RichmondSFBlog reader Denise sent me a tip last week that Cafe Mereb, a small spot on Clement Street near 17th Avenue is closing later this month. I walked by this past weekend and saw a for sale sign in the window.

Denise is sorry to see the cafe closing. “I imagine it is tough to have a business on that part of Clement where there isn’t that much foot traffic. They have been there over 5 years and I was so excited when they opened so we could get some Eritrean food in the outer Richmond.”

In addition to its Mediterranean fare, the cafe was known for its Eritrean specials every Saturday and Sunday, as well as its weekend brunch.

Cafe Mereb is not the only business on the 1500 block of Clement. Neighbors include newcomer Hot Sauce and Panko, stalwart San Francisco Brewcraft, a hair studio, and an electric appliance store and repair shop.

But despite having a nucleus of stores, that is a particularly quiet stretch of Clement. The owner of Cafe Mereb, a woman, explained to Denise that “business isn’t good”.

You wouldn’t know it from its 78 Yelp reviews, which net it a 4 out of 5 stars with comments like “Want the best falafel sandwich in town? Then come here.” and “I could not pick a better place to live so close to. I’ve tried many of the menu items and have not been disappointed yet!”

Denise said Cafe Mereb will remain open until about the 20th of this month. So if you are a fan of the cafe or have been meaning to try it, don’t delay (note: closed Wednesdays).

Sarah B.

This Saturday, the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park is holding their annual “Frosting the Conservatory” workshop. Stop by to build your own holiday creations from gingerbread, and help support Conservatory programs at the same time.

Sink your teeth into the holidays with this fun edible architecture event for the whole family. Drop in between 11 AM and 3 PM, and you¹ll receive delectable building supplies including Graham Crackers, frosting and candy treats to construct the mini greenhouse of your dreams. Take it home for the holiday table, or eat it right on the spot.

The Poetry Store will also be at the event, ready and willing to create a free poem for you right on the spot. Get one made for a friend or family member, or ask them to whip up an ode to you on their vintage typewriter.

The cost to participate is $10 per building kit, and all ages are welcome. Proceeds from the “Frosting the Conservatory” event go towards the Maintenance Fund, which helps keep the historic greenhouse on the building frosty white.

While you’re there, don’t miss the Playland-themed Garden Railway in the special exhibits room. Well, that is if you can get up after having eaten your gingerbread house…

Sarah B.

The Examiner is reporting today that the Jack in the Box located on the corner of 11th and Geary, which is normally open 24 hours, is being told to close at 2am by the city.

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 in critical condition at San Francisco General.

Late last week, police arrested Eduardo Shaparo Esquivel, a 22-year old South San Francisco man for the crime. He’s being held with felony charges for mayhem, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with great bodily injury. Police are also pursuing charges against Esquivel’s girlfriend for trying to cover up the crime.

Since the incident, residents have complained to the city that the 24 hour Jack in the Box attracts the wrong crowd when nearby bars close at 2am.

“When the bars close at 2am, that’s when people are looking for food, and they end up at that Jack in the Box,” David Lee, president of the Richmond Police Advisory Board told The Examiner. “There is a limited amount of seating there, but there is this large parking lot. That’s where the trouble starts.”

In addition to the complaints, it was revealed that the Jack in the Box does not have the required permit to operate 24 hours.

According to Entertainment Commission Executive Director Jocelyn Kane, local businesses that want to stay open past 2 a.m. need an “extended hours” authorization. Police say the Jack in the Box owner does not have such a permit. Kane said the location has previously operated under the permit.

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

Nevertheless, the location remains a source of distress to nearby residents and police who respond to regular incident calls from the restaurant.

Richmond Police Advisory Board President David Lee says that neighbors have nothing against the Jack in the Box operating in the neighborhood, but that something needs to be done about the trouble that erupts there.

“The feeling now is that’s the last straw,” Lee said to The Examiner of the run-down. “We’ve given you a chance, and it’s not working.”

Sarah B.