Photo by veronica’s tv thoughts

It’s time for the 24th annual Jimmy’s Old Car Picnic in Golden Gate Park this Saturday, featuring old and vintage cars (all pre-1980).

The event runs from 7am until 4pm at Hellman Hollow (Speedway Meadow) and is free to attend. If you are interested in displaying your car, there is a $40 donation per car (cars can start arriving at 7am).

This event is all about the cars and community – there’s no amplified music and no vendors. Just car enthusiasts and picnics wherever you look. Enjoy viewing everything from souped up muscle cars to vintage classics like the Model A.

Jimmy’s Annual Old Car Picnic started in 1988 when classic car-loving friends got together in Golden Gate Park to celebrate Jimmy O’Keefe’s birthday; he is a former Rec & Park gardener. It has since grown into the largest and longest running show of its kind in San Francisco and includes cars, trucks, and motorcycles of all types, as well as a good number of oddballs… More about the picnic

Proceeds from cars that participate in the event benefit programs for the developmentally disabled. Last year the event donated to both the Janet Pomeroy Center and the Potrero Hill House.

The event is also looking for volunteers to to help guide parking and help with other odds and ends. Contact jimmyspicnic@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Sarah B.

The Park(ing) Day installation on Clement near 3rd Avenue. Photo courtesy of CurbedSF

On Friday, two neighborhood residents gave a preview of sorts for the upcoming parklet on Clement near 3rd Avenue. They participated in Park(ing) Day, a worldwide event where artists, designers and citizens transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks.

The small park was set up in metered spaces on the 200 block of Clement, in the same location where the new parklet is being proposed.

One of the men involved in the creation of the installation is also the artist behind the infamous pole gardens. He displayed several of them alongside the Park(ing) spot.

Patricia, a blog reader, wrote to us and said, “I stopped by a few times throughout the day and was so inspired and uplifted by the effort. It was a memorable way to connect with neighbors and passers-by. You can do so much within a small space– the creative possibilities are endless!”

This is the first Park(ing) Day installation we’ve had in the neighborhood since the blog came online, but not sure if it’s the very first since the Park(ing) Day event started in 2005. Not that it really matters – it’s just great to see residents having fun, being creative, and participating in the global event.

There were dozens of Park(ing) Day installations all over the city on Friday. Stop by CurbedSF to see a gallery of photos.

Sarah B.

Next Saturday, State Senator Leland Yee wants to hear from you! To get you to come out, he is hosting a free Pancake Brunch and Town Hall Meeting in Golden Gate Park:

Please join Senator Yee, friends & neighbors for a complimentary brunch and an interactive, informative community discussion on the state budget, legislative updates and local issues. Topics will include public education, consumer protection, good government initiatives, election reforms and more.

Does Yee know how much we like our food in the Richmond District? He better line up a lot of pancake batter!

The event takes place at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park near 9th Avenue and Lincoln at 10:30am. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling Emily Salgado, District Liaison at (415) 557-7857.

Sarah B.

The latest rendering of the proposed development for the Alexandria Theater property (18th & Geary)

The Alexandria movie theater closed in February, 2004 and since then has sat unused, deteriorating behind cyclone fencing. At times it’s been broken into and used by homeless, and at other times the front entry has been marred by graffiti and garbage. Last June, the theater’s blade sign had to be repaired and painted after high winds knocked portions of it loose.

The theater building has been on the selling block for awhile now, but there is interest in developing the property.

In January 2011, the Historic Preservation Commission heard from developers about plans for the property, which included a 221 seat theater and commercial retail space in the theater building, and a mixed use development on the back parking lot with retail space on the ground floor, residential units above, and underground parking.

And then it got quiet. We didn’t hear anything about the development moving forward and the theater continues to be a blight on the neighborhood.

Recently, Supervisor Eric Mar began asking questions again about the Alexandria and its development plans. It turns out that the development is still underway, though plans have changed since those that were shared in early 2011.

Peter Lauterborn, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Mar tells us, “the theater will stay part theater, part commercial, while the back lot is mixed use, with commercial on the ground floor and residences above.”

Sounds like the same plan, so why the delay? “They have changed the new building significantly in style and that has slowed it down somewhat. They claim the new design should fit in the neighborhood better,” Lauterborn said. He also sent us the rendering above which was provided by the architects.

On Friday, October 12, Supervisor Mar will host a neighborhood meeting about the Alexandria Theater to discuss its current upkeep as well as the revised development plans.

The agenda for the meeting includes a discussion of efforts by the Department of Public Works to keep the site clean in the short-term, and a presentation by the architect and the city planners on the development designs.

The meeting will take place at the Richmond District YMCA (360 18th Avenue) from 6pm until 8pm. You can find out more and RSVP via Facebook (though not required).

Sarah B.

[Reprinted from The Richmond Police Station Newsletter of September 21, 2012. To be added to the station's mailing list, email sfpd.richmond.station@sfgov.org.]

CAPTAIN SHARON FERRIGNO’S MESSAGE
The Richmond District has been very busy over the past several weeks. Officers were sent to assist a Golden Gate Park ranger who was dealing with a difficult homeless male. Officers responded and the male attacked the officers with a log. As a result of suspect resisting and the officers needing to wrestle him to the ground, three officers are off on disability leave after being exposed to poison oak and having severe reactions. Of those three officers one also suffered a head injury after being struck in the head with the log. Police officers never know what they will encounter and we train and prepare for different scenarios. Fortunately, the officers are recovering and are expected to return to work shortly.

This weekend we are gearing up for the SFPD COPS & Joggers Picnic and 5k run. Richmond Station is dusting off the barbecue and donning the oven mitts in an attempt to win First Place . The event takes place in Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park . Please come by and cheer your officers on as they try their skills at the pie eating contest, BBQ cook off and many more fun, family events. The event takes place from 9am to 2pm.

Our next Community meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 6pm. It will be in the Community Room, here at Richmond Station, 461 6th Ave. (NOTE TIME CHANGE)

NOTEWORTHY ARRESTS
On 09/12/12 at 7pm, a business on the 3200 block of Geary was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects. It was determined through investigation that these two were suspects in other robberies that occurred throughout the City. On 09/16/12, after committing a robbery on the 3100 block of Mission, the suspects were located at 7th and Market Sts and taken into custody. The two suspects are suspected in a total of 10 robberies throughout the City.

On 09/14/12 at 2:50am, the victim was waiting for a bus at 6th and Geary, with his bicycle. He was approached by the first suspect who asked “What are you looking at” and then asked the victim what gang he was from. The victim said he was just waiting for the bus, and wasn’t looking at anyone. The suspect then pulled a baseball bat from his pants and hit him. The victim fled down the block with the suspect still swinging the bat. The victim held up his bike to protect himself and the suspect struck the bike causing the frame to bend. The victim pushed the bike at the suspect which made the suspect fall to the ground and hit his head. At this time, the second suspect showed up and started punching the victim, who then fled and tried to hide behind a pick up truck. The suspect with the bat started swinging at him again, but missed and hit the side view mirror of the truck. The second suspect picked up the victims bike and ran into a building on the 4200 block of Geary Blvd , the first suspect followed the second. Officers responded to the building and located both suspects and the baseball bat. The two males, a 26 and 37 years of age, were charged with robbery.

NOTEWORTHY INCIDENTS
On 09/13/12 at 8:25pm, the victim was walking on the 2600 block of Sacramento St when she was suddenly approached from behind by two suspects. One of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim who then pushed the suspects hand away. The suspect then punched her in the jaw, took her phone and both suspects fled to an awaiting vehicle. The vehicle was described as a light colored, possibly gold, Toyota Camry. The suspects were described as two black males, late teens, one wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. The victim refused medical treatment.

On 09/13/12 at 8:30pm, the victim was walking on the 2000 block of Scott St and was approached by two suspects, one of whom pointed a gun at the victim. The suspect told the victim to hand over his cell phone, while the second suspect stood behind the victim. The victim handed over his phone while the second suspect “patted him down” and removed his wallet. The suspects fled north on Scott St. They were described as black males in their 20’s both wearing gray hooded sweatshirts.

On 09/14/12 between 5:30pm and 8:45pm a suspect gained entry into a garage on the 100 block of 22nd Ave and
broke into a vehicle parked inside. It is unknown how entry was made into the garage.

Between 09/14/12, 8pm and 09/15/12, 10am on the 900 block of Lake St , a bike was stolen from a hallway on the ground floor of an apartment building. There were no signs of forced entry.

On 09/15/12 between 10:30am and 12pm, a bike, which was locked, was taken from the bike rack in front of the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park .

On 09/16/12 between 12am and 8am a suspect entered an apartment garage on the 100 block of Lake St and took a bike. The garage door had been damaged for over a week and it is believed that is how entry was made.

Between 09/16/12, 12pm and 09/17/12, 5pm on the 2700 block of Jackson, a suspect gained entry into an apartment building garage and broke into a storage unit. The loss was a flat screen TV and 2 motorcycle helmets.

On 09/16/12 between 1pm and 2pm, two bikes that were locked to the bike rack in front of the Japanese Tea Garden were taken. The lock, which had been cut, was left behind.

Between 09/16/12, 7pm and 09/17/12, 7am on the 400 block of Clement St, a suspect broke the glass on the front door of a beauty salon and took cash and a hair trimmer.

On 09/17/12 between 2:45am and 5:45am on the unit block of Clement St , the suspect smashed the glass on the front door of a business and took cash.

On 09/17/12 at 10:30pm on the 200 block of 19th Ave , the victim answered a knock on her door and observed the suspect, who she did not know, standing there. The suspect appeared extremely intoxicated and asked the victim for $10.00. She told the suspect that she had no cash and at that point the suspect stepped into the entry way of her home. She put her arms out to prevent him from entering further as he continued to demand $10.00. He grabbed her arm and the victim grabbed a chair that was nearby and hit the suspect with it. She continued to thrust the chair towards the suspect to push him out of the apartment and he fled down the stairs in an unknown direction. The suspect was described as a black male, 30-35 years of age wearing dark clothing. It is unknown how the suspect got into the apartment building.

On 09/19/12, between 10:30am and 12pm on the 300 block of El Camino Del Mar, a suspect kicked in the front door of a residence and took a laptop and two iPads.

It’s time again for some after hours fun at the Conservatory of Flowers. Next Thursday, stop by for “Dinos! Among Us”, an event for the 21+ crowd that includes good food, music, and the chance to hang out in a real life land of the lost with the Conservatory’s current dino tenants.

The evening is themed around the Conservatory’s current exhibition, Plantosaurus Rex, showcasing a prehistoric paradise of plants from the time of the dinos when giant ferns, spiky horsetails, and primitive cycads grew in lush abundance and fed many of the monstrous reptiles that roamed the earth millions of years ago.

The event also includes a talk by fossil expert Sarah Werning who will explain how fossilized bone tissue has opened a whole in chapter in the study of dinosaur metabolism, lifespan – even their sex lives.

Enjoy libations from local companies Brewtruc (San Francisco’s first taproom-on-wheels), Social Kitchen and Brewery from the Sunset, and Oro en Paz wines.

We’re giving away two pairs of passes to the event! For a chance to win, fill out this online form by 3pm on Friday, September 21. We’ll pick two winners at random from the entries. Remember, you must be over 21 years of age to attend this event.

“Dinos! Among Us” runs from 6pm until 10pm on September 27, and admission is just $5 (order online). But if you’re feeling saucy, dress like a dinosaur and you get in FREE (and be sure to send us a pic!).

Sarah B.

Within the last couple of years, neighborhood schools like Lafayette, Presidio and Argonne opened up their schoolyards to cars looking for parking at large events in the area like the Outside Lands and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festivals. Schools typically charge $25 per day for the day, and in the process, they raised thousands of dollars for their school programs.

Last October, someone down at City Hall heard about these enterprising PTA’s and sent the tax man a callin’.

The Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office of San Francisco demanded their cut – 25% of the profits made during the parking fundraisers. That’s a substantial slice – as much as $1,750 a day – of the money that schools typically raise during the events.

Back in October, Treasurer’s office spokesman Greg Kato told the Examiner that the law to collect tax on parking structures had been on the books for a while and “applies to every parking operation, from downtown garages to dirt lots near the ballpark.”

The issue was fuzzy, since the law technically applied to for-profit parking operations, not for fundraising events like the schools were running. And the idea of the SFMTA – who would ultimately benefit from the collection of these taxes – taking money from schools didn’t sit well with school parents and residents.

“Let the schools keep the money, you greedy bunch of SCOUNDRELS!!” wrote on commenter on the blog.

Others saw the school’s efforts as a way to make ends meet for the already cash-strapped schools. “These are volunteers running a fundraiser to provide the much needed funds to San Francisco public schools. They are helping to bridge the gap created by the huge budget cuts. They should not be taxed!!” wrote another commenter.

Thankfully this is one story that has a happy ending. It took a year but something has finally been put in place to ensure that the schools can keep all of their profits from their parking fundraisers, which have continued on despite the tax threat.

Late last week, an ordinance was signed exempting parking lot fundraisers from being taxed by the City. Supervisor Mar, Mayor Lee, and Treasurer Jose Cisneros worked for the last year with 2nd District PTA President Michelle Parker, and parents from Lafayette, Jefferson, Presidio and Argonne schools to craft the legislation.

The ordinance is retroactive, so all the money that schools have earned to date on their parking fundraisers is exempt.

Next up is the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival the weekend of October 5, so expect the parking lots at local schools to be primed for the influx of visitors. It’s nice to know they’ll get to keep every penny of what they take in to fund their programs.

Sarah B.

PTA President Michelle Parker, Supervisor Eric Mar, and Lafayette parent Edmund Lee at a
Sept. 13 press conference about the ordinance exempting parking lot fundraisers

This Sunday, the SFPD will hold their annual Cops and Joggers 5K Run/Walk and Picnic at Peacock Meadow on Golden Gate Park (map; near the Conservatory of Flowers).

The event benefits SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone), a non-profit organization that guides residents, business owners, and community members to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. SAFE provides education and support regarding public safety and assists community members in identifying and resolving issues of crime and violence. SAFE partners with the SFPD to provide crime prevention education and organizing support for communities and Neighborhood Watch groups.

Registration for the 5k run/walk includes a picnic, rib cook off and family activities (pie-eating contest!). But if you don’t feel like breaking a sweat, just come for the picnic in the park.

You can register online for the race (prices begin at $40 depending on whether you want food or not) or the day of before between 9am and 10am. The race kicks off at 10am.

Sarah B.