Local links: Sparky’s afterschool, Paul’s Hats expands to KY, Bernice Bing & more

Traffic backed up on 25th Avenue this weekend. Photo by David H.

Here’s a smattering of local links spanning from a fun, afterschool program to a Kentucky expansion of one of our oldest businesses!

• Even “all the way out here”, we’re feeling the effects of the Bay Bridge closure. All arteries leading to the Golden Gate Bridge have been a parking lot this weekend, including Park Presidio and the 25th Avenue entrance to the Presidio. Good news – the bridge is due to open on time tomorrow morning!
• Last year, Paul’s Hat Works on Geary launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise money for a new store in New York City. After further evaluation, the business, owned by four women, has decided to instead open their second store in Louisville, Kentucky. Paul’s has had great success selling their hats in a “pop-up” fashion during the derby – “the foremost hat event in the United States” – for the past few years. “This will be the first “second” Paul’s Hat Works since its founding in 1918. We will take custom orders at this new store, sell straw and felt hats, do hat cleanings, and hat finishing at this new store… We are very excited, a little nervous, but mostly grateful, to all of you who have made this possible for us.”
• Sparky’s Toys & Balloons at 115 Clement Street has launched a new afterschool art program in partnership with Oflauer Design for kids age 6.5 up to 13 years old. The 6 week, $510 program promises to be “filled with Crafting, Drawing, Painting, Gardening & Floristry” and takes place at Sparky’s store. For more info, visit the Oflauer website.
• On Friday, September 13 the de Young Museum will screen a new documentary short, The Worlds of Bernice Bing, about the life of San Francisco artist Bernice Bing. The Worlds of Bernice Bing illuminates the life and times of Bernice Bing – artist, Chinese American, lesbian, and activist. The powerful story of a woman who used color, paintbrush, and canvas to speak from her heart, this film promises to energize and inspire viewers with the resilience of a unique American icon. (Facebook). Admission is free and tickets will be available at the event beginning at 6pm; the film is at 7pm.
• Amphawa Thai Noodle House on Geary near 14th Avenue was featured by SFGate as a Bargain Bite last week. “Amphawa doesn’t have the style of hipper counterparts in the Tenderloin, but it serves home-style Thai food with fresh ingredients and deep flavor, and without backing down on the spice level.”