Starr King Open Space: 3.5 Acres to Enjoy

By Alison Fromme, Neighborhood Newswire

Three and a half acres of open land stretch across the southeastern side of Potrero Hill, at the corner of Carolina and 23rd Streets. During dry summer months, passersby meander through crisscrossing paths on the brown parched property and stop to enjoy the views of Twin Peaks and the city. Some even set up lawn chairs and stay for the sunset.

Virtually no litter mars the land, clear evidence that the area is carefully tended. The space is not bordered by a fence, it has no identifying signs, and, without benches or picnic tables, it doesn’t obviously appear to be park. That’s because it isn’t. The property was set aside as a land trust in the 1980s when a company built Parkview Heights, a nearby high-density housing development. The parcel is officially known as Starr King Open Space, and is managed by a Board of Directors elected by Potrero Hill residents.

The Board works to keep the land clean of debris and invasive plants, and encourages the revival of native flora, such as purple needle grass and soap plant. Susanne Shields, Board secretary, says volunteers have removed thousands of invasives over the past three years: 15,000 fennel and 9,000 star thistle plants, and counting.

Despite the Open Space’s low profile, the Board welcomes community involvement, according to Shields. Last fall, a small group of volunteers spanning in age from four to 70 planted native trees that thrive on Potrero Hill’s serpentine soil, provide nectar for butterflies and moths, and shelter birds. Shields recruits volunteers by posting notices surrounding the park, on craigslist.com, and in the Potrero View.

“Neighborhood volunteers regularly work according to their own schedules and availability,” Shields said. “We have had hundreds of students needing to fulfill community service requirements and AmeriCorp youth and adult service groups work on the land. We hold a workday every month on the third Saturday from nine to one and we provide tools, gloves, wheelbarrows, and water.” People can also pitch in by calling 415-28-CLEAN (415-282-5326) to report illegal dumping.

Potrero Hill residents can run for the Board by mailing proof of residency (such as a photocopy of a drivers’ license) and a candidate statement to PO Box 880293, San Francisco, CA 94188-0293 at least two weeks before elections.

“The next annual meeting and election will be April 2006, but interested persons should make their interest known because when there are vacancies on the Board, the bylaws allow for appointments between elections,” Shields said. “The Board is all-volunteer, and most of the Open Space's needs have to do with the land. Candidates are encouraged to volunteer so that they can become known and find out if it’s really something they want to do.” With proof of residency, community members can vote in Board member elections, which are usually held at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House.

For more information about volunteering to work on the Starr King Open Space land, call Ralph Hunter at 415 293-3080. For information regarding other Starr King projects volunteer opportunities, call Susanne Shields at 415 810-4900.

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SF District Attorney's Office

DA Kamala Harris

The next meeting of the Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association on Tues, Aug 30, 7pm will feature Angela Louie from the SF District Attorney's Office.

If you're like me and your knowledge of the criminal justice system was acquired through watching episodes of 'Law and Order,' then at the very least you know that the cops catch the criminals, and it's the DA's job to prosecute them (or not).

Well ... this meeting should be all the more interesting given the recent observation by Rick Bruce shortly before he stepped down as Captain and DA Kamala Harris' response.

Captain Rick Bruce
An exerp from the August 17th Daily Update
Gun Case Dispositions

I mentioned back in March that we were going to begin tracking our gun arrest cases in an effort to find out why so many armed gang members seem to be on the streets of the Bayview, even though our officers are arresting them on a constant basis.  We have almost six month's worth of data, and it was a bit shocking when we first started to take a look at it.  Although the cases of most of the individuals arrested for gun charges in the past six months have not yet been settled, 17 cases have been, and these are the results:

- A man booked for a stolen, loaded and concealed handgun pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 3 years probation and 3 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for a loaded and concealed handgun was given misdemeanor probation.
- A man booked for a loaded and concealed handgun pled guilty to a felony and was given 90 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of an assault rifle pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 3 years probation and 90 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a concealed handgun and drugs had the gun charge dismissed and the drug charge prosecuted.
- A man booked for aggravated assault with a firearm had the case dismissed.
- A man booked for possession of an assault rifle had the case dismissed.
- A man booked for possession of a concealed handgun with obliterated serial numbers pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 3 years probation and 90 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a loaded and concealed handgun pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given three years probation and 2 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a loaded and concealed handgun pled guilty to a felony and was given 83 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a loaded and concealed handgun had the case dismissed.
- A man booked for possession of a stolen, concealed, and loaded handgun pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 90 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a firearm by a felon pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 37 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a firearm by a felon pled guilty to a felony and was given 6 months in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a firearm by a felon pled guilty to a misdemeanor and was given 37 days in the County Jail.
- A man booked for possession of a firearm with obliterated serial numbers had the case dismissed.
- A man booked for possession of a firearm by a felon had the case dismissed.

District Attorney Kamala Harris' Response
I receive Captain Bruce’s daily emails and appreciate the work he does to keep the community informed.  His update from August 17th included information about gun arrest cases.  The positive thing about this list is that the cases highlighted show that we are getting more convictions that have resulted in longer sentences with more stringent conditions of probation upon release.  The list also shows there is still, obviously, room for improvement.

The reduction of violent crime in San Francisco is our #1 priority. We have committed to getting guns, and the criminals who carry them, off the streets. Stopping gun crime is essential for public safety and officer safety.  That is why one year ago we instituted tough new charging standards for all Assistant District Attorneys and created a gun specialist team to ensure focused gun crime prosecution.  I make no excuses for the cases where my office should have performed better, and rest assured, we will continue our work with victims, officers and the courts to ensure that those arrested carrying guns in San Francisco face tough consequences.

There have been positive changes since our gun policy has been instituted. Before the policy, on average, offenders were spending 10 days or less in custody for illegal firearm possession.  I think anyone would agree that is far too little time.  A look at Captain Bruce’s list shows the average length of sentences is growing.  The improvement is encouraging but it is not enough.  We will continue our work and efforts with the courts to secure longer minimum sentences for illegal possession of handguns.   Our successful work to increase the bail amounts for possession of guns and assault weapons is also sending a message that guns will not be tolerated. Having said that, citizens may see individuals arrested for serious crimes back out on the street.  There are a number of reasons for this – some of them have posted bail and await trial.  In other cases, the courts may have dismissed or reduced the charges or accepted a plea despite our objection.

Sometimes we are forced to dismiss cases because witnesses are afraid to come forward or because the circumstances surrounding the arrest require further investigation.  Nonetheless, in cooperation with SFPD, we will continue our efforts to build trust and ensure witnesses know that if they come forward with information, they will be protected.  My sincere hope is that as we continue strengthening the ties of trust with the community the number of cases where people have to worry about their safety will diminish.

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Captain Rick Bruce on his service to the people of this City.   He has been a dedicated public servant and served the people of the Bayview well. I wish he, and his family, all the best in the future.

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Potrero Hill Boxing Club

Scratch the 1st rule of Fight Club, as I'm going to talk about Potrero Hill's very own fight club. No, it's not located in an abandoned warehouse on Pier 70, but rather within the cosy confines of World Gym at DeHaro and 16th.

This past saturday, the Potrero Hill Boxing Club hosted an exhibition of boxing, Muay Thai Kick boxing, and UFC style mixed martial arts fights. The motto of the club is 'We Don't Train Women, We Don't Train Men, We Train Fighters' - true to form, the exhibition matches included bouts from both male and female fighters.

Having never witnessed any type of live officiated fighting (with the exception of the WWF ... back in the days when Superfly Snuka and Andre the Giant reigned supreme), I gotta say, I was duly impressed. The fighters displayed a lot of physical stamina and heart. I was particularly struck by the mixed martial arts match-up between a 15 year old girl, and a guy a couple years her senior - she ended up winning through a leg lock submission to the poor guy's neck.

If you're itching to get in the ring, the Potrero Hill Boxing Club offers Boxing, Thai Boxing, and Juijitsu classes. Trainers include Cynthia Talmadge, who won 'Best Fighter Award' at the 2005 San Francisco Golden Gloves and Eliza Olson, a real-life Million Dollar Baby who is blazing the trail for professional female prize-fighters.

World Gym is located at 290 De Haro St, 415.703.9650

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Potrero Hill Community Arts Project

[From Jennifer T's Mental Hijinks blog]

Community Arts Project invites residents to take part in collaborative sculpture

Potrero Hill and the arts go hand in hand, but never so much as they will in the next few weeks, as the Potrero Hill Community Arts Project accepts submissions for its first-ever collaborative art project created by members of the community. Anyone can participate—artistic training not required—by submitting a decorated plastic panel that will be combined into a sculpture and unveiled at a fundraising event at Neighborhood House on September 16.

The idea is a simple one. Community members are invited to attend art-making parties throughout the next few weeks where blank panels will be available. The panels come in two sizes and can be decorated in any number of ways. Photographs, drawings, paintings, personal mementos, gift wrap, feathers, bottle caps, you name it…the only limit is your imagination—and, of course, whether you can get your materials to stick to the panel. Once the panels have been created and gathered, local artists from the Community Arts Project will assemble them into a sculpture—a unique work of art with many creators. “The more diverse the participants, the richer the artwork,” says Deborah Reed, one of the event organizers. “By working on a group project, people can create something for and of the community.” The sculpture will actually be a modular piece that can be disassembled, moved, and reassembled for other community events such as the Potrero Hill Festival and History Night. Every time it is reassembled, it will be unique.

Whether you’re a budding Picasso, an artistic neophyte, or (like most of us) something in between, event organizers welcome you to contribute to the project. “We can provide instruction and suggestions, if needed,” says Reed. What’s important isn’t your level of ability; it’s your desire to participate. “Each person can design his or her panel in a way that speaks to them and expresses something about themselves or their world,” Reed says. “It’s fairly wide open.” Reed also says that all panels will be used—there will be no board of judges or standards that must be met. She hopes the diversity of panels will reflect the diversity she sees in the neighborhood. “I love living on Potrero Hill, and I love the sense of community here,” Reed says. “A collaborative art project seemed a natural expression of that sense of community.”

The unveiling event will be a fundraiser for the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, a non-profit community center that offers space for meetings, classes, and other events. Housed in a building designed by historic architect Julia Morgan, the center has been serving the Potrero Hill community since 1907. Though several art-making parties have already taken place, there is still plenty of time to add your panel to the project. The next party will be on September 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood House. Other parties will be happening right up until the unveiling on September 16.

More information is available at
http://arts.potrerohillsf.com

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Icer Air: An Open Letter to the Mayor

Esteemed Mayor -

When I read SFGate yesterday and saw that you had mentioned Potrero Hill as a potential host of Icer Air I was elated. Now today it appears that you’ve had a change of heart:

"And Newsom, who at one point Wednesday said moving the contest to another view-packed neighborhood such as Potrero Hill was worth considering, said later that he would rather keep it on Fillmore.

'I can't imagine a more idyllic location to showcase San Francisco,' he said."

Source: SFGate

I’m sure you’ve heard this from others, but allow me to kindly remind you that nobody likes a flip-flopper (just ask John Kerry).

Some things just aren’t meant to be. Icer Air and Pacific Heights, well that’s sort of like Brad and Jennifer. People in Pacific Heights are categorically unsupportive of the idea … the NIMBYism seems to be infectious and rampantly apparent:

Neighbors

Connie McCole, who lives in the neighborhood, was glad City Hall listened.

"It's someone else's turn,'' she said.

Monks

"We feel that we are being unjustly penalized and discriminated against for our scenic location," said Warner Hirsch, a Hindu monk who worships at the Vedanta Society.

Greg Scott, president of the Pacific Heights Residents Association

"It's a real intrusion. We view this in the same class as street fairs."

And even Supervisor Michela Aliota Pier

"Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, who represents Pacific Heights, was also pleased that the competition had been called off."

(btw congrats to Michela for winning SFist’s hottest supervisor competition)

How about placing this event in a neighborhood that really wants to host it? The Olympics are put up for bid, and part of that process includes enthusiasm … something Potrero Hill has an abundance of.

As far as being an idyllic location, let me point out that we’ve had several movies filmed here. Chance the American Bulldog, and his lost friends admired the sweeping views of the city from Potrero Hill in Homeward Bound 2, Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron romanced each other in Sweet November, and ironically enough, Pacific Heights was filmed in Potrero Hill.

Gavin, how about giving the little guy a chance? Sure Potrero Hill isn’t as posh and tony as Pacific Heights, but as Tony Kelly (our neighborhood association president) said on KRON 4 "We’re a can do neighborhood."

Want this event to happen in San Francisco instead of the East Bay? Please reconsider having it hosted in Potrero Hill.

sincerely-
mike lin

Update
Thanks to sfist, KRON 4's BAIT, SocketSite, and SFGate's Culture Blog for their support of Potrero Hill.

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Events on the Hill

Enola & Sophie Maxwell by Katy Raddatz / Chronicle

The first 'Little Peoples Day' at Farley's was so successful, that they're doing it all over again on Friday. Once again, musical bard Enzo Garcia will be performing children's songs on banjo, accordion, guitar and saw.

The Neighborhood House on Friday evening hosts a celebration of the life and legacy of Enola Maxwell. Please come out for a night of good food, music, friends and great fun.

World Gym is hosting a Boxing exhibition / BBQ Benefit on Saturday. Hmm ... I wonder if they'll be grilling from George Foreman's Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine.

On Sunday, the fine folks at Ford Real Estate are hosting a pet adoption day in conjunction with Rocket Dog Rescue. Hallie B. has met a few of the cuties and vouches that they'll "make amazing additions to any family."

This week's events:
• Fri Aug 26 - Farley's: Enzo Garcia
• Fri Aug 26 - Neighborhood: Hats Off to Enola
• Sat Aug 27 - World Gym: Boxing BBQ Benefit
• Sun Aug 28 - Ford Real Estate: Pet Adoption Day

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Icer Air 2005

Taken from the Red Bull Streets of San Francisco website

Pacific Heights is set to host Icer Air 2005 on Aug 27th, which it's organizers laud as being the first of its kind urban big-air competition. 10,000 cubic feet of snow will cover the streets, allowing top snowboarders and skiers to compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently ran an article about how neighbors, monks, and even a bride-to-be are causing a big stink about the event.

So how does this relate to Potrero Hill? The organizers are looking to make this an annual event in San Francisco, and I'm hoping they move the event over to Potrero Hill in 2006.

Here are a couple of argument points:
• We have better weather AND sweeping views of the city
• The film makers of the 1990 film 'Pacific Heights' had the smarts to shoot the movie in Potrero Hill
• We hosted Red Bull's Streets of San Francisco street luge event in 2001 and 2002 (click here for video highlights)
• If you look at the video footage from the street luging, you'll see we've already hosted an urban big-air competition
• We're home to the crookedest street in San Francisco (In case you're wondering, it's Vermont, between 20th and 22nd)
• Pacific Heights doesn't have a Farley's or Goat Hill Pizza

Update
Yesterday, Tony Kelly (President of the Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association) and I were interviewed by Vicki Liviakis of KRON 4 for their 9p broadcast coverage of Icer Air 2005. Our air time pretty much consisted of us advocating to hold the event in Potrero Hill, although we'd certainly need to get buy-in from neighbors who would be affected, should the event be held on their street.

My snippet on tv pretty much consisted of me saying that the neighbors of Potrero Hill are more mellow than those in Pac Heights and that we'd love to host the event here. Tony was shown on camera saying that we're a 'Can Do' kind of neighborhood.

They also aired footage from the Clint Eastwood movie 'Magnum Force' which is part of the Dirty Harry series, since it shows car chase scenes shot in Potrero Hill. They somehow tied that into the Icer Air event ... that's tv for you.

Breaking News
The event has officially been cancelled.

Someone in the mayor's office must have been watching KRON 4 last night:

"Newsom said he would be meeting with the competition organizers to determine whether they can try again later this year after more details are nailed down. The contest could be held in Pacific Heights or another hilly neighborhood, such as Potrero Hill."

source: San Francisco Chronicle

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Calling All Cars!

A couple of years ago I befriended a wonderfully nice SFPD officer at local hangout, Moshi-Moshi. I asked him if he'd keep an eye out on the stop sign around the bottom of Missouri, because it seemed that many people were ignoring it all together. The decline of the street prohibits speed bumps, and increases the desire to fly down the hill and not stop in order to maintain the speed to get back up the other side. Cars weren't the only culprit, MUNI buses were just as guilty. One day I sat out on the corner of Sierra and Missouri for a couple of hours and counted how many people blew the sign.

Number of Cars: 78
Number that made a complete stop: 23
Number that hesitated at the stop (California Stop): 34
Number that completely ran the stop sign: 21
Number of MUNI buses that ran the stop sign: 7

The officer checked it out for a few days and then was off to better things. I thought about setting up a camera or firing a bullhorn, or SOMETHING. I've had near misses pulling out of the driveway, by cars and MUNI, which is much scarier. But I wouldn't want to get beat up or shot.

What I'd like to ask is for any officer on duty in the area to crack down on this stop sign. Need to write a few tickets? Then there you go. Guaranteed. The negligence of these drivers is a hazard to everyone - including many children and elderly that live in the area.

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Community BBQ Gals

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Events Aug 18 - 20

Wow, Potrero Hill is rawking this week with: a screening of movies from the 48 Hour Film Festival, 2 live music events at Farley's, a photo reception at Klein's, and a couple of venues on 17th St. (Connecticut Yankee, Bottom of the Hill, Thee Parkside) are hosting a Hell Raiser Crawl.

Did someone say BBQ? We're co-hosting the Potrero Hill Community BBQ this Saturday, Aug 20 from Noon to 6pm at Potrero Hill Park. Please drop on by the Neighbors for the NABE table and say Hi. Entertainment includes a performance by the Potrero Hill Friends of Old Time Music and Karaoke from 3 - 5 pm ... who's going to be the next Potrero Hill Idol? If that wasn't enough excitement, there's going to be door prizes, entertainment for the kids, and an arts table. Thinkers Cafe is catering the event, so be sure to get there early.

Also on Saturday morning from 9am - 2pm, roughly 15 houses on Connecticut at 20th are having a garage / moving sale. So after you're done perusing the goods, head south on Connecticut past the community gardens and join us at the BBQ.

This week's events:
• Thu, Aug 18 - Walk-In Movies: 48 Hour Film Project
• Thu, Aug 18 - Farley's: Live music with Windows/Windows
• Fri, Aug 19 - Klein's Deli: Photographs by Henrik Kam
• Fri, Aug 19 - 17th St. Hell Raiser Crawl
• Sat, Aug 20 - Potrero Hill Community BBQ
• Sat, Aug 20 - Farley's: Live music with Cory Combs & Friends

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Captain Rick Bruce announces retirement

Captain Rick Bruce, who heads up the SFPD's Bayview District (Potrero Hill is part of this district) announced his retirement on Saturday, via an e-mail to subscribers of his daily community update e-mails.

During his tenure, Captain Rick Bruce introduced several innovative initiatives including: direct cell phone access to officers assigned to quality of life issues, daily community updates via e-mail, and police substations within the “Big Three” housing developments.

I'm appreciative of the fact that he took the time to meet with a group of concerned parents (myself included) after several street robberies occured back-to-back a couple months ago, as well as his monthly visits to the Potrero Boosters meetings.

He's done a remarkable job from what I know about him, and thank him for the work he's accomplished.

[From Captain Rick Bruce ]

Dear Bayview Community:

I returned home last night from a two week vacation in Lake Tahoe with my family.  For the first time in almost a year, I had all of my sons together, providing a rare opportunity for some frank discussions about each of our lives, current and future.  As a result, for both personal and professional reasons, I will be stepping down as the captain of the Bayview District effective August 20.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the tremendous support you have shown for my officers, for this department, and for me personally.  I believe that the officers assigned to Bayview Station have made some important and positive changes in the way in which police services are delivered to this community.  And I have every confidence that further positive changes will occur in the coming months and years, and that you can continue to take pride in the daily job performed by your Bayview officers.

Throughout my stay in this district, I have attempted to articulate for you what the officers of this district do on a daily basis.  It has been my experience that community members who are well versed in what their officers actually do are much more willing to partner with these same officers.  It is only through these partnerships that the officers of this district, or any district, can be fully effective in addressing the long-standing and seemingly intractable crime problems which have plagued this district for many years.

Two of the more popular initiatives first introduced in the Bayview have now been institutionalized department-wide, and for this reason will continue uninterrupted.  Each of our ten police districts now produces a weekly e-mail for their constituencies, and each district likewise utilizes a series of “quality of life” cell phones which provide quicker and easier access to the district’s officers.

Additionally, following the placement of teams of officers in our district’s “Big Three” housing developments, our department entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the San Francisco Housing Authority, thereby ensuring that this program will also continue uninterrupted.  Since the assignment of these teams to our main public housing developments, crime, particularly violent crime, has been reduced substantially.

Each new captain brings his or her own vision to the job, and I know that Deputy Chief David Shinn will select a capable and suitable replacement who understands the issues and needs of this district.  I will work closely with both Deputy Chief Shinn, and whomever he chooses as my replacement, to ensure a seamless transition.  In addition, I plan to continue working on two of the projects begun in the past year in the Bayview, both of which have particular importance for me.

First, the total renovation of the Hunter’s Point Gym by the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco will begin later this year, and upon completion, this facility will be a state of the art youth club we can all be proud of.  I believe that this club will have a major impact on the lives of the kids living on Hunter’s Point Hill for generations to come, and I will continue to assist in any way possible to see that this dream becomes a reality.  In addition, as President of the Police Activities League, I will continue to push for expanded programming for the kids living in Bayview – Hunter’s Point.  The children growing up here need positive activities which teach them teamwork, dedication, and the value of hard work.  These programs can do just that.

It has been my extreme honor to serve you these past months, and I will close by reminding you that the officers of this district need your continued support if they are to be fully effective.  Your Bayview officers are some of the hardest working and most dedicated officers I have had the pleasure of working with in my career.  These are your officers, and I know that they will do everything in their power to continue to enhance both your safety and your quality of life in this district.

I wish you all the best, and I will always value both the friendship and support you have graciously provided me.

Rick Bruce Bayview Station
August 13, 2005

Note: Letters of appreciation will be compiled for the captain's retirement dinner, and can be e-mailed to: SFPDBayviewStation(at)ci.sf.ca.us

or mailed to:
Lt. Kurt Bruneman
Bayview Station
201 Williams St.
SF, CA. 94124

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Car Crash on DeHaro

[From Len B.]

I wanted to tell you about an accident with a possible stolen car involved on DeHaro St. Total of 5 cars. One truck serious damage.

Apparently a Saturn was coming down the hill on De Haro headed toward 20th st at 3:30AM Saturday morning. They lost control, swerved to the right and glanced off two park cars bumpers before crashing into a Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee and the Saturn then crashed into my pickup truck. The Jeep was pushed sideways about 8 feet and when the two vehicles impacted the side of my truck, they moved it 3 feet sideways.

Keep in mind that my truck is a Ford F350 Dually weighing around 11,000 lbs.

There were no signs of ant attempt to stop the Saturn.

We heard the crash in front of the house at 863 DeHaro. But by the time we got outside to see what was going on the driver of the Saturn had abandoned the car, with it still running in drive and fled the scene on foot.

Police arrived, assumed the Saturn was stolen and had it towed.

The Saturn was running with no key in the ignition switch and was registered in Oakland.

Unfortunately there was no sign of injury to the driver or his possible passenger.

I am becoming very concerned about the neighborhood crime. We have had our jeep broken in to on two occasions. Our neighbor had both his cars broken into over the last week.

Everyone you talk to in the neighborhood has some story of theft or vandalism. What do we do to stop this stuff?

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Events Aug 11 - 14

Farley's at Night by Manu Schnetzler

First off we'd like to congratulate Farley's on being voted “Best Independent Coffeehouse” in the Readers Poll in the SF Bay Guardian for the 2nd year in a row.

Events like the live music with Cory Combs & Friends this Saturday, are part of the reason why Farley's is so beloved.

Back in May, the night photography collective 'The Nocturnes,' along with Schnetzler Photography had a show at Farley's entitled 'A Night on the Hill' (see website & photos). This group returns for a reception on Sunday at Thinker's Cafe in the first of two preview shows in advance of SF Open Studios.

This week's events:
• Thu, Aug 11 - Potrero Hill Community Arts Project Meeting
• Sat, Aug 13 - Farley's: Live music with Cory Combs & Friends
• Sun, Aug 14 - Thinkers Cafe: Photography by The Nocturnes

Update
Cory Combs & Friends performance moved to Saturday, August 20th

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Walk-In Movies: Goonies - Wed, Aug 10th

[From Derek Dukes, Potrero Walk-In Movies]

Good vs. Evil, Rich vs. Poor, Nerd vs. Cool, you name a classic battle between two groups and it's part of The Goonies. This week we'll take a look back to the mid-80's to join a group of friends and mis-fits as they go in search of buried treasure in the hopes of saving their homes from becoming a golf course.

This movie holds a special place in my heart, and whenever i watch it i'm taken back to grade school and the summer i spent watching this movie whenever it was on HBO. It's got great lines, it's got action, adventure, comedy and who could forget the 'truffle shuffle'. In addition to all that it's got 'star power', featuring Sean Astin who'd go on to Lord of the Rings fame as Sam Wise and Corey Feldman who not only broke the hearts of many of my 8th grade girlfriends also starred in 'Stand By Me' as well as a bunch of other movies that went' straight to landfill.

The Goonies is a great chance to flash back to the mid-80's and sing along with Cindi Lauper's title track 'The Goonies' so bring your legwarmers. And who knows...there may even be some pirate treasure at the event tomorrow...

Also, next Thursday August 18th, we'll be hosting the 'Best of San Francisco' event for the 48 Hour Film Project (http://www.48hourfilm.com/sf/) where they'll be screening a selection of the 26 films that were made for this year's contest by local talent. So come out and support local film, and I've been told there will be an after party where you can share a beer or two with some of the film makers and actors, so it's bound to be a great time.

Side note, we're getting down to the end of our 'Mega-pop' pop-corn and bags so if you all have extra movie-style popcorn let me know, or if you're feeling generous and want to donate a box to the greater good we've never looked a gift horse in the mouth ;)

---------------------------------------------
WEDNESDAY, August 10, 8:45pm
THE GOONIES
(1985) Richard Donner
Updated info --> http://www.walkinmovies.com
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SF Power Summer Update

[From Steven Moss, Executive Director, San Francisco Community Power]

We'd like to update our members, and ask for your help, on a few key issues:

City Proposal to Site Three Combustion Turbines in Dogpatch Continues to Move Forward
The CT siting process continues to progress, with the San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) likely to take final project approval to the Board of Supervisors early this Fall. To date SF Power has been mildly supportive of the project, as part of an overall energy plan in which the Hunters Point (HP) Power Plant will be closed this Spring, and the Potrero Power Plant will be shuttered by 2008. However, in a close decision SF Power's Board recently voted to not endorse a Potrero Power Plant Citizen's Task Force resolution to formally support CT siting. The Board expressed concerns over the lack of certainty that the Potrero Power Plant will actually close; past unkept promises by the City and PG&E to shutter HP; and a seemingly anemic offsets and benefits package being offered by SFPUC.

The fate of the CT project will be determined over the next several months. Please let us know what role you'd like SF Power to play in this process, and attend whatever meetings you can related to it.

San Francisco Department of Environment (SFE) Denies SF Power an Environmental Justice Grant
In late-July SFE rejected SF Power's application for a $65,000 grant to help small businesses and churches in Bayview-Hunters Point and Potrero reduce their electricity use. Grant funds would have been used to leverage other community projects, including the Good Neighbor initiative, which seeks to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables. In rejecting the proposal SFE cited concerns about "SF Community Power Coop's ability to sustain its organization and deliver services" without continuing assistance from M.Cubed, the consulting firm that has helped develop and maintain SF Power, in large part on a pro bono basis, since it's founding.

SFE's decision appears to imply that SF Power is no longer eligible for EJ grant funds, despite the fact that by SFE's own admission SF Power is one its most successful EJ grantees. SFE's decision is particularly troubling given past allegations that it has seriously mismanaged the EJ program (see for example "Growing Pains for City's Environmental Justice Program."

SF Power encourages it's members to contact SFE Director Jared Blumenthal (415.355.3700 phone; jared.blumenfeld@sfgov.org) and request that he re-evaulate his decision to deny SF Power funds, and include a SFE Commissioner as part of the re-review process.

SF Power's Install Program Ends This Fall
If you haven't received your FREE programmable thermostat or indoor/outdoor motion sensor, please contact our offices today, 626.8723. This program will end this Fall.

SF Power is a non-profit organization that provides low or no-cost energy management services, as well as sustainable energy advocacy, to families and small businesses in Southeast San Francisco. It currently offers free CFLs, indoor/outdoor motion sensors, and programmable thermostats to Potrero residents and businesses, as well as "kill-o-watt" meters, high-quality clothes lines, and power strips to members at a $20 sign-up fee.

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Connecticut Friendship Garden

[From Dirck Hines]

The Potrero View’s lead article in the August issue is on the land sale of a portion of 22nd Street between Arkansas and Connecticut Streets. The writer has most of this correct except the point that the neighbors and most gardeners (myself included) support this issue for two important reasons. First, neither the Arkansas not the Connecticut gardens have ever been given permission by the city to garden on a public right-of-way; consequently, both gardens are considered squatters on city property and have no legal rights. Second, the Connecticut garden is blocking access to a lot owned by Mr. Mike Lanza and his family. If Mr. Lanza chose to exercise his legal right-of-way, the Connecticut Friendship Garden would have no legal recourse.

Fortunately, Mr. Lanza worked with his neighbors, the city and the gardeners from both gardens to work out a solution that benefits all parties concerned. While the Arkansas garden will lose four feet along the north side of the garden, it gains four feet on the south side - in effect, the Arkansas garden is shifted four feet to the south; the borders of the Connecticut Friendship Garden are not changed. Mr. Lanza will purchase this four foot strip - plus another 11 foot-wide strip - from the city. All proceeds from this exchange will be spent in the neighborhood: improvements to the Arkansas garden such that it can accommodate more gardeners, improvements to the path on the south side of the gardens (a frequently used pedestrian short-cut between Arkansas and Connecticut streets), and improvements to the Potrero Recreation Center. This issue has been worked on for over four years, with the loudest debates taking place over the last year and a half. The matter is not yet complete as city agencies must complete the transaction before the gardens can be given a permit to operate on city land.

For over 17 years, numerous gardeners have spent time and sweat improving the area for all to enjoy. I have enjoyed the garden as a member for 8 years, and as the Coordinator of The Connecticut Friendship Garden for the past four. Now that this issue is almost complete, I have stepped down as the coordinator but shall continue to garden for years to come and work on other neighborhood issues.

The article that Dirck is referencing is available online at the Neighborhood Newswire.

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Jackson Park Softball

The Giants are on the road this week (currently being clobbered by the Braves), so for my hardball fix I meandered down to Jackson Park, where there were a couple of city league softball games taking place. The rolling fog kept things cool, but the match-ups were fast-paced and exciting.

If you're looking for a different way to relax this evening, grab a thermos of coffee from Farley's and head down to Jackson Park for some softball. Excellent seats are always available.

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Dogpatch Tour Redux

United Iron Works Machine Shop

[From Mie Kennedy]

Here are some pictures from the Dogpatch tour. This was my first neighborhood tour ever. I live in Potrero Hill, which is next to Dogpatch and I thoroughly enjoyed walking through areas I'd never really paid attention to. Our guides covered architectural history, history of the neighborhood itself and how it came to be, insights into the immensely industrial areas, and little tidbits about people who worked or lived there. They showed pictures and even had artifacts they picked up on ebay, like an old postcard given out when ships were launched, or old menu covers used to paint the mural inside a cafe on 3rd street.

I highly recommend these tours. Not only do I have an appreciation for the neighborhood, but I was touched by everyone else's interest, and of course, our tour guides' dedication to sharing their knowledge.

I didn't note until the end that I actually sat at a table with the tour guides at the Potrero Hill Community Festival. It was fun to connect again on this occasion.

That's what a neighborhood is about, no?

[Editor's Note: For more info about the history of Dogpatch, check out Ralph Wilson's excellent website about Pier 70]

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Dogpatch Tour - Sun, Aug 7

San Francisco City Guides, is a non-profit group sponsored by the SF library. The group is composed of history enthusiasts who do research on different neighborhoods and give free tours on a volunteer basis. On any given day there are a number of free tours across the city.

Three Potrero Hill residents (Natalie, Sina and Lisa) have put together a tour of Dogpatch and Potrero Point and give it on the first Sunday of every month.

Here's a brief description of the tour:

"Designated as a San Francisco Historic District, this colorful neighborhood has important ties to many of the city's past commercial industries. From its historic working class cottages and industrial age relics to the current proliferation of ultra-modern lofts, we'll explore the past and present of this surprising, eclectic neighborhood in transition in this 2 hour walking tour."

Sina also provided us with some extra info:

"This is the fourth time we're giving the tour. There have been an average of 25 people showing up each time. There has been a great deal of interest in the history of this area lately. In 2003 the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association succeeded in obtaining a 'historic district' designation for the neighborhood. This was San Francisco's first historic designation in over a decade. As a historic district, any alteration of the neighborhood must adhere to its designated historic character. This will hopefully protect the neighborhood from the unchecked proliferation of 'live-work' lofts that started to threaten the historic character of the neighborhood in the nineties."

The next tour is this Sunday, August 7, 11 am at 18th & Tennessee.
Future Sunday tours include Sept 4 and October 2nd.
$5 suggested donation to the SF City Guides organization (donations optional)

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Message Boards on PotreroHillSF.com

Is this your tabby cat?

I was looking through the community message board and the event message board and found a couple of interesting tidbits.

Vbarantseff posted about a cat she found:

"During the seventeen years that we have lived on this hill, several cats appeared at our back door. They were strays. People move and leave their cat behind or dump cats on the hill. We live on Carolina between 22nd and 23rd. There is a very pretty tabby in our back yard. We have put up several signs around the neighboorhood. If you are missing a cat please call 695-1928."

Greg posted about a website he launched:

"I just recently launched a website focused on all things Potrero Hill. www.potrero-hill.com -- I'm still adding some business info, but as far as I can tell it's the most comprehensive website about the 'Hill. It has info on all the available real estate in the neighborhood and offers every business an opportunity to advertise for free in the neighborhood section. I'd love to get some honest feedback from anyone/everyone. "

aseefeldt posted about knitting classes on the hill:

"Neighborhood Knitting, Potrero Hill’s best place to learn how to knit, has summer classes for all levels at excellent prices. Visit www.nhknitting.com or email info@nhknitting.com. "

Have something you'd like to share with your neighbors? Head on over to the message boards and start posting.

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Construction begins at 17th & Rhode Island

The site of the former S&C Ford auto repair facility at 17th and Rhode Island, a unionized shop with hundreds of employees which was forced out of its site for the planned Macromedia office headquarters at the height of the dot-com boom, is finally seeing the start of construction after sitting as a gaping testament to bad city planning for years.

The space is fully entitled for mixed use according to Greg Asay, legislative assistant to Sophie Maxwell. There are plans for a 35,000 square foot Whole Foods within this development, with residential space above.

The satellite view, below, shows the razed foundation of the building (does anyone out there have pictures of the structure before it was demolished?).



This panorama was photographed on August 3, 2005:

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Potrero View - August Issue

The August issue of the Potrero View is out now and available at Goat Hill Pizza, Farley's, Thinkers Cafe and other spots around the Hill.

Highlights from this month's issue include:

• Potrero Hill Community BBQ on August 20 - The Trust for Public Land presents a community BBQ as part of it's community bridge building events, leading up to the eventual ground breaking of the lower playground at Potrero Hill Park in 2006. All neighbors of Potrero Hill are invited to this event and are encouraged to RSVP online.

• Board of Supervisors Approves Sale of Community Garden Land - We posted an article about the garden back in June. On July 19, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a plan to allow for the sale of city-owned land to Potrero Hill homeowner, Michael Lanza.

• 'Better Neighborhoods Plus' - How Planning Should Work - An explanation of proposed legislation to regulate development in San Francisco neighborhoods.

Edward Hatter, Executive Director of the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House, wrote a letter to the editors about an update to last month's article on the Nabe's misbehaving trees. They neglected to mention one significant cost - the removal of the trees by a professional tree cutter, which runs from $1,000 - $1,500 per tree. In order to remove the trees, they'll need to raise an additional $8,000 to make the project a reality.

To make a donation, you can send a check to:
Potrero Hill Neighborhood House
953 De Haro Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 826-8080

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Events - Aug 3-5

Vote for Pedro! The Potrero Hill Walk-In Movies screens Napoleon Dynamite, Wednesday at 8:45 pm. Before the main feature there will be a screening of a short film created for the 48 Hour Film Project.

On Friday, Farley's hosts a reception for artist, Lisa Feather Knee starting at 7pm.

Come on out to the Potrero Hill Neighborhood house on Friday for a free concert with Linemen guitarist/vocalist Tony Sarno and Jerry Garcia Band member Melvin Seals on B3 & Mario Cipollina. Special guests Prophet Soul. Event starts at 8pm.

More info about these events:
• Wed, Aug 3 - Napoleon Dynamite at Potrero Hill Walk-In Movies
• Fri, Aug 5 - Farley's: Reception for Lisa Feather Knee
• Fri, Aug 5 - The NABE: Tony Sarno, Melvin Seals, Prophet Soul

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Fire on the Hill

John G. took this photo at around 9 pm last night. I spoke to Inspector Smith at the Fire Department who informed me that the fire occurred to an abandoned 2 room wood shack between Mississippi and Texas near 25th St. Nobody had been living in the structure for a while, and the fire does not appear accidental.

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