Announced: Cardio-Tone

Reinforcing nearly every Noe Valley stereotype, Cardio-Tone is set to open in the recently-vacated Cary Lane on January 2nd. "We provide quality care for your child while you take one of our classes, read, enjoy a cup of coffee, have a massage or mani/pedi...just think of the options!" And with class options like Bun in the Oven, Yummy Mummy, Sympathy Belly, and Massage for Lovers they're likely to need a stroller parking lot with attendant a la Whole Foods.

Cardio-Tone
3813 24th St @ Church
Facebook
Twitter

PSA: Sunset Scavenger Holiday Collection Schedule And Tree Disposal

The folks at Sunset Scavenger were kind enough to provide the following information regarding disposal of all the dead trees in neighborhood living rooms:

Christmas tree collection will take place on Jan. 4-8 and Jan. 11-15. Please place clean, unflocked trees next to your carts when you take them to the curb for your regularly scheduled pickup. Be sure to remove all tinsel, decorations, plastic bags, stands, and lights. If your tree is over 6 feet, please cut it in half. Christmas trees collected through this special pick up program will be taken to Recology San Francisco, fondly known as the city dump, where they will be chipped. Recology San Francisco then transfers the chips to a waste-to-energy facility in Tracy, CA.

What shouldn't you do? Don't just drag your poor dead tree to the corner and cover it in plastic like the cheap thrill it was.

In related news, trash collection will not happen on Christmas and New Year's Day. Instead, your regular Friday pickup will happen on Saturday 12/26/09 and 1/2/10. Regular collection (with tree pickup) resumes on 1/4/09. Full information here.

[NVSF: Fun with Analytics: Christmas Trees]
[Photo: SFRecycling]

Update: Cary Lane To Hayes Valley

We finally caught up with Cary LaScala, who confirms Cary Lane will open in Hayes Valley. "Better location for us because it is a shopping destination for locals and tourist. Noe valley was wonderful, but I have to make a smart business decision. The tentative location is 560 laguna street at hayes street!" Make of that what you will...

[NVSF: Closing: Cary Lane]

Photos: The Holiday Season In Two Acts

These two young men were playing Christmas songs before the rains came.

We regret that we don't have a picture of (or more information about) Albert. We remember a man who had books for sale or trade and a smile for everyone. Please add any remembrances of Albert in the comments.

Best Pizza Delivery In Noe Valley?

Reader Sharon wants to know:

Who are people calling for delivery pizza? For years and years we called Noe Valley Pizza for thin crust and friendly delivery.

Now we're lost. We hate Haystack's soggy crust. I've read YELP reviews for an hour and I still don't have a place to call.

HELP! In this busy holiday season an occasional delivered pizza would be great.

Our choice? Pick it up from La Ciccia or Delfina. But sometimes you just need delivery. Anyone?

[Photo: The Sun UK]

Closing: Cary Lane

After just over a year in Noe, today was the last day for hip discount clothing store Cary Lane on 24th St. Owner Cary LaScala hasn't found a new location yet, but hopes to move the fashion shop to (hipper) Hayes Valley, or the (hipster) Valencia corridor within a few weeks to a month. Look for the new location to be posted on the store's web site when it's available. No word yet on what if anything will fill the space at 3813 24th St @Church.

S'long, Cary Lane, we hardly knew ye.

[NVSF: NV Natural Foods -> Cary Lane SF]

NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To

The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are notable highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice isn't real-time.

December 2009 / January 2010

Front Page: Noe Valley resident Bill McBride is inspired by Three Cups of Tea and raising money for schools in Pakistan; Circle Bank to open on 24th St; Residents upset with all the new pole-top antennas that supply 3G service (picture from last February); Potential for parking meter reform; Vampires are hot, and a local novelist Clare Willis wants a piece of the action; Mission Education Center at 30th & Noe is now a "transitional school for recent immigrants."

Letters: More on dangerous drivers; A grandfather chimes in on the never-ending dog v. child wars at Noe Courts; Some clarification about the location of the NVV business office.

Feature: SFCTA has released the final draft of the Shuttle Bus SAR.

Cost of Living in Noe: "Homebuyers continued to find Noe Valley a desirable place to live" and the local market is "relatively healthy." And yeah...it's a buyer's market because they're paying only 2% over asking. Rent? Down from last year.

Short Takes: Friends of Noe Valley is looking for submissions to the Noe Valley Garden Tour on June 12, 2010; NV resident Paul Linde is promoting his book Danger to Self: On the Front Line with an ER Psychiatrist.

Store Trek: Noeteca Cafe and Wine Bar; Star Magic: The Second Generation (so far committed to stay only through the end of the year but entertaining options because "the response from the community has been overwhelming."

Traveling Voice: Versailles, Greece, London, Madrid.

Rumors: "For a neighborhood that prides itself on community involvement, Noe Valley seems to have little interest in the nuts and bolts of civic duty." Why's that? Low voter turnout in the Nov 3 election, expectations that few people will show to support/pan Bevan's proposal to add more restaurants to Noe Valley, and (most-importantly based on word count) the poorly publicized and hard-to-find Noe Valley Association survey about businesses on 24th St. In better news, La Boulangerie c'est arrivé! Cash-strapped Drewes Bros will send 600 pounds of turkey to St. Anthony's Dining Room as a matching gift based on the 1300 turkeys purchased for NV resident's Thanksgiving. Oh--and nothing has happened to the Real Foods/Nutraceutical space ("Turkey of the Year").

Bonus Rumor: The Voice found the blogosphere! They report that the Chronicle is looking to expand local news on SFGate.com with blogs and that Noe Valley is blessed to have its very own section. It's currently populated with rewritten posts from the (possibly-dormant) Noe Valley Buzz. Apparently they're looking for more bloggers.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Plumpjack: Get Your Protest On

SEIU Local 1021 will be picketing Plumpjack on 24th St tomorrow based on "Mayor Newsom's actions regarding the budget." Which sounds fun and all, but...um...Gavin Newsom sold his stake in SF-based Plumbjack holdings in 2004 when he was elected Mayor. Whatever - it will be a nice change from the clipboard brigade usually hanging out there.

What: Picket Plumpjack with Local 1021 SEIU
When: December 10, 5-8pm
Where: Plumpjack's Wines, 4011 24th Street

Ode to the SLM

Lotto? Check. Thunderbird? Check. Pack of cigs for the kids? Check. Late-night munchies? Got you covered. Cheap sandwiches with no pretense? Got that too. Everything you can't get at Whole Foods. Fact is, we visit these corner stores when everywhere else is closed, or when we can’t walk more than 75 steps for a carton of milk or stick of butter. These (in the words of a coworker from long ago) “shitty little markets” (SLMs) are scattered throughout Noe. You have to wonder, are they disappearing as Noe evolves, will they adapt or will they always have a place just as they are?

A few SLMs from around the hood:

1401 Church St at 26th St

1601 Church St at 28th St

1598 Sanchez at 29th St

1001 Castro St at 22nd St

Field Trip: Sunnyside Conservatory

A short walk over the hill (through Glen Park) today brought us to the dedication of the freshly-restored, 111-year old, Sunnyside Conservatory. There were ladies in Victorian dress, tea cakes, throngs of eager neighbors, and luminaries including Gavin Newsom, Bevan Dufty, Mark Leno and Fiona Ma.

The redwood octagon conservatory is on a terraced park surrounded by an exotic garden. As one visitor put it, it's a "hauntingly beautiful architectural wonder" and an "amazing piece of Victoriana that brings you back to a time when San Francisco was a kinder and gentler place." The original building was set to be demolished in 1979 to make way for an apartment complex, but neighborhood residents rallied and convinced the City to buy the site in 1980.

It's nice to see the Conservatory restored. It wouldn't have happened if neighbors hadn't fought for the money and resources to make it happen. You can read about the history on SFGate and the Sunnyside Conservatory site.

[Official Site: Sunnyside Conservatory]

Nöel Stroll 2009

Noe Valley's unique mix of boutiques, gift shops and restaurants will be hosting a blissful evening of holiday events to help you get all your holiday shopping done. Enjoy carolers, special in-store promotions and festive libations during Nöel Valley's second annual holiday block party!

Curiously, last year's Nöel Stroll was the "3rd annual" event. No worries, though - it's a good time. A wagon ride, libations for all ages, carolers and of course...Santa (video).

What:
 Nöel Stroll
When:

 Saturday,
December
5th, 4-8PM
Where: 24th St Between Church & Castro

Tidbits: Post-Thanksgiving Roundup

Bevan Dufty wants your input on the final draft of the shuttle bus Strategic Analysis Report. In his monthly newsletter Bevan states: "This report will come for discussion and possible approval on Tuesday, December 8th at the SFCTA's Plans and Programs meeting 10:30 a.m. in room 263 of City Hall. You can testify in person or provide comments in advance to tilly.chang@sfcta.org." The most succinct analysis we've seen of the report is from SF Weekly's The Snitch.

The NVMPA, too, would like your input. This time the subject is proposed parking changes. Survey here.

Friends of Billy Goat Hill wants your help cleaning, restoring and planting trees this winter. January 16 is planting day on the the Hill with SFNAP and Friends of the Urban Forest. Details here.

China Wok: Slightly improved since last inspected. Still...ick.

History underfoot: Carl Nolte provides more info on the ironworks of yore.

Finally, Susanne Madux sent us the above photo of the Hope Valley in Derbyshire, England. Why? The River Noe runs through it. Susanne would like to point out that there isn't a nails/waxing to be seen anywhere in that particular Noe valley.

[SFCTA The Role of Shuttle Services in San Francisco ]
[NVSF: Update: Shuttle Study]
[Photo: RoyStone]

Barney's: Spiffing Up

Permit #200906110280:

Renovation of [existing] dining, cashier area, bathrooms, patio and entry. Work includes lighting, plumbing, minor structural work, finishes, new awnings, exterior benches.

This Week At The Planning Commission

A weekly look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings are on Thursday at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

3936-3938 24TH STREET - north side of 24th Street between Sanchez and Noe Streets, Lots 044 and 045 in Assessor’s Block 3654 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization pursuant to Planning Code Sections, 728.49 and 303, for a change of use from retail uses to a financial service establishment (DBA “Circle Bank”) The subject property is located within the 24th and Noe Valley NCD (Neighborhood Commercial District) and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

[NVSF: Update: Circle Bank]

Crime Beat

Information is from Mission and Ingleside District San Francisco Police Station newsletters.

November 20

Theft from Building -- 7:00 am. 1500 blk of Church. Officers Lim and Fuentes were sent to investigate a theft. The victim told the officer that he locked his bikes on a wall rack. When the victim
returned he discovered that the bikes were missing. No suspects were observed.

Robbery with a gun -- 9:00 am. Church @ 27th Street. Officer Morgante was sent to investigate a robbery case. The victim told officers she boarded Muni and that she had her I-Phone in her hand. The
suspect stood in front of her and pulled out a revolver. The suspected took her phone and then fled in an unknown direction.

More information about the robbery on SFAppeal.

[SFAppeal: Muni Says Friday's J-Church Armed Robbery Caught On Tape, But Will We Ever See The Footage?]
[Photo: TimOfLegend]

Benefit: Barefoot Books Holiday Sale

I am a Noe Valley mom and have a small home-based business in which I sell children's books published by Barefoot Books. Barefoot Books is an independent book publisher whose books have a unique focus on celebrating art and stories that encourage enthusiasm for learning and an appreciation of the world's diversity.

On Sunday, Nov. 22nd (tomorrow), I am hosting a Barefoot Books Holiday Sale at my home from 10am to 3pm. I live at 136 Clipper Street (btw. Church & Sanchez). There will be a storytime every hour beginning at 11am and a craft station for children to color Barefoot Books activity sheets.

10% of all sales will be donated to Children's Book Project, a San Francisco non-profit organization dedicated to building literacy by putting books into the hands of children who have little or no access to them.

What: Barefoot Books Holiday Sale
When: Sunday, November 22, 10:00AM-3:00PM
Where: 136 Clipper St
Contact: Julie at sf.mommy@yahoo.com
To Benefit: Children's Book Project

For Sale: Glow Day Spa

Surprise! Surprise! These places actually go out of business?

this day spa has been open only a few months, but owner/operator needs to return to the midwest. all new equipment..2 full time and 4 part time employees..manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, facials, specialized waxing, spray tan, make-up, massage, inch loss wraps, eyelash extensions..(semipermanent and temporary),,dermatological facials...open 7 days a week..(please do not ask questions of employees..they do not know of this listing) just under 5 years on lease with 5 year option

Noe Valley Glow Day spa, well-shilled in the comments of our post announcing their arrival, calls it quits. Think the lease will sell to another type of business or are we doomed?

[Listing: 4023 24th St (Zephyr), and here's the screenshot]
[NVSF: Announced: Noe Valley Glow Day Spa]

UNN Meeting Minutes: City-Wide Parking Changes

Here are minutes from last night's Upper Noe Neighbors meeting:

The latest parking meter proposals making the rounds at neighborhood groups were presented to the Upper Noe Neighbors last night at our monthly meeting. Jay Primus from the Municipal Transportation Authority and Jesse Koehler from the SF County Transportation Authority provided some background on "parking management" and what's in the works to improve parking in the city & increase revenues.

The idea is to potentially increase paid parking meter times based on supply and demand. Here are the highlights:

• Sunday: paid parking from 11:00AM-6:00PM (vs. not paying anything presently)
• 59% of meters: Mon-Sat: pay for parking until either 6:00PM, 9:00PM or midnight
• 23%: Mon-Thurs until 6PM; Fri-Sat until 9PM
• 17%: Mon-Sat until midnight (areas like the Mission, Castro)
• 1%: Mon-Sat until 6PM (area like Bayview)

Additionally, the city would increase the number of hours you'd be able to occupy a spot. So if you're in the Mission having dinner at Maverick and you park at a meter, you can load up your meter (ideally, in the future, via credit card or phone) for four hours so you don't have to run out during dessert to pop quarters in.

UNN members expressed concern for the parking attendants who'd be working the nightshifts. And questioned whether the cost of increasing meter enforcer hours & employees will outweigh any increased revenue. Jay says that the city currently gets $30M annually in revenues, as well as $18M in citations. Changing the meter times will apparently end up bringing in $9M in additional revenue.

Any comments? UNN would love to forward them to the right people. Email us at ebermingham@pacunion.com, and we'll make sure your input is included.

Eileen Bermingham
Board, UNN

[SFCTA: On-Street Parking Management and Pricing Study]
[NVSF: UNN Meeting: Parking Around Town]

Noe Valley: Still a Little Village

With all the activity in the last few weeks/days, it's easy to forget the (happy) sleepiness of Noe at night. Some recent shots from bats1234.



Click through for the photos as bats1234 intended them to be seen.

[Flickr: bats1234]

Benefit: Centro Las Olas

From the edge of Noe Valley:

Global Village Holiday Sale and Fundraiser

Weavings, crafts, baked goods and books for sale to benefit Centro Las Olas preschool and Maya Traditions.

What: Guatemalan handcrafts and traditional hand woven huipils from Maya Traditions. Quality children’s books from Barefoot books. Homemade baked goods from Centro Las Olas families. Cash Only.

When: Saturday, November 21, 2:00 – 6:00PM

Where: Centro Las Olas Preschool
3739 26th St. (btw Dolores & Guerrero)

Why: Centro Las Olas is a non profit, play based, Spanish-language preschool. Maya Traditions is a foundation that works with Guatemalan artisans to promote their fair trade weaving and hand craft products and provides scholarships and healthcare to their families.

[Centro Las Olas]

UNN Meeting: Parking Around Town

Upper Noe Neighbors is meeting for the last time this year on Thursday. The agenda isn't specific to Noe but will likely affect Noe Valley residents as they move around the City. As UNN member Eileen Bermingham puts it:

There are a couple of parking studies underway to determine what's best for accommodating parking, transit and revenue needs in the City now and in the near future. One is particularly controversial in that it will look at extending parking meter hours in various neighborhoods. Representatives from both the Municipal and County Transportation Authorities will be present. The SFMTA will discuss their initiatives and study that includes extended meter hours; SFCTA will talk about their larger parking study.

What: Upper Noe Neighbors Meeting
Where: Upper Noe Rec Center (Day @ Sanchez).
When: Thursday Nov 19 at 7:30PM

As always, if you attend please send us minutes for posting.

[SFCTA: On-Street Parking Management and Pricing Study]

Deep Restaurant: Not Open After All

Deep Restaurant, the "modern izakaya"/sushi spot on Church @ Day is no longer open for business. The restaurant's windows are again covered in paper and a sign in the window announces the "pre-opening" period is over. The restaurant "will close to the public to prepare for our Grand Opening." Could it have something to do with the building being for sale? Another possible reason for the closing is the note mentions chef Thomas Weibull's "upcoming nuptials."

Apparently they've been closed since October 1st. As to when they'll reopen? No firm date mentioned on the note, on deep-sf.com or on Facebook, although OpenTable shows reservations available starting December 1.

[NVSF: Deep Sushi To Become Izakaya...?]

Upper Noe Time Capsule: Lehr's German Specialities

There's been plenty of worry about Whole Foods hurting local food retailers like Drewes and Cheese Co., but that's definitely not the case at Lehr's German Specialities (yes, it's spelled that way) on Church near 28th. This old-world store is full of Bavarian treats such as pinkelwurst, braunschweiger, senf, stollen, and spaetzle. Want 20 different kinds of gummi bears or 10 varieties of salty licorice? They've got it. As one Yelper put it, "The place is a little old, but it's still got it going on!" In addition to hundreds of packaged food items, you'll also find German music, magazines, toiletries and plenty of fun kitsch. The owner is a charming German lady who has owned the shop for 35 years - and she happily reports business is as strong as ever. Most customers, she says, are out-of-towners who travel to Noe from as far as Sacramento and Fresno for their German fix.

Lehr's is apparently a vestige of the days when the blocks around that area of Noe were home to Scandinavian and German immigrants. Across the street, another popular German destination was a restaurant and deli called Speckmann's that served the local German community and anyone who wanted an authentic schnitzel from 1962-2001. (The building has since been remodeled and is now the home of Incanto.)

On a recent Saturday at Lehr's, there were half a dozen customers shopping and all looked like regulars. The store is especially festive around the holidays when it's decked out with lights and ornaments and a huge selection of European chocolates, cakes, and treats.

Lehr’s German Specialties
1581 Church St @ 28th
(415-282-6803)

Photo: La Boulange Tarts It Up

[NVSF: Opening: La Boulange--November 16]

Opening: La Boulange--November 16

In case you missed it on Twitter, La Boulange is set to open "in 9 days." And while they won't have sidewalk seating, they'll have parking for at least 2 bicycles.

When we walked by today, the floors were done, the Frenchie patisserie cabinets were in place and it looks like they just might open on November 16th.

Update (11/16): From Twitter: "La Boulange de Noe opens Tuesday, November 17 From 4pm to 6pm... Join us for a taste and a toast to celebrate."

[NVSF: Protested: La Boulange de Noe Valley]

NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To

The Noe Valley Voice is published ten times a year and has been a neighborhood fixture since 1977. Here are highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF.

November 2009

Front page: Supervisor candidates faced off early at a forum at the Noe Valley Recreation Center on Oct. 22 – and William Hemenger of Diamond Heights has also just entered the race; Omnivore cookbook signings; Billy Goat Hill gets $50,000 for trail and habitat restoration from the Measure A Parks Bond passed by voters in 2008.

Feature: Tough times for 24th Street and upper Noe merchants continues – although the Whole Foods opening has brought some life and foot traffic back for many. Retailers hurt by Whole Foods are 24th St Cheese Co. and Drewes Meats. Whole Foods employs 100 workers--nearly 4 times as many Bell Market.

Letters: A poem to honor the passing of Noe Valley resident Bruce Sherman; a 7 paragraph tangent from the owner of Chloe's Café about working as a caterer on the set of Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze.

Op-Ed: A reader in a moss-green hemp-based hoodie ogles the faux ground beef, imitation sausage and fake chicken nuggets at Whole Foods – and decides the store is an OK addition to Noe after all.

Cost of Living in Noe: Average sales price 1.16 Million. Rents: down a little but still expensive.

Short Takes: Noel Stroll and a hay ride return to 24th Street on Dec. 5 from 4:30 – 7:30PM, and Santa will be at Zephyr from 11-2 for more family fun. [Ed. -- for now the link to Noel Stroll on last year's post redirects to Cooks Boulevard]. Ladybug Gardeners are at the Upper Noe Rec Center on Nov. 14 at 9AM planting and trimming- volunteers welcome.

Store Trek: Curator; Green11.

Rumors: Bevan Dufty proposes "removing conditional use criteria for full-service restaurants and permit small self-service restaurants and self-service specialty food establishments with conditional use" (Ed.--Translation: more restaurants on and around 24th Street assuming it passes through lengthy planning process and endless community meetings); Noe Soup will never open-–the owners abandoned the idea when they heard Whole Foods was coming and oh, because of a "complicated vent system;" the fusion restaurant on Church Street is stalled because of the "downturn in the economy;" Bistro 24 closed and is for sale for only $198K – although it may reopen (again!?) with a different partner if a buyer isn't found; Mi Lindo Yucatan closed and the space is under construction; La Boulange will open this month; Just Awesome Games reopens in West Portal after running from high rents in Noe (old space owned by Carol and Bill Yenne); Phoenix building (owned by Sue Bowie) still for sale for $2.25 million and the Streetlight building is listed for $2.2 million.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

This Week At The Planning Commission

A weekly look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings are on Thursday at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

168 CLIPPER STREET - north side between Church and Sanchez Streets; Lot 021 in Assessor’s Block 6549 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, pursuant to Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2007.12.20.1029, proposing to demolish a one-story over basement, single-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.

168 CLIPPER STREET - north side between Church and Sanchez Streets; Lot 021 in Assessor’s Block 6549 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, pursuant to Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2007.12.20.1032, to construct a three-story over garage, two-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two -Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.

3900 22ND STREET - west side between Collingwood and Castro Streets; Lot 011 in Assessor’s Block 2770 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2009.07.14.2590, to convert a three-family structure into a two-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the project as submitted.

NOTE: On October 15, 2009, following public testimony, the Commission continued the matter to November 5, 2009. Public hearing remains open.

Photos: Halloween 2009

The Campaign to Save Drewes Brothers Meats

A flurry of email, blog posts and even a Facebook page hit the net this week to save Drewes. The general tenor is that Whole Foods is sucking the life out of the 120-year-old meat purveyor at 1760 Church St.

Here's the email that apparently started the latest campaign:

For those of us who eat meat and live in Upper Noe Valley, I want to let you know about the plight of Drew's Bros Butchers. They have been decimated in the past three weeks by the opening of Whole Foods. They have had to cut back on staff hours and things are not looking good. While I am highly supportive of Whole Foods as a good addition to the neighborhood, (I really think we needed a grocery store in our neighborhood and...I am from Austin, although I am appalled at the founder's stance on healthcare), I hate to see that come at the expense of a SF institution like Drews. Did you know that they have been in SF for over a 100 years!!!?? They carry a wider variety of grass fed meets, local eggs, milk etc. Anyway, if you are a current fan of Drew's, please try to still support them, otherwise, we may lose one of the last real butchers in this city! It's cliche, but unfortunately true, "use it or lose it."

Yes, many Noe Valleyeans are concerned about this. But a quick search on the Web shows many stories about Drewes on the verge of going out of business - including this one from 1998: "Drewes Meat Market on Last Legs."

Here's the rub: If it's local, organic, etc, we're there. But we still can't get into Drewes. Maybe it's the rough service, PO Boxes, and notary public on the premises. Or maybe it's that the slightly more expensive but wonderful meats at the farmer's market are more local, more sustainable and taste better. (Can't make the farmer's market? Check out Avedano's, a short walk from Upper Noe.)

So support Drewe's and other local merchants if you believe in them (like the email says, "use it or lose it"). But we have a hard time with the idea that WF is solely responsible for Drewe's demise.

Supes Race: Harvey Milk LGBT Club Endorses Mandelman for District 8

An update to the District 8 2010 Supervisor race that could be significant: The Harvey Milk Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Democratic Club has endorsed Rafael Mandelman for district 8 (via SF Citizen).

Oh, and if it matters, Mandelman was also named one of the Hot 20 Under 40 by 7x7 magazine.

[SF Citizen: Harvey Milk Club Endorses Debra Walker, Rafael Mandelman and Michael Goldstein for 2010]
[7x7: Hot 20 Under 40]
[Photo: John Lee for 7x7]

Noe Valley Ranked # 2 For Trick-Or-Treating

Elizabeth St / Castro

In a town that uses any excuse for a costume, Halloween is the king of holidays. According to sales data a complicated algorithm put together by the fine folks at Zillow "Noe Valley is THE place for hip, urban, family style trick-or-treating in San Francisco. The area’s mammoth Bugaboo stroller population is sure to come out in full force on Halloween." Or as the photographer of the above photo put it: "Noe Valley is a bit of throwback to a Halloween just for the kids!"

No kids? Grab your camera and head out anyway. Send us your best shots.

[Zillow: Trick-or-Treat Housing Index: Top 5 San Francisco Neighborhoods]
[NVSF: Photos: Halloween on 24th St (2009)]
[Photo: Texas2SF]

Photo: Follow That Bus!

Crime Beat

Information is from Mission and Ingleside District San Francisco Police Station newsletters.

October 26, 2009

Attempted Homicide -- 8:05am. 300 blk of 27th Street Officers Martinez and LaRocca were sent to investigate a man yelling for help. When the officers arrived they were met with officers Najarro, Smethurst and Muro to assist them. The officers discovered that the victim was in the hospital and responded to interview. The victim told the officers that he was at home with the suspect who is a friend of his. The victim said that he was annoyed that the suspect’s dog was out of control. The suspect became angry and knocked the victim to the ground then hit him with an object on the head. The suspect was still at the house and was arrested. This case is still under investigation.

New 2500 Square Foot Restaurant Destined For 24th St?

We spotted new construction (with huge conveyor belt) at 4042 24th St, former home of Mi Lindo Yucatan.

Here's a cleaned up version of the permit filed with the Building Department:

Existing ground floor commercial shell to be expanded to rear property line. Existing 2nd floor residential unit to be expanded to 25% rear yard setback. Existing 3rd floor residential unit to be expanded and stepped back from 2nd floor.

With two available restaurant licenses still pending (Noe Soup never materialized and no one is providing answers for the stalled "Vietnamese fusion" restaurant at Church and 25th Streets), this soon-to-be larger restaurant space has potential. All we can find is that the architect is Tecta Associates, famous for everything from locally-owned Fresca and Pasta Pomodoro to national chains like McDonald's and Starbuck's.

We'll be watching this one.

[NVSF: Closing: Mi Lindo Yucatan]
[NVSF: Update: Planning Commission October 23, 2008]
[NVSF: Update: "High End Vietnamese Fusion"]

Do You Love Whole Foods?

Merchants throughout Noe Valley seem to have signed on to supporting Whole Foods. This particular photo is from a nail salon at Church and Cesar Chavez - not exactly helped by Whole Food's presence on 24th St. Can you think of another merchant that has successfully advertised in another's window? Such is the power of a strong anchor tenant.

More importantly -- does anyone know what it means to "do it with the crust on?"

Photos: Noe Valley Harvest Festival 2009

Just Another Beautiful Day in Noe Valley

Luke Skywalker: "She's a Flamingo Dancer."

Hula Hoop Mayhem

Sword Juggler and Fireballs

Street Painting

Huge amounts of foot traffic? Tuggey's closed.

The hay ride...sans hay.