December 24, 2009

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
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December 23, 2009

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]

December 22, 2009

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]

December 20, 2009

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.

December 14, 2009

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]

December 13, 2009

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]

December 11, 2009

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]

December 10, 2009

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

December 6, 2009

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

December 5, 2009

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]

December 3, 2009

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