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 items we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories until the middle of the month.

May 2010

Front Page: NVV is now in living color. The front page features color photos of an NV resident schlepping the Voice to Venice - and a close-up of a hummingbird on 25th St. Articles start on page 13.

Letters: A 3 paragraph plea to support the proposed Noe Plaza ("We will soon have a chance to try a bold experiment..."); a 9 paragraph critique of the plan ("Why weren't the most direct affected residents...properly notified?" and "The waste of taxpayer money on whimsical ideas... has to stop."); plus 4 more letters up and down the spectrum for and against the plaza/parklet.

Features: A family portrait of Noe Valley resident Charles Bonilla who was murdered on April 8 outside his apartment on 28th near Sanchez. The murder is still unsolved.

- Noe Valley Ministry is exploring selling its parking lot on 24th (between Vicksburg and Sanchez) to the city to create a town square in Noe. This would not replace the controversial Noe Street plaza, says Bevan Dufty. The space may qualify for city open space funds - but private funds could get the job done faster, and move through city planning more easily.

- Mail carrier Daniel Price retires from the NV post office this June - after 40 years on the job.

- Recap of the plaza plan, proposed traffic studies, and the April 8 community meeting.

Cost of Living in Noe: $3 million home sold in March - the most expensive Noe property to turn over in 2 years; rents are still an ouch.

Crime Beat: A PSA from the SFPD to watch for pickpockets and iPhone/iPod thieves on and around Muni. "Immediately report any robbery by calling 911."

Store Trek: Noe Valley Homeopathy (1199 Sanchez @ 25th St.)

Rumors: The restaurant ban on 24th is lifted; Pasta Pomodoro changes hands, not the menu; lots of love for Omnivore Books' foodie events including a recent visit from Alice Waters; Joseph Andrade Floral will take over the old Artsake space; a women's clothing store called Sway will take over the old Streetlight Records space; Cooks Boulevard is closed (rent for the space is purportedly $6200/month); Lisa Violetto is closed; French Tulip is closed; the old When Modern Was space on Church St. will become a hair salon; and across the street a new retail store selling body products called Heliotrope will take over the former Green Twig space. Up at 816 Diamond, Kangaroos Play and Activity Center, a preschool, takes over where Just Awesome Games lived (and abruptly disappeared); Circle Bank is opening this month; Alain Pinel Realtors is taking over the old Phoenix Books space.

[The Noe Valley Voice]