NVV December 2010: 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 items we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories online until mid-month.

December 2010

Front Page: "This is the last edition you'll see until the first week of February 2011." And a pretty picture of fog.

Letters: Dismay over smoking in the parklet at Martha & Bros. (Ed.--illegal to smoke in SF parks since 2005 [pdf]); some poor soul can't figure out how to find a print copy of the Voice.

Features: Interview with Bevan Dufty on his eight years as District 8 Supervisor; City Guides has been offering Noe Valley tours since 2008 (with fun sketches of Victorian era "bric-a-brac" like sewer vent grates); Giants fans celebrated on 24th St; brief blurb on page 15 about 24 HoliDAYS on 24th St.

Cost of Living in Noe: 16 Single Family Homes sold in October, 11 of those over asking.

Short Takes: A few events in Glen Park, Scottish dancers at the Noe Valley Ministry, fun at the Randall Museum in Corona Heights, a workshop for public artists at the SF Arts Commission on Van Ness, a show at the Marsh Theater on Valencia, and Paxton Gate in the Mission turns 18. Also a bit about upcoming changes to Cesar Chavez.

Crime Beat: Turns out there were two bank robberies last month.

Store Trek: Design Quarter; Re:Construction Salon.

Traveling Voice: Not.

Rumors: Election results; Wiener sets priorities (like the Town Square and Real Foods); Town Square moves ahead (for more info the Voice suggests "googling 'Noe Valley Town Square'"); the Tech Search Party raised "just over $17,000" for Alvarado Elementary School; Delano's is closing its "Eureka Valley" location; Parklets hit 24th St; and this excellent tidbit about the Noe Valley Association:

The NVA, and the 10 members serving on its board of directors, has an annual budget of $230,000, funded by a parcel tax on each of the 179 property owners in the 24th Street/Castro Street shopping area. The board has been quite active this year improving Main Street. They steered the Pavement to Parks process that brought us the parklets. Seven new benches were installed on 24th Street. Few people realize the NVA spends $10,000 a month keeping 24th Street trash-free, maintaining the miniparks in the public parking lot and the Ministry parking lot, tending the many planters and flower baskets and trees, as well as regularly cleaning the Downtown Noe Valley sidewalks. The NVA sponsors, or co-sponsors - in addition to 24 HoliDAYS - the Harvest Festival, the Noe Courts Easter Egg Hunt, and the Summer Solstice.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Supes Race: Mandelman Concedes, Wiener Victorious

The final tally won't be official until the end of November, but the race for District 8 Supervisor is over. From SFGate:

...The other conceded race goes to Scott Wiener in District Eight. The second-place finisher in that showdown, Rafael Mandelman, issued his statement to ''Dear Friends'' on Wednesday.

''I cannot express just how incredibly grateful I am to all of you who have been part of my campaign for supervisor,'' Mandelman wrote. ''Unfortunately, after two years of dialing for dollars, knocking on doors, chasing after endorsements and harassing the bejeezus out of every registered voter we could track down in the district, we are firmly in second place. ... Scott Wiener will be the next supervisor for District Eight (and a very capable and excellent supervisor he will surely be), but I am so glad and grateful for the opportunity to represent you and your values in this campaign.''

Like Kim, Wiener also made use of the exclamation mark in a mass e-mail, stating: ''Victory!''

In the latest results, Wiener had 42.75 percent of the first-choice votes Thursday to Mandelman's 35.27 percent. But again, when voters' second- and third-choice votes were run in a preliminary count, Wiener surpassed the crucial 50 percent mark.

[SFGate: Kim, Wiener declare victory]

NVV Oct. 2010: 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 items we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories online until mid-month.

October 2010

This month's Voice is mostly a lightweight collection of what you'd expect: A half-page photo of trick-or-treaters from last year's Halloween on 24th St, a thinly-veiled press release from Alain Pinel Realtors (no mention of the Sue Bowie sellout), and notes on the second Town Square meeting.

But the real (only?) reason to pick up this month's issue is on pages 11-12. The District 8 supes candidates answer some questions about where they stand on key issues this election. Worth a look before you vote.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Supes Race: District 8 Candidate Forum

Last chance to hear from all four candidates to replace Bevan Dufty as District 8 Supervisor here in Noe Valley is tomorrow night at the monthly Upper Noe Neighbor's meeting at the Upper Noe Rec Center. Bill Hemenger, Rafael Mandelman, Rebecca Prozan and Scott Wiener will answer questions submitted to UNN President Vicki Rosen.

When: Thursday, Sept. 16, 7:30 pm
Where: Upper Noe Recreation Center (Day & Sanchez)

Can't make it? There will be another meeting on October 6th over the hill at the Randall Museum.

Update: The Bay Area Reporter has a good summary of candidate positions as well as upcoming forums and debates.

Supes Race: Bill Hemenger Opening Campaign Office In Noe Valley

From the press release:

Bill Hemenger, Democratic candidate for District 8 Supervisor, will open a second campaign office in the heart of Noe Valley, at 4128 24th Street, between Castro and Diamond. This location will serve as an outreach center and information hub for the residents of Noe Valley, Diamond Heights, and Glen Park. Bill is the only candidate in the District 8 race with two campaign offices.

Bill’s new Noe Valley office will complement the campaign’s official headquarters at 2324 Market Street, between Noe and Castro, serving Duboce Triangle, Upper Market, and the Castro. Bill saw the need to reach out to the residents of Noe Valley and beyond, who often feel overlooked in supervisor elections. The opening of the second office is in response to the flood of requests for information from voters in the more residential neighborhoods of District 8.

[Official Site: Bill Hemenger for District 8]

Supes Race: DCCC Shenanigans Unchanged With Progressives In Power

BeyondChron was at last night's meeting of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) and notes that politics are unchanged since Progressives took power:

The Committee then moved to the District 8 race to succeed Bevan Dufty. As the only progressive candidate running, Rafael Mandelman had the edge. On the first round of voting, he grabbed 18 votes – one more than necessary. David Chiu, who I had heard from a few sources was a “wild card,” voted for Mandelman. But the real surprise was State Senator Leland Yee – who has endorsed Rebecca Prozan, but was the 18th vote.

Immediately after this vote, DCCC member Scott Wiener congratulated Mandelman for getting the Party’s endorsement – and said he would not be seeking the “second place” vote for the District 8 nod. “I’m running for first-place,” he said, “and I intend to win.” With Wiener out of the picture, Prozan easily secured the “second choice” endorsement.

It became clear that a deal had been struck, with one moderate politico telling me that Rebecca Prozan had “back-stabbed Scott.” Another way of putting it is Mandelman had to secure the endorsement, and Prozan delivered Leland Yee. And while it’s true that Mandelman only needed 17 votes to prevail, perhaps David Chiu didn’t want to be the 17th vote. Regardless, now progressives are going to feel beholden to Leland Yee.

As SFGate puts it: "Mandelman...walked away from the vote a happy man, noting that candidates who have the backing of the Democratic Party more often than not win their races."

[BeyondChron: Cronyism Makes a Comeback at SF Democratic Party ]
[SFGate: Who got the endorsement of SF Demo Party?]

Supes Race: District 8 Candidate Debate, Round 2

The Noe Valley Democratic Club is sponsoring a second debate in the 2010 District 8 Supervisor race. Bill Hemenger, Rafael Mandelman, Rebecca Prozan, and Scott Wiener will all be there. You can submit questions same-day, or in advance to moderator Jary Larsen.

What: District 8 Candidate Debate
When: Wednesday, July 21st, 7:30PM
Where: St Philips Church 725 Diamond St

Supes Race: Rebecca Prozan Sets Up Shop In Noe Valley

From the Bay Area Reporter:

So far the sole District 8 supervisor candidate opting to open a campaign headquarters outside the Castro is Rebecca Prozan . She recently secured the storefront at 1195 Church Street, home to a former bead store, at the busy intersection of Church and 24th Street...

[BAR: D8 candidates open campaign headquarters]

Benefit: Geeks In Bushes For The Alvarado School

Those nerdy kids with iPhones poking around your front yard this weekend? Not the usual clipboard brigade. They're likely part of a scavenger hunt designed for the 21st century. From the over-the-top chirpy PR email: "Get your geek on! ... Smart phone scavenger hunts are all the rage these days, but I’m not aware of any like this, and all the money raised goes directly to Alvarado." All four district 8 supervisor candidates are (of course) supporting the event, and competing against each other in an early test of their electability. Annoying, yes, but at least it's for a good cause.

It works like this:

Arrive early! At 6:00 pm sharp participants will leave Alvarado Elementary School’s auditorium and be given a map with some clues to decipher. Solving those clues will lead you to various locations in Noe Valley. When you arrive at the mystery location, you'll take a photo of the answer with their phone and email it back to an address provided at the beginning of the event. The first team to solve all clues is the winner. Simple, no?

Why: For fun, mostly. And for prizes (from Geeknet, EA Games, Bon Jovi tickets, and more). And also because all the money raised goes toward improving technology for students at Alvarado Elementary. That means ticket price is tax-deductible.

Cost: The fee is $50 for a team of up to 4 and $75 for a team of up to 6. A bargain for memories that will last a lifetime. All of the money raised from this event goes directly toward improving the quality of computers at the school.

Rules: All you need is a phone that can take a picture and send email. Be on time, or you’ll be behind your fellow competitors. Teams have to stick together and stay on foot. Bring a flashlight (or flashlight app). Charge up your phone batteries. Respect the neighborhood.

[Official Site: Tech Search Party]

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]

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]

District 8 Supervisor Candidate Scott Wiener Discovers Noe Valley

"I’ve always spent a lot of time in Noe Valley, since I live just a few blocks away from it, but in the past few years I’ve come to appreciate more and more how culturally rich and vibrant a place it is and how tight knit it is." Read: OMG there are a lot of voters on the other side of the hill! Welcome to the neighborhood, Scott! Thanks for stopping by during your bid for Supervisor.

[SW2010: Noe Valley — great weekend in a great neighborhood]

It's Official: Mandelman Enters Supes Race

Lawyer and Board of Appeals Commissioner Rafael Mandelman filed papers with the San Francisco Department of Elections Wednesday, formally declaring his candidacy to replace sitting Supervisor Bevan Dufty in the 2010 race for District 8 Supervisor.

[FCJ: Mandelman First to Declare District 8 Candidacy]

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 at NVSF.

June 2009

• Front page: Noe Valley is for sale - lots of homes and rentals on market. 68 homes listed for sale in April, which is about double last year. "Bargains" are still over $1M. Rental rates are down about 10% from last year.
  
• Op-Ed: Misha Weidman, RE broker and attorney, says Noe Valley is no longer immune from the housing slump. Good news: Noe is off only 13% from last year.
• Letters: People are still outraged about arbitrary parking enforcement (4 letters); Someone wants you to send stimulus money to On Lok on 30th St; Thanks given to Noe Valley Auto Works for taking care of a recently laid-off client's car.
• Photo: 7 people waiting for train confirms that J Church is still the worst.
  
• Short Takes: FUF planting Saturday July 11 in Noe Valley; Celebrate the Solstice at Noe Valley Ministries; Got a problem with services at City parks? Parkscan.org will now route all calls to 311 [Ed.--better than calling: check them out on Twitter]; Noe Valley Quest Fest will celebrate winners on June 17th at Upper Noe Rec Center from 5:30-7:30PM, drawing at 6:15--more deets at noevalleyquest.com.
• Crime: Only covers first half of May, so no mention of armed robberies on Church near 26th (be careful out there); And...the Peace Blotter is back. [Ed.--If you're a crime watching sort of person, we've posted instructions for subscribing to regular updates here.]
• Rumors: Bevan Dufty considering run for Mayor [Ed.--can Noe get a pink cloud too?]; Dufty also denies he's endorsing anyone running to replace him; 28.6% of Noe Valleyans voted on May 19; Rumor becomes fact when checking police reports - many vehicle break-ins lately; Empty storefronts: AAA space for $12k/month, Riki landlord looking for retail (not food), Streetlight rent reduced to $8k/month, Simply Chic asking $4k/month, Wells Fargo's old ATM closet wants $4k/month, Successories opening, Noe Knit closing, Phoenix moving in; last month's Store Trek feature Arara changing name and moving to 1513 Church (NV Buzz); She-Bible opening; Noe full of babies; Also: "you can put a lock on a rumor" that Locksmith Central is moving--they changed their mind.
  
• Traveling Voice: Noe residents carried the voice to such far off places as...nowhere. The NVV is on staycation.
  

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Prop 8 For Political Gain

Is the arrest of a District 8 supervisor candidate while protesting the CA Supreme Court's ruling on Prop 8 trivialized if it was planned?

Among those arrested Tuesday for blocking Van Ness Avenue in protest of the ruling upholding Proposition 8 were two out candidates for supervisor in 2010: Rafael Mandelman and Debra Walker.

...Mandelman, a gay man who is the first out of the gate in the race to replace termed out District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty. An attorney and member of the city's Board of Appeals, he will hold his campaign kickoff in mid-June, 18 months before voters go to the polls in November 2010 to elect Dufty's successor.

But as Matier & Ross reported:

...Protest organizers met with San Francisco police in the days leading up to the court's decision and negotiated just how the arrests would go down....The arrests also began at noon- just in time for the live TV shots for the noon news.

FWIW, Mandelman "plans to pull papers for the race next week and his campaign launch begins at 6 p.m. Monday June 15 at Blush Wine Bar on Castro Street."

[BAR: Gay, lesbian supe candidates arrested at Prop 8 protest]
[M&R: This time, Newsom plays it straight]
[NVSF: Election 2010: And So It Begins]

Bevan Dufty Endorses His Replacement(s) On Way To Mayoral Race

Examiner: "Though the election for District 8 supervisor is more than 18 months away – and nobody has officially filed -- two potential candidates got a ringing endorsement today from Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who currently holds the seat. Dufty called out Laura Spanjian, an assistant general manager at the PUC, and Scott Wiener, a deputy city attorney..."

[SFE: Dufty picks favorites early for District 8]
[NVSF: Election 2010: And So It Begins]

Election 2010: And So It Begins

As the dust settles on Election 2008, candidates are already gearing up for the 2010 District 8 Supervisor race. From the Bay Area Reporter:

Both Deputy City Attorney Scott Wiener and Rafael Mandelman, current Milk Club president, have declared their candidacies in District 8 to replace openly gay Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who is termed out and plans to run for mayor in 2011.
...Also looking at jumping into the race is Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Prozan, who owns a home with her partner near the heart of the Castro.
...Laura Spanjian, who works for the city's Public Utilities Commission, is also contemplating a run. Another past co-chair of Alice, she said last week she has yet to decide.
...Several other gay people mentioned as potential candidates in D8 include Alex Randolph, Mayor Gavin Newsom's liaison to the district and the LGBT community; BART board member Tom Radulovich, who lost his bid for the seat to Dufty in 2002; and Sierra Club executive committee member Rick Galbreath.

Candidates can't start raising money until May 2009, so for now it's all talk. And of course there have to be some non-LGBT candidates in the mix. Stay tuned...

[BAR: Candidates plan 2010 supes races]
[NVSF: Update: Noe Valley Voted]
[NVSF: Fun With Maps: Where is Noe Valley?]