This Week in Noe Valley: Little Lambs at the Market and More Openings and Closings

The latest news from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Lambs at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, because Noe Valley [@IndyMapper]
• Pete’s Cleaners on 24th St at Vicksburg priced out of the neighborhood and closes [NVSF]
• Beautiful spring sunrise [fogcityfitclub]
• NoVY one of the small businesses to win a VISA award [@cjmcginnis]
• New market called Douglas opening this spring on Sanchez in old Bom Dia space [Noe Valley SF]
• “It’s hard to believe now that in 1990 ... 1 percent worked in tech. Now it’s more than 11 percent, and in SoMa, Mission, Marina, and Noe Valley, it feels like 50.” [Modern Luxury]
• Sultan’s Kebab (in the old Lazeez spot) is now open [@PianoCarnie]
• The stained glass window in the Noe Valley Ministry [knucklesamwick]
• Inside Noe Valley’s “cheapest” apartments [Hoodline]
• An “unlivable” historically protected Noe Valley Victorian gets a makeover [Metropolis]
• Mark Leno gets the SF Democratic Club endorsement for mayor [SF Examiner]
• Yep, Burning Man was born in part in a Noe Valley basement [Wallpaper]
• Retail activism in Noe Valley [@Holo_its_Maris]

[Photo: Paula Harris and Noe Valley Pet Co have been part of Noe Valley for 19 years via smylocalpetshop] 

This Week in Noe Valley: Ardiana to Replace La Nebbia and Google Buses Are Now Forever

The latest news from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Ardiana is taking over the old La Nebbia space and will serve kid-friendly Mediterranean Californian [Hoodline]
• SFMTA votes to make Google Buses permanent [KQED]
• Cornish yarg with nettles at Noe Valley Whole Foods – who knew? [@MikellTaylor]
• Philz hosts Coffee with a Cop [@SFPDMission]
• Mark Leno answers questions from “dainty” Noe Valley [SF Gate]
• Beauty Matters is for sale (again) for $70,000 [Craigslist]
• Gorgeous sunrise [@Donald_E_Heller]
• Eating your way down 24th St [Zagat]
• Revisiting the feral parrots of San Francisco (and Noe Valley) [SFWeekly]
• Bootcamp in the Noe Valley Town Square [NVMPA]
• Sign of the times [frankedsonsf]
• Old Noe [@sfphotogirl]

[Photo: mcnewmanphoto]

Noe Valley Word Week Starts Sunday

The Friends of Noe Valley present Word Week in Noe Valley:

Sunday, March 11th
My Favorite Book
Local celebs read from their favorite books and tell why. 3-4pm at the Noe Valley Library. Come hear Senator Mark Leno, Supervisor Scott Wiener, former Supervisor Bevan Dufty and his daughter Sidney, Noe Valley artist Ramon Sender, and Noe Valley Association Executive Director, Debra Niemann plus more.

Marshmallow Madness!: Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes by Shauna Sever. Enjoy yummy, puffy madness at this fun event from 3-4pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Monday, March 12th
Nonfiction Night
Organized by Judy Levy-Sender and Ramon Sender of Odd Mondays fame. On an even Monday at 7pm at Phoenix Bookstore. Five non-fiction authors will be reading from their work and answering questions from the audience.

Ginny Pizzardi: SF Noe Valley psychotherapist and author of Lessons In Loss-What Every Therapist Needs To Know. In her book, Pizzardi shows beginning and experienced therapists and laypersons what they need to know to face grief and loss.

Reverend Robert Warren Cromey: Retired Episcopal priest who is a therapist and the author of Sex Priest. Cromey is known for his courage in speaking out on rights of homosexuals and all beleaguered minorities.

Sydney Gurewitz Clemens: SF teacher and author of Pay Attention to the Children: Lessons for Teachers and Parents from Sylvia Ashton-Warner. This memoir tells of the influence of New Zealand author Sylvia Ashton-Warner, on Clemens’ work in Harlem and in Bayview-Hunter’s Point. Sydney has written two other books and is also a poet.

Bill Yenne: Author of novels and many history books has written about Noe Valley and most recently has written Cities of Gold. This book charts 5 centuries of quests based on rumor, inuendo, fable and fantasy about explorers, new world cities and people still seeking gold.

Mike Miller: Known for 50 years of activism with SLATE, SNCC, Mission Coalition and his pioneering work in the Organize Training Center. His book, A Community Organizer’s Tale details some of his accomplishments in community organization.

Chloe’s Kitchen: 125 Easy, Delicious Recipes for Making the Food You Love the Vegan Way by Chloe Coscarelli. Book discussion and signing from 6-7pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Tuesday, March 13th
How I Got My First Book Published
Authors dish all the dirt. 7pm at St. Philips Church. A panel of four local authors will discuss the ins and outs of getting a book to press. On the agenda are:

Michael Aleynikov: Ivan and Misha: A Novel in Stories – Northern California Book Award Best Gay Fiction, 2011

Chris Cole: His first novel is in the hands of his agent and prospective publishers

Carolyn Cooke: Daughters of the Revolution; The Bostons: Short Stories

Julia Flynn Siler: The House of Mondavi: The Rise and fall of an American Wine Dynasty; Lost Kingdom: Hawaii’s Last Queen, the Sugar Kings, and America’s First Imperial Adventure - San Francisco Chronicle’s bestseller list

Wednesday, March 14th
Notes From a Maine Kitchen by Kathy Gunst. Food and book signing, 6-7pm at Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez Street.

Thursday, March 15th
Happy Birthday Phoenix Books! Come celebrate the birthday of Noe Valley’s very own Phoenix Books with authors, music, and food. 7pm at Phoenix Books.

Friday, March 16th
Winning Student Writers Read Winning literary work from the kids in Noe Valley schools will be read by the student winners. 4-5pm at the Noe Valley Library. Come one come all to congratulate our budding authors!

Saturday, March 17th
A Taste of Paris: Words, Wine and Crime! Spend the afternoon with Cara Black, Noe Valley mystery writer, whose latest book is Murder at the Lanterne Rouse. 4-5:30pm at Le Zinc. $62 includes an autographed hard cover book, 2 course hors d’oeuvres and wine. RSVP to Le Zinc.

Mark Leno Vs. Pasta Gina

Uh oh.

Apparently state Senator Mark Leno is a major pasta fan, so much so that he can't imagine living in Noe Valley without local pasta shop Pasta Gina.

Or so says the openly gay lawmaker in an ad for the store in the March issue of the Noe Valley Voice. The shop apparently lifted the quote by Leno from an interview he gave the paper nine years ago when he served on the city's Board of Supervisors.

And it did so without the senator's permission, according to his office.

Leno was unaware his reply for where he liked to eat in the neighborhood was being used by the pasta shop to promote its business.

According to his staff, Leno does not typically make endorsements of private businesses, feeling it would be inappropriate to do so as a state senator. He planned to personally speak to shop owner Gene Ginsberg about the ad.

[eBar: Political Notebook]

Upper Noe Valley Rec Center ... Finally!

After a year of delays and hundreds of thousands of dollars over budget, the Upper Noe Valley Rec Center finally reopened today.  Hundreds of people were on hand to enjoy music, food, performances and play time. Of course... there was also a speech: 

Mark Leno and Bevan Dufty leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Playground was packed with kids and parents. 


And the shiny new basketball court was kept pristine until the first game that began at 1pm:

Festivities kicked off with the ubiquitous Aztec Dancers. Unfortunately, they were in the small theater and we had to leave due to the noise. Oddly, they were followed by a Tai Chi Chuan demonstration, but we were too addled from the drums to check it out. It was much calmer outside, where Charity and the JAMband were entertaining families in the hot sun. Other activities outside included a T-ball game on the new field and hula hoop lessons. Most people seemed happy just to be outside enjoying a beautiful day. 

Friends of the Noe Valley Rec Center have played a huge roll in securing funding, and continue to take donations. Check out their site for more info on how you can help. 

The park buildings will be open and staffed Monday 9am-6pm, Tuesday-Friday 9am-10pm, Saturday 9am-6pm and closed on Sunday. The park gates and bathrooms will be open every day from sunrise to sunset.