Wizard of Oz / Mago de Oz At James Lick Middle School

Come see the talented and amazing students of James Lick Middle School perform the musical The Wizard of Oz / El Mago de Oz during four nights in January (Monday Jan. 26 ~ Thursday Jan. 29th at 6 pm). JLMS students have worked hard on every aspect of this musical, by taking the lead in direction, choreography, costuming, lighting, gaffing, set production and so much more with the support of JLMS teachers Mr. Stookey, Mr. Cavazos and Ms. Uttley. Special presentation by the James Lick Band under the direction of Mr. Brendan Reilly.

The show is free, but donations are gladly accepted! Refreshments will be for sale each night and all proceeds benefit the JLMS PTSA.

What: The Wizard of Oz / El Mago de Oz
When: January 26, 27, 28 and 29th at 6pm
Where: James Lick Auditorium
Cost: Free, donations accepted

Fundraiser: Pasta Pomodoro For Alvarado Elementary School

Pasta Pomodoro has announced April and May days when it will donate 20% of all sales to Alvarado Elementary. The benefit applies to anyone with a flyer - you do not have to attend the school to qualify. The flyer? Print the image from this post. No printer? No problem - just mention the benefit when placing your order.

This month's dates are April 24-25, and the benefit will be repeated May 22-23.

This Week In Noe Valley: Another Stuck Truck, Noe Valley History, And A Debate About How To Help Restaurants Thrive

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Nailed it! [The Bold Italic]
• Pictures of stuck trucks on our hills never get old [Mitchell Fox]
• A brief history of Noe Valley [Yahoo!; better: Bill Yenne]
• Upper Noe Rec Center's April newsletter [UNRC]
• A benefit at St Aidan's Church in Diamond Heights [St Aidan's]
• More debate about whether the hot hot hot Valencia St restaurant scene needs a moratorium like the one that Noe Valley (finally) discarded [Uptown Almanac]
• Not the brightest blowtorch wielding ATM thief [SF Examiner]

[Photo: inger]

Benefit: Bulldog Day & Dog Show At James Lick

Dogs and kids - what's not to love? Here's an event that combines the best of both: A dog lover's festival raising money for kids at James Lick. From the press release:

On Saturday, November 10, 2012, James Lick Middle School in Noe Valley, will hold our 1st Annual Bulldog Day & Dog Show, a day of fun for all dogs and their families and friends. The Bulldog is our school mascot, and the day will celebrate our four-legged friends as well as our school pride.

The festival will include: Dog competitions (for all breeds) throughout the day, a canine agility course, a"Bowzer Bar" and "Poochie Parlour" to pamper your pup, a Photo Booth run by professional photographer Jim Burnett, carnival games, live music, an “International Food Court,” Doggie vendor booths, a raffle and a silent auction. The event will be held at the enormous schoolyard at James Lick Middle School, a beautiful Art Deco building in the heart of San Francisco’s Noe Valley.

Dog contests will include: a "Costume Catwalk", "Best Trick", "Best in Show" (all 3 open to all breeds), "Cutest Toy" (dogs under 20lbs and 16"), "Top Dog" (over 60lbs), "Mutt-astic!" (Rescue dogs and mixed breeds of unknown heritage), and a“Bulldog Beauty Pageant” (just for American, English, French Bulldogs, and "wannabees"), which will end with the crowning of the lucky winning pooch who will be the face of our mascot for the coming year.

Local comedian Michael Cappozola will be emceeing. Dog Trick performances by the Pooch Coach, Beverly Ulbrich.

Celebrity judges include:

• Supervisor Scott Weiner
• Former Supervisor Bevan Dufty
• Board of Ed Rachel Norton
• Performer Fabulous Bud E. Luv
• Dog Wrangler Jan Mills
• Pooch Coach Beverly Ulbrich

James Lick’s 600+ student body hails from all corners of San Francisco and 65% of the students are Latino. We are blessed with exceptional, dedicated educators and staff, but the continual state budget cuts to education has made their job much, much harder. Unfortunately, we need to raise money to provide some of the experiences and activities we want all our children to have, activities like the arts, team sports, counseling services, and field trips. This year, we need to raise $78,000 to cover these expenses as well as a part-time staff position that was eliminated from our school funding. Support from our community has become essential.

Bulldog Day is made possible by the generosity of Vanguard Properties, our top sponsor, as well as fellow sponsors: Wells Fargo, The Pooch Coach, Zephyr, Fetch, Friends of Noe Valley, Just for Fun & Scribbledoodles, Cliche Noe, K9 Scrubclub, HH Imaging, Noe Valley Pet Co, Green Paws, and the Noe Valley Merchants Association.

What: Bulldog Day & Dog Show
When: Sat. Nov. 10th, 11-4pm
Where: at James Lick Middle School's Lower Yard, 1220 Noe St. (between 25th and Clipper)
Cost: Free Admission; $5 registration for Dog Contestants, and $5 per contest category.
Parking: $5 parking available in Upper Yard (access on 25th Street)

Noe Valley Good Samaritan Honored As District 8 Woman of the Year

Catherine Bergstrom

No good deed goes unpunished – and we mean that in the nicest way. Noe neighbor Randy sent us this note:

I would like to bring to your attention that Supervisor Wiener is honoring Catherine Bergstrom as one of the District 8 Women of the Year for her role in coordinating the Noe Valley fire fundraiser. The Women of the Year commendations will be held during the Board of Supervisors meeting in room 250 of City Hall on March 6th, at 3:30pm.

Scott Weiner confirms:

Correct. I will be honoring Catherine Bergstrom and also two women (Kate Ryken and Beth Spotswood) who, similarly, stepped up and raised funds for the tenants who were burned out of their apartments by the series of arsons in the Castro last year. These three women, on their own initiative, went above and beyond and asked for nothing in return. They showed what neighborhoods and communities are all about - pulling together and being there for each other.

Congratulations, Catherine. Thank you.

[Image: Twitter] 

Update: 24th St Assault Survivors Receive Donations

This from the Fair Oaks Street Group:

On Friday, each of the survivors of last year's 24th Street corridor assaults received greeting cards with notes and messages of support, along with a $4,000 check from a fund established for their benefit by the Fair Oaks Community Coalition. Cards and checks were delivered by the District Attorney's office of Victim Assistance. One of the women, who has been aided since the attack by close friends in Noe Valley, asked those friends to share this message with the community:

Dear Fair Oaks Street Group and Other Generous Donors:

I was so moved by your most heartfelt card, good wishes and generous donations. Indeed, I am feeling better every day. I was both surprised and very happy to receive your many wishes for my recovery and huge amount of financial help. This has been especially important since I have been unable to return to work so far. I hope it will not be long before I am able to go back to work.

I am also very grateful to the paramedics, San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Recovery Center, Kaiser Permanente and to the San Francisco Police detectives who all have helped me to recover and feel safer and less anxious about going out when it gets dark. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.

Best regards,
Your friend and neighbor from Noe Valley

The Fair Oaks Community Coalition is heartened by the public's generous gifts and good wishes for the survivors. Donations are still being accepted, and will be disbursed to all 3 survivors. Contributions (cash or check) can be made here:

24th Street Survivors Fund
c/o Sterling Bank and Trust
3800 - 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Tonight: Benefit for the Noe Valley 24th Street Fire Victims

After last month's fire, Catherine Bergstrom quickly mobilized to organize tonight's benefit. Catherine sent the following reminder:

Thank you for your interest in the Noe Valley Friends & Neighbors Helping Neighbors benefit to aid the victims of the Radio Shack Apartments fire.

This fire on Saturday, September 10th was devastating to all those involved. 100% of any contributions made will go directly to the residents, most who lost everything they own.

Here is the latest information:
http://catherineberg.posterous.com/benefit-update-for-noevalley-fire-survivors#

We appreciate the overwhelming response from Noe Valley and beyond.

Thank you,
Catherine Bergstrom

Raffle prizes include an iPad and gift certificates to neighborhood merchants. The live auction features a day of brewing with Elizabeth Street Brewery and 2 tickets to the sold out conversation with Ferran Adrià sponsored by Omnivore Books.

What: Benefit for Noe Valley Fire Survivors
When: Thursday October 6, 6-9pm
Where: The Valley Tavern, 4054 24th Street

[NVSF: 2-Alarm Fire On 24th Street]
[NVSF: An Open Letter To Noe Valley]
[Photo: Randy Drevland]

Another Noe Valley House Fire

There have been a few big fires around the City in the last few weeks, including the two-alarm fire on 24th St (don't forget the benefit this Thursday) and the porch fire at 1209 Church that attracted all the early morning helicopters on Friday. There was another on Sunday at 22nd and Sanchez. We weren't around, but a Upper Noe neighbor sent us the above picture, adding that it was taken just after the SFFD arrived about 5:30pm.

Here's a little more info on today's fire from Twitter:

whitney Whitney Hills 

Something is seriously on fire in Noe Valley. I can smell smoke over on Valencia.

discomaz Marisol Segal 

Anyone is noe valley know what's going on? i hear threes a fire on sanchez and 22nd.

Emergency_In_SF Emergency_In_SF 

FIRE: heavy smoke as firefighters arrive (on yet another) fire at Sanchez & 22nd in Noe/Castro/Mission area. yfrog.com/j25d7p

ingerhogstrom ingerhogstrom 

@Emergency_In_SF looks like fire dept has it under control, this was several mins ago when they'd just arrived yfrog.com/nu9tyncj

Can anyone provide more details? Opportunities for providing assistance?

[NVSF: Benefit for the Noe Valley 24th Street Fire Victims]

Benefit: Pancake Breakfast At James Lick

Benefit for the Noe Valley 24th Street Fire Victims, Take 2

Noe Valley resident Catherine Bergstrom is organizing a benefit for the victims of last weekend's fire. Click the image to see the official flyer or the details are below:

Noe Valley Friends & Neighbors Helping Neighbors

A Benefit for the Victims of the Radio Shack Apartment Fire

Thursday, October 6, 2011 @ 6 – 9 pm
The Valley Tavern in Noe Valley

As you may know, there was a devastating fire on the 4000 Block of 24th Street on
Saturday, September 10, 2011. Seven residents who lived in the building have been displaced, most of them having lost everything that they own.

They have many needs and perhaps you can donate time, have an apartment to rent to them or can contribute a few household items that they could use.

Let’s rally together to help them regain their lives. Come meet more of your  neighbors.

Please show your care for your fellow Noe Valley and San Franciscan neighbors.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
You can help by contributing to a special benefit account for the victims (Wells Fargo #3191560626); and/or by attending a benefit for these fire victims to be held on Thursday, October 6th (6-9pm) at The Valley Tavern (4054 24th Street).

RAFFLE:
The raffle will be held during this fundraiser. Raffle Tickets will be sold at The Valley Tavern beginning Saturday, September 17th. There are some fantastic prizes!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Catherine Bergstrom for more information on how to help.

Benefit/Fundraiser for Noe Valley Fire Victims on 24th Street

Reader Aaron Bailey left a comment on the original post about the fire and wrote to tell us:

As you may have heard, the residence of 4051 24th Street experienced a devastating fire this past Saturday, September 10th. To help the displaced residents, we are organizing a benefit/fundraiser:

Where: Valley Tavern
Address: 4054 24^th Street
Time: 4pm – 8pm, Saturday September 17

We understand this is short notice but these victims are in need of your kind assistance. We are collecting items for our raffle and turning to you in hopes that you would be able to donate to this cause. We appreciate your help and consideration! 

For more info contact Aaron Bailey or Heather Romaine.

Update: The event has already been postponed - see comments. Stay tuned ... 
Update 2: Details for the new event on Oct 6 here.

[Photo:  @cyberdoggie]

Tidbits: Cause, Cosmetics, Cops and Chicken

Benefit: The 7 Squared Project: "...a community-based video adventure that aims to raise awareness for 14 organizations that are doing purposeful, socially responsible work in San Francisco. This project is a collaborative endeavor between Seven Summits Productions, 7 non-profits, 7 businesses, and you."

Elizabeth Street Cosmetics: Kelly Crispen announces: "I'm a longtime resident of Noe Valley [and] I just launched my boutique line of lipsticks and lipglosses in honor of our beloved neighborhood!" All lipsticks and glosses are named for streets in Noe Valley. Currently available at Rabat on 24th St and through the website.

Meeting: Vicki Rosen (the "Upper Noe Valley representative on the Ingleside Station Police Community Advisory BoardPolice") Sends this meeting announcement: "Chief Suhr will be hosting a community meeting to solicit input from your community on a new Community Policing General Order on July 26 at 826 Shotwell, The Cesar Chavez School, at 6:00 pm. Ingleside and Mission Stations will share the venue. Please advise your respective community members and I encourage as many as possible to attend--this will be an excellent opportunity for the Chief to hear from you regarding YOUR ideas on Community Policing."

Fried Chicken Tuesdays - Frustrated that Firefly doesn't have their Famous Fried Chicken when you go? Try Tuesdays. "When it came to our ever popular fried chicken, however, we had to be satisfied with pleasing all of the people only some of the time. But now, we have committed ourselves to pleasing all of the people all of the time…sometimes."

And finally...it's been around a while but the above video - with a section on Noe Valley - is worth (another) look.

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]

Rainy Saturday: Haiti Benefit Sale

Church @ 26th Street

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

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]

Benefit: 30th St Senior Center 30th Anniversary Auction

Yes it's late notice, but this Saturday is the 30th Anniversary of On Lok's 30th St Senior Center. Big Party and silent auction at Patio Español. Items for auction include everything from handmade paper notebooks to tickets on Southwest Airlines. Luminaries in attendance (and also auctioning their time) include Supervisors Bevan Dufty, David Campos and John Avalos; Senators Leland Yee and Mark Leno; and Capt David Lazar (SFPD, Ingleside). (If you'd like a cleaner copy of items for auction send us an email.)

Sponsoring organizations: Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association, San Jose/Guerrero, North West Bernal Alliance, Dolores Triangle Neighborhood Association, Treat 1000, Lower 24th Street Merchants & Neighbors Association, Fair Oaks Community Coalition, Upper Noe Neighbors, Noe Valley Merchants Association, Glen Park Neighborhood Assn, Open House.

Call or email Marianne Hampton if you want to bid on any of these items. Auction runs from 5-8:30 Saturday night 10/17/09. You can call Marianne to check on your bid at any time: (415) 601-7845 or marianne.hampton@gmail.com.