This Week In Noe Valley: Holi Color Festival, Best SF Sourdough, Farewell Incanto

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

• If you were wondering about the music today, it was a hipster Holi celebration at James Lick [Bold Italic]
• Realtors renaming neighborhoods meets resistance and derision but sells houses [SF Gate]
• RIP Angus Brunner, landlord and dear friend of Just for Fun, who lost his battle with cancer [@holdn2aces]
• Parents at Alvarado Elementary rally and raise private funds for their kids' public school [KALW]
• Review of the best "destination" sourdough bread makers around the city – Noe Valley Bakery is #4 [Barbary Coast News]
• The Cube House is the current NV real estate hotness [SF Gate; Or it's "an ostentatious bunker" (Socketsite)]
• Photos from the last meal at Incanto – and a preview of Consentino’s TV pilot Chef Unleashed [SFist]
• Locally-owned Easy Breezy becomes a chain - opening another froyo location on Irving [Zagat]
• Women's clothing maker LOLA is back as a pop-up shop in the former Clipper Corner/Be Yoga space [@bncmusic]

[Photo: colleenmcclowry]

Announced: 1st Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk

It had to happen sooner or later. Noe Valley needs a wine walk. The problem, of course, was finding the right partner to pull it off. Who better than the same team that produces formula street fairs around the rest of the City--North Beach, Fillmore, Union Street, etc:

The Noe Valley Merchants Association and Steven Restivo Event Services, LLC. are hosting the 1st Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk on Wednesday, September 14th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The tasting event will be located throughout 24th Street from Diamond to Chattanooga and will include restaurants and merchants offering wine samples, finger foods and special treats.

Attendees wishing to participate in the sampling program may purchase a $30 “Tasting Wristband” prior to the event via the web site or on-site (tbd), where they will receive a wine glass and map with all of the tasting locations.

[Steven Restivo Event Services]

Family Fun This Weekend

Two events worth noting:

The Noe Valley Association and the Noe Valley Merchant's and Professional's Association are putting on the first annual Midsummer Celebration from 3-6pm on Saturday, June 19th. Among other things, there's a hayride leaving from Walgreen's, a petting zoo and face painting at the Noe Valley Ministry parking lot, and garden demos at Whole Foods. Live music, too.

And on the 20th, it's Sunday Streets in the Mission from 10am-3pm. Follow the link for a map of street closures and events.

Tidbits: Curator Opens And Other Happenings

Opening today: Curator at 1767 Church St. Co-owner Deirdre O’Boyle of She-Bible told us in May "we will be stocking our line and some other hard to find lines and special editions."

Nomad Rugs is hosting an art show beginning September 25th featuring local artist Marc Ellen Hamel. Meet the artist opening night (Friday) from 6-8pm at 3775 24th St. More information here.

Next weekend is the 71st annual St. Philip Festival at Diamond and 24th Streets. It's also the Centennial anniversary of the Parish. Photos from last year's festival are here.

Finally, start thinking about what you're going to prepare for the first annual Noe Valley Farmer's Market Bake-Off on October 24th. Details, rules and entry forms are available at the market and at sponsor businesses: Cooks Boulevard, Omnivore Books on Food and Phoenix Books.

[NVSF: Rumor: She-Bible To Take Over 1767 Church Street]
[NVSF: St. Philip Festival 2008: Food, Fun & Free Beer]

Photos: Noe Valley Harvest Festival 2008

"Hay Ride"

The Amazing Tess and some guy in blue

Geisha, 1st Place

CowBama, 1st Place

Story Hour

Does this guy ever smile?

[NVSF: Noe Valley Harvest Festival]
[NVSF: Noe Valley Harvest Festival: Ancillary Events]

Noe Valley Harvest Festival: Ancillary Events

There's more to do on 24th St than the Noe Valley Harvest Festival this Saturday:

This Saturday! San Francisco Chronicle's 96 Hours cartoonist Michael Capozzola will be drawing you, your family, your dog, your... For FREE in front of Just For Fun. He will be selling his books for cheap! And...with every picture he will give you a $5.00 coupon to have your picture made into holiday cards at Just For Fun & Scribbledoodles.

There's also a sidewalk chalk drawing competition. Since both these signs are posted outside of Artsake we're going to guess that's where you sign up.

[Noe Valley Harvest Festival]

Noe Valley Harvest Festival

The 4th Annual Noe Valley Harvest Festival is Saturday October 25th, 2008. Posters have popped up around the neighborhood, and organizers apparently spoke to the Noe Valley Voice, but the Festival website is sorely lacking (odd in such a tech savvy neighborhood). And... the poster instructs: "Please visit our website for more information." Nice idea, but with one week to go there is still almost nothing there.

So here is the information from the poster:

When: October 25, 10am - 5pm
Where: 24th between Church and Sanchez
Cost: Free
What: "Celebrate exhibiting artists, craftspeople & non-profits which support our Noe Valley economy & community. With more than 60 different types of crafts, jewelry and artwork to choose from, support our exhibitors and get a jump on your holiday shopping!"

Schedule of Events (Main Stage):
10:30-11:30 James Lick Rock Band
11:30 Kids Costume Contest
12:15-1:15 Playdate (family rock band)
1:30 Dog Costume Contest
1:45 Pie-Eating Contest
2:00-3:30 Groovus (funk band)
4:00-5:00 The Nitecaps (blues band)

10:00-3:00 Hayride, free for kids

Raffle: The poster says to check out the website for participating merchants selling tickets. No dice. But if you can figure out where to buy tickets you can win $500, dinner for 2 at Gary Danko or an iPod Nano. Best guess would be to check out the sponsors for raffle tickets. All proceeds go back to community improvement.

Parking: if you do have to drive to the Festival there is parking at James Lick Middle School.

Bonus: The Noe Valley Farmer's Market will be open all day.

[Noe Valley Harvest Fest]
[NVV: Saddle Up for the 4th Annual Harvest Fest on 24th Street]

St. Philip Festival 2008: Food, Fun & Free Beer

It was a bright sunny day Saturday at the 70th Annual St. Philip Festival. People of all ages gathered to eat, drink, play and hang on a velcro wall.

The Velcro Wall