Happy Solstice Noe Valley

Today is the Solstice – the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. And while thousands of people marked the pagan event at Stonehenge today, a small group of devoted Noe Valley neighbors celebrated in a delightful and much more intimate way at Noe Valley’s Solstice Sun Crack!

That’s right, the Solstice Sun Crack - a narrow passage between 2 houses on Sanchez at 30th Streets that the sun shines through completely for just a minute at around 4:27pm on the summer Solstice (June 21 this year). Each year a dedicated group of neighbors come out to renew the paint on the sidewalk that marks the spot – and welcome the sun shining through the crack with drums, noisemakers, laughter and hugs.

This year a few dozen people of all ages showed up, plus a few pedestrians who got an unexpected treat. The Solstice Sun Crack is “hosted” by Jenny Badger Sultan, a longtime Noe Valley resident and artist who also created the blue bottle tree and painted the mural on 30th around corner with her family and husband, painter Henry Sultan.

Jenny welcomed visitors to the Solstice Sun Crack this year with fragrant burning sage. While records are sketchy, Solstice Sun Crack appears to have been celebrated at least as far back as 2002 and possibly much longer. Also, did we mention the whole event is awesome?

If you walk or run down Sanchez you’ll see the painted marker for the Solstice Sun Crack near the corner of 30th and Sanchez, next to the brightly painted school on the corner. It’ll be back in 2016 at 4:27pm on June 20.

Flowers and paint mark the spot 

Soon!

Jenny bathes in the Solstice Sun Crack light

4:28pm

Which side do you want to be on?

Noe Valley Top-Ranked in the Nation for Trick-or-Treating (Again)

Get ready for the minivans full of kids in costumes commuting into Noe Valley for trick-or-treating again this year. Real estate tracker Zillow released its 4th annual list of the Top 20 cities for trick-or-treating and San Francisco ranked #1. Within San Francisco Noe Valley ranked #3 behind Presidio Heights and Sea Cliff, but ahead of Cow Hollow and Lake Street. (Shouldn't be long until the Mission makes the list.)

The fine print on how the rankings were calculated:

The index represents cities that will provide the most candy, with the least walking and safety risk. The ranking was calculated using four equally weighted data variables: Zillow Home Value Index, population density, Walk Score® and local crime data.

In other words, upscale homes and businesses = more candy.

For those new to trick-or-treating in Noe, merchants on 24th Street start handing out candy to the littlest ones early in the afternoon on Oct 31st and the costumes (and characters) get scarier and more adult as the night goes on.

[NVSF: Halloween 2011: Help a New Mother Out]

Noe Valley Music in the Park - Saturday, Sept 10

The real summer in San Francisco is upon us, and the Friends of Noe Valley has unveiled the details [sic] for the Sept. 10 Music in the Park event at Noe Courts:

A neighborhood event with music, BBQ and fun-filled family activities including:

• Emcee for the day Noe Valley’s own Michael Capozzola, comedian and cartoonist. Michael has performed at many local comedy clubs as well as hosted the Noe Valley Harvest Festival.
• District 8 Rock Band, a rip-roaring amalgamation of roots, prog and indie elements, made up of local parents including drummer Dan Luscher from Noe Valley, who will treat us to a roster of their greatest hits.
• Hilary Craddock, Noe Valley singer songwriter and piano teacher, along with former Playdate members Sharon Gillenwater, also from Noe Valley, and Rich Burns who preform in a style that is strong on harmonies with a bit of alternative twist.
• Willow the Wisp a banjo, accordian group based in Noe Valley.
• Hula hoop demo and workshop presented by Nicloe Wong, founder of Cherry Hoops. Nicole brings high-quality instruction complete with professional hoops to make it easy to learn this mesmerizing art form.  Get ready for single hoop, poi-style twin hooping, and multi-hooping in this laughter-filled and fun workshop!
• San Francisco Scottish Dancers who provide fun, fitness, friendship and great music in a performance including lively jigs, hornpipes and reels, and elegant strathspeys.
• A Jumpy Castle that is sure to delight the kids.

What: Music in the Park
When: Saturday, September 10 11:00am-4:00pm
Where: Noe Courts (24th and Douglass)

Midsummer Romance at Omnivore

Celia Sack packs the event calendar at Omnivore Books as full as she can, and she's a natural host. Yesterday she played photographer and Twitter witness to a marriage proposal (highlights by The Bay Citizen here). Celia's summary? "You know what the best part was for me? All of y'all cheerleading, stressing, wondering, & congratulating. Just made it SO fun." Sweet.

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.

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]

Photos: Red Bull Soapbox Race

60,000? 75,000? Unknown, but there were people everywhere - in Dolores Park, on Muni and trying to find parking on every street within "walking distance" (or so it felt when we walked back to Noe Valley). Here's a few pics from the day.







[NVSF: Preview: Red Bull Soapbox Race]
[NVSF: We're So There: Red Bull Soapbox Derby]
[Official Site: Red Bull Soapbox Race]

Preview: Red Bull Soapbox Race

Lots of banners, TV ads and neighborhood marketing have created a monster - anywhere from 15-40k people are expected to descend on Dolores Park tomorrow for the Red Bull Soapbox Race. We took a walk this evening and it looks like the event will take over the park, 20th St, Liberty St, 21st St, and Dolores between 21st and 18th. Expect crowds in all the surrounding areas and no parking.

Still... it looks like a good time. And the cars are certainly creative.






[NVSF: We're So There: Red Bull Soapbox Derby]
[Official Site: Red Bull Soapbox Race]

Noe Valley vs. Cole Valley

The Front Steps has started a Battle Royale to determine which Valley is better. Early comments sway decidedly to Cole Valley (hipper, closer to better transport, better sun). Are we going to take that? Head on over and tell 'em what you think.

[The Front Steps: Cole Valley versus Noe Valley]

We're So There: Red Bull Soapbox Derby

When we first saw signs posted around Noe Valley announcing a hearing about whether or not to grant the Red Bull Soapbox Race a permit to close streets we were skeptical. (Remember the Pac Heights NIMBYs who didn't like the ski jump competition on Fillmore?) But the event received a permit and we shrugged.

And so yeah.... we've seen the signs. And we know a few people making a car for the event. But seriously? Soapbox? Those wooden cars with rickety wheels our dads helped us screw up when we were kids and then never went further than the end of the driveway? Whatever.

All that changed over the weekend when we walked past two of the Soapbox "cars" that will be competing this weekend:

The Bowling Car

This egg is already broken

Now we're, like, totally excited to go. Here's what the promo says:

The live show promises to be a huge hit, complete with announcers Uncle E and Meghan Mongillo on the start ramp, Luv Cheese with the judges and Jerry Bernardo at the finish line. Each of the 39 teams will perform on stage at the starting line to the music of their choice before racing down the course.

What: Red Bull Soapbox Race
When: Saturday October 18, 2008; pits open at 11:00am; races start at 1:00pm
Where: Dolores Park, San Francisco
Route: Race is from 21st to 19th on Dolores St
Cost: Free
Vittles? Food and beverage stands on site, no outside food, beverage allowed - they'll be checking

[Red Bull Soapbox Race: San Francisco]