This Year In Noe Valley: The Big Stories Of 2014

Nationally 2014 was the year of Sochi, the World Cup, Ebola, ISIS, the Ice Bucket Challenge, Ferguson protests and Serial madness among many other things. Bay Area residents will remember 2014 as the year the drought got scary, a big one hit Napa, Robin Williams died, the Giants again took the Series and the Niners moved to Santa Clara and canned Harbaugh.

2014 was also the year of the God View - the word longtime Noe Valley resident and linguist Geoffrey Nunberg picked as word of the year.

In that spirit, here's a God View of Noe Valley for 2014 - the stories that preoccupied us, made us smile and that sometimes drove us crazy in our little village.


Endings, Beginnings and Coming Soon
As usual, the only constant this year was change and we saw plenty of it. In February Café Ponte closed and reopened as Diamond Café. Around that same time we were saddened to hear of the death of Josh Epple of Drewes Meats - RIP. Incanto closed in the spring, was reopened as Porcellino in the summer – and then abruptly closed again in November. Mike’s Shoe Repair was replaced by Rare Device. Be Yoga closed after just a few months (with a controversial awning) and was replaced by the clothing shop Lola. Joshua Simon closed and will be replaced this spring with a lunch spot called Lazeez from the same folks who run Savor. Pasta Pomodoro closed abruptly and a new American/Mediterranean restaurant will move in once a seismic retrofit is done. Global Exchange closed and will be replaced with a café in 2015. Hooters? Not replacing Bliss Bar. Independent Nature was evicted, Blue Ova moved into the former FIMA Photography space, and Peekaboutique closed only to be replaced by Mapamundi Kids. The UPS store changed hands and is going through an ADA upgrade; an artist collective called L’Atelier moved in next door. Ambiance consolidated into one store in the old Streetlight space. Decore Galore closed and was replaced with Martin Mattox. Upper Noe got a new market called Bom Dia on Sanchez St. And finally, after a brief fakeout early in 2014, there appears to be some possible real action on the Real Foods front (maybe).

Art, Art Everywhere
Noe Valley got several new art installations this year. The first one was completed in April and commemorates the fish that used to swim in local streams. Cardio-Tone on outer Church commissioned a mural from local artist Amos Goldbaum. Shawn Bullen plied his craft to create a giant mural on the Radio Shack building as part of Shop Small Saturday. There was a wanna-be-Banksy sighting. The delightful Wishing Tree returned. As for Bini? They're turning up everywhere.

“Wow, It’s Expensive to Live Here.”
That’s been a common refrain for years but this year made previous years look sane by comparison. First there was the Duncan St. home that sold for $7 million (the most expensive in Noe history - and may get even bigger soon), followed by 465 Hoffman for $5.1 million, and most recently the $5 million sale 50 feet from the J Church that includes a 5 car garage. Even fixers are so hot no one knows how to price them. Overall home prices crossed $1100 per square foot this year and rents in the neighborhood are up 29% year over year – and Airbnb renters are cleaning up.

Package Thieves, Bank Robberies and Big City Problems
Noe Valley might feel like a little village but we had plenty of big city problems this year – many caught on film. Brazen package thieves. Grinchy santas stealing poinsettias. Car break ins. Tree killers. Yikes. Not caught on video were an attempted child abduction, a foiled armed robbery a pistol-whipping and bank robberies. Stay alert and be safe folks.

Crowdsourcing
Noe Valley Bakery started a trend (and a firestorm of criticism - see comments) when they asked local patrons to fund their Kickstarter “because we went to Paris last summer and saw how incredible the cookies look displayed on marble counters and we want to bring that experience home to our neighbors.” Of course the campaign was funded. Spin City also ran a Kickstarter to expand (which was better received) and also funded. The owner of the Jeep that was torched in a recent arson rampage in the Castro/Dolores neighborhood has so far been less successful.

#Hellastorm
You may have heard CA is experiencing a bad a drought. But finally in December it rained. And rained. And rained. And yes it knocked out power and other things. But bring it… we need it. The more rain the better in 2015. #stormdoor

What's Ahead In 2015?
There’s so much to look forward to in 2015 in Noe Valley. Two new pedigreed restaurants are opening on the edges of Noe. The Town Square is due to break ground in August 2015 for a projected opening in the Spring of 2016. Real Foods might finally see real change (here’s hoping). The towering retail space across the street from Shufat on 24th St will likely see tenants this year. And construction of the green areas and bulbouts on 24th St will start in January.

Here's to a safe, fun and prosperous 2014. Happy New Year, Noe Valley!

Feeling nostalgic? These were the big stories in 2013.

GiveForward: A Fund For Justice Epple

When Josh Epple died in a motorcycle crash on February 15, 2014, he left behind a six year old son. Friends and family have set up a fund for young Justice. Please consider a donation.

[GiveForward: Josh Epple Fund for Justice]
[Photo: EdibleSF]

This Week In Noe Valley: Working Class SF From The Air, NIMBYs Shut Down, Chabad Compromise

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

• Omnivore Books is hosting Rene Redzepi at the Castro Theater in November [Omnivore Books]
• Listed for $2M, now on VRBO [VRBO]
• Lots of Noe homes are selling ... for a lot [Downing & Co]
• SF from the air when working class people still lived here (and there was no Sutro or Transamerica Building) [The Big Event]
• La Ciccia and Contigo are underrated? Really? [Eater SF]
• A blogger's shopping tour of Noe [LHI]
• Chabad and Noe residents reach a compromise on Chabad preschool [JWeekly]
• Winning comment: "No better way to preserve the character of a neighborhood than for the jerks among them to move away." [Socketsite]
• Todd David profiled for his fundraising work for SF Schools [SF Examiner]

[Photo: "I hate mornings" - alealex]

NVDC Summer Fundraiser

This Thursday is the Noe Valley Democratic Club's summer fundraiser. Should your politics lean to the left (and we're guessing they do as we've never heard from a NV Republican Club) it will be a "good opportunity for Club members and neighbors to mingle with the political luminaries of the City." More:

The club is requesting a $35 contribution to help club activities including the advertisements we purchase in the Voice.

Confirmed for the event are Supervisors Scott Wiener, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Board President David Chiu, Supervisor David Campos, Treasurer Jose Cisneros and City College Trustee Rafael Mandelman. Expected to attend are State Senator Mark Leno and District Attorney George Gascon. Hoping to attend are Assembly member Tom Ammiano, Assessor Carmen Chu and School Board member Emily Murase.

What: NVDC fundraiser
When: Thursday, Aug 8th, 6:30-8:30PM
Where: Savor, 3913 24th St
Cost: suggested donation of $35

Noe Valley Town Square Becomes Reality With Unanimous Board Of Supervisors Vote

Good news from Todd David and Residents for Noe Valley Town Square:

I am ecstatic to report that the Board of Supervisors just unanimously passed Supervisor Wiener's legislation to purchase the Noe Valley Town Square!!

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE

PIZZA PARTY AT THE PARKING LOT--5:30PM TO 7:30PM

Please join us tonight AT THE FARMER'S MARKET PARKING LOT for a FREE pizza party sponsored by Patxi's Pizza from 5:30PM to 7:30PM at the Farmer's Market parking lot. (Children will be served first from 5:30 to 6:30 and then the whole community from 6:30 to 7:30). Drinks are being generously donated by Noe Valley's Whole Foods.

ADULT CELEBRATION AT THE VALLEY TAVERN--8:00PM TO ???

After putting the kids to bed, please join us tonight at the Noe Valley Tavern starting at 8PM for an adults only celebration.

IT'S TIME TO COLLECT PLEDGES

We are now collecting pledges. If you made one - or would like to now that the Town Square is happening -- please feel free to bring a check made out to "The San Francisco Parks Alliance" to the pizza party or the Valley Tavern. If you have forgotten if you pledged or are unsure of the amount, do not fret. . . simply send me an email at todd@noevalleytownsquare.com and I will let you know. Also, we will be contacting everyone who pledged soon!

If you have not pledged or you want to INCREASE YOUR PLEDGE (we still need to raise at least an additional $400,000), you can do so at the following link http://noevalleytownsquare.com/pledge/

We are looking forward to seeing all of you wonderful Town Square supporters tonight!

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: Who Really Parks On 24th St, A Call For Strong Voices, And Some Fun Geekery

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

• Tech Search Party raised $12,000 for local schools [TSP]
• Zuckerberg chatted up Snapchat founder in Noe Valley before creating Poke [Business Insider]
• Bastian Holze is starting an a cappella choir and needs your talent [Bastian Holze]
• All the cars cleared off 24th St immediately for the fire as if they all belonged to merchant employees. Does Bob Roddick Know? [Hunter Walk]
• "Nemo has really taken its toll on us here in San Francisco" [@kevinmonty] 
• John Elias Karlin created the way the world looks at a keypad. He died this week. [NYT]

[Photo: @JybJonesDMBA]

Town Square Team Recognized And An Unexpected Update

Congrats to the Residents for Noe Valley Town Square on being recognized as a "model for community groups" at this week's meeting of the Board Of Supervisors.

The Certificate of Honor reads:

In recognition of your efforts to create a permanent open space for the community to gather in the heart of Noe Valley, the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco extends its highest commendation to you. Your organizational and fundraising efforts are a model for community groups throughout San Francisco.

You can see video of the presentation with remarks from Scott Wiener and Todd David by opening the link for the 1/29/13 Board of Supervisors meeting on the BOS archive page and then skipping forward to minute 34. (Or you can go directly to the video.)

In related news, there was an interesting morsel from CookieTime yesterday. Yes...she sold the truck to her mother. But check out the buried lede: "The ownership of the Noe Valley parking lot has changed, so we can no longer park the truck there." Huh?

Conversations with Todd David and Scott Wiener's office confirm that the Noe Valley Ministry and the City are in negotiations, but that no deal has been finalized. The process continues, but is still heavily contingent on fund-raising. Meanwhile, Rec & Park has filed paperwork to convert the parking lot to public space in the event everything works out.

Details from Todd, who emphasizes that the timeline is fluid and largely in the control of the City:

I know that Rec and Parks staff is taking the appropriate steps to make that a possibility. The next steps are for Residents for Noe Valley Town Square to present to the Rec and Park Commission. And I am working with Rec and Park staff weekly to prepare for that presentation.

If approved by the Rec and Park Commission, Supervisor Wiener will sponsor legislation at the Board of Supervisors to access $x.x million from the Open Space Fund to purchase the lot. The hope is that the community fundraising plus the Open Space Fund will pay for the purchase of the parking lot. And then the State's Prop 84 Urban Greening Grant would help pay for a majority of the development of the "Town Square."

We're waiting to hear back from Marina (Cookie Time) about what she heard and will update when we do.

[NVSF: All Town Square posts]
[Photo: Office of Supervisor Scott Wiener; From left to right: Scott Wiener, Todd David, Leslie Crawford, Peter Gabel, Nisha Pillai, Christopher Keene, and Kate Sherwood]

Update: Town Square Meeting Cancelled And Other News

There hasn't been an update in nearly three months and we haven't seen any boosters at the Farmer's Market for the Noe Valley Town Square - so it was with some hesitation that we included a reminder about this week's meeting in our weekly roundup. Emails to Todd David weren't returned, but Nisha (another principal on the TS team) got back to us on Friday with "We are on for the 16th. We have other news to announce as well (nope, not losing steam :))."

And yet, we weren't surprised to learn today that this Wednesday's community update is off. The Town Square team says it remains committed to "behind the scenes work" and "staying in touch with all of you" now that the election season and the holidays are behind us and fund-raising deadlines are approaching. Because, you know, this is important to the community.

Here's today's update:

Hello everyone, we hope your New Year is off to a good start. With the elections in full swing and then the holidays, the past two months have been relatively quiet. However, we do have progress - and good news - to report.

As you know, our goal is now to raise all the funds needed for the project by Dec 2013. We are pursuing three major avenues of funding:

1. City of SF: We are still aiming for a significant amount of funds from the city's Open Space Fund. The first step in getting this funding occurred when the Town Square was "officially" added to the Rec and Park acquisition roster at the Jan 8, 2013 PROSAC (Park and Rec Open Space Advisory Committee) meeting! The next major milestone on this front will be getting approval from the SF Rec & Park commission, which should happen by March. And then on to the Board of Supervisors (hopefully by April).
2. Grants: We are applying for Prop 84 Urban Greening funding from the State of California. On November 13, we attended a half-day technical workshop with the team that administers the grant. The feedback we received on our project and our application was very positive. Our formal grant application will be submitted shortly. The next major milestone will be in Spring, when the short list is published and we find out if we made it to the next round in the grant process. All indications are positive so far.
3. Community i.e., YOU: We are now at $470K in pledges. If you have been thinking about making a pledge, please do so as soon as possible! For the City of SF as well as Prop 84 grants, every additional pledge will count as another community "vote" in support of the project. Also keep in mind that we need to raise approximately $1M (depending on other funding) from the community to make this project happen.

How you can help:

• Make a pledge! If you have made a pledge, display a poster at a visible location in your home or business.
• Did you know Noe Valley lacks open space? Spread the word. Encourage your friends and neighbors to make a pledge towards this project.
• If you or someone you know can make a substantial pledge to support this project, let us know! We are looking for major donors to make the Town Square a reality.

January Community Meeting Cancelled: In view of the brisk activity happening on the funding front, and the packed Noe Valley community calendar, we are cancelling the meeting that was targeted for this week (Jan 16th). If you would like to speak with us in person, we will be at our table at the Farmer's Market. You can also reach us, as always, through our website and via email.

What's Next: We will continue extensive behind-the-scenes work to secure funding for the Town Square. This means working with Rec & Parks to draft an operating agreement for the Town Square, staying in touch with (and nudging along) the approval process for Open Space funding, dotting the is and crossing the ts on our Prop 84 grant application, and of course, staying in touch with all of you. We look forward to hearing from you, and see you at the Farmer's Market.

-- The Town Square Team.
(Todd, Chris, Leslie, Nisha & Kate)

[noevalleytownsquare.com]

This Year In Noe Valley: The Big Stories Of 2012

For the rest of the world this might have been the year of Gangnam Style, Call Me Maybe, Superstorms, "the most important election of your lifetime" and the fiscal cliff. But in Noe Valley we were obsessed with local issues. Here's a look back at some of the major themes and top stories from 2012 that resonated in our little village:

It Was a Year of Cool Meteorological Events…
The end of the Mayan calendar barely registered among NV residents, but who cares about that when you've got the awesome transit of Venus, a solar eclipse and a blue moon. While not a meteor, the space shuttle Endeavour buzzed Noe on the way to LA, which was also pretty cool.

Unreal Estate…
Facebook went public this year feeding a frenzy of real estate action in the hood, including the rebirth of the Blue Church on Church St as The Luxe, trust fund house lust, and average home prices of $1.5+ million and counting. And even as a former crack house sold for $1.3 million, Mark Zuckerberg bought a pied–à–terre close by.

Natural and Unnatural Disasters…
The wild weather around the country didn't spare Noe Valley as a fluke thunderstorm and lightning strike zapped transformers on 24th and Hoffman in November, causing more than a few locals to leap out of bed in alarm. The strange weather may also have been the culprit behind this naked car stomper. Granted we did not have extreme weather events, but the bigger threat this year was fire: After the 2-alarm 2011 conflagration in the Radio Shack building, our little hood experienced not one, not two, but five house fires and one case of arson in 2012. Fire and Victorians don't mix – be careful out there.

Changes on 24^th and Church Streets…
Lots of businesses closed or relocated this year including Urban Nest, Ladybug Ladybug, Kohler-Jones, Design Quarter, La Sirena Botanica, Heliotrope, and more than a few business were also scared away by the obnoxious ADA lawsuits. Even the oldest store in the neighborhood, Tuggey's, vacated after decreasing sales and the realization that the real money was in renting the space to...One Medical Group. Meanwhile, First Republic bailed on 24th St after merchants and locals objected, Real Foods of course remains blighted with no resolution in sight, and La Boulange was assimilated by Starbucks. Fortunately there was good news including the addition to 24th St of Loft 1513, Saru Sushi Bar, Easy Breezy, Mill, Olive This Olive That, Philz, DAVIDsTEA, and Pressed Juicery. Coming very soon: CraftCaskHouse and MF Chicken. All of this added up to AAA naming Noe one of the best window shopping areas in SF.

Crime and Punishment…
Despite NV's reputation for being a yuppie sleepy bedroom community, we had plenty of crime to worry about this year. Bike thefts were rampant, there was DEA action on Chatanooga, upper Noe became a dumping ground for stolen cars, joggers were harassed, iPhones were snatched at gunpoint (and in broad daylight), crime continued on Fair Oaks and a package thief made life hell for residents. Fortunately there was also some justice served: the Fair Oaks rapist of 2011 was sentenced to 373 years to life, the notorious bad neighbor and copper thief was sentenced to 3 years after "his" house was sold, and a brave local resident caught the package thief in action with some bear spray, a bokken and…some serious chutzpah. Huzzah!
 

 
#FirstWorldProblems …
In addition to crime, we had some whining too: The city installed an electric vehicle charging station at Walgreen's that prompted some outrage and a few cheers; Whole Foods had to close the parking lot for a nanosecond in August to resurface the pavement (the horror); and a few neighbors complained about the SFPD availing themselves of "entitled" parking spots. [It's parking folks, that's all.] Another hot button was the Noe Valley Town Square – which crossed the $430,000 fundraising mark in October (the last time there was an update - is it losing momentum?). 2012 was also the year that the outside world took note of the Google Bus phenom.

There Are Lots of Reasons to Celebrate...
We live in a beautiful neighborhood, in a beautiful city – with lots of cheer around us. Here's to a safe and prosperous 2013. Happy New Year, Noe Valley!

This Week In Noe Valley: Justice Served, La Boulange Under Starbucks, And A Spectacular Rainbow

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

• The best sandwich worth hunting down needs your Kickstarter pledge [Kickstarter]
• A profile of Noe Valley designers The Podolls [Refinery29]
• La Ciccia is selling their own olive oil [@LACICCIASF]
• Frederick Dozier, Jr gets 373 years to life [SFgate]
• Starbucks is ruining La Boulange's chocolate croissant [That Brazilian Girl]
• There's a pot of gold somewhere in Noe Valley [@sfdpw, monsterkat]

[Photo: Layers on Layers, @NoeValleySF]

This Week In Noe Valley: La Bou Is Assimilated, Tombstones, Noe Shoals And More

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

• Chicks dig high-worth Noe Valley bachelor with multiple roommates [NYTimes; Also: Response]
• Noe Valley Chamber Music announces 20th Anniversary Season [NVCM]
• Map of San Francisco Archipelago now available as poster [Burrito Justice]
• The "First Gay President's" top fund-raising district is Castro and Noe Valley (94114), which has given him $248,048 this donating cycle [The Snitch]
• More fallout from the Starbucks – La Boulange deal [Inside Scoop]
• Big house, views, low ceilings, cheap finishes, no parking. $3.2M? Someone will buy it anyway. [Curbed SF]
• Please don't leave your junk on the sidewalk [Bernalwood]
• There are old tombstones on Valley St (and all over Ocean Beach). Anyone have pictures? [KTVU]

[Photo: Construction at the future site of Mill, NVSF]

Town Square Funding Update: $150k And Counting

Call it currying favor or good karma: First Republic Bank has just stepped up with the largest donation pledge to date for the Noe Valley Town Square. From Todd David:

I'm happy to announce that First Republic Bank has made a pledge to help make the Noe Valley Town Square a reality. First Republic has requested that we keep the pledge amount confidential; however, I'm pleased to report that it is the largest single pledge we have received to date.

Once First Republic gets final approval to move in to its new location on 24th and Sanchez, look for a "Save The Noe Valley Town Square" poster in its window.

Todd has received assurances that the pledge is not contingent on Planning approval.

Yesterday the BJ Droubi team pledged $10,000. [Ed.--The amount of BJ Droubi's pledge has not been disclosed; an error on our part] It seems fitting to us that the Town Square is funded by realtors, title companies and banks. And nail salons.

Also per Todd, The Town Square has raised approximately $150,000 so far. "Whether you are a neighbor, merchant, or simply a lover of open space, please make your pledge to the Noe Valley Town Square today at http://www.noevalleytownsquare.com/p/donate.html."

Only $1.85M to go.

[Noe Valley Town Square]
[NVSF: All Town Square Posts]

Noe Valley Town Square Needs A Dede Wilsey

The Noe Valley Town Square was introduced as a concept in 2010 when Todd David and Christopher Keene stepped up to take charge of saving public space on 24th St. A design firm was contracted, ideas were explored. The neighborhood was largely for the concept. But who would pay for it? Unclear.

Skip ahead to a few weeks ago: The Noe Valley Voice announced that the parking lot that currently hosts the Noe Valley Farmers Market (and could some day be the Town Square) is almost out of time -- the NV Ministry is ready to sell to a developer.

Perhaps too late, this week the Residents for Noe Valley Town Square launched a campaign to raise the roughly $3,000,000 needed to secure matching City funds for a Town Square in Noe Valley. (You can vote on the campaign poster and even donate on noevalleytownsquare.com).

$3M? In Noe Valley? Many local houses sell for that. Plenty of NV residents could write that check today. That much money was easily raised for the over-the-top playground at Dolores Park. The point is...how much do you want a Town Square on 24th St? Would you pony up a few dollars? Do you know someone who could? Do you know someone who could bring true fundraising to bear?

Contrast: The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake rendered the De Young Museum a disaster zone. The solution? Pacific Heights socialite Dede Wilsey spear-headed fundraising to rebuild. The SF Ballet needed money? Dede was there. Dede most recently helped to raise money for the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Mission Bay. All cost a lot of money.

Noe Valley needs a Dede Wilsey. Otherwise, the Farmers Market, Mona Caron's murals and all that unused parking will become condos.

[Noe Valley Town Square]
[NVSF: Town Square]

Noe Valley Garden Tour 2012: Tickets Sales Start Saturday

Nine gardens, six hours, one shuttle bus. Tickets will be available at the Farmers Market and at (unnamed) merchants for the 2012 Noe Valley Garden Tour starting this Saturday. Online tickets are available now. (That list of addresses? We're told it's inaccurate and shouldn't be published.)

Here's the tease:

The gardens range across Noe Valley, from 23rd Street to 30th, Hoffman to Dolores. Six are owner designed and maintained and three are professional gardens by Janet Moyer Landscaping, Michele Schaal and Shape of the Earth. Most are well established but one is brand new, showing you how to be realistic about where your new garden will start as well as what it can become.

As in past years, profits go to beautifying Noe Valley. This year funds will be directed to improving the garden at Alvarado School and trimming the trees at Upper Douglass Dog Park. Past Garden Tour fundraising brought street trees and flower baskets to 24th St.

Pro tip: can't afford the $18 entry fee? Sign up to volunteer--a 2.5 hour shift gets you one free ticket.

Update (4/28): We were told that the list of addresses available on the Constant Contact order page was inaccurate and shouldn't be posted online. That list has now been updated, and since it's public we've put together this map to help you plan your tour.

What: Noe Valley Garden Tour
When: May 19, 10AM-4PM 
Where: Buy tickets for official map
Cost: $18, $14 for seniors over 65

[FONV: 2012 Garden Tour]
[Photo: Flora Grubb]

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]

Big Night: Noe Valley Nursery Fundraiser

A parent from Noe Valley Nursery School writes:

Noe Valley Nursery’s School annual fundraising event, Big Night will take place at the Verdi Club (2424 Mariposa Street) on February 26th from 6-10pm. This fabulous evening will include a silent auction, raffle prizes, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a hosted bar and dancing to the jumping rhythms of Stompy Jones. Tickets are only $25 and will sell out fast, so get yours today at www.noevalleynurseryschool.com.

Click the poster image for more details about the adults-only benefit.

Food Bites: Special Dinners, Wine For A Cause, And A Breakfast Treat

La Ciccia's popular four-course dinner of whole-roasted suckling pig and other Sardinian style treats is on again March 29th at 7:00PM. $80/person including wine, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations by phone only: (415)550-8114. 291 30th St.

Incanto's 7th Annual Head-To-Tail Dinner has two dates this year: Monday, March 22, and Wednesday, March 24. The menu includes venison, pork liver, oxtail and beef lips, tripe and tongue and (of course) mincemeat for desert. Five courses, $75/person excluding wine, tax and gratuity. Reservations online or by calling (415)641-4500. 1550 Church St.

Noe Valley Ministry is hosting Noe Valley Uncorked -- a fund-raiser highlighting wines from Argentina. If you're not familiar with wines from the 5th largest producer of wines in the world this is a great opportunity to learn about Malbec and even less familiar grapes. April 30, 6:00-9:00PM. $35/person at the door. Over 20 wines and snacks. All proceeds benefit Noe Valley Ministry. 1021 Sanchez St.

Looking for a cheaper treat? Twin Peaks Pizza is now serving a Brazilian breakfast treat called salgados. Savory, with meat and cheese the primary ingredients. Monday through Saturday, 8:00AM-3:00PM. Prices start at $1.70. 1681 Church St.

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 notable highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered here on NVSF or outside sources as the Voice doesn't post stories until the middle of the month.

March 2010

Front Page: Local softball teams ready for spring season; murder writer Cara Black produces her 10th novel; Noe Valley Ministry is closing for a year in November; The history of Shufat Market; Muni wait times may get longer due to proposed service cuts and J-Church track repair.

Letters: A neighbor is disappointed to find Noe Valley wouldn’t support measures to find new income for Muni; a plea from neighbors to patronize 24th St. Cheese Co. which is feeling the Whole Foods pinch (despite long lines); Independent Nature on Church wants you to know it does not sell beekeeping supplies; another neighbor begs to differ on the fewer restaurants myth.

Cost of Living in Noe: It was a cold January - 6 homes sold. Meaning...not enough for good data.

Traveling Voice: Venice.

Store Trek: Cardio-Tone.

Rumors: NV community meeting at St. Philips (including details on the plaza set to open on Noe St - south side, closed to traffic); Geeks in Noe raised $12k for Alvarado School; Green Twig Hair Salon is moving into the long-vacant former travel agent space at 1515 Church and will sell Aveda products; Lynn Antiques at 1478 Church is closing this month (she’s moving back to Montana); Twin Peaks Pizza is offering house wines for $2.99 a bottle for eat-in dinners this month.

[The Noe Valley Voice]