NVV Sept 2014: 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 other resources. Follow the NVV link at the bottom for full articles and all the ads.

September 2014

Front Page: Photo of the new Amos Goldbaum mural on outer Church; a preview of Noe homes in the AIA House Tour; stoplight proposed for Cesar Chavez at Church St.; 2 parking spots in Noe Valley are reserved for carshsare vehicles; remembering local artist Jack Freeman who died in July.

Letters: A Google Glass wearing resident decries being banned from local coffee shops; A vote against the Cesar Chavez/Church stoplight and a plea to move it to 24th and Church instead; A middle-aged white man is snapping branches on small trees on the 800 block of Alvarado St.; a pedestrian rails against making SF more bike friendly; A love letter to Holy Kitchen Indian food on 24th urging locals to visit; Wink SF wants to set the record straight that they are not closing - just renting out space in the store to emerging artists.

Short Takes: Construction will begin this month on the wider bus stops and more prominent crosswalks on 24th at Castro, Noe and Church; Real Foods space gets a new roof but the rest of the space is still in limbo.

Cost of Living in Noe: $2.2 million is still the average price for a single family home. Renters can expect to pay $2195 to $4200 for a 1 bedroom apartment.

Store Trek: Rare Device opens (4071 24th Street)

Rumors: L'Atelier is moving in next to UPS store at 4104 24th and will showcase independent local upcycling artists (taking discarded items and using it to create new things like art, jewelry, clothing, furniture and home items); Sightglass Coffee, Steeped Tea and Tout Sweet Patisserie are all sharing space in Noe Valley Bakery with occasional pop-up tastings of Sugar Foot Grits - plus breadsticks will soon be back on the menu; the former Global Exchange storefront has been rented to a local French cafe bakery chain called La PanotiQ which plans to open early next year and serve Bicycle coffee, salads, sandwiches, as well as baked items made on premises; Abeck Graphics has moved from SOMA into the space at 4235 24th St that used to house Sherri King Tax Service; The space vacated by Kangaroos preschool at Diamond and 24th will be a chiropractor's office; Blu Ova fertility services has moved into the old Fima Photography space; Tacolicious has opened its corporate offices into the old Sirena Botanica space on Church St; Remembrances of Robin Williams visiting Noe Valley.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Vacated: 1513 Church St

Usually we'd say a business had "closed" but it was never clear that Realty World BLUE on Church St was ever open. Some IKEA furniture and a brochure in the window was the only sign of activity since "opening" in May. This week the space was abruptly cleared out.

That means the 1500 block of Church St is now an empty stretch with Heliotrope packing up next door, and La Sirena Botanica also still vacant. ADA remains a challenge at 1513-1515, and rumored seismic repairs for 1509 have not been permitted or started (but dry-rot at the rear porch has been repaired). Sadly, it could be a while before we see life on that block.

[NVSF: The Mystery Of 1513 Church St]
[NVSF: Moving: Heliotrope]
[NVSF: Closed: La Sirena Botanica]

NVV June 2012: 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.

June 2012

Front Page: Noe Valley author Sonia Faleria has a book about life in Mumbai; electric cars get a charge out of Walgreens [Ed note: no mention that even non EVs can park there]; SummerFEST is coming; white dots around Noe = sidewalk replacement.
 
Letters: A reader wants to know why not more police downtown; more hate/love for the Examiner; another plea for a Town Square angel; realtors: get a parking clue.

Cost of Living in Noe: A mini mansion sells for $3.4 million; buyer crowds resemble the "dot-com boom of the late 1990s-early 2000s" (and we know what that got us).

Store Trek: Noe Valley Wine Merchants (3821 24th St.)

Rumors: Real Foods may - or may not - have new plans to make the building safe for retail without adding development; NV Town Square has raised over $100,000 - and needs more money asap; some restaurants for sale [Joe's on 24th St, and another: "owner retiring"] ; Chris Cosentino of Incanto has a cookbook; Chloe's turns 25; First Republic not so popular; Sirena Botanica closes; more Facebook zillionaire puffery. 

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Closed: La Sirena Botanica

"They're going to renovate the building" stated owner Maria when we spoke to her by telephone. We called after hearing from neighbor merchants that the whole building needs an upgrade - the foundation is crumbling.

Currently working in Redwood City, Maria plans to reopen when construction is complete. But while the space is empty now, there are no permits for 1509 Church St on file with the DBI. Given the projected timeline, it's unclear if La Sirena Botanica will reopen on Church St.


[NVSF: Not Closing: La Sirena Botanica]

Not Closing: La Sirena Botanica

A papered-over storefront always attracts our attention, as do empty shelves. And this morning we could also hear a lonely cat over the street noise. We spoke to Mary Ehm, owner, who informed us that she is painting the shop to "make a fresh look" and will be back in business in about a week. La Sirena Botanica has been "a supply store for matters of the spirit" at 1509 Church St since 1999, and this year was named Best Place to Put a Spell on You.


[SFWeekly: Best Place to Put a Spell on You]
[SFGate: In the stars, the cards and the grounds -- psychics eye the future]