NVV November 2018: 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.

November 2018

Front Page: A roundup of places to volunteer in the community and give back for the holidays; four Noe Valley residents join a citywide lawsuit against a predatory landlord; the recent corporate use of the Town Square by Apple draws scrutiny and complaints from neighbors; the SF Planning Commission has given the green light to developers to turn the old Real Foods space into retail with no housing.

Letters: Support for a cannabis dispensary in the old Mill space; letters for and against Prop 10 on the ballot.

Features: There's a new mural outside NoVY at 4000 24th St. that celebrates the restaurant's heartwarming multi-generation story; a neighborhood group is proposing a green benefit district around Dolores Park to make it safer and more welcoming.

Cost of Living in Noe Valley: Just two single family homes sold this September in Noe Valley and both were for less than $2 million.

Store Trek: Little Artistas, 1513 Church St. at 27th

Rumors and Tidbits: The Gold City Greenery has applied for a lease in the Old Mill space as a cannabis dispensary but it's not a done deal - the owner is entertaining other offers; the headquarters of GlobeIn will be opening a retail store at 4175 24th St. (the former home of Cliche Noe) on Nov. 16; the former Noe Valley Cyclery space is being rented by Real Management Company for 8 months as it renovates its offices at 1234 Castro St.; sadly, vandals have broken the glass window at Video Wave two times over the last 3 months; Philz on 24th at Diamond is now cashless and customers are expected to pay for their java electronically; Little Folkies on Church has vacated 1515 Church and a hair salon called Poppy & Finch has replaced it; a computer school is moving into the former campaign office of Rafael Mandelman on 24th St.; One Stop Party Shop reports that the most popular costumes were Black Panther for boys and witches and princesses for girls.

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Interview: Anna Calonje of Little Artistas

Sleepy outer Church Street is getting some new life this summer with the opening of Little Artistas, an arts, crafts and language studio for kids. For reference, Little Artistas was the group that painted the murals at Alvarado Elementary and Glen Park School with over a hundred munchkins. They are also a partner of DrawBridge, a nonprofit organization that provides expressive arts programs for homeless and underserved youth.

We caught up with the founder, Anna Calonje, via email for a brief interview about her vision for the space and what she has planned.

Welcome to Noe Valley. What made you decide to open a studio here? Thank you! We love it here already! We decided to open a studio in Noe Valley while searching for a second location to expand to. We knew we wanted to be in Noe Valley, if possible, and we found the absolutely perfect location.

A photo posted by Little Artistas (@littleartistas) on May 4, 2016 at 9:56am PDT

Tell us a little about yourself and the team… Our team is first and foremost FUN. We like to play, we believe in creativity and freedom of expression. Children crack us up! We love hanging out with them and encouraging them to explore through art. Our team is composed of myself, Anna, and two amazing studio managers, Sofia and Becky. We also have a fabulous assistant, Steph, and the best party planner, Sarah.

What’s you or your staff’s personal connection to Noe Valley? I've lived on the border of Noe and the Mission for the past 7 years, so this is my turf! Our original Little Artistas studio is located in Glen Park, so I've been Noe-adjacent my entire San Francisco career.


On a related note, what’s your connection to Tacolicious – the previous renter that just moved into that the space? And to Little Folkies next door? My connection to Tacolicious is that I really enjoy their delicious tacos and cocktails! I need to be a better neighbor and introduce myself to their fine staff. On the Little Folkies side, I really enjoy the live concerts we hear on a daily basis. Irena, their founder, and I are planning some fun music and art collaborations!

A photo posted by Little Artistas (@littleartistas) on Jun 3, 2016 at 12:37pm PDT

You opened Little Artistas in Noe Valley for the summer – will you also offer classes year round? We will offer classes year-round, six days a week! We also offer fun events, such as date nights and birthday parties, and Summer camps!

What are your favorite local places to visit in the neighborhood? I absolutely love La Ciccia and La Nebbia! I would eat Italian food three times per day if I could. I think I was Italian in a past life. I also love Noeteca for a leisurely lunch!

Bernie’s, Martha & Brothers or Philz? :) Well, I'm ashamed to say this because it's practically blasphemy since I'm Colombian: I don't drink coffee.... EEK! I'll order up a chai at any of those places anytime, though.

Little Artistas
1513 Church St
San Francisco, CA 94131
(415) 493-8603
littleartistas.com