January 20th Inauguration Events

Listening to the We Are One concert today it became clear just how big an event Obama's inauguration will be. Three whole days? Really? Did Bush get three days, or just one day each election? (Honestly...we weren't paying attention.) A full calendar of Washington, DC events can be found here.

So when looking for events here in (warm and sunny) San Francisco, we discovered that giant Jumbotron displays will be set up at Civic Center simulcasting the whole shebang on Tuesday. "The event is free, but the public are asked to bring a donation of new socks and underwear (with tag attached) for the SF homeless in place of admission fee."

Anyone have the scoop on Inaugural parties here in Noe Valley? Party in the streets? Any Noe Valleyans live-Tweeting or blogging from DC? Let us know what you know in the comments, please.

[FunCheap: Presidential Inauguration Simulcast]
[SFGate: Schedule of events for Obama's inauguration]
[NYT: Lincoln Memorial Concert Kicks Off Festivities]
[Photo: Change.gov]

Bye Bye Bush

From today's Chronicle:

At Just For Fun, a gift and novelty shop on 24th Street in Noe Valley, Bush dog toys, Smush Bush stress relievers, Bush countdown calendars and "impeach mints" are long gone.

On Thursday night, the anti-Bush merchandise that had done so well for years was down to three copies of "The Bush Survival Guide," a sole copy of "The George W. Bush Quiz Book" and one remaining "Bush-its," or sticky notes for "when you want to say something really stupid."

"He doesn't sell anymore," said store employee David Benson.

Instead, the front window was full of Barack Obama calendars and tall candles depicting him as St. Martin de Porres, with a halo around his head. Those items were going fast, Benson said.

[SFGate: As Bush exits office, portraits come down]

Stroller Files: Stuff Parents Like

SFGates's The Mommy Files blog checked out Stuff White People Like and "it sparked an unoriginal idea to develop my own list poking fun at myself and the idealistic, inspired parents who I hang with in my urban Noe Valley neighborhood."

Some highlights:

• Pushing around overpriced strollers "If grandma hadn't given us the money for the Bugaboo, we never would have paid for it!"
• Dressing their babies in political onesies "My mama's for Obama!"
• Feeding their kids hummus "Trader Joe's organic is the best. Wyatt loves to dip jicama in it."
• Birthing at home "We're at least considering it."
• Choosing pediatricians who support alternative vaccination schedules "I know the MMR doesn't contain thimerosal but..."
• Teaching their children a second language "I speak Spanish to her and her dad speaks English and she goes to school in Mandarin. We might put her in French camp this summer because she said that she wants to learn French."
• Adopting a dog--and then having a kid "Our dog Spot really needed a friend and so we started trying."
  
• Giving birth later in life "I didn't think that I wanted kids...I'm just so glad the infertility treatments worked...and now we have twins!"

Readers? Got anything to add? In the comments, please.

[SFGate: The Mommy Files]

PSA: San Francisco Community Police Academy

The Community Police Academy is a fifteen week program that meets weekly. It informs and teaches participants aspects of policing; patrol, investigations, vehicle operations. arrest and control techniques, firearm procedures, and emergency communications.

The Academy's goals are to develop community awareness through education and to create a relationship between the San Francisco Police Department and the communities it serves.

Community members are encouraged to join and learn about the San Francisco Police Department.

The next class begins February 17, 2009.

There is also a ten week Youth Community Police Academy for high school students beginning March 24, 2009.

Participants are selected by the program coordinator after an application process. Enrollment is limited to twenty-five students per class.

If interested, please contact:

Ms. Lula Magallon (415) 401-4720
or
Officer Maria Oropeza (415) 401-4701

More information on SFGov.

Bell Market: Winding Down

A reader tipped us that Bell Market's inventory is dwindling ahead of its Valentine's Day closing, so we took a field trip and here are a few shots of what we saw.

It appears that perishables (milk and meat) are being restocked, but other items like TP, sodas and all the crap junk instant foods in the center aisles are consolidating. The bulk bins are down to chaff and one aisle is closed off. But fear not: beer cases are piled in the aisles.





In sum: It's sadder than usual in there.

It's also going to be quiet on 24th Street when Bell Market shuts its doors, especially given all the other closings on 24th Street. Merchants seem to understand this - Ritz Camera cut its hours this week (no Sundays anymore), and other stores are offering deep discounts. It's going to be a long season until Whole Foods' arrival re-energizes Noe Valley's main commercial district.

[NVSF: Closing: More Rumors on 24th Street]
[NVV: Rumors Behind the News: Changes Left and Right]
[NVSF: NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To]

Closing: More Rumors on 24th Street

Sources tell us that Simply Chic and GNC are closing. Can't say we're suprised. Simply Chic has been clearing out merchandise and fixtures for months but denies they're going out of business. When asked, GNC also denies it (but when have you ever seen anyone one there?). So still just rumors.

With all the spaces turning over on 24th St we wonder: what does Noe Valley need?

More Nails/Waxing? (Nooooo....!)
Restaurants (no more Conditional Use permits -- can this be changed?)
Realtors? (Not a value-add)
Fishmonger/Butcher?
Gas station?
Parking lot?
Baby stroller parts/repair?

What do you leave the neighborhood for? Since Whole Foods is opening later this year, now is the time for new retail to establish itself. What should it be? Input in the comments, please.

[NVSF: Closed: Riki]
[NVSF: Blight: Real Foods]
[NVSF: Forget Whole Foods - Noe Needs a Parking Lot]
[NVSF: Update: Planning Commission October 23, 2008]

Fun with Analytics: Christmas Trees

Noe Valley, SF has received a huge amount of traffic lately for our post about holiday trash pick-up. Most people found us with some keyword variation of "Sunset Scavenger Christmas Tree Pickup." We think it's great that so many people are genuinely interested in the proper way to dispose of their holiday cheer.

Contrast that with the apathy of those who have dragged their trees to the curb on any old day and in any condition. Apparently these people haven't read the newsletter that comes with their trash bill (owners) or tried to find the information online (all others). They can't be bothered.

Friendly reminder: Christmas Holiday tree curbside pick-up is this week only. Don't dump your tree on the curb after that. Option: "Trees can also be dropped off at the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council at 780 Frederick St. until Jan. 18, and at Golden Gate Disposal and Recycling at 900 Seventh St. until Jan. 16." Or you could bring them to the SF Recycling Center.

[NVSF: PSA: Sunset Scavenger's Holiday Collection Schedule]
[CBS5: SF Curbside Christmas Tree Recycling Begins]
[NVSF: Fun with Analytics: Google Club]
[Photo: Brian Brooks, via Curbed]

Opening: City Grill

City Grill's sign is up, and today the door was open and workers were inside. Open date? “Hopefully in 10 days...on Wednesday the 14th.” We presume the "hopefully" applies to their beer/wine license: still pending. The inside? Much the same as before and seems close to ready. So it seems Noe Valley is poised for another "classic American fare" restaurant.

And? Already four stars on Yelp.

City Grill
4123 24th St

[NVSF: Kookez to Become Lupa?]
[NVSF: NVV: We Read It So You Don't Have To]