Fowling Noe Valley

From a comment we've since deleted if for no other reason than it wasn't on topic:

Why don't you post something about stephen fowler noe valley neighbor? He was on wifeswap on abc. check out www.stephenfowlersucks.com or google stephen fowler wife swap

Regarding such, we've followed the Gawker posts (and the rest of the related craziness across the 'net). We didn't post because it felt like a pile-on and that's not what we're about. Stephen Fowler does not represent Noe Valley -- even if he lives here, goes on TV, and says things that make him (and everyone else in Noe) seem like a ______, _______ and ______. Noe has nothing to fear from this man -- his wife is embarrassed (in a Mrs. Spitzer way) and has said he needs professional help.

But really...who cares? It's just another crappy show highlighting the worst in people (in this case an angry transplant who needs help (but drives ratings)). Not really worth our time, and certainly not representative of Noe Valley.

Reminder: if you want to suggest a post idea, please send it via email.

Shop Local: Hero Bags

We saw Hero Bags at Harvest Festival but didn't realize they are based here in Noe Valley. Hero Bags are reusable canvas totes designed and sold by local artist and 26th Street resident Susanne Maddux. Look for them around the 'hood or purchase online.

[Hero Bags]
[NVSF: Photos: Noe Valley Harvest Festival]

Photos: 22nd Street Then & Now

Followed a link on Mission Mission to a Flikr gallery of "four decades of street scenes and portraits from the Mission, Greater San Francisco and beyond." The above photo of 3611 22nd St was taken in 1979.

Given how much Noe Valley has changed in 30 years, it's amazing how much some things stay the same. Here's the same house today:


[Flikr: Views of San Francisco]

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 highlights from the latest issue. Links are to stories we've covered.

February 2009

• Whole Foods is on the way. There's a front-page article, a 2 color full-page ad promising "early fall" and other mentions throughout.
• A priest is upset about an Obama candle at Just For Fun. (Ironic, no?)
  
• 24th Street merchants worried about closure of Bell Market, but optimistic that Whole Foods will bring more foot traffic to the area.
  
• Obits: Dave Cannata (co-owner of Hidden Cottage B&B); nice memorial to Blake Egoian.
• Cost of living in Noe: the national economic meltdown has hit Noe Valley, but only a little. It's still expensive to live here.
• Crime Beat? Still happening. But now, in the Age of Obama, NVV features a Peace Blotter "showing how neighborhood conflicts can be resolved without threats, litigation or a call to police."
• Short Takes: NVDC forum, Bethany moving to the Mission during renovation.
• Rumors: Not much...except: "Harry Aleo's estate was worth nearly $24 million," and many of his Noe properties are for sale now (we believe it's all the buildings with Barbagelata signs). The parking lot across from his office may be named for him, because he was the president of the Merchant's Association in 1959 and championed the purchase of that land as a parking lot for the commercial district.
• A full page (ad?) dedicated to the schedule at the Upper Noe Valley Rec Center. Also available online.
• Notably not in the NVV: pictures of Noe Valley residents who've schlepped the Voice to far off places. Sign of a soft economy?

[The Noe Valley Voice]

Incanto: Elevating The Brunch Conversation In Noe Valley

Sure ... Chloe's, Savor, Toast and now City Grill attract hoards of people looking for classic brunch for a value. But now Incanto is raising the bar -- according to Mark Pastore in his periodic Letters from Incanto:

The menu will showcase the best of Incanto and will prominently feature Boccalone meats including all of Boccalone's fresh sausages, guanciale, pancetta, and sanguinaccio.

This Sunday's menu will include a black truffle mortadella panino with potato-leek salad, house-milled whole wheat polenta with poached farm egg, and a brunch version of our legendary handkerchief pasta. We will also feature Incanto's award-winning Italian wine program and a not-to-be-missed Roman Bloody Maria.

Expect stretch Priuses to drop off savvy foodies this and every Sunday between 10am and 2pm.

Incanto
1550 Church St
(415) 641-4500

[Incanto]
[NVSF: Tweeting Offal]

Food Bites

A quick round-up of the latest Noe Valley food news:

Deep Sushi: No solid evidence (yet), but Eater is reporting that it's been sold. Possibly to people involved with Ozumo. At any rate, still closed.

Chocolate Covered: It doesn't come in a gold wrapper, and you can't win a trip to the factory, but you can track the progress of the cacao beans used in your $16 Chocolate bar. Your purchase will also pay for a new tree in the rain forest. Made locally, and only available at Chocolate Covered on 24th St or in the Financial District at Fog City News.

Bernie's is hosting girlbiz again this Saturday (Feb 7) from 9am-1pm.

1298 Church St: We checked in with Regent Thai about the "high end vietnamese" restaurant at Church and Jersey. A staffer said the owner has placed the project on hold, but we've been unable to get a hold of the owner. Anyone know more?

Contigo: Brett has recieved over 1000 applications for 16 positions so far. And? Still advertising.


[Eater SF: The Shutter]
[SFGate: S.F. chocolate-maker introduces $13 bar]
[NVSF: Shop Local: girlbiz!]
[girlbiz]

Whole Foods Responds

We sent a note to Andrew Calabrese, community liasion for the Noe Valley Whole Foods, asking him to keep an eye on comments related to the 24th St location. He just sent this update:

I’ve been reading the blog and will keep reading in order to investigate and find answers for any questions or concerns that arise. I’ve met with NVMPA, the Farmer’s Market, Upper Noe Neighbors and the Dolores Heights Improvement Club. So far most of the questions that have come up have been the same as listed from the Upper Noe Neighbors.

The primary concern, it seems, from most meetings was the access to food for the elderly during the construction. I can say that our Development Team has approved a limited service shuttle to take folks to other markets during this time. Currently we’re researching for a service to handle this and pricing for review and approval. NVMPA, along with Peter Gabel and Leslie Crawford from the Farmer’s Market, are also working on other options such as encouraging other local shops to carry additional items and setting up a smaller farmer’s market on another day during the week for a few hours in the afternoon/early evenings.

I did pass some of the other questions on as well and Glen Moon, our VP of Store Development has confirmed that the store aisles will be built wider to make stroller access easier. Also, regarding the parking lot will be for Whole Foods shopping only, but will not be so strict as to disallow customers from briefly visiting other local shops in addition. As far as an ongoing shuttle service once the store is open and/or a delivery service (to make it easy for customers to walk to the store without having to carry home multiple bags), we’re open to both of these ideas and will research.

As mentioned, the Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for February 19th. We are asking for members of the neighborhood to come and speak on our behalf to make the transition as smooth as possible.

As always, please post comments/concerns/suggestions in the comments.

[NVSF: Update: Whole Foods]
[NVSF: Confirmed: Noe Valley Whole Foods To Preserve Existing Building]
[NVSF: Noe Valley Democratic Club Town Forum]

Doorstep Menus: Lotus Garden

San Francisco restaurants are required to post inspection scores where patrons can see them. But not all restaurants cater to eat-in customers - they do most of their business as take-out or delivery. Here we report inspection scores for restaurants leaving menus on Noe Valley doorsteps. We'll update the post for each eatery as new information becomes available.

Name: Lotus Garden Vietnamese Restaurant
Address: 3216 Mission Street

Current Score: 96/100 (Oct 2008)


High Risk: none
Moderate Risk: none
Low Risk: Non-food contact surface unclean; Floors, walls, ceilings improperly constructed, in disrepair, not clean

Previous Inspections:

None.

Getting a doorstep menu that we're not? Send us a picture of the menu and we'll post about it.

[Health Code: SB 180]
[SFDPH Scores: Environmental Health]
[NVSF: All Doorstep Menu Posts]