Vol. XLIX, No. 9
September 2025
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THE NOE VALLEY VOICE Neighbors Unite to Defend Democracy
Merchants Riding a Tariff ‘Rollercoaster’
When It Comes to National Politics, Misery Loves Local Company
Businesses Use Their Heads to Stay in Their Seats By Matthew S. Bajko
By Emily Hayes
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or a group of four Noe Valley friends, Labor Day 2025 was not going to be a day of relaxation at the end of a three-day weekend. Rather it was to be a day of protest—like every other day since the inauguration of Donald Trump. The foursome—founders of a group called Town Square for Democracy— planned to do a small local vigil, then join San Francisco’s Labor Day Rally and March from 16th and Mission to Dolores Park. “Labor Day is a good day for a protest about what’s happening now in our country, because of the link between labor and immigrants,” said group co-founder Lisa Jaicks, who is also an organizer for the union Unite Here. “The backbone of the country is under attack.” Jaicks and her co-founders—Hans Kolbe, a former attorney, Gloria Saltzman, a local psychotherapist, and Amy Fine, a former health policy consultant—would be marching for labor CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Our Rich Bounty: Noe Street artist S.A. Kushinka, known for her pastel paintings such as The Fruit Basket (above), will join more than two dozen artists displaying works at the fourth annual Noe Valley Art Festival on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Color and Creativity Fill the Square Paintings, Ceramics, and Music Highlight 4th Annual Art Festival By Sally Smith
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rt rewrites what history forgets.” The colors of a Victorian on Diamond Street. The innocence of a baby’s face. The spark of a new idea. You’ll find both history and novelty at the fourth Noe Valley Art Festival sponsored by the Friends of Noe Valley,
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a group whose legacy spans 54 years in the neighborhood. The free event takes place on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Noe Valley Town Square, on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg. More than two dozen artists will exhibit and sell their work under tents at the square, says festival co-organizer
erhaps no business owner in Noe Valley has been as impacted by President Donald Trump’s tariff wars as has Hannah Seyfert of Lehr’s German Specialties. Nearly everything she stocks is imported from Europe. And due to Trump’s trade policies, she has seen increases in the cost of the food products she carries, from German muesli and mustards to candies and snack items. In early summer, she posted a note in the window of her store at 1581 Church St., to explain why she and other local business owners might have to raise prices. “It’s not to make more money. It’s to stay open, keep their employees working, and to continue to serve their customers,” the notice read. “Please continue to shop local and support small
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In the Trenches: With most of her inventory at Lehr’s German Specialties imported from Europe, Hannah Seyfert has found herself on the front lines of the U.S.global trade war. She hopes her customers will remain loyal while she keeps up the good fight. Photo by Art Bodner
businesses during these very difficult times.” Speaking to the Voice in mid-August, Seyfert said her customers so far had been understanding about price increases. She expressed relief that in July the United States and the European Union had reached a trade agreement such that the tariffs would be only 15% on European goods and not the 30% to 200% Trump had threatened to impose earlier in the year. But the tariffs have meant the Austrian-made Manner wafer cookies she carries now cost $9.99, up from $7.59 a package. A jar of Löwensenf On the March: Energized by the mammoth “No Kings” demonstration in Dolores Park on June 14 (shown), a group of activists with the name Town Square for Democracy is holding teach-ins, chats, and “lament walks” in Noe Valley. Photo by Liz Highleyman
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