Landmark Painted Gold Again: After the 120th commemoration on April 18, 2026, 5:12 a m , of the 1906 Ear thquake at Lotta’s Fountain on Market Street, a procession led by SF Police and Fire Depar tment representatives walked or rode to the “Little Giant” at 20th and Church streets, where people took turns gilding the hydrant that helped save par ts of the Mission from fire According to a 2026 Facebook post by SF City Guides, the Dolores Park hydrant sur vived 1906 “because it used a different internal design Most hydrants of the era
relied on rubber gaskets, which melted or failed in the intense heat The Greenberg hydrant used metal-to-metal compression fittings instead, which held up under the extreme conditions It drew water from a separate , isolated cistern system fed by the high-elevation reservoir in the Mission, which also helped that water supply wasn’t disrupted the way the main city mains were ” Thank you to retired Police Captain Al Casciato for sending this image , taken by Bernie Murphy, photographer for the Guardians of the City (guardiansofthecity org)
THE NOE VALLEY VOICE
The Sound of the Oscars Lives on Clipper Street
Neighborhood Sound Designer Earns Fourth Academy Award Nomination, for Sinners
By Matthew S Bajko
Steve Boeddeker makes cacophonous career choices as a sound engineer for Hollywood blockbusters starring Alist celebrities In order to work from home, he set up a studio for his sound boards, computers, and other equipment in the basement of the Clipper Street house he bought in 1997
“It is very loud what I do,” he acknowledged while giving the Voice a tour of the place last month
Yet, the noise he makes while working on a movie is contained within the space Passersby on one of the main routes in and out of Noe Valley have no idea what movie magic Boeddeker is conjuring up at the property
“I worked on Sinners here,” he noted, referring to Ryan Coogler ’s 2025 vampire epic that picked up a recordbreaking 16 Oscar nominations at the 98th Academy Awards held this past March
One for Best Sound went to Boeddeker, who served as the film’s rerecording mixer and sound designer He shared the Oscar nomination with the film’s supervising sound editor Benjamin A Burtt, re-recording mixer Brandon Proctor, production sound mixer Chris Welcker, and music editor Felipe Pacheco
Although the Sinners sound crew didn’t win the Brad Pitt racecar movie
F1 took home the Oscar Boeddeker said he enjoyed being feted at the various ceremonies over the roughly sixweek award season this past winter Accompanying him at the events was his partner of four years, Dionne Holder
“It’s fun I love it,” said Holder
A former corporate events planner, Holder puts her skills to use overseeing Boeddeker ’s social calendar Boeddeker admits he can be disorganized in his personal life
“My friends joke I need to be his
D8 Hopefuls Make Their Case In Noe Valley
Four Candidates Respond to Questions on Housing and Mental Health at April Forum
By Matthew S Bajko
Several of the candidates have called Noe Valley home One opened his campaign headquarters in the heart of the neighborhood’s commercial corridor on 24th Street
Another chose a park up the street to kick off their candidacy And all four of the declared candidates to date took part in their second candidates forum in mid-April at the Noe Valley Ministry
Not since the city reverted to electing supervisors by district in 2000 has Noe Valley featured so prominently in the contest to represent it at City Hall That November, incumbent supervisor and Clipper Street resident Mark Leno won the election for the newly created District 8 seat
Besides Noe and Eureka valleys, the district encompasses Glen Park, Diamond Heights, Twin Peaks, Duboce Triangle, Corona Heights, and after a 2022 redistricting, most of Cole Valley But because it also includes the historic LGBTQ Castro neighborhood, D8 has long been dubbed the “gay seat” on the board
Over the last 26 years, five consecutive gay men have served as its supervisor, two of whom lived in or near the Castro Yet the center of attention is shifting
Making Noise: Sound wizard Steve Boeddeker frequently cheered by his par tner Dionne Holder and dog Benny has helped bring more than 100 Hollywood films to life , many from his Noe Valley home studio Photo by Ar t Bodner
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Sanchez Not Exactly Slow
Editor:
Response to “Survey Sparks Boatload of Ideas for Slow Sanchez: Neighbors Dreams of Festivals, Food Trucks, and Flea Markets” [March 2026 Noe Valley Voice]:
I was surprised to learn that a small minority of 240 people who responded to a Sanchez Slow Street [survey] felt they could decide what went on on Sanchez Street.
Many people who live on Sanchez are not interested in food trucks, flea markets, and festivals on the street. It is a street, not a park. Wherever there is food, there are rats and mice. Noe Valley has organized festivals at the Upper Noe Recreation Center and events in the Noe Valley Town Square, which is great.
There isn’t anything very slow about Sanchez Street. The electric bikes race through stop signs, and electric scooters speed through the street and, like the majority of bicyclists, speed through intersections, something cars don’t tend to do. Kids roam in the middle of the street. Meanwhile, parents are often talking to their friends. Young kids on bicycles bike on the street and the sidewalk, weaving in and out, unaware of pedestrians. Amazon trucks, delivery trucks, and Waymo cars constantly share the street.
Those of us who actually live on Sanchez Street—and drive to work or drive to get off the street —find it challenging to have people plugged into their earphones, talking in the middle of the street while walking behind a car that is pulling out, who may be unable to hear a car or an electric bike approaching. Runners race across crosswalks and intersections without glancing in either direction. And the cement blocks on the corner of 30th
THE NOE VALLEY VOICE
P.O. Box 460249 San Francisco, CA 94146 www.noevalleyvoice.com
The Noe Valley Voice is an independent newspaper published in San Francisco. It is distributed free in Noe Valley and vicinity during the first two weeks of the month. Subscriptions are available at $40 per year ($35 for seniors) by writing to the above address.
The Voice welcomes your letters, photos, and stories, particularly on topics relating to Noe Valley. All items should include your name and contact information, and may be edited for brevity or clarity. (Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication.) Unsolicited contributions will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
The Noe Valley Voice is a member of the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association.
Email: Editor@noevalleyvoice.com or Sally@noevalleyvoice.com
Website: www.noevalleyvoice.com
Distribution: Call Jack, 415-385-4569
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Advertising Deadline forthe June Issue: May 20, 2026
Editorial Deadline forthe June Issue: May 20, 2026
CO-PUBLISHERS/EDITORS
Sally Smith, Jack Tipple
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS
Corrie M. Anders, Associate Editor
Heidi Anderson, Matthew S. Bajko, Owen Baker-Flynn, Karol Barske, Michael Blake, John Ferrannini, Matt Fisher, Kathryn Guta, Emily Hayes, Jeff Kaliss, Megan Robertson, Roger Rubin, Maria Verissimo
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Art Bodner, Pamela Gerard, Najib Joe Hakim, Charles Kennard, Beverly Tharp
and 24th streets are not only eyesores, but they are also dangerous. For all the fun and joy people experience on Sanchez Street, fewer people now pay attention when on Sanchez Street.
There are many dog walkers on the street, and the majority clean up after their dogs, but there is also a small cadre of people who don’t pick up dog poop off the sidewalks or street. The trash bin on 26th Street overflows with dog poop bags, and certain dog owners feel it is okay to drop their poop bags in other people’s trash cans rather than carry them home to their own trash can.
This isn’t to say that slow Sanchez doesn’t have wonderful qualities. Many families do stay with their kids teaching them how to ride a bike or scooter, and I have met great people, as well as enjoyed many things about Sanchez, but it has become a very crowded street from 30th to 24th Street, and the last thing this street needs is flea markets and food trucks. What it needs is for people to be more attentive to their surroundings whether on foot or wheels.
S. Levin
Sanchez Street resident
Dems Endorse Phil Kim
Editor:
After hosting candidates for the open seat on the San Francisco Unified Board of Education at two club meetings (held at the wonderful back patio of Bernal Heights Pizzeria), as well as distributing candidate written statements to all members, the Noe Valley Democratic Club has voted to endorse current Board President Phil Kim in the upcoming special election on June 2.
(Kim had been appointed by Mayor London Breed to fill a vacancy on the board in August 2024. That term is ending on Nov. 3, 2026.)
Phil Kim has experience as a leader on the board and a long career as an educator and administrator.
At our club meeting and in his written response, Phil described the progress the district had made to achieve fiscal stability, as well as the discipline required to secure the financial security of our public schools. He also articulated the Student Outcomes Focused Governance framework that the board is using to drive improvements. A vote for Phil is ultimately a vote for the direction of the current school board, rather than yet another change in direction.
The Noe Dems are proud to endorse Phil Kim, and happy to report that candidate meetings were well attended and featured lively, constructive dialogue (fueled by great pizza and cold drinks).
As we move ahead with a lot of races this year, we look forward to hosting similar dialogues and encourage anyone
who’s interested to stop by a meeting. The dates are posted on our website at (www.noevalleydemocrats.org).
Sam Maslin President, Noe Valley Democratic Club
How to Win the House
“The most important political office is that of the private citizen.” – Louis D. Brandeis, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Dear Noe Valley Neighbors:
The current national redistricting/gerrymandering fight is a total mess, and it all started with Donald Trump’s realization last year that he could not win the 2026 midterms unless he cheated. An easy way to cheat was to lean on his cronies in Texas to redraw their congressional maps mid-decade to “deliver him” five new seats.
California fought back with our own redistricting scheme, Prop. 50, with the approval of our voters. Virginia just did the same temporary redistricting on April 21 (a campaign Noe Valleyans supported by writing postcards to VA), and we congratulate them on their stunning victory.
Yet, there’s more work Californians need to do to realize the benefits of this redistricting effort. Even after passing Prop. 50, there are at least two congressional districts that remain razor thin and are considered toss-ups: CA-22 and CA-48. Winning the House of Representatives is crucial to begin the long road of recovery for this country. The Trump agenda needs to be blocked and accountability must begin.
This year, Action SF (your local neighborhood political group) has identified two outstanding grassroots groups in these districts that speak directly to infrequent, disaffected, and new potential voters. We’re urging
everyone to donate NOW as these groups gear up their “Get Out the Vote” campaigns for the midterms. They listen to local concerns, speak Spanish, and are in tune with the heartbeat of their communities. And they deliver Democratic voters more effectively than costly TV commercials, expensive mailers, or even money sent directly to individual candidates. We think they are the best value for your political dollars.
Please review our campaign at action-sf.com or check out our ad and QR code in this edition of the Voice. Action SF receives no part of any donations made to these groups—we are all volunteers. Please join us. Democrats must win the midterms!
Tomas Tucker
46-year Noe Valley resident
Stand With Local Baristas
Editor:
Back in the early 1990s, my fellow baristas and I at the Starbucks on Chestnut Street tried to start a union. We got a majority of workers at our store and a handful at other San Francisco stores to sign up.
Ultimately our attempt fizzled, largely due to union-busting tactics by Starbucks management. The handful of baristas leading the organizing were abruptly put on probation and banned from subbing at other stores, despite previously spotless records.
In recent years, other baristas have succeeded where we failed, unionizing almost 700 Starbucks locations nationwide (though none in San Francisco to date). Baristas are asking for decent working conditions and adequate staffing, along with modest pay raises and enough hours to make a living— many baristas currently rely on Medicaid and SNAP payments to make ends meet.
The company has responded with harsh and illegal union-busting behavior, prompting over 1,000 unfair labor practice complaints and several strikes. We can stand with union baristas right now by not buying Starbucks and by deleting the Starbucks app. Just another reason to give our business to the great locally owned coffee shops in Noe Valley.
Gretchen Schuessler
The Mission
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE VOICE welcomes your letters to the editor. Send an email to editor@noevalleyvoice.com.
Please include your name and contact information. (Anonymous letters will not be considered for publication.)
Be aware that letters may be edited for brevity or clarity. We look forward to hearing from you.
Phil Kim is the Noe Valley Democratic Club’s pick for school board in the June 2 election. Image courtesy Phil Kim
CRIME SNAPSHOT
A Slight Dip in March
Crime in Noe Valley dropped slightly in March, with a total of 66 incidents compared to 68 in February, in the 10 categories that the Noe Valley Voice tracks monthly
According to the San Francisco Police Department’s digital map of incident reports, there were 32 incidents reported in the larceny-theft category a decrease of five from the previous month
Twenty-three of those thefts involved shoplifting attempts in the vicinity of Castro and Jersey streets The rest were package thefts from residential buildings (3) or thefts from unspecified “other” locations (6) There were zero car break-ins in the batch
However, the data showed an uptick in burglaries There were 15 reported in March, including 11 residential five of them “hot prowl” burglaries of occupied homes and four burglaries of commercial buildings
In addition, police recorded six assaults, a high monthly total for this year and last
Also, there were seven incidents of malicious mischief mostly destruction of property, with one complaint of harassing phone calls
Still, there were no reported street robberies or domestic violence incidents
The Voice gathered the March data on April 12, 2026, from the SFPD’s
“Map of Police Department Incident Reports: 2018 to Present” at data sfgov org
Like the Police Department, the Voice does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information, as the data is subject to change
Reporting a Crime
If you witness a crime in progress, call 9-1-1 For recurring or non-emergency problems, call 415-533-0123
For nonviolent crimes (e g , auto burglary or vandalism), file a report online at www SanFranciscoPolice org (see “Get Service”) or call 3-1-1
Anonymous tips can be texted to 847411 using the keyword “SFPD”
You also may call Mission Police Station at 415-558-5400 or use its tip line, 415-552-4558 Email is SFPDMissionStation@sfgov org
Call Ingleside Police Station at 415404-4000; tip line 415-575-4444 Email is SFPDInglesideStation@sfgov org
Mission Station (630 Valencia St ) generally covers the northern and central parts of Noe Valley, while Ingleside Station (1 Sgt John V Young Lane) covers Upper Noe and areas near Bernal Heights and Glen Park Currently, Capt Sean Perdomo
Sold in Noe Valley!
“We worked with Danielle and team to sell our condo in Noe Valley. We were selling at a tough time and were unsure whether we were making the right decision. We interviewed a number of realtors who gave us advice and pricing strategies.
Danielle had a unique perspective and we were impressed with her candor and market knowledge. By spotting an opportunity and moving quickly to get our place on the market (in about a week), Danielle and team helped us sell our place quickly and get more than we were expecting!
As a team, they took care of everything—coordinated stagers, photographers, website, open houses, etc—and kept us in the loop throughout. It was a process that could easily have been overwhelming and stressful, but with Danielle and team it was a breeze. They were a pleasure to work with. We would highly recommend!” – Ross M.
If and when the time comes, we’d love to help you too. Reach out any time.
(Sean Perdomo@sfgov org) leads Mission Station, and Capt Gerald Newbeck heads Ingleside Station (Gerald Newbeck@sfgov org)
Corrie M Anders, Sally Smith
Big Water ACROSS
Noe Garden Tour Features a ‘Serene Sanctuary’
Jersey Street Gem Among 10 Gardens Showcased This Year
By John Ferrannini
Itisn’t in her nature to call attention to herself, but Sylvia Thornton will be making an exception so that her garden can be featured as part of the 20th anniversary Friends of Noe Valley Garden Tour on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a m to 4 p m
Thornton, 73, said she picked up the gardening habit during the Covid pandemic lockdown, but that she nonetheless was inspired by her own grandmother
“I grew up in central California, south of a town of 500 people, so it was pretty rural, and my grandmother had a beautiful garden,” Thornton remembered “I don’t know if she designed it, but it was pretty spectacular, and over the years I’ve dabbled, and I guess it was because of the pandemic I thought, I better get my yard in shape because I will be meeting people outside ”
Chris Slattery is a friend who lives in San Francisco He recalls what the garden looked like in the past
“When she started, it was horribly overgrown, dark and scary,” he said “You didn’t want to go down there Bit by bit, she created a wonderful, serene sanctuary ”
The garden includes princess flowers and abutilon plants
Said Thornton: “It was a pretty weed patch and I’d have it weeded every year I was trying to think of something I’d do to make it more low maintenance, so I bricked it in with patterns, so there are circles that kind of touch
each other ”
The garden is at Thornton’s home on Jersey Street near Dolores, and is among 10 gardens on the tour (and seven sidewalk gardens along Sanchez Street) Thornton said the technical term for her garden was a “shade garden,” as it featured a lot of large plants providing leafy cover overhead and casting shadows on the ground
“I guess that’s what it is,” Thornton said “Years ago, someone was getting rid of all their clivia [a kind of lily], so
he brought a whole bunch here, and that stuff you can spread and it looks beautiful without a lot of effort ”
Vikki Hoven, a friend of Thornton’s, stated that, “My talented friend Sylvia has transformed her back yard into an enchanting, richly textured garden filled with magic and wit Blurring the line between what’s grown and what’s dreamed, she masterfully employs trompe l’œil and other artistic techniques ”
The Garden Tour pointed out the garden’s artistic touches as well, including a bamboo passageway and a Mondrian inspired art wall
Slattery also gave a description:
“As you saw, there was a variety of texture, stone, wood, brick, and gravel, and when I’m there, I find myself looking at really small details,” he said, “like half-buried millstones and parts of architectural remnants Beautiful stuff all over the place, really well done, really self-conscious, and it has the sense of both having been there forever yet is surprisingly new ”
Thornton said that Slattery “always says how great it is ” She hopes it’s in bloom during the garden tour
“That was another thing,” she added,
“finding out what would be blooming on May 16 I’m not good at that, so we’ll see I’m not used to planting on a schedule ”
There haven’t been many changes until recently, as Thornton anticipates putting the garden on public display
“It changes because sometimes I don’t do anything for a few months,” Thornton said “Every now and then, I have to cut it back, and since I’ve been in this garden show, and it’s going to get photographed, I’ve been really keeping up on it Sometimes I don’t touch it for a couple of months three months in the winter obviously, I do less than in the gardening season ” Thornton hopes her hobby brings joy to Noe Valley denizens
“I do enjoy working on it,” she said
To get tickets for the tour which are $20 adults, $18 seniors, and kids free, go to the Noe Valley Farmers Market, 9 a m to 1 p m , on Saturday, May 9, or tour day, Saturday, May 16 You can also find tickets at Just for Fun Noe Valley Books, Olive This Olive That, Omnivore Books on Food, Urban Scout, or When Modern Was
Extra Delights on the May 16 Garden Tour
Tomake sure the 20th anniversary Noe Valley Garden Tour, on May 16, from 10 a m to 4 p m , is “a doubly wonderful community celebration,” its co-sponsors the Friends of Noe Valley Garden Tour and the annual Slow Sanchez Block Party have lined up almost double the number of activities:
Besides the 10 gardens on the tour, there will be seven sidewalk gardens to view along the route Family activities, music, food, city greening tables, and a Plant Swap will take centerstage at the Block Party, on Sanchez Street from Clipper to 26th Groove along with the Liberty Street Band, playing R&B, folk, Americana, and blues, during block closure from 10:30 a m to 3:30 p m
Bethany United Methodist Church, at Clipper and Sanchez, will be the site for three presentations on gardening:
• Santiago Esparza, owner of Urban Scout, will share tips on houseplants;
• Steve Cox, founder of The Quane Garden, will talk about native plants; and
• Cesar Moran-Cahusac of With Honey in the Heart will share his knowledge of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Tickets for the Garden Tour, available at Eventbrite and at the Noe Valley Farmers Market on Saturdays, May 9 and 16, are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors (kids free) The Sanehez Greenway Project will be this year ’s tour beneficiary To volunteer as a garden greeter the day of the tour, email Linda Lockyer at lindalockyer3@gmail com For information about the Slow Sanchez Block Party, email info@slowsanchez com Sally Smith
Sylvia Thornton’s peaceful oasis on Jersey Street features a leafy green canopy and circular brick pathways
Photo by John Ferrannini
Four Oscar Nods
agent,” said Holder, who had connected with Boeddeker shortly after relocating to San Francisco from China, where she had moved for college and worked professionally for a number of years, becoming fluent in Mandarin
At the time, she had gotten work as a tester of the self-driving Waymo vehicles, which provided her free transportation from her place in the city’s Cow Hollow neighborhood to Noe Valley Not only did the couple hit it off personally, they were able to navigate their hectic work schedules from the back seat of a Waymo
Laser Focused on Films
When working on a film, Boeddeker puts in long hours for six days at a time, becoming laser focused on the project
“We have very complimentary personalities She is organized I can’t do that,” said Boeddeker, who is separated from the mother of his two children with whom he still shares custody
Holder saw Boeddeker ’s professional dedication from the get-go, she recalled
“When I met him, he was working on Wakanda Forever He warned me, this is my time to focus on work,” said Holder
That 2022 film, directed by Coogler as well, was the sequel to his 2018 Black Panther film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Boeddeker picked up two Oscar nominations for working on Black Panther, one for best sound editing that he shared with Burtt and another for best sound mixing he shared with Proctor and Peter J Devlin (In 2020, the two categories were combined into one award ) “I have done all of Ryan’s movies,” noted Boeddeker
In addition to his long professional relationship with Coogler, Boeddeker has worked numerous times with director Tim Burton, such as on his remakes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Over the course of his 31-year career in sound editing, Boeddeker has contributed to more than 100 film projects, including Contact (1997), The Horse Whisperer (1998), Armageddon (1998), Fight Club (1999), X-Men (2000), Coraline (2009), Lincoln (2012), ParaNorman (2012), and Bridge of Spies (2015)
His credits also include horror flicks like 2018’s The Nun and 1998’s Halloween H20: 20 Years Later Boeddeker first met Coogler while working on 2013’s Fruitvale Station based on the death of Oscar Grant at the West Oakland BART Station on New Year ’s Day 2009 He ended up leaving that project early to work on All Is Lost the 2013 sea survival film star-
ring Robert Redford
Doing so scored him his first Oscar nomination for best sound editing Boeddeker was nominated along with Richard Hymns for their work on the movie, for which Redford picked up a Golden Globe nomination for best actor
“That movie has three lines of dialogue and very little music All the sound you hear we had to re-create,” noted Boeddeker
Already an Emmy Winner
On the mantel of the fireplace in his living room is his 2012 Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special He won it for his work as the FX sound editor of the HBO miniseries
Hemingway and Gellhorn, starring Nicole Kidman as journalist Martha Gellhorn
Surrounding it are a trio of statues marking his milestone years as an employee of Skywalker Sound, a division of Lucasfilm located at filmmaker George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in Marin County Due to its acquisition in 2012 by The Walt Disney Co , Boeddeker is considered a Disney cast member, as the company calls its employees, so the employment awards over his near three-decade tenure feature replicas of the Star Wars universe’s humanoid C-3PO, and animated characters Simba from The Lion King and Tinker Bell from Peter Pan
Also found on the mantel is a mini chocolate Oscar statuette concocted by Wolfgang Puck
“It is the closest I have come to winning an Oscar,” quipped Boeddeker, who turns 60 this year
Playing with Toxic Sloths
Boeddeker grew up in Saratoga outside of San Jose and studied computer engineering and electronic/computer music first at the University of California San Diego, then the University of California Santa Barbara, graduating in 1988 He had envisioned a career in music, unique experimental music “I come from a punk rock background,” said Boeddeker
He performed with the band Toxic Sloths in high school and college and later with his band Dogs of Distortion in the early 2010s (One of its songs was used for the soundtrack of 2011’s Killer Joe, starring Matthew McConaughey )
In college, he had landed a job at Digidesign, a pioneering digital recording company, and he soon became friends with people working in the movie industry One connection led to his being hired as the assistant sound designer on David Fincher ’s 1995 film noir Se7en, which starred Pitt and Morgan Freeman as two detectives hunting a serial killer At the time, Boeddeker was living in Menlo Park
“We didn’t know what we were doing Which was for the best, as we tried things you wouldn’t do if you knew better,” said Boeddeker No Guardrails
One time he and his collaborators were asked to devise the sound of the opening credits sequence minutes before an audience test screening Boeddeker grabbed a CD he had of the experimental group Coil’s remix of the classic Nine Inch Nails song “Closer” and spliced the sound into the film assuming it would be 86’d later
But Fincher kept it, and, noted Boeddeker, “it became this iconic thing If we knew the guardrails, we would never have done that ”
They also recorded “a bunch of
sounds” around San Francisco, he recalled, for that film One day they rented a town car to drive over the steep streets of Potrero Hill to record sounds of the vehicle careening around for a car chase scene
Another day he borrowed his dad’s car and recorded it bottoming out on the hilly streets
"We used it in the movie,” said Boeddeker “The car was OK ” Super Real and Super Weird
For Sinners, Boeddeker spent about six weeks in 2024 working on the film’s sound design at his home studio
He then moved up to his offices at Skywalker Ranch to premix the sound before moving down to the Warner Bros Studios complex in Burbank to finish it
He attributed the film’s sound success to months of collaboration among creators who were also friends “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Boeddeker, and his favorite to date
“You can hear it in the movie,” he noted of the sound mix, described variously as gritty, bold, and immersive In the editing process, “any idea was a good idea until it failed ”
Boeddeker also credited Coogler with having faith in their talents The director gave them the freedom to make the sounds “super real and super clear,” Boeddeker said, or at other moments, “really f- - king weird ” That vibe, he said, particularly worked for the film’s supernatural elements
“Ryan’s strategy is let’s go so far it breaks What you think might be the breaking point isn’t It is where it is meant to be,” said Boeddeker
One scene where the engineers cranked up the sound of gunshots extra loud seemed to startle Coogler out of his seat, recalled Boeddeker “He jumped up and went for a walk ” Make Your Luck
Asked if he had any advice for those who might want to enter his field, Boeddeker admitted it was fraught with competition “It is challenging ” What’s more, the rise of artificial intelligence is making some tasks disappear, he said “But A I is good at fol-
lowing the rules On Sinners, we broke the rules A I can’t be taught what we did,” said Boeddeker
He considers his first foray a lucky break Now he can stay and work in the Bay Area rather than relocate to Hollywood or anywhere else due to his relationships at Skywalker “I dove right into big movies,” he noted “It is a very hard time right now for everyone ” His having won or been nominated for dozens of awards is no guarantee the jobs will keep rolling in
In fact, his being an Oscar nominee “is a little on the curse side, because studios assume I am unaffordable or too o busy, so they don’t call,” said Boeddeker, who serves more like an independent contractor at Skywalker, hired by different filmmakers to work on their movies “That is where I am at right now I am working on some little projects ”
One is a documentary being made by a San Francisco filmmaker who, like Holder, is from Barbados Boeddeker hopes to bring Skywalker on board as a producing partner for the film, which is about the first slave plantation established on the Caribbean island
He has offered to do the sound design and mixing at a reduced rate “He just sent me a clip yesterday It looks amazing,” said Boeddeker Holder, meanwhile, is working to launch a wellness and style business for women under the name Vibe Forward Four Has a Certain Ring
In thinking about his list of nominations but no actual wins in the Oscar category, Boeddeker expressed gratitude to Holder for helping him keep things in perspective
“It isn’t a fluke,” she had told him, that he had been up for the top award four times now
“She told me, apparently you are good at what you do, so go and be celebrated by your peers,” he said That helped quell his self-doubt It reminded him that “being nominated is a big deal,” said Boeddeker “Sure, winning is a popularity contest Being nominated by your peers means you are respected ”
Dionne Holder and Steve Boeddeker basked in the glow of the 2026 Academy Awards ceremony in March
Musician and sound editor Steve Boeddeker has made a high volume of movie magic in the walled-off basement studio he designed on Clipper Street
Photo by Ar t Bodner
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D8 Candidates Share the Stage
in this year ’s race to succeed termedout District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman on the Nov 3 general election ballot Noe Valley has found itself at the crossroads, and its voters will likely play a key role in deciding who succeeds Mandelman, who is also currently serving as president of the board
“I am interested in seeing every part of District 8 being part of the conversation,” said Noe Valley Democratic Club President Sam Maslin about this year ’s supervisorial contest
To give voters a chance to meet the candidates, the Noe Valley club joined with the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee in co-presenting the April 23 forum The “town hall style” event drew more than 130 people to the Sanchez Street church They listened politely while candidates took turns answering questions prepared by the two sponsors or submitted by audience members
Maslin told the Voice after the forum ended that he had yet to make a personal endorsement in the race, but he said the Noe Valley Democratic Club members would be discussing their favorites and endorsing a candidate in late May
Neighborhood Roots
Among those vying to succeed Mandelman is Emanuel “Manny” Yekutiel, 36, who lived on the corner of 24th and Castro from 2013 to 2020 On Sunday, April 26, he opened his campaign headquarters in the former Umpqua Bank space at 3938 24th St , dubbing it more of a “living room” than merely an office for staff and volunteers
“This neighborhood literally gave me a home in San Francisco because I was able to find a three-bedroom apartment for $3,000 a month That was a while ago And the reason I’m running is because things like that just don’t exist anymore in our city And honestly, I don’t know about being able to stand here in this church on this stage if I hadn’t been given that opportunity,” said Yekutiel, owner of the eponymously named cafe and event space on 16th Street at Valencia Street
Now a Castro resident and a former member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s oversight board, Yekutiel had flirted with running for mayor in 2024, but he opted against doing so
He has long been expected to seek the District 8 supervisor seat and has been endorsed by Mandelman and former District 8 supervisor Bevan Dufty Also among his endorsers is actress and
activist Jane Fonda, whom Yekutiel was in conversation with three years ago at a local fundraiser for her Jane Fonda Climate PAC
“So, it’s too hard to live in Noe Valley It’s too hard to live in our city Rent is too high,” noted Yekutiel “It’s too hard to choose a public school It’s too hard to start a small business in this neighborhood And I’m running to make it easier ”
Darshini Patel, 37, has lived near Jersey and Dolores streets since 2022, except for the three months she spent working to get out the vote in New Hampshire for former vice president Kamala Harris’ unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign Prior to that, she was a marketing director for food delivery app DoorDash and is currently solely focused on her supervisorial bid
“I think what we need now is not more ideas but more collaboration, and that’s something that I’ve always done through my career,” said Patel, whose parents emigrated from Tanzania to the United States
Having lived first in Mission Dolores and then Noe Valley for a decade, Patel highlights her favorite memories about the neighborhoods on her campaign website In her bio she recalls “coffee walks that start at Chloe’s, afternoons co-working at The Dubliner,” and taking in “every book recommendation from Noe Valley Books ”
“Noe Valley is one of the largest and most engaged voting blocks,” Patel, who grew up in Mountain View then Palo Alto, noted to the Voice when asked about its being such a prominent focus in this year ’s race
In mid-March, patent attorney
Michael Trung Nguyen, 44, officially kicked off his campaign at Noe Courts
When he first moved to the city two decades ago, he had lived near the public pocket park at 24th and Douglass streets A main focus of his campaign is on making it affordable for people to live in San Francisco
“It’s just too expensive Like what Manny said, it’s way too expensive to live here, and we have to have that at the top of the agenda,” said Nguyen “We have to also have housing production that works for working families Look, we can upzone all we want, but if we don’t actually have the financing, the real grip and tools to put it together, it’s not gonna work ”
Former state assemblymember and city supervisor Tom Ammiano is backing Nguyen, an elected member of the Democratic County Central Committee that oversees the San Francisco Democratic Party Also among his endorsers are former supervisors Sandra Lee Fewer and Gordon Mar Nguyen performs as drag queen Juicy Liu and would be the first drag performer to serve on the board if elected to the District 8 seat He would also be the first person of color to represent the district, as his parents are Vietnamese immigrants
“I’m running because I am ready to be the first Vietnamese American, the first person of color to represent this historic district, first drag queen to be here in San Francisco as a supervisor,” said Nguyen “And yes, I did say drag queen Juicy Liu! I wear this brooch to remind me that I’m a drag queen to say that, oh, the world is beautiful, and sometimes things are just pretty to be pretty ”
The fourth candidate is Gary McCoy, 47, a longtime political aide to Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who has endorsed him in the race
Neighbors with Nguyen in Twin Peaks, McCoy currently is campaign manager of Pelosi’s Save Our Health Care Campaign Open about his having been homeless, his having a substanceuse disorder, and his learning he was HIV positive when he first moved to San Francisco, McCoy recalled that early on as he sought sobriety 15 years ago, he attended support groups for addicts held at the Noe Valley Ministry
“I spent all of my 20s on the streets in San Francisco, primarily in the Castro,” recalled McCoy, who interned in his 30s for then-supervisor Scott Wiener, sparking his career in government and public policy “So I got my start in public service answering phones, probably a lot of your phone calls in the office, dealing with things
like potholes and streetlights that were out ”
Leno has dual-endorsed McCoy and Yekutiel in the race, while another former District 8 supervisor, Jeff Sheehy, is backing McCoy Rep Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) also has endorsed McCoy
Patel has yet to announce endorsements from any elected officials She jumped into the race two weeks prior to the candidates forum last month
The deadline for candidates to officially enter the race is June 9, with the winner set to serve a four-year term beginning in early January McCoy, Nguyen, and Yekutiel would all continue gay male leadership if they were elected As she identifies as a queer and bisexual, Patel would be the first female LGBTQ community member to represent District 8 at City Hall
Housing, Housing & More Housing
Housing is shaping up to be a major focus in the race McCoy last month called for using eminent domain to acquire the three separately owned parcels where the Safeway shopping center is on Market Street at Church in order to redevelop it with affordable housing and a daycare center
He supports the upzoning plan that Mayor Daniel Lurie got approved by the Board of Supervisors to allow for denser housing developments to be built in neighborhoods across the city But McCoy also wants to ensure it doesn’t come at the expense of current residents
“I will continue to support it, but I will not support it on the backs of our long-term tenants, rent control, people with disabilities, or senior and aging populations,” said McCoy “I very much support expanding rent control any way that we can ” Yekutiel also rolled out his housing plan in April A major component of it would establish a zone along upper Market Street, where the city would suspend zoning rules and fees in order to spark development of larger infill housing projects He has said it could produce 6,000 homes on the thoroughfare between Castro Street and Octavia Boulevard
He also contends another 3,000 homes could be built across District 8 on underused lots and city-owned land And he wants to incentivize homeowners to turn their back yards and garages into new homes, which could net 1,000 additional units
“I ask people, what concerns them, what do they want us to work on? And they say it’s too expensive to live here and there is not enough housing There are not enough options,” said Yekutiel, adding that what he also hears from developers is “if you want us to build more housing, don’t make it quite as expensive to build in the city So, as a supervisor, I would like to get rid of all those fees and taxes temporarily to unlock the ability to actually build housing We want to build 10,000 new homes in the district in eight years to give us more options, more supply, more housing for everyone, all kinds, and in all places ”
Like Yekutiel and McCoy, Patel said she supports the mayor ’s upzoning plan, though she also feels “it’s not perfect It’s not enough ” She called for creating a “housing pipeline” of the developments proposed to be built in order to see what permits may be holding them up and ensure there is accountability among city staff to see they get approved “We have to think about things
Michael Nguyen responds to a question on mental health treatment, as (l to r ) cohosts
Ber tha De La Torre and Sam Maslin and candidates Manny Yekutiel, Darshini Patel, and Gar y McCoy look on at an April forum co-sponsored by the Noe Valley Democratic Club and the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee
Photo by Sally Smith
A crowd of 130 people filled the upstairs hall at the Noe Valley Ministr y on April 23, eager to see and hear the declared candidates for District 8 super visor Photo by Sally Smith
Candidates Field Questions in Forum
across the whole pipeline, not just how do we upzone or how do we rezone, but how do we get things we’ve actually approved to be built and livable,” she said
Nguyen was the lone person to say he disapproved of the mayor ’s upzoning plan because he doesn’t believe it protects renters Instead, he argued it incentivizes the displacement of renters, who account for 64 percent of city residents
Calling himself an “anti-displacement, pro-housing candidate,” Nguyen is a proponent of social housing, meaning the city would use its resources to build affordable housing that is publicly owned “How about if we are truly in an abundance mood, then we should think about social housing as an option
Social housing is the way that a city can step in and take housing, which I believe is a public good, make it a public good, take it off the speculative market, completely, permanently, permanently affordable You can have a range of incomes that live in social housing,” he said
Mental Health Tricky
Nguyen was the lone candidate to emphatically say he does not support involuntary treatment for people who are mentally ill and refuse to access programs to assist them
“This is a tricky issue for me because I am a lawyer and I believe that people have civil rights that should be respected and should only be abridged if there is a real danger to themselves or to the
community,” he said
Noting that the mentally ill and people who are unhoused should not be conflated, Patel expressed reservations about ordering someone into treatment they aren’t ready to receive “I don’t think you can force anyone into treatment It’s actually been shown to be ineffective,” she said
McCoy supported involuntary treatment for folks with “a very high level of mental health” issues, but he expressed misgivings about using such means for people with substance-use disorders
Yekutiel explained he comes to the issue from the perspective of a small business owner who has had direct encounters with people having mental breaks, including an individual who appeared to have “fully lost their mind” who turned up in the middle of an event he was hosting at Manny’s “We need something in between a 5150, which is a 24-hour hold, and a conservatorship,”
Yekutiel said “We need to have the Department of Public Health, we need to give them the ability to bring people in, involuntarily if they need to, for
three-, six-, or nine-month holds until they get stable ”
What People Get Wrong
An amusing moment at the forum came when the candidates were asked to refute something that had been said about them as they campaigned Patel joked she was too new to the race to have had to confront rumors about herself, but said she’d been told she had a “resting bitch face” that made her seem standoffish She encouraged anyone to come up and talk to her, as she welcomed meeting people Nguyen rebutted the notion he was soft on crime, while McCoy couldn’t think of an example other than to say he wasn’t perfect Yekutiel mentioned his promotion of “joy” was taken by some to mean he wasn’t serious He countered, saying the night markets and block parties he’d supported brought in “serious” financial benefits to local merchants and the city Yekutiel had launched the Civic Joy Fund with Lurie prior to his election as mayor and funded events such as the Noe Valley Night Market to boost civic
engagement Yekutiel stepped aside as the fund’s executive director last fall when he launched his supervisor bid
Strong Performances
Dolores Heights Improvement Club
Chair Carolyn Kenady, a 15-year resident of her neighborhood, received a shout-out from Yekutiel during the forum for her community involvement
She is supporting him in the race, saying it is because “he has demonstrated that he cares about our community, our neighborhoods, and our district ”
Kenady also feels he’s “done a great job of bringing people together” at his business and “cares enough to go the extra mile when he sees issues or problems that need to be addressed ”
Noe Valley couple Ruth Borenstein and Karen Strauss attended the forum with a friend, who told the Voice he was likely to vote for Yekutiel
A member of the Noe Valley Democratic Club, Borenstein said she was looking for concrete answers from the candidates
“I would like to hear things that are practical solutions It is not enough to say we need more housing or we need it be affordable It is a very complicated issue, and I want to hear from them how they will make that happen,” Borenstein said ahead of the event
When the debate was over, Borenstein said she was still undecided But she was impressed with all the candidates’ performances
Having lived on 24th Street for 34 years, she was pleased to see Noe Valley wasn’t being overlooked
“It is nice to see the Noe Valley Democratic Club getting respect and recognition I think the club is stronger than they have been in a while,” said Borenstein
2
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“I left the woods for as good a reason as I went there. Perhaps it seemed to me that I had several more lives to live, and could not spare any more time for that one.” Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
info@abbeysideconstruction.com
Chain Frame Store Gets OK
To
Open on 24th Street
n a rare instance of a formula retailer
I
sparking no opposition in the city, the framing store Framebridge has easily secured the permits it needs to open on 24th Street in Noe Valley Its first location in the city is expected to welcome customers this fall
The store is going into the groundfloor commercial space at 3824 24th St , on the block between Vicksburg and Church streets Next door to it is Noe Animal Hospital
The business will join another frame shop in Noe Valley, Mitre Box, at 4082 24th St near Castro Street
Founded in 2014 by CEO Susan Tynan, Framebridge via its website at www framebridge com offers “affordable, high-quality, fast custom framing and one-on-one design services directto-consumer ”
It also has more than 40 stores across the U S As such, it falls under San Francisco’s definition of a formula retailer, required to seek special permission to open in the city
With no one speaking out against Framebridge when the San Francisco Planning Commission took up the store’s conditional-use permit request at its April 16 meeting, the commissioners unanimously voted 7-0 to approve it They did so as part of their consent calendar, meaning they didn’t bother to hold a hearing to review it
Planning staff had recommended approval According to their report, 18 letters in support of Framebridge were received by the planning department
“Conditional Use approval would result in a minimal increase in formula retail concentration and would remain well below the 20% threshold, while also activating currently vacant commercial space,” stated the staff report, which noted the frame store “would be desirable for and compatible with the surrounding neighborhood ”
The 586-square-foot storefront, which is below a number of condo units, has sat vacant since the building was constructed three years ago One of the residents, James Nash, had urged the planning department to support Framebridge’s permit request
“Framebridge will be a valuable addition to the Noe Valley neighborhood, providing a service that has minimal other convenient options I believe this business will contribute positively to the character of the area and help activate a key retail space, which will help support other businesses in the neighborhood,” wrote Nash in a letter of support sent to the commissioners
Speaking to the Voice the day after the permit had been approved, Nash said, “If we want San Francisco to be moving in the right direction, the worst thing for San Francisco to have is empty storefronts We want our neighborhoods to thrive
”
Construction on building out the storefront should begin in June or July and take three months Barring any delays, Framebridge should open sometime in late September or October
According to the company, it “owns its custom framing process from start to finish, maintaining complete control over its premium materials, manufacturing quality, and framing standards
Every frame style is designed in-house and crafted by skilled artisans in either Tuscany or North Carolina ”
Last year, it opened its first stores in California “California is one of our biggest markets,” Tynan noted last August, “and a state that is full of creativity, inspiration, and culture, and we can’t wait to see what people will bring in to frame!”
SHORT TAKES
Supe Candidates Available for Q&A at Bookstore
Noe Valley Books, at 3957 24th St , is hosting separate 90-minute conversations with all four of the District 8 supervisor candidates this month First up is Gary McCoy at 6 p m onn Monday, May 11
The following Thursday, May 14, Manny Yekutiel will appear at 7 p m
Michael Nguyen will be at the bookshop at 6 p m on Tuesday, May 19, and Darshini Patel is scheduled to stop by at 6 p m the next day, Wednesday, May 20
The candidates will give opening remarks, followed by a live audience Q&A The events are free to attend
People can RSVP for each of the candidate conversations via the bookstore’s events page on its website at https://noevalleybooks com/events/2026 /05
"We’re hosting each candidate individually as part of this series to give our community the chance to meet them face to face, hear directly from them, and ask questions," the store noted in an Instagram post announcing the events
The owners stressed they aren't endorsing any candidate
"We are a third space where people can gather, exchange ideas, and participate in community life in a thoughtful and respectful way," they noted
Slow
Sanchez Could Get Slower
Slow Sanchez could live up to its moniker, mileage-wise that is, should the speed limit along Sanchez Street be reduced The board that oversees the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is expected to vote on reducing the allowable speed for vehicles along the roadway to 15 miles per hour from its current 25 mph designation
“Reducing the speed limit on Sanchez is an important next step in improving the safety and accessibility of our beloved slow street, benefiting everyone who uses Sanchez from pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities, to residents and motorists We are thrilled that SFMTA is moving forward with this improvement,” Friends of Slow Sanchez Chair Brooke Ray Demko told the Voice
At the start of the Covid pandemic in 2020, city transit officials selected Sanchez Street between 23rd and 30th streets to become a Slow Street It means those blocks are prioritized for use by bikers, joggers, walkers, and children in need of some exercise and fresh air
In effect, the designation turned the roadway into an urban park setting Sanchez Street is no longer meant to be used by vehicles driving through the neighborhood, with such traffic rerouted to either Noe or Church streets
Residents along Sanchez, in addition to people looking for parking and various delivery vehicles, can still access the street for short stretches Signage added to the intersections now advises people of the driving restrictions
Lowering the speed limit has always been an intended part of the “Next Generation Slow Sanchez” plans for the street A main target of the SFMTA’s Slow Streets Program is for vehicle speeds to be at or below 15 mph
That has been met on Sanchez Street, as the website for it at
https://www sfmta com/projects/sanche z-slow-street notes that a study conducted in 2023 found the median daily vehicle speed to be 13 mph
After hearing comment from the public at an April 17 hearing, the SFMTA’s engineering committee recommended a 15 mph speed limit for Sanchez Street between 23rd and 30th streets Doing so requires approval by the SFMTA board, which meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month
A spokesperson for the oversight body couldn’t confirm to the Voice if lowering Sanchez’s speed limit would be heard at its May 5 meeting
As part of its push to reduce the speed limit to 15 mph, the Friends of Slow Sanchez had asked people to speak in support of the proposal at the engineering hearing last month A sample letter the group provided people to email to SFMTA staff noted, “Slow Sanchez has been a vital community asset for over five years, and lowering the speed limit will make it even safer and more welcoming for everyone ”
The speed limit change will likely be one topic of conversation at the group’s annual Slow Sanchez Block Party being held Saturday, May 16, 10 a m to 4 p m Another topic of interest is likely to be the planned repaving of Sanchez Street come 2027
In mid-April, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Sanchez had been selected as one of several priority street repaving projects across the city, due to an estimated $33 million in state funding allocated to San Francisco via the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 Combined with local funds, the city expects to spend $90 million on roadway improvements next year Managing the city’s Street Resurfacing Program will be San Francisco Public Works
“Our administration is working to deliver the core government services that San Franciscans rely on, and that includes maintaining safe, clean, and reliable streets across every neighborhood,” said Lurie “With support from the state, we’re upgrading our infrastructure across the city for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians while saving residents money by cutting down on wear and tear on their vehicles ”
Unless otherwise noted, this month’s Short Takes were written by Matthew S Bajko
Asawa’s Works Find a Home in a New Galler y Works by the renowned Noe Valley artist Ruth Asawa have been displayed in museums throughout the Bay Area and around the world Now her art will have a permanent place in the city, in a large exhibition space in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood
The 1,714-foot gallery space at 1275 Minnesota St is a project of Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc , an entity dedicated to the legacy of Ruth Asawa, currently managed by Henry Weverka, Asawa’s grandson
“In addition to her incredible success as an individual artist, my grandmother was a tremendous advocate for the arts and arts education in the Bay Area, beginning in the mid-1960s,” said Weverka
“When asked in 2002 why she never pursued a career in a major art market like New York, she replied, ‘It’s better for me to invest in San Francisco '”
The gallery’s inaugural exhibition, titled “Ruth Asawa:
Untitled” acknowledging the fact the artist rarely titled her pieces will run May 9 through June 20 and is free and open to the public Curated by Asawa’s daughters Aiko Cuneo and Addie Lanier, the show will include looped- and tiedwire sculptures, cast artworks, paper folds, watercolors, and drawings on paper and copper foil
Future exhibitions will feature more examples of Asawa’s work, as well as works by her artist friends and contemporaries, including Josef and Anni Albers, Imogen Cunningham, and Ray Johnson
After the reception, Saturday, May 9, 11 a m to 4 p m , the gallery space will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a m to 4 p m , until June 20
Asawa, who lived more than half of her life in Noe Valley and died in 2013 at age 87, was the subject of a major retrospective last year at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art The show currently is on international tour at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Bilbao, Portugal, where it runs through Sept 13
For more information about the show or the new exhibition space, go to ruthasawa com
Corrie M Anders
Thursday Night -Locals Night!
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We are beginning to recognize the innate power and capabilities of children in the first three years, when they are hardwired for the most rapid period of learning and growth of their lives Understanding the incredible capacity of each child changes everything It revolutionizes how we engage with infants and toddlers and points to an extraordinary opportunity to enhance their cognitive development and emotional intelligence
It’s about unlocking your child’s natural gifts and abilities It’s cultivating a grounded sense of self, a love of learning and a greater ability to recognize and control emotions It’s about giving children the tools they need to adapt to a rapidly changing world and live extraordinary lives In short, it is why I am here
THE DAY I ARRIVED in Noe Valley, white smoke from the wildfires billowed across the city like curtains dancing in the Pacific breeze I moved here from a remote cabin up in the north woods of Minnesota, with my little 10-acre plot backed up against 3 million acres of forest, stretching all the way to Canada Comedic timing isn’t what I was going for, but I did manage to land in the middle of San Francisco (read: metropolitan area of nearly 4 5 million people) just a few months before the pandemic hit Fortunately, it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life
Like many newcomers to SF, I moved here for a job I had been interviewing with families across
Love Letter from a Noe Nanny
By Christina Nohre
the country looking for the right fit from Manhattan to Jackson Hole, Wyoming Some had helicopter pads on their rooftops, and others had multiple residences around the world Everything I was looking for I found right here in the heart of Noe Valley she was 4 months old and absolutely extraordinary
WHENWE FIRST MET, I was struck by her inquisitive blue eyes and the strength and intensity of her gaze She took her time observing me, deciding how she felt about the whole situation I could feel her courage and her heart straightaway plus that irresistible spark of curiosity I knew instantly that I wanted to work with her It was the same with her parents In meeting this Noe Valley mom and dad, I discovered big-hearted,
on 24th, hunting for banana slugs on Douglass Street, and identifying every flower along the way Back at home, we were constantly on safari for numbers, letters, and sounds It’s exciting how easily you can build joyful learning opportunities into your everyday life The ABCs are a great example Knowing the names and sounds of letters is an essential component of reading By singing the ABC song each time we did a diaper change, the girls got to hear (and eventually sing along with) the alphabet 10 times a day This musical interaction also did wonders for reducing those changing-table wiggles!
IT’S
EASY to be awestruck by the rate of development of infants and toddlers What is often overlooked is the transformation that parents undergo during the same period The amount of physical, emotional, and intellectual growth that parenthood requires is both staggering and profound
Over the last six years, I watched these first-time parents develop astounding new levels of patience and humor as they worked together, embracing the joys and challenges of raising a family
On this Mother ’s Day, I’d like to say a special thank you to the phenomenal Noe Valley mom who allowed me to be a part of this journey
brilliant people who dedicated their time and resources to creating a future worthy of their children Their commitment to creating community and reaching out to include others in the neighborhood was an inspiration that continues to keep me hopeful about the state of humanity
As daughter number two made her debut, she brought a bright new splash of affection and enthusiasm into the mix Adventuring through the neighborhood was our modus operandi We’d load up the pack and head to Little Red Hen Community Garden, the Randall Museum, or the big slide in Seward Mini Park Each street in Noe holds a sweet memory: trekking up Elizabeth Street to practice on steps that are the perfect height for toddler legs, guessing how many dogs we might see at VIP Grooming
When not hiking Diamond Heights or practicing her French, Chinese, or Hebrew, Christina Nohre works as a professional nanny and consultant for families "
The Cost of Living in Noe
By Corrie M Anders
Itwas a big month for a two-block stretch of 26th Street Within a couple of weeks, two nearby homes sold for upwards of $8 million, one exceeding $8 5 million
The two luxury properties were among 13 single-family detached homes that closed escrow in March, according to data supplied to the Noe Valley Voice by Corcoran Icon Real Estate Those transactions topped the nine sales recorded in February and 12 deals in March a year earlier
Condominium sales also took off, with buyers snapping up 14 units up sharply from three in February and six in March of last year
The spring surge was driven by fastmoving, deep-pocketed buyers whose appetite for a Noe Valley address pushed the average price of a detached home above $4 million
With inventory tight, buyers engaged in fierce competition, paying an average 25 percent over asking and closing
in an average eight days
Christine Lopatowski, manager of Corcoran Icon’s 24th Street office, described the March market as “hot, hot, hot” fueled in part by San Francisco’s artificial intelligence boom
“We have this new flood of folks who have a lot of cash,” she said, adding that the market might be compared with the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Apple and Google employees went on spending sprees in the neighborhood
“It's kind of very similar, where we have people just being really aggressive because of the low inventory,” she said “And the AI money is definitely impacting it ”
Twelve of the 13 homes sold above their sellers’ asking price, Lopatowski said The highest overbid was for a 22nd Street home It garnered $4,575,000, or 76 1 percent more than its list price ($2,598,000)
The quick eight-day turnaround indicates that many sales were all-cash deals, Lopatowski said, since mortgage financing typically takes 30 days or longer
“I'm definitely saying that a lot of these were cash offers, because of the quick close,” she said
Several buyers got a jump on competitors with preemptive offers That was the case with the two 26th Street properties, which rank among the five most expensive homes ever sold in Noe Valley, according to Voice data dating to 1999
The most expensive of the pair, in the 4200 block of 26th Street between Castro and Diamond streets, sold for $8,595,000 22 9 percent above its list price ($6,995,000)
“This one got a preemptive offer So obviously they [the buyers] came in, saw it, loved it, and said, ‘This is what we’re willing to offer for it,’”
Lopatowski said
The home, originally built in 1926, had been remodeled last year to accommodate six bedrooms and six baths in 4,700 square feet of living space The four-story property has an elevator to each level and a two-car garage
Its many wow factors included high ceilings, skylights, glass wall sliders, radiant heat, air conditioning on upper floors, Ann Sacks tile, a gourmet kitchen with Wolf and Thermador appliances and a marble-clad island at the center of the main level’s open-plan living and dining space, a level back yard, and options for a gym, wet bar, or bedroom-bath for in-laws or an au pair Top-floor views spanned from Twin Peaks to downtown San Francisco to the East Bay hills
The $8 million property, in the 4300 block of 26th Street between Diamond and Douglass, was sold privately Built in 1910 but also renovated recently, the three-story home offers five bedrooms, five baths, and 3,458 square feet of living space, along with three terraces, views, and two-car parking
Condo activity was nearly as intense
Competitive bidding drove prices to an average 20 percent over asking, while time on market dropped to 18 days, compared to 72 days in February and
35 days in March a year ago
The most expensive condo a housesized unit in the 4200 block of 25th Street between Diamond and Castro streets sold for $3,825,000, nearly $1 million above its list price
($2,895,000)
The buyer acquired a four-bedroom, four-bath unit with 2,920 square feet of living space The top-floor unit, part of a two-unit building constructed in 2002, featured a private elevator, a newly remodeled kitchen with Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances, hardwood floors, a fireplace, wet bar, balcony, private terrace with sweeping views, and two-car parking
May
MAY IS FOR MOTHERS, MARACAS, AND MEMORIES
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Board or Commission Vacancies:
Participate on a Board or Commission!
The Assessment Appeals Board (AAB)
The AAB resolves legal and value assessment issues between the Assessor’s o ce and property owners. Hearings are quasi-judicial, conducted in a manner similar to a court setting, with evidence and testimony presented by the parties. The Board then evaluates the evidence and testimony and renders its decision.
To be eligible for seat appointment, you must have a minimum of 昀ve years professional experience in California as either a: (1) public accountant; (2) real estate broker; (3) attorney; or (4) property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized organization, or certi昀ed by either the O ce of Real Estate Appraiser or the State Board of Equalization.
For a full list of current or upcoming Boards, Commissions and Task Forces, please visit https://sfbos.org/vacancy-boards-commissionstask-forces.
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Visit the website https://careers.sf.gov/ and 昀nd a job that’s right for you!
Department Announcements
City Attorney
The San Francisco City Attorney’s O ce is committed to protecting consumers and members of the public. We investigate and prosecute businesses that deceive or defraud consumers, as well as property owners that maintain properties in substandard conditions or violate housing laws.
Members of the public who wish to report a consumer complaint should contact the O ce through its hotline at (415) 554-3977 or its web portal at https://www.sfcityattorney.org/report-acomplaint/. Our o ce will review the information you provide and may seek additional information from you. Please note, however, that we are not authorized to represent you as your lawyer or provide you with legal advice. Any actions we take are on behalf of the community as a whole.
Fire Department
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Power Your Devices Safely Lithium-ion batteries power many everyday items s¬uch as smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, scooters, toys, and smoke alarms. While convenient, these batteries store a large amount of energy and can overheat, catch 昀re, or explode if damaged or used improperly.
Protect Your Home with These Safety Tips:
•Buy Smart: Choose devices and batteries tested
by a nationally recognized safety laboratory.
•Charge Safely: Use the charger designed for your device. Never charge batteries on beds, couches, or under pillows.
•Watch for Warning Signs: Stop using batteries that become hot, change shape, leak, or make unusual noises.
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•If a battery overheats or catches 昀re, move away and call 9-1-1.
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Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is the City’s charter agency for civil rights enforcement and provides a number of services to the public (with language translation available as requested) including: investigation and mediation of discrimination complaints in housing, employment, and access to businesses or other public places; investigation and mediation of complaints of noncompliance with the Sanctuary City Ordinance and the housing provisions of the Fair Chance Ordinance; and referrals of information to constituents, community groups, businesses, and government agencies. HRC additionally o昀ers an internship for young people age 13 to 24; the Opportunities for All initiative provides San Francisco youth a chance for meaningful, intensive career development and mentorship. HRC is also a grantmaking City department, supporting local community-based organizations and service providers through our grant funding and management processes. Contact us at www. sf.gov/sfhrc and (415) 252-2500 and HRC.Info@ sfgov.org to let us know how we can be of service.
Human Services Agency
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If you need information about your rights or believe your rights have been violated, contact the O ce of Labor Standards Enforcement hotline 415-5546292 or email mwo@sfgov.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages public outreach. Articles are translated into several languages to provide better public access. The newspaper makes every effort to translate the articles of general interest correctly. No liability is assumed by the City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers for errors and omissions.
STORE TREK
Store Trek is a regular feature on new stores and businesses in Noe Valley
This month we welcome a restaurant known for its American comfort food
Kitchen’s Noe Valley location is the caviar pie, a tower of finely chopped hard-boiled eggs mixed with crème fraîche, cream cheese, and chives, topped with a half ounce of American caviar The dish, found under the “Nosh” menu, costs $32 and comes with Ritz crackers
“People are really liking the caviar pie Someone had it as an appetizer and then again as a dessert,” said co-owner May Seto Wasem, explaining the pie is her riff on a friend’s potluck dish
Also not served at the restaurant’s two locations in Oakland but at its first eatery in San Francisco, at 1199 Church St , is the steak frites plate, using Angus steaks sourced from Cream Co Meats
Pan seared and sliced with a red wine demiglace and herbed butter, and accompanied by French fries, an 8ounce hanger steak costs $34 while the 16-ounce New York strip steak is $68 and meant to be shared
The cocktail menu is also more extensive, featuring classic and specialty gin or vodka martinis, mimosa flights during brunch, wines, and Irish coffee The bar staff also pours boozy slushies made with either rum or a sparkling rose wine, plus a vegan pineapple version sans alcohol
“They say people are not drinking as much lately I would disagree,” said Wasem “In Noe Valley, people definitely are drinking There is a martini at every table at Noe Valley, and we sell a fair amount of mocktails ”
Grand Lake has brought over several of their signature pastrami dishes from the East Bay, like the reuben fries appetizer, of French fries smothered with beef pastrami, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and caraway seeds ($17) (A vegetarian version is made with mushrooms )
There is also a pastrami benedict on the brunch menu, served over rye toast and accompanied by mixed greens tossed in lemon vinaigrette ($19)
“We started as a deli and counter in 2012 in a small space on Lake Merritt,” said Wasem That led to their creating dishes using ingredients from their deli case “We made a pastrami benedict because that was what we had People liked it and it stuck ”
Another of their signature dishes is the Oyako, an open-faced egg salad sandwich served on hand-sliced New York rye toast, garnished with crispy chicken skin, grain mustard vinaigrette, and fresh dill ($16)
A more recent nod to their Oakland roots is the Alysa Liu Llama vegan sandwich named after the Olympic gold medalist ice skater It’s made with hummus, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and pickled red onions on an Acme roll ($15)
When in season there is the crab toast ($22), featuring local Dungeness crab, sliced avocado, red onion, and crab butter vinaigrette on sourdough
toast It has been selling out
The menu also features classic diner options like matzoh ball soup ($12), Caesar salad ($15), and burgers the GLK Style Burger comes with bleu cheese, caramelized onions, and sauteed mushrooms ($21)
The Former Mr Digby’s
Taking over what most recently was home to the restaurant Mr Digby’s, GLK Noe Valley soft-opened Friday, March 13 The real estate broker handling the listing had eaten at GLK’s Oakland locations and reached out to Wasem and her husband, Dave Wasem, to see if they wanted to branch out in the city
“We never had plans for a third,” said Wasem, who was born in San Francisco and grew up in the city
Having lived in Noe Valley in the 2000s, on Sanchez Street between Elizabeth and 23rd, May Wasem was familiar with the location on 24th Street The couple felt a neighborhood bistro style of eatery would be a good fit and signed the lease
“We are a mom and pop People like that for various reasons,” said Wasem, whose husband grew up outside of St Louis, Mo
They met while working at the Balboa Café in the Fillmore District and have been together 20 years The couple now live in the Oakland Hills on a ranchette with alpacas and tortoises, and commute to the new location on weekends to help oversee operations and train their staff
They gave the interior a makeover, installing custom-built windows that allow in more light “I wanted to bring more of the outside in,” said Wasem “It was so dark in there, and we are a daytime place also ”
The neutral crème walls are meant to complement the red banquettes, and the space is filled with plants, artwork, and animal statuary, much of it bought at white elephant sales benefiting the Oakland Museum of California
Partitions that had separated the bar from the dining area now sport narrow counters so people can rest drinks on them or plates of small bites Wasem has dubbed the area to the left behind the hostess stand “The Perch ”
“There are not a ton of places to have cocktails with dinner or brunch We
saw that as an invitation,” said Wasem “We wanted to dress it up a little bit more But it is not fancy or sophisticated That wasn’t the vibe we were going for We are a neighborhood bistro ”
The location has a long history as an eatery and watering hole Starting in 1980, the Basso family operated it as Noe’s Ark It quickly became known simply as Noe’s and later took over the adjacent restaurant space that had been a Cybelle’s Pizza
In 2015, a pair of entrepreneurs took it over and opened the more upscale Horner ’s Corner It shuttered within 18 months, followed by Hamlet, which closed within two years
A younger member of the Basso family then opened Noe’s Cantina But the Mexican restaurant and sports bar failed, leading Mike and Kristen (Gianaras) McCaffery to buy the property and open Mr Digby’s in 2021 It closed four years later
Is It Haunted?
The ever-changing lineup of eateries has led people to wonder if the commercial space is cursed or whether the denizens of Noe’s Ark and before that the Connection tavern were upset that the Horner ’s Corner crew tore out the impressive floor-to-ceiling woodpaneled bar
Wasem only learned about the space being forsaken from a TikTok post wishing them luck in “fixing the curse,” she told the Voice “They talked about it as a known thing ”
Rather than run from it, the new
owners leaned into the jinx and purposefully opened their doors on a Friday the 13th
“There are so many things cursed about owning restaurants, so no, the location doesn’t bother me I think it is great,” said Wasem, listing off a series of complications she and her husband have had to contend with since opening
They did so during a rare March heatwave, “so that was fun,” she said, then saw when the fog returned how it rolled right through the front door into the dining room and bar at 5 p m
After neighbors complained about the noise from the kitchen equipment on the roof, the couple replaced it
They are working on adding a parklet on 24th Street to increase their outdoor seating, which is dog friendly It should be in place sometime in May
As they ramp up and train their staff, the Wasems plan to be open seven days a week and offer takeout They are planning a grand opening celebration in partnership with Rocket Dog Rescue, the local canine adoption group
“We are thrilled with it It is very busy already, so it’s been difficult to fix mistakes,” said Wasem “We have no regrets In the short term, the pressure is on us to make it better, but this has been a dream come true to have a place in San Francisco ” Grand Lake Kitchen Noe Valley is currently open from 9 a m to 9 p m Wednesday through Sunday
Matthew S Bajko
Though they already own two successful East Bay restaurants, husband-and-wife team Dave and May Wasem say it’s “ a dream come true” to be able to cast their culinar y spell in San Francisco with the new bistro Grand Lake Kitchen Noe Valley
Photo by Ar t Bodner
Construction Roofing Contractor
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Sensitive emotional support. Find a deep sense of inner connection and wholeness within yourself. Experience greater clarity and well-being through embodied awareness.
4091 24th Street NOE
May 1-29: The Noe Valley RUN CLUB meets Fridays at Noe Cafe , 1299 Sanchez 6:45 am for 4 miles, and 7:30 am for 2 5 miles noevalleyrunclub square site
May 1-June 15: Galler y Sanchez shows PAINTINGS by Rober t Windle in The Colors of Jazz Noe Valley Ministr y, 1021 Sanchez 282-2317; noevalleyministr y org
May 2 & June 6: The Noe Valley KNITTING Circle meets from 10 am to noon Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey 3555707; sfpl org
May 2-30: The FARMERS MARKET has fresh produce food and music Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm Noe Valley Town Square 3861 24th noevalleytownsquare com
May 2-30: The Noe WALKS group strides on Saturdays, 10 am, at 24th and Sanchez May 4, 11, 18 & 25: Toddler STORYTIMES are Mondays, 11:15-11:45 am Tickets 11 am Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey 3555707; sfpl org
May 4-25: Mamahuhu hosts MAHJONG on Mondays from 6 to 9 pm 3991 24th 374-7012; eatmamahuhu com
May 5-26: The B AR on Dolores hosts free BINGO for booze and prizes, on Tuesdays, free comedy on Thursdays, and mahjong on Saturdays, 8 pm 1600 Dolores 695-1745
May 5-27: Tuesday TRIVIA Night at The Dubliner begins at 8 pm Wed , it’s bingo 3838 24th 826-826-2279; dublinersf com
May 7, 14, 21 & 28: STORYTIMES are Thursdays 10:15 am and 11 am Noe Valley Librar y 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 9-June 20: Ruth Asawa: Untitled, an exhibit featuring sculptures, paintings, and drawings by ar tist RUTH ASAWA, opens at a new galler y at 1275 Minnesota Tues -Sat , 11 am to 4 pm Ruthasawa com
May 10: Sunday MUSIC IN THE SQUARE features the Trikonaut jazz trio 1-3 pm Noe Valley Town Square , 3861 24th noevalleytownsquare com
May 10: Noe Music hosts a Mother s Day CONCERT, Together We Rise , featuring the SF Girls Chorus, Mahsa Vahdat, Diana Gameros, and Clarissa Bitar 5 to 7 pm 1021 Sanchez noemusic org
Please call for complementary consultation. (415) 290-1269 ksarakane@yahoo.com
ROSE Home Organizing 415.608.7634
Clear the Clutter Reclaim your Space! pat@patrosehomeorganizing.com patrose@gmail.com
(415) 641-0700 25 year member of Pet Sitters Intl. Cass Morgan • 415.513.9299 positivelypets1@earthlink.net www.sfpositivelypets.com
General Contractor LIC # 990233 No job too small Old World Craftmanship (415) 877-1293
May 10, 17, 24 & 31: Free Sunday morning YOGA FLOW offers all-level classes; bring water and a mat 11 am-noon 3861 24th noevalleytownsquare com
May 11: TECH HELP at the Noe Valley Librar y is available from 2 to 3 pm 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 11, 14, 19 & 20: Meet District 8 SUPERVISOR candidates at Noe Valley Books: Gar y McCoy on May 11 Manny Yekutiel on May 14 Michael Nguyen on May 19, and Darshini Patel on May 20 6-7:30 pm (Manny Yekutiel May 14: 7-8:30 pm ) 3957 24th, 590-2961; noevalleybooks com
May 12: Play LEGO and board games at the Noe Valley Librar y 6-7:30 pm 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 12: Personal chef Saeng Douangdara shares RECIPES from The Lao Kitc hen at 6:30 p m Omnivore Books on Food 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712
May 13: Bebe Black Carminito, author of The Curated Board, and Cara Mangini lead a CHARCUTERIE workshop, with tastings, at Bernie’s Coffee Shop, 3966 24th 6 pm RSVP to noevalleybooks com, 590-2961
May 13: The Noe Valley Democratic Club hosts a District 8 SUPERVISOR endorsement member discussion 6-7:30 pm Bar on Dolores noevalleydemocrats org
May 13: Author/chef Julien Royer tells Dominique Crenn all about ODETTE: Terroir to Table , Hear t to Plate 6:30 pm Omnivore Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712
May 14 & June 11: Valencia Live! NIGHT
MARKET offers vendors, music , family activities, and salsa lessons 5-10 pm Valencia 16th to 19th visitvalenciastreet com/live
May 15: The Noe Valley Ministr y hosts a CONCERT “Music Ed for Ever yone ” 2 pm 1021 Sanchez 282-2317; noevalleyministr y org
May 16: KIDS STORYTIME at Noe Valley Books runs from 9:15 to 9:45 am 3957 24th 590-2961; noevalleybooks com
May 16: It s the 20th Noe Valley GARDEN Tour, 10 am to 4 pm Tickets at Eventbrite , Town Square; friendsofnoevalley com/news
May 16: The Slow Sanchez BLOCK PARTY features music by the Liber ty Street Band, a kids corner, a plant swap, and gardening tips 10 am-4 pm Sanchez between Clipper and 26th 915-8876; slowsanchez com
May 16: Make Japanese C ARP streamers at a family workshop 2:30-3:30 pm Noe Valley Librar y 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 16: Salon Mio Mio hosts a GRAND OPENING and celebration of Gilber t Pickett’s bir thday with disco dancing 6 to 10 pm 1306 Castro salonmiomio com
May 17: Volunteers for the monthly Noe Valley CLEANUP DAY meet at the Town Square to pick up supplies 10 am-noon 3861 24th Refuse Refuse , SF Public Works
May 17 & June 14: City Guides offers a WALKING TOUR of Noe Valley star ting at 451 Jersey, at 2 pm Register with City Guides, 375-0468; sfcityguides org
May 18: Alone Together BOOK CLUB for teens runs from 4 to 5 pm Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 18: Zahra Tangorra discusses EXTRA Sauce: The Good the Bad and the Onions 6:30 pm Omnivore Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712; omnivorebooks com
May 18: Upper Noe Neighbors holds a COMMUNITY meet-up at the Upper Noe Rec Center, 295 Day, at 7 pm 970-8061; uppernoeneighbors com
May 19: ACTION-SF strategizes on third Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 pm Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey; action-sf com
May 19: Elisa Sunga unveils her cookbook and par ty guide C AKE PICNIC 6:30 pm Omnivore Books on Food 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712
May 24: Sunday MUSIC IN THE SQUARE features Todd Siemers, performing a mix of jazz, blues, and bossas, from 1 to 3 pm Noe Valley Town Square , 3861 24th
Custom & Refaced Cabinets
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Carpentry and Painting • Refinishing Hardwood Flooring • Finish Decks 6 different stains lasting 6 to 8 years. Call Miguel (510) 333-0732
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May 25: The Noe Valley Librar y and the San Francisco Historical Society host a presentation “FILIPINOS in SF from 1900 1940 2 to 3:30 pm 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
May 26: The Noe Valley NIGHT MARKET offers local vendors, food, retail, and music , 5 to 8 pm 3861 24th noemerchants com
May 26: Nichole Accettola discusses her cookbook Scandinavian Ever yday, 6:30 pm OMNIVORE Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712; omnivorebooks com
May 27: Kung Pao KOSHER COMEDY’s monthly Resilient Comedy show features Marga Gomez, Carla Clay, Ian Williams, and Lisa Geduldig 7 pm Eclectic Box SF, 446 Valencia koshercomedy com
May 30: Omnivore Books on Food hosts a Braid Baker y POP-UP at 3885 Cesar Chavez 11 am-2 pm or sell-out 282-4712 May 30: Dance WORKOUT Rhythm & Motion is 4-5 pm Noe Valley Town Square , 3861 24th noevalleytownsquare com
May 31: The Corner Sessions monthly JAZZ concer t at Dolores Deluxe runs from 1-3 pm 2500 22nd doloresdeluxe com
June 4: Madhushree Ghosh details the spread of PUNJABI food in the American West in the book Safar 6:30 pm Omnivore Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712
June 5: The Bell Appeal Choir rings HANDBELLS at Bethany’s “Ring Out Danger ” 9:35-9:45 am 1270 Sanchez 6478393; bethanysf org
June 10: Hillar y Sterling brings her longawaited cookbook AMMAZZA! to Omnivore Books on Food 6:30 pm 3885 Cesar Chavez 282-4712
June 13: SF Civic Music Association presents “An Afternoon of CHAMBER Music” with works by Cornelius Boots,
M O R E F O O D T O E A T
Fruit Tar t from Noe Valley Baker y
Asone of the prides of the neighborhood, Noe Valley Bakery, the flagship store at 4073 24th St , is impossible to leave empty-handed
And while this particular choice hardly needs another supporter, I’ve long had a soft spot for the fruit tart the “small” tartlet pictured here, $5 Let’s start with the presentation There’s really no better word for it than beautiful The tart feels like a meeting point between nature’s abundance and human precision: berries and kiwi, always perfectly ripe, arranged with care and intention A light layer of Bavarian whipped cream holds everything together, adding sweetness without distracting from the fruit itself
The same restraint carries through to the pastry, which provides structure without weighing things down Each bite offers a satisfying interplay of textures juicy fruit, soft cream, and a delicate, buttery crust Despite its visual depth, the underlying pastry is thin enough that the tart leaves you feeling refreshed rather than heavy
Our favorite time to pick up one is when we volunteer to bring dessert to a friend’s dinner It’s our quiet way of showing off how special Noe Valley can be
Matt Fisher, on the beat for More Food to Eat
Have a suggestion for a dish to try in Noe Valley? Send an email to Matt Fisher at MoreFoodtoEatNoeValley@gmail com
What’s in Your Quake Kit?
Sally Smith / Illustrations by Karol Barske
Are you ready for the next earthquake, wildfire, or health emergency?
Consider the things you might need in order to live for a week without water or electricity
Below is a list of items for your home preparedness kit or “Go Bag,” suggested by the San Francisco Fire Department’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT)
NERT holds community-based training programs in basic preparedness and disaster response skills To find out more, go to the SF-fire org/NERT website or call 415-970-2024 (the NERT class hotline)
Water: One gallon per person to last 3 to 5 days
(Use bleach to purify it, 2 to 4 drops per quar t )
Food for 3 to 5 days, such as canned or dried soups, beans, juice
Cooking Supplies: A grill or camp stove , utensils, matches, can opener, foil plastic wrap garbage bags
Clothing: Light and heavy layers for all stored to stay dr y Include a pair of shoes and gloves
Safety: Flashlight, radio, batteries, rope , knife , scissors, fire extinguisher, wrench to shut off utilities
Supplies such as cash, house or car keys, pencil and paper, i d cards, insurance info, maps
Hygiene: Waterless soap, toilet paper, shampoo, toothbrush, sanitar y supplies
Special items for children, the elderly or people with disabilities
See the Native Plant Garden, Make a Birdhouse Spring Session runs through May 30 Summer Registration opens May 16 at 10 a m , and Summer Session begins June 8
Summer Day Camp dominates the schedule through Aug 14 with nine oneweek camp sessions from 9 a m to 3 p m Monday through Friday During those hours, the building will be closed to other persons and activities
Open Gym basketball and volleyball, and yoga will fill the late afternoons and evenings Camps tend to fill up fast, but spots might still remain Learn how to register and view the 2026 Summer Catalog and the 2026 Summer Day Camp Catalog at https://sfrecpark org/406/Recreation-Programs/
Upper Noe Rec Center is participating in this year's Noe Valley Garden Tour on May 16, offering refreshments, birdhouse building, and painting for children, and showing off the park’s Native Plant Garden along Sanchez Street near Day In preparation, Upper Noe Gardening Group has been planting along Sanchez Street and tending to California native plants See https://uppernoerecreationcenter com/gardens/ to learn more
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center is your stewardship group Get involved Contact San Francisco Customer Service (3-1-1) if you see some way to help keep our park healthy Note that equipment for pickleball, ping-pong, and other activities is available from the office at 295 Day St (415-970-8061) Chris Faust Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
Shelter: Tent, sleeping bags
Medical: First-aid kit medications, KN95 masks, extra pair of glasses
Pet Supplies, such as food, water, leash, medications, and carrier
Checklist for the ‘Go Bag’
It never hur ts to have a “ go bag” at home or work or in your car
□ Sturdy shoes
□ Flashlight, whistle
□ Glasses
□ Crank or battery radio
□ Food and water
□ Cash ($100 in small bills)
□ Basic first-aid, medications
□ Change of clothes
□ Toilet paper, hand sanitizer
□ Big trash bag, mylar blanket
□ Copy of driver’s license
□ Paper, pencil, family or pet photos, important documents
Upper Noe Rec Center Spring Session (March 17 to May 30, 2026) Rec Center Hours, 295 Day St : Tues –Fri , 9 a m –9 p m ; Sat , 9
–5 p m Sun & Mon closed (outside activities only); Park Grounds: Daily, 7 a m to
Tuesday
9 to 10 a m Zumba (outside) FREE 9 to 11:30 a m A Place to Play FREE 9 a m to 1:30 p m Pickleball (all ages) 12 to 1 p m Pilates (18+) 1:30 to 2:30 p m Strength & Flexibility (18+)
Upper Noe Gardening Group volunteers spruce up the Native Plant Garden for in preparation for the May 16 Noe Valley Garden Tour
Photo by Chr is Faust
“I FEEL LUCKY TO HAVE FOUND CLAUDIA...
Claudia Siegel, CRS.
Certified Residential Specialist®
Ranked Top 1.5% Nationwide 415.816.2811 | claudia.siegel@compass.com
ClaudiaSiegel.com | @claudiasiegelsf DRE 01440745
“and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her services to anyone. I felt like I was her only client even though I know that wasn't the case. Claudia was a joy to work with; she is a super nice, calm, and fair person with a great sense of humor. At the same time, I observed her willingness to push to make sure my needs were met. Final result - I followed Claudia's suggestions and received multiple offers, all over asking price.”
-Kk L., Recent Client
GREEK FOOD AND CALIFORNIA CLASSICS IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE. WOMAN OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 2015.
Insights and strategies to change behavior are offered in That's My Truck! A Good Inside Stor y About Hitting, a picture book by Dr Becky Kennedy, illustrated by Joanie Stone Ages 3-5
A moose tries to dance gracefully, in Two Ballerinas and a Moose by James Preller with illustrations by Abigail Burch Ages 4-6
In Scott Magoon’s There's No Place Like Gnome’s , a garden elf runs a small hotel for animals large and small Ages 4-8
A girl raised in an isolated compound wonders what it’s like beyond the walls, in Outside by Jennifer L Holm Ages 9-12
CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
A Rock Is Born, by Richard Ho and illustrated by Lily Williams, star ts in prehistoric times Ages 4-8
In Snakes , Gail Gibbons looks at many of the 3,000 types of the cold-blooded animal Ages 4-8
Alice Faye Duncan’s The Dream Builder's Blueprint: Dr King's Message to Young People has illustrations by E B Lewis Ages 7-10
Par t of National Geographic Kids Weird But True!” series, Weather and Natural Disaster s is a guide written by Michael Burgan. Ages 8-12.
CHILDREN’S EBOOKS
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain offers simple verses to express and explain emotions Ages 2-4
Picture book The Littlest Elephant by Katherine Applegate , illustrated by Lita Judge , tella the stor y of Ruby Ages 4-8
Ken Wilson-Max’s The Big Green: A Stor y About the Great Green Wall of Africa is set in Mali, at the edge of the deser t Ages 4-8
Inspired by true events in Great Britain, I Witnessed The Great Train Robber y of 1963 is written by Andrea Debbink and illustrated by Cr ystal Jayme Ages 8-12
TEEN FICTION
In It Lurks in the Night, a supernatural thriller by Sarah Dass, four high school friends take a boat trip around their Caribbean island Ages 12-17
In Sundown Girls by L S Stratton, Naomi tracks the disappearance of two girls in a town with a racially disturbing past Ages 12 and up
Eight girls disappear from an island refuge , but one returns in Seven for a Secret by Mar y E Roach Ages 12-17
Two girls work hard to join the cool crowd in Freddie and Stella Got Hot by Maggie Thorne Ages 14-18
TEEN NONFICTION
The Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition 2026 includes a list of the top 100 gaming characters Ages 7-14
How the Word Is Passed: Remembering Slaver y and How It Shaped America, by Clint Smith, is adapted for young readers by Sonja Cherr y-Paul Ages 10 and up Supreme Cour t Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s memoir, Lovely One , is adapted for young readers Ages 12 and up
The Young Per son’s Guide to Autistic
M O R E B O O K S T O R E A D
You Can Read All Day and Read All Night
And find the books to do it, on this month’s list of new titles, courtesy of librarians Madeleine Felder, Cristal Fiel, and Amy Lewis, of the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library If you run out of readables, visit sfpl org or walk to the branch at 451 Jersey St
To put items on hold, go to the website or get the mobile app at https://sfpl org/services/mobileresources/library-catalog-mobile-apps/ If you need to speak with Felder, Fiel, or Lewis call 415-355-5707
Note: All city libraries are closed on Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day
Burnout by Viv Dawesis offers insight and suppor t Ages 14-17
TEEN EBOOKS
Stowaway Cleo is stranded on Mars with the richest boy in the galaxy in Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman Ages 12 and up
A girl who throws epic Halloween par ties can save her best friend’s life if she ends a witch’s curse , in They Call Her Regret by Channelle Desamours Ages 13-18
Romantasy Daughter of the Cur sed Kingdom is Book Two of the Witch Hall Duolog y by Jasmine Skye Ages 14-18
In Susie Nadler’s Lies We Tell About the Star s , friends tr y to find each other after a catastrophic ear thquake in San Francisco Ages 14 and up
ADULT FICTION
Cristina Rivera Garza’s par t-real Autobiography of Cotton recounts her grandparents’ par ticipation in a 1934 workers strike along the Mexico-U S border
A disaffected office worker begins to write parables, in The Copywriter by Daniel Poppick
In Good People by Patmeena Sabit, public opinions differ when a tragedy strikes a prosperous Afghani family
Six friends go through life changes, as they attend five par ties over the course of 20 years, in So Old So Young by Grant Ginder
ADULT NONFICTION
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Eugene Robinson brings his own experiences to Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Per sonal Histor y of America
Starr y and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World, by Julia Cooke , explores the lives of three female repor ters: Mar tha Gellhorn, Emily “Mickey” Hahn, and Rebecca West
In Traver sal, Maria Popova examines, through stories of writers, what makes a meaningful life
Michael Pollan analyzes the science of neurobiolog y in A World Appear s: A Journey Into Consciousness
ADULT EBOOKS
Set in 1796 Nova Scotia, Fireflies in Winter by Eleanor Shearer follows two young women on the run from slaver y In Mass Mothering by Sarah Bruni, an adrift young woman searches for a town where mothers mourn their missing sons Namwali Serpell writes a biography of novelist Toni Morrison, On Morrison Almanza Galvin goes behind the doors of criminal cour ts, in The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials , a Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America
ADULT DVD/BLU-RAY
The Long Walk (2025) is a sur vival thriller directed by Francis Lawrence from
Website: https://stjohnseagles.com
Phone: (415) 584-8383
Email: officesj@stjohnseagles.com
LIBRARY EVENTS
All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Librar y 451 Jer sey St and are drop-in unless otherwise noted Be aware events are fir st come fir st ser ved For information visit sfpl org or call the branc h at 415-355-5707
Learn to knit, crochet, macrame , or embroider at the Noe Valley Knitting Circle meeting on Saturdays, May 2 and June 6, from 10 a m to noon
Vica Lew introduces the Basics of Watercolor Painting for ages 10 and up Sunday, May 3, from 2 to 3:30 p m Reser vations required: 355-5707
Toddler Stor ytimes are Mondays, May 4, 11, 18 & 25, 11:15-11:45 a m Tickets are available at the door, star ting at 11 a m Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
Ages 10 through 18 can work on school projects, with help from librarians, at Homework Hangout; snacks available by request, on Tuesdays, May 5 from 3:30 to 5 p m
Make your own wall-hanging patch or bookmark at Weave Yourself into Your Stor y with Cristina Edwards Wednesday, May 6, from 4 to 5 p m Reser vations required: 355-5707
Family Stor ytimes are Thursdays May 7, 14, 21 & 28, at 10:15 a m and 11 a m Tickets are available at 10 a m and 10:30 a m Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey 355-5707; sfpl org
Monsoon Wedding, a 2002 film about an arranged marriage in India, screens Friday, May 8, from 2 to 4 p m
Drop in for Tech Help on Monday, May 11, from 2 to 3 p m
Family LEGO and Board Game Night is scheduled for Tuesdays, May 12 and June 9, from 6 to 7:30 p m
The Noe Valley Shor t Stack Book Club features Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel, on Friday, May 15, from 3 to 4 p m Copies are held at the circulation desk for checkout
Make Koinobori, Japanese Carp Streamers, at a workshop for ages 6 and older, on Saturday, May 16, from 2:30 to 3:30 p m
SF City Guides Walking Tour “Noe Valley: Village Within a City” explores historic homes in the neighborhood Sundays, May 17 and June 14, from 2 to 4 p m Registration required: 375-0468 (City Guides)
Teens and tweens are invited to bring a book or a journal to the Alone Together Book Club, Monday, May 18, 4 to 5 p m
The San Francisco Historical Society and retired city planner Teresa Ojeda discuss “Filipinos in San Francisco from 1900 to 1940 ” Saturday, May 23, from 2 to 3:30 p m
Pajama Stor ytime for families happens on Tuesday, May 26, from 6:30 to 7 p m
a stor y written by JT Mollner and Stephen King
Mar y Bronstein directs Rose Byrne in the darkly comedic If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (2025)
Bradley Cooper’s poignant comedy drama Is This Thing On? (2025) features Will Arnett and Laura Dern
Hikari directs the Tokyo-set psychological drama Rental Family (2025), starring Brendan Fraser and Takehiro Hira
Filmmaker Charlie Shackleton explores his abandoned documentar y in Zodiac Killer Project (2025)
Big Water by Michael Blake
Action SF, the National Movement in Your Neighborhood
https://m facebook com/ActionSFactivism/
Website: http://www action-sf com/
Email: ActionSFTeam@gmail com
Meetings: Third Tuesday (May 19: contact actionsfsolidarity@gmail com for zoom link), Noe Valley Librar y, 451 Jersey, 6-7:30 p m
Al-Anon Noe Valley
Contact: 834-9940; office@al-anonsf org
Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p m , St Philip Church, 725 Diamond St (park on Elizabeth Street side; enter on 24th Street)
Thursdays, 7:15-8:30 p m Bethany UMC , 1270 Sanchez St (enter through Clipper Street side door and go up the stairs)
Castro Merchants
Contacts: Terr y Asten Bennett, President; Address: 584 Castro St #333, SF, C A 94114
Email: info@CastroMerchants com
Comerford Greenway
Contact: Howard Fallon
Email: ComerfordGreenway@gmail com
Website: www sanfranciscoparksalliance org/par tners/comerford-greenway/ Monthly workdays in Comerford Alley
Diamond Heights Community
Association
Contact: Betsy Eddy, 867-5774
Address: P O Box 31529, SF, C A 94131
Website: www dhcasf org Meetings: Second Thursday, 7 p m Call for location
Dolores Heights Improvement Club
Email: info@doloresheights org
Website: www doloresheights org
Meetings: Third Thursday of ever y second month Bank of America 18th and Castro
Address: 560 Duncan St , SF, C A 94131 Meetings: Call for details
Eureka Valley Neighborhood Assn
Contact: Board@evna org
Address: P O Box 14137, SF, C A 94114
Meetings: See website Events Castro Meeting Room, 501 Castro St , 7 p m
MORE GROUPS TO JOIN
Fair Oaks Neighbors
Email: hello@fairoaksneighbors org
Address: 200 Fair Oaks St , SF, C A 94110
The Fair Oaks Street Fair is traditionally held the day before Mother’s Day
Friends of Billy Goat Hill
Contact: Lisa and Mo Ghotbi, 821-0122
Website: www billygoathill net
Friends of Dolores Park Playground
Contact: Nancy Gonzalez Madynski, 828-5772
Email: friendsofdolorespark@gmail com
Website: friendsofdolorespark org
Friends of Christopher Park
Contact: Br ynna McNulty 818-744-4230
Email: friendsofchristopherpark@gmail com
Website: FriendsofChristopherPark org
Friends of Glen Canyon Park
Contact: Jean Conner, 584-8576
Address: 140 Turquoise Way, SF, C A 94131
Plant restoration work par ties, Wednesday
mornings and third Saturday of the month
Friends of Noe Cour ts Playground
Contact: Laura Norman
Email: noecour ts@gmail com
Address: P O Box 460953 SF C A 94146
Meetings: Email for dates and times
Friends of Noe Valley (FNV)
Contact: Todd David, 401-0625
Email: info@friendsofnoevalley com
Website: friendsofnoevalley com
Meetings: Two or three annually
Friends of Slow Sanchez
Contacts: Christopher Keene , Andrew Casteel
Email: info@SlowSanchez com
Website: SlowSanchez com
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation
Center
Contact: Chris Faust
Email: info@uppernoerecreationcenter com
Website: uppernoerecreationcenter com
Meetings: Email or check website
Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group (FUNDOG)
Contact: David Emanuel
Email: info@fundogsf org
Website: www fundogsf org
Glen Park Association
Contact: info@glenparkassociation org
Website: glenparkassociation org
Address: P O Box 31292, SF, C A 94131
Juri Commoners
Contact: Dave Schweisguth, MI7-6290
Email: dave@schweisguth org
Website: meetup com/Juri-Commoners
The group is on hiatus and seeking a new
leader Call Dave “Tidy up when you can ”
Liber ty Hill Neighborhood
Association
Contact: Dr Lisa Fromer, president
Email: efromer3@gmail com
Meetings: Quar terly Email for details
Noe Neighborhood Council
Contact: Ozzie Rohm or Matt McCabe
Email: info@noeneighborhoodcouncil com
Website: noeneighborhoodcouncil com
Meetings: Quar terly at Sally Brunn Librar y, 451 Jersey St
Noe Valley Association–24th Street
Community Benefit District
Contact: Debra Niemann, 519-0093
Dispatch: To repor t spills or debris on 24th
Street, call Billy Dinnell, 802-4461
Email: info@noevalleyassociation org
Website: noevalleyassociation org
Board meetings: Quar terly See website
Noe Valley Democratic Club
Contact: Sam Maslin, President
E-mail: noevalleydemocrats@gmail com
Website: www noevalleydemocrats org
Meetings: Monthly at Valley Tavern or Tacolicious, dates publicized on website
Noe Valley Farmers Market
Open Saturdays, 8 a m to 1 p m ; 3861 24th
St between Vicksburg and Sanchez
Contact: Leslie Crawford, 248-1332
Email: info@noevalleyfarmersmarket com
Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association (NVMPA)
Contact: Kristen McCaffer y President
Kristen@novysf@gmail com, 829-8383; or Kathr yn Gianaras Vice President
Kathr yn@novysf@gmail com
Meetings: 9 a m Call to confirm location
Website: https noemerchants com
www NoeValleyMerchants com
Noe Valley Parent Network
An e-mail resource network for parents
Contact: Mina Kenvin
Email: minaken@gmail com
noevalleyparentsubscribe@yahoogroups com
Noe Walks
Contact: Chris Nanda
Email: christopher n nanda@gmail com
Website: NoeWalks com
Meetings: Saturdays, 10 a m Star ts 24th and Sanchez Ends Noe and Duncan for photo
Progress Noe Valley
Facebook: ProgressNoeValley
Email: progressnoe@gmail com
Website: progressnoe com
Meetings: Check Facebook page for current meeting and event schedule
San Francisco NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team)
Contact: Noe Valley NERT Neighborhood Team co-coordinators Maxine Fasulis, mfasulis@yahoo com; Carole Rober ts, carole rober ts@faludi com
Website: https://SF-fire org/ner t Visit the website to sign up for trainings
Upper Noe Merchants
Contact: Info@UpperNoeNeighbors com; https://uppernoeneighbors com/merchants/ Upper Noe Neighbors
Contact: Chris Faust
Email: Hello@UpperNoeNeighbors com
Website: www uppernoeneighbors com
Meetings: Bi-monthly on third Wednesdays Confirm by email or check website
THE NOE VALLEY VOICE editor@noevalleyvoice.com
All phone numbers are in the 415 area code, unless otherwise noted.
and now for the RUMORS behind the news
The Wow of Noe
By Mazook
CAST
YOUR B ALLOTS: The California Statewide Primar y Election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, and I expect we will wow the world with our high turnout
I have done my civic duty and read through the Voter Information Pamphlet thoroughly and with great interest
Yes, I studied the candidates running for our District 11 United States Representative seat, which has been held by Democrat Nancy Pelosi for the past 40 years and will be open when she retires at the end of ’26 Also, I am ver y interested in who will be the new governor of the State of California, since San Franciscan Gavin Newsom will be termed out at the end of this year
As you might know by the gazillions of paid ads on television, there are 11 candidates vying for the Pelosi seat in the House of Representatives, along with 53 statewide candidates for governor
On May 2, I decided to conduct an informal poll in front of the Noe Valley Town Square on 24th Street I focused on the top five candidates running to fill Pelosi’s shoes: Saikat Chakrabar ti, Connie Chan, Marie Hurabiell, Scott Wiener, and Jingchao Xiong
I decided to forgo polling on the governor ’ s race , given the huge number of candidates in the field
I asked random passersby whether they lived in Noe Valley, and if so, who they planned to vote for in the primar y for our congressional representative (member of the House)
Most said they didn’t live in Noe Valley! Of those who responded that they did, 11 said they were voting for Chakrabar ti, seven said Connie Chan, there was one vote for Hurabiell, none for Xiong, and 12 for Scott Wiener
Most of the crowd, 33, responded they were “undecided” about whom they were voting for
I will review the Depar tment of Elections news and let you know the Noe Valley vote in my June column, should we get the results in time Meanwhile , vote!
WINE AND WHEREFORE: Noe Valley’s Spring Wine Walk, on April 23, sponsored by the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association, was a winner for all the 23 merchants who par ticipated
According to NVMPA President Kristen McCaffer y (from Novy restaurant), 382 tickets were purchased, “which was the most we have sold since we have sponsored this event ”
Par ticipating merchants are wor thy of mention: Rin’s Thai, The Little Chihuahua, Mar y ’ s Exchange , Salon Mio Mio, Running Wylder, Russo School of Music , Perfectly Seasoned, Wink SF, When Modern Was, Novy, Small Fr ys, Atlas Health Center, Just for Fun, Noe Valley Books, The Swann Group SF, Dumpling Kitchen SF, Trad Bone Broth, Olive This Olive That, Noe Valley Wine and Spirits, The Space/RGH Designs, Grand Lake Kitchen Noe Valley, Bernal Heights Pizzeria, and Frenchie Wine Bar Noe Valley Books person Isaiah Scandrette said they drew a great crowd, and “it was the busiest turnout I
have ever seen and a ver y merr y event ”
Scandrette has been at the bookstore since 2021, when it was known as Folio Books “We went through 14 bottles of wine , which I had to ration amongst those attending ”
PERFECTLY SEASONED co-owner
Phuong Mai agreed things were hopping “There was lot of foot traffic that night, and our store was really crowded ”
Perhaps the most interesting sight was the group of wine walkers who gathered in and outside Trad Bone Broth Managing the store that night was Lily Eagle , who told me they were ser ving homemade mulled red wine for the occasion almost 10 gallons seeped through their dispensers
“We were packed,” said Eagle “Many of our regulars showed up, but I met a lot of people who I had never seen before We were packed inside and out on the sidewalk It was ver y busy, and we sold a lot of broth that night Business was ver y good!”
By the way, music for the wine walkers (and ever ybody else) strolling up and down 24th Street was provided by the ver y popular Noe Valley rock and blues band Liber ty Street They appeared in the parklet in front of Just for Fun, to the delight of the crowd assembled on the sidewalk People were dancing and prancing around the parklet, and many, including me , were mouthing the lyrics to our favorite songs
Members of the band are Alie Halla (vocals and guitar), David Johnson (vocals and guitar), Ron Gersten (guitar and vocals), Al Carlson (bass), and Ben Howard (mandolin, violin, and vocals, but unable to join the band that night)
The group is also one of the regulars at the Saturday morning Noe Valley Farmers Market stage They performed there on the Saturday following the Wine Walk, bright and early at 9 a m And Liber ty Street has par ticipated in many Slow Sanchez events (In fact, they’re playing at the May 16 Block Par ty and Garden Tour along Sanchez )
According to McCaffer y, the next Wine Walk, the “Summer Wine Walk,” will soon be scheduled for a date in August
AY C ARAMB A! An all-female mariachi band played at “A Night in Mexico” in the Noe Valley Town Square on Saturday, May 2 Wow! More than 500 people showed up, and the Town Square was lit up and packed, with free snacks provided to all
Music was provided by El Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano, which is not only the first all-female mariachi band in the SF Bay Area (founded in 2007), but is comprised of women of many diverse ages and careers
According to mariachifemenil com, “Their strong bond comes from their experience in the mariachi circuit and their strong focus on education; members range from attending high school, to having a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees ”
The group of singers that night performed with six violins, two trumpets, two guitars, and a harp The band’s music director was Ninfa Iglesias, who holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree , and is currently a Spanish teacher in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District
The Noe Valley Town Square’s monthly Night Market, sponsored by the NVMPA, was truly packed on Tuesday, April 28
According to Kristen McCaffer y, they
were using an actual clicker to take acount of those attending the Town Square that night, which came to exactly 1,701 persons (I actually think there were at least 100 more who didn’t get clicked in )
McCaffer y said there also were 15 local vendors who lined the square that night Enter tainment was organized by emcee Lamber t Moss, who performed in his inimitable fashion, sang his hear t out, and provided several guest musical ar tists The next Night Market is Tuesday, May 26, 5 to 8 p m
WOW AND THEN: In merchant news, all are invited to celebrate Salon Mio Mio’s grand opening on Saturday, May 16, from 6 to 10 p m , at “Horner’s Corner” at 1305 Castro St The Voice got the notice from Salon Mio Mio’s charismatic founder, Gilber t Pickett
He wrote , “After two years of work, we are ready to celebrate May 16th is also my bir thday, and during the par ty, we are introducing the next feature of our Window Unlocked campaign We will be featuring Juanita MORE! and her fundraiser for the GLBT Historical Society We’re styling the window with two of her incredible dresses to ring in Pride Month ”
Pickett continued: Juanita has raised over $1 5 million for various causes over the last 20 plus years We want to use this window to cross-promote other San Francisco districts and suppor t the Society, hopefully inspiring similar suppor t across the city ”
Thank you, and happy bir thday, Gilber t!
All you runners, take note that up Castro Street, Katie Douglas at Running Wylder (1354 Castro at Jersey) is hosting running events launched from her shop
Sunday mornings meet at the store at 10 a m Says her website , “We run ever y Sunday @ 10 a + the 1st and 3rd
Thursday of ever y month @ 6 p ”
Kudos go out to our Noe Valley Books It was one of 20 “Best Independent Bookstores in America” chosen by Condé Nast Traveler last month Kat Chen’s April 25 ar ticle in the mag inter viewed Noe Valley Books’ marketing and events manager Kit Fiizgerald, who explained how, in early 2024, the neighborhood pitched in to restore and restock the bookshop Fitzgerald went on, “We would like to be here for anyone who needs us They come and say hi, get a treat for their dog it’s an impor tant par t of their day, and of ours too ” Yes it is, Noe Valley Books,
KUDOS
photographer Rober t Dawson, who is an instructor at Stanford University, and his wife Ellen Manchester He informs me , “We just finished our home visit meeting with the archive people from UC Merced They are interested in collecting our Great Central Valley Project archive that I produced with fellow photographer Steve Johnson in the 1980s ” He adds, “One of the good things about getting old is you become a ‘historical ar tifact ’ ”
Dawson tells me that later in May, “ my wife Ellen and I head down to Stanford to see if their archive wants to purchase a different por tfolio of my photographs called ‘Water & Power : A Global Empire of Thirst ’ This is a collection of my photos drawn from 45 years of work dealing with the subject of water from the U S and different par ts of the world
“Finally, the last trip that Ellen and I took last fall [was] to Great Britain and also to Sarajevo to finish up our Global Public Librar y project We are currently tr ying to nail down a publisher for this 10-year project ” Wow! He is internationally known for his photographic sur vey of public libraries, titled Public Librar y: An Amer ican Commons , which documents 526 public libraries across 48 states and the District of Columbia The Librar y of Congress acquired the full archive in 2015, which includes not only the 526 photographs but also all the negatives, scans, field notes, correspondence , and maps
Dawson says his global librar y project now includes over 400 libraries in 25 different countries, from 1994 to 2025
CUKE JOINT: I’ve got a tip for all of you regulars of the Noe Valley Farmers Market I bought a jar of Kou Herr’s Cucumber Pickles he’s the boss of the Herr Family Farm located in Fresno County and here’s my last “ wow ” today The pickles were the absolute best I have ever had
If there are any left by the time you read this, don’t hesitate to buy a jar If they are all gone , ask him for a copy of his mom ’ s recipe , which he has painfully typed up and will give you if you ask And if you get ambitious, you will find several bins full of many varieties of cucumbers-ready-to-be-pickled that he has on hand at the market these days
WELL, that’s all, you all April in Noe Valley was loads of fun, and hopefully May will be too! Ciao for now
also to famed Noe Valley
A crowd of 500 attended “A Night in Mexico” in the Square May 2, featuring El Mariachi Femenil Orgullo Mexicano, the Bay Area’s first all-female mariachi band. Wow! Photo by Ar t Bodner
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