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Vol. 50, No. 9
September 2026
™
THE NOE VALLEY VOICE The NVA Keeps Noe Valley Looking Good
Yekutiel Damaged But Far From Deterred
20 Years of Flowers, Trees, and Community Improvements
Candidate Retains Endorsements Despite Assault Accusation
By JL Odom
By John Ferrannini
I
n the early aughts, 24th Street had a different look and feel: Cars were propped on cinder blocks, beer bottles and trash littered the ground, and graffiti was scrawled across walls and storefronts. “It was a very different neighborhood,” recalled Debra Niemann, cofounder and executive director of the Noe Valley Association. “You walked on 24th Street to get a bagel and coffee, and there was broken glass everywhere, there were a lot more bars, and it was dirty.” A stroll down 24th Street today tells a different story. Families, couples, and groups of friends fill clean, wide sidewalks lined with flower baskets, parklets, benches, and banners. Bulletin boards and a town square add to the neighborhood feel of a commercial corridor that has become a destination for residents and visitors alike. That transformation is the work of the Noe Valley Association, which is marking two decades of cleaning, greening, and improving public space in the neighborhood. “The whole streetscape has changed—it looks nothing like it did 20 years ago,” Niemann said. “We’ve really made it a much more vibrant, welcoming neighborhood—that’s what we wanted to do.” The NVA operates as a Community Benefit District, a public-private partnership that funds neighborhood ser-
A
Art Festival Unveiled: Watercolors like this one by artist Lucia Gonnella—of a Victorian on Diamond Street near Elizabeth—will be among the hundreds of works for sale at the Noe Valley Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13, in the Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th St. See more examples of local talent—in paintings, ceramics, photography, cartoons, and digital art—on page 7 of this issue.
vices and improvements through assessments on property owners within a defined area. Establishing a CBD requires property-owner support and CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Noe Teen Finds A Clever Way To Get Work Lowell Senior Teams Up with AI to Design Comic-Strip Ads By Stella Mullin
sexual assault allegation against candidate Manny Yekutiel continued to dog him at an Aug. 12 debate in Noe Valley. Still, the claim was not enough for the neighborhood’s Democratic club to rescind its endorsement of Yekutiel for District 8 supervisor. A heckler interrupted the proceedings, held just before sundown in the Noe Valley Town Square, as the fog rolled in. The candidates were asked to weigh in on the allegation, while the accuser himself looked on. The debate, hosted by the United Democratic Club and moderated by Patrick Hoge of the San Francisco Examiner, was held just one week after the Noe Valley Democratic Club took a special vote on whether to un-endorse Yekutiel. Though the Noe Valley club was not forthcoming with the final tally, the result was it retained its endorsement of the Mission district cafe owner and former nonprofit head, which the group had made before the allegation surfaced in early summer. Yekutiel has denied any wrongdoing, and no charges have been filed. The case is open but inactive, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Specifically, Yekutiel was accused by former political organizer Brad Joseph Chapin of grabbing Chapin by the testicles and not letting go immediately, at a Studio 54–themed party in February 2020. There were no eyewitnesses. Yekutiel said to this reporter that he was briefly at the party in question, but that “I CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
I
Meet the People behind the benches, flowers, and banners on 24th Street (l. to r.): Debra Niemann, founding member and executive director of the Noe Valley Association; Bob Roddick, NVA founding member and a past NVA president for 20 years; and NVA board members Daniel Roddick and Al Goodwin. The current NVA board also includes members Mark Campana, Lamisse Droubi, Dona Taylor, and Meagan Wakefield. Photo by JL Odom
t would be rare to find someone who has not leafed through a newspaper to find the cartoons. Or someone who has never read a Calvin & Hobbes, Garfield, or Peanuts anthology. An amusing strip at the back of the Sunday Chronicle, scanned in less than a minute, can make your day. Jack Schwarz, a Lowell High School senior who hails from Clipper Street, knows the allure of cartoons. Since July, he’s been turning them into a pot of gold—well, a truckload of odd jobs. Work and travel rarely go hand in hand, so when June rolled around, Schwarz knew he had to get creative. (His family was going on vacation in August.) He decided to use Nextdoor to offer his services doing part-time work. He thought the social media site would generate more jobs than going door to door or putting up flyers around the neighborhood. “A few of my friends had summer CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
In the Hot Seat: District 8 supervisor candidate Manny Yekutiel not only fielded questions about an alleged sexual assault but faced his accuser at an Aug. 12 debate sponsored by the United Democratic Club in the Noe Valley Town Square. Photo by John Ferrannini
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2 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
2026 has been a historic year for Noe Valley housing, creating interesting opportunities for homeowners considering a move. Lamisse Droubi brings 28 years of experience selling real estate in San Francisco, with over $1.8 billion in total sales and a deep understanding of changing market conditions. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply exploring your options, Lamisse and her dedicated team offer thoughtful guidance and steady support throughout the process. A native San Franciscan raised in Noe Valley, Lamisse is known for her transparency, local expertise, and in-depth market knowledge. If you’re curious about how today’s market may apply to your situation, Lamisse would be happy to share insights and answer any questions.
LAMISSE DROUBI DRE#01257759 DroubiTeam.com
415.531.2134 | lamisse@droubiteam.com
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DROUBITEAM.COM 4157 24th Street • San Francisco, CA 94114 | 415.400.4069
3
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4 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
Take Control of Your Health Future with
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CRIME SNAPSHOT Thefts Drop by Half in July
C
rime in Noe Valley fell in July to its lowest level since the Noe Valley Voice began keeping a tally of incidents plotted on the San Francisco Police Department’s digital map of incident reports in 2020 (see the June 2020 Voice). In the 10 categories that the Voice tracks monthly, police logged a total of 46 incidents in July. (The last previous low was 58, in March 2020 and September 2020.) The decline in July was led by a drop in property crimes. There were just 22 incidents in the category SFPD labels “larceny/theft.” Among those were eight thefts involving car break-ins and six classified as shoplifting. Also, the number of vehicle thefts was down to three, and no robberies were reported during the month. Still, there were nine burglaries or break-ins at Noe Valley homes or businesses, up from five in June. No Cause for Celebration And June, by the way, had recorded the highest total of criminal incidents in six months—75 to be exact. There were 43 alone in the larceny-theft category, including among other incidents 13 car break-ins, 10 shoplifting attempts, and four package thefts. There also were five burglaries, five assaults, and five stolen motor vehicles in June. The Voice collected the July data on
C R I M E
S N A P S H OT
Noe Valley Incident Reports May 2025 – July 2026 Crime Category
May25
Jun25
Jul25 Aug25 Sep25 Oct25 Nov25 Dec25 Y2025
Jan26 Feb26 Mar26 Apr26 May26
Jun26
Jul26
Larceny/Theft
44
27
28
31
36
35
33
43
419
38
37
32
28
Burglary
16
6
14
18
16
11
10
9
157
6
10
15
9
31
43
22
5
5
9
Malicious Mischief
2
5
7
6
9
4
6
8
68
2
2
7
5
5
6
2
Motor Veh. Theft
4
7
6
4
9
5
2
4
61
1
4
3
2
4
5
3
Assault
5
2
2
0
4
6
0
1
26
1
1
6
2
5
5
2
Robbery
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
Other Misc
10
2
2
4
4
7
4
4
72
2
4
2
5
1
3
4
Fraud
9
7
4
1
2
11
5
2
49
3
7
1
5
1
4
2
Family D. Violence
3
4
1
1
1
1
3
3
25
8
3
0
4
3
4
2
Vandalism
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
Totals
95
60
65
65
82
80
63
74
887
53
68
66
61
56
75
46
Source: Dataset titled “Map of Police Department Incident Reports: 2018 to Present” at https://data.sfgov.org/Public-Safety/Police-Department-IncidentReports-2018-to-Present/wg3w-h783/. This data includes police incident reports filed by officers and by individuals through self-service online reporting for non-emergency cases. Disclaimer: The San Francisco Police Department does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or correct sequencing of the information, as the data is subject to change as modifications or updates are completed. The Noe Valley Voice scraped the june 2026 data for “Noe Valley” on July 29 and the July 2026 data on Aug. 6, 2026. “Noe Valley” on the SFPD’s digital map is bordered by 21st Street, San Jose Avenue/Guerrero, 30th Street, and Grand View Avenue/Diamond Heights Boulevard. Noe Valley Voice September 2026
Aug. 6, 2026, from the digital “Map of Police Department Incident Reports: 2018 to Present,” found at https://data.sfgov.org/PublicSafety/Map-of-Police-DepartmentIncident-Reports-2018-to-/jq29-s5wp. “Noe Valley” in the dataset is an area bounded by 21st Street, San Jose Avenue/Guerrero, 30th Street, and Grand View Avenue/Diamond Heights Boulevard. Subject to Change The Voice does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of our information, since the data is subject to
change as updates become available to the SFPD. 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, the Fairmount, as well as Bernal Heights and Glen Park. Currently, Capt. Sean Perdomo (Sean.Perdomo@sfgov.org) leads Mission Station, and Capt. Gerald Newbeck heads Ingleside Station (Gerald.Newbeck@sfgov.org). —Corrie M. Anders, Sally Smith
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 82 ¢ Decline in Pedestrian Safety Editor: I have just returned from my weekly run of errands on 24th Street, a task I have always enjoyed during my 30 years living in Noe Valley and which I always look forward to, particularly as I have come to know many of the merchants in the host of stores I regularly frequent. However, this anticipation has been seriously derailed of late by three incidents in which walking in a crosswalk to make it across the street I have nearly been mowed down by drivers completely ignoring the intended protection presented by the crosswalks, not to mention the stop signs posted at the corner. In each case, I have had to literally dive out of the way of the vehicle, and at the age of 76 this was somewhat of a challenge. One such incident in a lifetime would have been more than sufficient, but three similar close calls in such a short period of time suggests something is going on here that is more than coincidence. The increase in traffic in the area, coupled by distracted drivers oblivious to the rules of safe driving, is making 24th Street a most pedestrianunfriendly landscape. I sometimes wonder if driver’s licenses are now granted via Zoom
interviews. I only know that I no longer feel safe or comfortable on 24th Street, something that makes me very concerned and unhappy. B. Dettman 30th Street
Take Action in Writing Editor: I have talked to many Noe neighbors at the Saturday and Night Markets who share their thoughts on how important it is to take some type of action to Get Out the Vote for the upcoming Midterm election. Whether it is participating in making phone calls to voters, canvassing with grassroots organizations in critical battleground states, or donating money, we can all agree voting is how we will make our voices heard on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Another effective method of connection, especially with infrequent voters, is to send them a handwritten reminder message close to the election. ActionSF engages everyday citizens in writing postcards that increase voter turnout. With the recent passing of Prop. 50 to expand five of California’s congressional districts, we are focusing on CD22 in the Central Valley and CD48, encompassing the San Diego/Temecula area. You can write postcards to voters at home on your own, with a group of friends, or at one of our events. We offer all you need to take action! Join us to write postcards on Thursday, Sept. 10, and Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 3938 24th St., Manny Yekutiel’s headquarters. For more info, contact me at ActionSFTeam@gmail.com or at our website, Action-SF.com. Paula Gerhardt Noe Valley resident
T H E C R O S S WO R D B Y M I C H A E L B L A K E Flocking Together ACROSS
1. Silent Spring subject 4. iPhone add-ons 8. Muni Metro danglers 14. Flub 15. Lieutenant in Beetle Bailey 16. “Pay later” arrangement 17. *Mechanism for lowering Leno to the stage? 19. Proceeded (toward) 20. Out, as to lunch 21. El ___ (Spanish hero) 22. “Cosmo” or “GQ” 23. Destroy 25. “Unforgettable” duettist Cole 29. *Petty complaint from a red-robed cleric? 31. ___ W (root beer brand) 32. Canadian province above Mich. 33. 2000 pounds 34. *Epithet for a grumpy old man? 39. Diamondbacks, on scoreboards 40. Blooming neckwear? 41. Whizzes 42. *How Batman’s foe escaped the high prison wall? 47. With “Hyatt,” hotel with a revolving restaurant 48. The old Atlantic Hwy. 49. Tongue-clucking sound 50. Goddess of dawn, or a Canon camera 51. Inkling 55. Tenant 58. Feature of this puzzle’s starred entries, or a women’s cloth-
ier on Castro 60. Big James Cameron film 61. Prefix with -algia or -itis 62. Yuck! 63. Freight buildings 64. Palo ___ 65. “Golly!” DOWN
1. ___ vu 2. Gunfighter’s exhortation 3. “___ Little Tenderness” 4. Where Nigeria is: Abbr. 5. Lake ___: ’80 Olympics site 6. Italian-y sandwiches at La Boulangerie de SF in Noe 7. Went very fast 8. (1) Rendered chicken fat (2) Obsessive
sentimentality 9. Picks up the tab 10. Whom the GOP wanted to put on the $10 bill 11. Sum up 12. “Peasant” product sold at Castro and 24th 13. Norm: Abbr. 18. Rostand’s longnosed lover 24. Official language of Pakistan 25. Half an Orkan goodbye 26. Liquid units, in the UK 27. Old Apple devices with earbuds 28. “Velvet” or “hallow” ending 29. Giving a damn 30. Ora pro ___ (pray for us) 31. Be of one mind 35. With “City,” a Billy Crystal film
36. Start of a countingout rhyme 37. Jewelry entrepreneur Morris 38. Middle part of a Shakespearean play y 39. Deadline mo. to file tax returns 43. Really annoys 44. Vote out of office 45. Masonry tool 46. “No way! ___ of the question.” 50. Highest European volcano 52. Walgreens purchasee 53. Shave-gel name 54. Arthur of tennis 55. Wee Scot 56. First Lady? 57. Drain away, as energy 59. Sib 9/2026 Noe Valley Voice
Solution on Page 21 Find more Crosswords at www.noevalleyvoice.com
T H E C A R T O O N B Y O W E N B A K E R - F LY N N THE NOE VALLEY VOICE P.O. Box 460249 San Francisco, CA 94146 www.noevalleyvoice.com
T
he 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 Display Advertising: Call Pat, 415-608-7634, or email PatRose@noevalleyvoice.com Editorial Deadline for the October Issue: Sept. 15, 2026 Advertising Deadline for the October Issue: Sept. 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, Stella Mullin, JL Odom, Roger Rubin, Maria Verissimo CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Art Bodner, Pamela Gerard, Najib Joe Hakim, Charles Kennard, Beverly Tharp PRODUCTION
Sally Smith, Jack Tipple DISTRIBUTION
Jack Tipple WEB GURU
Jon Elkin ADVERTISING SALES
Pat Rose, Jack Tipple P R I N T E D O N R E C Y C L E D PA P E R
Contents ©2026 Noe Valley Voice
L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R
WHO TO CALL AT CITY HALL
THE VOICE welcomes your letters to the editor. You may write the Noe Valley Voice, P.O. Box 460249, San Francisco, CA 94146, or 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.
5
NVV9/2026
San Francisco Information Line SFgov.org or SF.gov . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1-1 or 415-701-2311 San Francisco Police Dispatch in a emergency: 9-1-1. From a cell phone: . . 415-553-8090 San Francisco Police in a non-emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-553-0123 Burned-out Streetlights, streetlights@sfwater.org (PUC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-554-0730 District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org . . . . . . . 415-554-6968 District 8 Community Safety Liaison (SFPD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave.Burke@sfgov.org Graffiti, fallen trees, street cleaning (DPW) 3-1-1 or zerograffiti@sfdpw.org . . 415-695-2017 Homeless Services: Street Outreach Services (SOS) medical care . . . . . . . . . . . 415-355-2250 Lost or Injured Animals: Animal Care & Control emergency dispatch . . . . . . . 415-554-9400 Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services sfmayor.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-554-7111 NERT Neighborhood Emergency Response Team sffdnert@sfgov.org. 415-970-2022 or 2024 Parking Enforcement (blocked driveway) DPT Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . 3-1-1 or 415-553-1200 PG&E Gas or electrical issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1-1 or 1-800-743-5000 or 1-877-660-6789 Pothole Repairs potholes@sfdpw.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1-1 or 415-554-5810 Recycling Recology San Francisco (free pickup bulky items) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-330-1300 Rent Board San Francisco phone counseling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-252-4600 SFMTA or Muni: Call 3-1-1 or email MTABoard@sfmta.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415-701-2311 Tree Planting (Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628-652-8733 24th Street Community Benefit District (Noe Valley Association) 415-802-4461 or 519-0093 Water main or sewer emergencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1-1 or www.sf311.org White House comments line and/or switchboard . . . . . . . . . . 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 “Normality is a paved road. It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow.” — Attributed to Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890), despite the lack of evidence he said or wrote it.
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6 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
CONNIE CHAN FOR CONGRESS For San Francisco. For Us. Connie Chan is a working mom and immigrant who has never stopped fighting for working families. In Congress, Connie will champion: ● Medicare for All ● Strong schools at every level ● Abolishing ICE and passing immigration reform ● More affordable housing and accessible childcare ...and more! Read Connie’s Working People’s Plan at ConnieChanSF.com
WE STAND WITH CONNIE CHAN
connie
CHAN
F O R C O N G R E S S 國會議員
Speaker Emerita
Nancy Pelosi
U.S. Senator
Adam Schiff
Fmr. U.S. Senator
Barbara Boxer
PAID FOR BY CONNIE CHAN FOR CONGRESS
Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church A Joyful Community of the Spirit All Are Welcome, Including Companion Animals
In-Person & Online Worship email: office@staidansf.org for online connection info
Sunday Communion 8:00 am, in person 10:00 am, in person & on line, childcare available
Morning Prayer Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:30 am, in person & on line
St. Francis Day: Blessing of Animals Sunday, October 4 At the church: 8:00 am & 10:00 am At Upper Douglass Dog Park: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
Animal Companion Memorial Service Sunday, October 4 At the church: 2:30 pm
Bring mementos for display on our memorial altar.
Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church
101 Gold Mine Drive, San Francisco, 94131 (@ Diamond Hts. Blvd., across from Safeway)
Phone: 415.285.9540
www.staidansf.org
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
Celebrate local artists at the fifth annual
Noe Valley Art Festival Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Noe Valley Town Square. There you can stroll through a gallery of works by 27 artists—in genres ranging from paintings, jewelry, and ceramics to fabric art, digital art, and sculpture. Enjoy music from the Liberty Street Band and guitarist Dave Kesler, while young Picassos and Amy Sheralds make friendship bracelets and family portraits for their Noe Valley hallways. The free event is presented by Friends of Noe Valley and Perez Construction, in partnership with SF Rec and Park.
Artists Malcolm Colton and BJ Droubi : A vase built from slabs decorated with beads and tiles, plus chicken-themed art from BJ Droubi.
Sue Wegener: A bowl that was “handthrown, carved, painted, and glazed in my SF home studio.”
Ken Sakatani: Warrior Spirit (2024), a digital collage on gatorboard. esides those whose works appear on this page, the artists participatinng Sept. 13 in the Noe Valley Art Festival include Anna Payden, Benjamin Phillips, Carol Casey, Carrie Govan Skelly, Dave Kesler, Ellen Sakoloff, Jack Tipple, Jennifer Hwang, Joy-Lily, Katie Furukawa, Lucia Gonnella, Mary Celojko, Michela Rossi, Natasha Saravanja, Peggy Christiansen, Rebecca Botehlo, Ruchika M. Khanna, SA Kushinka, and Sylvia Vientulis.
B
Lily Layman: Watercolor painting inspired by “our cats, Tumi and Maisy, and children’s book illustrations.” Nina Saltman: Porcelain teapot, tray, and cups with slip-transferred designs.
Raquel Johnson: Framed, a photograph captured “on a typical San Francisco summer day [when] the fog lifted just in time to perfectly frame our beloved icon.”
Anelise Dandler: Handmade ceramic salt cellars
7
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8 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
before a storm. “We become the guardians of the neighborhood and the safekeepers of it, and ask people to respect it in return,” Niemann said. The NVA’s ability to maintain what itt builds has also helped it secure additional funding. In addition to property assessments, the organization actively applies for city grants to fund special projects and improvements. Niemann said the NVA has received every grant it has applied for over the years, funding projects ranging from benches and recycling bins to tree planting and programming at the Noe Valley Town Square. Four solar-powered Bigbelly trash receptacles, for example, were installed in 2023 at 24th and Castro streets, 24th and Noe streets, near the Town Square, and at 24th and Church streets. The organization has also secured funding to maintain its benches, including replacing slats when needed, rather than simply installing them and moving g on to the next project. For Niemann, that distinction is critical. “You need to show that you can n maintain what you put in.”
NVA Still Cleaning And Greening CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
a multiyear process of planning, outreach, and legislative approval. The NVA CBD is one of 16 in San Francisco and, Niemann said, the smallest geographically. But getting the district established in the first place was no small undertaking. What’s a CBD? Then–San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom first introduced the idea of CBDs to Niemann when she was president of Friends of Noe Valley. “Newsom came to us and said, ‘Hey, I want to do this thing called CBDs. Can you convince property owners to vote to tax themselves?’” Niemann recalled. “We were like, ‘What?’ And we all met for dinner and said, ‘Okay, how are we going to do this?’” “We” referred to Carol Yenne, representing the Noe Valley Merchants Association and the owner of Small Frys children’s store; Robert Ramsey and David Eiland, founders of the Just for Fun & Scribbledoodles toy store; Paul Kantus, representing the East & West of Castro Street Improvement Club; Bob Roddick, of Noe Valley Law and then-president of the Noe Valley Merchants Association; along with Niemann. They made a ritual of meeting every other month over an evening meal to work out the details: the district’s boundaries, which property owners needed to be brought into the process, and how to build support.
Chairs for the Square
Among the most visible of the Noe Valley Association’s gifts to the community are the flower baskets, the banners, and the brightly painted trash receptacles. Photo by JL Odom
Self-Taxing Not Easy The biggest hurdle was persuading property owners to agree to pay assessments on their properties to fund improvements in the neighborhood. “It was very tough going, and it took one-on-one conversations,” Niemann said. “It’s a tough sale. It’s like, ‘Okay, if we increase your taxes, this is going to be your assessment.’ And we said, ‘The first year isn’t going to be more than $1,200 a year.’” Unlike a typical election, CBD formation in San Francisco is decided through a weighted ballot in which property owners within the proposed district vote on whether to establish it. The NVA’s proposal passed that vote 52–48, Niemann said, before going to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for formal approval the summer of 2005. When the district came up for renewal in January 2020, voters overwhelmingly backed keeping it in place. The renewal extended the district through 2035. “When we renewed it, 15 years later, they saw the value of our work and we passed it 76 to 24,” Niemann said. From Cinder Blocks to Flower Pots From the beginning, Niemann wanted the NVA’s work to be guided by the people who lived and worked in Noe Valley. She developed a long-term plan for the commercial corridor and held a series of community meetings. Residents were given “fake money” and pictures of potential improvements and asked to “put your money where your mouth is” by indicating what they wanted to see in the neighborhood. The process produced a list of 12 priorities. “I’ve done every single one of them over the course of 20 years, but mostly
9
with grants,” Niemann said. “So the story here is not just that the property owners voted to tax themselves and we clean, green, and improve public space via their assessment dollars, but that I leverage those dollars and the community meetings that I’ve had to get more grant money.” Among the most visible changes are the 21 hanging flower baskets along 24th Street, 28 community benches, sidewalk gardens, planters, and parklets. The NVA’s work has extended to creating wide sidewalks and planting 127 trees along 24th Street, helping build a tree canopy Niemann said was sorely lacking two decades ago. “We walked around with dirt and shopping carts the first year, fertilizing them and nurturing them and bringing them along,” she said. “It’s a labor of love for a lot of people, and myself included.” ‘Welcome to Noe’ Signs The organization was also among the first in the city to install parklets, doing so before the Covid-19 pandemic transformed the way San Franciscans thought about outdoor public space. Other improvements included a chess table and chairs in a parking area near Noe Valley Bakery, sidewalk gardens on Noe and Diamond streets, fencing that gives pedestrians a place to rest a foot while tying a shoe, and highvisibility crosswalks. Niemann’s background in advertising has also influenced the streetscape. She worked with former colleagues to create colorful banners featuring Noe Valley’s distinctive homes. The banners have become popular enough that residents have asked whether they can get one of their own. “People actually ask me if they can
buy the banners,” she said. “And I print extra ones every once in a while just to sell to people.” The Work People Don’t See For all the visible improvements, Niemann said much of the NVA’s work happens behind the scenes. Street porters sweep sidewalks and gutters seven days a week, remove trash and graffiti, and perform highpressure sidewalk steam-cleanings nine times a year from March through November. The organization also provides additional deep cleaning as needed and waters the district’s hanging flower baskets. The 21 baskets are watered every day. “Everybody loves those flower baskets,” Niemann said. “It’s the smartest thing we did, because it brings so much joy and so much color to the street. They’re expensive, but they’re worth it.” The NVA also maintains nine sidewalk gardens, two public parklets, and 22 planters throughout the district. Its crews respond to calls from merchants and residents and help address problems ranging from abandoned trash to clogged storm drains. The organization removes more than 1,000 graffiti marks a year, Niemann said, and handles more than 1,000 311 calls annually related to trash and other street issues. “You need an advocate, and that’s what I do mostly,” she said. “I’m an advocate for this neighborhood.” Keeping the Lights On That advocacy sometimes means working directly with city departments to solve seemingly mundane problems, from getting lights turned back on in a parking lot to clearing sewer grates
Niemann, who has lived in Noe Valley for 37 years, is particularly proud of the NVA’s support of the Town Square, at 3861 24th St. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the NVA is the park’s fiscal sponsor. It first covers the costs of programming at the square, then recoups those expenses through city grants it applies for and receives. Throughout the process, Niemann works closely with Town Square eventss coordinator Moira Leslie Crawford, whom she describes as the “creative brains” behind the park’s events, including holiday celebrations, dance classes, concerts, games, and community dinners. Crawford, a co-founder of both the Noe Valley Farmers Market and the Town Square, is equally generous with her praise. “[Niemann] is a terrific partner—so smart, on top of everything, and supportive,” said Crawford. “Deb Niemann n is a force of nature, and a force for good. She’s relentless in her commitment to make things better.” Crawford also pointed to Niemann’s role in the smooth operation of the square. “It's because of her that we have a team from the NVA CBD who put out all the furnishings in the morning,” Crawford said. 20 Years Later The NVA’s 20th anniversary and the Town Square’s 10th anniversary will bee celebrated together Saturday, Oct. 24, att the Town Square. The event will also honor San Francisco Board of Supervisors President and District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who is termed out of office in a few months. "It has been quite a journey these past 20 years contributing so much to make Noe Valley the beautiful corridor it has become,” said Bob Roddick, former president of the NVA. “From street impressions and parklets to footoperated trash bins and flower baskets, we have built a community that persistss through economic uncertainty, prevails over crimes and pandemics, and promotes community while preserving individual freedom.” Two decades after those first dinners with Roddick and fellow organizers, Niemann’s goal remains remarkably similar. “It’s a great neighborhood, and it’s been a joy to be able to make it better, and so my hope is just to continue it,” Niemann said.
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10 The Noe Valley Voice • September
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 11
Debate Focuses on Accusation Against Supe Candidate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
didn’t do what’s being described here.” Chapin was at the debate and took video as Yekutiel answered Hoge’s question on the matter. “These allegations are untrue. I take the allegations very seriously, and I’ve always said that victims deserve to be heard,” Yekutiel said. “But as the SF Chronicle reported, the police investigated the allegations, they found nothing, and decided not to bring charges to the DA, and that is because the allegations are untrue and patently false.” Chapin stated after the debate, “The attacks on my character are, I believe, a desperate, politically motivated attempt at self-preservation, intended to intimidate other survivors and prevent them from coming forward. I’m doing my best to overcome that intimidation.” Support for Survivors Yekutiel is one of four running to represent the Castro, Noe Valley, Cole Valley, Diamond Heights, and other neighborhoods on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in the Nov. 3 election. The current supervisor, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, is termed out of office. He has endorsed Yekutiel. Also running are Gary McCoy, who used to work for U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D–San Francisco); Darshini Patel, a veteran of former Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign; and Michael Trung Nguyen, a patent attorney. The other candidates declined to weigh in on the substance of the allegation, but did express support for sexual assault survivors. In her answer to Hoge’s question, Patel talked about a culture that doesn’t believe victims when it’s convenient. “As a woman, I am intimately familiar with sexual assault, sexual harassment, and how hard it can be to come forward,” Patel said. “I think that what it forces us to really think about is the culture we have created, where we have a hard time believing survivors and want to be able to trust whoever … these allegations are against.” McCoy deferred to a then-ongoing San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee (DCCC) investigation into the matter. Chapin said he reported the incident to the party’s new ombudsman position but never got a response. The local party is looking into that. “I would defer to that,” McCoy said. “But I would say we should always believe survivors." Nguyen, an elected member of the DCCC, was on the special committee that two years ago, after several prominent local Democrats had been accused of troubling sexual behavior, created a new system for people to report assaults or harassment incidents. The new process has been criticized for failing its first public test, as Chapin made a complaint that was not investigated until media reports brought the matter to the fore. “It was new,” Nguyen said. “So I’m glad it’s happened, but we can clearly see the big takeaway is that it’s flawed, and we deserve better. Folks who come forward deserve better.” DCCC Stands by Manny On Aug. 26, after the investigation couldn’t corroborate or clear Yekutiel,
District 8 supervisor candidates (l. to r.) Gary McCoy, Darshini Patel, Manny Yekutiel, and Michael Trung Nguyen take turns responding to questions posed by Patrick Hoge of the San Francisco Examiner (right), moderator of an Aug. 12 debate sponsored by the United Democratic Club at the Noe Valley Town Square on 24th Street. The election is Nov. 3. Photo by John Ferrannini
the DCCC by one vote handed him the party’s endorsement for the District 8 seat. Chapin alleged the entire process was a sham, as the reason the DCCC’s investigation couldn’t come to a conclusion was because the allegation didn’t occur at an official event of the Democratic Party—something Chapin said he’d asked the party’s attorneys about beforehand. Train Dreams The endorsement gave a boost to Yekutiel’s candidacy, which has come forward with a number of proposals to excite voters. One of these is a proposed 24-mile underground subway line, à la New York City, including a subway stop in Noe Valley. “I would like to point out every other major city which has a system like this,” Yekutiel said at the forum. “Imagine for a moment, a station at 24th and Castro [streets], in the Castro, in the Fillmore, in the Marina, an extended Central Subway that goes up to North Beach and the Marina, a T-line underground that can get you all the way down to the Bayview and back up to the Marina quickly, a Geary line, a 19th Avenue line. This kind of infrastructure is the kind of infrastructure we should be talking about in this square right now, not bailing out our public transportation system.” Yekutiel estimated a cost of $8.3 billion. Patel said Muni should rather be focused on getting existing infrastructure on time.
should not be sharing this information,” he said. “Our trans community is under attack and threats of violence, and we’ve got a president who’s constantly demeaning that community. We should be standing up for them.” Nguyen agreed, saying, “I believe firmly in our constitutional rights and our privacy rights. To be honest, our privacy rights are being eroded every day, and I do not support having a kind of drone and surveillance state and a police state. I don’t want to live in that.” Noe Valley Dems Stick to Rules Noe Valley Democratic Club President Sam Maslin said a motion to rescind his club’s endorsement of Yekutiel failed because it did not get enough votes during a special club meeting Aug. 5. “The allegations were reported in The Standard, the Chronicle, and the B.A.R. [Bay Area Reporter], and we obviously as a board met and took that very seriously,” Maslin said, adding that “any member at any time” can make a motion to rescind an endorsement, which is what happened. That led to a process culminating in the vote on the matter. The meeting was open to eligible voting members, Maslin said. He explained that the motion failed because it didn’t garner the support of two-thirds of the people who attended the meeting. Maslin, who was not at the physical meeting because he was on vacation,
said the club would not disclose the vote count. He added, “We are not a club with an orientation from a certain spectrum of San Francisco politics. Noe Valley Dems is a club with very progressive members, very moderate members, and members all around the spectrum.” Heckler Asked to Leave During the Aug. 12 debate, Jesus Coba, a Mission district resident, began to heckle Yekutiel while recording on his cellphone—the only such instance of heckling during the 90-minute event. Yekutiel talked through Coba’s remarks, during which Coba said among other things, “This man … has no shame in coming to the public and showing the face until he clears his name.” Asked to leave by event organizers, Coba expressed upset that this reporter was also recording the public conversation. “I’m just a concerned citizen, born and raised in the Mission district of San Francisco,” Coba said. “That guy’s accused of sexual assault. That’s disgusting.” A look at Coba’s Instagram account revealed a video of a June confrontation with State Senator Scott Wiener (D– San Francisco) over Israel, shortly before Wiener was heckled out of the San Francisco Trans March at Mission Dolores Park. (Wiener, a former District 8 supervisor, running to succeed Pelosi, has not endorsed in this year’s supervisor contest.)
Back to Basics “I would love to have all of the things Manny just talked about,” Patel said. “I actually think we need to first get back to basics. If we want to increase ridership, we need to increase trust. So that means actually publishing route-level metrics for timeliness for all of our lines, paying attention to … when the trains are coming, when the buses are coming, and then allowing people to have accurate [estimated times of arrival].” McCoy called the subway idea “pie in the sky.” He was also skeptical about the presence of surveillance cameras in San Francisco, exemplified by the increased number of Flock Safety cameras in the past couple of years. McCoy is concerned about data being shared with the federal government. “Given this [Trump] administration, the fact that we’ve got people being arrested and killed in our streets … we
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12 The Noe Valley Voice • September
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 13
Lowell Student Finds Jobs Through Digital Cartoons CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
jinternships, but I couldn’t do that because I was going to be gone,” said Schwarz, 17. Also, he noted, “With a lot of summer jobs, [employers] don’t give you many hours, and it’s minimum wage.” Online, “I can tell people when I’m available,” Schwarz said. “This was the way I could make a summer income. It worked very well.” He made daily posts on the jobs he offered—things like pet sitting, tutoring, and yard work. “At first, I did just notes about myself, but I think with that it’s harder to engage people.… I was experimenting with different ways to get people to go to my business,” which he’d named SF Helper. One hurdle he faced was proving he was legit, a real person who could provide good help (and who wasn’t a scammer). Then he found the solution: cartoons! “After I used the cartoons, I was getting much more clientele,” he said. Inside Jokes About SF Schwarz’s cartoons are a mix of his creativity and AI’s. But mostly his own. Because he wants the strips to have a clean visual appearance, he writes a script and tells ChatGPT to apply its “Sunday comic style” to the story in each frame. From there, he does edits. “I’m making all the jokes. I’m making all the panels. I’m telling it exactly what to do,” Schwarz said. What makes them unique—and what attracts the most attention—are his humorous references to current events and San Francisco culture. One strip reads, “The U.S. lost the World Cup… but at least you won’t lose when you hire me.” Another says, “The Giants suck… but at least my service doesn’t suck.” Parade of Part-time Jobs After he posted the cartoons on his Nextdoor profile in July, alongside his job descriptions and customer reviews, the jobs started flying in. Almost half
Jack Schwarz’s first cartoons emphasized his versatility. They also declared him a true San Franciscan.
were from Noe Valley, Schwarz said. He spent the rest of the summer weeding gardens, cleaning office spaces, and detailing cars. He even walked a dog on Clipper Street. His first job was for a car wash in the Hunters Point neighborhood. Closer to home, he helped a widow remove her husband’s belongings. In one case, Schwarz and a friend were asked to carry a heavy mattress down a “weird” spiral staircase. “We had to maneuver it and not drop it,” he said. “We did a good job, but it was stressful because we didn’t want to screw up.”
earning $25 an hour. To make the business stronger, he said, he might want to take classes at San Francisco City College to add electrical and plumbing skills. “If I could get a skill that’s more difficult,… I could make [SF Helper] into a real business.” He said he hoped to continue his odd-job work on Sundays during the school year. Still, after vacation, Schwarz will
Image courtesy Jack Schwarz
head back to a full course load at Lowell, including three AP classes, and to practice on the school’s baseball and soccer teams. (He was goalkeeper last year.) He also may want to return to hanging out at Upper Noe Rec or other parks in Noe Valley, playing basketball, baseball, or pickleball. You might catch him there, or if you’re lucky, you might see him in your back yard, weeding your plants.
The Joys of Weeding His favorite job was weeding for a client in Diamond Heights. “It’s tough work, but it’s a relaxing break from the world,” Schwarz said. To an outsider, weeding might seem like the worst part of gardening, but to Schwarz, who’s interested in environmental science, it allowed him to be outdoors in nature. “It’s more just understanding our ecosystem and our soil and rocks. That kind of ties into what I do,” Schwarz said. “I like to weed because I get to see the different plants and everything.” As summer wore on, Schwarz averaged 25 hours of work a week—was
Just like his cartoon persona, the real Jack Schwarz has no trouble convincing clients he is reliable and ready to go. Photo by Art Bodner In a cartoon circulated this summer, Jack Schwarz urged his Noe Valley neighbors to be more considerate, “because nice makes all the difference.” Image courtesy Jack Schwarz
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14 The Noe Valley Voice • September
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 15
The Cost of Living in Noe
Noe Valley Home Sales*
Outlandish Overbidding By Corrie M. Anders
N
oe Valley’s residential market exploded over the summer, as wealthy shoppers with an eye toward larger homes purchased 34 single-family detached properties in June and July. The sales activity—the highest since the summer of 2021—pushed the average price of a Noe Valley home over $4 million. “It’s the AI market,” said Christine Lopatowski, the 24th Street office manager of Corcoran Icon Real Estate, which provides monthly data to the Voice. “Lots of new people, lots of new jobs, with lots of new cash coming into their pockets.” Condominium sales, meanwhile, were moderate. Twelve condos changed hands in June and July, compared with 15 during the same two months in 2025. The boom in single-family homes, Lopatowski said, was “not too different from the dot-com era in the late ’90s, early 2000s.” Home sales typically increase during the summer. But AI poured grease on a fire that by March had already seen some buyers pay more than $1 million over the sellers’ asking price. In June, buyers on average sweetened deals by an astonishing 31 percent. Houses priced in the $2 million to $3 million range tended to attract the highest overbids, Lopatowski said. In one notable example, a 78 percent overbid pushed the tab for an updated 23rd Street dwelling to $3,815,805—nearly $1.7 million over the home’s asking price ($2,150,000). “It had beautiful Victorian charm and
A four-story home on 25th Street, offering five bedrooms in 3,745 square feet of living space, sold in June for $6,733,500—12.3 percent more than its asking price ($5,995,000). Photo by Sally Smith
A buyer in July paid $6.1 million for this three-story hillside dwelling on Duncan Street. The property had five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, multiple decks and terraces, a gym, media room, and two-car parking. Photo by Corrie M. Anders
was nicely updated, but nothing over the top,” she said. “Just a classic San Francisco house with good space, a beautiful back yard and decks.” Buyers also sought out big homes, especially at the high end of the market, Lopatowski said. “Noe Valley can be a predominantly family driven neighborhood. And so you have people that have two or three children,” she said. “They need bedroom space. Home office space. Perhaps au pair space.” The most expensive home sold in June certainly had plenty of elbow room. The remodeled property boasted five bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, premium appliances and cabinetry, a dedicated gym, and multiple other family gathering spaces in its 3,745 square feet of living space—twice the size of a typical Noe Valley home. Located in the 4500 block of 25th Street, between Hoffman Avenue and Homestead Street, the house sold for $6,733,500—12.3 percent more than its listed price ($5,995,000). The priciest home in July was even larger, with five bedrooms, seven baths, and 4,402 square feet of living space spread over four levels. Something of an outlier, the modern showpiece spent nearly four months on the market before selling for $6.1 million—8.5 percent below asking ($6,665,666). Still, the three-story hillside home, located in the 700 block of Duncan Street between Diamond and Douglass streets, had unobstructed views of downtown San Francisco, a chef’s kitchen with a large island and a wine cooler, a suite with a spa-like bath, a media room, wet bar, gym, several decks, and parking for two vehicles. Though sales were fewer, passions ran just as high in the condominium market, with overbids averaging 17 percent over asking in June (19% in July). Buyers spent $2,500,000 for the priciest condo in June, located in the 3800 block of 22nd Street between Noe and Castro streets. That was 39.3 percent above its list price ($1,795,000).
Noe Valley Rents** Unit
Studio 1-bdrm 2-bdrm 3-bdrm 4+-bdrm
No. in Sample
No.
Low Price ($)
High Price ($)
Average Price ($)
Single-family homes July 2026 18 June 2026 16 May 2026 17 July 2025 7 June 2025 13
$2,300,000 $1,545,000 $1,100,000 $1,525,000 $1,500,000
$6,100,000 $6,733,500 $5,800,000 $5,244,500 $5,660,000
$3,891,000 $4,025,000 $2,827,500 $2,410,000 $2,687,000
18 17 14 43 23
125% 131% 127% 101% 107%
Condominiums/TICs July 2026 2 $1,428,888 June 2026 10 $935,000 May 2026 5 $1,555,000 July 2025 6 $815,000 June 2025 9 $770,000
$2,020,000 $2,500,000 $1,800,000 $1,600,000 $2,050,000
$1,178,444 $1,737,500 $1,735,000 $1,250,500 $1,505,000
16 15 13 39 17
119% 117% 117% 106% 108%
2- to 4-unit buildings July 2026 2 $950,000 June 2026 2 $1,060,000 May 2026 4 $1,160,000 July 2025 0 — June 2025 3 $1,275,000
$4,400,000 $2,400,000 $2,850,000 — $1,918,888
$2,000,000 $1,730,000 $6,125,000 — $1,610,000
79 22 15 — 14
104% 102% 129% — 112%
5+-unit buildings July 2026 0 June 2026 2 May 2025 0 July 2025 1 June 2025 1
— $2,410,000 — $1,400,000 $4,500,000
— $2,205,000 — $1,400,000 $4,500,000
— 60 — 0 38
— 99% — 100% 97%
Total Sales
Range July/August 2026
Average July/August 2026
Average June 2026
Average July/August 2025
0 N/A 1 $3,300 to $3,300 4 $5,200 to $6,800 4 $5,850 to $12,775 0 N/A
N/A $3,300 / mo. $6,099 / mo. $9,906 / mo. N/A
$2,971 / mo. $4,097 / mo. $5,783 / mo. $9,157 / mo. $15,767 / mo.
$2,865 / mo. $3,581 / mo. $5,074 / mo. $7,359 / mo. $15,000 / mo.
** This survey is based on a sample of only nine Noe Valley rental listings appearing on Craigslist.org from July 16 to Aug. 11, 2026. In July/August 2025, there were 28 listings. NVV9/2026
— $2,000,000 — $1,400,000 $4,500,000
Avg. Days Sale Price as on Market % of List Price
*This survey includes all Noe Valley home sales completed during the month. Noe Valley is loosely defined as the area bordered by Grand View, 22nd, Guerrero, and 30th streets. The Noe Valley Voice thanks Corcoran Icon Properties, San Francisco, for providing sales data. NVV9/2026
Located in a two-unit Victorian with 11-foot ceilings, a fireplace, and period bay windows, the condo included two bedrooms, two baths, and 1,188 square feet of living space, complemented by a skylight, a chef’s kitchen with a Bertazzoni gas range, and the use of two parking spaces. In July, the top seller was a two-bed-
5% more per square foot.
room, two-bath unit on the top floor of a corner building in the 1100 block of Sanchez Street, between Jersey and 25th streets. It had its own gourmet kitchen with Bertazzoni range, a skylight, a southern patio, and parking for one car. The home sold for $2,020,000, or 34.4 percent more than the seller’s asking price ($1,495,000).
63% less time on the market.
BASED ON SFAR MLS AGENT DATA, FULL YEAR 2025, ALL RESIDENTIAL CATEGORIES.
With over 5,000 agents in San Francisco, is it crazy to think we’re not all the same? Noe Valley is my neighborhood too. When the time comes to buy or sell, I’d love to help. VIVRE REAL ESTATE DANIELLE LAZIER · REALTOR ® 415.528.7355 24 Years in Business · Noe Valley Homeowner
See more market insights and our smiling faces at NoeValleyMarketUpdate.com DRE 01340326 STATS: Based on 2026 SF MLS listing agent data, all residential categories. Vivre is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 02014153. All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been veri昀ed.
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16 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
STORE T R E K Store Trek is a regular Voice column featuring new stores and restaurants in Noe Valley. This month, we profile a new taqueria, which promises brunch seven days a week and the kind of rotisserie chicken that Noe Valleyans crave.
BONITA TAQUERIA Y ROTISSERIE 4063 24th Street between Noe and Castro 415-590-2483 https://sfbonita.com/ Open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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otisserie chicken and tortas are again being served at 4063 24th St., where Bonita Taqueria y Rotisserie opened July 8. It is the third location in the city for the local, familyowned chain, launched in 2014. A signature feature of the menu is the free-range chicken, marinated and roasted in the restaurant’s special spice mix. Half a chicken runs $16, and a whole is $26. Two sides can be added for $8, with the options being crispy potatoes with Tajín seasoning, Mexican coleslaw, black beans with cotija cheese, Mexican-style rice, or a vegetarian Mexican-style brown rice. Another side option is the esquites, Mexican streetstyle corn with Tajín, lime, epazote aioli, and cotija cheese. “What is funny is the chicken, by far, is very popular,” said owner Jawad “JJ” Sweidan. “We are selling already more rotisserie there than we do at the other locations. For whatever reason, this neighborhood clearly loves rotisserie chicken.” The menu item is inspired by the family trips he took as a child to Mexico, where the highlights were the roadside rotisserie stands. “When we opened Bonita, we wanted to bring that experience to San Francisco in a way that felt approachable for everyday dining. More than a decade later, we’re excited to bring the concept to Noe Valley and become part
With Bonita Taquerias on Chestnut and Polk streets, owner Jawad “JJ” Sweidan is pleased to now be in Noe Valley. Photo by Art Bodner
of another neighborhood,” said Sweidan, who lives on Twin Peaks and long has hung out at the Valley Tavern on 24th Street, across the street. “I had my eye on the spot.” For the tortas—meat-filled Mexican sandwiches—there are three options, all priced at $19. The Birria is made with braised beef, cheese, onions, and cilantro, served with a side of consommé and tortilla chips with beans. The Pastorcito is made with grilled marinated pork, pineapple, pickled onions, cheese, refried beans, lettuce, avocado, jalapeno crema, and chipotle aioli. The Bonita is made with cheese, refried black beans, lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeno crema, and chipotle aioli, and a choice of meat. Options include grilled marinated steak, rotisserie chicken, chorizo, and pork, either braised and shredded or grilled and marinated. In 2021, an Australian-style roast chicken eatery called Village Rotisserie took over the space that had long been home to French restaurants. After it closed in 2023, Tacolicious co-owner Joe Hargrave opened Todo el Día (a year later), focused on both rotisserie
Many diners at Bonita Taqueria enjoy their meals outside in the back patio. A children’s menu features mini tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and rice and bean bowls. Photo by Art Bodner
chicken and tortas. Tacolicious shuttered last October, leading Sweidan to announce in March he had taken over the space, which comes with a dog-friendly back patio. He gave the décor a refresh, hiring local artist Amanda Lynn to paint a vibrant floral mural on the left interior wall running the length of the dining room. The wood bench seating along a portion of the wall remains, with pastelcolored stools on the opposite side of the wood tables. The outside area is still framed by a bright pink wall on the left side. Sweidan landed on Bonita—Spanish for pretty, beautiful, or lovely—from images of female dancers with mariachi bands dressed in long, flowing dresses. He also felt the name went well with a vibrant color scheme and a love for food and hospitality. “It was short, sweet, and catchy,” he told the Voice, adding it also evoked a sense of being on vacation in Mexico. His sister, Jenna Salah, oversees marketing, promotions, catering, and other administrative duties for the business. The siblings’ father, Issa Sweidan, had operated the mini-chain Squat and
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Gobble for 32 years until shuttering its last location in January. JJ Sweidan had been its chief operations officer for nearly 14 years. He oversaw turning its Castro location into a Bonita Taqueria y Rotisserie in 2020, but it closed two years ago. There are still Bonita locations in the Marina at 2257 Chestnut St. and near Russian Hill at 2227 Polk St. Timed to the debut of the Noe Valley location, all three taquerias now serve the “Bonita Brunch” menu seven days a week from opening until 3 p.m. The popular Mexican-style brunch features chilaquiles, breakfast burritos or tortas, horchata pancakes, and tres leches French toast. Prices range from $17 to $28 for the brunch items. In addition to a Bloody Maria ($13)—made with tequila and tomato juice—Bonita serves a “bottomless” mimosa ($29), for up to 90 minutes with the purchase of a meal. “It has been really, really good,” Sweidan said of customers’ embrace of the daily brunch menu. “It came from popular demand. Everyone always was asking if it would be more than just weekends.” On its regular menu, Bonita also serves tacos on corn or flour tortillas, or on lettuce shells. In addition to the vegetable, quesabirria, and other meat options, tacos can be made with deepfried fish, shrimp, or seared mahi-mahi. Single tacos cost $7.50 or $8, while any three meat or vegetable tacos can be ordered as a combo for $13 (excludes seafood). There are also different burritos and bowls on the menu, plus quesadillas and nachos. Other options include a tortilla soup, a mahi-mahi tostada, and the La Campesina Ensalada. The salad is made with romaine lettuce, pumpkin seeds, corn, black beans, radish, and pico de gallo, topped with avocado and cotija cheese and tossed in an epazote cilantro dressing. There is a menu for kids featuring a rice, bean, and cheese burrito or two mini tacos ($9 each), and a cheese quesadilla or a rice and bean bowl ($8 each). “Knock on wood, but families with kids and adults have been very positive about what we have to offer,” said Sweidan. Bonita is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. —Matthew S. Bajko
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18 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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Sept. 1-29: The BAR on Dolores hosts BINGO for booze and prizes, on Tuesdays, free comedy on Thursdays, and mahjong on Saturdays, 8 pm. 1600 Dolores. 695-1745. Sept. 1-30: Art of the School of Botanical Illustration is on display at Lola Gallery, 1250 Sanchez, Tues.-Thurs., noon-6 p.m., Fri.-Sun. ,9 a.m.-6 p.m. lolasanfrancisco.com Sept. 1-30: Tuesday TRIVIA Night at The Dubliner begins at 8 pm. Wed., it’s bingo. 3838 24th. 826-826-2279; dublinersf.com Sept. 2 & Oct. 7: The SF ZOO offers free admission for SF residents (with ID or utility bill). 10 am-4 pm. Sloat and the Great Highway. sfzoo.org Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24; Oct. 1 & 8: Family STORYTIMES are Thursdays, 10:15 am and 11 am. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 3555707; sfpl.org Sept. 4-25: 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 Sept. 5-26: The FARMERS MARKET has fresh produce, food, and music Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com Sept. 5-26: The Noe WALKS group ambles along on Saturdays, 10 am, at 24th and Sanchez. Sept. 6, 20 & 27: Free Sunday morning YOGA FLOW offers all-level classes; bring water and a mat. 11 am-noon. 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com Sept. 7-28: Mamahuhu hosts MAHJONG Mondays from 6 to 9 pm. 3991 24th. 3747012; eatmamahuhu.com Sept. 9: The Noe Valley DEMOCRATIC CLUB holds a social to discuss the upcoming election. 6-7:30 pm. Bar on Dolores, 1600 Dolores. noevalleydemocrats.org Sept. 10-24: Bernal Heights OUTDOOR CINEMA’s 23rd season features free screenings and film crawls. For details: bhoutdoorcine.org Sept. 10 & Oct. 8: Valencia Live! NIGHT MARKET offers vendors, live music, and salsa lessons. 5-10 pm. Valencia between 18th & 21st. visitvalenciastreet.com/live
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Sept. 10 & Oct. 13: ACTION-SF hosts Midterms postcard-writing PARTIES; snacks provided, stamp donations appreciated, 6 to 7:30 pm. action-sf.com Sept. 11: The Shape of Water FILM screens at 2 pm at the Noe Valley Library. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 11, 18, 20 & Oct. 4: NOE MUSIC in the Square features (Sept. 11) Mozart’s Divertimento, 5-6 pm; (Sept. 18) Cello Quartets from around the world, 5-6 pm; (Sept. 20) Peruvian music by Gianfranco Baltazar Torres, 1-2 pm, and guitarist Luke Schwartz, 2-3 pm; (Oct. 4) Projecto Novo, 1-3 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com. NoeMusic.org Sept. 12: Volunteers for the 2nd Saturday Upper Noe CLEANUP meet on the Day Street side of Upper Noe Rec Center. 10:30 am-noon. Info@RefuseRefuseSF. org Sept. 12: One City Day needs volunteers to join the Guerrero Median BEAUTIFICATION DAY. Meet at 427 Guerrero. 9 amnoon. mobilize.us/onecityday/ Sept 12 & Oct. 3: It’s beautification day at GLEN PARK GREENWAY. Meet at 88 Chilton Ave. for a morning of cleaning and gardening (till noon). mobilize.us/onecityday/ Sept. 13: The free Noe Valley ART FESTIVAL features more than two dozen artists, plus live music and activities. 10 am-4 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. Sept. 13: The 2026 Sanchez Summer BLOCK PARTY includes a deejay and live music, food, henna, and hands-on activities from noon to 6 pm, on Sanchez between 26th and Clipper. slowsanchez.com Sept. 13: City Guides offers a WALKING TOUR of Noe Valley, starting at 451 Jersey, at 2 pm. Register with City Guides, 3750468; sfcityguides.org Sept. 14: TECH HELP at the Noe Valley Library is available from 2 to 3 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 14, 21, 28 & Oct. 5: Toddler
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STORYTIMES are Mondays, 11:15-11:45 am. Tickets 11 am. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 15: ACTION-SF meets 6 to 7:30 pm. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey; action-sf.com Sept. 15-Oct. 20: SFFD offers NERT Training on Tuesdays, 5:30 to 9:30 pm. 2310 Folsom. Register at 970-2024; sf-fire.org Sept. 16: Author Sri Bodanapu discusses Kolkata: The People, Kitchens, and Streets of the City of Joy. 6:30 pm. OMNIVORE Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez. 2824712; omnivorebooks.com Sept. 16: The group Upper Noe Neighbors hosts a COMMUNITY meeting at Upper Noe Rec Center, 295 Day, 7 pm. 970-8061; uppernoeneighbors.com Sept. 18: Volunteers for the monthly Noe Valley CLEANUP DAY meet at the Town Square to pick up supplies at 10 am. 3861 24th. Info@RefuseRefuseSF. org Sept. 19: One City Day needs volunteers to join the Guerrero Median BEAUTIFICATION DAY. Meet at 427 Guerrero. 9 amnoon. mobilize.us/onecityday/event/642080/
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(415) 877-1293 Sept. 26: OPEN HOUSE at the Noe Valley Library features a fire truck, plus music and activities for all ages. 10 am-2 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 26: Besides the KidsZone activities and free refreshments, the Adrian West Band and dancers from MoBu Dance Studio are in the spotlight at Upper Noe NEIGHBORFEST 2026, at the park at 295 Day. 11 am-2 pm. To get a booth or volunteer: info@uppernoerecreationcenter.com Sept. 26: Dance WORKOUT Rhythm & Motion is 4-5 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com Sept. 26: Swing your partner at the Noe Valley Town SQUARE DANCE, with music by KC and the Moonshine Band. 7 to 8:30 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. Sept. 27: The Corner Sessions monthly JAZZ concert at Dolores Deluxe runs from 1-3 pm. 2500 22nd. doloresdeluxe.com Sept. 29: PAJAMA STORYTIME includes stories and songs for children and their caregivers. 6:30-7 pm. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 29: The Noe Valley Merchants NIGHT MARKET offers local vendors, food, and music, 4:30 to 8:30 pm. 3861 24th. noemerchants.com
Sept. 19: KIDS STORYTIME (for ages 3 to 8) at Noe Valley Books meets on third Saturdays, from 9:15 to 9:45 am. 3957 24th. 590-2961; noevalleybooks.com
Oct. 1: Adrianna Adarme introduces A Cozy Kitchen Cookbook: 100 Easy, Comforting Recipes for Every Mood and Desire, 6:30 pm. OMNIVORE Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez. 282-4712; omnivorebooks.com
Sept. 19: Bring a yoga mat, sleep mask, and pillow to the SOUND BATH healing at Bethany UMC. 9 am-noon. 1270 Sanchez. 647-8393; bethanysf.org
Oct. 3 & 4: OPEN STUDIOS features artists in Noe, Castro, Mission, Glen Park, and Twin Peaks.workspaces. 11 am-5 pm. For a list. artspan.org/visitsfopenstudios
Sept. 19: The Bilingual Birdies troupe performs a PUPPET SHOW from 11:15 am to noon at the Noe Valley Library. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org
Oct. 8-24: The LITQUAKE Literary Festival features events throughout the city; for info: litquake.org
Sept. 20: Ages 10 to 18 can decorate a Japanese style DECODEN keychain or hairclip. 2-3 pm. Noe Valley Library. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org Sept. 22: Author Rose Levy Beranbaum reveals Ma Vie en Rose. 6:30 pm. OMNIVORE Books, 3885 Cesar Chavez. 2824712; omnivorebooks.com
Oct. 10: Rocket DOG RESCUE brings cute pups, 1 to 5 pm, to When Modern Was, 4001 24th. rocketdogrescue.org Welcome Back! The next Voice Calendar will be in the October 2026 issue. Noe Valley events receive priority. The deadline for calendar items is Sept. 20. Email calendar@noevalleyvoice.com.
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 19
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An Upper Noe volunteer crew enjoyed One City Day on July 11.
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Photo courtesy Chris Faust
Flags Flying This Fall ummer is gone, but “we had a great time,” say the kids attending Summer Day Camp at Upper Noe Rec. But even with kids back in school, the fun continues. Fall Registration opened Aug. 15 with lots to do: co-ed flag football, flag football for girls only, girls’ volleyball and a girls’ basketball tournament, futsal, tennis, wrestling, karate, and all of the usual favorites for adults. Plus, there will be two sessions of girls’ volleyball camp from Dec. 28 to 30, for girls 8 to 10 and 11 to 14. See the Fall Daily Schedule for Upper Noe below and learn how to register at https://uppernoerecreationcenter.com/. Meanwhile, plan to unite at Upper Noe NeighborFest on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for a day of music, fun for all ages, treats, and camaraderie. If you’d like to volunteer at this free community event, email info@uppernoerecreationcenter.com To help beautify the park beforehand, sign up for Gardening Work Day on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to noon.; RSVPs are appreciated (info@uppernoerecreationcenter.com) but drop-ins are welcome. Tools and gloves will be provided. Meet on the Sanchez Street side of Upper Noe Rec Center. Park Updates: One City Day on July 11 saw more than a dozen neighbors pitching in to clean up all of the tree wells surrounding Upper Noe Rec Center. Public Works followed up days later and filled them with gravel. Now they look good and are no longer a tripping hazard. Kudos to all of you who helped make this project and over 100 other volunteer projects happen across the entire city. Decking Replaced: Rec & Park rebuilt the sinking and unsafe decking along the Day Street entrance to Joby’s Run dog park. Thanks! Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center is your stewardship group. Call the office at 295 Day St. (415-970-8061) if you need equipment for pickleball, ping-pong, or other activities at the park. —Chris Faust, Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center
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What’s in Your Quake Kit? Sally Smith / Illustrations by Karol Barske re you ready for the next earthquake, fire, or health emergency? Consider the things you might need to stock 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). Congrats to the graduates of this year ’s NERT trainings. Thanks for joining the team!
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Water: One gallon per person to last 3 to 5 days. (Use bleach to purify it, 2 to 4 drops per quart.) 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 dry. 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, sanitary supplies. Special items for children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.
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 hurts 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 Fall Session (Sept. 1 to Dec. 19, 2026) Rec Center Hours, 295 Day St.: Monday, camp only; Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday closed (outside activities only) Park Grounds: Daily, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Free Ping Pong (ages 6+) Drop-in: T–F, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Tuesdays 9 to 10 a.m. Zumba with Moira. Free. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drop-In Adult Pickleball (18+) 10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (6 mos to 5 yrs) 12 to 1 p.m. Pilates (18+) 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Strength & Flexibility (18+) 2 to 4 p.m. Open Basketball (17 and under) 6 to 7 p.m. Tennis Beginning (ages 8-9) 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Yoga (18+) 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Open Basketball (18+) 7 to 8 p.m. Tennis Beginning / Intermediate (18+) Wednesdays 10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (6m-5yr) 12 to 1 p.m. Feldenkrais (18+) 4 to 5 p.m. Karate Kidz Little Kickers (ages 6-8) 4 to 6 p.m. Open Basketball (17 and under) 5 to 6 p.m. Karate Kidz (ages 9-14) 6 to 9 p.m. Volleyball League Advanced (18+) Thursdays 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drop-In Adult Pickleball (18+) 10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (6m-5yr) 12 to 1 p.m. Pilates (18+) 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Strength & Flexibility (18+) 4 to 5 p.m. Petite Bakers (ages 3-5) 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Girls’ Flag Football Jr. Division Upper Noe Team (ages 8-10) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Girls’ Flag Football Sr.
Division Upper Noe Team (ages 11-14) 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Yoga (18+) 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Open Basketball (18+) Fridays 9 to 10 a.m. Zumba with Moira. Free. 10 to 11 a.m. Futsal for Tots (ages 3-5) 10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (6m-5yr) 2 to 4 p.m. Open Basketball (17 and under) 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Volleyball Upper Noe Team (ages 10-12) 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. SFFBL (Flag Football) Jr. Division; Upper Noe Team (co-ed ages 810) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. SFFBL (Flag Football) Sr. Division Upper Noe Team (co-ed ages 11-13) 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Girls’ Volleyball Upper Noe Team (ages 10-12) 6 to 7 p.m. Tennis Beginning (ages 8-10) 6:30 – 8:45 p.m. Drop-In Girls’ Volleyball (ages 11-17) 7 to 8 p.m. Tennis Beginning / Intermediate (18+) Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open Basketball (all ages) 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Zumba (family, all ages) Play Pass fee $5. For updates, visit www.sfrecpark.org/zumba 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Girls Queens of the Court Tournament to Beg. (ages 11-14) 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A Place to Play (ages 6m-5yr) 3 to 4 p.m. Coed Wrestling Camp Grapple (ages 7-13) 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tennis Int/Adv (18+)
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20 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 21 CHILDREN’S FICTION
When the Sun Goes Down: A Bedtime Book by Greg Pizzoli tells us what animals do at night. Ages 2-5. A scientifically minded girl explores her neighborhood park, in Sparrow Loves Reptiles by Murry Burgess, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. Ages 4-6. Corey R. Tabor’s Fox Catches a Wave continues the “I Can Read” series with tales of a surfing fox. Ages 4-8. Twelve-year-old Rain bonds with the last of a wild species in the fantasy Griffin Speaker by Jan M. Flynn, with illustrations by Matt Rockefeller. Ages 8-12. CHILDREN’S NONFICTION
Young nature detectives can guess at which animal lives in which lair in Who Nests Here? Twenty-four Extraordinary Animal Homes, by Karen Jameson; illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki. Ages 4-8. Author Isabel Thomas and illustrator Daniel Egneus use the life cycle of a frog to describe the origins of the universe in Frog: A Story of Life on Earth. Ages 5-7. In Beatrice and the Nightingale by Patricia Newman, with illustrations by Isabelle Follath, a young cellist and a songbird perform a duet. Ages 6-9. Japanese Urban Legends: An Illustrated Guide to Monsters, Myths, and Terrifying Mysteries includes 124 spooky tales edited by Itsuki Asazato. Ages 9-18. CHILDREN’S EBOOKS
Two penguins waddle around Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, in Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure, by Caryn Rivadeneira and illustrator Katy Tanis. Ages 3-5. Author Yevgenia Nayberg approaches the difficulties of learning a new language with humor, in Another Tongue. Ages 4-8. In I Want to Be a Farmer by Laura Driscoll, with illustrations by Catalina Echeverri, a girl and her father visit the state fair. Ages 4-8. Twenty scary stories are told in A Coven of Witches: Spellbinding Tales of Magic and Myth, by Alexis Powell, with illustrations by Marina Vidal. Ages 8-12. TEEN FICTION
The Unruly Heart of Miss Darcy by Erin Edwards is a spinoff of Pride and Prejudice featuring the adventures of Mr. Darcy’s queer sister. Ages 12 and up. When 15-year-old Chianti learns that her dad isn’t her biological father, she moves in with her maternal grandmother in Zimbabwe, in When It’s Your Turn for Midnight by Blessing Musariri. Ages 1318. The Gravewood by Kelly Andrew pairs a deaf girl who lives in an impassable forest with the leader of a group of vampires. Ages 13 and up. In Infinite Shores, the final book in Pascale Lacelle’s “The Drowned Gods” trilogy, a teen mage—a wise person with magic powers—and her friends do battle with evil deities to save the people they love. Ages 14 and up. TEEN NONFICTION
Viv Dawes offers an informative and supportive toolkit, The Young Person’s Guide to Autistic Burnout. Ages 14-17.
C RO S S WO R D S O L U T I O N
Flocking Together by Michael Blake
M O R E B O O K S TO READ Noe Valley Library Invites You to a Party
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he Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library will host a day of music, games, and library exploration at its fall Open House at 451 Jersey St., on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. From 10 to noon, little ones up to 5 years old have a Big Play Date at the branch featuring water painting, sand play, tunnels, and bubble-making. Then, artists from Diego Flores Art will arrive to paint everyone’s faces from noon to 2 p.m. Meantime, a big fire truck from the SFFD will squeeze onto Jersey Street to offer kids seats at the wheel. René y Familia Photo by Naomi Pasmanick Garcia Susan Peña and Miguel Govea from René y Familia will perform songs in Spanish and English from 1 to 2 p.m. There will be free food and drink from local businesses, not to mention craft tables for button- and bookmark-making,“Meet community, work on a jigsaw puzzle, and take home a free book!” say the San Francisco Public Library party planners. If you need a book suggestion, glance at the titles on this page. They are among the many new arrivals, say librarians Madeleine Felder, Cristal Fiel, and Amy Lewis. To reserve books to borrow, go to SFPL.org. If you need to speak with a librarian at the Noe Valley branch, call 415-355-5707. Note: All city libraries will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, for Labor Day, and Monday, Oct. 12, for Indigenous Peoples or Columbus Day. —Sally Smith
Until We Meet Again is Lily Kim Qia’s graphic memoir about her childhood in Canada and Shanghai, China. Ages 14-18. Queer and How We Got Here: A (Personal) History by Hazel Newlevant starts with an analysis of Western ideas about sexual orientation. Ages 14 and up. Authors David Levithan and Gabriel Duckels trace The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America. Ages 14 and up. TEEN EBOOKS
How to Draw Kawaii Manga Fashion is is the work of graphic novelist Misako Rocks! Ages 7-12. In Alex, by Proxy, fiction by Karen Myna Cantor, a teen who was the victim of a parent with Munchausen syndrome struggles to recount the story on a podcast. Ages 12 and up. The daughter of a teacher who confessed to murdering two students is accused of a crime in the YA thriller I Didn’t Do It by Elle Gonzalez Rose. Ages 14 and up. In The Revenge Playbook by Rimma Onoseta, two boarding school girls try to take down the boy who hurt them. Ages 14 and up. ADULT FICTION
In the conclusion of Colson Whitehead’s Harlem trilogy, Cool Machine, “Furniture Dealer of the Month” Ray Carney tries to rescue his late cousin’s son. A mother and daughter must break a family curse in Fishbone Cinderella by Elizabeth Lim. It Will Come Back to You includes 13 short stories by National Book Award
CAREGIVER NEEDED
winner Sigrid Nunez. Josh Weil’s tale of murder and pursuit, What Came West, is set in the Sierra Nevada during the Gold Rush. ADULT NONFICTION
In Catch the Devil: A True Story of Murder, Deception, and Injustice on the Gulf Coast, Pamela Colloff unveils the crimes of con man Paul Skalnik. Janet L. Jones examines the thinking and motivations of A Horse’s World: A Neuroscientist’s Journey into the Equine Mind. Micki McElya’s Liberation Summer: The Moment That Changed the Women’s Movement and the Future of American Politics harks back to the September 1968 Miss America pageant. Geriatrician Nathaniel Chin clarifies the signs and concerns of aging in When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Alzheimer’s Early Signs to Full Support.
L I B R A RY
E V E N T S
All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St., and are dropin unless otherwise noted. Be aware events are first come, first served. For information, visit sfpl.org or call the branch at 415-3555707. Family Storytimes are Thursdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17 & 24, and Oct. 1 & 8, at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Tickets are available at 10 and 10:30 a.m. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. The 2017 film The Shape of Water screens Friday, Sept. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. Author and wellness educator Joaninha introduces her book Recipes for a Good Life, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2 to 3 p.m. SF City Guides Walking Tour “Noe Valley: A Village Within the City” explores historic homes in the neighborhood Sunday, Sept. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration required: 375-0468 (City Guides). Toddler Storytimes are Mondays, Sept. 14, 21, & 28, and Oct. 5, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. Tickets are available at the door, starting at 11 a.m. Drop-In Tech Help for adults is available Monday, Sept. 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. The Noe Valley Short Stack Book Club discusses Vigil by George Saunders, on Friday, Sept. 18, from 3 to 4 p.m. Copies are held at the circulation desk for checkout. Bilingual Birdies performs a puppet show with songs in Spanish and English, for children and their caregivers, Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11:15 a.m. to noon. Ages 10 to 18 can learn how to decorate a keychain or hairclip with 3D charms in the Japanese “decoden” style on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2 to 3 p.m. Space is limited. The Alone Together Book Club (ages 10 to 18) meets on the third Monday of the month (Sept. 21) from 3 to 4 p.m. Noe Valley Library’s Open House features music, crafts, face painting, and refreshments, on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pajama Storytime for families happens on Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The Knitting Circle meets on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Middle schoolers and teens can bring school projects to Homework Hangout, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 3:30 to 5 p.m. The 2010 film True Grit screens Friday, Oct.. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. Learn about Victorian Restoration and Preservation with Bob Buckter, Ben Zotto, and Anson Moran, the authors of two new books celebrating San Francisco’s architectural legacy, on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. Space is limited.
ADULT EBOOKS
1873: The Rothschilds, the First Great Depression, and the Making of the Modern World, by Liaquat Ahamed, analyzes the ”Panic” caused by speculation. Two strangers in London switch identities in As If by Isabel Waidner. In Ben Fountain’s comic novel Rasputin Swims the Potomac, the U.S. president hires a pro wrestler to ensure his reelection. The Traveler: One Man’s Epic Quest to Discover Our Shared Humanity is Andrea Wulf’s biography of 18th-century
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naturalist George Forster. ADULT DVD/BLU-RAY
Carolina Caroline, a 2025 crime drama made by Adam Rehmeier, stars Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, and Kyra Sedgwick. Maddie’s Secret (2025) is a dark comedy about a bulimic food influencer, written and directed by John Early and featuring John Early and Kip Reynolds. Michael (2026) documents the early life of singer Michael Jackson, portrayed by Jaafar Jackson. Power Ballad, a 2026 musical comedy directed by John Carney, stars Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. A WWII docudrama directed by Anthony Maras and set in the days before D-Day, Pressure (2026) stars Brendan Fraser as Dwight D. Eisenhower. Annotations by Voice bookworm Karol Barske
BRANCH HOURS Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Branch Library 451 Jersey St., 415-355-5707 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1-5 11-6 10-8 12-8 10-6 1-6 10-6
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22 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
Action SF, the National Movement in Your Neighborhood https://m.facebook.com/ActionSFactivism/ Website: http://www.action-sf.com/ Email: ActionSFTeam@gmail.com Meetings: Usually Third Tuesdays (email actionsfsolidarity@gmail.com for zoom link), Wednesday, Sept 15, Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey, 6-7:30 p.m. Midterm Postcard Parties Sept. 10 and Oct. 13, Manny's HQ, 3938 24th, 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: Terry Asten Bennett, President; Address: 584 Castro St. #333, SF, CA 94114 Email: info@CastroMerchants.com Comerford Greenway Contact: Howard Fallon Email: ComerfordGreenway@gmail.com Website: https://greeningprojects.org/comerford-greenway/ Quarterly workdays in Comerford Alley. Diamond Heights Community Association Contact: Betsy Eddy, 867-5774 Address: P.O. Box 31529, SF, CA 94131 Website: www.dhcasf.org. Meetings: Second Thursday, 7 p.m. Call for location.
M O R E G R O U P S TO J O I N Fair Oaks Neighbors Email: hello@fairoaksneighbors.org Address: 200 Fair Oaks St., SF, CA 94110 The Fair Oaks Street Fair is traditionally held the day before Mother’s Day. Friends of Dolores Park Playground Contact: Nancy Gonzalez Madynski, 828-5772 Email: friendsofdolorespark@gmail.com Website: friendsofdolorespark.org Friends of Christopher Park Contact: Brynna 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, CA 94131 Plant restoration work parties, Wednesday mornings and third Saturday of the month. Friends of Noe Courts Playground Contact: Laura Norman Email: noecourts@gmail.com Address: P.O. Box 460953, SF, CA 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.
Glen Park Association Contact: info@glenparkassociation.org Website: glenparkassociation.org Address: P.O. Box 31292, SF, CA 94131
Noe Valley Parent Network An e-mail resource network for parents Contact: Mina Kenvin Email: minaken@gmail.com noevalleyparentsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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.”
Noe Valley Run Club Meets Fridays 6:45 a.m. for 4-mile run; 7:30 a.m. for 2.5-mile, 26th and Sanchez. https://www.instagram.com/noevalleyrunclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association Contact: Dr. Lisa Fromer, president Email: efromer3@gmail.com Meetings: Quarterly. Email for details.
Noe Walks Contact: Chris Nanda Email: christopher.n.nanda@gmail.com Website: NoeWalks.com Meetings: Saturdays, 10 a.m. Starts 24th and Sanchez. Ends Noe and Duncan for photo.
Noe Neighborhood Council Contact: Ozzie Rohm or Matt McCabe Email: info@noeneighborhoodcouncil.com Website: noeneighborhoodcouncil.com Meetings: Quarterly at Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St. Noe Valley Association–24th Street Community Benefit District Contact: Debra Niemann, 519-0093 Dispatch: To report spills or debris on 24th Street, call Billy Dinnell, 802-4461. Email: info@noevalleyassociation.org. Website: noevalleyassociation.org Board meetings: Quarterly. See website.
Friends of Slow Sanchez Contacts: Christopher Keene, Andrew Casteel Email: info@SlowSanchez.com Website: SlowSanchez.com
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.
Duncan Newburg Association (DNA) Contacts: Diane McCarney, 824-0303; or Lily Wu, 793-1749. Address: 590 Duncan St., SF, CA 94131. Meetings: Call for details.
Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center Contact: Chris Faust Email: info@uppernoerecreationcenter.com Website: uppernoerecreationcenter.com Meetings: Email or check 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
Eureka Valley Neighborhood Assn. Contact: Board@evna.org Address: P.O. Box 14137, SF, CA 94114 Meetings: See website Events. Castro Meeting Room, 501 Castro St., 7 p.m.
Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group (FUNDOG) Contact: David Emanuel, info@fundogsf.org Website: www.fundogsf.org
Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association (NVMPA) Contact: Kristen McCaffery, President, Kristen@novysf@gmail.com, 829-8383; or Kathryn Gianaras, Vice President,
Dolores Heights Improvement Club Email: info@doloresheights.org Website: www.doloresheights.org Meetings: Third Thursday of every second month. Bank of America, 18th and Castro.
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Claudia Siegel, CRS. Certified Residential Specialist® Ranked Top 1.5% Nationwide 415.816.2811 | claudia.siegel@compass.com ClaudiaSiegel.com | @claudiasiegelsf DRE 01440745 Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License # 01991628, 1527235, 1527365, 1356742, 1443761, 1997075, 1935359, 1961027, 1842987, 1869607, 1866771, 1527205, 1079009, 1272467.
Kathryn@novysf@gmail.com Meetings: 9 a.m. Call to confirm location. Website: https.noemerchants.com www.NoeValleyMerchants.com
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 Roberts, carole_roberts@faludi.com Website: https://SF-fire.org/nert 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.
Experience together TK - 8th grade
Learn together
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The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026 23
and now for the
RUMORS behind the news Locations and Relocations By Mazook USIC TO MY EARS: The Noe Valley Town Square has teamed up Noe Music—the innovative Sunday Afternoon series at the Noe Valley Ministry at 1021 Sanchez—to hold four free concerts in the Town Square. According to Town Square coordinator Moira Leslie Crawford, the first in the Noe Music in the Square series, on Friday, Sept. 11, from 5 to 6 p.m., will be a Mozart Divertimento in E-flat major, performed by Noe Music’s Artistic Directors Owen Dalby (viola) and Meena Bhasin (violin) with cellist Anne Richardson of the San Francisco Symphony. Bhasin describes the musical diversion as “one of Mozart's most beloved chamber works.... It is music that opens up and breathes, full of virtuosity, wit and warmth. Bring the kids, grab a slice from Haystack Pizza, pour something from the VIBE Truck, and let Mozart do the rest.” On Sept. 18, Noe Music regulars Tanya Tomkins, Robert Howard, and Angela Lee will join Esmé Quartet cellist Yeeun Ho for a concert of four cellos playing music from Sudan, India, East and Southern Africa, and Hungary. The next Friday concert will be on Oct. 2, featuring kora player (“the harp of West Africa”) Yacouba Sissoko, cellist Mike Block, and percussionist Idrissa Koné. Says Crawford, “This trio traces a musical journey from the ancient griot [a West African troubador] traditions of Mali to the crossroads of American folk and jazz.” She emphasizes that all concerts will have free admission, no tickets needed, and all ages are welcome.
M
WAY COOLER: The Noe Valley Saturday Farmers Market vendor Herr Farms has been the recipient of over $12,000 from the market’s customers, to pay for an electric cooler for Herr’s truck used to bring their harvest to Noe Valley every week. A GoFundMe page was created by Town Square co-founder Chris Keene, to help purchase the cooler and pay for installation costs. Keene kicked off the fundraiser with a $1,000 donation. “The people in this community have been very generous and have made my life a thousand times better,” says the Farm’s boss, Kua Herr. “I love you all.” Herr says the cooler to transport the fruits and vegetables from his family’s Fresno County farm to Noe Valley was sorely needed because “the nights this year have been very hot, reaching 90 degrees in the night (after around 109 degrees in the daytime), and so we load up the cooler using our house electricity before we go to bed and set it for 50 degrees and then move the cooler to the truck before we leave for Noe Valley at 5 a.m. for the four-hour drive.” He says keeping the tomatoes fresh was the most difficult, since they risked rotting and having to be thrown away when they arrived at the market. WAY HOTTER: By the way, the Noe Valley Farmers Market music schedule for September Saturdays is: Sept. 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Elliot Racine performs funk/rock/jazz, and from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., my favorite rock and roll band, Liberty Street, performs. On Sept. 19, singer-songwriter Dave
Kesler plays the early show, and at 11 a.m. Tome Huber and the String Herders take the stage. Finally, on Sept. 26, from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Christie Koenig leads the herchurch choir of nine singers. Then, from 10 to 11:15 a.m., Projecto Novo plays Spanish and Portuguese music; and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Covadonga Valera, a singer-songwriter from the Northern Songbirds collective, appears. INS AND OUTS IN NOE VALLEY: Small Frys will be moving from its current storefront at 3985 24th St., across from Just for Fun, back to the spot where it originally opened 34 years ago at 4066 24th St. Store owner Carol Yenne says the children’s clothing store will re-occupy the space where Moonshot Studio has been since 2018. Moonshot will be floating up and out of its premises at the end of September. “We will be remodeling the space,” says Yenne, “which will give us much more space and provide bigger space for extra storage for our inventory.” She says that her landlord has already put a “For Lease” sign in the front window of the current Small Frys location, which will be available at the end of the year, when she will vacate the space. “The remodel will be extensive and take a lot of work, and we hope to reoccupy and open in January with a larger variety of clothing for older kids too,” she says, “and lots of sunlight coming through the front windows.” Meanwhile, Moonshot Studio, known for its individually scented candles and fragrances, will be moving to another location “somewhere in the Bay Area,” says owner Teresa Fitzgerald. While deciding, she will keep Moonshot open through September and offer custom “private-label” candles and other products for customers’ businesses, as well as private events outside of business hours. The candles will be in lots of 24 or more. Those interested can reach her by phone at 415-876-8724. IN HERE, OUT THERE: Noe Valley Voice writer Matthew Bajko told us in the July issue Short Takes that a developer is planning to build a new five-story apartment building at 4148 24th, above Persimmon Acupuncture. After the story was published, Bajko received word from Tina Pham, owner of Persimmon. Pham wrote, “Thanks for reaching out! I am planning to relocate Persimmon Acupuncture and hope to remain in Noe Valley or nearby if possible. My priority is finding a location that allows me to continue serving my patients and maintaining the community connections, educational offerings, and creative collaborations that have grown alongside the practice over the years.” Just opened Aug. 16 at 1330 Church St. (at the corner of Diamond) is Escuelita Colibri, a Spanish-immersion preschool for kids ages 2 to 5, run by Rosa Lara. She says the focus will be on creative arts and a curriculum-focused learning program. “We are now accepting applications, and [are] fully licensed by California Department of Education after many inspections, for up to 30 children,” says Lara. The space is over 2,400 square feet with 10 rooms, including jungle gyms, a large play area, library, desk space, a kitchen with dining tables, and two bathrooms. Learning schedules will be reviewed by Lara, who has been doing this for the past 30 years, or other experienced staff, and changed every month, if necessary, after consultation with the parent or guardian. You might remember that this space was a real estate office for about 10 years and before that, a ballet studio since the 1970s. Also among the new crop of
preschools in the area is Happy Garden Child Care Center. It is moving into the former Uma Casa space at 1550 Church at Duncan Street. According to program director Yuanchen Li, the day care is a play- and relationship-based Mandarin immersion program first established in 2015 at 18 Day St. Tailored for children 18 months to pre-K, the center Li says Happy Garden on Church Street will be open 8 a.m .to 5:30 p.m. in November. Contact the preschool at 415-928-3373 or go to their website, happygardenchildcarecenter.com. INCOMING, OUTGOING: Pressed Juicery, at 3901 24th at Sanchez, closed in mid-August. Now there is a Maven Commercial sign out front, seeking a tenant for the 1,000-square-foot retail space. According to AI, “The closure is part of a broad corporate shift by the brand [Pressed Juicery], closing multiple brickand-mortar storefronts nationwide to focus more heavily on wholesale, delivery, and grocery retail.” In fact, Pressed Juicery products are available at Safeway. Downtown Noe Valley Peruvian eatery Fresca, after almost eight years of remaining closed for remodeling, finally reopened on Aug. 24, at 3945 24th St. The event was well covered in television news, the San Francisco Chronicle, and on Fresca’s Facebook page, besides other online sources. The Open Table reservations link at Frescasf.com is (415) 718-5232. Open Table says Fresca is open Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday the lunch and dinner hours were 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alice’s Restaurant, a favorite for Hunan and Mandarin Chinese food at 1599 Sanchez at 29th Street, closed permenently at the end of August. Owners James and Sharon Sung had decided to retire after serving the neighborhood for 30 years. In the last week, many local residents flocked to the corner for their last meal or takeout. “Sharon, the owner, came up to me as I was paying for my takeout and told me the news,” said customer (and former Voice advertising manager) Steve Steinberg. “The place was packed, so I guess the word had gotten out. I sure will miss them.” Steinberg said Sharon Sung had told him a Vietnamese restaurant would open on the spot, “in about four months.” All of the Alice’s staff have relocated to Eric’s Restaurant at 1500 Church, which shares many of Alice’s menu items. Lastly, in food news, Whole Foods’ longtime team leader Jack Douglas has been redeployed to their Castro store, at Market and Dolores, where he will become the head of operations. He said he learned of the reassignment with only one day’s notice, and he is looking forward to taking over that food market. I want to personally thank him for getting Amazon, the owner of Whole Foods, to deliver 50 new small shopping carts, which help us all make the rounds in the store aisles. THE ART OF THE PLANT: Currently at Lola Gallery on Sanchez is the annual Mary L. Harden School of Botanical Illustration exhibition, featuring the original work of two dozen artists. On view through the end of September, the exhibit “celebrates the art of botanical illustration—where careful observation, scientific detail, and artistic expression come together. Each painting offers a look at the beauty and complexity of the natural world,” relays gallery owner and artist Lola Guerrera. Now in its sixth year, this annual exhibition has become a tradition at Lola
Two Wakes for Finnegans Owner Tom Frenkel
T
he Noe Valley Voice was saddened to learn that Tom Frenkel, one of the paper’s earliest supporters, died on Aug. 14 at the age of 86. Frenkel coowned Finnegans Wake, a watering hole at 4054 24th St. (where Valley Tavern is today) from 1976 to ’84. When for unexplained reasons the landlord refused to renew his lease, Frenkel opened a new Finnegans Wake in Cole Valley, still in existence today. A resident of Daly City, he also founded Blooms Saloon in Potrero Hill. The Noe Valley Finnegans was where the Voice was conceived 50 years ago—on scribbled napkins and manual typewriters—by a dozen or so patrons, most in their 20s and 30s. “Tom thought the newspaper was so cool,” said Alvin Warwas, one of Finnegans’ early co-owners. “He loved the Voice,” remembered Bill Leeman, one of the paper’s cofounders and writers. “Tom loved having it delivered to Finnegans Wake. He thought it was instrumental in bringing the neighborhood together.” As his obituary at Legacy.com said, Frenkel, a native of St. Louis, was also a devoted “husband to Joan, father to Lindy, and a dear friend to many.” On Sept. 12, Frenkel’s family and friends will celebrate his life at the SF Italian Athletic Club, 1630 Stockton St., from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Then on Sept. 26, the Finnegans Wake crowd will gather to honor Frenkel and the 50th anniversary of the legacy pub. Festivities will take place at the reincarnated Finnegans Wake at 937 Cole St., from 2 to 6 p.m. Tom, we’ll miss you. Those were the days.
Gallery and is a great opportunity to view botanical artwork created by emerging and accomplished artists. Lola’s is located at 1250 Sanchez at Clipper. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Thursday, noon to 6 p.m.; and Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. BEFORE I SIGN OFF on September, I want to commend the community spirit of our neighborhood for keeping the 24th Street and surrounding streets clean every month. Official cleanup days at the Town Square are led by Cathy, Olga, and crew on third Sundays every month (next two are Sept. 20 and Oct. 18). Volunteers pick up supplies at the Town Square (see RefuseRefuseSF.org/cleanups) and form crews at 10 a.m., then labor until noon around the neighborhood. Another group of volunteers is now cleaning up around Upper Noe Rec Center on second Saturdays (Sept. 12), starting on the Day Street side at 10:30 a.m. Email info@RefuseRefuseSF.org. That’s 30 for this month. Ciao.
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24 The Noe Valley Voice • September 2026
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