Author: Todd_Lappin

Collage Shows Creepy-Crawly Creatures Found on Bernal Hill

/ Todd_Lappin / 6 Comments

Neighbor Mike shared this tastefully executed collage of creepy-crawly creatures he photographed on Bernal Hill.

In it, we see several members of Bernalwood’s recurring cast of natural horrors, including the California slender salamander Western fence lizard, the Jerusalem Cricket, the gopher snake, and the slimy snail.

Apart from it’s innate taxonomical interest, this collection of local fauna provides an important reminder that Nature, while generally wholesome and wonderful, can also be rather icky and disgusting.

PHOTO: Neighbor Mike

Average Rents In Bernal Heights Climb 65% In One Year

/ Todd_Lappin / 15 Comments

Bernal Heights is famous and glamorous, and that’s generally a good thing; With our so-hot-right-now reputation comes new amenities, new accolades, and VIP invitations to all the right parties. But there are also downsides to our celebrity status, and increased housing costs are one of them. Specifically, the rents are too damn high — and they’re getting higher.

Our real estate-obsessed friends at CurbedSF bring the jaw-dropping news that the average price of rental housing in Bernal Heights increased by 65 percent during the last year:

Now, there’s room to quibble with this analysis, which was conducted by LiveLovely, an apartment-hunting website. As one sharp commenter on CurbedSF points out: “The people who did this survey need a basic course in statistics. You cannot compare without taking into account the size, the area (of the unit), etc. A new construction with a dozen apartments on the high end can quickly skew the stats.”

Quite true. On the other hand, Bernal’s housing stock has remained largely unchanged, and as a basic benchmark, the +65% figure probably feels anecdotally right to anyone who has looked for rental housing in Bernalwood recently. Ouch, indeed.

IMAGES: via CurbedSF

Misplaced Mulch Gets Citation for Illegal Dumping

/ Todd_Lappin / 6 Comments

On Sunday afternoon, while on a routine journalism patrol atop Bernal Hill, I noticed a large pile of vegetation that had been unceremoniously dumped in the middle of the sidewalk on the south side of Bernal Heights Boulevard. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Happily, there was a Ranger from the City Rec and Park Department on the scene, filling out a report in her Rangermobile. Even better, she was friendly. And she had good news:

Sometime around mid-afternoon on Sunday, a truck drove down Bernal Heights Boulevard, stopped alongside the road, raised up the bed, dumped a load of chopped-up plants, and drove off. A few astute neighbors watched the situation unfold, and they smartly jotted down the particulars about the truck.

The result? According to the Ranger, the perpetrators were tracked down and promptly fined. Apparently, however, the incident wasn’t quite another example of brazen Bernal hill trash dumpery; the material left on the scene was clean mulch, and it had been intended for use on another site elsewhere on the hilltop. Nevertheless, it was undeniably unsmart of the haulers to deposit the load in the middle of the sidewalk, and it’s a testament to the neighborhood’s increased vigilance that the perps were identified and cited so quickly.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Last Vestiges of Infamous Nasser Market Disappear

/ Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

Neighbor Lessley brings us this update on the evolution of the former Nasser Market space on the corner of Crescent and Anderson:

Nasser Market, the infamous Crescent Ave. liquor store that inspired a 2008 murder and served as a drug dealing front, is now gone for good. Vacant for the past several years, the owners finally decided to turn it into an apartment building. As you can see from the picture, the sign came down last Saturday, erasing what had been a shameful blot on South Bernal’s reputation.

For those not familiar with the sordid tale, here are the lowlights: Four years ago owner Tong Van Le was held up at gun point at the seedy market, then tracked down and shot on the doorstep of his house in Novato by six accomplices who didn’t want him to testify in court about the hold up. Next, the market was taken over by drug dealers, who used Nasser as a front for their marijuana operation.

There had been hopes among some neighbors that Nasser might be turned into a small produce market for overflow from the Alemany Farmer’s Market, but these rumored inquiries apparently went nowhere. Instead, a ground level apartment has been carved out if the former storefront, with a familiar Lowes-style vinyl window in front. It’s not particularly pretty, but for the moment it’s a big improvement.

PHOTO: Neighbor Lessley

Fleeting Moment of Perfection Yields Best Part of Entire Day

/ Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

When I got home from work last night, Bernalwood’s Cub Reporter announced that she wanted to go for a bike ride.

So we made a quick trip down the block. Then, as we were returning home, the sun dropped low above Twin Peaks, the trees began to shimmer with color, and the Cub Reporter glowed in golden sunlight as she cast a long shadow on the sidewalk.

A neighborhood really doesn’t get much more perfect than this.

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics

Community Meeting to Halt Illegal Dumping, Tuesday Evening

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Illegal Dumping on Bernal Hill

In response to the recent, wretched spate of illegal dumping incidents on Bernal Hill the San Francisco Department of Public Works has joined forces with the Police to hold a community meeting TOMORROW, May 15, at 7 pm at the SFPD’s Ingleside Station.

From the DPW’s announcement:

After three incidents in the last week and a total of five incidents since the beginning of the year of large piles of construction debris and green waste weighing several tons dumped at the base of Bernal Heights Park on Folsom Street, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) are asking the public to be extra watchful for suspicious trucks and activities in the area, and also has called for a community meeting that invites neighbors and city departments to meet and discuss the recent rash of illegal dumping in the area.

The public is invited to attend a Community Meeting on May 15th, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Police Department’s Ingleside Station, 1 Sgt. John V. Young Lane, to discuss and learn more about cleanup efforts and strategies to deter future incidents.

Bonus Fun Facts:

  • The material dumped on Bernal Hill during the weekend of May 5th weighed 6.3 tons.
  • The SFPD  says it has stepped up patrols on Bernal Hill to combat the dumping.
  • Looking ahead, the SFPD’s Capt. Mahoney from Ingleside says: “Residents should report suspicious persons and vehicles by calling the non-emergency dispatch line: (415) 553-0123″

PHOTO: Dumping incident on May 7, by Telstar Logistics

Bernal Cutlery Organizes Glamorous Art Show for Kids

/ Todd_Lappin


Here in Bernal Heights, we have many amenities: Spectacular views, glamorous lifestyles, and our very own Japanese-style knife sharpening and cutlery shoppe. Bernal Cutlery, located inside the fabulous marketplace at 331 Cortland, is a true neighborhood gem — and mediafolk outside our immodest little village have started to take note of its awesomeness. (Don’t miss KALW’s recent write up.)

But in true Bernalwood style, the folks at Bernal Cutlery haven’t let all the celebrity go to their heads. Indeed, they’re keeping it real by organizing a cute little contest that will let a few local mini-artists enjoy their own moment in the spotlight:

The 331 Cortland indoor marketplace is hosting a kids art show, and winning artists will get a small prize and have their work hung in the main display window on Cortland Ave. Work not shown in the window will be hung in the ‘hall of honorable mentions’ inside the shop.

We are asking that the kids submit work with the theme:

“Food on The Hill/Food in My Home”

Requirements are:

— Child must be no older then 12

— Work can be of any medium, however be a reasonable size for the window (No bigger then two feet or so.) Children interested in any non-traditional medium should contact Kelly at Bernal Cutlery.

— The deadline is Tuesday, May 22. Submissions should be brought to Bernal Cutlery at 331 Cortland Ave.

Pass this around and get to work!!!!! We can’t wait to see everyone’s lovely art!

Shown above is one early entry in the contest, which Bernalwood has taken the liberty of entitling “Supper with Sutrito Tower.”

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Bernal Cutlery

Giant Gold Nugget Discovered on Bernal Heights Boulevard

/ Todd_Lappin / 32 Comments

The anonymous creative genius who adopted the big rock on Bernal Heights Boulevard that overlooks downtown is always full of surprises. The latest is a sparkling paint job that makes the rock look like a giant gold nugget. Rather awesome.

PS: Does that big rock have a name? If not, it needs one. The Bernalwood Nomenclature Committee will consider any and all suggestions.

PHOTOS: Rick Carlstrom

Rainbowbama Smiles Upon Bernalwood

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

Rainbowbama

Here’s how one Bernal Heights household celebrated President Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage this week. Wooohooo! Finally!

Meanwhile, Bernalwood’s political analysts calculate that if Obama were to also a) endorse the decriminalization of marijuana, and b) criminalize carrying dogs in car-top carriers, he might have a halfway-decent shot of winning election as our next District 9 Supervisor someday. Maaaybe.

PHOTO: Joe Thomas

Fun Parents, Hip Kids, Cool Cars: Join the 2012 Bernal GT

/ Todd_Lappin / 7 Comments

2011 Bernal GT

2011 Bernal GT

2011 Bernal GT

Here’s a good-clean-fun event for Bernal Heights gearheads… and the children they have spawned.

The Central Committee of the Bernal Dads Racing Team has announced that the  2012 Bernal GT will be held on Saturday, May 19. The Bernal GT is not a race, and while classic cars are celebrated, they are not required. Basically, the GT is an excuse to take that car you love to drive out for a scenic spin along the coast, with your kid(s) along for the ride. Plus, it’s free!

Announcing the Third Annual Bernal GT on Saturday May 19th

Join the Bernal Dads in the third running of the Bernal GT 100. As in past years, this is the kid friendly– but not kid necessary– run beginning and ending in the vicinity of the Bernal Heights neighborhood (See these pics from last year).

Bring an old car, or a newer car with a kid, or hopefully an old car and a kid. If you have something new and interesting that can work too — just no minivans or SUVs. This is a free event and does not cost anything to participate. We will stop taking applications when the GT slots are filled up.

Details
When: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: 9:30am to mid-afternoon
Where: A to-be-announced starting point in San Francisco, and later returning to Bernal Heights.
Length: Somewhere between 80 and 120 Miles
Cost: Nothing. Nada. Zip

We are looking for the following:
– Car of 1980 model year or older

Exemptions
– If you want to bring kids 17 years or younger and/or kids in car seats, newer cars can be driven, but no minivans or SUVs
– Rare and/or exotic cars 1981 model year and newer can qualify for Exotic Status.

Registration
To register, send  an email to BernalGT100@gmail.com with the following information:
1) Driver’s Name, Co-driver & other passengers
2) Phone Number
3) Kids Along: Yes or No
4) Your Vehicle’s Name:
5) Vehicle Info: Year, Make, & Model
6) Applying for Exotic Status? Tell us what makes it rare/rarer than any of the cars we normally see on the Bernal slopes.

Reminder
This is not a race or a timed event, rather a drive through the some nearby, bucolic roads. There are no awards for arriving first or in the shortest time.

The Bernalwood News Team had a great time participating in the 2011 Bernal GT, last year. This year, we’ll be taking advantage of the Kid Exemption to participate in a faded 1995 Miata, with Bernalwood’s Cub Reporter riding shotgun. Sign up, and I look forward to meeting you (and ogling your car, and goofing with your kids) at the 2012 Bernal GT.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

A Special Photo for the Hill People of Bernal’s West Slope

/ Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

Last weekend Neighbor Isaac captured one of the most awesome and unusual photos of Bernal Heights you’re ever likely to see: It’s a supermongotelephoto view of the area where the La Lengua Autonomous Zone meets Bernal’s west slope. The perspective is surprising, because the photo was taken from (wait for it…) Twin Peaks!

For reference, that green patch in the center is the Colridge Mini-Park, with the Esmerelda steps running up the hill behind it.

The view you see above is nice, but for the proper mind-blowing experience, don’t miss the fully embiggened version of the photo. Wow!

PHOTO: Isaac Hepworth

Bernal Yoga Relocating to This New Space at 908 Cortland

/ Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

If you’ve ever practiced yoga, you’re probably familiar with many of the common positions: The Downward Dog, Warrior, The Child’s Pose, and so on. This week, Bernal Yoga will introduce a new set of poses called The Studio Relocation:

It’s with great excitement to announce we are moving to a brand new space in Bernal Heights. It’s just five blocks down the street at 908 Cortland Avenue. We will be across the street and very close to the 903 Restaurant and Sandbox Bakery.

The new studio has a larger practice space with lots of natural light, high ceilings, brand new cork floors, and an open reception area. We are working with local artists, designers and friends to bring in familiar touches from the previous location as well as custom pieces for the new space. We can’t wait for you to see it. The initial work is almost done.

Here are the details on the transition:

Monday, May 7th: Last day of classes at 461 Cortland Ave. Please Join Jacqui at 7:30pm for the last class.

Tuesday May 8th: No Classes

Wednesday May 9th: No Classes

Thursday, May 10th: New Studio at 908 Cortland Opens: (Regular class schedule resumes.) Please join Carlin at 7:00am for the first class at the new location.

We are having an open house on Saturday, May 12th from 6:00-9:00pm. The event will feature live music, specials on class passes and other goodies. We hope you will come by to help us celebrate.

Regular visitors to Bernal Yoga should make note of the new location at 908 Cortland, lest you find yourself standing outside the old space while practicing the ancient pose known as The Confused Patron. Namaste!

PHOTO: Interior view of Bernal Yoga’s new studio space at 908 Cortland, via Bernal Yoga.

Resplendent Tree Moose Found in Bernal Back Yard

/ Todd_Lappin

** EXCLUSIVE! MUST CREDIT BERNALWOOD!**

Researchers working in a remote Bernal Heights back yard recently made a most startling discovery: The Resplendent Tree Moose, captured during a rare moment of repose in his leafy refuge. Prof. Mason of the Bernalwood Exotic Species Project sends us this exclusive footage:

In this episode of Wild Kingdom, we track, at dusk, the Resplendent Moose in his native tree top habitat of Bernal Heights. Witness the careful attention to detail as it dons its ritual “sleeping mask” all while resting comfortably in the high tree tops it calls “home.” Never before seen on camera is the pre-bed time appliqué of pajama bottoms over-the-underwear-mask. This behavior is unexplained and we can only subject it to the scientific community at large for advice, comment and explanation.