Author: Todd_Lappin

Then And Now: What Became of Those “Working Class Houses” on Hampshire Street?

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Bernal Hill, San Francisco

Last week Bernalwood introduced you to Dave Glass, a wonderful San Francisco photographer who has amassed a continuous body of work that dates back to the 1960s.

Now it’s time for another installment of the Dave Glass Bernal Heights Then-And-Now Comparison Show. This week, we again travel back to 1982, to take a look at the corner of Hampshire and Peralta, on Bernal’s north side, where Dave photographed what he calls “working class housing.”

So what does it look like now? Dave says that today “these are expensive little homes with modern upgrades and city views.” Judging from this photo I took on December 24, 2010, it sure seems that he’s right:

Peralta at Hampshire (2010)

Photos: 1982, Dave Glass. 2010, Telstar Logistics

Our Exclusive Interview with the New Mayor of Bernal Heights Park

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You may not have voted for him, but Ben Calvin recently became the new mayor of Bernal Heights Park. That is, he’s the new mayor of Bernal Heights Park on Foursquare, the location-based social media thingy. Since it seemed unlikely that our *other* new mayor would entertain our probing questions — come to think of it, we didn’t vote for him either! — Bernalwood asked Ben to tell us about his new title, his political agenda, and his four-legged aide-de-camp.

Congratulations! You’re now the Foursquare mayor of Bernal Hill. How does it feel?

I treasure both my Foursquare mayoralities — in addition to Bernal Hill I am also the mayor of Pastores,  the tiny Mexican restaurant on Mission Street at Cortland. Both are special to me.

How hard did you campaign to win the title? Did you get any help along the way?

I owe it all to my dog Tennyson. Without him there is no way I would be out there everyday at 7:00 AM. I may be the mayor, but Tennyson is the King of Bernal Hill. (Editor’s note: Tennyson may have to fight for the throne.)

What’s your favorite thing about Bernal Hill?
There is a real community of dogs (and their owners) who are a pleasure to know. We have a 10 year-old son, so I already knew the kid side of Bernal, but thanks to Tennyson I’ve met a lot of other great people and their dogs.

We got Tennyson through Wonderdog Rescue. They are a (mostly) small dog rescue organization, so if you’re thinking of getting a dog I recommend them highly.

What’s your least favorite thing about Bernal Hill?

The periodic midnight trash dump, and the occasional police activity. However in the early morning that’s fairly rare.

Now that you’re mayor, what’s your political agenda?

I’d like to see the Illegal Soap Box Derby return to the hill. There was one in November 2009, which the police curtailed. I don’t think we’ve had one since.

If you could change anything about the park, what would it be?

There is a certain amount of nefarious nighttime activity which comes and goes. Keeping that in check needs to be a priority.

How do you plan to stay on top?

Constant vigilance.

Photo: Ben Calvin and Tennyson

If It Snowed On Bernal Hill, I Would Bring My Powder Skis

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Snow Towers

I was in Tahoe last weekend, teaching my daughter how to ski at Alpine Meadows. (Cuuuuuuuute!) While she was in ski school, I managed to sneak off for a few hours to make some turns with the grown-ups.

At the summit of Alpine, I saw this microwave tower, and I thought: “Wow, this is pretty much what Bernal Hill would look like if we got a big dump in San Francisco.” It was so easy to visualize.

I then commenced fantasizing about an epic powder run from the top of the hill down to my house on Precita. Mmmmmmmm.

I Love This View

Yes, yes… I know, it has snowed here before! Check out this view of the north slope after a dusting in 1882:

There wasn’t enough snow for a powder run, alas — even on rock skis. But as this photo makes clear, Bernal Hill is otherwise so skiable! Think snow, people. Also, think ski lift!

Photos: Alpine summit by Telstar Logistics. Bernal 1882, via Bernal History Project

SFPD Crime Prevention Tips: “Ten Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You”

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In response to yesterday’s post about a thwarted home burglary attempt in Our Faire Neighborhood, Bernalwood reader SeanD commented with some street-smart burglary-avoidance tips from the San Francisco Police Department.  I’m reposting those tips here, for our collective benefit.

From Bayview Station Captain Greg Suhr’s newsletter (w/o permission but something tells me he won’t mind):

Ten Things a Burglar Won’t Tell You:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste…. And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming systems they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up in the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer on your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. A good security company alarms the windows over the sink and the windows
on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom- and your jewelry.

6. It’s raining. You’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forgot to lock your door. But understand this: I don’t take the day off because of bad weather .

7. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions or offer to clean your gutters. If you don’t answer, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

8. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, the medicine cabinet and the
freezer.

9. Here are some helpful hints: I almost never go into kids’ room, I hate loud dogs and nosey neighbors, and most importantly: A loud TV or
radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.

10. Avoid announcing your vacation plans on your Facebook page. It is easier than you think to look up your address on the internet.

Photo: Captain Greg Shur, by SF Bayview Business Council

A Cautionary Tale About a Thwarted Home Break-In

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This tale of an attempted home break-in was posted this morning on the Bernalsafe mailing list. It’s a reminder about the importance of vigilance, and keeping an eye out for one another in our glamorous little neighborhood. Let’s be careful out there! (Reposted by permission.)

Sunday, Jan 2nd two young males attempted to break-in to our house in the middle of the day. It was around 1pm and my neighbor saw two males lingering on our corner, checking in the windows and touching the door-knob.

She watched them prepare, make sure no one was home, move their car into our driveway, pick up a knife and prepare to go in the window. Thankfully she was extra-alert (as all good neighbors are) and called 911. She remained on the phone with the police until they arrived and apprehended the two young men.

This is especially concerning since it happened in the middle of the day on a fairly busy street. Our house is on the corner of Anderson and Eugenia, so fairly exposed.

We were so thankful that no one was hurt and no property was damaged, but obviously still shaken by the attempt. Just wanted all neighbors to know and remember to take whatever precautions you can.

Photo: Burgled from the Internets

This Unemployed Man Is a Superhero to Bernal Heights Seniors

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Last weekend on the Huffington Post, Toan Lam, the founder of GoInspireGo.com, published an article and video about Herman Travis, an unemployed construction worker who delivers food to 60 elderly Bernal Heights residents who live along the west side of Holly Park:

Travis partnered up with the S.F. Food Bank to make this do-good deed possible. For the past three years, a truck has dropped off 1,300 pounds of food at the Holly Courts low-income housing complex where he lives. A handful of volunteers help Travis sort and pack brown paper grocery bags. He loads his cart and off he goes, on his three-hour mission to feed his neighbors.

“I don’t know how we would express it, except for saying that we would be completely lost without him,” Bebe Castaine, 81, said.

But besides feeding their stomachs, he also feeds their spirits. Everyone who answers the door beams with excitement, the smiles overflow.

“He spoils me rotten by coming to my door. And he’s always positive, he’s always got something nice to say. So I enjoy him,” said 93-year-old Millie Sheehy, who smiles wide and giggles like a schoolgirl when her “No. 1” drops by.

Here’s the video:

Yummy Cocktails at the All-New Royal Cuckoo

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The Royal Cuckoo

All of a sudden, the intersection of Mission and Valencia Streets is a happening place to be.  The homestyle cuisine at Blue Plate has been a go-to staple for quite some time, and SoCha Cafe was a nice addition. But now the block is really blowing up. Locavore is making waves, and another newcomer just opened its doors: The Royal Cuckoo.

A rustic bar specializing in haute-mixology, The Royal Cuckoo serves up some seriously yummy cocktails. Here’s what they had to say about it at Urban Daddy:

Introducing The Royal Cuckoo, an eclectic cocktail den that’s equal parts bar, music library and hunting lodge, open now in the Mission.

Now, while this dimly lit lair might seem slightly scattered in its presentation of old furniture and deer head, goose and armadillo taxidermy, it’s nothing a couple of stiff martinis can’t help make sense of.

With drink in hand—you’ll have your choice of classics, or riffs on classic cocktails, but we recommend the Moscow Mule made with cachaça instead of vodka, ginger beer and kumquats—head to the back of the long bar, where you can thumb through the card-cataloged collection of hundreds of vinyl records (unless the vintage Hammond organ is the night’s musical entertainment).

The Royal Cuckoo

I’ll vouch for most of that — except for the part about the bar being in the Mission. (Bernalwood or La Lengua, take your pick.) I took the Royal Cuckoo for a test-drive last week, and it was fabu — the cocktails and the vinyl were inspired. Great flavors, great music, friendly barhops, and a really great addition to our glamorous neighborhood. By all means, do check it out next time you want to get your drink on. I predict you’ll depart as happy as I did. Tell them Bernalwood sent you…

Photos: Telstar Logistics

Our Seismologist Assesses Last Friday’s Earthquake, Bernal Bedrock, and Our Good Fortune

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Julian Lozos, Bernalwood’s Seismologist-in-Residence, has been pouring over the data on the earthquake that rocked the Bay Area last Friday afternoon. Here is his report:

Some of you may have felt the magnitude 4.1 earthquake that rocked the Bay Area on Friday evening. Of course, some of you may not have felt it. The solid bedrock of Bernal Hill diminishes a lot of ground motion, so Bernalites may not feel some of the jolts and tremors that put other parts of the City on edge.

Regardless of whether or not you felt it, please take two minutes to fill out the USGS’ Did You Feel It questionnaire about this earthquake. Reports on who didn’t feel anything in an area where plenty of people did feel it are actually incredibly useful to scientists. Reports of earthquake intensity, from extreme to zero, can help highlight underlying the geology of the area. Retroactive shakemaps from Loma Prieta or 1906 show the strongest intensity in areas of artificial fill, and the weakest on solid bedrock. (ie: Bad for the Marina, good for Bernalwood.) So please fill this out! Filing a report for the smaller quakes is good practice for when a bigger one inevitably happens.

Friday’s earthquake was centered near San Jose. Relocations of the waveforms put the quake on the Calaveras Fault, at a depth of 7 km (which is a moderate depth for this kind of fault). This particular segment of the Calaveras is near where the Hayward Fault branches off from it; Some recent studies even suggest that the two faults are connected at depth. The 2007 Alum Rock earthquake — a M5.6 — wasn’t too far to the northwest of today’s event. The southern Calaveras Fault was also responsible for the M6.2 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake, which was widely felt over the entire Bay Area and beyond.

Lest you think that the only thing this earthquake has to do with Bernal Heights was to unsettle a couple of people who aren’t fortunate enough to have our solid foundation, an interesting tip-off came on Twitter shortly after the quake: apparently the land that contains the epicenter was once owned by a certain Jose de Jesus Bernal — the original Mexican landowner who gave our hill its name.

Fortunately, all of his land wasn’t so faulted as this chunk near San Jose. Bernal Hill has some small fault offsets in its chert, but those are not the kind that cause large earthquakes (or even small ones anymore). In other words, we’re solid!

Off the Hill: Progressives Get Punked, Sutro Tower Tattoos, More Parking Tickets, and 38 Great SF Restaurants

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Elly's Sutro Tower ink

Did you know there’s a whole world of stuff that happens in the city beyond Bernal Heights? It’s true! Who knew? Here’s a roundup of recent news that may be of interest:

Progressive Supervisors Outsmarted, Outflanked in Temporary SF Mayor Appointment Process (New York Times)

A Poignant Video About the Transbay Terminal Demolition (via SFist)

Latest List of the 38 Essential San Francisco Restaurants (EaterSF)

People with Sutro Tower Tattoos (Uptown Almanac)

Cole Valley Alley Is a Nifty New Blog About (You Guessed It!) Cole Valley (Cole Valley Alley)

An Archeological Find in La Lengua Prompts a Lesson in SF Brewery History (Burrito Justice)

Potrero Hill Won the 2010 Curbed Cup (By Just One Vote!) (CurbedSF)

Get Ready for More Parking Tickets in 2011 (SFAppeal)

Not Waimea: These Are Big Waves at Ocean Beach (Norcalsurfphotos)

Photo: Eddie Codel

SF Weekly Samples the Super Sausage (on Sandbox Bread!) at Locavore, as 7×7 Sings Praises Too

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John Birdsall from SFWeekly visited Bernalwood’s western frontier recently to field test the house-made sausage from Locavore on Mission Street. He liked what he found:

Jason Moniz was the opening chef at Oakland’s Flora in late 2007, back when Michael Bauer liked the place. Last fall, Moniz and his business partner, Mario Duarte, opened Locavore, in a deep, dark space on the Mission Street slope of Bernal Heights, across from Blue Plate. For lunch, Moniz makes and grills five kinds of sausages ― really good sausages, out of pork he sources from Riverdog Farm in Guinda ― slips them into buns custom-made at Sandbox, and sells them for an amazingly cheap $7 each. Last week we had Moniz’s spicy Italian sausage (pebbly-textured and chewy) half-buried under a ruffle of roasted fennel slices mixed with bits of preserved lemon. Today it was a fat maple andouille, lightly smoky, topped with shredded Treviso chicory, its bitterness balanced with honey. The andouille’s tight, crisp skin was black from the grill; the fine-textured meat within oozed juice. Perfect.

MEANWHILE, 7×7’s Antonia Richmond — she’s a Bernalian! — also loves Locavore:

My (second) favorite part of the meal was knowing that the vast majority of the ingredients came from local farms and purveyors like Marin Sun Farms, Happy Boy Farms, and Monterey Fish Market. So I could have my ethically-raised, sustainably-grown, ecologically-sound, whole-animal-cooked, world-peace making, cancer-curing cake, and eat it too.

Photo: SFWeekly/John Birdsall

Is This the Best Corner Store in All of San Francisco?

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Cancilla Market

Bryan O’Sullivan (@bos31337) recently made a bold assertion:

Huh? Is humble Cancilla Market, on Folsom Street at the southwest corner of Precita Park, really “the best tiny little corner store in all of San Francisco?”

I can see how you’d make that argument. Cancilla’s came under new management not long ago, and it’s been a godsend for Bernalwood’s north slope. Under the regime of owner Gina Chu, Cancilla’s is now extremely well curated, filling a void that has long existed for Northsiders for whom The Good Life on Cortland is just too far away (and too far uphill) when you only need a little something-something.

Positioning itself somewhere between Bi-Rite and a standard corner store,  Cancilla’s has become a great place to grab a quart of milk, a quality piece of bread, some robust cheese (Bulgarian feta!), a good bottle of wine, yummy cured meats, organic green things, uncommon cooking ingredients… and kimchi. But in a respectful nod to traditionalists, you can still get a 24-ounce can of PBR:

But really? “The best tiny little corner store in all of San Francisco?” Since I live just a block away, I’m willing to believe.

Photos: Telstar Logistics