Young Son of Accused Holly Park Hit and Run Driver Is Arrested for Hit and Run

October 25, 2013October 25, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

On top of everything else, this is simply unbelievable:

The son of a city gardener accused of running over a woman in a San Francisco park has been arrested for leaving the scene of a collision with a bicyclist. Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to pursue the case, but 19-year-old Jonathan Burnoski was booked by police, on a hit-and-run charge.

Police said the hit and run incident happened Wednesday afternoon in the Outer Mission shortly after Burnoski left the courtroom where his father was being arraigned.

Investigators say the 19-year-old hit a bicyclist as he was making a right turn. That person was not badly injured. Burnoski lives about a mile from where the accident occurred. He was followed by a witness who then called police. He was arrested for hit and run and booked into the county jail.

ABC-7 has video coverage of the younger Burnowski’s encounter with the law.

IMAGE: Scene of Jonathan Burnoski’s alleged hit and run, on Mission at Regent, via ABC-7 video

UPDATED: Weeks After Tragedy, Rec and Park Vehicles Still Drive in Holly Park; No Charges Filed Against Deadly Driver

October 3, 2013October 3, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 19 Comments

As you know, there’s a vigil tonight at 5 pm for Christy Svanemyr, the victim in the Holly Park hit-and-run tragedy.

Please attend if you can — not just because it’s a fitting way to remember Christy, but also because the violations of Rec and Park policy that triggered the accident apparently continue in Holly Park to this day.

Neighbor Rebecca sent this to Bernalwood earlier this week:

Perhaps I’m simply being hypersensitive.

I was there when tragedy struck earlier this month. Ever since, as solo dog walker, I’ve noticed the amount of vehicles that inhabit local SF parks. When I can I try to take photos and report inappropriate actions.

On Sept 29 at around 2:30p I witnessed a SF Rec and Park vehicle drive, yes slowly, towards the restroom in Holly Park to carry a single box from the truck to the restrooms.

Is it really necessary to drive through a park so small? Regardless of weather, he remained on park roads. There was no spotter, and all equipment he carried to or from the truck did not appear to be extraordinarily heavy. Also, the distance he parked from the restrooms seemed almost equidistant to parking on the actual street and carrying needed supplies.

I’m just a concerned Bernalite, who witnessed a tragedy and questioning all I see in regards to it.

That’s exactly what we all should do.

Tonight’s vigil will be an excellent opportunity to share those questions and concerns — to ensure that nothing like this ever happens ever again.

UPDATE: Also today, our friends at SFist report that no charges have yet been filed against Thomas Burnoski, the Rec & Park employee who was driving the vehicle that killed Christy Svanemyr:

A month after 35-year-old Christine Svanemyr was struck and killed by a Rec and Parks Department truck as she lay on the grass in Holly Park with her infant daughter and family dog, and the District Attorney’s office has yet to file charges in the case. The driver of truck, 57-year-old gardener Thomas Burnoski, has said he was unaware that he struck the woman after he turned off an asphalt path in the park.

Burnoski was released on $25,000 bail after the incident on September 5th and prosecutors original claimed they would decide whether to press charges by the end of September. According to the District Attorney’s office, they actually have up to three years to file charges

PHOTOS: Neighbor Rebecca

Bernal Dads Racing Team Leaves Bernal, Goes Racing

September 13, 2013September 9, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

After a week of frantic preparation and greasy troubleshooting, those gas-huffing dudes from the Bernal Dads Racing Team are at this very moment en route to Thunderhill Raceway, just north of Sacramento, for a weekend of inelegant motorsports competition with the 24 Hours of LeMons series.

If you’d like to tune in to see just how awkwardly the Bernal Dads perform out on the track this weekend, you can follow them on the Facebook or on the Twitter.

PHOTOS: Bernal Dads working on their cars this week, by Telstar Logistics

Sad Neighbors Want to Know Who Hit Their Parked Car on Saturday Night

July 29, 2013July 28, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

This is a sad photo of Neighbor Amanda’s car. The car was hit on Saturday night while parked on the east side of Bernal Heights. Neighbor Amanda and her husband are understandably very sad, and they would welcome your help to track down the driver who did this:

My husband’s car was parked on the corner of Montcalm/Brewster [on Saturday] night, next to the mailbox. At around 2am, it was rear-ended hard enough to be pushed ~10 feet and wedged under the Subaru Outback in front of it. The car that hit it was apparently a teal Nissan, because it left its grille behind. Many neighbors heard it happen, but nobody called 911. Kind thanks to all the neighbors and Officer Adams from the Ingleside for their help (and coffee) this morning.

Officer Adams underscored the importance of calling 911 when you hear an accident, even if you don’t have a license plate number or description. More eyes and more cops around the neighborhood lessen the chances of drunk drivers racing through the neighborhood.

If anyone sees a teal Nissan with a smashed-up front end, please let the Hit and Run unit know at 553-1641.

PHOTO: Neighbor Amanda

Cozy Bernal Heights Vacation Rental Gets Good Gas Mileage

May 9, 2013May 9, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 6 Comments

Here’s an easy way to get away from it all — without having to get away at all!

Check out this suh-weet Airbnb vacation rental in Bernal Heights. It’s comfortably furnished, with a queen-size bed, plush seating, big windows, and it even comes with a car you can use. Plus, at just $520 a month (or $92 a night), it’s a fine deal. But there’s just one catch… IT’S A VAN!

I have a 1990 Chevy Conversion van with only 45,000 miles. She runs great and has a cozy queen size van bed in the back and three captain’s chairs, including the driver’s. It has a clean record and gets pretty good gas mileage for a van. You must have a clean driving record and a valid driver’s licence plus you’re own non-owner’s driver insurance.

The listing shows a street address on Precita Avenue, which is very glamorous. Sadly, however, the listing also informs us that this rental property does not include a kitchen, pool, fireplace, wireless Internet, heating, intercom, washer/dryer, hot tub… or free parking.

UPDATE: It looks like the listing has been removed — Airbnbrushed from history!

HAT TIP: Uptown Almanac

Why You Should Drive Your Fun Car with Your Sporty Kids During the 2013 Bernal GT on Saturday

May 7, 2013May 7, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

There is a popular stereotype which says that Bernal Heights is home to a thriving community of Prius-driving treehuggers who treat personal transportation as an expression of their personal virtue.

And to some extent, that’s true.

Yet as even a casual stroll up and down the avenues of Bernal Heights reveals, our eco-conscious neighborhood is also home to a ragtag fleet of very interesting old cars — and the unreconstructed gearheads who love them.

These cars — and the valiant moms and dads who cling to them despite the vagaries of street-parking and the demands of parenthood — deserve celebration too, which is why your neighbors from the Bernal Dads Racing Team have extend an open invitation for one and all to join the 2013 Bernal GT, this Saturday, for a fast-paced half-day of family-friendly motoring.

Neighbor Ben from the Bernal Dads explains:

Announcing the Fourth Annual Bernal GT on Saturday May 11th
(the day before Mothers’ Day!)

Join us for the fourth running of the Bernal GT 100. As in past years, this is a kid friendly (but not kid necessary) run beginning and ending in the vicinity of San Francisco’s Bernal Heights. The Bernal GT is simply a drive, not a race or competition for awards, trophies, or bragging rights.

Bring an old car *or* a newer car with a kid *or* better still– an old car and a kid. If you have something new and interesting that can work too, but no minivans or SUVs unless you’ve stuffed a blown SBC into it or something. This is a free event, and does not cost anything to participate.

There will probably be donuts and coffee when we convene for the start, but no promises.

Details:
When: Saturday, May 11, 2013
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: Free!
We are looking for the following:
– Cars from 1980 model year or older preferred. Any condition. – If you have kids 17 years or younger and/or kids in car seats, the 1980 rule can be waived. In which case, you still should try to bring a fun or interesting car.
– Rare and/or exotic cars from 1981 model year and newer welcome.

Wanna go? Send the following info to: BernalGT100@gmail.com

1) Drivers 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

Armando, Ben & Fiid

PHOTOS: Scenes from 2012 and 2011 Bernal GT, by Telstar Logistics

“Failed Parking Attempt” Is Actually Aftermath of Possible Drunk-Driver Accident

April 30, 2013April 30, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 12 Comments

Neighbor Mason captured these photos this morning on Franconia where it turns into Esmeralda; they document what may be the the most unsuccessful parking effort ever seen on the upper reaches of Bernal Heights.

Neighbor Mason has a more elaborate theory:

Ken Block spent the night in Bernal, and resorted to some gymkhana inspired parking techniques.

That can’t be, however, because Ken Block would have pulled it off successfully.

In fact, it looks like the parked car may have been hit by another passing vehicle, which is actually rather sad.

UPDATE: It was indeed an accident, and confirmed as sad. Neighbor Benjamin writes to say it was a bad one:

The car was indeed hit by another car at about 7:45 PM last night. I didn’t witness the accident, although I heard it – loud crash. I took the attached photo a few minutes after the accident. The driver appeared hurt, though I don’t know how badly. I waited until the police arrived.

Neighbor Di adds more detail in the comments:

Actually, a young man (21 years old) was completely intoxicated and drove up Franconia at a high rate of speed, did not negotiate the curve, hit this poor Mazda, then slammed his own car into the curb on the corner. He tried to run away because he was so drunk, he couldn’t even stand up. Thankfully, several neighbors ran to help me keep the guy lying on the ground until police and paramedics arrived. He is in big trouble, that one.

PHOTOS: Neighbor Mason (top) and Neighbor Benjamin (below)

Fallen Tree Courteously Avoids Nearby Car and Scooter

April 16, 2013April 16, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

Strong winds took down a tree on Eugenia at Elsie yesterday, and Neighbor Emily commends the Forces of Nature for carefully avoiding the vehicles that were parked nearby:

How lucky this car and scooter were that the tree and wind had some foresight!

As you can see, the scooter was avoided entirely, while the Saab seems to have suffered damage only to its aerodynamically ineffectual (and asethetically dubious) rear spoiler. Bernalwood will chalk this up to Nature’s Plan.

PHOTOS: Neighbor Emily

Car Break-In Epidemic Puts Citizens of Shotwell on High Alert

April 8, 2013April 8, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 30 Comments

The streets around Precita Park are famous for glamorous style and a burgeoning array of amenities, but the SFPD’s Ingleside Station also identifies the area as a hotbed for smash-and-grab car break-ins. Neighbor Claudine reports that residents in the high-altitude reaches of Shotwell Street are fed up:

The rash of car break-ins continues on the North slope with Shotwell at Montezuma and Elsie as the latest targets . The hand-written signs posted up and down our street reflect the citizen concern that we are all getting broken in to nightly. There were two of us replacing our car windows on a recent morning at A1 Glass on Oakdale, where we had the pleasure of meeting one another as we bemoaned this epidemic, and shared notes about reporting the incidents to 311. More reports will hopefully equal more patrolling of our neighborhood!!!

The obvious thing that’s still worth saying is this: Do not leave anything visible in your parked car. Not just anything valuable; don’t leave anything visible whatsoever. Remove your garage door opener from your car. Notice also that the Mirabellians have their own mailing list to share information and foster vigilance. Subscribe and stay connected.

PHOTOS: Neighbor Claudine

Bernal Dads Pursue Glory, Honor, and Survival During Absurd LeMons Endurance Race

March 22, 2013March 22, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 12 Comments

As you read this now, those grease-stained gearheads from the Bernal Dads Racing team are on their way to stylish Sonoma to prep for this weekend’s 24 Hours of LeMons at Sears Point Raceway.

The battle-hardened Dads plan to race their battle-scarred Volvo 240 station wagon — affectionately known as The Whale — for 17 long hours over two consecutive days on a winding high-speed road course. As my alter-ego Telstar Logistics put it last year:

Don’t let the appearance fool you though. The Whale is kind of like the Millennium Falcon; It may not look like much, but its got it where it counts. Sure, the body has taken a lot of hits during its impossibly long LeMons career. But after so many races and so much tinkering, “the car is properly sorted,” as one Bernal Dad put it.

Your Bernalwood editor will be embedded with the Bernal Dads (and The Whale) throughout the weekend, and if you’d like to cheer from the virtual grandstands, tune your Twitter dial to @bernaldadsracer. You can also check out the Car and Driver blog, where you’ll find photos and updates from trackside.

Wish the Bernal Dads luck, because frankly… they’ll need it.

PHOTOS: The Whale, by Telstar Logistics

Absurd Hummer Limo Creates Stretched Drama on Montcalm

February 14, 2013February 15, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

There was some noveau riche excitement on Montcalm at Peralta this morning, as a limo driver made a foolish mistake by trying to navigate the narrow streets of Bernal Heights in a ridiculously long stretched Hummer.

As Neighbor Gareth reports, things got really testy once a garbage truck showed up… and got trapped behind the silly stuck limo:

In other news: Happy Valentine’s Day!

UPDATE: Neighbor Barbara has the backstory… and the romantic happy ending:

The limo was picking up a Bernal born and bred bride and her groom and their families. They were off to City hall for their romantic Valentines Day wedding when the limo drama ensued. Sweet story–they made it to City hall on time . . .

Yay! Congratulations to the new Bernalweds!

PHOTOS: Top, Neighbor Anthony. Below, Neighbor Gareth

The Strange, Unsettling, and Possibly Even True Story of that “9/11 Tupac” Van Often Seen Around Northeast Bernal Heights

February 6, 2013February 6, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 10 Comments

Have you ever noticed this white Ford van around Bernal Heights? The one with the hand-painted images of the American flag, the World Trade Center, and Tupac Shakur on the side? The van is frequently seen in the area around Precita and Bryant in the northeastern Bernal Borderlands. It’s clearly a van with a story to tell — although, to be honest, I always assumed the story would come in that nutty “9/11 Truther” flavor.

I was so wrong.

Maybe.

According to our friends at MissionMission, SFist, and Jezbel blogs, the van belongs to a gentleman who markets himself as a pick-up artist — a specialist in the dark art of seducing lovely ladies. SFist tells it:

Pictured above is Jeffy. Or “Captain_Derp” if you’re on OKCupid. Or Jeff Allen if you’re his mother, who is probably pretty disappointed in her son’s choice of conveyance. The van, which you may have spotted around Dolores Park or Bernal Heights is officially called “Consensual Sex in the Missionary Position For the Sole Purpose of Reproduction Van” or as Jeffy put it to one potential hookup on OKCupid: his “fucking RAPE VAN.”

Jeffy is a pickup instructor. A disciple of the sorts of cool hat wearing bros who appear in Neil Strauss’ infamous expose The Game, author of a book of sexual conquests called Get Laid or Die Trying and a self-proclaimed, “greasy, bare-chested douchebag, completely self-absorbed with little or no redeeming qualities.” When he’s not hand-painting “2Pac R.I.P. 4EVA,” 9/11 freedom messages and 4chan pedophilia joke memes on the side of his van, he is apparently spending his time running dating bootcamps and selling $270 DVDs of himself teaching the AFCs of San Francisco (that’s “Average Frustrated Chumps“, for those not versed in pick-up lingo) how to be a dick to women on their own. So, he’s a local businessman of sorts.

The tale seems a little too incredible to believe… and perhaps we wouldn’t believe it… except for the fact that you can actually watch Jeffy as he provides a 19-minute (!!) guided video tour of the now-infamous Ford van, right here in Bernal Heights:

So now we know. Maybe.

PHOTO: MissionMission

Exasperated Parking Note Is Exceptionally Well Documented

January 17, 2013January 17, 2013 / Todd_Lappin / 16 Comments

Neighbor Ron spotted this yesterday:

Saw this beauty on my commute down Eugenia stairs. Looks like the offender has been there for a while.

Indeed. Notice also that there is nothing even remotely passive-aggressive about this note — it’s straight-up factual, and bracingly aggro. We respect that.

It’s also meticulously documented. Notice all those detailed check-ins, updates, and times! Judgement here must favor the writer, strictly on the merits.

PHOTO: Neighbor Ron