Lama’s Kenpo Karate Returning to Cortland; Bernal Heights Ninjas Rejoice

June 4, 2012June 4, 2012 / Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

Though it’s not the kind of thing we usually discuss publicly, this is a Golden Age for Bernal Heights ninjas.

First we got Brandan Lai’s super-convenient ninja supply boutique over on Mission Street. Now we’re getting a new karate school at 461 Cortland, in the space formerly occupied by Bernal Yoga.

Actually, we’re getting a karate school, again. The new studio will belong to Lama’s Kenpo Karate, which is returning to Bernal Heights after after a 10+ year hiatus. Founder Mo Lama — that’s Mo, smiling above — first opened his studio in Bernal Heights almost two decades ago. The studio’s website tells the creation story:

In 1986, Lama’s Kenpo Karate began as an idea to facilitate the art of Shaolin Kenpo to friends and family members in the Bernal Heights community as a way to build self-confidence, awareness, and self-defense. In the mid 80’s, the Bernal Heights neighborhood was known to have an above average crime rate, which included random assaults, robberies, and the selling of illegal drugs. It made walking the streets unsafe during any time of the day. Although, this was considered a rough neighborhood it was Professor Lama’s vision to share his knowledge in self-defense so that others may benefit.

Professor Lama first began teaching out of his own garage where he only had five students. The space was very limited, but Professor managed to teach katas and conduct sparring sessions in his 12’x18′ garage space. His motivation and combined passion for teaching encouraged him to open up his first formal karate studio in Bernal Heights. After four successful years in business, Lama’s Kenpo Karate expanded and moved into a larger location in Bernal Heights.

As enrollment increased at Lama’s Kenpo Karate, Sibok Lama moved the school to its present day location in San Bruno, Ca.

The San Bruno school will remain open, with a second branch re-opening in the space on Cortland, in a Bernal Heights that is much changed from 1986. Back then, Bernal was rough and scary. Today, celebrities and fashionistas wander the streets of Bernal Heights without hesitation or fear. The logical conclusion? We have the local ninjas from Lama’s Kenpo Karate to thank for this.

Bernalwood is told that Mo Lama himself will be teaching at the Cortland location two days a week, with a pair of blackbelts who live in the neighborhood running the school the rest of the time. Great news, and welcome back to Cortland, Professor Lama!

Finally, we hope you will enjoy this inspiring recruitment video created on behalf of the Bernalwood Self-Defense Forces:

PHOTO: Top, Neighbor Mason. Below, Telstar Logistics

The Mysterious New Store at 420 Cortland, REVEALED!

January 19, 2012January 18, 2012 / Todd_Lappin / 8 Comments

For weeks, mystery has surrounded the newly renovated storefront at 420 Cortland Street. Word on the street was that a tenant had been found. But who?! And what?!

Then, a clue appeared… in the form of a question mark:

Then, weeks later, came… another question mark!

Two question marks! One, containing a bicycle wheel. The other, in the form of an electrical cord. So many questions.

Well, we have answers. Or, at least a partial answer. Or, most of an answer, with a few questions still outstanding. Allow us to explain…

Through the patient hard work of the Bernalwood Signals Intelligence Group, we have learned that 420 Cortland will soon become the storefront for a merchant specializing in the sale of electric bicycles.

Specifically, 420 Cortland will become the new home of the business now known as The New Wheel, which today operates from 782 Columbus Avenue in North Beach. On The New Wheel blog, there is an announcement:

We are in the process of completely re-imagining The New Wheel. Three big changes are afoot:

1. New Location: We are moving to a beautiful 1100 sq. ft. space at 420 Cortland Avenue in sunny Bernal Heights. Mark your calendars for our opening party March 2 and stay tuned for more news and updates!

2. New People: For the past year, The New Wheel has been run day to day by founder Brett Thurber. Joining Brett for this new expansion is his partner Karen Wiener, along with a full time mechanic.

3. New Products: We will be carrying a growing roster of the best electric bikes available, along with a selection of urban transportation products from the likes of Brooks, Ortlieb, Fjällräven, Rickshaw, Abus, and Burley. Stay tuned for more news!

But wait: What’s an electric bike?

Our research turned up these product photographs, which illustrate the concept:

Also…

Basically, an electric bicycle is a pedal-driven bike that uses a battery-powered electric motor to provide supplemental propulsion when desired — say, when climbing big-ass San Francisco hills. Conveniently, this also explains the riddle posed by the new shop’s teaser website, which asks:

Get it? You put a bike shop on a hill to underscore the fact that you sell a different kind of bicycle.

To flesh out the details of our story, Bernalwood decided to commit some journalism. We telephoned Brett Thurber, the founder of The New Wheel, to learn more of his plans.

Mr. Thurber proved to be friendly fellow, and he took it well when informed that Bernalwood had pierced the mystery of his shop’s main product. But he assures us that he still has some surprises up his sleeve.

For example, he hinted that the shop may get a new name. And that he has some interesting promotional events planned between now and the store’s March opening date. So we’ll have to wait and see. Which is fine.

Then Bernalwood gave Mr. Thurber the lay of the land. We told him that given the nature of his product, there is only one mystery that the residents of Bernal Heights truly want to know:

Do his electric bicycles have sufficient mojo to ascend the fearsome Folsom Street hill??

Can they climb the hill with style and grace?? And, in a matchup against a typical fixie-riding Mission hipster, would Mr. Thurber’s electrically-assisted bicycles defeat said hipster in a head-to-head race to the summit??

Mr. Thurber expressed confidence that his product can both master Folsom Street and vanquish the hipster. We shall see…

Precita Park Cafe Set to Soft Open on Friday

December 14, 2011December 19, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 24 Comments

Tablehopper has an update on the opening date for the much-anticipated Precita Park Cafe. Looks like the doors will open for the initial shakedown cruise on Friday:

Getting close: ~PRECITA PARK CAFE~ is due to soft open this Friday December 16th in Bernal Heights (the project was mentioned a while ago in tablehopper). It will be open seven days a week, from 7am-8pm. The hours of operation will be longer than at their other cafes Dolores Park Cafe and Duboce Park Cafe because Precita Park Cafe will eventually have dinner service (look for hours to extend until 10pm in the New Year).

Thanks to all who brought this to my attention!

UPDATE 16 December: The Precita Park Cafe opened at 7 am this morning. I dropped by last night for the opening party, and it was grand. The interior is spacious, airy, and nicely decorated, and the food was very good. Very exciting.

PHOTO: Rebecca Kinney at Tablehopper. Below, Telstar Logistics

Precita Park Cafe Looks Almost Ready to Open

November 28, 2011December 16, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 33 Comments

The Precita Park Cafe is getting ready to open its doors. Reader Lonnie sent this photo yesterday, along with a quick update:

Saw the finishing touches going on Precita Park’s logo today. Opening in a week or so!

That’s unofficial, of course, but hopefully the estimate is in the ballpark. But what’s the inside going to look like? Here’s a snap I took about a week ago:

Very exciting.

PHOTOS: Top, Lonnie Lazar. Below, Telstar Logistics

The Plywood Comes Off the New Precita Park Cafe

September 29, 2011September 29, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

After many months of construction and veiled mystery, the plywood has been removed from the facade of the forthcoming Precita Park Cafe at the eastern end of the park. As Bernalwood previously reported:

The former Riteway Market will soon be home to the Precita Park Cafe. What will that be like? The precise details are unknown, but the new restaurant will serve food and light drink. It’s a project of Rachel Herbert, who also operates the Dolores Park Cafe and the Duboce Park Cafe, so it’s safe to assume the Precita Park Cafe will be a classy joint. There’s been talk that Precita Park Cafe may have a kid-friendly emphasis, which would be swell, because the cafe is just across the street from the uber-chic Precita Park playground.

Our friend Tim Dickinson poked his head in at the Precita Park Cafe today to do some sleuthing, and he shared these particulars:

Precita Park Cafe opening in “3-4 weeks” per dude inside — promised beer on tap: “they have the license and everything”

Sounds good. But as I drove home tonight, I was able to snap this spycam shot of the interior. Looks promising, but still much work to be done!

PHOTOS: Exterior, Bernal Journal. Interior, Telstar Logistics

Sandbox Bakery Opening New Restaurant Just Down the Street

September 20, 2011September 20, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

There a new food fashion sweeping Cortland: Existing restaurants opening new restaurants just a stones-throw away. Vega started the trend by buying up the Liberty Cafe right across the street, and now the fabulous Sandbox Bakery is getting in on the trend with plans to open a new restaurant Eat at 903… right down the street (in the former Maggie Mudd space). SF Weekly tells it:

Bernal Heights’ popular Sandbox Bakery is planning to expand next month with a new restaurant to be called Eat at 903.

The restaurant — named after the address, 903 Cortland — is just across the street from owner Mutsumi Takehara’s Sandbox. Takehara, a former pastry chef at the Slanted Door, opened the bakery last year. We’re huge fans of its croissants and Japanese-style curry bread.

Plans call for the restaurant to be open for breakfast and lunch, and to sell takeout dinners.

No word yet in the menu, but creativity and yum are no doubt assured.

PHOTO: via Google Maps

Liberty Cafe on Cortland Sold to Owners of Vega (Also of Cortland)

September 2, 2011September 3, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 19 Comments

Remember when we told you that the Liberty Cafe on Cortland was up for sale? It’s now been sold… to the owners of Vega, the Italian restaurant that’s also on Cortland (and practically across the street). Our friends at Inside Scoop have the, uh, scoop:

“It’s the pillar of the neighborhood,” [Vega co-owner Vega Freeman-Brady] says. “It really needs some TLC, so we’re going to clean it up, bring it back to life.”

She adds: “We’re keeping it the Liberty Cafe.”

For now, she doesn’t plan on going dark, hoping that they can transition into a new era — revised menu, local ingredients, revised service practices, etc. — over the next few months. She says that the restaurant hasn’t had an on-site operator in years, so everything needs to be refreshed. They’ll make changes slowly, and hopefully, they’ll have an official reopening shindig later this year.

Can’t wait. All in all, a very Bernal, very all-in-the-family resolution, eh? Love that.

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics

Three Recent Bernalwood Mysteries, Now Solved

May 24, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

One of the most fun things about editing Bernalwood has been watching the speed and (collective) intelligence of this blog’s readership. Simply posing a question or highlighting an unknown usually results in someone chiming in with the answer to the question we’ve all been asking.

It happened yesterday, for example, when a Bernalwood reader quickly provided an explanation for Sunday morning’s police activity on Coleridge. It also happened a few other times recently, but you might have missed the updates if you weren’t following the comments. So let us now highlight some useful knowledge provided to us by the BIA (Bernalwood Intelligence Agency):

MYSTERY 1: What was Tony’s Trade Winds?

What’s the story behind the old sign on Cortland, and the business it once advertised? Reader Patrick D says it was a breakfast joint, and he paints a vivid picture:

In the early 80′s we dropped in twice or three times for breakfasts. Hearty, solid, with some fine banana pancakes, known as a specialty. Was open, as I remember it, only intermittently – maybe only in the mornings? Inside felt like an old Provincetown Cafe I used to go to in the 60′s: low ceiling, wooden tables, wooden chairs, cups continually refilled with hot, boiled coffee.

MYSTERY 2: What is the Proposed Name and Business Plan for the New Cannabis/Coffee Shop at 3139 Mission Street?

What will they call the proposed new dispensary/coffee shop? And will it really be like a coffee shop in Amsterdam? According to Reader L, a board member with the nonprofit that will operate the dispensary, the facility will be called “Herbal Mission” and it will be much less fun than Amsterdam:

To clarify alot of misconception the proposed [medical cannabis dispensary]/coffee shop at 3139 Mission st will not be one entity. The coffee shop will occupy the front of the building creating a storefront with outdoor seating for people to enjoy high-end coffee and pasteries and in no way will serve any cannabis products. The MCD will occupy the back of the building and have a seperate entrance from the coffee shop and only qualified patients will be able to enter the Dispensary. The Dispensary will not allow any smoking or vaporizing on site.

MYSTERY 3: What Will Become of Al’s Cafe Good Food?

The elderly sisters who ran Al’s recently closed down the venerable cafe, and a sign in the window says the place will be back under new management. What does that really mean? Reader Otto was on the case:

We walked by there a week or two ago while a cleaning crew was working on the place, and the new manager was standing outside talking to someone. After getting over our shock at the place being closed and the front window display being empty, he told us that Jean and her sister had sold the place to someone who worked there, he’d be managing it for the new owner, and they planned to fix it up and clean the space top to bottom. They said they might eventually try to open for dinner and add some new equipment to expand the menu, but mainly they plan to keep it a diner with the same low prices. We’ll see…

Thanks to one and all for your memories, your insight, and your gumshoe sleuthing. Bernalwood is community-powered, so you are encouraged to chime in anytime with tips, breaking news, or oddball photos of sightings of strange things in the neighborhood. Either use the comments, or our direct email hotline at <bernalwood *at* gmail *dot* com>. Thanks!

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Filmmaker, Attack!!! Submit Your Film for the 2011 Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema Series

May 12, 2011May 12, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Look, there is a reason we call it Bernalwood — and it’s not just because everyone who lives here is glamorous and fashion-obsessed. No, it’s also called Bernalwood in part because our neighborhood is home to its very own film festival, and our festival is a very locavore affair:

Organizers of Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema™ are planning the eighth season of free screenings showcasing local filmmakers — August 31-September 4, 2011. Plans include an Opening Night & Preview, an evening Block Party, the Film Crawl on Cortland, a screening Under the Stars at Precita Park, and a closing night in conjunction with Salsa Sunday at El Rio. As in the past, it’s a full schedule of film and video, live music, local filmmakers and film-lovers mixing around the Hill.

So attention all you gonnabe Coppolas, Kubricks, Kurosawas, Spielbergs and Tarantinos: The submission deadline for the 2011 Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema is June 1. Get on it.

PHOTO: Illustration by Telstar Logistics

Piroshkis Are the New Empanadas at 331 Cortland

May 11, 2011May 10, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

First, the bad news: El Porteno Empanadas is moving on from its cozy nest inside the gourmet grotto at 331 Cortland. Now, the good news: El Porteno will be replaced by another fine purveyor of savory stuffed pastry, brought to us from Russia with love.

Bernalwood pal Erin Archuleta from ICHI Sushi introduces the new lineup at 331 Cortland:

Anda Piroshki will take over our ICHI Lucky Cat Deli’s former space, and Big Dipper Baby Food will move into the former Wholesome Bakery kiosk. Paulie’s Pickling and Bernal Cutlery are both expanding into the former El Porteño space. I know that Anda’s been working with La Cocina.

So what’s on the menu for Anda Piroshki? Owner Anna Tvelova — that’s her up above — emailed Bernalwood with the details (TIP: The following is much more fun if you read it with a Russian accent):

My name is Anna and I make piroshki. Thank you very much for your interest to my business. I would love to share the biggest news: I am planning my Grand Opening at 331 Cortland on May 25th.

I make Russian homestyle piroshki what are usually baked (they can be panfried sometimes). Yeah, we traditionally do not deep-fry them at home, I guess those are more local commercialized version of it.

So Anda Piroshki are baked and my everyday bestsellers are:

Beef, Rice & Cheese
Cheesy Potato & Onions
Creamy Mushrooms & Rice
Apple, Cranberries & Almonds.

Also I will make seasonal piroshki, will see what is up on farmers’ markets. Will have couple vegan options. Planning to make Piroshki Light too (made with whole wheat flour and super healthy and nutritious fillings).

Super excited to have my own place and have opportunity to shape piroshki in front of my customers and serve them freshly baked from the oven.

Seeing as how I have been known to venture out to the avenues in The Richmond just to buy piroshkis from the Russian delis along Geary Boulevard, this comes as exciting news. See you on the 25th, Anna, and Добро пожаловать to Bernal Heights.

PHOTO: Anna Tvelova by Anda Piroshki

Amsterdam on Mission Street? Proposed Cannabis Club and Coffee Shop Creates Concern

May 9, 2011May 10, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 17 Comments

The Bernalwood reader hotline went ring-a-ding-ding over the weekend, and when we picked up the line this message greeted us:

We received a permit application the other day for a new Cannabis club near Mission St. and Precita. (3139 Mission Street to be exact). And to be even more specific, they want to open a “coffee shop/cannabis dispensary.” It will be directly across the street from Roccapulco, Nap’s and El Rio.

I want to know if other Bernal folks are aware, and if they’re not, I was wondering if you could help spread the word.

I’m sure there will be supporters for the club and the anti-supporters. Either way, I think neighbors should know.

It’s slightly disturbing to hear that they want to couple a cannabis shop with a coffee-shop (Does that mean teens can go in? Does that mean they can have extended hours?). Do we really need another cannabis club? There’s already a cannabis club three streets away (at 29th and Mission).

Really?! A proposal to create a combination cannabis club and coffee shop?! Is Bernal Heights having its Amsterdam Moment??!! Bernalwood dispatched our satellite truck to 3139 Mission to investigate.

Turns out, 3139 Mission was most recently used as an administrative and billing center for St. Luke’s Hospital, and there is a Planning Department permit application notce affixed to the front gate. Sure enough, the notice says the structure is proposed for use as a medical cannabis dispensary and retail coffee store:

The building itself was built in 1969, and it has one of those unfortunate facades that were common during the period, when architects adapted to Vietnam-era protest movements (and/or the arrival of the Planet of the Apes movie franchise) by creating bunker-like structures with few street-level windows to smash during civil unrest. Which is to say, it’s unlikely that the new cannabis will ever offer a warm, welcoming Socha- or Starbucks-style entrace.

It seems clear that our tipster (who asked to remain anonymous) is not a fan of the proposal. Fair enough. But in reference to the specific questions:

Does that mean teens can go in? Does that mean they can have extended hours?

Almost certainly not. The permitting framework that governs all medical cannabis dispensaries in the City would supersede the retail coffee part of the business, and those permitting regulations explicitly prohibit persons under 18 years of age from entering a dispensary, prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages, and require cannabis dispensaries to close by 10 pm nightly. Likewise, the City Planning Department’s Letter of Determination established that, per code, the proposed facility at 3139 Mission is not within 1000 feet of any primary or secondary schools.

That means there’s no need to press the usual NIMBY hot-buttons of protecting the children and safeguarding the night — regardless of whether or not you think the neighborhood needs another dispensary.

Inevitably, however, the cannabis dispensary/coffee shop will impact local businesses. For example, the proposed facility is just a few doors down from Baby Blues BBQ, which happens to be delicious. It is reasonable to assume that Baby Blues BBQ would profit handsomely from the arrival of the dispensary/coffee shop, as a steady stream of munchie-afflicted patrons from the latter will drift down the street to satiate their cravings for hearty grilled meats.

Indeed, the combination of cannabis, coffee, and BBQ could turn this stretch of Mission Street into a Vortex of Vice, not least because the storefront that today houses Baby Blues BBQ was once home to Disernia’s Pharmacy — and to this day the building retains much of its original drug store signage.

Which brings us to the biggest bombshell of all…

If you stand right in front of the proposed dispensary location at 3139 Mission and look up at the signage left over from the pharmacy days, two of the signs align *perfectly* to conflate DRUGS and LIQUOR in a subliminal acrostic that could play havoc on the weed-addled minds of future dispensary patrons. See for yourself:

Subtle? Yes. Clever? Extremely. Diabolical? Very!

Bernalwood will keep you posted on this cannabis/coffee proposal as it develops.

PHOTOS: Top, illustration via Hocus Locus. All other photos by Telstar Logistics.

Rumor Report: SoCha Cafe May Become a Wine Bar

December 16, 2010December 16, 2010 / Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

La Lengua’s chief spokesblogger Burrito Justice reports that the SoCha Cafe on Mission Street may soon become an outpost of North Beach wine bar Dell’Uva. EaterSF follows up with the note that “the manager on duty today confirms they’re in landlord negotiations for the space, but nothing is definite yet.”

This is no doubt good news to oenophiles. But it’s bad news for me, because the current cafe is terrific, and it’s one of my favorite places to get out of the house to some reading and writing. Oh well. On the other hand, a name change at SoCha might put an end, once and for all, to any lingering confusion about the proper name of the territory where the establishment is located.

Image: SoCha Cafe interior, by Carlos Almendarez

Will the Next Mary Lou Retton Train on Bayshore Boulevard?

December 14, 2010December 13, 2010 / lizweil / 1 Comment

Did you notice that small blue sign across the street from the monster Lowe’s?

With luck, 2011 might be the year that our ratty-ass Bayshore Boulevard begins to clean up its act. Word on the street is that American Gymnastics Club plans to open a new facility at 390 Bayshore. (Let’s show ’em some of that Bernal love!) We have it on good sources that American Gymnastics is the best gymnastics school for kids in the city, from preschoolers on up. If they’re successful over here, maybe House of Air or Planet Granite will follow — and put some of those big, underused industrial building to better use.

Image: Inside the new American Gymnastics facility. Photo by American Gymnastics

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