Events

Saturday: Party Like a Pumpkin at the Alemany Farm Harvest Festival

/ Todd_Lappin

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It’s harvest season at the awesome, freeway-rustic Alemany Farm on the south side of Bernal Heights, and co-founder Jason Mark is extending an invitation to all Bernalese to join the harvest festivities on Saturday:

11th ANNUAL ALEMANY FARM HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 24th, from 11am to 5pm

Join Bernal Neighbors and Folks from Throughout the City for Alemany Farm’s 11th Annual Harvest Festival!
This community gathering has become a favorite fall tradition as we enjoy the warm October sun before we head into the shorter, cooler winter days. All are welcome! Bring a friend…make new friends…catch up with old friends…and have some fun at the farm. It’s free!
The day includes:

– Farm tours (11:30 & 2:30)
– Garlic planting
– Herb crafts
– Face painting & pumpkin patch for kids
– Live acoustic music from Duo Pizzicato (1:30)
– Potluck Picnic & BBQ (1pm-ish): Bring a side, snack, or dessert to share. Plus we’ll have roasted pig; BBQ (w/ veggie options); beans & rice; and fresh farm salad. (Bring your own plate and utensils, if possible, to help reduce waste.)

The Farm is located on Alemany Boulevard, and just down hill from the St. Mary’s Recreation Center on Crescent. More details at AlemanyFarm.org.

PHOTO: Courtesy of Alemany Farm

Saturday Eve: Reception for Bernal Artists in New Show at Inclusions Gallery

/ Todd_Lappin

select4artThere is a new show opening  at the Inclusions Gallery (627 Cortland) on Saturday evening, with work from four Bernal artists: Rachel Leibman, Richard Nyhagen, Carrie Ann Plank and Jenny M. Phillips..

Per usual, Inclusions proprietor Lisa Moro has put together a thoughtful show, and the opening reception is Saturday, October 24 from 5 to 7pm:

Inclusions Gallery
October 24 – November 29
Artist reception: October 24 / 5-7 pm

We are pleased to present new works by four San Francisco artists Rachel Leibman, Richard Nyhagen, Carrie Ann Plank and Jenny M. Phillips. Each artist is accomplished in their own right, having successfully shown previous work at Inclusions Gallery, throughout the Bay Area, and far beyond.

Rachel Leibman creates meticulously constructed, labor-intensive collage from small bits of paper composed of images of ancient illuminated manuscripts, urban graffiti and hand-designed papers. Her elaborate compositions range from abstract to pictoric, reflecting her fascination with the world’s cultural and natural diversity.

Richard Nyhagen employs the use of original photographic imagery in multi layered screen-prints on hard aluminum surfaces. His work revolves around the vast transitory urban landscape, perception, and the construction of stories we tell ourselves and others; in order to define and know our experience.

Carrie Ann Plank works primarily in the medium of printmaking. In her newest body of work, she combines traditional and new printmaking techniques with painting and collage. The “Strata Series” investigates the use of a one by one inch grid as an underlying information system and is printed, distorted, scaled, and disrupted. Many of the fields are torn, recombined, and collaged with special attention paid to the spaces in-between and the distressed edge.These new forms produce their own unique information system portrayed in a shiny new form.

Jenny Phillips uses paper, wax, watercolor, oil, graphite and other media to explore the interplay between linework, surface, and texture. Influenced by shapes and patterns found in nature, she creates subtle and meditative artworks, focusing on the evocation of mood rather than the depiction of form. She strives for an austere beauty, achieved through the use of a restrained vocabulary.

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Saturday: Benefit Dinner at 903 Cortland to Support Refugee Assistance

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

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Neigbor Rebecca is spreading the word about a benefit dinner she’s co-organizing on Saturday night to benefit international refugees:

My family is running a one-night pop-up restaurant in Bernal on Saturday, October 24 to support refugees with all proceeds going to the International Rescue Committee. We’re calling the restaurant “Squash,” and we’ll be at 903 Cortland with a five course menu of seasonal fare, from butternut squash jalapeño cream soup to chocolate cake with pumpkin spice ice cream.

Everything will be deliciously homemade and supporting a good cause: the International Rescue Committee’s support for refugees. All proceeds from the event will go to the IRC to benefit people escaping conflict and disaster. You can buy tickets for either the 5:30pm or 8pm seatings.

Our family loves to cook and Squash’s Executive Chef Bill Kee is excited to bring his fantastic home cooking skills to a restaurant setting, assisted by friends and family serving as sous chefs and staff. Come join us for good food for a good cause!

Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!!! It’s Fiesta on the Hill 2015!

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

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Clear your dance cards, save the date, and start getting your kiddies fired up, because the epic Fiesta on the Hill happens this Sunday, October 25, on fabulous Cortland Avenue here in Bernal Heights.

Fiesta is the once-a-year occasion when Bernal’s very own Main Street USA shuts down to traffic so pedestrians can roam with impunity in an urban playland for fun-loving locavores. It’s a Bernalese bounty of tasty food, artisanal offerings, bumping beats, and plenty of games and attractions to divert the surplus energies of overstimulated children. And it’s all to benefit the esteemed Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.

Organizer Genevieve Roja shared this preview of Sunday’s attractions:

This the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, which is both the host and beneficiary of Fiesta on the Hill, which is now in its 27th year.

This year we will be doing a drawing of some nifty gift certificates from brick-and-mortar-based and home-based Bernal businesses. We’ve got a pretty luxe knife set from Bernalian and local realtor Michael Minson; a $150 gift cert from ICHI; $50 value gift certs from Pinhole Coffee, Bernal Homeopathy, 12 Small Things and Cafe St. Jorge, and more.

There will be a lot of Bernal musicians playing on the Main Stage, and lots of them were born and raised in Bernal:

  • 10:00-11:15 a.m.: Trio Pizzicato (Bernal based) Stage: Main
  • 11:25-11:35 a.m.: BHNC Senior Chorus not confirmed yet .Stage: Main
  • 11:50-12:30 p.m. // HEADLINER #1: 35 Years of Trouble // TBD (bluegrass, kids) Stage: Main
  • 12:55-1:40 p.m. // HEADLINER #2: Soul Society (jazz funk, Bernal members) Stage: Main
  • 2-3:30 p.m. // HEADLINER #3 // Adelante (salsa). Bernal based members. Stage: Main

Finally, we’ve also added a smaller stage in front of BHNC this year. That’s where you can see:

  • The View from Bernal Hill
  • Lunch Money

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PHOTOS: Scenes from Fiestas past, by Telstar Logistics

Tuesday: The SFPD Ingleside Community Meeting Comes to Bernal Heights

/ Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

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Each month, Capt. Joseph McFadden from SFPD’s Ingleside Station holds a community meeting to give precinct residents the chance to ask questions about crime and public safety in our neighborhood. The meetings are very useful, but they’re not always convenient, because they usually happen at Ingleside Station in Balboa Park.

This month, instead of going to see Capt. McFadden, Capt. McFadden will come see us. Tomorrow night, Tuesday, Oct. 20, the SFPD’s Ingleside Community Meeting will come to the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center on Cortland. If there’s a Bernal Heights crime issue that’s got you on edge, this is an excellent opportunity to talk about it with our local top cop.

Neighbor Sarah, Bernalwood’s ad hoc liaison to SFPD Ingleside, tells us:

Meet Captain McFadden at the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center on Tues., Oct. 20, at 7pm

The monthly Ingleside Police Station community meeting for October will be held at the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, 515 Cortland Ave. This is a great opportunity to meet Captain McFadden in person, ask questions, and share any concerns you have about safety in the neighborhood. Captain McFadden has been taking the community meetings out into the neighborhoods in the district so that more people can attend.

Community Boards will also be presenting at the meeting. Founded in 1976, Community Boards is the oldest public conflict resolution/mediation center in the US. Community Boards volunteer mediators can help you navigate problems with neighbors, landlords, roommates, family, vendors, etc. More info is available here.

And here’s the official annoucement:

PHOTO: Capt. McFadden, by Telstar Logistics

This Weekend’s Treasure Island Music Festival Has Roots in Bernal Heights

/ Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

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The Treasure Island Music Festival has become one of the premier music events in San Francisco, and the 2015 edition happens this weekend. The festival happens on (… wait for it…) Treasure Island,  but it was co-created in Bernal Heights by Neighbor Jordan Kurland, the glamorous owner of Zeitgeist Artist Management and a co-founder of the NoisePop Festival.

Bernalwood asked Neighbor Jordan how that Bernal connection has shaped the Treasure Island Music Festival:

I like to say that Treasure Island is a festival for people who think they don’t like music festivals. With about 18,000 attendees and 13 artists per day, we’re a boutique in the land of mega-festivals. Much like Bernal Heights, we cater to an audience that tends to be more discerning in their tastes. We, like Bernalites, enjoy being a bit of a secret, we foster a nice community spirit, and we appreciate a stunning view. The festivities take place on the West Lawn of Treasure Island which offers bridge to bridge views of the Bay and San Francisco skyline. Sound familiar?

The format of Treasure Island has stayed very much intact since we founded it in 2007: Two stages of music and no overlapping sets, so attendees can see each and every note of each and every artist. Saturday is dance oriented and Sunday is an Indie Rock love-in. Acts performing this year include The National, Deadmaus, FKA Twigs, Father John Misty, Run the Jewels, Chvrches, and the world premier of Big Grams which is a collaboration between Big Boi of Outkast and Phantogram.

In addition to amazing performers, we also offer local food vendors and clothing designers, onsite art installations and a silent disco. Two new things we’re incredibly excited about this year are a vinyl record store and a comedy tent curated in collaboration with our friends at Funny or Die.

The festival, especially on Sunday, is quite family friendly. My son is living proof; this will be his 8th straight year in attendance. His favorite part is the Ferris Wheel, which provides the best view of our beloved city this side of Bernal Heights.

Get your tickets to the 2015 Treasure Island Music Festival  right here.

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PHOTO: Neighbor Jordan at Treasure Island

Thursday: Celebrate Little Bee Baking’s Second Birthday

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

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Corrected: Oopla. An earlier version of this post contained an incorrect date for the Little Bee festivities. The fun happens on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Here’s something sweet: Though it seems like just yesterday when Neighbor Stacie Pierce opened up the fabulous Little Bee Baking on Cortland, Bernalwood is reliably informed that the glamorous Little Bee grand opening actually happened two whole years ago. Also, because of that, we are reliably informed that festivities are in order.

Neighbor Stacie from Little Bee tells us:

It is with much joy and gratitude that I invite our friends and neighbors to celebrate Little Bee Baking’s turning 2! To say it’s hard to believe that two years has past already is an understatement, and I am truly humbled by all the support and love shown to us since we opened our doors.

I’m so happy to live and work in such an amazing community of people, and Little Bee looks forward to many more years on Cortland Avenue.

Stop by this Thursday 10/15 from 10am-6pm – mini cakes, brownies, tarts, ice cream cones and beverages will be just $2

Can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Love,
Stacie and the Little Bee family

Big Bernal congratulations and high-fives to Little Bee, and thanks for all the delicious.

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IMAGE: Neighbor Stacie of Little Bee Baking

Saturday: Celebrate at the Bernal Heights Library’s Gala 75th Anniversary Party

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

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Bernal Heights Library Dedication, October 20, 1940

Bernal Heights Library Dedication, October 20, 1940

Its not hyperbole to say that the Bernal Heights Branch Library is a pillar of our community, and we are incredibly lucky to have it. The building is lovely, the role it plays is invaluable, and the library staff work hard to make it all happen.

Our library turns 75 this weekend, and Bernal branch manager Valerie Reichert wants you to come to the birthday party:

We are having our 75th Anniversary on Saturday!

Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Bernal Heights Branch!
Saturday, October 10th 1:30- 4:00 pm

The Bernal Heights Branch is 75 years old. Come share stories and help celebrate our beautiful WPA branch built in 1940. Activities include : San Francisco Mandolin Orchestra, crafts making in the Children’s Room, refreshments and history slide shows. Volunteers and staff will invite you to record your “Hot Bernal Minute” which will be captured on iPads.

Fun! But let’s back up. Where did our glamorous library come from?

Here’s the basic history:

The Bernal Branch as a “library deposit station” was established in 1920 at 303 Cortland Avenue. As the neighborhood and library grew, it was moved, in 1936, to 324 Cortland. When that proved inadequate the neighbors lobbied for a new building.

The one floor branch library at 500 Cortland, was the 21st in the system and built on the site of the original Bernal School at a cost of $94,600. It was designed by Frederick H. Meyer, one of the most prolific and versatile architects in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century, funded by the Work Projects Administration and dedicated on October 21, 1940.

After 68 years of use, the branch closed for renovation, as part of the Branch Library Improvement Project, in February 2008. The renovation, with a budget of $5.7 million, was designed by staff of the City’s Bureau of Architecture under the supervision of Andrew Maloney. His design is an intelligent and elegant response to Meyer’s building which originally devoted only the upper level to library purposes, and incorporates such modernizations as ADA accessibility, and seismic and technological upgrades.

Thank you, FDR! See you on Saturday.

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PHOTOS: Top, Bernal library, circa 1940, via SFPL Online Historical Photo Archive. Below, parade on Cortland for the Bernal Heights Library, October 20, 1940. Via Living New Deal. 

Sunday: Bagel Popup at the PizzaHacker (But Don’t Sleep In)

/ Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

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Heads up, bagel fiends: You’re gonna want to get up early on Sunday morning.

Shegetz Bagel is having a pop-up bagel bonanza at the PizzaHacker (3299 Mission @29th) starting at 10 am this Sunday, October 11. But if you want in on the bagel action, don’t linger over the crossword puzzle. Bernalwood is told:

On Sunday, October 11th, Shegetz Bagel will host their second pop-up at PizzaHacker featuring a limited run of 240 bagels. The guys behind Shegetz Bagel don’t believe that it takes a New York City zip code (or water supply) to make a great bagel, and they intend to prove it by boiling and baking up quality bagels right here on the West Coast.

Shegetz is a collaboration between two San Francisco natives, Oliver Steele and Ben Kaminsky, and their long-time friend Alex Rogers; all three well-known staples in the Bay Area food and coffee scene. Rogers developed the lauded bread recipe for Local’s Corner, and became well-versed in bagel-making, working with Michelle Polzine at 20th Century Cafe (though Shegetz will be more akin to the New York style). Steele, a member of the industry darling Pizzetta 211, is a practiced set of hands in the world of dough and pastry. Kaminsky is a three-time US Cup Tasters Champion. After a three year stint as the Director of Quality Control and Espresso at Ritual Coffee, he has become a sought-after international coffee consultant and most recently helped launch Saint Frank in Russian Hill.

The trio focus on the details and obsess over perfecting the rise, density, crust, and dough flavor. Of course, topping things off with a little whipped Humboldt Fog never hurts either.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Doors open at 10am on Sunday Oct. 11
  • Bagels will not be toasted. Fresh bagels do not need to be toasted (because, you know, they were just in an oven)
  • Our West-Coast style bagels use sourdough starter
  • Bagels will cost $3–12 depending on toppings
  • There will be coffee. There will be sparkling wine
  • There will be a full staff to assure great service
  • The bagels are likely to go fast

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PHOTO: Shegetz Bagel

Tonight: Join In for the First Anniversary of Phonographic Memories

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

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Has it been a year already?  Neighbor Corey invites you to join in for the one-year anniversary edition of his wonderful Phonographic Memories series, where people are invited to share their both favorite vinyl records and the stories they evoke. It happens tonight, September 30 at 7 pm at the Bernal Library, and Neighbor Corey says:

On the last Wednesday of every month over the past year Phonographic Memory has called the Bernal Library home. For the unacquainted, we are a monthly storytelling event focused on vinyl records. This Wednesday (the 30th, at 7pm), come celebrate our one year anniversary and hear your neighbors tell stories about the records that shaped their lives.

Want a preview of what to expect? Try this:

There Was Dancing In the Streets at the 2015 Elsie Street Block Party

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

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Neighbor Michael Nolan, captain of the Elsie Street Pom-Pom Squad, shares these photos of the fashionable Elsie Street Block Party that happened last weekend under a perfect blue sky. Neighbor Michael writes:

Fulfilling their commitment to “Change the World Joyously – One Block at a Time,”  the fun-loving and unflagging Elsie Street Neighbors presented the 9th Annual Elsie Street Block Party yesterday.  The Bouncy House and Bhangra Dancers probably took the cake, as did the winners of the Elsie/Bernal Trivia Quiz.   The BBQ, Bean Bag Toss, and Beautiful Weather also added to the car-free and carefree event.

Here’s a bonus video of the fabulous Elsie Bhangra Dancers shaking their groove thangs:

PHOTOS: Michael Nolan

Succulence Is Having a Sidewalk Sale All Weekend

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

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Neighbor Ken Shelf from the fabulous Succulence at 402 Cortland wants to tell you about a plantastic sidewalk sale happening at the store this weekend:

This coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26th and 27th, Succulence is having a sidewalk sale from 11-4 each day.

We are moving a lot of awesome items out of the shop that we’ve had for a long time. There will be planters, home stuff, some plants that need TLC, some products that will give you TLC, and a variety of other fun stuff.

This is a cash only sale, just available on the sidewalk those two days. We are making room for tons of new stuff coming for the holiday season.

Hope to see everyone out next weekend!

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PHOTO: Ken Shelf in situ, Courtesy of Succulence

You’re Invited to the Official Pinkie’s Bakery Grand Opening on Saturday Afternoon

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

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It’s been a few months since Sandbox Bakery was sold to Pinkie’s Bakery, so by now we trust you’ve had enough time to reach the later stages of your own Kübler-Ross cycle. Take a moment to let the Acceptance flow through your neurons.

Now, doesn’t that feel better?

While we’ve been working on that, owner Cheryl Burr of Pinkie’s has been working hard to make the place her own, and that process is complete too.  Now Pinkie’s Bakery is ready for an official grand opening at 833 Cortland, and you’re on the guest list:

I’d like to invite the Bernal Heights community to Pinkie’s grand opening party this Saturday, from 1-3 p.m. We’ll be serving sweets, savories, and bubbly!

The transition is nearly complete, and Pinkie’s signage goes up on Friday afternoon. We also commissioned a new interior mural (thanks, New Bohemia!).

We’ve been gradually adding items from Pinkie’s (donuts, cake, bacon brioche, eggy challah, etc.), and we’ll launch a new menu of sandwiches next week.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

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PHOTO: Maria del Rio for Pinkie’s Bakery