This Weekend: Open Studios in Bernal Heights

October 31, 2014October 31, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

Heads up Bernal art nerds! Or, people who identify with Bernal art nerds!

This weekend, Artspan has organized the 2014 Open Studios in Bernal Heights. Visit Bernal artists between 11 am and 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2. See their work. Find out where the magic really happens:

SF Open Studios is the oldest and largest open studios program in the country, featuring an annual, month-long art event in October and November that showcases over 800 emerging and established San Francisco artists in their studios. Each weekend, art patrons, admirers, and collectors venture out on self-guided tours to see as many SF Open Studios artists and their artworks as possible, in the hopes of finding their next true art love. The event connects collectors with artists for engaging dialogue and a glimpse into the life of the working artist; SF Open Studios simultaneously helps artists build their mailing lists, gain new admirers, and ultimately sustain a living making art.

Right on. And here’s the details, to get the names and addresses of the participating Bernal artists:

Tonight: First Ever Trivia Night at Cafe St. Jorge

October 23, 2014October 23, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Miss Andrea from the fabulous Cafe St. Jorge on Mission (near Cortland) invites you to a historic, first-ever Trivia Night tonight, with bonus beer specials. Andrea says:

We will be hosting a Trivia Night tonight at Cafe St. Jorge with our very own, Ashley, as host. The event is from 6-8PM and we will be offering $2 off all bottled beer and wine. We also have beer on tap – $3 pints, $12 pitchers.

A Sneak Preview of Sunday’s New 2014 Fiesta on the Hill on Cortland

October 21, 2014October 23, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

Mark your calendars, planning people. Fiesta on the Hill happens this Sunday, October 26.

Fiesta on the Hill is a Bernal tradition — a bustling Cortland street party that also benefits the intensely important Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center. This year, the organizing committee decided to *cough cough* spice up the marriage a bit by rethinking the standard Fiesta on the Hill format.

Neighbor Genevieve is on the Fiesta organizing team, and she shared this preview of some sexy new attractions for Fiesta 2014:

Fiesta is now in it’s 26th year. 10 am to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10/26/14

The big news is that this year we’re really focusing local makers and movers!

On Main Stage we’ll have big time children’s music musician (and SF resident!) Frances England playing from 12:30-1:30

Lots of local musical acts: 30th Street Chorus, Manila Slim, Duo Pizzicato (plays regularly at what used to be Liberty Cottage)

Salsa band Los Boleros to close out the festival

City grazing goats (in lieu of the sometimes un-PC petting zoo)

Food trucks from Off the Grid

Bernal muralist and celebrity artist Amos Goldbaum will be selling his sexy shirts

Bernal Dads Racing will have their race cars on display, including America’s Most Badass Volvo Station Wagon

Savor tasty gourmet funnel cakes with bacon in agave syrup, from the folks at Endless Summer Sweets (a graduate of the La Cocina program).

Cruise Cortand on a mechanized horse from Mission Ponies

UPDATE, 23 October: Neighbor Genevieve seeks some additional volunteers at Fiesta:

The job: guarding barricades and soliciting for donations for the BH Neighborhood Center
Hours: Flexible. But we are asking for 4 hour shifts, 10 am-2,pm and 2-6 pm
What They Get: Tee shirt, and redeemable tokens for lunch for Pizza Hacker and Frozen Khusterd, and free coffee from Philz!
Must Be: Friendly, able to stand for that amount of time

This Weekend: You’re Invited to Dr. Rick’s 2014 Halloween Nightmare

October 20, 2014October 7, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Dr. Rick from the world-famous Farmhouse Mansion on the north side of Folsom Street is having a freaky Halloween costume fundraiser party this Saturday, Oct. 25. He asked us to let you know… because you’re so invited:

Hello friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and assorted party-goers,

This year’s Halloween Costume Party Fundraiser at the Farmhouse Mansion has definitely surpassed all of our wildest expectations. With 6+ amazing bands, fire dancers, albino contortionists, tarot card readers, delectable food, full host bar, scary cinema, especially spooky gardens, an outstanding DJ driving the Rave Room, as well as an extra dash of zaniness for good measure, this year’s Nightmare-themed Halloween party will be a somnambulant smörgåsbord of delirious delights– whew.

Of note for parents: Yes, you can bring kids– but BEWARE.

YOU ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY.

Parts of this party are scary and it can get pretty wild and fun and crowded especially later, so families with kids may want to come early (6-8pm) before things get out of control.

Happy Nightmares,
Dr. Rick

Saturday: Share Your Memories of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

October 17, 2014October 17, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Where were you when the last big earthquake struck?

On Saturday afternoon from 2 – 4 pm at the Bernal Heights Library, the Bernal Heights History Project and the SF Public Library are hosting a jello-fueled earthquake event called “Shaken Not Stirred: Your Story 25 Years Later”

It’s a neighborly remembrance of the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Share your earthquake stories. Learn how to prepare for the Next Big One. Talk about your deep fondness for chert in a supportive, like-minded environment.

The Bernal History Project brings this announcement:

In tandem with our friends at the Bernal Heights Branch Library, we’re proud to present “Shaken But Not Stirred: Remembering the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake”on Saturday, October 18. We want to hear what you remember about the earthquake that hit the Bay Area on October 17, 1989!

Come to the library at 2 p.m. for an extended slideshow of historical images of San Francisco earthquakes and earthquake refugee cottages (a large number of which survive in Bernal) in the downstairs meeting room.

We’ll give you a replica Red Cross meal ticket you can exchange for a Jell-O treat (our favorite shaky quakey snack!), and then you can visit a “ghost” refugee cottage and take a shelter selfie. We’ll be inviting kids of all ages to build shake-proof houses out of Legos. Meanwhile, SFPL volunteers will be standing by to record your memories of the Loma Prieta earthquake for our archives. We’ll have representatives from San Francisco Fire Department Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) on hand to talk about earthquake preparedness and what you need to do to be ready for the next big quake — because you know it’s going to come someday.

PHOTO: Top, Candlestick Park on October 17, 1989, shortly after the earthquake.

Tonight: There’s a New Variety Show at the Moonlight Cafe

October 15, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

A “happy pirate team” of Cortland merchants have conspired to create a new, monthly variety show at the Moonlight Cafe, and there’s one happening tonight.

Ms. Monique from Heartfelt shared the news:

Monique from Heartfelt and Aziz from Moonlight have teamed up with local funny gal morgansfunny to host a monthly Variety Show in Bernal at the Moonlight Cafe (634 Cortland).

It happens every 3rd Wednesday of the month (there’s a show tonight, October 15!!!) and the show consists of comedy, spoken word, and music.

There are four acts, and the show begins at 7:30 and runs about 90 minutes with an intermission. Cost is $10, and there is food and drink (modified from Moonlight’s regular menu) available for purchase. 21+ as we hope to make this a regular grown up night in Bernal.

We just started an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds in an attempt to make this show and other entertainment more available more often. Please check it out and spread the word!

Wednesday: “Cupcake Happy Hour” at Little Bee Baking’s Anniversary Party

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

There’s another one-year anniversary happening on Cortland this week. Bernal Neighbor Stacie Pierce from Little Bee Bakery extends the invite, with an extra pinch of yum:

Our 1 year anniversary is on Wednesday, 10/15!

We have had such a great year and have really felt a lot of love and support from Bernal and beyond. We just want to say thanks to everyone and are excited to be baking in Bernal for many years to come!

There will be cupcake “happy hour” from 4-6pm, with free mini cupcakes (one per customer – until they run out).

PHOTO: Neighbor Stacie via Little Bee

Saturday: Get Cocktailian at Holy Water’s First Anniversary

October 10, 2014October 10, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 8 Comments

Has it been a year already? My, how time flies…

Holy Water, our tasty refuge for cocktailians in Cortlandia, opened one year ago. Owner John Ottman invites you to come in for the birthday party:

This Saturday is the one year Anniversary party of Holy Water. Everyone is invited!! We want to thank the neighborhood for the continual support throughout this past year and hopefully the years to come. See yall soon!

There will be merriment. There will be a taco truck. PRO TIP: John makes a mean Jungle Bird:

PHOTO: Jungle Bird at Holy Water, photographed and consumed by Telstar Logistics

Sunday: Repair the World with JCCSF at Alemany Farm

October 3, 2014October 3, 2014 / Todd_Lappin

Tikkun Haolam is a Hebrew phrase that means “repair of the world.”

In modern Judaism, it often refers to the ideals of philanthropy, social service, and community outreach. The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco has a very active Tikkun program, and this Sunday, Oct. 5 they’re organizing a volunteer work effort at the fabulous Alemany Farm in South Bernal.

Sarah Stickel from JCCSF shares the deets:

Hi Bernalwood Neighbors,

Want to do some good for your ‘hood this weekend?

Your fans and friends at JCCSF are coming to YOU this Sunday, 10/5 at Alemany Farm! We welcome everyone to join us on the farm from Noon – 5:00 pm while we lend a hand and help out a local treasure and urban farm that provides tons of free, local, organic produce to local low-income families and beyond. Come get your hands dirty, invite your friends, and take home your own free produce!

For information and to RSVP, visit our website and join us on the farm this Sunday!

Many thanks and best wishes to all you Bernalwood beauties.

PHOTO: Alemany Farm via Alemany Farm on Flickr

Wednesday Evening: Local Runners Invited to Join San Francisco Road Runners Club for Bernal Heights Invasion

September 23, 2014September 23, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Inspired by that sexy issue of Runner’s World magazine that featured Bernal Heights on the cover, the San Francisco Road Runners Club has decided to invade Bernalwood tomorrow evening, and you’re invited to join them. If you run, and you enjoy company, meet for the group run tomorrow, Wednesday Sept. 23 beginning at 6:30 pm at Precita Park Cafe.

Neighbor Aleks is a member of SFRRC, and she tells us:

The San Francisco Road Runners Club (SFRRC) will be doing a Bernal Heights Neighborhood Run on Wednesday, September 24th!

We would love to have fellow Bernal runners meet up with SFRRC to do a 6ish mile loop and learn about the running club (we are always looking for new members). The run will be a running tour of Bernal/Noe/Mission that begins at Precita Park Cafe, then goes up to and around Bernal Hill, down to Cortland, then to Holly Park, down Mission to La Leguna, down Church St through Noe to Mission Doloroes Park, then looping back to BH down Valencia to 24th to Harrison and back to Precita Park.

Confused? Don’t be – we will have detailed turn by turn running directions and a map available. It will be a hilly run (at least the first part), but we will keep the pace conversational and walking for parts of the uphill is ok. The run will begin at 6:30PM, followed by food and drinks (paid individually) at Precita Park Cafe after the run (around 7:30/7:45).

SFRRC is a not for profit organization that is part of the Road Runners Club of America. It is completely a volunteer run organization that welcomes runners of various abilities and provides awesome support, weekday runs, weekly long runs, training plans and coaching. It’s basically a group of super cool and laid back, but crazy folks who like to torture themselves by training for races of all distances (half/full marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks, ultra marathons etc).

Here’s the link to the club’s website: http://www.sfrrc.org/ (the Bernal Heights run and PPC are mentioned under Upcoming Events). Also see below for recent club email announcement (remember the lovely photo from BH on the cover of Runner’s World a couple of months ago, which you tweeted about – see below – this is what set this Bernal Heights Neighborhood Run in motion).

Sunday: Bernal Author Chris Colin Talks About “What to Talk About” at Heartfelt (Plus: Fancy-Schmancy Ice Cream!)

September 20, 2014September 20, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 7 Comments

Celebrity author Chris Colin and his writing partner Rob Baedecker have written a ridiculously awesome book about the fine art of conversation that’s called “What to Talk About: On a Plane, at a Cocktail Party, in a Tiny Elevator with Your Boss’s Boss.” It’s sort of a self-help book, and sort of a comedy book, and just enough of each to make it both entertaining and useful and useful and entertaining. I’ve read it, I learned from it, it cracked me up, and I highly recommend it.

At the same time, Neighbor Chris and his writing partner Rob have honed the book-talk version of their spiel to such such a fine extent that their book talks are also wonderful as a stand-alone performance piece. It’s hilarious, and useful, and useful, and also hilarious, and you can see Neighbor Chris and his writing partner Rob do their live performance thing tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4 pm at the fabulous Heartfelt on Cortland.

Here’s the trailer, rich with celebrity cameos:

You really really really should attend this. On Sunday. At 4 pm. At Heartfelt. 436 Cortland. PLUS, Miss Darcy will be personally slinging scoops of fancy-schmancy ice cream from Humphry Slocumb, because that’s how she rolls:

Saturday: Rock the Block at the Spectacular Elsie Street Block Party!!!

September 19, 2014September 20, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

Citizens of Bernalwood, you are invited to the most spectacular… the most glamtastic… the most charming block party in all of Bernal Heights (and perhaps the entire galaxy).

It’s happening on Elsie Street between Cortland and Eugenia tomorrow, Saturday, September 20 from noon until 3:30 pm.

It’s the ELSIE STREET BLOCK PARTY! And here are just a few of the fabulous highlights:

There will be a kickoff Parade for decorated bikes, wagons, and kazoos at noon!!

There will be an intensely competitive Bakeoff (with trophies)!!

There will be the inevitable Bouncy House!!

There will be Bhangra dancers!!

And BBQ!!

And a Puppeteer!!

And fantastic Bernalese brimming with Neighborly Cheer!!

Find out more on the Elsie Street Block Party page on the Facebook, but most of all just be there… Be There… BE THERE!

There’s a Rummage Sale Happening at St. Anthony’s on Saturday

September 19, 2014September 18, 2014 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Neighbor Nancy deploys some devastatingly effective flattery to bring you news about a benefit rummage sale happening at St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School this weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 20:

Ever since I moved to Bernal Heights one year ago, I’ve relied on the Bernalwood blog for important and entertaining information about this fabulous neighborhood.

St. Anthony’s Immaculate Conception School at Precita and Folsom is an impressive elementary school and deserves our support. They’re hosting a community rummage sale on Saturday, Sept. 20, and invite area residents and businesses to participate, with 10% of the sales going to the school.

The info:

Community-wide Rummage Sale
Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Schoolyard of St. Anthony-Immaculate Conception School
299 Precita Ave.
Enter through the gate on Shotwell St.

Vintage and new merchandise, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items. Food booths. Neighborhood residents/businesses invited to participate.
Rent a table for $20; call 415-648-2008.
10% of sales go to school.

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics