Events

Saturday: Clean Up Bernal Heights! With the Mayor! How Glamorous!

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

Clean Team is a San Francisco volunteer program that matches city agencies with City residents and merchants to clean San Francisco neighborhoods and spiffy-up public spaces.

The next Clean Team event will happen Saturday morning in Bernal Heights(!), and the City seeks volunteers to join. Bernalwood’s sources tell us the effort will focus on weeding and litter pickup along the Bernal Cut, with another group working around Holly Park.

All the details are right here:

Join Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Wiener, Supervisor David Campos, and the Community Clean Team as we clean and green San Francisco in Districts 8 and 9! Volunteers will work on tree care, landscaping and gardening projects, remove weeds and overgrown vegetation, paint over graffiti, and help clean up litter around the neighborhood. Lunch will be provided.

Kickoff site:
Fairmount Elementary School
65 Chenery Street

Saturday
June 9, 2012
9am – 12pm

PHOTO: Mayor Ed Lee

Tonight: Mugsy’s Pop-Up Wine Bar at El Rio

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Granate from Mugsy’s Wine Bar asked us to pass along word of this oenolicious evening event tonight, at the dive-glamorous El Rio:

Mugsy’s pop-up wine bar at El Rio – a bar inside a bar

Friday, June 1st 5-8 pm
El Rio: 3158 Mission St. (at Precita)

There’s a lot of wine out there, and a lot of shmancy places to drink it. But there’s only one El Rio, your dive bar. Two nights a month leave the preciousness and head out to the patio to enjoy four stellar wines with Mugsy’s pop-up wine bar. Focusing on wines crafted by women, people of color, and urban winemakers.

Mugsy will pour “Betelgeuse” a 2009 Sauvignon Blanc from Napa’s Brown Estate. This wine is seductive, confident, and sexy. Three things we all like. Brown Estate is owned and operated by the Brown family, which has farmed the land for over three decades. In 1995 the Browns started producing under their own label and have become known for their rich Zinfandels and complex red blends. This Black-owned winery has emerged as an elegant presence in Napa. (The Connection: Mugsy’s Granate went to college with Cristy Chung, whose partner Ina went to middle school with Stefanie Kelly, Brown Estate’s Director of Operations. Oh me oh my we love San Francisco.)

There will also be a 2009 Sonoma Pinot Noir from Stomping Girl Wines, 2010 Dry Creek Zinfandel from Bayview-based Gratta Wines, and one (or two) more surprises to be announced soon.

Meet winemaker Barbara Gratta whose Zinfandel began in a garage and traveled to international heights as an award winner. Wines are $5-$10. Together with a finite batch of free oysters at 5:30 and homemade piadina (Italian flatbread) from La Piada Randagia, it’s time to leave your house again.

Lots of Mugsy’s mug shots on their Tumblr.

Re-Create the Excitement of GGB75 (Without Leaving Bernal)

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

As you might have heard, the Golden Gate Bridge celebrated its 75th anniversary last weekend. Woo-hoo!

Naturally, much of the celebration took place close to the bridge, in the area around Crissy Field. But from our exalted heights here in Bernal, it was possible to take in some of the special events without having to combat all the crowds and congestion along the waterfront.

If you happened to wander up Bernal Hill on Sunday, you might have noticed an unusual ship moored to the east, out on the Bay:

USS Nimitz

It’s the USS Nimitz, a Navy aircraft carrier that made a special cameo appearance in San Francisco to participate in GGB75. As you can see above, the big ship made a fine addition to Bernal Hill’s standard panorama, while reminding us all of decades past, when many Bernal Heights residents worked at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard over in Hunter’s Point.

Of course, the big fireworks show was the highlight of the GGB75 celebration. It took place right around bedtime for Bernalwood’s Cub Reporter, so we stayed inside our North Slope home to watch the colorful clouds of glowing smoke and occasional high-altitude air burst from the safety and comfort of the Cub Reporter’s bedroom. Lucky kid — her room has the best views in the house.

I’m sure the views were even better from atop Bernal Hill, but in case you missed that too, here’s the next best thing: a professionally produced video of the entire fireworks spectacle, complete with the musical soundtrack:

PHOTOS: Top, cellphone pic of GGB fireworks from Bernal Hill, by valjoy9. USS Nimitz by Telstar Logistics

Prepare: Next NERT Training Session Starts in June

/ Todd_Lappin

NERT

As wonderful as our beloved chert is, Bernal Heights is not impervious to earthquakes. When the Big One comes, professional emergency personnel will be overwhelmed, and the rest of us will have to work together to stay safe and begin the process of disaster-recovery.

That’s the basic premise of the San Francisco Fire Department’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Training (NERT) program, which provides regular civilians with in-depth training in emergency preparedness and response. It’s a superb program (I matriculated in 2002), and the next series of training sessions will start next month in Diamond Heights.

Neighbor Edward Whitmore, the NERT Coordinator for Bernal Heights South, tells us:

NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Training) is FREE training given by the San Francisco Fire Department. Learn how to prepare yourself, your family, and your pets for an emergency. Learn how you can help your neighbors in the event of an emergency. The next training is nearby – Diamond Heights

Contact neighbor Edward Whitmore (NERT Coordinator of Bernal Heights South) with any questions. He can be reached at 415.254.3357 or ekw171@comcast.net, or drop by his home at 171 Park Street.

NERT Training:

Diamond Heights
St. Aidan’s Church
101 Goldmine Dr

Tuesdays 6:30pm-9:30pm

June 12: Class session 1
June 19: Class session 2
June 26: Class session 3
July 3: Class session 4
July 10: Class session 5
July 17: Class session 6

PHOTO: Erik Wilson

Seniors Invited to Attend SFVillage Meeting, Thurdsay

/ Todd_Lappin

Neighbor Hollace writes:

I am a Bernal resident on Manchester Street.  I am reaching out to other seniors in Bernal to let them know about a meeting with SF Village on Thursday, May 24.  I would appreciate your help in spreading the word about this meeting:

On Thursday, May 24, 6:30-8:30, San Francisco Village is holding an informational meeting at the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, 515 Cortland.

SF Village is a community-based membership organization of older adults. It links neighbors together to help them remain in their homes as they age. This organization is a part of a grass roots movement that began in Boston in 2001. Since then, more than 60 groups across the country have adapted the village model to their own communities.  To find out more about the village movement and its diversity, you can check out The Village to Village Network.

Come to the May 24th meeting:

–Learn more about the village concept.

–Hear the Director and current members talk about their experience with SF Village.

–Ask your questions.

–Meet neighbors who want to start a Bernal Heights chapter.

For more information, contact SF Village at (415) 387-1375 or info@sfvillage.org or get in touch with Holly Veldhuis at hav2@earthlink.net/

Saturday: Music and Prose at Charlie’s Cafe

/ Todd_Lappin

The always-neighborly Charlie from Charlie’s Cafe on the Folsom end of Precita Park has introduced a live-performance series called “Saturdays at Charlie’s”, and the next event is happening tomorrow from 2-4 pm:

Join us on Saturday May 19th from 2~4pm for our monthly, Saturday afternoon of Music and Prose at Charlie’s Cafe at 3202 Folsom Street in Precita Park, San Francisco.

“Saturdays at Charlie’s” is hosted by novelist Peter Orner and Songwriter Paul Griffiths.

This month we are joined by writer Chanan Tigay and songwriter Anthony Bello.

Chanan Tigay is presently a Fellow at the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism, where he is completing a documentary film for “Frontline” on US-Israeli Relations and Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capability.

Anthony Bello is the winner of the West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest 2011 in the Americana category. His EP “Stella” was released April 19, 2011 and is available to buy on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon or in person at Charlie’s.

Granta Magazine calls Bernal Heights writer Peter Orner, “One of the most distinctive voices of his generation.” Orner’s new book, “Love and Shame and Love” is a New York Times Editor’s Choice book.

Paul Griffiths is a San Francisco based Singer/Songwriter.
In January 2012, he was the Songwriter in Residence at Bazaar Café in San Francisco.

Community Meeting to Halt Illegal Dumping, Tuesday Evening

/ Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Illegal Dumping on Bernal Hill

In response to the recent, wretched spate of illegal dumping incidents on Bernal Hill the San Francisco Department of Public Works has joined forces with the Police to hold a community meeting TOMORROW, May 15, at 7 pm at the SFPD’s Ingleside Station.

From the DPW’s announcement:

After three incidents in the last week and a total of five incidents since the beginning of the year of large piles of construction debris and green waste weighing several tons dumped at the base of Bernal Heights Park on Folsom Street, the Department of Public Works (DPW), the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (RPD) and the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) are asking the public to be extra watchful for suspicious trucks and activities in the area, and also has called for a community meeting that invites neighbors and city departments to meet and discuss the recent rash of illegal dumping in the area.

The public is invited to attend a Community Meeting on May 15th, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Police Department’s Ingleside Station, 1 Sgt. John V. Young Lane, to discuss and learn more about cleanup efforts and strategies to deter future incidents.

Bonus Fun Facts:

  • The material dumped on Bernal Hill during the weekend of May 5th weighed 6.3 tons.
  • The SFPD  says it has stepped up patrols on Bernal Hill to combat the dumping.
  • Looking ahead, the SFPD’s Capt. Mahoney from Ingleside says: “Residents should report suspicious persons and vehicles by calling the non-emergency dispatch line: (415) 553-0123″

PHOTO: Dumping incident on May 7, by Telstar Logistics

Carnaval Dancers Shake Their Stuff in Precita Park

/ Bronwyn Ximm / 2 Comments

Precita Park is never a bad place to spend a glorious weekend afternoon. But it got even better yesterday with the arrival of Fogo na Roupa, a Bay Area-based Brazilian Carnaval dance and percussion troupe whose members young and old were producing some mighty fine hip-shaking rhythms.

Here they are (well, about a quarter of the full group, according to one dancer), preparing for San Francisco’s big Carnaval parade, which takes place in the Mission on May 27.

Bernal Native and Smarty-Pants Political Comic Performs Tonight in Oakland

/ Bronwyn Ximm / 1 Comment

Our sources at the Bernal Heights Parents Club tell us that Bernal native and Bay Area comic luminary Nato Green – whom writer Lemony Snicket has likened to “finding a shot of bourbon at your co-worker’s stupid vegan potluck” – is doing stand-up at the New Parish in Oakland at 7 and 9 tonight (and recording the performances for his first comedy album).

You can read more about Green and his roots in union organizing in this East Bay Express article; it sounds like Green could be a good antidote to all the outrage we’re feeling over the Great Bernal Dumping Epidemic. Plus, for all the moms and dads out there, rumor has it there will be jokes about being a San Francisco parent. Tickets ($12-$15) available here.

Glamorous New Gallery Show for Bernal Artist Colette Crutcher

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

Lisa from Inclusions Gallery in Cortland sent Bernalwood a telecommunication about a new show opening tomorrow:

Colette Crutcher is Bernal Heights resident and an incredibly talented working artist. She is known in and around the city for her numerous public works, collaborative and solo (which by chance, I’ve spotted on international blog sites about SF, and have floated thru my Tumblr dash a number of times).

She’s participated in a number of group shows at Inclusions, but this will be her first solo show. I’m really hoping folks will make the connection with her as a working artist in our community, and for her public works.

Colette has done a lot of residential work around the community too. Several neighbors have front doors/walkways or gardens adorned with her beautiful, fanciful mosaics.

“Stairways Doors & Windows: Recent works by Colette Crutcher”
Opens this Saturday April 14, with a reception for the artist, from 6-8 pm
Colette Crutcher will also give a talk and presentation about her many public works (with a Q&A to follow): Thursday April 19th at 7pm.

Inclusions Gallery
627 Cortland Av.

PHOTOS: Top, Colette Crutcher in her studio. Below, “Go Ask Alice,” by Colette Crutcher.  Photos from Inclusions Gallery

Pint-Size Easter Egg Hunter-Gatherers Invade Holly Park

/ Bronwyn Ximm / 2 Comments

The Easter Bunny eggs on three poachers.

At 10 a.m. sharp on Easter Sunday, the madding crowd could be constrained no longer. “Go!” a voice rang out.

And with that, Holly Park was engulfed in a sea of pastel-clad marauders. Unabashedly abetted by their parents, the young hunter-gatherers snatched up dozens upon dozens of defenseless, brightly colored Easter eggs, easily discerning their cleverly camouflaged nesting sites scattered throughout the rugged terrain’s grasses, tree trunks, and wood chips.

A mere 15 minutes later, not a single egg remained.

How, one wonders, can this species continue to propagate year after year?  Equally perplexing is why there were not just one but two Easter Bunnies on the scene this year. Are these mysteries connected?

I couldn’t get a straight answer out of either Bunny regarding the eggs, but here’s what they said in regards to their presence:

Easter Bunny #1: “We rabbits have a proclivity for multiplication. Also, there’s so much work to do—there are sooo many kids.”

Easter Bunny #2: “I’m having a bit of split personality today.”

Regardless, this video captures the mayhem as it unfolded on Sunday morning:

PHOTO: Bronwyn Ximm

Tonight: Books, Booze, and a Benefit for Paul Revere School

/ Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

Books, booze, and a benefit for Bernal’s Paul Revere School… together at last! It happens TONIGHT on Cortland, and Neighbor Jake brings the details:

I’m a Bernal resident (Holly Park Circle) and my daughter also goes to one of Bernal’s public schools, Paul Revere. We’re having a fundraiser on Thursday, April 5 at Red Hill Books and The Lucky Horseshoe. The working title of the event is ‘Libations for Literacy.’ We’ll have live music! We’re also raffling off some pretty swell prizes, including an Apple TV, an iPod Shuffle, dinner for six delivery, a Sunset magazine package, a Succulent table-top garden, wine tasting for two at VinoRosso and a Fit Lite one-month membership.