Tonight! Rock Your Raingear at the 2016 Mission Bernal Holiday Walk!

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Last year, a new tradition began here in the Dominion of Bernalwood, as each of our bountiful commercial districts began to play host to its own holiday celebration.

So now, in addition to the glamorous Cortland Holiday Stroll, the myriad merchants, chefs, and barkeeps along our ridiculously abundant, La Lengua stretch of Mission Street also hold a seasonal Mission Bernal Holiday Walk — and the 2016 edition happens TONIGHT, Thursday, December 15.

The Mission-Bernal Merchants Association says:

Mission Bernal Holiday Walk
Tonight – Thursday, December 15, 6-9pm

Join us tonight from 6 to 9pm for the Mission Bernal Holiday Walk. Yes, it will be rainy, but this is a good chance to rock your rain boots, and winter coat!

The Mission Bernal Merchants Association is excited to invite San Francisco to explore the vibrant Mission Bernal small business community. The numerous locally owned restaurants, bars, galleries, coffee shops, and other businesses that line Mission Street from Cesar Chavez Street to Randall Street—along with businesses on adjacent side streets such as 29th Street—will open their doors and put out their welcome mats to the city at large, in a neighborhood celebration aimed at encouraging neighbors and visitors alike to peruse their wares, get to know local business owners, and sample the neighborhood’s diverse flavors. Emerging and legacy businesses alike would like to welcome you to our festive home.

“We see the Mission Bernal Holiday Walk as a sort of social experiment in supporting the neighborhood’s small business community, and we want to invite everyone to be part of it,” says Eden Stein, president of the Mission Bernal Merchants Association. “The Mission Bernal corridor is a hidden gem of food, art, music, and culture.”

As visitors explore the neighborhood, the MBMA encourages them to post photos and videos of the sights, sounds, and tastes they experience on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with the hashtag #MBMAHW. As an extra incentive, throughout the evening, the MBMA will be monitoring the hashtag and giving away thank-you gifts to those tagging their adventures in Mission Bernal!

Here are some of the specials our neighborhood merchants will offer:

  • Avenue (3361 Mission St.) – Holiday open house with cocktails, a small holiday marketplace, succulent craft station, and live music
  • Baby Blues BBQ (3149 Mission St.) – Fried Chicken Pop-Up
  • Bel (3215 Mission St.) – Bel’s amazing Happy Hour will be extended for the duration of the walk and the San Francisco School of Rock will be singing holiday tunes from 6-7pm
  • Blanca’s Art of Hair – $5 off haircuts and shaves
  • Blue Plate (3218 Mission St.) – Deviled Eggs and a splash of sparkling rose for our early diners
  • Café Seventy8 (78 29th St.) – Extended hours and free 8oz hot chocolate or coffee
  • Café St. Jorge (3438 Mission St.) – Art Show
  • Coronitas (3326 Mission St.) – specials on Coronas and buffalo wings
  • Cole Hardware (3293 Mission St.) – Holiday Pop-Up!
  • Eagle Rider (3146 Mission St.) – Look for the motorcycle out front to learn more about our newest merchant and services
  • El Rio (3158 Mission St.) – Everyone that comes through as a participant in the Holiday Stroll will receive a free hot spiced whiskey cider (21+, one per customer)
  • Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack (3230 Mission St.) – Holiday Sangria and 2 for 1 drinks
  • The Front Porch (65 29th St.) – Delicious sausage balls, mulled wine, and spiced cider to keep you feeling nice (or naughty)
  • Fumi Curry (3303 Mission St.) – Black Curry special. Free Edamame for any order of drinks over $15
  • Harvest: An Alternative Health Collective (33 29th St.) – Harvest will be giving 15% off to all that mention this event. If you don’t yet have a recommendation, you can get a tour of their boutique facility
  • The Knockout (3223 Mission St.) – Drunk BINGO! Also, ask for a Hamm’s Job (a beer and a shot) for $5
  • Melody Cafe (3401 Mission St.) – 15% off dinner
  • Mitchell’s Ice Cream (688 San Jose) – Two cones for the price of one
  • Old Devil Moon (3472 Mission St.) – Lion’s Tail (a classic winter spicy bourbon cocktail), and a wintery gin & tonic of their own making
  • Rock Bar (80 29th St.) – Thirsty Thursday: Singani 63, the ancient Bolivian spirit imported by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will be poured with specially paired bites. There will also be opportunities to speak with local Singani ambassador Scott Krinsky
  • Secession Art and Design (3235 Mission St.) – The 3300 Club will have t-shirts available for sale, Emmy’s will have their famous meatballs to nosh on, and the art of Hilary Williams and Nicole Bauguss will have art featuring neighborhood bars available for sale.
  • Virgil’s Sea Room (3152 Mission St.) – $5 Hot Toddys with Old Forester Bourbon available from 6-9pm

Tonight: Winter Celebration and Homegrown Jazz at the Bernal Library

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The elves who run your Bernal Heights Public Library are a lively and gregarious bunch, especially during this time of year.  Tonight Bernal’s library is hosting a seasonal festival that celebrates homegrown jazz, community, and tasty food. Library elf-wrangler Valerie Reichert tells us:

Our Annual Winter Celebration at the library happens on Wednesday eve, December 14.

Please join us! Grab your family, friends, neighbors and come to our annual celebration. The evening features the mellifluous Bernal Jazz Quartet playing seasonal selections, holiday crafting, movies and lots and lots of cookies!

THIS WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14TH FROM 6-8:30 PM
Information: (415) 355-5610
For all ages!

Thursday: Elves and Bernal Neighbors Invited to the 2016 Cortland Holiday Stroll

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Tens of thousands of hundreds of many years ago, in the time of our mystical ancestors, a joyous community of elves lived on these Bernal Hill lands. Each year, during the winter equinox, these proto-Bernalese would gather in the meadow we now call Cortlandia to celebrate the arrival of the rains and the season of lights.

Today, the Bernal Business Alliance carries on this hallowed tradition, in the form of the glamorous Cortland Holiday Stroll. The 2016 Stroll happens this Thursday, December 8, from 6 to 9 pm, and all Modern Bernalese are invited partake of the many spectacles.

The shamans from the BBA tell Bernalwood:

7th Annual Bernal Heights Holiday Stroll, Thursday, December 8th, 2016

Join your neighborhood in supporting small businesses for Bernal Height’s 7th Annual Holiday Stroll, this Thursday night, December 8, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm on fabulous Cortland Avenue.

Your favorite local stores are extending their hours for family fun and holiday shopping. Many shops are offering discounts, music, tasty treats and beverages to make your evening even sweeter.

Come support your community and don’t forget to donate a new, unwrapped toy or monetary contribution to our Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center Toy Drive at 515 Cortland Avenue.

Thanks everyone, see you Thursday, rain or snow, from your friends at the Bernal Business Alliance.

12 Small Things, 513 Cortland – In addition to supporting fair trade artisans, we will be collecting spare change for UNICEF and donating 10% of our sales to victims of the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland.

Arts of Balance, 406 Cortland – Come on in for chai tea!

Bernal Beast, 509 Cortland – Toys and treats will be 20% off and will be serving Chocolate Cake!

Bernal Homeopathy, 406 Cortland – Limited number of homeopathic cold & flu remedy kits for sale $40

East West Bernal, 406 Cortland – We will be serving chai and offering 15 percent off gift cards.

Epicurean Trader, 401 Cortland – We will be having a free Wine Tasting from 6-8pm.

Good Life Grocery, 448 Cortland – We will have hot apple cider and several samplings inside the store from various suppliers. And just out that day, we will have our 2017 calendars to give out with the wonderful pictures of Bernal Heights and Potrero Hill from local photographers.

Healthy Spirits, 249 Cortland – We will be sampling our famous house-made hummus, hosting a wine tasting and have lots of fun freebies!

Heartfelt &, 409 Cortland – Brian Belknap the Cajun One Man Band will be playing refreshments will be served!

Inclusions Gallery, 627 Cortland – Celebrating our 9th year with our annual Retrospective show, featuring the work of 14 local artists. Live music with jazz duo Gary Zellerbach & Carl Herder and lots of holiday cheer!

Little Bee Baking, 521 Cortland – Surprise!

Paulie’s Pickling, 331 Cortland – Surprise!

Pinhole Coffee, 231 Cortland – There will be Japanese Curry by Chef Michael Black, Jewelry by Oakland Based jeweler Holly Bobisuthi and crocheted goods by Pacifica based artist Samantha Baron. Our coffee bar will be open and we will be sampling peppermint hot chocolate! Also Mitsuko Siegrist of Tsuchikara Pottery will be selling her wares (she is the ceramicist behind all our cups and plates).

Recycled Glassworks, 231 Cortland, I’m also going to be at Pinhole for the stroll

Sandy Owens Massage & Healing, Gift certificates, discounts and other surprises!

State Farm Insurance, 399 Cortland – Serving hot apple cider and holiday cookies

Succulence, 402 Cortland – 15% discount on all store inventory, plus snacks and beverages, with music by JD Limelight.

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In Praise of Musical Friday Nights at Charlie’s Cafe

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Charlie’s Cafe on the corner of Folsom and Precita on the west end of Precita Park is a neighborhood institution. Normally it’s a laid-back daytime coffee shop and deli, but on Friday nights Charlie stays open late to host live music.

Tonight, Friday, December 2, Charlie’s will play host to the Trance Mission Duo, a musical collaboration by Beth Custer and Steven Kerrit.

Neighbor Mary is a Friday Night regular at Charlie’s, and she shared this summary of the scene:

It’s becoming a tradition: For years when Charlie’s, the cafe on Folsom and Precita, holds musical events, neighbors come in droves, steam up the windows, crowd the doorway, spill out onto the corner, and peer into the windows if they can’t get in.

The warmth of Charlie’s Cafe brings a special sense ofbelonging to all of us in these dismal post election days. It’s an exceedingly bright spot on the dark north side of the hill.

The lights are bright food is hot, the music is from nieghbors who show off mighty talent. Yes, Paul Griffiths and Beth Custer, neighbors you have greeted over the years, or just know by face (or by dog) have hefty portfolios of music behind them and are well known original talents. You will be amazed.

Children abound and bound around, and there’s plenty of crayons to color with) as yummy plates of Steak Tacos pass under your nose.

You can come fill up on food at the friendliest place in town and hang with your neighbor friends.

Or you can stay home and watch the news.

Wednesday: Follow-Up Meeting About Gang Violence Near North Bernal

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On Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, there will be a follow-up to the  October community meeting about the recent wave of gang violence centered around the Bernal Dwellings housing development — a wave that most recently included a Nov. 14 shooting on Harrison near Cesar Chavez.

The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center’s meeting announcement says:

Come Join Us for an SFPD Update on Violent Crime in and near Bernal

The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and neighbors have organized a follow-up meeting to receive updates on the Precita Park and Bernal Dwellings area shootings, including the November 14 incident.

SFPD’s Gang Task Force members, along with Ingleside Station and Mission Station representatives, will be in attendance.

>> To help keep the meeting to an hour, please submit questions in advance to jmoore@bhnc.org.

Date: Wednesday, 11/30/2016
Time: 7 to 8 pm
Location: Leonard Flynn Elementary
Harrison @ Cesar Chavez (cafeteria)
(Please enter from Harrison side of school through schoolyard).

PHOTO: Police on the scene of a gang-related shooting at Precita Park, October 8, 2016. By Telstar Logistics

Wednesday: A Potluck to Investigate Bernal History Mysteries

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Vicky Walker invites you to a meeting of the Bernal Heights History Project happening  Wednesday evening, November 16 at the library on Cortland.

Vicky says:.

We don’t meet in December, so this is our last get-together of 2016. We’ve put together a slideshow of some of our recent photo acquisitions, some of which are part of the Bernal Mystery Project. Help us figure out what we’re seeing in the photos!

Our last meeting of the year is also a potluck. Bring snacks, leftover Halloween candy, and whatever you’d like to share — and we’ll talk about our plans for 2017. We recently wrote a Bernalwood article about the Sports Center fire, and we have lots more research going on that we’d love to share with you.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. sharp in the downstairs meeting room at the Bernal branch library (500 Cortland at Anderson); turn left at the bottom of the stairs or out of the elevator. As always, it is free and open to all.

Wed, November 167 pm
Bernal Heights Library Community Room
Free

PHOTO: Matchbooks from former Bernal Heights watering holes, courtesy of Bernal Heights History Project

Bernal Monsters of All Ages Welcome on Cortland for Halloween

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Neighbor Darcy from the fabulous Heartfelt store invites all Bernalese and Junior Bernalese to come stroll and be costumed  for Halloween on Cortland Avenue, this Monday, October 31.

Neighbor Darcy says:

Halloween seems extra special on Cortland this year, because Fiesta on the Hill is taking a break to regroup.

Halloween is a traditional night for all of us in the neighborhood to get together and show off our creative side, or just put on a hat or mask and collect a few sweets. Trick or treating for the wee ones begins around 5 o’clock.

Please advise your kids:

  • Cortland Avenue is NOT closed. Do not cross in the middle of the block. Please use crosswalks.
  • Trick or treat with a group. Kids often go to Heartfelt if they are lost and we call their folks.
  • We have asked for extra SFPD officers that night from Ingleside.
  • Remain on well-lit streets and only go up to homes with outdoor lights on.
  • Have fun!

PS: As you stroll on Monday, please share photos of your favorite costumes with us! Send them to bernalwood *at* gmail.com. Thanks!

PHOTO: Goldilocks and the 3 Bears on Cortland Ave, 2013

Boo! You’re Invited to Dr. Rick’s Fabulous “Rebel Yell” Halloween Party on Saturday

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Fear not, Bernal Heights goblins. Dr. Rick’s annual Halloween party at the Farmhouse Mansion is happening again this year, on Saturday, October 29 at the fabulous Farmhouse Mansion in Bernal Heights. Dr. Rick shares all the details:

Hi Everybody,

it’s that time of year again. And I cast my vote for… Scary!

This year’s “Rebel Hell” Halloween is patriotic-themed explosion of talent and delights.

Six bands, fire dancers, lasers, bag-pipes, tarot card reader, film festival, poetry slam, catered delicacies, full host bar, and much more. See attached for more info.

This is a benefit is for three organizations: ZSFG Hospital Vol Rehab Programs, AgeSong/Pacific Institute for elderly and disabled, and SFSMILES.

PLEASE bring a bag of adult clothes for donation.

The hospital especially needs… everything. Our clothing supply is very low.

Sat. Oct. 29th
6pm till ?
at the Farmhouse Mansion, Gardens, and Unofficial Polling Place
3340 Folsom Street, SF CA

$20 per person minimum donation, or half-price if you bring a bag of adult clothes.

See all you patriots at the rebellion soon,

Dr. Rick

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Tonight: Bernal Heights Artists Reception at Inclusions Gallery

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Lisa Moro from the fabulously locavore Inclusions Gallery on Cortland is having a reception tonight, Thursday Oct. 20 for the neighbors featured in her annual show about artists from Bernal Heights. Naturally, you’re invited!

Lisa tells Bernalwood:

Select 7: Bernal Heights Artists, marks Inclusions Gallery eighth year curating an annual group show, devoted exclusively to neighborhood artists. On view are new and exciting works by seven artists. All will be in attendance at Thursday evening’s reception. Come, meet the artists and check out the entire show (the back room too).

Once a year Inclusions Gallery curates a group show especially focused on the talented artists who call Bernal Heights home. In this year’s exhibit you’ll find an excellent offering of new and recent works by seven artists: Copper plate etchings by David Avery, Ink and acrylic paintings by Glenn Hirsch, Mixed media works by Pamela Lanza, Oil paintings by Linda Larson, Oil and Mixed media paintings by Catherine Mackey, Encaustic and Mixed media paintings by Jenny Phillips, and Oil paintings by Aaron Zube.

Come by and meet the artists during a reception

Thursday, October 20th
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Inclusions Gallery – 627 Cortland (at Anderson)
Light refreshments will be served.

The exhibit runs through November 6th.

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PHOTO: Late Afternoon on Cortland, oil on panel by Bernal artist Aaron Zube, now on display at Inclusions Gallery. Photo by Telstar Logistics

Monday: Community Meeting with SFPD to Discuss Violent Crimes in Bernal Heights

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There’s been a lot of (quite understandable) distress about the recent spate of violent crimes in Bernal Heights, including the Oct. 8 shooting in Precita Park and other rather horrific incidents like this and this.

This is not acceptable.

An emergency urgent community meeting with the San Francisco Police Department has been organized for this coming Monday night, October 17, and Neighbor Sarah has the details:

The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and other neighbors have organized a community meeting to discuss the recent Precita Park and Bernal Dwellings shootings with SFPD.

Captain McFadden from the Ingleside Police Station and a representative from the Mission Police Station will be in attendance.

When: Monday, 10/17, 7:30-8:30pm
Where: Leonard Flynn Elementary School (on Precita Park, 3125 Cesar Chavez St, @ Harrison)

Please enter Flynn from the Harrison side of the school. The meeting will start on time and end on time.

PHOTO: Police mark bullet casings found near Precita Park on Oct. 8, by Bernalwood

Sunday: Grand Opening Party for New 12 Small Things Store on Cortland

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A new business is moving into the former Gifts on the Hill space at 513 Cortland. This Sunday, October 9, Bernal Neighbor Laurie Kanes will hold a grand opening celebration for 12 Small Things, her new store and showroom for artisanal crafts from around the world. Neighbor Laurie tells Bernalwood:

I’m the new tenant for the former thrift shop space at 513 Cortland that is next to the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center.

My husband and I moved to the neighborhood in 1989, and we’ve raised our two daughters here. After 30 years working in-house for corporate retailer’s creative departments, I started 12smallthings.com to showcase handmade products from artisans in need of support around the world.

Working out of my home, I expanded the business to include wholesale representation for these groups at gift trade shows for retailers. I was outgrowing my living room office and also needed a showroom when the BHNC space became available. They were looking for a small business they felt would work well in the neighborhood and had some non-profit or social responsibility connections.

I feel very grateful to be in this new space and part of the Cortland corridor, where I will be selling my products in the showroom/store. As a member of the community and the Bernal Business Alliance, I already have a strong connection to the neighborhood, but getting a chance to say hi to everyone while I’ve been renovating the place has been very welcoming and encouraging.

I am having an opening party this Sunday, October 9th, from 3:00 – 6:00 at 513 Cortland with music and light refreshments and would like to invite you and your readers to stop by and say hi.

Can’t promise that everything will be up and running smoothly right away, but hopefully I’ll have some time here to figure out the details along the way.

Many thanks!
Laurie

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Tonight: Have Fun in La Lengua to Benefit Victims of the Cole Hardware Fire

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Lest we forget, many of the neighbors and businesses displaced by last June’s Cole Hardware Fire are still still struggling to rebuild.

Neighbor Eden Stein from the Mission-Bernal Merchants Association invites all Bernalese to stroll our stretch of Mission Street tonight, Friday, Oct 7, as local merchants and eateries raise money for the fire victims. Neighbor Eden says:

Help us meet our goal for the MBMA Fire Relief Fund!

What are you doing Friday night? Secession Art & Design, Coronitas Bar and Grill, and Old Devil Moon are each hosting fundraisers for the Mission Bernal Merchant Fire Relief Fund.

Start the evening off at Secession Art & Design’s party at 3235 Mission from 6-9pm. 3300 Club will be selling t-shirts at this event. Then have a Corona and some delicious buffalo wings at Coronitas at 3326 Mission. Walk just up the street to Old Devil Moon at 3472 Mission to have a Po-boy and some beer, whisky, or rum – your choice.

When you shop, eat, or drink you’ll be making a difference. Each business will donate a percentage from their proceeds.

Our fundraising efforts end on Sunday at midnight, so help us reach our goal of $25,000. Forty locals and fifteen restaurants have brought hope to the merchants of the 3300 block by raising close to $20,000 already.

The merchants on this block still need support from our local community so they can have a chance to open again and do what they love best. Our fundraiser is a small thank-you grant to remind these businesses that we got their back, and let them know that we’re still thinking of them and want them to be able to return.

See you Friday night!

XO
Eden

PHOTO: 3300 block of Mission Street after the fire. Photo by Jonathan Koshi via MBMASF

Saturday Night: Watch “Zootopia” in Precita Park

There’s a rather fantastic family movie night happening in Precita Park on Saturday evening for creatures of all ages. Courtesy of SutterHealth CPMC 2020, there will be a free outdoor screening of Zootopia in Precita Park starting at 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Our friends at Precita Valley Neighbors tell us:

Get ready for Zootopia!

Grab your blanket and snacks and join us for this great family film at 7pm., Saturday, October 1st.

Movie Night is brought to us by SutterHealth CPMC 2020. The first 250 attendees gets a free (pretty cool) goody bag!

Come out, meet your neighbors, and enjoy the film!

FWIW, your Bernalwood editor took the Cub Reporter to see Zootopoia earlier this year, and we both loved it. It’s  good one!