Politics

YIMBY Power: How Friends of the Lucky Horseshoe Bar Rallied to Sway the City’s Entertainment Commission

/ Todd_Lappin / 8 Comments

Lucky Horseshoe 007

Lucky Horseshoe 001

Lucky Horseshoe 005

Lucky Horseshoe 003

So, remember how Eric Embry, co-owner of the Lucky Horseshoe on Cortland, asked folks from Bernal Heights to attend a hearing at City Hall on Tuesday night, so that the Lucky Horseshoe might secure the coveted Entertainment Permit needed to host live music at the bar?

Well, a whole lot of people actually showed up at City Hall to express their support. And in the end, the Lucky Horseshow got their permit — which means live music will soon follow.

But the story doesn’t end there. Overall, the episode turned out to be a rather encouraging experience for many of those who decided to get involved. It showed that hard work can pay off, meaningful community can be created, and antagonism from a NIMBY minority doesn’t always carry the day — or spoil the fun.

Neighbor Clane attended the hearing on Tuesday night, and she filed this exclusive report:

Around 6 p.m. Tuesday night a few of us sat in Room 400 at City Hall to support Lucky Horseshoe’s bid for a live entertainment license. Through a long, tangled presentation by a group that had been successfully blocking entertainment — for twenty years — in SOMA, I worked on some crochet to stay occupied. I didn’t look up until one of the Commissioners announced Lucky Horseshoe. That’s when I noticed something great: The room was totally full.

A Commissioner began Lucky Horseshoe’s case by stating they’d received 845 letters of support of it, and only twelve against. A dozing commissioner straightened as the room exploded with applause.

Lisa Marie and Eric, Lucky Horseshoe’s owners and proprietors, both straight out of Super Cute Geek and Smartie Hotness Magazine, explained their case at the podium. The Commissioners asked a few questions and then invited public comment. A line went around the room as people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors stood up to speak.

The commission unanimously voted to approve the license, and the crowd went nicely and politely wild.

Afterward, back at Lucky Horseshoe, Lisa poured champagne for everyone who’d come to City Hall, and the outdated jukebox started up right away with the perfect outdated music I go to Lucky Horseshoe just to hear. Seriously, I go there for three reasons: good drinks from convivial bartenders, interesting conversation with random strangers, and the crappy jukebox.

Whenever I go into Lucky Horseshoe I end up talking to someone totally new and unexpected, because it’s practically a scientific fact: You can bond with almost anyone over “Benny and the Jets.” Those gathered at City Hall were no exception, from the elegant, elderly pool shark, to the mussed hipster, to my neighbor. There were OGs and hoodies, moms and hipsters, musicians of all kinds, and bingo-playing church ladies. There was a genteel pensioner and a lawyer in a trucker’s cap. It was awesome, grown-folk style.

A few things were really clear. The support was genuine and heartfelt, and Lisa Marie and Eric had worked hard for it. Since opening they’d differentiated themselves from Skip’s Tavern, but they’d welcomed old regulars and anyone who respected the business. They held community meetings and supported local causes and events, like the Library Mural Project and the Solstice Stroll.

They also thought a lot about why people might be concerned about live music and what issues it might entail. I don’t think you can fake this kind of thing — either the outreach Lisa Marie and Eric put into it, nor the unanimous approval and overwhelming support they received in return. For once I felt like I was at the really cool party. Gathering to make, experience, and reflect art, music, and culture is the life of the City itself.

Post Script: Eric said he and Lisa Marie were just beside themselves with all the support, and wanted to really, really, really thank everyone.

Indeed.

Last night, Bernalwood received an email from Eric, who writes

Thank you very much!!

Now we just have to do some soundproofing, install the sound system, and pass a couple inspections between now and our first show.  We’ll be on for Valentines day if not earlier, hopefully sometime in January!

PHOTOS: Top, Lisa-Marie and Eric. Below, friends of Lucky Horseshoe attending and testifying at the Entertainment Commission hearing. Fabulous photos courtesy of Adrian Mendoza.

TONIGHT: City Hall Hearing on Lucky Horseshoe’s Entertainment Permit

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

Lucky Horseshoe

**Hearing Date Corrected from Previous Version**

Eric Embry, co-owner of the Lucky Horseshoe bar on Cortland, is getting ready for a big evening *tonight* at City Hall. That’s when a hearing will be held to consider his application to get an entertainment permit for the bar, a move which would enable the Lucky Horseshoe to host live music.

In an email to Bernalwood, Eric writes:

We hope lots of folks will come to City Hall, Room 400, Tuesday evening at 6:30 to let the Entertainment Commissioners know that Bernal Heights wants live music at The Lucky Horseshoe. We’ve collected hundreds of signatures and letters of support, and we have a rock-solid plan that will integrate live music into the community in a positive way that was previously unknown at the venue. The entertainment we host will be as warm and welcoming as The Lucky Horseshoe is, making the bar an even more integral part the community.

I’ve been watching the hearings online and it’s actually going to be fun, in a civics lesson kind of way. Maybe not fun in some other ways but…The Commission will no doubt ask some tough questions, as the music scene at Skip’s Tavern in years past was far from cherished by the neighborhood at large. The folks at City Hall need to hear about the positive changes we’ve brought to the bar, and not just from us. Lisa Marie and I dearly appreciate all of the support and kind words that so many of you have given us, and we want the Commissioners to hear about it first hand. Come on down to City Hall and let’s bring live music back to Cortland Avenue!

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Trippy Clouds and Empathy for the Vassals of La Lengua

/ Todd_Lappin / 10 Comments

Bernalwood Norrhwest

I took this photo with my iPhone last weekend while waiting for the traffic light on Valencia Street at Cesar Chavez. In the flash of an instant, I had two distinct thoughts:

1) Wow, doesn’t Bernal Hill look lovely against that freaky-streaky sky?!

2) No wonder those uppity La Lenguans resent us, the Overlords of Bernal Heights. It must feel so frustrating for them, to live down in the flats, having always to look up at our glamorous hill that towers majestically over their homes and drinking establishments. Poor poor La Lenguans.

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics

Meet Mayor Ed Lee on Cortland, Saturday Afternoon

/ Todd_Lappin / 12 Comments

Mayor Lee

Ms. Darcy from Heartfelt rang the Bernalwood hotline to tell us:

Mayor Lee will be campaigning in Bernal on Saturday. He’ll be doing a merchant walk,  handing out posters, etc. Starting at 1:00 pm at Heartfelt.

As Darcy noted, this is a campaign event. But precisely because it is a campaign event, this is also a great opportunity to talk to our smiling mayor about anything City-related that’s on your mind: schools, cops, infrastructure, taxes, succulent thefts, La Lenguan autonomy, vintage billboards, or whatever. And because he’ll be in Candidate Mode, Mayor Lee wil probably be extra-patient with you. Be polite, but have your say, citizen!

PHOTO: Mayor Ed Lee at Vista Pointe Minipark in Bernal, June 2011. By Telstar Logistics

Say Hello to the Proposed Design for the Bernal Library Mural

/ Todd_Lappin / 29 Comments

Library Mural Proposal

Library Mural Proposal

If you think the debate currently taking place in Washington DC over raising the federal debt ceiling is a sticky bit of politics, you’ll no doubt enjoy catching up on the latest details of the plan to paint a new mural on the facade of the Bernal Heights Branch of the San Francisco Public Library on Cortland.

Just in case you need a reminder, here’s how the current mural looks — it was painted in 1982:

Library Mural

Ambassador Darcy Lee from Heartfelt on Cortland has been working on the new mural effort, and she sent Bernalwood this honest and (yes) heartfelt project status report:

I am a proud member of the task force working on the Bernal Library Art Project.  I have a tendency to focus on what we have accomplished, so here goes:

We had a divided neighborhood. Some felt the library should not be painted at all, and should be unadorned–  as it was when it was built as a WPA project.   Others felt that the existing mural represented many important issues and was a constant reminder of what is important within San Francisco.  They wanted it to be restored and remain.  A group of us got together to discuss and talk through all the issue. We fought through some truths, some conceptions, and some very passionate feelings.

Bernal resident Beth Roy guided us through this arduous process with skill and aplomb — It was quite remarkable. In the end, the decision was made to put new artwork on parts of the library.  Huge thanks to the city, Mayor Lee, Supervisor Campos, the Arts Commission, and the Library Commission for their help.

We decided to stay on course as a volunteer group, but we needed a project manager.  We had two (very small) fundraisers that raised enough to get us started. Gia Grant was chosen to manage the effort, and her experience and clear-headed expertise has been a boon!  We took input from two community meetings,  chose two artists, and approved artwork for the Cortland (front) and Moultrie facades.

I believe the chosen artwork addresses all our needs and desires.  Actual work will begin this summer.  We are planning a big fundraiser with renowned cellist Joan Jeanrenaud on August 6th.  Remember: We are lucky to be here and nothing is simple!

Well said. Lots more detail at the Bernal Library Art Project website. You can read the project’s Statement of Consensus right here (pdf). You can also read the digest of public comments about the mural submitted via the project email address at bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com. (Executive Summary: 19 positives, 34 negatives, 7 confused and/or off-topic.)

Meanwhile, the mural is on the agenda for the City Library Commission meeting that will take place TOMORROW, Thursday, July 21, 2011, at 4:30 pm in the Koret Auditorium of the Main Library (lower level). Be there if you have something you really really really really really want to say.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Uppity La Lenguans Seek to Brainwash Unsuspecting Motorists

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

Mind Open, Road Closed

Oh, you know how it is with those people in La Lengua. They try to make every little thing a political statement here in our otherwise glamorous and complacently vapid neighborhood. As if de facto territorial autonomy and free Slurpees at their new 7-Eleven weren’t enough, the La Lenguans are now attempting to brainwash unsuspecting motorists with their neo-psychedelic separatist ideology.

Consider this affront, which was spotted this week at the corner of Guerrero and 28th Street. It seems the La Lengua Revolutionary Propaganda Front (LaLeRevPropFro) has appropriated an official City traffic control device to disseminate a mind-altering message intended to further the La Lengua cause. Sheeeesh!

PHOTO: Telstar Logistsics

Prop 13, Tom Ammiano’s Ridiculously Low Property Taxes, and The New York Times (Not Necessarily In That Order)

/ Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

By way of introducing us to a new proposal by State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano to close a Prop 13 loophole used by some commercial real estate owners to keep their property tax obligations ridiculously low, today’s New York Times points out that Mr. Ammiano has made no effort to change the provisions that allow some residential homeowners to pay ridiculously low property taxes.

The Times then notes that Mr. Ammiano himself is a “signal beneficiary” of the residential provision, and — with a somewhat conspicuous amount of glee — the paper also details just how little property tax Mr. Ammiano actually pays for his Bernal Heights home:

Mr. Ammiano, who is also a comedian, pays just $530 a year in taxes on the Bernal Heights home he has owned since 1974. As far as the city and Proposition 13 are concerned, his house is worth $45,600. Zillow estimates its current worth at $645,000. At that value, the tax would be about $7,500.

How good a deal is this? Imagine for a moment that Mr. Ammiano’s house was a car. If he parked the car at a metered space near his Civic Center office, the amount he now contributes each day to the commonweal in the form of property tax would buy just a hair less than 29 minutes, curbside.

Perhaps his next stand-up routine could be built around this theme: San Francisco on $1.45 a Day.

There is nothing illegal about Mr. Ammiano’s good fortune. As long as a property does not change hands, Proposition 13 limits annual increases to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

The Times then compares Tom Ammiano’s property taxes to those of his next-door neighbor, Anthony Costa, who’s lives in a home that is almost identical. Mr. Costa, a City College librarian, bought his home in 2004 and pays $8400 per year in property taxes. Not surprisingly, Mr. Costa is displeased:

While he says he bears his neighbor no ill-will, what Mr. Costa does object to — strenuously — is the reduction in government services he attributes squarely to Proposition 13.

“Prop 13 is a tragedy which has made things in California worse every year since it was passed,” Mr. Costa wrote in an e-mail. “The people of California have to settle for inferior schools, libraries, transit, roads, sewers, parks and other services. I don’t object as much to my personal tax bill, as I do the obscene discrepancy between the great wealth of this state and the relative poverty of our government and public institutions.”

Let the debate begin…

PHOTO: The New York Times

Star Sighting: Mayor Ed Lee Visits Bernal’s New Mini-Park

/ Todd_Lappin / 10 Comments

Mayor Lee

Vista Pointe Gardens

Hey there celebrity-spotters! Guess who dropped by Bernalwood yesterday? Why, it was our very own interim mayor, the Honorable Ed Lee! The Mayor was here to take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for our fabulous new Vista Pointe Garden mini-park on Bernal Heights Boulevard, and it was a very sweet little event.

Truth is, however, even though the Mayor is famous for his side-splitting charisma, drop-dead sense of style, and spectacular singing voice, the real star of the show was project director Julian Wyler, who spearheaded the volunteer effort to make this glamorous new park a reality. Say hello to Julian:

Vista Pointe Gardens

This is Mayor Ed giving Julian a well-deserved Certificate of Honor:

Vista Pointe Gardens

Then Mayor Ed and Julian cut the grand-opening ribbon with giant clown scissors:

Vista Pointe Gardens

Afterward, Julian and the Mayor had a bromantic moment:

Vista Pointe Gardens

But seriously… Immense thanks go out to Julian and all the volunteers from Friends of Bernal Gardens who helped make this new park possible. It is truly an impressive feat. And thanks to Mayor Ed for making the trek to Bernal Heights to recognize that fact.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Meet the SFPD’s New Top Cop for Bernal Heights

/ Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Uniform
There’s a new commander at the SFPD’s Ingleside Station, which means there’s a new top cop with jurisdiction over Bernalwood. Here’s how Captain Daniel J. Mahoney introduced himself on the station website:

I am very proud and honored to have been selected by Chief Suhr to be the new Commanding Officer of the Ingleside Police District. As you know, Ingleside is a large, diverse area with a mixed community comprising of business, residential and educational institutions.

I wish to thank my predecessor, Captain Louis Cassanego, for the outstanding job he did while assigned here. I heard many accolades from community members about him and am keenly aware that I have big shoes to fill.

My background is diverse as well consisting of managerial assignments in Patrol, Investigations, Administration and Risk Management Operations. I am a 29-year veteran at the young age of 50 and have been previously assigned to Ingleside Station as a new Lieutenant in 2000. I am acutely aware of Ingleside’s landscape, its policing challenges and its STRONG community involvement. I hold both a Masters and a Baccalaureate Degree in Management. I have successfully completed the Senior Management Institute for Police taught by the academics from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and am currently completing coursework from the POST Command College.

Going forward, I plan on instilling a strong sense of community policing to the 112 members under my command. I embrace evidence-based policing techniques (identifying trends and attacking hot-spots) and strongly favor a customer service attitude.

Here’s a good email address to keep handy:

I am very accessible and can be contacted either at the Station or through my e-mail address: daniel.j.mahoney@sfgov.org.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics and SFPD

Hat Tip: The ever-vigilant Serogers

Mind-Bending Political Slogan of the Moment

/ Todd_Lappin / 10 Comments

Political Tautology

I don’t know anything at all about Cesar Ascarrunz other than what I read right here, but his campaign slogan got my attention — because it made my brain hurt.

Follow along: “You Always Have a Choice to Decide.” So if I choose not to decide, is that a choice too? Are there other choices? And what should I choose when I decide to make my choice? Or do I decide to choose what to decide? And aren’t a choice and a decision kind of the same thing? So isn’t this a tautological statement? And is tautology good political strategy?

Cesar Ascarrunz has chosen a slogan that spins your brain like a rhetorical Mobius strip — which suggests to me that he may actually have what it takes to succeed as mayor of San Francisco.

Off the Hill: Ten Great Restaurants, Mayor Ed on Wheels, Transbay NIMBYs, and Sea Lions in the Mission

/ Todd_Lappin / 5 Comments

Found on the 27: Jack Sparrow

Now that passport and visa restrictions have been waived for residents traveling beyond the confines of Bernalwood, there’s a whole City for us to explore! Here are some things that have been happening around town:

Ten Interesting Restaurants to Try ASAP (Tablehopper)

Transbay NIMBYs Oppose Treasure Island Development Plan (SF Examiner)

Sea Lion and Giant Rat Street Art in the Mission (MissionMission, Uptown Almanac)

Mayor Ed Lee Bikes to Work Wearing a Sporty Helmet (StreetsblogSF)

Tourists Go on “Human Safari” in the Tenderloin (The Tender)

PHOTO: Capt. Jack Sparrow Rides the 27 Bryant, by isaylike via SFist

Meet Your Mayoral Candidates on Cortland, Saturday

/ Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

San Francisco City Hall

The Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center has organized a meeting that will allow residents of the Dominion of Bernalwood to meet the candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring to become San Francisco’s next mayor. The session will take place this Saturday, May 14, at 515 Cortland Street from 9 am to 1 pm.

BHNC provides the complete details:

CONFIRMED ATTENDEES:

  • Bevan Dufty
  • Leland Yee
  • David Chiu
  • Joanna Rees
  • Tony Hall
  • Harold Miller
  • Robert “Bobby” Jordan
  • John Avalos

INVITED:

  • Michaela Alioto-Pier
  • Dennis Herrera (sending a representative)

We hope to engage as many community members as possible, and hope to incorporate as many of your questions during the Q & A portion of Community Congress. A few randomly chosen questions submitted through this form will be asked during that portion of our program. Because Community Congress is BHNC’s biggest membership event, we ask that you frame your questions within our three core advocacy areas of:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Health & Public Safety
  • Immigrant Rights.

PHOTO: City Hall by canbalci

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

/ 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.

3139 Mission Street

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.

3139 Mission Street

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:

3139 Mission Street

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.