Jono Lee, a visitor to Bernal Hil and the Dominion of Bernalwood, posted this stunner on the Instagram over the weekend. He says:
The world is just one giant gradient.
We heartily agree (even if we’re not quite sure what that means).
PHOTO: @jobosapien
Our friends over at SFist are running with a story about a strange fender-bender that happened today in the Castro District, resulting in the photo you see above. A Mini Cooper hit a Prius, and somehow the Mini ended up mounting the Prius from behind:
Meanwhile, Bernalwood has learned that the unfortunate owner of the Prius is a Citizen of Bernal Heights. Here’s how Neighbor David describes what happened:
We were dropping our daughter off at Castro MUNI this am, but the Mini rode up the side as we were about to, uhm, well … pull out.
Oh my.
PHOTO: via SFist
Thanks to Neighbor Ken for taking this snap of a fashionable butterfly taking in the spectacular downtown view from atop Bernal Hill. Just like the humans in Bernal Heights, this is clearly a butterfly with exceptional discrimination and good taste.
Ken from Succulence on Cortland extends an invitation to one and all to attend tonight’s closing show for the fabulous landscape photography exhibit by Bernal Neighbor Jean Pedigo. Ken says:
Just want to make sure you and your readers know that Succulence is having a closing party for local photographer Jean Pedigo’s terrific landscape photos. The party is at Succulence from 6-8pm and will include wine and light refreshments. It’s a neighborhood party! Come on down.
PHOTO: Jean Pedigo’s photos on display at Succulence
It was a beautiful morning today, with bright blue skies shimmering over Bernal Heights.
I caught this view about an hour ago, through the window of a southbound Caltrain which was “wrapped” from end-to-end with an advertisement for a popular smartphone.
In practical terms, this is Caltrain’s version of a photo filter, and its effect on my view of Bernal Hill was oddly pleasant.
PHOTO: Telstar Logistics
Precita Bark, the new dog groomery on the eastern end of Precita Park (across from the playground) is now open for business. Neighbor Regina stopped in recently to get a treatment for her dog Rover, and she filed this report:
Precita Bark is now open, and Lora, the owner, has done a fabulous job creating a practical yet spa-like environment for dogs.
Rover, my black lab, turned 10 on Valentine’s Day, so I took him for a self-serve wash ($19 to $17, depending on dog size) at Precita Bark. This service includes a “spa bathing station” and shampoo of your choice (we picked Eucalyptus), a waterproof apron for the owner, absorbant towels, any brushes you need, and individual dryers. Best part is you don’t have to clean-up when you’re done!
Rover sheds like it’s his job, and I usually dread bath day in our home. Wet dog hair clings everywhere, even to walls where he smacks his tail. My newly crawling baby becomes an unfortunate Rover-hair Swiffer after his baths; her pink footed PJ’s are black fur magnets. Several towels are necessary and my washer and dryer become inundated with dog hair and smell. We all need a bath after Rover’s bath.
Precita Bark has done a fantastic job designing the space, and they really understand dogs. When we arrived, Lora carefully adjusted the water pressure and temperature for Rover so “he won’t be nervous,” and she had great washing tips for me.
Next to us, Rover’s new friend Shakes was getting a Full Service treatment by Lora, including a blowout ($40 for dogs under 40 lbs., $45 for over 40 lbs.). Shakes has a ton of hair and his owner, who lives on the South slope of Bernal, was probably thrilled it wasn’t blowing around their home.
Rover has never been cleaner, he LOVED his bath, and is favorite parts were the blueberry facial ($2) and the big fluffy towels at the end. I let him pick a toy on the way out; He chose a squeaky hedgehog (non-native to Bernal, I know, but they don’t sell squeaky gophers).
Glamour Bonus: On our way home, a stylish Italian woman standing outside St. Anthony’s chapel commented on how handsome Rover looked.
Precita Bark:
433 Precita Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 926-5277
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am – 7 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am – 6 pm
PHOTOS: Top, Lora from Precia Bark with Rover. Below, Neighbor Regina gives Rover the business.
Sorry for the late notice on this (my fault! sorry!), but tickets are still available for the benefit dinner happening tonight at Hillside Supper Club to support the fabulous Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema series:
Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema seeks film-lovers and food-lovers alike for a benefit dinner at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Hillside Supper Club, 300 Precita Avenue in the heart of Bernal Heights
It’s another meeting of the mutual admiration club of film-lovers and foodies, gathering in support of the 10th annual free season of film screenings in parks, playgrounds and open spaces. The owner-chefs of Hillside Supper Club, Tony Ferrari and Jonathan Sutton have long been film aficionados and attendees of the traditional Labor Day weekend festival. Organizers including local filmmakers, programmers and specialty technicians are part of the neighborhood demographic who are encouraging and patronizing a growing number of new restaurants and eateries in and around “the Hill”.
Ferrari and Sutton are designing a special three-course meal preceding a lively post-dinner conversation and discussion of the upcoming Academy Awards with local filmmaker, Lourdes Portillo and sound editor, Pat Jackson. Portillo and Jackson are both are veteran filmmakers and have worked on numerous Academy Award nominated films.
Tickets are $75 /person and $100 with wine/beer. Vegetarian option. Reservations and ticket required. Order online here.
Ticket sales will end this afternoon, so hurry to buy. Again, sorry for the late notice.
PHOTO: Telstar Logistics
If you’ve set foot on just about any Bernal Heights street during the last few days, you’ve probably noticed the spectacular pink blossoms that are peaking around the neighborhood.
They look like cherry blossoms, but Bernalwood sources say they’re not. Sakura happens later in the year, so our sources tell us the pink trees we see now are actually Ume (plum blossoms).
Armchair arborists are welcome to weigh in on this, but in the meantime, everyone is encouraged to partake of the blooming while it’s booming.
PHOTOS: From top, Spieri_SF, Telstar Logistics, Erin Archuleta, and Leslie Jonath
As is her wont, Neighbor Anita was on dawn patrol this morning, scanning the eastern horizon from her South Bernal observation post just as the sun was coming up.
Today she recorded this spectacular sunrise, which was (thankfully) drama-free, despite its dramatic appearance.
That’s right: No red-hot meteors from outer space landed on us — or at least not yet. Hooray! Carry on, and enjoy the day.
Neighbor Max lives on Folsom near Eugenia. He tells Bernalwood that he left his corporate job about a month ago to work on a lighting project he invented. It’s called Lumio, and it’s totally spiffy:
Three days ago Max launched a $60,000 fundraising drive on the Kickstarter to begin production. Now — get this! — he’s already blown through that goal, with a colossal $111K pledged. Wow. (Engadget FTW!)
Go Max, Go! Bernalwood gives you a neighborly high-five, and we can’t wait to buy one on Cortland.
PHOTO: Neighbor Max with a Lumio
David L. Kutzler, Major (Ret.), USAF lives in Tucson, Arizona, but he is a Bernalwood reader, and has been closely following the recent allegations of a government hoax to conceal evidence that NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover is not really roving the surface of Mars — but actually driving on the surface of Bernal Hill instead.
Mr. Kutzler has been studying NASA’s recent photo releases from the Curiosity mission, and he has uncovered some explosive new evidence to support the Mars/Bernal Hill hoax theory.
Mr. Kutzler writes:
I stumbled across your August 24, 2012 post on the “Mars Rover” hoax. Props to you for your good investigative work. I wanted to share with you further evidence of this cruel hoax. NASA recently released a “blink” gif image that was supposed to compare before and after images of a rock drilling made by the “Mars Rover.”
Apparently, they mistakenly released an earlier version of the gif where they hadn’t yet edited out the moving insects that were in the scene. I attached a version of the gif where I have circled what are obviously moving insects in the scene.
Of course, NASA is going to claim that the “insect-like movement” is an “artifact” caused by shifting of debris due to the vibration from the drilling activity. That’s what they want us to believe!
Using my own proprietary technique, I was able to zoom and enhance the image of the “artifact,” and I have attached it for all the world to see:
“Mars Rover” my ass! Formica rufescens is a common species of ant in California. The Rover is continuing its mission from Bernal Hill!!
Oh, and that giant space rock that crashed into Russia yesterday? When scientists dredge the debris from the bottom of that frozen lake, don’t be surprised if subsequent analysis concludes that the meteor was comprised of red Bernal Hill chert. Just saying…
Junior Neighbor Malia lives on Agnon in St. Mary’s, and she took note of the helpful Poop Avoidance signs that appeared recently on Cortland Avenue.
Inspired by that example, Junior Neighbor Malia, age 8, decided to create a public service announcement of her very own to promote improved relations between Bernal’s canine community and the humans who share the streets with them.
Isn’t that just the cutest thing?? Love the kids these days.
PHOTO: Malia’s Dad
There was some noveau riche excitement on Montcalm at Peralta this morning, as a limo driver made a foolish mistake by trying to navigate the narrow streets of Bernal Heights in a ridiculously long stretched Hummer.
As Neighbor Gareth reports, things got really testy once a garbage truck showed up… and got trapped behind the silly stuck limo:
In other news: Happy Valentine’s Day!
UPDATE: Neighbor Barbara has the backstory… and the romantic happy ending:
The limo was picking up a Bernal born and bred bride and her groom and their families. They were off to City hall for their romantic Valentines Day wedding when the limo drama ensued. Sweet story–they made it to City hall on time . . .
Yay! Congratulations to the new Bernalweds!
PHOTOS: Top, Neighbor Anthony. Below, Neighbor Gareth
Bernalwood 