Noe Valley Voice June 2025

THE NOE VALLEY VOICE

Twins on a Mission to Save Soles

Noe Brothers Find a Green Way

To

ReLace Shoes

By Matthew S. Bajko

Brothers Roshan and Niam Jain have played various sports growing up, like tennis, soccer, and flag football. Over the years, the fraternal twins, now 15, have routinely worn out or grown out of the shoes their athletic pursuits required.

And as they got older, the ecoconscious siblings wondered: what can we do with our still-good-to-use sneakers and cleats so the shoes don’t end up rotting in a landfill? They knew the city’s recycling program didn’t allow that kind of footwear to be placed in the blue bins. Instead, it advised residents to donate them.

However, the teens saw that donating wasn’t so easy for students in middle or high school, who often have packed class schedules and a ton of extracurricular activities. Most kids are not old enough to drive themselves to a place that accepts donated shoes, like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

“Every year, we play a lot of sports and get a lot of shoes, and throw away

a lot of shoes,” notes Roshan. “We thought there must be a better way to give away the shoes rather than throw them out.”

Living in a city with a sizable homeless population, including many families with children who find themselves unhoused, the Jains felt it would be a better fit to see their discarded shoes and that of their teammates and fellow students, as well as their family

What’s on Noe Valley Books’ Summer Reading List?

Reincarnated Store Sells Books, Hosts Events at Bernie’s Coffee

By Emily Hayes

There is no “book shame” at Noe Valley Books, says owner Katerina Argyres. From the most literary tome to the silliest romance, what matters most, she says, is that a book makes you happy.

“Reading is supposed to bring you joy in whatever that is for you,” Argyres says. “We don't do a lot of ‘pretentious’ here. We just like to be your friendly neighborhood bookstore.”

Asked to give her top picks for summer, Argyres recommends Ocean Vuong’s new book

The Emperor of Gladness, the story of a young Vietnamese immigrant who develops a relationship with

an elderly widow. In May, the bookstore was offering signed copies.

She also suggests Fredrik Backman’s humorous and touching My Friends, or Susanna Kwan’s Awake in the Floating City, a dystopian tale told through the eyes of the last people living in an underwater San Francisco.

Argyres’ favorite new books for kids this summer include Ella Josephine: Resident in Charge, by local author Nina LaCour, featuring a 9-year-old who is the queen of her apartment house, and Neil Sharpson’s Don’t Trust Fish, a comedic nature guide aimed at children aged 3 to 5 years.

Another book she’s recommending is A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, the fantasy-laced saga of a young boy and his grumpy author grandfather. (For Argyres’ complete lists, see page 11.)

Noe Valley Books is the latest incarnation of a bookstore located at 3957 24th St., across from Whole Foods. For many years, Folio Books filled this spot, but the store closed in February 2024, when the group of owners left to pursue other endeavors.

But one of the owners—Argyres— wanted to carry on. She successfully raised more than $150,000 via GoFundMe to launch a new bookstore in November 2024. As part of the venture, the store was painted green,

Night Market Moves Onto 24th Street

June 24 Event Promises to Double the Vendors

By Matthew S. Bajko

TheNoe Valley Night Market will be taking over a block of 24th Street in addition to its home base of the Noe Valley Town Square when it returns the evening of Tuesday, June 24, with expanded hours. The event will allow for more vendors and be the first of three markets planned to have larger footprints this year.

The block of 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from 3 to 10 p.m. to allow for the setup and later takedown of the market booths and other infrastructure.

Due to the special nature of the June

Residents Still Reeling From May Fire

Two Dogs Die in 26th Street Blaze

By Corrie M. Anders

It was more than a week after a fire destroyed his home and took the lives of his pets. But Pitchaw Thongkom was still lost.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said Thongkom, 50, barely speaking above a whisper as he stood on the sidewalk outside his home at 4213 26th St.

Thongkom was sorting through a field of soggy and burnt debris, trying to salvage whatever he could.

There wasn’t much. A fire in the predawn hours of Monday, May 19, had raced through the dwelling, sending up a tower of flames seen miles away.

First to respond were firefighters from Noe Valley’s Station 11 three blocks down the hill, at 26th and Church streets. They put out the blaze in less than a half hour. Sadly, they were unable to save two dogs found in the home.

The fire was a devastating blow to Thongkom, who had lived in the house since 2016.

Thongkom said the loss of his pets, chihuahuas named Eggy and Monster, was extremely hard. The dogs were the much-loved companions of Thongkom and his husband, William Wellman, who died in 2023, he said.

“They were the only things my husband left me,” he said. “They were my world.”

At the time of the fire, the twobedroom, two-story house was home to three people: Thongkom, whose deceased husband was a co-owner of the property, and Thongkom’s two

The Shoes Brothers: Niam and Roshan Jain pick up a barrel of old Nikes at the California Tennis Club, one of their ReLace collection sites. In May the twins were looking for a Noe Valley spot for local residents to recycle their old athletic shoes. Photo by Art Bodner

Tragic Losses: Two dogs perished and three people were displaced in a deadly fire on 26th Street the morning of Monday, May 19. Photo courtesy San Francisco Fire Department

CRIME SNAPSHOT

A Quiet April

Noe Valley saw a marked decrease during April in shoplifting, car break-ins, and auto thefts. Burglaries also declined.

The reductions contributed to an overall decline in neighborhood crime across the 10 categories tracked monthly by the Noe Valley Voice, based on data from the San Francisco Police Department’s digital map of incident reports.

There were just 61 criminal incidents reported in Noe Valley in April—the lowest monthly total in two years. (The lowest previous total was 55, in April 2023.) That was a substantial improvement from the 88 incidents in March and 80 reported in April 2024.

The biggest drop was in the larceny/theft category, which fell from 45 in March to 29 incidents in April. Among those, 16 shoplifting incidents were reported—all but one at or near the intersection of Castro and Jersey streets. Other larceny reports included five car break-ins, four thefts of auto parts or license plates, and four unspecified “other” thefts.

Burglary reports fell to 11—another monthly low for 2025. Meanwhile, vehicle thefts dropped to three, half of March’s total.

There were no assault reports filed in the neighborhood during April, though police investigated two robberies. Officers also responded to four domestic violence–related calls, such as reported violations of restraining

Source: Dataset titled “Map of Police Department Incident Reports: 2018 to Present” at https://data.sfgov.org/Public-Safety/Police-DepartmentIncident-Reports-2018-to-Present/wg3w-h783/. This data includes police incident reports filed by officers and by individuals through self-service online reporting for non-emergency cases. Disclaimer: The San Francisco Police Department does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or correct sequencing of the information, as the data is subject to change as modifications or updates are completed. The Noe Valley Voice collected the April 2025 data on May 13, 2025. “Noe Valley” on the SFPD’s digital map is bounded by 21st Street, San Jose Avenue/Guerrero Street, 30th Street, and Grand View Avenue/Diamond Heights Boulevard. Noe Valley Voice June 2025

orders.

The Voice collected April’s incident data for “Noe Valley” on May 13, 2025, from Data.sfgov.org. In the police department’s digital reporting, “Noe Valley” is defined as an area bounded by 21st Street, San Jose Avenue/Guerrero Street, 30th Street, and Grand View Avenue/Diamond Heights Boulevard.

The dataset includes incident reports filed by both police officers and individuals through self-service online reporting. For non-emergencies, call or file reports online via 3-1-1 or at https://www.sanfranciscopolice.org, or go to a nearby police station. Call 9-1-1 if a crime is in progress.

—Corrie M. Anders, Sally Smith

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San Francisco Information Line SFgov.org or SF.gov.

San Francisco Police Dispatch in a emergency: 9-1-1. From a cell phone:. . 415-553-8090

San Francisco Police in a non-emergency .

Burned-out Streetlights, streetlights@sfwater.org (PUC). .

District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org

District 8 Community Safety Liaison (SFPD) .

. 415-553-0123

415-554-0730

. 415-554-6968

Dave.Burke@sfgov.org

Graffiti, fallen trees, street cleaning (DPW) 3-1-1 or zerograffiti@sfdpw.org. . 415-695-2017

Homeless Services Street Outreach Services (SOS) medical care.

Lost or Injured Animals Animal Care and Control

Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services sfmayor.org

. . 415-355-2250

. . 415-554-6364

. 415-554-7111

NERT Neighborhood Emergency Response Team sffdnert@sfgov.org. 415-970-2022 or 2024

Parking Enforcement (blocked driveway) DPT Dispatch

PG&E Gas or electrical issues

Pothole Repairs potholes@sfdpw.org.

. 3-1-1 or 415-553-1200

9-1-1 or 1-800-743-5000 or 1-877-660-6789

Recycling Recology San Francisco (free pickup bulky items).

Rent Board San Francisco phone counseling

Sewer Problems, Overflows

SFMTA or Muni Call 311 or email MTABoard@sfmta.com.

Tree Planting urbanforestry@sfdpw.org . .

415-554-5810

. 415-330-1300

415-252-4600

. 415-695-2096

415-701-2311

415-554-6700

24th Street Community Benefit District (Noe Valley Association . 415-802-4461 or 519-0093

Water Leaks, Water Pressure, Adopt a Drain .

3-1-1 or 415-554-3289

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THE NOE VALLEY VOICE

P.O. Box 460249

San Francisco, CA 94146

www.noevalleyvoice.com

The Noe Valley Voice is an independent newspaper published in San Francisco. It is distributed free in Noe Valley and vicinity during the first two weeks of the month. Subscriptions are available at $40 per year ($35 for seniors) by writing to the above address.

The Voice welcomes your letters, photos, and stories, particularly on topics relating to Noe Valley. All items should include your name and contact information, and may be edited for brevity or clarity. (Unsigned letters will not be considered for publication.) Unsolicited contributions will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The Noe Valley Voice is a member of the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association.

Email: Editor@noevalleyvoice.com or Sally@noevalleyvoice.com

Website: www.noevalleyvoice.com

Distribution: Call Jack, 415-385-4569

Display Advertising: Call Pat, 415-608-7634, or email PatRose@noevalleyvoice.com

Display Advertising Deadline for the July 2025 Issue: June 20, 2025

Editorial Deadline: June 20, 2025

CO-PUBLISHERS/EDITORS

Sally Smith, Jack Tipple

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS

Corrie M. Anders, Associate Editor

Heidi Anderson, Matthew S. Bajko, Owen Baker-Flynn, Karol Barske, Michael Blake, Kit Cameron, Matt Fisher, Kathryn Guta, Emily Hayes, Liz Highleyman, Jeff Kaliss, Megan Robertson, Roger Rubin, Karen Topakian

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Art Bodner, Pamela Gerard, Najib Joe Hakim, Charles Kennard, Beverly Tharp

PRODUCTION

Jack Tipple, Sally Smith

DISTRIBUTION Jack

Angels Hunting Foxtails

Editor:

On this beautiful Sunday morning [May 18], as I was walking up Castro Street with my dog, I happened upon on old friend, Lynn O'Kelly, with two of her friends, Louie and Phyllis, and Phyllis's little long-red-haired dog named Ozzie.

Sometimes there are angels disguised as humans who walk among us. This was apparent to me when I learned what this group was doing.

These three women, all dog lovers, walk along the streets of Noe Valley at 10 a.m. every Sunday morning, clearing out foxtails, the spiky seed heads of the foxtail plant. It just so happens to be foxtail season, which extends from May through August.

Foxtails and other plants are very dangerous for dogs. If the foxtails bur-

row into their skin, nose, eyes, mouth, or between their paws, or they are inhaled, they can be lethal for our furry friends. They can cause bacterial infections when ingested, and these infections can travel to the brain and lungs.

If your dog seems unwell, has swollen eyes, is sneezing, picking at their paws or genitals, or acting strange in any way, check to make sure that they haven't captured a foxtail. Call your vet if you can't figure out the problem by cleaning their fur and checking in between their paws and in their nose and mouth.

All dog lovers in the neighborhood owe these three women a debt of gratitude for making the streets safer for our beloved pets. A big thank you to Lynn and Louie and Phyllis.

Gloria Saltzman

A Northerner’s Complaint Editor:

After having lunch with a friend down near the end of Church Street, close to 30th, I noticed signs saying

that I was in “Upper Noe Valley.”

From my vantage point, standing on Church Street near Elizabeth Street, I can look down into the valley that calls itself “Upper Noe Valley.” It is clearly DOWN in a valley that geographically does not rise up again. And yet it still retains the “upper” moniker. Why is that?

Noe Valley is a valley that extends downward from Hill Street to 30th, in the south (or thereabouts). When I look down the street from 23rd Street, I see Church Street go into this valley. Yet they still claim that it’s “upper.”

This nonsense should be sorted out. Up means up, and down means down. Why not call that region “Southern Noe Valley”?

Sincerely, Yames 23rd and Church streets, in Upper Noe Valley

editor@noevalleyvoice.com

Kind Words from Happy Noe Valley Home Sellers!

“Danielle

Less Time, More Money

Bus Fare by Michael Blake 6/2025

Muni Riders Face Summer Fare Hikes

Transit GroupsWarnAgainst FurtherCuts

By Megan Robertson

San Franciscans will see increased fares and reduced service starting this summer, as the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) scrambles to address a widening budget gap.

Beginning June 21, the SFMTA will implement a 2 percent cut in bus and rail service citywide. Several lines, including the 9-San Bruno, 5-Fulton, 31-Balboa, and the newly combined 6Haight-Parnassus/21-Hayes, will terminate at Market Street rather than continue downtown.

The moves follow reductions made earlier this year, including one affecting Muni stops in Noe Valley. Since February, riders on the 24-Divisadero line, which runs north-south through the neighborhood, have had longer wait times weekday afternoons, as buses arrive every 12 minutes instead of 10.

Fare Hikes Start July 1

In addition to the service cuts, Muni fares are set to rise on July 1. A single ride via Clipper card or MuniMobile will cost $2.85, up from $2.75. (A cash ticket is $3.)

Seniors and people with disabilities will pay $1.35, an increase of 10 cents.

A day pass—not including the cable car—will go up to $5.70. Monthly “A” passes are rising to $104, while month-

ly “M” passes will be $86.

Budget Hole Drives Cuts

“We had to reduce service because of a $50 million shortfall in our July 2025–June 2026 budget,” the SFMTA said in a May 21 statement on its website. “Cutting 2 percent of Muni service now will help us save $7 million and keep Muni running for everyone.”

Without this action, the agency said, the shortfall could balloon into a $322 million budget gap by next year, as state and pandemic relief funds run dry.

Pushback From Transit Groups

Transit advocacy groups—including San Francisco Transit Riders and Muni Now, Muni Forever—have pushed back against the cuts, arguing that the SFMTA should instead dip into its $141 million in reserve funds.

Dylan Fabris, community and policy

Noe Night Market Taking It To the Street

market, its hours will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“This is going to be a very unique four hours. You’ve got to come out and see it,” said Kathryn Gianaras, vice president of the Noe Valley Merchants & Professionals Association.

Launched last October, the evening market takes place the last Tuesday of the month in the public park at 3861 24th St.

Gianaras, a co-owner of the Greekinspired restaurant NOVY at 4000 24th St., plans and oversees the markets. The markets usually run from 5 to 8 p.m., and those hours will stay the same for the markets held solely in the town square.

Due to the growing popularity of the event, with both vendors wanting to participate and attendees, Gianaras sought city approval to shut down 24th Street for the June market. The oversight body known as ISCOTT and made up of representatives from various city agencies approved the street closure on a 5–0 vote at its May 8 meeting.

“Most people I have spoken to have told me this has never happened before,” said Gianaras, of closing down a portion of the neighborhood’s commercial corridor for a nighttime community event.

She plans to seek permission for similar street closures during the August and October night markets. The Civic Joy Fund, which provided $100,000 to

cover the costs of 12 night markets in Noe Valley, is providing another $50,000 for the added costs of closing the street, Gianaras told the Voice

The town square’s footprint only accommodates up to 16 vendors, she said, so having the additional space on the street will allow for more than 40 to take part. As of early June, Gianaras had already lined up more than 30 vendors for this month’s market.

The full list will be posted online at https://noemerchants.com/nightmarket/. The page includes a link for people who want to RSVP, but Gianaras said doing so isn’t necessary. Vendors will include gift booths and tacos stands.

In addition to live jazz performed by singer Lambert Moss and other artists, the June market will feature a silent disco, meaning headsets will be handed out to people so they can hear music at the event without it being blasted audibly and disturbing nearby residents or businesses.

Alcohol will be for sale from a van parked in the town square by the Valley Tavern bar. Cocktails will also be available for purchase at a booth set up by Mr. Digby’s, the neighborhood restaurant owned by Gianaras’ sister, Kristen McCaffery, who is the merchant association’s president.

“I know the community loves the night markets,” said Gianaras. “This is going to be a night market times a hundred, with booths and things spilling into the street.”

manager for San Francisco Transit Riders, credited the group’s advocacy with helping to reduce proposed cuts from 4 percent to 2 percent.

“We turned out hundreds of people for public comment against these cuts,” Fabris said. “We are happy we were able to push the agency to lower the total amount, but obviously we wish these cuts weren’t going forward.”

Fabris also warned that the summer’s changes foreshadow more dramatic reductions, should Muni fail to get a revenue boost.

“If we aren’t able to get Muni funded, we’re looking at potentially 30 percent system-wide cuts,” said Fabris, referencing projections from a November 2024 Muni Funding Working Group report.

Waymo on Market Street

The July changes are coinciding with

a likely increase in the use of autonomous vehicles downtown. In April, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that Waymo would be allowed to operate its driverless cars along Market Street from Main to 10th Street.

“Market Street runs through the heart of our city, and we’re making sure it continues to evolve with the times,” declared Lurie in an April 10 press release.

Fabris cautioned the move could cause “another potential slowdown, another source of potential delays for transit, at a time when we really need to be building it up and making the case that transit is worth funding.”

In May, Waymo vehicles were mapping the Market Street corridor. The cars are expected to be operational for passengers sometime this summer.

Looking Ahead

While no Muni lines serving Noe Valley will see direct cuts this summer, residents who transfer downtown or travel to other parts of the city will feel the ripple effects.

“These service cuts aren’t on lines that directly touch the neighborhood,” Fabris said, “but they’re going to have an impact system-wide, especially if anybody is taking Muni Metro down Market Street. We can expect to see more crowding,” as Muni’s buses compete with Waymo.

Meanwhile, San Francisco Transit Riders is planning a citywide town hall aimed at reimagining the future of public transit. “We’re asking the agency and the mayor to have a vision for what improving Muni could look like,” Fabris said.

For the latest on Muni service changes, visit sfmta.com.

The Noe Valley Night Markets, held on the last Tuesday of the month, have been attracting such large crowds that the Noe Valley Merchants & Professionals Association is extending the hours and expanding onto 24th Street. The June 24 event will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Noe Valley Town Square and on the block of 24th between Vicksburg and Sanchez streets. These fair-goers were attending the March market.

Photo by Sally Smith

As today’s Muni riders hear about new rate hikes and service cuts this summer, they may yearn to be transported back to 1948, when the fare for this 11-Hoffman streetcar, heading east on 24th Street (near the site of the future Noe Valley Town Square), was a mere 7 cents. Photo courtesy OpenSFHistory.org/Western Neighborhoods Project/David Gallagher

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ReLace Brothers Give New Life to Old Shoes

members and other adults, repurposed rather than tossed in the garbage.

They decided to take action two years ago while in seventh grade at the private San Francisco Day School on Masonic Avenue. After brainstorming a solution, Roshan and Niam launched a shoe collection drive.

To coordinate their efforts, the brothers formed a nonprofit they named ReLace, a not-so-subtle reference to retying one’s shoelaces to ensure the footwear is usable again. Niam created a logo depicting a white shoelace wrapped around a green orb, with “ReLace” in the middle in white letters. The green made clear their environmental zeal.

“It was a hard decision,” Roshan told the Voice about landing on the right name for their 501(c)3 entity, which was officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service on Aug. 13, 2023. “This one made the most sense.”

The brothers began by asking gyms—or other places where they worked out or played tennis—if they could set up collection bins on their site, so people could leave their unwanted shoes. The California Tennis Club in Lower Pacific Heights, CrossFit Alinea in the Mission, and Diakadi Fitness in Showplace Square all agreed to become collection points.

With help from their parents, the brothers collect the shoes on a regular basis. They’ve been surprised to see how many shoes appear to be hardly used and in excellent condition. Some look as if they’ve never been worn or were bought purposely to be donated to ReLace.

“People are literally donating brand new shoes with the tags still on,” said the teens’ mother, Shilpa Jain.

Widening the Circuit

The young philanthropists also received permission from Day School administrators to hold a shoe drive on their campus. It netted several hundred shoes and an ongoing partnership once the brothers matriculated to ninth grade, with Niam now at Lick Wilmerding High School and Roshan at University High School.

“Our goal, really, is not about shoes but more about getting volunteers and seeing if this model works and if we can scale up our operation,” says Niam.

The Voice met up with the brothers and their parents at their Noe Valley home on the 1000 block of Castro

Street in early May. They were gearing up for a shoe drive to be held in a few weeks at their former middle school.

The event was to be overseen by four current Day School students the Jains had recruited to organize it with them.

“If the model goes well, our plan is to multiply it to other middle schools in the fall,” said Roshan.

They set a goal of collecting 800 pairs of shoes this year, a goal they expect to meet.

Shoe Waste Can Be Toxic

The brothers are partnering with two other established shoe-recycling nonprofits, Sneakers 4 Good and Got Sneakers?, to which they ship the footwear they collect that is too ratty to be reused but salvageable in some other way. According to Got Sneakers?, most people don’t think to recycle their sneakers and will throw them away 125 to 200 days after buying them, with an

estimated 200 million pairs of shoes and sneakers annually thrown in the trash. Much of the material used to make sneakers isn’t biodegradable, notes the nonprofit, and can take 30 to 40 years to decompose in a landfill. If the shoes end up being incinerated, the burning rubber creates toxic chemicals that pollute the air and soil.

39 Million Pounds of Textiles

San Francisco’s Department of the Environment calculates that 4,500 pounds of textiles are sent to the city’s landfill every hour, totaling 39 million pounds per year. (It doesn’t break out footwear from the other textiles.)

Via ReLace, the Jain brothers are helping the city reach its goal of reducing disposal to landfill and incineration by 50 percent come 2030 (meaning cutting in half what gets thrown into the black garbage bins given to businesses and households).

As of the spring, ReLace had collected 1,251 pairs of shoes, donated 202 pairs of shoes to local families and children, and displaced 37,530 pounds of CO₂ emissions by keeping the footwear out of the landfill.

Donating to Local Kids

The brothers take the donated shoes—which must be in good condition, meaning they have no holes and come with their laces and soles attached—to Compass Family Services on Grove Street. The nonprofit organization works with homeless and at-risk families in the city, and hands out the ReLace shoes to its clients’ children. The brothers have yet to personally meet any of the youth who have benefited from their shoe drives, but the twins do receive notes of gratitude from the families, relayed by Compass staff.

“My son, Andy, is growing so fast, and just as I was about to buy him a new pair of shoes, this generous donation came through. It was such a thoughtful and much-needed item, and we are grateful for the support,” read one note accompanied by a photo of a smiling Andy holding his pair of Babolat white tennis shoes. (The message can be seen on ReLace’s Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/relacesf/.)

Seeing the impact their efforts are having on fellow San Francisco residents has been “really powerful,” said Roshan. “We are able to help the environment and are able to help our local community.”

A Collection Bin in Noe?

The brothers have yet to form a board of directors to help them run the nonprofit, though it is something they are looking into doing. With their heading off to college in three years, the Voice inquired about the teens’ plans for ReLace once they graduate from high school.

Niam replied they hadn’t given “too much thought” to the future of the nonprofit but hope it will keep going. It is one of the reasons they are looking to connect with students at other schools who might take on leadership roles in ReLace, should Niam and Roshan end up at universities outside the Bay Area.

“The key factor is that we are able to continue this,” Niam said.

A more immediate goal is to secure a location in Noe Valley to set up a collection point where neighborhood residents can drop off their unwanted footwear. The brothers have started the search but have not yet found the right business to partner with.

To contact them, email relacesf@gmail.com. To learn more about ReLace, visit its website at https://relacesf.org/.

Roshan and Niam Jain load up to deliver their shoes to Compass Family Services, an agency that will hand them out to families in need.

Photo by Art Bodner

Tariff yo-yo-ing is causing jitters, and many pundits predict a challenging economic road ahead for the US. In today's vernacular, it's giving 2022 — a strong start to the year, but bracing for potential weakness in the 2nd half. No matter the market, Jessica's clients continue to achieve exceptional results. Already this year, Jessica has delivered multiple successful sales, proving again why she’s one of San Francisco’s top listing agents. Her sharp negotiating skills, market intelligence, and nearly two decades of experience navigating this nuanced, shifting market consistently sets her apart. Jessica’s deep expertise is especially evident in Noe Valley, where she's been a property owner and leading agent for decades. Clients praise her strategic approach and professional insight, rooted in her extensive business background and unmatched local market knowledge. Call Jessica today at 415.341.7177 for a complimentary, no-strings-attached evaluation of your home's value in today’s market.

Art in architecture on 24th Street.

Noe Valley Books And Bernie’s— The Inside Story

light fixtures were replaced, and bookshelves were added.

Folio staff members Isaiah Scandrette, Andrew McIntyre, and Kit Fitzgerald were by Argyres’ side in the fundraising effort and are part of the reconfigured team, so locals can expect to see familiar faces while shopping.

Pride Party Coming Up

In May, the bookstore featured books for Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For example, Reading the Room: A Bookseller’s Tale, by City Lights Booksellers’ Paul Yamazaki, was on display.

Argyres’ team enjoys hosting special events at the store and is planning an after-hours party Wednesday, June 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month. The store will host a queer literary scavenger hunt, a fun way to rediscover queer literature, among other activities, plus offer special discounts and prizes, Argyres said.

“Our main goal is to give us an opportunity to connect with our neighbors and for our community to have a space to get to know each other,” the store owner says. “And for us to bond over what we love most—books!”

Bernie’s on Board

Noe Valley Books hosted a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt in February, followed by a poetry slam in April, across the street at Bernie’s Coffee (3966 24th St.). Through a new collaboration with the bookstore, Bernie’s is selling used books and serving as an annex to Noe Valley Books.

To help raise funds for the reopening last year, the bookstore had collected used-book donations from the community. Noe Valley Books wound up with many more high-quality used books than expected and brainstormed the idea of collaborating with Bernie’s to host book parties and other events.

Times have been a little tough for Bernie’s since Covid, which brought reduced foot traffic as workers shifted to remote desks and home espresso machines. The store went from 300 customers a day to 100 customers, and from 10 staff to two, recalls owner Bernadette “Bernie” Melvin.

During the pandemic, Bernie’s stopped providing indoor seating, but with the new collaboration, it has

restored tables and chairs inside. “The collaboration is great because it has brought life back into the store,” says Melvin.

Like the bookstore, Bernie’s features books of all types, fiction and nonfiction. Visitors are welcome to sample the inventory at no charge.

The two stores’ collaboration was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle in February, and the paper’s arts and culture columnist, Tony Bravo, is curating a LGBTQ-themed selection of books at Bernie’s for Pride Month.

Sharing a Love of Reading

Melvin grew up in Noe Valley on Jersey Street, next-door to the public library. Starting at age 5, she would leave the house and find refuge in books.

“My mom would call the librarian and ask if I was there and if I was behaving,” Melvin remembers. “And she [the librarian] would say she's sitting in the corner, nice and quiet, just reading books.”

Today, one of Melvin’s favorite authors is Cara Black, said Melvin, taking a hardcover signed copy of Black’s Three Hours in Paris down from a shelf in her store. “She writes the murder mysteries that are set in France. She’s a local author,” said Melvin. who opened Bernie’s in 2007 but has known Black since the late 1990s.

Melvin noted that Black often leaves copies of her books on the counter for customers to peruse.

What’s most popular in general?

At both the main store and the annex, children’s books sell well—not surprising for a family-oriented neighborhood like Noe Valley. In fact, the busiest time at Noe Valley Books is when kids come in afternoons after school. The bookstore hosted a “Kids Storytime” recently and hopes to make the event a regular feature.

Fiction is also a big draw, Argyres says. Noe Valley is a literary community that appreciates books from small California publishers, like Transit Books, Unnamed Press, and Silver Sprocket, she points out.

“I love buying books for Noe Valley, because there are books that maybe would be a stretch somewhere else and Noe Valley loves it, which just shows how engaged Noe Valley readers are and how supportive they are of literary arts,” Argyres says.

Right now, as the bookstore evolves as a new entity, the staff are focused on holding smaller community events. But they do plan to hold traditional author readings, most likely at Bernie’s.

“It just takes time. You know, we’re just six months old,” Argyres says.

“There’s a very bright future ahead.”

For more information or to sign up for the bookstore’s e-newsletter, see www.noevalleybooks.com. Noe Valley Books accepts donations of books in good condition. For details, call the

bookstore at 415-590-2961. It’s open 10 0 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during summer. Bernie’s hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Top Picks from Our Neighborhood Bookstore

The Voice asked Noe Valley Books’ Katerina Argyres and Isaiah Scandrette their suggestions for good reads this summer, and now we must blame them for any delay in publication this month, as we found ourselves hopelessly lost in sampling Awake in the Floating City, My Friends, and even J vs. K. Here you go. Be careful.

Summer Reads for Adults

• Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. A stunningly beautiful novel about the chosen families we form, while also challenging our preconceived notions of what the American dream actually means. Vuong’s carefully constructed prose drips off the page.

• My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Earnest, funny, and deeply moving story about four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful it changes a person’s life 25 years later. A warm return for fans of Backman and a great starting place for new readers.

• Awake in the Floating City by Susanna Kwan. Thoughtful speculative fiction that is a tender story about community. Especially loved the fascinating San Francisco history throughout the book.

• Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin. A gorgeous debut novel that masterfully combines gripping narrative with entrancing prose. Keep an eye on Rob Franklin.

• Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen. Hilarious and fast paced. Hiaasen always delivers the perfect engaging mystery for any vacation.

• King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby. An incredible mystery and a Godfather-inspired southern crime epic. No doubt we will get a TV adaptation soon.

• Strange Houses by Uketsu. A fabulously inventive puzzle box mystery that will keep you sleuthing through all 200 pages.

• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz. Set in our very own Noe Valley, this is the perfect charming cozy sci-fi read. (Fun fact! Noe Valley Books makes an appearance.)

• The CIA Book Club by Charlie English. This book is an important and captivating account of how the CIA smuggled books behind the Iron Curtain to win the Cold War.

• Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs. An in-depth and extraordinary biography of James Baldwin, one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.

Summer

Reads for Kids

• The Day the Crayons Made Friends by Drew Day. A return to the beloved series that will be loved by kids and parents alike.

• Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson. Hilarious! A supposed nature guide on the dubious nature of fish, Don’t Trust Fish is guaranteed to be a favorite that will be read over and over again.

• Millie Fleur Saves the Night by Christy Mandin. Unique and lovely story about embracing the magic of the night. This book is not to be missed!

• Elena Camps by Juana Medina. A wonderful and funny new addition to a beginning reader series that illustrates patience, even for the most frustrating of tasks, like setting up a tent.

• Ella Josephine: Resident in Charge by Nina LaCour. Local author Nina LaCour is back again with another illustrated chapter book that celebrates diversity and community in an apartment building full of fun quirky residents.

• J vs K by Jerry Craft and Kwame Alexander. A funny story about two 10-year-olds competing in their school’s creative-writing contest. This book is a meeting of the minds between two of the best writers in middle-grade fiction.

• The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin. Weaving Chinese mythology and beautiful writing, this is a phenomenal read that is further elevated by gorgeous fullcolor illustrations throughout the book.

• A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya. A heartwarming novel about a young boy joining his curmudgeonly grandfather on his final book tour.

A Summer Read Recommended by Bernie Melvin, of Bernie’s Coffee, and Maureen Corrigan!

• Three Hours in Paris is [Noe Valley] mystery master Cara Black’s first standalone novel, a spy story set during World War II in Occupied Paris. The premise is that an American female sharpshooter is parachuted into France to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Of course, she fails. Using wits alone, she must evade the Gestapo and make it back across the English Channel. Chances of success? Slim to none. Chances that you’ll be able to put Black’s thriller up? Also slim to none.” —Maureen Corrigan, The Washington Post

Owner Katerina Argyres is eager and waiting to give tours of the children’s and other sections at Noe Valley Books on 24th Street. Photo courtesy Isaiah Scandrette

Bernie Melvin presides over the “annex” in her coffeeshop Bernie’s, now stocked with books that may once have been read by a Noe Valley neighbor. Photo by Jack Tipple

Lamisse Droubi has been selling real estate in San Francisco for 27 years, with over $1.6 billion in total sales, and has navigated many complex market transitions. With appropriate pricing, presentation, and strategy, a successful outcome is possible. Whether you are buying or selling, having a seasoned partner to guide you through the process is imperative. Let Lamisse and her dedicated team support you in this significant transaction. As a native San Franciscan, raised in Noe Valley, her expertise, transparency, and market knowledge is unmatched.

LAMISSE DROUBI

Devastating Fire On 26th Street

tenants, Korn Bamroongpruk, 50, and a person whom the Voice was unable to reach to interview.

Bamroongpruk said the smell of smoke woke him that awful day at around 5:20 a.m.and initially he tried to rush out his bedroom on the second floor.

“I tried to open the door and tried to go downstairs, and I couldn’t because too much smoke and heat blew too fast,” he said.

After he managed to escape through a rear door and call 911, Bamroongpruk said he looked around but failed to see his housemates. He said he was especially worried about Thongkom because he knew he was a deep sleeper.

“I cannot go in, and I couldn’t see him. I thought he was still inside,” Bamroongpruk said. “I tried to call him by mobile phone and no answer. I thought he was really stuck in his bedroom.”

Bamroongpruk said it was “lucky” that Thongkom and the other tenant had gone out in the early morning and didn’t arrive back home until after the fire was extinguished. “It was just me in the house.”

Firefighters’ Quick Response

Firefighters from Station 11 arrived within minutes of the 5:27 a.m. alarm, according to Lt. Mariano Elias, a spokesperson for the San Francisco Fire Department.

Elias said fighting the 26th Street fire was particularly arduous, because the

house was set back from the street and behind trees, and the firefighters encountered “hoarder conditions,” including boxes and other items blocking doorways throughout the property. “That made it difficult to navigate,” said Elias, who was on the scene.

Also, he said, the crew was working in smoky conditions, as well as searching for residents who were then unaccounted for.

“That became an extra priority,”

Elias said. “We were doing an extensive search, and guys doing the search found it very difficult. We were throwing our bodies around on items in the room and doing snow angels and trying to feel something like an arm or a leg because of the very low visibility,” he said. “That was going on simultaneously with fighting the fire.”

Still Under Investigation

Thongkom said firefighters indicated that an electrical issue might have ignited the blaze. At press time, however, the fire department was still looking into the cause.

“It is under investigation,” said Elias.

Soon after the event, the SFFD notified the Red Cross about the displaced residents.

“The Red Cross responded and provided immediate disaster assistance to help the residents secure items like clothes and food,” said spokeswoman Jenny Arrieta. “Disaster mental health and health services were also provided.”

San Francisco Animal Care and Control workers removed the dogs’ remains.

Residents Seek Help

Bamroongpruk said the Red Cross has been working to locate housing for the three men. In the meantime, he has been sleeping in a van inside the detached garage at the property. The other tenant is staying with a friend, he said.

Bamroongpruk said all three residents would appreciate any help from the community, especially items such as food and permission to use electricity to recharge their phones.

Thongkom, who lives on a pension of $600 a month, said he had wanted to have his pets cremated but he had been unable to afford the $300 to $400 cost.

He said he has been sleeping nights in a storage shed in the yard of the burned-out home.

His husband owned a half share of the property, he said, but since Wellman’s death, the house has been tied up in legal proceedings.

Now with the fire, Thongkom is suffering both the loss of a home and his pets.

“I’ve had bad luck,” he said. “I don’t need any more bad luck.”

Those who would like to offer help can contact Thongkom at 415-203-5549 or Bamroongpruk at 703-928-2620.

“Claudia did an outstanding job selling our complex Potrero Hill property, even with us already relocated to San Diego. She expertly guided us through upgrades, staging, and a stellar marketing campaign that led to multiple offers over asking. Her communication was excellent, her professionalism top-tier, and she made the entire process seamless. We’ve bought and sold many homes, and Claudia is hands down one of the best—an absolute 10 out of 10.

one-alarm fire May 19. A crew from Noe Valley’s Engine 11 took 21 minutes to extinguish the pre-dawn blaze, a fire department spokesperson later said. Photos courtesy SFFD

Pitchaw Thongkom stands near a wall in front of his burned-out home at 4213 26th St., still forlorn at the loss of his pets.

Photo by Corrie M. Anders

STEAM Starts Early at Hiba

The Cost of Living in Noe

Get Spring Fever

By Corrie M. Anders

Home-buying surged in April as shoppers purchased 16 singlefamily detached homes in Noe Valley— the highest number for any April since 2021.

A notable share of the activity involved luxury properties, driving the average sale price up to $3.3 million, according to data supplied to the Noe Valley Voice by Corcoran Icon Properties.

Condominium sales also increased year over year. Six units were sold in April, matching March’s tally and exceeding by two the number sold in

April a year earlier.

After a sluggish winter, detachedhome sales began to rebound in March, then took off in April, typically one of real estate’s busiest months.

“Sales were super strong,” said Christine Lopatowski, manager of Corcoran Icon’s 24th Street office.

“There were more properties hitting the market, and buyers were eager.”

Lopatowski noted intense competition, with buyers submitting “preemptive offers” to secure houses before they hit the market. In at least two cases, she said, the aggressive offers succeeded.

Such efforts can range from making all-cash bids to offering lots more money for the property.

In one instance, Lopatowski said, a buyer paid 48 percent more than the seller’s asking price to snag a threebedroom, two-bath home on 26th Street. The house had been listed for $2,195,000, and the winning bid came in at $3,250,000—over a million dollars higher.

The uptick in high-end sales helped lift April’s average home price far

Noe Valley Home Sales*

above March’s $2.1 million figure.

Lopatowski noted that eight of the 16 detached homes went for more than $3 million, with half of those selling in the $4 to $5 million range.

Despite mortgage interest rates hovering between 6.5 and 7 percent since January, Lopatowski said, some buyers seem to have accepted the new normal. “A lot of people have gotten comfortable with where interest rates are at, just under 7 percent,” she said. “And for people making cash offers, it doesn’t matter.”

April’s priciest sale was a remodeled six-bedroom, four-bath Victorian in the 3900 block of Cesar Chavez Street, between Church and Sanchez streets, sold off-market for $6,628,000 after the

seller accepted 8 percent less than the $7.2 million asking price.

The 3,985-square-foot home included an in-law apartment. It also blended classic architecture with modern updates, such as a chef’s kitchen with island seating, hardwood floors, a patio with hill views, and two-car parking.

The top-selling condominium—a four-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence with 2,585 square feet of living space in a three-unit Edwardian (1908) in the 100 block of Vicksburg Street—fetched $2.3 million, nearly 20 percent above asking ($1,895,000).

The remodeled unit featured a stylish kitchen with granite counters and a wine fridge, a fireplace, an outdoor spa, and two parking spaces.

A buyer in April paid $2.3 million for a condominium in this three-unit Edwardian at the

of Vicksburg

streets. Photos by Corrie M. Anders

•Individual

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•Electronic Filing Call for an appointment TODAY!

300 Vicksburg Street #1, San Francisco • 415-821-3200 (on the corner of 24th near Church Street)

SAINT JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Excellence Through Compassionate Education

NOW ENROLLING TK-5 and 7-8

Website: https://stjohnseagles.com

Phone: (415) 584-8383

Email: officesj@stjohnseagles.com

The Noe Valley Voice published its first edition in May of 1977. With the support of local businesses, professionals, and readers, we’re close to the milestone of half a century.

You can help us reach it with a cash donation—how about $50? More is always better.

With your help, we’ll go boldly into the next years and continue to do our part in making this the most healthy and vibrant community in San Francisco.

Please mail your check to:

The Noe Valley Voice PO Box 460249 San Francisco, CA 94146

Thank you!

STORE TREK

Store Trek is a regular feature in the Voice, spotlighting new stores and businesses in Noe Valley. This month, we introduce an art gallery and store that is turning heads on 24th Street.

NEW CLASSIC GALLERY SHOP

3920B 24th St. between Sanchez and Noe Streets

415-525-4574

https://www.newclassicgallery.cool/

Anew gallery showcasing the talents of ceramic artists has found its footing in the neighborhood, thanks to an inadvertent scheduling mistake made by owner Holly Coley, of Pinckney Clay Studio on Mission Street.

Busy with a plethora of special events and business matters last fall, Coley forgot to confirm her participation in the 2024 West Coast Craft Winter Market at Fort Mason. With the event usually accounting for $7,000 in sales, she knew she had to find an alternative venue.

Upon discovering that the 400square-foot former Good News magazine store at 3920B 24th St. was available, Coley opted to lease the space through the holiday season. The Noe Valley popup turned out to be such a success, she extended the lease and officially debuted the New Classic Gallery Shop on Jan. 1.

Besides offering ceramic art and “design-inspired” housewares for sale, the store and gallery is hosting art shows and other events.

“We got such a great reception. I love Noe Valley and live by here,” said Coley, a resident of Glen Park. “Folks from all different walks of life have been coming into the shop.”

The space will exhibit and sell Coley’s ceramic art and that of a spectrum of mainly female artists, most with local roots.

“Part of my mission is amplifying underrepresented voices in art,” said Coley. “I’ve been in the San Francisco arts and music scene so long; I know so many great artists and wanted to find a way to amplify them.”

Coley has two chief collaborators in the Noe Valley space whose work will also be for sale: Kara Engelbrecht and Katie Thrash.

In May, Engelbrecht, who is both an artist and a midwife at The Root on

Sanchez Street, was displaying her butter dishes and mugs. “I have always been an artistic person. This is a way for me to find some grounding,” said Engelbrecht. She estimates she spends 25 hours a week on her ceramics.

Thrash, an Excelsior resident who began making ceramic art via Pinckney Clay five years ago, describes her work as influenced by nerikomi, a Japanese technique using different-colored clays. “I am a colorful person. It is truly an expression of myself,” she said. Thrash often incorporates textile and quilt patterns into her art.

Other ceramics in the shop range from the practical, like vases, planters, and pots, to the whimsical, such as ceramic stools made to look like a corn cob or a hamburger on a bun. The eyecatching seating has been particularly popular and is made by Australia-based Third Drawer Down, a company founded by artist Abigail Crompton.

“Children love them,” noted Coley, adding, “We all have that inner child.”

Dogs are a key form used by Eleonor Boström, a Swedish artist based in San Francisco. Her canine miniatures can be purchased at the shop, along with her delicate porcelain teacups with dogs or cats sitting inside.

With Noe Valley “like a dog parade,” said Coley, the store is dog friendly and has treats for customers’ canine companions. “Our shelves are pretty high up,” she laughs, when the Voice conjures a “bull (dog) in a china shop.”

Coley depicts ghosts and mythological creatures in her clay art. Her affordable ($20) finger-like spectral sculptures and vessels feature mermaids, vampires, and sloths, some fashioned like the Venus de Milo. She also has her own line of fruit-themed pots, trays, and dishware.

Coley’s take on ancient Greek amphora—two-handled jugs used for wine or food—inspired the New Classic Gallery Shop name, she says.

The shop also stocks Happy Organics’ beeswax tapers made to look like carrots and asparagus spears, and fruit baskets of birthday candles shaped like strawberries, cherries, or blackberries ($24-$32).

“We are adding new stuff all the time,” said Coley, who grew up in the Southern California high desert community of Yucaipa.

Twenty-six years ago, Coley moved to San Francisco to attend the nowclosed San Francisco Art Institute, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She bought the Pinckney Clay studio in 2020 from its founder, Pinckney Templeton. At the time, Coley was head of ceramics at the Crucible, a nonprofit industrial arts school in Oakland.

“I am an interdisciplinary artist and always worked with clay for fun. The past 10 years it has taken over my life,” Coley said. “I am primarily working in clay now.”

Her latest news is that she is closing the studio’s 3417 Mission St. location July 31 and relocating Pinckney Clay to 416 Cortland Ave. in Bernal Heights. Already known for its low-cost pottery workshops and summer clay camps for kids, the studio will expand to include fine art classes in the new location.`

As for the 24th Street shop, Coley

says she will likely rent shelf space to local artists wishing to exhibit or sell their work. Those interested should email her at create@pinckneyclay.com.

She also has begun monthly art shows. The featured artist in June will be Emilie Dashe, a San Francisco resident whose paintings and ceramics involve abstract figurative representations of the female form.

The gallery shop’s prices run the gamut from $20 to $4,000.

Says Engelbrecht about the new space: “It is nice to be in the neighborhood and have regulars who come in. It feels like a nice reflection of the neighborhood. Anybody can find their ceramic piece in here.”

Currently, New Classic Gallery Shop is open from noon to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The shop opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and by appointment on other days.

—Matthew S. Bajko

SAINT JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Excellence Through Compassionate Education NOW ENROLLING TK-5 and 7-8

Website: https://stjohnseagles.com

Phone: (415) 584-8383

Email: officesj@stjohnseagles.com

Katie Thrash, Kara Engelbrecht, Holly Coley, and Loretta Haskell say to watch the sandwich board outside the shop at 3920B 24th St., for posts of art openings and other special events. Their newly named gallery is selling ceramic creations, of all shapes and sizes, for $20 to $4,000. Photo by Art Bodner

The New Classic Gallery Shop is a collaboration of artists and art lovers, including (l. to r.) Loretta Haskell, Holly Coley, Kara Engelbrecht, and Katie Thrash. Coley, of Pinckney Clay Studio, launched the 24th Street location as a popup last fall but now plans to continue to show ceramic and other arts throughout the year.

Photo by Art Bodner

And so ends another day in Paradise (aka Noe Valley).

MORE FOOD TO EAT

Roti’s Garlic Artichoke Dip

Many Noe Valley residents know that a great way to amplify their weekend is with a stop by the farmers market, nestled in the town square on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg streets from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The market embodies the neighborhood’s spirit—lively, family-friendly, and buzzing with the energy of locals hopping between stalls in search of the freshest produce or other culinary gems.

While I love browsing for seasonal fruits and vegetables, I also like sampling the ready-to-eat foods at the market’s vendors. This month’s standout is Roti’s Garlic Artichoke Dip ($8).

Roti—the word for flatbread, a staple in Pakistani cuisine—is a line of products made and sold by the Malik family, including brothers Asim Malik, Qasim Malik, and Azam Mullick.

Their creamy, irresistible dip is one of those treats that, once opened, disappears faster than you can imagine. It strikes a perfect balance—rich yet airy, avoiding the heaviness of some restaurantstyle artichoke dips, with a subtly whipped texture that keeps each bite light. Just when you think the creaminess takes center stage, the distinctive artichoke flavor breaks through, bringing you back for more.

Versatile and delicious, Roti pairs well with anything. At our house, we eat it with carrots when we’re feeling virtuous and crackers when we’re not.

Whether as an appetizer or an afternoon snack, this dip is a worthy addition to your farmers market haul.

—Matt Fisher, on the beat for More Food to Eat Have a suggestion for a dish to try in Noe Valley? Send an email to Matt Fisher at MoreFoodtoEatNoeValley@gmail.com.

A Few Clouds This Summer

Uh-oh, no sandbox for a while. The children’s playground outside the Upper Noe Recreation Center will be closed from June 2 through 27, and possibly longer, for renovation of the play surface. Still, we can look forward to a new surface made mostly of Tot Turf artificial grass. Rubbery material will be replaced in high-use areas under and around play structures.

Also, the Summer Session of classes will begin as usual, running June 10 through Aug. 21, and park hours will stay the same, Tuesday through Saturday.

To sign up for classes, go to sfrecpark.org/register. Popular this session are Karate Kidz and International Folk Dance (18+). Equipment for pickleball, ping-pong, and other activities is available at the office, 295 Day St. Many classes and activities at Upper Noe are drop-in and free. Call the center at 415970-8061 or visit sfrecpark.org for more information.

You might have noticed that the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA) has been in the news recently. The SFPA acts as a fiscal sponsor for park groups like Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center (FUNRC), and as the vehicle through which park groups receive tax-deductible donations. Says Chris Faust of Friends, “We are deeply troubled by the recent allegations of mismanagement at SFPA, the loss of personnel, and the inability to access our funds. While new management provides hope for the future, our funds are now essentially frozen, putting on hold projects like the popular Concerts in the Park summer music series and the rec center’s purchases of equipment.” Faust says FUNRC has joined with other park groups to look for ways to save the Parks Alliance.

Meanwhile, FUNRC hopes you will get involved in the stewardship group (https://uppernoerecreationcenter.com), as well as continue to report any problems you might see at Upper Noe Rec Center, by contacting San Francisco Customer Service (3-1-1), either by phone, web, or phone app. Your 3-1-1 reports support service requests for the park, says Faust.

For issues related to Joby’s Dog Run, open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., call 3-1-1 or email info@fundogsf.org.

Upper Noe Summer Schedule (June 10 to Aug. 21, 2025) Rec Center Hours, 295 Day St.: Tues. to Fri., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside activities only on Sundays and Mondays. Park grounds open daily, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuesday

9 to 10 a.m. Zumba (outside) FREE

10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (Free Play)

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pickleball (all ages) FREE

12 to 1 p.m. Pilates (18+)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Strength & Flexibility (18+)

2 to 5 p.m. Open Gym (youth) FREE

5 to 7:30 p.m. Open Gym (18+) FREE 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Yoga Vinyasa (18+)

Wednesday 10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (Free Play)

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open Gym (adult) FREE 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. International Folk Dance (55+) FREE 12 to 1 p.m. Feldenkrais (18+)

3 to 6 p.m. A Place to Play (Free Play)

2 to 4:30 p.m. Open Gym (youth) FREE

5 to 7:30 p.m. Advanced Drop-In Volleyball (18+)

12 to 1 p.m. Pilates (18+)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Strength & Flexibility (18+)

2 to 5 p.m. Open Gym (youth) FREE

4 to 5 p.m. Petite Bakers (3-5) 4 to 4:45 p.m. Karate Kidz—Little Kickers (6-8)

5 to 6 p.m. Karate Kidz (9-12) 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Pictured pet: June | Photo: Elizabeth Zavala Come in & check out our spring bandanas and collars from Frogg y Dog, Bella Bean, and High Tail Hikes. We now sell Nutri Source dog kibble and KOHA limited ingredient canned cat food. Both high quality natural foods.

Thursday

We now sell Open Farm dog kibble and Raw Mix, in addition to gently cooked. We’re here for you seven days a week, including long hours (10 : 00am – 7:00pm) on weekdays!

10 to 11:30 a.m. A Place to Play (Free Play)

10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pickleball (18+) FREE

Subscribe Now!

Our rates now are $40 ($35 for seniors), but they’re going up this Fall.

Mail your check to The Noe Valley Voice, PO Box 460249 San Francisco, CA 94146

Sun Worship: Park goers reach to the sky as part of a Zumba class on a crystal-clear morning in May. Photo courtesy Chris Faust

HANDYMAN

• Custom & Refaced Cabinets

• Replacing Dry Rot Deck Planks

• Carpentry and Painting

• Refinishing Hardwood Flooring

• Finish Decks 6 different stains lasting 6 to 8 years. Call Miguel (510) 333-0732

ROSE Home Organizing

415.608.7634

Clear the Clutter Reclaim your Space! pat@patrosehomeorganizing.com patrose@gmail.com

Troubleshooting/Tutoring Tune-Ups/Upgrades SFMacMan.com (415) 821-1792

June 1 & 15: ACOUSTIC SUNDAYS at the Noe Valley Town Square feature Christie Aida and the Free Press (June 1) and Pretty Sirius (June 15). 1 to 3 pm. 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com

June 1, 15 & 29: FOLK YOGA offers Vinyasa flow classes; bring a mat. 11 amnoon. 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare. com

June 1-30: Lola Gallery exhibits FAFO, a group art show that addresses “our current political and cultural moment.” Opening reception featuring Elizabeth Brown, May 9, 5-7 pm; Tue.-Thurs. Noon-6 pm; Fri.-Sun. 9 am-6 pm. 1250 Sanchez. 642-4875; lolasanfrancisco.com

June 1-July 7: Noe residents Nancy Reese and Ben Pax show PAINTINGS at Gallery Sanchez in the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. 282-2317; noevalleyministry.org

June 1-Sept. 2: RUTH ASAWA: A Retrospective continues at SFMOMA. Sfmoma.org

June 3, 10, 17 & 24; July 1, 8, 15 & 22: The Noe Valley Library offers an eightsession workshop, “MANDARIN for Beginners.” Registration required. 2-4 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 4 & 28; July 5: City Guides offers a WALKING TOUR of Noe Valley, led by Cathy and Paul Staley, which starts at the 451 Jersey, at 2 pm. Registration required: 375-0468; sfcityguides.org

June 4-29: Plein air painter Lucia Gonnella is part of a Group ART Show at City Art Cooperative Gallery. Reception June 6, 7-10 pm; Wed., Thurs. & Sun. Noon-9 pm; Fri. & Sat. noon-10 pm. 828 Valencia. 970-9900.

June 5, 12, 19 & 26: Chad Balch leads an intermediate level IYENGAR YOGA class. Noon-1:30 pm. Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez. iyisf.org

June 5, 12 & 26: Family STORYTIMES are Thursdays, 10:15 am and 11 am. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 6, 13, 20 & 27: The Noe Valley RUN CLUB meets Fridays at Noe Cafe, 1299 Sanchez. 6:45 am for 4 miles, and 7:30 am for 2.5 miles. noevalleyrunclub.square.site

June 6, 13, 20 & 27: Mutiny Radio hosts free OPEN MIC comedy at The BAR on Dolores, Thursdays, 8 pm. 1600 Dolores.

year member of Pet Sitters Intl. Cass Morgan • 415.513.9299 positivelypets1@earthlink.net www.sfpositivelypets.com

Contractor LIC # 990233 No job too small Old World Craftmanship (415) 877-1293

CALENDAR

June 7-28: The FARMERS MARKET has fresh produce, food, and music Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com

June 7-28: Trip the light fantastic with NOE WALKS on Saturdays. Meet at 24th and Sanchez 10 am.

June 8: The Noe Library screens the Hayao Miyazaki ANIMATION Howl’s Moving Castle, space is limited. 1:30-4 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 8 & 22: YOGA FLOW offers free alllevel classes; bring water and a mat. 11 amnoon. 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare. com

June 10: Hurry to LEGO and Board Game Night at the Noe Valley Library. 6-7:30 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl. org

June 10, 17, 24 & July 1: Classic MOVIE NIGHT at the Glen Park Rec Center shows The Rogues’ Tavern (1936) on June 10; The Ghost Train (1941) on June 17; Black Dragons (1942) on June 24; Blood on the Sun (1945) on July 1. 6 pm. 70 Elk. 239-4007.

June 11, July 9 & Aug. 13: STORYTIME for families in the Square, hosted by Noe Valley Library’s children’s librarian. 10:45 to 11:15 am. 3861 24th. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 13: BONES Bagels holds its grand opening in Noe Valley Friday, 8 am to 2 pm. Open Thurs.–Sun. “until further notice.” 741 Diamond; bonesbagels@gmail.com

June 13: The Noe Library screens the FILM Bohemian Rhapsody. 2-4:15 pm. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 14: SF JUNETEENTH Festival in the Fillmore features music, games, and food. 11 am-6 pm. 1330 Fillmore. juneteenthsf.org.

June 14: The SF Democratic Party and the Noe Valley Democratic Club host “POLITICS IN THE PARK.” 2-4 pm. in Dolores Park. 3753 18th. noevalleydemocrats.org

June 14: The Civic Symphony performs an afternoon of CHAMBER MUSIC at the Noe Valley Ministry. 3-5 pm. 1021 Sanchez. 2822317; sfcivicmusic.org

June 14: RHYTHM & MOTION offers a high-energy dance workout. 4-5 pm. 3861 24th. noevalleytownsquare.com

June 15: Volunteers for the monthly Noe Valley CLEANUP DAY meet at the Town Square to pick up supplies. 10 am to noon. 3861 24th. RefuseRefusesf.org

June 15, 22 & 29: The STERN GROVE Festival features the California Honeydrops on June 15, Channel Tres on June 22, and Sleater-Kinney on June 29. 2 pm. 19th Ave. at Sloat. 252-6252; sterngrove.org

June 15, 22, 29 & July 6: SCRAP offers free workshops: postcard collage on June 15, T-shirt & Towel Stuffies June 22, Ojo de Dios Pins June 29, and Year of the Snake Paper Plates on July 6; museum admission not required. 11 am-2 pm. Koret Education Center, 151 Third. 357-4000; sfmoma.org.

June 18: Author JEFF KOEHLER discusses The Spanish Mediterranean Islands Cookbook at Omnivore Books on Food. 6:30 pm. 3885 Cesar Chavez. 282-4712.

June 18: Noe Valley Books hosts LGBTQ PRIDE NIGHT, with games, music, and snacks, from 7 to 9 p.m. 3957 24th. 5902961; noevalleybooks.com

June 20: The Short Stack BOOK CLUB discusses She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor. 3-4 pm. Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 20:The CASTRO Night Market features artists and entertainment. 5-10 pm. 18th St. at Castro. castronightmarket.com

June 21: The Randall Museum hosts “Craft & Cinema;” bring a project to work on at a screening of Chasing Coral; ages 16 and up 2-4:30 pm. 199 Museum Way. 554-9602; registration required: randallmuseum.org

June 21: SF COMEDY Underground stages standup at “Noe Valley Farms” on third Saturdays. 7:45-9:30 pm. 1828 Castro. Eventbrite; bestmedicinethebay@gmail. com

June 22: The Golden Gate Park Band performs “PRIDE: A Musical Celebration,” per-

forming classical and Broadway favorites. 12:30 pm. 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. 596-1741; goldengateparkband.org

June 22: Author John Birdsall describes What Is Queer Food? at OMNIVORE Books on Food. 3 pm. 3885 Cesar Chavez. 2824712; omnivorebooks.myshopify.com

June 22: The Flying Angels CHINESE DANCE Company performs at the Noe Valley Library, from 3 to 4 pm. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl.org

June 24: The Noe Valley NIGHT MARKET offers local vendors, food, and entertainment 4 to 8 pm. Noe Valley Town Square, 3861 24th. Noemerchants.com

June 24: Come to PAJAMA STORYTIME at the Noe Valley Library. 6:30 pm; reservations required. 451 Jersey. 355-5707; sfpl. org

June 24: Lisa Gabrielle discusses “San Francisco in the Movies” at the SF HISTORY Association. 7 pm. Sherith Israel, 2266 California; sanfranciscohistory.org

June 27: The 21st annual SF TRANS MARCH starts at 11 am in Dolores Park and ends up in the Civic Center. trasnsmarch.org.

June 28: The Castro FAMILY PRIDE Block Party runs noon to 5 pm, on Market at Noe/Beaver. castromerchants.com/events

June 29: The “Queer Joy Is Resistance” SF PRIDE PARADE starts at 10 am on Market at Embarcadero Plaza and ends at the Pride Celebration in the Civic Center.

July 8: OMNIVORE Books on Food hosts Margaret E. Boyle discussing SaborJudío: The Jewish Mexican Cookbook. 6:30 pm. 3885 Cesar Chavez. 282-4712.

July 13: Kung Pao Kosher Comedy’s Resilient COMEDY show features standup. 7 pm. Eclectic Box SF, 446 Valencia. 9569888; koshercomedy.com

CHILDREN’S FICTION

Stepping Up! is an All Are Welcome Early Reader by Alexandra Penfold; illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. Ages 4-6.

The picture book Mama Wears a Hijab by Fifi Abu celebrates the cultural identity of modern Muslim women. Ages 4-7. Home by Matt De La Pena (illustrated by Loren Long) is “an ode to the places we feel safe, loved, and true to ourselves.” Ages 4-8. Marcel the bird and Steve the worm are involved in a mystery in Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd, with illustrations by Kate Hindley. Ages 4-8.

In Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita, 12-year-old “Benny” Benedict will inherit an elusive island if she locates it while breaking an ancient curse. Ages 10-13.

CHILDREN’S NONFICTION

Mariam’s Dream: The Story of Mariam AlShaar, Soufra, and a Food Truck of Hope, by Leila Boukarim, illustrated by Sona Avedikian, is about the founder of a food kitchen in a refugee camp. Ages 5-8. Science! a DK book published by the Smithsonian, is an illustrated encyclopedia of the world’s plants and animals. Ages 5-10.

In Anne Lambelet’s I’m a Dumbo Octopus! A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods, Grimpy the octopus visits cuttlefish, squids, and nautiluses, and points out each one’s special talents. Ages 7-11.

The Big Fat Middle School English Language Arts Workbook, by Kelly Scardina, has 130 exercises to improve grammar and essay-writing. Ages 8-12.

Mikaela Loach offers an all-ages guide to tackling the climate crisis in Climate Is Just the Start. Ages 8-12.

CHILDREN’S EBOOKS

In Dreaming Alongside by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt, a dragonfly guide encourages daydreams in a variety of locations. Ages 3-5.

An Iranian girl, new to America, learns about cultural differences, in The Shape of Home by Rashin Kheiriyeh. Ages 4-7.

For a Girl Becoming is a baby’s welcome to life, told in verse by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and illustrated by award-winning artist Adriana M. Garcia. Ages 4-8.

Keynan Masters and the Remixed Monster is DaVaun Sanders’ tale about saving Peerless Academy from a monstrous creature named Ratchet. Ages 8-12.

Graci Kim’s fantasy series begins with Dreamslinger, about children who visit a magical realm in their sleep. Ages 10-14.

TEEN FICTION

In Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi, a girl with magical gifts journeys to the Sacred Forest to find her missing twin brother. Ages 12-17.

The daughter of a duke defies London high society in the historical romance Lady Knight, by Amalie Howard. Ages 12-17.

In Fearless, book three of The Powerless Trilogy by Lauren Roberts, the final battle of love and loyalty is fought. Ages 12-17.

Suzanne Collins’ prequel to The Hunger Games, Sunrise on the Reaping, focuses on Haymitch in his younger days. Ages 12 and up. A vampire and the woman who tried to kill him are revisited in The Shadow Bride, by Shelby Mahurin. Ages 14-17.

TEEN NONFICTION

In Speaking on Climate: A Guide to Speechwriting for a Better Future, Rune Kier Nielsen offers tips for effective communication. Ages 11-18.

Sixteen creators recount histories and traditions in the anthology Ours to Tell: Reclaiming Indigenous Stories, by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger. Ages 12-15.

In American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad That Haunted a Nation, Barb Rosenstock details “supernatural” events in 1848 New York. Ages 12-17.

Candace Fleming explores the People’s Temple tragedy in Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown. Ages 12-17.

Kate Bornstein’s Hello, Cruel World: 101+ Alternatives to Suicide for Teens, Freaks, and Other Outlaws, addresses a serious problem with gentle humor. Ages 14-17.

TEEN EBOOKS

Auriane Desombre’s I Love You S’more is what the publisher calls “a sapphic rival-tolovers story” involving two summer camp counselors. Ages 12-17.

MORE

BOOKS TO READ LIBRARY EVENTS

Read

All About It

It’s time to take the Summer Stride 2025 reading challenge, running June 1 through Aug. 31. The San Francisco Library invites readers of all ages to go to https://sfpl.org/summer-stride-2025 and track 20 hours of reading, listening to audiobooks, or participating in any Library activity on the Summer Stride tracker. You can also log your progress on Beanstack and play games like the Summer Stride SFPL Bingo Card Need help choosing books? Check out the boatload of titles below, suggested by Children’s Librarian Madeleine Felder, Youth Librarian Cristal Fiel, Adult Services Librarian Amy Lewis, and Branch Manager Mary FobbsGuillory, of the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library. (Book annotations are by Voice bookworm Karol Barske, who says her first read this summer will be I’m a Dumbo Octopus. But shouldn’t she be pursuing Who Ate Steve?)

To put books on hold, visit SFPL.org or get the mobile app at https://sfpl.org/services/mobile-resources/librarycatalog-mobile-apps/. Or scurry over to Noe’s landmark building at 451 Jersey St. Or just call 415-355-5707.

Note that all city libraries will be closed on Monday, June 19, to celebrate Juneteenth. The Main Branch will be closed Sunday, June 29, for the SF Pride Celebration. —Sally Smith, ed

Hyo the Hellmaker is a fantasy novel by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh about a curse-bound teen who is compelled to flee after a demon destroys her village. Ages 12 and up.

In Two Truths and a Lionel, by Brian Wasson, a boy who is the grandson of a famous actor deals with the complicated social hierarchy in his high school. Ages 13-17. Members of a high school LGBTQ+ club are accidentally framed for an attempted murder in Pride or Die by CL Montblanc. Ages 13-18. Set 10 years after the fall of the Reestablishment, Watch Me is the latest in the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Ages 14 and up.

ADULT FICTION

In Karen Russell’s novel The Antidote, a Nebraska duststorm affects a prairie witch, a Polish wheat farmer and his niece, a voluble scarecrow, and a time-traveling photographer.

A Nigerian writer living in America reflects on her life during the pandemic, in Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Three young people find themselves in Tanzania at the turn of the 21st century in Theft, the latest novel by Nobel Prize in Literature winner Abdulrazak Gurnah.

In Twist by Colum McCann, an Irish journalist investigates breaks in the underwater cables that carry the world’s information.

ADULT NONFICTION

In Abundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson analyze our current ecological problems.

John Green tells the story of a young patient in Sierra Leone in Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection.

Mother Sauce: Italian American Family Recipes and the Story of Women Who

Created Them, by Lucinda Scala Quinn, contains 100 recipes from a century of cooking.

Author Samina Ali describes her recovery from brain damage as she was giving birth to her son, in Pieces You’ll Never Get Back: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival.

ADULT EBOOKS

In The Dream Hotel, by Laila Lalami, Sara is detained by the Risk Assessment Administration after agents make an algorithmic assessment of her dreams.

David Enrich defends free speech in Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful.

Two daughters of a family that tends enchanted willows find their lives at risk in The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar.

Gary Krist spotlights a sensational 1870 crime in Trespassers at the Golden Gate: A True Account of Love, Murder, and Madness in Gilded-Age San Francisco.

ADULT DVD/BLURAY

Anora is a dark comedy about a stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, featuring actors Mikey Madison and Paul Weissman. The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, stars Adrien Brody as an architect who flees post-war Europe in 1947.

James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, a docudrama about Bob Dylan’s early career, stars Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton. I’m Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui) is a political drama set in 1971 during a military dictatorship in Brazil, directed by Walter Salles.

Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a futuristic film starring Demi Moore as a fading celebrity who takes a black market drug to look younger.

All events take place at the Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St., and are dropin unless they specify reservations are required. To reserve a spot, call 415-3555707. For general information, visit sfpl.org. Toddler Storytimes are Mondays at 11:15 a.m., June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30. Space is limited; tickets available at the reference desk beginning at 10:30 a.m.

An eight-session class in Mandarin for Beginners is scheduled for Tuesdays, June 3 through July 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration is required: 415-355-5707. Family Storytimes are Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., June 5, 12, and 26. Space is limited; tickets available at the reference desk beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The Noe Knitting Circle, on Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., welcomes those who knit, crochet, or macrame. Celebrate Pride Month by Rainbow Cookie Decorating on Saturday, June 7, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited.

The Noe Valley Library screens the 2004 animated film Howl’s Moving Castle and holds a workshop to make a felt plushie of the character Calcifer on Sunday, June 8, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited; first come, first served.

Get drop-in Tech Help from the library staff on Monday, June 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. Family LEGO and Board Game Night is Tuesday, June 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The Noe Valley Library screens the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody about the band Queen, Friday, June 13, at 2 p.m. Space is limited; first come, first served.

STEM Free Play for children and families includes LEGOs and Magna-Tiles, on Saturday, June 14, from 10 to 11:45 a.m.

All ages can meet reptiles and amphibians at Wild Science with Tree Frog Treks on Saturday, June 14, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Reservations required: 415-355-5707.

The Short Stack Book Club discusses She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor on Friday, June 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. Copies are at the circulation desk for checkout. A workshop in English Paper Piecing Patchwork welcomes beginners on Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. Reservations required: 415-355-5707.

The Flying Angels Chinese Dance Company performs on Sunday, June 22, from 3 to 4 p.m.

Prep on Monday, June 23, from 4 to 5 p.m., for the Pride Parade by making posters and crafts to take along.

Kids and their families are invited to Pajama Storytime, on Tuesday, June 24, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Space is limited. Learn the basics of Loom Weaving with an expert from the Mexican Museum, on Wednesday, June 25, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Space is limited, first come, first served.

Meet at the library for a City Guides Walking Tour of Noe Valley, Saturdays, June 28, July 5, and July 19, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Space is limited: registration required. With materials provided by SFMOMA, create a Tissue Paper Flower Garden, inspired by artist Ruth Asawa, on Sunday, July 6, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Bus Fare by Michael Blake

Action SF, the National Movement in Your Neighborhood https://m.facebook.com/ActionSFactivism/ Website: http://www.action-sf.com/ Email: ActionSFTeam@gmail.com

Meetings: Usually First Tuesdays, Noe Valley Library, 451 Jersey, 6-7:30 p.m. Confirm. Al-Anon Noe Valley

Contact: 834-9940; office@al-anonsf.org

Meetings: Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m., St. Philip Church, 725 Diamond St. (park on Elizabeth Street side; enter on 24th Street).

Thursdays, 7:15-8:30 p.m. Bethany UMC, 1270 Sanchez St. (enter through Clipper Street side door and go up the stairs)

Castro Merchants

Contacts: Terry Asten Bennett, President; Address: 584 Castro St. #333, SF, CA 94114

Email: info@CastroMerchants.com

Comerford Greenway

Contact: Howard Fallon

Email: ComerfordGreenway@gmail.com

Website: www.sanfranciscoparksalliance.org/partners/comerford-greenway/

Monthly workdays in Comerford Alley. Diamond Heights Community Association

Contact: Betsy Eddy, 867-5774

Address: P.O. Box 31529, SF, CA 94131

Website: www.dhcasf.org. Meetings: Second Thursday, 7 p.m. Call for location.

Dolores Heights Improvement Club

Email: info@doloresheights.org

Website: www.doloresheights.org

Meetings: Third Thursday of every second month. Bank of America, 18th and Castro. Duncan Newburg Association (DNA)

Contacts: Deanna Mooney, 821-4045; Diane McCarney, 824-0303; or Lili Wu, 647-0235. Address: 560 Duncan St., SF, CA 94131. Meetings: Call for details.

Eureka Valley Neighborhood Assn.

Contact: Board@evna.org

Address: P.O. Box 14137, SF, CA 94114

Meetings: See website Events. Castro Meeting Room, 501 Castro St., 7 p.m.

MORE GROUPS TO JOIN

Fair Oaks Neighbors

Email: hello@fairoaksneighbors.org

Address: 200 Fair Oaks St., SF, CA 94110

The Fair Oaks Street Fair is traditionally held the day before Mother’s Day.

Friends of Billy Goat Hill

Contact: Lisa and Mo Ghotbi, 821-0122

Website: www.billygoathill.net

Friends of Dolores Park Playground

Contact: Nancy Gonzalez Madynski, 828-5772

Email: friendsofdolorespark@gmail.com

Website: friendsofdolorespark.org

Friends of Christopher Park

Contact: Brynna McNulty, 818-744-4230

Email: friendsofchristopherpark@gmail.com

Website: FriendsofChristopherPark.org

Festival Friends of Glen Canyon Park

Contact: Jean Conner, 584-8576

Address: 140 Turquoise Way, SF, CA 94131

Plant restoration work parties, Wednesday mornings and third Saturday of the month.

Friends of Noe Courts Playground

Contact: Laura Norman

Email: noecourts@gmail.com

Address: P.O. Box 460953, SF, CA 94146

Meetings: Email for dates and times.

Friends of Noe Valley (FNV)

Contact: Todd David, 401-0625

Email: info@friendsofnoevalley.com

Website: friendsofnoevalley.com

Meetings: Two or three annually.

Friends of Slow Sanchez

Contacts: Christopher Keene, Andrew

Casteel

Email: info@SlowSanchez.com

Website: SlowSanchez.com

Friends of Upper Noe Recreation

Center

Contact: Chris Faust

Email: info@uppernoerecreationcenter.com

Website: uppernoerecreationcenter.com

Meetings: Email or check website.

Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group (FUNDOG)

Contact: David Emanuel

Email: info@fundogsf.org

Website: www.fundogsf.org

Glen Park Association

Contact: info@glenparkassociation.org

Website: glenparkassociation.org

Address: P.O. Box 31292, SF, CA 94131

Juri Commoners

Contact: Dave Schweisguth, MI7-6290

Email: dave@schweisguth.org

Website: meetup.com/Juri-Commoners

The group is on hiatus and seeking a new leader. Call Dave. “Tidy up when you can.”

Liberty Hill Neighborhood Association

Contact: Dr. Lisa Fromer, president Email: efromer3@gmail.com

Meetings: Quarterly. Email for details. Noe Neighborhood Council

Contact: Ozzie Rohm or Matt McCabe

Email: info@noeneighborhoodcouncil.com Website: noeneighborhoodcouncil.com

Meetings: Quarterly at Sally Brunn Library, 451 Jersey St.

Noe Valley Association–24th Street

Community Benefit District

Contact: Debra Niemann, 519-0093

Dispatch: To report spills or debris on 24th Street, call Billy Dinnell, 802-4461.

Email: info@noevalleyassociation.org. Website: noevalleyassociation.org

Board meetings: Quarterly. See website. Noe Valley Democratic Club

Contact: Sam Maslin, President E-mail: noevalleydemocrats@gmail.com Website: www.noevalleydemocrats.org

Meetings: Monthly at Valley Tavern or Todo el Día, dates publicized on website. Noe Valley Farmers Market

Open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 3861 24th St. between Vicksburg and Sanchez Contact: Leslie Crawford, 248-1332

Email: info@noevalleyfarmersmarket.com

Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association (NVMPA)

Contact: Kristen McCaffery, President, Kristen@novysf@gmail.com, 829-8383; or Kathryn Gianaras, Vice President, Kathryn@novysf@gmail.com

Meetings: 9 a.m. Call to confirm location. Website: https.noemerchants.com www.NoeValleyMerchants.com

Noe Valley Parent Network

An e-mail resource network for parents Contact: Mina Kenvin

Email: minaken@gmail.com noevalleyparentsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Noe Walks

Contact: Chris Nanda

Email: christopher.n.nanda@gmail.com Website: NoeWalks.com

Meetings: Saturdays, 10 a.m. Starts 24th and Sanchez. Ends Noe and Duncan for photo. Progress Noe Valley Facebook: ProgressNoeValley Email: progressnoe@gmail.com Website: progressnoe.com

Meetings: Check Facebook page for current meeting and event schedule.

San Francisco NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team)

Contact: Noe Valley NERT Neighborhood Team co-coordinators Maxine Fasulis, mfasulis@yahoo.com; Carole Roberts, carole_roberts@faludi.com

Website: https://SF-fire.org/nert

Visit the website to sign up for trainings. Upper Noe Merchants

Contact: Info@UpperNoeNeighbors.com; https://uppernoeneighbors.com/merchants/ Upper Noe Neighbors

Contact: Chris Faust

Email: Hello@UpperNoeNeighbors.com

Website: www.uppernoeneighbors.com

Meetings: Bi-monthly on third Wednesdays. Confirm by email or check website.

THE NOE VALLEY VOICE editor@noevalleyvoice.com

All phone numbers are in the 415 area code, unless otherwise noted.

Sum-Sum-Summertime

By Mazook

ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS: After just a little snooping around the neighborhood, I found our summer news to be quite stimulating!

TALES OF UPPER NOE: Friends of Upper Noe Recreation Center (FUNRC) gathered on May 21, with 45 members in attendance and a packed agenda, presided over by group president Christopher Faust. (Note that Faust is also president of the group Upper Noe Neighbors (UNN), which along with the local merchants, is lighting up Church Street, literally.

Faust informed the group that the children's playground at the rec center will be closed the entire month of June, and possibly longer, for renovation of its surface area. “The new surface will be mostly Tot Turf artificial grass,” said Faust. The rubbery material will be installed in high-use areas under and around the play structures. The sandboxes will stay put, because some things don’t need reinvention.

Faust was happy to report that the Recreation and Parks Department will replace the playground gate hinges leading to the grass field. “Rec and Park will also give us a new park bench and a replacement fountain in the dog park.”

He noted that FUNRC currently has a mailing list of about 550 families and individuals.

I noted that Upper Noe Rec Center has an amazing schedule for summer.

For example, the programs available on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. are A Place to Play (free play), pickleball, Pilates, “Strength and Flexibility,” open gym (youth), Petite Bakers, Karate Kidz (Little Kickers), and Karate Kidz (bigger kickers), open gym (adults), and Yoga Vinyasa.

(See page 19 in this month’s Voice for the rest of the week.)

Faust went on to tell the group that several members have volunteered their skills to install acoustic panels and dedicated-sound speakers in the gym, and the plan is to complete the project by the end of June. “This will make it much easier for people to hear those speaking at public meetings,” he said, “and enable us to provide music in the gym.”

Maybe this means that musical groups can do their high decibel thing, and we can all dance the night away.

Faust, in his capacity as president of Upper Noe Neighbors, told those at the meeting that UNN group members will be completing the hanging of strings of lights up and down Church Street. There are three phases to this project, which they hope to complete by October and the 2025 holiday season.

The first phase is the west side of Church from 30th to Day Street, where most of the merchants are. I like to call this stretch Downtown Upper Noe Valley. (See Letters, page 5.)

Faust said phase two of the project, starting in June, will light up the east side of Church from Day to Duncan Street. Then, phase three will do the lights on the east side of Church from Duncan to Cesar Chavez Street, plus add lights for the rest of the merchants

on the west side of Church. Faust gave a huge “thank you to the biz owners who are providing all the hookups and power.”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, GLEN PARK: Going from Upper Noe Valley, which was made famous by Sister Act, the 1992 movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, south to the Fairmount neighborhood (which was one of the first suburbs in San Francisco, with tracts of land sold and built upon in the 1860s), we reach Glen Park, where another Hollywood flick was being filmed at and around the Glen Park BART Station on May 20.

It was a star-studded day. Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde spent much of the afternoon in the station, filming a new romantic comedy titled The Invite. The film, a remake of the 2020 Spanish film The People Upstairs, was written by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. Wilde is not only starring in but directing the movie.

It was reported in the San Francisco Standard that camera people followed the actors as they rode BART, blending in with regular riders who streamed on and off the trains. Shooting wrapped up around 5 p.m., when a crowd of extras was led to waiting vans by production staff sporting yellow safety vests.

According to Variety magazine, the movie’s plot involves a married couple (Rogen and Wilde) who are going through a rough patch in their relationship. They are invited by their neighbors (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) to join their weekly orgies, “igniting an evening full of unexpected twists and turns, revealing deeply repressed emotions and unexplored sexuality.”

Whoa.

SWAP THAT PLANT: Exploring its own celebrity was Downtown Noe Valley last month.

If you recall, I mentioned the Noe Valley Night Market in last month’s Rumors. Since October, it’s been filling the Noe Valley Town Square on the last Tuesday of the month.

Well, it drew close to 900 people the last Tuesday in April, and it was packed again in May (May 27). Mayor Daniel Lurie made the rounds of the Square during the evening, posing for selfies with many shoppers and vendors. Make sure to mark your calendar for June 24, when the Night Market expands to take over the entire block on 24th Street, from Sanchez to Vicksburg, from 4 to 8 p.m. You won’t want to miss the party.

Another big May day was Saturday, May 17, when the Friends of Noe Valley held its annual Noe Valley Garden Tour. The day was extremely windy, but tour organizer Peggy Cling reports the event sold 436 tickets, matching last year’s tally.

As part of the tour, folks on Slow Sanchez promoted a Plant Swap near the Noe Café at 26th Street, with experts from Urban Scout and Friends of the Urban Forest there to answer questions about indoor and outside gardens in the neighborhood.

All the kids got their own succulent plant, courtesy of Urban Scout, while neighbors swapped potted plants, seedlings, and cuttings. As a last resort, some brought a packet of seeds to exchange or even a store-bought plant.

Richmond (Clement Street) and Sunset District (Ninth Avenue) locations. The good news is the filing type allows owners to continue operating a business while restructuring their debt.

Happily for us, the Noe Valley Fiorella, at 4042 24th St., and the one on Polk Street, operate under separate LLCs, and were not affected. All the restaurants offer specialty pizza and pasta dishes.

In other food news, Bones Bagels announced it will be opening its doors in Noe on June 13, in the former PastaGina space at 741 Diamond. Owner Noah Orloff notes that his sourdough bagels will come in poppy, salted rosemary, asiago black pepper, and, of course, “everything.” The cream cheese will be made in-house—with chile oil, blueberry, or sweet corn schmears—and bagel dogs, bagel sandwiches, and bialys will be eye catchers on the Bones menu. Opening day hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Also planning for a June opening is Angela’s Organic Ice Cream at 3751 24th St. Keep your eyes on the windows at 24th and Chattanooga.

A MOVING STORY: The very popular toy and stationery store Just for Fun has temporally moved down the block to where Umpqua Bank used to be, at 3938 24th St. The reason is the building they occupied, at 3982 24th, is going through a seismic retrofit that will take three to six months.

Just for Fun owner Michelle O’Connor, says since the move down 24th Street, “Sales have gone down just a little bit, but people search us out and find us.” She says the store’s staff will remain fully paid, and “we have recommended that now is the time to take their vacations.”

In the last week of May, workers began renovating the interior at 3893 24th St., which used to be the 24th Street Cheese Company. The business closed in 2022, after 36 years of selling a mind-boggling selection of cheeses. Construction has started for what will become, according to the building owner, “a day spa.”

been just wonderful and something we really needed to have,” she says.

“We have a large San Francisco clientele of 300 a week, with about half who live in the neighborhood and the rest coming from other neighborhoods in San Francisco. Several come from Marin or the East Bay,” says Patton. She says the theater has launched a mobile birthday party program, which has been very successful. The cost is $850, plus the cost of food and drink.

BOOK A VISIT: The Noe Valley/Sally Brunn Library on Jersey Street has a bunch of interesting programs this month, including, on June 14, a chance to meet reptiles and amphibians face to face (2:30–3:30 p.m.); on June 21, a workshop to learn how to make English h paper patchwork and a pin cushion (2-4 4 p.m.); and on June 22, a chance to watch the Flying Angels Chinese Dance Company perform a traditional dance inspired by ancient Chinese cave drawings (3–4 p.m.).

All these events are free, but space is limited, so reserve a spot at 415-3555707. And don’t get your face too close to those amphibians.

KUDOS GO OUT to a neighborhood lawyer who has drawn national attention and watched his story air on KQED-TV.

A May 15 KQED piece by Tyche Hendricks described the scene: “[Noe Valley resident] Marc Van Der Hout, a veteran immigration lawyer, sits in his offices in San Francisco on May 14, 2025. He’s representing Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student and legal permanent resident who’s been detained for nearly two months as the federal government moves to revoke his green card over his political activism....”

Judge Farbiarz ruled that Khalil’s case can move forward. The story quoted Van Der Hout as saying, “Khalil is not only challenging his own detention and [Marco] Rubio’s determination that he’s deportable, but is asking the judge to find that the Trump administration’s policy of seeking to deport any noncitizen for ‘protected speech’ is unconstitutional.”

GOATS IN NOE VALLEY? You might remember that in 2020, a house located d in the 4200 block of 23rd Street, near Eureka Street, burned to the ground. Well, after almost five years, the property has been sold for construction of a new residence.

For about 10 days in May, the former home’s brush and weeds were turned over to 10 goats—I visited them and said hello to each one who came to the e small opening in the plywood barricade to sniff me. They were spending their short visit there eating all the overgrown shrubbery to get the lot ready for construction.

Happy 10th birthday wishes to the Rabbit Hole Children’s Theater, on the corner of 24th and Diamond. Founder and owner (and Noe Valley resident) Brooke Patton celebrated the milestone on May 4 at the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park. She says 900 people attended the bash, and the kids went on a scavenger hunt and staged a puppet show.

THAT’S ALL, Y’ALL. See you all in July. and now for the

THOUGHT FOR FOOD: In the SF Chronicle, a story by Nick Otto informed us that two of the city’s four Fiorella restaurants had filed for bankruptcy protection, those two being the

A year ago, the business was able to secure an administrative office just up the street from the theater, “which has

One of the adjoining neighbors told me he will miss them and enjoyed watching them over the fence. He (name withheld at his request) said the goats were very friendly and the only time he would be aware they were there was when they would bump into the side walls of his house. The neighbor said the property owner(s) had apparently rented the goat crew, and when it was time for them to leave, a “great big truck came and loaded them in the truck and then drove away.” So it goats.

Got Any Seedlings? A 160-year-old redwood tree in a forested glen on 23rd Street was one of the highlights of this year’s Noe Valley Garden Tour, held May 17.

Photo by Sally Smith

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