Mission Mission

Beauty Bar’s getting a new neighbor! Mission Loc@l reports that Furniture Center will close within the week, to be replaced as soon as possible by a community-oriented non-profit citadel of sorts. Reader Mitch hipped us to the story, saying:

i met with Luis Granados, who is Director of MEDA, who are the “anchor occupant” and driving this real estate deal….he’s a really cool guy and MEDA are focused on economic AND asset development, which is awesome. they’re a very interesting, long standing group in the hood. i don’t know that much about the other groups…but from the websites they seem like exactly the kind of services folks in the hood could use…and have more accessible.

Granados said there are plans not only to move all these groups in, but to improve the property, put murals on the side, plant trees, etc.

All in all a great thing for everyone.

Link.

Whether or not you held it together and really bought nothing on Buy Nothing Day yesterday, you can at least celebrate some of its principles and do some really really free holiday shopping at today’s Really Really Free Market in the park. (via funcheapSF)

SFGate just made up this nice graphic detailing forthcoming improvements to Valencia Street. The accompanying article includes comments from affected business owners and a handy by-the-numbers look at the plans (81 new trees, 32 new bicycle racks). Link.

By Captain Stephen Tacchini

The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy in the Mission District.  Besides the everyday calls for police services, arrests, crime prevention programs, traffic safety and enforcements, community meetings, training, and crime enforcement operations, there have been several large events to plan for and facilitate. Despite the demand, the officers of Mission Station stepped up and delivered the necessary police services. The workload of these officers is often daunting, yet no challenge goes unmet.  Their work ethic and commitment to public safety and crime prevention is commendable and the pride they take in the performance of their duties is well deserved.

Over the past couple of months, the Mission District has hosted several large events involving thousands of attendees.  The last two weeks of October were very busy planning and organizing the Red Bull Soapbox Derby which drew approximately 100,000 persons, the “Milk” movie premier at the Castro Theater, Halloween, Dia de las Muertes Parade, and Election Day events.  It may seem as though there is not much involved in planning these events, but I assure you the process is often complex, involving multiple agencies, large personnel resources and logistical planning to assure all necessary equipment and personnel needs are accounted for.  An important ingredient in planning and working with organizers, community members, and merchants is diplomacy, respect, experience, and knowledge of what needs to be done.  Behind the scenes, organizing all aspects of these events is Sergeant Marta McDowell. The demand on police personnel to staff these events is significant and it takes flexible and creative distribution of resources by Sergeant McDowell and the Mission Station lieutenants to make sure sufficient patrol officers remain available to police the district. I want to publicly commend Sergeant McDowell for her outstanding and tireless efforts in planning and supervising all of the previously listed events.  Each and every one of them went off without a hitch and the level of public safety at the events and elsewhere in the district were exceptional.

Often times, and occasionally with appropriate reason, the media cites perceived shortcomings of the Police Department in the performance of its duties.  In the case of the events hosted in the Mission District, planned and supervised by Sergeant Marta McDowell, there is no room for criticism, but only praise.  Since the media reporting on these events was limited, I feel it is important to share with you the positive outcome of all of the events.  It is also important to recognize the efforts of the officers of Mission Station and from other units of the San Francisco Police Department in making all of the events happen safely, peacefully, and with a continuity of professional and respectful service.  A job well done by all!

I respect criticism provided for the goal of improvement.  I encourage suggestions made for the good of all. I welcome participation from those who care enough to share the burden of trying to make a difference.

Newsletter comes with a number of other features including a resource list, a day-by-day summary of criminal activity, and “Outstanding Arrest.” To subscribe, email Mirna_Melendez (at) sfgov (dot) sfgov (dot) org.

Reader Janet C. forwards us this shite piece of news:

Per a posting on a list I’m a member of:

This weekend on the Bernal Hill was to be the Soap Box Derby. I have
just been informed that the event is illegal and SFPD with RPD Park
Patrol will force the cancellation of the event.Please be advised and
spread the word.

Thanks,
Sabrina
Safety Network Organizer
Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center
(415)206-2140 ext 155

Sucks.

Not sure where Janet starts and Sabrina ends, but, shit. Can anybody confirm? Is there a plan to resist? Should I bring my Kevlar? Link.

Update: Todd assures us: “Totally NOT CANCELLED.”

Link.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Dick Cabbie Robs Fare, Leaves Her Curbside, Battered and Phoneless

I wish I was young enough to partake. But I guess I’ll just have to face up to the adult Halloween: binge drinking in slutty attire. Via funcheapSF:

Paxton Gate’s Menacingly Morbit Macabre Museum of Unnatural Wonders

This Halloween to introduce our new Children’s Store — Sir Paxton’s, Curiosities for Kids — we have created a Museum of Unnatural Wonders; a shuddersome museum in which children will enjoy exploring and interacting with spine-tingling displays of the natural sciences including botany, biology, zoology and more. Children 10 and under, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children will be grouped by age and the scariness-level will be set accordingly.

Link. This takes place at 766 Valencia Street NOT the regular store, today and tomorrow from 5 to 8 pm.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Cacti in Bloom at Paxton Gate (Stunning Pictorial!)

Sea Creature Pins

Reader Catherine forwards us the details:

On October 29, District 9 supervisorial candidates David Campos, Eric Quezada, Eva Royale, Mark Sanchez, Eric Storey, and Tom Valtin will be on hand to answer your questions at the Precita Center.

District 9 Candidate Q&A
Wednesday
October 29th
6:30PM
at the Precita Center
(534 Precita between Florida & Alabama)

Sponsored by Precita Valley Neighbors, Rolph Playground Neighbors, San Jose/Guerrero Neighbors, and the East Mission Improvement Association.

If you can’t make it, the Quezada campaign’s website will be streaming the event live.

Photo of the Precita Center by amster girl.

First off, the weather’s supposed to be good, so there’s no reason not to just lie in the park all day. That said, there’s lots going on this Saturday:

The Really Really Free Market of course takes place in Dolores Park, so attending requires little travel. This edition is a special celebration, honoring the life and times of activist and RRFM champion Kirsten Brydum. Expect food, entertainment, activities and lots and lots of FREE. Though the event goes from Noon to 6pm, funcheapSF reports that at some point, the entire party proceeds down to Clarion Alley for the next bit of fun…

[Photo by jomarch.]

This year’s Clarion Alley Block Party! The Myopenbar.com newsletter chose it as this week’s featured item, and felt the need to say nothing more than, “1000 tattooed youngsters in an alley, drinking / 12pm-8pm.” See you there!

[Photo of past party by gretchen robinette.]

Finally, Modern Times Bookstore turns 37 on Saturday, and to celebrate, they’re inviting one and all for food and surprises, beginning at 3pm. Link.

[Photo by Pete Boyd.]

Update: This just in:

“There’s the first Fall 2008 median planting along Guerrero tomorrow – 9.30am to 2pm, Guerrero between Chavez & 25th Streets. Aaron Cohen Jazz Trio starts at 10am. Block Party on Guerrero!”

Thanks, greening_guerrero!

Reader Jenn sent in these photos of some kind of smoke or something coming off the US Bank building or its vicinity at 22nd and Mission last Thursday. What happened?

Update: BayBigr has the scoop.