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nopna.orgNOPNANews
North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
2016 : issue 3
Survey Shows Strong Support for
Fell and Oak Protected Bike Lane
by Tim Hickey
PHOTO: San Francisco Bicycle Coalition/Flickr
In our last posting regarding the Fell and Oak Protected Bike Survey, we, the
Board of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA,) wanted
to get your input about the proposal to install a dedicated bike lane along the
Panhandle Park.
This proposed bike lane would be protected by parked
challenges. NOPNA will also have stakeholder meetings
cars and a painted buffer with pedestrian islands from Bak-
with various park users to identify concerns and ensure
er Street to Shrader Street. If approved, installation of the
that the early issues are addressed before larger commu-
bike lane will reconfigure Oak and Fell from four to three
nity meetings occur. Funding sources will also have to be
lanes, identical to the same streets east of Baker Street.
identified and pursued from the many potential sources.
After two months of gathering input, 700+ responses came
Fortunately for our purposes, this corridor is a high injury
back with more than 70% of the respondents supporting a
area for all modes, so various funds may be available.
protected bike lane, and 27% preferring the current road
configuration. This strong support will be very helpful in
showing city officials and leaders that there is a demand
for this street improvement.
Please check our site, NOPNA.org, for detailed survey
results with preferences by park user type, and email
board@nopna.org if you would like to participate in the
stakeholder meeting. Please indicate your connection and
A feasibility study will be undertaken by the SFMTA to
use of the park.
determine preliminary cost estimates and engineering
2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
Neighbors, we are in the middle of an election year where there has been a
lot of talk again about how citizens’ voices aren’t heard, and/or citizens feel
they aren’t represented. I’m sure it can feel like that on the federal level,
but on the local level, getting involved with your local neighborhood asso-
ciation is one sure way of making a difference.
The NOPNA News is published by the North
of Panhandle Neighborhood Association for
the residents, businesses, and friends of
our neighborhood, which is bounded by
Masonic Avenue and Turk, Divisadero and
Fell Streets.
As you might have read in the last issue, NOPNA has been a recognized
Neighborhood Association for 25 years. In the past quarter of a century, we
have worked side-by-side with other neighborhood associations, city agen-
cies and San Francisco City Hall to make a difference in our little section of
the city. NOPNA often leads the charge in advocating for local infrastruc-
ture improvements, such as the bicycle lanes on Fell and Oak, Panhandle
Park and Playground improvements, and the coming traffic and safety
upgrades to Masonic. We work with SFPD Park Station and City Hall when
our neighbors feel their safety is at risk. We look out for our neighbors with
fundraisers when disaster strikes and we also organize community- build-
ing events, such as the annual Block Party, Halloween trick-or-treating and
costume contest, and end of year Holiday Party.
None of this is accomplished without the direction of our neighbors (you!)
and the leadership of the NOPNA Board. Our board members are NoPa
residents who want to make a difference in the neighborhood in which they
reside. The board consists of renters, homeowners and also merchants,
each with a diverse background. Each board member has their own reason
for joining, and while some stay on the board for many years, others con-
tribute for one or two years. We are currently looking for neighbors who are
interested in making a difference and joining the NOPNA Board. We are
specifically recruiting residents who are interested in writing, editing and
communications, as well as those focused on crime and safety issues, and
working with SFPD/Park Station.
If you would like to get more involved and voice your ideas for our
neighborhood, we ask that you contact us by sen-
ding us an email to: board@nopna.org or
speaking with one of the board
members at our bimonthly
meetings. Our next General
Meeting is Thursday, September
15th at 7 p.m.
We look forward to hearing from you!
J.J. Strahle
is a member
of the NOPNA
board.
PUBLISHER
NOPNA Board of Directors
MANAGING EDITOR
Mimi Sparrow
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Mimi Sparrow
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Lisa Eastlack
DISTRIBUTION
Will Valentine
PRINTING
Image Printing, San Francisco
NOPNA’s mission: The purpose of this
association shall be to establish neigh-
borhood unity, maintain multi-ethnic and
multi-cultural diversity, foster a sense of
neighborhood pride, promote a safe and
clean community, and improve the quality
of life for all residents of the neighborhood.
Contact NOPNA by email:
Get The News?—Pay Your Dues! Your
NOPNA membership gives us a stronger
voice at City Hall and supports our efforts
to create a clean, safe, and friendly neigh-
borhood.
Please join us! You can sign up online at
LOOKING FOR
AWESOME PEOPLE TO
JOIN NOPNA NEWS
Join our team of volunteer writers,
photographers and designers or
help us with distribution.
If you’re interested, please email
Harding Theater Sets New Target Date
PHOTO: Bryce Bishari/Hoodline
Last year, we learned the Harding Theater on Divisadero
“soft-launch” events to enable neighborhood residents
would get new life as an arcade-themed bar called “The
to get a new look at the space prior to a formal opening.
Emporium,” thanks to Chicago-based entrepreneurs
Stay tuned for more news later this year.
Danny and Doug Marks. Compared with the other pro-
posals that had been floated for the theater, (condomini-
um-ization; conversion to a communal art space,) this
proposal was different in that it both preserved the historic
theater, was economically viable, and took advantage of
the unique interior space. This popular and creative idea
quickly gained strong neighborhood support. Plans for the
space moved efficiently through the planning process and
were approved last November. At the time, Danny Marks
hopefully speculated they would be opening early in the
summer of 2016.
Unfortunately, the warm reception has not shielded The
Emporium from the inevitable delays that seem to beset
Like their other ventures, The Emporium is conceived as a
‘21 and Over’ venue, and is permitted accordingly. It will
sell alcohol, and, lacking a kitchen, will encourage patrons
to bring in food of their own from local eateries. Under-
standing the importance of NOPA families with children,
Danny Marks, who has a three year old of his own, is look-
ing for ways to accommodate the ‘Under 21’ crowd within
the bounds of the permits. He is considering opening
in the afternoons as well as weekend mornings, though
these plans are as of now a work in progress.
all construction in San Francisco. The group has set a new
target to open by the end of 2016, or early in 2017. As
Jason Cauthen is a San Francisco native, has participated
in the Bay to Breakers in each of the last four decades, and
remodeling is closer to complete, they are considering
now loves sharing the event with his young children.
4 | NOPNANews
Rejuvenation Continues in the Panhandle
this summer. New path signage and
amenities will offer information and
comfort to park visitors. Phase 3 path
re-paving is still not funded, but a key
coordination piece has recently been
designed. The irrigation system of
the park is antiquated and in need of
replacement. SF RPD recently com-
pleted a study and design of the new
system with a $1.5M cost estimate.
With this and the repaving cost, RPD
can seek the approximate $3.5M
needed in total.
In other Panhandle Park news, a
new playground is fully funded, but
yet to be assigned a Project Man-
ager. NOPNA continues to request
commencement of this work from
RPD. Also, SFMTA has announced
$705,000 in its 2017-18 budget
for Panhandle Path improvements.
This includes reviewing the Phase 2
signage, and improving circulation
in and out of the park, especially at
Shrader, Baker and Stanyan Streets.
PHOTO: Charles Dupigny
The Panhandle Park has seen its
RPD) did not select The Panhandle
share of rejuvenation over the past
Park application as a Community
several months, and not just in the
Opportunity Fund grant recipient.
plantings. The Baker Street end
The proposal to add a new path
of the park is now more pedestri-
and lighting around the McKinley
an-friendly. The stretch of sidewalk
Monument will still be sought by
suffered from large areas of tripping
the neighborhood with a pledge of
hazards amongst the crumbling
$45,000 from NOPNA. The proposal
asphalt. In May, DPW replaced the
builds upon the continuing efforts
park-side sidewalk with concrete. The
that make the Baker Street entrance
whole block has been completely
more accessible, safe and inviting.
replaced with its recently upgraded
corners, ramps, and crosswalks.
In the meantime, the Panhandle
Pedestrian Safety Improvement
Despite overwhelming support from
Project continues. Phase 2 is nearing
neighbors and Golden Gate Park
completion of design, which will be
staff, SF Recreation and Parks (SF
followed by bid and construct efforts
Dera-Jill Pozner is a member of the
NOPNA board.
6 | NOPNANews
Is Bay to Breakers Getting Better with Age?
A beautiful San Francisco morning welcomed tens of
When the previous owners of Bay to Breakers, AEG
thousands of revelers and runners as well as spectators
purchased the race in 2003, they did three things that
who turned out both to watch the feats of athleticism and
ensured problems for NOPA residents:
join in the festive spirit. One reveler expressed the spirit
as “San Francisco’s best day...when a wide cross-section
of people can cheerfully walk together with [nearly] no
problems.” But neighborhood sentiment around this one-
of-a-kind historic event remains strongly ambivalent. While
some neighbors host parties, play music, and join in the
festivities, others are put off by the nuisance caused by
those whose pursuit of a good time leaves them stum-
bling around our neighborhood well into Sunday after-
noon.
Miles of fencing, increased enforcement of open container
laws, the closure of Alamo Square Park, and the elimina-
tion of the tradition of floats have resulted in a markedly
smaller and tamer event over the past several years. From
a peak of over 100,000 participants in 1986, the Bay to
Breakers race has shriveled to less than half that size. And
yet, neighbors have continued to suffer the impacts in
recent years. So what happened?
1. Stepped up alcohol enforcement at the park entrance
at Stanyan. Those carrying alcohol simply stopped, or
turned around rather than continuing into the park.
2. Eliminated the “Footstock” festival in the Polo Fields -
taking away a large, mid-park destination where people
could chill out and disperse from throughout the day.
3. Reduced the number of portapotties to be consistent
with a traditional race, not a festival. Revelers - predict-
ably - found other ways to attend to their needs, often
it seems on neighbors’ doorsteps.
However, a new owner, the Wasserman Group, who
purchased the race from AEG in 2013, has made substan-
tial improvements, most notably increasing portapotties
and returning music acts to Golden Gate Park. “It’s been
fantastic!” according to Chris Holmes, Wasserman Direc-
tor of Marketing. Registration has grown from over 25,000
in 2013 to more than 40,000 in 2015, and it increased
issue 3 : 2016 | 7
PHOTOS: Lisa Eastlack
again in 2016. With a standard registration price of $65,
the revenue from the event can be estimated to be near
$3 million, roughly double the 2013 revenues, and this
does not count additional income from Zappos’ sponsor-
ship. But the financial boon is not limited to Wasserman;
Holmes also reports local businesses along the route call it
the “best day of the year.”
The improvements represent important strides to restore
this one-of-a-kind San Francisco day where top flight
athleticism mixes comfortably with abject silliness. Bay
to Breakers may once again be a day where our neigh-
borhood enthusiastically joins in on the fun, instead of
guarding our stoops, with runners, revelers, spectators,
and businesses participating in “San Francisco’s best day.”
Maybe someday, they’ll even bring back the floats.
Jason Cauthen is a San Francisco native, has participated
in the Bay to Breakers in each of the last four decades, and
now loves sharing the event with his young children.
8 | NOPNANews
OUT AND ABOUT
Souvla Now Serving Greek Specialties on Divis
Souvla, the popular Greek eatery based in Hayes Valley, has opened up a second location on Divisadero. The former
Herbivore spot at 531 Divisadero St. has been transformed into a light and airy space, with plentiful indoor and outdoor
seating.
PHOTOS: souvlasf.com
GOT A CASE OF THE
MONDAYS?
Wine Kitchen at 507 Divisadero
could cure your blues with 1/2 price
bottles of wine on Monday evenings.
Afterwards, head across the street to
Madrone for Motown on Mondays.
MAKEOVER ON DIVIS
518 Divisadero got a little facelift and
is re-opened as Pamper Now. They
offer facial, waxing and nail services
and use products made with organic
and vegan ingredients.
KAVA KORNER
Visit McAllister & Divis for community
SAD GOODBYES
San Franpsycho has closed the doors
workshops focused on healing and
of their Divisadero location. They
herbalism at the Kava Lounge, 901
were a great member of our commu-
Divisadero.
nity and will be missed.
In May, neighbors gathered for a
farewell toast in Alamo Square. The
Alamo Square Park is closed for the
next 9 months while renovations are
completed.
APARTMENT THERAPY
Our neighborhood is quickly becom-
ing a shopping destination for all
your interior needs. Panhandle
Home at 501 Broderick offers custom
pillows and accessories. Perish Trust
at 728 Divisadero frequently brings
in new inventory of well worn home
goods & local handiwork. Local Craft
at 1421 Fulton offers beautiful cus-
tom draperies, bedding and linens.
Annual Block Party Fun for All
issue 3 : 2016 | 9
Thank you
to all of the neighbors who came out for our annual NOPA Block Party in May!
We all enjoyed great food, great music, face painting, spin art, bouncey houses
and chalk art on a beautiful day. Many thanks also to our generous donors,
Bi-Rite and Central Coffee, who helped to make the Block Party possible.
Lastly, thanks also to Parkside Market, SF Department of Elections, SF NOW,
Doug Diboll, Clint Womack and the fantastic bands who came to entertain us.
PHOTOS: Kandace Kaylor (kebabs, NOPNA table, firetruck), Brian P. McCarthy (spun art), Lisa Eastlack (bounce house)
10 | NOPNANews
NOPA Celebrates 10th Anniversary
We liked the
It’s healthy and delicious. Everything
simplicity of
is made in-house. There is a great
“NoPa” since
deal of amount of work that goes into
it stands for
it. It’s an honorable sandwich.
“North of the
Panhandle,” so
we went with
that.
What are the ingredients that
make NOPA successful?
We are honest and we feel we repre-
sent the area well. We have a great
deal of respect for providing excel-
lent service. NOPA is a community
gathering space and we always hire
NOPA, a San Francisco gathering place,
great people to serve our clientele.
What’s in the future for NOPA?
We still have a long way to go. We
keep trying to get better and make
our operations sustainable. We want
to keep people excited by our food.
There have been talks about remod-
eling, especially with sound; we are
trying to make the restaurant an even
more comfortable space.
What’s your perspective on the
changes to the NoPa/Western Ad-
dition neighborhood over the past
ten years?
The neighborhood has definitely
changed — San Francisco has
changed! There is a lot more focus
is an ingredient-focused Californian
eats and creative cocktails restaurant.
Weekdays : 5pm -1am
Weekends : 11am-1am
560 divisadero @ hayes
info@nopasf.com | 415.864.8643
NOPA Restaurant on Divisadero
recently celebrated its Ten Year Anni-
versary. NOPNA (North of Panhandle
Neighborhood Association) had a
chance to interview one of NOPA’s
achieving this milestone.
How did you come up with the
name NOPA?
We wanted to represent the neigh-
borhood. We had always wanted to
open a neighborhood restaurant. A
friend started doing research on this
neighborhood, and learned that there
In the early days, what did you
learn about operating a restaurant
in NoPa?
We ran out of food early on, so we
learned how not to do that! Our
on tech now. It’s harder to find cooks
philosophy is that it is always best to
because it’s expensive to live in the
push forward. We are always think-
city. I’m happy to have a business in
ing about how we can improve our
San Francisco. It is cooler and also
service, and offer even better food
safer in some respects. There are
and drinks.
How did NOPA celebrate its recent
Ten Year Anniversary?
It was actually a hard day; it was a
some pretty cool businesses that
have opened up in the neighborhood
over the last few years. And there are
some up and coming restaurants, I’m
excited to see!
What is NOPA’s relationship with
NOPNA?
We do public service and we cele-
many of them had helped us open
brate our success by giving back. We
the restaurant in 2006. It was great to
understand the community — it is a
reconnect with many old friends.
big deal to us. NOPNA was kind to
What makes the NOPA burger so
good?
I have always liked the burger. We
us in the early days. We said ‘you can
help us or hurt us; we want to be a
part of this neighborhood,’ and all we
owners, Chef Laurence Jossel, to
bit overwhelming. We are not used
learn more about the restaurant and
to being in the limelight. But it was
a lot of fun! We had a lot of people
come in town for the celebration —
was a neighborhood association,
make buns in a house grill over wood.
got was positivity.
North of Panhandle Neighborhood
Association, or “NOPNA.” We didn’t
want to cause confusion with that.
Charles Dupigny is vice president of the NOPNA board.
issue 3 : 2016 | 11
Calendar of Events
Divisadero Farmers Market
Sundays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grove@Divisadero
SFPD Park Station Community Meeting
Tuesday, September 13, 6 p.m.
Park Station, 1899 Waller St.
SFPD Northern Station Community Meeting
Thursday, September 8, 6 p.m.
Northern Station, 1125 Fillmore St.
Panhandle Park Community Work Day
Saturday, September 10, 9–11 a.m.
Meet near the playground (Masonic and Fell)
NOPNA General Meeting
Thursday, September 15, 7:00 p.m.
Oasis Cafe, 901 Divisadero St.
MOLLIE POE
Top Producer & NOPA Specialist
As a long-term resident of North Panhandle, a Mom with kids in local schools,
and a strong supporter and advocate of everything NOPA (including the
neighborhood association as a business member and avid sponsor), I
regularly represent Buyers and Sellers within our wonderful neighborhood.
Please visit my website for further information on past sales and property
presentations, or call me directly with any Real Estate inquiries.
If you are thinking of selling, I'd love to help with a market analysis of your
property. Low inventory continues to drive our market and you maybe very
surprised to find the 'hidden equity' in your home, given these market
conditions. I have good insight into NOPA's Buyer pool, and I frequently
have access to pocket listings and a proven strategy to get you the best
results within NOPA's borders or other neighborhoods in our 7x7.
MY RECENT NOPA SALES
COMING SOON
1719-1721-1723 GOLDEN GATE AVE
• 3 Individual TIC Units
LOWER UNIT - 1719 $799,000
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, 0 Parking
• Recently updated Craftsman Style building
• Spacious floor plans
• Beautiful details
• Landscaped shared yard
• Parking is tandem for 2 cars
PHOTOS SOON AT
MIDDLE UNIT - 1721 $899,000
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, 1 Car Parking
UPPER UNIT - 1723 $975,000
2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath, 1 Car Parking
IN CONTRACT
1667A GROVE STREET
• Lower Level Unit in 3 Unit Building
• 1 Bedroom 1 Bath
• Light filled Kitchen walks out
to landscaped yard
LISTED $769,000
REPRESENTED SELLER
IN CONTRACT
1612 FULTON STREET
• Light Filled & Updated Condo
• Hardwood Floors
• Edwardian Details
• 2 Bedrooms 1 Bath
• Shared Yard
LISTED $995,000
REPRESENTED BUYER
Mollie Poe | NOPA Sales Specialist | Top 1% SFAR 2015
20 Year NOPA Resident | NOPNA Business Member
Pacific Union Int’l • Christie’s Real Estate
1699 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109
415.902.2447 | mollie@molliepoe.com | www.molliepoe.com
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