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NOPNANews
A Publication of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
2018 : issue 1
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BARVALE AND EMPORIUM
OPEN DOORS
TO VERY DIFFERENT CROWDS
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOPNA ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY
TARGET DATE: Early May
Stay Tuned for Details
NOPNA GENERAL MEETING
Oasis Cafe • 901 Divisadero
Thursday, March 15th, 2018 - 7pm
Thursday, May 17th, 2018 - 7pm
SFPD PARK STATION COMMUNITY MEETINGS
Park Station Community Room
Second Tuesday each month, 6pm
DIVISADERO FARMERS MARKET
Grove@Divisadero, Sundays, 10am–2pm
PANHANDLE PARK STEWARDS
Second Saturday each month, 9am-12pm
Bulletin Board near Panhandle Playground
Contact us:
board@nopna.org or www.nopna.org
On a recent Thursday evening the
and friends sharing platters of hot and
crowd at Barvale, Adriano Paganini’s hip
cold tapas, including Basque piquillo
new tapas bar in the former LaUrbana
peppers, boquerones with cured white
space at Grove and Divisadero was
anchovies, croquetas de jamon, salt
decidedly young — underage in fact.
cod bonuelos and a near-perfect pulpo
Around 5 p.m. I counted no fewer than
(octopus).
six strollers inside the new restaurant.
The tables tend to turn over quickly, but
The occupants’ parents sipped happily
that was always Paganini’s intention. He
on the restaurant’s creative gin & tonics.
has said from the very beginning of his
My personal favorite is the #4, a twelve-
new venture that he intended Barvale
dollar cocktail fashioned with saffron
to be a communal stop for groups of
and cardamom. My six-month-old son
friends, rather than a traditional sit-down
had no opinion but was entranced by
restaurant.
the polka dots adorning the walls.
The restaurant’s website has described
As the night wore on, the crowd
its tapas as “inexpensive,” an adjective
evolved from parents looking for a quick
subjective to the eye of the beholder in
drink before bedtime, to the post-work
our rapidly changing neighborhood.
happy hour crowd, to couples on dates
(continued on page 3)
North OfPanhandleNeighborhoodAssociation
2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
In December, the NOPNA Board got together for a few hours to reflect on
2017 and to decide where to direct our focus for the coming year. Should
we focus on connecting with more people through general meetings? Or in
ensuring that next year’s Halloween party is even better? Business outreach
or community events? We’d love to do everything, but also know that when
everything is a priority, nothing is a priority.
So, after much discussion and debate, we decided on the following priorities
for 2018, which we’d like to share with the community.
1. Community Events: One of the core missions of NOPNA is to establish
neighborhood unity and foster a sense of neighborhood pride. Nowhere do
you see this more clearly than in the Halloween Party, the Block Party, Sunday
Streets, and the Christmas party. Neighbors enjoying time with neighbors is
what it’s all about — and what we’re all about. These events require many
hours of planning, coordination, and day-of work, but we all agree the payoff is
worth it.
2. Financial Stability: Events cost money, plain and simple. We’re able to offset
the costs somewhat with NOPNA News advertising, but the past few years
have been tight. One of our core goals this year is to be financially stable while
continuing to fund the events we all love. If you own a business and want to
engage more closely on events, let us know!
3. Communication and Promotions: Find out about a meeting, decision,
or other NOPNA event too late? We know. We’re sorry — we need to get
better at communicating across all channels (NOPNA News, www.nopna.org,
Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). It’s too easy to miss out on fun
stuff and we’re committed to improving that.
4. Pedestrian Safety and Transportation: Nothing impacts daily quality of life
as much as a safe environment and good transportation. This remains a key
priority for our board.
5. Growing the Board: We need more sharp minds, helping hands, and clear
voices on the board. If you think the above first four priorities are exactly right
— great! We need your help to make them happen. Think we got it wrong? —
even better! We need diverse perspectives like yours. It’s your neighborhood;
make it what you want it to be.
Even if you don’t want to join the board, we’d love to hear from you. Send us
an email at board@nopna.org, come to a general meeting at Oasis on the third
Thursday of odd months, go on our Facebook page, or come chat with us at
the NOPNA tent at the next block party (we’re a little awkward but we’re nice).
Looking forward to seeing you around the
neighborhood this year!
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.
PUBLISHER
NOPNA Board of Directors
EDITOR
Jason Cauthen
LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Brian Donovan
BUSINESS OUTREACH/ADVERTISING
Carmen Chan
COPY EDITORS
Nathan Lovejoy
Erika Alexander
Ann Kim
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 neighbor-
hood.
Contact NOPNA
Interested in donating to NOPNA? Check
if your employer double your donation
with a matching gift! NOPNA is a
registered 501c3 organization
Jason
Cauthen is a
Board member and
editor of NOPNA
News.
North OfPanhandleNeighborhoodAssociation
issue 1 : 2018 | 3
BARVALE and EMPORIUM OPEN DOORS
(continued)
For some diners the $18 paella of shrimp, mussels, and
but we draw an extremely diverse crowd and have felt
clams is indeed an excellent deal. For others, the small
very warmly welcomed. I have tried to be very accessible
dishes of hot tapas ranging in price from $8 to $18 will
throughout the process and give anyone who asks a tour of
make for an expensive night out.
the space, even during construction.”
PHOTO CREDIT: David Martinez.
Across Divisadero even more change is afoot, finally.
I recently enjoyed an evening of vintage memories while
Anyone who’s been in the neighborhood for more than
a decade has wondered about the long vacant Harding
Theater on Divisadero and Hayes. The classic movie
palace served as a church for more than 30 years but
has sat vacant since 2004 while various controversial
redevelopment plans were proposed.
Longtime residents have often made a game of guessing
what it could become — a brew pub, fancy condos, a
haven for the performing arts?
The wait finally ended last month when Emporium opened
it doors — a bar-slash-arcade aimed at folks pining for
1980s nostalgia even if most of the patrons seemed
younger than the games themselves. From permitting
through construction, it was a two-and-a-half year journey
for co-owner and operator Danny Marks.
“So far most people I talk to and my staff talk to have
been super positive,” Marks said. “They love seeing the
Harding Theater coming alive and becoming a place of
entertainment once again. You can never please everyone
getting familiar with Emporium’s above-average beer
selection and a competent cocktail bar, pumping tokens
into some long-forgotten titles like Joust and Burger Time.
Gazing at the well-restored 1920s ceiling while trying to
remember the difference between Centipede and Millipede
made for a thoroughly enjoyable night.
The theater itself remains more or less intact, with a stage
and a large movie screen playing obscure arcade-themed
titles (the bartender couldn’t identify the one on screen
while we were there) and semi-permanent raised flooring
over where the seats used to be. For those feeling less
nostalgic, pool tables, air hockey, and skeeball offer a
screen-free evening.
We can also expect more community activities in the
coming year.
“It’s good for the neighborhood and good for business so
it’s really a win-win,” Marks says.
Jo Piazza is an award winning journalist and best selling author. She lives
with her husband Nick, son Charlie and giant dog Lady Piazza on Turk
Street.
4 | NOPNANews
UPDATE:
SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS
VISION ZERO
(continued)
The San Francisco Chronicle recently declared 2017 the
The intersection of Fell and Masonic has been historically
safest year for traffic fatalities in the city’s history1. The
dangerous for cyclists (25% of all cyclist-involved
proclamation was a step towards the city’s goal of cutting
collisions), although the last five years have shown a
traffic fatalities to zero by 2024, but just how safe are
clear improvement. The busy commercial Divisadero
NOPA’s streets and what work is there still to do?
intersections at Fell and at Hayes remain dangerous to
NOPNA recently completed an updated analysis of traffic
pedestrians (likely due to a failure of drivers to yield right
collision data made available through the Vision Zero
of way). Meanwhile, incidents on residential streets have
initiative. This data, which spans 2005–2017, provides
remained minimal despite concerns over a growing traffic
specific information about traffic incidents including
presence caused by ride sharing services, navigation
location, street conditions, time of day, and cyclist or
apps, among other factors.
pedestrian involvement.
These data point to an overall increase in safety
The data points to a decrease in traffic collisions overall,
corresponding with safety measures put in place over
particularly those involving pedestrians and cyclists.
the last five years (e.g., protected bike lanes, bulb-
When collisions have occurred (such as the fatal collision
outs, pedestrian refuges). Continued engineering and
in October of 2017), they have largely taken place in areas
education, paired with increased enforcement, will
where high volume auto traffic intersects with pedestrian
support NOPNA’s priority of making NOPA a safe and
and cyclist paths in our neighborhood (i.e., Divisadero,
welcome destination for all residents and visitors.
Masonic, and Fell/Baker and Fell/Masonic intersections).
Julian Mackie is a resident of NOPA focused on using data to improve
our neighborhood’s safety and walkability.
NOW SERVING
LUNCH AND DINNER
Open 6 am – 9:30 am
everyday
Authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes,
prepared with natural ingredients and
served with special “injera” bread
Meat and vegetarian options • Beer and wine
Cafe specialties (pastries, sandwiches, and
“one-cup-at-a-time” coffee) available all day
Great selection of Ethiopian coffee blends for sale
Wheelchair accessible • No reservations required
SAFETY BY THE NUMBERS
(continued)
VISION ZERO
issue 1 : 2018 | 5
S
N
O
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S
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F
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E
B
M
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N
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
COLLISIONS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OVER THE YEARS.
(Area bounded by Divisadero, Masonic, Fell, and Turk)
VEHICLE
BICYCLE
PEDESTRIAN
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
Shaded area: includes SFPD reported
data through Oct. 2017
Source: SF Department of Public Health
TOTAL COLLISIONS FROM 2005-2017
PRIMARY STREET
BICYCLE
PEDESTRIAN
GRAND TOTAL
MASONIC AVENUE
FELL STREET
DIVISADERO STREET
FULTON STREET
TURK STREET
OTHER
TOTAL
16 (0)
26 (5)
13 (2)
12 (1)
5 (0)
12 (0)
84 (8)
17 (1)
7 (1)
19 (2)
8 (1)
6 (0)
21 (4)
78 (9)
33 (1)
33 (6)
32 (4)
20 (2)
11 (0)
33 (4)
162 (17)
() Represent collisions from 2016-2017
Source: SF Department of Public Health
6 | NOPNANews
MEET THE BOARD
Jason Cauthen is a San Francisco native who loves
Bay to Breakers. He moved to this neighborhood
in 2011 with his wife and kids. When not working,
commuting, editing the NOPNA News or spending
time with his family, Reach out to him at jason@
Jeff Dewey and his wife, Megan, have lived in
the neighborhood since 2010. Their six-year-old
daughter is proud to be a NOPA native. Jeff has
been updating the NOPNA website and welcomes
any feedback through webstuff@nopna.org.
Charles Dupigny President of the NOPNA Board.
He has lived in the neighborhood since 2010, and
has actively been a board member for 5 years.
Charles is interested in being a community advocate,
sustaining an eclectic, diverse, and connected
community.
Leela Gill, a 20+ year resident, enjoys the
neighborhood with her two boys and husband. She
is active in NOPNA community safety and event
planning.
Tim Hickey and his wife, Leah, have lived in the
neighborhood since 2010 and can be seen with their
son, Liam, biking, and walking through the area.
Mike Leeder is the Treasurer of the NOPNA Board.
He has lived in the neighborhood since 2004 and has
two young boys. In addition, Mike is a Co-Founder
of Bytes for Bits, an after school organization
teaching grade school kids to code software.
Dera-Jill Pozner and her husband have lived around
the Panhandle since 1999, including 11 years in
the North Panhandle, where she also operates her
architecture and design firm.
JJ Strahle a past NOPNA Board President, he
and his wife met while walking their dogs in the
Panhandle. They are now raising their two children
and sending them to local public schools. JJ is
focused on government-community relations, safety,
and promoting local businesses.
Noreen Vokić is interested in neighborhood safety
and creating a community via social gatherings.
She has lived in NOPA since 2013 with her husband
Dom (NOPA resident since 2007). Noreen is a Nurse
Practitioner at Stanford Hospital.
issue 2 : 2017 | 7
8 | NOPNANews
MOJO BICYCLE CAFE GOES OUT ON A
GOOD NOTE
I sat down with Remy Nelson on the
all been positive. “I think the last
neighborhood, he wanted to be
eve of his cafe’s closure. Mojo Bicycle
year has been the most striking,”
sure to credit Mojo’s co-owner, Jane,
Cafe, which has been a popular
explained Remy. “In 2007, the idea
for bringing a new spirit into Mojo.
meeting place on Divisadero for
of more than $1.50 for a coffee was
“It’s not just me, it’s me and Jane.”
the past 10+ years, closed its doors
a lot. But the last two years, the level
Among many things, she revamped
just before Christmas 2017. While
of wealth and disposable income has
the food and beer menu to include
we talked, many neighbors and old
blown all of that out of the water.”
more local and innovative options.
friends came through to have their
last cup of coffee there.
Remy, a San Francisco native and
bike enthusiast, explained that Mojo
came about as a way to marry a
bicycle shop with a cafe/bar. But first,
he had to find the right location. “It
was before anyone came on Divis
and a great property came up. I redid
the foundation. I did everything and
I learned so many ways not to do
things, but we hung in there.”
Mojo wasn’t just a coffee and
bagel spot, it was a space for local
musicians, cyclists, and artists to play
and meet. And notably, as a way
However, all good things must come
to an end. “I get to go out on a good
note, I didn’t have to lay anyone off,
no bad feelings, the timing was more
based on my employee’s needs . . .
but, you get tired, I want to get back
to wanting to do it again.”
The neighborhood will certainly miss
Mojo. As for Remy and Jane, they are
looking forward to rest and “nothing,
so much nothing,” as well as some
time outside of their usual block on
Divisadero.
PHOTO: Co-owner of Mojo Bicycle Cafe,
Remy Nelson, pouring a farewell brew.
When asked what he would like to
see in the space, he said, “I see this
to encourage conversation, Mojo
Remy has advanced positive change.
as a tap room . . . I like the feel in
offered no WiFi or power outlets.
He treated his employees well,
here — the woodwork. I made a lot
The cafe also pioneered the “supper
offering severance pay before closing
of this stuff myself [but] we’ll see.”
club” turned “pop-up” and boasted
and he was an active participant in
Let’s hope Remy and Jane will bring
San Francisco’s first parklet. Up until
both iterations of the Divisadero
another business-with-heart back
Mojo’s final Thursday, the popular
Merchant Association. “I have pretty
to San Francisco one day. For now,
Rice, Paper, Scissors restaurant pop-
strong ties with a lot of the local
we’ll have to look elsewhere for good
up was in full swing.
businesses, Bar Crudo, Madrone,
coffee and good conversation. And
While he is excited for Divisadero’s
Black Nose.”
Remy wishes us well, saying, “This
really feels like a neighborhood that
new businesses and neighbors, Remy
And Remy didn’t do it all on his
cares.”
acknowledges that the change hasn’t
own. As well as working with the
Erika Alexander is an elementary school teacher and
has lived in NOPA since 2010.
PHOTO CREDIT: Erika Alexander /Joseph Wilinski
MOJO BICYCLE CAFE GOES OUT ON A
GOOD NOTE
issue 1 : 2018 | 9
ST. JOHN COLTRANE: A NATIVE SAN FRANCISCO
CHURCH CELEBRATES “A LOVE SUPREME”
St. John Coltrane Church’s history with
part of the African Orthodox Church.
visitors from Chicago, New York,
our neighborhood dates back to the
The church moved from Bayview
Atlanta, Germany, Brazil, France, and
70s, but it only moved into its current
to NOPA, on Divisadero where it
even Australia.
space (on Turk and Lyon) a year ago. It
remained for 31 years. While on
attracts visitors from around the world
Divisadero, two important events
How can people learn more about
and is just settling into its new home.
occurred. First, the African Orthodox
you?
church canonized John Coltrane in
1982, becoming St. John Coltrane;
and second, Franzo and Marina King
became Archbishop King and Most
Reverend Supreme Mother. The
church moved to Gough and later to
Fillmore, then in 2016 moved to its
current site on Turk and Lyon (a space
it shares with St Cyprian’s and several
other congregations).
How would you describe a St. John
Coltrane service to visitors?
We have a very diverse congregation,
which makes us somewhat unique
among African Orthodox churches.
You’ll find that service bears similarity
to Catholic, Lutheran, or other
In addition to coming to one of our
Sunday services, we have a weekly
radio program from 12–4 p.m. on
Tuesdays on 89.5 FM (KPOO), KPOO.
com, and tuneIn where we feature
the music and wisdom of St. John
Coltrane and other inspired artists.
What other kind of work does the
church do?
We have focused on social
justice. We’ve been involved with
environmental justice (in the Bayview
shipyard area), the foreclosure
movement, working with Mothers’
March Against Police Violence, and
we march in front of the Hall of Justice
every Friday 12–2 p.m. Everyone is
Pastor Wanika Stephens spent time to sit down
with me and help me understand the history of
the church.
How did the church get started?
services, but the liturgy is combined
welcome.
with music of John Coltrane. Some of
In the mid 1960s, Franzo and Marina
the prayers are sung by the choir. On
Anything you’d want to say to or
King attended two John Coltrane
the first Sunday of each month, there
ask of the neighborhood?
performances in North Beach, which
is a meditation called First Meditation
they referred to as their “sound
Communion Sunday, which is a
baptisms.” This inspired them to
guided meditation while listening
begin listening sessions of Coltrane’s
to what we call the “First Voice”
music in their Bayview living room.
(John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”).
After John Coltrane’s passing, they
Everyone is invited to come out —
incorporated the church in 1969
communion is open to everyone. We
— initially as the Yard Bird Temple,
have also been surprised to find that
and later as the One Mind Temple
our church has become a destination
Evolutionary Transitional Body of
for both domestic and international
Christ. In 1982, the church became
travellers, so we often welcome
I’d like people to know that this
church is lifting up the message of
“A Love Supreme,” which we see as
another word for God. We encourage
people to tap into that energy in any
way they know how. Our focus is on
love. To try to unite and be one. We
have dedicated ourselves to that
mission and they are welcome to join
us.
Jason Cauthen is a San Francisco native who
lives in the neighborhood with his wife and two
boys. PHOTO CREDIT: Jason Cauthen
10 | NOPNANews
NEW LIGHTS! NEW RECEPTACLES!
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Safer streets, reduced litter, improves everybody’s quality
noticed the new LED lights, the city has been installing
of life. In early 2017, NOPNA adopted two initiatives
throughout the neighborhood. Even though the new lights
to work with the city to upgrade trash receptacles, and
may make our night-time streets safer, or brighter, it will
improve lighting in the neighborhood. Since then, the
still leave areas that are not well-lit. In March, NOPNA
Department of Public Works has upgraded ten out of the
plans to survey those areas with a city engineer, so we can
sixteen older trash receptacles around the neighborhood.
ensure our neighborhood is well-lit in all areas.
The new receptacles not only look better, but also offer
These types of initiatives may seem small, but NOPNA
accommodations for recycling. NOPNA expects the
believes they can add up to a safer, and more pleasant
remaining six receptacles to be replaced by the end of
environment for everyone.
2018. NOPNA also knows that keeping areas well-lit can
be an effective crime deterrent. NOPA residents may have
Charles Dupigny is the president of the NOPNA board and focuses on
quality of life issues in our neighborhood.
NAME THAT STREET!
MICRO HISTORY
issue 1 : 2018 | 11
Want to have a San Francisco street named
after you? It helps to be a politician or
the Gold Rush. In 1855 Franklin Pierce
appointed him to be a US. Circuit Court
a general, although NOPA’s east–west
judge in California. There’s a statue of him
streets offer a few exceptions.
on McAllister near Polk Street, next to City
William Fell was a Dane who arrived in
1849 and became a merchant, accountant,
Hall. Did you know that the Golden Gate
Strait (after which the bridge and avenue
and member of the California Society of
were named) was itself named by John C.
Pioneers.
Thomas (not Rutherford) Hayes was a
county clerk from 1853 to 1856; fortunately
for him, his brother was on the committee
Fremont in 1846 after the Golden Gate
entrance to Constantinople through its
fifth-century wall? Frank Turk is credited
with bringing baseball to California.He also
that named new streets in the Western
was the Vice Alcade of San Francisco in
Addition in 1855. Robert Fulton is credited
with inventing the steamboat. He died in
1849 under John Geary, the first Alcade.
A lawyer and major land holder, he once
1815, before there was a San Francisco.
owned most of Nob Hill and a chunk of San
Matthew Hall McAllister was a Southerner
and a lawyer in San Francisco during
Mateo County.
Linda Ackerman leads free City Guides tours of
NOPA. For the next tour see http://sfcityguides.org/
current_schedule.html.
Robert Fulton by Duyckinick, Evert A.
Portrait Gallery of Eminent Men and
Women in Europe and America. New
York: Johnson, Wilson & Company,
1873. CC Public Domain.
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