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NOPNANews
nopna.org A Publication of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
Fall 2020
HOPSCOTCH
YOUR BLOCK
Brings Neighbors Safely Together in World Record Attempt
On July 18th, a creative and dedicated group of
neighbors and volunteers brought Hopscotch Your Block
A second goal was to support our neighborhood
businesses, so we set up a voucher program and had nine
to NOPA. Inspired by the chalk drawings and hopscotch
wonderful NOPA merchants participate. Each Hopscotch
courses we’d seen scattered throughout the city since
Your Block participant received a $7 voucher (on behalf of
March, we wondered if it was possible to connect our
NOPNA) to redeem at one of the following neighborhood
entire neighborhood with a single hopscotch course.
businesses: Barrel Head, Black Nose, Central Coffee,
When we learned that the world record hopscotch was
(only) four miles, the idea for Hopscotch Your Block was
born. We mapped a 4.1 mile route that wiggled through
NOPA with the goal of bringing neighbors together (while
Home Service Market, Jannah, Matching Half, McBaker
Market, Oasis Cafe, and NOPA Corner Market. (For one
family, it was the first time their kids got to buy candy - by
themselves - from a store; a huge milestone!)
keeping everyone safely apart) to try and break a world
Throughout the day, hundreds of neighbors built various
record. Whether or not we’d beat the record, we thought
sections of the course, with more than enough space
the attempt would be a fun way to build community
to social distance. Some parts of the course had unique
through a common goal and share a bit of joy during
flare: highlights include the lily pads and koi pond on
these challenging times.
McAllister Street, fun instructions mid-course to “say
(continued on page 4)
2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
COMPASSION
BETTERMENT
& UNITY
Neighbors -
Julian Mackie:
NOPNA President
Since our last newsletter was published, our community has been seemingly
turned upside down. Walking down Divisadero, witnessing our local merchants’
boarded-up windows, or observing the masked, socially distanced groups,
one inevitably feels disoriented. Our routines are also in a state of tumult -
some neighbors have taken on new roles as teachers or camp counselors,
some have lost jobs, homes, or their broader sense of security. Yet, for all
the changes to our known “normal,” we’ve witnessed countless examples
of compassion, betterment, and unity that demonstrate the enduring
characteristics of our community.
We’ve witnessed compassion through urgent and powerful outpouring
of support for one another - both door-to-door and in empathizing with
the hardships of our broader community. We’ve seen neighbors create
delivery services, launch PPE collections, and advocate for our community’s
most vulnerable.
By taking to the streets, advocating to our elected officials, and in asserting
that black lives matter, our community has demanded accountability and
betterment. NOPNA continues to reflect on the ways in which our own
organization has fallen short in the past and how, moving forward, we can
act everyday to eliminate violence and racism.
We’ve demonstrated unity through collective advocacy - for new bike lanes,
better policing, and shelter for those who lack it. In acknowledging our
current adversities and advocating for a better tomorrow, we realize that the
only way to go is together.
COVID-19 may be a global pandemic, but its effects are overwhelmingly
local. It is the local rate of infection, the local essential workers serving our
community, and our neighbors’ diligence that matter the most to what
happens next. NOPNA’s aim will always be to amplify these characteristics
in whatever way we can, whether in highlighting the stories of our incredible
small business owners, providing a platform to question our elected officials,
or in organizing safe, family-friendly events like Hopscotch Your Block. If you’re
interested in joining us, or volunteering for future events, you can sign-up at
Nopna.org, or email us at board@nopna.org.
We hope to see you all in person soon.
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 IN CHIEF
Jason Cauthen
ASSOCIATE EDITOR - COULD BE YOU!
Email jason@nopna.org if interested
LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Brenda Drake Lesch
BUSINESS OUTREACH/ADVERTISING
Carmen Chan
PHOTOGRAPHY
Joseph Wilinski
COPY EDITORS
Nathan Lovejoy
Erika Alexander
Jessica Stoneman
Lydia Horne
DISTRIBUTION
Will Valentine
PRINTING
Image Printing, San Francisco
NOPNA’s Mission: The purpose of
this association shall be to estab-
lish neighborhood unity, maintain
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural
diversity, foster a sense of neigh-
borhood pride, promote a safe and
clean community, and improve the
quality of life for all residents of
the neighborhood.
Your financial support allows NOPNA
to cover the costs of our newsletters,
community building events like our
block party and holiday party, public
art projects in the neighborhood,
and other activities that enrich our
dynamic neighborhood. It also sup-
ports this site.
Make a difference on our streets and
become a member today!
Contact NOPNA
issue 2 : 2020 | 3
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOPNA (Virtual) General Meeting [NOPNA.org]
Third Thursday of Odd Months (see NOPNA Website for Zoom details)
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Farmers Market
DMV Parking Lot - Broderick@Fell
Sundays - 10am-2pm
Stay tuned for updates on other events in 2020 - follow us on
facebook, twitter, or sign up for our mailing list at www.nopna.org.
NOPNA
NEWS IN
COVID-TIMES
We know it’s been a long time since
you last saw the NOPNA News.
During that period, we wrestled with
the decision to resume publishing,
not wanting to put any of our
dedicated neighborhood volunteers
in danger. After consulting with the
Board and some of our key delivery
people, we were reassured that we
could distribute the News in a safe
way and so have decided to resume
publication. We are fortunate that our
printer is able to accommodate this
job, and our advertisers continue to
help support us.
THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING:
• We conduct all interviews and
take photographs following social
distancing and PPE guidelines
• We provide PPE (specifically,
masks and gloves) for all delivery
volunteers to further minimize risk
of transition.
• We request all volunteers to deliver
to the doorstep or doormat only
We all have a role in keeping our
neighbors safe and the NOPNA
News team takes that responsibility
seriously. We also have a role in
cultivating the sense of connectivity
and community, particularly in these
trying times.
If you have any additional suggestions
for additional actions we may take,
please feel free to email me at
4 | NOPNANews
HOPSCOTCH YOUR BLOCK (continued from page 1)
Mitch celebrates bringing the Hopscotch World record to NOPA (awaiting
official confirmation). And neighbors collaborate to draw the course.
something that makes you happy” and “stop and wiggle”
point several kids were following him on their bikes. We
on Grove Street, and the hopscotch maze on Fell Street.
filmed him hopping the course and have submitted the
We had four safe chalk distribution areas around the
video to Guinness as evidence that we are the new world
neighborhood where we handed out 300 bags of chalk
record holders. It may take months to be reviewed (believe
(fun fact: we ordered 1,800 pieces of sidewalk chalk —
it or not - there’s a lot of people across the world applying
almost all of which was used!).
Neighbors finished approximately 85 percent of the course
on Saturday, so a team of dedicated volunteers set out to
connect the intersections and finish the un-chalked blocks
on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. We knew there
for records!), but we know we built the continuous course
and built community along the way. Until we hear back
from Guinness, we can say with certainty and pride that
NOPA holds the Unofficial World Record for the Longest
Continuous Hopscotch Course.
was a chance we’d get far enough to nearly complete it on
Thank you to everyone who participated to make this such
Saturday, but to qualify for the record, someone needed to
a special day — it was incredible to see the neighborhood
hop the full course.
work together to create this fun community project.
NOPA neighbor Mitch Miller, avid roller skater and biker,
volunteered — and on Sunday, he spent over four hours
hopping the entire route. Neighbors came out to cheer
him on along the way, some folks held signs, and at one
Meg Rahner has lived in NOPA for 10 years and currently serves on the
NOPNA board. She formerly attempted to break the world record for the
longest hopscotch course when she was 10 years old in her hometown of
Erie, PA. She and her sister only made it six blocks.
WHAT IS
VISION ZERO?
Many of us have enjoyed the reduction in automobile
traffic in our neighborhood lately. As the city reopens,
however, that sense of calm on the neighborhood streets
might fade. Did you know that, every year, about 30
people are killed while traveling on San Francisco’s streets?
200 more are seriously injured. These deaths and injuries
are preventable.
The good news is that a collaborative effort continues to
make progress toward its goal of zero traffic deaths on
San Francisco streets by 2024. Ambitious? Yes. But, as the
Vision Zero SF Action Strategy states, “traffic fatalities are
preventable” and “traffic safety interventions mitigate the
likelihood that a collision will result in death.” Many prongs
of this action strategy, and many individuals and agencies
alike, must work in harmony to get to that ambitious goal.
You, too, can play a role.
ELEMENTS OF THE CURRENT
ACTION STRATEGY INCLUDE:
• Adding Automated Speed Enforcement cameras: after
implementing these, traffic fatalities reduced by 73% and
traffic related injuries reduced by 34% in Washington, DC.
• Pricing and Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled: London
experienced a 40% drop in collisions after instituting
a congestion charge.
• Reducing Speed Limits: Boston saw a 29% decrease in
speeding episodes when reducing its citywide speed
limit from 30 to 25 mph.
• Regulating TNCs like Uber and Lyft: requiring legislation
at the state level, local authority to regulate these
networks would improve traffic flow and increase safety.
For more information about Vision Zero, visit https://www.
sfmta.com/getting-around/walk/vision-zero-sf, or better
yet, get involved in this citywide effort to “build safety and
livability into our streets” and protect all of us. Reach out to
the NOPNA Vision Zero Committee chairs (robin@nopna.org,
tim@nopna.org) to learn more about what we are doing and
join our effort.
Katherine Riley has lived within two blocks of Divisadero (in 4 different
homes) for 18 years. She can usually be found around the neighborhood
wrangling (or riding her electric cargo bike with) her two children.
issue 2 : 2020 | 5
VOLUNTEER
FOR NOPNA NEWS
NOPNA News is a volunteer-driven publication
created by and for our neighbors. If you’d like to
get involved we’d love for you to be a part of it -
whether by contributing your skills, your voice,
or your time.
There are several areas where we are
always looking for more support.
LAYOUT AND DESIGN - if you have InDesign
skills (or would like to learn), we can always use
help pulling together each issue. Our designers
are responsible for the clean, professional, and
stylish look and feel of each issue.
COPY EDITING - if you are good with words,
have an eye for detail, and like early sneak peaks
we’d love your help with the process of getting
the articles from submission to print.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR - if you are interested in
helping to identify and select articles, recruit and
engage with writers and photographers, and
learn more about the process of publication, I am
looking for someone who’s interested in helping
edit the paper.
WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY, OR DELIVERY -
we can always use more folks interested in
writing articles, taking pictures, or delivering
the news. Time commitment is minimal and very
flexible, and you will see the impact of your
work in real life.
If any of these are interesting to you, or if
you have other ideas for how you would like
to be involved, I’d love to hear from you at
6 | NOPNANews
LOCAL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
HAILE AND ABEBA OF OASIS CAFÉ
When you think of
tasty food that’s
a little bit exotic,
with unusual
flavors and has a
bite to it, there’s
no better place
to head to than
Oasis Café at
the corner of
Divisadero and
McAllister. Haile Tadesse and his wife
Abeba Gedam have welcomed customers to their
Ethiopian/Eritrean café since 2010. A member
of the Tigrinya people who hail from a territory
located along the Ethiopian/Eritrean border,
Haile opened a small store in the Oasis current
location in 2007. After three years he and his wife
decided to convert the store into a café where
they could “introduce their culture and food” to
the community. Haile and his family are locals
themselves living just a few blocks away while their
oldest son is up the street at USF.
For ten years Oasis has served as a gathering spot
in the highlands of Ethiopia which today remains
one of the world’s top producers of quality coffee.
At Oasis you can get a mix of breakfast, lunch,
and dinner options, both American and Ethiopian/
Eritrean style. Meat and many vegetarian dishes and
platters are available with the Veggie Combo, an all
vegan dish, being the most popular. Also popular
are the meat sambusas with hot sauce and chicken
tibs served with injera, the spicy bread with which
one eats the spicy dishes.
Normally Oasis employs 8 people, representing
a mix of cultures. Ranferi is from Guatemala and
is usually behind the counter to take your order
while Musa is in the kitchen preparing the dishes.
Marcellino can be seen both in the kitchen and
up at the counter. With business down between
50-70% on any given day, Haile has had to lay off
some staff though three remain. Oasis has installed
a protective shield at the counter and gloves and
masks are worn by the Oasis staff but has not yet
shifted to delivery service owing to the associated
costs. Instead, Haile would like people to order
online through OasisCafeSF.com or stop by the
café which remains open every day opening at
for neighbors as well as for the Ethiopian/Eritrean
7am. Haile and Abeba are very grateful for the
community given Haile and Abeba’s emphasis on
continuing support they continue to receive from
excellent coffee and healthy food which represents
loyal customers and
the authentic flavors of their homeland. The
Ethiopians say that arabica (coffee bean) originated
At Oasis you can get a mix
of breakfast, lunch, and dinner
options, both American and
Ethiopian/Eritrean style.
hope more people in the
community will stop by to
try their delicious food. I am
a regular customer with an
almost daily sambusa order
ready for me to go with my
Haile’s Choice coffee.
Elisabeth Kvitashvili is an East Coast Transplant who has lived
in NOPA since 2016 who has worked in Horn of Africa and loves
Ethiopian/Eritrean food
issue 2 : 2020 | 7
Help the city find and fix graffiti and litter
BE A NEIGHBORHOOD “SEMI-HERO”
One
indirect
impact
of the
pandemic
has been
an increase
in litter, graffiti, and discarded
furniture that in small ways,
erode the quality of life in our
neighborhood. Helping the city’s
Department of Public Works find
and address these nuisances is
easier than you may think.
What if you could fix
neighborhood annoyances just
by taking pictures of them?
While that superpower may remain
elusive, the city has provided the
next best thing through the 311
app. Using it may not make you
a superhero, but maybe a more
modest “semi-hero.” If you haven’t
discovered it yet, simply download
the SF311 app to your smartphone
and you can easily log everything
from graffiti, to potholes, to the
illegally discarded furniture that
sometimes litters the sidewalk.
The app makes it easy to take a
picture of the issue and tag the
location. You’ll be notified when the
problem is addressed. It’s surprisingly
effective. I’ve personally seen things
that I’ve reported on my way out of
the house in the morning be picked
up before I return home that day.
Of course, you can also call 3-1-1
to report issues or log issues on
its website (https://www.sf311.
org/), but nothing approaches the
convenience of the app if you want to
feel a bit like a superhero (or at least
a semi-hero) on your next stroll.
8 | NOPNANews
LOCAL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
CENTRAL COFFEE TEA & SPICE
For twenty-five years, Central
of the next-door laundromat. Two
Coffee Tea and Spice has been
years later, he was able to open the
a welcoming space for the eclectic
cafe we know today. Throughout
residents of NOPA. In that time,
its entire tenure, Ali has worked
Central Coffee, as it’s known to
seven days per week welcoming
locals, has become a fixture of the
residents, typically employing a
neighborhood and has cultivated
small staff of neighbors.
a consistent sense of place and
reliable community, even as the
area around it has evolved
and changed.
Though it has not been easy, Ali,
himself a NOPA resident, has kept
the shop open during the COVID-
19 pandemic. The skeleton crew
Ali Gharavi originally discovered
has risen to the challenge of social
the then empty space in 1993 after
distancing: employing gloves,
peeking through a hole in the wall
sanitizer, physical barriers, and more-
Pota Perimenis
Knows NOPA
Over 30 Years of Living and Selling Here
“Pota is a specialist in the NOPA area.
She has great customer service skills
and is easy to work with. She knew how
to get us the highest price for our home,
and she did!”
—B. Yokoyama ∙ NOPA Seller
Pota Perimenis
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Contact me to find out more about your property’s
value, information on the current real estate market, and
how to sell property safely and effectively during
shelter-in-place. 415.407.2595
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527235.
All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject
to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All
measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed
as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.
issue 2 : 2020 | 9
these measures even as
stopping by for a take-out coffee or
revenue has diminished.
snack, you can:
Additionally, Ali continues
to serve the community he
loves by delivering food
and coffee to long-time
customers who are elderly
or otherwise need to stay
strictly inside. “They didn’t
quit on me back then [when
he was getting the cafe
Buy a gift certificate (or a few) that
can be redeemed at a later date.
Call to order whole beans (Ali will
send to your address). (415) 922-2008
Central Coffee is located at the corner
of Grove and Central and is serving to
go items 7am-2pm Mon-Fri and 7:30-
started]” and now he is determined
2pm on Saturday and Sunday
to not quit on them either.
frequent hand-washing - following the
strict protocols set by the SFDPH in
order to ensure both they and their
patrons stay safe. In doing so, Ali
If you would like to support Central
has incurred the additional cost of
Coffee Tea and Spice, in addition to
Jason Cauthen started treating his kids to
Central Coffee’s “Kids Steamers” (steamed milk)
at a very early age.
It’s time to get strategic.
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10 | NOPNANews
CHARLES DUPIGNY’S PRESIDENTIAL FAREWELL
After six years as an active North
list can go on. It was anticipating
of Panhandle Neighborhood
Association(NOPNA) Board
some of these changes, that
prompted my involvement in
member, three years as a NOPNA
joining the NOPNA board six
Board President, and what feels like
years ago.
millions of meetings and emails,
I can tell you that a lot of work
goes behind almost everything
you see, or feel, in what may be
seen as a vibrant, safe, and eclectic
neighborhood which NYMagazine
dubbed San Francisco’s epicenter
of cool. (Check out: A Day Out
in Divisadero, San Francisco’s
Epicenter of Cool).
How does a
neighborhood evolve?
One may think what forms in a
neighborhood, just happens, after
Now, not all of these changes
it had occurred; Or one may think
in the neighborhood have
a city department, or an elected
been welcomed, some changes
official initiated a beneficial
have been more controversial.
change in the neighborhood, or,
Particularly, newer development,
sometimes those changes may go
demographic or diversity changes,
unnoticed or unheard.
affordability, traffic safety, and the
As President, my focus with
NOPNA has been on addressing
some of these changes. For
newer development, we wrote
As I retire from
the board, I want
to thank all the
neighbors for their
support, whether
it’s in, or outside
a board, your
work will never
go unseen.
letters to increase the affordability for
incoming development on Divisadero. In
addition, creating Land Use & Vision Zero
Subcommittees, to bring together the
voices of the community, which includes
non-board members, to come together
and shape their neighborhood. For
sustainability, we support and highlight
long time businesses, including working
with city officials to assist them in the
midst of all the changes or it’s impact.
In addition, advising merchants, to hire
locally, to reflect the diversity of our city,
an ongoing effort. For safety, we meet
monthly with SFPD, on crime prevention,
traffic, or awareness. For neighborhood
unity, awareness, and feedback, we have
our ongoing events, meetings, newsletters,
surveys, and meetups. Now, these efforts
are just a fraction of trying to sustain, and
address neighborhood issues. However,
one thing is constant, no matter the issue
or controversy, action is required.
As I retire from the board, I want to thank
all the neighbors for their support, whether
it’s in, or outside a board, your work will
never go unseen. I want to thank the
NOPNA Board, Divisadero Merchants
Association, Alamo Square Neighborhood
Association, and city officials for their
tireless contribution. As for now, my watch
is over...Farewell!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Charles Dupigny’s final term
as president ended at the end of 2019 and this note
was intended to be published soon after. Delays
getting the NOPNA News (and COVID) meant it is
only being shared now.
Email us to get involved: board@nopna.org
issue 2 : 2019 | 11
Julian Mackie
Meg Rahner
Mike Leeder
Jason Cauthen
Leela Gill
Robin Kutner
Jeremy Besmer
Carmen Chan
Jeff Dewey
MEET THE BOARD
PRESIDENT. Julian Mackie, started volunteering with
NOPNA because he wanted to give back and become more
deeply invested in the community. Julian’s interest lies in using
data to improve our community, particularly housing and
pedestrian safety. In his free time you.can catch him exploring
San Francisco or enjoying our beautiful parks.
VICE PRESIDENT. Meg Rahner has lived in San Francisco
for a decade, and has been a resident of NOPA since day
one. She joined the board in 2017 to become more actively
involved in the community. Meg was excited to spearhead
Hopscotch Your Block for NOPA this summer, while leveraging
her professional experience in public relations to bring
visibility to the event beyond the neighborhood.
TREASURER. Mike Leeder, 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.
CO-RECORDING SECRETARY. Jason Cauthen, is a San
Francisco native who loves Bay to Breakers. He moved to
this neighborhood in 2011 with his wife and is now raising
two more SF natives. When not working, editing the NOPNA
News or spending time with his family - Jason enjoys brief
excursions on his bike. Reach out to him at jason@nopna.org.
CO-RECORDING SECRETARY. 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.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. Robin Kutner, has lived
in San Francisco since 2012 and joined NOPNA to learn
more about community involvement and improvement. She
is passionate about sustainable transportation, Vision Zero
advocacy, and land use policy. When not volunteering in
various ways, you can find her riding down the Wiggle or
running in the Panhandle.
Jeremy Besmer has lived in the neighborhood since
moving to San Francisco in 2015. He is passionate about
transportation and urbanism, and he joined the board to get
more involved in advocating for street improvements to make
the neighborhood safer and more enjoyable to get around.
Carmen Chan is a San Francisco native who has lived in NOPA
for the past 9+ years. She hopes to bring her professional
experience in client management and operations as well as
her passion for local businesses to build a stronger relationship
between NOPNA and the local business-owners we all rely on.
Jeff Dewey and his wife, Megan, have lived in the
neighborhood since 2010. Their nine-year-old daughter
is proud to be a NOPA native. Jeff has been updating the
NOPNA website and welcomes any feedback at webstuff@
Tim Hickey
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.
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.
Dera-Jill Pozner
Christopher Russell is a marketing manager with experience
in industries ranging from clinical research, real estate, and
wearable technology. A lover of minimalist, abstract art, he
believes in asking great questions.
Christopher Russell
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