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NOPNANews
nopna.org A Publication of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
Spring 2021
In late January, after almost two months of lockdown,
San Francisco returned to purple tier, enabling the vibrant
“We found out that we were reopening the night
before, so we called the staff and just hoped they hadn’t
Divisadero corridor to reopen. Eager to get back up
found other jobs,” said Erin Williams, Manager of the
and running at increased capacity, local restaurants
pop-up Beretta. “We’re literally moving a dining room
began interpreting new safety regulations and adjusting
twice a day, so you need a lot of hands. This past year
business practices to comply with the precautions. They
has been a lot of work, but there is a heightened sense of
worked wonders, converting sidewalks into charming,
bistro-lighted venues where friends and neighbors could
pride, and it feels good to be hiring again. The neighbors
have been super great. We love our happy hour regulars!”
safely socialize.
(continued on page 3)
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2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
SIGNS OF
SPRING
Neighbors —
Last March, it was difficult to imagine what the year ahead would bring.
While everyone faced challenges at different scales, our local community
pulled together. We bought groceries for at-risk neighbors, supported local
businesses when times got tough, and grieved together upon the loss of
beloved community members. We remember and honor those who have
passed including SF Skate Club co-founder Thuy Nguyen, who positively
impacted and shaped the lives of hundreds of local children; long-time friend
and neighbor Robbie Socks, who famously hosted the “Baby Disco Party” with
his family in their garage on Grove Street at NOPNA’s annual Halloween event;
and most recently, Jim Grossman, who served as vice president of NOPA’s
neighboring Anza Vista Neighborhood Association for over ten years.
We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful, vibrant neighborhood with
equally wonderful neighbors. In fact, it is the community that makes this
neighborhood special. There are myriad generous neighbors who offer
their personal time, or even their possessions, on Facebook groups like Buy
Nothing NOPA (see the article later in this issue). We also have many inspiring
community members like Julie Nicholson, who made a miraculous recovery
after she was hit and severely injured last year in a traffic collision, while she
was on a run in the Panhandle. To mark the anniversary of her collision and
draw attention to the reality of traffic violence and unsafe streets in San
Francisco, she ran a half marathon on March 14. Neighbors poured out in
support, holding signs to cheer her on, and running with her (at a distance).
NOPNA is committed to establishing neighborhood unity, creating safe
streets, improving the quality of life for all residents of the neighborhood, and
welcoming new neighbors. We are always looking for more volunteers. If you’re
interested in creating safer streets with our Vision Zero subcommittee, joining
our Land Use subcommittee, writing an article for this newsletter, volunteering
for future events, or even joining our Board, please reach
out to board@nopna.org. We also hope to see you
at our next virtual neighborhood meeting on April 15
(sign up at www.nopna.org to receive registration info).
Stay safe, be well, take care of one another,
and keep the kindness flowing.
Meg Rahner has lived in NOPA for 10 years and
currently serves as vice president on the NOPNA board.
Meg Rahner:
NOPNA Vice President
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
Emeline Minor
COPY EDITORS
Nathan Lovejoy
Boaz Munro
Kate Roberts
LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Brenda Drake Lesch
BUSINESS OUTREACH/ADVERTISING
Emeline Minor
PHOTOGRAPHY
Joseph Wilinski
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 neighbor-
hood, and other activities that enrich
our dynamic neighborhood.
It also supports this site.
Make a difference on our streets and
become a member today!
Contact NOPNA
issue 1 : 2021 | 3
(continued from page 1)
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To celebrate the occasion, the Divisadero Merchants
prior week. During the event, it became clear to Anisa
Association (DMA) kicked off Valentine’s Day weekend with
that people were participating for more than just a box
a community event to support small businesses. The DMA
of chocolates. Many had been looking for ways to show
gifted heart-shaped boxes of chocolate to patrons who
support for small businesses, and the event was the
could present three receipts dated between February 8th
perfect way to reinforce their efforts. It also became a
and 13th from stores or restaurants on Divisadero Street.
friendly competition. “People would have one receipt from
Bright and early on the day of the event, Anisa
when they went grocery shopping and then want to buy
Alazraiea, Interim President of the DMA, set up a booth
two more items to finish the game,” said Alazraiea.
on the corner of Grove and Divisadero. “We had a pink
The DMA considered the event to be a great success.
table, heart-shaped decorations everywhere, boxes of
Businesses saw an increase in shoppers, shoppers received
chocolate, Valentine’s Day balloons, and upbeat music.”
a Valentine’s Day treat, and the DMA was able to remind
With everyone practicing social distancing, she knew it
the community they are advocates for the merchants and
was going to take an extra special spectacle to encourage
small businesses along the vibrant Divisadero corridor.
passersby to inquire about the event.
Anisa hopes this is the first of many events hosted by the
People strolling by were eager to learn more when
DMA this year.
they saw the spirited booth. A few had seen the DMA’s
event flyers around the neighborhood throughout the
Brigid Rigali moved to NOPA last year and enjoys spending time running
and playing basketball in the panhandle.
4 | NOPNANews
HOW’D WE VOTE?
San Francisco is a leader
in issues like social reform and
housing. We’ve heard this before
but does our voting record validate
this statement? How do North
Panhandlers compare to others in
this city? Well, you may or may not
be surprised, but we’re among the
most progressive neighborhoods in
San Francisco.
For state propositions, this
neighborhood generally voted
more progressively than the rest of
San Francisco voters by a margin of
around 10% — and San Franciscan
voters are consistently more
progressive than California voters.
The same is seen in city propositions,
with NOPA voting about 10% more in
favor than the rest of the city.
We’re also a very active voting
group. Sixty-five hundred NOPA
residents — 89% of registered voters
— participated in the November 3rd
election. Of these, 8% turned out on
Election Day and 92% voted by mail,
including those who submitted their
mail-in ballots to the voting stations
on Election Day.
You may not be surprised to
learn that NOPA residents voted
overwhelmingly for Biden/Harris
(as did San Francisco and California
voters). There are also a number
of propositions for which NOPA
residents voted more than 80%
in favor—such as Prop 17 which
restored the right to vote of those
on parole for a felony. NOPA voted
in the same direction as San
Francisco on each proposition,
but broke with California voters
on issues like Prop 22 (app-based
drivers) and Prop 25 (cash bail).
If you’d like to learn more, the
San Francisco Department of
Elections has posted detailed
results for the November 3rd 2020
election at https://sfelections.sfgov.
org/november-3-2020-election-
results-summary.
SAMPLE OF NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION RESULTS
Source: San Francisco Department of Elections.
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100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
Prop 17
Prop 18
Prop 22
Prop 25
Prop A
Prop E
NOPA
SF
CA
WHAT WE VOTED ON
• Prop 17 — Restore the right to vote to people convicted of felonies who are on parole (PASSED)
• Prop 18 — Allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries and special elections (DEFEATED)
• Prop 22 — Consider app-based drivers to be independent contractors (PASSED)
• Prop 25 — Replace cash bail with risk assessments (DEFEATED)
• Prop A — Fund health and homelessness, parks, and streets (PASSED)
• Prop E — Remove minimum police staffing requirements (PASSED)
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.
issue 1 : 2021 | 5
LOCAL BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY AND A HAIRCUT—
STEWART’S STYLE-O-RAMA
business (Texarkana had recently
gone dry). In the fifties and sixties,
Stewart attended Brett Harte
Elementary, Franklin Junior High,
Galileo High School, City College,
and finally Moler College where
he graduated in 1962. In 1964, he
opened a barber shop on Haight
and served clients including Jimi
Hendrix and Joan Baez. After being
refused membership by the racist
policies of the all-white barber’s
union, he established an independent
business. He then went on on to
run what he believes was the “first
integrated barber shop” in the country
when he hired a white employee.
When Stewart’s landlord raised
his rent in 1975, he bought his
current location on Hayes at Ashbury.
There he battled city regulators to
install a pool table in his shop until
Supervisor Harvey Milk interceded in
Stewart’s favor. Since the seventies,
the demographics of the clientele
have shifted with the surrounding
neighborhood. Stewart is proud to
have a diverse set of clients that “look
like America,” the oldest of whom,
Mr. Wilson, is over 100 years old.
While he has taken the COVID
closures in stride — the shop has
been hit just as many businesses
have — Style-O-Rama is now open
for business and keeps things safe by
limiting it to one customer at a time
(there’s no indoor waiting space) and
by following all of the mask and glove
protocols. So if you are getting tired
of your COVID-shag look, grab your
mask and pay Norman a visit. He’ll
get you looking sharp again.
Stewart’s Style-O-Rama is open
from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tuesday–
Saturday at 1918 Hayes and takes
walk-ins. If you want to call to see
if he’s busy, you can reach him at
(415) 666-0203.
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There aren’t many
businesses that last ten
years in San Francisco, let
alone twenty. But, if you’ve
been fortunate enough to have your
hair cut by Norman Stewart, you have
experienced a sole proprietor who’s
successfully run a business in San
Francisco for more than a half
a century.
Stewart’s Style-O-Rama is an
unpretentious barbershop in the
classic style. There are stacks of
magazines to flip through while you
wait, the TV is tuned to news or
sports, and Stewart is always happy
to share his thoughts and wisdom on
whatever you’d like to chat about that
day while he expertly cuts your hair
to your specifications.
Stewart was born in Texarkana,
Texas where his parents ran a grocery
store. As a young boy, he moved with
his family to San Francisco, where the
prospects were better in the grocery
Jason Cauthen edits the NOPNA News and likes eating lunch in the Panhandle. If you see him looking sharp, he’s probably made a recent trip to Style-O-Rama.
6 | NOPNANews
GEMS IN OUR MIDST
In my last article “Silent
and Stately They Stand,”
I introduced readers to a few of
the Queen Anne Victorian beauties
of our neighborhood (like the
one that houses Bob’s Donuts
on Baker and Fulton). In this edition
of NOPNA News, I cover some
more local gems that exhibit
earlier styles, including Italianate
and Stick.
Italianate has three sub-
styles: Flat Front, Slant-Bay,
and Freestanding Villa. In our
neighborhood, the oldest Italianate
style, the Flat Front, can be seen
on the 800 block of Central (mid-
block, west side). Rectangular,
it has the flat front and a false
front above the roof. Other traits
are the simple window hoods
and the top cornice held up by
multiple brackets.
Although I found no
Freestanding Italianate Villas,
there are scores of Slant-Bays.
The definitive feature, rounded
or flat bay windows, was created
to increase square footage as lots
became smaller. Classical columns
frame the door and rounded, bulky
cornices extend above the front
door, with even bulkier cornices
above the roof line. One authority,
Judith Lynch, who surveyed the
Victorians in our city in 1973,
said that only 1,900 Slant Bays
are still standing.
On the north side of the 1800
block of Golden Gate, you will find
twin examples of Slant-Bays. Note
the stunning rounded windows.
Turn around and admire the grand
Italianate-style apartment building
For those readers who didn’t
see the last issue, here is a short
guide to Victorian styles and
build dates.
Gothic Revival: 1830 –1860
Italianate: 1850–1890;
Second Empire: 1852–1870;
Stick: 1870–1900;
Queen Anne: 1875–1905
(though many were built outside
these years as well)
Italianate home (top photo) alongside neighboring twin Slant-Bays on the north side
of Golden Gate (middle and lower photos)
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issue 1 : 2021 | 7
BUY NOTHING.
GIVE FREELY.
SHARE CREATIVELY.
• Beeswax
• A microwave (received)
• A microwave (gifted)
• Maternity clothing
• Baby clothing
• Bureau
• Armchair
• Hair color kits
• Rugs
• A 6.5’ tall faux ficus tree
These are just the first ten things that come to mind when
I try to recall the many, many gifts I’ve received and given through our
local Buy Nothing group. In fact, the Buy Nothing groups are essentially
the only reason I’m still on Facebook. Honestly, even the posts which
don’t benefit me directly often bring me joy, whether it’s from seeing
objects get reused or recycled, or from the wit and humor many posters
use to hawk their wares. If you use Facebook but haven’t joined our local
Buy Nothing group, I highly recommend you give it a try. Maintained
by local moderators and guided by the principles of the Buy Nothing
movement, it is a bright little beacon and a happy reminder of what true
community feels like even in these tense times.
From its roots on Bainbridge Island in Washington, where it was
founded by two friends as an experiment, the Buy Nothing Project has
spread to 30 nations worldwide. “Buy Nothing Project rules are simple:
Post anything you’d like to give away, lend, or share amongst neighbors.
Ask for anything you’d like to receive for free or borrow. Keep it legal.
No hate speech. No buying or selling, no trades or bartering, we’re
strictly a gift economy.” (www.buynothingproject.org)
If the project interests you, find us at Buy Nothing NOPA on Facebook
and begin your own journey of giving freely and sharing creatively.
Buy Nothing is also planning to launch an app in May, and community
members can join the waitlist at www.buynothing.live.
across the street on the corner of
Golden Gate and Broderick (facing
north). Recently it was painted stained
glass cobalt blue and embellished
with gilded ornamentation.
Starting in the 1880s our city
saw the construction of hundreds of
Stick houses. That Victorian type is
defined by straight lines, squared-
off bay windows, repetitive small
decorative trim, and a gabled roof
that often has a false front rising
above. During this period, steam-
powered machinery made affordable
mass-produced ornamental millwork,
and catalogs were available for
homeowners to choose decorative
pieces. Lynch counted 3,600 in her
survey of the city.
One stately blue Stick among
a row of ten on the 1900 block of
Golden Gate (mid-block, north
side) was restored in 2015. Owner
Purvi Sahu said it took over a year
and involved gilded rosettes and
leaves, as well as five angels on the
cartouche representing her family
members. Another beautiful Stick
is at Baker and McAllister, housing
Matching Half on the first floor, and
featuring stained glass windows at
the corner door.
If these articles have piqued
your interest, find more information
online. Start with The Victorian
Alliance of San Francisco (https://
www.victorianalliance.org). Six
virtual tours of numerous houses
are waiting for you to watch for free.
Once restrictions are lifted, in-person
tours of the Victorians will allow us
to visit some of these beauties in
our midst, these silent and stately
jewels. Additionally, to see more
of Judith Lynch’s research, go to
Myrtis Mixon is a long-time NOPA resident with a
passion for our glorious local architecture.
Katherine Riley has been living within a block or two of Divisadero since 2002.
Just one example of the eclectic items on offer from the Buy Nothing community.
8 | NOPNANews
BLACK LIGHT by INK DWELL
Black Light, a new mural on
Grove Street between Lyon and
Central, highlights three San Francisco
species: the Brewer’s Blackbird, the
black rose succulent, and the pipevine
swallowtail butterfly. The mural is
on the side of an all black Victorian,
exploring the dynamic relationship
between darkness and light.
Black Light is the latest mural from
the art studio Ink Dwell, founded
by artist Jane Kim and writer Thayer
Walker (www.inkdwell.com). In
describing the dynamic of the NOPA
mural, the Ink Dwell Studio team
states, “[i]n nature, the color black
interacts with the environment in
diverse and magnificent ways. When
light hits a Brewer’s Blackbird at
certain angles, the black pigmented
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issue 1 : 2021 | 9
feathers reflect an iridescent glow, revealing a rainbow of visible
light. Pipevine swallowtail butterflies flash hues of deep blue
when the black wings interact with sunlight. And, much like
melanin protects humans from sunburn, the petals of the black
rose succulent turn black when exposed to harsh sunlight. In a
lack of sunlight, they turn green.”
Ink Dwell’s objective is to make art that inspires people
to love and protect the natural world. In fact, Jane Kim has
spent her life painting nature. Perhaps her largest and most
recognizable project, especially to us San Franciscans, is the
Migrating Mural, featuring the monarch butterfly, the largest of
which calls downtown San Francisco home. The massive mural,
which covers two sides of an 11-story building at O’Farrell and
Hyde, is an SF must-see.
In our own neighborhood, Black Light spans three stories
on the side of 1641 Grove Street. It was completed in February
2021 in latex paint. Swing by and take a look — we are so
excited to have an Ink Dwell original here!
Michelle Petersen lives in NoPa with her husband, her son, and her 3 dogs.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
NOPNA (Virtual) General Meeting
Next meeting: April 15th – 7–8:30 pm
Third Thursday of Even months
(June 17th; August 19th; October 21st)
Sign up for our email list and get all the
details and updates at www.nopna.org.
Or follow us on facebook, Instagram,
or twitter!
Farmers Market
DMV Parking Lot – Broderick@Fell
Sundays – 10am–2pm
10 | NOPNANews
THE BRIDE
Ms. Volkova placed the laced sleeve
across her knee, its floral lattice sown in
delicate patterns over the nude mesh. A bride’s
business is her own — Ms. Volkova does not wonder
at it, unless the fabric tells her otherwise.
Since the fitting, the sun had lowered into a pocket
of fog, its subtle hues fading further to grey. Ms.
Volkova brought the needle to her lips, folding
the fabric at the apex of the shoulders. Her hair —
straight and dark, like her gaze — brushed across her
cheek as she leaned over the dress
As she hooked the needle into the fabric, the bulb
of her working lamp went out. Ms. Volkova frowned,
and the lace snagged. She was reminded of the
hesitation the bride had when entering her shop —
her silhouette had blocked the light even then.
Ms. Volkova set the dress down as she searched
for a new bulb.
Light dispersed back over Ms. Volkova’s table, yet
darkness remained in the shadows of the dress folds.
Short Story by Katherine McCarty
Pinching a razor between her knuckles, she opened
the seam of the shoulder.
“The tulle will settle, you see?” Ms. Volkova
remembered saying, as she took the dress out of
the bag for the fitting.
“Funny, isn’t it? Seems to be the nature of the
dress. You would hope otherwise.” The bride’s
musing had a sweet and distant chime to it.
Ms. Volkova’s reply was sharp. “No, observe.
ou peel back its layers, and it will fill out again.”
The bride responded with a modest hum, and
reached out to touch the coarse underskirt.
As the fabric fell open in Ms. Volkova’s working
hands, she was reminded of the odd exchange, and
reflected on the young woman’s shallow-set eyes.
The quick distraction led to a sharp prick on her
finger — from a pin. She brought her finger against
her tongue, and the taste of iron startled her.
A small drop of blood seeped into the white
webbing of the lace. Ms. Volkova’s eyes darkened
“The tulle
will settle,
you see?”
Ms. Volkova
remembered
saying, as
she took the
dress out of
the bag for
the fitting.
as she looked from the stained fabric
to the door of her shop where she
last saw the bride. The woman had
stopped at the threshold, looking
out onto the street before she left.
Her shadow fell from her like a dark
train as she bowed her head from
the descending sun.
Unease settled in Ms. Volkova’s
stomach even then, as it did now.
Like the shadow of the bride had
never left— tethered to the thread
of the dress.
The stain would be removed
from the dress — it was all that
Ms. Volkova had the power to do.
Cutting the lace, she walked to the
door of her shop. Fog filled her
nostrils as she stepped onto the
street, its grey lightness veiling the
dusk as if a temperate lace draped
the approaching night.
The blood-stained piece of
fabric dangled between her fingers,
flapping its fate in the same dense
breeze that brought a chill to Ms.
Volkova’s flushed cheeks.
Email us to get involved:
MEET THE BOARD
issue 1 : 2021 | 11
PRESIDENT.
Julian Mackie started
volunteering with NOPNA
because he wanted to give
back to, 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 moved to
San Francisco from Erie,
Pennsylvania in 2010 and
has resided in NOPA ever
since. She joined the NOPNA
board in 2017 to become
more actively involved in the
neighborhood. She enjoys
planning fun neighborhood
events — including
Hopscotch Your Block last
year — and looks forward
to the next opportunity
for NOPNA to host a safe
neighborhood gathering.
TREASURER.
Mike Leeder has lived in
the neighborhood since
2004, and has been
NOPNA’s Treasurer for
five years. When he’s
not sheltering-in-place,
you’ll find Mike delivering
the NOPNA newsletter,
picking up garbage on
his block, or visiting his
neighborhood haunts
including Central Coffee,
Faletti’s, Bob’s Donuts,
and NOPA Restaurant.
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
kids. 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
CO-RECORDING
SECRETARY.
Leela Gill a 20+ year
resident, is grateful to live
in a city that took COVID-19
seriously and has survived
the pandemic by socializing
— at a distance — with her
neighborhood friends and
taking long walks to the
Panhandle, USF, and the
park with her family.
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.
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.
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@
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