• NOPNANews

    nopna.org A Publication of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association

    Summer 2021

    A NOPA NEIGHBORHOOD TREASURE:

    Nebiat behind the bar again as Waziema re-opens.

    In a year full of change and uncertainty, many San

    Francisco residents longed for comfort and stability.

    As of mid-April, we welcomed back one institution

    that has served as a place to eat, drink, and gather. An

    institution that has opened its arms to musical legends like

    Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, and Tina Turner to name a few.

    Located at 543 Divisadero, Waizema is considered

    a staple of the community and a special gem of the

    Divisadero corridor. No, really: in January 2020, the

    establishment received a commendation from the Board

    of Supervisors for their service to the community.

    But, let’s start from the beginning.

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    Waziema was born as Club Morocco, a lively jazz club

    that first opened in 1959. The owners, Mr. and Mrs.

    Robinson, decorated the space in North African motifs

    in homage to the time Mr. Robinson spent stationed in

    Tunisia during World War II.

    Lovers of jazz and soul, the Robinsons made the bar a

    “must-stop” to well-known performers of the era such

    as James Brown, Chuck Berry, and Billie Holiday as they

    traveled through San Francisco. Inside, photographs of

    those lively events adorn the signature baroque velvet

    walls, marking its first iteration as a venue until it closed

    its doors in 1979.

    (continued on page 3)

    2 | NOPNANews

    FROM THE BOARD

    A NEW

    CHAPTER

    Hello Neighbors —

    As San Francisco works towards a full reopening, this feels like a new chapter

    on multiple levels. I am inspired to see how many neighbors were able to adapt

    to fill the needs of our community over the past year. We’ve come so far, and I

    am excited to witness and contribute to where we go from here.

    For those who aren’t aware, NOPNA’s former president of the past year and

    a half, Julian Mackie, has left San Francisco — at least for the time being — and

    stepped down from the board. Julian was a remarkable leader for NOPNA

    and the community-at-large. We thank him for his commitment to NOPNA, for

    providing compassionate leadership, and for rising to the challenge of keeping

    our neighborhood connected and informed during a global pandemic.

    After serving on the NOPNA board since 2017 and as vice president since

    January 2020, I am honored to take on my new role as president. It was

    also time for NOPNA to intentionally grow and diversify the board. After

    a significant recruitment effort, I am happy to share that we have seven

    enthusiastic new board members. We also welcome back board member

    Larry Griffin, a neighbor who served on the NOPNA board years ago and

    who has lived in NOPA for nearly 60 years. You may also remember him from

    NOPNA News’ “Neighbor Hero Spotlight” a couple years ago.

    We serve our community best when we bring people together. As Socrates

    said, “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the

    old, but on building the new.” NOPNA is looking forward to bringing back safe,

    in-person events and activities for the neighborhood.

    We are always looking for new and creative ideas,

    so if you’d like to get involved, please reach out to

    us at board@nopna.org.

    With gratitude,

    Meg

    Meg Rahner has lived in NOPA for 10 years and cur-

    rently 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

    jason@nopna.org

    ASSOCIATE EDITOR

    Emeline Minor

    COPY EDITORS

    Erika Alexander, Nathan Lovejoy

    Boaz Munro, Kate Roberts,

    Amber Schadewald

    LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

    Brenda Drake Lesch

    BUSINESS OUTREACH/ADVERTISING

    Emeline Minor

    sponsorships@nopna.org

    PHOTOGRAPHY

    Joseph Wilinski

    www.joewilinski.com

    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

    board@nopna.org

    www.nopna.org

    issue 2 : 2021 | 3

    (continued from page 1)

    Fast forward 20 years when

    Ethopian-born Giday Beshue and

    Nebiat Tesfazgi breathed new life

    into the bar in December 1999.

    Along with selling draft beer and

    slinging well drinks, Waziema offers

    delicious, homemade Ethiopian

    food made daily. Whether it’s the

    all-veggie platters with split lentils

    or the spiced lamb stew, every dish

    is unique, unpretentious and inviting

    — just like the bar itself. Oh, and

    don’t forget the spongy injera that

    serves as the perfect vessel for

    chowing down.

    I’d be remiss to not mention the

    “den mother” of Wazeima, who can

    be seen most days behind the bar

    with a smile (even under the mask).

    “She’s full of sass, she’s fun and

    through the years, I call her ‘momma’

    because she looks like my mother-in-

    law and doesn’t take any crap,” says

    NOPA resident Mitch Gage.

    In one of the most bustling areas

    in San Francisco, Club Waziema

    remains a place, regardless of who

    you are or where you come from,

    for the entire community.

    Gage remarks, “Compared to

    everywhere else where you have to

    make reservations or leave a Yelp

    review on this street, this place has

    a jukebox, good food and has good

    vibes. This place is unique.”

    Aimee Rancer is on the NOPNA board and

    lives in the neighborhood with her husband

    and pitbull-husky, Bolt.

    SEPARATE YET TOGETHER

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    We reconnected on safe streets. And sang music to

    soothe our souls.

    Next to planter boxes and barricades, masked and

    muffled, we made small talk on the sidewalk. And

    huddled around fire pits, welcoming the warmth.

    The year was unreal. But as time passed, we made it

    through as neighbors, together.

    We cheered as 2021 arrived. And six days later, we

    were stunned. How different can we really be, across

    the states united?

    Several neighbors enjoying distanced Happy Hour from

    their porches and windows (there are at least four neighbors

    in this picture!)

    But hope is stronger than hate. And we waited

    for our turn.

    Once vax’d, we smiled again and let optimism return.

    We lost friends. We lost neighbors. We lost family.

    Masks off they say, “what really?”

    Vicious politics and tragic stories were always in the news.

    It’s true, I was relieved to see 2020 fade away.

    At first, we were unsure. Then, we were confused.

    We would clap at 7pm. Later, howl at eight at night.

    Then days became lost. And isolated, we walked

    our city hills.

    And by June we knew our world had changed.

    But it felt too late.

    The online parties became routine and a new world

    order was born. We stood in solidarity. We organized

    on cell phones and joined for justice, together.

    We socialized from our balconies. Exchanged food

    over our fences.

    Indeed, it’s likely true. There is light ahead.

    We will emerge from darkness. We will begin to plan.

    We will move forward, connected, or disconnected.

    It is our choice.

    But there is strength in our community.

    We are helping and we are healing. We are listening

    and we are laughing. We can embrace each other.

    And #StrongerTogether has never been more powerful.

    Remember what we gained in our year of sacrifice,

    separate yet together.

    Leela Gill is married with two boys, is a NOPNA board member, and

    has been active in safety and community organizing in the neighborhood

    since 2000.

    4 | NOPNANews

    POSITIVE PANDEMIC PROSE

    FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD

    Most of us were ready to see 2020 go bye-bye, but if you looked closely between

    the cracks of that crazy year, many of us could find light behind the darkness. Light that comes in

    the form of personal growth, connecting with family, and getting to know the strangers that live

    next door. Here are just a few examples of Positive Pandemic Prose from our NOPA Neighbors.

    amuel Hamner

    S

    Todd Kurnat

    “I went on more walks

    and rediscovered the

    wonderful parks in our

    neighborhood!” — Veronica L.

    ‘We started a weekly Social Hour on the

    1500 block of Grove on Sundays and we

    all met new neighbors!’ — Jen G.

    “During the pandemic, I had the

    chance to meet and really get to

    know my neighbors. I got to know

    ‘the old man’ across the street who

    is housebound and spends much

    of his day looking out his window. I

    got to know my neighbor, the artist

    who paints murals. I got to know

    the couple that bought an old Vespa

    and needed lessons on how to ride

    it. We learned to keep an eye out

    for each other and that brought

    us closer together. For that I am

    grateful.” — David S.

    “I volunteered my time and design to

    paint murals on merchants’ boarded

    up storefronts and in new parklets with

    the intention of lifting the spirit of our

    neighborhood and beautifying our

    city.” — Todd K.

    “The pandemic allowed, or forced,

    neighbors to slow down, smell the

    roses, and share their creativity with

    each other. Some even designed

    cool street art, including these furry

    creatures around the way from an

    unknown neighbor.” — Tim S.

    “Our family loved getting out to help

    create the world’s longest hopscotch

    course. It was a fun and safe way to

    reconnect with neighbors during the

    pandemic.” — Sam H.

    “The pandemic was a meditative

    time for me: going out for long

    walks in the mornings, no matter

    the weather, no matter the mood.

    Inevitably, I would run across

    delightful chalk art on the sidewalks,

    usually the corners, done by what

    appears to be the same artist. The

    adorable, community-oriented

    bunnies, bears, butterflies, and

    other animals lifted my spirits

    Veronica L

    Veronica L.

    .

    should I be down, reminded me

    the importance of wearing a mask,

    and many times gave me a smile

    upon the one I already had from our

    neighborhood’s unique beauty and

    vibe. I found myself silently thanking

    the artist, with the hopes of

    someday meeting them, so I could

    thank them in person.” — JD J.

    “Beyond becoming more creative

    in how we operate our businesses,

    I found that we became more

    supportive, more considerate, and

    more appreciative of our community,

    neighbors, elderly, and local

    merchants. I am happy we could find

    ways to stay connected, together.”

    — Fouzia Z.

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    ‍ ‍

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    ‍ ‍

    issue 2 : 2021 | 5

    CREATING COMMUNITY

    THROUGH ART

    There’s no shortage of

    beauty in San Francisco.

    Whether it’s the iconic Victorian

    architecture the city is known for,

    ample parks and public spaces, or the

    vibrant murals and street art that line

    the streets, there is an abundance of

    creative expression in these 7x7 miles.

    David Kriozere knew how special this

    was to the fabric of the city, and saw

    an opportunity to bring awareness of

    public art to locals and tourists alike.

    In 2019, he connected with volunteers

    from Alamo Square, Divisadero, Hayes

    Valley, and Lower Haight on ways to

    amplify this city’s creativity, while at

    the same time creating community.

    Enter ArtTrail SF! This app is a

    collective and exploratory stroll

    through the neighborhoods and

    merchant corridors of the city,

    showcasing the murals, architecture,

    green spaces, iconic views, galleries,

    retail shops, live music venues, cafes,

    and award-winning restaurants that

    are abundant within our area.

    In a joint working relationship forged

    with SF Beautiful, over 18 murals have

    been brought to the neighborhood

    over the past two years. Most notably,

    a rotating panel installation can be

    found at The Painted Gentlemen

    (right next to The Painted Ladies) in

    Alamo Square that has featured art

    from locals like Orlie Kapitulnik, Mitch

    Bierer, and fnnch, who manages the

    installation area.

    Curious to see for yourself?

    Download the app for free, walk the

    neighborhood, and experience the

    creativity. Learn more at arttrailsf.org

    or follow on Instagram at @arttrailsf.

    Aimee Rancer is on the NOPNA board and lives

    in the neighborhood with her husband and pitbull-

    husky, Bolt.

    Stop by Rare Device,

    Newbill’s or Games-

    cape to pick-up this

    one-of-a-kind print.

    Sales will benefit

    ArtTrail SF and the

    Divisadero Merchants

    Association which

    will use all money

    raised to buy PPE for

    workers employed at

    small businesses on

    Divisadero Street. You

    can also order online

    at arttrailsf.org.

    6 | NOPNANews

    OUR ROAD TO NOPA

    In early 1977 I received

    a call from Rev. Wilbur

    Hamilton, Executive Director of

    the San Francisco Redevelopment

    Agency, who informed me that Mayor

    George Moscone was looking for

    someone to head the Mayor’s Office

    of Community Development and he

    thought I would be ideal for the job.

    At that time, my wife Jayne and

    I resided in Oakland, where we

    were both employed by the city—

    she as an attorney in the Oakland

    City Attorney’s Office, and

    I as a Project Director for the

    Redevelopment Agency.

    I made inquiries among my

    acquaintances in San Francisco

    community circles about the open

    position in the Mayor’s Office.

    After hearing no objections from

    “community leaders,” I notified the

    Mayor’s office of my interest in the

    position - and within a few days, I

    was scheduled for an interview with

    the Mayor. The interview went well,

    and he was particularly interested in

    my previous experience in housing

    and redevelopment issues. A few

    days later, the Mayor announced

    my appointment.

    My Bay Bridge commute, however,

    was short lived. A few days into my

    position, the Mayor informed me

    that there was something that he had

    neglected to discuss with me in our

    interview — I would need to relocate

    to San Francisco. I understood, and

    Jayne and I agreed to make the move.

    The search for housing in San

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    Carl and Jayne Williams in front

    of their Broderick Street home.

    issue 2 : 2021 | 7

    an unforeseen fashion.

    Following another disappointing day

    of viewing houses, we were returning

    to Oakland when we stopped for

    a red light at the intersection of

    Fulton and Broderick Streets. Jayne

    called my attention to an “OPEN

    HOUSE” sign and pleaded for me to

    stop and take a look. Upon entering

    the house on Broderick Street, we

    were awestruck by the original 1895

    Queen Anne Victorian’s ambience.

    The current owners had decorated

    the floors with oriental carpets and

    the walls were draped with antique

    Kimonos and fabrics. Upon closer

    inspection, the decor camouflaged

    the marred floors and cracks in the

    walls and ceilings — it was definitely

    a “fixer upper.” But, we saw potential,

    it just needed some love. Jayne

    whispered to me: “This is it…” and

    indeed it was and continues to be so.

    Our home on “Broderick Row” has

    brought us endless joy. We raised

    our two children who attended an

    exceptional neighborhood pre-school

    (Pacific Primary) which provided a

    strong foundation that helped them

    excel in high school, college, and now

    professionally.

    When asked, “What brought you

    to NOPA?” Invariably my response

    is, “We stopped for a red light at

    the intersection of Broderick and

    Fulton Street.”

    Carl Williams is an attorney and writer with a

    wide-ranging interest in African American history,

    religious and literary culture; he and his wife Jayne,

    also an attorney, are homeowners on Broderick

    Street since 1977.

    Francisco commenced. After several

    weekend searches, nothing came

    close to our expectations and budget.

    We were growing frustrated.

    Our fortunes changed, however, in

    8 | NOPNANews

    BAKE SALE ON LYON

    Ella and Rosie

    in front of

    their home.

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    After a late morning stroll

    through the Panhandle

    park on a beautiful sunny

    Saturday, I stumbled across some

    young girls selling bread from a table

    on the sidewalk. I stopped to chat but

    told her that I didn’t have my wallet on

    me. Ella, one of the young vendors,

    replied to that with “we take Venmo!”

    Ella Dittmann has been selling her

    mother’s baked goods outside their

    family home on the corner of Hayes

    and Lyon during the pandemic.

    I went home that day with a large

    loaf of focaccia, cranberry scones,

    a sample of jam, a small jar of hot

    sauce, and cinnamon rolls. Ella is

    quite the salesperson, and it doesn’t

    hurt that those baked goods sell

    themselves! Rosie Dittmann, Ella’s

    mother, has been baking since she

    was a young girl in Germany, learning

    from her mother. She moved to San

    Francisco 35 years ago and bought

    her house on the corner of Lyon and

    Hayes 30 years ago.

    Rosie Dittman showing off some of her

    delicious creations.

    issue 1 : 2021 | 9

    She loves to make dark german

    bread: that’s her favorite. Ella’s

    favorites are the vegan cinnamon

    rolls. The selection is always

    different, but if you find a favorite

    (mine’s the focaccia!), Rosie takes

    custom orders. Ella is headed to

    college in the fall, so take advantage

    of the sidewalk sale while you can.

    They set up on Thursday evenings

    around 5 pm and Saturday mornings

    around 11 am. And now the word

    is out that Rosie makes the best

    focaccia bread in the world, so get

    there early. Sometimes they sell out

    in 30 minutes! You can follow them

    on Instagram @rosedittmann.

    Michelle Petersen lives in NoPa with her

    husband, her son, and their three dogs.

    UPCOMING

    EVENTS

    NOPNA Virtual General

    Meeting

    Third Thursday of Even months

    Next meeting:

    August 29th – 7–8:30 pm

    October 21st, December 16th

    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

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    your home.

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    Pota Perimenis +

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    program for any reason at any time without liability. Compass offers no guarantee or warranty of results. Subject to additional terms

    and conditions. Individual results may vary. Testimonials are not intended to guarantee the same or similar results.

    10 | NOPNANews

    THE

    BRIDESMAID

    Short Story by Katherine McCarty

    Brooklyn’s hair fell in

    straight folds, dull and pale

    yellows, like the rare sunlight that

    flickered against the fog and the sand.

    She looked back at me, the green of

    her eyes flashing in a way similar to the

    droplets of water on the surfboard.

    I pulled my wetsuit down to my

    waist and sat. Salt rimmed my eyes

    and upper lip, and I kept her body in

    sight as she paddled out. The burn

    of the ocean, and the memory of the

    softness of her hair, sat in the corner

    of my eyes.

    Rocks, small and cascading with

    the sound of approaching feet

    behind me, fell in faint drops on the

    surrounding sand.

    “I noticed you from the parking lot,”

    Evie said, landing by my feet. Clothes,

    much too large for the frame of an

    eight year old, caught around her like

    a parachute in the breeze.

    Her thin elbows clamped beneath

    my hands as I helped her stand.

    “And I can recognize that nest of hair

    anywhere. Were you out in the water

    this morning?”

    “Yesterday I was. But look,” Evie

    said as she pulled out a cigarette from

    the elastic band of her shorts.

    “And what do you plan on doing

    with that?” I said.

    “Dunno.” It dangled as she lowered

    it. “Mom says I only try to shock

    people. You’re an individualist, like

    me, so we know better.”

    “Am I?” Snatching the cigarette

    from her fingertips, I slid it under the

    strap of my swimsuit.

    Evie’s eyes steadied on the trapped

    tobacco. Narrowing them, she turned

    to look out into the ocean. “Where’s

    your board?”

    “Brooklyn has it — watch.” Evie

    crouched beside me as Brooklyn

    planted herself on the surfboard, the

    wave beneath her.

    “You like her, don’t you?” Evie’s

    question pulled my attention from

    the ocean, her eyes lit with the

    overhanging sun.

    “You know I do.”

    Evie laughed and she twirled a

    stick on the palm of her hand. “Mrs.

    Volkova says nothing good comes

    out of marriage. Just so you know.”

    “The seamstress? I doubt that —

    it would be bad business.”

    Evie jabbed the stick into the sand.

    “At least she told me not to hurry into

    anything. Same thing.”

    I bite the smirk from my lips. “I

    stood beside my friend recently. It’s

    a beautiful moment for a couple.”

    “I guess. I don’t care much for

    most people though — but when

    that time comes, I hope I like women

    too.” Evie said, one shoulder raised in

    a slanted shrug.

    My laughter came out as a snort

    — it was all I could do from bursting.

    I lifted Evie from the sand and turned

    her towards the parking lot. “Mrs.

    Volkova’s right, don’t rush it. You’ll like

    who you like. Now go shower.”

    I could see sand matted like

    crystals in her narrow ringlets. Evie

    tossed her stick aside and climbed up

    the rocks, each step with a distracted

    certainty that reminded me of a crab

    scuttling along ridges in need for

    shelter, or food.

    Katherine McCarty is a writer, chiropractor,

    and local small business owner of The Heights

    Chiropractic House Calls. She is currently working

    on her second novel and lives by Alamo Square

    with her fiancée and an Australian Shepherd

    named Boo Radley.

    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.

    PHOTOGRAPHY, WRITING, OR

    DELIVERY — if you have InDesign

    skills (or would like to learn), we

    can always use help pulling togeth-

    er each issue. Our designers are

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    sional, and stylish look and feel of

    each issue.

    LAYOUT AND DESIGN — if you

    have InDesign skills (or would like

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    designers are responsible for the

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    and feel of each issue.

    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 get-

    ting the articles from submission to

    print.

    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

    jason@nopna.org.

    MEET THE BOARD

    We are very excited to welcome several new members to the NOPNA Board. These new

    members have each demonstrated their commitment to making our neighborhood a better

    place and bring a wide range of experience and expertise. NOPNA delivers on our mission

    to establish neighborhood unity, maintain multi-ethnic, 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.

    issue 1 : 2021 | 11

    CURRENT

    BOARD

    MEMBERS

    In their applications, new board members highlighted areas where they wanted to focus.

    Their responses ranged from beautifying our neighborhood and encouraging more art, to

    helping our merchants come back from a year of COVID, to building community in person

    or through events, to focusing on improving on inclusion and equity.

    PRESIDENT

    Meg Rahner

    Please join us in welcoming the new members of NOPNA’s board!

    Martin Almaraz

    moved into the

    neighborhood in 2020

    and is passionate about

    bicycle and pedestrian

    safety. He is an advocate

    for Vision Zero, a member

    of the SF Bike Coalition,

    and a regular to various

    NOPA coffee shops. On

    any given day, you might

    find him running in the

    Panhandle, biking around

    Ocean Beach, or taking

    pictures of the beautiful

    neighborhood Victorians

    and plum blossoms.

    Ryan Booth has called

    NOPA home since

    2015. He is passionate

    about making the

    delightful experience

    of San Francisco more

    accessible to those who

    are here now and to all

    those who want to join

    in. He is excited to be

    a part of making the

    neighborhood even

    better, with a focus on

    and commitment to

    equitable outcomes

    for all and fostering a

    culture of belonging in

    our community.

    Larry Griffin is a

    San Francisco native

    who has lived in

    the neighborhood

    for more than 50

    years. In a career

    committed to public

    service and improving

    the lives of San

    Francisco families,

    Larry has worked as

    a union organizer,

    city employee,

    and served several

    community boards

    (including NOPNA

    previously).

    TREASURER

    Em Minor has lived

    in NOPA since 2018

    and has thoroughly

    enjoyed exploring

    the neighborhood,

    from the inspiring art

    and architecture on

    virtually every block

    to the vibrant cafes

    and restaurants. You

    can find her strolling

    through the Panhandle

    in the evenings with

    her husband John,

    thankful for the

    earlier generations of

    neighborhood residents

    who preserved this

    marvelous greenspace.

    Apoorv Narang has

    lived in NOPA for a year

    and a half. As a new

    member of the board,

    he’s looking forward to

    advocating for Vision

    Zero, neighborhood art

    and beautification, and

    educating neighbors on

    what we can do to

    reduce our carbon

    footprint. On any given

    day, you can find him

    baking with Josey Baker’s

    recipes, hacking Indian

    food with American

    ingredients, or geeking

    out on his home

    automation setup.

    Aimee Rancer has

    been a passionate,

    NOPA-loving resident

    since 2017. Her

    excitement lies in

    meeting the residents

    and local businesses

    in the neighborhood,

    sharing their stories,

    and amplifying their

    work. In her free

    time, you can see her

    walking her pitbull-

    husky, Bolt, around the

    neighborhood with her

    husband.

    Shakirah Simley is a writer,

    seasoned organizer, and

    community development and

    policy strategist with over

    fifteen years of experience

    working on social justice

    and equity issues. She is the

    inaugural Director for the

    Office of Racial Equity for

    the City and County of San

    Francisco. She is a graduate of

    the University of Pennsylvania

    and a Fulbright Scholar. She

    is a former food artisan and

    forever a food justice advocate.

    A native of Harlem, New York,

    she’s worked in District 5 for 10

    years and just bought her first

    home in NOPA earlier this year.

    INTERIM

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Leela Gill

    CORRESPONDING

    SECRETARY

    Robin Kutner

    RECORDING

    SECRETARY

    Jason Cauthen

    Jeremy Besmer

    Jeff Dewey

    Tim Hickey

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