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NOPNANews
nopna.org A Publication of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association
Spring 2026
What’s
What’s
Next
Next
for the Oak and
Divisadero Corner?
by Andrea Gremer
If you live near the Panhandle, you’ve likely taken
in the scenery while waiting at the stop light at Oak and
owner as an art studio. The site formerly housing Kelly-
Moore Paints was sold to 2595 Mission Street LLC in 2019.
Divisadero. Many iterations of storefronts have come and
Kelly-Moore continued to rent the space from 2595
gone on all four corners: the infamous Touchless Car Wash,
Mission Street LLC until going out of business in January
the Vinyl Wine Bar, the old Kelly-Moore Paints, and the
2024. Most recently, a Lot Line Adjustment application —
former Chase branch now housing Modern Animal.
a formal request to alter property lines — was filed with
The city recently approved an eight-story apartment
the planning department as well as a request to combine
complex that will transform the car wash site into 203
homes. The old Vinyl storefront, which is part of a 15-unit
multi-family mixed-use property, is currently in use by the
the 360 Divisadero lot with the 364 Divisadero lot.
Both items were approved in October 2025.
(continued on page 3)
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2 | NOPNANews
FROM THE BOARD
Hi NOPA,
A few months into 2026, we have a lot to be
excited about in our neighborhood and city, while
also continuing to live through concerning and
uncertain times more broadly. NOPNA exists in
order to establish neighborhood unity, maintain
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity, foster
a sense of neighborhood pride, promote a safe and clean community,
and improve the quality of life for all residents of the neighborhood.
Ryan Booth
NOPNA President
The NOPNA board held our annual planning meeting in January to set
priorities and plan for 2026. These are some of the things we’re focusing on:
Community Engagement: We’re making an effort this year to grow NOPNA
involvement. Please sign up for our mailing list (NOPNA.org/sign-up), follow
us on Instagram and tag us in your local posts (@nopna_org), come to our
community meetings, join us as a volunteer (NOPNA.org/get-involved), and
share this information with your neighbors.
Community Events: In addition to our annual summer and Halloween block
parties, we’ve started hosting more regular, casual gatherings: Fourth Friday
happy hours (every fourth Friday of the month), a run club (every first Monday),
a Littles and Parents meetup (every first Saturday), and neighborhood cleanups
(every fourth Saturday). We’re thrilled at how many neighbors are joining us and
invite you to do the same if you haven’t yet. Beyond NOPNA’s direct efforts, we
love seeing others in the community putting on events of their own — bread,
coffee, art, music, and more.
Fundraising: NOPNA is volunteer-powered. We rely on local advertisers to
print our newsletter and donations or grants for everything we do. We could
use any help you are able to offer, both in terms of fundraising expertise and via
donations to make our work possible (nopna.org/donate).
Community Improvement: In the past year, NOPNA led efforts to: plant
numerous trees throughout the neighborhood, create several blocks of
new sidewalk gardens, organize a mural painting, improve street safety by
daylighting intersections, plant on the Divisadero Street median, and host
neighborhood clean-up days regularly. We’re excited for more this year.
Unity: All of these efforts contribute to a safe, walkable neighborhood where
everyone is welcome to participate. Together we can enjoy the best of times and
also find comfort during trying times. NOPNA will continue to offer resources
like Know Your Rights trainings, emergency preparedness, and community
services information.
I’ve been in the neighborhood for 11 years and am more excited than
ever to be here. I’m grateful for the incredible NOPNA Board of Directors,
all of our volunteers and supporters, the amazing shops and
restaurants, and such engaged neighbors. I look forward to
another year of what we can do together!
Ryan Booth has called NOPA home since 2015. He loves
working with the community on projects that beautify and
enhance the pedestrian experience.
Sign up for our
email newsletter!
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, and
Divisadero and Fell Streets.
PUBLISHER
NOPNA Board of Directors
MANAGING EDITOR
Maria Diploudis
COPY EDITORS
Meg Rahner, Nathan Lovejoy,
Robin Kutner, and Tim Hickey
LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Brenda Drake Lesch
BUSINESS OUTREACH / ADVERTISING
Caitlin Stanton
DISTRIBUTION
Will Valentine
PRINTING
Image Printing, San Francisco
2026 NOPNA BOARD
PRESIDENT Ryan Booth
VICE PRESIDENT Anna Selina
TREASURER Caitlin Stanton
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Meg Rahner
RECORDING SECRETARIES
Leela Gill
ADDITIONAL BOARD MEMBERS
Martin Aetzad, Sarah Bashford, Jeremy
Besmer, Jason Cauthen, Sarah Cortez, Maria
Diploudis, Tim Hickey, Amanda Eaken,
Robin Kutner, Shakirah Simley
NOPNA is a non-profit organization
of neighbors who care about the
community, our city, and our world.
Our mission is 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.
Your financial support (Venmo
@nopnatreasurer) 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.
Make a difference on our streets
and become a member today!
Contact NOPNA
issue 1 : 2026 | 3
(continued from page 1)
What’s Next for the Oak and Divisadero Corner?
2595 Mission Street LLC initially
which is designed to promote the
the second story apartment was
filed to do business in the state of
mixed-use character of the corridor
walled off by Kelly-Moore after
California in 2001 and appears to
and surrounding neighborhoods.
they bought the space. Presumably,
own or be affiliated with several
Neighborhood-serving businesses
the new tenants will be responsible
properties around the city, including
are strongly encouraged to fill such
for improvements to either floor.
595 Mission Street. If a ground-floor,
spaces. Potential formula retailers
Any such improvements could
street-facing commercial space is
(defined as having 11 or more
make for a significant capital
vacant for more than 182 days in a
locations worldwide with standard
investment, but given the potential
calendar year, it can trigger a tax
signage) who are interested in the
influx of neighbors who will move
liability under the City’s Commercial
storefront would have to obtain a
in across the street at the former
Vacancy Tax law, making January the
Conditional Use Authorization from
car wash site, it could be a
perfect time to start searching for a
the city’s planning commission.
worthwhile investment.
new tenant.
Per NCT zoning laws, the second
The former Kelly Moore paint
story may be used for certain retail
store is zoned as part of the
or professional services, although
Divisadero Street Neighborhood
the space currently appears to be
Commercial Transit (NCT) District,
residential. Local legend has it that
Andrea Gremer is a Bay Area native who has
lived in NOPA for the last ten years. As an
avid but slow runner, you may see her plod-
ding around the neighborhood in the early
mornings.
4 | NOPNANews
THE PANHANDLE PACKS
A LOT OF HISTORY
by Marta Lindsey
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For years, I had no idea that the
Panhandle is part of Golden Gate
Park. But it’s true: the Panhandle
was part of the legislation creating
the park in 1870. At the time, the
Panhandle was designated as
“The Avenue” to serve as a grand
driveway for the park. “The Avenue”
became much more than that over
the years.
Here are five fascinating things
about the Panhandle’s history:
1. The Panhandle was the first
place in Golden Gate Park
where trees were planted, so
it is home to some of the park’s
oldest trees. Many of the Monterey
cypress, Monterey pine, and blue gum
eucalyptus are likely approaching 150
or more years old.
2. In 1899, Mayor James Phelan
proposed extending the Panhandle
all the way to Civic Center. The idea
got a surprising amount of traction,
and it became a part of a plan adopted
by the Board of Supervisors in 1905.
After the 1906 earthquake, the plan
was scaled back and the Panhandle
extension idea faded away.
3. President Theodore Roosevelt
visited the Panhandle in 1904 to
dedicate the William McKinley
Memorial, which still stands at
the eastern edge of the park.
After McKinley was
assassinated in 1901,
Roosevelt succeeded
him as President.
Roosevelt’s trip to
California included —
very importantly — a
trip to Yosemite with
John Muir. This trip
influenced Roosevelt’s
rapid expansion of
our national parks and
monuments.
4. We could have
lost the Panhandle
entirely in the 1950s
and 1960s to a
proposed eight-lane
Panhandle Freeway.
After an eight-year
The Panhandle was designated
as “The Avenue” to serve as a grand
driveway for the park.
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battle, the Board of Supervisors —
by just one vote — finally killed the
proposal in 1966. You’ll find benches,
a plaque, and a circle of trees in the
Panhandle dedicated to activist Sue
Bierman, who led the fight against this
disastrous idea.
5. The Panhandle hosted
defining moments of the 1960s
counterculture movement. In 1966,
hundreds gathered at the Panhandle
for a “Love Pageant Rally” with
performances by the Grateful Dead,
plus Big Brother and the Holding
Company featuring Janis Joplin. On
June 25, 1967, Jimi Hendrix kicked off
the Summer of Love with a free concert
on the north side of the Panhandle
near Ashbury Street.
Marta Lindsey lives a block from the Panhandle and is the author of a new book on
Golden Gate Park. Discovering Golden Gate Park: A Local’s Guide. Learn more at
issue 1 : 2026 | 5
NOPNA NEWS
VOLUNTEER
OPPORTUNITIES
NOPNA News is a volunteer-
driven publication created by
and for our neighbors. If you’d
like to get involved and be a part
of its creation, join us — we’d
love any contribution of your
skills, voice, or time.
There are several areas where
we are always looking for more
support:
PHOTOGRAPHY: Do you
have a great eye and a decent
camera? Volunteer to capture
the beauty and humanity of our
neighborhood in photographs.
DELIVERY: If you want 30–45
minutes of exercise every three
months, become a deliverer and
help these 4,000 issues find their
way into your neighbors’ hands!
WRITING: We’re always looking
for folks interested in writing
content. You can pick a topic or,
if you prefer, we can assign you a
story.
COPY-EDITING: Did you find any
errors in this issue? Would you
like to have input on the tone or
content of the next issue? Reach
out, we want to hear from you!
If any of these roles interest
you, or if you have other ideas
for ways to contribute,
we’d love to hear from you at
6 | NOPNANews
PACIFIC PRIMARY’S
ANNUAL PEACE PARADE by Mark Watson
The parade kicked off at 10am
on a sunny Friday in January.
About 150 preschoolers marched
down the middle of Grove Street with
handmade signs, singing “This Little
Light of Mine.” A police motorcycle led
the way. Teachers with megaphones
called out the songs. Parents and high
school students joined in.
Pacific Primary has held its annual
Peace Parade the Friday before
Martin Luther King Jr. Day for nearly
30 years. The school was founded in
1974 and sits at the corner of Grove
and Baker, where it runs two campuses
across the street from each other:
issue 1 : 2026 | 7
the Yellow and Orange Sun Schools.
The parade started as a way to teach
young children about Dr. King’s legacy.
Throughout the year, teachers talk with
kids about peace, love, and friendship.
The parade is where those lessons
go public.
The route covered six blocks
and took about 30 minutes: east on
Grove, south on Broderick, west on
Hayes, north on Lyon, and back to the
schoolyard. The kids sang “Happy
Birthday, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
as they walked.
I spent most of the parade walking
against the flow, hoping to interview
some young sources. “What does
peace mean?” Most students I asked
would consider the question and
then shyly retreat behind a parent.
Two answered my query. One word
between them: “Sharing.”
I asked a school administrator the
same question. They thought for
a moment. “Peace means that you
feel safe and nurtured in the place
that you consider home,” they said.
“Where you are from or where you
live. Safe and nurtured. That’s it.”
The mood was cheerful. When
I reached the end of the parade
route, I turned around, joined the tail
end, and sang along with everyone
until they filed into the schoolyard.
It was a beautiful morning. Same
time next year. See you there?
Mark Watson met his wife in NOPA. They’re
back, raising a toddler.
8 | NOPNANews
BUILDING BUSINESS THROUGH
CARE AND CONNECTION
by James H. Bae
It felt good moving into our
new NOPA dental office after
two long years of construction.
It didn’t take long for our business
neighbors to stop by with a friendly
“hello” and a smile. All of us here
at the office felt welcome and safe,
which reassured me that moving
to Oak and Divisadero was the right
decision.
What happened over the next
few months I could not have
imagined. We were getting a record
number of new patients without
much advertising, even without
a sign outside.
And most of them were from the
area or nearby residents. The same
positive feedback I heard focused on
how modern and clean our new space
was, along with our staff’s positive
attitude and care for them.
In every thriving neighborhood
business district, I believe there’s a
shared thread that binds success: care.
Care for our storefronts, our streets,
our neighbors, and the customers who
walk through our doors every day.
Keeping storefronts and sidewalks
clean at all times is more than simple
upkeep; it is a visible sign of pride. A
clean window, swept entryway, and
trash-free street quietly tell customers:
We pay attention. We care. First
impressions matter, and a well-kept
place invites people to linger, explore,
and return. Cleanliness reflects respect
for our neighborhood and signals
professionalism without saying a word.
It is just as important to know
your neighborhood. Taking time to
meet the owners and staff next door
builds trust and strengthens the
entire block. When merchants know
each other, we create a friendlier
atmosphere. Customers can feel that
connection immediately. A block
where businesses greet one another
feels safer, warmer, and more
welcoming.
How we treat customers ties it
all together. When customers are
treated like family, with a warm
greeting, listening carefully, and
with a genuine smile, they
remember. Using phrases like
In every thriving neighborhood
business district, I believe there’s a
shared thread that binds success: care.
“our neighborhood” or
“our community” with
your customers builds
loyalty, word-of-mouth
referrals, and long-term
profitability.
Clean spaces,
connected merchants,
and heartfelt service
don’t just improve
business — they create
neighborhoods people
are proud to support
and call their own.
Pride matters.
James H. Bae is the Practice
Administrator and Manager
at Grace Dental Group (350
Divisadero).
issue 1 : 2026 | 9
PATTY HEARST AND THE
SLA’S NOPA HIDEOUT
by Emily Han and Cort Crosby
On the eastern end of Golden
Gate Avenue’s Slow Street
stands a typical San Francisco
apartment building — yellow
paint, bay windows, brick facade.
Few people passing by 1827 Golden
Gate Avenue would guess that this
unassuming NOPA residence was once
the center of one of the most bizarre
criminal cases in American history, and
one that would shape San Francisco
politics for decades to come.
In 1974, 19-year-old Berkeley student
Patty Hearst (granddaughter of
publishing magnate William Randolph
Hearst) was kidnapped by a militant,
fringe guerrilla group known as the
Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA).
She was held for nearly two months
in this unassuming NOPA apartment.
Here, she made her infamous audio
tapes asking her family to support her
kidnappers, which you can still
find on YouTube today.
Flag of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
On September 18, 1975, Hearst was arrested by the FBI and SFPD.
Instead of asking for a cash ransom,
the SLA made an unusual — and not
very well thought-out — demand:
that the wealthy Hearst family
fund a massive food distribution
program for Californians in need.
The family agreed but the initial $2M
food distribution program quickly
descended into chaos. Organizers
were totally unprepared for the crowds
that lined up. Riots broke out at some
distribution sites and a police officer
was stabbed. The fiasco made national
headlines.
The following day, the SLA
demanded that a coalition led by
the Western Addition Project Area
Committee (WAPAC) take over the
effort. The Black-led coalition was
based out of the Fillmore and united
volunteers and activists across different
neighborhoods and backgrounds.
Learning to trust one another and
coordinate effectively, they were able
to distribute 100,000 bags of groceries
at 16 locations across four counties.
The Patty Hearst saga would prove
far more complicated. After being
released from the Golden Gate
apartment, she appeared alongside
the SLA in a bank robbery before
being arrested in 1975. She was later
convicted of bank robbery, though
her sentence was commuted by
President Jimmy Carter and she
was fully pardoned by President
Bill Clinton in 2001.
The impact extended far beyond
this food ransom program. Members
of the coalition led by WAPAC later
applied what they learned about
grassroots organizing to help elect
future San Francisco mayors and
district supervisors, advance affordable
housing, and shape environmental and
development policy — leaving
a lasting mark on the city.
Emily Han has lived in the neighborhood for
five years. She loves visiting the local parks and
libraries.
A longtime Bay Area resident and USF alum,
Cort Crosby is an avid race sailor and music
lover. He also serves as president of the histor-
ic Mill Valley building that houses Sweetwater
Music Hall.
10 | NOPNANews
DO YOU WANT A DOG PARK
IN THE PANHANDLE?
by Caitlin Stanton
Last November, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks
Department (SFRPD) announced the 2026 Community Opportunity
Fund (COF). This will be the sixth year San Francisco residents can
submit applications to request public funding for park projects,
which in previous years has supported improvements at Bayview
K.C. Jones Playground, Golden Gate Heights Park, Fillmore Turk
Mini Park, and Zion Skate Plaza (formerly Waller Street Skate Park).
$6 million allocated for this funding cycle, intended to be split into
awards of up to $1.5 million for large projects and $500,000 for
small projects.
You may remember a previous article I wrote proposing a
dog park in the Panhandle. My previous dog, Cody, was struck
and killed by a driver because he ran into traffic while playing
off-leash in the Panhandle. Though thousands of dog owners
Pups playing in the Panhandle - Cody (L) with a friend.
EMAIL US TO
GET INVOLVED:
see the Panhandle as a great opportunity for our dogs
to run around and socialize, the threat of danger is ever-
present when that green space is flanked by two fast-
moving traffic arteries.
My current dog Jeepers is strictly on-leash unless
there’s an enclosed area for him to enjoy. I’m a big walker
and enjoy taking him up the hill to the dog run at Corona
Heights or closer to Ocean Beach at the Golden Gate
Dog Park, but Jeepers and I want something closer to
home. Considering the high concentration of dog owners
in NOPA, it’s surprising that there isn’t an enclosed dog
park in our neighborhood.
If you have opinions on the establishment of an
enclosed dog park in the western half of the Panhandle,
or if you want to volunteer in garnering support for the
proposal, please visit:
https://tinyurl.com/panhandle-dog-park
A new dog park would be a resource for all of San
Francisco, not just our neighborhood. I’d love to see
this through with the support of my neighbors — please
spread the word.
Caitlin Stanton is a NOPNA board member, Jeepers’s hooman,
and Cody’s forever dog mom.
Donations welcome
@nopnatreasurer on Venmo
or scan this QR code.
Neighbors enjoying March’s NOPNA Happy Hour at Match & Melt.
issue 1 : 2026 | 11
UPCOMING
EVENTS
April 24
April 25
May 2
May 4
May 17
May 21
May 22
May 23
June 1
June 6
Fourth Friday Happy Hour
Fourth Saturday Neighborhood Cleanup
First Saturday NOPA
Littles & Parent Meetup
First Monday Runday
Bay to Breakers
General Meeting
Fourth Friday Happy Hour
Fourth Saturday Neighborhood Cleanup
First Monday Runday
NOPNA Block Party
The NOPNA Board hosts regular opportunities
to connect with neighbors, including monthly happy
hours, trash cleanups, fun runs, and our new Littles &
Parent meetup. For the latest event details, subscribe
to our email list at nopna.org/sign-up or follow @
nopna_org on Instagram.
NOPNA Community Meetings:
Get updates on neighborhood news and events.
Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center, 401 Baker Street.
3rd Thursdays of odd months, 6:30pm social time, 7pm
meeting start
First Saturday Littles & Parent Meetup:
NOPNA recently launched a new monthly morning
meetup for parents and caregivers of young kids under
5. Relax, connect, and let the littles play. Every 1st
Saturday in the Panhandle Playground from 9:30am–
12ish.
First Monday Runday: Are you looking for a casual
running group? Meet Martin outside of Matching Half.
He’ll lead a comfortably paced Panhandle loop and
provide coffee afterwards! Every 1st Monday, 8:30am.
Fourth Friday Happy Hour: Come meet some
new friends and support a local business. Locations
rotate monthly. The first 15 people get a drink on us!
Every 4th Friday, 5pm–7ish.
Fourth Saturday Neighborhood Trash Cleanup:
We’re cleaning up NOPA and need volunteers.
Meet neighbors and help keep the neighborhood clean!
No experience needed. Meeting location may rotate.
Every 4th Saturday, 12–2pm.
Mollie + Declan's Current Listings
JUST LISTED
1628 Grove Street
•
•
•
Fully Renovated 1,512 SqFt, 3 Bed / 2 Bath Condo
Fab Walk-out Deck off Kitchen Living Area
Gorgeous Yard, Foundation Upgrades & 1-Car
Parking
JUST LISTED
1506 Golden Gate Avenue
•
•
•
Fully Renovated 2,300 SqFt, 3 Bed / 3 Bath Condo
Spacious Open Layout, Large Kitchen
Foundation Upgrades & 1-Car Parking
“
Greetings NOPA Neighbors,
As we enter into this new real estate season, I thought it best to
simply share insight from our Compass analyst. Here’s the scoop, San
Francisco’s housing market has been supercharged by the city’s AI
startup boom, a dynamic that accelerated dramatically this past fall.
After years of social, economic, and demographic headwinds, San
Francisco has rebounded from the weakest housing market in the Bay
Area to the strongest. Stupendous amounts of new wealth are being
created, and market conditions may ultimately exceed those seen during
the 2019 IPO boom. With demand vastly outpacing the supply of homes
for sale, we expect the city’s median house sales price to reach a new
high in 2026.
With that, Declan and I continue to consult and support so many
neighbors within our neighborhood’s borders, and we love to do so!
And now for our upcoming inventory, please stop by into our open
house, would love to see you!
JUST LISTED
2079 Golden Gate Avenue
Warmly,
Mollie + Declan
MOLLIE POE + DECLAN HICKEY
NOPA Property Owners, NOPNA Business Members, and trusted
neighborhood Realtors® for over 25 years.
Compass SF Founding Members.
Nationally Ranked Industry Leaders and SF Top Producers since 2003.
415.902.2447 | mollie@compass.com | declan@compass.com
DRE 01239280 + 01356209
•
•
•
Fully Renovated 1,665 SqFt, 2 Bed / 2 Bath Condo
Classic Victorian, Loaded with Charm
Soaring Ceilings, Rich Architectural Details
Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628, 01527235, 1527365. All material presented here-
in is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without
notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate.
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