Please put April 1 on your calendar – our first Work Party of the spring! The days are lengthening and the wet weather keeps coming. The Native Meadow is growing beautifully and the oak trees have put on their March growth spurt. I hope that you’ll come and enjoy it all with us. We’ll meet […]
Glen Park neighbors tell harrowing stories of damage from recent storms
The first report of damage caused by Tuesday’s wild storm that the Glen Park News received was of a tree toppling down on the 500 block of Arlington Street, bringing down a power line. Residents on that block and others were without power for several hours. It was among the trees that have fallen from […]
Fallen tree knocks out power on Arlington Street
A tree fell down on the 500 block of Arlington Street this afternoon, bringing down a power line. Residents on that block, the 400 block, and possibly others, are still without power. It was among the trees that have fallen from the latest atmospheric River to wallop the Bay Area and Southern California. Jodell […]
When Trees Attack: An Investigation into the Dorothy Erskine Park Tree-Tastrophes
(Note: The title of this post was generated by ChatGPT, AI chatbot, courtesy of Octavio Di Sciullo. The rest was generated by a human.) The Trust for Public Land says San Francisco is the first U.S. city where all residents live within a 10-minute walk to a public park. Most people would be thrilled to […]
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE–February recap
We’ve made it past the shortest month of the year and are staring right into our busy spring real estate market. As expected, things are continuing to pick up with an increase of buyer interest and available inventory. That said, if we look at new inventory coming to market in February 2023 versus 2022, it’s […]
You won’t want to miss Glen Park’s cleanup days
Once a month–usually the second Saturday morning–a merry group of volunteers meets up at Critter Fritters on Chenery Street to be dispatched for a cleanup of commercial corridors and public spaces in Glen Park. There are stalwart regulars as well as a changing tapestry of neighbors who can spare up to a couple of hours […]
Greenway Work Party–Saturday, March 4
Hello Friend and Supporter of the Greenway, We are making plans for our March Work Party. Please put it on your calendar: it’ll be on Saturday March 4. This will be our last Work Party before the start of spring, and the plants along the Greenway are really getting going now. There’s lots of growth […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–March is Women’s History Month
All year round, the Library champions women writers, artists, academics and professional leaders in their fields, and Glen Park Branch Library invites you to shine a light on HERstory with us during Women’s History Month this March. Glen Park as we know it wouldn’t exist without the tireless advocacy of some amazing women. We’re excited […]
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE–January Recap
Hello Glen Park and Happy Mid-Wintertime! It sure has been rainy (needed) and cold (brrr). I even heard that next week it may snow! Would be fun to take another picture sitting at a picnic table in the backyard like I did in my childhood home in Noe Valley in 1976. Granted, I’ll look a […]
Empty tree basin? Friends of the Urban Forest can help fill it
(Here’s an item from FUF’s current newsletter that the Glen Park News thinks will be of interest to our community.) Our rainstorms last month brought down hundreds of street trees in San Francisco — trees we can hardly afford to lose. Sadly, many were mature specimens with lots of foliage — real powerhouses that provide the greatest […]
Glen Canyon Park gets high scores in annual report
Every three months the Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) and the Controller’s Office rate the city’s 166 parks, playgrounds and civic plazas on a wide array of criteria covering built facilities and natural areas. The findings are sliced and diced and published in an annual report covering the fiscal year– July 2021 through June 2022–and […]
New pilot program for instant, online electrical solar permits
Great news! Today, the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) launched a pilot program for instant, online electrical permits for some residential rooftop solar panel projects! During the pilot program, California licensed contractors can use SolarAPP+, a web-based application, to bypass upfront plan review and obtain an instant, online electrical permit for qualifying rooftop solar installations of […]
Neighbors recount wild night in upper Glen Park
By Sal Novoa: Multiple high schools got together Saturday night for a big party in Glen Canyon Park at around 8 pm. I estimated the crowd size at 200-250. According to some of the kids I chatted with, it was a Wolf of Wall Street keg party–the largest keg event this year. SFPD […]
Wet concrete vs. car on Elk Street conjures troubled history of achieving crosswalk
Glen Park resident Sal Novoa was driving on Elk Street Tuesday afternoon, January 24, when he spotted a most peculiar scene. He tells it this way: “Sharing some photos of an unfortunate driving error. “An older gentleman weaved around the street closure barriers. We heard the workers trying to stop him from entering, their hands […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–February events
Book lovers have a home at the Rec Center
The weekly Book Discussion Group at the Glen Park Rec Center is gaining popularity since it was started in March 2022. There are now thirteen regulars and no one is turned away. They currently meet Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm. (Check the new feature in the Glen Park News sidebar for classes and events […]
Tuesday Night at the Movies–at the Glen Park Rec Center
Glen Park Rec Center is hosting free screenings of classic movies on Tuesday nights at 5:30. On Tuesday, January 24, we will be showing the musical Swing High, Swing Low (1937), and on Tuesday, January 31, we will be showing the Buster Keaton classic Sherlock Jr. (1924), at which local filmmaker and film scholar Maia […]
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE–December Recap
Happy New Year lovers of Glen Park! What a wet and wild entry we are having into this new year. Though copious amounts of rain are so welcome to keep the drought at bay, I know it’s been a bit of a disruptive deluge for many Glen Park residents. Having lived in a house on […]
Join the Oxalis Campaign–volunteers urgently needed!
Dear Greenway supporter, The Greenway’s Native Meadow is at a key moment in its development and it urgently needs us to protect it. You’ve probably noticed how well the native plants are doing, but the Oxalis that escaped our weed suppression methods is just getting going and, if we’re quick, it presents us with a […]
Rising Waters in and Around Glen Park is Nothing New: A Look Back
The torrent of rain delivered by the Category 4 atmospheric river that careened into San Francisco on December 31, 2022, was nothing short of biblical. The 5.5 inches of rain recorded in those 24 hours (half of the expected total for all of December) exceeded any amount recorded for that date since record-keeping began in […]
Find out all about project leader of Burnside Mural+
Renee Berger, driving force behind the Burnside Mural+, the mural now having been completed and the mosaic tile stairway underway, has had a fascinating life and career of public service. Read all about Renee here, on San Francisco Senior Beat.
Winter storms wreak havoc in Glen Park
Call it what you will–atmospheric river, pineapple express, or bomb cyclone–no words are too hyperbolic to describe the mighty power of the current wave of storms. Glen Park has had its share of destruction, from toppled saplings to crushed homes. Our hilly and meandering geography, so charming in the sunshine and fog, turns threatening as […]
Deluge will continue over the next 10 days
The SF Chronicle has excellent coverage of the continued storms soaking Northern California. The Glen Park News encourages all residents to read up and be aware of how to stay safe. This link in particular is very helpful. And this, from DEM– SF Department of Emergency Management. In a time sensitive announcement, Glen Park resident […]
Atmospheric river drenches Glen Park with more rain to come
This week San Francisco is experiencing what’s known as either an atmospheric river or, the term more common years ago – a Pineapple Express. Both refer to the same meteorological phenomenon characterized, a storm with heavy rainfall that comes when a flow of warm, moist air flows from the Hawaiian Islands across the Pacific ocean […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–January events
As 2022 draws to a close, the Greenway is still a work in progress
Have you walked along the Glen Park Greenway recently? Many who live in Glen Park use the trail through the Greenway to walk from the BART station and the shops on Diamond Street towards the Recreation Center in Glen Canyon Park; to stretch their legs, clear their mind or walk their dog. Visitors from other […]
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE — November recap
I just got back from my first real vacation since before the pandemic, and boy was that an adventure! I’ll spare you the details, but let me just say don’t get stuck taking a red-eye flight from an airport and town that closes down completely by 11pm. Any mishap will quickly become an epic disaster. Safe […]
Selfies with Santa!
Greenway work party–Saturday, December 3
Hello Friend and Supporter of the Greenway, I hope that your plans for Thanksgiving are coming together well. I also hope that, in the aftermath of that feast you’ll be longing to get your hands (and even perhaps your knees) a bit muddy on the Greenway! On Saturday December 3 – about a week after […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY—November-December programs
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE–October recap
And just like that…it’s November! I often gauge the changing of the seasons going into the holidays by when eggnog arrives in the stores. Every year now it seems to be earlier and earlier. Last year it was Halloween. This year it was early October. Meanwhile, we are getting some rain and hoping that the […]
In case you missed it, see the 2022 Vella Halloween pumpkins
2022 Vella Family Pumpkins on 354 Sussex St: This year we put out 143 pumpkins. Charlie and Maya Vella and James Richard carved 41 fresh pumpkins for 4 days (only 5 molded out). Charlie drilled 11 new foam pumpkins. The rest were foam pumpkins from recent years. We had at least 800 visitors with their […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–November 2022
Halloween in Glen Park 2022
Photos by: Lindsey Scrase, Danh Trang, Charlie Vella, Bonnee Waldstein, Beth Weise
Greenway work party–Saturday, November 5
Hello Friend and Supporter of the Greenway, We are making plans for our last Work Party before (we sincerely hope) the rains arrive and we plant this year’s batch of meadow plants in the Native Meadow. So the focus of our work at this November Work Party will be the preparation the Native Meadow for […]
Volunteers needed for Nightmare on Elk Street
🎃We are looking for volunteers for Glen Park‘s 2nd Annual “Nightmare on Elk St. – CARNEVIL” Sat. 10/29 3-9pm🎃 Please sign up for shifts using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4AA8AE2DABFA7-glen **Volunteer times can be flexible – we appreciate being able to commit to whole time slot, but please let us know what portion you are able to be make and we […]
Department of Public Health speaks to issues of rodent infestation in Glen Park
Because of the many issues surrounding the rodent infestation in Glen Park, on October 20th the Glen Park News interviewed Patrick Fosdahl, MS, REHS, Director of the Environmental Health Branch of the Department of Public Health (DPH). Statement by DPH: The Department is prohibited by privacy laws from confirming if a person is receiving services […]
At age 100, Harry Lew stays healthy and happy playing tennis at Glen Canyon Park
The Glen Park News got a tip recently about a group of seniors who play tennis three times a week at Glen Canyon Park. The team was organized many years ago by Harry Lew, who had lived on Monterey Boulevard since 1960 but moved to Oakland in 2017. Lew retired in 1982 from the San […]
Muni’s 10 Worst Delay Spots
The 44-O’Shaughnessy has the dubious distinction of falling within MUNI’s top ten routes experiencing delays for various reasons. Muni will make three more improvements over the next few months at two locations along the 44 O’Shaughnessy route. Read this post from the San Francisco Standard to find out why and what is being done […]
Halloween pumpkins, a 28-year tradition by the Vella family
This year, 100+ pumpkins will be on display outside the Vella family home at 354 Sussex. It’s a family tradition in its 28th year, and the Glen Park community is grateful for this unique event that we look forward to each year! The pumpkins will be on display starting at 5 pm on October 31. […]
Bank of America ATM burglarized
(Glen Park News note: A resident wanting to use the ATM was told by the repairman that it would be out of order for one month.) On 10/10/22 at approximately 2:08 a.m., San Francisco Police Officers from Ingleside Station responded to the 2800 block of Diamond Street regarding a report of a burglary. Officers arrived […]
GLEN PARK REAL ESTATE–September recap
Happy October! Such a great month in San Francisco :). The weather is beautiful, Halloween is always fun (especially in Glen Park!). But what of the real estate market? Well, as I’m sure you’ve heard all over the news, and seen with your own eyes, interest rates are up and there are fears of a […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–“What I like about Glen Park”
Glen Park Branch Library staff had a table at the Burnside Mural dedication, and quite a few neighbors wrote or drew on their “What I like about Glen Park” poster. If you’d like a closer look, feel free to stop by the library any day of the week. The new library hours, as of September, […]
Completion of Burnside Mural is celebrated
Partners in TWMC, Elaine Chu and Marina Perez-Wong, have deep artistic roots. Both are San Francisco natives (Perez-Wong is third generation native) and women of color born to single-parent women from immigrant families. In the Burnside mural, the Gum Tree Girls and Mother Nature are represented. Water is another element the muralists have been exploring […]
CHECK IT OUT AT THE LIBRARY–October programs
In addition to Glen Park Branch Library’s weekly storytime on Thursdays at 11 a.m., there are a few more programs coming up in October. Thursday, October 13 4 – 5 p.m. Young Writers Group This is our first meeting! We’ll have snacks and icebreaker games, talk about what kinds of writing you’d like to work […]
BART to bring free outdoor music series to Glen Park station October 7
The sounds of rock, Latin music, and more will bring joy to BART riders in the months of September and October as the latest “welcome back” gesture by the agency to encourage riders to return to transit and reinforce the role public transit plays in fueling the Bay Area’s economy and culture. BART is relaunching […]
Canyon Market reopens
A little over 24 hours after Canyon Market was shut down by the Department of Public Health (DPH), causing anger and distress among Glen Park residents and owners Richard and Janet Tarlov, the store has reopened. One patron had filed a complaint, precipitating the closure. Customer complaints carry a lot of power, such as a […]
Canyon Market shut down by health department
In a stunning move, the Department of Public Health (DPH) closed Canyon Market for remediation of a rodent infestation. While it was a surprise that it happened today (Wednesday around 4 pm), the situation has been building for well over two years. Owners Janet and Richard Tarlov have emails and exchanges struggling to push the […]
Greenway work party–Saturday, October 1
Hello Friend and Supporter of the Greenway, We are making plans for our first Work Party of the fall. It will be on Saturday, October 1 from 9:00am to 12:00pm. We’ll have coffee at the start (many thanks to Canyon Market for providing this) and sandwiches at the end. I do hope that you can […]
Art festival coming to Noe Valley
After many years of dreaming and hoping and planning about sponsoring an Art Festival, celebrating the many talented artists living and working in Noe Valley and surrounding neighborhoods, the Friends of Noe Valley is going to make it happen! Because the Noe Valley Town Square had been holding regular Sunday events, planning for an Art Festival […]