Visitacion Valley Grapevine - Valley News - January 2009

Schlage Lock Site Gets Green Light From Redevelopment Commission Schlage Lock closed its original facility on Bayshore Boulevard in Visitacion Valley in 1999. by Lila Hussain The year 2009 could be exciting for Visitacion Valley. In the last month of 2008, both the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission and Planning Commission unanimously voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed redevelopment of the long dormant 20-acre Schlage Lock factory site. This was the first step towards adopting the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s (SFRA) Redevelopment Plan for the lock factory site and portions of Leland Avenue. The Redevelopment Agency has been working with the community for over seven years to develop a plan that will revitalize the site while supporting commercial businesses on Leland Ave. In 2006, the Mayor appointed a Visitacion Valley Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to help guide the public process and help gather input from the community on the functions of what an adopted project area would provide. Environmental cleanup of the site would begin soon, giving way to full demolition of all but the original office building followed by months of environmental remediation. The proposed Redevelopment Plan will transform the Schlage Lock site into a new mixed-use transit oriented community of approximately 1,250 homes with new public streets, three new community parks, and a community center created at the original Schlage Lock office building. “Having the possibility of redevelopment to come into the Visitacion Valley, opens up new opportunities for the neighborhood” said area resident, CAC and Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance member Fran Martin. “We no longer feel like the ignored section of San Francisco”. The retail corridors along Leland Avenue will be strengthened through concerted economic development activities, and will be complemented by new neighborhood-serving retail development on the Schlage Lock Site including a grocery store. Tax increment will be the primary source of funding economic development and community enhancement such as hazardous waste remediation, the removal of unsafe buildings, façade improvement programs, open space, historic building preservation, programs to support and nurture local businesses, as well as affordable housing. “This complete revitalization of the area must work in concert with the ongoing efforts to also improve the Leland Avenue corridor” said Russel Morine, a CAC member and Leland Avenue small business owner. “We have to remember the past, support the present while planning for the future.” Community members have been advocating for sustainable development and the use of green building technologies on the site, and are encouraged by the support of city agencies as well as the developer. Through collaboration of Universal Paragon Corporation (the owner and developer of the former Schlage Lock site), neighborhood residents and businesses, and the SFRA, the project is being planned as a sustainable “green” development with a LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Design) rating from the U.S Green Buildings Council. One of the important goals will be to create new models of urban sustainability from what is currently a Brownfield site. Chris Barnett, another CAC member says, “If the project is done right, Vis Valley can become a model for 21st century redevelopment efforts and sustainability, truly putting our neighborhood on the map.” Along with the possibility of a new physical landscape to the neighborhood, the presence of a redevelopment plan means that area residents will have opportunities to compete for new jobs created by the construction and redevelopment that takes place. “All the tools of redevelopment will be made available to the Visitacion Valley, to help it improve and thrive” said Fred Blackwell, Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. “We want to invest in the people of this neighborhood” The San Francisco Redevelopment Commission will hold public hearings on the Redevelopment Plan at its January 6th and February 3rd meeting, 4 p.m. at City Hall Room 416, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. If approved, it will move on to the Board of Supervisors for final approval. For more information about the proposed redevelopment Project Area, go to the Agency’s website at www.sfgov.org/sfra. Tom Evans, the Lead Planner can be contacted at 415-749-2539 or at tom.evans@sfgov.org. Budget Discussed for Vis Valley Public Art by Russel Morine The selection an artist to design the public art component of the future Visitacion Valley branch library took a major step forward recently. On December 4, the six member Community Artist Selection Panel met to review and discuss potential candidates for the $75,000 project. City ordinance requires that all publicly funded projects must set aside 2% of the project’s budget for an art element. According to the SF Arts Commission website: “The artwork budget includes, but is not limited to all art project expenses such as: artist fees, engineering design, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, permits (if required) and insurance.” Over 100 applicants applied to be in the initial pool of artists for Vis Valley and other forthcoming library projects. This pool was narrowed down to 34 artists by the SF Arts Commission, 20 of which were then presented to the Community Artist Selection Panel. According to Ellen Shershow Project manger for the Arts Commission, the selection of the 20 was “based on the sorts of opportunities the architecture of the library afforded, as well as community feedback.” The panel discussed the merits of each artist and selected three finalists and one alternate. At this stage in the process, the actual art piece has not been designed; rather the style of the artist and what they could contribute to the community was the focus. The next step will be a community meeting, possibly during late January 2009, to introduce the artists to the community. This meeting will provide them with feedback regarding possible artistic directions. Each artist will be subsequently develop a site specific proposal. Each artist/ artist team will be “paid an honorarium of $500 to prepare a preliminary proposal for the project,” according the SF Arts commission website. Each proposal will then be displayed at the existing library allowing the community the opportunity to evaluate and submit written comments. These comments will then be reviewed by the panel and a final decision will be presented to the community. The final contract is contingent upon the Arts Commission’s approval of the Community Artist Selection Panel’s recommendation and the feasibility of implementing the proposal. The artist (teams) selected are as follows: Johanna Poethig, the artist Team of Fran Martin and Jim Growden, and the artist team of Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector. Amy Trachtenberg was selected as an alternate. Demolition of the Superfair Market (site of the new library) will begin in the spring of 2009. Construction of the new branch will be complete by late 2010 … we hope. For more information please contact either Ellen Shershow, at 415.252.2594 or ellen.shershow@sfgov.org, or Mary Chou, at 415.252.3215 or mary.chou@sfgov.org Greenway Opens Native Plant Garden Of six sites, the Native Plant Garden is the newest of the Visitacion Valley Greenway. The Visitacion Valley Greenway Project officially opened a new Native Plant Garden adjacent to Rutland Street between Tioga and Tucker avenues with a Saturday morning reception on Dec. 20. A festive grand opening is also planned in the spring for all six of the Greenway sites where the history of the award-winning Greenway will be discussed along with the need for community help in its maintenance. In order to maintain the parks, work parties will be held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon (except the second Saturday of the month). Please call 468-0639 for further information. El Dorado Elementary School Happenings by Tai Schoeman and Lori Fetzer Big News for Year’s End Kindergarten teacher, Marisa Martinez, veteran of more than a decade of dedicated and loving support to El Dorado Elementary’s students and families is being recognized for her significant contributions to the profession and to El Dorado. This November, awards for the prestigious National Board exams were delivered and Marisa was one of the recipients. The website, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards states: “Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. In a congressionally-mandated study, National Board Certification was recently recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.” Within the same two week period of time, Marisa was notified that she had been selected as one of the educators that used and received more Donor’s Choose awards in the state of California. She and others were honored at a gala event where political heavyweights like Nancy Pelosi, Jack O’Connell and the founder of Craigs List recognized the Donors Choose program. Marisa is a valued member of the El Dorado community. Genece Washington, her teaching partner of six years says, “Marisa is a supportive and creative colleague who enjoys inspiring children through music and art.” Furthermore, “Marisa is an educator that is always trying to bring joyful learning to her classroom. In addition to being an educator she is also a professional musician. She infuses music into her classroom and to the rest of the school through leadership roles such as the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator and starting a program at the school in which she teaches guitar to a group of students every year. The program is called Little Kids Rock. It is an honor and pleasure to work with someone so dedicated to the wellbeing of children from Visitation Valley,“ comments the principal, Tai Schoeman. Celebrating Winter Students gathered with their families on the afternoon of Thursday, December 18th to sing, dance and play music at The Winter Concert. Under the direction of both their classroom teachers, the 2nd-5th grade music teacher, Mr. Tracy and the instrumental music teacher, John Calloway, students treated their visitors (more than 50 families) to sing-a-longs, instrumental music, choral music, poetry reading, and even a song sung and signed! The stage was filled, again and again, with youngsters full of energy, joy, and holiday spirit. Family Appreciation Day San Francisco families with children can enjoy 32 of the City's world class museums and attractions free on Sunday, Jan. 11. Times vary by location. Kids can ride Muni and the S.F. Cultursl Bus free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when accompanied by a paying adult. For more information, see www.SFKids.org Joe Leland ... Around the Neighborhood Own a Piece of Leland: 73 Leland Ave. (formerly a Vietnamese restaurant) is for sale. In addition to the vacant ground floor commercial space, the 1917 building has two residential units on the second floor. The list price is $699,000. An excellent location, interested buyers should consider the short and long term potential along Leland Avenue. This mid-block location is prime for the right community serving business. 415-517-7882. New Restaurant: Visitacion Valley has a new gastronomic option with the opening of Ng’s Kitchen located at 2511 Geneva Ave. Serving “Hunan and Mandarin Cuisine with a Twist,” the establishment offers a wide variety of tantalizing flavor varieties with 80 items listed on the menu . The prices are a little higher than other Chinese establishments in the neighborhood, but Ng’s Kitchen does have a 33-item lunch menu with all prices less than $6.25. Ng’s Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and offers free delivery for order over $10. Be sure to stop by the restaurant and check out the clean well-designed decor. Phone number is 415.239.8844 or go online at www.ngskitchen.com Meet the CAC: The Visitacion Valley Citizens Advisory Committee will have its first meeting of 2009 on Tuesday, Jan 13th from 6 to 8 p.m. The CAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss all things Schlage Lock. No detail is too small or topic too broad to escape the steadfast gaze of the dedicated participants. Join the fun! Meeting location is S.F. Recycling & Disposal, Inc. Environmental Learning Center, 401 Tunnel Ave., San Francisco, CA 94134. Superfair Market Close-Out Sale: If you haven’t heard, the new library will be located at 201 Leland Ave., the current site of the Superfair Market. Superfair is in the process of clearing out all its vintage merchandise, offering many “buy one, get one free” deals. Some long time residents may recall the store in its early years as a full service Cala Market. Those days are long gone and soon too will be Superfair Market. Yahoo Visitacion Valley: If you have email and an interest in sharing information about Vis Valley, make sure you sign up for the ever-popular Vis Valley Yahoo group, The Valley Eye. Recent topics include: home break-ins, meeting updates, strange noises at night, and the best place to find a good house painter. Go to the link below or send your email to rmorine@aol.com to join the discussion. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Valley_Eye/ McLaren Park News and Notes by Betty Parshall It’s a Red-tail, It’s a Cooper’s, It’s a Mexican Gray, It’s … Mystery Bird!! Bird fans have been enjoying an exciting time trying to identify a hawk, or more likely more than one unusual hawk, spotted in the park recently. Several weeks ago a large hawk (at least we think it’s a hawk) was spotted perched on a high tree at the edge of the large open space on Shelly Drive, a popular dog run area. It was unusual for the light gray color of its breast feathers, and perched facing outward, no other identifying marks were to be seen. Later I heard that some thought it was a Mexican gray hawk, far from its usual area, but it is not unusual for the park to be visited by occasional “accidentals.” Within a week or two, the Portola message board lit up with descriptions and pictures and varying opinions of just what the bird is. But from all these messages it became apparent that more than one bird was being sighted. Some thought it a Cooper’s hawk, while others surmised it to be a Goshawk. Both can have the gray coloring, and must be observed flying to identify by the finer points of streaks, bands on the tail, shape of the tail, and so on. Quoting from The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America: “distinguishing one accipiter species from another can be very difficult. Overall plumage is of little use… Identification depends on careful study of plumage details and proportions.” But here’s what I saw very recently while accompanying Hope on her daily walk. The (apparently) same large soft-gray-colored hawk was perched on a large tree. Another dog owner and I stared at it for several minutes, then it took flight right over us, and we both could see a very red tail. An avid birder has told me that colors can vary greatly in these birds, so I’m very sure that “my” bird is a red-tail hawk. One Brick Volunteers Enhance Yosemite Marsh On Saturday, December 13, over thirty volunteers from One Brick worked for a couple of hours planting native species around Yosemite Marsh (located near Bacon and Oxford Streets). Invited by the Natural Areas Program of the S.F. Recreation & Parks Department to help with the planting, the group was hard at work planting California wax myrtle, monkey flower, yarrow, red flowering currant, and a few other native plants. Once established these plants will soon provide a pleasing variety of tall shrubs and low ground covers and provide lots of color during their respective blooming seasons. One Brick is a non-profit organization that recruits volunteers to support local communities all over the Bay Area. Events are usually from two to four hours, not only assisting with the work done but creating a very social gathering that will gather at a local café or restaurant after completing the project. Projects vary. One Brick has assisted dozens of local groups, just a few of which are the S.F. Rec & Parks Dept., the S.F. Zoo, S.F. Boys & Girls Club, and the S.F. Food Bank. Volunteers sign up but choose their own times and frequency of helping out. This is a great way to give to your community and enjoy a good social time too. For more information check out www.onebrick.org Safer Steps Thanks to Park Scan The steps from the parking lot on Shelley Drive down to the reservoir (Shelley Lake!) have been repaired by the Recreation and Parks Department. Thanks to everyone who reported the need for the repairs. If you see a need for repairs at any neighborhood park take it to www.parkscan.org There you can register your concern and the organization will in turn work to get the attention the issue deserves. Trees on Trails, Try Not to Trip Reacting to real or potential heavy use of cyclists on some of the trails through McLaren Park, someone has cut huge branches from the blue gum eucalyptus trees and strewn them across paths in the area west of the green water tanks. Apparently this was done without notifying or gaining permission from the Recreation & Parks Department. While cycling off-trail can be damaging to plants and facilitate erosion, this does not seem the best way to reach agreements on how the park paths can be shared by all. Let’s hope interested parties can get together with the Department and address the issue in a positive way. …from the desk of the VVBOOM newsroom by Nick Wolff What Leland Avenue restaurant has breakfast burritos on the menu? What Leland Avenue business is also the name of a major city in China? How much is a manicure at Nails by Jenny? How many barber chairs are there in JB’s The Shop? What does N.E.M.S. stand for? These are just some of the over 20 questions featured in the 2008 VVBOOM Holiday Scavenger Hunt, held Saturday, December 20th on Leland Avenue in conjunction with the local Boys & Girls Club. Area youth and parents alike scampered in and out of stores in downtown Visitacion Valley searching for answers to questions designed to get families inside businesses they may not be familiar with. That was, after all, the goal of the event. Scavenger Hunt winners were awarded a prize package valued at $40 from participating Leland Avenue businesses, while runners up received a similar $20 gift package. Everyone involved enjoyed free hot cocoa at the conclusion of the Scavenger Hunt at VVBOOM Headquarters – 91 Leland Avenue. While participants warmed up with wintery chocolate beverages and marshmallows, adults were able to prioritize proposed 2009 VVBOOM Action Plan items from an extensive list of ideas generated at neighborhood meetings and by surveying area merchants. It was a win-win situation, not only for scavenger hunters, but for VVBOOM and local businesses. For those playing at home the answers are: Nayarit Taqueria & Bakery, Hong Kong Hail & Nail Salon, $7, 3 and Northeast Medical Services. If a Leland Avenue parking meter is striped, does that make it free? The answer is no, but they do look more festive don’t they? If you haven’t taken notice, Leland Avenue parking meters from Bayshore Boulevard to Rutland Street were decorated with red ribbon to mark the Holiday season, thanks to our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. But the holiday decorating didn’t stop at parking meters. VVBOOM was able to distribute holiday lights to jolly Leland Avenue merchants who lit up downtown Vis Valley storefront windows throughout the month of December. Does your storefront shine? If you own or operate a business out of a Leland Avenue commercial storefront, your building is eligible for the city-wide Façade Improvement Program. SF Shines invests in commercial corridors like Leland Avenue through façade improvements which include grants, designs services and project management. The goal of the program is to increase economic vitality along the City’s diverse commercial corridors, attract new businesses and provide support to existing business. To learn more, contact Nick Wolff @ 415/585.2338 or email nwolff@vvboom.org. Visitacion Valley Police Report Police Cases On Nov. 21 at 9:45 a.m. on the first block of Onondaga Avenue, a 75 year-old Portola woman left her purse unattended inside her unlocked parked car while she used a mailbox. A 42 year-old Oakland man entered the car and stole her purse. A witness gave chase and an officer broadcast the description of the thief. Another officer saw the man hiding the purse beneath a car on Mission Street and the victim identified her belongings and the perpetrator. The man was charged with felony theft, possessing stolen property, and had his parole violated. At 11:30 a.m. on the 200 block of Hahn Street, a 31 year-old Sunnydale woman was confronted at her front door by a robber who pulled her purse from her shoulder. The man fled with her valuables. He was described as a black male, 17 to 25 years old, 6' tall, 170 pounds, short black hair, wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans. On Nov. 22 at 7:55 p.m. on the 100 block of Britton Street, an officer investigated a Domestic Violence incident and arrested a 43 year-old Sunnydale man for felony battery. On Nov. 23 at 12:15 a.m. on the 1800 block of Sunnydale Avenue, an officer investigated a Domestic violence incident and named a 43 year-old Treasure Island man as a suspect. At 3:07 a.m. on the 2000 block of Sunnydale Avenue, officers broke up a fight and arrested a 27 year-old Sunnydale woman for felony battery in a Domestic Violence case. At 7 a.m. on the 200 block of Argonaut Avenue, two men spent the night drinking together and returned to one's apartment. They argued and struck each other. One got the better of the other and fled. The victim was treated at SFGH. On Nov. 24 at 1:50 a.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, an officer investigated a Domestic Violence incident and arrested a 58 year-old Sunnydale man for making criminal threats and battery. On Nov. 26 at 7:20 p.m. at Ordway and Girard streets, a 24 year old Portola woman was pushed to the ground and robbed of her handbag. The suspects fled in a black SUV. They were described as Latin males, late teens, wearing black clothing. On Nov. 28 at 5:10 p.m. on the 100 block of Loehr Street, an officer investigated a family dispute and named a 69 year-old Sunnydale man as a suspect in an aggravated assault. The man had struck a relative with a hand axe. She was taken to SFGH for treatment. On Nov. 29 at 11:50 p.m. on the 2200 block of Bayshore Boulevard, a clerk was robbed of all the cash in the store's register. The robber was described as a black male, 30 years old, 5'6" tall, wearing a black baseball cap, a black nylon stocking as a mask, and black clothing. On Nov. 30 at 10:30 a.m. on the 1900 block of Sunnydale Avenue, a 21 year-old Sunnydale man was seen firing shots at another man. The perpetrator fled into an apartment. A police lieutenant and posse surrounded the home and demanded the suspect's surrender. He complied and was booked on three felonies. The man's parole was revoked, too. On Dec. 1 at 7:15 a.m. on the first block of Garrison Avenue, SFPD SWAT officers served a search warrant for Ingleside Station plain clothes officers in a narcotics investigation. Cocaine, a handgun, brass knuckles, and cash were seized. Two women, both in their early thirties, living in the home were arrested and charged with multiple felonies. On Dec. 2 at 4:20 p.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, a woman found her estranged boyfriend inside her home. He threatened her and fled. Officers found the man in the neighborhood and arrested him, charging the 43 year-old Sunnydale man with three felonies. At 6:45 p.m. on the 100 block of Rey Street, officers investigated a Domestic Violence incident and named a suspect. They found the man nearby and arrested him for felony battery. The 34 year-old Visitacion Valley man was also possessing methamphetamine and heroin. On Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. on the 100 block of Blythdale Avenue an officer investigated a child abuse incident and named a 54 year-old Sunnydale man as a suspect. At 12:45 p.m. on Arleta Avenue, a rape victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted at home by her boyfriend on December 2. An officer investigated and named a suspect. A police sergeant and posse arrested the perpetrator, a 37 year-old Bernal Heights man, in San Mateo County and charged him with three felonies. Sex Crimes Detail took over the case. On Dec. 8 at 2:35 p.m. on the 200 block of Schwerin Street, witnesses reported shots fired in the neighborhood. Officers found a parked car with gunfire damage. No injuries were reported. At 4:13 p.m. at Girard and Silliman streets, officers responded to a call regarding a battery of a person using pepper spray. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that another car hit him from behind, while he was stopped at a sign. The victim got out of his car and approached the person who hit him. The suspect sprayed the victim in the face with pepper spray and then grabbed a bat. The victim walked back to his car in an attempt to avoid more confrontation. The victim’s wife also stated that they had been in a road rage incident with the suspect earlier. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to Bayview Station without further incident. The victim was treated by medics for the pepper spray. On Dec. 10 at 3:35 p.m. on the 2200 block of Bayshore Boulevardlvd, officers investigated a traffic collision wherein a woman had knocked a trash can into a store's window, breaking the glass. The woman fled from the officers in her car and was stopped in traffic on Leland Avenue. A Daly City officer assisted in the traffic stop and broke the car's window in order to arrest the woman, a 48 year-old Visitacion Valley resident. She was charged with Driving Under the Influence. At 11 p.m. on the 2100 block of Bayshore Boulevard, a worker sleeping in construction site awoke to find two prowlers who fled upon seeing him. No loss was reported. At 7:45 p.m. on the 200 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight and named a 50 year-old San Francisco woman as a suspect in an attempted stabbing. On Dec. 11 at 3:15 p.m. at Visitacion Avenue and Mansell Street, a Bayview District man claimed that he was robbed of his car at gunpoint. His statement did not make sense an officer, who determined that the car had been involved in a hit-and-run collision in the Mission District. Nevertheless, the man insisted on filing a robbery report. At 9 p.m. at Crocker Amazon Park, a 24 year-old Crocker Amazon man said that he argued with his fellow soccer players. The argument escalated and the man was struck in the head with a metal bar, knocked to the ground, and beaten by three juveniles. An officer and posse found the culprits nearby and the victim identified his assailants. Three San Francisco teens were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on felony assault charges. On Dec. 12: at 11:45 a.m. on the 100 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight and named a 32 year-old San Francisco woman as a suspect in an incident wherein a pregnant woman was struck with a belt. At 7:06 p.m. on the first block of Blythdale Avenue, officers found a stolen car moving in traffic and stopped it. They arrested the driver, a 20 year-old Concord man, for stolen auto. The car had been reported stolen in Pleasant Hill. On Dec. 15 at 12:35 a.m. along the 2000 block of Bayshore Boulevard, officers stopped a car that had made an illegal left turn. Officers soon learned that the vehicle had been stolen. Officers placed the driver of the vehicle into custody without incident. A computer check of the suspect also revealed that he is on parole with prior convictions for theft. The suspect told officers that he was driving the car to the customer from the auto body shop he works at.: On Dec. 15 at 1:45 a.m. on the 400 block of Sawyer Street, a resident saw two men near a friend's car and realized that the men may have stolen the car's tires as it was resting on milk crates. He and the car's owner ran out to confront the thieves. The thieves entered a van and it drove away. An occupant of the van fired shots at the resident and the car owner. No one was injured. At 5:15 p.m. at Sunnydale Avenue and Hahn Street, witnesses reported hearing shots fired. Officers found shell casings in the street. No injuries were reported. At 8:40 p.m. at Santos Street and Velasco Avenue, a 22 year-old Visitacion Valley woman sitting on a Muni bus had her purse taken from her lap by a man. The woman was pulled from the bus as she struggled to keep her handbag. The robber, a black male in his early 20s, made off with the purse. On Dec. 16 at 6:12 p.m.on the 200 block of Nueva Avenue, officers responded to a call regarding a home invasion robbery. Officers spoke with the victim who stated that he was changing a tire inside his garage when he went inside the house for a moment. The victim returned to the garage to find two masked suspects pointing guns at him. The suspects took cash from the victim and tried to run up the stairs to get into the house. The victim's wife saw them coming and locked the door. The suspects ran back outside and up the street. No one was injured during the incident. On Dec. 18 at 10:20 a.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, a police sergeant and posse surrounded an apartment that a witness saw two teens break into. One burglar was arrested at the rear door as he tried to escape and the other was found hiding in an upstairs closet. A police inspector from Burglary Detail took over the case and both perpetrators were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on burglary charges. At 11:30 a.m. on the first block of Calgary Street, a resident awoke to sounds at his front door and found that four men tried to break into his home. He frightened them off. At 9 p.m. on the 400 block of Mansell Street, a civilian employee who was working at the front desk of Bayview Station took a report from a victim regarding an aggravated assault. The victim told the employee that she was attacked by two suspects, who she attends school with. The victim stated that she was not hurt and did not need medical attention and that the attack came after a verbal argument between her and two other students. The attack was stopped when school security walked into the room. On Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. on the 1600 block of Sunnydale Avenue, an officer and posse found four Sunnydale teens breaking into a rental office. The teens scattered but were caught. They were released to their parents on a promise to appear. At 11:15 p.m. on the 2100 block of Geneva Avenue, two gunmen followed a janitor into a restaurant which was closed for the day. They demanded money from the cash register. They pistol whipped the janitor and robbed him of his cell phone when he told them the register was empty. They were described as black males in their late teens wearing black masks and dark clothing. On Dec. 20 at 5:20 p.m. on the 1400 block of Sunnydale Avenue, a 26 year-old Bayview woman was shot in the arm as she walked from a grocery store. Her friends brought her to Bayview Police Station and then she was taken to San Francisco General Hospital. Her attacker was described as a black male in his 20s, 5'10" tall, 180 pounds, wearing a multi colored beanie, a lime green jacket and blue jeans. On Dec. 21 at 2:56 a.m. on Santos Street and Brookdale Avenue, a 20 year-old OMI District woman fought for control over her purse but her assailant took it from her. He was described as a black male in his mid 20s. At 4:15 p.m. on the 200 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight between two friends and identified a 42 year-old Bayview District woman as an aggravated assault suspect. Police Summaries Nov. 20: Visitacion Ave. and Talbert St., burglary of residence, attempted forcible entry. Nov. 20: 100 block of Loehr St., attempted robbery on street with bodily force. Nov. 20: 400 block of Raymond Ave., stolen automobile. Nov. 20: Pasadena St., robbery on street, strongarm. Nov. 20: San Bruno Ave. and Silliman St., robbery, bodily force. Nov. 21: 8 p.m., 1500 block of Silliman St., burglary occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., no forced entry found, stuffed animals taken. Nov. 21: Girard and Burrows Sts., battery. Nov. 21: San Bruno Ave. and Bacon St., attempted robbery on street with bodily force Nov. 21 Somerset and Felton Sts., stolen automobile. Nov. 21: Tunnel and Visitacion Aves., stolen automobile. Nov. 21: Visitacion Ave. and Cora St., attempted robbery with bodily force. Nov. 21: 200 block of Hahn St., robbery on street, strongarm. Nov. 21: First block of Leland Ave., one detained in gang investigation. Nov. 21: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows. Nov. 22: Cora St. and Visitacion Ave., traffic collision, hit and run, no injuries. Nov. 22: 11:30 p.m., First block of Brookdale Ave., burglary occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., forced entry via window, jewelry taken. Nov. 22: 100 block of Britton St., battery. Nov. 22: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Nov. 23: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., battery. Nov. 23 Hamilton and Wayland Sts., stolen automobile. Nov. 23: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Nov. 23: 200 block of Argonaut Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Nov. 23: 200 block of Argonaut Ave., robbery, armed with dangerous weapon. Nov. 24: 7 p.m., 100 block of Hahn St., burglary occurred between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., forced entry via a back window, cash and camera taken. Nov. 24: Blythdale Ave. and Santos St., 26 year-old Sunnydale man arrested for violating a court order. Nov. 24: McCarthy and Argonaut Aves., petty theft auto strip. Nov. 24: Hahn St. near Sunnydale Ave., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry. Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., battery. Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., battery of police officer. Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Nov. 24: Blythdale Ave. and Santos St., possession of marijuana. Nov. 24: Silver Ave. and Holyoke St., aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Nov. 24 Silver Ave. and Hamilton St., robbery on street, strongarm. Nov. 24: First block of Brookdale Ave., battery. Nov. 24: Girard and Felton Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Nov. 25: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows. Nov. 25: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry. Nov. 26: San Bruno Ave. and Olmstead St., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Nov. 26 Silliman and Holyoke Sts., stolen automobile. Nov. 27: Sunnydale Ave. and Delta St., stolen truck. Nov. 28: 1200 block of Sunnydale Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Nov. 28: First block of Santos St., maliscious mischief, graffiti. Nov. 30: Goettingen and Mansell Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism. Nov. 30: Delta St. at Tioga Ave., petty theft from locked auto. Nov. 30: Rutland St. and Tucker Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Nov. 30: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., aggravated assault with gun. Nov. 30: Blythdale Ave. and Hahn St., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry. Nov. 30: Brussels and Felton Sts., stolen automobile. Dec. 1: First block of Brookdale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows. Dec. 1: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., two detained in parole investigation. Dec. 1: 1500 block of Sunnydale Ave., burglary of residence, unlawful entry. Dec. 2: First block of Arleta Ave., forcible rape, bodily force. Dec. 2: 100 block of Leland Ave., forged or altered prescription. Dec. 2: Goettingen and Mansell Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism. Dec. 2: Ordway and Brussels Sts., petty theft from locked auto. Dec. 2: Sawyer St. near Sunnydale Ave., possession of marijuana for sales. Dec. 3: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., '97 Buick stolen. Dec. 4: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., aggravated assault with bodily force. Dec. 4: Arleta Ave. and Elliot St., stolen and recovered vehicle. Dec. 5: 200 block of Leland Ave., 4th grader admonished for shoplifting. Dec. 5: San Bruno and Wilde Aves., battery, suspect unknown. Dec. 5: 100 block of Schwerin St., found person, adult. Dec. 5: 1600 block of Valencia St., threats, Internet. Dec. 5: Visitacion Ave. and Sawyer St., 47 year-old Portola District man arrested for battery and disorderly conduct, drunk. Dec. 6: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., '07 BMW recovered Dec. 6: 1000 block of Goettingen St., dog attack, woman bitten, suspect identified. Dec. 6: 200 block of Santos St., vandalism to building and parked car. Dec. 6: Girard St. near Ordway St., petty theft of property. Dec. 6: First block of Teddy Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles. Dec. 7: Santos St. near Brookdale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows. Dec. 7: 200 block of Hahn St., maliscious mischief, breaking windows. Dec. 8: 200 block of Blythdale Ave. harassing phone calls. Dec. 8: First block of Garrison Ave., found person, juvenile. Dec. 8: 100 block of Goettingen St., battery, suspect known. Dec. 9: First block of Santos Ave., lost property, wallet. Dec. 9: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., '91 Acura recovered (San Pablo PD case). Dec. 9: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., '88 Chevrolet stolen, suspect seen brandishing a handgun, black male in early twenties wearing a grey beanie. Dec. 10: Carrizal St., theft from unlocked vehicle. Dec. 10: 100 block of Peabody St., mental health intervention. Dec. 10: 1300 block of Sunnydale Ave., found person, juvenile. Dec. 10: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., seven year-old admonished for shooting playmate in head with BB gun, no injury. Dec. 10: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., 18 year-old Sunnydale man arrested on local felony narcotics warrant. Dec. 11: 7:15 p.m., 200 block of Blythdale Ave., burglary occurred between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., entry via an open window, apartment ransacked, no loss reported. Dec. 11: First block of Blythdale Ave., court order violation. Dec. 11: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., criminal threats, suspect known. Dec. 11: 700 block of Delta St., found person, juvenile. Dec. 11: Geneva Ave. and Santos St., vandalism, hydrant knocked over. Dec. 12: 400 block of Argonaut Ave., fraud, false bank accounts opened in victim's name. Dec. 12: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows, suspect known. Dec. 12: Carrizal St., 27 year-old Bayview District man arrested for DUI after traffic collision. Dec. 12: First block of Heritage Ave., battery, suspect known. Dec. 12: 1400 block of Silliman Ave., vandalism to parked vehicle. Dec. 12: San Bruno Ave., theft, pickpocket on Muni. Dec. 12: 900 block of Visitacion Ave., mental health intervention. Dec. 13: Arleta Ave. and Bayshore Blvd., traffic collision, no injuries, one party was an unlicensed driver had his car impounded. Dec. 13: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows. Dec. 13: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., 24 year-old Sunnydale woman arrested for disorderly conduct (drunk) and for a San Mateo County misdemeanor. warrant. Dec. 13: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., vehicle used in attempted robbery on Dec. 10 located and impounded. Dec. 13: 900 block of Visitacion Ave., 35 year-old Sunnydale man detained in court order violation investigation. Dec. 14: First block of Blythdale Ave., battery, suspect known. Dec. 14: 1400 block of Silliman St., mental health intervention. Dec. 14: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., public housing lease violation. Dec. 14: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., two 18 year-old Sunnydale men cited for interfering with an investigation. Dec. 14: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., auto burglary. Dec. 15: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken window. Dec. 15: 200 block of Hahn St., vandalism to parked car. Dec. 15: 200 block of Leland Ave., '93 Infinity recovered. Dec. 15: Rutland St. & Visitacion Ave., auto burglary. Dec. 15: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., 39 year-old Sunnydale man arrested on Solano County felony warrant. Dec. 15: Sunnydale Ave. & Garrison St., 34 year-old Bayview District man arrested on two (San Francisco and Contra Costa counties) warrants. Dec. 16: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., 22 year-old Sunnydale woman arrested on local misdemeanor warrant. Dec. 16: 100 block of Britton Ct., auto burglary: two cars entered Dec. 16: Castillo St., found person. adult. Dec. 16: 700 block of Delta St., missing person, juvenile Dec. 16: Garrison Ave. and Rey St., one detained in gun investigation. Dec. 17: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., burglary of residence, unlawful entry. Dec. 18: Brookdale Ave. and Santos St., two detained in threats investigation. Dec. 18: 3500 block of San Bruno Ave., court order served. Dec. 18: Sunnydale Ave. and Peabody St., criminal threats. Dec. 18: 300 block of Schwerin St., auto burglary investigation. Dec. 19: 7 a.m., 600 bock of Hamilton St., burglary, entry made through garage door window, loss was television and laptop. Dec. 19: McLaren Park, '99 Toyota recovered. Dec. 20: 8:50 a.m., 1100 block of Bowdoin St., entry made through front door kicked in by the suspect, no loss. Dec. 20: 12 noon, 600 block of Visitacion Ave., attempted burglary occurred between Dec. 13 and 20, forced entry via front gate and front door, no loss reported. Dec. 20: 1300 block of Brussels St., death case, cause unknown. Dec. 20: 100 block of Raymond Ave., auto burglary. Dec. 21: 1:40 p.m., 200 block of Sawyer St., burglary occurred between 11:50 a.m. and 12:20 p.m., forced entry via rear window, safe containing money and jewelry taken. Dec. 21: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., '96 Ford recovered. Dec. 21: First block of Hahn St., auto burglary. School Read-In Volunteers Sought by Betty Parshall The San Francisco School Volunteers are always looking for people to share their experience by volunteering some time at neighborhood schools. All skills are welcome and volunteers can choose a specific school or neighborhood or can make themselves available to any school. Volunteers can also choose to be a regular weekly or daily volunteer in school, or simply sign up for a one-day event. A special event is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2009, when in honor of Black History Month schools will hold an African-American Read-in. Volunteers will read books by an African author and/or illustrator to a group of students. Aracely Hernandez visited a recent meeting of the CBO Conveners to talk about this volunteer organization, how valuable it is in helping youngsters with various subjects and skills, and she mentioned that the Visitacion Valley Middle School would particularly welcome more volunteers. To get started at a school near you, you can sign up on the San Francisco School Volunteers website or give them a call. Call 415-749-3700 or visit www.sfsv.org. It’s easy, orientation and training are provided. Events in January at Valley Branch Library Following are events in January at the Visitacion Valley Branch Library, 45 Leland Ave.: Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Tuesday: Toddler Tales with stories, songs and rhymes for ages 1-1/2 to 3 and their accompanying caregivers at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Tuesday: Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3, Wednesday: From Tools to Jewels from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Come make edgy jewelry from nuts, bolts and other finds from the hardware store. For ages 12-18. For information or to register, contact Abby Harwood at aharwood@sfpl.org. Jan. 14, Wednesday: Preschool Videos at 10:30 a.m for ages 3-5. Jan. 15, Thursday: Get Your Game On: Apples to Apples from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Teens are invited to come play the popular card game Apples to Apples. For information, contact Abby Harwood at (415) 355-5660 or aharwood@sfpl.org. Saturdays are Special at Randall Museum The Randall Museum offers drop-in, hands-on art and science workshops every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 199 Museum Way (off Roosevelt, above the Castro). Workshops are $3 per child; $5 for a parent and child combo. All kids under 8 must be with a paying adult. Call 554-9600 for further information. Jan. 3: Make magical mirror images with a fantastic string art technique. Jan. 10: Spray, dab and sponge your way to stencil madness! Jan. 17: Make a twirly, boingy, springy people pin that you can wear home. Jan. 24: Make magnificent Chinese lion head puppets to celebrate Lunar New Year. Jan. 31: Learn about the fascinating habits of owls through owl pellet dissection. Other regular Saturday activities include: Morning Family Ceramics from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ($5 per person workshop fee) Meet the Animals from 11:15 a.m. to 12 noon. Animal Feeding at 12 noon. Golden Gate Model Railroad Club Exhibit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Subway Receives Federal Environmental Approval The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) recently announced that the Central Subway project, which is Phase 2 of the Third Street Light Rail Project, has received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The ROD, which was issued on Nov. 26, is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and represents the final environmental clearance for the project. The SFMTA Board of Directors also approved a $147 million contract for Program Management/Construction Management (PM/CM) of the Central Subway that moves San Francisco one step closer to extending the existing Third Street Light Rail line from 4th and King streets to Chinatown. “These developments are significant milestones for a project that is crucial to the future of transportation in San Francisco,” said SFMTA Director Nathaniel Ford. “The Central Subway will move more people more quickly and will help attract new transit customers.” The Central Subway will have a surface platform station at Fourth and Brannan streets and subway stations at Moscone/Yerba Buena, Market Street/Union Square and Chinatown. The goal of the project is to accommodate existing and future transit ridership in the corridor with greater reliability, comfort and speed. By 2030, the San Francisco Planning Department projects a 26 percent increase in overall corridor population and a 61 percent increase in corridor employment. The project is projected to have 78,000 riders in 2030. The Central Subway will improve regional connections to Caltrain, BART and Muni, reduce air and noise pollution and relieve surface congestion. “The Central Subway will help relieve congestion on one of the most crowded corridors in the country,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “The project will also provide thousands of jobs in these difficult economic times.” The $1.3 billion Central Subway project has been favorably evaluated by the FTA as a "New Starts" project and is receiving federal funding from Congress. Construction is expected to begin in 2010, with service to the public starting in 2016. For more information, please visit the SFMTA website at www.sfmta.com/central.

Schlage Lock Site Gets Green Light
From Redevelopment Commission

Schlage Lock closed its original facility on Bayshore Boulevard in Visitacion Valley in 1999.

by Lila Hussain

The year 2009 could be exciting for Visitacion Valley. In the last month of 2008, both the San Francisco Redevelopment Commission and Planning Commission unanimously voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed redevelopment of the long dormant 20-acre Schlage Lock factory site.

This was the first step towards adopting the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s (SFRA) Redevelopment Plan for the lock factory site and portions of Leland Avenue.

The Redevelopment Agency has been working with the community for over seven years to develop a plan that will revitalize the site while supporting commercial businesses on Leland Ave.

In 2006, the Mayor appointed a Visitacion Valley Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to help guide the public process and help gather input from the community on the functions of what an adopted project area would provide.

Environmental cleanup of the site would begin soon, giving way to full demolition of all but the original office building followed by months of environmental remediation. The proposed Redevelopment Plan will transform the Schlage Lock site into a new mixed-use transit oriented community of approximately 1,250 homes with new public streets, three new community parks, and a community center created at the original Schlage Lock office building.

“Having the possibility of redevelopment to come into the Visitacion Valley, opens up new opportunities for the neighborhood” said area resident, CAC and Visitacion Valley Planning Alliance member Fran Martin. “We no longer feel like the ignored section of San Francisco”.

The retail corridors along Leland Avenue will be strengthened through concerted economic development activities, and will be complemented by new neighborhood-serving retail development on the Schlage Lock Site including a grocery store.

Tax increment will be the primary source of funding economic development and community enhancement such as hazardous waste remediation, the removal of unsafe buildings, façade improvement programs, open space, historic building preservation, programs to support and nurture local businesses, as well as affordable housing.

“This complete revitalization of the area must work in concert with the ongoing efforts to also improve the Leland Avenue corridor” said Russel Morine, a CAC member and Leland Avenue small business owner. “We have to remember the past, support the present while planning for the future.”

Community members have been advocating for sustainable development and the use of green building technologies on the site, and are encouraged by the support of city agencies as well as the developer. Through collaboration of Universal Paragon Corporation (the owner and developer of the former Schlage Lock site), neighborhood residents and businesses, and the SFRA, the project is being planned as a sustainable “green” development with a LEED-ND (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Design) rating from the U.S Green Buildings Council.

One of the important goals will be to create new models of urban sustainability from what is currently a Brownfield site.

Chris Barnett, another CAC member says, “If the project is done right, Vis Valley can become a model for 21st century redevelopment efforts and sustainability, truly putting our neighborhood on the map.”

Along with the possibility of a new physical landscape to the neighborhood, the presence of a redevelopment plan means that area residents will have opportunities to compete for new jobs created by the construction and redevelopment that takes place.

“All the tools of redevelopment will be made available to the Visitacion Valley, to help it improve and thrive” said Fred Blackwell, Executive Director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency. “We want to invest in the people of this neighborhood”

The San Francisco Redevelopment Commission will hold public hearings on the Redevelopment Plan at its January 6th and February 3rd meeting, 4 p.m. at City Hall Room 416, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. If approved, it will move on to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.

For more information about the proposed redevelopment Project Area, go to the Agency’s website at www.sfgov.org/sfra. Tom Evans, the Lead Planner can be contacted at 415-749-2539 or at tom.evans@sfgov.org.

Budget Discussed for Vis Valley Public Art

by Russel Morine

The selection an artist to design the public art component of the future Visitacion Valley branch library took a major step forward recently. On December 4, the six member Community Artist Selection Panel met to review and discuss potential candidates for the $75,000 project. City ordinance requires that all publicly funded projects must set aside 2% of the project’s budget for an art element.

According to the SF Arts Commission website: “The artwork budget includes, but is not limited to all art project expenses such as: artist fees, engineering design, materials, fabrication, transportation, installation, permits (if required) and insurance.”

Over 100 applicants applied to be in the initial pool of artists for Vis Valley and other forthcoming library projects. This pool was narrowed down to 34 artists by the SF Arts Commission, 20 of which were then presented to the Community Artist Selection Panel.

According to Ellen Shershow Project manger for the Arts Commission, the selection of the 20 was “based on the sorts of opportunities the architecture of the library afforded, as well as community feedback.”

The panel discussed the merits of each artist and selected three finalists and one alternate. At this stage in the process, the actual art piece has not been designed; rather the style of the artist and what they could contribute to the community was the focus.

The next step will be a community meeting, possibly during late January 2009, to introduce the artists to the community. This meeting will provide them with feedback regarding possible artistic directions. Each artist will be subsequently develop a site specific proposal. Each artist/ artist team will be “paid an honorarium of $500 to prepare a preliminary proposal for the project,” according the SF Arts commission website. Each proposal will then be displayed at the existing library allowing the community the opportunity to evaluate and submit written comments. These comments will then be reviewed by the panel and a final decision will be presented to the community. The final contract is contingent upon the Arts Commission’s approval of the Community Artist Selection Panel’s recommendation and the feasibility of implementing the proposal.

The artist (teams) selected are as follows: Johanna Poethig, the artist Team of Fran Martin and Jim Growden, and the artist team of Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector. Amy Trachtenberg was selected as an alternate.

Demolition of the Superfair Market (site of the new library) will begin in the spring of 2009. Construction of the new branch will be complete by late 2010 … we hope.

For more information please contact either Ellen Shershow, at 415.252.2594 or ellen.shershow@sfgov.org, or Mary Chou, at 415.252.3215 or mary.chou@sfgov.org

Greenway Opens Native Plant Garden

Of six sites, the Native Plant Garden is the newest of the Visitacion Valley Greenway.

The Visitacion Valley Greenway Project officially opened a new Native Plant Garden adjacent to Rutland Street between Tioga and Tucker avenues with a Saturday morning reception on Dec. 20.

A festive grand opening is also planned in the spring for all six of the Greenway sites where the history of the award-winning Greenway will be discussed along with the need for community help in its maintenance.

In order to maintain the parks, work parties will be held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon (except the second Saturday of the month). Please call 468-0639 for further information.

El Dorado Elementary School Happenings

by Tai Schoeman and Lori Fetzer

Big News for Year’s End

Kindergarten teacher, Marisa Martinez, veteran of more than a decade of dedicated and loving support to El Dorado Elementary’s students and families is being recognized for her significant contributions to the profession and to El Dorado. This November, awards for the prestigious National Board exams were delivered and Marisa was one of the recipients.

The website, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards states: “Like board-certified doctors and accountants, teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. In a congressionally-mandated study, National Board Certification was recently recognized by the National Research Council as having a positive impact on student achievement, teacher retention, and professional development.”

Within the same two week period of time, Marisa was notified that she had been selected as one of the educators that used and received more Donor’s Choose awards in the state of California.

She and others were honored at a gala event where political heavyweights like Nancy Pelosi, Jack O’Connell and the founder of Craigs List recognized the Donors Choose program.

Marisa is a valued member of the El Dorado community. Genece Washington, her teaching partner of six years says, “Marisa is a supportive and creative colleague who enjoys inspiring children through music and art.”

Furthermore, “Marisa is an educator that is always trying to bring joyful learning to her classroom. In addition to being an educator she is also a professional musician. She infuses music into her classroom and to the rest of the school through leadership roles such as the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator and starting a program at the school in which she teaches guitar to a group of students every year. The program is called Little Kids Rock. It is an honor and pleasure to work with someone so dedicated to the wellbeing of children from Visitation Valley,“ comments the principal, Tai Schoeman.

Celebrating Winter

Students gathered with their families on the afternoon of Thursday, December 18th to sing, dance and play music at The Winter Concert.

Under the direction of both their classroom teachers, the 2nd-5th grade music teacher, Mr. Tracy and the instrumental music teacher, John Calloway, students treated their visitors (more than 50 families) to sing-a-longs, instrumental music, choral music, poetry reading, and even a song sung and signed!

The stage was filled, again and again, with youngsters full of energy, joy, and holiday spirit.

Family Appreciation Day

San Francisco families with children can enjoy 32 of the City's world class museums and attractions free on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Times vary by location. Kids can ride Muni and the S.F. Cultursl Bus free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information, see www.SFKids.org

Joe Leland ... Around the Neighborhood

*Own a Piece of Leland: 73 Leland Ave. (formerly a Vietnamese restaurant) is for sale. In addition to the vacant ground floor commercial space, the 1917 building has two residential units on the second floor. The list price is $699,000. An excellent location, interested buyers should consider the short and long term potential along Leland Avenue. This mid-block location is prime for the right community serving business. 415-517-7882.

*New Restaurant: Visitacion Valley has a new gastronomic option with the opening of Ng’s Kitchen located at 2511 Geneva Ave. Serving “Hunan and Mandarin Cuisine with a Twist,” the establishment offers a wide variety of tantalizing flavor varieties with 80 items listed on the menu . The prices are a little higher than other Chinese establishments in the neighborhood, but Ng’s Kitchen does have a 33-item lunch menu with all prices less than $6.25. Ng’s Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and offers free delivery for order over $10. Be sure to stop by the restaurant and check out the clean well-designed decor. Phone number is 415.239.8844 or go online at www.ngskitchen.com

*Meet the CAC: The Visitacion Valley Citizens Advisory Committee will have its first meeting of 2009 on Tuesday, Jan 13th from 6 to 8 p.m. The CAC meets on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss all things Schlage Lock. No detail is too small or topic too broad to escape the steadfast gaze of the dedicated participants. Join the fun! Meeting location is S.F. Recycling & Disposal, Inc. Environmental Learning Center, 401 Tunnel Ave., San Francisco, CA 94134.

*Superfair Market Close-Out Sale: If you haven’t heard, the new library will be located at 201 Leland Ave., the current site of the Superfair Market. Superfair is in the process of clearing out all its vintage merchandise, offering many “buy one, get one free” deals. Some long time residents may recall the store in its early years as a full service Cala Market. Those days are long gone and soon too will be Superfair Market.

*Yahoo Visitacion Valley: If you have email and an interest in sharing information about Vis Valley, make sure you sign up for the ever-popular Vis Valley Yahoo group, The Valley Eye. Recent topics include: home break-ins, meeting updates, strange noises at night, and the best place to find a good house painter. Go to the link below or send your email to rmorine@aol.com to join the discussion. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Valley_Eye/

McLaren Park News and Notes

by Betty Parshall

It’s a Red-tail, It’s a Cooper’s, It’s a Mexican Gray,
It’s … Mystery Bird!!

Bird fans have been enjoying an exciting time trying to identify a hawk, or more likely more than one unusual hawk, spotted in the park recently. Several weeks ago a large hawk (at least we think it’s a hawk) was spotted perched on a high tree at the edge of the large open space on Shelly Drive, a popular dog run area. It was unusual for the light gray color of its breast feathers, and perched facing outward, no other identifying marks were to be seen. Later I heard that some thought it was a Mexican gray hawk, far from its usual area, but it is not unusual for the park to be visited by occasional “accidentals.”

Within a week or two, the Portola message board lit up with descriptions and pictures and varying opinions of just what the bird is. But from all these messages it became apparent that more than one bird was being sighted.

Some thought it a Cooper’s hawk, while others surmised it to be a Goshawk. Both can have the gray coloring, and must be observed flying to identify by the finer points of streaks, bands on the tail, shape of the tail, and so on. Quoting from The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America: “distinguishing one accipiter species from another can be very difficult. Overall plumage is of little use… Identification depends on careful study of plumage details and proportions.”

But here’s what I saw very recently while accompanying Hope on her daily walk. The (apparently) same large soft-gray-colored hawk was perched on a large tree. Another dog owner and I stared at it for several minutes, then it took flight right over us, and we both could see a very red tail. An avid birder has told me that colors can vary greatly in these birds, so

I’m very sure that “my” bird is a red-tail hawk.

One Brick Volunteers Enhance Yosemite Marsh

On Saturday, December 13, over thirty volunteers from One Brick worked for a couple of hours planting native species around Yosemite Marsh (located near Bacon and Oxford Streets). Invited by the Natural Areas Program of the S.F. Recreation & Parks Department to help with the planting, the group was hard at work planting California wax myrtle, monkey flower, yarrow, red flowering currant, and a few other native plants.

Once established these plants will soon provide a pleasing variety of tall shrubs and low ground covers and provide lots of color during their respective blooming seasons.

One Brick is a non-profit organization that recruits volunteers to support local communities all over the Bay Area. Events are usually from two to four hours, not only assisting with the work done but creating a very social gathering that will gather at a local café or restaurant after completing the project. Projects vary. One Brick has assisted dozens of local groups, just a few of which are the S.F. Rec & Parks Dept., the S.F. Zoo, S.F. Boys & Girls Club, and the S.F. Food Bank. Volunteers sign up but choose their own times and frequency of helping out. This is a great way to give to your community and enjoy a good social time too.

For more information check out www.onebrick.org

Safer Steps Thanks to Park Scan

The steps from the parking lot on Shelley Drive down to the reservoir (Shelley Lake!) have been repaired by the Recreation and Parks Department. Thanks to everyone who reported the need for the repairs. If you see a need for repairs at any neighborhood park take it to www.parkscan.org There you can register your concern and the organization will in turn work to get the attention the issue deserves.

Trees on Trails, Try Not to Trip

Reacting to real or potential heavy use of cyclists on some of the trails through McLaren Park, someone has cut huge branches from the blue gum eucalyptus trees and strewn them across paths in the area west of the green water tanks. Apparently this was done without notifying or gaining permission from the Recreation & Parks Department. While cycling off-trail can be damaging to plants and facilitate erosion, this does not seem the best way to reach agreements on how the park paths can be shared by all. Let’s hope interested parties can get together with the Department and address the issue in a positive way.

…from the desk of the VVBOOM newsroom

by Nick Wolff

What Leland Avenue restaurant has breakfast burritos on the menu?

What Leland Avenue business is also the name of a major city in China?

How much is a manicure at Nails by Jenny?

How many barber chairs are there in JB’s The Shop?

What does N.E.M.S. stand for?

These are just some of the over 20 questions featured in the 2008 VVBOOM Holiday Scavenger Hunt, held Saturday, December 20th on Leland Avenue in conjunction with the local Boys & Girls Club. Area youth and parents alike scampered in and out of stores in downtown Visitacion Valley searching for answers to questions designed to get families inside businesses they may not be familiar with. That was, after all, the goal of the event.

Scavenger Hunt winners were awarded a prize package valued at $40 from participating Leland Avenue businesses, while runners up received a similar $20 gift package. Everyone involved enjoyed free hot cocoa at the conclusion of the Scavenger Hunt at VVBOOM Headquarters – 91 Leland Avenue. While participants warmed up with wintery chocolate beverages and marshmallows, adults were able to prioritize proposed 2009 VVBOOM Action Plan items from an extensive list of ideas generated at neighborhood meetings and by surveying area merchants. It was a win-win situation, not only for scavenger hunters, but for VVBOOM and local businesses. For those playing at home the answers are: Nayarit Taqueria & Bakery, Hong Kong Hail & Nail Salon, $7, 3 and Northeast Medical Services.

If a Leland Avenue parking meter is striped, does that make it free? The answer is no, but they do look more festive don’t they? If you haven’t taken notice, Leland Avenue parking meters from Bayshore Boulevard to Rutland Street were decorated with red ribbon to mark the Holiday season, thanks to our partnership with the Boys & Girls Club. But the holiday decorating didn’t stop at parking meters. VVBOOM was able to distribute holiday lights to jolly Leland Avenue merchants who lit up downtown Vis Valley storefront windows throughout the month of December.

Does your storefront shine? If you own or operate a business out of a Leland Avenue commercial storefront, your building is eligible for the city-wide Façade Improvement Program. SF Shines invests in commercial corridors like Leland Avenue through façade improvements which include grants, designs services and project management. The goal of the program is to increase economic vitality along the City’s diverse commercial corridors, attract new businesses and provide support to existing business. To learn more, contact Nick Wolff @ 415/585.2338 or email nwolff@vvboom.org.

Visitacion Valley Police Report

Police Cases

*On Nov. 21 at 9:45 a.m. on the first block of Onondaga Avenue, a 75 year-old Portola woman left her purse unattended inside her unlocked parked car while she used a mailbox. A 42 year-old Oakland man entered the car and stole her purse. A witness gave chase and an officer broadcast the description of the thief. Another officer saw the man hiding the purse beneath a car on Mission Street and the victim identified her belongings and the perpetrator. The man was charged with felony theft, possessing stolen property, and had his parole violated. At 11:30 a.m. on the 200 block of Hahn Street, a 31 year-old Sunnydale woman was confronted at her front door by a robber who pulled her purse from her shoulder. The man fled with her valuables. He was described as a black male, 17 to 25 years old, 6' tall, 170 pounds, short black hair, wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans.

*On Nov. 22 at 7:55 p.m. on the 100 block of Britton Street, an officer investigated a Domestic Violence incident and arrested a 43 year-old Sunnydale man for felony battery.

*On Nov. 23 at 12:15 a.m. on the 1800 block of Sunnydale Avenue, an officer investigated a Domestic violence incident and named a 43 year-old Treasure Island man as a suspect. At 3:07 a.m. on the 2000 block of Sunnydale Avenue, officers broke up a fight and arrested a 27 year-old Sunnydale woman for felony battery in a Domestic Violence case. At 7 a.m. on the 200 block of Argonaut Avenue, two men spent the night drinking together and returned to one's apartment. They argued and struck each other. One got the better of the other and fled. The victim was treated at SFGH.

*On Nov. 24 at 1:50 a.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, an officer investigated a Domestic Violence incident and arrested a 58 year-old Sunnydale man for making criminal threats and battery.

*On Nov. 26 at 7:20 p.m. at Ordway and Girard streets, a 24 year old Portola woman was pushed to the ground and robbed of her handbag. The suspects fled in a black SUV. They were described as Latin males, late teens, wearing black clothing.

*On Nov. 28 at 5:10 p.m. on the 100 block of Loehr Street, an officer investigated a family dispute and named a 69 year-old Sunnydale man as a suspect in an aggravated assault. The man had struck a relative with a hand axe. She was taken to SFGH for treatment.

*On Nov. 29 at 11:50 p.m. on the 2200 block of Bayshore Boulevard, a clerk was robbed of all the cash in the store's register. The robber was described as a black male, 30 years old, 5'6" tall, wearing a black baseball cap, a black nylon stocking as a mask, and black clothing.

*On Nov. 30 at 10:30 a.m. on the 1900 block of Sunnydale Avenue, a 21 year-old Sunnydale man was seen firing shots at another man. The perpetrator fled into an apartment. A police lieutenant and posse surrounded the home and demanded the suspect's surrender. He complied and was booked on three felonies. The man's parole was revoked, too.

*On Dec. 1 at 7:15 a.m. on the first block of Garrison Avenue, SFPD SWAT officers served a search warrant for Ingleside Station plain clothes officers in a narcotics investigation. Cocaine, a handgun, brass knuckles, and cash were seized. Two women, both in their early thirties, living in the home were arrested and charged with multiple felonies.

*On Dec. 2 at 4:20 p.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, a woman found her estranged boyfriend inside her home. He threatened her and fled. Officers found the man in the neighborhood and arrested him, charging the 43 year-old Sunnydale man with three felonies. At 6:45 p.m. on the 100 block of Rey Street, officers investigated a Domestic Violence incident and named a suspect. They found the man nearby and arrested him for felony battery. The 34 year-old Visitacion Valley man was also possessing methamphetamine and heroin.

*On Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. on the 100 block of Blythdale Avenue an officer investigated a child abuse incident and named a 54 year-old Sunnydale man as a suspect. At 12:45 p.m. on Arleta Avenue, a rape victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted at home by her boyfriend on December 2. An officer investigated and named a suspect. A police sergeant and posse arrested the perpetrator, a 37 year-old Bernal Heights man, in San Mateo County and charged him with three felonies. Sex Crimes Detail took over the case.

*On Dec. 8 at 2:35 p.m. on the 200 block of Schwerin Street, witnesses reported shots fired in the neighborhood. Officers found a parked car with gunfire damage. No injuries were reported. At 4:13 p.m. at Girard and Silliman streets, officers responded to a call regarding a battery of a person using pepper spray. Officers spoke to the victim who stated that another car hit him from behind, while he was stopped at a sign. The victim got out of his car and approached the person who hit him. The suspect sprayed the victim in the face with pepper spray and then grabbed a bat. The victim walked back to his car in an attempt to avoid more confrontation. The victim’s wife also stated that they had been in a road rage incident with the suspect earlier. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to Bayview Station without further incident. The victim was treated by medics for the pepper spray.

*On Dec. 10 at 3:35 p.m. on the 2200 block of Bayshore Boulevardlvd, officers investigated a traffic collision wherein a woman had knocked a trash can into a store's window, breaking the glass. The woman fled from the officers in her car and was stopped in traffic on Leland Avenue. A Daly City officer assisted in the traffic stop and broke the car's window in order to arrest the woman, a 48 year-old Visitacion Valley resident. She was charged with Driving Under the Influence. At 11 p.m. on the 2100 block of Bayshore Boulevard, a worker sleeping in construction site awoke to find two prowlers who fled upon seeing him. No loss was reported. At 7:45 p.m. on the 200 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight and named a 50 year-old San Francisco woman as a suspect in an attempted stabbing.

*On Dec. 11 at 3:15 p.m. at Visitacion Avenue and Mansell Street, a Bayview District man claimed that he was robbed of his car at gunpoint. His statement did not make sense an officer, who determined that the car had been involved in a hit-and-run collision in the Mission District. Nevertheless, the man insisted on filing a robbery report. At 9 p.m. at Crocker Amazon Park, a 24 year-old Crocker Amazon man said that he argued with his fellow soccer players. The argument escalated and the man was struck in the head with a metal bar, knocked to the ground, and beaten by three juveniles. An officer and posse found the culprits nearby and the victim identified his assailants. Three San Francisco teens were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on felony assault charges.

*On Dec. 12: at 11:45 a.m. on the 100 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight and named a 32 year-old San Francisco woman as a suspect in an incident wherein a pregnant woman was struck with a belt. At 7:06 p.m. on the first block of Blythdale Avenue, officers found a stolen car moving in traffic and stopped it. They arrested the driver, a 20 year-old Concord man, for stolen auto. The car had been reported stolen in Pleasant Hill.

*On Dec. 15 at 12:35 a.m. along the 2000 block of Bayshore Boulevard, officers stopped a car that had made an illegal left turn. Officers soon learned that the vehicle had been stolen. Officers placed the driver of the vehicle into custody without incident. A computer check of the suspect also revealed that he is on parole with prior convictions for theft. The suspect told officers that he was driving the car to the customer from the auto body shop he works at.:

*On Dec. 15 at 1:45 a.m. on the 400 block of Sawyer Street, a resident saw two men near a friend's car and realized that the men may have stolen the car's tires as it was resting on milk crates. He and the car's owner ran out to confront the thieves. The thieves entered a van and it drove away. An occupant of the van fired shots at the resident and the car owner. No one was injured. At 5:15 p.m. at Sunnydale Avenue and Hahn Street, witnesses reported hearing shots fired. Officers found shell casings in the street. No injuries were reported. At 8:40 p.m. at Santos Street and Velasco Avenue, a 22 year-old Visitacion Valley woman sitting on a Muni bus had her purse taken from her lap by a man. The woman was pulled from the bus as she struggled to keep her handbag. The robber, a black male in his early 20s, made off with the purse.

*On Dec. 16 at 6:12 p.m.on the 200 block of Nueva Avenue, officers responded to a call regarding a home invasion robbery. Officers spoke with the victim who stated that he was changing a tire inside his garage when he went inside the house for a moment. The victim returned to the garage to find two masked suspects pointing guns at him. The suspects took cash from the victim and tried to run up the stairs to get into the house. The victim's wife saw them coming and locked the door. The suspects ran back outside and up the street. No one was injured during the incident.

*On Dec. 18 at 10:20 a.m. on the first block of Brookdale Avenue, a police sergeant and posse surrounded an apartment that a witness saw two teens break into. One burglar was arrested at the rear door as he tried to escape and the other was found hiding in an upstairs closet. A police inspector from Burglary Detail took over the case and both perpetrators were booked into the Juvenile Justice Center on burglary charges. At 11:30 a.m. on the first block of Calgary Street, a resident awoke to sounds at his front door and found that four men tried to break into his home. He frightened them off. At 9 p.m. on the 400 block of Mansell Street, a civilian employee who was working at the front desk of Bayview Station took a report from a victim regarding an aggravated assault. The victim told the employee that she was attacked by two suspects, who she attends school with. The victim stated that she was not hurt and did not need medical attention and that the attack came after a verbal argument between her and two other students. The attack was stopped when school security walked into the room.

*On Dec. 19 at 1:30 p.m. on the 1600 block of Sunnydale Avenue, an officer and posse found four Sunnydale teens breaking into a rental office. The teens scattered but were caught. They were released to their parents on a promise to appear. At 11:15 p.m. on the 2100 block of Geneva Avenue, two gunmen followed a janitor into a restaurant which was closed for the day. They demanded money from the cash register. They pistol whipped the janitor and robbed him of his cell phone when he told them the register was empty. They were described as black males in their late teens wearing black masks and dark clothing.

*On Dec. 20 at 5:20 p.m. on the 1400 block of Sunnydale Avenue, a 26 year-old Bayview woman was shot in the arm as she walked from a grocery store. Her friends brought her to Bayview Police Station and then she was taken to San Francisco General Hospital. Her attacker was described as a black male in his 20s, 5'10" tall, 180 pounds, wearing a multi colored beanie, a lime green jacket and blue jeans.

*On Dec. 21 at 2:56 a.m. on Santos Street and Brookdale Avenue, a 20 year-old OMI District woman fought for control over her purse but her assailant took it from her. He was described as a black male in his mid 20s. At 4:15 p.m. on the 200 block of Blythdale Avenue, an officer investigated a fight between two friends and identified a 42 year-old Bayview District woman as an aggravated assault suspect.

Police Summaries

*Nov. 20: Visitacion Ave. and Talbert St., burglary of residence, attempted forcible entry.

*Nov. 20: 100 block of Loehr St., attempted robbery on street with bodily force.

*Nov. 20: 400 block of Raymond Ave., stolen automobile.

*Nov. 20: Pasadena St., robbery on street, strongarm.

*Nov. 20: San Bruno Ave. and Silliman St., robbery, bodily force.

*Nov. 21: 8 p.m., 1500 block of Silliman St., burglary occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., no forced entry found, stuffed animals taken.

*Nov. 21: Girard and Burrows Sts., battery.

*Nov. 21: San Bruno Ave. and Bacon St., attempted robbery on street with bodily force

*Nov. 21 Somerset and Felton Sts., stolen automobile.

*Nov. 21: Tunnel and Visitacion Aves., stolen automobile.

*Nov. 21: Visitacion Ave. and Cora St., attempted robbery with bodily force.

*Nov. 21: 200 block of Hahn St., robbery on street, strongarm.

*Nov. 21: First block of Leland Ave., one detained in gang investigation.

*Nov. 21: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows.

*Nov. 22: Cora St. and Visitacion Ave., traffic collision, hit and run, no injuries.

*Nov. 22: 11:30 p.m., First block of Brookdale Ave., burglary occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m., forced entry via window, jewelry taken.

*Nov. 22: 100 block of Britton St., battery.

*Nov. 22: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon.

*Nov. 23: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., battery.

*Nov. 23 Hamilton and Wayland Sts., stolen automobile.

*Nov. 23: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Nov. 23: 200 block of Argonaut Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon.

*Nov. 23: 200 block of Argonaut Ave., robbery, armed with dangerous weapon.

*Nov. 24: 7 p.m., 100 block of Hahn St., burglary occurred between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., forced entry via a back window, cash and camera taken.

*Nov. 24: Blythdale Ave. and Santos St., 26 year-old Sunnydale man arrested for violating a court order.

*Nov. 24: McCarthy and Argonaut Aves., petty theft auto strip.

*Nov. 24: Hahn St. near Sunnydale Ave., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry.

*Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., battery.

*Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., battery of police officer.

*Nov. 24: San Bruno Ave. between Silliman St. and Silver Aves., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Nov. 24: Blythdale Ave. and Santos St., possession of marijuana.

*Nov. 24: Silver Ave. and Holyoke St., aggravated assault with deadly weapon.

*Nov. 24 Silver Ave. and Hamilton St., robbery on street, strongarm.

*Nov. 24: First block of Brookdale Ave., battery.

*Nov. 24: Girard and Felton Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Nov. 25: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows.

*Nov. 25: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry.

*Nov. 26: San Bruno Ave. and Olmstead St., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Nov. 26 Silliman and Holyoke Sts., stolen automobile.

*Nov. 27: Sunnydale Ave. and Delta St., stolen truck.

*Nov. 28: 1200 block of Sunnydale Ave., aggravated assault with deadly weapon.

*Nov. 28: First block of Santos St., maliscious mischief, graffiti.

*Nov. 30: Goettingen and Mansell Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism.

*Nov. 30: Delta St. at Tioga Ave., petty theft from locked auto.

*Nov. 30: Rutland St. and Tucker Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Nov. 30: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., aggravated assault with gun.

*Nov. 30: Blythdale Ave. and Hahn St., burglary of apartment house, forcible entry.

*Nov. 30: Brussels and Felton Sts., stolen automobile.

*Dec. 1: First block of Brookdale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows.

*Dec. 1: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., two detained in parole investigation.

*Dec. 1: 1500 block of Sunnydale Ave., burglary of residence, unlawful entry.

*Dec. 2: First block of Arleta Ave., forcible rape, bodily force.

*Dec. 2: 100 block of Leland Ave., forged or altered prescription.

*Dec. 2: Goettingen and Mansell Sts., maliscious mischief, vandalism.

*Dec. 2: Ordway and Brussels Sts., petty theft from locked auto.

*Dec. 2: Sawyer St. near Sunnydale Ave., possession of marijuana for sales.

*Dec. 3: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., '97 Buick stolen.

*Dec. 4: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., aggravated assault with bodily force.

*Dec. 4: Arleta Ave. and Elliot St., stolen and recovered vehicle.

*Dec. 5: 200 block of Leland Ave., 4th grader admonished for shoplifting.

*Dec. 5: San Bruno and Wilde Aves., battery, suspect unknown.

*Dec. 5: 100 block of Schwerin St., found person, adult.

*Dec. 5: 1600 block of Valencia St., threats, Internet.

*Dec. 5: Visitacion Ave. and Sawyer St., 47 year-old Portola District man arrested for battery and disorderly conduct, drunk.

*Dec. 6: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., '07 BMW recovered

*Dec. 6: 1000 block of Goettingen St., dog attack, woman bitten, suspect identified.

*Dec. 6: 200 block of Santos St., vandalism to building and parked car.

*Dec. 6: Girard St. near Ordway St., petty theft of property.

*Dec. 6: First block of Teddy Ave., maliscious mischief, vandalism of vehicles.

*Dec. 7: Santos St. near Brookdale Ave., maliscious mischief, breaking windows.

*Dec. 7: 200 block of Hahn St., maliscious mischief, breaking windows.

*Dec. 8: 200 block of Blythdale Ave. harassing phone calls.

*Dec. 8: First block of Garrison Ave., found person, juvenile.

*Dec. 8: 100 block of Goettingen St., battery, suspect known.

*Dec. 9: First block of Santos Ave., lost property, wallet.

*Dec. 9: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., '91 Acura recovered (San Pablo PD case).

*Dec. 9: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., '88 Chevrolet stolen, suspect seen brandishing a handgun, black male in early twenties wearing a grey beanie.

*Dec. 10: Carrizal St., theft from unlocked vehicle.

*Dec. 10: 100 block of Peabody St., mental health intervention.

*Dec. 10: 1300 block of Sunnydale Ave., found person, juvenile.

*Dec. 10: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., seven year-old admonished for shooting playmate in head with BB gun, no injury.

*Dec. 10: 1900 block of Sunnydale Ave., 18 year-old Sunnydale man arrested on local felony narcotics warrant.

*Dec. 11: 7:15 p.m., 200 block of Blythdale Ave., burglary occurred between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., entry via an open window, apartment ransacked, no loss reported.

*Dec. 11: First block of Blythdale Ave., court order violation.

*Dec. 11: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., criminal threats, suspect known.

*Dec. 11: 700 block of Delta St., found person, juvenile.

*Dec. 11: Geneva Ave. and Santos St., vandalism, hydrant knocked over.

*Dec. 12: 400 block of Argonaut Ave., fraud, false bank accounts opened in victim's name.

*Dec. 12: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows, suspect known.
*Dec. 12: Carrizal St., 27 year-old Bayview District man arrested for DUI after traffic collision.

*Dec. 12: First block of Heritage Ave., battery, suspect known.

*Dec. 12: 1400 block of Silliman Ave., vandalism to parked vehicle.

*Dec. 12: San Bruno Ave., theft, pickpocket on Muni.

*Dec. 12: 900 block of Visitacion Ave., mental health intervention.
*Dec. 13: Arleta Ave. and Bayshore Blvd., traffic collision, no injuries, one party was an unlicensed driver had his car impounded.

*Dec. 13: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken windows.

*Dec. 13: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., 24 year-old Sunnydale woman arrested for disorderly conduct (drunk) and for a San Mateo County misdemeanor. warrant.

*Dec. 13: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., vehicle used in attempted robbery on Dec. 10 located and impounded.

*Dec. 13: 900 block of Visitacion Ave., 35 year-old Sunnydale man detained in court order violation investigation.

*Dec. 14: First block of Blythdale Ave., battery, suspect known.

*Dec. 14: 1400 block of Silliman St., mental health intervention.

*Dec. 14: 1600 block of Sunnydale Ave., public housing lease violation.

*Dec. 14: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., two 18 year-old Sunnydale men cited for interfering with an investigation.

*Dec. 14: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., auto burglary.

*Dec. 15: 200 block of Blythdale Ave., vandalism to building, broken window.

*Dec. 15: 200 block of Hahn St., vandalism to parked car.

*Dec. 15: 200 block of Leland Ave., '93 Infinity recovered.

*Dec. 15: Rutland St. & Visitacion Ave., auto burglary.

*Dec. 15: 1700 block of Sunnydale Ave., 39 year-old Sunnydale man arrested on Solano County felony warrant.

*Dec. 15: Sunnydale Ave. & Garrison St., 34 year-old Bayview District man arrested on two (San Francisco and Contra Costa counties) warrants.

*Dec. 16: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., 22 year-old Sunnydale woman arrested on local misdemeanor warrant.

*Dec. 16: 100 block of Britton Ct., auto burglary: two cars entered

*Dec. 16: Castillo St., found person. adult.

*Dec. 16: 700 block of Delta St., missing person, juvenile

*Dec. 16: Garrison Ave. and Rey St., one detained in gun investigation.

*Dec. 17: 1800 block of Sunnydale Ave., burglary of residence, unlawful entry.

*Dec. 18: Brookdale Ave. and Santos St., two detained in threats investigation.

*Dec. 18: 3500 block of San Bruno Ave., court order served.

*Dec. 18: Sunnydale Ave. and Peabody St., criminal threats.

*Dec. 18: 300 block of Schwerin St., auto burglary investigation.

*Dec. 19: 7 a.m., 600 bock of Hamilton St., burglary, entry made through garage door
window, loss was television and laptop.

*Dec. 19: McLaren Park, '99 Toyota recovered.

*Dec. 20: 8:50 a.m., 1100 block of Bowdoin St., entry made through front door kicked in by the suspect, no loss.

*Dec. 20: 12 noon, 600 block of Visitacion Ave., attempted burglary occurred between Dec.
13 and 20, forced entry via front gate and front door, no loss reported.

*Dec. 20: 1300 block of Brussels St., death case, cause unknown.

*Dec. 20: 100 block of Raymond Ave., auto burglary.

*Dec. 21: 1:40 p.m., 200 block of Sawyer St., burglary occurred between 11:50 a.m. and 12:20 p.m., forced entry via rear window, safe containing money and jewelry taken.

*Dec. 21: 100 block of Blythdale Ave., '96 Ford recovered.

*Dec. 21: First block of Hahn St., auto burglary.

School Read-In Volunteers Sought

by Betty Parshall
The San Francisco School Volunteers are always looking for people to share their experience by volunteering some time at neighborhood schools. All skills are welcome and volunteers can choose a specific school or neighborhood or can make themselves available to any school.

Volunteers can also choose to be a regular weekly or daily volunteer in school, or simply sign up for a one-day event. A special event is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2009, when in honor of Black History Month schools will hold an African-American Read-in. Volunteers will read books by an African author and/or illustrator to a group of students.

Aracely Hernandez visited a recent meeting of the CBO Conveners to talk about this volunteer organization, how valuable it is in helping youngsters with various subjects and skills, and she mentioned that the Visitacion Valley Middle School would particularly welcome more volunteers.

To get started at a school near you, you can sign up on the San Francisco School Volunteers website or give them a call.

Call 415-749-3700 or visit www.sfsv.org. It’s easy, orientation and training are provided.

Events in January at Valley Branch Library

Following are events in January at the Visitacion Valley Branch Library, 45 Leland Ave.:

*Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Tuesday: Toddler Tales with stories, songs and rhymes for ages 1-1/2 to 3 and their accompanying caregivers at 11:30 a.m.

*Jan. 6, 13, 20 and 27, Tuesday: Preschool Storytime for ages 3-5 at 10:30 a.m.

*Jan. 3, Wednesday: From Tools to Jewels from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Come make edgy jewelry from nuts, bolts and other finds from the hardware store. For ages 12-18. For information or to register, contact Abby Harwood at aharwood@sfpl.org.

*Jan. 14, Wednesday: Preschool Videos at 10:30 a.m for ages 3-5.

*Jan. 15, Thursday: Get Your Game On: Apples to Apples from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Teens are invited to come play the popular card game Apples to Apples. For information, contact Abby Harwood at (415) 355-5660 or aharwood@sfpl.org.

Saturdays are Special at Randall Museum

The Randall Museum offers drop-in, hands-on art and science workshops every Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 199 Museum Way (off Roosevelt, above the Castro). Workshops are $3 per child; $5 for a parent and child combo. All kids under 8 must be with a paying adult. Call 554-9600 for further information.

*Jan. 3: Make magical mirror images with a fantastic string art technique.

*Jan. 10: Spray, dab and sponge your way to stencil madness!

*Jan. 17: Make a twirly, boingy, springy people pin that you can wear home.

*Jan. 24: Make magnificent Chinese lion head puppets to celebrate Lunar New Year.

*Jan. 31: Learn about the fascinating habits of owls through owl pellet dissection.

Other regular Saturday activities include:

*Morning Family Ceramics from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ($5 per person workshop fee)

*Meet the Animals from 11:15 a.m. to 12 noon.

*Animal Feeding at 12 noon.

*Golden Gate Model Railroad Club Exhibit from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Central Subway Receives
Federal Environmental Approval

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) recently announced that the Central Subway project, which is Phase 2 of the Third Street Light Rail Project, has received a Record of Decision (ROD) from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The ROD, which was issued on Nov. 26, is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and represents the final environmental clearance for the project.

The SFMTA Board of Directors also approved a $147 million contract for Program Management/Construction Management (PM/CM) of the Central Subway that moves San Francisco one step closer to extending the existing Third Street Light Rail line from 4th and King streets to Chinatown.

“These developments are significant milestones for a project that is crucial to the future of transportation in San Francisco,” said SFMTA Director Nathaniel Ford. “The Central Subway will move more people more quickly and will help attract new transit customers.”
The Central Subway will have a surface platform station at Fourth and Brannan streets and subway stations at Moscone/Yerba Buena, Market Street/Union Square and Chinatown.

The goal of the project is to accommodate existing and future transit ridership in the corridor with greater reliability, comfort and speed.

By 2030, the San Francisco Planning Department projects a 26 percent increase in overall corridor population and a 61 percent increase in corridor employment. The project is projected to have 78,000 riders in 2030.

The Central Subway will improve regional connections to Caltrain, BART and Muni, reduce air and noise pollution and relieve surface congestion.

“The Central Subway will help relieve congestion on one of the most crowded corridors in the country,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “The project will also provide thousands of jobs in these difficult economic times.”

The $1.3 billion Central Subway project has been favorably evaluated by the FTA as a "New Starts" project and is receiving federal funding from Congress.

Construction is expected to begin in 2010, with service to the public starting in 2016.
For more information, please visit the SFMTA website at www.sfmta.com/central.