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February—March 2O20

It’s been a lot of fun…As you have already seen from the front page, the Observer is changing to meet the times and move digitally into the future. Our longtime editor, Doug Comstock, is heading a group that is purchasing the Westside Observer and the website. The organization has a dedicated and passionate group of contributors, writers, columnists and readers. My wife and I have had the honor and pleasure of operating the Observer for 12 years and we believe we have made a very positive impact on bringing information to readers West of Twin Peaks.

We have met many wonderful people through this journey, local merchants who became friends, all of the delegates of the West of Twin Peaks Central Council, many politicos and staff that work to make the City a better place, and citizens who come up to us on the street and want to share a thing or two (Including readers who don’t always agree with the points of view in our pages). We thank all of you for this wonderful experience and are eager to see how the Observer continues to bring the local neighborhood-centric news to the westside.

You can be involved! Get in touch with them at wsonews@gmail.com and get on the email list.

More Great Local Events:

West Portal Art Stroll Poster

Mark your Calendars: The West Portal Avenue Art Stroll is back in April… on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19th the Annual West Portal Avenue Art Stroll brings over 40 artisans to the neighborhood to showcase their work. The exhibitors will bring a diverse selection of creations ranging from paintings and ceramics to jewelry, photography and more. The event is free to the public and is open from 10am-5pm both days. Located on West Portal Avenue between 14th and Ulloa, it is presented by the West Portal Avenue Association.

We are fortunate to have one of the great library systems in the country. The SFPL conducts wonderful events at all of their branches and we have featured them in the column over the past 12 years. From “Tech Help for Seniors and Adults” to “Storytime for Babies” there is something each day of the week for everyone in the family. Take advantage of their programming by visiting - www.sfpl.org

Merced Branch • 155 Winston Drive (at 19th Avenue) • (415) 355-2825

West Portal Branch • 190 Lenox Way at Ulloa • (415) 355-2886

Ingleside Branch • 1298 Ocean Avenue • (415) 355-2898

ALL PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY ARE FREE  • www.sfpl.org

Bluegrass Bonanza!West Portal Avenue’s own Shelby Ash (The Music Store) presents music reflecting the best of “new” bluegrass and Americana music.

February 21 – Hillbilly Robot- The Muddy Roses, Ashleigh Flynn, Mike Hellman

@Plough & Stars, 116 Clement Street, SF, 9pm – 12am

Info/tix: www.shelbyashpresents.net

February 22 – Hillbilly Robot - The Bitter Diamonds, The Famous, Mike Saliani

@Milk Bar, 1840 Haight Street, 8pm

Info/tix: Eventbrite.com

March 7 – Americana Jukebox with The Brothers Strong + Fog Holler

@Plough & Stars, 116 Clement Street, SF, 9pm – 12am

Info/tix: www.shelbyashpresents.net

Get into the Garden… The Garden for the Environment folks at 7th Avenue and Lawton have the following workshops available. Give them a call or go online to register.

7th Avenue and Lawton St. • www.gardenfortheenvironment.org • (415) 558-8246

Regular Educational Volunteer Hours

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am to 3pm • Free

More Information: bit.ly/GFEVolunteer

Join us in the garden on Wednesdays and Saturdays to help with garden maintenance tasks. You’ll work alongside staff and fellow volunteers on a range of activities.

Urban Chickens

When: Saturday, February 22, 10am to 12pm

Cost: $25 - 50

Urban Composting

When: Saturday, March 7, 10am to 12pm

Cost: Free!

Sponsored by the Department of the Environment

Learn how to make your very own compost! The backbone of every healthy garden, compost improves all soil types and can be the difference between success and failure with many plants.

 

Grow your Own Food in March

When: Saturday, March 14, 10 am

Cost: $25-50

Do you have an event, a neighborhood fact or just an observation to share? Drop us a line at wsonews@gmail.com and share your ideas or just let us know what you think.



Wolf in sheep's clothing

Sowing Discord

by Julie Pitta

Big money ‘neighborhood’ groups step up their campaign of take-over tactics in 2024 elections.

Check it out

Popular bay view

Say NO to expanding yacht harbors for the wealthy

by Evelyn Graham

Rec and Park’s plan expands access for the privileged few bupkis for the rest of us.

Check it out

New proposed site

New proposed location for Ocean View Library is ideal

by Glenn Rogers

Few were surprised when Supervisor Safai learned the library was not to be built in the Greenbelt — he feared the worst. No library at all.Since 2023, the Library Commission has been considering 466 Randolph Street, where the I.T. Bookman Community Center and the Pilgrim Community Church are located.

Check it out

SF from Alameda Point

San Francisco. In Alameda? Wait, what?

by David Osgood

When the runways for the Alameda Naval Air Station were extended out into the bay—using dredged bay fill, the same way Treasure Island was created — they crossed over the city line. The federal government apparently didn't know or care.

Read More ...

Man in Wheelchair

San Franciscans need nursing home care

Will Laguna Honda Admissions Start Soon?

by Dr. Teresa Palmer

The survey attests to a quality of care that is higher than in for-profit private nursing homes. But there are ongoing problems.

Read More

PARKING CONTROL

parking tickets for RVs on Winston

RV residents on Winston Drive face uncertain future

by Thomas K. Pendergast

A four-hour parking limit is going to make things even more difficult for RV residents.

Check it out