Before we get to this weekend's activities, here's what you may have missed in this week's Inner Sunset coverage.
La Boulange's 9th Avenue location will close on Sept. 3rd (that's next Thursday), but at least some locations may not close for good: La Boulange founder Pascal Rigo may be in talks with Starbucks to re-acquire certain locations, including the Cole Valley outpost.
A transit snafu saw delays on Thursday when a train struck a construction vehicle. In other N-Judah news, an additional train will join the fleet on Sept. 26th.
In restaurant news, look out for a new hot pot spot called IPOT to open soon at 1420 Irving St., the space formerly occupied by South Sea Seafood Village.
Meanwhile, there's plenty of upcoming fun to be had in the neighborhood. Keep in mind that the Big Lunch, the Inner Sunset’s giant neighborhood potluck, is just around the corner on September 13th, so get your RSVPs in so organizers know how many tables, chairs, and umbrellas to plan for.
Now, let's talk weekend.
Saturday, August 29th
Whiskey Hill Work Party
Join the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors from 9:30am to noon to help spruce up Whiskey Hill, a shaded ridge and walking path along Lincoln Way in Golden Gate Park. Tasks will include general cleanup, removing Algerian ivy, and checking on birdhouses and previous plantings. Email Wayne at jichanhiroshima [at] hotmail [dot] com with any questions, and meet at the 5th Avenue entrance to the park, at Lincoln Way.
Green Gardens with Graywater
The resourceful green thumbs over at Garden for the Environment (7th Ave. at Lawton St.) are teaching graywater techniques for drought-wise gardening at this free class, from 10am-noon. "Residential graywater, which is wastewater generated from domestic processes such as laundry and bathing, is a valuable water resource that can be recycled to irrigate plants," they write. You can register here.
Heavy Breathing: Absurd Artist-Led Fitness Class
Throw on your comfortable shoes, workout clothes, and thinking cap, because Heavy Breathing a “series of free critical theory seminars in the form of absurd, artist-led fitness classes,” is headed to the neighborhood. Saturday’s seminar is titled Step-by-Step and will be led by artists Carey Lin and Sarah Hotchkiss. “Combine stair trivia and aerobics inspired by ‘80s and ‘90s dance routines while traversing the Kezar Stadium steps.” Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure, and meet them at the stadium at 11am.
Photo: Heavy Breathing
Hugo Street Block Party
Hugo Street between Third and Fourth Avenues will be closed to traffic on Saturday from 11am-5pm for its second annual block party. All Sunsetters are invited to meet and greet the neighbors, bring food to share, and enjoy live music, games, and a bounce house.
Last Chance For Art Exhibits
As August winds down, this weekend is your last chance to see a few art exhibits in the neighborhoo.
Water at San Francisco Women Artists: San Francisco Women Artists, which is new to the neighborhood, invites visitors to check out their exhibit "Water — Essence of Life," closing Saturday. The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, and ceramics. Visit them at their new gallery on 647 Irving St.
Shaping Abstraction: At the deYoung Museum, Shaping Abstraction displays works by early to mid-20th century American abstractionists, many of whom "played a pivotal role in advancing the cause of American abstraction in the United States in the first half of the 20th century." Entry is included in a general admission ticket to the deYoung ($10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for youth). The exhibit closes Sunday.
Ernest Clayton Wildflower Images: "Ernest Clayton painted a series of nearly 200 watercolors of the California native plants that he saw on his many walks around Marin County in the period from 1938 to 1952. During his botanical outings, his granddaughters, who have organized this exhibit of prints of his artwork, often accompanied him." The paintings are on view at the SF Botanical Garden's Helen Crocker Russell Library (9th Ave. at Lincoln Way). The library is open, free of charge, from 10am-4pm, and the exhibit closes Monday.
Photo: phoca2004/Flickr
Sunday, August 30th
Golden Gate Park Band Celebrates Ukrainian-American Day
The Golden Gate Park Band celebrates the 24th anniversary of Ukrainian independence on Sunday with a free outdoor concert. Multiple Ukrainian dance ensembles, vocal and instrumental performances, and a greeting from the Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco will all be part of the show. The event runs from 1- 3pm at the Music Concourse bandshell in Golden Gate Park.
San Francisco Olympians Festival Fundraiser Games
The San Francisco Olympians Festival is "an annual festival of new works for the stage, created by modern writers wrestling with ancient myths and legends." This Sunday, they're holding a Fundraiser Games and picnic to raise money for their November festival. "It's like the Hunger Games, but nobody dies, Elizabeth Banks is nowhere to be found, and everyone is dressed in sheets!" Admission is donation-based, with a suggested donation of $20. Meet them at Pioneer Grove, near the log cabin at Stow Lake and JFK Dr. Dressing in sheets is optional.
Photo: San Francisco Olympians Festival
Monday, August 31st
Kirkham Redevelopment Project Forum and Mark Farrell Drop-In at SHARP
Once the weekend is over, the Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People invite interested neighbors to join them for a forum on the Kirkham Project, a proposed "redesign and expansion that would replace the current 86 units with up to 460 units within the same 6.35 acre site" at 5th Avenue and Kirkham Street. At 8:15, Supervisor Mark Farrell (District 2) will drop by to discuss an initiative he's working on to increase sustainable funding to the city's parks. The forum begins at 7pm at 1736 9th Ave.
