Lower Haight 2012 Year in Review

Here's one last bit of navel-gazing before we put this year behind us. If you're new to the neighborhood, new to Haighteration, or just want to catch up on the year that was, join us for a recap of 2012 in the Lower Haight.

The year started with a win (beating Russian Hill in the Curbed Cup), and a loss (the passing of resident "Big Ben" Candler). We learned of efforts to save the Harding Theater on Divisadero, and Toronado was featured on Anthony Bourdain's TV show. An SUV drove into the Duboce Muni tunnel. To our west, there was a fire at Masonic and Waller, and a new Ice Cream Bar on Cole Street. We met local resident and cheesemonger Gordon Edgar, and said bon voyage to Sarah Laight, the owner of Life Boutique. And the Ross Mirkarimi saga began to unfold. In February, we learned about an infamous abortion clinic in the neighborhood, and profiled one of the Lower Haight's oldest businesses, the Aquarius Barber Shop. We heard that Cuco's would be closing, though it was later spared. Lenny Kravitz dropped by Rooky Ricardo's and Die Antwoord visited Fifty24SF. There was a shooting near Duboce Park, and a tree split on Haight Street. We here at Haighteration got a makeover and launched a Hayes Valley blog called Hayeswire. A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Muni bus on Hayes Street. Divisadero welcomed two new retail shops, San Franpsycho and Rare Device, while Haight Street saw the debut of the Santa Clara Natural Organic Market. Three redwood trees on Steiner Street were cut down, and Ross Mirkarimi was suspended. The Lower Haight had a block party, and we spun off an Upper Haight blog called Uppercasing. The neighborhood was dogged by a serial shoplifter and inconsiderate dog owners. We interviewed Supervisor Christina Olague, took a look inside Aaron's apartment, enjoyed a Lower Haight Art walk and visited DogFest in Duboce Park. Oh, and somebody lost their pants. May was a busy month. We checked into the Metro Hotel on Divisadero, and checked out the new play area at Duboce Park. The neighborhood got at least four new murals. We first caught wind of Wine Kitchen and Wonderland, and said goodbye to Lower Haters. In transit news, the Wiggle got dozens of green sharrows, some Alamo Square tour buses were caught behaving badly, and another tree fell over, this time crushing a car. Down on Church Street, we learned of a new use for the old Blockbuster, took a look inside The Office above Churchill, and told the tale of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed mortuary that almost was. And we took you on tours of one of our favorite buildings in the neighborhood (the San Francisco Mint, on its 75th birthday), and one of our least favorite (Oak and Scott Laundry, the worst place in the world). Rooky Ricardo's turned 25, and Nectar took over the former home of Katz Bagels. We looked inside a couple of great backyards in the neighborhood, and learned of one home that qualified for an episode of "Hoarders." We got to know Wakeem "Jack" Shehadeh of Oak Fair Market, profiled a couple of Divisadero institutions (Madrone and Gamescape), and gave you some tips for dining solo in the Lower Haight. Finally, some gunpoint robberies and flamboyant shoplifters rattled the neighborhood. After more robberies, a community meeting was held at the Peacock Lounge to discuss public safety. A solo show by artist Jeremy Fish opened at Fifty24SF. We met Pastor Floyd Trammell of the Baptist church at Oak and Steiner, and got to know Pierce Street antique shop Mickey's Monkey. We learned that CVS would be replacing Walgreens at Haight and Fillmore. The SF marathon trotted through the neighborhood, Maven started serving brunch, and a new mural brightened up Duboce and Fillmore. And as the month came to an end, we said goodbye to the Vapor Room. With an election coming up, campaign headquarters started popping up all over the neighborhood. We met a tattoo artist from Idle Hand, and profiled the cafes of the Lower Haight. Rotee shuttered at Haight and Webster. We watched "Mrs. Doubtfire" in Duboce Park, and marveled at the booze selection at Healthy Spirits. There was a flea market in Alamo Square and a beard party at Madrone. And local beer mecca Toronado turned 25. We learned that Rickybobby would be replacing Rotee. "Hunger Games" actor Josh Hutcherson dropped by D-Structure, musician Gotye visited Robotspeak, and space shuttle Endeavour passed overhead. We took a look inside the local electrical workers union. We spotted playa-dusted cars, mysterious giant pods, and plenty of new street art in the neighborhood. And we marked one year since the fire at Haight and Fillmore. In October we welcomed the Urban Air Market to Haight Street, and said goodbye to Chilli Cha Cha and KJ Produce. The pink mansion at Pierce and Waller turned white and hit the rental market, as did an entire school on Fell Street. We contemplated the possibility of permit parking and the definition of the term "hipster." Ross Mirkarimi got his job as sheriff back. And hundreds of happy Giants fans flooded the neighborhood following the team's World Series win. Our frustration with phone books reached a boiling point. A sinkhole nearly swallowed a truck on Waller Street, and Big Boi from Outkast apparently swallowed some chicken from the Divisadero Popeye's. We said hello to Terrific Thai, Glass Key Photo / 4x5 Gallery, and the Oak and Fell Bikeways. We learned of the little-known Alcoholics Anonymous house on Potomac Street, and interviewed bartender Kate Bolton of Maven. A spate of gunfire rightly riled our readers, as did a burglary on Oak Street. And London Breed won the race for District 5 Supervisor. We spotted plenty of holiday cheer around the Lower Haight in December, and enjoyed another edition of the Lower Haight Art Walk. Upcoming Divisadero barstaurant Wine Kitchen gave us a preview, Rickybobby opened at Haight and Webster, and nine bronze chairs appeared at Church and Duboce. We stepped into our time machine to learn about Wimpy's Grill, and ventured into an abandoned apartment to experience an underground literary salon. And finally, just yesterday, Henry Winkler, a.k.a. "The Fonz," passed through the neighborhood.

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Yes, it was an action-packed 2012 in the Lower Haight. Thanks to all our readers, sponsors, commenters, contributors, and neighbors for making 2012 a fun year for us to cover here at Haighteration. Here's to a great 2013!