In case you were busy assembling your Halloween costume or stringing up spider webs, here are some news highlights you may have missed around the Inner Sunset this week.
We collected updates on several businesses around 9th and Judah: Twitter user SLK in SF tipped us off that the former smoke shop at 10th and Judah may become a ceramics studio, while a restaurant permit for "Sun Flower Garden" was posted on the window of the former Man Hing Market. And across the street, the former Soi Gow has rebranded as Sriracha Thai.
A marathon two-and-a-half-hour Park District community meeting brought out an overflow crowd of around 100 people Tuesday night. The unusually specific agenda—what to do about transients in the Upper Haight—dominated discussion.
San Francisco magazine released a map of the city's political leanings by neighborhood, based on political donation data culled by tech startup Crowdpac. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they likened the map of the city to "a crunchy liberal donut surrounding a soft, even more liberal center." The Inner Sunset scored a 7.6 on a 1-10 scale of liberalism. By comparison, the Financial District ranked as one of the city's most conservative neighborhoods, at 4.7, and the Castro as one of the most liberal, at 9.0.
It’s shaping up to be a busy weekend around the neighborhood, so let’s dive right in.
Friday, October 16th
Friday Nights at the de Young: Celebrating the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Centennial
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, 5pm-8:30pm
Host Description: "Friday Nights at the de Young are after-hours art happenings that include a mix of live music, dance and theater performances, film screenings, panel discussions, lectures, artist demonstrations, hands-on art activities, and exhibition tours," plus food and drink for purchase. Just in time for new exhibit Jewel City, this Friday's event features postcard-making inspired by the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, live ukulele music by Ben Ahn, a lecture by curator James A. Ganz titled "The Great ArtQuake of 1915," and more.
Cal Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 6pm-8am
Host Description: “Experience your own night at the museum! Explore the exhibits after-hours and discover the deepest depths of the oceans, travel to the tops of rainforests, blast off into outer space at your own private planetarium show, and then settle in for story time after snacking on milk and cookies." The sleepover, which also includes breakfast and next-day admission to the museum, is for children ages 5-17. Children must be accompanied by a chaperone over age 25, one per every five children. It's $89 for members and $109 for non-members, with discounts for groups of 10 or more.
Photo: Cal Academy of Sciences
Movies at McCoppin: Monsters, Inc.
McCoppin Square, 23rd Ave. and Taraval St., 7:15pm
Host Description: “Movies begin at sunset (7:15pm), but come early for coupons to local eateries. Visit with POPS (People of Sunset Parkside), our local merchants/residents association, and staff from Animal Care and Control, who will have a few furry friends for you to meet as well.”
Saturday, October 17th
Ten Years of the New de Young: Community Day
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, 10am-10pm
The de Young Museum is celebrating ten years in their new building this Saturday with extended hours (10am-10pm), free admission, and a full program of free music and dance performances, presentations, and hands-on art making activities.
Complimentary timed tickets to Jewel City, which opens Saturday, will also be available at the Main Level ticket desks. This exhibition features art from San Francisco’s 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition, which is marking its centennial this year with city-wide celebrations.
Photo: de Young Museum
Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco Workshops
Find a Public Elementary/Middle School for Your Child
San Francisco Public Library, Sunset Branch, 1305 18th Ave.
10:30am-12pm
Host Description: “Researching, deciding, and applying for elementary/middle schools can seem overwhelming. Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco hosts this workshop to help parents/guardians understand their school options and navigate through the enrollment process. Attendees will hear about the San Francisco Unified School District Student assignment system, get tips from experienced parents, learn about key dates and associated actions required, and receive advice on transitioning to elementary/middle school.
Register online by going to the Parents for Public Schools website, or call 415.861.7077. Drop-ins welcome.”
PPS-SF Office Hours: Get Help with your SFUSD Application
12pm-3pm
Host Description: “Enrolling in a Public School? Let Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco help! Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco hosts office hours at the Sunset Branch to help students and families understand their elementary, middle and high school options.”
Ask the Experts: Organic Gardening Tour at Garden for the Environment
7th Ave. at Lawton St., 1pm-3pm
Host Description: "Our orchards, vegetables, and blooming plants are managed without the use of chemicals and pesticides. Learn how to bring these natural plant care practices to your garden with a hands-on tour from our experts. Be sure to bring your gardening questions!” This event is free, thanks to the SF Public Utilities Commission.
Dav Pilkey at Green Apple Books on the Park
1231 9th Ave, 3pm-5pm
Host Description: “Dav Pilkey is the creator of many acclaimed children's books, including the bestselling Captain Underpants, Super Diaper Babies, and Ricky Ricotta series. His picture book The Paperboy received a Caldecott Honor. At this event, Dav will be on-hand with a Powerpoint presentation, trivia and prizes, and he’ll be signing books following his talk! Rumor also has it that there’ll be a giant Captain Underpants on hand to keep us all on our best behavior.
The 100 available [$15] tickets entitle children 12 and under (sorry, no adults) to a copy of Sir Stinks-A-Lot and a prime seat on the floor, close to Dav. For those without tickets, standing room will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, but anyone (ticketed or not) can come and get a book signed!”
Photo: Green Apple Books
Sunday, October 18th
Farmers’ Market Pumpkin Giveaway
Parking Lot between 8th and 9th Aves., Irving and Judah, 9am-1pm
Host Description: “Halloween is almost here! Celebrate at the market today with a free pumpkin giveaway for the kids, while supplies last. And the Giant Pumpkin has arrived! Guess its weight and you could win some great produce prizes.” Be sure to leave room for seasonal apples, almonds, and brussels sprouts too.
Inner Sunset Sundays Flea Market
Irving St. between 9th and 10th Aves., 11am-5pm
Host Description: “Sell your old stuff, hunt for bargains. The third Inner Sunset Sundays of 2015 returns with a special flea market for the whole neighborhood! There'll be games, activities, food, and more.” If you’ve got stuff to sell, booth space is still available for $20. Sign up here. Interested in volunteering? Sign up here.
Photo: Inner Sunset Sundays
Children’s Story Time at the Botanical Garden
Helen Crocker Russell Library, 1199 9th Ave., 10:30am
Host Description: “Join us in our cozy children's book nook with comfy kid-sized cushions, a bevy of stuffed animals and lively readers. Afterward, families can enjoy a special docent-led children's tour of the Garden. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This event is suitable for children aged 4-8.” In the spirit of the garden’s current cloud forest bloom, October’s book is The Forest in the Clouds by Sneed B. Collard III. Storytime is free for all and lasts 30 minutes. The tour is free with an SF ID or between $2-$8 for out-of-towners and leaves the library at 11am.
Last Chance: Stranded! at the Conservatory of Flowers
Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, Open 10am-4pm
Host Description: In this exhibit, ending Sunday, "visitors 'wash up' on an uncharted tropical shore to learn the ins and outs of island survival. Stroll through a living jungle of life-saving plants and discover the best sources of building materials, food and water, even weaponry. See examples of structures and tools—all created with a touch of castaway kitsch. Fun survival facts fill the gallery, including tips for climbing coconut trees and more!” Admission is $2-$6 with an SF ID, $2-$8 for out-of-towners, and free for children 4 and under.
Monday, October 19th
The Feminist Utopia Project at Green Apple Books on the Park
1231 9th Ave., 7:30pm
Looking ahead to next week, Green Apple is hosting a discussion of the book The Feminist Utopia Project, featuring editors Alexandra Brodsky and Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, and contributors Lori Adelman, Suzanna Bobadilla, Sarah Matthes, Sheila Bapat, Lauren Chief Elk, and Tyler Cohen. “Combining essays, interviews, poetry, illustrations, and short stories, The Feminist Utopia Project challenges the status quo that accepts inequality and violence as a given and inspires us to demand a radically better future.”
Enjoy the weekend, Sunsetters!
