Volume XXXVII, No. 7
September 2013
THE NOE VALLEY VOICE
Good Dog, Stay. It’s always the “dog days” in Noe Valley. And wise locals learn ways to accommodate their canine friends. The management of La Boulange at the corner of Sanchez and 24th streets provides a place for pooches to cool their heels and submit to the greetings of well-wishers passing by. Photo by Jack Tipple
Upper Noe Rec Rises and Shines Day Street Park Celebrates ‘Cinco de Noe’ By Heather World
D A Real Cliffhanger. Owner Kate Rosenberger and daughter Hazel are looking for someone to write the next chapter for Phoenix Books, a 28-year-old institution in Noe Valley. Photo by Pamela Gerard
Want to Buy a Bookstore?
Phoenix Books on 24th Street Up for Sale By Tim Innes
time with her 8-year-old daughter, Hazel. “I don't want to miss her childhood,” she says. The store's present location across from Whole Foods Market is its third since Rosenberger and then-partner CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
ust off that dog costume and corral the kids—Upper Noe Recreation Center will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its grand re-opening Saturday, Sept. 7, from noon to 4 p.m., with “Cinco de Noe,” a party featuring live music, kid crafts, a dog parade, and recreation for all ages. Admission is free for an afternoon that reflects the breadth of community engagement that has grown around the center since the ribbon was cut on its $11.6 million remodel in 2008. Local comedian and master of ceremonies Michael Capozzolla will shepherd a stage lineup that includes bluegrass band Nobody
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f you’ve ever dreamed of owning a bookstore, now’s your chance. After 28 years in Noe Valley, Kate Rosenberger has put Phoenix Books on the market. “My plate's too full,” she says. “With three other stores, I'm running too hard.” Besides Phoenix, at 3857 24th St., Rosenberger owns Dog Eared Books and Alley Cat Books in the Mission and Badger Books, formerly Red Hill Books, in Bernal Heights. Why Phoenix? Given its well-established roots in the community, Phoenix can prosper as a stand-alone business, says Rosenberger, 52. “It's a going concern. It has always been profitable. The new owners can make quite a nice living running the store.” Rosenberger, a single mom who commutes from Berkeley, says Phoenix needs a hands-on owner, one with e-commerce chops “who can take it to the next level. I can't manage that right now.” In addition, she'd like to spend more
from Nashville, the bluesy rock of Lunarville, and Lara Manzanares singing original and traditional Spanish songs. Kids can get creative at Russo Music’s musical petting zoo or at arts and crafts tables run by Sparks Creativity and the Recreation and Park Department. New local business Bricks4Kids will have a table with Lego-building challenges, or children can build big with the foam blocks of an Imagination Playground. Little legs can kick it at Soccer Tots’ free soccer clinic, and Rec and Park instructors will offer interactive tango, yoga, pilates, and improv acting demonstrations. The Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
Residents Seek To Curb ‘Free Parking’
Petition Would Expand TwoHour Zone North of 23rd St. By Corrie M, Anders
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New Noe Valleyan. On June 25 at 6:37 a.m., Joshua Bear Kuzak was born to parents Marc and Gabrielle Kuzak. Big brothers (and 4-year-old twins) Jacob and Harry are thrilled at the new addition to the family. If there’s a new member of your household, let the Noe Valley Voice know. Email your photo to editor@noevalleyvoice.com. We’ll tell the world.
or more than a year, Steve Kellerman fretted about the increase in cars hogging parking spaces along Alvarado Street. Motorists were pouring in during the workweek to take advantage of free, unrestricted parking on his and several other adjacent blocks. And the 29-year resident felt like he was being squeezed. Kellerman’s neighbor Ana Carolina Almeida also was getting irritated. She often observed cars circling her block, parking aggressively, and obstructing residents’ driveways—until the tow truck arrived. Fed up, the two neighbors launched a petition drive last spring. The petition asked the city to designate their area a special “residential area permit” zone CONTINUED ON PAGE 13