Volunteers keep Quesada beautiful

Volunteers from Leadership San Francisco, and their friends (pictured), spent a big chunk of time yesterday working in the Quesada Gardens food production patch. The strawberries, collard greens and other plants loved the company and attention.

Last Tuesday, a group from the University of San Francisco, organized by that school's Office of Service Learning, volunteered in the same area of the Quesada Garden.

Julie Reed, the office's director wrote, “Thank you for hosting us, teaching us, and especially inspiring us! Together we were reminded that weeds might be bad, but grassroots are very very good.”

Residents worked with these generous volunteers, and shared food afterwards, strengthening the bridge between Bayview and other parts of San Francisco.

Images from ART 94124 festival

Juan mugs for the camera while Ben checks out a freshly screened T shirt.
Everyone wore a crown, compliments of the Family Arts Table created by Marc Ellen Hamel, who also donated the supplies, and supported by Arts 94124.
Herb hung out at the gallery, and stopped to pose by one of his glass pieces.
Nosh turned folks on to her popcorn and business.
Sarah Stangle got props from everyone for keeping things on track.
A steady stream of fair-goers kept the scene lively.
Lucinda (right) brought a friend to enjoy the beautiful weather and artsy scene.
Cyclecide was a breakaway hit with kids and adults alike.
Brian and Jim made their way from Latona. Brian pitched in with the set-up.
Ever wonder where ART 94124 organizer Jerald gets his great smile? Now you know. Pictured is Jerald and his mom and aunt at the arts fair.

photos credit: Betcher

Arts fair grows from grassroots

A young biker motors through ART 94124's arts fair.

The second arts fair, created by Bayview residents and others with deep roots in the neighborhood, was held on Saturday, June 6th. It marked both the accomplishments of Gallery 94124 and Javalencia Cafe, and the growth of resident involvement on the north end of 3rd Street in Bayview.

A steady stream of arts-interested residents and their friends enjoyed the Family Arts Table, whacky Cyclecide carnival contraptions, art from the gallery and Public Glass, food and beverages, live music, and more. Organizers were pleased with the turnout, given the growth since last year's inaugural event.

ART 94124, the organizing group for the gallery and the fair, is a Bayview Footprints Network member group. The fair strengthened the Network through broad participation that included other Network members: Shipyard Trust for the Arts and Think Round Inc. (Family Arts Table), Public Glass, Bayview Business Resource Center, and individuals associated with groups such as the Latona and Quesada Gardens.

Primary organizer, Sarah Stangle, reported the accomplishments of ART 94124, including a string of gallery shows and events, opportunities for local artists to share their work, and ongoing contributions to the level of volunteerism and participation in a changing neighborhood.

BVHP leaders past, present and future - Images

"I was in the right place at the right time. And I needed to be heard. It just happened." Shirley Jones

"When we were little we saw the watermelon man coming up the street with a wagon of watermelons." Marsha Byrd, grew up in Bayview in the 1950's

"We have to speak for people who don't have a voice. I hope each of you will grow up to be leaders in Bayview because we're dying out." Espanola Jackson

Law enforcement focuses on 3rd

Several residents have contacted Footprints about recent experiences with crime along the 3rd Street corridor. (See more online). Captain John Loftus, Bayview Police Station, is focusing on this issue:

"Merchants and community members on Third Street have voiced concerns over conditions in the business corridor. The residents and businesses feel chronic loitering, graffiti, public intoxication, and a general lack of cleanliness are hampering the growth and vitality of this business district. Bayview Station seeks to help address these issues by increasing the number of foot and bicycle patrols in the area and enlisting the assistance of private and public agencies in a coordinated response.

This mission will be accomplished by addressing illegal activity and quality of life issues with intensive, concentrated enforcement operations. The primary component of this operation will be the Third Street foot and bicycle beats, operating under the direct supervision of Sergeant Howard Weathersby.

Additional Bayview uniform and plainclothes resources will supplement the foot and bicycle patrols for the first 30 days of this operation.

The Department of Public Works and the Department of Parking and Traffic will be called upon to assist in this operation, and other agencies will asked to provide support as needed.

The police department will also encourage the cooperation and support of the community in this program. The Bayview Merchant’s Association and Bayview Rotary Club have expressed interest in participating in this operation. Sergeant Weathersby will act as liaison with these groups.

Let me know if you need any additional information. You should begin seeing an increased presence in the area on Monday."

3rd Street crime concerns

Jonathon, a Bayview resident on Newcomb, writes that he is...

"...concerned about the southwest corner of Newcomb and Third Streets, where there is a market. There seems to always be a homeless encampment or group of people loitering on the Newcomb Street side of the corner market. Most of the time I have walked by, there is also an old car, with the hood or trunk up, the car door open, with lots of rubbish piled high on the of or hood of the car, and refuse sitting around on the sidewalk. There is often spoiled food laying in the gutter or sidewalk, and the area has a strong stench. There is usually a group of 4 or more people camped out beside the market, who are drinking, talking, blocking the access to walk to the corner. The whole block from Newhall to Third Street often has lots of litter, including needles at times, and I regularly find small liquor bottles sitting on the fence in front of the house I live in, as well as countless cigarette butts...I hope that something can be done about the perpetual camp out all day long at the corner of Newcomb and Third, and that the sidewalks can be washed and cleaned, to take care of the stench."

Another Newcomb resident, a leader with the Newcomb Model Block program, confirmed that the problems are very real, and that those responsible do not reside in the neighborhood.

Juan, another leader with the Newcomb Model Block program adds...

"We have lived on Newcomb Avenue for over 18 years and have been complaining about that corner it seems like forever now. There are two liquor stores side by side, this seems to be the main attraction for people to hang out. Until one is closed or both it will be hard to change. There is also a methadone treatment center behind the old police building no one on our block was ever notified about and now we have more people coming into the block. We will transform Newcomb Ave from Newhall to Phelps by the end of this year and we hope this will make the city take notice of 3rd and Newcomb and maybe we can transform that section too."