My Changing Neighborhood(s): August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

THE NIGHT LIGHTS OF POLK STREET

One of the things I've always liked about the four-block stretch of Polk Street from Geary to Bush (Polk Gulch to old-timers) are the string of Christmas lights strung across three side-streets that come on regularly every evening, 365 times a year.

The first are at Cedar Street

the second at Hemlock

while the third are at Fern Street.

I have no idea when these lights were put up, or why they were never taken down, but if they weren't there, I'd miss them. I've gotten used to seeing them brighten up Polk Street every night.

Friday, August 28, 2015

CITY MURALS I LIKE – BIRD SONG 3 (#5 in a series)

This mural graces the wall of 1540 Market Street, across from 50 Oak

and was painted by Joshua Coffy (presented by Artspan & Artspan Artists).

Thursday, August 20, 2015

NEIGHBORHOOD MURALS – PHOENIX RISING (#18 in a series)

I've seen this mural of a phoenix on the south wall of Kent & John Union Station parking lot at the corner of Polk and Alice B. Toklas Streets for years, and I enjoyed seeing it now just as much as I did then.

CAT ON A 19 POLK

Riding the 19 Polk bus late yesterday morning, a man wheeling a cat in a baby carriage boarded. This is the kind of thing people complain about and take pictures of on their cellphones. And had it been a crowded bus, I would wholeheartedly agree.

But it was late, almost noon. The bus wasn't full, and the other passengers didn't seem to mind; in fact, many were interested in the cat, and the man was only too happy to answer our questions.

Her name was Sweet Pea. She was a diluted calico. Her breed was somewhat rare, and she was three years old.

“She's big” another passenger remarked. "How much does she weigh?"

“11 pounds!” the man proudly replied.

Sweet Pea

The bus pulled into the stop at 8th and Market. The man and Sweet Pea, as well as myself and several other passengers, disembarked the bus to go our separate ways.

As I walked away, I couldn't help but think to myself: this is one of the things I love about living in san francisco.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

CITY MURALS I LIKE – LORD NYCHOS THE WEIRD AND ABREXER (#4 in a series)

Appearing a few weeks ago, these two murals, one by Lord Nychos the Weird

and the other, by the artist Apexer

have already become popular with the public.

You can view them across from the San Francisco Public Library at the parking lot of 37 Grove.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

CORRECTING YELP ON THE LOCAL INTERNET

Yesterday I needed to buy something at Tsering Youdon Jewelry and looked up their hours on the internet. The third listing said 'Tsering Youdon Jewelry CLOSED', which surprised me, since it had been open on Friday last week. I had to check it out.

Tsering Youdon Jewelry, 1200 Polk at Sutter.

As you can see from the photograph taken yesterday afternoon, Tsering Youdon Jewelry is anything but closed. It is still very much open and still run by two women, a daughter and her elder mother.

So don't believe what Yelpers are saying in this case. They're wrong.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 8/04/15

Monday, August 3, 2015

NEIGHBORHOOD OPENINGS -- AARON PESKIN CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS, INTERSTICE ARCHITECTS (#13 in a series)

Aaron Peskin, running for District 3 Supervisor, opened his campaign headquarters at 1238 Sutter Street in June, while

Interstice Architects opened even earlier this year at 1173 Sutter.

A late Welcome! to both.

Copyright © by Chris Enquist 8/3/15