| What’s Brewing at the Center?
Grounded in Partnership
Second Half of Fall Term Begins
Cooking Classes Gone to the Dogs
Music Programming Hiatus
Swing Night
Keep Valuables Safe
Volunteer Opportunities
Grounded in Partnership
Upper Noe’s grounds received much needed attention from Recreation and Parks staff over the summer, proving that community involvement multiplies the benefits the cash-strapped agency can provide.
Park neighbors Joan Lionberger (lead Ladybug Gardener) and Chris Faust (co-chair of Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group, FUNDOG, and a member of the site’s Community Recreation Council) worked closely with Park Services Manager Kristin Bowman to identify a number of long-running problems at the park.
We now have a simple sprinkler system with 24 stations that can be programmed specifically, though the clay field may always need a little trouble-shooting, said Bowman, who oversees 40 parks across the city.
Thanks to a job-training program sited at Upper Noe, our grounds were thoroughly weeded and pruned, and there is fresh bark on the ground.
Now it’s time for us neighbors to pitch in! Join the Ladybug Gardeners November 10 for some weed whacking just before the ice-cream social. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the corner of Sanchez and Day and destroy weeds until noon.
Second Term of Fall Classes Begin
Wrestle the second term of fall classes with Camp Grapple, a new combat sport for 6- to 12-year-olds on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m.
Instructors from Golden Gate Wrestling Club will teach proper and safe competitive wrestling techniques: how to hold, pin and throw opponents. Register for all eight classes or drop in for $10 a class. Visit www.sfreconline.com to register.
The Friday Combat Athletics classes target a similar age group but have a wider focus: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the ground, Muy Thai while standing and judo and wrestling in between. These classes require commitment and a uniform. Students develop self esteem and self discipline as they acquire belts that denote their progress.
Some classes have been cancelled: soccer for 3- to 4-year-olds on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and the Thursday micro league team. Zumba, Theater and tot Aikido were cancelled for lack of teachers. Know someone who can teach these classes? Call the center at 415-970-8061.
Petite Bakers was so popular that another class was added, but now that class needs more students. Baby and Me also needs children. Have a child outside the suggested age range? Held back by a younger or older sibling? Don’t let that stop you.
All age ranges are mere suggestions, said Facility Coordinator Cheryl Woltjen. Although they might require parental supervision, siblings may also be able to attend classes, she said. See the full list of classes on our website. (You will find Petite Bakers under “Tot Space” classes at Upper Noe rather than in the cooking class section.)
To register online, visit www.sfreconline.com. To see course offerings at Upper Noe specifically (or any one recreation center), click the “Browse Programs” tab. Go to the bottom of the lefthand column and choose “Advanced Search.” Select all courses. When the listings pop up, you will be given an option to narrow choices by facility.
Cooking Classes Gone to the Dogs
Sign up for Bow Wow Baking on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and learn how to turn simple ingredients into gourmet biscuits and healthy treats for your pooch. As a bonus, bring your (well-behaved) dog for tips and training techniques outside by a certified veterinary technician.
Classes start October 16 and run to November 17. The class costs $10 per session, and you register by coming to the center itself rather than online.
Music Programming Hiatus
Our hardworking music director Richard Hildreth is taking time off to work on a film and to line up music for Noe Valley’s annual Harvest Festival.
That means Upper Noe tot concerts aren’t estimated to resume until 2013.
In the meantime, you can check out favorite acts at the Saturday Farmer’s Market in the Noe Valley Ministry parking lot on 24th Street between Sanchez and Vicksburg.
Swing Night at Upper Noe
Grab an ice cream and a swing dance partner at the November 10 Ice-Cream Social and Swing Night at Upper Noe.
A swing band will keep the beat for dancers, and a teacher will demonstrate the steps. The evening is sponsored by Friends of Noe Valley Recreation Center.
Keep Valuables Safe
We regret to announce an uptick in thefts at the recreation center.
Over the summer at least two or three cell phones were stolen from the gym when people left them to charge as they played basketball nearby.
Someone else made off with an iPad, and yet another made off with a stroller.
Strollers can be locked to bicycle racks as a way to deter theft, said Facility Coordinator Cheryl Woltjen.
“Or maybe bring your cheapest stroller,” she said.
Volunteers Needed
• Help advise the city on what classes should be offered at the Upper Noe Rec Center. Serve a term on the Upper Noe Recreation Center’s Community Recreation Council and help shape programming at the Center. A teen member is still needed! Please contact Cheryl Woltjen at 970-8061. The form is available on our website and at the center. Please either drop it off or mail it to: Cheryl Woltjen, UNRC, 295 Day Street, SF, 94131.
• Distribute our new Friends of NVRC postcard. This newsletter is distributed to nearly 1,000 “friends.” Make sure interested neighbors know about our group by helping distribute our informational postcard around the neighborhood. Please email molly (at) noevalleyreccenter.com if you know of a good shop or cafe to distribute the postcards. Or you could help put them somewhere frequented by park users.
• Lead a new event. Are you interested in organizing a new event at the Center? Maybe a game night or movie night? Please let us know.
Community Events
October 10
Upper Noe Neighbors
7:30 p.m.
Recreation Center auditorium
The League of Women Voters explain Propositions 30 and 38 (two tax measures intended to support public schools) and Proposition 37 (labeling genetically modified food), followed by the introduction of Belinda Kerr, the new owner of O’Greenberg’s bar at the corner of 29th and Dolores streets.
October 17
Community Recreation Council
6:30 p.m.
Recreation Center kitchen
Help shape programming and priorities at Upper Noe.
Outside the Center:
October 17
Noe Valley Democratic Club
7:30 p.m.
St. Philip Church 725 Diamond Street at 23rd
Campaign consultant and Noe Valley neighbor, Eric Jaye of Storefront Political Media, will address a number of issues relating to current election campaigns. Members have especially expressed interest in the growing need for fact checking in ads
October 27
Noe Valley Harvest Festival
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
24th Street between Castro and Vicksburg
Two stages of music, hayrides, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, plus balloons, face-painting and more!
October 27
Scaregrove
3 to 9 p.m.
Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard
Haunted house, hay rides, carnival rides. $8 per person.
Thanks for your interest and support of your park! Please contact us with any questions or suggestions. Let us know about any community events you are planning at the park so we can promote them. Please forward this newsletter to your friends and neighbors who use the Noe Valley Recreation Center. We want this newsletter to help build the park community — please help us connect with members of the community.
Enjoy your Park!
Molly Sterkel (molly@noevalleyreccenter.com)
Friends of the Noe Valley Recreation Center
www.NoeValleyRecCenter.com |
