Tartine’s Bakery on 9th Ave

just saw the news that Tartine’s Bakery will be opening up at 1226-9th Ave, taking over the old Standard Roofing Company site. Whoopee!

https://hoodline.com/2018/07/tartine-bakery-expanding-to-inner-sunset-location

Farewell to Overland Books

It’s time to say goodbye to Overland Books, a 20+ year resident at 345 Judah Street. The owner has sold, and will soon “retire”. For those of us who enjoyed this bookshop, let’s give a collective “Thank you!” I spent many moments in this bookstore-by-the-bus-stop, and bought many books too!

http://hoodline.com/2017/10/facing-store-s-closure-sunset-bookseller-reflects-on-profession

Andronico's No More

When I began my mail delivery route, the grocery store at 12th and Funston was known as "Park and Shop". In 1994 it became "Andronico's". And now, it will become "Safeway Community Markets". I just hope the quality of their produce, and the variety of their offerings, does not fall by the wayside!

As letter carriers, we would occasionally meet one another for lunch at Andronico's after we finished our routes. The parking lot was big enough to always find a space, and the cool air and deli choices were enough to entice us. This wasn't, however, our favorite place to meet for lunch. No, for that we chose the pizza place at 9th and Judah. There we had a cozy table, and a waitress and cook who looked forward to seeing us. Ah, the comraderie! This I truly miss!! So, farewell, Andronico's!

https://hoodline.relaymedia.com/amp/2017/09/end-of-shelf-life-irving-st-andronico-s-signs-coming-down

New 9th Ave Restaurant

New restaurant for 9th Avenue:

Asian Kitchen & Deli

Mt. Davidson

Before bidding on a mail delivery route in the inner Sinset, I spent 5 years delivering mail around the west side of Mt Davidson. It is with great pleasure, then, that I discover this recent article on the history of Mt. Davidson. I loved that route in so many ways. It is nice to be reminded of my years in the fog.

Mt. Davidson History

Endless Creativity

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the mother of a friend of mine. This video, produced by her daughter and my friend, Christabel Savalas, tells the life story of her mother, Helena Macree Tsavalas. The film is titled "Endless Creativity", and after watching this clip, you'll see why:



If you like what you see, and want to purchase the DVD, or if you just want to support Christabel and her artistic efforts, send $20 to:

Christabel Savalas
951 Eddy Street #405
San Francisco CA 94109

I first met Christabel when she lived on 8th Avenue, in the Inner Sunset. I delivered mail to her for many months before the 1300 block was removed from my route. After that, I continued to see Christabel frequently in the neighborhood. She is a warm and wonderful woman, full of vivacity and creativity. She's held many jobs during the time I've known her, including tour guide extraordinaire (speaking 4 languages, I believe!), actress, and film-maker. I enjoyed her earlier production, called Roommates - especially since she included local residents as actors in the film! And, I cherish the opportunity she gave to all of us invited to the viewing of her mother's dolls. What a remarkable mother and daughter team!

Christabel's video "Endless Creativity" is the recent winner of Hawaii's Aloha Accolade award, and the money she raises now will help pay her way to Honolulu to accept this award in March. Way to go, woman!

PS - You may recognize the name Savalas, immortalized by Christabel's first cousin Telly, of Kojak fame. It is clear that creativity runs in this family...

See Craig Vote - Again

Elsewhere I've written about Craig Newmark, the founder of Craig's List, a 9th Avenue resident of My Inner Sunset. He joins many other Americans during Election 2008 that participated in YouTubes' Video Your Vote project. Check it out his video at Webs2Go!, and See Craig Vote

Academy of Science

My friend Tom has alerted me to this Sunset Magazine article about the newly-opened Academy of Science. We haven't seen it yet, but certainly intend to!! The museum is within minutes of my mail delivery route, across from the DeYoung Museum in SF's Golden Gate Park.


I notice at the tail end of the article it mentions the Ebisu restaurant, located at 1283-9th Ave. Across the street is the Hotei Restaurant at 1290 9th Ave, and down the street is Park Chow, at 1240 9th Ave. Check it out!!

A three-minute walk away, the Inner Sunset neighborhood has other tasty options. These include Ebisu ($$; closed Sun; 1283 Ninth Ave.; 415/566-1770), one of S.F.'s best sushi spots; across the street, its sister restaurant, Hotei ($; closed Tue; 1290 Ninth Ave.; 415/753-6045), specializes in noodle dishes. Café Gratitude ($$; 1336 Ninth Ave.; 415/824-4652) offers local, organic, and vegan cuisine. And Park Chow ($; 1240 Ninth Ave.; 415/665-9912) is good for families, with a menu that ranges from pizza to short ribs to wontons.

links added by me

Restaurant Reviews

photo by Kenneth M., yelp.com
How's this for a great find: restaurant reviews of the Inner Sunset, from yelp.com. Let's start with Art's Cafe. Always popular with neighborhood folks, Art's often has long lines waiting to get in. Is it worth it? Yes! The owners are super nice, and they have post cards (delivered by me!) on the counter from all over the world, attesting to their popularity.

Another of my favorites is Yumma's Cafe. Again, the owners are super nice, and the food is delicious. Check out this menu: photo by Chris B., yelp.com

Arizmendi Bakery is another VERY popular place. Unfortunately, their food is too tempting for me, so I didn't eat there often. But, the few times I stopped for a quick lunch (eaten while walking up to the bus stop on my way back to the PO), I found the food d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s. The fact that they operate as a co-operative is one more plus in their favor.

photo by Netty L, yelp.com

The final one I'll highlight today is Pasquale's Pizza. Fortunately for me, no one has posted photos online at yelp.com for Pasquale's, and I have LOTS of photos taken there! The owner, chef, and all the workers were so accommodating to my photographic intrique with Pasquale's, that they allowed me to photograph them on several occasions. Some day, I'd love to post some of these photos online, as a series. In the meanwhile, I'll search for a simple photo taken of the building. If I'm lucky, I'll post it at yelp, in appreciation of the other fine photographs I found there.

Restaurant Reviews II

José, Pasquale's Pizza Man
photo by MailladyMartha
Note: I tried to post this photo at yelp, but couldn't figure out how to do it. Also, I couldn't just "add" this photo to my original posting, so I have re-arranged the posting time of this, so it follows sequentially...

Life is Good

Today, coming home from the gym, I ran into the retired restaurant worker and his wife. They were on their way to Civic Center - to shop at the Farmer's Market. We chatted a short time, and when I asked how they were, he said, "Life is Good!" What an attitude of optimism. I delivered mail to this man and his wife for 20+ years, and I have to say, he had this attitude almost every day that I saw him. Coming from the Philippines, he raised his family in SF, retired from a union job with good benefits, and now has the time and health and sufficient wealth to enjoy his elder years. Life is, indeed, good, and I'm so glad to see him reap the rewards of his labor.

Only in SF

On Monday, while on my thrice-weekly-walk after a work-out at the gym, I saw something that amazed me, though perhaps it shouldn't. I turned the corner from Judah and walked down 11th Avenue toward Irving Street. The east side of the street was empty of cars, and the street sweeper whisked by me with it's enormous metal brushes that (supposedly) clean up the clutter of our beloved city. Within seconds of his passing, I saw the most remarkable scurrying of cars. They flew out of driveways, squealed into U-turns, or slunk unseen from around corners. Soon, there were eleven cars parked on the street where seconds before there had been none! I was so astonished, I asked two of the drivers how they knew when the street sweeper was coming. Alas, neither the Chinese nor the Latin ladies understood my question, or could explain the scene I'd just witnessed.

Walking on, I stopped to visit May at my favorite travel agency, Sunset's Oasis Travel. We chatted a moment, shared our latest news - she wished me well on our upcoming trip to Europe, and I offered congratulations to Saneh on the birth of her new baby. Then, in the middle of a sentence, May grabbed her purse, locked the door behind her, and rushed out the door! Amazing - she taught me what I wanted to know without saying a word. It's the sound of the sweeper going by, and the sight of him across the street, that tells all to move their cars before he rounds the bend and returns!

These are just some of the sights and sounds that keep me attached to my old neighborhood, SF's Inner Sunset. It's a wonderful community of residents and business owners that reminds me of all the best aspects of urbanization and, indeed, of civilization itself. In a few short blocks we have a mix of nationalities and ethnicities in a mass urban environment, yet it is also a community of citizens and friends that interacts on a human scale. The policeman (at least when I delivered mail there!) walked the beat, the maillady is remembered long after she's left, and the homeless are known by name. That's why I keep going back - I am energized each time I return to my inner Sunset - and I hope you are too!
Hank and Martha in 1999

Catherine Jane

Catherine Jane runs a dress shop at 1234-9th Avenue. Check it out!

Here's info about Catherine from her website:
"Catherine Jane, a gifted San Francisco designer with flawless appreciation for line and texture, opened her first boutique on 9th Avenue in San Francisco in 1996. In 1993, after studying at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, Catherine Jane began producing her own line of clothing by appointment only.

Her talent is reflected in her ability to take exquisite, imported fabrics and blend them seamlessly with the aesthetic of couture. Her shapes are flattering, as everything is tailored to fit. You will not see her clothing en mass as she produces only small quantities in each style and fabric.

Catherine Jane's passion for style is apparent every time you walk into her boutiques. You have seen her clothing at the Ballet and the Oprah Show. In 2003 she opened her second eponymous boutique in the charming city of Mill Valley. This is the boutique where she showcases some of her more elaborate pieces, while bringing into the mix other accessory designers to complete her look.

Always in style....Catherine Jane"

How true! However, what I most remember are the many moments of memorable chats with Catherine. She always lightened the load of this letter carrier with her enthusiastic greetings, her warmth and grace, and her music selections! I enjoyed hearing about any travels, and talking about the Sunset neighborhood we served. Chatherine is one of the ones who early on supported my idea of starting a neighborhood blog or website. So - thanks, Catherine: here it is!

Kronos Quartet's Nuevo

Here's an article called Vaya Con Brio, about the Kronos Quartet's 2002 CD called "Nuevo". It was my honor to deliver mail to such a world-renowned musical group. I thrilled to see new manuscripts mailed from all over the world with hopes of being selected by this monstrously innovative quartet. Classically trained, they are classic in every sense of the word. Way to go, Kronos!

Get on the bus!

2003-08 IMGP0730
Originally uploaded by mailladymartha.

The 66 Quintara serves the community of SF's Inner Sunset every 20 minutes from 9th and Judah Avenues. At the end of a day delivering mail, it's a welcome sight!

This blog...

This blog is a memoir of my years delivering mail in San Francisoc's Inner Sunset. My route, centered at 9th and Irving, served a fascinating, exciting, urban community that still intrigues me. So, I will continue to update this information periodically, adding new links and old and new photos. Hopefully, I will also incorporate interviews with neighborhood merchants and friends. Let me know what interests you, and together we'll celebrate what makes this area "My Inner Sunset".