Monthly Archives: September 2012

City College board votes to close Castro campus

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After receiving a “show cause” action from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges for failing to meet several requirements around funding and budgeting, amongst other issues, the City College of San Francisco board voted to close down an administrative building and two instructional sites including the Castro Everett Middle School location (450 Church Street).

CCSF will have until October 15th to formulate a draft plan progress report to submit to the ACCJC to show their progress on addressing the issues. The college will then have until March 15, 2013 to make a case for why they should be able to keep their accreditation and also how they plan to close down the college in the event they do not receive their accreditation.

The Castro Campus was founded in 1983 as an educational center for San Francisco’s LGBT communities, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies curriculum. Since then, educational offerings have expanded to include studies in English, Foreign Languages, Visual and Performing Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Physical Education, college and career planning, Health, and Astronomy. The interim CCSF Chancellor Pamila Fisher noted the classes will not be cancelled, but relocated.

via SFExaminer

PHOTOS: New SliderBar Cafe open next week

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I stopped by SliderBar Cafe as it was to be open for business starting today, however it’s actually only open for a private, “invitation only” event. I decided to snap a few photos anyway to give all our readers a taste of what’s to come. According to the two uniformed SFPD officers loitering in front of the slider joint (are they hungry for burgers or are they keeping the unwashed masses from entering?) they will be open to the public “either Tuesday or Wednesday” of next week. UPDATE: Soft-opened October 1st.

Looking at the photos it appears that they have several TV’s above the bar area, 12 beers on tap, and a commercial grade espresso machine (which seems kinda odd for a hamburger joint, right?). At any rate, I’m hungry for some tiny burgers!

Kitchen Story restaurant replacing old Tangerine location

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The old Tangerine location (3499 16th Street at Sanchez) has a fresh coat of paint on it and is getting remodeled inside in preparation for it’s new tenant, Kitchen Story, which is billing itself as a “California Cuisine” restaurant. They said they’d be opening next month.

UPDATED: Kitchen Story as confirmed by GrubStreet.

VIDEO: Castro Theatre General Manager trades words with Nudists

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Lately, it seems we cannot go a day here in the Castro without hearing some sort of drama with the nudists unfold. The latest story comes from a September 21st video that was posted to YouTube of an interview with nudist George Davis (who famously ran for Mayor of San Francisco in 2007).

Mr. Davis was explaining in the interview that it was National Park(ing) Day, the day where people all over the world are encouraged to reclaim public space by taking over a metered parking spot. Davis selected a place right in front of the Castro Theatre, and dubbed it “The Garden of Eden” (for more reasons than the fake tree, ehemm). He starts to discuss San Francisco nudity laws, the urban nudest movement (which, according to him, has only been around for about 7 years in San Francisco) and what it was like to go out nude in public for the first time when Castro Theatre manager Keith Arnold came out (2:24). Arnold told them that they needed a permit to film outside the theater while banging his clipboard on the camera and blocking the lens for much of the rest of the video.

Even after retreating, Arnold comes back for seconds and reveals that his issue ended up being more than just about getting a permit when he frustratingly answers the camera man’s question regarding tolerance and says, “I’m tolerant of kids not being exposed to cocks in their face.”

The interviewer, Reel Gay News, has filed a criminal complaint with the SFPD against the theater manager, according to the description of the video on YouTube.

Castro/EVNA to discuss nudity at Sept 26th public meeting

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Photo by NudeWoody

The Castro/Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association addressed the recent flare up of tensions around the nudists who hang out in Jane Warner Plaza and citizens who have been complaining to Scott Wiener that they have had enough. In their September 8th executive board meeting, they discussed whether or not they would take a stance on the issue stating,

“A long discussion ensued regarding whether or not EVNA had an opinion or stance regarding the Naked Guys (Naked People) that seem to have increased in numbers and frequency in the neighborhood. The Board is really divided as to whether or not they like/dislike this development. It is somewhat clear that California law allows this behavior. Individuals can complain to SFPD and file a complaint on a case by case basis. In the end EVNA took no official position but felt that the conversation may continue and that if the Naked Guys begin to impact businesses then MUMC might take on this issue.
For now…”

For now…

They are opening the issue up for discussion at their bi-monthly public meeting September 26th. The meeting will be held at 7PM at the Castro Community Meeting Room, 501 Castro Street (above Bank of America).

The Castro Biscuit has reached out to confirm the attendance of Mitch Hightower, who has been a notable voice for the nudists and Scott Wiener, District 8 Supervisor, who has expressed interest in trying to work out the issue, but have not heard back from either yet.

UPDATE 9/24: Scott Wiener has confirmed his attendance. Still waiting on Mitch.

Go make your voice heard if you have a something constructive to say on either side of the issue, but remember, these are your neighbors so be polite.

Twin Peaks Tavern may receive landmark status

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In 1972, Twin Peaks Tavern became the first gay bar in the Castro to install floor to ceiling windows facing towards the street as a statement against hiding in the shadows. It’s in the gateway to the Castro facing towards Jane Warner Plaza, Market Street, 17th Street and Castro Street.  It’s often been referred to as the gay Cheers bar. Today, it’s under consideration to receive Article 10 landmark status from the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission.

According to a San Francisco Preservation Bulletin, Article 10 landmark status is:

Adopted in 1967, Article 10 of the Planning Code provides for San Francisco the ability to identify, designate and protect landmarks from inappropriate alterations. Article 10 also contains language to impose a moratorium on proposed demolitions of landmark sites in order to explore alternatives to demolition of landmarks and buildings located within historic districts.

Though this is great news for the neighborhood bar, ”Landmarking a building can present additional costs and hurdles to making changes,” explained District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener in an interview with the Huffington Post. “And I’m very much of the belief that you shouldn’t be landmarking a building unless the owner is supportive.”

According to the commission’s report, the building and business owner have been notified on multiple occasions about the consideration. The commission is awaiting a response from the building’s owner.

Bollywood at the Castro Theatre: South Asian Film Festival

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If the Folsom Street Fair is not your thing and you’re looking for something to do this weekend, consider checking out 3rd i’s Tenth Annual South Asian Film Festival. This year’s festival brings over 20 films from 9 different countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, The Maldives, Canada, South Africa, UK and USA. Shorts are aplenty this year, and music moves to the foreground in many films. Women and California filmmakers make a strong showing in the documentary and shorts category, and ecology bookends the festival on opening and closing nights.

The film festival starts tomorrow at the Roxie Theatre and makes it’s Castro Theatre debut on Saturday with a reception and five films including: Alms for a Blind Horse (Anhey Ghodey Da Daan), The World Before Her, Lucky, Decoding Deepak, and Cocktail. Enjoy food and drinks at the reception where they will be featuring a meet and greet with the filmmakers and a live DJ spinning for your dancing pleasure.

Get your “Castro Pass” which includes tickets to all five films and the reception.