THD and a coalition of environmental and neighborhood associations are applauding a decision on November 14, 2011 by SF Superior Court Judge Harold Kahn that halts plans by AT&T to install 726 refrigerator-sized utility boxes on public sidewalks in San Francisco without first conducting a substantive environmental review of the project’s impacts.

A battle at City Hall earlier this year resulted in a narrow approval of the AT&T plan despite overwhelming citizen and expert testimony demonstrating that state environmental laws require a study of the project’s potential impacts on public space, pedestrian safety, and aesthetics.

But San Francisco Beautiful, a nonprofit group fighting to preserve The City’s natural beauty, joined forces with San Francisco Tomorrow, the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, the Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association and the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association to file suit arguing that an environmental impact review must be conducted before the boxes could be considered for installation.

Judge Kahn agreed and issued a strongly worded order putting a stop to the AT&T project, subject to further notice.  Read the court’s order here.

Telegraph Hill Dwellers Art & Culture Committee Presents:  The 4th Annual North Beach ArtWalk

A free annual weekend of art, poetry, music and performance showcased in a wide variety of eclectic North Beach venues.  From 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 24th & Sunday, Sept. 25th, 2011.

Download the 2011 North Beach ArtWalk map here to guide your personal “art walk” around the neighborhood.   See you at the ArtWalk!

The City of San Francisco is planning a Sunday Streets Event in North Beach & Chinatown on Sunday, September 18, 2011 from 11 am – 4 pm.

Sunday Streets is a series of events put on by the City of San Francisco to encourage health, community and fun, inspired by similar events in cities throughout the world.  A Sunday Streets event creates a large, temporary, public space by closing off stretches of a neighborhood’s streets to automobile traffic, and opening them to pedestrians, bicyclists, and activities for several hours on a predetermined Sunday.

From the night of Saturday, Sept. 17th through the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 18th, the event route will be closed to cars and all vehicles parked along the route will be towed.  The planned event route will run the length of Grant Avenue from Bush St. to Lombard St., then up Lombard and along Telegraph Hill Blvd. to Coit Tower.

For more information about the event, call (415) 344-0489 x2, email SundayStreets@gmail.com, or visit:  www.sundaystreetssf.com

Planned Sept. 18th Sunday Streets Route:

“Heslet Honey” has been harvested, hand-crushed, and is ready to sell to neighbors!  Beekeeper Kate McGee and her two boys will have a honey stand in front of their place at 218 Filbert Steps on Saturday Sept. 10th from 9 to noon.  Meet the beekeeper and buy some of your very own Telegraph Hill honey.

Or, you can order from Kate’s newly launched web site: http://heslethoney.com

All honey money goes directly back into hive maintenance and beekeeping equipment.

THD welcomes to the neighborhood two new local businesses that opened on Upper Grant this summer:

Little Vine

Melissa Gugni and her husband Jay have opened a new specialty market called “Little Vine” at 1541 Grant Avenue between Union & Filbert.  They will be specializing in locally made/ sourced cheeses, meats, produce and wine.

Little Vine is now open from 11 am – 7 pm Tuesday through Friday and 9 am – 7 pm Saturday and Sunday (closed on Monday). www.shoplittlevine.com

Park & Pond

Founded by Bay Area natives and sisters Jessica and Abbey Herman, Park and Pond at 1422 Grant Ave. (between Green and Union) is a place to find “remarkable, creative, and useful well-designed goods.”  Merchandise includes jewelry and art, bath and body, stationery gifts and a variety of home items all produced within 100 miles of San Francisco.

For more information, contact Abbey and Jessica at 415-217-8864 or visit Park and Pond online at www.parkandpond.com

The Chronicle takes a walk around the neighborhood with THD President Jon Golinger and reports on the restaurants, art spaces, shops, trees, and creative spirit that signal a “new old day in North Beach.”

Read the story here:  New wave in North Beach

Public Art for the North Beach Library
Come see the three proposals for new public artwork!

The late Jack Early was a long-time Telegraph Hill resident and advocate for the greening of the Hill.  Because of the generous “evergreen” bequest Jack Early left for trees on the Hill, the Telegraph Hill Dwellers recently purchased five large conifer trees for Washington Square.

Two Italian stone pines, two deodar cedars, and one Canary Island pine have replaced mature trees that have fallen or been removed from the Square in recent years.  On a gorgeous sunny late spring afternoon, dozens of neighbors gathered together to celebrate these beautiful new trees and toast Jack Early’s gift to San Francisco.  Thanks to Cafe Divine, Victoria Pastry, Stella Pastry & Cafe, and Coit Liquor for their generous donations to a fabulous neighborhood celebration party on May 27, 2011.

“Keep the Hill Green!”  — Jack Early

Presented by the THD Art & Culture Committee

CALL for ARTISTS

A weekend of art, poetry, music, and performance in multiple North Beach and Telegraph Hill venues on Saturday & Sunday, September 24th & 25th, 2011.

Artists:  For ArtWalk Registration Info. click here.

Business Owners:  If you are interested in sponsoring the ArtWalk or being a venue for an artist’s exhibit, performance, poetry event, or live music click here.

On Thursday, July 21, 2011, the SF Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed 8 Washington Street luxury condominiums and 420 space underground parking garage project along the Embarcadero.

The DEIR can be found here:  8 Washington St – Seawall Lot 351 Project

If approved as planned, the 8 Washington Project will demolish a vital Community Recreational Center and shutter it completely for at least 3 years.  The replacement will reduce outdoor recreational space by over 50%.  THD and a citywide coalition is united in opposing this project, especially now that it will risk creating more problems for the upcoming America’s Cup event during a crucial time.

You can attend the SF Planning Commission Meeting on July 21 at City Hall Room in 400 beginning at 12:00 noon.  The 8 Washington Project is expected to come up after 3pm.  You can also watch the meeting live on SF Gov TV or online at this link:  SF Gov TV