The Noe Valley Voice

2004·12.6 MB·English

by  Noe Valley Voice

THE NOE VALLEY VOICE
Noe Valleyans Neighbors Still
Among Longing for
Gay Marriage Great Groceries
Pioneers
By Li: Highleyman
W
By Liz Highleyman ith the 24th Street Real Food store
S still shuttered six months after par¬
everal Noe Valleyans were at the fore¬ ent company Nutraceutical Corporation
front of last month's historic wave of abruptly fired nearly 30 workers and
same-sex marriages in the city. closed the doors, Noe Valleyans have
Duncan Street residents Phyllis Lyon, grown increasingly impatient at the lack
79, and Del Martin, 83, were the first cou¬ of a quality organic grocery in the neigh¬
ple to be legally wed on Feb. 12, the day borhood. And to date, efforts to engage
Mayor Gavin Newsom directed city offi¬ the company in a dialogue have led to lit¬
cials to begin issuing marriage licenses to tle but frustration.
same-sex partners. Noe Valley residents Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin (right) attended a celebration with other gay Participants at a community meeting
Lyon and Martin founded the Daugh¬ newlyweds a week after their historic marriage at City Hall Feb. 12. Photo by Liz Highleyman on Feb. 12 made clear their desire to see
ters of Bilitis, the nation’s first lesbian Real Food leave the neighborhood, ide¬
rights organization, in 1955—the same Sprint Seeks OK fight an attempt to place Pacific Bell and ally to be replaced by a local owner or
year they moved to Noe Valley. Plans for Cellular One cell phone transmitters atop community co-op that would maintain the
the small City Hall ceremony, performed To Put Antenna the Noe Valley Ministry, circulating peti¬ same high quality. An impromptu straw
by City Assessor-Recorder Mabel Teng, tions and picketing outside church services poll of the nearly 100 attendees revealed
On Bank Building
were kept under wraps to avoid a legal for weeks. City Supervisor Tom Ammiano unanimous support for asking the Utah-
challenge by opponents of gay marriage. got involved, too, hailing the neighbors’ based corporation to give up the 24th
“It doesn’t seem that different being By Peter Orsi grassroots campaign and championing Street property.
married, since we’ve been together 51 I their cause at City Hall. In December, On Feb. 19, neighborhood organizers
years,” Lyon told the Voice. “I thought it t wasn’t all that long ago that Noe Val¬ company officials bowed to public pres¬ sent a letter to this effect, with 150 sig¬
would happen sometime, but that we ley residents took on the telecoms— sure and scuttled their antenna plans. natures, to Nutraceutical CEO Frank W.
and won. What a difference six years makes. Gay. “We are writing to respectfully ask
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 In fall 1997, neighbors mobilized to Fast-forward to 2004, when another that your company leave our neighbor¬
wireless carrier wants to bring an antenna hood and allow us to proceed with plans
to Noe Valley. This time it’s Sprint PCS, to initiate a grocery store that is locally
which has filed a permit application with owned and reflective of the values of our
the city to install a transmitter atop the neighborhood,” read the letter. “The fact
Washington Mutual Bank at the comer of that you have not accepted repeated of-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Pre-Dawn Drills gle. Backwards. Their muscles are on fire,
and their anguished cries and grunts
Take Over pierce the quiet streets above Dolores
Park. Still, they keep going, hustling up
Dolores Park 60 stairs at 19th Street. Their leader
shouts “Keep It up!”, assuring them that
Fitness “Boot Camps” Use Hilly they are almost at the top. At the summit,
the group pauses for a quad-burning set
Terrain to Shape Up Local Recruits
of warrior poses while the sun completes
its rise over the East Bay.
By Sharon Gillenwater
I
Has the Army started to train recruits
t is 6:30 a.m. While most of us are hit¬ in San Francisco? Not likely.
ting the snooze button for the second No, these local troops are just part of
Leo Holub’s Photographer Leo Holub, 87, is currently or third time, a half dozen people are run¬
archiving his work for the Smithsonian.
It includes his unique impressions of San ning up Sanchez Street at a 45-degree an- CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Life in Pictures
Francisco, as well as of some of the best-
known artists of the 20th century. For a
peek at Holub’s portfolio, see pages 27-30.
By Rosie Ruley Atkins Photo by Pamela Gerard
R
egular Noe Valley Voice readers cisco. A photographer, Holub has exhib¬
probably think they know a lot about ited his work at galleries around the world
Leo Holub from reading his wife Flo¬ and has published an award-winning book.
rence’s column, “Florence’s Family Al¬ Holub, who was bom in Decatur, Ark.,
bum,” over the past 15 years. We know in 1916 and moved west to Oakland in
that Leo befriended a slug, named it Fred¬ 1923, attributes his success as an artist to
die (after a late family dog), and look his mother.
great pains to avoid squishing it during “She said I was always drawing things
nighttime visits to the kitchen. We know when I was little,” Holub recalls. When
he once sported a beard that sparked great Holub graduated from high school, it was
controversy. We know that every year on his mother who sent out inquiries about
his and Florence’s wedding anniversary, art schools and determined that the famed
Leo winds up dinner with the question, Chicago Art Institute would be the best
“Well, want to try it for another year?” place for her son.
What the stories don’t reveal is that Leo Holub worked for two years as a black¬
Holub is also one of the most noteworthy smith’s apprentice in the mines of Grass
and influential 'artists of his generation
Personal trainer Mike Giometti (left) commands SF Outdoor Fitness, one of three exercise
and an avid chronicler of life in San Fran- CONTINUED ON PAGE 25 “boot camps" now operating in Dolores Park. Photo by Nojib Joe Hakim
2 The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004
Learn all about AIDS/LifeCycle and
how you can be part of it!
Come to one of our exciting and educational
information meetings.
Thursday, March It, 6:30 p.m. San Francisco AIDS Foundation
995 Market Street
San Francisco
Saturday, March 13,11 a.m. Sports Basement
610 Mason Street
(across from Crissy Field)
Presidio-San Francisco
Thursday, March 18, 6:30 p.m. San Francisco AIDS Foundation
995 Market Street
San Francisco
„
9
Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. San Francisco AIDS Foundation
995 Market Street
San Francisco
Call 415-581-7077 for more information!
AID
www.aidslifecycle.org FOUNDATION
AIDS
LIFECYCLE
The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004 3
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4 The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004
LETTERS 37«
The north side of town
just got a little bit southern.
Anne Sachs Touched Many Lives wipes out the thin margin a grocer expects
N
Editor: on the key shopping day of the week.
You know what a close-knit commu¬ It is ironic that the anti-growth forces
avigating the real estate market
nity Noe Valley is when you open up the that dominate our local politics have sewn
in this town doesn’t have to be
Voice and see a picture of a woman that the seeds of their worst nightmare: The
as hard as navigating the
you know but don’t really know. only merchants who can afford to occupy
neighborhoods. Whether you’re
Such was the case for me when I saw the larger spaces on 24th Street will be the
purchasing in Pacific Heights or selling
Anne Sachs’ picture in the February issue national chains. So, if you love the farm¬
in SOMA, you need an expert
[“In Remembrance of Anne Sachs,” Feb¬ ers’ market, visualize a Gap where Real
Realtor® who knows his way around
ruary 2004]. The second I saw Anne’s Foods used to be.
town.
picture, I cried “I know that woman!”, as Doug Evans
we had both had children in 1988 and met Noe Valley resident
That’s why you need Stephen Moore.
over strollers at the Day Street play¬
For over 15 years, Stephen’s combination ground sandbox. We chatted as new Report Those Car Break-ins
moms did, and found that we both came Editor:
of North Carolina warmth and San
Francisco savvy has helped his clients from New York and shared a lot of the I live on the 400 block of Valley Street,
buy and sell homes throughout the same interests. I remember Anne telling and on the evening of Jan. 191 had to park
south side of the city. And now he’s me about the writing and music in her life. at Castro and Valley streets. I did not go
taking his southern-style service to As our children grew older, we lost back to the car until the early morning
touch, but I did see her, almost on a daily hours of Jan. 21. Although there was no
his new Marina office at Hill & Co. It’s
basis, holding hei'two daughters’ hands stereo to steal (I have learned my lessons
the same personal attention and in-depth
as she walked them to school at 30th and well, being the owner of a convertible),
understanding of San Francisco real
Noe streets. We would smile and nod to the car top was slashed. To further aggra¬
estate, only now it comes with a
one another, and when she saw me with vate the situation, since it was 5-ish in the
northern accent.
my son, we both silently noted how our morning and quite dark, I slipped and se¬
Thinking of buying or selling, contact kids were growing up, as they reached riously hurt my knee.
and surpassed our own heights. When I called the Police Department,
Stephen Moore
And so it was like a punch in the stom¬ the help was dismal:
415.621.4695. ach when I saw Anne’s face and read that 1. No one would come out despite the
this woman who I knew.hut didn’t know damage to the car, which ultimately cost
had died of breast cancer at such an in¬ $4,852. (I would call that major vandalism.)
sanely young age. Once again, it brings 2. No one would come out despite my
home the pervasiveness of this disease, knee injury.
HILL & CQ
how it happens not just to others, but to 3. Instead, I was given a number to dial
REA I. ESTATE people you know and to people who have that took over 90 minutes for a real live
touched your life in soft sweet ways. It person to answer. She was a nice lady, but
1880 Lombard Street
seems so strange to me that I will not see not someone who would be able to look
San Francisco, CA 94123
Anne lovingly walking with her girls in at the car or link this break-in to others in
my neighborhood anymore, and we will the neighborhood.
not quietly acknowledge that we shared Truthfully, I could have answered the
the wondermeht of our first steps into moth¬
erhood 15 years ago when our eyes met. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
My heart goes out to her family and
friends, who indeed were blessed to have
known Anne Sachs.
Whether you're nesting
Jane Lewis
29th Street THE NOE VALLEY VOICE
or investing. I'll help 1021 Sanchez Street
♦ San Francisco, CA 94114
Farmers’ Market Spoils It for
www.noevalleyvoice.com
you find the loan that's Small Grocers
The Noe Valley Voice is an independent news¬
Editor: paper published monthly except in January and
right for you. Is it a coincidence that the three lead August. It is distributed free in Noe Valley and
vicinity, on or before the first Friday of the month.
stories (“Empty Stores Cast a Pall on 24th Subscriptions are available at $25 per year ($15
Street,” “No Signs of Remodeling at Real for seniors) by writing to the above address.
The Voice welcomes your letters, photos, and
Food Co.,” and “Most Think Farmers’
manuscripts, particularly on topics relating to
Market Is Peachy”) in your February is¬ Noe Valley. All items should include your name,
sue appeared at the same time? I think not. address, and phone number, and may be edited
for brevity or clarity. (Unsigned manuscripts will
Of course, everyone loves the farmers’ not be considered for publication.) Unsolicited
market. As I understand it, the “farmers” contributions will be returned only if accompa¬
nied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
pay no rent and sell directly to consumers.
The Noe Valley Voice is a member of the San
And it’s fun. Who wouldn’t.like that? Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association.
. Well, we also like the ambiance of 24th Editorial Office: 415-821-3324
Street, and the vitality of it as a retail cen¬ E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.noevalleyvoice.com
CALL ME FOR YOUR ter affects our overall quality of life and Distribution: Call Misha at 415-752-1726
HOME PURCHASE OR (dare I say) real estate prices in the area. Display Advertising:
REFINANCE NEEDS. Yet how could a storefront grocer on 24th Call Steve at 415-239-1114
Class Ads: See Page 57
Street possibly compete with the farmers’
Display Advertising Deadline for the
market? How could any store that sells the
April Issue: March 18, 2004
same goods as are offered at the market? Editorial/Class Ad Deadline: March 15, 2004
The reality is that as long as the farmers’ CO-PUBLISHERS/EDITORS
Sally Smith, Jack Tipple
market continues to operate, there will be
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND EDITORS
no replacement of Real Foods because it Laura McHale Holland, Features Editor
Olivia Boler, Last Page Editor
Karol Barske, Calendar Editor
LETTERS to the EDITOR Corrie M. Anders, Heidi Anderson, Rosie Ruley
.Atkins, Betsy Bannerman, Sue Cattoche, Helen
Colgan, Sharon Gillenwater, Dodie Hamblen,
THE VOICE welcomes your letters Suzanne Herel, Liz Highleyman, Florence Holub,
LEONARDI Jeff Kaliss, Doug Konecky, Janis Cooke Newman,
to the editor. Write the Noe Valley Peter Orsi, Elliot Poger, Pat Rose, Roger Rubin, Jan
Ruiz, Karen Topakian, Chris Wiggum
LOAN AGENT Voice, 1021 Sanchez Street, San
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Francisco, CA 94114. Or e-mail Pamela Gerard, Photo Editor
Beverly Tharp, Senior Photographer
[email protected]. Ed Buryn, Najib Joe Hakim, Leo Holub,
Charles Kennard, Ken Newman
Please include your name,
PRODUCTION
address, and phone number. Jon Elkin, Jack Tipple
GlWIIANItE (Anonymous letters will not be DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION
MORTGAGE Karol Barske, Paul Marshall
considered for publication.) Be WEB DESIGN
Elliot Poger
aware that letters may be edited
ADVERTISING SALES
for brevity or clarity. We look Steve Steinberg, Advertising Manager
forward to hearing from you. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Contents © 2004 The Noe Valley Voice
The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004 S
Noe Valley on the gave the go-ahead, Oliveto performed her
first ceremony at City Hall for Michael
Front Lines of Eaton and Sean Higgins. The following
Sunday, she married Dan Johnson and
Gay Marriage
Bill Hinson during a regular worship ser¬
vice—the first same-sex marriage con¬
ducted in a Methodist church sanctuary.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE I
Oliveto learned later that week that a
wouldn’t see it. We’re very honored to be complaint had been filed against her for
chosen to be. the first.” “disobedience to the order and discipline
Over Valentine’s Day weekend, the of the United Methodist Church.” While
line of couples waiting for licenses at City the Methodists officially ban same-sex
Hall—including many people from other holy unions, there is no explicit policy
cities, states, and countries—wound its against same-sex marriages. “I am not do¬
way around the block. Some even camped ing a holy union,” Oliveto emphasized. “I
out overnight in the rain to ensure their am doing a legal gay marriage.”
spots. By the end of February, more than A spokeswoman for Bishop Beverly
3,400 same-sex couples had tied the knot. Shamana, who presides over the Califomia-
District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty was Nevada United Methodist Conference,
among the civic and religious leaders of¬ told the Voice that individual disciplinary
ficiating at some of the many ceremonies proceedings are confidential and the Bethany Church Pastor Karen Oliveto (in back, with clerical collar) officiated at the Feb. 12
conducted in every spare nook and cranny bishop therefore could not comments on City Hall wedding of Michael Eaton (left) and Sean Higgins (right), shown here displaying their
of City Hall. By Feb. 20, he said, he had details of the case. newly minted marriage license. Photo by Liz Highleyman
performed “one hundred and counting.” If found guilty of a church-defined of¬
“People throughout the world have fense, Oliveto could be stripped of her
seen the passion for marriage equality,” credentials, but she stands by her actions. church should always stand against hate, marriage as the union of a man and a
Dufty told the Voice. “There will be fits At a Feb. 22 press conference, more than not against love.” woman is unconstitutional because it de¬
and starts, as there were in the civil rights 100 members of Bethany and other A few blocks north of Bethany, Rev. nies same-sex couples equal rights. At¬
movement, but what has been unleashed United Methodist congregations from Keenan Kelsey, pastor of the Noe Valley torney General Bill Lockyer has asked the
here is unstoppable.” around the Bay Area—and as far away as Ministry Presbyterian Church, said that state Supreme Court to issue a quick rul¬
Another Noe Valley local on the front Davis—gathered at the church to affirm while she had done many same-sex holy ing on the matter, saying he believes the
lines was Rev. Karen Oliveto, pastor of their support for the minister. unions over the years, she had yet to sign issuance of same-sex marriage licenses
Bethany United Methodist Church at San¬ “We need all the love in the world we one of the city’s new marriage certifi¬ violates California law.
chez and Clipper streets. The day Newsom can get,” Oliveto told the Voice, “and the cates. But, she said, she would perform a “We’re in the midst of major social
same-sex wedding if asked. “We support change in the United States, and I feel
same-sex marriage,” she said. “We be¬ privileged to be a part of it,” said District
lieve covenant love is covenant love.” 13 Assemblyman and Noe Valley resident
■C KitchenSync
The fate of thousands of newlywed Mark Leno, who is sponsoring a bill
couples now rests in the hands of the amending state law to allow same-sex
Creative Kitchen Design and Cabinetry courts. On Feb. 13, two groups opposing marriages. “The question is not will we
same-sex marriage filed separate law¬ prevail, but when.” ■
suits demanding that the city stop giving
out licenses,'but judges declined to issue
immediate restraining orders. Days later,
San Francisco officials filed their own
Showroom at
suit, claiming that a state law defining
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6 The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004
LETTERS 3 7 <
DAILY YOGA CLASSES
same questions she asked to an automated More Power to Mayor Newsom
voice system. I did have the option, of Editor:
course, of driving to the police station to I want to congratulate San Francisco
report this incident, but oddly enough, Mayor Gavin Newsom for his coura¬
that was suggested only in passing, and geous and principled demonstration of
never was I told where the station was. equal rights for gays and lesbians.
I wrote to the mayor’s office about my Many nations around the world, in¬
experience, but in mid-February had not cluding my own, look to the United States
heard any explanation for the fact that the for guidance and leadership. However,
system to report car break-ins actually dis¬ President Bush, Governor Schwarzeneg¬
courages such reporting and thus can make ger, and Attorney General Lockyer ap¬
a neighborhood appear safer and crime pear to have failed to demonstrate lead¬
rates lower. Most of us don’t have 90-plus ership in human rights.
minutes to sit on hold. Lucky for me, I had President Bush’s proposal to write a
a speaker phone and a paper to write. new form of prejudice into the U.S. Con¬
So drivers, be warned: Cars in Noe Val¬ stitution is abhorrent to both humanity
ley are being broken into. This is the sec¬ and history. It is the responsibility of
ond time for me in eight months. elected officials to provide protection and
Oh, and just the other night, I saw a mo¬ equality to all their constituents, not
torcycle knocked over for no reason other merely to those who share their own per¬
than meanness. So motorcyclists, beware, sonal religious views. Mayor Newsom is
too. to be commended for his actions.
K. E. Singleton The world watches this battle, as the
• daily yoga classes •
Valley Street outcome may determine a new era of lib¬
iyengar • astanga • prenatal erty and freedom—or one of heightened
mom & baby • introduction to yoga repression and persecution—in countries
everywhere. It reaches into Noe Valley,
• community class (special rates) •
Quit
and out past Tasmania.
I ask your readers to support Mayor
Newsom’s stand for equality.
open or
Geoff Allshom
smart
Melbourne, Australia
1 YOG
Love, Marriage—What’s the
Problem?
Stop smoking
1500 CASTRO STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114 Editor:
in three sessions.
People fall in love. It’s a natural part of
415-824-5657
Individuals • Couples • Groups life, so what’s the problem? People are
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homosexuals, heterosexuals, bisexuals,
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transsexuals, and asexual.. .there are even
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Noe Valley Office a few folks out there who are celibate.
That’s also a natural part of life.
Lori Feldman, LCSW
Many of us take on the role of “god,”
415.285.9770 assuming we have the right, nay the re¬
sponsibility, to condemn those we do not
Psychotherapy also offered for
understand. We judge one another by stan¬
anxiety, stress, depression
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since Jesus walked, and expect to justify
the wagging fingers and tongues by say¬
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[phone]
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' ■..--.-
The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004 7
Former Real Food with something better.” permit from the city.) Roger Sanders of the but as soon as we solve these problems,
One possibility: a new incarnation of Mayor’s Office of Community Develop¬ we’ll be able to face everyone and try to
Shoppers Woo
Mikeytom Market, which closed its ment, who attended the Feb. 12 meeting, address the majority of concerns.”
Church Street operation last May after its said the city could offer advice, technical Will the community welcome the com¬
Mikeytom Market
rent skyrocketed. assistance, and help with obtaining loans. pany back?
Co-owner Tom Maravilla told the “We’d love to see a high-quality, full- “I believe if they reopen, the store will
CONTINUED FROM PAGE I Voice that he envisioned a store “like service organic grocer that treats its em¬ close within six months,” predicted
Mikeytom, but with enhancements such ployees well,” said Debra Niemann, Dufty. “They should make a good finan¬
fers of mediation... makes it clear that our as a meat market and a deli. It could in¬ speaking for the residents’ group Friends cial decision and not waste their money
respective positions are too different for corporate all the good things about Real of Noe Valley. “We need a grocer that ap¬ doing the renovations.”
us to ever reach a resolution that will Food, but with the Mikeytom touch.” preciates the sometimes idiosyncratic Niemann took a different view. “People
work for both sides.” Maravilla said he was open to a union needs of the neighborhood. But we can't will definitely go back,” she said. “Con¬
Organizers and ex-employees have de¬ and to bringing in former Real Food em¬ pursue anything else as long as [Nu- venience always outweighs politics. The
manded that the company rehire the fired ployees. “Those workers know the clien¬ traceutical] is holding the space.” company knows that, and they’ll wait it
workers and agree to recognize their tele,” he said. “I hope some of them are For its part, Nutraceutical does not ap¬ out. It will take a while, but people will
union. “Justice for the workers is an in¬ still around.” pear to have any plans to leave the neigh¬ forgive them.”
herent part of the necessary outcome,” in¬ But Maravilla acknowledged that many borhood. Meanwhile, some local activists have
sisted organizer Peter Gabel. “If they in¬ challenges—financial and otherwise- According to Marketing Director Sergio suggested a boycott of the store, should it
tend to stay, they will have to address the lay ahead. “Lots of stars would have to Diaz, the company discovered substantial reopen, as well as of Nutraceutical’s vit¬
social justice issue.” align to make this happen,” he conceded. structural problems with the building and amin products.
Given the lack of progress in negotia¬ Others favor a community co-op, ex¬ is currently negotiating with building “We have the power to affect their
tions, District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty panding on the weekly Saturday farmers’ owners Jane and Kimball Allen on how pocketbooks and reputation,” said Real
has abandoned his efforts to mediate with market that sprung up in December to to solve them. Nutraceutical holds an op¬ Food ex-employee Kim Rohrbach. “They
the company. help fill the gap left by Real Food. (Mar¬ tion to lease the property for 12 years, re¬ cannot reopen and do the kind of business
“They’ve done enough damage. They ket organizers recently received a 13- newable in three-year increments. they’re accustomed to doing. They don’t
need to walk away,” Dufty told the Voice. week extension to their temporary permit, “Our intentions are not to leave,” Diaz really represent a world view that’s in line
“Others are ready to come forward and which expired at the end of February, and told the Voice. “We’re committed to this with the views of people who shop at nat¬
use the space. I think we can come up are pursuing a permanent conditional use project. It’s taking longer than expected. ural food stores.” ■
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The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004 9
Wave of Fitness the healing arts.
“One of our yoga teachers said, ‘Boot
“Boot Camps” camp?That sounds terrible!”’ laughs Be¬
sanceney. “But I love how it is getting me
up early and getting me outside. It’s the
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 kind of thing I wouldn’t stick with on my
own.”
the latest exercise craze: fitness “boot Back on the hill above Stow Lake, Be¬
camps.” In the last few years, would-be sanceney and her group descend back to
soldiers in the war against flab have been the concourse, where they do abdominal
flocking to outdoor programs all across exercises and deep yoga stretches among
the city, and now there are at least three the majestic columns that flank the band
boot camps operating in Mission Dolores shell. Off to the side, several groups are
Park, just over the hill from Noe Valley. silently engaged in slow, deliberate mar¬
All three of these programs combine tial arts movements.
running and exercise drills with a heavy The sun is starting to break through the
load of calisthenics—sit-ups, pushups, clouds as the boot campers lunge and
leg lifts, squats, you name it. Classes meet breathe deeply, raising their arms to the
for an hour three or four days a week, of¬ sky in a classic yoga pose. “There’s noth¬
ten at the crack of dawn. ing more beautiful than watching the sun
While the workouts are designed to rise in the park,” says one student.
challenge even the most fit among us, Come to think of it, maybe boot camp
don’t let the “boot camp” moniker scare and yoga aren't so different after all. ■
you, says Stevan Krstic, founder of Boot-
Camp SF, which started training at Do¬
lores Park in February. “We incorporate
military-style drills into our workouts,
but we keep the mood fun and support¬
ive,” he says. “No one’s going to yell at
you or make you feel bad.”
Krstic and the other personal trainers
insist that people of every fitness level
can benefit from this type of program.
Over Hill, Over Dale:
“We cater to each individual’s level of fit¬
ness,” he says. “We usually separate peo¬ Dolores Park Fitness
ple into two groups. That way, we can Programs
give everyone a workload that is effective
but safe for them.” t least three programs offer ex¬
ercise “boot camps” in our
A Drill Sergeant with Charm
jewel of a city park off Dolores
Last August, Linda Street resident Liz Street between 18th and 20th streets.
Nord hit the streets with a program called Here’s the scoop on class hours,
SF Outdoor Fitness, which holds reveille costs, and contact information.
at 6 a.m. at the comer of 18th and Do¬ Stretches are only one part of the regimen at SF Outdoor Fitness’ boot camp, which also OutFIT Fitness offers a one-hour
lores. Nord thinks the camp is a great tool includes jogging—both forward and backward—up Noe Valley’s hills. Photo by Najib Joe Hakim class in Dolores Park on Mondays,
for building endurance (and losing weight). Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 a.m.
"I had a hard time keeping up at first. All instructors are certified personal
When I started, I could run about two two other boot camps in San Francisco Krstic decided to establish a new out¬ trainers. The five-week “boot camp”
blocks,” §ays the 26- year-old filmmaker. and another in Oakland. OutFIT employs post in the Castro/Mission/Noe Valley
costs $160 for new members and
“Now I am up to five miles. And accord¬ eight certified instructors—four men and area because the hilly terrain and
$130 for renewing members. There
ing to my friends, there is a noticeable dif¬ four womem—and also runs a triathlon panoramic views make it the perfect set¬
is a free trial for those interested in
ference in how I look.” training program and two “Mom and ting for a fitness program, he says.
joining. All new members receive a
Jessica Evans and her brother Matt, Baby” boot camps (in the Marina and at In early February, Krstic’s Dolores
detailed fitness assessment at the be¬
who live at 16th and Sanchez streets, are Kezar Stadium). Park program was still gearing up, so this
ginning and end of the program. A
also regulars at SF Outdoor’s sunrise Danielle Paskins, a certified personal reporter paid a visit to his 7 a.m. class in
new five-week session starts March
classes. “The first class was quite daunt¬ trainer and marketing manager for Out¬ Golden Gate Park, to preview what Boot-
15. For more information, visit www
ing,” recalls Jessica. “I am not a morning FIT, says the outdoor fitness programs Camp SF would be bringing to Mission
.outfitfitness.com or call 387-7351.
person. But after the second class, I was popping up all over the city are proof that Dolores.
hooked.” people are becoming weary of the SF Outdoor Fitness holds one-
Suicide Sprints and Sun Salutations
The three recruits attribute much of crowded gym scene. “It’s a great thing for hour classes in Dolores Park on
their success to their instructor, SF Out¬ cities, where the gyms are packed in the After a few laps around Golden Gate Mondays. Wednesdays, and Fridays
door Fitness founder Mike Giometti, who morning and evening hours,” she says. Park’s Music Concourse, Krstic and one at 6 a.m.. 7 a.m., and 6:30 p.m.; and
hails from Western Springs, Ill. “His per¬ Like the other programs, OutFIT’s of his instructors divide the students into a Saturday class at 9 a.m. Owner
sonality keeps people coming back,” says boot camp in Dolores Park is a grueling two groups and run them through the dark¬ Mike Giometti. a certified personal
Matt. “He’s definitely got that Midwest¬ but fun regimen. On three days a week for ness up to Stow Lake. The more advanced trainer, runs all sessions. Cost 'Is a
ern charm going.” five weeks, students meet at 6 a.m. for an group does “suicide sprints” all the way up one-time $50 registration fee, plus
“He is a great instructor,” echoes Jes¬ exhilarating hour that may include sit- a steep hiking trail. After about five sprints $99 per month for unlimited classes.
sica. “He seems to cater to us all.” ups, rope-jumping, pull-ups, lunges, each, the runners stumble, extremely An annual pass costs $999 and does
On a recent morning, Giometti runs ef¬ sprints, stair drills, free weights, yoga, winded, to a clearing at the top of the hill, not require a registration fee.
fortlessly up and down the steepest grades and stretches. And don’t forget the hill- where they use rubber tubing to perform Giometti offers a three-day free trial.
of Sanchez Street. After running ahead of climbs. several sets of upper-body exercises. To find out more, go to www.sfout-
the pack with the fittest member of his “We use the outdoors to inspire us, and Despite being new to the program, stu¬ dooifitness.com or call 378-9934.
group, he races back to check in with a we use the environment to our fitness ad¬ dent Jeanne Besanceney, a massage ther¬ BootCamp SF recently began a
student who is nursing a knee injury. At vantage,” says Paskins. apist, finds she is able to keep up with vet¬ fitness boot camp in Dolores Park on
the corner of 22nd and Church, he in¬ erans who have done BootCamp SF’s Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Workout with a View
structs the group to drop and do 60 push¬ six-week series more than once. at 7 a.m. It also offers classes in
ups, but stops one student who is recov¬ In fact, San Francisco’s beautiful envi¬ “I am much more energized than when Golden Gate Park and along the Em¬
ering from shoulder surgery. Instead, he ronment is a key reason these programs I started," says Besanceney. who works as barcadero, and Saturday classes for
instructs her to do a set of exercises de¬ are so popular, says trainer Krstic, who the manager of the Sacred Space Healing all students at 9 a.m. at Baker Beach.
signed to strengthen her shoulder muscles. has been running his successful Boot- Center in the lower Haight. Classes meet one hour per day, four
After a quick run back to the park tennis Camp SF in Golden Gate Park and along She admits that the idea of enrolling in days a week for six weeks. The cost
courts, where the group does a series of the Embarcadero since 1999. boot camp may seem odd for someone in includes before-and-after fitness as¬
abdominal exercises, the class ends with sessments and an online password-
enthusiastic claps and pats on the back. protected area where your fitness
Home Makeovers
stats are stored. All instructors are
Goodbye to the Gym Scene !
certified, and owners Stevan Krstic
Custom Made Rearrange
Meanwhile, on the other side of the LISA and Keith Wohlwend both have de¬
park, nearly a dozen runners are making Curtains yiOLETTH Recreate grees in kinesiology. Cost is $375
their way over the grassy hills and down Pillows V SAN FRANCISCoV-/ Revitalize for six weeks; $720 for 12 weeks;
to the bell that marks the park entrance on Home $1,260 for six months, plus three
Dolores Street. After a series of post¬ Slipcovers Your Home! free weeks; and $2,520 for one year,
workout stretches and some chatting, the Call for a Consultation plus six free weeks. Visit www.boot-
students scatter to begin their workday. 415-341 -8442 violetto@jmcbell. net campsf.com or call 921-8537.
This group is run by OutFIT Fitness, a 1414 Castro St. San Francisco, CA 94114
personal training company that operates
10 The Noe Valley Voice • March 2004
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