Shelter in Place Updates:
Meetings with Local Reps
Covid-19 Zip Code Map
Support Businesses
Getting Outside
JOIN PHAN!
April 23, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

By our count, this Saturday will be our 40th day sheltering in place. These have been strange times, and we sincerely hope that this newsletter finds you and your loved ones healthy and well, and to those who have had a friend or family member fall ill during this time, we send our best wishes.

As we have said before, community matters more than ever right now. To that end, we at PHAN have gathered information that we hope will help you navigate this quarantine. Including:

Virtual Town Hall with Local Representatives

  • District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani will be hosting a Zoom Town Hall on Thursday, April 23, at 4:00 PM. Register here to participate.
  • Assemblymember Phil Ting will be hosting a virtual Town Hall via Facebook focused on public education, also on Thursday, April 23, at 2:00 PM. Go to his website for more information.

PHAN Website Lists Open Businesses & Hours of Operation

We have a dedicated page on our website, www.phansf.org , that provides information about local grocery stores, restaurants and businesses. If we want our neighborhood to remain vibrant after the quarantine ends, we need to do what we can to support our local businesses. Many of them are open for delivery or curbside pickup. Others are open online. With Mother's Day and graduations coming up, please consider shopping local at these stores.

Annual PHAN Meeting Postponed to Fall; No Spring Event

It will come as no surprise that the Annual Meeting that takes place in May has been postponed to the fall. We have also cancelled our annual Cinco de Mayo event at the Presidio Heights Playground on Clay Street. Stay tuned for more information about future meetings.

Join PHAN

PHAN is an all-volunteer neighborhood association, and we rely on annual dues from members to pay for our website, mailings, and neighborhood events, among other costs. Our influence at City Hall as a neighborhood association comes from the number of dues-paying members we have, and we purposefully keep our annual dues low for this reason. If you live in the neighborhood, please take the time to pay your annual dues of $40 with PayPal or by sending a check to PHAN, P.O. Box 29503, SF, CA 94129. Thank you.

Questions or comments?

Read on for more information that we hope will make it easier to get through these next few weeks. As always, feel free to reach out to us by emailing us at info@phansf.org .

Be well! Be safe! We will get through this together!

Presidio Heights Association of Neighbors (PHAN)

28 Cases of Covid-19 in the 94118 Zip Code
On April 21, the City released a set of Covid-19 data, including number of cases by zip code. In the 94118 zip code, there were 28 reported cases as of April 20, which is among the lowest number of cases by zip code. On this website, you will also find information about the demographics of patients, the number of ICU and acute care beds that remain available, and information about testing. Generally, the numbers look encouraging.

Some of you may have noticed a mobile testing site on California Street between Spruce and Maple in the parking lot adjacent to the former CPMC campus. Testing at this site is available by physician referral.
When Do I Need To Wear A Mask and
Where Can I Get One?
On April 17, San Francisco announced that masks would be mandatory in certain situations starting on April 22. Specifically, you must wear a mask or face covering:

  • Waiting in line to go inside a store;
  • Shopping at a store;
  • On public transportation (or waiting for it);
  • In a taxi or ride share vehicle;
  • Seeking healthcare;
  • Going into facilities allowed to stay open, like government buildings; or,
  • Working an essential job that interacts with the public.

You will not be allowed to go into a business or public transportation if you are not wearing a face covering.

You do not need to wear a mask or face covering when you are:

  • At home;
  • In your car alone or if with members of your household; or,
  • Exercising outdoors, like walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, but it's recommended to have a mask/face covering accessible in case you find yourself in need of one.

Children aged 2 and under should not wear a mask because they could suffocate. Children aged 3-12 do not need to wear a mask, and if they do wear a mask, it should be with adult supervision.

This page from the CDC offers clear information about how to properly wear a cloth face covering and also tips on how to make one. You can also find many mask making tutorials online, including here and here . Disposable masks are not easy to find, but these local San Francisco companies are making and selling cloth masks: aplat , Porto , and Rickshaw Bags . If you know of other resources or you are a crafty person making masks to sell or donate, please let us know so we can share the information.

Getting Outside: Let's Use Common Sense & Good Manners
Parks & Playgrounds are Closed....

On March 24, SF Park & Rec closed all playgrounds, and since the SIP extension, basketball, tennis and other courts have been closed as have parking lots for various parks. You can go to the SF Park & Rec website for the latest.

...But the Presidio Is Open

Most of the Presidio's open space and trails are open, though some trails are closed to dog walking due to coyote pupping season.

A Presidio area that has been the source of concern for neighbors is the golf course which is closed for golf but open for walks. There have been reports of people biking down fairways, of kids using sand traps as play spaces, and dogs being off-leash. Here is an update from the Presidio Trust's Senior Advisor Dana Polk on how to visit the golf course:

"At Presidio Golf Course, we’re eager to support our community through shelter in place as best we can. While golfing is not currently permitted, the course is available as open space for the public to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Dog walking, however, is not allowed because the Presidio is in coyote pupping season. To learn more about trail closures due to coyote pupping, click here .

We invite you to visit! When you do, please help us protect the course and others by following these guidelines:

DO
• Walk, run, and play on the path and fairways, but avoid walking on the putting greens
• Follow physical distancing guidelines, such as keeping six feet apart from others

DON’T
• Bring your dog
• Bicycle off-trail
• Do any activity that might damage the course."

Please keep these rules in mind if you are using the golf course to get some exercise. And for an updated list of what is open and closed, visit the Presidio Trust Coronavirus page.

Common Sense, Good Manners & A Little Grace

We have received several requests to remind neighbors to practice social distancing as they walk or exercise along city streets or park trails. You may have seen this NYT article about the potential necessity for more distance when running or walking briskly. And if you've spent any time online, you've likely seen concerns about joggers, bikers, and walkers getting too close for some people's comfort.

As one neighbor noted, it's time for every one to practice "Safe Six," meaning do your best to stay six feet apart from each other. Many of us are on headsets or just in our heads as we go outside, and we're all a little preoccupied these days. Let's make sure we stay aware of our surroundings and be mindful of others walking down the street. If you can, give people space on the sidewalk, or wait for someone to pass, or walk in the street if it's safe. Give babies and children in strollers and residents who can't safely walk in the street the right of way on the sidewalk. If you're walking your dog, keep its leash a little closer to you than might be usual so there's enough space to share the sidewalk.

And if someone comes a little too close, let's try to be neighborly instead of gnarly in our responses. We could all use a little grace and comfort right now so let common sense and good manners be your guide.

Break Your Netflix Habit:
Watch a Movie For the Vogue Theater
One of the great charms of Presidio Heights is our local movie theater, the Vogue. Like every other business that relies on people congregating, the Vogue is hurting, but you can easily help by watching a movie. Go to the Vogue website where you can rent movies that would have been showing at the Vogue. While you're at it, order some local takeout if you can and tuck in to a cozy and comforting night of cinema. Or, you can donate to the theater's Go Fund Me campaign for its employees.
SF Sing-a-long on Saturday, 4/25 @ Noon
We have not seen many examples of neighbors serenading one another from their balconies here in Presidio Heights, but this Saturday, April 25 at noon, you can show your love for San Francisco by joining in the SF Sing-a-Long. Belt out your best rendition of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and post it online with the hashtag #SingoutSF. If you don't know the words, Tony Bennett himself has just posted up his latest rendition of the song, which you can see here. If you're more a Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" fan, this story might be more your speed.
Offering A Helping Hand...
In our March 31, 2020 newsletter, we listed several organizations in need of volunteer help. As the Shelter in Place has extended, the need has become even more acute so we are including that list again below.

Of note are several ongoing Go Fund Me campaigns to support employees of local businesses, including for the employees of Rigolo & Artesano, Sorrel Restaurant, Presidio Heights Nail Salon, and Laurel Heights Nail Salon. If you are aware of other fundraising campaigns for neighborhood businesses, please let us know by emailing us at info@phansf.org.

Where you can volunteer:

  • In the neighborhood: Sign up with this form to help a fellow neighbor. Neighbors needing help should email info@phansf.org.
  • Helping older, vulnerable adults: The City and Shanti Project have joined forces to field volunteers for reach out to older adults who cannot leave their homes. More information can be found here.
  • Medical professionals: If you have a current license, you can sign up for this state volunteer program.
  • SF & Marin Food Bank: Needs volunteers at their warehouse and their pop-up pantries which are providing food at various public schools around the city. Learn more here.
  • Meals on Wheels: Is in acute need for volunteer help. Go to their website to learn more.
  • Project Open Hand: Also is seeking volunteers to help prepare and distribute meals. Find out more here.
  • Giving Blood: A shortage of blood is becoming a larger problem, and medical professionals state that blood donation can be done safely. Check the Red Cross and Vitalant websites.
  • Donating Masks: If you have equipment that you believe would be helpful to healthcare workers, this website will help you find a donation site.

Where to donate:

There are no shortage of worthy causes during this crisis. From nonprofits to restaurants to schools, there are many ways to help out. Here are a few options that have a neighborhood focus:

  • Lunches for public school students: SFUSD is soliciting donations to support its effort to provide meals to students during the school closure which has been extended to May 1. More information can be found here.
  • Covid-19 Relief Funds: The City has set up a fund to assist nonprofits, small businesses, individuals and families. More information can be found here.

If you know of other efforts to volunteer or support causes with a neighborhood impact, please email us at info@phansf.org, and we will share that information in a future newsletter.
Property Tax, New MUNI Services, & Public Works in the Neighborhood
Property Tax Deadline Extended to May 4
As most of you already know, the SF Treasurer's Office extended the deadline for property tax payments to May 4.

See the announcement for additional information about how to pay online and how to request a penalty waiver due to Covid-19 issues.
New MUNI Services & Parking Enforcement Reminders
SFMTA has introduced several new programs including an "Essential Trip Card," for older adults and people with disabilities. The card provides the holder with a SFMTA subsidy to pay for taxi rides. The city also announced a new program called "Slow Streets," which are streets that have limited car traffic and which prioritize pedestrian and bike traffic. There are NO "Slow Streets" in Presidio Heights during this pilot phase.

Parking enforcement was changed at the beginning of the Shelter in Place. SFMTA is not enforcing street sweeping tickets, but please be considerate of street sweeping so that sidewalks and streets can be cleared of debris . Other changes include:

Enforcement will also be temporarily suspended for the following:
  • 72-hour parking limit and towing
  • All time limit parking (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour, etc.)
  • Residential Permit Parking (RPP) permits
  • Commuter shuttles
  • Peak-hour towaway zones
  • Street cleaning

The SFMTA will continue enforcing parking rules that impact health and safety:
  • Fire hydrant zones
  • Red and yellow zones; and "No Stopping" or "No Parking" zones
  • White passenger loading zones, except in front of schools while they are out of session
  • Blocked driveways, double parking and parking on sidewalks
  • Parking in bike or transit lanes
  • Parking meters (see below)

Rates at parking meters across the city have been changed to $.50/hour for cars and $.10/hour for motorcycles.

For more information about traffic enforcement, garage closures and MUNI schedules, go to the SFMTA website which has specific information related to Covid-19 transportation schedules and protocols.

Remodels and Renovations: Allowed?
At the time the Shelter in Place order was extended, the City provided a great deal of information about what kind of home construction would be allowed. Obviously in this neighborhood, there are no shortage of remodels and renovations taking place. If you have a question about a project, go to the City's website about construction.
Why Are The Streets Being Torn Up?
Residents living on Jackson, Maple, Spruce, Laurel, Locust and Sacramento Streets have probably noticed street construction which is part of a multi-year sewer upgrade project. This work began in February and is slated to continue through the fall. Given the lack of traffic it's an opportune time for the DPW to do the work. Given that we are all working from home, it's an inopportune for DPW to do the work! More information about the project can be found here, including contact information for the DPW personnel overseeing the work.
Supporting Our Neighborhood Businesses
Five weeks in to SIP, we are all seeing how local restaurants and businesses have had to change gears to survive. More neighbors are becoming comfortable with takeout (and/or are getting tired of cooking). Our local restaurants are getting great reviews on their takeout business, and if you can call and pickup your order, you can help the restaurant avoid delivery fees.

Below is an updated list of restaurants and stores that are open as of 4/22/20. For a more extensive list, please see the PHAN website .

Restaurants

LAUREL VILLAGE
  • Vixi SF: Takeout daily, 3:00 PM-9:00 PM; 415-842-4921.
  • Laurel Village Starbucks: Takeout, 6AM-10:30PM, mobile order only; 415-387-2249.
  • Rigolo: Curbside pickup and online ordering; Daily, 11AM-7:30 PM; Sun. 11AM - 6:30 PM, 415-876-7777.
  • Artesano: Curbside pickup and online ordering; 12PM-8PM 415-221-5500.
  • Peets: Daily, 6AM-4PM. Mobile ordering preferred. 415-221-8506

SACRAMENTO STREET:
  • Presidio Kebab & Gyro: Takeout; Daily, 12PM-8PM; 415-947-7163.
  • Garibaldi's: Wed.-Sat. 4:30 PM-7:00 PM. Check website for menu; order by phone. 415-563-8841.
  • Magic Flute: Daily, 4PM-7PM, takeout or delivery. 415-922-1225.
  • Sociale: Curbside takeout, Mon.-Sat. 4:30PM-7:30PM; 415-921-3200.
  • Spruce: Open for curbside pickup or delivery via Door Dash, 415-931-5100. Spruce has converted its dining room into a wine shop where, according to their beverage director, Jamie Pinedo, the prices are better than Costco. Wine shop open from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM daily.
  • Picnix Bistro: Takeout, M-F 10AM-3PM; Sat. 10AM-2:30 PM. Call to order. 415-751-2255.

NEAR PRESIDIO HEIGHTS:
  • Eliza's SF: Pickup & Delivery; M-F 11A-3P (Lunch); 5P-9P (Dinner); Sat. & Sun. 4:30P-9P; 415-621-4819
  • b. Patisserie; Fri./Sat./Sun. order online & pickup at B on the Go. 415-440-1700
  • B on the Go: Pickup & online ordering, M-Sun. 11A-4P; 415-589-7112

There are also a few good resources to find out what restaurants and cafes are open for pickup or delivery, including SF Chronicle ; Eater SF ; and Resy . If you want to buy a gift card, check the restaurant's website and Open Table . Also if we have missed an open restaurant or hours have changed, please contact us at info@phansf.org .

Groceries & Markets

  • Cal-Mart: Mon.-Fri.10AM-7PM; Sat. & Sun. 9AM-6PM; Senior hours: Th. 9AM-10AM and Sat. 8AM-9AM. Home delivery available. Call between 8-9AM for delivery before 2:30 PM. 415-751-3516. Antonelli's has same hours as Cal-Mart.
  • Standard 5 &10 (ACE): Mon.-Fri., 8AM-6PM; Sat. & Sun., 9AM-6PM; curbside delivery available. 415-751-5767.
  • Stan's Kitchen: 9:30AM-5PM, daily; 415-751-5767.
  • Wine Impression: 9:30AM-7PM, daily, 415-221-9463.
  • Bryan's: 9AM-7PM (Mon. to Sat., closed Sunday)
  • Trader Joe's: 9AM-7PM, daily; Senior hours: 8AM-9AM; 415-346-9964.
  • Target (Masonic): M-F, 7AM-9PM; Sat. & Sun. 8AM-9PM.

Businesses
Helpful Websites & Resources

Here are a few websites we have found helpful while we shelter in place:
 

Forward This Newsletter!
Join PHAN! We Need Your Support!
As noted above, i f you aren't yet a member of PHAN or want to pay your annual dues, it's easy. Go to our website www.phansf.org to pay via PayPal or send a check to PHAN at P.O. Box 29503, San Francisco, CA 94129. Thank you!

Tips? Comments? Questions? Concerns?
You can reach out to PHAN by emailing info@phansf.org . Let us know what we should include in future newsletters, send us comments, suggestions or corrections. We are not the NYT, but we do our best to get it right and are open to suggestions!