Sunday Streets Returns to NOPA: Block-by-Block Route & Programs

Only once a year can you see nine blocks of NOPA like this -- streets wide open for walking, biking, painting, live music, kids events, dancing, more live music, bike rental and repair, hanging out with neighbors in the middle of the street and much more.

This Sunday, September 11, Sunday Streets returns with hopes for even better weather than last year's drizzly debut. From 11am to 4pm blocks of Central, Grove, Baker, and Fulton will be free of vehicles. Check out the info here (pdf) about the route and all the events in NOPA and to east in Alamo Square and the Fillmore.

Advisory for those with vehicles: don't park on any of the nine blocks along the route through NOPA after 11pm Saturday night. Cars will be towed.

Do Car-Free Streets Make A Difference? Alamo Square Flea Market and Indie Mart

Summer morning fog failed to keep hardy San Franciscans away from the annual Alamo Square Flea Market Saturday. The walkers and bicyclists kept coming all day to check out estate items and Indie Mart wares. For the first time in 27 years of the market, Scott street was free of cars allowing casual strolling and visiting without everyone pushed onto narrow sidewalks. A vintage dark brown Euro-style ski sweater for three bucks was just one of many finds. Thanks, Alamo Square, for opening things up!

Car-Free After 26 Years: Alamo Square Flea Market and Indie Mart This Saturday

For the first time in 27 years the hugely popular Alamo Square Flea Market offers a new attraction to the neighborhood: wide open blocks along Scott and Grove streets. Traditionally, the eclectic market lured neighbors and shoppers city-wide who crowded the sidewalks around three-quarters of Alamo Square Park. Motorists inched along the blocks as pedestrians wove in and out to cross the street. This Saturday, from 9am to 3pm, Scott from Fulton to Hayes and Grove from Scott to Divisadero will be closed to vehicles, although residents on Grove Street can enter and leave their driveways or garages. Organizers explained the reasons for opening the blocks are to ensure safety, reduce crowding, and "build our community." The market will also be bike-friendly with free valet parking provided on Grove Street.

The Alamo Square Neighborhood Association (ASNA) hosts the flea market. This year ASNA teams up with the Indie Mart for even greater appeal. In the words of Indie Mart, "a mash-up" with "Young meets old! Mission meets Alamo! Indie meets vintage." All together for a party with 120 vendors, estate merchandise, antiques, DIY activities for the whole family (from terrariums to cookie decorating), crafts, dog adoption, BBQ food trucks, and even ice cream sammies. Everything for someone, something for everyone. One great weekend coming up with Flea Market Saturday and Sunday Streets, well, Sunday.

Alamo Square Flea Market &

The Indie Mart

Saturday, August 21

9am to 3pm

Alamo Square Park

Scott, Fulton and Hayes Streets

www.alamosq.org/flea

www.indie-mart.com

Ghoulish (& car-free) Grove Set to Spook NOPA

Forget more livable streets this Saturday unless you're thinking streets of the "living dead." NOPA opens its blocks to ghouls, spooks, and ghosts in the late afternoon and into Halloween night for the annual scary NOPNA block party.

Spooky times begin at 4 pm for the Kid's Halloween Party at Green Chile Kitchen, McAllister and Baker Streets. Dancing, games, snacks, and surprise guests await costumed kids. And little ones especially decked out definitely want to enter the costume contest at 5:15. Afterwards, everyone gets to join the neighborhood parade led by D5 Supe Ross Mirkarimi with a take-off from the restaurant to head up Baker to McAllister and then proceed west to Lyon before returning.

And there's more scary fun. After the parade, two blocks of Grove Street (from Central to Baker) and two blocks of Lyon Street (Fulton to Hayes) will be car-free and open for the Ghoulish Grove Street Block Party for trick or treating and swapping ghost stories.*

Last year 75 kids joined the devilish fun, and BIKE NOPA has learned that the Haunted Garden at 1635 Grove will be bigger and scarier this year. Kids, you've got to bring a parent with you.

Chief event organizer Leela Gill invites everyone to join the fun, including single adults without kids of their own. "Providing a safe, car-free place for children to trick or treat for a few hours -- all within walking distance of their homes -- is just one more way we can come together as a community. Parents don't have to get into their cars and drive to another neighborhood. Kids enjoy seeing their neighborhood friends. And adults of all ages can't help but smile when they see the little ones walking down the street in their costumes. Simply put, it's fun for everyone!"

NOPNA's annual Halloween Party (and block party)

Saturday, Oct. 31, starts 4pm, extends into the night

4pm: meet at Green Chile Kitchen, 18o1 McAllister @ Baker (formerly Cafe Proust)

5:15: costume contest at restaurant

5:30: parade from McAllister to Lyon and back

Post-parade party into the night on Grove (Baker to Central) and Lyon (Fulton to Hayes)

Trevor Logan and his staff at Green Chile Kitchen will be ready to serve great burritos (for purchase) for all hungry ghosts and goblins and even their uncostumed friends. Jennifer Rosdail will provide treats for kids after the party.

* Several years ago when I interviewed NOPA residents for a series of "Historic House Profiles" many confided that they shared their homes, willingly or not, with spirits.