Sunset Spotlight

Police Bust 4 Pot Plantations
Taraval Station police officers discovered numerous marijuana-growing operations in the Sunset District in June.

On June 4, officers conducted a comprehensive investigation of a home in the 3300 block of Santiago Street. Two vehicles were stopped near the residence and the suspects were detained. A judge issued a search warrant and numerous officers executed it at 10 p.m. Inside the residence, they found a large marijuana plantation and firearms and ammunition. Three suspects were arrested on multiple felony charges.

On June 9, officers obtained a Superior Court warrant to investigate a house in the 2300 block of 46th Avenue. Inside, the officers, led by Taraval Station Capt. Paul Chignell, discovered numerous plants and an extensive watering and feeding system. Two suspects were arrested on narcotics and conspiracy charges.

A third marijuana farm was discovered in the 1900 block of 35th Avenue on June 18. After an initial investigation proved probable cause, the officers got another search warrant to enter the premises. At 11:11 a.m., they entered and discovered a large growing operation. A lone occupant was arrested.

Coincidently, police officers discovered another pot-growing operation in the 2300 block of 46th Avenue. The initial report to dispatch said there was a large fight in-progress. The combatants fled when the officers arrived, some jumping over fences. While looking for the suspects, officers smelled marijuana emanating from a nearby house. An investigation revealed a large-scale growing operation. A Pacifica resident was arrested for possession of marijuana for sale.

Ortega Branch Library Reopens
City Librarian Luis Herrera, San Francisco Supervisor Carmen Chu, Department of Public Works Director Ed Reiskin and other city officials were on hand Friday to mark the ceremonial ground-breaking for the new Ortega Branch Library.

The branch will be rebuilt on its existing site at 3223 Ortega St., at 39th Avenue, replacing an obsolete structure with one that will be seismically safe, accessible to all and built with environmentally-conscious standards. Among the green features of the new 9,000-square-foot branch is a partial living roof planted with drought-tolerant native plants. The living roof provides evaporative cooling in the summer and reduces energy consumption by serving as enhanced insulation in cooler weather.

The building is also designed to collect rainwater to use to water greenery and enable runoff to flow into the ground, instead of the sewer system.

The new building will be a certified LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building due to its water management, energy efficiency, use of natural lighting and use of nontoxic materials in construction and furnishings.

"The new Ortega Branch will be twice the size of what was here before with the largest community room of all the branches," said Herrera. "There will be more books, more computers and a wonderful place for people to learn."

The building will be located closer to Ortega Street and will better meet the library needs of nearby schools and the surrounding neighborhood. The new branch will feature a large reading area for an expanded collection of materials and a Program Room with after-hours community access. Distinct spaces in the new library will be designated for teens and children, including a custom "play to learn" area aimed at enhancing literacy skills for young children.

Other highlights of the branch include express self-checkout machines, a study room, public art and new furniture, shelving and display areas. The new construction will connect with a portion of the existing structure and be attached to a Recreation and Park Department building.

It was designed by the Bureau of Architecture's Library Design Studio in the Department of Public Works.

Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is working in partnership with neighborhood residents and communities to raise funds, awareness and support for the Ortega branch improvements, including new furnishings, fixtures and equipment - expenses not covered by the bond that is paying for the library.

For more information, call Tamara at (415) 626-7512, ext. 101.

New Farmer's Market Opens
One of the city's newest farmer's markets opened June 8 in the parking lot off Ninth Avenue, between Judah and Irving streets.

The market is run by the Pacific Coast Farmers Markets Association and will operate Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through November. The market was organized by the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors after a grassroots organizing effort that included numerous surveys of the local population. To make it a true community event, there are local musical acts, variety entertainment and merchants and other organizations participating.

Sunset Festival will Shine Spotlight on Local Youth
The Sunset Neighborhood Coalition has announced the theme for this year's Sunset Community Festival, the sponsors of the 15th annual festival.

"Spotlight on the Sunset's Children and Youth" is the theme for the event, which well be held at the Sunset Playground, located at 28th Avenue and Lawton Street, on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will include exhibits, politicians and various entertainers.

The Neighborhood Coalition is looking for community leaders to be a part of the honorary festival committee, and businesses and non-profit groups interested in being sponsors or participating the day of the festival.

Festival organizing meetings take place on the second Thursday of every month, at the Taraval Police Station, 2345 24th Ave., at 7 p.m. For more information, call Susan Suval at (415) 665-5579 or e-mail ssuval@sbcglobal.net.

New Traffic Light Debuts
In June, SF Supervisor Carmen Chu and representatives from the SF Municipal Transportation Authority gathered to light a new traffic signal at 30th Avenue and Lincoln Way. There is a sensor in the pavement on 30th Avenue that will trigger the light when there is a vehicle waiting. Otherwise, the light will stay green for traffic on Lincoln Way.

"This project happened with input from the residents of the Sunset and the SFMTA," said Chu. "Working together we can make our District safe for everyone."