Richmond Roundup

Man convicted of Geary parking space murder
After more than two days of deliberations, a jury has found a 27-year-old man guilty of murder. On Sept. 16, 2006, a friend was saving a parking space for 19-year-old Boris Albinder. A van pulled up and started a fight with the friend over the spot. Albinder was stabbed when he intervened. Police arrested Sarith Soun and charged him for the death. A jury agreed, convicting Soun of manslaughter charges. A more serious charge of second degree murder was rejected by members of the jury. When a sentence is handed down, Soun could be held liable for up to 11 years in prison for the manslaughter charge and another 10 years if a gang affiliation charge pursued by the district attorney's office is upheld.

Man shopping for supplies killed by stranger
A local businessman was killed by a stranger in the Office Max parking lot at Geary and Arguello boulevards on Jan. 7. Ryosuke Yoshioka, a 59-year-old restaurateur, was attacked by a knife-wielding assailant when he parked to shop for office supplies. Two people who were in the upstairs parking garage, John Surinchak (64) and his grandson Patrick (18), apprehended the suspect, Peter Fong, 45, and held him until police officers arrived. The suspect was detained in a hospital for days after the incident, delaying his arraignment before Superior Court Judge Gail Dekreon. Fong is suspected of having psychiatric issues. Yoshioka was the owner of the Sushi Man restaurant. His was the first homicide of the year in the City.

Rabbi passes away
Rabbi Alan Lew, a long-time leader of Congregation Beth Sholom, passed away on the East Coast Jan. 12. The 65-year-old rabbi was teaching other rabbis when he collapsed while jogging after morning prayers. Congregation Beth Sholom, which was recently rebuilt, is located at Clement Street and 15th Avenue. Lew started serving at Beth Sholom in 1991.

Reward offered in park homicide
A $10,000 reward has been offered for information that could solve a homicide that occurred in Golden Gate Park Nov. 29. Brandon Lee Evans moved to San Francisco from San Diego in early November to live with friends at Ocean Beach. On the night he was shot, Evans attended a musical gathering near the Horseshoe Pits at the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park. The 20-year-old man was walking in the park, back to his parked vehicle on Fulton Street, at about 11 p.m. when he was struck in the back by a bullet. The incident happened on a footpath near Fulton and Conservatory Way. After being struck, Evans stumbled to a nearby car, where his friends were loading musical equipment, and collapsed. A motive has yet to be determined. The reward is offered by Evan's family, which raised the money from friends and relatives. Anyone with information should call SF Police Department homicide inspectors Brian Delahunty or Tom Newland at (415) 553-1145 or after-hours at (415) 553-1071, or call the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444.

Hearing on future of Discretionary Review
Neighborhood activists and organizations, including the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, are alarmed at a proposal to change the way construction projects in the City are approved. Discretionary Review is the process by which projects are brought before the SF Planning Commission for resolution. The members weigh the arguments of the competing parties and reach a solution. That decision can be appealed to the SF Board of Permit Appeals or the SF Board of Supervisors. The power of the people to have their grievances heard at the Planning Commission would have to go through one person at the Planning Department, activists complain, giving too much power to one individual, who can be unduly influenced. John Rahaim, director of the Planning Department, wants feedback from the public. "As a result of public comment, the Planning Commission requested proposals from the public on how to reform the current Discretionary Review process," Rahaim said. To comment, e-mail information to lisa.chau@sfgov.org. There will be a hearing on Discretionary Review reform at 1650 Mission St., Room 431, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 6 - 8 p.m.

Richmond History Lecture, Walking Tours
Historian John Freeman will highlight the early years of the Richmond District, when visitors traveled to the territory beyond the Lone Mountain area cemeteries to get to the Pacific shore. Soon, race tracks and road houses would entice the sporting crowd to the area. The story of how the pioneers in the sand dunes organized and worked to develop this neighborhood will be presented at a special program, to be held in the auditorium at the Star of the Sea School, a landmark that celebrates its centennial this year. Free parking is available in the school lot. The lecture will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 10, with a reception with refreshments starting at 7 p.m. The lecture, sponsored by the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, begins at 7:30 p.m. It is free for members, but a $5 donation is requested for non-members. For more information, call (415) 775-1111, ext. 5, or go to the Web site at www.sfhistory.org. Freeman will also guide two walking tours of the Inner Richmond. Both meet at Star of the Sea School. A Saturday walk, Feb. 14, goes from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and includes lunch at the Clement Street Bar and Grill. Cost for lunch is $20. To reserve a space, e-mail rsvp@sfhis tory.org or call (415) 537-1105, ext. 100. A second walking tour will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15, from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. It does not include lunch and there is no charge.

New chef takes helm at Cliff House Restaurant
Since 1863, travelers and locals alike have flocked to the Cliff House to dine and catch a glimpse of its spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Now, the buzz among diners is the view of what is coming out of the kitchen since Chef George Morrone assumed the top spot at flagship Sutro's Dining Room this past December. For more than two decades, diners and critics have heralded Morrone as one of the most creative and accomplished chefs in the country. He was the first Bay Area chef to receive four stars from the SF Chronicle in two different restaurants and has been at the forefront of many of the region's major culinary trends. Critics say his sensibilities regarding flavor, technique and aesthetics have influenced California's culinary lexicon. Morrone will be working with another chef, Brian O'Connor, to create a unique menu and maintain high standards at the Cliff House, located at 1090 Point Lobos.

Argonne students read to help sister school in Africa
Argonne Elementary School third, fourth and fifth grade students of teachers Kim Towsley and David Allyn enjoyed a day of reading on Dec. 8, to benefit needy children at Nkomo Primary School in Mnqobokazi, South Africa. This year's Read-A-Thon at Argonne generated $1,000 in donations from family and friends of the young Argonne readers. The donation will help purchase math and other educational supplies for the children at Nkomo. After reading for more than three hours, the Argonne students took time to write letters with artwork to their friends at Nkomo School. This is the third year for the reading and fundraising event, which has already helped build four classrooms at the rural Zululand school. Argonne San Francisco School Volunteer Suzanne Cross helped facilitate the donation, which came through the Friends of Africa Foundation, a U.S. registered charity. She shared photos of the Zulu children and region and, in particular, of the Nkomo classroom sign that acknowledged Argonne School's generosity. In May, 2006, Mrs. Zikhali, the principal of Nkomo Primary School, visited Argonne while she was in San Francisco to be honored by the Friends of Africa Foundation for her achievements. Zikhali founded the Nkomo School in 1998 under four trees. Today, more than 900 students, including 300 orphans and vulnerable children, have classrooms and San Francisco school children with whom to share pen-pal letters.