August work day wrap-up

THANKS to the neighbors who came out Saturday morning to work with Guillermo in the Panhandle. We joined together to tend to the children's garden around the playground. After raking eucalyptus leaves out of the flower beds, we also trimmed shrubs growing along the fence, so people can better see in and out. Participation was down this month - could it be that folks are taking their summer vacations and trying to get away from the San Francisco's summer fog?

Nearby, fresh stripes had been painted on the basketball courts and an intense 3-on-3 tournament was getting underway. For 1on-1 basketball action, come to the Panhandle basketball courts on Saturday, August 28 for the Red Bull King of the Rock qualifying round. Winners from the Panhandle courts will face off with qualifiers from around the country for a $10,000 prize on Alcatraz in September, in what is said to be the first sporting event on Alcatraz since the inmates left 50 years ago. 

Nopa Velo rides to the tall trees of the Panhandle

photo: Michael Helquist

Nopa Velo, our neighborhood cycling group, brought riders to the west end of the Panhandle on Sunday morning, where I told the group about Elizabeth McClintock and her contributions to the history of the Panhandle Park and the trees of Golden Gate Park. We continued on to the Presidio, and back to the 'hood for a backyard brunch.

Park inhabitants

The east end of the Panhandle near Baker is a place to see small flying creatures. Around the McKinley Monument this summer, dozens of damselflies fly about on the hunt for smaller insects. Near the Redwoods on the south path, this West Coast Painted Lady was getting some sun.

Every time I crossed the west end of the Panhandle this month, I seemed to hear the screams of a red-tailed hawk. Today I finally spotted him in the branches of this Silver Maple.

Get stuff fixed

Some appreciation for the work of the folks at 311. 

And a reminder not to get used to disfunction.