Green Power SF

      The battle over the City's only remaining power plant continues as the state's energy regulators voted to keep the plant open for another year.  It looks like the Potrero power plant will close at the end of 2010, but it is not yet certain.  I spoke with Joe Boss, who wrote an op-ed piece last week in the SF Chronicle and he seemed pretty pissed that PG&E was so aggressive in preventing the City from getting into the power production business.
      The Mirant owned plant on Illinois Street between 22nd and 23rd must remain open because state regulators want to be sure that there is enough power to maintain the system.  There seems to be some disagreement here, but according to the city attorney, no one wants the plant open except the regulators.  I'll be attending a city hall meeting on Thursday and hope to learn more then. 
   

MUNI misadventures

     I worship the City and MUNI is my alter.  I spend so much time riding around on the #29, #54 and #43 that pretty much nothing happens that I haven't seen before. 
     On a recent visit to the Potrero Hill neighborhood, I had the opportunity to ride one of the longest MUNI routes around; the #22 Fillmore.  It goes completely across town and through many neighborhoods, and as it happens, through Potrero Hill as well.  It goes down 18th Street which is kind of the main commercial artery of the hill.  It's perfect. 
     This route serves plenty of school kids and many of them love to act out on the bus.  Thirteen through 17 year olds have nothing to do in this town.  It's a town for grown ups, so the teens get into trouble because they are bored. 
     In this case, they weren't bothering anyone, but you could tell the old people were avoiding going to the back of the bus.   I especially loved the music played through the mobile phone speaker.  It amazes me how good the sound is coming out of those things! 
     So when ever a kid gets on, they first look around at the graffiti and see who they know that has been on that bus recently.  It's like they are reading the paper!  Then they look around real quick to see if anyone is looking and pull out the paint pen; these thick marker type writing implements that drip indelible ink. 
     One young man crossed out what I can only presume was his rival's tag and scribbled his mark on the wall.  He was only on for a couple stops and probably lived close by, but he had to leave his stamp on that bus.  He also worshiped at the MUNI alter; something many young and elderly alike have done for years. 
    One of the downsides to MUNI in Potrero Hill is the lack of electric buses.  The terrain does not allow the extensive overhead wires like on Market Street.  The buses have to chug up 18th and the diesel fumes spew out; plus they are loud. 
    Alan Wendroff has lived in the hill for almost 40 years and he thinks there should be more busing with easier transfers on MUNI.  "One day they'll figure it out," he said.    Perhaps, but until then, those bored teenagers and people like me will have to keep it real on the people's transportation; The San Francisco Municipal Railway. 

High on a Hill It Calls to Me

Welcome to Potrero Hill's best new site. There's tons going on here so be sure to bookmark me and I'll take you on a 15 week excursion to one of the City's premier neighborhoods.