Hey Kids! is a weekly feature looking at what’s coming up for families and kids of all ages.
VISIONS AND MIRACLES
Families have been confounded by visions of Elmo at Mission Playground. Though witnesses give conflicting descriptions of the chalk apparition, all agree he is worthy of belief. Some describe Elmo as smiling, unsmiling or fading like a comet tail. Mission Loc@ surveyed playground visitors late last week and found 80 percent or 18 out of 23 make regular pilgrimages, 20 percent skipped along the fence, and 4 rolled their eyes. Here are some representative remarks:
“Looks like a Newksy [collaborative team of Banksy and Mayor Newsom] throw up in response to the playground report card. Man that stuff is sick!”
“After I touched Elmo’s nose, I felt a warm rush of infinity then found my toy rake.”
“Damn artists. They’re a dime a dozen and not worth a glass hole. If there’s anything that’s gonna save the world, it’s lack of imagination and uncreative solutions.
“ELLMMOO!”
OTHER MISSION PLAYGROUND NEWS
Goodbye chicken wire, hello parade. The cheerful fence art proposal by Mission resident and artist Michael Bartalos can be viewed today and Monday at Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts. Neighborhood history, sports, kids, dogs, and nature are referenced as well as “a handful of imaginary characters.”
Word underfoot… Upcoming renovation includes a “uniquely designed paving pattern” in the Valencia Street plaza that will include writing by students from 826 Valencia’s afterschool tutoring program. “The students, through poetry and prose, will answer why they love the park,” says the laminated Rec & Park newsletters hanging about.
So what do you think? You can leave a comment here or attend the SFAC meeting on April 21st at 3pm.
Upcoming events: (subject to change, confirm times)
Cascada de Flores Celebrate Dia de los Niños
Folk music and dance from Mexico and Cuba. Sat., Apr. 17. 11:30am-12:15pm. Free. Mission Branch Library, 300 Bartlett St. (at 24th)
(PARTI) Teenager Exhibition
“Parti is the first thought- it’s just the beginning… a stream of consciousness… a universal thought that is present in the personal worlds of young people and what we are exploring today.” Curated by youths Alexa Gutierrez, Khristine Manalang and Scarlett Giesbrecht. Sat., Apr. 17, 3-5pm reception; free. Show runs thru May 1. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, 2868 Mission St. (at 25th)
Feria Verde/Green Fair Benefit for Flynn Elementary
Meet your neighbors and grow a healthy shade of green. Giant rummage sale, kids activities, plant sales and gardening, worm composting, earth friendly stuff, tech recycling (tvs, scanners, laptops, car batteries, phones), good healthy food, live music all day. Sat., Apr. 17. 10am-4pm. Free. Leonard Flynn Leonard Flynn Elementary School, 3125 Cesar Chavez Street (at Harrison)
Paxton Gate’s Earth Day Extravaganza
Celebrate Mother Earth with a cooking workshop with vegan chef Pamela Baird and Leslie Bennett, the maker of Edible Greens Planter Kit. Lauren Cobb’s band Dead Flowers performs. Sat., Apr. 17. 3-6pm. Free. Paxton Gate’s Curiosities for Kids, 766 Valencia St. (btw 18th and 19th)
Old School Meets New School and Everything In Between: Building Cultural Capital
Featuring “How Buildings Talk”, Sirron Norris’ work about how San Francisco buildings collectively shape our community, and “Hell in Playland”, a collaboration by Spain Rodriquez and Norris. View Mohammed Allababidi’s animated short “Bearly Affordable” and young cartoon artists’ work. Eat chocolate and hug a bear while resident dj “the fog” spins. Sat., Apr. 17. 5:30-10:30pm. Free. Sirron Norris Gallery, 1406 B Valencia St. (at 25th)
4th Annual Alemany Farm Earth Day BBQ
It’s a beautiful day to plant potato, tomato, cucumber and squash with neighbors. Enjoy BBQ lunch with organic sausages and veggie burgers, music and kids activities including face painting and games. Sun., Apr. 18. 10am-3pm. Free; please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Alemany Farm, 700 Alemany Blvd. (btw Ellsworth & Justin)
Mission Graduates Presents the 3rd Annual ‘You Are an Example to Me’ Awards
Celebrate individuals contributing to the success of children and youth from the Mission District. Special youth, parents, business owners, and Mission Graduates community partners are honored. RSVP by April 19th. Tues., Apr. 20. 6-8pm. Free. Vanguard Properties, 2501 Mission Street (at 21st)
After-School Semi-Private Art Class with Sirron Norris
Encourage and develop artistic process and self-esteem in a safe, nurturing environment. Five Wednesdays beginning Apr. 21. 4-5:30pm. $205 per student (includes supplies). Sirron Norris Studio & Gallery, 1406 B Valencia St. (at 25th)