“Excelsior Buzz” is a recurring column on changes, tidbits and other news from the Excelsior. Got news? Send us tips at tips@missionlocal.com.
“La Tiendita,” a grocery-store-style food bank inside Casa de Apoyo at 4834 Mission Street near Onondaga Avenue, will have a grand opening this Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market is a collaboration between the Latino Task Force, Mission Language and Vocational School and the SF-Marin Food Bank.
Casa de Apoyo — a hub for community resources — has been distributing food for five years.
With the expansion of La Tiendita, Excelsior residents who have registered with the SF-Marin Food Bank and completed an intake form will be able to browse and select the food they want, rather than receiving a pre-packaged bag of goods, said Agustin Angel Bernabe, the community market manager.
Angel Bernabe said the expansion aims to provide free groceries to 750 people a week or more, up from their usual 400.
Casa de Apoyo also provides information about employment, education and housing resources, Angel Bernabe added. “It’s for the community by the community, so we want to make sure everyone feels welcome.”
Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP here.
Andrea Ferrucci and Sean Ingram, former owners of the Dark Horse — the restaurant and pub on Geneva Avenue that closed about a year ago due to, among other things, persistent plumbing problems — have rebranded as “Pony Express.”
They are now hosting “Sunday Supper,” regular pop-ups at Tala Wine at 4625 Mission St. near Brazil Avenue on the second Sunday of each month.
Ferrucci said the idea stemmed from a longstanding family tradition.
“My Italian side of the family would have Sunday dinner with the whole big family together every week,” she said.
At Dark Horse, the Sunday dinners had a loyal following, and she hopes to bring that “communal feeling” back.
“We want to be able to keep our community together, even though we’ve closed our brick-and-mortar,” Ferrucci said. Guests over 21 can stop by starting at 5 p.m. without having to make a reservation.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, Pony Express and Tala Wine will also host a fixed-price, reservation-only dinner.
The Excelsior Library branch is hosting a walking club on Friday, March 20. Interested parties can meet in front of the library at 4 p.m. and join a librarian for a walk around the neighborhood.
The Excelsior Science Workshop has its monthly free community day this Saturday, March 21. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can explore science exhibits and interact with snakes, guinea pigs, a bearded dragon and a leopard gecko at 4458 Mission St. near Excelsior Avenue.
For those who were wondering, the ice cream shop next door is still not open, but Mission Local will keep you posted on new developments.
In the meantime, if you’re feeling stressed, don’t miss the library’s therapy pet session at the end of the month. Joanna M. Arteaga La Spina, the Excelsior Library branch manager, said a Great Pyrenees named Lumos will be at the library on March 28 at 1 p.m.
“Everybody calls him the Gentle Giant,” she said.