It is only now, three months
removed from my “crosswalk accident,” that I am able to put
the incident in perspective.
My ordeal began on Dec. 14, as
I happily strolled with my black and white Havanese, Lucy, to
the park at Douglass and 24th streets. As I reached the middle
of the crosswalk heading to the playground area, I stared to
the ground, only to see the tires of a moving car a foot away
from my dog, dutifully on her leash by my side. In an
instinctual move, I furiously pulled us both back to avoid
being hit. In doing so, I fell to the ground, landing largely
on my wrist to break the fall.
Bystanders came to my aid,
picking me up and asking if I was okay. The woman driving the
car jumped out and concernedly asked the same thing,
apologizing and telling me she had not seen me in the
crosswalk. I felt okay, thinking perhaps my wrist was slightly
sprained.
I was not okay. My wrist had
been broken in several places. I am now at the tail end of a
three-month ordeal of medical appointments, casts, pain,
inconveniences, medical bills, and a newfound fear of crossing
the street. Stop signs, crosswalks, and red lights no longer
give me a false sense of safety as I cross the streets in Noe
Valley or anywhere else. My strolls with my beloved Lucy are
no longer relaxed and carefree.
I now make eye contact with
drivers before stepping off the curb, taking nothing for
granted. Danger truly lurks on every corner. Perhaps it was my
naiveté that precluded me from viewing it as such in the past.
I have lost my innocence! As a driver, I am more conscious
than I was, to stop before the crosswalk line
and to be especially cognizant of pedestrians walking anywhere
close to the curb. To the extent that I have become more
diligent, I am grateful.
I now reflect on the blessings
of being “nearly” back to normal. With physical therapy and
the passage of time, I have regained my ability to use my
dominant hand: to dress, exercise, and eat with only minor
impairment. I strive to lessen my fear of walking, as I love
strolling Noe Valley and do not intend to let fear stop me.
Overall, I am grateful that the injury was not worse.
When people often stared at my
humongous cast with incredulity and asked, “What happened
to you?” I simply stated, “The dog lived.” Now I
realize that the full answer should have been, “I am now a
more aware walker anddriver, especially when it
comes to crosswalks.” I hope that after hearing my tale you
will be too.
Bonnie Gradstein
Diamond Street
Pedestrian Right-of-Way
Editor:
I have been a resident of Noe
Valley for eight years. I feel lucky to be able to afford to
live in this wonderful area of San Francisco. I enjoy walking
on 24th Street, but it is becoming harder and harder to enjoy
the stroll. I am often walking alone on 24th Street to
run my errands, go to Starbucks, or grab a bite to eat. I feel
like I need to walk in the street in order to avoid being hit
by people walking side-by-side, pushing baby strollers, or
walking their dogs, oblivious to those of us who are also
trying to share the sidewalk. Many times I am hit and find
myself dodging out of the way.
I’m sure many of us would
appreciate it if the sidewalk could be shared equally and the
strollers, dog walkers, and people-walking side-by-side would
not take up the entire sidewalk and would pay just a bit more
attention to what they were doing and the effects on others.
Thank you.
Preston Sullivan
25th Street
Beyond Kindness
Editor:
The profile of Sheila Ash,
“The Panache of Sheila Ash,” by Corrie M. Anders in the March
2012 Voice, was an outstanding piece. It
captures Sheila Ash perfectly. Sheila is a joy to know and be
with. And she always has something unique for her friends to
do.
She is also beyond kindness.
Denise D’Anne
Guerrero Street
Blue Bin Bandits Identified
Editor:
On Tuesday, March 19, at
around 1 p.m., this car (see right) was
idling while his partner went to each blue bin on the street,
taking out glass or whatnot. When I looked closely, I could
read the license plate: 6RHE959.
Is there a place to send this
or report it to Recology? Should neighbors unite and start
posting such photos?
Sherry Coveney
Elizabeth Street
Editors’ Note: Googling the
blue bin theft question turned up this answer from Recology,
San Francisco’s recycling program: “City and State law
prohibit the theft of recyclables. If you see a ‘thief’
taking your recyclables, obtain the vehicle license number,
car description, time of the theft, description of the
person, direction they were heading, and report the theft to
the non-emergency police dispatch office at 553-0123. Also,
call Sunset Scavenger at 415-330-1300 or Recology Golden
Gate at 415-626-4000 during business hours to report the
theft of recyclables. We will request that the police patrol
areas with repeated problems. You can also report the theft
by filling out an online Recycle Theft Form. For your
safety, do NOT confront the recycling thieves.”
Empty Gold Mine
Editor:
I’m curious about the
building at 1220–22 Church St., adjacent to the Happy
Donuts outlet on the corner of Church and 24th streets and
opposite the J-Church Muni island. For as long as I can
remember, this two-flat building has been vacant, even in
the midst of successive housing booms in San Francisco. Do
you—or a reader—know what keeps this building uninhabited and
hence nonproductive? I truly hope the answer isn’t
real estate speculation.
The Noe Valley Voice is
an independent newspaper published monthly except in January
and August. It is distributed free in Noe Valley and vicinity,
on or before the first Friday of the month. Subscriptions are
available at $30 per year ($25 for seniors) by writing to the
above address.
The Voice welcomes
your letters, photos, and stories, particularly on topics
relating to Noe Valley. All items should include your name,
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The Noe Valley
Voice is a member of the San Francisco Neighborhood
Newspaper Association.
Heidi Anderson, Owen
Baker-Flynn, Karol Barske, Helen Colgan, Jan Goben, Kate Haug,
Liz Highleyman, Rebecca Huval, Laura McHale Holland, Florence
Holub, Tim Innes, Jeff Kaliss, Doug Konecky, Rhiana
Maidenberg, George Nelson, Roger Rubin, Shayna Rubin, Karen
Topakian
Blue Bin Bandits Identified