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The Noe Valley Voice is an independent community newspaper created for and about Noe Valley, a neighborhood located in the heart of San Francisco, California. It is published 10 times a year (monthly except January and August), on or before the first Friday of the month.

Our editorial deadline is the 15th of the month prior to the month of issue. The 15th is also the deadline for Class Ads (see Class Ads, above). Our display advertising deadline for camera-ready ads is different each month, but usually falls on the 17th. Call Steve at 415-239-1114 for more information on display ads.

First-class U.S. mail subscriptions are available at a cost of $25 per year ($15 for seniors) by writing to us at the Noe Valley Voice, 1021 Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA 94114.

We welcome story ideas, letters, photos, artwork, and manuscripts -- including news, poetry, and fiction -- particularly on topics relating to Noe Valley. However, all such items must include a name, address, and phone number, and may be edited for brevity or clarity. (Unsigned letters to the editor will not be considered for publication.) Unsolicited contributions will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

We Were 25 in 2002

The Voice published its first issue, an eight-page tabloid, in May 1977. We now average 60 pages. We print at least 10,000 copies in black ink on recycled newsprint at a union shop in San Francisco. The entire contents are copyright-protected.

This newspaper exists because we love writing and photography and sharing news of the neighborhood. We like working for ourselves, and we also value the ideal of small hometown communities within the larger city. We try to do our part in nurturing Noe Valley by reporting on the events and people here. We also offer a place for readers to express their opinions (and display their photos). The neighborhood's small businesses continue to support us by advertising.

"The Hippest Little Literary Review in the West"

In the spring of 1995, at the suggestion of writer Jim Christie, the Voice sponsored a literary contest, which attracted more than 200 entries in three categories: short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We were fortunate to be able to choose from outstanding work. The contest winners were published in a special Summer Literary Issue in August 1995. San Francisco Examiner (now Chronicle) columnist Stephanie Salter was among many who hailed our effort and choice of winners.

Our August 1996 literary edition met with equal favor and success. But by then we were reeling from the extra effort. We chose to discontinue the annual contest in favor of routinely publishing literary work in each of our 10 regular issues. This decision evolved into the Last Page, which showcases the excellent fiction and poetry we continue to receive.

Taking a Joke

Every April, we try to do an April Fool's section. It's always entertained us, and we haven't been threatened with a lawsuit in a long time. The 2001 Fool's front page, dubbed "Noe Valley After Dark," made light of the city's power blackouts and skyrocketing real estate prices. Ha, ha.

Voice Mail Welcome

We've been trying out the Web since December of 1996, and a lot of you dear readers are using our e-mail address. We're receiving and responding to many letters, news tips, and subscription inquiries. Thank you. Having this capability is helping us be in touch with more of you without having to trek to the office, and that's cool. Read on if you want to know more about the history of the neighborhood...or the Noe Valley Voice.

Jack Tipple and Sally Smith, Co-Publishers