The Ingleside Branch Library is one of six branches in the San Francisco Public Library system currently undergoing construction, in part of a large-scale branch library improvement effort. The new branch, to be located on 1298 Ocean Avenue at Plymouth and just a couple of blocks away from the current branch, is expected to be completed in July 2009. Right now, the construction site is still barricaded with scaffolding still in place, but according to the Branch Library Improvement Program, the new Ingleside branch is already set to be bigger and better.
According to the Branch Library Improvement Program’s website, the new Ingleside Branch Library will feature more defined children’s and teen areas, a program room, bigger space to accommodate to the library’s growing collection of materials, and more computers. The building of this specific branch is funded in part through state grants from the passing of Proposition 14 in November 2000, as well as private donations raised by the non-profit organization Friends of San Francisco Public Library.
From artist renderings of the future Ingleside Branch Library, the new building looks more modern and sophisticated, which is a contrast from the old building’s classic Spanish-style architecture. I personally think the new building will stand out and be a fresh air among the row of similar-looking buildings on Ocean Avenue. The attractive design should sure attract more visitors.
On the interior, the current Ingleside Branch Library is not bad – in fact, I personally find it more preferable than other libraries I’ve been to. However, I do believe the new branch will be a huge step forward. There are not very many computers – there are only about two with Internet access, and at least a couple more that only children can use in the children’s area. More computers in the new branch will prove to be helpful. The seating is also not as comfortable and roomy as some of the other libraries I’ve been to.
Another complaint I have about the current library is the narrow spaces between aisles. The aisles are set up to be slanted, giving it a unique aesthetic design, but lack function. If anything, the close proximity of aisles to each other may cause discomfort among people looking through the shelves. The small total area of the library can not accommodate the shelves of abundant books and materials. Hopefully the bigger space in the new Ingleside Branch will allow room for much more materials, as well as room for many more patrons.
Libraries are a valuable resource in all neighborhoods. While I believe that the current branch does its job in the Ingleside, the new and improved Ingleside Branch Library could possibly be revolutionary to this wholesome, education-leaning community.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
your corner for studying, hanging out, and caffeine
Whether you’re driving or taking the K-line in the Ingleside, it’s hard to miss what’s at the corner of Ocean and Faxon Avenues. An earthy-colored building reminiscent of an exotic island hut stands at this intersection, along with a couple of round tables and chairs outside of it. Walk inside, and you’ll be transferred to a warm, inviting paradise complete with more round tables and chairs, sofas, good company, and good food.
This paradise is the Java on Ocean Café. A local establishment since 1995, the café is especially a favorite of Ingleside residents, commuters working in the area, and nearby City College and San Francisco State University students.
“We have people that come in every day and I know them on a first-name basis,” said café staff member Eric Elsea. “We do serve a purpose in the community here.”
Elsea also said that unlike at other cafes and restaurants, the food is made on-site with fruits and vegetables bought from local farmers’ markets.
“Lots of humanity is put into this café,” he said.
The menu includes a wide variety of hot and iced coffee drinks, Mediterranean wraps, deli sandwiches, soups, salads, and fruit juice smoothies. The coffee drinks are the main staples of the café, but for lunchtime, I tried an egg salad sandwich on white bread (keep the mustard and lettuce, hold the tomatoes, sprouts, and onions) and a strawberry banana smoothie with orange juice. Both items were the best of their kinds that I ever had, and rather filling at a decent price.
The interior is designed with a Middle Eastern look, with exotic potted plants placed near tables and sofas and bronze vases on shelves. A relaxing mix of world and jazz music adds to the atmosphere. There are even a couple of caged birds that make their home in the café to make the experience even more worldly, but still down-to-earth enough.
“I like the birds. They were talkative last semester, but this semester, they’re quieter,” said City College student and bartender Kristine Edland, who comes into the café about once a week.
The café offers roomy seating for customers to eat, drink, socialize, study, and rest. There are a few board games available for use, as well as a couple of computers with Internet access for a fee. Many customers bring their own laptops and take advantage of free Wi-Fi for the first two hours.
“I get a fair amount of work done, and you can just zone out here for a couple of hours at a time,” said Edland. “I don’t notice a whole lot of variety of shops like these on Ocean Avenue.”
Java on Ocean is a good alternative to chain coffeehouses like Starbucks, said Alvin Huang, a realtor who works in the Ingleside.
Said his business partner, Carolann Brlecic, “We could always go up the street to Starbucks, but we choose to come here.”
This paradise is the Java on Ocean Café. A local establishment since 1995, the café is especially a favorite of Ingleside residents, commuters working in the area, and nearby City College and San Francisco State University students.
“We have people that come in every day and I know them on a first-name basis,” said café staff member Eric Elsea. “We do serve a purpose in the community here.”
Elsea also said that unlike at other cafes and restaurants, the food is made on-site with fruits and vegetables bought from local farmers’ markets.
“Lots of humanity is put into this café,” he said.
The menu includes a wide variety of hot and iced coffee drinks, Mediterranean wraps, deli sandwiches, soups, salads, and fruit juice smoothies. The coffee drinks are the main staples of the café, but for lunchtime, I tried an egg salad sandwich on white bread (keep the mustard and lettuce, hold the tomatoes, sprouts, and onions) and a strawberry banana smoothie with orange juice. Both items were the best of their kinds that I ever had, and rather filling at a decent price.
The interior is designed with a Middle Eastern look, with exotic potted plants placed near tables and sofas and bronze vases on shelves. A relaxing mix of world and jazz music adds to the atmosphere. There are even a couple of caged birds that make their home in the café to make the experience even more worldly, but still down-to-earth enough.
“I like the birds. They were talkative last semester, but this semester, they’re quieter,” said City College student and bartender Kristine Edland, who comes into the café about once a week.
The café offers roomy seating for customers to eat, drink, socialize, study, and rest. There are a few board games available for use, as well as a couple of computers with Internet access for a fee. Many customers bring their own laptops and take advantage of free Wi-Fi for the first two hours.
“I get a fair amount of work done, and you can just zone out here for a couple of hours at a time,” said Edland. “I don’t notice a whole lot of variety of shops like these on Ocean Avenue.”
Java on Ocean is a good alternative to chain coffeehouses like Starbucks, said Alvin Huang, a realtor who works in the Ingleside.
Said his business partner, Carolann Brlecic, “We could always go up the street to Starbucks, but we choose to come here.”
Friday, October 3, 2008
a lot on the side: the ingleside
Disembarking from a BART train or an M-line Muni Metro car at the Balboa Park station to cross the bridge over the Bayshore Freeway will take you into one of the quieter, yet underrated areas of lively San Francisco.
At the end of the bridge, pastel-colored houses line up for blocks before you are led to a large white building dominating the next street over. This is the main campus of the City College of San Francisco and one of the well-known institutions in a neighborhood known as the Ingleside.
“It’s a spot for educational growth,” said Emily Spain-Lavender, a second-year City College student who also takes classes at the Mission campus. “It’s concentrated with not just kids, but students.”
With convenient access to the transportation hub at Balboa Park and surrounding Muni lines, it’s no surprise that City College has become a popular center of the Ingleside neighborhood and a place for San Franciscans to study and socialize in. The Ingleside is also home to Lick-Wilmerding High School, an elite private school and Archbishop Riordan High School, a Catholic all-boys school.
Beyond the schools, the Ingleside also houses many local businesses and franchises, offering convenient services to the high school and college students and residents nearby. Busy Ocean Avenue runs through the neighborhood. Cars and buses pass by familiar household names such as McDonald’s and Clean X-Press, but also places that can’t be found anywhere else such as JoJo’s, Beep’s Burgers, and CopyEdge Digital Printing, among other restaurants, liquor stores, salons, and medical clinics.
“We’ve been around for about 40 to 60 years, so everyone knows who we are,” said Kaye Lacap, a cashier at the drive-in Beep’s Burgers. “It’s a good neighborhood to be in. It’s not as troubled as downtown and I don’t see a lot of fights going on.”
Perhaps the presence of St. Francis Wood, a section of beautiful, mansion-like houses located within close proximity to Riordan High School and City College, gives the neighborhood its positive rep as a desirable place to live in and a reason to stay out of trouble. Perhaps it’s the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
“It’s a blend, so I wonder if it does have a personality,” said part-time City College student James Michael. “Neighborhoods like the Haight and the Mission are uniform, but the Ingleside is mixed.”
Or perhaps it’s a sense of community that makes the Ingleside so special. The neighborhood houses the Ingleside Community Center, which offers many services to San Francisco residents such as senior classes, job training programs, social services, Feed the Hungry Missions, and after-school tutoring. It shares a building with the Ingleside Presbyterian Church.
“Community partnership is key,” said Monique Martin, who has served as executive director of the Ingleside Community Center for 10 years. “With that, Ingleside thrives, San Francisco thrives, and California thrives.”
But maybe it’s just the fact that everyone in the neighborhood is happy, and that makes the Ingleside so special.
Said Rich Gianuario, a senior at Riordan High School, “The people here have the biggest smiles you’ll ever see in your life.”
At the end of the bridge, pastel-colored houses line up for blocks before you are led to a large white building dominating the next street over. This is the main campus of the City College of San Francisco and one of the well-known institutions in a neighborhood known as the Ingleside.
“It’s a spot for educational growth,” said Emily Spain-Lavender, a second-year City College student who also takes classes at the Mission campus. “It’s concentrated with not just kids, but students.”
With convenient access to the transportation hub at Balboa Park and surrounding Muni lines, it’s no surprise that City College has become a popular center of the Ingleside neighborhood and a place for San Franciscans to study and socialize in. The Ingleside is also home to Lick-Wilmerding High School, an elite private school and Archbishop Riordan High School, a Catholic all-boys school.
Beyond the schools, the Ingleside also houses many local businesses and franchises, offering convenient services to the high school and college students and residents nearby. Busy Ocean Avenue runs through the neighborhood. Cars and buses pass by familiar household names such as McDonald’s and Clean X-Press, but also places that can’t be found anywhere else such as JoJo’s, Beep’s Burgers, and CopyEdge Digital Printing, among other restaurants, liquor stores, salons, and medical clinics.
“We’ve been around for about 40 to 60 years, so everyone knows who we are,” said Kaye Lacap, a cashier at the drive-in Beep’s Burgers. “It’s a good neighborhood to be in. It’s not as troubled as downtown and I don’t see a lot of fights going on.”
Perhaps the presence of St. Francis Wood, a section of beautiful, mansion-like houses located within close proximity to Riordan High School and City College, gives the neighborhood its positive rep as a desirable place to live in and a reason to stay out of trouble. Perhaps it’s the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
“It’s a blend, so I wonder if it does have a personality,” said part-time City College student James Michael. “Neighborhoods like the Haight and the Mission are uniform, but the Ingleside is mixed.”
Or perhaps it’s a sense of community that makes the Ingleside so special. The neighborhood houses the Ingleside Community Center, which offers many services to San Francisco residents such as senior classes, job training programs, social services, Feed the Hungry Missions, and after-school tutoring. It shares a building with the Ingleside Presbyterian Church.
“Community partnership is key,” said Monique Martin, who has served as executive director of the Ingleside Community Center for 10 years. “With that, Ingleside thrives, San Francisco thrives, and California thrives.”
But maybe it’s just the fact that everyone in the neighborhood is happy, and that makes the Ingleside so special.
Said Rich Gianuario, a senior at Riordan High School, “The people here have the biggest smiles you’ll ever see in your life.”
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