As if it weren't abundantly clear that 30-year Muni veteran Henry Gray probably still shouldn't have been behind the joystick of a train when he caused that crash in July '09, a new story in the Examiner points out that Gray had previously been suspended on four other occasions — at least one of which was for doing the same "cutout" maneuver that led to the West Portal smashup. Gray says he blacked out just before the crash, and may have been taking too many meds, but his record wasn't exactly pristine and he had, in fact, accidentally connected his train to another idle train at that very same station, performing that same auto-to-manual cutout trick in 2007. more ›

The other day, while walking up Monterey Boulevard, we noticed makeshift "Slow Down" signs posted along the street. They're there for a good reason. Today, according to Picasa user Karen, a vehicle going way too fast crashed and flipped over along the heavily-trafficked strip. more ›

If so, you might want to call the fuzz immediately. According to SFAppeal / BCN, police are asking the public for help in finding this "27-year-old man wanted in connection with a Tuesday carjacking that followed a botched robbery attempt of a West Portal bank." It seems that the very attractive David Wehrer tried (but failed) to rob the Bank of America on the 200 block of West Portal Avenue at around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. After failing at scoring any sacks of cash, Wehrer "then allegedly carjacked a red 2006 Honda Accord before fleeing the area." (CA Lic #: 5TCV308) Dangerous. Anyway, if you've seen or know where David is hiding, please call SFPD authorities at 415-553-1201 or 415-553-1071. Read more about it here. more ›

According to "a source close to the probe" over at that the L-Taraval driver was "slumped" over the train controls after the crash. Hm. Anyway, regarding the driver, a background check and drug tests are currently underway, which won't be done for several weeks. Also, said driver's name won't be released just yet. The entire investigation, it seems, might take "12-18 months," which, oddly enough, is the same amount of time one waits for a L train outside West Portal Station for the Muni traffic to clear. Update: Or was it a blackout? According to reports, an "early switch to manual power In the train tunnel" might have been the culprit. That, or God is punishing San Franciscans for yet another sin we committed. Stay tuned. more ›

ALL OF THEM: West Portal Ave & Ulloa

This one's from inside the venerable Eezy Freezy Market along West Portal.

They also have a somehow inexhaustible supply of nice folks behind the counter wearing hoodies, along with stacks of British tabloids. more ›

Certain San Francisco neighborhoods portray themselves as having captured a small-town feel amidst the big city bustle. But almost as often, closer inspection reveals these marketing pitches to be all arm without enough follow-through. Laurel Heights? Sure, it’s leafy and quiet, but since when does Smallville, USA have more salons, antique home furnishing retailers, and high-end fashion boutiques as it does grocers? Bernal Heights? Potrero Hill? We’re getting warmer, but the former’s brimming progressivism and the latter’s choice perch above downtown’s high-rises don’t align with what you get in genuinely small California towns such as Chester or Bishop. West Portal, however, boasts real follow-through – the retro Space Age streetcar station notwithstanding, of course. more ›

Nothing says "welcome to our neighborhood in which you will never be able to afford a house" quite like graffiti of a veined penis stating, "Tupac Lives."
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If you took Coolidge Corner and moved it to San Francisco, you'd wind up with something very much like West Portal, a nicely-kept secret neighborhood with folksy shops and restaurants and a theater, about a 10-minute subway ride from the Castro. And get this: it's about to get even nicer, thanks to some sprucing-up by Muni. more ›

Mayor Gavin Newsom says that one of his "top priorities is to ensure that every San Franciscan has a safe and happy New Year. Riding Muni is a smart and green way to ring in the new year." (Thanks, Gavin!) And with a firm flick of his wrist, this New Year's Eve, starting at 8 p.m., Muni will be free all night, which is about what it's worth. The free rides come to a screeching halt at 6 a.m., Tuesday, January 1. more ›

Why aren't you hiding under the covers yet? The city doesn't want to so much as hear you breathe come tomorrow. So, start upending those floorboards and crawling into that dank attic, or Gavin and Bevan will be coming to get you, Barbara. more ›

At three o'clock today we tried to take the M out to SF State. The overhead sign at Church Station switched from showing only "K in Seven Minutes" to "Next Trains In Subway - Delayed." We left the station in disgust. more ›

Well, first and most importantly! -- SFist MattyMatt's started a new job so he's been pretty busy at work and hasn't had time to post lately, for all folks asking about him in the SFist Tips column!. But he's still here, we promise! We miss him too! (Meanwhile, you guys can always check out his personal blog.) more ›

Service changes! Yay! Who doesn't love service changes? Communists, that's who. more ›

Remember how effed-up Muni was at last year's Bay to Breakers, with no signs and riders vomiting and drivers getting lost and nobody having any idea how to get anywhere? Yeah, it's probably going to be rough this year, too. (The race is on Sunday, the 20th.) We've got some reasons to be scared, very scared, but also some tips for avoiding the worst of it. more ›

--The SF Board of Supes has imposed a moratorium on SoMa studio condo construction. more ›

Muni driver is no longer with us, but that doesn't mean the questions won't keep coming. Reader RK sent us this last week and his completely frustrating experience is something we've all been through. And just why do they sometimes stop trains in the middle of the run anyways? And why can't drivers at least tell everyone why? more ›

-- the Chronicle ran an interesting set of articles yesterday detailing the problems that San Francisco-based families face when trying to stay in the city. more ›

Today is an exciting day in the world of San Francisco transit as we move from Phase I of the Metro Overhead Line Replacement Project (MOLRP) and start Phase II. Woo hoo! We hear there was a celebration in honor of the start of Phase II which largely consisted of Nathaniel Ford breaking a champagne bottle on the first delayed run of the J Church. more ›

There's bad news coming out a church in West Portal-- two sheep and a lamb have been pilfered from a Nativity Scene. Yep, what we have here are a bunch of sheep stealers. The church in question is the West Portal Lutheran Church at 200 Sloat Blvd and the nativity scene in question had at one point four animals in the background. Now it has one. All things considering, it could be worse as stealing things from Nativity Scenes is quite common during the holidays. These thieves even stole Baby Jesus! We don't think we're exaggerating to say this will definitely make little Baby Jesus cry (unless he's Ninja Baby Jesus). more ›

See, we're not the only people with server problems -- All MUNI K, L, and M trains are stuck after an unspecified "electrical problem" in the tunnel between West Portal and the Castro right before 8:00 a.m. forced MUNI to stop those three train lines so they could send in workers into the tunnel to fix the situation. The dreaded above-ground bus service will be shuttling people to the Castro, at which point we expect all trains to be JAMTIGHTPACKED. MUNI spokeman Alan Siegel said that there were most likely" going to be delays throughout the system as a result. Nuh-uh! more ›

right here in the Bay Area, so damn right it's an O Magazine What To Read This Summer pick. more ›

We can't take any more of this Bay Area independent bookstore stress -- first the Kepler's drama and now this? Venerated SF independent bookstore stalwart A Clean Well-Lighted Place For Books is on the market. Owner Neal Sofman says that it's been hard getting walk-in traffic at its Opera Plaza location and that sales have been steadily declining over the years. But what about that new Peet's that just opened next door? Surely that would help? more ›

Don't forget that Grateful Dogs is now doing twice-monthly adoption events! On the first Saturday of every month they'll be at 100 West Portal Ave (at Vicente) from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, and on the third Saturdays they'll be at 3995 California Street, in Laurel Village, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. more ›

It snowed in the Bay Area this weekend -- the first March snowstorm since 1896. And we're not just talking snow like in the Sierras or maybe on the top of Mount Tam -- there was snow in Danville, on Mount Baker in the South Bay, and even some snow in San Francisco by West Portal. more ›

Hey, Grateful Dogs is now doing twice-monthly adoption events! On the first Saturday of every month they'll be at 100 West Portal Ave (at Vicente) from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, and on the third Saturdays they'll be at 3995 California Street, in Laurel Village, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. Finally, Starbucks is being put to good use! more ›

Hey! Grateful Dogs is having an adoption event this Saturday from 12-3 at the West Portal Starbucks. Overcome your knee-jerk contempt for corporate coffee long enough to come and see some of the little pups you've met on SFist, as well as some new faces. SFist Franny will be making an alumni appearance there as well, so be sure to say hi! If nothing else, stop by to say hi to Billy! more ›

traffic woes of the last few days. more ›