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Dimitra’s Medi-Spa – helping people look their best for almost 30 years
It’s not uncommon in this day and age to see multiple storefronts in a block with the word “Spa” in their name. From hair salons, nail salons and to massage treatment centers it seems that everyone wants to be in the “Spa” business.
For the West of Twin Peaks area, Dimitra’s Skin Care and Medi-Spa, located at 324 West Portal Ave., pioneered the skin care business and has been helping clients look their best for three decades.
Dimitra Kokkalis Wagner, joined in business by her brother-in-law, Dr Andrew Wagner, MD, has been providing state of the art skin care at her West Portal salon since 1982. Born and raised on the Greek island of Corfu, Dimitra received her training in Athens, where esthetics (skin care science) is more closely aligned with the medical profession than it traditionally has been in the United States.
Dimitra’s ‘SkinCare & Electrolysis’ became a day spa, one of the first in San Francisco, and continued to evolve, now leading the way as Dimitra’s SkinCare & MediSpa. This local business has been described as “The Best of Both Worlds” in the skin care and medi-spa industry by continuing to provide leading edge services, enabling them to stay ahead of the curve…and their competitors.
With her education and experience, Dimitra is considered to be one of the leading experts in skincare, and frequently receives calls from other estheticians for advice and consultation. She personally trains each of the salon estheticians to ensure that every client is afforded the same high level of quality service. Wagner is passionate about providing ‘results orientated’ skin care, and her staff has the expertise to solve almost every type of skin care problem.
The expert staff members treat varying types of skin conditions for clients of all age groups. Treatments are provided for conditions ranging from acne to aging; services include microdermabrasion, peels, healing massage, Velashape (for cellulite reduction/body contouring), electrolysis, waxing and brow/lash tinting.
Dr. Andrew Wagner’s talents earned him Spa Weeks West Coast Luxi award for the best medical treatments. He specializes in Laser Hair Removal, plus the latest techniques for anti-aging and Skin Rejuvenation.
Wagner has been described as an ‘artist’ using both Botox and Juvederm. But a daily regimen is necessary to maintain healthy skin, and creating this regimen is easy when you consult the advice of a licensed professional.
Dimitra’s has amassed an array of skincare products from around the world, plus as a MediSpa, has the advantage of being able to offer physician- strength retail products. Renowned for the compassion they show their clients, the salon has earned the devoted loyalty of their clients, often serving 2-3 generations of a family.
Just as important as the daily business of medical skin care, Dimitra’s desire is for her salon to support our local community through contributions of time, services, and money. The Wagners play an active role in the West Portal Merchants Association and are proud of having served thousands of people since opening 30+ years ago.
The staff members are friendly and courteous, a hallmark of customer service in an era where it can be difficult to find. We at the Westside Observer applaud the dedication of Dimitra and the Wagner family for their commitment to our community, and for providing a quality service.
When you are in the market for quality skin care services, or want to choose from a full line of professional skin care products, consider Dimitra’s SkinCare & MediSpa as your friendly neighborhood family salon.
Dimitra’s Skin Care and Medi-Spa is located at 324 West Portal Avenue. Business hours are: Monday –Thursday 10-7, Friday 9-6, and Saturdays from 9-4. To schedule an appointment or to request additional information please call them at (415) 731-8080 or via email at: info@Dimitras.com.
Sept 2010
Alma Via of San Francisco proves that “Home” is where the heart is and where
Caring comes first
If asked, most people will have different ideas and memories when asked what constitutes the concept of “home” to them. From a Midwestern farmhouse to a bustling San Francisco neighborhood, all of us have experiences that help to define “home and family.” As we gain in maturity we will have another shared experience, aging and the way that we choose to live. Some of us will live with adult children while others will keep the “family home, or apartment” until the physical or financial upkeep becomes too much.
I had the pleasure of walking through AlmaVia of San Francisco and speaking with their Director of Community Services, Therese Myzwinski, about “home” and the AlmaVia community.
To start, what is AlmaVia? Alma Via of San Francisco is an “eldercare” community of adults who have chosen to live in “apartment-like” units where they can be as active as they wish. Located at One Thomas More Way the building and grounds are convenient to San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
Unlike many senior communities, AlmaVia of San Francisco is part of the Elder Care Alliance, which is a non-profit organization that works with the residents to provide enrichment of their physical, emotional and spiritual well being as they age. One of seven facilities in the Elder Care Alliance, AlmaVia of San Francisco can accommodate up to 130 residents in units that range from a studio to a 2-bedroom apartment.
Although the community is “faith-centered” it is non-denominational and has residents whose religious backgrounds are diverse. The ‘spirituality” component truly sets this facility apart from other senior-care facilities. The ElderCare Alliance was formed, as a non-profit organization by several faith-based groups: the Mercy Retirement Community, the Sisters of Mercy, the Salem Lutheran Home, and the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Lutheran Congregation.
The memory care component is another of the ways that AlmaVia of SF is different from other care facilities. The staff can assist with up to 43 “memory care,” residents, those who have mild to severe symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In most care facilities, memory care patients have to be relocated to a specialized treatment facility. At Alma Via there are two levels of memory care that the staff can provide, which helps the residents stay in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible, which really helps their quality of life. Residents can better “Age in Place” and be as active as they are able, or want to be.
The residents truly are a community and many are actively involved in volunteer programs, “Adopt A Family” programs, and “Sages through the Ages” a program where some of the residents volunteer their time to visit residents in the memory-care unit within Alma Via. Currently, Myzwinski has 25 people doing this volunteering, which helps to remove barriers and provides much needed contact for the acute memory care residents.
As you would expect, AlmaVia has a full list of amenities and events for the residents. The pricing for the “month to month” residences includes 3 meals per day, a healthy menu designed and prepared by Executive Chef Martin Sanchez. Their special “Supper Club” events feature fine dining, wine and musical entertainment in an atmosphere where the attendees and their guests can dress up and enjoy a special evening, not out on the town, but in the comfortable surrounding of the AlmaVia community.
Other amenities include exercise rooms, bingo, bridge, art programs, calligraphy and Chinese drawing programs and movie nights. In addition, residents can serve on Resident Council, and on Peace and Social Justice discussion groups.
Mobility is a big plus at Alma Via as Transportation is available to the residents 5 days per week for shopping days, baseball games, medical appointments and other outside events. With the close proximity to San Francisco, 15 minutes to downtown and 15 minutes to the airport, the facility offers a great location and a neighborhood lifestyle.
Myzwinski, who has been at the facility for four years, put it best, “We try to never say ‘no’ to our residents, who are like a big family to us. All of us are very close to each of our resident members and their families. It’s a special environment where one can age in place with dignity.”
As I was leaving, I noticed a sentence painted on a wall which reads, ”Home is where your story begins.” From the friendly faces at the front desk, to the caring staff and support teams, to the community residents that I saw, the community of “AlmaVia of San Francisco” certainly provides both “home” and “community” to its’ residents. We should all be so fortunate.
AlmaVia/San Francisco is located at One Thomas More Way (off of Hwy 280 South immediately below Brotherhood Way). There are people on staff every day and they welcome visitors. To schedule a tour of the community or to request additional information please call Ms. Therese Myzwinski, Director of Community Relations at (415) 337-1339. Website: www.almaviaofsanfrancisco.org/
May 2010
The West Portal Community Business District
Now’s the Time to Get Involved
All of us associated with the West Portal community, merchants, customers, landlords, residents and visitors usually agree on one thing: West Portal Avenue is a special (albeit) hidden jewel within San Francisco.
Matt Rogers (Papenhousen Hardware) and several colleagues are working feverishly to create a West Portal Community Business District, or Community Benefits District (CBD) in city government speak.
A CBD is designed to improve and benefit properties within the commercial district by creating an enhanced visitor experience through improved streetscape (design and landscaping) and maintenance (think graffiti removal, street cleaning, and powerwashing sidewalks, etc.). CBD’s also can take advantage of specialized economic development activities and administrative/advocacy activities. The CBD is set up for a period of 15 years, and is governed by a board made up of property owners and merchants. Funding is derived from assessments on each property that usually are negotiated with and passed through to the merchant tenants.
Why do this? As the city coffers dwindle, it becomes less and less able to handle basic street maintenance like sweeping, gum removal and graffiti remediation. Niceties such as flowers, benches, murals, and even trees are almost impossible to install or maintain. The onus falls to the property owners and tenants anyway, but as individual owners and tenants, they usually pay more to have these types of services performed.
If multiple owners and tenants embraced the idea for collective maintenance and streetscape, individual costs would fall and the “experience” would make the area better for everyone who owns property (increasing value), or leases space as a retailer (more attractive means a better shopping experience), or visits the street (an enhanced experience that wants to make a visitor stay longer / come back, or tell friends about the great place that is West Portal).
Many of the retail tenants and landlords are already in favor of the concept of the Community Business District, but more support is needed. Other areas in San Francisco such as Noe Valley, the Fillmore, and Ocean Avenue have already established CBD’s as a way to enhance the neighborhood experience for visitors and residents alike.
While no one relishes the idea of more fees and assessments, the overall benefit could bring results that dwarf the assessments to establish the CBD.
What can you do? If you are a landlord or property owner, take a look at the property, talk with your tenant and schedule a conversation with Matt or one of the other business people who are supporting the concept of a CBD. A cleaner, well-maintained shopping district with improved signage and visitors could be a benefit to everyone associated with West Portal Avenue. As I said at the beginning, West Portal is a special place which deserves to be maintained and nurtured. Anyone who has been to Noe Valley or the Fillmore Jazz District can see the results of what a CBD can bring to an area.
Take the time to get the facts and help turn West Portal Avenue back into one of the premier shopping (and living) districts in the Country.
Contact Matt Rogers (Papenhousen Hardware)
April 2010
Dr. Victoria Tobar: The Art of Personalized, Caring Dentistry
By Mitch Bull
Walking through the front door into the office to meet Dr. Victoria Tobar, D.M.D. I was struck by the sense of serenity and of light. No “muzak” filled the air, and the office was light and airy. Several certificates showing her accomplishments in practicing dentistry line the wall, as well as a framed “Mission Statement,” something I would expect to see in a “corporate lobby” but not something I usually expect to see in the office of a doctor or dentist. “Our office is committed to providing you the highest quality comprehensive dental care in a caring, comfortable and mutually respectful environment. We focus on excellent restorative and cosmetic dentistry with an emphasis on patient education and prevention.”
Victoria Tobar is dedicated to providing a “new style of practicing dentistry,” one that she described as putting the patient first, and taking the time to listen to each patient as an individual and to discuss treatments and answer questions.
She said that when she graduated from dental school she worked in various practices throughout San Francisco, from the Mission to the Marina and in Chinatown. “One of the things I learned was that as an Associate within a practice you have very little control over the time you can spend with patients. Previously she had limited time with her patients, “then it’s time to move to the next one after the assistant has completed the cleaning and prep work,” said Tobar.
“I wanted to do things different, so I opened my practice in January 2009 and I can set the time I want to spend with each patient. With most of my new patients, I spend at least an hour with each one going over their medical and dental histories,” she explained. “It really gives me the opportunity to get to know each patient on a personal level.”
Unlike larger clinics where teams of dental hygienists conduct much of the cleaning, Tobar runs a small office of three people, including a receptionist, located in the Sunset Dental Building. “My assistant does some cleaning and set up, but I personally handle the majority of treatment on each of my patients,” said the Bay Area native.
“Gum disease can cause serious damage to the body, as symptoms are few, like bleeding gums. The problem is that the body is continually fighting the disease and it helps to “use up” your immune system, and can cause serious complications in people with other conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.”
A full-service practice, Dr. Tobar provides a full range of dental treatments and services including porcelain crowns, bridges and veneers, metal-free tooth fillings and replacements, tooth implant services, dentures, root canal treatments, teeth whitening procedures, as well as the preventative cleaning and checkups that most people should do every 4-6 months. The office also uses digital X-ray technology, which results in a 70-90% reduction in the amount of radiation to which the patient is exposed.
“One of the trends is that people are taking better care of their teeth and I am seeing patients well into their 90’s who still have the majority of their teeth,” said the dentist. When I asked about flossing, she smiled and said, “Yes, it’s one of the most important things that you can do. It really helps to prevent cavities between the teeth, as well as periodontal (gum) disease.” Gum disease can cause serious damage to the body, as symptoms are few, like bleeding gums. The problem is that the body is continually fighting the disease and it helps to “use up” your immune system, and can cause serious complications in people with other conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.
A Bay area native, and the first in her family to attend college, Tobar grew up in Daly City and completed her university work at Santa Clara before going to dental school at Tufts University in Boston. She joked that “the day after graduating I was on a flight back to the Bay area,” citing the cold winters and the hot and humid summers. “Boston is a great place, but the winter and summer made me realize how special the Bay area is.”
Tobar and her husband Alex live adjacent to Mt. Davidson and enjoy time with their two year old daughter, Alexa.
For a limited time, she is offering a special to new patients who do not have dental insurance: for a fee of $99 she will conduct an exam, take x-rays and complete a cleaning.
In an era of “bigger is better” and assembly-line types of clinics, Dr. Tobar and her staff are providing the one-on-one type of personalized service that people describe in the “good old days.” And I almost forgot: free (non-metered) street parking seems to be plentiful in and around the office.
Dr. Victoria Tobar, DMD is located at 800 Santiago Street, Suite A (at the corner of Santiago and 19th Avenue) in the Sunset Dental Building. For further information please call the office at 415-566-2222, or visit the website: www.drvictoriatobar.com. Se habla espanol.
March 2010
West Portal Merchants
FireFighters Toy Program Catches Fire
By Elliot Wagner
The magical music was catching their attention, and on top of that came the voice; sounding like an old carnival barker, urging them to come in closer and see what mysteries were in store for them. Like in the Pied Piper, all the kids, and their parents, were being led off of the streets and into BookShop Plaza. The only thing missing was the bright red fire truck and its bells and sirens, but that would come later.
This was the grand finale of West Portal’s own SF FireFighters Toy Program Drive & Raffle.
Both the young and “older” kids became a “captive” audience as “Kraynork the Magician,” Mark Kronar, plied them with his bag of tricks. “Abra Cadabra,” and another coin came out of the little girl’s ear. Gosh, how many scarves can come out of one of his pockets? Say, have you seen a pesky wabbit wun by here?
So, what could upstage an act like Mark’s? Well how about Erin, from the Dubliner, decked out as Santa, snowy white beard and all. (For her own Xmas gift, I offered her Free Laser Hair Removal from Dimitra’s…) Santa’s lap was open to all who wanted to read their Christmas wish lists. Santa even posed for a licking by two bull dogs (but made them buy extra raffle tickets). So how did Erin get recruited to be Santa for the day? It turned out that our “FireFighter” Santa fell off his sleigh with a cold nose, so the merchants were faced with a Santa suit but no one to fill it. Then Erin McLaughlin, manager & bartender at the Dubliner, stuffed a pillow into the suit, took on the challenge and won the day!
Martial arts were featured — with a flurry of kicks and flying fists, students from Jill Doherty’s Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy put on a mighty awesome demonstration of why nobody ever picks on these kids: strength, discipline, and respect.
In the finale, the firefighters made their grand entrance, zooming up the Avenue on the bright red fire truck from Portola Station #39. Big grins broke out on the kid’s faces as they were lifted up onto the fire truck and allowed to ring the bell. Guess what happened next? You know the trouble about being all dressed up and supposedly nowhere to go: A FIRE! So, with sirens blaring, the firemen jumped onto their truck and raced off to put the fire out. Oh well, picking the winning raffle tickets would just have to be put off till later.
Behind all this frivolity was something very serious, the joy of helping 25,000 disadvantaged children that might never have felt the love and joy of receiving a Christmas present this year if it were not for the San Francisco Firefighters and their Toy Program, the City’s largest and the nation’s oldest program of its kind. Besides helping individual families in need, the Toy Program also serves many community organizations, including shelters for abused women and children, inner-city schools, neighborhood groups, children’s cancer wards, and pediatric AIDS units.
In spite of the hard economic times this year, with generosity such as ours in West Portal and in other districts throughout the City they were able to rack up some amazing numbers: by playing Santa with a sleigh filled with 40,000 toys, it meant that over 25,000 of our SF children were smiling and happy when they received some toys on Christmas morning.
It hasn’t always been this way; For years, Dimitra’s has had a FireFighters Toy Barrel outside the front door of the salon, guarded by 2 colorful six-foot tall Nutcracker Soldiers. But they were forlorn, because no one came to Dimitra’s (the Greek) bearing gifts. It was decided to switch our strategies. Four years ago, we set a “Donation Jar” on our front desk, with a sign announcing that Dimitra’s would match whatever money our clients gave.
In 2008, Dimitra’s was able to buy over $700 worth of toys. Seeing this as a good idea, I decided to let all of West Portal join in this year, by holding a huge Toy Program Raffle: 81 prizes worth over $4K from 31 merchants. Now, all we had to do was sell tickets. It’s a well known secret, if you really want something from someone, bribe them! So the gauntlet was thrown down: Dimitra’s would give two pieces of homemade Baklava for each $10 worth of tickets, and $20 would get a 10 minute chair massage. Taking up the challenge, Ron, the owner of the Dubliner, offered up drink tokens, 1 for $10, 3 for $20. Dimitra’s edged out a victory, but together we sold 75% of all the raffle tickets.
As promised, all of the Raffle ticket money was spent in West Portal, as our own economic stimulus package. Through everyone’s efforts the West Portal /SF FireFighters Toy Program Raffle was able to purchase over 350 toys, books and games, with the help of generous discounts from BookShop West Portal, Just Awesome Board Games, Growing Up Toys, Ambassador Toys and Walgreens.
It’s not easy to put on an event of this magnitude. Many thanks and kudos: to my staff, for the boundless energy and excessive time devoted to this project; to the Dubliner for making it competitive; and to Maryo of Postal Chase, for his generosity in copying all the posters plastered on our West Portal lamp posts and merchant windows. A special thanks for the free performance by our Premiere Magician, Mark Kronar, who can be contacted at (415-868-4904). In addition, I would like to give a big Thank You! to our Supervisor, Sean Elsbernd, for his donation of our grand prizes: (2) Tickets, plus parking, to the ‘49er 2010 Season Game of Their Choice (won by Sharon Udovich), as well as (2) Tickets to the Nov 2010 Charles Schwab Golf Championship at Harding Park (Vicky Potthoff).
Finally, we could not have succeeded without all the donations by our own West Portal Merchants, and especially, the SF FireFighters for their never-ending time and devotion to a great program .
As every good optimist would say, “The fire truck was ½ full of toys.” So, next year, when its time to buy 2010 Raffle Tickets, remember “Buy Big, Win Big.” For the West Portal merchants, take note that there is nothing quite as rewarding as having your customers come back in, bragging and telling everyone about all the prizes they won from the Raffle Ticket that they bought at the local store. Thank you to everyone who contributed in both large and small measures.
** The West Portal / SF FireFighters Toy Program photos and a complete listing of the merchant raffle prize donations and ticket sellers, are available on the merchants’ website: www.westportalmerchants.com
Elliot Wagner, his wife Dimitra, plus brother Dr Andrew Wagner, have operated Dimitra’s SkinCare & Medi-Spa on West Portal Avenue for over 30 years. Elliot is also serving as the new President of the West Portal Ave Merchant Association, as well as being a VP on the SF Council of District Merchants. His other annual WP raffle, held in May during Small Business Week, sponsors Dimitra’s “WP Boobies & the Beast” Team in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60-Mile Breast Cancer Walk.
February 2010
Shop SF and Support the Local Economy
Happy Holiday’s ! As the holiday shopping season is now upon us and retail “Black Friday” is behind us, everyone is gearing up for the last minute push to complete their holiday shopping lists. At a time when the economy is still sputtering and coughing, now more important than ever, support our local merchants — SHOP SF.
The “West of Twin Peaks“ area of San Francisco is fortunate to have a diverse mix of nationally and locally owned retail shops, restaurants and service providers within walking distance of our neighborhoods. West Portal Avenue, Taraval Street, Ocean Avenue, and 19th Avenue provide many opportunities to support our stores and restaurants. Stonestown Mall and even Union Square are a shot hop away by Muni or car. Many of these stores are small businesses, owned by people we know, or can connect with. They value their businesses and help to form the fabric of living in San Francisco.
When shopping or dining at these smaller establishments, we are most often dealing directly with the owners (or family members) working in the shops. They are knowledgeable of their products and provide helpful and personal service that the large box retail locations cannot match. A common complaint is that the small stores are more expensive than the “big box” because they cannot buy in the same volume. In some cases this is true, but when one looks at the true cost of retail, the pricing equation is not as clear.
When we shop at the larger “chain” stores, the stores are often part of a larger corporation that doesn’t generally use local service providers such as architects, planners, suppliers, display professionals, etc. They are “cloned” from cookie cutter designs and the profits generated are almost always exported to out of state headquarters. Of course, if the stores are headquartered in California (such as The Gap, Ross, Old Navy, Apple, Williams-Sonoma, Pacific Sunwear, etc.) the profits do help the California economy with a portion reinvested back into the local communities.
Most of our local merchants are “sole proprietorships”, and rely on local buyers to stay successful. These “independent” stores and restaurants typically spend most of their profits locally for goods and services such as accountants, temporary help, display fixtures, lighting, advertising agencies, newspapers, and other service providers. In fact a 2007 study in San Francisco by Civic Economics detailed that the dollars spent at local independent businesses yielded three times the local economic benefit and created approximately 80% more employment than the dollars spent at chain store competitors.
Our merchants and restaurant owners have invested much in our neighborhoods, and as a result, we have unique dining and shopping districts that are festive, fun, and convenient. If we value the ability to walk to a local store or restaurant and treasure the “retail” portion of our “village within the City” we should make it a point to drop in to see what Papenhousen Hardware, Ambassador Toys, Baby Street, Just Because, Sunset Pet Supply, or the White Rose Boutique have for the holidays. Or pamper yourself or a loved one with a mini getaway to Dimitra’s Day Spa, Fruition, or West Portal Spa. Maybe travel is in your future. Ethan Allan, or Quinn Travel can set up a long distance getaway. The exotic dishes at Roti, Bursa Kebob, Clay Oven, Paradise Pizza, Spiazzo and our other restaurants help to make everyday feel like a little escape to a foreign locale.
The Mayor’s office and the Small Business Commission have launched a “SHOP SF” campaign for the holidays to not only encourage local shopping, but to encourage our friends and neighbors down the peninsula and across the bridges to “come on in” and shop in “The City”.
As a further benefit, our local West Portal Merchants are sponsoring a raffle with store related bargains and discounts to help the SF Firefighters in their annual “Toys for Tots” holiday toy drive. Please make the effort to check out their specials and purchase a few tickets. In supporting “Toys for Tots” we all make the holiday’s a little more special.
December 2009
Que Syrah – Bringing the wines of the world to the neighborhood
Imagine a place where soft lighting beckons you to step out of the mist and into a small store where the aroma of fine wines and cheeses wafts through the air. Inside, the seating is comfortable and inviting. As you look at the tasting selection menu there are wines from all over the world produced by some of the finest “small batch” wineries. Is it a dream? No, it is Que Syrah, a terrific “neighborhood destination” just down the block, located at 230 West Portal Avenue.
Owners Stephanie and Keith McCardell have created a friendly, sophisticated wine tasting venue where fine wines (from small wineries) can be sampled with wonderful cheeses, meats, olives …and assorted chocolate truffles. “We have tried to make Que Syrah unique in that we feature wines from “small batch” wineries; those winemakers that produce limited quantities each year. In small batches there is an emphasis on quality, not just who can make the most cases,” said Stephanie Mc Cardell.
With wine tasting and sales being such a big business in the Bay Area, there are a multitude of tasting rooms and wine bars but Que Syrah provides a most varied (and constantly changing) wine experience.
Many places feature wines “by the glass,” but Que Syrah features 15 in a tasting list that is reasonably priced from $6.50 to $13. In addition, McCardell changes the selections every two weeks so that between the “by the glass” menu and the “weekly featured flights” over 50 different wines can be sampled each month.
The geographic spread of the wineries featured reads like a Rand McNally atlas. Wines from Austria, Australia, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Chile, New Zealand and Portugal are listed along with those from less “familiar” wine producing countries such as Hungary, Greece, Croatia, and Slovania…Slovania??
Of course, the tasting and retail menus feature an extensive assortment of California wineries, from Mendocino to Santa Barbara, and an equally varied assortment of varietals, including little known grapes such as “Charbono,” which is grown on less than 100 acres worldwide. Sprinkle in a smattering of selected vintages from Oregon and Washington and it’s easy to imagine a wine lover spending many a foggy (or clear) night at the tasting bar.
Not resting on their laurels to provide a quality wine drinking experience, the owners also feature 8 kinds of cheeses (from all over the world), house-marinated olives, almonds and a selection of cured meats to enjoy with your favorite glass of wine….or beer, as they also feature 5 different beers. Pilsner, Lager, Ale, Hefeweizen and Stout are all on the list. There are non-alcoholic water and spritzers available for those who prefer an alcohol-free experience.
After tasting and noshing there’s more. For those with a sweet tooth, there is a featured “Dessert Wine Pairing” featuring 3 award winning Australian dessert wines paired with three different hand-made chocolate truffles. If you are just looking for a “sweet wine,” relax, there are 11 other dessert wines you can sample.
Que Syrah also serves as a retail sales establishment, with over 125 different wines for sale by the bottle. Prices are reasonable and this portion of the business is growing. Mc Cardell explained, “The retail portion of our business is probably about 10% but we think it will continue to grow as we continue our focus on exposing our customers and friends to these “small batch” vineyards and the lesser known grape varietals. You can’t easily find many of the wines that we feature.”
An example is “Mounts Family Winery,” a winery that will be featured in a winemaker’s event in mid-November. “Mounts ” is a small, quality operation located in the Dry Creek area of Sonoma County. Known for their reds, the event on November 14th, from 5-8 PM, will feature their new releases. Que Syrah was the first San Francisco wine bar to carry the label.
Mc Cardell summed up her feelings about being in the wine business by relating to the neighborhood, “We really enjoy what we do. We’ve been open for 3 and ½ years and continually meet really great people from the neighborhood. We love the area and are local owners (Miraloma Park). Our goal is to keep rotating and changing the wines we feature, so that every time you visit, there will be something new.”
Que Syrah is also available to book for hosting birthday parties, wedding showers, corporate events and the like, holding up to 35 guests comfortably, with a maximum of 49.
In this era of “me too, copycat retail” few, if any, wine tasting bars can match the variety and quality of the varietals featured at Que Syrah. If you love wine, or know someone that does, it’s a great place to pass some time, learn about wines from faraway places, or to buy a great holiday gift. Check our their “neighborhood happy hour” on Tuesday evenings from 4 – 8 PM with discounts on tastings.
Que Syrah is located at 230 West Portal Avenue. The hours of operation are: Tuesday through Thursday 4PM – 10 PM; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 3:30 PM – 11 PM ; closed on Monday. Contact them at 415-731-7000 for details.
November 2009
Dr. L. Bruce Mebine O.D. and Associates
Safeguarding your vision for almost 60 Years!
Most people would agree that the ability to see, hear and speak are the three most important senses and tools that we possess. Yet, how often do most of us consider the impact that a loss or reduction in these abilities would have on our day-to-day lives? It seems that until there is a problem, we take these abilities for granted, usually without a second thought.
As a family vision practice, Dr. L Bruce Mebine and Associates have provided quality eyecare to several generations of San Franciscans. In fact, they have been diagnosing and treating patients in West Portal for almost 60 years, starting with Dr. Bruce Mebine’s father, Dr. Loran Mebine, who founded the practice.
I recently visited with Dr. Mebine and Dr. Elio Polsinelli to find out the “secret” of their ongoing successful vision clinic. “We provide personal care in a friendly environment. That’s what we do,” explained Mebine, who went on to explain that the goal has always been to provide the very highest quality of vision care for each patient. “Where as some places are only concerned with the lowest price, we treat each client as an individual with specific individual needs, and not as just a number,” continued the UC Berkeley trained Optometrist who has also been a clinical professor at the University’s School of Optometry since 1983. 
Well respected within the “vision care community,” Mebine has served as the President of the SF Optometric Society, the Bay Area Optometric Council, and the California Optometric Association. Twice, he has been recognized and received the award as the “Optometrist of the Year”; in 1991 by the UC Berkeley School of Optometry, and in 1998 by the California Optometric Association.
His colleague, Dr. Polsinelli, earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry, subsequently training at the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service. While at the Oklahoma City clinic, he provided vision care management and services to patients with diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), glaucoma, dry eye, and cataracts. He completed his training at the Pediatric division of the SUNY College of Optometry where he gained knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of children’s vision and eye health.
When asked about vision care for children, both specialists stressed the importance of having children examined early. “Ideally, we would like to have a child first examined at the age of 6 months. It may seem young, but we can diagnose and plan treatments for conditions such as “lazy eye,” or other congenital types of eye problems such as cataracts or glaucoma,” said Polsinelli. They both agreed that yearly check ups after the initial visit go a long way to ensure good eye health.
For most of us, vision problems can be caused by too much computer work (Computer Vision Syndrome) that can cause dry eyes, headaches, and other symptoms. Mebine explained that when we are looking at a monitor, we do not blink as often, which causes the eye to dry out. A method to avoid this is to follow the “20/20/20 rule” by taking a 20 second break, every 20 minutes to look away from the monitor at a distance of 20 feet away.
Once we reach a certain age (somewhere around 45) many people also lose the ability to close focus, resulting in reading glasses, bifocals, progressive lenses, or contact lenses. New types of progressive lenses can even integrate your visual behavior into your lenses.
While speaking with the doctor’s, I inquired about the eye disease “Macular Degeneration.” It seems that we never used to hear about it but now it is discussed on TV and written about much more frequently. I asked why, and Dr. Mebine explained that within the eye care field, Macular Degeneration, is not new, as they have been diagnosing it and treating it for many years. As more of the general populace age, and live longer, the incidence of this disease are more common. Although genetics plays a part in determining who will possibly develop the condition, eating a diet rich is dark, leafy green vegetables (Spinach, Kale, Broccoli) has been shown to possibly help in stalling the development of the vision robbing condition.
Mebine and Associates is a full-service vision care center, utilizing the newest equipment for examination and diagnosis and providing vision solutions such as glasses, contact lenses, as well as providing pre and post operative vision care management for laser and cataract surgery. Dr. Mebine and Polsinelli detailed a new therapy, Corneal Refractive Therapy, which uses a special “contact lens” worn only at night to “flatten” the cornea as an alternative to “laser” types of surgeries for near-sighted patients. It’s also completely reversible.
The well being of patients extends throughout the office. Assisting Drs. Mebine and Polsinelli are Marilyn Overbay, (a sister to Dr. Mebine) who has had a career as an optometric assistant/ office manager for over 40 years (19 with Dr. Mebine); Marc Milechman, an optician with over 30 years experience in the optical industry; and Joann Tawasha, an Optometric Assistant who has worked with the team for over 12 years.
With hundreds, (if not a thousand), designer frames, different types of contact lenses, a friendly, welcoming staff and the expertise of Drs. Mebine and Polsinelli, it’s easy to understand how the office has provided vision care solutions to the neighborhood for almost 60 years. That kind of track record shows the satisfaction and loyalty of their many patients.
If you want a vision care team that is easy to talk to, understanding of your needs, and one which takes the time to ensure that you understand everything about your vision, consider making a visit to Dr.L.Bruce Mebine, O.D. and Associates.
Dr. L.Bruce Mebine O.D. and Associates is located at 340 West Portal Avenue (between 14th and 15th Avenue on the North side of the street). The office is open Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Saturday appointments are also available upon request. You can also reach them at 415-664-3089.
October 2009
Sterling Salon and Spa – a sanctuary for you and your hair…
It has often been quoted that “You can never go home again”. Luckily for her clients, Bay-area native and master stylist Maureen Sterling made the decision to do just that.
As you walk through the front door into Sterling Salon and Spa you feel a sense of relaxation and calmness. Maybe it is the sea breeze that wafts in as you park your car, or the waterfall in the shop with the relaxing music in the background. Either way, Sterling has successfully created a “sanctuary by-the-sea” where she practices her masterful talents as a hair colorist and stylist supreme.
Raised in the Bay area, Sterling has been mastering the art of color and style for more than 25 years. Working in NY, and California, as well as internationally, she has worked in private salons, and as a stylist for hair, make-up and skin care in the advertising, magazine, high-fashion runway, television and motion picture industries, even garnering an Emmy award nomination as part of a television stylist team. She also has the experience of working as a stylist at the Grand Ole Opry (Nashville), and has provided customized styling services to professional athletes and business executives.
Sterling was introduced to the industry at an early age. Her mother was the coordinator for the Skyline College cosmetology department and Maureen was exposed to the world of competition hair design shows. By the age of 10, she was involved first-hand as a “hair model” working with her mother and the other stylist students. It was during this time that she got to meet the legendary stylist/teacher Yosh Toya, whose “Yosh for Hair” salons were the place for SF/Bay Area hair design for over 30 years. They remain friends to this day.
Her fascination with design and style is a major factor in the evaluation she undertakes with each client. “When I meet a client for the first time, I like to spend a good deal of time with the person, as I want to get a feel for what the person wants their hair to be, and how they want to be viewed by others”, said the stylist, who added, “It is important to look at the texture of the hair, the shape of the head, facial bone structure, and the patterns in which the hair grows on different sections of the scalp.”
She terms her styling as a “geometric framework cut” that takes all of the factors into account to create a style that is tailored to each individual client.
Recently moving back to the Bay Area from the East Coast, Sterling is excited about the opportunity to not only “run a business in the town I grew up in”, but to also be able to give back to the Bay Area community. She conducts workshops such as “Days of Beauty” for corporations, community organizations and in senior-based communities. She also mentors students at Skyline College where she teaches in the Cosmetology department.
Located within the Paul Strom Salon “just down the hill” at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, she offers daily appointments as well as specialized appointments at normally “off” times for people that cannot be fitted into the normal schedule.
For a limited time, she is offering free color (an $80 value) with each haircut.
If you want to escape the ordinary, and work with a styling master, take the short, 20 minute, ride down the coast and experience the serenity of Sterling Salon and Spa.
Sterling Salon and Spa (at Paul Strom) is located in The Shops at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, (450 Dondee Way). Maureen Sterling is available for appointments Monday through Friday and can be reached at 650-219-5776 or via email at: msterling1026@sbcglobal.net.
September 2009
Ken Topping Home Improvements 
Remodeling the Westside
of SF for 55 years!
In this day and age, businesses come and go, and this is especially true in the Bay Area, where the cost of real estate has skyrocketed over the past 30 years or so. So when you find a business that is celebrating its’ 55th year in business you know it is one where the owners and staff concentrate on meeting the needs and expectations of their customers.
Ken Topping Home Improvements is a perfect example of a well-run business that puts their customer’s needs first. Run by Ken Topping and Kathy St. Clair, KTHI focuses on interior home remodeling, from kitchens and bathrooms, to family rooms, home offices and entertainment areas.
Topping started in business in 1953, building homes in San Francisco, but quickly was bored with the concept of just building houses from the ground up. “Ken was doing well building homes from start to finish, but really wanted to do something where every job was new and different, so he decided to concentrate on the remodeling business,” explains St. Clair, who works closely with Topping and manages the day to day operation of KTHI’s projects.
“Remodeling is different in that each homeowner has a different sense of taste and design values, so every project is unique and you don’t find yourself doing the same thing every day; houses that are built next door to each other with the same layout can end up being radically different due to the taste and scope of what the owner wants,” she added.
The team at KTHI have been “fixtures” in the neighborhood for many years, as Topping started out of his garage on 48th Avenue, then eventually opened a storefront showroom on 24th Street. In 1965 he moved to a larger location at 25th and Lawton (due to a fire in the 24th St. building) which he operated for 25 years. The business has been located at the current Vicente Street showroom for 19 years, since 1990.
Any business that has operated in a neighborhood for 55 years must rely on top-notch performance at a reasonable price, and KTHI is no exception. Their credo is that “Designs are only as good as the people who install them. Our success is based on Quality Workmanship, Design Expertise, and Personalized Service to each of our clients.”
St. Clair has known Topping for over 30 years, with the last 18 working with him at KTHI. She is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Design Association. When I asked her about the “Master” designation, she explained that the designation is one she is proud of, “The certification comes from a testing board, after an 8 hour test, that measures knowledge and proficiency in all phases of design and installation, including foundations, mechanical and electrical systems, framing, as well as interior design experience and color rendering.” She went on to say that a designer has to have 7+ years of business prior to being tested, and a “Master” designer is someone who has over 10+ years of experience after initial certification. Currently, less than 1000 designers in the US have been certified as “Master Designers.”
Walking through the showroom with St. Clair, I asked about new trends in Home Improvement. “Green” remodeling is at the forefront, with new materials (such as “zodiac” quartz based counter top material), bamboo flooring, and even kitchen backsplashes that are “poured glass” made from recycled glass bottles. Granite flooring is still a natural alternative, although cork and a new type of linoleum manufactured from linseed oil and hemp is an example of a new alternative. There is even a countertop that is made from recycled paper products, called Richlite.
“Being “green” is now a huge part of our industry, from new flooring, countertops and cabinets, to energy-star rated appliances that use much less electricity and water. It’s really exciting to be involved in this industry at the present time,” said the master designer.
Projects completed by KTHI have been featured in several magazines and trade journals, such as Better Homes and Gardens, Women’s Day, Kitchen and Bath Magazine and Kitchens by Professional Designers.
Walking through the showroom, there is a myriad of choices and finishes, but one underlying fundamental is the same; Quality Materials, Personalized Service and a Commitment to Excellence for each and every client. It’s easy to understand why Ken Topping Home Improvements has been successfully bringing “affordable excellence” to SF homes for over 55 years.
Ken Topping Home Improvements is located at 3101 Vicente Street (at 42nd Ave.). The showroom is open Monday – Saturday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. More info: 415-731-3930, or kentopping@sbcglobal.net.
July/August 2009
