Hayes Valley, some beginnings

There very first time I went to my assigned neighborhood, Hayes Valley, I brought nothing journalistic with me. I thought about it, about my notepad, my pens, my digital recorder (of which I'm a handicapped advocate), and decided no. I first needed a casual stroll, a chance to observe in the safety of citizenry. This approach helps me start off on the ground floor, where the neighborhood is less of an assignment and more of an environment. It also puts off the hyperactivity of journalism a little bit longer.

By the next visit, now in a journalistic role and feeling slightly on-the-spot, I began entering the shops and awkwardly introducing myself and my mission. The first few slip-ups were my fault, making pathetic stumbles from browsing customer to journalist with actual questions about the neighborhood. I usually wound up with a business card and a “beautiful neighborhood” line. Other shop owners were bothered I wasn't going to buy anything, and gave unending preference to real shoppers. But each new shop was a new situation, a new rehearsal in small-talk. There were lots of shops, and I got better each time, neither hiding my notepad, nor flaunting it.

Asking random people on the street their impressions of the neighborhood didn't really work out. Perhaps if the whole thing was filmed, with time for hundreds of one-liners, sure; but mostly I wound up with confused stares and shrugs. This was an approach I found time-consuming with little payoff. However, there are many places to sit down outside, and those who were just out getting sun and air, tended to be more responsive and happier to help.

That night, having done research before my visit, I learned of a Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association meeting. This is one of the information watering holes for the neighborhood. They got right down to business, addressing issues, data and upcoming events. Being the youngest one in the room, by far, all the board members were delighted to help me out and answer any questions. The supervisor of district five was also there, and just as ready to give an opinion. I stayed pretty quiet during the meeting and just listened, but stayed afterward to help put away chairs. A lesson I learned about covering meetings, at least in neighborhoods, the ones who stay after and put away chairs are often the most devoted and most informed. It also offered plenty of time to talk and get new leads.