Author: Alfredo Casuso

Sant’Eligio, Madonna della Cava, and an Unexpected Orvieto Discovery

On our many visits to Orvieto, we’ve walked past the Chiesa della Madonna della Cava countless times. Tucked into the medieval quarter along Via della Cava near the Pozzo della Cava, just steps away from where we’re currently staying, it’s a beloved neighborhood sanctuary, best known today for its devotion to the Virgin Mary and its annual procession.

But this morning, during a hike, Alfredo stepped inside and noticed something we had never seen before: a tribute to Sant’Eligio. The 7th-century goldsmith, royal counselor, and Bishop of Noyon is the patron saint of metalworkers, jewelers, and horses.

Only then did we realize that this Baroque church stands on the site of an earlier 12th-century church of Sant’Eligio, built as the chapel of the city’s goldsmiths’ guild. These artisans — essential to the decoration of the Duomo with their reliquaries, mosaics, and liturgical treasures — naturally looked to Sant’Eligio as their protector. Though the church was later rededicated to the Madonna, fragments of the original Sant’Eligio structure are still visible in its left wall.

Sant’Eligio himself was a remarkable figure: born around 588 near Limoges, a master goldsmith whose honesty earned the trust of kings, later Bishop of Noyon, missionary, and relentless champion of Christian faith. He died on December 1, 660 — and his feast day has been celebrated on that date ever since.

So here in Orvieto, in a church we thought we already knew, history quietly revealed another layer: a hidden link between this Umbrian hill town and the saint whose feast day is our anniversary. This coming December 1, 2025will mark 27 years for us. As we won’t be in Orvieto, we’ll ask one of our friends here to light a candle for us there that day.

— Alfredo Casuso & David Eugene Perry

Sant’Eligio, Madonna della Cava e una Scoperta Inattesa

Durante le nostre numerose visite a Orvieto, siamo passati innumerevoli volte davanti alla Chiesa della Madonna della Cava. Nascosta nel quartiere medievale lungo Via della Cava, vicino al Pozzo della Cava e a pochi passi da dove alloggiamo attualmente, è un santuario di quartiere molto amato, oggi conosciuto soprattutto per la devozione alla Vergine Maria e per la sua processione annuale.

Ma questa mattina, durante una passeggiata, Alfredo è entrato e ha notato qualcosa che non avevamo mai visto prima: un tributo a Sant’Eligio. L’orafo del VII secolo, consigliere reale e vescovo di Noyon è il patrono dei metallurgici, degli orafi e dei cavalli.

Solo allora ci siamo resi conto che questa chiesa barocca sorge sul sito di una più antica chiesa del XII secolo dedicata a Sant’Eligio, costruita come cappella della corporazione degli orafi della città. Questi artigiani — essenziali per la decorazione del Duomo con le loro reliquie, mosaici e tesori liturgici — si rivolgevano naturalmente a Sant’Eligio come loro protettore. Sebbene la chiesa sia stata successivamente ridedicata alla Madonna, frammenti della struttura originaria di Sant’Eligio sono ancora visibili nel muro sinistro.

Sant’Eligio fu una figura straordinaria: nato intorno al 588 vicino a Limoges, maestro orafo la cui onestà conquistò la fiducia dei re, divenne in seguito vescovo di Noyon, missionario e instancabile campione della fede cristiana. Morì il 1° dicembre del 660 — e la sua festa viene celebrata in quella data da allora.

Così, qui a Orvieto, in una chiesa che pensavamo di conoscere già, la storia ha rivelato silenziosamente un altro strato: un legame nascosto tra questa città umbra e il santo la cui festa coincide con il nostro anniversario. Il prossimo 1° dicembre 2025 segnerà per noi 27 anni. Non essendo a Orvieto in quella data, chiederemo a uno dei nostri amici qui di accendere una candela per noi quel giorno.

— Alfredo Casuso & David Eugene Perry

Metal Frames 101: Heavy Metal Is Not Just for Music

Let Keith Wicker and Lloyd Haddad, co-owners of Walter Adams Framing, take you on a journey—one where “heavy metal” doesn’t mean screaming guitars, but something more refined: frames for art. 

Whether you’re a collector, a gallery owner, or someone exploring custom framing for the first time, you may be surprised at how much depth lies in the world of metal picture frames.

The Allure of Metal Frames:

In a sea of materials—wood, acrylic, composites—a metal frame stands out. There’s a certain precision, a sculptural elegance to metal that feels both strong and subtle. When done right, a metal frame doesn’t shout—it whispers confidence.

Mounted around a work of art, a well-chosen metal moulding doesn’t compete—it complements. Light catches its surface. There’s a coolness to the finish, a sleekness to its lines. It feels modern. It ages gracefully. It endures.

But there’s more to it than aesthetics. Metal frames also allow for thin profiles that remain strong and stable. They flex where they need to but hold form where they must. In the right workshop, you get something that is both art and architecture.

Choosing Your Metal: Silver, Gold, or Black:

You might ask: Which tone should I pick?

• Silver / Nickel — Classic, clean, understated. Silver mouldings often read as neutral; they work beautifully across styles from contemporary prints to black-and-white photography.

• Gold / Warm Metals — When polished, gold brings a touch of warmth and vintage glam. Brushed or champagne finishes can be surprisingly versatile—perfect for classical works, vintage posters, or adding richness to modern pieces.

• Black / Matte Finishes — Bold, modern, slightly mysterious. A black metal frame can ground a vibrant painting or provide striking contrast for bright prints. Matte finishes reveal scuffs more readily, so quality plating is key.

As always, finish, thickness, and craftsmanship make the difference between a frame that feels ordinary and one that elevates the art.

Craftsmanship That Matters:

Here’s where the magic happens behind the scenes. The best metal frames are not just cut and joined—they’re engineered.

• Alloy selection: Not every metal is created equal. Some are more durable, some more malleable, some more resistant to corrosion.

• Seamless corners: Clean, tight joins elevate a frame. Poor cuts and joints are obvious; precise ones nearly disappear into the design.

• Surface finishing and plating: That beautiful matte black or polished gold? It’s a technical feat. It must resist tarnish, resist fingerprints, and maintain its luster over time.

• Balance of flexibility vs. rigidity: Too stiff, and the moulding may warp under stress. Too flexible, and it won’t hold shape. The best frames balance both tendencies.

A high-quality metal frame is, in effect, a small feat of engineering—angles exact, finishes flawless, proportions precise.

Metal Frames for Your Collection:

Let’s get a little practical.

• Everyday elegance: For photography, prints, and works you want to highlight without distraction, mid-tone metals (silver, champagne) wear well and pair with nearly any palette.

• Bold statements: Black or brushed gold profiles can turn the frame into part of the composition, making it an intentional design choice.

• Mixed materials: Many frames combine metal with wood or fabric liners for contrast. The metal lends strength and modernity; the other materials bring warmth or texture.

• Care and maintenance: Metal frames, while durable, still require care. Avoid harsh cleaners, wipe gently, and check fittings to keep art secure.

Why Metal Frames Aren’t Just a Trend:

Metal frames have a staying power that transcends design fads. They sit at the crossroads of durability and design, and in skilled hands they become timeless. A thin silver moulding may nearly disappear, letting the art shine. A bold black or gold profile may define the piece with confidence.

At the end of the day, choosing a well-made metal frame is a statement of intention: that you value precision, appreciate enduring design, and expect art to be presented with both function and form.

So next time someone says “heavy metal,” don’t only think of power chords and stadium riffs. Think of silver edges, golden highlights, and matte black silhouettes—crafted not with amplifiers, but with artful engineering.

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(Left to Right) Keith Wicker and Lloyd Haddad, co-owners of Walter Adams Framing. Lloyd presented two classes at International Moulding’s Open House and Trade Show event on September 20 in North Hollywood. “Supporting events like this is one of the ways we stay dedicated to our ongoing commitment to the framing and design industry.” — Keith Wicker & Lloyd Haddad)

The full playground: San Francisco’s open spaces

When we talk about open space in San Francisco, we must span multiple jurisdictions, partnerships, and layers of management:

• San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department — including neighborhood parks, major regional parks, playgrounds, and infrastructure upgrades. (See sfrecpark.org)
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area and affiliated federal lands — the GGNRA (managed through the National Park Service, often in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy). (See parksconservancy.org)
• Other “quasi-public” parks and open spaces — for example, port-run parks (China Basin), The Presidio of San Francisco / Presidio Trust lands, and redevelopment-area parks.

Below is an overview of major open spaces, new ones in 2024–25, and key projects underway.

City-level Parks & Rec Highlights, 2024–25

New parks and major openings

• Sunset Dunes (Upper Great Highway / Ocean Beach stretch)
  With the passage of Proposition K in Nov 2024, the upper Great Highway (between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard) was permanently closed to motor traffic and converted into a 43-acre, car-free park, opened on April 12, 2025.
  This new park — now officially named Sunset Dunes — has become one of the era’s defining civic moves: a roadway reclaimed as public space on the city’s western edge.
  The early months have tested the balance of uses, and city planners have begun dividing the site into zones (a quieter “park zone” on the west side, multi-use traffic paths on the east) to ease tensions between families, pedestrians, e-bikers, and runners. 
• Cityside Park / Treasure Island
  After decades of planning, Cityside Park opened on September 13, 2025, marking the first substantial green space on Treasure Island, spurred by the island’s transition toward residential development. (San Francisco Government)
  The park has already become a venue for events — for example, Off the Grid markets and gatherings now animate the space weekly. 
• China Basin Park (Mission Bay / Port-run park)
  Though not under Rec & Park, this 5-acre park opened in April 2024 along Mission Creek, across from Oracle Park. It includes a hilly lawn, dog run, amphitheater seating, and Bay Trail connections. 
• India Basin Waterfront Park / India Basin Shoreline Park expansions
  The “grand” India Basin Waterfront Park combines the legacy 7.5-acre India Basin Shoreline Park with newer adjacent parcels (such as 900 Innes) to produce a roughly 10-acre waterfront park. Its next phase (Phase 3) is slated to begin mid-2025 into early 2028, adding a gravel beach, cookout terraces, a boat house, docking, renovated playgrounds, fitness areas, new basketball courts, cycle tracks, and restored shoreline habitat.  The southern half of the park has already been opened as part of environmental justice investments in Bayview–Hunters Point.
• Outpost Meadow (Presidio / Tunnel Tops connector)
  In 2025, the former parking lot adjacent to Sports Basement (on Mason Street) is being converted into a 1.5-acre meadow and picnic node, linking to the existing Presidio Tunnel Tops open space. 

Major renovations, closures, and upgrades

• Upper Great Highway / Ocean Beach “promenade”
  Alongside Sunset Dunes, the former roadway is being reconceived as a promenade and coastal park. The city plans to install sculptures, murals, and pedestrian amenities to anchor the transformation. 
• McLaren Park — Herz Recreation Center and trails
  In 2025, McLaren Park is seeing the opening of the new Herz Recreation Center, the first ground-up multipurpose gym built in decades. Trail improvements and clearing are also underway, improving connections to the surrounding neighborhoods. 
• Twin Peaks trails & Promenade improvements
  After late-2024 openings of the Noe Peak trail and Crestline trail, the final phase (turning the eastern portion of roadway into a walking promenade) is expected to begin in 2025. 
• Stern Grove (Trocadero Clubhouse & playground)
  The historic Trocadero Clubhouse (storm-damaged) is scheduled to reopen in 2025. A $4.1 million renovated tree-house-style playground (Sigmund Stern Grove Playground) opened recently, featuring three towers, footbridges, play nets, slides, and nature-immersive play zones. 
• Esprit Park (Dogpatch)
  A full renovation is expected to wrap in early 2025, restoring this 2-acre Dogpatch park with separate meadows, new lighting, benches, and upgraded amenities. 
• Golden Gate Park: Breast Cancer Memorial Garden
  Within Golden Gate Park, a new contemplative Breast Cancer Memorial Garden is being designed at the Arguello Street entrance, funded by Bay Area Young Survivors. 
• Playground resurfacing across the city
  Rec & Park has approved $1.68 million to refresh six neighborhood playgrounds (Sunset Rec Center, Potrero Hill, St. Mary’s Square, Mission Playground, McCoppin Square, St. Mary’s Rec Center). By fall 2026 a total of 14 playgrounds will be resurfaced. 
• Portsmouth Square (Chinatown)
  A $71 million renovation is in the works for San Francisco’s oldest park, with plans to modernize the playground, landscaping, lighting, seating, and event space. The overcrossing on Kearny Street will be removed to reconnect the space to surrounding neighborhoods. Reopening is targeted for late 2027 or early 2028.

The GGNRA and federal / quasi-federal lands in San Francisco

San Francisco’s open space footprint is not limited to city jurisdiction. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), under the National Park Service (often in cooperation with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy), includes coastal lands, shoreline parks, dunes, cliffs, trails, and historic military sites.

Some of the primary GGNRA / federal-linked open spaces visible to San Franciscans:

• Ocean Beach — a 3.5-mile coastal stretch running along the city’s western flank. The beach is both a local recreation zone and part of the GGNRA’s coastal holdings. 
• Lands along the Marin headlands, Fort Funston, Lands End, Baker Beach, Crissy Field / Presidio National Park — these are part of the GGNRA network (though some fall under Presidio Trust or other agencies).
• Presidio Tunnel Tops — Part of the Presidio of San Francisco / Presidio Trust domains, linking to GGNRA lands; this has become a vibrant urban-park project with gardens, trails, picnic zones, and views. 
• GGNRA trails and shoreline corridors — the Parks Conservancy helps maintain trails, habitat restoration, public programs, and stewardship across San Francisco’s federal open space zones.