Custom Clothes: Whole Foods Noe Valley

Whole Foods Noe Valley

While the new Whole Foods in Noe Valley threw itself a little pre-opening party on Friday, a much more contentious jam went down in Oakland Saturday. A flash-mob protest called "Operation Hey Mackey" got a crowd of activists dancing, chanting, and singing through the Lake Merritt store, calling out Whole Foods CEO John Mackey for his to the tune of Toni Basil's "Hey Mickey." Naturally, they captured it on video, which you can check out below.Geographically, Noe Valley really does feel like a little town. The hillsides of Diamond Heights and Twin Peaks make a picturesque backdrop, day or night, for the straight rows of businesses along 24th Street. It's a domestic dream village, where Jim Dear and Darling from Disney's Lady and the Tramp would live.Then: The row houses in Noe Valley were built beginning in the late 1800s through the early 1900s, and were meant for working class families who couldn't afford to live in the more upscale areas of the city.How To Get There: Take the J-Church to 24th Street and walk west. You can also get here from the Mission section of 24th Street by either walking up hill a few blocks or waiting for the 48-line bus. Castro Street meets 24th Street at its west end, after going over a few hilly residential blocks. Parking along the side streets off of 24th Street is usually possible. Check street cleaning signs, though.