Faces and Places of San Francisco

04/05/2018

Yes, they snort heavily, have health issues and look like ewoks, but who among us doesn’t melt when faced with a pug?

These portable, little dogs make loyal sidekicks and like (or at least tolerate) being cuddled and carried. Because they’re happy living in apartments they're becoming increasingly popular pets in urban areas. So naturally San Franciscans wanted to dedicate a day each month to these creatures.

Pug Sunday happens at 2:30 p.m. the first Sunday of every month at Alta Plaza Park. As many as 75 pugs are known to take over the park, but the dogs aren't exclusive. All breeds are welcome at the gathering as long as they’re pug friendly. If you need a dose of cute and friendly, bring a picnic and enjoy some pugs in the sun.

03/08/2018

As the weather warms up and the shorts come out of storage, many San Franciscans will be making their way to a weekly picnic every Sunday at Presidio. This free community event is hosted by Off-the-Grid, a network of vendors committed to creating community through food!

The picnic happens every Sunday from 11am to 4pm, March through October. Attendees can choose from more than 30 iconic Bay Area restaurants and food trucks including Nopalito, Beach Coffee, Lady Falcon, Del Popolo, Cochon Volant, Fine and Rare and the Grilled Cheese Guy. There’s also a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Are you vegan? Are your kids picky eaters? Do you need to bring your dog? No problem!
Picnic season at Presidio kicks off Sunday March 18th, which gives you time to organize a group of your favorite people. Happy picnicking!

03/06/2018

Some things are just too good to last. And sadly that seems to be the case for La Victoria, the historic Mexican bakery and kitchen on the corner of 24th street. As of last week the building that houses La Victoria is up for sale with a listed price of $3.4 million. The listing described the property as “Ideal for mixed use rental or condominium redevelopment,” which seems to imply that La Victoria is a target for demolition.

The 67 year old panaderia was one of the first businesses to cater to what was then a growing Mexican-American and Latino population in an Irish-Italian neighborhood. Since 1963, fans of alfajores, wedding cookies, and savory empanadas have enjoyed the delights of La Victoria. As founder Gabriel Maldonado told Inside Scoop, “We’re not a caricature of Mexico. We really are Mexicans. So we wanted it to be an authentic Mexican place that looks like it belongs in what is the new Mexico that exists now.”

While this bakery’s days are numbered, there is at least some comfort in the thought that Maldonado’s legacy will live on.

03/01/2018

Historical monuments have been the topic of national debate recently, and San Francisco is no exception. For many, a statue at the Civic Center (which shows a conquering Vanquo and a missionary standing over a Native American) is insensitive to say the least. The sculpture is one of five bronze statues that make up the Pioneer Monument, an 800-ton shrine to the settling of California.

Racial justice advocates will be glad to know this statue is one step closer to being removed. The city Arts Commission already agreed to remove the sculpture at the base of the Pioneer Monument just east of City Hall. But the plan still needs the Preservation Commission’s sign-off.

The removal has been hotly debated for a while. The city installed a plaque in 1996 that describes the devastating impact of European colonization on native people. But many would like to see it removed all together.

During public comment, one San Franciscan had this to say: “It uplifts a white supremacist narrative and contributes to the erasure of Native American history. If history is written by the victors, then we want a rewrite."

But others are hesitant to remove the statue, which was installed in 1894, for fear of erasing the past. “We have to confront the bad things that have happened in our history,” said commissioner Richard Johns, "If we try to hide them, then I think we will not be as vigilant."

But both sides were ultimately satisfied with a proposal to add another plaque to the Pioneer Monument: one that will detail why it was removed. “Early Days” will be put in permanent storage after removal. The Arts commission is expected to make their final decision in March or April.

02/22/2018

The famed Haas-Lilienthal House is looking extra shiny these days, and thank goodness! As Alice Russell-Shapiro, whose family built the house and lived their for four generations said, “we thought we might have to close it to the public because it wasn’t safe.” Located on Franklin Street at the edge of Pacific Heights, this towering 24 room mansion from the Gilded Age nearly fell victim to the greatest enemies of wooden buildings — old age and dry rot.

The house was built of redwood and oak in 1886 in the Queen Anne style, with turrets, peaked roofs, balconies, and a brick chimney three stories tall. As happens, 130 years took their toll and the place needed serious work. But even in disrepair, this iconic San Francisco mansion remained the grand dame of the city’s Victorian homes.

The house is more than just a pretty face, however. It is also a monument to the radical possibilities the city is famous for. In 1868 a 19-year-old named Wolf (William) Haas landed in San Francisco to seek his fortune. He left Bavaria to escape anti semitism and oppression and came to work as a clerk in the SF grocery his family owned. Eventually he worked his way up to partner in the firm. The company prospered, and in 1880 Haas bought a house for $1,000. By 1886, William and his wife Bertha had done so well they were able to hire architect Peter Schmidt to design the grand mansion that stands today. The building cost $18,000, not including the land. The Haas family led the good life in San Francisco and occupied the mansion for four generations. When Alice Haas Lilienthal died in 1972, the family presented the home to San Francisco Heritage, as a gift of the past to generations to come.

And that’s why San Francisco Heritage raised the $4.3 million necessary to restore its former glory. Now the house gleams with polished wood, sparkling crystal, and all the grand furnishings of yesteryear. Just below the surface there are modern touches too, like updated wiring, and accommodations that make it accessible for people with disabilities. The house is open to public tours Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

02/19/2018

There are two brand new playgrounds in front of City Hall and they’re beautiful! Located on the northeast and Southeast corners of the plaza, these state of the art play areas consist of long slides, artsy illuminated sculptures and climbing structures that look like flying saucers! But traditionalists shouldn’t worry, there are still some good old fashioned tire swings.

The Helen Miller Civic center Playgrounds are named after the late philanthropist whose family foundation payed for their construction. Together the two play areas cost $10 million, which (fun fact!) is three times what it cost to build City Hall in 1913!

The two playgrounds are part of a $30 million effort by the Recreation and Park Department to improve downtown spaces. This effort includes a $9 million renovation of Boeddeker Park, a $4 million batting cage at Draves Park and a $3 million remodel of Macaulay Playground.

As of this month, the civic center parks are open to the public. Adult visitors must be accompanied by children or they will be asked to leave. So bring your favorite little humans and see it for yourself.

02/15/2018

In a city known for it’s delicious and innovative food trucks, only one can claim the title “Best.” According to San Francisco Magazine, that distinction belongs to The Chairman. This unique 5 star restaurant on wheels serves up delicious Chinese buns (or baos) beautifully glazed meats and bright pickled veggies. Chef Hiroo Nagahara is the culinary mastermind behind the Chairman.
Fresh off his celebrated career as head chef at Bar Louie, Las Vegas, Nagahara wanted to see how far he could push street food using techniques from high end restaurants. But like any good artist, Nagahara wanted to collaborate. That’s why he recruited Taiwanese-American DC comic artist James Jean to design the truck’s mural, a tongue-in-cheek homage to vintage propaganda posters. The truck parks in various locations throughout the city, but also has a brick and mortar on Larkin Street.
Check out their menu and treat yourself to a delicious bao tonight. You’ll be glad you did!

02/13/2018

February is Black History month, a time when we reflect on the brave men and women of color who fought (and still fight) for racial justice. While most are familiar with civil rights leader Rosa Parks, fewer people know about another black woman who also refused to give up her seat 92 years earlier.

Her name was Charlotte L. Brown, and her story is a fascinating piece of San Francisco history! The gold rush brought many entrepreneurs to California including Charlotte’s father, who owned a livery service and helped protect fugitive slaves seeking freedom in the west. One morning, young Charlotte boarded a horse drawn streetcar on her way to a doctors appointment. When the conductor walked down the aisle to collect tickets, he refused to accept hers. Brown wrote "He said that colored persons were not allowed to ride." The conductor demanded that Brown remove herself from the streetcar. She refused and was forcibly removed by an attendant.

African Americans had just won the right to testify against whites that same year. Brown's father brought a lawsuit against Omnibus Railroad Company on her behalf in a California court. The judge sided with Brown, but the damage awarded was only 5 cents -- reimbursement of the cost of the streetcar fare.

Only days after this court judgment, however, another Omnibus streetcar conductor forced Charlotte Brown and her father from a streetcar. Another lawsuit ensued. This time Brown was awarded $500 from the jury. It’s also worth mentioning that all this happened without the support of the 14th Amendment -- which did not exist at the time. When Charlotte took a stand against racial justice on the streets of San Francisco, she fueled a long tradition of civil rights activism among San Franciscans of color that continues today.

02/11/2018

This week Tennis lovers got some good news from the SF Recreation and Park Commission. The Capital Committee voted to move ahead with a major renovation of the courts at Golden Gate Park. Game point!

These new plans include a club house, outdoor lighting and the elimination of four courts to allow more breathing room between each (the park currently has 21.) The project has a $26.3 million dollar price tag, made possible with a generous gift from the Tennis Coalition. Construction is expected to begin summer of 2019, leaving you plenty of time to find that perfect one piece tennis dress!

02/09/2018

We could celebrate craft beer during Octoberfest like most cities do, but San Fran is not most cities and we celebrate it in February. That’s right artisanal beer snobs, today kicks off the 10th Annual San Francisco Beer Fest!

If you’re feeling thirsty, head to pier 35 tonight for the opening gala and treat yourself to craft beers from the bay areas best brewers.

If you can’t make it out tonight, don’t worry! The Brewers Guild is hosting curated tastings at multiple locations throughout the city through next Friday. Have a hoppy Valentines day with your bae, or drink to forget you’re alone. Both are equally delicious.

Check out the full list of events and venues here ~ https://sfbeerweek.org/schedule/

01/31/2018

This interesting article explains so much!

Approvals, labor and opposition all add up to higher prices, according to a new report.

12/23/2017

Once upon a time there was a Norfolk Island Pine tree from Cost Plus Nursery. It was just a little potted plant when it came to stay in the living room of Tom Taylor and Jerry Goldstein back in 1970. But it grew so big they had to plant it in the front yard of their quaint victorian house on Castro Hill. About 30 years ago, when the tree was a mere 6 feet, the men started decorating it as part of a Christmas display.

Over the years the tree and the display have grown exponentially AND become an enduring Icon of Christmas in the bay! Today the tree is a towering 65 feet, and the display has expanded to include oversized gifts and stockings, roller coasters, dancing dolls and ferris wheels.

“It got so big that I couldn’t just throw lights on it anymore,” Jerry remembers. “I wanted it to be like what you experience when you were a child, because the most important thing to you when you were a child was the presents, the toys and the stuff you’re going to get.”

The spectacle attracts thousands of visitors every year and takes about 6 weeks to assemble. There’s even a live Santa to pass out candy canes and caution visitors about cracks in the pavement!

What’s more, they don't accept personal donations which just shows how generous their holiday spirit truly is. If you need a mood lift, head to Church St and 21st any night before Jan 1st. Be mindful that it is a quiet residential block, so parking away from the property is encouraged.

Thank you Tom and jerry for 30 years of warm holiday nostalgia and generosity!