While the weather forecast "isn't calling for conditions that could trap smoke near the ground and result in unhealthy breathing conditions, " Bay Area Air Quality Management District is "making a pre-emptive strike" by requesting that you not burn wood over the holiday weekend.

"This is the time of year [when] many residents choose to burn wood in their fireplaces, but this creates unhealthy air both inside and outside the home," Bay Area Air Quality Management District Executive Officer Jack Broadbent said in a coal-stuffed statement. "We are asking residents to give the gift of clean air to their families and cut back on wood burning."

Pft.

Conversely, you can watch the Holiday Log in Hi-Def on Christmas morning, which boasts a fiery crackling sound and music from Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby (abuser!) and more. Tune in from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on TV36.

[SF Appeal]

Until we saw people gathered at Market and Duboce yesterday, hooting at passing cyclists and waving tire pumps. Was a rally mocking Obama, or mocking McCain mocking Obama? Neither -- it was the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, offering patch kits and non-partisan air pressure to passing cyclists.

Speaking of politics, Democratic presidential candidates are more likely to be depicted riding a bike, but President Bush is also known to be an avid cyclist. Senator McCain has not been seen riding a bicycle, but he might decide to vote on one.

As for the tire-pressure-recommender himself, Senator Obama: his cycling has been the cause of much comment (seat adjusted correctly? helmet problematically evoking Michael Dukakis?). Our analysis of the photos sadly indicates under-inflated tires. We'd like to see at least 75 p.s.i. in those babies, Senator. We hear Washington is a high-pressure town. [Insert hot air joke here.]

Will the Bike Coalition pump up your tires again in the near future? No, but you can pump up the volume with the Urban Costume Karaoke Bicycle Brigade on Saturday, Aug. 9th at 4pm in Dolores Park. No candidate has yet dared to sing Madonna songs while biking around San Francisco in 80s costume.

Photo by alwaysupndown (used by permission). More on Flickr.

Feel how it's a bit difficult to breath? Yeah, that's the effect of the bad air we're swimming though due to the wildefies. Gross. Slap on a few fresh coats of make-up on our ladies, and it's like we're living in the San Fernando Valley. Double ick.

As particulate matter from the 850 wildfires has ruined our famously crisp and sought-after air in the Bay Area. On the plus side, though, it has made for some gorgeous sunsets.