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How to Help Your Fellow Californians/Fire Victims

Brock Keeling — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:49:15 GMT

As of now, six people have died and more than 500,000 people are in "mass migration" over the mind-numbingly destructive wildfires happening all throughout Southern California. It is, for lack of a better word, heartbreaking. All of it. When our bottom half suffers, so do we. (Map of San Diego fires)

But some good news: The LA Times has a helpful breakdown worth a moment of your time, on how you can help people (and pets -- don't forget them!) in need right now. We've re-printed it for your convenience:

How to Help
Charitable organizations responding to the Southern California wildfires are seeking donations to assist area residents.

American Red Cross: Cash donations can be made through www.redcross.org or through a local Red Cross chapter. Volunteers also are needed. Information on shelter locations can be found on Red Cross websites for Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire. Donations of clothing can be made at Goodwill locations. Information: (800) REDCROSS or (800) 257-7575 for Spanish speakers.

Salvation Army: Cash contributions can be made through www.salvationarmy-socal.org or by calling (800) SALARMY.

Governor's Office of Emergency Services: Businesses wishing to donate large quantities of goods for distribution to fire victims can call (800) 750-2858 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time. Individuals wanting to donate items or volunteer to help with local disaster response efforts should contact the Red Cross or go to the governor's CaliforniaVolunteers website at www.californiavolunteers.org.

SFist Finds: Burke-Lewis Apartment Manager Hate

Brock Keeling — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:20:41 GMT

A reader snapped these pictures taken inside of their infamous Burke-Lewis Apartments on Bush Street. It seems that someone in the building printed one of the many negative reviews (this one being almost a year old) of their building and apartment manager, and tacked it up in the laundry room. Then, the apartment manager in question pulled it down, copied it, blew it up, wrote all over it, and taped it by the elevator.

Seems like someone is a little defensive and can't take a little criticism. It also looks like someone doesn't know how to use a computer and post a reply online. (As always, we implore the building manager to post on Rotten Neighbor to complete this two-pronged attack of his tenants.)

Read the review in question here. The chilling breakdown after the jump.

We Read The Weeklies

rita — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:10:35 GMT

Last week's winner, the San Jose Metro. Alas! They haven't updated their site for this week yet, and we didn't manage to snag a hard copy of the paper, so they'll have to forfeit in the Weekly of the Week contest for the week.

Next up, let's call it for the SF Weekly. Ephraim the Track Bike is back! And he mentions us! We love you, Ephraim the Track Bike! Did Ed Jew's people spearhead that ill-fated fizzled-out attempt to recall Aaron Peskin to try and distract people from the woes of Burlingame's finest? We kind of hope so! Cover article: Okay, this story about Barry Bonds's steroid use is fake. The anecdote about Bonds lactating from his steroid-enhanced breasts in the dugout is where we were like, "heeeeey, !" Embarrassingly, that's about halfway into the article before we figured it out. Also, the authors of the story ("Nic Foit and Ira Tes") anagrams to STEROID FANATIC IN. We don't know what to do with that last n and i, we're not very good with anagrams. That book about the fired ad exec who loves being a barista at Starbucks. Pauline's has better pizza than California Pizza Kitchen. Let's Get Killed explores classical music, like our Philistine!. And a breakdown of fake letters, by Dan Savage.

After the jump: The Bay Guardian (anagrams to NAIAD BRA GUY) and the East Bay Express (SEPARATES BY SEX), along with the Weekly of the Week and the YTD count.

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It's Got to Be the Morning After

Jon — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 09:41:49 GMT

We're going to do this a little differently this time around as we don't know who really cares that much about either team right now. Instead, we're going to point out why you should still care. So here’s our Top 5 Reasons to Still Watch the Giants.

1)Tim "the Enchanter"- other than that coughup against Pittsburgh, the Kid has been pretty much dealing. He's not giving up much in the way of runs and he's striking everyone out. Throw in the off-kilter pitching motion and a face that makes him look like he's twelve and he's almost Must See TV. The thing is, too, he's only in his first year playing professionally. He's only going to get better. Or blow out his arm. Either one.

2)The Matt Cain Suicide Watch- Almost every start, Cain goes out there, pitches his big heart out only to watch his offense take the night off. Someday, we expect him to have a complete mental breakdown in the dugout after the bullpen blows yet another game, maybe throw stuff onto the field or start rocking in his dugout chair muttering things with tears in his eyes. Let's just say if Brad Hennessey mysteriously shows up dead and floating in the Bay, we'll have a pretty good guess as to who's responsible.

3)The Barry Show Has Left the Building- Now that Barry Bonds has caught and passed Henry Aaron, nobody really cares anymore. In fact, we’re not even sure he cares anymore-- see what happened in Pittsburgh when he didn't even try going after a fly ball hit to him. But a non-caring Barry is an entertaining Barry. Who knows what he's capable of. He could just as easily take another three days off and spend it in Cabo as he is stealing bases and trying for bunt singles. And usually when the press isn't around as much, that's when Barry starts bringing the goofiness, like his recent assertion that he sucks at hockey or possibly sue Curt Schilling.

Marke Bieschke On The Presidential Debates

Brock Keeling — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:00:05 GMT

And who better to breakdown and break through all of the rhetoric than SF Bay Guardian's Marke Bieschke (AKA Super Ego). He'll be a pundit on CBS Radio, on a panel discussion to chat about tonight's homosexually-laced debate.

Gay mafia, unite! Er, um, we mean, hear him sometime tonight between 8-8:30 p.m. on CBS Radio or (maybe) on LOGO.

Chicken v. Wolf v. Audience

Brock Keeling — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:30:30 GMT

Last night's innovative Chicken John/Josh Wolf Mayoral debate brought in "a dozen or so citizens," artists, and political fetishists. Even though it was on a Sunday night, anyone who cares about politics, SF, and progressiveness shouldn't have missed it.

Naturally, we couldn't make it. Big Brother was on, and we're concerned about Jen and the near-physically/sexually-violent way that men in the Big Brother house have been treating her. Also, it was nomination night. But we digress.

Justin Berton at Culture Blog, though, does have a breakdown of the quirkiness, good times, and the candidates' fashion decisions. Some highlights:

-- When asked whether their mothers were proud of them, Wolf said yes, and that "I saw her more in prison then I did before." Which? Is sad. And sweet. And brought a tear to our eye. We want to give him a big hug.

-- When asked "DC or Marvel?" Both respond "Marvel." Smart answer.

-- On SF's murder rate: Wolf says, "Cops are in occupation mode, not community mode." Chicken declares, "If art became our focus people would be nicer to each other."

-- Fun facts: Wolf makes Pruno (learned in clink?), Chicken knows how to make his car run on coffee grinds. (And they're great for using in soil. What can't they do?)

-- Burning Man co-creator John Law was there. Madcap!

Fore more, check out the debate in its entirety here.

Debate photo by the always fantastic Scott Beale

It's Got to Be the Morning Afternoon After

Jon — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:17:13 GMT

Morning Afternoon After">

Hey, don't forget to play our "Rename Dodger Stadium" contest-- there's only three days left to play! And don't forget to sign in under a name so we know who to give the prize too. Right now, some of our favorite entries are by "guest" and we don’t know who "guest" is.

Padres 5 Giants 4- Other than Barry's Big Bomb, it was a pretty bad weekend for the Black & Orange: they got swept, Matt Cain's horrible luck continued, Noah Lowry went out with an injury, and the bullpen blew more things than Paris Hilton. Actually, our highlight of the weekend was going to our favorite pop culture site, Oh No They Didn't on Live Journal to see that in between discussions of Britney's latest breakdown and all things Harry Potter, somebody posted a story about Bonds' tying the record. Even better, we got to see the occasional Giants icon, including this great one of Barry Zito. And in case anyone's wondering, our favorite Harry Potter movie is Order of the Phoenix.

Angels 4 A's 3- Milton Bradley went after Billy Beane this weekend for, well, being the Man who had him down. Bradley's main complaint, other than hinting that the A's have problems with black players, was that he was nothing more than a cog in the Moneyball machine. We've always wondered if that was a common complaint with the A's, that it often comes off like players are told what to do mainly because some computer spit out some stat that was interpreted by some math major from M.I.T. Apparently, there's also some grumbling about manager Bob Geren, mainly that he is too friendly with everyone and not being all manager-like, more Michael Scott than Tony LaRussa. You know, the A's do tend to hire extremely bland, non-descript guys (Howe, Macha, Geren) who's main attribute seems to be getting out of the way and patting everyone on the butt. Of course, all the griping could be because of all the losing and losing tends to make everyone pretty grumpy. Who knows?

SFist Tonight

Brock Keeling — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:44:12 GMT

-- Dreamgirls: Jennifer Hudson's performance as Effie White won her an Academy Award, and her end of Act I nervous breakdown ("And I Am Telling You") blew audiences to the back wall of the theatre. . She is the reason to see this movie. It also features Anika Noni Rose, a former A.C.T. student. Check out this musical loosely based on the rise of the Supremes tonight at 7 p.m. at the Castro Theatre, Castro and Market Streets; $9.50.

-- Yo La Tengo: Indie! Indie! Indie! Friday! Friday! Friday! Come catch these indie-rock cats (along with Citay) at KUSF's 30th Anniversary Benefit at 9 p.m. at Bimbo's 365, 1025 Columbus; $25

-- Hot Rod: SNL cast member/boy toy and Berkeley native Andy Samberg's new film gets a glowing review from Peter Hartlaub. Why not check it out? Opens all across the Bay Area today.

-- "Brass Tax": This quaint and creative nightclub presents DJs Fred Funk, Goldilox, Loose Beats, and Tung busting out dance floor-friendly house, breaks, and electro beats. Bonus: one of the few remaining douche bag-free venues on Valencia Street! Music starts at 9:30 p.m. at Amnesia, 835 Valencia; $5.

SF Doc Charged In Donor's Death

Brock Keeling — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:15:55 GMT

San Francisco transplant surgeon Dr. Hootan Roozrokh was criminally charged on Monday with "dependent adult abuse." He's accused of prescribing way, way too man drugs to speed up the death of a developmentally-disabled man. Why? So he could harvest his organs. (Ew.) You can read SFGate's breakdown here or the LA Times' story here.

It seems Roozrokh "is believed to be the first doctor in California ever accused of criminal charges in connection with procuring organs," which some fear could stave off organ donations, people slapping the donor sticker on the back of their driver's licenses, etcetera. Yikes.

Image: LA Times

In A Strange Twist: Frameline Needs Volunteers for Up Your Alley

Brock Keeling — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:59:14 GMT

Described as a “smaller version of the Folsom Street Fair,” which is true, it’s really known for being a more filthy one. So, if you’re not afraid of seeing unsheathed genitalia, possible bodily fluid sightings, and can handle a good amount of sunlight, go on and help this esteemed SF institution by volunteering.

And who knows? You might even meet Mr. Right or Mr. Right now. Available shifts and contact information are as follows:

Available Shifts:

- Set-up: 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- Set-up: 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- Security: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Gates: 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Volunteer Tent: 1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
- Recycle: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Recycle: 3 p.m.-7 p.m.
- Breakdown: 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m.
- Breakdown: 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m.
- Breakdown: 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m.

Call 415-861-1404 or visit Frameline for more information.

Propaganda III: an Anti-American 4th of July Review

Brock Keeling — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:28:00 GMT

Zombie Time has a chortle-worthy review of the Propaganda III art show -- a not-so-mildly anti-capitalist (and surprisingly anti-Semitic) exhibit -- which was held at, where else? The always-chic Bambuddha Lounge! You know, that sanctuary of fine dining, poolside lounging, and choice beats in the middle of dingy, deplorable poverty? The place where Gavin and a smattering of Trainas get shoved into a pool for an annual charity benefit? (Total hoot, anyone?) Anyway, it's a pretty interesting breakdown of the event.

More war fetishizing after the jump.

Hot Stuff: Food Blog Round Up

Mary Ladd — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:26:55 GMT

Just in time for 4th of July festivties, we can fawn all over Bunrab's Burger Holy Grail, billed as "the ongoing quest for the...

A Little San Francisco History On PBS

rita — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:37:42 GMT

Every now and then, we try to watch the national news so we'll get the jokes on the Daily Show the next day. So, even though Comedy Central's fake news outlets are on break this week, we were watching the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer last night and turning away when the Saddam Hussein on the gallows footage was on (like a game of hangman, we keep expecting a half-completed word to appear under his feet, with the letters S, T, and E filled in) -- when what comes on for the second news segment of the show but a career biography of Nancy Pelosi!

Now, we usually pooh-pooh nationally-broadcast news segments about San Francisco as not sufficiently insidery for us -- but this one was pretty decent! Here's a partial list of the highlights:

--a bleeped-out clip of former SF Congressman Phil Burton at a rally (you can read his lips and see he's saying "bitch"), along with John Burton wearing an outfit that makes him look like he's in a prison jumpsuit;
--footage of a harried Barbara Taylor (now at KCBS and the City Desk Newshour) trying to keep peace at a 1987 Congressional candidate primary debate (with 13 candidates) as a former San Francisco supervisor says a younger (and still wide-eyed) Nancy Pelosi doesn't care about the poor;
--excellent 1980s hairstyles and typography, and Nancy Pelosi in huge shoulder pads;
--a decent breakdown of the difference between a San Francisco "liberal" and a San Francisco "progressive";
--Krissy Keefer in her dance studio, explaining why Nancy Pelosi does not in fact exemplify "San Francisco values";
--perennial voter information guide favorite, San Francisco Republican Mike DeNunzio; and
--a very plump former Supervisor Michael Yaki telling stories about Nancy Pelosi playing Jeopardy in the office.

Well worth watching! Click here and go to "streaming video."

ChronicleWatch Watch: By The Numbers

rita — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:35:17 GMT

Total number of problems fixed: 139.

Breakdown by region: San Francisco -- 70 (29 street repairs, 23 park fixes, 7 public transportation fixes, 11 signs). East Bay -- 44 (21 street, 14 park, 5 signs, 4 public transit). South Bay -- 16, North Bay 9.

Number of problems outstanding after 1000 days: 4 -- the Civic Center fountain in Berkeley, footbridges and a ferry pier in Martinez, and stairs in Oakland.

Problems that took the longest to fix: Esprit Park irrigation (993 days), statues to Lake Merced (656 days), declaring defeat to get a water park playground item working in Berkeley (596 days), unused parking lot in Oakland (535 days), removal of a fountain and relocation of a plaque on the campus of the College of San Mateo (504 days).

Average amount of time it took to resolve an issue, area-wide: 94.95 days.

Average amount of time to resolve an issue in San Francisco: 84.55 days.

Average amount of time to resolve an issue in the East Bay: 124.61 days.

Top resolver: Caltrans District 4 representative Bijan Sartipi, who resolved 21 out of 26 items referred to him this year and resolved 3 from last year. He has one other big one, though -- the guardrail on the Broadway Terrace offramp in Oakland, which is approaching the big 1000 days.

Ranking of Mr. Nathaniel Ford on the list: 2! Mr. Ford resolved all 19 of the matters referred to him concerning MUNI, many of those within a matter of days. 100 percent clearance -- rock on, Mr. Ford!

Information we wish we had: How many issues from 2005-2006 are still pending? How many issues from previous years are still pending, and how many were resolved this year? Also -- who's the least helpful official?

Picture of the broken stairs at Trestle Glen, one of the outstanding problems.

We Survived Being On Local TV (So Far): A True Story

SFist Jer — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 10:11:00 GMT

Despite our apprehension at having done so, we think it's really cool that there is good, quality local programming available in our area. A sort of televised equivalent of SFist, no? And of these great local shows (Josh Kornbluth, Bay Area Backroads, etc.), is definitely our favorite. Three different guests talking--or arguing--every week about three different restaurants under the watchful moderation of lovely host Leslie Sbrocco.

We thought we'd put here in writing some of the FAQs that friends and family have asked us since learning of our impending broadcast debut:

1) How'd you get on the show?

Just went to the Web site, filled out a form, utilized our superb writing skills, and was called by the show's producer shortly thereafter. Okay, maybe it helped that our timing was good; they were actively looking for season 2 participants at that time.

2) Is the wine real? Are people really drinking on the set of Check Please!?

Indeed it is, and indeed they are are -- but not overmuch during taping. For one thing, who wants "red wine-lips" on TV? (Crap, $10 says we end up having wine-lips). Secondly, most of the drinking is out of the way by the time you get onto the set. We're gluttonish, to be sure, but we'd consumed at least a bottle's worth by that time, if not more; we're reasonably certain our co-guests did some good imbibing as well.

Seems libations are a decent way to relieve tension and get people talking. Go figure.

FAQ continues post-jump:

Check Please!