Researching San Francisco history means spending way too much time sitting in the dark. In the library, we mean, staring at microfilm of old newspapers. Hours of scanning those scratched and blurry archives makes us a little punchy, so we blinked and rubbed our eyes at this gruesome headline from the February 13, 1902 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. We wondered momentarily if it was a prescient comment on the state of contemporary......

Update: The murdered teen has been identified as Carlos Sousa, Jr. As the investigation continues into Christmas Day's gruesome tiger attack at the SF Zoo, it turns out that the guy killed by Tatiana the tiger was a 17-year-old boy from San Jose. Unidentified at this point, and currently stuck with the moniker "John Doe 116," it seems that he also knew the tiger's two other victims, 19- and 23-year-old brothers from San Jose. The......

We came across this wonderful blind item over at ValleyWag (via Overheard in the Office). It seems that someone on the Board of Supes doesn't know the difference between a placeholder name and their signature, euphemistically. Do you know who it was? We're going to go ahead sweepingly generalize that it was either Ammiano or Dufty, because gays only care about little boys and baggies, shiny objects, and unicorns. Council member: I heard you......

We had a great week of music last week, starting on Thursday night when Live 105's Madden invited us to join him on air. Along with SFists MattyMatt and Jon we talked for a half hour about local music, Muni and of course Gavin's hair. Madden was a friendly and gracious host and we thank him for inviting us! On Monday night Cursive packed The Fillmore for a straightforward set of songs from their new......

How's this for a normal pre-teen existence: school, soccer practice, homework, gig with Pearl Jam. It's all in a day's work for the sisters in Smoosh. At the ages when most teenage girls are locked in their rooms distraught over the politics of popularity or some unrequited crush, Chloe (12) and Asya (14) are out in the proverbial garage writing edgy pop songs on keyboard and drums. The best part? It's not a novely act.......

Earlier this week we told you about some of the great shows at the Mission Creek Music & Arts Festival, including a special performance by Dieselhed at 12 Galaxies on Sunday night. We're sending two of you to the show. Preview some songs off their 1999 album Elephant Rest Home and enter to win. (Contest ends Friday at 5pm. Winner will be notified via email.) Another great show is happening at 12 Galaxies next Wednesday......

For those of you who aren't familiar, SXSW is the biggest music festival in the U.S., happening over five days and four nights each year in gorgeous Austin, Texas. More than 1,200 bands play the fest while thousands of music industry folks and fans run amok in true Spring Break style. We're sure at least some business gets done, but overall it's an excuse to stay out late, hang with your friends and (over)indulge in......

While we at SFist have been known to stalk around movie sets, yesterday we were actually invited by our friend to the set of the Darwin Awards, which was filming at a bar in Alameda. Directed by Finn Taylor and starring Winona Ryder and Joseph Fiennes, the movie has a multi-layered plot about a hemophobic police officer and a comely insurance adjuster. (Do they fall in love? We're not tellin'!) From what we understand, part......

Join us tonight at 111 Minna for an art show curated by Aaron Burtch, entitled "Five Ways To See." When he's not making great music with Grandaddy, Burtch is making great paintings and pictures, which he'll be showing alongside artwork from Souther Salazar, Alexander Cheves, Jeffery Harland, Joel Elrod. Afterward, your music options include the oft-recommended Neko Case with The Sadies at Bimbo's, the electro-pop of locals The Lovemakers at Popscene, or the gentle Brit-pop......