Grandparents from across the Bay Area gathered in Justin Herman Plaza on Saturday to protest the national debt, President Barack Obama, and fashion élan. Members danced to music, applauded vitriolic speeches, and waved "NObama 2012" foam fingers in the air like they just didn't care. Yes, a good time was had by all. Your SFist editor stayed ever so briefly to soak up the sun and the disturbing anti-freedom of religion sentiment for as long as he could, but almost had a seizure due to overwhelming red, white and blue attires. (We took cover at the Ferry Building for some food and wine at Slanted Door.) Here are some photos from the Saturday's scene, snapped by Erik Wilson. Enjoy. more ›

It's been over half a year since the Occupy Movement first sprang up, which seems like as good a time as any to take a reading of the movement's local impact. Specifically: are those $250,000 bocce courts at Justin Herman Plaza doing OK? more ›

Compared to OPD and the city of Oakland's reaction, the San Francisco Police Department's response to cleansing out the encampment at Justin Herman Plaza was a gentlemen's affair. No serious injures were reported, save for the ones that befell several officers. And while some campers complained that SFPD only gave them five minutes to clear out, that wasn't the case, or so says SF Police Chief Greg Shur. more ›

Members of Occupy SF, who were booted from Justin Herman Plaza early this morning, are now in the process of trying to reclaim the area. At least three people have been arrested so far. Police donning riot gear are facing off against angry protesters chanting "shame," "the whole world is watching," and "shutting down the west coast!" more ›

Uh oh, you guys. We're getting word that the SFPD is throwing up barricades around the Occupy SF camp at Justin Herman Plaza. We don't yet know what this means, but a confrontation is clearly imminent. more ›

It's past noon and Occupy SF campers remain put after the city gave the Justin Herman Plaza encampment orders to clear out today. Or else. Or else what? We'll have to wait and see. A raid seems more than likely, possibly to go down during the witching hours. As for the scene itself right now, not much is going on save a load of reporters and not much police presence. "I'm at occupysf Very little police presence as noon deadline nears. More reporters than cops...," notes @davetell more ›

The Department of Public Works gave Occupy SF word yesterday that they have until noon Thursday to clear out. The makeshift tent city at Justin Herman Plaza has become a public health hazard of sorts, or so we hear, so they city wants it gone. Pronto. more ›

San Francisco's Occupy contingent voted last night to stay put on the relatively luxurious bocce ball grounds at Justin Herman Plaza, thereby shooting down the Mayor's offer to move to a pre-blighted block out of the public eye on Mission Street. Suddenly taking a hard stance after tweeting friendly reminders to occupiers over the past few weeks, DPW Director Mohammed Nuru told the Examiner: “We want our park back, and we are going to get our park back." more ›

SFPD and members of Occupy SF butt heads Sunday night as authorities attempted to forcibly remove the Occupy encampment at Justin Herman Plaza starting around 10:30 p.m. According to ABC7, Police stood watch as DPW crews cleared the area. Protesters attempting to block a city garbage truck from hauling off their tents and belongings were dragged out of the way. One protester was reportedly dragged away by his index finger while police officers threatened to break it. more ›

"The zip line is coming back to Ferry plaza! I already got my thrill in Costa Rica, no need for me," reports AgentAkit. Well, for those of you not lucky enough to travel to far off lands for airbound thrills, be sure to head down to Justin Herman Plaza for zip line excitement. more ›

Curbed reports that Justin Herman Plaza might get swanky new bocce ball courts. "The Recreation and Park Department has been asked to build it, and the Laborers Local 261 Community & Training Foundation has agreed to gift the Parks and Rec Department will the labor and materials to realize the project, which will include two bocce courts totaling approximately 2,400 square feet." Fun! more ›

In what could very well be the most exhilarating to happen to San Francisco since the Presidio trampoline park, a bushel of Canadians are setting up a 600-footer in Justin Herman Plaza. Our friends to the north... more ›

Piff! Pow! Zwap! more ›

This year's abortion bash, Walk for Life-West Coast, will take place tomorrow, Jan 19, on the lawn area of Justin Herman Plaza down by the Embarcadero from 10:30 a..m. to 1:30 p.m. And we can't wait! What are you going to wear? We're going to sport our beaver fur-trimmed coat, because...well, we're sure there's a smug murder joke in there somewhere. But if you're able to get up that early on a Saturday morning, you all should head down to the Embarcadero to voice your support and/or disdain. (Why this can't be settled with a pillow fight is beyond us.) more ›

Welcome back, little piggies, from your night of binge eating and sipping. (That is, if you were fortunate enough to do so.) Why not get up, out, and about tonight to work off that meal, hangover with the following: more ›

image credit: apbh2's Flickr account more ›

-- This could very well be the most exciting extracurricular activity in the world, ever. Next to building a fort out of couch cushions and blankets, that is. (Why, yes, we are in fact five-years-old. Thank you.) more ›

Not since peanut butter and chocolate have two such conflicting tastes been bought together to (what will be) major acclaim: baseball and dance. Sure, Damn Yankees did it, and did it well. But there are no Faustian themes in this show, or worse, the Yankees; it's just about the all-American Pastime. (Hey, the name of the show!) more ›

If there's a widespread contingent of San Franciscans that feel Bonds is a cheater unworthy of praise, that sure wasn't reflected in the celebration down at Justin Herman Plaza today. Music, tons of fans in the orange and black, Old people, young people, tall people, most in ballcaps. Plenty of police to ensure nobody gets injured should a fan go into a 'roid rage. more ›

-- Daft Punk's Electroma: Pinocchio-ish road movie about two robots -- played by Daft Punk members Peter Hurteau and Michael Reich -- and their quest to become human. Riot In Belgium, the Bang Gang DJs, Dandi Wind, and Richie Panic & Jefrodisiac perform tonight before and after the movie. Doors open at 7 p.m. at Mezzanine, 444 Jesse (at Mint); free with RSVP at going.com. -- Justice League Wiffle Ball Game: According to Laughing... more ›

Lotta stuff going on today, a lot of which we've mentioned before: Another Hole In The Head continues and the Black Film Festival gets started! Also, it's the Berkeley Edge Fest. Here's some other stuff too. more ›

We always thought Chinatown would be a great place to do a Treasure Hunt as we're pretty sure you could find anything there-- artwork, toys, opium, you name it. Well, there is an official Chinatown Treasure Hunt, the 17th annual Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt, and we just happen to be holding a contest to giveaway tickets to take part. more ›

As we discussed earlier today, PG&E and ReadyMade magazine are co-sponsoring "Let's Green This City," which is aiming to raise environmental consciousness by putting sofas covered with grass around the city. Sure, why not? (Will Ross Mirkarimi be involved? And what's the Bay Guardian's public power-oriented stance on this?) more ›

It's that anti-war protest time of the year again! Traffic in the city will be tied up tomorrow as your favorite scruffy kettle-drum wielding and peace-flag waving World Can't Wait-ers march up and then down Market Street at noon. Oh, we love The World Can't Wait folks -- remember Bush Ter Down? more ›

In training for the first ever pillow fight club at Justin Herman Plaza yesterday evening, we upped our protein intake and worked on our cardio and conditioning. We honestly did not know what to expect, all we knew is that we didn't want to be out of breath, like so many laps around the school yard we completed in elementary school. more ›

When SFist was a young child, we'd always get sent home from preschool with a note that said, "Did not nap today." Man, we didn't know how good we had it! Nowadays, what can you do if you're fighting off a food coma, or a hangover from the night before? You gotta barricade yourself in your office behind a huge stack of boxes, or feign an "upset stomach" and crash on the couch of the vice-president who's out of the office this week, or, if you're like us, zone out quietly for 2 hours and call it "internet research." Well, hide no more, closet nappers! Monday the 24th is Take Back Your Time Day (to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 40 hour work week), and to celebrate, the folks who brought you the book "Time Off!: The Unemployed Guide to San Francisco" are holding a nap-in in Justin Herman Plaza at 1 p.m. Now, we're all for taking more time for self in life, but, being cranky (we could probably use a nap) -- isn't this just going to look like kind of a die-in? Also, won't it be too sunny to get a real good siesta going anyways? And would you really want to stretch out for 40 winks in Justin Herman anyways? There's an awful lot of pigeon guano there. Maybe they should just call it a goof-off-in instead (which we are totally for!) more ›