The devil is coming out of the details of Trump’s “no taxes on tips” policy, and it turns out tipped employees still have to pay taxes on those tips but then deduct them afterwards, and automatic service charges are still fully taxed.

Donald Trump probably skimmed a few votes from Kamala Harris, particularly in Las Vegas and Nevada, with his campaign pledge of “no taxes on tips.”  And one could say that he followed through on this one, as the “no taxes in tips” policy (and we’re putting it in quotes for a reason) was indeed part of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed this summer.

And now that the IRS is releasing the rules around “no taxes on tips,” we find that — surprise! — tipped employees are still paying taxes on their tips.

As this post from Moneywise explains, it’s not really “no” taxes. That is, you still pay taxes on these tips, but the tipped employee can deduct up to $25,000 from your taxes on tipped wages. Which means you need to document that amount. Documenting $25,000 worth of tips sounds like a lot of paperwork! (And if you make more than $150,000 per year, you can’t deduct tips anyway.)

And the Bay Area News Group finds another significant loophole. The only taxes you can deduct are on tips that are considered “voluntary” tips, and mandatory tips cannot be deducted. That is to say, flat-percentage service charges the likes of which are now commonplace across the Bay Area, and any mandatory gratuities “for parties of six or more” cannot be deducted, and tipped employees are still paying full taxes on any tips that the establishment requires the customer to pay.

According to the new federal guidelines on deducting tips, the policy only includes tips that are “paid voluntarily without any consequence in the event of nonpayment, must not be the subject of negotiation, and must be determined by the payor.”  Getting even deeper in the weeds, the guidelines further define “voluntary” tips as tips where “(1) the payment must be made free from compulsion, (2) the customer must have the unrestricted right to determine the amount, (3) the payment should not be the subject of negotiation or dictated by employer policy, and (4) generally, the customer has the right to determine who receives the payment.”

(As an interesting aside, the New York Post points out a Cupertino pho restaurant that adds on the mandatory tip charge to “parties of one or more.”)

This is perhaps what we should expect of US Congress, where most elected members are from legacy wealth, and many have never worked a tipped service job in their lives. And we’ll remind you that the “no taxes on tips” policy only lasts through 2028, the final year of Trump’s presidency, and it is not permanent.

Related: California Restaurants Are Trying an Odd Legal Argument to Get Out of the Surcharge Ban [SFist]

Image: Man holding a tablet with tipping screen inside a restaurant (Getty Images)

National seafood chain Joe's Crab Shack late last week told investors that the Houston-based company would abandon tipping at all of its hundred plus locations. The move, announced by parent company Ignite Restaurant Group, includes a corresponding wage increase for all Joe's waitstaff and follows on the heels of similar moves by fine dining establishments in San Francisco and New York.

In jumping on the no-tip bandwagon, the company hopes to gain a competitive staffing advantage over its casual dining competitors who may offer starting wages as low as $2.13 per hour, notes restaurant trade publication Restaurant Business Magazine. The wage increase means that food prices will increase 12 to 15 percent, said Ignite CEO Ray Blanchette.

Joe's began testing out the no-tip policy on a limited basis this past August, notes Eater.

While Blanchette believes this move will be a boon to his business, it is not without risk. Several San Francisco restaurants, including Bar Agricole and Trou Normand, went tipless back in 2014, only to recently announce they would return to the standard tip model.

Owner Thad Vogler explained to Eater that getting rid of tips had an unexpected impact: He began to lose waitstaff.

"We haven’t been able to keep servers," said Vogler. "We were hoping more restaurants would switch but, for now, it’s been impossible to compete with more traditional places in keeping front of the house staff who prefer the control and upside of the tip system."

National chain Joe's Crab Shack doesn't have much in common with restaurants like Bar Agricole, and as such they may find success where Bar Agricole could not. Regardless, the move to abandon tips by Joe's Crab Shack is sure to be felt in the casual dinning industry. We'll just have to wait and see if it sticks.

Related: Would You Rather Tip, Or Pay A Flat Fee?

Big thanks to Manny, Jared & the crew at Tacolicious in the Mission... :) #tipsforjesus #godbless #thumbsup #boomboom #happynewyear #2015

A photo posted by tipsforjesus (@tipsforjesus) on Jan 1, 2015 at 8:47am PST

It's been nearly a year since we've heard from Tips For Jesus, the profligate gratuity-leavers who document their gifts via a followed-by-85K Instagram account. According to SF Gate, however, one of the crew of hot tippers is back in SF, dropping thousands on upscale Mexican food and making sure their generosity is shared on social media.

In an anonymous interview last year with San Francisco Magazine, "the central figure of the 10-or-so-person Tips for Jesus clique" (reportedly former PayPal exec Jack Selby) said that the big tips are "something of a guerrilla effort to encourage more people of means to give back — to foster a kind of ad hoc charity culture attractive to a generation that may be turned off by traditional philanthropy."

“It is getting expensive, though," he told SF Mag, which is one of the reasons you might be forgiven for thinking the movement (which, incidentally, is agnostic in nature) had, uh, moved on —their Instagram feed fell silent for months following September 11.

Activity picked up a few weeks ago, however, with thousands dropped on meals enjoyed primarily in Arizona. In fact, the tipper dropped about $11K in tips at at Phoenix bar/restaurant Crudo at the end of December, ABC reports.

Maybe those headlines are what spurred our local Tipper For Jesus to get back in the game? As SF Gate reports , a regular at the Valencia Street location of upscale Mexican chain Tacolicious left a $2,000 tip on a $50 tab on Friday, January 2.

“He comes in here all the time and he’s amazing. Amazing to the staff," a Tacolicious staffer told the Gate, which confirmed that the restaurant pools all tips to be shared with the entire staff.

The tipper's generosity is already getting him invitations to other local joints, because who doesn't want to be on the receiving end of ad hoc charity culture?

"Dear Mr Tips for Jesus..." Instagram user Marco Stovali comments beneath the photo of the generous Tacolicious check, "Next time you're in San Francisco could you please stop at Ristorante Milano (1448 Pacific Ave)? I work mon-tue-thu-fri. Love you."

After Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency, its time you got serious about water conservation. Does this mean we all now must to take five minute showers instead of 20 minute showers? Ugh, possibly, yes. For more tips on how to conserve water during this State of Emergency, below we noted suggestions care of Save Our Water, a statewide program that helps Californians reduce their water use.

INDOORS

Laundry Room

- Use the washing machine for full loads only to save water and energy
- Install a water-efficient clothes washer Save: 16 Gallons/Load
- Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.

Kitchen

- Run the dishwasher only when full to save water and energy.
- Install a water- and energy-efficient dishwasher. Save: 3 to 8 Gallons/Load.
- Install aerators on the kitchen faucet to reduce flows to less than 1 gallon per minute.
- When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
- Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand.
- If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
- Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
- Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
- Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap.
- Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
- Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
- If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
- Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.

Bathroom

- Install low-flow shower heads. Save: 2.5 Gallons
- Take five minute showers instead of 10 minute showers. Save: 12.5 gallons with a low flow showerhead, 25 gallons with a standard 5.0 gallon per minute showerhead.
- Fill the bathtub halfway or less. Save: 12 Gallons
- When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
- Install aerators on bathroom faucets. Save: 1.2 Gallons Per Person/Day
- Turn water off when brushing teeth or shaving. Save: Approximately 10 Gallons/Day
- Install a high-efficiency toilet. Save: 19 Gallons Per Person/Day. Read more about toilets.
- Don't use the toilet as a wastebasket.
- Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.
- Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving gallons.
- Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
- Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
- Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
- When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
- Take a (short) shower instead of a bath. A bathtub can use up to 70 gallons of water.

OUTDOORS

Know the Basics

- Water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Save: 25 gallons/each time you water
- Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Save: 15-12 gallons/each time you water
- Choose a water-efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs, and flowers. Save: 15 gallons/each time you water.
- Water deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes.
- Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool. Organic mulch also improves the soil and prevents weeds. Save: 20-30 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft.
- Plant drought-resistant trees and plants. Save: 30- 60 gallons/each time you water/1,000 sq. ft

Don’t Overwater

One easy way to cut down how much water you use outdoors is to learn how much water your landscaping actually needs in order to thrive. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make. To understand how much water your landscaping really needs, learn more about evapotranspiration (ET) here.

For Southern California residents, try this easy watering calculator to help determine how much you should be watering outside.

Get Smart

If you really want to be a sophisticated water user, invest in a weather-based irrigation controller—or a smart controller. These devices will automatically adjust the watering time and frequency based on soil moisture, rain, wind, and evaporation and transpiration rates. Check with your local water agency to see if there is a rebate available for the purchase of a smart controller.

Know Your Climate

One way to save water outdoors is to plant the right plants for your climate. Here are some tools to help you learn how to be a water-wise gardener:
• Explore the Save Our Water Water-Wise Garden Tool to learn what plants and flowers will flourish in your neighborhood.
• Sunset Magazine’s Plant Finder is another great tool.
• Learn more about gardening in a Mediterranean climate here

Outdoor Cleanup

Water is often a go-to tool for outdoor clean-up jobs.
• Use a broom to clean driveways, sidewalks and patios. Save: 8-18 gallons /minute.
• Wash cars/boats with a bucket, sponge, and hose with self-closing nozzle. Save: 8-18 gallons/minute.
• Invest in a water broom. If you have to use water to clean up outside, a water broom will attach to your hose but uses a combination of air and water pressure to aid cleaning. Water brooms can use as little as 2.8 gallons per minute (gpm) to remove dirt, food spills, leaves, and litter from concrete and asphalt while a standard hose typically uses 5 to 20 gpm.

Tips for Jesus stopped by noted Japanese joint Roka Akora in Jackson Square last night and left a whopping $3,000 tip on a $147 bill. Impressive. But wait, that's not all. The heavy tipper also paid the entire bill for the table seated next to him.

T4J, who made headlines in December, is reported to be Jack Selby, a Bay Area entrepreneur who made his fortune while at PayPal. So far, he's left massive tips at joints like West Hollywood's Acabar, where he left $5,000 gratuity, and Fig & Olive, where he left $1,000.

The moniker "Tips for Jesus" seems to be more tongue-and-cheek than a tip of the hat to the Lord's son. In this shot of a receipt boasting an astonishing $10,000 tip, he notes, "Yes, there's an extra 2 in the wrong place. Math is hard at 1am after three grand of tequila."

Reader Erica Kwiatkowski contacted us this morning with the following tips, care of the sometimes frightening folks at AT&T, about how not to get your smartphone stolen while in public. The advice is aimed at San Francisco, so we thought it best to share with you. Everyone knows someone who has had their phone ripped off while either walking down the street, sitting at a restaurant, or, say, even during a trick gone sour. ("All three of my roommates have had their iPhones stolen throughout the city just within the last few weeks," Ms. Kwiatkowski explains to us.)

And with that, here are some choice tips at protecting your smartphone in public. Enjoy:

1. If you need to use your phone in public, use headphones or a Bluetooth headset so you can keep your phone in your purse or pocket. ["Strongly recommended." - SFist]
2. When dining out, especially if you’re sitting at an outside table, never leave your phone out and within easy reach of passersby. ["Not possible. It's just never going to happen. For us, anyway."]
3. Don’t text and walk, and keep eye contact with those around you. ["Hard to follow, but probably a good idea. Side note: if you are going to text and walk at the same time, please veer to the right side of the sidewalk and be caution of people behind you. Text walkers tend to slow their pace while "lol"ing at some stupid shit their friend said."]
4. When on public transit, be aware of opening and closing doors; they make for quick getaways for thieves.
5. Add a PIN or security password to your phone or wireless device. ["To those of you who do not use a pin code on your phone, we have a question and some advice: What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? You need to be medicated."]
6. Back up your phone/device regularly. ["Live in the cloud, people."]
7. Learn how to back up your SIM card contacts.
8. Download and enable services and applications that can track a stolen phone via GPS.
9. Change your online and voicemail passwords every few months. ["YES."]
10. Download device protection and privacy apps for your smartphone and consider purchasing supplemental insurance. ["Which is to say, AT&T wants you to buy more stuff."]

If you phone is stolen, you should suspend service and report it stolen within 24 hours -- to your service provider and the authorities.

And just like that, the annual pilgrimage to the Playa begins. Scores of Burners head to the desert this week to partake in and create Burning Man. However, if you plan on smashing your Burning Man hymen this year, we thought that, since this SFist editor has yet to attend the dusty festivities in the unforgiving sun, we would ask a handful of Bay Area scribes, noted for their Burner cache, to dole out sound advice. (We've got everything from choice events to proper filet mignon storage to tying a turban.) Further advice can and should be placed in the comments (anything about sex and drugs, which we hear is a thing there, is ideal!).

Steve T. Jones (SF Bay Guardian; author of The Tribes of Burning Man):

The most important thing you can bring to Burning Man is an open mind, leaving your expectations at home. Be prepared for anything, because the playa can be an unforgiving place, and that means bringing good goggles (at least two pairs, for day and night), dust masks, and rebar, a mallet, and plenty of cotton rope to batten down your camp. And bring a bunch of silly costumes, your favorite intoxicants, and a few ideas for projects or performances you want to see (tip: catch Pumpkin's dawn set Thursday morning at the Unicorn Stampede's deep playa party). Then... just let it happen. You'll have your high highs, and probably some low lows, and you'll learn about yourself and your community in the process. Burning Man is a cauldron, and most people don't come out in the same condition they went in. As they say in the Hokey Pokey: that's what it's all about.

Marcia Gagliardi (Tablehopper):

• Bring good coffee out there—I adore my honking Bialetti stovetop espresso maker. And make extra to keep in your cooler—and share with unsuspecting neighbors.

• Dear lord, no feathers!

• Light your bike up (and your person) like a Christmas tree. Don’t be a darktard.

• Do not underestimate Mother Nature—it can rain, it can be very cold, and it sure as hell will be dusty and windy. I always pack a duffel bag with a puffy jacket, wool pants, rain poncho, etc. that I hope I won’t need to use, but you never know. Will never forget 2000! That year was hardcore—and also my favorite, to be honest.

• Understand that you will have great days, and you will have tough days. Don’t be hard on yourself if you’re feeling punky or out of sorts—that’s what HBGB camp is for (the HeeBeeGeeBee Healers). Don’t forget cold water and a good meal can also fix a lot. Start there.

• Some of the most amazing coincidences and revelations and connections can happen out there—and yes, you can take it with you.

• Travel safely, don’t rush, and try to get some sleep before you leave (I fail this last point every year).

Mary Polizzotti (7x7)

• Food - Don't spend tons of money on food. It's so hot and dry, all you will want to eat is something salty, so bring lots of chips. I spent $100 at Costco buying cans of tuna and pasta sauce that all sat unused. I could have spent a quarter of that money and been fine. The most popular item in my camp was a huge bag of Stacy's pita chips. Eat a decent breakfast.

• Camp - an RV may seem comfortable but it is a BITCH to deal with. Cleaning it afterward is a nightmare. Suck it up and camp. You can throw every thing in the shower when you get home. Also, most RV's I saw had signs out front begging for septic pumping. Gross. They keep the porta-potties quite clean.

• Go light on alcohol—again, it's so hot, the only desire to drink a beer is because it's ice cold. Weed, on the other hand, doesn't have the same dehydrating effect.

• Dry Ice - This will last for days and allow you to enjoy chilled white wine and filet mignon 3 days in.

• Baby wipes - There is no point to showering. The first thing you touch will make you dusty again. And, you have to carry that dirty water out (remember, everything that comes into the Playa must be taken out). Baby wipes will keep you clean.

• Contact lenses - bring glasses and PLENTY of solution. You will spend at least 20-30 minutes attempting to put a clean contact lens in your eye every day. Dust everywhere.

• Bike - Bring one, you will be thankful you did. It's a city after all!

• Neon lights - bring them for your bike and your backpack, so friends can find you.

• Hair - a lot of seasoned Burner girls get cornrows. If you don't, you will have a few dreads by the end. And you'll use half a bottle of conditioner for a lengthy untangling process. Ugh.

• At the first sign of light on the horizon, head home—100+ degree temps are coming. You'll get 4-5 hours of sleep if you turn down before sunrise.

• Shade - Bring one, anything. I, er, borrowed a 10x10 tent used for trade shows from my company. It was clutch. (But, I subsequently spent 2 hours cleaning it in the warehouse parking lot with a broom. Alkaline salt does not rinse off easily.)

• Goggles and face mask - dust storms are intense and inevitable. You can use ski goggles or anything else that securely fits to your face. Sunglasses are not enough. A surgical mask or a Buff is ideal, otherwise you will suffocate on dust.

• Leave before Saturday night's Burning of the Man (or stay until Monday) - If you don't, you face a 12-14 hour drive home. There is only one single lane road out, and 50K people are trying to do the same thing. And, you'll be exhausted. Leave early, or stay late.

John Vlahides (writer/producer/TV host at Lonely Planet):

It's too late now, but you probably way overspent and way overpacked. However, all you need are the following: a spray bottle of water to keep cool, boots, goggles, a strap-on painter's mask (rubber not paper) with particulate-matter filter, and a fur coat for nighttime. So much the better if you know how to tie a proper turban. Behold:

For more Burning Man tips and tricks, check out the Burning Man Survival Guide 2012 or Steve T. Jones' Scribe's Guide to Playa Prep.

by Alissa de Vogel

The San Francisco Bike Coalition's annual Bike to Work Day happens tomorrow, Thursday May 10th. With a 71% increase in commuter cycling in San Francisco over the last five years, tomorrow's Bike to Work Day promises to be the biggest one yet. In honor of this annual celebration of cycling, the SFBC has prepared a record 27 energizer stations along commuter bike routes. Between 7:30 am and 9:30 am tomorrow, cyclists can stop at any of their locations to fuel up with coffee and a bagel, and grab a free Bike to Work Day reusable tote bag. And in the evening you can celebrate all things cycling at Public Works' Bike From Work party.

In honor of these upcoming festivities, we spoke with SFBC Executive Director Leah Shahum to
gather some tips for newbie cyclists planning to ride tomorrow. Last year on Bike to Work Day cyclists made up 75% of all traffic on Market street, so we thought it would be helpful to gather some tips for motorists on how to deal with increased bike traffic on Thursday. Behold:

For Cyclists:
1. Ride predictably. Be conscious of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists around you when you turn or slow down. Ride in a straight line when possible. Use hand signals when you can. If you're going to pass someone, pass on the left and don't be afraid to use your bell or your voice to announce it.
2. Prioritize bike lanes, but don't be afraid to go outside the designated bike lane if you feel it's safer. San Francisco has added 23 miles of new bike lanes in the last 18 months, but coverage is still far from comprehensive. You can plan your ride prioritizing bike lanes by using this map.
3. Stay out of the door zone! Riding close to parked cars can be even more dangerous than taking the lane, as “getting doored” is the number one cause of cycling injuries in San Francisco. Where bike lanes are striped with the bike arrow stencil, the middle point on the arrow is always solidly out of the door zone, so use those as a guide.
4. You don't need to dress like a cyclist to bike in San Francisco. It's easier to avoid hills than you may think (the Wiggle is a great example) and it's totally possible to make it to work without even breaking a sweat. If you work in a more formal office or prefer to wear heels at work, Shahum suggests packing a change of clothes or shoes for work.
5. Buy a solid lock and be smart about parking your bike. If you're leaving your bike outside for 8 hours, be sure to use a u-lock to lock both the wheels and the frame. Many large office buildings downtown have secure indoor bike parking available, so check ahead of time to see if your building will let you bring your bike inside. Even if you can park your bike in the basement, be sure to use a good lock!

For Motorists:
1. Drive predictably. Use turn signals far in advance to apprise those around you of your intentions.
2. Watch your speed. Injuries resulting from accidents between cyclists and motorists are often exacerbated by excessive speed on the part of the motorist. Using caution and staying around the speed limit will also help with driving predictably and prevent sudden slamming on the brakes.
3. When parked on the street, look before opening your door. Check and double check to make sure the road is clear of cyclists - there will be more of them on the road tomorrow than you're used to seeing.
4. Be patient. After a stop light or sign, it takes cyclists a few seconds to build up speed again since they can't just step on the accelerator to get going. Give them a minute before getting frustrated and honking.
5. If you do get frustrated, remember that the growing number of cyclists in SF benefits everyone, not just those biking. Shahum pointed out that “even if [a driver] doesn't bike, every person who bikes is opening up another parking space and more room on the road for them, or one more seat on a crowded bus.”

For more information, visit the SFBC's Bike to Work Day page. Be safe and have fun out there tomorrow!

Hey there, folks. You know what blows, and not in a good way? Being afraid to speak in class. It's dreadful, and can have longterm effects. So it is with great empathy--far too much empathy, sadly--that we bring to you yesterday's article in the New York Times concerning a stuttering college student whose professor asked him to shut up. (Richard Perez-Pena's "Stutterer Speaks Up in Class; His Professor Says Keep Quiet").

In part, Perez-Pena writes:

Philip, a precocious and confident 16-year-old who is taking two college classes this semester, has a lot to say but also a profound stutter that makes talking difficult, and talking quickly impossible. After the first couple of class sessions, in which he participated actively, the professor, an adjunct named Elizabeth Snyder, sent him an e-mail asking that he pose questions before or after class, “so we do not infringe on other students’ time.”

Horrible. But that's because some educators are (surprise) not well educated. Enter the Stuttering Foundation, who has these eight helpful tips for teachers, lecturers, and professors to remember when dealing with a stutterer.

1. Don’t tell the student “slow down” or “ just relax.”

2. Don’t complete words for the student or talk for him or her.

3. Help all members of the class learn to take turns talking and listening. All students — and especially those who stutter — find it much easier to talk when there are few interruptions and they have the listener’s attention.

4. Expect the same quality and quantity of work from the student who stutters as the one who doesn’t.

5. Speak with the student in an unhurried way, pausing frequently.

6. Convey that you are listening to the content of the message, not how it is said.

7. Have a one-on-one conversation with the student who stutters about needed accommodations in the classroom. Respect the student’s needs, but do not be enabling.

8. Don’t make stuttering something to be ashamed of. Talk about stuttering just like any other matter.

More tips and other resources can be found on the Stuttering Foundation's Website.

If you come across a prosthetic leg featuring an Oakland Raiders design somewhere on the black market, it belongs to Oakland resident Darryl Turner. Turner filed a police report and wrote to KTVU with his story in hopes that the leg can be recovered. He said he briefly left the leg in his gated front yard on the afternoon of Saturday, February 12, before taking a quick ride around the block on a four-wheeler he'd been repairing. The leg has little resale value and was custom fit for Turner, so it won't do the thief much good.

Turner, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 1985, had just received the new leg in December and is currently wearing his old one. The old one doesn't fit correctly anymore, causing him a lot of pain. His left arm is also paralyzed, which means he can't use crutches. His insurance company unfortunately only covers a new limb every three years.

Contact the Oakland Police Department at (510) 777-3333 with any tips regarding Turner's leg. We wish him lots of luck.

[KTVU]

Before next Thursday presses thankful vibes upon us all, let's take a moment to talk about some of the more egregious Thanksgiving dinner pet peeves. Perhaps we can nib them in the bud this year? Let's begin:

• Over in SFist tips, a reader righteously fumes: "As a guest invited to a Thanksgiving Dinner, assuming just bringing a bottle of wine or nothing at all is fine AND there is no need to ask the host in advance if there is anything they can bring." True, true. Unless told otherwise, showing up to dinner with a bottle of wine as a host gift is fine.
• Speaking of wine, please stop asking what wine goes with turkey. Just drink what you like, people. (And the answer is Riesling.)
• Walnuts.
• And now for seating. Anyone with a modicum of party-throwing prowess knows that one never seats couples next to each other. While we understand couples have a love that no one could possibly understand because the intertwining of their souls is so special, tender and one-of-a-kind, a wise host splits up couples during dinner for conversation's sake. It's one night, lovebirds. Deal.
• Kids at the dinner table? The kids's table is a Thanksgiving institution. No reason to buck tradition.

Ted of BAGeL Radio posted a list of handy tips for those of you trekking down to Coachella. Some helpful advice while sojourning in the glamorous Coachella Valley? Ted suggests, among other things, "As soon as you park, MARK THE LOCATION IN YOUR iPHONE," "Don't drink alcohol until the sun goes down -- you will be tired enough after hours and hours in the heat," "Bring cash for food, water, merch, brownies." Check out the entire list at BAGeL Radio. Also, remember: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Moisture is your friend.

During today's Day of Statewide Action for Public Education rallies, things are sure to get heated. And while many a protester foolishly thinks getting arrested or vandalizing amounts to something other than looking bad-ass, most of us know better. (Kids will be in attendance at many of today's events, so keeping your wits sharp and your fists to yourself is a must!)

To help better prepare you during today's Civic Center rally at 5pm, or even the 3pm march starting at Mission and 24th, check out the ACLU's tips on effectively speaking out while keeping your cool. It's a perfect resource for people protesting today.

SPEAK OUT: ACLU Tips on protesting:

Speech rights are for EVERYONE. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Nobody can discriminate against you or stop your protest because of the CONTENT of your speech.

Plan your activity carefully. Apply for your permit ahead of time if possible. But remember, permit ordinances should allow for spontaneous demonstrations.

Excessive noise or disruption, obstructions of sidewalks or doorways, or harassment of unwilling passers-by may give police grounds to end your activity.