Day Around The Bay

--Beer and wine are okay for the North Beach Festival next week, but no hard alcohol.

--More folks are getting laid off from the Chronicle. The Chron has launched a Portraits In Grief-like feature.

--The Special Olympics are in Berkeley this weekend.

--An old theater on Market Street (the Strand) caught on fire yesterday.

--Someone sent Beth Spotswood an excellent picture of Gavin Newsom next to a guy dressed up as a bottle of tequila last Halloween.

--The SF Weekly's Hiya Swanhuyser goes to some totally fun shows!

--And not to be outdone, the Guardian gives you the lowdown on open bars around town.