"Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies," wrote Honoré de Balzac who was probably thinking of the San Francisco DMV on Fell Street. And yet an optimistic new project asks if there might be a way to improve the experience at this most unfortunate of destinations with a "DMV Concierge."

The experiment is part of the Pandhandle's new NOW! festival, a series of events currently in full swing to "co-create the best possible version of our community for one extraordinary week." Everything from free yoga to volunteer 4/20 clean up has been a part of the schedule, and, at last, someone is taking aim at the looming evil seated at the Panhandle's eastern tip.

"The DMV is usually the worst place in the entire city," writes the DMV Concierge, "But on Friday the 24th, it will be made to be a little bit more tolerable." Yes, it's just for a chunk of the afternoon, and, "It will probably still be a factory of sadness inside." Still, for a bright hour, expect free flowers, chocolate, and "perhaps some wine and other goodies!" to get you through your fool's errand.

You might recall the NOW! festival from news of the "Wiggle Referee" stunt. That equally futile effort to get area bicyclists to cooperate and even use hand signals is happening tomorrow.

Previously: Busy Wiggle Intersection To Get A Self-Appointed 'Referee' Next Week