The limit here on Masonic is now 25 MPH.
Are these cars speeding?
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I’ll tell you, the recent deaths on this stretch of road have been caused by epically drunk drivers and/or especially reckless jaywalking pedestrians…
Perhaps we could allow bikes on these particular sidewalks, you know, temporarily?
You know, like this?
All the deets below. Get your tickets here.
“JAPANESE LIVE GAME SENSATION “THE REAL ESCAPE GAME” COMES TO THE BAY AREA FOR SPECIAL SESSIONS AT NEW PEOPLE
Join Other Players At The Bay Area’s J-Pop Culture Venue To Solve Puzzles And Collect Clues To Escape A Mysterious Village Before Werewolves Attack!
San Francisco, CA – NEW PEOPLE, the dynamic San Francisco entertainment destination showcasing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture, brings the newest Japanese live game sensation to the United States for the first time ever with a special installment of “The Real Escape Game: The Escape From The Werewolf Village,” beginning Friday, March 23rd thru Sunday March, 25th.
“The Real Escape Game” is an inventive live game event that requires players to cooperate and use their detective skills to solve multiple mysteries to locate a hidden key in order to escape from a locked room within a limited time. The U.S. edition, “The Escape From The Werewolf Village,” will be staged inside the venue’s spacious 3rd Floor SUPERFROG Gallery at NEW PEOPLE, which will be remade as a mysterious village where werewolves have been known to attack people by night. As villagers disappear one by one, players must work together and use their deductive skills and gather clues to escape before the werewolves attack! The game setting will be accentuated with the use of actors, music, sound effects and lighting elements to add ambiance and immerse players in the environment.
NEW PEOPLE Game Times For “The Real Escape Game”
Friday, March 23rd: 6pm, 9pm
Saturday, March 24th: 2pm, 5pm, 8pm
Sunday, March 25th: 11am, 2pm, 5pm
Advanced tickets are now available for $20.00; Tickets at the door are $25.00. Each game session lasts about 90 minutes. Advance tickets and complete game details are available at: http://www.newpeopleworld.com/2012/01/18/come-play-real-escape-game//
**Note: The Game puzzles require no special skills or knowledge to solve; all puzzles can be solved with use of intuitive logic and deductive reasoning. All aspects of The Game will be conducted in English.
“The Real Escape Game” was first played in Tokyo in 2007 and since then, more than 100,000 participants have played in multiple cities across Japan, China, and Singapore. “The Real Escape Game” was the brainchild of Takao Kato, the founder of the Kyoto-based publishing company, SCRAP. Over 2,300 sessions have been staged to-date with as many as 10,000 participants taking part simultaneously. The Game was recently played by several hundred participants at massive arena venues including the Tokyo Dome and the city’s Jingu Baseball Stadium. The San Francisco session at NEW PEOPLE will be the first time “The Real Escape Game,” has been played in the United States.
“The Real Escape Game has become a big sensation in Japan and is a fun way for people to meet and work together to solve ingenious puzzles,” says Seiji Horibuchi, president and founder of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “The Real Escape Game is often staged in eclectic settings ranging from small theatres to large sporting arenas to cathedrals. NEW PEOPLE will be transformed into a foreboding village beset with werewolves and ingenious hidden puzzles that players must solve in order to escape! Come meet new friends and try out the latest live game phenomenon from Japan with this fun event happening in March!
About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (http://www.newpeopleworld.com/) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.
It’s new, it’s you. It’s Local Bites.
This month features the “bounty of Autumn.”
“Enjoy the bounty of Autumn, local chefs, sustainable organizations, good music, a no-host bar, and friendly people at Local Bites in September.
Schedule & Location
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
West Garden, California Academy of Sciences”
So, go to brunch in the AM and this could be your mid-afternoon snack.
Will Anthony Strong of Locanda be there this month? Maybe.
Here’s what it looked like last month:
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All the deets:
“Sunday, September 25
Enjoy the bounty of Autumn, local chefs, sustainable organizations, good music, a no-host bar, and friendly people at Local Bites in September.
Schedule & Location
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
West Garden, California Academy of Sciences
Pricing
Combo GA Adult $39.95 (includes Event & Academy General Admission)
Combo GA Youth (4-17)* $34.90 (includes Event & Academy General Admission)
Event Only Adult $19.95 (does not include admission to the Academy)
Event Only Youth (4-17)* $9.95 (does not include admission to the Academy)
Member $14.95 (for members and their guests)
Member Youth (4-17)* $9.95
*Children 3 and under are free.
Please Note: JFK Drive is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays. If you drive, we recommend you enter the Concourse Garage at 10th and Fulton.”
See you there!
[Oh, here we go, it's the Citizen of Tomorrow Awards, just posted.]
Now, the problem I had last night was being too ambitious, thinking I could drop by the First Birthday Celebration of The Bay Citizen and then hustle it uphill to the Specfic Whites neighborhood by nine-ish, thinking that this year’s party would be like last year’s, you know, the one they had in the Twitterloin. That one was off the hook.
Anyway, here it is at the stated 8:00 PM starting time. (A dozen people to park your car, but only one to check you into the place.)
(Why, yes, Terra _is_ 200 feet away from a bridge and two miles away from a tunnel – why do you ask?)
And here are your food trucks. (Everything seems to taste better when it’s from a truck, non?)
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I guess things got going later in the evening. But I’ll tell you, if you skipped the first hour of last year’s soiree, which was off the hook, you would have missed a lot.
The good thing is that The Bay Citizen produced, as designed, a lot of good stuff the past year.
Anyway, Bon Anniversaire, The Bay Citizen.
By now, everybody knows that rocker Sammy Hagar Can’t Drive 55 - that speed limit was so low it caused him all kinds of consternation back in the 1980′s.
Now, just imagine how upset Sammy would get on Masonic Avenue these days, what with its relatively new 25 MPH speed limit.
Well, the cops will be out there, handing out tickets and putting up the radar signs.
Try it for yourself, if you want, try driving the limit. Obeying 25 MPH requires some concentration but it can be done. This shot from the driver’s seat of Mom’s Taxi is proof.
“Speeding” down Masonic at idle and with the foot on the brake pedal:
You really need to keep your eye on the dash, though.
Could Usain Bolt outrun you in your car at this speed? Well, considering that he can easily break Masonic’s speed limit on level ground, I think he’d be able to pass you while going downhill.
Of course the real problems with this portion of Masonic are:
1. All the parked cars;
2. Trees that shouldn’t be where they’re at and can’t be moved; and
3. Those who value aesthetics over safety.
Oh well.
And hey, speaking of safety, here’s the safe way down Masonic – see the cyclist on the sidewalk?
And oh, look at this.
But hey, will this initiative really “improve access” for “all modes of transportation?”
Seems unlikely at this point.
Oh well.
Film Night in the Park has seen fit to schedule The Big Lebowski for Dolores Park on the evening of Saturday, September 25th, 2010.
Dude, see you there at 8:00 PM!
Here you go – as a part of Sunday Streets Golden Gate Park / Great Highway* on August 22, 2010, you’ll be able to ride on over to our California Academy of Sciences, drop your bike off at the free San Francisco Bicycle Coalition valet parking service, and then score a free ticket to enter the Academy.
The catch is that you’ll need to be among the first 100 to arrive, so that means you might need to get there before the 11:00 AM opening time. Other than that, this is the sweetest Sunday Streets deal ever. Be sure to thank our corporate overlords at CLIF BAR.(And bonus, the first 200 cyclists to arrive get a Clif Bar.)
This could be you:
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All the deets:
CLIF BAR “Fun Ride to the Academy” Gives Bike Riders. Free Admission to California Academy of Sciences
BERKELEY, Calif., July 28, 2010 – CLIF® BAR is giving people a chance to pedal their way into one of San Francisco’s greatest adventures for free. As part of its 2 Mile Challenge bike advocacy program, CLIF BAR is offering free admission to the California Academy of Sciences (valued at up to $24.95 per ticket) for the first 100 folks who arrive by bicycle. The CLIF BAR “Fun Ride to the Academy” takes place on Sunday, August 22. More details are below:
WHAT:
- Free admission to California Academy of Sciences for first 100 people who arrive on bicycles
- Free bike valet, offered by San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to the first 100 people who arrive by bicycle
- Free CLIF BAR samples to the first 200 people who arrive by bicycle
WHEN:
- Sunday, August 22, 2010; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Coincides with San Francisco’s Sunday Streets event – Golden Gate Park to the Great Highway will be closed to cars
WHERE:
- California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park
- CLIF BAR ticket distribution and bike valet located on the east side of the Academy (the side farthest away from the Music Concourse band shell)
WHY:
- Bike riding is fun for the entire family
- CLIF BAR is committed to fighting climate change through its 2 Mile Challenge bike advocacy program. This nationwide campaign encourages people to ride a bike instead of driving a car for trips two miles or less to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that cause climate change.
- In the U.S., 40 percent of all urban trips are two miles or less, and 90 percent of those trips are made by car.
- Every mile traveled by bike instead of car prevents one pound of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, according to the Climate Leadership Initiative at the University of Oregon. Car-generated carbon dioxide is one of the leading causes of global climate change.
About Clif Bar & Company
Clif Bar & Company is a leading maker of nutritious, all-natural, organic foods and drinks, including CLIF® BAR energy bar, LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®; and CLIF Kid®, Nourishing Kids in Motion®. Focused on sports nutrition and healthy snacks, the company is committed to sustaining its people, brands, business, community and planet. (www.clifbar.com)
*The full name: Sunday Streets Great Highway Golden Gate Park, Penguins to Penguins 2010 II, This Time It Won’t Rain.
Word comes from photographer David Yu that the 25th Annual Miss Asian America Pageant is coming August 7th. It’s up at the monstrously large Palace of Fine Arts, so there are still tickets on sale.
Give me a W! That stands for Welcome to the Pageant:
You want pageantry and color?
As stated, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday.
“History:
“Founded by Rose Chung, the Miss Asian America Pageant has been the premier event in Asian American community for the past two decades and the longest running Asian American pageant in the United States. From our humble beginnings in 1985 with the Asian American Arts Festival, our event has expanded to an internationally recognized event with regional competitions nationwide.
The Face of Asian America
Today, the Miss Asian America Pageant continues its active participation in nationwide events. From our partnership with the American Legion, the nation’s largest veteran’s organization, to our participation in America’s largest Chinese New Year celebration held in San Francisco annually, the pageant continues its positive representation of the Asian American community.
The Heart of Asian America
Celebrating, Beauty, Elegance, and Culture, the Miss Asian America Pageant is proud to have contributed thousands to community causes and continues to be one of the largest scholarship providers for Asian American women nationwide. Proceeds from the event have been donated to Asian Perinatal Advocates, a nationally recognized child abuse/domestic violence prevention program and most recently, all event merchandise sales have benefited the Stanford University Asian Liver Center in an effort to fight Hepatitis B in the Asian American community.
The Future of Asian America
The pageant has seen through almost 500 contestants in its program and is proud of its titleholders. Mona Lee Locke (Miss Asian America 1986) went on to a successful journalism career and became First Lady of the State of Washington. Gwendoline Yeo (Miss Asian America 1995) has starred in JAG, NYPD Blue, OC, and 24. Amrapali Ambegaokar(Miss Asian California 1999) is an accomplished Cirque du Soleil dancer. We pride ourselves in shaping the leaders of Asian America.
More deets after the jump
This was the scene this AM at Mile 19 of San Francisco Marathon 2010. The crowd of two coffee-drinking women waited to see which runner would explode through the Stanyan Street Gateway of Golden Gate Park.* See?
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Turns out it was Keith Bechtol from “Team Zombie.” He’s an 25-year-old astophysicist(!) from Stanfoo. Have you ever seen a five-digit bib number runner leading after 20 miles worth of marathon? Look at him go down Haight Street:
And here’s the second runner in the full marathon to make it out of the park, Michael Wardian, zipping by the iconic Haight Street McDonalds:
Looks intense:
There’s your separation, about two-and-a-half regular-size San Francisco city blocks:
Look out Zombie Keith! The non-zombies are gaining on you!
Results! Get all the deets after the jump.
Full Marathon:
1 Keith B 30811 02:23:28 2 Michael W 11 02:25:21 3 Zack E 20988 02:36:16 4 Florian S 90 02:37:08 5 Amir Doron K 20179 02:37:09
Half Marathon #1:
1 Michael D 22534 01:15:10 2 Brett D 22866 01:17:07 3 Matthieu B 23432 01:18:58 4 Justin M 23100 01:19:15 5 Steve L 23091 01:19:44
Half Marathon #2:
1 James G 46014 01:39:08 2 Katherine L 45634 01:40:05 3 Gina H 45307 01:40:14 4 Tim E 45963 01:40:27 5 Ha C 45628 01:42:13
5K:
1 Diane W 90478 00:32:50 2 Erica Y 90214 00:34:08 3 Josie N 92341 00:34:11
Progressive [Far Left] 5k
1 Fred L 92743 00:42:39 2 Amy L 92741 00:42:55 3 Kenna B 92780 00:51:47
Congratulations to all the participants and volunteers!
Moving on…
Frankly, this joint could do with a little nudity, booze, costuming and public urination.
Frankly.
I mean if the NIMBYs aren’t complaining about it, what kind of event do you really have? Wouldn’t the organizers be better off giving each “bandit” as many bagels as s/he could consume? Yes. And doesn’t this race start way, way too early? Yep. Giving in to every demand from the leadership elements of every micro-neighborhood homeowners group – that’s the path of least resistance but is this practice good for your event, SFM?
And hey, how about a costume division next year? Just saying…
*Speaking of which, note the local high point in Golden Gate Park at Mile 16.5 near Prayerbook Cross. See, they have it pegged at almost 300 feet, per this elevation chart. Yet, the Bay to Breakers people and the MSM claim, every year, that the highest point on the B2B civic event course is the top of Hayes Street Hill (at 215 feet), despite the fact that the B2B route also goes right past Prayerbook Cross on JFK Jr, Drive. In the words of paid shill Dr. Henry Lee, “Something is wrong here. Something is terribly wrong.” Also, since I used the phrase “Bay to Breakers,” I now feel an obligation to mention the words “race, racing, or racers,” as many times as possible, as is the practice of the B2B flack team. Race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race, race… It’s a subliminal suggestion kind of thing to mess with your mind. See?
“The organizer of the Bay to Breakers road race confirmed that the 100th running of the venerable 12k race will take place on May 15, 2011. The race, a unique celebration of San Francisco and its racing culture, will institute new measures this year as part of its centennial celebration of the race.
“We cherish the fun aspects of the race that have made it unique worldwide– racers, runners dressed in costumes, centipedes, group running–that add to the excitement of a professional internationally important 12K footrace,” said Angela Fang, general race manager of the Bay to Breakers race. “In the coming months we will be announcing a number of compelling programs to enhance the race and the racing for the racers.”
Or something like that. B2B’s real press release is almost as bad as this.
Anyway, the San Francisco Marathon has an official release. Read it after the jump.
Here’s where they sit now, Numbers 25 and 23 from the oddball San Francisco Belt Railroad. That was the shortline that California started in 1891.
These locomotives were built during World War II to haul stuff around the waterfront, but since 1993 they’ve generally been cloistered inside Pier 96, making a few short trips now and then.
As seen at the end of Cargo Way near Heron’s Head Park:
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Here’s what the “roundhouse” used to look like at Sansome and Embarcadero. Check it, the building is still there – can you see where the tracks were?
Tourism is a much more important biz than freight-hauling these days, so don’t look for rail to make a comeback along the waterfront anytime soon. But maybe we’ll get the Fort Mason Tunnel open again for transit, once the goddamn NIMBYs of the Marina stop screaming about it.
