Yours, Mime, and Hours
10/20/08 11:41 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Only in SF...
Dateline: Union Square Area, 170 O’Farrell Street at Powell, where Mister SF recalls San Francisco’s pantomime great Robert Shields, whose talent and legend grew and blossomed on the Square around the corner from here. What brings our pal Shields to mind? The lively use of womannequins at the Skechers store is reason enough for Mister SF.
Womannequins strike a pose at 170 O’Farrell Street
Womannequins strike a pose at 170 O’Farrell Street
Anza Hill Parking Lot
10/17/08 16:54 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: High on a Hill
Dateline: Anza Hill, Anza Street and Masonic Avenue, where a shopping center parking lot offers several unique views of the City, eastward to the new bayfront towers, all the way to the Pacific Ocean on the west. More Photos >>
Mister SF Remembers Loma Prieta
10/17/08 15:18 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: In with the New! | Only in SF...
Dateline: San Francisco, where Mister SF remembers the 19th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake which struck at 5:04 pm on Oct. 17, 1989 and left 63 dead in the Bay Area.
Crocker Galleria, Montgomery and Post Streets. Clocks froze on or about 5:04.
Oct. 18, 1989: Mel’s Diner, 3355 Geary Blvd., where Mister SF and other downtown dwellers who were still without power went for food and other provisions. The long-gone Cala Foods that also saved the day is currently the new Toyota service center, 4099 Geary Blvd.
Oct. 18, 1989: Mister SF, Hank Donat was just a lad at Mel’s with Martita, a BFF before the term was coined. In 1989, we just called them cool chicks who live across the hall from gay guys. Continue Reading...
Crocker Galleria, Montgomery and Post Streets. Clocks froze on or about 5:04.
Oct. 18, 1989: Mel’s Diner, 3355 Geary Blvd., where Mister SF and other downtown dwellers who were still without power went for food and other provisions. The long-gone Cala Foods that also saved the day is currently the new Toyota service center, 4099 Geary Blvd.
Oct. 18, 1989: Mister SF, Hank Donat was just a lad at Mel’s with Martita, a BFF before the term was coined. In 1989, we just called them cool chicks who live across the hall from gay guys. Continue Reading...
Sunset for Mervyn's in the Inner Richmond
10/17/08 14:04 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Farewell Favorites
Dateline: Inner Richmond, Geary Blvd. and Masonic Avenue, where Mervyn’s is soon to close. Continue Reading...
Mervyn’s, 2675 Geary Blvd.
As Mervyn’s chose to announce the end of the company on the 19th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, Mister SF remembers an earlier life for 2675 Geary Blvd. While the Sears store was still on that spot, I picked up this black lacquer tea cart (above photo, lower right) that we used to serve spaghetti with butter and red wine by candlelight in my studio on Bush Street on the night of the earthquake in 1989. We got through the quake, and Sears, and even ’80s decor, so farewell Mervyn’s and on we go!
Mervyn’s, 2675 Geary Blvd.
As Mervyn’s chose to announce the end of the company on the 19th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, Mister SF remembers an earlier life for 2675 Geary Blvd. While the Sears store was still on that spot, I picked up this black lacquer tea cart (above photo, lower right) that we used to serve spaghetti with butter and red wine by candlelight in my studio on Bush Street on the night of the earthquake in 1989. We got through the quake, and Sears, and even ’80s decor, so farewell Mervyn’s and on we go!
Gaspare's Pizza House
10/15/08 12:48 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Local Joints
Dateline: The Richmond, 5546 Geary Blvd. near 19th Avenue, where Mister SF’s correspondent Misty recommends Gaspare’s for favorite Local Joint. “Best pizza in the USA,” says Misty, “Same great food and service for over 40 years! I live in Concord and still go there whenever I am in the city. Jukeboxes in the booths; Open late on weekends! No place like Gaspare's - garlic bread for hardcore garlic lovers.”
Gaspare’s, 5546 Geary Blvd.
Gaspare’s, 5546 Geary Blvd.
Fly Me to the Moon
10/15/08 09:19 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Only in SF... | Local Joints
Dateline: Inner Richmond, 3526 Geary Blvd. near Palm Avenue, where today’s announcement from the airline industry that carriers could soon eliminate fuel surcharges due to declining oil prices may reduce economic anxiety for international travelers. However, the window display does nothing for fear of flying.
KC International Travel, 3526 Geary Blvd.
KC International Travel, 3526 Geary Blvd.
When Rats Fly
10/14/08 14:22 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Only in SF...
Cityscapes
10/14/08 13:29 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: High on a Hill | Only in SF...
Dateline: Masonic Avenue and Euclid, where a car barn, bus barn, or Muni yard by any other name has a gentle appeal on a warm night.
Charmed
10/13/08 11:48 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Cinematic SF | Mister SF's Roadshow | Splendid Structures
Dateline: Los Angeles, Angelino Heights, where Mister SF finds support for Barack Obama even among fictional witches. The graceful Charmed house is the most frequently requested San Francisco location that’s not in San Francisco. An Obama-for-President sign greeted Mister SF at 1329 Carroll Avenue. The Victorian plays the TV home of the Halliwell sisters, the hot witches in the popular 1998-2006 light drama from Aaron Spelling Productions. The 1300 block of Carroll Avenue boasts beautiful houses that rival the finest in SF’s real Pacific Heights. The 1300 and 1400 blocks became California’s first Scenic Underground Wiring District when poles and overhead wires were removed beginning in 1998. Adding to the allure and timelessness of this magical little street is the uncanny fact that it’s located just a moment away (by car, of course) from Dodger’s Stadium or even from the tallest buildings in LA.
Mister SF comes to 1329 Carroll Avenue, TV’s 1329 Prescott Street, the Charmed house.
1329 Carroll Avenue, Los Angeles. More photos >>
Mister SF comes to 1329 Carroll Avenue, TV’s 1329 Prescott Street, the Charmed house.
1329 Carroll Avenue, Los Angeles. More photos >>
Street Talk #2
10/08/08 14:49 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Only in SF... | Local Joints
Dateline: Chinatown Gate, Grant Avenue and Bush Street, where Caffe de la Presse pulls out all the stops to provide a French atmosphere. A painted street sign - Rue Bush - is the cafe’s newest l’accent français, along with relaxed service, outdoor seating, strong coffee in large cups, and high prices.
Rue Bush. And we do!
352 Grant Avenue
Rue Bush. And we do!
352 Grant Avenue
House of Stools & Bars
10/07/08 12:15 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Farewell Favorites
Dateline: Western Addition/NOPA, 661 Divisadero Street. “I dare you to get sentimental over House of Stools & Bars,” she said, knowing Mister SF’s propensity for nostalgia, but not his complete resume. Like many young comedians, I found the perfect stool, cut to the perfect height, at House of Stools & Bars. By the time my act was ready to leave the living room, the stool was custom butt-grooved, too. The furniture store, a fixture in SF for over 40 years, closed in 2007. I’m glad the place outlasted my comedy career, if not my favorite stool itself.
661 Divisadero Street
Mister SF at Josie’s Cabaret and Juice Joint, 3583 16th Street, in 1994.
661 Divisadero Street
Mister SF at Josie’s Cabaret and Juice Joint, 3583 16th Street, in 1994.
Octavia Blvd. Hazard
10/07/08 11:19 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Notorious SF
Dateline: Market Street and Octavia Blvd., where Mister SF stumbles upon a two-fer for the Notorious file. While crossing the deadly crosswalk/freeway entrance at the new Octavia Blvd., who should I spy but the Marijuana Guy?
Octavia Blvd. and Market Street: A picture of danger.
The pedestrian safety poster we forgot to print: The Marijuana Guy, a San Francisco character of the Frank Chu variety, crosses Octavia Blvd.
Octavia Blvd. and Market Street: A picture of danger.
The pedestrian safety poster we forgot to print: The Marijuana Guy, a San Francisco character of the Frank Chu variety, crosses Octavia Blvd.
Spike, Rosie, and "Elizabitch"
10/07/08 09:38 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Local Joints
Dateline: The Castro, 4117 19th Street, where Mister SF is reminded why Spike’s Cafe is an institution on this particular slope. A latte doesn’t have to have an attitude, but it helps if it has an opinion. This friendly neighborhood coffee shop makes lattes so delicious and strong that after having one you might be tempted to charge up and over the steep hill to Noe Valley. Fortunately, you can also take the 24 bus!
4117 19th Street
Coffee Klatch: Spike weighs in after Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s live on-air shouting match on The View on May 23, 2007. Update: Rosie announced plans to return to TV in a new variety show for NBC while Hasselbeck denied this week that she plans to leave The View for Fox. Spike just keeps doing what Spike does - making great lattes.
Lovers of the City’s charms will take the time to proceed from Spike’s, up the hill, to Collingwood and 20th Streets. That’s what Mister SF calls a view.
Mister SF climbs the Collingwood Steps at 20th Street and Collingwood.
4117 19th Street
Coffee Klatch: Spike weighs in after Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s live on-air shouting match on The View on May 23, 2007. Update: Rosie announced plans to return to TV in a new variety show for NBC while Hasselbeck denied this week that she plans to leave The View for Fox. Spike just keeps doing what Spike does - making great lattes.
Lovers of the City’s charms will take the time to proceed from Spike’s, up the hill, to Collingwood and 20th Streets. That’s what Mister SF calls a view.
Mister SF climbs the Collingwood Steps at 20th Street and Collingwood.
Presidential Polling Data
10/02/08 09:22 MisterSF.com: Heart of the City: Only in SF... | Local Joints
Dateline: Chinatown, corner of Grant Avenue and Sacramento Street, where the Barack Obama action figure is outselling John McCain’s by 10-to-1. Likewise, Obama is ahead in national polls, widening his lead by up to nine points.
China Bazaar, 667 Grant Avenue
China Bazaar, 667 Grant Avenue
There are many gift bazaars here, but this one is my very favorite. Not only does it offer a collection of truly great crap and tourismo for peanuts, this one also has a well-stocked toy store on the second floor.
When in Chinatown, don’t miss the plaque that commemorates the first house in San Francisco. Nearly forgotten, but not by Mister SF, the plaque is located at 823 Grant Avenue, where it is usually obscured by hanging merchandise.
China Bazaar, 667 Grant Avenue
China Bazaar, 667 Grant Avenue
There are many gift bazaars here, but this one is my very favorite. Not only does it offer a collection of truly great crap and tourismo for peanuts, this one also has a well-stocked toy store on the second floor.
When in Chinatown, don’t miss the plaque that commemorates the first house in San Francisco. Nearly forgotten, but not by Mister SF, the plaque is located at 823 Grant Avenue, where it is usually obscured by hanging merchandise.