Mission Mission

Cycle-commuting reader Mickey B. (who also happens to have a great mob nickname) was unable to enjoy the exhilaration of riding down the freshly painted green bike lanes on Market Street this morning thanks to this color-blind driver.  He adds:

A friend of mine passed it after I did and said the car was unlocked and there was a purse on the seat…

I wanna know how this car even managed to get in there!  She obviously wasn’t able to fit through those narrowly spaced posts, so she must have entered the bike lane at the beginning of the block, proceeded about halfway, and then stopped her car and got out.  Do automobile drivers really feel so entitled that they think they can get away with this?

To be fair, on the commute this morning I noticed that even the majority of cyclists themselves prefer to avoid the bike lane when they can in favor of the street, green paint or not (although this stretch of Market is also off-limits to private vehicles so it’s inherently safer):

Anyway, in general the separated green bike lanes are a huge win for cyclists everywhere (not just in SF), and I’m all for them since they encourage cautious people who might be too frightened to bike amongst the cars and buses to try out cycle commuting in somewhat safer fashion.

Don’t forget that this Thursday, May 13, is the 16th annual BIKE TO WORK DAY, so remember to pedal out with your cyclist pride on full display.  As usual, the SFBC will be hosting recharging stations throughout the city with free schwag that’s actually useful and awesome (bags, patch kits, water), so volunteer if you have a chance!  See you out there!

Previously:

Posts Be Posting Up All Over Market Street

Wouldn’t It Be Nice If SF Had Bike Lanes Like Copenhagen’s?

The dark side of the paletero business. Keep an eye on your sweethearts, gents.

The Tens has the scoop.

Related:

The Life of a Mission District Paletero

When we checked in with Renée here on Friday, she was grappling with a masturbation-related relationship issue.

Well, she seems to have sorted it out over the weekend and moved on to BLAZING NEW TRAILS IN FASHION. Kudos, Renée!

Previous pajama pants:

Late-Night Farolito Fashion Roundup

Vigilant reader Nobby Stylz alerts us to this sign offering a reward for the safe return of a parrot named Dude who whistles the theme to the Good, the Bad and the Ugly. But wait! Since the last time Dude went missing, apparently he’s learned to bark!

Either that or this is just a really old flyer.

Mission Mission reader Scott B. writes in with a question for the community:

I saw a spot in front of the Baby Blue Rib restaurant on Mission, a young women was in the spot looking at her cell phone, she did not seem to notice me, so I lightly honked my horn. She looked up from her cellphone and said she was holding the spot and someone would be there soon. I pulled up next to her and told her people can’t hold spots, they are for cars. She repeated that she was holding it for someone who was coming soon.

I knew there were not many spots around, so I got annoyed and said “Whatever” and waved my hand dismissively frustration and then drove away. I don’t know what is more annoying, holding a spot or when the person standing in the spot tries to ignore cars like they don’t exist; WTF, like I am supposed to assume that someone standing in a spot means they are holding and I should just keep looking? As Yahoo Answers said, unless you have a license plate on your ass, move out of the spot.

I also read online about someone who got stabbed to death in San Francisco in front of a club, he was holding a spot, a fight broke out and he got stabbed after the fight.

I’m probably not the most sympathetic person to ask about this, as I’m fairly conditioned to respond with “FUCK CARS” to any question about automotive habitat or entitlement.  So, just for fun, and since I do notice this happening on Valencia all the time but realize that Yahoo Answers might not be the most trustworthy source of information, allow me to pose the question to you, faithful readers.  Have at it!

[Photo by p200eric]

Al says:

Walgreens is getting pervy! They ‘claim’ it helps posture and cinches the waist. 23rd & Mission.

Thanks, Al!

Previously:

Strangulation Fetish Meets Female Mannequin

Now that Frank Chu (or his dedicated fans) has already had his fun with this Mission Banksy piece, the Sit-Lie folks get their turn at a little political piggy-backery.

Wait a minute . . . now WordPress is telling me that “piggy-backery ” isn’t a real word?  Well, I don’t want to start any fights or anything, but WordPress doesn’t think MIXOLOGIST is a real word either.

Oh snap!

Anyway, you can give your own take on the Sit-lie debate this Monday at the Public Committee hearing in City Hall.  The fun starts at 9am on the front steps!

[Photo and Title by Andy B.]

Previously:

Enough Banksy for Chu?

San Francisco Has Banksy Fever!

Banksy Fever Continues!

(2009)
Once again the fine residents of Fair Oaks Street open up their garages and heap their valuables upon the sidewalks. It’s been going on for more than 20 years, but if you haven’t been yet all you need to know is that the whole street from 21st to 26th becomes a neighborhood flea market. You can find collectibles (old Army medals, old comic books), personal items (old yearbooks, old clothes), household stuff (old glassware, old kitchen appliances), and new stuff. Also! Cute little kids will probably be selling baked goods, families will probably be selling tamales and bros will probably be selling sausages.

It’s fun, grab a friend and check it out.

Since the beerdolero haiku contest is ending today, we’re throwing another one out there for our faithful readers.

In anticipation of the Jewish holiday of hanging out, Shavuot, the Cal Academy of Sciences is collaborating with Reboot and Tablet magazine to host DAWN 2010, a late-night kaleidoscope of cultural arts and such.  Check out this awesome lineup:

• Sandra Bernhard, a one-woman comedic force of nature
• Gary Shteyngart, author of internationally acclaimed novels The Russian Debutante’s Handbook and Absurdistan
• Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) & master mixologist Bryan Ranere (of Laszlo fame) mixing up a special round of drinks
• Fool’s Gold performing their unique blend of African dance rhythms

Of course, there will also be DJs and art installations all over the place, giving you ample opportunity to wander through the Living Roof, Technicolor aquarium, and other fascinating science exhibits at your leisure.

The party is going down on Saturday, May 15th from 7:30pm-Midnight at the Cal Academy of Sciences, but tickets are on sale now!  As luck would have it, however, Mission Mission has happened upon a pair of tickets that can be yours (if you’re good enough).

We’re calling out all the nerds for this one with . . . an essay!  In 200 words or less, write a story comment about how science has changed your life.  If it hasn’t, well, then you really have no business being in the Cal Academy in the first place.  You have until 5pm this Thursday, so get cracking!    And remember, no futzing with the margins!

PS. Let’s meet up at the eel garden!

Renée‘s middle name is “Bonecrusher” btw. Link.