Mission Mission

It’s easy to demonize Craig Yates for causing the closure of Chile Lindo on 16th, one of the neighborhood’s favorite empanada spots.  After all, he and his attorney have been on a rampage around the area recently, suing over 30 local businesses for ADA violations (he’s even suing Turtle Tower).  Furthermore, Paula Tejada and her empanadas have plenty of fans and supporters (who refer to her affectionately as “the Girl from Empanada”), owing to the deliciousness of her specialty and her friendly demeanor.

However, as SFoodie points out, wasn’t the Americans with Disabilities Act instituted in order to protect a certain (under-represented) group of people from discrimination?  Yates obviously feels that he is being discriminated against by not being allowed to fit inside a restaurant like other customers.  Just because he’s being a jerk about it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s wrong.  He views himself as a crusader for disabled rights.  Tejada sees him as an opportunistic nuisance out to make a quick buck on the backs of small business owners.

It’s a much trickier issue than anyone initially anticipated.  I don’t even know what to think anymore.  I just wish she had installed a ramp at her place before this whole thing got out of control.

[Photo by Melody Wong]

Previously:

It’s Always Sunny in the Mission: Chile Lindo Empanadas

Chile Lindo Moves to 16th and Capp

MM reader Andy Miller was walking down 18th Street last Thursday when he spotted a group of women dancing on–wait for it–the Women’s Building.  Soooooo meta!  I especially like the part where one of the dancers braces herself on a pole protruding from the roof while performing some sort of aerial cycling maneuver.

Unfortunately, Andy couldn’t figure out exactly what was going on, but he did manage to shoot some great video.  Anyone have any ideas?

Previously:

‘Dude, crazy dancing chicks on a rooftop! Bring your camera!’

We received so many excellent ideas for a Mission Motto last week that we can’t possibly possess the audacity necessary to decide which one embraces our neighborhood most fittingly.  So, we’re going to leave it up to you!

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, and the winner will be announced next Monday.  What will the winner get?  Well, there’ll be a vote for that, naturally!

[polldaddy poll=3628914]

[Photo by Emmanuelle via SFist]

Well, this is a real downer.  Last night a cyclist was struck by a Mercedes at Turk and Masonic and died from injuries at the scene.  The driver fled but was later caught and arrested.

BIKE NOPA has all the details.

Please be careful out there, folks.

[Photo by darren_mirfield]

Hey, this doesn’t look normal.  Wait a minute, holy shit there’s a fire in Caledonia Alley at 16th St.  SFFD has responded en masse and are dealing with the situation.  Stay posted for updates and in the meantime stay out of the fucking way! And also pray for Esta Noche.

First they came for the Aztecky wraparound awning thing, and now for the last vestige of the former taqueria.  And with that, the conquest of Commonwealth is complete.

UPDATE!!! Says the Photographer:

Wish I’d got a better picture, but I was shooting through that chain-link fence. On which, the new menu is posted — yum yum.

[Photo and Title by Cranky Old Mission Guy]

Previously:

Commonwealth!

Unmasking the Past

At first I thought Oddfellow got those shoes up on those power lines merely by tossing them up there.  However, it is now clear that he must have some sort of hovering ability.  Whether this is the result of technological innovation or magical aptitude remains to be discovered.

Previously:

Oddfellow Shoes-On-Wire Art

Debate:  Is Oddfellow Art?

Oddfellow Says “Get Even”

Hobo Oddfellow

Too bad.  I wanted to go party at the Cafe in the Castro again tonight!  As did these guys, who were the first in line to be married at City Hall had the most hotly anticipated decision since Lebron’s produced the result we and Glenn Beck were all hoping for.

Looks like we’ll have to wait until next week to see what’s up . . .

[Photo by SF City Attorney Dennis Herrera via SF Citizen]

I think Steve Jobs took this photo when he stopped by

San Francisco’s finest pizza and porn, together at last.  Kind of like a frat party.  So far, the Kink crew has hit up the Knockout and, allegedly, the Kilowatt.  Where will they be next?  Smart money’s on Benders.

(Thanks to, ummm, Robert for the tip–yeah, that’s the ticket)

[Photos and Video from Kink.com, both probably NSFW]

Just don’t try from an iPad.

Previously:

Kink at the Knockout (NSFW)

The Tens Takes You Inside The Armory

Anti-Porn Bias Costs Kink Cash

Pre-Internet Kink.com Armory

Breaking Pizza News at Arinell

Looks like this place has a spot opening up!  Who wants to call Jim for details?

Read it bigger.

(Thanks Cranky Old Mission Guy!)

Previously:

Worst Neighbors Ever?

“Vocal” Neighbors Getting Ellis Acted

The Landlord’s Side of the Story

Alleged “Crazy” Neighbor’s Side of the Story!