Mission Mission

The LA Times picked up on the recent gang violence in the Mission and was quick to point out that it is a gentrifying neighborhood. “What a contrast!” they say. Nothing new to you guys if you’ve read any Mission Mission comments, I’m sure. However, if lines like this:

On a recent evening, tattooed youth with yoga mats pushed past lines of workers wiring their day’s wages to relatives in Latin America.

strike you as mind-blowing perspective, then by all means read on.

[via Los Angeles Times; photo via fashioni.st]

Here is the clip of Rhea’s on Check Please Bay Area last week in case you missed it:

I really don’t think I’d spoil anything by saying all the reviews were glowing, but there was one new thing I took away from the feature:

It’s pronounced “Ray’s” not “Ray-ah’s”.

Woah.

If you haven’t jumped on the cell phone bandwagon, now’s the time.

The pay phone at 22nd near Mission is finally dead.

[pic by Joshua - thanks!]

[pic by me]

In America’s desperate search for rare earth elements, no site is left unturned.

That, or #burningmanrapture.

The “strip miming” typo was so unfortunate I had to share it with you all. I don’t even know how that would work. Naked with white paint? Peeling off imaginary clothes? Etymology over on Twitter:

And here’s a panorama for posterity’s sake.

But these guys are not half-assing it. Solid art.

Kevin sees the new piece as homophobic, depicting Dan Plasma as a feminine tiger (sitting on flowers, long eyelashes). We know there’s controversy here. We know how Mike Giant feels about it. In a way it’s pretty amazing to be able to watch a dialogue play out through amazing artwork on a wall. We just wish it came with less beef.

Readers Nick and Sarah wrote in with an interesting question:

On Valencia, most of the new sidewalk (roughly 15th to 20th st) has an excellent sparkly nature to it.  Something has been mixed into the concrete to give it a sparkly (most lovely under streetlights at night).   We want to replicate this…. but what is it?  Quartz? Gold?  No one seems to know….. do you guys have an answer?

Although we’ve noticed this on Mission Street as well, we do not have the answer (although I highly doubt it’s gold).  Do you?

[Photo by Marco Valtas]

Get some rest and relaxation in while you can.

This just in from blues/ragtime guitar genius and national treasure Craig Ventresco:

Bring your own laptop to join in the fun. Or, if you wanna watch the music, you will not be disappointed. Craig plays every Saturday from 4-6pm at Atlas Cafe and you might recognize his music in the movie Crumb, by Terry Zwigoff.

Somehow I didn’t know that Troy Holden has a tumblr. It’s full of gems like this breathtaking shot of local pigeon whisperer Swan, and I don’t know why he isn’t racking up thousands of “likes” per post. Go follow him, if you’re into this internet stuff.

Be sure to check out the documentary on Swan, while you’re at it.