Tuesday’s power outage caused by mylar balloon

About 4,700 people temporarily lost power on Tuesday.

Then a reader, Geoff, sent us this pic, saying:

I was on Valencia st when the power went out, so I went back home. On the way I saw this at 21st and Alabama. A Mylar balloon shorted out the wires, and it looks like it took out most of the district.

Thanks, Geoff!

The SF Appeal has the official story:

[PG&E spokesman] Molica said the balloon “caused extensive damage,” and he reminded people to keep metallic balloons weighed down and away from power lines.

Here’s a pic with the balloon highlighted, in case it wasn’t clear above.

How frustrated do you get when you can’t find your friends in Dolores Park on a busy day?

Our pal Abby, who, believe me, has had her share of misadventures in the park, had some stories to tell after spending some of 4/20 in Dolores Park, so here she is telling them to me and Kat:

[Graphic by ashleyisachild] (Thanks, Mikey!)

Beautiful day in the park!

P.S. Sorry, Jessica :P

‘Celeb Spotting at Sunday Streets’ podcast starring Kat and Nick

We went to Sunday Streets to see the Dwarves play a rare acoustic set, and then we made a podcast about all the celebs we saw.

Discussed:

  • Dandelion Chocolate
  • Almanac Beer Co.
  • Death & Taxes
  • The Dwarves
  • KOFY TV 20 Dance Party
  • Coffee
  • Blood, Guts and Pussy
  • Rammstein
  • Bad band names
  • Being an insider
  • Litquake/Literary Death Match
  • The Mission by Jason Myers
  • How to pronounce Chuck Palahniuk
  • The Lower Haight
  • John Dwyer/Thee Oh Sees
  • Matt Jones/Master-Slave
  • Misogyny
  • Dr. Frank/The Mr. T Experience
  • Sunday Streets
  • Ross Mirkarimi
  • Politicians
  • Chris Brown

Adobe Books will live on, in a new space on 24th Street!

The Will Brown art collective spilled the beans on Facebook an hour ago:

Will Brown is excited to hear that Adobe Books is moving to our hood! Adobe Books signed their lease for their new home at 3130 24th Street between Folsom and Shotwell! They’re opening in June!

“Big news and hopefully true. 24th Street would be bookstore alley,” says reader Alissa who sent us the tip, “It would be excellent for Adobe and the neighborhood.” Agreed!

UPDATE: Yup, here’s an official announcement from Adobe:

We’ve got some very exciting news to share. Adobe Books has officially signed a lease for our new home at 3130 24thStreet between Folsom and Shotwell! We’re so happy to find a beautiful new space in the Mission District where the new Adobe Books and Arts Cooperative can thrive!

Though we won’t officially be moving until June, to get a head start on getting to know our neighbors, Adobe Books will be participating in this weekend’s Mission Sunday Streets. Please come and support our new store! We’ll be there between 11am – 4pm with a selection of used books, some friendly faces from the coop group, and Andrew with his camera.

Oh cool, yeah, Sunday Streets starts this weekend too!

(Thanks, Katie!)

[Photo by Google Maps]

Future South Van Ness mini-golf course neighbors concerned about traffic and noise, organizing against it, sort of

[via @woolfshirt]

It’s so hot right now, multiple people are walking around barefoot in the Mission

So reports the acclaimed Mills Baker, who’s currently out and about, taking in the sunshine. Watch your step, y’all!

UPDATE: Mills highlights that these are “perfectly normal” people, walking around barefoot, in the Mission.

Gun scare at SF General Hospital

ABC 7 reports, as of right now:

3 suspects detained after possible gunman spotted near SF General Hospital. No shots were fired. No gun has been found. [link]

(Thanks for the tip and photo, Mallory.)

Another photo of another long line at F.S.C. Barber

I wonder if these guys are getting tired of having their picture taken all the time.

[via Achy Abby]

Big groups of friends strolling the new 20th Street corridor, looking for or stumbling out of Trick Dog

Day in, day out, be it Saturday night or Wednesday night, happy hour or late-night, rain or shine, this is pretty much the scene: