Mission Mission

Inhabitat‘s Mike Chino just sent me a text: “Check your gmail…” Anyway, he’s on the scene:

I swear to god this neighborhood keeps getting rougher….

Today (August 2nd) at 12:00 noon I spotted this itinerant horde of bees slowly making its way down 14th street between Mission and Valencia. The roving mass was apparently following a fugitive queen as she made her way down the block, clustering on top of cars and buildings with no concern for private property. Police assured a concerned public that there was, in fact, an emergency beekeeper on his way, and that there was no cause for alarm.

Cripes! Hope everybody’s okay. Thanks, Mike!

Update: Wendy was on the scene too. She kind of just broke my heart by explaining that “Emergency Beekeeper” is not an official City of San Francisco job title:

the police didn’t even know that you could call a beekeeper. they said they would put their number on file for future reference though. before my bf called the beekeepers, the police had called the fire department. they had no idea i guess.

And she says that sfbee.org is the place to find ass-kicking beekeepers should another emergency arise. Thanks, Wendy!

More mysterious phenomena on Mission Mission:

Humanoid Ghostbat Sighted

God Gives Me The Finger

Dead Rat in Tar With Its Spinal Chord Out on Muni Tracks Near Dolores Park

Squid With Human-Like Teeth/Gloryholes For Beginners Mashup

This is the cast of Emo! The Musical! Think you’re eemer than they are? If so, you just might have what it takes to win free tickets to the show. Share your best emo-related anecdote in the comments section below, and the best two entries will get a pair of tickets to opening night, Friday August 8, 2008.

The show runs through the end of August and features singing, dancing, romance and angst — and lots of angst. Advance tickets at Brown Paper Tickets. Full production details at BEARDS BEARDS BEARDS.

Photo from offical press kit. Click to enlarge.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Dance and Drink for ‘Emo! The Musical!’

I don’t think the Fugees are playing or anything, but like the poster says, there’s entertainment, beer, food, demos, and it’s all for a good cause. Franklin Field is part of that park at 16th and Bryant that you never really see because it’s up above sidewalk level. Lael checked it out recently and said it seemed cool. Full disclosure: I went to this Sports Basement a few weeks ago to buy a soccer ball, and the staff was very helpful.

[via funcheapSF]

And it benefits Rwandan coffee farmers! Metblogs has the details here.

(via Eater SF)

Photo by ozone567.

Due to poor drainage, leaded paint, and other public safety issues raised by concerned parents, the Dolores Park Playground is set to be renovated. Meetings have been held and there are more to come. They’re talking about fences and barriers and all kinds of safe stuff. Reports The Snitch:

It’s up to the community to decide how harmonious or isolating the new monkey bars will shape up to be. The third and final meeting is set for the end of August, with construction slated for spring 2009.

Link. So take pictures of the crusty old relic while you still can, and maybe try to get War Mongers Diner to work up a version of Don’t Fence Me In for the end of August.

Photo of Dolores Park Pool by Amy Hammond.

Travis at SFist reports that Potrero del Sol/La Raza Skatepark at 25th and Utah (seen here in an unfinished state) opens for real this weekend. Mission Skateboards will bring barbecue and freebies. Pop’s hosts the afterparty. Link.

Photo by unaesthetic.

So today is my last day at my job that’s directly across the street from Aquatic Park, next door to Ghiradelli Square. My commute everyday consists of taking BART to the Embarcadero, and transferring to the F-Market, which passes the Ferry Building and Pier 39.

I pass by the Hyde Street Cable Car turnaround and the Buena Vista Cafe on my walk from the end of the F Line to the office.

If I look up from my tired haziness, I have a perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

For lunch, I’ll either walk to Fort Mason:

or to Washington Square Park:

Sometimes I’ll play Bocce on the new, and empty, Bocce Court that’s next to the quaint North Beach Library.

Pure San Francisco five days a week.

Although I’ve seen some amazing things: dead sharks, stranded seals, birds that take shits the size of buckets — I’ll probably never come back.

It’s not my San Francisco. My San Francisco is warm weather, beer in the park, dirty sidewalks, Mexicans.

So Goodbye 8:30 to 5! Goodbye hour long commute! Goodbye Fisherman/Sailor/Pirate Bum and Bushman Bum! Goodbye Tourists! Goodbye 30 mph winds!

Bushman Bum. He has succeeded, everyday for three years, to scare me. Every. Time.

Fisherman/Sailor/Pirate Bum: I have seen you three or four times everyday, and I dont want to show a photo of you. You are too precious. I will definitely miss you.

Now … does Dolores Park have wifi?

[All photos from Flickr. Click each to see photo page.]

Marcia at’s got the deets:

So, I can finally release the news about another Isaac Mogannam project in the Mission (he’s the one behind the other projects I have mentioned here: Grub and Zaytoon, and the upcoming Booth on Polk Street); moving into the Zain’s Mediterranean Cuisine space, next door to Big Mouth Burgers, will be ~PHAT PHILLY~. Think truly authentic Philly cheesesteaks: an Amoroso Philly Roll (baked in Philly), with a choice of provolone, American cheese, or Whiz (if you must), sweet banana peppers and hot cherry peppers, and the twist is that these will be buy inflatable slide made with quality beef and chicken. Mogannam stated he will be doing his best to use local produce, if not 100% organic ingredients. There will be several options for vegetarians, including a portobello cheesesteak, a veggie cheesesteak, and a tofu cheesesteak. Also expect fries, both regular and crisscut (waffle fries), served as is, with cheese, or get them topped with Whiz and chili (antacid not included). Also on the menu: Buffalo wings in Frank’s RedHot Sauce or BBQ-flavored, milkshakes, Tastykake snacks, Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews, Herr’s Pretzels, and lastly, Frank’s Black Cheery Wishniak Soda, all Philly favorites. Phat Philly is due to open sometime between early July and early August. 3388 24th St. at Valencia.

I’d meant to eat at Zain’s for years, and have been bummed that I never did. Think this place will make me feel better? Link. (Thanks, Alexandra!)

Last week, Chris told us about a recent trip to Zeitgeist:

Just as the tummy started rumbling asking buy inflatable games to be fed who should show up, but Virginia the Tamale Lady.

Handing out the most delicious tamales as well as a few back rubs while chatting people up, bumming smokes and handing out birthday cards! That’s right next Tuesday the 24th from 7-10 at Zeitgeist they are celebrating her birthday.

That’s tonight! More info here. More Zeitgeist here.

Photo by veen(click to enlarge).

Over at the Free Farm Stand, Tree is floating the idea of taking on an intern:

I like the way City Slicker Farm in West Oakland has interns that help run their program. I am thinking of trying to get cheap inflatable water park a grant to pay a stipend to an intern or apprentice that would help grow food for the farm stand and to learn urban farming at the same time.

Any takers? It’s prime summer internship time, after all.

Link to more on the intern idea, as well as a complete wrap-up of yesterday’s Free Farm Stand festivities.

Link to West Oakland’s City Slicker Farms.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Treat Street Treats