Contrary to popular belief, Adobe Books is NOT closing

Instead, it’s being transformed!  So says Andrew McKinley, the proprietor of Adobe Bookstore:

Looking ahead to the New Year, there are basically two options for the Adobe Bookstore.  I choose to be an optimist and believe that the store can be saved, providing enough people band together to contribute labor, sufficient funds, and creative energy to transform Adobe Bookshop into a viable cooperative business entity. The cooperative strategy must be realized in a short time frame to enable a successful transition phase.  By the beginning of 2013, a new lease, new stock and reorganized staff need to be put into place.

Check out the full report as well as an informative FAQ after the jump, and be sure to join this Facebook group to stay up to date on all things Adobe.

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Hot new look for fall: Party cheetah

Hardly Strictly continues all weekend.

[via STOKEMONSTER]

Hot new look for fall: Election chic

Oakland Nights… Live is presenting an election-themed episode tonight at its usual location near MacArthur BART. Co-host Julie is putting the finishing touches on her outfit.

RSVP and invite your friends!

[via Pen Pop]

Scenes from yesterday’s Preservation Hall West march

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band second line yesterday was a great time. Marching through a crowded Mission street sidewalk seemed to make the cops nervous, but things went off without a hitch and there were nothing but smiles all around from drivers and locals alike. Some familiar local musicians joined in on the jam.

Here’s a quick video:

The parade ended inside the actual Preservation Hall West (AKA “the Chapel”) where we were greeted by some confused-looking construction workers. The bartenders served up some drinks and everyone walked around the venue, checking it out.

One of the employees said that this weekend is just a preview opening for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. The actual opening date is still up in the air. From the look of it, there was quite a bit of construction to go.

Still, the place looks great. The main concert hall is in the chapel (hence the AKA, “the Chapel”). There are at least 4 bars. One in the concert hall, one in the balcony, one in the front, and yet another in a side room.

Booking will be overseen by by the folks behind Slim’s, so you can expect that vibe to carry over to the Chapel.

Press Works on Paper celebrates grand reopening at new location

I used to live down the street from the former Press: Works on Paper, which was quietly tucked away on 22nd and Dolores. It was always lovely to stop in and browse their selection of paper, notebooks, design books, magazines, and vintage office supplies (such as this vintage stapler, which I grew up with and am pretty sure my mom still owns), but it was always quiet.

This week, Press moved its quiet hustle to the bustle of 24th and Folsom, across from Philz and next to the new Sidewalk Juice, and they’re celebrating their grand reopening tonight at 6pm! We hear there will be drinks, fancy cupcakes, and readings.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band leading a second line march TODAY at 1:30pm

Hey non-day-job-having Mission people: you don’t want to miss this. At 1:30pm today, a New Orleans-style second line parade will be led by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. They will march from Revolution Cafe to the forthcoming Preservation Hall West location:

Dear San Franciscans. Anyone want to parade with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band Friday (10/5)? A New Orleans’ style Second Line will be held with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band for the opening of Preservation Hall West at The Chapel, Friday at 1:30pm. The parade will start on Bartlett & 22nd st. and will run to Preservation Hall West at 777 Valencia st. Musicians, support the band by bringing your instruments! Everyone else, sport your New Orleans gear and noisemakers for this historical event

Grab your banjos and head on down!

I somehow managed to get tipped off about this from a well-informed friend in Chicago. Go figure.

[via Preservation Hall]

Drink of the week: Sore Loser

Since American Tripps has been on walkabout over the last couple weeks, and I’m leaving the country tomorrow, it’s time for Drink of the Week: Travel Edition. While Tripps was in Portland, word came back of the Sore Loser, from bartending celebrity Jeffrey Morganthaler. (I’ve been meaning to make Morganthaler’s tequila and sherry egg nog for years now – hopefully this year I’ll finally get it done.)

The Sore Loser is bourbon, peach liqueur, sherry, pernod and bitters.

Drink of the week is brought to you by Poachedjobs.com.

Hot new look for October: Embracing your inner Lincecum

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Well, it’s going to be quite the shitshow this weekend what with Fleet Week (where you learn what it’s like to live in Afghanistan with American warplanes thundering above you while you try to live, work, and poop); Hardly Strictly (no need to worry about lines or tickets–just ride your bike to the park and lock it to a tree); America’s Cup (as if Larry Ellison hasn’t already demonstrated to everyone how big his dick is by blocking traffic and making everyone late for work downtown with Oracle World); and of course, last but not least, your own San Francisco Giants attempting to recapture the magic from two seasons ago (but hopefully not the riots).

Remember how rad that was? Everyone was so nice to each other and you could defuse an argument in a second with just a timely “Go Giants!” comment. Maybe we should try to be like that all the time?  I suppose I’ll simply settle for not trying to set any MUNI buses on fire.

Car Beat: Top-of-the-line Valiant convertible

Whenever I see a cool car around the neighborhood, I take pictures and send them to my pal Eric up in Portland who runs Other People’s Things, my favorite car blog. He responds with some knowledge and we post the results here and it’s called “Car Beat.” Here’s what Eric has to say about this red-hot Valiant:

This is a second generation Plymouth Valiant 200 Convertible (1964-66).  It’s equipped with the “Signet” trim level including bucket seats, floor console and lots of extra chrome as well as fun optional things like carpeted floor mats and two sunvisors. Hard to believe now, but we really do take all the crap shoved in today’s cars for granted…and while there’s certainly no security system those aftermarket skull door locks have a subtle way of telling you to move along.

Other than not knowing what engine is in it, this is pretty much the top of the line Valiant.  Nice to see a convertible there too, even though people complain about San Fransisco being cloudy, at least it doesn’t rain 6 months out of the year there.

-Eric

P.S. While researching I ran across this Norwegian website with a German brochure for the Valiant.  Strange.

Thanks, Eric! More pics, including a shot of the aforementioned skull locks, after the jump:

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Sharkracha or Srirashark

Our pal Idiot Temper recently got his hands on some contraband Sriracha unlike anything we’ve ever seen:

My friend Jasmine moved to Mexico today. The first thing she did was go to a “Mexican Walmart” to buy Sriracha. LOOK AT THAT SHARK! WHY DO WE HAVE A ROOSTER! CAN WE ALL GET SRIRASHARK TATTOOS?!

Indeed.  I mean, just LOOK at that shark.  The only downside is you won’t be able to say, “Hold on a minute while I wipe all of this hot cock sauce off of my face.”