Mission Mission

Reader Claire notified us of some interesting new branding over at Crate & Barrel. I have kindly reproduced the listed contents of the Dolores Park set below, for those of you who don’t have 20/20 vision:

• Burger/bratwurst sauce
• Barbecue sauce
• Burger press
• Insulated cooler tote (not the first insulated cooler bag to be associated with the Dolores brand, by the way)
• Mini-grill of some Nordic brand

Now, I’m not sure if this is due to the recent “discovery” of the Mission, the growing commercialization of Dolores Park, some disgruntled employees making a funny, or some combination of the above. What I’ve learned is that somewhere, somebody’s idea of Dolores Park involves saucy burgers and the cutest shade of lime green.

Or as Claire would put it:

Game over Dolores Park. Game over.

[Photo via joshuamcgee]

It is now warm enough to enjoy ice cream. Sweet. What has two thumbs and loves Bi-Rite Creamery’s chocolate coconut vegan ice cream? THIS GUY.

Most ice cream places provide a vegan option in the form of a fruit sorbet, and those are great, but they do not really ring your ice cream chimes. This one does, and you can get it on a vegan cone.

Bi-Rite also currently has a Morrissey-themed vegan sundae combining aforementioned ice cream, blueberry compote, and crushed Newman O’s. Has anyone tried it? I didn’t find it as compelling as a good old fashioned scoop on a cone, but if I’m missing out, let me know!

After Sunday’s fire displaced at least 37 Mission District residents, Ellen from the McCoppin Hub Neighborhood Association writes to let us know:

The San Francisco Friends School at 250 Valencia St is hosting a quick
donation drive [Tuesday] through Friday in their lobby from 8am-6pm daily.
Top requested items are new/gently-used clothing for adults and kids,
toiletries, blankets. (Housewares and other items may be part of a
future drive at another location when the immediate needs have been
met.)

SF Friends School is also hosting a Neighborhood Meeting to discuss
what is needed and co-ordinate efforts on Thursday May 10th, 5-6pm. A
Red Cross Representative will attend. All community members and other
aid organizations are welcome. Please join to show your support and
brainstorm what we can do next.

[photo by nancymancias]

Just got a cute reminder from Andrew Sarkarati:

Hey friends,

I’m going to bike to Palo Alto tomorrow for Bike to Work Day, so I have to leave at 6:30am before all of the energizer stations open. Unfortunately, that means I’m going to miss out on the awesome Bike to Work Day tote bag that I look forward to so much each year. Even sadder is the fact that my bag from last year broke about a month ago when I tried to stuff too much sushi into it during a 2am Safeway run.

However, if one of you were able to pick up an extra tote bag for me tomorrow, I would be tremendously grateful! Anyone up to the task by any chance?

Best,
Andrew

A bag-busting quantity of 2am Safeway sushi!? Oh, Andrew. Anyway, SF Bike Coalition has maps and full energizer station details right here. Bike to work tomorrow!

P.S. Our pal Lindsey got the same email and suggested the following:

Win A Date With Andrew Sarkarati. A contest where a bunch of hot chicks get Andrew tote bags & leave their phone numbers in it, and then we put them all into a helmet & whoever’s number is drawn gets a dinner with Andrew at Pancho Villa.

We’re not officially going to do this, but if any hot chicks are interested, you can find Andrew’s contact info here.

My favorite local t-shirt company Cool Try just dropped this killer new design. Order one here if you’d like to wear your Cali pride on your sleeve. (SF residents get free shipping as always.)

Now let’s rock:

There you have it! Hard-hitting media criticism!

I’ve long wondered why the incredible Groger’s Western Store near 26th and Valencia has stood empty and abandoned for all this time. Today, we may be closer to an answer.

Apparently, these wild robots are a bit of a problem in these parts.

[Last photo via potentialpast]

This was the grisly scene from 24th St. BART this morning. Do bike thieves carry high-powered lasers or something?

Exhibit A: The mighty U-lock

Exhibit B: The security cable you use to lock your wheels

I prefer to think of bicycles being on temporary loan from the universe, so I guess I won’t be too bummed when someone collects on my $25 rusted Murray.

A few weeks ago, reader Lily tipped us to a new mural-in-progress in Balmy Alley. Today, she writes in again with an update:

That new mural is now getting some paint on it. Looks like the riot police are kicking Adam and Eve (didn’t fit in picture) out of Eden. Also, those monkeys got some color!

Looks like the Hurricane Katrina mural is getting some updates as well:

From talking with the artist, she was adding more glued on artifacts (the picture glued across the hurricane damage are photographs the artist took of actual artifacts leftover after the destruction) as well as adding some lines, which:

1. will eventually have leaves and be vines/ivy to represent the vines/ivy that grew out of the rubble, and
2. will show the diaspora or displacement of New Orleans natives to other cities and areas of the country.

How’s that for a local art history lesson of the day? Thanks Lily!

The Napper Tandy on 24th S. Van Ness launched their new look last Friday. The exterior has been overhauled and lit with extra-bright fog lights. The interior has been completely redone to match their discerning, classy clientele of football fans (no, not “American football”).

What, you don’t hang out at the Napper Tandy? I’ll have you know that Irish Public Houses are part of a rich, worldwide tradition of capitalizing on Ireland’s drinking culture, and providing a safe haven for English visitors who too squeamish to socialize in unfamiliar countries. Take part in that rich tradition this weekend, won’t you?

Not only that, the Napper Tandy one of the few Mission purveyors of the full Irish Breakfast, which basically two of every animal you can think of. This “noah’s ark” diet is excellent fuel for a mid-day nap. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why “Napper” is in the bar’s name.