SFist

Day Around the Bay

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T17:00:38-08:00

After school on the 22. [Caliber SF]

Airline stops video chat because you could communicate with a terrorist. [Valleywag]

Mission street food, literally. [Mission Mission]

Nat Ford defies Gavin: Sunday, extended weekday parking meters back on table. [SF Appeal]

Artisan ice cream wars heat up. [Eater]

Are we watching Meg Whitman implode? Already? [Calitics]

Gavin Newsom to Officially Enter Lieutenant Governor's Race Friday

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T16:23:03-08:00

It's official. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will toss his hat into the Lt. Governor's race. He will make the not-so big announcement on Friday. Finally

The LA Times reports:

Newsom, a Democrat, has been busily lining up big-name support and donors to make the statewide run.
He has called elected officials and potential donors to inform them he is in the race. Sources familiar with Newsom's plans say he will unveil a list of endorsements that includes many of the state's top Democratic leaders. They requested anonymity to allow Newsom make the announcement.

What's more, the LA Times goes on to say, the controversial mayor has formed a fundraising committee for the new gig (in lieu of patching up a busted San Francisco, many could claim). Newsom apparently received nearly $18,000 from three donors as of Thursday: $6,500 from Mark and Susie Buell (owners of Esprit) and $4,950 from former press secretary and SFist's favorite sock puppeting commenter Peter Ragone.

Meanwhile, In Berkeley...

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T16:17:23-08:00

"First Church of Christ, Scientist (1910)" by sftrajan.

About the church according to National Historic Landmarks:

In 1910, Bernard Ralph Maybeck (1862-1957) was asked to design "a church that would look like a church," built of materials "that are what they claim to be, not imitations." His answer, created of redwood, cement and other stock contemporary materials, is a masterpiece based stylistically on Japanese, Byzantine, Gothic, and Romanesque prototypes.

Student Group to Rally for Marijuana Legalization, Say University Police Make Arrests for Medicinal Use

Zach Behrens — 2010-03-11T15:17:54-08:00

Photo by katherine_hitt via Flickr

As efforts to legalize marijuana for recreational use are underway in Sacramento and possibly on the ballot, a large gathering of student activists from across the country will convene in SF this weekend. This Is Your Brain On Drug Policy, a conference organized by Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), will take place from March 12 through 14th with former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson and California Assemblymember Tom Ammiano in attendance.

"California ranks 2nd highest in incarceration expenditures but ranks 48th in funding for education and due to a dearth of treatment programs; the state has one of the highest recidivism rates and the highest overall spending on incarceration," explains Matthew Palevsky of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP). "Governor Schwarzenegger knows these facts as well as anyone and has called for a significant inmate reduction. To save money, and to save lives, California will need to seriously reform its drug policies and take a new approach to reducing the harms caused by drug abuse."

Brown Joins SFPD Into Drug Lab Evidence Tampering Case

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T14:42:51-08:00

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

After allegations popped up that Deborah Madden, a 60-year-old lab technician for the SFPD, stole and used cocaine evidence she was supposed to analyze, Attorney General (and, most likely, the future Governor of California) Jerry Brown "announced that his office will provide a team of specialists to assist in a thorough independent audit of the laboratory."

"My office will assist San Francisco police to get to the bottom of these serious evidence-tampering allegations," Brown said in a statement. "It's critical that we act immediately to get the San Francisco crime lab back in service and restore the public's trust in our criminal justice system."

San Francisco Police Chief George Gascon recommended, Brown's crime lab specialists to "assist San Francisco authorities in re-testing of evidence, improving internal controls and taking whatever steps are necessary to return the lab to full operation." This major crime lab snafu will result in the dismissal of over dozens of drug cases.

SFist Tonight Addendum

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-11T14:14:37-08:00

Kevin Meenan of Epicsauce, and SFist's music editor, is launching a free/cheap semi-weekly live music party tonight at Milk, former home of legendary Upper Haight live music venue, Club Boomerang.

Three of Kevin's favorite local bands are playing tonight's show, and here's what he has to say about them:

French Miami: "Easily one of our favorite Bands in SF and beyond, French Miami cranks out dance-friendly post-punk anthems that you just can't help but chant along with."

White Cloud: "While at home with the fuzzed-out reverb lovers we consistently hype at epicsauce.com, it is no surprise that the Oakland based quartet cite both Spaceman 3 and Neu! as influences -- there is a clear love for all things psychedelic here, and a vibe similar to that of the earliest Krautrock pioneers."

Silian Rail: "Watching Robin shred on the guitar and Eric absolutely handle the drums is a truly awe-inspiring experience that will leave you wanting more."

There will also be $1 PBRs. So don't be tardy to the party, y'all!

8:30 p.m. // Milk Bar (1850 Haight St) // free, RSVP

Don't Forget to File a Schedule M With Your Taxes!

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-11T13:35:43-08:00

Credit: alancleaver_2000/Flickr

Heard about that new Schedule M form that will give you a $400 break on your taxes if you qualify? Neither had we, but luckily CBS Money Watch posted a reminder today.

Single-payers making less than $75k per year (and married couples filing jointly making less than $150k) have been receiving a reduced payroll tax this year and last as part of the Making Work Pay provision of the federal stimulus. Since this reduces your 2009 taxes by $400 if you’re single or $800 if you’re married/file jointly, you have to claim the credit on your 2009 tax return.

And if you've already filed your taxes without submitting a Schedule M, we hear the IRS has been sending incorrect forms back to filers, or making the corrections themselves. (A friend of SFist checked her form online and saw that the IRS had made the correction for her.)

Adoptable Pets Of the Week: Parker & Marjorie

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T12:57:30-08:00

Parker
3-year -old Cattle Dog mix

I'm a really good cuddler! I've been an independent spirit but now I’m ready to settle down with a true love. If you wanna be my tour-guide to city life and help me learn some urban manners, then I’ll reward you with all my love and devotion. It may be tough to tell from my glamour shot here, but I'm actually a rather short fellow. A medium sized dude - perfect to hike the woods and then snuggle.

Marjorie
4-year-old female calico

A big friendly girl with a heart of gold, Marge is ready to climb into your lap, hand over some love and become your best friend.

Adoption Info:

Where: The San Francisco SPCA’s Maddie’s Adoption Center
Address: 250 Florida Street (at 16th - Street)
Hours: Open Tues - Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Contact: 415-522-3500, www.sfspca.org

Follow SPCA at facebook.com/sfspca and twitter.com/sfspca.

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Photo du Jour 591

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T12:32:37-08:00

Tagger caught in the act on the 33-Stanyan, shot by The Perpetual Cold (via Mission Mission). Read all about it here.

SFist Tonight

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-11T12:00:26-08:00

Credit: Earl Newman, ca. 1964-1966

ART: Happy Feet presents Defiant Proclamations: Radical Posters from the 1960s to the Present, an exhibit featuring old and new posters, handbills, and artifacts, "giving a glimpse of the broad range of opinions and styles that have papered walls" across the Bay Area.

7 p.m. to Midnight // CellSpace (2050 Bryant St) // free

LITERARY: WritersCorps joins forces with four museums to present Claim the Block, featuring readings by young writers that relate to the art in the museums, issues of adolescence, and claiming their place in their neighborhoods and communities in San Francisco. Tonight's installment features Carrie Leilam Love and Cindy Je with students from Mission High School, Hilltop High School, and the San Francisco Main Public Library.

7 to 8 p.m. // Contemporary Jewish Museum (736 Mission St) // free

COMEDY: Tonight's the premiere of The Thunderbird Theatre Company's, Death Play, a full length ninety-minute sketch, which is the third installment in the critically acclaimed sketch comedy series, "Serve By Expiration," written by Sang S. Kim.

8 p.m. // Exit Theatre (156 Eddy St) // $15-20

[Sponsored]

2010-03-11T12:00:26-08:00

One of the Best Subheadlines You'll Ever Read

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T11:26:50-08:00

Thanks goes out to Matt Baume for sending this our way.

Plucked from this article in the Chronicle, we look forward to other subheds like "snow cold" and "Earth round."

Bay Bridge Eastern Span Still Effed, Behind Schedule, But May Still Open on Time?

Jay Barmann — 2010-03-11T11:06:20-08:00

Photo: Bill Hall/MTA

Big news in the Chron-o-sphere this a.m. is that the Bay Bridge's eastern span construction, while still about 15 months behind, may still open on schedule in 2013 assuming they can get all the essential, uh, structural pieces in place.

"We're obviously not talking about opening without some sections or a tower," said Steve Heminger, executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and member of a panel overseeing bridge construction. "But we are looking at the possibility of opening while some mechanical and electrical work is being completed."

The blame, as we've heard, is being foisted on China for delays in the fabrication of certain sections of the new deck, and there's talk of new "incentives" to speed them up, as well as an American contractor on board to anticipate problems. (Way to stimulate the economy, guys.)

The good news? The first pieces of the 525-foot signature suspension tower are arriving in May.

SF Weekly Not Going Out of Business, OK!

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T10:42:20-08:00

"Girl, hold my earrings," explains SF Weekly.

Despite being ordered by a court to hand over half of its revenue to SF Bay Guardian for illegally selling ads below cost, SF Weekly is not -- not! -- going out of business. OK?!

In a letter sent out to company employees yesterday, Village Voice Media's Andy Van De Voorde fumes: "Despite uninformed speculation in certain publications, SF Weekly is not going out of business. Its day-to-day operations will remain unaffected...With regard to yesterday's ruling, this latest legal gambit by the Guardian is just another example of that company's flawed and increasingly desperate strategy: to try and collect whatever monies it can before the California Court of Appeal has even had a chance to rule on the underlying merits of the lawsuit."

AVDV goes on to accuse the SF Bay Guardian of "openly and unashamedly advocating against" consumers' interests by raising prices "during one of the worst recessions this country has ever seen." SFBG , however, is all, "Huh what? Just pay what you owe us."

Well, then.

Mom Suspected of Murdering Two-Year-Old Daughter

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T10:06:50-08:00

An Oakland woman sits in jail this morning on suspicion of murdering her 2-year-old daughter. Tiffany Lopez, 19, who is three months pregnant and was arrested on child endangerment charges in December, is alleged to have suffocated "Kamilah in their second-floor apartment on the 2800 block of High Street." Initially telling investigators that she accidentally sat on her daughter, the Mary Jones-esuqe mom went on to tell police that "she had become frustrated with her daughter."

According to SF Chron, Kamilah was described as a "beautiful, intelligent, energetic - a lively baby" who loved the color pink and Dora the Explorer.

[via SF Chronicle]

Conan O'Brien Is Coming!

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T09:37:14-08:00

Oh fun. Conan O'Brien is touring and he's bringing his Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour to San Francisco. Described as "a night of music, comedy, hugging, and the occasional awkward silence," the former (and rightful) Tonight Show host will appear at the Nob Hill Masonic Center on April 22.

There are a number of packages, including a $695 Meet & Greet option. But main tickets for the show are $39.50-$59.50-$79.50 . They just went on sale and they're sure to go fast, so get them now.

O'Brien, if you remember, was supposed to appear in San Francisco in January, but canceled due to Jay Leno being a pompous ass. After promising the O'Brien The Tonight Show, which he hosted for a scant few months, Leno took part in rescinding the offer.

More info about the tour is available here.

Update: Show is now sold-out. Stay tuned for possible 2nd show.

Newsom to Run for Lt. Governor. We Swear This Time. Promise.

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-11T09:10:42-08:00

Yesterday at the eleventh hour, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom picked up his paper work Department of Elections in City Hall and paid his $2,500 filing fees, meaning he'll finally run for Lt. Governor. Which he'll probably do. For reals. We mean it.

This comes on the heels of Newsom's failed gubernatorial campaign--which he bowed out of, according to Newsom, because he had a wife, new child, and tough gig as our mayor--even though he might not know what the Lt. Governor does.

Does he stand a chance of winning? Sure, why not. His former campaign manager, Garry South, sure seems to think so; otherwise, why would he send out this frightened/pissed off missive?

If Newsom does, in fact, snatch the lieutenant governor's seat, he would remain mayor until taking the seat in January. Board of Supervisors President David Chiu would then "become mayor until the board, by a vote of six or greater, appointed an interim mayor."

Day Around the Bay

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T17:00:06-08:00

Photo by Jay Barmann/SFist

What will it take to save mid-market? [SF Appeal, Curbed]

Assistant switches from cranky Yahoo CEO for much cooler Twitter CEO. [Valleywag]

Meet 11 fashion forward bloggers you might not know about yet. [7x7]

Shrimp chips, anyone? [Sex Pigeon]

Newsom's plan means service cuts. [SFBG]

UC grads jailed in Iran call home. [Chronicle]

New Scientific Unit May Be Named After Cal Professor. [Daily Cal]

Meanwhile, In Berkeley...

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T16:16:33-08:00

Photo by Jeffrey- Anthony.

Bret Harte Elementary School Gun Scare

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T15:20:50-08:00

CBS 5's red box of terror alerts us to the following: "San Francisco police have just arrested 3 people near Bret Harte Elementary School at 1035 Gilman Ave. after responding to a report of a person with a gun. No further details are immediately available."

Update: SFist talked to a school official -- who asked to remain anonymous -- who told us, "There was an incident, though we don't know too much about it." According to the school employee, the security guard "captured a suspect in their yard," explaining that the "all the children are safe." The school was on lockdown as soon as the suspect was spotted on campus.

Our source also told us that "the school security guard did a great job" in capturing the suspect right away/ They went on to tell us, "Unfortunately, this isn't the first time this [kind of thing] has happened."

Relevant Facebook Status Update of the Day

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-10T14:45:34-08:00

Via A.M.: "San Francisco cupcakes!"

[Custom order from Sibby Cupcakery, courtesy of The San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau]

Ask SFist: Where Can I Buy Girl Scout Cookies?

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T14:15:41-08:00

It's that time of year again where we here at SFist squee in delightful over a pantry stocked with Girl Scout cookies... and shed blood over which cookie reigns supreme.

First, let's get down to business. Girl Scout masters and mommies/daddies, listen up: If you'd like to let the public know where we could buy some cookies, let us know which corner or sidewalk your kids \will be hawking her sugary goods this weekend. (Please include address, cross street, and hours) Send your pertinent info to editor[at]sfist.com with "Girl Scout Cookie location" in the subject field.) We'll then post a map on Thursday or Friday showing where readers can find your location. (Conversely, you can enter your zip code here and a local Girl Scout rep will contact you with further details.)

And now, the battle begins: Did you know that Americans buy approximately 200 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies each year? Samoas (known in Communist countries as "Caramel deLites") make up 25% of their sales. Because they are, inarguably, the best of the best. Period.

Last year, however, when SFist conducted this poll, many of you accidentally voted for Thin Mints. To make up for your egregiousness, we have yet another poll after the jump. Please choose wisely.

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Afternoon Palate Cleanser: New Video from She & Him, "In the Sun"

Jay Barmann — 2010-03-10T13:45:20-08:00

The magical team of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward, a.k.a. She & Him, are back with Volume 2, and they're taking their retro-pop stylings on tour. They'll be at the Fox on May 29th, and pre-sale tickets go on sale tomorrow, March 11th, at 10 a.m. (password = uptown) Watch their latest video above, for the single, "In the Sun."

[Sponsored]

2010-03-10T13:45:20-08:00

SFist Eats: Asian Chili Sauces at New May Wah Market

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-10T13:15:03-08:00

Credit: Fallopian Swim Team D./Yelp

by Ben Kasman

We heart New May Wah Market. It may not have the size & scope of a Ranch 99 or Pacific Super, but it’s closer to most of us and only submerged in fog 60% time (versus 88%)*. On your next Green Apple visit, skip a few blocks down to New May Wah to buy your week’s supply of vegetarian duck, frozen frog legs, Saigon beer, and $3000 cognac. You will also find the best selection of Asian chili sauces in San Francisco.

* these percentages are entirely made up

Here are some of our favorites:

Taiwanese-style Lian How Brand Chili Sauce is the perfect chili sauce. Chili, salt, vinegar, and sesame oil. Simple. Salty. Sumptuous. It can be eaten straight out of the jar. For those of you salt cravers, this sauce is like crack. We discovered this “magic sauce” dunking crispy prawns at Taiwan, an inner Richmond gem. The food at Taiwan is so vibrant and delish (they serve the freshest hot and sour soup in the city), but we just can’t resist burrying everything with Lian How Brand chili sauce. We wish the stuff came in packets. Not only great on Chinese food, but delightful on cheeseburgers and nachos.

Ning Chi Premium Fresh Chili (spelled Preium Fresh Chili on the label), is a fiery Taiwanese condiment containing only fresh chili and oil. The chili flavor is spectacular -- When the jar opens, your nose instantly wiggles, Bewitched-style. This stuff is hot. In sauces and marinades, you only need a tip of a teaspoon to add a gorgeous chili flavor and a tip of a tablespoon to add some serious heat. Marries with soy sauce beautifully. Add a nip to guacamole for extra hair and mix a little with garlic and olive oil to start a sassy arrabiata. The jar is so big and so little is necessary that one jar will most likely last generations.

The label on Lingham’s Hot Sauce boldly touts the “world’s finest multi-use condiment.” Quite bold, Lingham. We all know that when food is touted “the best in the world”, it typically means the food won’t make any headlines, so headlines need to be created. But guess what? This Malaysian hot sauce is amazing. Lingham’s has been made for over 102 years for a reason: It will make you happy, whether you like it or not. Seriously. This stuff is silly good. The key to Lingham’s is sweetness. In addition to the usual chili/salt/vinegar, sugar is added and welcomed, hotly. For some, ketchup is the perfect condiment, but we ask, how can the perfect condiment not be spicy? Can taste buds be seduced without spice? Lingham’s is perfection in a bottle and no fridge should be sans-it. Lingham’s comes in many flavors, but we prefer the garlic and ginger flavors. Both serve as spectacular bases for barbecue sauce, the ginger perfect for a Hawaiian-style pork loin and the garlic is tailor-made for hot wings. Anything fried will grow wings with the addition of this sauce. We love fried rice and Lingham’s

Ah, Sriracha. The coolest chili sauce name ever. Most know Sriracha as “rooster sauce”, made in California by Huy Fong Foods and originating in LA’s Chinatown. The heat is sharp and the flavor is beyond bold. This sauce doesn’t play second fiddle, but conducts the entire orchestra. This prickly feller takes to tart fruits like green mango and granny smiths beautifully. Try it mixed with mayo & tuna and spread it on a French roll with pickled carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, and jalapeños for a tuna salad sandwich, Vietnamese-style.

The first thing you feel when Thai Sriracha Chili Sauce graces your tongue is a big, garlicky punch in the face. A tangy sweetness follows and gives way to a perfect heat in the back of your throat. Like Lingham’s, it’s almost made for fried foods, but also serves as Viagra for ketchup, aoli, bbq sauces, and mac and cheese. Add to chili. Sublime.

The total cost of buying a bottle of each of these chili sauces would be the same as buying a pack of Dunhills and cheap liquor store lighter.

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Tibet Protesters Shouting Up Market Street

Jay Barmann — 2010-03-10T12:45:17-08:00

Photo: J. Barmann

As we type, a gaggle of about 100 protesters are marching toward Civic Center shouting things like "Shame on Communist China," and "No More Torture in Tibet," and "Religious Freedom in Tibet," and a series of other chants that are thoroughly confusing most of the assembled marchers.

We believe this is related to an incident yesterday in which the Chinese consulate in SF met with Portland's mayor Sam Adams about Portland's declaring today, March 10th, "Tibet Awareness Day."

So anyway, Happy Tibet Awareness Day everyone.

SFist Tonight

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-10T12:15:09-08:00

'The Fall of Brooklyn' by Anthony Kurtz

ART: In It All Came So Close to Never Happening, "a photographic exploration of human uprising and the world of tomorrow," photographer Anthony Kurtz presents two intertwining sets of photographs that blur "the line between fiction and reality while drawing on themes of marginalization, conformity, mass-privatization and environmental degradation."

6 to 9 p.m. // Dickerman Prints Gallery (3180 17th St) // free

MUSIC: SF Jazz presents Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, a celebration of the great breadth of Indian music, showcasing classical ragas and rhythmic drumming and dance. Zakir Hussain is the second most internationally successful musician in the history of India (next to Ravi Shankar).

7:30 p.m. // Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Ave) // $30-70

MUSIC II: Former San Franciscans Black Rebel Motorcycle Club celebrates the release of their new album Beat The Devil’s Tattoo with a free show at Amoeba tonight. Slant Magazine describes the album as "the ideal soundtrack for a fleet of lonely, grizzled bikers lost on a desert highway." The band will also play at Slims later tonight.

6 p.m. // Amoeba Music (1855 Haight St) // free

Gavin Wants to Ban Texting at City Meetings

Jay Barmann — 2010-03-10T11:50:31-08:00

Fearing that city officials are being unfairly influenced by lobbyists during hearings, Mayor Newsom wants to ban all texting and iPhone usage in city meetings. It's likely to be an impossible task, since we live in an uber-connected age when everyone thinks the minute they shut off their phone someone they know is going to die or get trapped under a rock. But this controversy apparently heightened last week when Supervisor David Campos texted Police Commissioner Jim Hammer during a Commission hearing on Tasers and allegedly swayed his vote against Tasers. SFPD chief Gascon, for his part, is pissed and obviously got Gavin's ear.

The LGBT Center Is Bleeding Cash, Needs a Mortgage Bailout

Jay Barmann — 2010-03-10T11:20:35-08:00

Source: Towse.com

It's not a shocker that the not-quite-vibrant LGBT Center (you'd think it would be, it has a nice building, but it's not exactly a well-frequented space) is facing some tough times eight years after opening to great fanfare. The Center, which is a city-subsidized non-profit, plays host to a variety of HIV-awareness, arts, and community meetings, but it hasn't found much income from renting out its spaces to community groups and the like. The city spent $5.7 million on the Center's building (which was also partly funded by a large donation from its namesake, Chuck Holmes, the founder of gay porn pioneers Falcon Studios). But according the Chron they are now seeking a $1M mortgage bailout, which supervisors David Campos and Bevan Dufty both support.

The trouble is, they will likely need more than that, as well as a business model (perhaps including that rooftop restaurant?) that allows them to break even. To wit: "LGBT Center Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe says the nonprofit has furloughed workers, reduced benefits and cut programs, but it hasn't stopped the bleeding." About half of the Center's current budget comes from city contracts.

We don't want to see the place collapse, but having visited there a few times over the last few years, it always feels like a "you built it but they didn't come" sort of situation.

Photo du Jour 590

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T10:52:26-08:00

"Sofa Free, Code Red" by Generik11.

SFPD Drug Technician Accused of Stealing Cocaine Forces Lab's Closure

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T10:25:49-08:00

Caught with her hand in the cokie jar, if you will, Deborah Madden, a 60-year-old lab technician who stole and indulged in some of the disco dust she was supposed to analyze, forced city officials to shutdown all drug testing at the SFPD crime lab.

SF Chronicle reports:

Officials discovered that the evidence was missing during a crime lab audit conducted in December, police said. That review was triggered when other technicians suspected someone had been stealing evidence and a supervisor noticed apparent tampering with the packaging of drug evidence, San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón said at a news conference Tuesday evening.

After retiring in December, Madden has received treatment for drugs "and other unspecified health issues." Madden's job duties included vouching for "the weight and purity of seized drugs." Which: yes, that's one way to go about it. Anwyay, she was working as a criminalist for San Francisco for 29 years, earning $122,000 last year in salary and overtime.

San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón, who admitted to being "disappointed" in the recent revelation, will bring in outside agencies to investigate whether or not this was an isolated incident.

District Attorney Kamala Harris explained to the Chronicle that "at least 20 drug cases could be dismissed immediately as a result of the shutdown of the crime lab's drug section."

Google Maps Adds Biking Directions

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T09:45:45-08:00

Say you've taken a bike ride out to Sutro Baths, lollygagged on the sands of Ocean Beach, and then brunched at the Cliff House. It's kind of cold out there, right? A bit too nippy, really. Screw this!, you grumble. You've had enough. It's high time you cracked open that trust fund to purchase the silver Mercedez SUV of your dreams.

But how, exactly, do you get to the Mercedez dealership at 500 8th Street? No problem. Google's got you covered. Today the Mountain View-based company released biking directions for Google Maps, complete with wiggles and all. According to Google, "we wanted to do it right: we wanted to include as much bike trail data as possible, provide efficient routes, allow riders to customize their trip, make use of bike lanes, calculate rider-friendly routes that avoid big hills and customize the look of the map for cycling to encourage folks to hop on their bikes."

And that's what they've done, making them the first major mapping folks to provide such a glorious service. Be sure to check it out when planning your next ride.

SF Weekly to Turn Over Half of Revenue to SF Bay Guardian

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-10T09:15:14-08:00

On Tuesday, San Francisco court commissioner granted SF Bay Guardian "half of SF Weekly’s current and future advertising revenue "in a move that could seriously damage the Weekly’s ability to stay in business," reports former New Times Media alt-weekly East Bay Express.

Yikes. As much as we enjoy poking fun at ye olde papyrus publications, we'd sure hate to lose a prominent voice in the city. (SFBG and SF Weekly have a tendency, at times, to balance each other out.)

This judgment is due to the Guardian's attempt to collect cash on a $20 million jury verdict, one that ruled that the Weekly was illegally selling ads below cost "in an effort to hurt the Guardian."

The Weekly has five days to comply, or risk being held in contempt. They will, of course, appeal.

[via SF Biz Times]

Day Around the Bay

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T17:00:10-08:00

Photo by Troy Holden.

SF's smoking ban extended, but not far enough for some. [SF Appeal]

Cal kid's brilliant response to old people's views on the March 4 protest. [Daily Cal]

Recession putting the squeeze on Napa wineries. [Eater]

Stanford considers bringing ROTC back. [SF Chronicle]

Mission Street Food halfway to its funding goal. [SF Weekly]

Russian pre-Easter bazaar, anyone? [Richmond Blog]

Berkeley granola moms beware! [NBC Bay Area]

Top 20 countries with most endangered species. [Vegansaurus]

Thumbs Up, SFPD: Bike Theft Story

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T16:04:56-08:00

San Franciscans are all too quick to jump down the throats of the fine men and women of the San Francisco Police Department. Because, more or less, it looks cool and sounds like the socially acceptable thing to do. But! More often than not, of course, they're pretty damn helpful. Even to our put-upon cyclists. Take for example, this true tale SFist reader Eric Freeman sent us:

I wanted to share a quick story in support of SF’s men in blue who I haven’t always been to fond of. [Sunday] around 4 PM I was moving a few things up from the crawl space under our house. As I was bring up a backpack and my girlfriends road bike I set the bike down on our porch so I could take the backpack inside. As I was making room for some more things in our entry way the winds we were having blew shut my front door. Less than 30 seconds later I opened the door to bring in the bike and it was gone. Yelling out that the bike was gone my girls face dropped as I ran out the door. I ran up our hill to Utah and didn’t see anyone in sight. I ran down the street to Potrero and few blocks off to the south I saw someone on a bike disappearing into the horizon. I bolted after him feeling hopeless and a little terrified to face my road warrior girl after I got her prized possession stolen.
Luckily, after sprinting two blocks, I stumbled across two officers on their dirt bikes just hanging on a corner. I quickly blurted out the crime in progress and one of the two officers took off in pursuit. In the meantime, I was able to give the officer with me a correct description of the bike and over the radio he confirmed his partner apprehended the thief three blocks down in front of SF General. Hats off to the men in blue for jumping into action and saving me from the doghouse back at home.

Way to go, SFPD.

Relevant Facebook Status Update of the Day

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-09T15:15:11-08:00

Credit: lorentey

Via T.N.: "will now always look both ways before crossing the street because you never know when a f*cking giant Genentech commuter bus will run the red light at Market and Church."

[Sponsored]

2010-03-09T15:15:11-08:00

Meanwhile, In Berkeley...

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T14:46:36-08:00

Photo by East Bay Green Tour.

While she causes all sort of controversy and needless hand-wringing among the affected, seemingly testosterone-heavy male chefs/TV personalities who, let's face it, can't get over the fact that they work in a predominantly (and fortunately) feminine industry, Alice Waters' philosophy is very simple. Here, tacked up at Martin Luther King Junior Middle School, is her doctrine.

Exploratorium Receives $90M Gift from Anonymous Donors

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T13:59:18-08:00

Recently approved to start building a $175 million waterfront museum on Piers 15 and 17, the Exploratorium (the city's finest hands-on museum) just received a whopping $90 million donation care of two anonymous donors. "The Exploratorium has outgrown its current home at the Palace of Fine Arts," reports SF Business Times. "The planned new museum would be three times larger." Now all they need is an additional $40 million, and they're in business.

Afternoon Palate Cleanser: Husbands and Husbands

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T13:05:14-08:00

This cinematic gem came to our attention via the hysterical and hysterically funny Billy Eichner. Made by John Hill and Micah Schraft, this short clip shows a young boy figuring out the very simple concept of gay marriage. Enjoy.

New Citizen Cake's New Menu Revealed

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T12:42:57-08:00

Though it won't open until the end of the month, reportedly, Elizabeth Faulkner's re-imagined Citizen Cake (if you recall, she closed her Hayes Valley restaurant in order to move up to the more foot traffic-friendly Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights in the old Vivande Porta Via space) just released the menu. A few of the delicacies you'll want to cram down your throat include beer floats, sweet treats involving liquid nitrogen, roasted carrot salad with avocado, escargots, San Francisco fish stew Cioppino, and (thank you, Jesus) pork spareribs. Check out the entire menu at Grub Street.

Woman Hit by Garbage Truck

Brock Keeling — 2010-03-09T12:12:06-08:00

Well, this stinks: A woman in her 30s was hit by a garbage truck this morning. SF Appeal reports, "the woman was hit while walking in a crosswalk across Presidio Avenue at Pine Street in the Laurel Heights area at about 8:05 a.m." The truck was turning onto Presidio Avenue from Pine Street,a nd the driver was not arrested. The accident victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

SFist Tonight

Leanne Maxwell — 2010-03-09T11:40:39-08:00

MUSIC: The U.K.'s The Clientele create moody psychedelic pop perfect for reminiscing on a rainy day or spacing out on a sun-drenched afternoon. The Wooden Birds, fronted by Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set, open.

7 p.m. // The Great American Music Hall (859 O'Farrell St) // $15

LIT: In his new book, Breadline USA: The Hidden Scandal of American Hunger and How to Fix It , freelance journalist Sasha Abramsky chronicles his seven-week experiment living in poverty and documents the personal stories of people who who do not have enough to eat.

7:30 to 9 p.m. // Jewish Community Library (1835 Ellis St) // free