Sugartit Kitchens: You know you want some.

Hey everyone!

I'm so happy and proud of my homegirls at Sugartit Kitchens, who recently scored a spot at Forage SF's Underground Farmer's Market. And what, you may be wondering, is the Underground Farmer's Market? From the Forage SF web site:

The SF Underground Market was conceived of by Iso Rabins in early December 2009. Frustrated by his inability to get a booth at legit farmers markets (to be in most farmers markets in SF you need to be certified as the primary producer of the food you sell, and since wild foraged food grows on its own, there is technically no producer), as well as amazed by the wealth of delicious professional quality food being made in Bay Area home kitchens.

The first market was held in a private home in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, with 8 vendors, and about 200 attendees. Now at number three (at the time of this post) , It has grown to 47 vendors and over 1,200 people attending.

The SF Underground Market is an incubator. A place where budding businesses can get a leg up on their road to legitimacy.

Sugartit Kitchens will be offering the following items this Friday, June 4, from 6 p.m. to midnight:

• Whoopie Pies
• Cupcakes
• Brown Sugar Bread & Butter Pickles
• Pickled Green Beans
• Apricot/Vanilla/Almond Confiture
• Strawberry/Black Pepper/Mint Jam
• Rhubarb/Rosemary Confiture
• White Cherry/Raspberry/Absinthe Jelly
• Tipsy Date Cake
• Cocoa Nib Cookies

Seriously, if you can, go check out the market, and look for Sugartit Kitchens. They're two of the most fantastic, creative, charming, and talented women I know. You won't be disappointed!

SF Underground Farmer's Market

SOMArts

934 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-4906

Sugartit Kitchens will be representing to the fullest from 6 p.m. - midnight.

Michelin - Bay Area Edition

I've been in New York for the past week, eating my way through the city. I've raised my blood sugar with cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, endured delicious torture at Babbo, endured the sight of the autographed Louie Anderson photo in my booth at John's Pizzeria, crunched on pig's ears at the Spotted Pig, and dined at both Lupa and Prune.

Needless to say, restaurants are my thing. Of course, I find it interesting that Michelin just came out with their first West Coast edition of restaurant star ratings. What took them so long?

Getting just one Michelin star is a big deal; getting three christens you as culinary god. So the French Laundry, according to Michelin, is pretty much mecca of culinary delights, giving it three stars; the only restaurant in the West Coast Edition guide to get three stars. Great. Now it'll take about two years to get a table there.

Chez Panisse is conspicuously absent from the list. I'm not surprised, though. Last time I was there a few months ago, I wasn't really blown away. It was great, but not truly spectacular or revelatory.

No Reservations

I met Anthony Bourdain Friday night. He was in Santa Cruz doing a book signing for his new book, "No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach," which is more of a travel book with photos.

Can I just say: I lovelovelove Anthony Bourdain. Not only is he an awesome chef and writer, but his TV show about traveling to exotic locations and eating their food teaches you about other cultures and traditions in a way that is insightful, entertaining and, most importantly, respectful.

Don't even get me started on how hot he is. I'm just saying.

I told him as such (about him being respectful, not about him being hot) when we had our conversation (I'll never wash my ear again!) --- I asked him if he had ever done a show in the Philippines (he hadn't) and, if not, that he really needed to to bring his perspective, because that fuckin' Andrew Zimmern guy totally blew it. Don't even get me started on Zimmern. For real.

Anyway, we (that would be my man, Bourdain, and I) went off on that for a minute, and then he asked me where he should go.

"Pampanga," I said. "The folks in that region are known for their cooking."

"Alright. Done," he said.

Please believe my heart just about exploded. Tony, if you're reading this, and you do a Philippines show, give your girl a shout out in the end credits, wouldja?


UPDATE 11/19: So I found out a bunch of lucky-ass San Franciscans got to sit around and have dinner with Bourdain the next night. How the fuck can I get in the loop on shit like this for next time? I would have absolutely wrangled the funds needed to be a part of this. Oh well. My heart is still a-flutter.


(Cross-posted on my other blog.)

Mass Thrilling in San Francisco

Yesterday in Dolores Park, a bunch of people gathered to set a world's record for the largest simultaneous dance.

What I'm Seeing has video here.

I still think my friend and his crew should have won some kind of record for the largest simultaneous dance ... by people dressed like gorillas:




(Props to the folks at SFist .)

R.I.P. Pete Wilson (the anchor)

UPDATE 7/23: Title updated to avoid confusion.



I woke up from a brief afternoon nap to find out that local anchor Pete Wilson passed away suddenly.

(07-21) 12:44 PDT -- Pete Wilson, the passionate veteran Bay Area TV news anchor, has died. Wilson, 62, suffered a massive heart attack following hip replacement surgery on Thursday at Stanford Medical Center. Doctors battled to save him on Friday, but he was removed from life support and succumbed at 9:20 p.m. Friday.

A fixture on the local evening news, Wilson spent 12 years anchoring the KRON-TV newscast before joining ABC7 five and a half years ago. He also hosted a popular talk radio show on KGO in the afternoon.

I feel like I grew up watching Pete Wilson read the news each evening. It's always sad when somebody passes away so unexpectedly. My condolences to his family and colleagues.


(Photo credit: ABC7 News)

Post-AIDS Walk Blogging

I am quite happy and smug with myself that I've been able to fundraise and complete another SF AIDS Walk. And although my feet are quite painful and I'm totally tired, it was all worth it. In all, today's walkers raised more than $4.5 million, which I think was a new record.

Mad props to the boys in the bell (they know who they are), who brought with them the speaker bag, which made each step of the 6.2 miles so much fun for us.

My deepest thanks and appreciation goes out to every single one of you who sponsored me. As you all know, HIV and AIDs are universal problems, no longer confined to specific groups of people. With all of your support, we've all done our part to help change the course of this epidemic.

Now, can someone volunteer to give a homegirl a foot massage? Damn.

Attention, Kwik-E-Mart Shoppers

From a blogger's perspective, I'm kicking myself for not writing about this earlier, because I found out about this marketing/advertising tactic for The Simpsons movie a week or so before news broke. Oh well. Redemption comes in the form of color digital photos, so here they go. Keep in mind that the Kwik-E-Mart, by nature, is a small store, so if you've done some Googling about this subject already, you're not going to see anything new here. But, indulge me, why don't you:

As you go north on Shoreline Blvd., you can see the exterior of the
Kwik-E-Mart from the street. Yes, I got excited.

Apu --- or, I should say, a life-size cutout of Apu --- greets you as you walk in the door. Please believe I took a picture of me and Apu, but I'm not posting that here! Instead, look at these empty shelves where the Buzz cola and Krusty O's are supposed to be; an indicator of how crazy the buzz has been about these stores (a fresh supply arrives tomorrow, y'all):

The sign apologizing for the lack of merchandise reads, "Please forgive!"

Heh heh. Comic Book Guy's posted up near the men's magazines.

This is why I love fans of The Simpsons: As I was standing in front of the donut case taking photos (and trying to resist the urge of eating them), this guy behind me sniffed and said, "It's not even the right shade of pink." Heh heh. Nerd.

I would have taken more pictures, had I not felt like a complete tool taking pictures inside a 7-Eleven. It was bad enough that I posed for a picture with the Apu cutout. Although, the fact that there were about eight other people doing the same thing made it slightly less painful. But still. I own my nerdiness, but it's not always easy being me, people.

From a professional perspective, whoever came up with this idea should get a fat raise. As you walk through the store, looking for all the Simpsons tie-ins, you can't help but marvel at the attention to detail: Even the screen at the register says "Welcome to the Kwik-E-Mart." I hope this campaign generates the kind of buzz they're looking for, because this is a pretty brilliant idea. My only criticism is that they should have had at least one more in northern California. Like, say, the one down the street from me.

If any of you check it out tomorrow, get me a box of Krusty O's, wouldja?


Oh, and the folks at work should get a kick out of this:



Oh, by the way, there's a blog about the Kwik-E-Marts. My hunch it was started by the folks behind this entire marketing/advertising scheme.

Retail Strategy in Oakland

I've always thought that Oakland was a city with lots of potential. For those of you who live in this city --- especially whose who love to shop --- here's an opportunity to make your voice heard:

PUBLIC MEETINGS
As part of development of a new citywide retail strategy, the City of Oakland invites local residents, visitors and those who work in Oakland to attend one of four community meetings scheduled in June and July. Participants will be able to share their perceptions, preferences and thoughts on retail shopping in Oakland and desired future development paths. Convenient neighborhood meeting locations with easy transit connections have been selected to encourage the maximum participation and input from residents.

Meeting dates and times are:

* Saturday, June 23, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Mosswood Recreation Center, 3612 Webster Street
* Monday, June 25, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Oakland City Hall's Hearing Room 4, 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor, just off 14th Street near Broadway
* Monday, July 9 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Boulevard
* Wednesday, July 11, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fruitvale/San Antonio Senior Center, 3301 E. 12th Street, at Fruitvale Village near the Fruitvale BART station

No R.S.V.P. is necessary. Participants are encouraged to arrive early as the limited seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If English is not your first language, translation services can be made available in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese at any meeting by calling (510) 238-6812. The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community may request ASL translation by calling (510) 238-3254. All translation requests should be made one week prior to the meeting date.

ONLINE SURVEY
In developing a citywide retail strategy, the City of Oakland is encouraging local residents, visitors and those who work in Oakland to take a quick-and-easy online survey. Results from the confidential online survey, which was launched in late May, will provide the City with valuable insight on retail perceptions and preferences as well as what factors influence shopping decision making and what types of products, shops and restaurants respondents would like to see added to Oakland's retail mix. In addition to English, the online survey is available in Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese at www.shopoakland.com/survey

The 26-question survey can be completed in less than 10 minutes with multiple-choice answers and easy-to-click boxes as well as space to provide more detailed answers if the respondent chooses.

Upon completing the survey, respondents have the option of entering a drawing for an Apple iPod nano. The prize drawing for the nano will be held on July 27, 2007, from all valid and complete entry submissions received by 5:00 p.m. on July 26, 2007. The winning entrant will be notified by e-mail and/or telephone. Entering the drawing does not change the confidential status of responses to the shopper survey.

MORE INFORMATION
The City of Oakland is working with a consulting team to develop the first-ever Citywide Retail Strategy and Implementation Plan. While examining numerous target areas across the city, the consulting team will evaluate the retail potential of each area including current sales leakage, gather demographics and lifestyle characteristics of potential shoppers, identify which types of retailers would be a good fit in the available sites and what infrastructure improvements or incentives may be necessary to enhance retail. Feedback from the public meetings will be vital in developing this strategy. The strategy is expected to be completed in Spring 2008.

For more information on Oakland retail, the strategy or these events, visit www.Business2Oakland.com/main/retailmarketupdate.htm or contact Keira Williams via e-mail at kwilliams@oaklandnet.com or via telephone at (510) 238-3853.

Props to Stachmo for the info.

Not just a former racetrack, yo

Recreation area at the Tanforan Assembly Center

Did you know that the site of the Tanforan mall in San Bruno also used to be a Japanese internment camp?

I didn't either.

That mall sucked anyway.

Anyway, today at the mall, internees and their children (some of them born at the Tanforan site during the internment period) held a reunion to hold testimony about their pasts and remind current generations "of the injustices that the internees experienced."


Thanks to the good folks at SFist for the heads up.

(Photo credit: Japanese Cultural and Community Center)

East Bay: Free Movie Screening this Wednesday

To all you Bay Area hip hop fans, listen up.

This Wednesday, May 2, the UA Emery Bay Stadium theater will host a free screening of The Hip Hop Project at 7 p.m.

From Executive Producers Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, The Hip Hop Project is the compelling story of Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager who inspired a group of New York City teens to transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. Kazi challenges these young people to write music about real issues affecting their lives as they strive to overcome daunting obstacles to produce a collaborative album. Russell Simmons, hip hop mogul and long-time supporter of the project, partners with Bruce Willis to donate a recording studio to the Hip Hop Project. After four years of collaboration, the group produces a powerful and thought-provoking CD filled with moving personal narratives and sharp social commentary. In contrast to all of the negative attention focused on hip hop and rap music, this is a story of hope, healing and the realization of dreams. Inspired by Kazi’s work, 100% of the net profits from this film are being donated to organizations working with youth.

Just in time for prom

As if you needed another reason to love Brooklyn:

Paris Hilton's naked "corpse" could provide an invaluable service to students preparing for prom this season.

An interactive Public Service Announcement featuring the graphic display of a tiara-wearing, autopsied Paris Hilton with removable innards is designed to warn teenagers of the hazards of underage drinking. The display also features Tinkerbell, Hilton's forlorn pet Chihuahua with matching tiara, and debuts in the trendy Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood where prom-goers frequently dine, courtesy of Capla Kesting Fine Art.

"Campaign to Rescue Women of Youth" featuring "The Paris Hilton Autopsy" offers a cadaveric nude Paris Hilton, laid out with twisted body and opened abdominal cavity on a coroner's table, while her cell phone remains in her grip. The 'unglamorous' display which includes support material from anti-drunk driving organizations counters "the disturbingly glamorized trend of Hollywood's 'girls gone wild'," according to gallery director, David Kesting.

Paris Hilton, arrested for a DUI last year, previously released a marginally effective PSA concerning drunk driving. This latest PSA includes a website by Capla Kesting, which offers high school educators an icebreaker for discussing drunk driving's consequences. Students are encouraged to take the virtual field trip at http://www.ParisHiltonAutopsy.com to view the making of the "Paris Hilton Autopsy" and compete for prizes by writing Paris Hilton's obituary.

What's more is that this sculpture/PSA is interactive in that Paris' innards are removable, allowing aspiring prom queens to see the effects of drunken driving "from a coroner's perspective."

Art. Public Service Announcement. Social commentary on The Evil That is Paris. Writing contest. What more do you want?

Brilliant.

Courtesy of the same gallery that brought you the Crowning Britney.

(Photo credit: Capla Kesting Fine Art)

Oakland Goods

I wanted to highlight a new blog I just added to my blogroll.

One of the things I love about living in Oakland is the sense of pride many people feel about this city. Sure, it's got it's share of problems---nobody's denying that Oakland has a long way to go on that front---but that doesn't mean that this city doesn't have its shining moments.

Oakland Goods does a great job of highlighting this city's cultural and artistic nuggets of greatness.

If you live or work in Oakland, or are looking to explore what I like to call this "diamond in the rough kind of city," check out this blog for some inspiration.

(Cross-posted on the Beast Blog.)

Knitters of the World, Unite!

As some of you know, we here at You Forgot Poland! are always looking for ways to support and give voice to some worthy causes.

Here’s another one: The Red Scarf Project.

From the project’s web site:

Send warmth and encouragement to America’s college-bound foster youth. OFA needs thousands of handmade scarves to put in our Valentine Care Packages to these parentless youth attending college on their own. Your handiwork will truly be the personal touch in these packages and bring students the encouragement they need to move forward and graduate to a brighter future. For over 25 years, OFA has provided funding and family-like support to foster youth in transition. www.orphan.org

Nikko, a Silicon Valley youngster --- who, I have on the very best authority, is one of the most adorable and intelligent kids you'll ever meet --- has taken up this cause as part of his Homeschool Service Project. Won't you help him out? Click here to read Nikko's hand-written appeal and sign up to join. He's set a goal of 100 scarves by January 2008.

(Thanks to May for the heads up.)

A Volvo does not a "whip" make.

Please keep the A's in Oakland. If only so these guys don't make any more of these videos:



(Props to Miss Pretty in Pink for the link.)

SFO vs. NYC

Cameron at Overstated compiled a side-by-side comparison of San Francisco neighborhoods with their supposed cognates in NYC. (I thought Chelsea was the east coast's answer to the Castro, but what do I know?)

Check it out here. As to be expected, there's much discussion in the comments secton.

I've never lived in NYC, only visited many times, but I never ever thought of Union Square:SoHo, though. Yeah, you can shop in both places, but that's too easy a comparison. SoHo's more edgy and modern, reminding me of boutiques you'd find in Hayes Valley/the Mission/the Haight, even. But Union Square? For hustle-and-bustle and public transportation hub factor, I say Union Square:Times Square (minus the roasted nut carts in the winter - yum!).

Also, Staten Island's feeling a bit left out, although I've never been there to even venture to give my own opinion on it.

I guess Oakland's what ... Hoboken?

Don't hate on Oakland, yo. Seriously.

Cameron is right about one thing though: Jah help you find even a semi-decent burrito in NYC.


(Props to Overstated for soothing my Manhattanlust, as I had to postpone my NYC trip again.)

Three guesses as to why this is a cool pic

Ron Dellums' inauguration as Oakland's 48th mayor begins Monday at 11 a.m., with his public swearing-in at the Paramount Theatre. Chronicle file photo, 2006, by Liz Mangelsdorf

The inaugural festivities will include your requisite black-tie gala, rhyming young poets, a gay/lesbian dance, and Oakland's version of Hands Across America, except it'll be around Lake Merritt. There's also going to be a Hyphy-Soul Showcase.

No, I'm not kidding.

With 148 homicides in 2006, Dellums has a lot of work to do to show that Oakland is more than that, that it's a diamond in the rough, and that the entire Bay Area --- nay, the nation --- recognizes that Oakland is a city that has a lot of potential for greatness.

I truly believe that.

Freakmont A's

It's bad enought that the Niners are leaving San Francisco. But the East Bay A's of Fremont?

Um, no. Negatory. Try again.

And I'm sorry, I don't know why I do this, but I always think Freakmont is in the South Bay. My apologies to all you Freakmontians (if any) reading this.


(Props to SFist for the inspiration.)

No, not the noodle

The city of Burlingame - the gateway to overrated snobbery on the Peninsula - recently held a logo contest for an upcoming design conference. The winner? SoBA.

"SoBA" translates to "South of Burlingame Avenue."

Oh, please. We have Councilman Russ Cohen to thank for that gem.

Looking for something to do in Berkeley tonight?

From my inbox:

Just want to let you know of a special event happening this Saturday August 19th (from 9pm-??) at Downtown Restaurant in Berkeley with St. George Spirits. Our own in-house evil genius distiller Lance Winters will be serving up exotic and surprising spirits never before seen or tasted.

This is a rare opportunity to taste experimental spirits not yet on the shelves and the one-of-a-kind cocktails made from them.

There is a $25 cover charge that includes the spirits, cocktail tastes, funky blues music, and food from the new bar menu.

Downtown Restaurant, 2102 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley (at Addison St). (510)649-3810

I’d be interested to see them make a cocktail with Qi, their lapsang souchong-infused brandy. I am really not a fan of lapsang souchong, but the brandy is very good - surprisingly the smoky overtones work very well with the brandy’s vanilla and citrus notes.


(Cross-posted on the Beast Blog.)

Coolness!

You all probably already knew this, but I just found out today. And I'm SO very excited to hear that the new span on the Bay Bridge will have a pedestrian/bicycle pathway from Oakland to Yerba Buena island.

Of course, the only article I could find about this was this one, which highlights the concerns some people have that we're now providing suicidal folks with yet another bridge from which to end it all.

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this, and my tendency in this situation is to be a bit selfish ...

(Photo credit: Caltrans)