14 Up Front 20 A&E 24 Calendar Back Story: Beyl’s Michael Snyder: October Events: With America’s paper memories 6 Top 10 fright films 20 Cup over, it’s time to find other things to do for yourself, your Food & Wine Real Estate family, and your out-of-town visi- Critical Crass: RE Investor: tors. Check out our complete list Female critics hurt- Local residential and of concerts, nightlife, galas, films, ing their own 14 commercial news 34 activities, and more. 24

WWW.MARINATIMES.com Celebrating our 29th Year Volume 29 Issue 10 OCTOBER 2013 Three plans vie for Crissy Field go-ahead George Lucas among hopefuls seeking to build cultural institutions on old Sports Basement site

by marilyn damon diamond Sports Basement is relocating to Mason Street, and at press time ontroversy is nothing the Presidio Trust was reviewing new when it comes to the environmental assessment planning major addi- for that move. tions or changes to the Those vying to be selected to CPresidio of San Francisco’s mili- develop the spot near Crissy Field tary base-turned-national park. have been narrowed to three: the The Lucas Cultural Arts Museum design image: David Perry & Associates Promotors of several new plans Lucas Cultural Arts Museum, pro- have found that to be the case as posed by filmmaker George Lucas; new civic space that curates and interactive public programs and Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. they try to convince the public the Golden Gate National Parks creates unique visitor experienc- activities, including installa- This museum would bring to and city officials of the benefits of Conservancy, called The Presidio es at the Presidio, according to tions, art exhibits, workshops, the community a state-of-the- selecting their plan. Exchange; and the Bridge/ Greg Moore, Parks Conservancy a forum, demonstrations, con- art facility to nurture curiosity, The beautiful site of this cur- Sustainability Institute. president and CEO. The PX certs, performances, and more. ignite imaginations, and broad- rent transformation is the area fac- would be a 97,000-square-foot As envisioned, the PX would en the spirit of adventure for ing the bay at Crissy Field, where THE PROPOSALS multi-use facility offering a set serve as a program hub and children and families, schools, a new building will replace the Golden Gate National Parks of interconnected indoor and gathering place for the public educators and visitors. Lucas’s Sports Basement, which was a Conservancy — The Presidio outdoor spaces designed to and a gateway to the remarkable collection ranges from fine commissary during military days. Exchange. The PX would be a accommodate a wide range of assets of the Presidio. crissy field, continued on 4

The Coastal Commuter Who does it best? Halloween S.F. vs. L.A. by michael snyder Now everyone knows in question, let me remind that Halloweentown isn’t you that the team colors of h-oh. It’s that just a fanciful, fictional the San Francisco Giants special time of year setting in Tim Burton’s are orange and black. again, when things A Nightmare Before As I write this, I’m in Ugo bump in the night — and Christmas. It’s a real place, Los Angeles, but you I don’t mean drunken one- albeit one that mystically can bet that I’ll be back night stands (although there materializes every October home in San Francisco will be quite a few of them in a geographical space by mid-October — and before Nov. 1 rolls around). bordered by the Pacific the big reason is just how At the opening press conference for the Cup’s Final Match, Oracle skipper James The days grow shorter, and Ocean, the San Francisco Halloweenie things get in Spithill (left) and Emirates skipper Dean Barker meet before the America’s Cup a chill creeps into the air. Bay and Daly City. If there’s our big little city: scary, Trophy Photo: © ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET Soon it will be Halloween! any doubt about the town commuter, continued on 4 America’s Cup half full? David Hockney: A postmortem on the City’s experience The de Young’s hosting the world’s oldest sporting competition largest exhibition yet

by john zipperer leaders was that the high- After months of pre- by sharon anderson profile event would be a liminary races, and even ot since Mitt publicity bonanza and pro- more months of drama in In the end nobody knows how it’s Romney trav- duce a financial windfall the press and on the water done — how art is made. It can’t be eled to Britain to for the city. With audiences and in the courtroom, the explained. Optical devices are just tools. Ntell our closest allies that from 170 countries last 34th America’s Cup came Understanding a tool doesn’t explain the they were going to screw month watching the two down to defender Oracle magic of creation. Nothing can. up the London Olympics finalists zoom across the Team USA (based at —David Hockney has a major sporting event bay in front of the spectac- Golden Gate Yacht Club) been linked so closely to ular backdrop of the city, it and challenger Emirates rom Oct. 26, 2013 through Jan. a city and its leaders as is finally time to take stock Team New Zealand (based 20, 2014, the de Young will present the recently completed of how well the Cup and at Royal New Zealand Yacht the largest exhibition in its history. America’s Cup. The prom- the city did in living up to Squadron) in the finals. For FMore than 300 works in 18,000 square feet ises from politicians and the promises and hopes for sailing fans, it was a time to of the gallery will be devoted to the first A Bigger Matelot Kevin Druez 2, 2009 sailing enthusiasts and civic this major event. america’s CUp, continued on 13 hockney, continued on 21 digital painting: © David Hockney

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 1 Contents AMERICA’S TOP STEAKHOUSES

Osso Steakhouse — 1177 California Street, San Francisco, CA In This Issue Bobo’s — 1450 Lombard, San Francisco, CA 13 6 Peter Luger Steakhouse — 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY Bern’s Steakhouse — 1208 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL CUT — 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA Emeril’s Delmonico — 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV Mario Batali’s Carnevino — 3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 20 Chicago Cut — 300 North LaSalle, Chicago, IL The Precinct — 311 Delta Avenue, Cincinnati, OH Elway’s Cherry Creek — 2500 East First Avenue, Denver, CO

News Calendar Around the Marina October events News Briefs reports on Sweepy, underground- Take a Union Street Wine Walk, find out ing, TEP, Sharktoberfest, and remembers if James Franco is as talented as he thinks Evelyn Wilson. 4 he is, listen to Boz Scaggs, and much more in an action-packed month of fun. 24 Up Front At Home The City’s newspaper past Health and home The conclusion of Ernest Beyl’s three-part Thalia Farshchian gives you good sleep look at the characters who created our advice; Liz Farrell offers tips for get- local press. 6 ting your children reading; and Julia Strzesieski says it’s fun to slice Street Beat up a pumpkin. 26 Around the Northside Real Estate PHOTOS: MISHA BRUK Some Simply Chic Finds; Northsider rounds up the latest from the neighbor- Renting, buying, and selling hoods; and Ernest Beyl says this ’hood The Mystery Housebuyer reminds you knows how to party. 10 of what you need to remember when you visit a house; Stephanie Saunders Osso Steakhouse Business & Finance Ahlberg looks at market sticker shock; Values count Carole Isaacs says bears and buyers are sso Wolfgang Puck’s CUT. vor that is nothing sort of the same; and John Zipperer Kenneth Majer says successful companies gives a local residential and commer- 12 Steakhouse The steakhouse is short of a revelation. have successful core values. cial property update. 30 is the lat- located in the landmark For the truly hardy, Food & Wine Oest creation from the Gramercy Towers, next try the three-inch Travel Dining and dishing people who brought door to the Masonic thick Bone-in New Stretch out Susan Dyer Reynolds checks out the Garrick Ramirez suggests you indulge you The Stinking Auditorium on pres- York New York Empire female food “critics” who are critically yourself in West Marin, with pastoral Rose, Calzone’s and tigious Nob Hill, Steak Building Cut. It’s harming female food critics; Jeanine Sano scenes of rolling hills. 36 looks at celebration wines; Reynolds and Bobo’s, which was near the Fairmont, the juiciest, most per- Tony Ching offer up some Short Bites; Pets listed as one of the Mark Hopkins and fectly marbled beef that Julie Mitchell visits Palmer’s Tavern; the top ten steakhouses Huntington Hotel. has ever been set before Tablehopper has all the new openings, and The pittie teacher Reynolds gives us her recipe for cute and It’s orientation time, and kindergarten in America by USA The stylish Art- you. “It’s osso good!!” edible ghosts. 14 breed ambassador Skylar Grey is gearing Today in 2012, along- Deco-inspired design up to teach her own class on not fearing 38 side such notable res- provides an elegant Valet Parking Arts & Entertainment what you don’t know. taurants as Peter Luger, yet relaxed ambi- Life and art ONLINE SPECIALS Bern’s, Emeril Lagasse’s ance. The New York 1177 California at Jones Maryann LoRusso tells us where to find adult fright fun on Halloween; Sandy Evalyn Baron’s Academy of Sciences visit Delmonico, Mario Steak is dry-aged 415.771.6776 Fertman Ryan gives dress-up tips; Michael (spoiler alert: it includes alligator Claude, Batali’s Carnevino and 4-6 weeks for a fla- www.ossosteakhouse.com Snyder tips the 10 terror films to watch; and screaming children); Patty Burness vis- Marilyn Damon Diamond meets the peo- its Kenwood, plus our complete event list- ple who lived in the really scary place — ings, and don’t forget to like us on Facebook: Alcatraz; plus the Marina’s best sellers. 20 on www.marinatimes.com

A division of Northside Publications, Inc. www.marinatimes.com | 3053 Fillmore Street, Ste. 238, San Francisco, CA 94123 Editorial: (415) 931-0515 | Fax: (415) 931-0987 | L etters to the Editor: [email protected] Advertising: (415) 815-8081 [email protected] Calendar submissions due by the 15th of the month to [email protected]

Publisher Managing Editor Social Media Earl Adkins John Zipperer Shelia Fox [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Editor in Chief Editor, Arts & Entertainment Designer Steven Fromtling Susan Dyer Reynolds L ynette Majer Web Designer Joe Bachman [email protected] [email protected]

The Marina Times is distributed free in San Francisco’s northern neighborhoods (the Marina, Cow Hollow, Pacific Heights, Russian Hill, and North Beach). Member of the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association. The views expressed herein do not ADVERTISEMENT. necessarily reflect the views of the Marina Times or Northside Publications. Please send comments to [email protected] or to the address above. Comments of 200 words or less have the best chance for publication. Please include name, address and daytime phone number for consideration. We reserve the right to abridge for space, clarity and civility.

2 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Editor’s Note

Insider A little haunted history The scary truth about Halloween by john zipperer those who have recently died goes back centuries in the church. In Protestant t the end of this month, people churches, All Saints Day is still a time young and old will dress up and to note members of the congregation go to parties, or stay at home who have passed away. And no coun- Aand hand out treats to visitors, or pull try throws a Halloween/All Saints’ Day the shades and watch TV with the lights celebration like über-Catholic Mexico, down so trick or treaters think no one’s where November 1–2 give way to the Day home. It’s Halloween, a weird and won- of the Dead, which is like a Tim Burton derful holiday with ancient roots. movie come to life, with deceased fam- At some point early in my elementary ily members remembered via cemetery school years, my church had a haunt- visits, elaborate skeleton mannequins ed house in its basement. We walked in awesome costumes, altars laden with through shrouded, darkened rooms items commemorating the dead, and where someone would occasionally try to much more. scare us, there was eerie music, and sets But where did the tradition of trick or were designed to look like some dilapi- treating come from? Door-to-door cos- dated old house and not a collection tumed visits for treats have various roots of Sunday school in Europe, and in classrooms in a North America are modern church apparently traced in Green Bay, back to 1911 in The right Wisc. The effect Ontario. It seems that had the big- to have spread gest impact was a across the New room in which we World pretty rap- mortgage reached behind a idly after that. curtain to put our To return to hands on objects stories of my starts with the described by the childhood, it was tour guide: the also a time when brains of a mon- America was just ster (a bowl of wet making the shift right people. cauliflower), a pile on trick or treat- of hungry insects ing. In my earliest (a bowl of mixed Creating jack-o’-lanterns from pump- years, our mother nuts and fruit), kins makes the end-of-harvest festivals would bring us a bit scarier — and fun. photo: Cindy the head of a wild around the neigh- At First National Bank of Northern California, we’re beast (a shag car- borhood, and we’d committed to providing home mortgage solutions that are: pet remnant), go to every door and so on. I was That doesn’t sound like to get some candy in second grade, (or the occasional We get to know your needs and goals to PERSONALIZED so my standards much fun, but neither healthful alterna- best fulfill them. weren’t high, and tive from someone the sham proved does being at that church officially known as Our mortgage experts will guide you pretty disgustingly “Skip that house PROFESSIONAL effective for me on a normal Sunday. next Halloween”). through the entire process. and probably was a But within a few We understand your time is valuable and fun laugher for older students. years, stories real or apocryphal of nee- PROMPT That was a moderate Methodist church dles or poison in candy began to reduce work with urgency and efficiency. in the North, so it was just a fun event the extent of trick or treating, and today for families. Some more-conservative people often don’t take their kids to any- churches have taken to having haunted one’s homes, or they restrict their visits to houses that take the “scared straight” friends and family. Discover how we can help you get the right mortgage for approach, attempting to show what hell Despite that, Halloween continues to be your home. Visit our Marina Branch and talk to Reina Ceja, is like for those who stray from their celebrated near and far. creed. Visitors see sinners being barbe- Did you know that people celebrate Branch manager. Or call 415-287-8800. cued in hell or otherwise suffering for Halloween even in the ultra-fundamen- opposing the fundamentalists’ views on talist Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia? abortion, homosexuality, pornography, Not openly, of course, unless they want Your neighborhood bank listening to heavy-metal music, and so to lose parts of their bodies they might 2197 Chestnut Street on. That doesn’t sound like much fun, but like to hold onto, such as their heads. But San Francisco, CA 94123 neither does attending that church on a there are websites where Saudis offer tips normal Sunday. on where to get costumes, how to cele- Halloween takes place on Oct. 31, the brate so as not to attract attention or cre- day before the 1st of November, which ate offense, and how to explain it to your fnbnorcal.com in Christian lands is celebrated as All children who rather like these weird Saints Day or All Hallows — thus we got Christian holidays. One mother wrote Hallows Eve and eventually Halloween. that she is planning to introduce cos- Its roots also spread to pagan festivals, tume celebrations to traditional Islamic likely including the Celtic day Samhain. holidays to ease her Halloween-obsessed This was an important day in the Gaelic child into more locally acceptable tra- calendar, when the harvest ended and ditions. But the comments you see on preparation for the cold winter took place. such websites show that a Halloween Bonfires were lit and possible human sac- gathering in Riyadh is much the same rifices added to the fun. The souls of the as what you’ll find at such a gathering dead were thought to come back during of families in the Marina or in Dallas or this time; costumes were thought to be a in Baltimore: costumes, food, treats, and way of avoiding these spirits or not being fun all around. recognized by them. It’s a little different in the Castro, Ninth-century Roman Catholic Pope of course. Gregory IV promoted All Saints Day, though the practice of remembering E-mail: [email protected] www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 3 News

News Briefs Giant Sweep, TEP update, Farrell and Chiu above-ground, Sharktoberfest, Evelyn Wilson THE STORY OF SWEEPY City’s Transit Effectiveness Project FARRELL, CHUI UNDERGROUNDING to draw attention to their efforts to end San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee wants (TEP) is gathering public com- The San Francisco Coalition to the killing of sharks for use in shark fin people to take note of the City’s Giant ments. Northside resident Herbert Underground Utilities (see News food. The event will be held Saturday, Sweep campaign, which his administra- J. Weiner submitted his reaction Briefs, last issue) met with Supervisors Oct. 5, 1–4 p.m., at Vessel Outer Limits tion launched in February in a partner- to the project, which he worries Mark Farrell and David Chiu, plus (10 Marina Blvd). ship with the San Francisco Giants. The “will provide less services to neigh- their aides, on Sept. 9 to discuss efforts Shark Stewards also used the occasion mayor claims that the anti litter effort borhood communities and severely to complete the half-done job of mov- of the America’s Cup off the Marina’s has already drawn on 18,000 people who impact the most physically vul- ing the City’s mesh of overhead utility shoreline to call on New Zealand, home have taken a pledge to keep the City clean, nerable our our community, i.e., lines underground. According to the to the challenging team, to end shark with more than 45,000 hours logged by senior citizens, critically ill, and Coalition, Farrell “made very clear” finning in its waters. “It is a senseless Giant Sweep volunteers cleaning parks the handicapped.” that the advocates of undergrounding waste to be killing sharks just for their and streets. TEP is the City’s wide-ranging would need to show support from res- fins and dumping their bodies,” said “We work very hard to engage our project to improve the speed and idents throughout the City before he marine advocate Milena Palka. younger generation and help them cre- effectiveness of its transit servic- would approach his colleagues on the ate a culture of clean,” said the mayor. es. Weiner fears that “the market Board of Supervisors. The Coalition is CARMIGNANI QUITS To attract younger supporters, the cam- system laws of supply and demand therefore making an effort to “get into FIRE COMMISSION paign has created Sweepy, an orange- are being applied to public trans- the neighborhoods and rouse aware- Donald Carmignani resigned his post and-black mascot armed with a broom portation services” when “the crite- ness and support, which is some- on the San Francisco Fire Commission who makes appearances at schools and ria should be based on need.” With thing we have already begun,” the on September 24, the day after he was street fairs. So if you have spotted a large possible changes to the system, for Coalition reports. arrested on suspicion of domestic vio- Halloween-colored creature sporting a example, “severely impaired indi- The Coalition will next meet at 2215 lence and threats, resulting from an inci- broom, it was not a flashback to the ’60s. viduals will be required to walk a Leavenworth Street, on Thursday, Oct. dent with his estranged wife. Carmignani, It’s just part of the mayor’s effort “to long distance between Divisadero 24, 7–8:30 p.m. For more information, a member of the Marina Community convey messages about the importance and Presidio Avenue to catch a bus,” see www.sfundergrounding.org. Association’s Board of Directors, had only of being a responsible member of our he writes. recently joined the commission, attending community.” For more information, see The public comment period for the SHARKTOBERFEST his first meeting on April 25, 2013. He was www.sfgiantsweep.org. TEP’s draft environmental impact If Washington, D.C., can have appointed to the commission by Mayor report was extended a month to Sharknado, then San Francisco can Ed Lee, whose office told the Chronicle TRANSIT EFFECTIVENESS PROJECT Sept. 17. It has now ended. For the observe Sharktoberfest, an effort by that Lee had accepted Carmignani’s resig- As reported last issue, the envi- latest information on the project, Shark Stewards and the Gulf of the nation so the former commissioner could ronmental review process for the visit www.sfmta.com. Farallones National Marine Sancutary focus on his “personal issues.”

formed this site back to its natu- Commuter own Holly-ween thing that same ral state. The building itself and continued from page 1 night at the Echoplex). its surrounding landscape would And you can be sure that there be the bridge between all of seductive, and splendid. My L.A. are oh-so-many more soirees in these parties. friends are lobbying for me to the offing. Some friends of mine But aside from debates over stay in the Southland with prom- and I even did a little costumes- the merits of each plan, any sig- ises of tickets to the Playboy mandatory party at the Chinatown nificant modification to a historic Mansion Halloween party, and dive-bar Li-Po every Halloween federal property must follow a an insistence that the West for a couple of years. Which defined procedure. Hollywood Halloween parade does bring up an issue. If you’re on Santa Monica Boulevard — gonna go whole-hog and really do THE PROCESS a fabulous de facto gay pride Halloween in San Francisco, there’s In November 2012, the event — is more than a match the hassle of coming up with mul- Presidio Trust issued a Request for the annual Castro Street fes- tiple costumes. It’s not just Oct. 31, for Concept Proposals (RFCP). tivities. Truth people. Going The 16 proposals submitted were be told, I don’t by the sched- whittled down to the three in bother with I bet that San ule of events, May 2013 and submitted on the Castro on it’s also the Sept. 16, 2013. One week later, the Halloween Francisco has, two weekends three teams offered presentations since the occa- before Oct. 31. in a public meeting that included sional spurts of per capita, more Plus, there’s the a question and answer period. A violence began almost-sha- public meeting of the Presidio a few years Halloween parties. manistic trans- Trust Board of Directors is sched- ago, and the formation of uled for Oct. 24. SFPD was compelled to clamp becoming someone or something December 2011: Trust com- down on the revelry. And it’s else through disguise. It’s a major pleted Mid-Crissy Area Design true that there are more silicon- part of Halloween magic. Guidelines infused pinups in L.A. than S.F., Regarding the costume conun- November 2012: Call for RFCPs; and that L.A.’s mega-glamorous drum, real San Franciscans know 16 responses were received drag queens have the advantage that you can’t just put on a Lone Top to bottom: The Presidio Exchange design, looking west; March 2013: The 16 teams of Hollywood make-up and spe- Ranger mask and leave it at that. The Bridge/Sustainability Institute images: steelblue; WRNS Studio submitted proposals cial effects artists. Sure, I’ve donned a fedora with April 2013: Presidio Trust Board But nay I say! I don’t have hard a press card in the hatband and Crissy Field Bridge/Sustainability of Directors invited comments on statistics on this, but I would bet passed myself off as Clark Kent. continued from page 1 Institute. This plan would cre- the 16 teams that San Francisco has, per cap- Then, there was the year I painted ate a space to explore the criti- May 2013: Three finalists cho- ita, more Halloween parties for my fingernails black and went as art to animation, and is com- cal social, economic and envi- sen after public meeting com- fun-loving grown-ups than any Marilyn Manson’s hands. But I prised of works of the great ronmental issues of our time. ments and the Trust’s interaction other city in North America. apologize for my laziness. masters of the Golden Age of Rotating exhibits would display with the teams; Trust requested (New Orleans and New York So what to do? There’s that old illustration through today’s today’s challenges, from water RFPs from the three City might come close.) And the Charlie Brown standby, a sheet digital artists. Lucas would conservation to labor practic- June 17, 2013: Public meet- holiday-themed events in the with holes for the eyes, although bring a wealth of strong affili- es, and a café would offer food ing where the three finalists pre- Bay Area are beyond compare, you never know when a ghost ations with other significant that was sustainably and equita- sented ideas from the arty, sexy elegance of might be mistaken for a mem- arts and education institutions bly sourced. The Sustainability July 29–31, 2013: Informational the Masquerotica Ball (Saturday, ber of the KKK. You can make from around the world to help Marketplace would highlight open houses Oct. 19 at the Sound Factory, First a costume or buy one. You can enhance the unique place that each product’s environmental Sept. 16, 2013: Final proposals and Harrison,) to the most cre- be a furry or a superhero or a is the Presidio. At meetings and social rating. It would be a submitted to the Trust ative and hilarious drag show/ president or a monster. As for the in mid-October, Lucas’s project place for poets to scientists, activ- Sept. 23, 2013: Public meeting costume party in the known uni- plethora of sexy maids, sexy cops, was criticized by some archi- ists to CEOs, and friends and with presentations and questions verse, Trannyshack Halloween sexy nurses, and sexy witches, tects who were disappointed neighbors to each other. Lectures and answers (Friday, Oct. 25 at the DNA, I’m all for it — whether they’re by the traditional design of his and public forums can give Oct. 24, 2013: Public meeting 11th and Harrison), to the blithe/ gals or guys. project; for his part, Lucas has people the chance to work with for public comments on final spectacular mash-up madness of In any event, break out the suggested that he would devel- local politicians, academics, and proposals Bootie S.F. Halloween Booootie! candy for the kids, and get ready op the museum in Chicago if corporate leaders, and parents Beyond that, according to the (Saturday, Oct. 26 at the DNA, for more fun than humans should he didn’t get approval for the could show their children how Presidio Trust, there is no timeline aka the Bootie Mothership — be allowed to have. It’s Halloween Crissy Field spot. the wetlands restoration trans- available at this time. although Bootie L.A. is doing its in San Francisco!

4 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 5 Up Front

The Back Story What happened back then set the stage for all that followed The evolution of San Francisco newspapers from 1846 until today Part 3 of a three-part series by ernest beyl Ambrose Bierce, Stephen Hart Crane, Richard Harding Davis, Correction: Before launching into and even Jack London. A Part 3 of this series, let me correct fierce competitor, Hearst was an error in Part 2. Harry Rabin, the inspiration for the Orson a San Francisco City Guide called Welles classic film, Citizen Left to right: William Randolph Hearst, publisher of the Examiner; Scott Newhall, editor of the Chronicle, it to my attention. I confused Kane, which Hearst had tried in his San Francisco office in 1968 Photos: library of congress / wikimedia commons; courtesy tony newhall Commodore John D. Sloat with to stop. Capt. John B. Montgomery. “WR,” as he was called in staff Daily Illustrated Herald, which in with the ownership — de on the doorsteps of subur- Montgomery raised the flag in memos, built a formidable pub- had been a venture of New Young heirs — and he left in ban households (many had what was to become Portsmouth lishing empire. At its peak, there York society figure Cornelius December 1952. members working in San Square. — E.B. were 28 newspapers, 18 maga- Vanderbilt Jr., dropped out. Francisco) first thing in the zines, and several radio stations Vanderbilt had attempted to NEWHALL’S morning. And, there was Herb he newspaper scene and movie companies. Hearst sell a daily, one-penny tabloid, FIGHTING STANCE Caen telling them how they in San Francisco be- was known for showmanship but it didn’t work. In 1929 the The Scott Newhall era at should feel about “their” city. came really interest- and style that incorporated an Bulletin, whose editor was the the Chronicle was a wild one. It worked, and the Chronicle ing when highly regarded Newhall, who followed Smith took off and never looked TWilliam Randolph Fremont Older, as editor, set out to bury the back until it was purchased by Hearst came to was purchased by Examiner. The Chronicle became — you guessed it — the cash- town to take over “William Randolph Hearst Hearst and merged audacious and pugnacious — heavy Hearst Corporation in the Examiner. with the Call. Older, sometimes even ridiculous. 1999. When Hearst took over Competition was was the kind of man who would under the Hearst A major front-page story the Chronicle, the Examiner fierce. Here’s how banner, continued complained about the coffee was sold to the prominent the newspaper wars call upon the north wind to his fearless, muck- served in San Francisco res- San Francisco Fang fam- played out. raking style of taurants. “A Great City Forced ily. And it began publish- snuff out a candle.” journalism. From to Drink Swill” trumpeted the ing a bright afternoon paper CITIZEN HEARST 1934 until the early big, bold headline. Herb Caen, in November 2000. It’s still William Randolph Hearst, iron hand in a not-necessarily 1950s, there were four daily who in 1950 had defected to around but under different an only child, was a wayward velvet glove. In a book of remi- newspapers in San Francisco — the Examiner, returned to the ownership. It is Hearst’s over- student, and was expelled from niscences, Skyline, journalist Call-Bulletin, News, Examiner, Chronicle in 1958, and brought whelming Chronicle that falls Harvard for sending engraved biographer Gene Fowler said, and the Chronicle. many loyal readers back into with a dominant thud on San silver chamber pots to his pro- “William Randolph Hearst was the Chronicle fold. Top colum- Francisco doorsteps these fessors. He landed a job as a the kind of man who would call SMITH’S WHIZ KIDS nists abounded. Art Hoppe days. But, as we know, all is reporter on the New York World. upon the north wind to snuff Meanwhile, the strong morn- wrote short satirical columns not well with the Chronicle — Then in 1877 when he was 23, out a candle.” ing papers — the Chronicle and on politics, government and or for that matter, newspapers his father gave him a birth- Hearst died Aug. 14, 1951 the Examiner — were slug- readers he termed “just plain in general in these Internet day present, the San Francisco at age 88 in the Beverly Hills ging it out for circulation. folks.” Charles McCabe wrote times we all love and a few Examiner. Not a bad present home he shared with his mis- The Chronicle under Paul C. idiosyncratic, highly opinion- love to hate. for a 23-year-old kid. Hearst tress, actress Marion Davies. Smith was emphasizing inter- ated columns under the head- Meanwhile, special inter- plunged into the Examiner like national news and opinion. ing The Fearless Spectator. And est publications are rolling a kid into a swimming hole. He A SIX-NEWSPAPER TOWN When the U.S. entered World there was Stanton Delaplane along here in the wake of the was inspired by the journalism From 1923 to 1926, there War II, high-profile Smith and his punchy, carefully Chronicle. The Gazette purports style he saw at Joseph Pulitzer’s were six daily newspapers in received a commission as a crafted sentences. When the to address itself to Society New York World — personal, San Francisco — the Chronicle, Navy lieutenant commander. Examiner began a personal with a capital S. There are also vindictive, frequently lurid, Call, News, Examiner, Bulletin, He resigned the commission advice column by Ann Landers, single-focus publications for and above all, powerful. He and Daily Illustrated Herald. and enlisted in the a gay and lesbian began hiring the best journal- It was a great newspaper Marine Corps as a readership, for the ists he could find, among them town with fierce competition private, was later legal profession, Samuel Langhorne Clemens, among their staffs. In 1926 the recommissioned When the Examiner began a for maritime inter- as a Marine second ests, and so forth. lieutenant and saw personal advice column by Ann Neighborhood considerable com- publications like bat in the Pacific. Landers, Newhall engaged her twin the Marina Times When he returned — now celebrat- to the Chronicle sister and called her ... Dear Abby. ing its 29th year at war’s end he — are active and loaded the paper’s editorial Newhall engaged her twin sis- some are thriving in spite of staff with former Marines. ter and called her Abigail Van the Internet. Latinos, Afro- Copyboys came from Harvard, Buren. She became Dear Abby. Americans are well repre- Yale, Brown, and Stanford and Although Newhall filled the sented, and there are Chinese, were on a fast track to becom- Chronicle with highly enter- Japanese, Russian, Irish, ing big-time reporters and edi- taining copy, he was also quick French, German, Korean, tors. Some of them did and to lead the paper into dissent Filipino, and Jewish pub- became known to those on against the Vietnam War. lications, not to mention in other San Francisco newspa- Northern California satel- pers as “Smith’s Whiz Kids.” NEWSPAPERS lite communities. All of this The Chronicle was solidly AND THE INTERNET comprises a rich mix for San Left to right: Esther Pauline Friedman Lederer, better known as Ann Landers, newspaper advice columnist for the Examiner; her sister (some said boringly) “respon- At the same time, the Francisco, and it has since the Pauline Esther Phillips, better known as Abagail VanBuren or sible and Republican” but bit- Chronicle was reaching out early days of the City. Dear Abby, the advice colmnist for the Chronicle ter circulation rivalry with the greedily to the suburbs for Photos: Easter Seals / wikimedia commons; library of congress / wikimedia commons Examiner eventually did Smith circulation. The paper was E-mail: [email protected]

6 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Find your place in the city.

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www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 7 Community

Police Blotter From S.F.’s Northern Station Crime on the beat

The crimes below are a small snapshot young adults nearby kick the van for of what the officers of Northern Station no apparent reason. When the victim are doing. For a more comprehensive list, asked him why he kicked the vehicle, visit www.sf-police.org; under Compstat, the subject told him to get back into there is a link to CrimeMAPS. the van and go away. The victim said he had work to do in the area, and when he tried to leave, the subject followed A LUNCH BREAK him and spat on him. When the victim Thursday, July 18, 12:48 a.m. turned around, he was punched in the Laguna at McAllister Streets face. The two fought and wrestled on the ground, and the victim was kicked Theft on an empty stomach helped in the back by another unknown sub- law enforcement nab a smartphone ject. The subjects then fled the area. thief. When police responded to a Officers were able to locate the sub- report of a crime, the victim told them ject who started the fight; he was iden- someone had snuck into the store tified by the victim, and the subject behind some other customers, stolen was booked at Northern Station. her iPhone from the front counter area, and run out the door. The victim called 911, described the male perpe- VIDEO STAR trator, and gave his direction of travel. Tuesday, July 30, 6:41 p.m. Officers tracked the subject to a near- Webster at McAllister Streets by location where he had stopped to have lunch. The officers detained the By viewing video footage of an auto male and recovered the stolen phone. burglary, Northern Station investiga- The victim identified the subject, who tors were able to identify the subject, was booked at Northern Station. and they knew his usual hangouts. When uniformed officers on patrol saw the subject, they stopped their GIMME A BREAK patrol car, got out, and attempted Sunday, July 21, 8:40 p.m. to talk to the subject, who imme- Van Ness Avenue at Ellis Street diately ran from them. The officers were able to capture him after a short Yet another iPhone theft victim pursuit on foot, and he was taken contacted police to report that her into custody. They found on the sub- phone had been stolen right out of ject commonly used items for break- her hand. The male subject then sped ing auto glass. He was booked at away on a bike. The victim described Northern Station. the subject’s clothing and direction of travel. When the victim and the police used a GPS tracking system on the PHONE HOME phone, the officers were able to quickly Thursday, August 1, 5:45 p.m. detain the subject, who was booked at Van Ness Avenue at Turk Street Northern Station. Officers responding to a request for help found a man chasing another, MAGICAL TOOLS yelling, “He stole my phone” and try- Sunday, July 28, 1:50 a.m. ing to get other people to help him 1500 Block of Pacific Avenue apprehend the subject. The victim told officers that he was using his phone on A caller notified police that a bur- the bus when the subject grabbed the glary was in progress at a building that phone and exited the bus at the Van was under construction; no one was Ness Avenue and Turk Street stop. supposed to be inside the unfinished Tenderloin Station detained the sub- building at that hour. After noticing a ject, who was identified by the victim. flashlight illuminating the interior, he The phone was not located, but offi- continued to watch the building and cers were able to pull the video from eventually saw the subject exit through the bus. The subject was booked at a broken side window carrying a large Northern Station. garbage bag. The caller watched the subject walk away from the building, and gave a leave no phone behind description of the subject to officers. Sunday, September 1, 1:10 a.m. The police were able to detain the sub- 200 block of Lombard Street ject, who was identified by the caller, and police discovered several power When officers responded to a call tools and construction materials in the for service, they found a male holding subject’s possession. He was read his another male subject to the ground. Miranda rights, and he said he wanted Numerous witnesses said that the sub- to answer the officer’s question. He ject had stolen a cell phone from a told the officer that he had just woken female victim. up and the tools were at his feet; he The male who had held down the didn’t know where they came from. subject told police he had been walking He was transported to Northern down the street when the subject ran Station for booking. past him and he heard a female yelling that she had been robbed. He chased the subject, caught him, and returned STREET TOUGHS the phone. Monday, July 29, 6:10 p.m. The victim told police she had been Sutter at Polk Streets on the sidewalk in front of a bar, talking 12 - 100 on her phone, when the subject ran past A man sustained injuries to his face her, grabbing the phone from her hands and head and complained of back pain as he ran away. as the result of an assault. Officers The victim identified the thief, and the VALET PARKING responding to a report of a fight found subject was booked at Northern Station the man who said he had parked his on charges of robbery with force and van in the area only to have one of the possession of stolen property.

8 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com From our Supervisor’s Chambers Reining in costs Proposition A A solution to San Francisco’s $4.4 billion unfunded retiree health care liability by supervisor mark farrell less than 1 percent of the $4.4 bil- over $500 million a year within see the withdrawals and assets Proposition A without requir- lion tab has been saved. 20 years if no action is taken in the fund that is comprised ing any additional conces- e have an opportu- The crux of Proposition A by the city. of the controller, the treasur- sions from employees, without nity this November deals with the Retiree Health We have a growing problem – er, the executive director of the requiring any reduction in ben- to solve one of San Care Trust Fund (RHCTF), both financially as a city, and also Employee’s Retirement System, efits — we’re simply requiring WFrancisco’s last structural finan- which was established when San within our retiree community, and one current and one former strict fiscal discipline at city cial issues through the passage of Francisco voters overwhelm- where many retirees live in fear city employee. Hall, so that we responsibly Proposition A, a charter amend- ingly supported Proposition the city of San Francisco will not The passage of Proposition A manage and plan for our city’s ment I introduced to solve San B in 2008, to create a long- be able to afford to pay for their has multiple positive implica- financial future. Francisco’s $4.4 billion unfunded term funding model for retiree health care down the road. tions for our city and our tax- I’m extremely proud to report retiree health care liability. health care costs. Proposition The goals of Proposition A payers. With its passage, we will that Proposition A has garnered As we’re all acutely aware, ris- B in 2008 not only established are simple and straightforward. successfully transition the way the full support of Mayor Ed ing health care costs and the abil- the RHCTF, but also mandated First, Proposition A keeps the we pay for retiree health care Lee, all 11 members of our city’s ity for individuals and employers new city employees contribute city’s commitment to its work- costs from a pay-as-you-go sys- Board of Supervisors, and a to pay for these costs has been a 2 percent of their salaries into ers, including our police offi- tem to a fully funded model diverse mix of labor, business, growing issue across our country the RHCTF to save for future cers, firefighters, and nurses by that wipes out the $4.4 billion retiree, and community orga- and here in San Francisco for health care liabilities. putting the RHCTF in a “lock liability within 30 years. The pas- nizations, as well as both the decades. Health care spending in However, for no apparent box,” so the assets of the fund sage of Proposition A will result Democratic and Republican par- the United States alone is over $3 reason, Proposition B in 2008 continue to grow over time and in major cost savings for San ties here in San Francisco. Prop trillion a year and rising. These also allowed the RHCTF to be will completely cover annual Francisco, current and future A is a win-win for everyone. For rising costs affect the private completely drained beginning retiree health care costs in 30 taxpayers, and employees, as a full list of endorsements, please sector and public sector alike, in the year 2020. If we allowed years. Second, Proposition A prefunded assets earn invest- visit Proposition A’s website at because we are all consumers of this to happen, not only would provides greater certainty in ment income over time that will www.yesonaforsfretirees.com. health care. the RHCTF savings be depleted, the city’s budgeting process by be used to pay for health care With your help at the ballot In November of 2012, our con- but we would lose any hope of capping employer expenses to costs. As an added benefit, the this November, we can solve one troller’s office issued a report that establishing a long-term funding cover health care costs at no city’s ability to effectively man- of San Francisco’s last structural benchmarked San Francisco’s model for retiree health care. more than 10 percent of the city’s age this liability is a major factor financial issues and put our city current unfunded retiree health To provide some context payroll. More certainty in the in credit rating agencies’ reviews on further stable financial ground care liability at $4.4 billion. Like on what San Francisco cur- city’s budgeting process provides of a city’s bond rating. Strong for years to come. Please vote Yes many major cities, San Francisco’s rently pays for retiree health for greater flexibility to enhance bond ratings mean low borrow- on Prop A on Nov. 5. liability, which breaks down to care costs: The city contrib- and potentially expand city ser- ing costs, which saves taxpayers $13,487 per household, is funded uted $151 million out of our vices that we all care about. Last, millions on voter-approved debt. Mark Farrell is the District 2 super- on a pay-as-you-go basis, much General Fund in 2013, and Proposition A uses an inde- We are able to accomplish all visor and can be reached at 415- like federal Social Security, and that number is set to rise to pendent expert panel to over- of this through the passage of 554-7752 or [email protected]

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 9 Street Beat

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“I’ve spent $40,000 on shoes, and I have no place to live? I will literally be the old woman who lived in her shoes!” — Sex & the City is a girl’s Sunday morning cartoon. So naturally, we all remember the episode when Carrie Bradshaw realizes that she had spent tens of thousands of dollars on her stiletto addiction. Carrie could have avoided her financial grief had she known about a little consignment shop called Simply Chic on Fillmore Street. The walls are lined with designer goods from Louis Vuitton, Celine and Chanel (to name a few) that are priced at a frac- Federally insured by NCUA. tion of what they retail for in the department stores. But what separates Simply Chic from the rest * Fees apply for expedited payments. is its friendly knowledgeable, honest and fashionable staff. It’s like shopping in your best friend’s closet, if your BF was Rachel Zoe. Carrie B could have also consigned some of her designer digs at Simply Chic, which offers a competitive 50-50 split. With a store like Simply Chic, your money doesn’t need to be hanging in your closet. It can be in your wallet where you can see it.

Simply Chic: 3038 Fillmore. 415-775-2888. Mon-Sat 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Consignments are accepted everyday with no appointment necessary. House calls are available by appointment. photos: simply chic

Northsider Secret prizes, Ghirardelli oils & more What not to miss

REASURE HUNT: OIL BET YOU due to open at 2224 Union If you missed the DIDN’T KNOW Street in Cow Hollow, the 49th annual Big Ghirardelli Square is the magic date is Nov. 20. The TBook Sale last month at Fort site of the new home for 7,000-square-foot store Mason Center, then you Vom Fass Oils, Vinegars, will employ more than 30 missed your chance to leave Spices. The store, from employees. A store spokes- with even more than you husband-and-wife entre- woman tells us the resident planned. Hidden among preneurs Adelaide and chef is still to-be-decided the 500,000 books, DVDs, Mike Pollastro, features its and the opening date is, and CDs were prizes from signature products ready alas, subject to change. some major City institu- for sampling “from the tions, such as tickets to the cask.” Justin Gibson, pres- CALLING SALLY BOWLES San Francisco Ballet and ident of Madison, Wis.- Alfred’s Steakhouse the Opera, VIP passes to based Vom Fass USA, said (659 Merchant Street) is the deYoung Museum, $100 of the Pollastros: “Given touting the launch of its gift certificates to Delfina their drive, we’re confi- new cabaret in the space and Nopa restaurants, tick- dent they will be helping that was once the home of ets to the Castro or the everyone in San Francisco the Blue Fox. The month- Roxie theaters, $50 gift cer- and in surrounding com- ly effort launched at the tificates for Bi-Rite Market, munities make the tasti- tail-end of September and more. Proceeds from est, healthiest decisions with a one-man show the sale went to the library’s for years to come.” The by jazz singer Mark literacy program. shop opened this past Robinson. The next will Friends of the San summer and is located at take place Oct. 26. Francisco Public Library, 900 North Point Street, which holds the sale, sent Suite E. 205. Validated OVERHEARD out daily clues about the parking is available with AT BETELNUT prizes to their members purchases of $20 and up. Waiter: I’ll bring you the via Twitter and Facebook. check right away. Customer: But don’t worry; when the OPEN TABLE Please don’t. Friends hold the 50th sale If you are one of the next year, it’s sure to be legion of foodies waiting Got any tips for Northsider? even bigger and better. for the Sur La Table store E-mail: [email protected]

10 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Sketches from a North Beach Journal People, places and pleasures in the neighborhood by ernest byel Rossi, Gino & Carlo; Michael English, Perry’s; Bobby McCambridge, Amante; ANGELA’S BASHES Bobby Fregoli, old timer from Washington Angela Alioto announced an on-again- Square Bar & Grill; Romano Marcucci of off-again bash recently — a press confer- the sorely-missed La Felce, Richard “Specs” ence to make an announcement about the Simmons of Specs’ Twelve Adler Place; and Piazza St. Francis. You will remember that Jonny Raglin of the Comstock Saloon. Just this is poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s vision a few who come to mind. for an Italianate pedestrian walkway and public park planned for the short block of THE HEAVENLY PANTHEON Vallejo between Grant and Columbus here And we haven’t even gotten to the pan- in North Beach. I first heard about it eight theon of great bartenders in the sky like Neil years ago when it was reported in the North Riofski, Dennis O’Connor, and Cyril Boyce Beach Aquarium — a perceptive neighbor- from the heyday of the Washington Square hood newspaper I still miss. Alioto was in Bar & Grill; Donato Rossi of Gino & Carlo; the picture then as she is now — a mover Sean Mooney of Mooney’s Irish Pub; and and shaker and a money person. I wrote Rose “Pistola” Evangelisti of the old Pistola’s about the project in 2008 in the Nob Hill Saloon. But I filter these remembrances Gazette, and then in 2010 I did a front-page through a hazy memory. Each bartender — story in Northside San Francisco based on both the quick and the unquick — is worth an interview with Ferlinghetti, who was a fulsome profile. In North Beach if you can’t eager to get the project started. During all talk learnedly about a dozen or more bar- of this time, Alioto said she could raise the tenders and their dispensaries, you’re consid- money — or she had the money in the can. ered an arriviste or an outlier of dubious taste The original date for her press confer- not worthy of having a drink with. ence (presumably the final go-ahead for the project) was Aug. 3 this year. That morphed LOWER CASE RUTH WEISS into Sept. 3, and now her office advises us Ms. weiss chooses to present her name that the new date is Oct. 3, and is set for in lower case. So I’m trying to get my word her neighborhood hangout, Caffe Trieste, processing system to do that. She made the which anchors one end of the project. The lower case decision long ago as a protest other end is the Church of St. Francis against Hitler’s Third Reich. And it should of Assisi and its re-creation of the saint’s be noted that in the German language Porziuncola — the chapel in Assisi where all nouns are capitalized. So who is ruth he took refuge in 1226. weiss you may ask? She’s a green-haired or I’m hoping if the press conference bash magenta-haired Beat poet, depending on comes off in October that Alioto is pre- her mood or the season. Now 85, weiss has pared to show us the money — and that a lived in Mendocino for many years. She cadre of donors will be on hand with their comes down to North Beach frequently to checkbooks. Total cost of the Piazza St. appear in John Perino’s Focus Gallery on Francis-Poets’ Plaza is said to be about $2 upper Grant. million and change. Along with her parents, weiss fled Nazi How long do we have to wait for Lawrence Germany in 1933. She began writing poetry Ferlinghetti’s dream to be realized? I’d like to at about that time, and as a young adult see this happen in my lifetime — not to men- wound up in San Francisco (who didn’t?) and tion Ferlinghetti’s. One of his finest poems hung out with the Beats. In December, she’ll — I Am Waiting — has a line that reads: give a reading of her poetry at City Lights. “And I am perpetually waiting for a rebirth of wonder.” Let’s hope he doesn’t have to wait BUM RAP much longer. I’ll keep you posted. My buddy Bernardo Quintana, man about North Beach, appears in a new OUT ON A WHIM short film called Bum Rap: A Noir Fantasy. Speaking of bashes, a few days ago the Bernardo plays the heavy who does in Telegraph Hill Dwellers Association held one a couple of neighborhood citizens, stuffs advertised as Behind the Plank: A Bartender’s them in a clothes dryer, and around and Tour of North Beach. I’m sorry to say I around they go. It’s a helluva plot. Go to missed it. But it was for a good reason — I YouTube and type in the title. was out on my own bartender’s tour of North Beach. Actually, the powerhouse Telegraph BIG EYES Hill Dwellers frequently go out on a whim Recently a movie company swarmed rather than on the studied vim and vigor one through North Beach shooting Big Eyes, would expect from this feisty group. Its news a Tim Burton film starring Amy Adams release about Behind the Plank was headed and Christoph Waltz. It’s the story of kitsch “Local Barkeeps to Tell Tales,” and it promised painter Walter Keane who sold those big four savvy veterans. And indeed, I’m told that bug-eyed waifs for big bucks back in the the four there were — Janet Clyde of Vesuvio; fifties. He hung around Enrico’s, and at one Flicka McGurrin of Pier 23; Ward Dunham, point compared himself to Rembrandt and once of Enrico’s; and Adam Richey, bar man- El Greco. Jon Polito, a favorite of the Coen ager for Original Joe’s. brothers, plays Enrico Banducci. The plot I happen to like bartenders, know many details the acrimonious divorce of Walter of them, and believe bartending to be a and his wife, Margaret, when both claimed noble calling. They add style and verve to they had created the kiddies’ big-eye con- the San Francisco scene. Perhaps I quib- cept. They battled it out in court at side-by- ble here, but the Telegraph Hill Dwellers side easels. But that’s enough for now. The would have done better to gather a quo- movie is due for release in August 2014. rum of our many superstar publicans. Let’s honor more of the honorable. I refer ON TOP OF THE GRASS to Michael McCourt and Michael Fraser, At Original Joe’s recently I ran into a both at Original Joe’s; Bob Mulcrevy of friend from my Washington Square Bar the eponymous Mulcrevy’s; Ray Boatright, & Grill days. “How are you?” I asked a Capp’s Corner veteran; Denise Sabella, him. He responded “Well, when I wake Washington Square Bar & Grill; Deirdre up in the morning I’m just happy I’m on Black, formerly of O’Reilly’s and now at top of the grass.” Sydney Town Tavern; George McCarthy, Capp’s Corner; Seamus Coyle and Frank E-mail: [email protected] www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 11 Business & Finance Want more profits? VETERAN’S DAY Create a values-driven PARADE culture for your company Honor and Remember by kenneth majer to select the values, define them, translate them into behaviors, and create an inno- he key to profitability is to vative communication and implementa- have an aligned workforce, one tion plan to ensure the new values-driven where each employee has a clear culture will sustain over time. Tsense of the company’s vision and direc- Step 1: Create a set of common tion and where everyone is “rowing the values. Values are principles or beliefs boat in the same direction.” One way to that determine our actions. Honest achieve this common purpose is to cre- people, for example, do honest things. ate a set of core values for your company Where do company values come from? and then select and reward employees They come from everyone in the com- who believe in those values. pany. While the final decision about the core values is up to the owner, the CEO, or the key princi- pals in the company, they must Having people who fit into consider input from everyone through surveys, focus groups, your organization is far more town hall meetings, etc., to ensure “buy-in” and acceptance important than talent or skill. of the final set of values. Step 2: Define each value Having people who fit into your orga- for your company. Each company is nization is far more important than tal- unique. Integrity, for example, may be ent or skill. Many people are talented and defined differently for a software com- Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013 most people can learn new skills. Having pany (“we only use licensed software”) people who believe in the organization than it is for a building contractor (“we and the company values will go a along do what we say”). Parade 11:00 AM way toward building a company that will Step 3: Translate the values into Market Street please your customers and outperform appropriate expected behaviors your competition. It’s all about culture: (actions). This step is to “take the val- Second to McAllister to City Hall the way we do things around here. ues off the wall and put them into the halls.” Having a set of values defined and THE EVIDENCE posted without setting behavior expec- An article in the Harvard Management tations is a waste of time. Posted values 415-861-4920 • [email protected] Update in 2008 reported that 91 percent become wallpaper and unnoticed in a of 1,200 senior executives at global com- few short days. The values must be con- panies surveyed agreed that culture is as verted into behaviors that are expected important as strategy for business suc- of everyone in the organization. For cess. And consider what Scott Kingdom, example, for the value of respect, there Uniquely the global managing director of Korn/ may be two expected behaviors: (1) We Ferry International, has to say about the reply to voicemails and e-mails within Dr. Evan Ransom is a specialist importance of culture: “If executives fail, 24 hours to both internal and external in cosmetic and reconstructive they don’t fail because of business skills, customers, (2) We take care of company surgery of the nose, eyelids, ears, but soft skills and cultural skills.” Tony tools as if they were our own. face, and neck. His philosophy is to preserve the individual identity Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, now owned by Step 4: Create and implement a com- of his patients while helping them look and feel better, more vibrant and Amazon, puts it this way, “We believe munications/sustainability program. more con dent. Dr. Ransom works closely with his patients to achieve your company culture and your com- Warning: Changing a company culture the results they desire without changing the features they love. pany brand are just two sides of the same is time consuming. To ensure the new Working together as a team, he helps each person remain Uniquely coin … your culture is your brand.” values-driven culture sticks, you will Renown university researchers Kotter, need to be diligent. People don’t like BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER Heskett, Ulrich, Zenger, and Smallwood change. To overcome resistance requires report that employees “buy into” the a campaign to keep the new values and ACTUAL RESULTS ACTUAL RESULTS company’s corporate culture, and compa- expected behaviors at the forefront of nies that align and manage their cultures everyone’s mind. Events, reward pro- increase revenue by four times and increase stock prices by 12 times over those companies that don’t manage their cultures. Leading world-class Leading world-class organi- zations have cultures that are organizations have cultures driven by core values. The Blue Faceli and Rhinoplasty Angels, the world’s No. 1 flight that are driven by core values. Fractional CO2 Laser demonstration team, has a cul- ture driven by five core values: trust, grams for “catching people doing things respect, accountability, integrity, and right,” visuals, newsletters, e-mail blasts, How can we help you look and feel better? commitment. And consider the driv- blogs, etc., are all communications meth- Schedule a consultation today! ing values of these winning companies: ods that can help to sustain any new Southwest Airlines — fun, Nordstrom — program requiring people to do things Mention this ad and receive customer service, Ben & Jerry’s — giving in new ways. back to the community. And consider 10% OFF the many other successful companies THE BENEFITS any service performed. that have strong values-driven cultures: A values-driven company culture will (limit one per new patient only) Starbucks, Harley-Davidson, IKEA, help you select and keep good employees, Trader Joe’s, and many more. achieve higher morale, increase productiv- ity, and gain greater customer satisfaction. HOW TO BUILD The bottom line will be greater profits. A VALUES-DRIVEN CULTURE 415-550-1077 There is a four-step process you can Kenneth Majer, Ph.D. is an executive SanFranciscoFacialPlasticSurgery.com follow to align your workforce around coach and management consultant special- a set of core values. In each step, small izing in values-driven corporate culture. 450 Sutter St., Suite 2200 facebook.com/SFplasticsurgery San Francisco, CA 94108 teams of employees are empowered to He is a co-founder of Culture Integration gather information from other employees International. E-mail: [email protected]

12 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Sports

America’s Cup shoreline stands translated into $16 million of the estimated $20 continued from page 1 less money for area businesses and million for police, public transport, the city itself. Back in 2011 in these and other city expenses had been see their sport at its highest level very pages, District 2 Supervisor raised; and though fewer than one of competition up close and in Mark Farrell wrote “Next to the million spectators had been counted their own front yard, and even Olympics and World Cup, it is in San Francisco, there were also many critics of the series (includ- considered the largest sporting many fans who viewed the races ing people who have no love or event in the world, and aside from from boats, Alcatraz Island, and understanding of sailing) have being an exciting event for San other locations in the bay, accord- commented about the thrilling Franciscans, the America’s Cup ing to officials from the America’s spectacle of the races, the super also comes with the promise of an Cup and the America’s Cup speed of the 72-foot catamarans estimated 9,000 jobs and approxi- organizing committee. chosen for this year’s race, and the mately $1.4 billion in direct eco- Estimates for the shortfall due skill and courage of the crews. nomic worth for our city.” from the city range from $4 to But there were disappointments, Former San Francisco Mayor $7 million, which are negligible too, that have added to complaints Gavin Newsom, who pledged the figures in a town with a budget Racing sailors showed off their skills during an early-September Final from people who were never City would use “creative financ- of nearly $8 billion. And those Match race photo: © ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET thrilled to host the Cup in the first ing” to make sure it wasn’t forced figures don’t take into account the place. Instead of the expected 15 to pony up from the General Fund, increased (albeit less than origi- on the planet. That said, it doesn’t ose America’s Cup vision. Yes, he competing teams, only four teams said the waterfront upgrades the nally hoped) tax receipts. Finally, hurt. As for the controversies that ordered up the outrageous, expen- took part; the others were report- city needed to undertake to host investments made in bayside piers bedeviled the teams before the races sive AC 72s. Yes, he craved risk and edly dissuaded by the estimated the races were “one of the best and other infrastructure do not began, the lawsuits that struck as speed, and Simpson died. And yes, $50–$120 million cost. “Sure, we investments the city can make.” just pay off for the wealthy people the competition was underway, and his team ‘mistakenly’ attached extra wanted more challengers,” Stephen Recently, Mother Jones maga- behind the America’s Cup; those the cheating that was uncovered baggies of resin and lead weights Barclay, CEO of the America’s Cup zine’s Maggie Caldwell compiled improvements remain even after near their climax — it all might to their AC 45s. … Truth is, it may Event Authority, announced on the a list of financial disappoint- the Cup is over, and San Francisco have embarrassed some people, but be impossible for overreach, ego or competition’s official website, “but ments from sources including the magazine contributor Melissa it also kept the race in a high media even tragedy to kill the America’s like all America’s Cup editions, what America’s Cup Event Authority and Griffin Caen has stressed that profile. And, finally, having fewer Cup. Its long history is replete with we remember, what captures our the Bay Area Council Economic they let the city build momen- teams in the races had a paradoxi- danger, plutocrats, weasel moves, imagination, is the Finals, the actual Institute. She noted that the posi- tum behind long-standing plans cal benefit in making a sometimes finger-pointing and controversy.” competition for the America’s Cup.” tive impact on the local economy to improve the shoreline. complex sport filled with unfamil- As much as many people would Barclay also complained about was originally estimated to be $1.3 If the Cup underperformed for iar terms and players a bit simpler like to take Ellison to task for “the cynicism several colum- billion, but toward the end of the the city in terms of attracting in- to understand, to follow on TV and his actions and the under-fulfilled nists and reporters displayed” Cup, it was revised to a not incon- person viewers and even very many YouTube or in written reports. expectations for the Cup, the reali- toward the race and the “deafen- siderable $900 million; the down- contestants, the Cup still delivered Taking into account the contro- ty is that San Francisco and Silicon ing” silence from San Francisco’s sized Cup meant the city needed to in a number of ways. The most versies and challenges — not to Valley and much of America was elected officials, countering that spend $10 million less than it had obvious way — the high profile the mention the uneven performance built by people dreaming big and “[n]othing is 100% perfect.” expected to spend, but it would City got in extensive media cover- of Oracle chief Larry Ellison’s planning big and boasting big and Perhaps related to the presence reap $11 million less in tax receipts. age around the world — is less own team – in the 34th America’s annoying big; sometimes it works of fewer competitors, estimates for It will be a while before final num- a boon for San Francisco than it Cup, The Los Angeles Times’ Susan out, sometimes it doesn’t. But it’s audiences declined from about 2 bers will be available for the financial would be for other communities Brenneman sums it up, “Epic fail- familiar to everyone. million to fewer than half that. results of the Cup. But in late-Sep- that are not already among the most ure, right? It’s easy, even satisfy- Fewer people in the San Francisco tember, Reuters reported that about famous and beloved tourist towns ing, to boo Ellison and his grandi- E-mail: [email protected]

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 13 Food & Wine Across the Bay… Sexism and unprofessional behavior could set women food critics back decades

by susan dyer reynolds Odell is dining with publicist Brenda Urban and “mixologist” Lindsay Nadar to make n 1992, Ruth Reichl left her post sure they’re enjoying their meal. Odell can as restaurant critic for the Los Angeles barely speak, and after Keller exits stage Times and headed East. She had been right, she high fives the other women for Ioffered the job at the New York Times, a maintaining her composure. (Having inter- move she was unsure of at first. Her hus- viewed Keller several times, I can honestly band, however, was not: “… that job would say that, while I admire his work, I was never make you the most powerful restaurant critic star struck.) When the waiter brings the next in the world,” he said. And he was right. course — duck breast from Liberty Farms Perhaps no — Odell (who review defines clearly doesn’t do Reichl’s career her homework) more than her leg- asks where Liberty alito’s Crab House freshly made beignets, Tortuga endary takedown Farms is located. & Prime Rib—Long a Caribbean rum cake and salted of the snobbish Le As her food grows part of the local “scene”, caramel vanilla crunch cake. Cirque, where on cold, she goes on a her first visit, dis- mad texting spree SSalito’s in Sausalito is fresh, It’s the perfect getaway on a guised as her “reg- with L.A. chef bright and full of casual ambi- foggy city day. You can take a ular person” alter Chris Crary (a ego Molly, she was former Top Chef ence. Large, multi-leveled decks ferry and pretend you’re on vaca- treated like dirt, but “cheftestant”), bat- overlook the water and the tion in a faraway village. At least on her second visit, ting her eyes as beauty of the area is absolutely for one day! Sitting on beautiful when she dined she shows Urban sans disguise, she how many texts breathtaking. Richardson got VIP treatment he’s sent over the The versa- Bay, the blue from owner Sirio past few days. tility of the The large covered, sky and spar- Maccioni, caus- It is Odell’s ing her to knock portrayal as a food offerings heated patio and kling water are the renowned eat- man hungry, star- allows you the perfect set- ery down from Michael Chiarello is a chef, not a model struck chef chaser twinkling lights set four stars to three. photo: Michael chiarello who, according to to have any- ting for an Reichl spent six Urban, dates four thing from a the stage for dining afternoon or years outperforming all her male predeces- or five chefs at a time and “has a reputation selection of evening of sors with aplomb; her reviews were smart for sleeping with everyone she writes about under the stars with yet entertaining with a distinct point of view, and writing about everyone she sleeps with,” cheeses and cocktails and showing off not only her incredible knowl- that is perhaps the most disturbing part of the salumi with the possibility of dining al fresco. edge of food and dining but also her witty, series, especially because Odell does nothing house made The large lively style of prose. to prove her wrong (she has since blamed romance a foregone Reichl established the gold standard for “editing” for making her look bad). Not that kettle bread conclusion. covered, heat- women food critics, but with the advent of Urban is a saint — she is also seen flirting and a bot- ed patio and the Internet, which allows virtually everyone mercilessly with Crary in another scene, to call themselves a food critic, a couple and nearly passing out when meeting Keller, tle of wine to a full-blown twinkling lights set the stage of women — Kat Odell, editor of the food which she says is “like meeting the Pope in feast of Dungeness crab and for dining under the stars with news and gossip site Eater Los Angeles, the food world.” succulent prime rib. The the possibility of romance a and Anna Roth, restaurant writer for SF Weekly — are working hard to set women CRUSHING ON CHIARELLO menu is accessible. It’s sim- foregone conclusion. back decades with their sexist attitudes and Closer to home, SF Weekly’s Anna ple food, well-sourced, They serve breakfast on unprofessional behavior. Roth (whose online bio includes eHow, I’m not the only one taking note. Tom Citysearch, and her own Tumblr account) abundant and comforting the weekends beginning at Colicchio, restaurateur, chef and head judge has been doing her part to make women yet sumptuous. 10:00 am. Crab benedict, on Bravo TV’s Top Chef series, got into a food critics look foolish with her curious You can craft your dining hot buttered rum pancakes Twitter battle with Eater’s founder, Lockhart Coqueta vendetta. “I popped into Michael Steele, about the world of restaurant criti- Chiarello’s new Spanish tapas endeavor, experience by beginning with and open face skillet omelets cism, the star rating system, and adhering Coqueta, the other night, seeking liba- oysters or sizzling iron-skillet are but a sampling of the to journalistic standards. Steele professed tions after a trippy lightshow at the new roasted mussels, shrimp and weekend menu. that Eater was “doing some of the best food Exploratorium,” Roth says in an April 2013 journalism anywhere.” You could almost see blog post; but rather than discuss what crab and move to special- Colicchio’s famous smirk as he disagreed, most readers care about (food, drinks, ties such as a crab enchilada, 1200 Bridgeway, Sausalito pointing out that Eater had never come to ambiance), she launches into a tirade about him to check a single fact. something that is “nagging” her — “the fresh fish or prime rib. Sweets 415.331.3226 Colicchio is more than vindicated as we cluster of Zagat and Michelin recommen- have their own category with salitoscrabhouse.com watch Odell make one journalistic error dation stickers on the restaurant’s front after another on Bravo’s new reality show door.” The problem, Roth says, is that Eat Drink Love, which follows a group of Coqueta had only been open a week and women with jobs in the L.A. food scene. In therefore couldn’t have been reviewed. one sequence, pastry chef Waylynn Lucas is “Zagat stickers are fairly ubiquitous … but furious over an article Odell pens for Eater the Michelin name carries some weight. about the anniversary of fōnuts, a bakery It seemed disingenuous and more than she co-owns. She accuses Odell of misquot- a little shady,” Roth says. It turns out ing her, which Odell denies — but we are the stickers were left from the previous shown flashbacks of the interview where restaurant, Lafitte, because the folks at she clearly did just that. Coqueta — having only been open a week Odell, who is heard boasting in the open- — were still waiting for their new door. ing credits that she “can make or break a Roth gets to that at the end of the post, restaurant,” displays an embarrassing level of but I don’t understand why she wrote arrogance for the editor of a website that gets about it in the first place, and I especially little respect from professional food journal- don’t understand why she would casually ists or established chefs. throw around words like “disingenuous” In a scene clearly engineered by Bravo and “shady” in reference to a chef, who, in at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Beverly Hills my experience, has never been anything ADVERTISEMENT. (Keller has guest hosted on Top Chef), an but upstanding and gracious. awkward Keller appears at the table where Women critics, continued on 15

14 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Women critics reduction, was rich and satisfying. Roth Fisherman’s Wharf continued from page 14 also says the grilled octopus, one of the highlights of my meal (and I don’t The post foreshadows Roth’s even more usually like octopus), was “gritty and bizarre review of Coqueta for SF Weekly in acrid;” the meatballs were “so salty they June, where, while dining anonymously, were inedible;” and the paella (another is calling your name she became upset when Chiarello didn’t highlight) was just “fine.” Outside of the visit her table. Roth writes, “All through paella and a “decent” open-faced sand- the meal, the chef returns to the same wich featuring lardo, jambon iberico, two or three tables several times — drink- and sea urchin, Roth concludes that her ing punch with them out of a traditional meal at Coqueta was “a bust.” Spanish pitcher, bringing them little treats Bauer, on the other hand (who appar- from the kitchen, generally having what ently ate at the same restaurant I did), appears to be a great time — and ignores raves about the food. He says the grilled everyone else. If I’d come to bask in the whole branzino is “one of the best fish glow of Chiarello’s celebrity, I would have preparations” he’s ever had; the Gaucho been left out in the cold.” But she clearly did ribeye steak for four “… should make come to bask in his “glow,” gushing earlier the management of even the best steak that Chiarello is “as handsome in person house head back to the aging room to see as he is on the Food Network, tanned and what’s missing;” and the Iberico Secreto trim with closely cropped salt-and-pepper (considered the “Spanish butchers’ secret hair,” and noting that, while she’s seated cut of pork”), “truly is, and worth the just two feet away, her view during most price.” Bauer’s takeaway from Chiarello’s of the evening is limited to “Chiarello’s Embarcadero jewel mirrors that of other (admittedly well-toned) backside.” food critics, including mine: “Coqueta Contrast this with San Francisco Chronicle channels the best of Spain, and mixes it food critic Michael Bauer’s description of with the best of Northern California. It’s Chiarello as he illustrates the dichotomy an alluring combination that competes between the chef’s celebrated Italian cookery with — and beats — the water views.” He and Coqueta’s decidedly Spanish inspiration: gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars. he Franciscan Crab ed crab, crab Alfredo pasta, or “… when Michael Chiarello comes out of the For her conclusion, Roth once again turns kitchen in his chocolate brown chef jacket to stalker talk: “I went in ready to be seduced. Restaurant- Don’t let the crab Enchilada—my favor- with the flag of Spain on its sleeve, you might But the affair fizzled soon into my first the name fool you— ite. No matter which way you be totally confused about Coqueta.” visit as the food revealed itself to be a lot of If a male critic discussed a female show without much substance … Flash and Tthis Fisherman’s Wharf main- order, it is guaranteed to be chef’s “well-toned backside” in a review, style might be enough to fuel a first attrac- it might have knocked Paula Deen out of tion, but there needs to be more behind stay serves food that goes fresh, flavorful and master- the headlines. Worse yet, Roth is clearly the initial excitement or a flirtation will well beyond steamed crab on fully prepared. so blinded by Chiarello’s snub that she inevitably fizzle.” takes it out on his food. After spending It seems Roth wanted to be seduced by a a platter. The menu includes The Franciscan’s other sea- the first half of the review coming off like lot more than Chiarello’s food. As with Odell a celebrity chef stalker, Roth says dismis- flaunting her ability to seduce information delightful artisanal salumi food options are also stel- sively, “And his food here isn’t much of out of chefs for Eater LA, I find it offen- and burrata, specialties that lar, from the garlic-steamed a consolation prize.” Having eaten at sive that sexist attitudes and unprofessional Coqueta (a full review is coming soon), behavior could set woman food critics back include the best fish and chips clams, the fresh fish prepared I couldn’t believe Roth and I were at the decades, cluttering the path carved through you’ve ever tasted, a barbecue in four signature styles, to the same restaurant as she bashed dish after a male dominated profession by pioneers dish. She says that the Marcona almonds like Ruth Reichl. Too bad people aren’t as shredded short rib sandwich hearty seafood cioppino, per- “had a texture and astringent flavor that up in arms when a woman is sexist as they brought paint primer to mind.” Having are when it’s a man — if they were, Roth and and flavorful pastas like sea- fect for a cold day by the bay. never eaten paint primer, I can’t attest Odell would likely be apologizing on Twitter food linguine. And if you can find room, try to its attributes, but I can say that the and uploading their résumés to Linked In. Marcona almond gazpacho, made with But oh, the crabs: what a a decadent dessert made with almonds, grapes and a drizzle of Syrah E-mail: [email protected] delight they are. You can start their house made frozen cus- with a Dungeness crab cocktail tard ice cream. Wine Notes Time to sparkle or an order of crab cakes, move Pier 43 ½, 415.362.7733, on to a crab Louie salad, and franciscancrabrestaurant.com. Celebration Wines make your entrée a whole roast- Open daily at 11:30 am.

sonal preference for Old World wines, such as Roederer Estate l’Ermitage ($40), Schramsberg ($30), or Domaine Carneros ($30). Among Champagnes, I gen- erally opt for grower-pro- ducer Champagnes (search the sides of the label for a series of letters and numbers by jeannine sano ing because it pairs with that look like code and start almost anything. Given his with RM-, which stands re you celebrat- ridiculously refined palate for Récoltant-Manipulant), ing something?” and encyclopedic exper- meaning that the estate that I am asked this tise, he may not need to grows the grapes produce Aquestion quite frequent- cheat, but I certainly do. the wine, such as those from ly in restaurants because Anything with eggs Chartogne-Taillet ($40– I like to order sparkling (whether fish, chicken, $70) or Cédric Bouchard wine quite frequently (in quail, or duck), any- ($50–$140), as opposed to addition to drinking it at thing fried, and anything the larger, more industrial home quite frequently). salty pairs magnificent- Champagne houses (NM-, Few wines are more food ly with sparkling wine. which stands for Négotiant- friendly than sparkling My favorite sparklers are Manipulant). But I have my wine. Indeed, Jeff Bareilles, from Champagne, but I favorites among those, too, the beverage director of also love Cremant, Cava, such as Ruinart ($60) and Manresa restaurant in Los Franciacorta, Prosecco, Philipponnat ($39). “Hands down the best food you’ll find on Fisherman’s Wharf.” Sunset Magazine Gatos, once told me that Sekt, and even a couple of Indulge yourself in some he considers pairing a dish domestic sparkling wines bubbles, and even the dreariest ADVERTISEMENT. with sparkling wine cheat- notwithstanding my per- day can become celebratory. www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 15 Food & Wine

Short Bites Where to go tonight?

Cliff House and Beyond! Guided Historical Walks

Spend a memorable Saturday morning exploring Lands End. Lampredotto sandwich at Elmira photo: susan dyer reynolds Start with a continental breakfast at the historic Cliff House then walk through Adolph Sutro’s magical ‘kingdom by the sea’ with historian guide John A. Martini. Good eats nearby John's fi nal walk in 2013 will be on Saturday, October 12. by susan dyer reynolds & washed down with a perfect soup, lobster ravioli, Wagyu For more information and to purchase tickets please visit tony ching martini (shaken not stirred), beef ($65 supplement), and

www.cliffhouse.com/store or call the Cliff House it’s well worth the trip. salad l’extravagance. Osso Steakhouse Tip: Street parking is non- ◆◆◆ Gift Shop at 415-666-4006. 1177 California Street existent so Uber it, cab it, or (at Jones), 415-771-6776, use Osso’s $10 valet service. Golden Lotus www.ossosteakhouse.com Not to Miss: Bone-in 631 Larkin Street (at Eddy), Cliff House Weekly Favorites I was the first critic filet, bone-in New York 415-345-1355 • Wine Lovers’ Tuesday – Half Priced Bottled Wines to review Bobo’s (back (dry-aged four to six weeks), The trendy Vietnamese when they still went by Porterhouse Osso style (New favorite Turtle Tower has • Friday Night Jazz in the Balcony Lounge Boboquivari’s), and through- York and filet cooked sepa- moved down the street, and • Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet out the years, I have given rately for even doneness), it seems they left their qual- their bone-in filet mignon “New York, New York Bone- ity ingredients behind with high marks, naming it my in Empire Steak Building” the new occupant, Golden 1090 Point Lobos San Francisco 415-386-3330 www.CliffHouse.com “Best Hunk of Meat” in sev- cut, shoestring zucchini Lotus. Not only is the food Private Events Direct 415-666-4027 [email protected] eral “Best of Food and Wine” fries, iron skillet-roasted better at Golden Lotus, the issues. But original owner mussels, garlic-roasted crab prices are far more rea- Jerry Dal Bozzo sold his feast, caviar trio. sonable, the place is clean, interest earlier this year, and ◆◆◆ and the service is fast and unfortunately, without his friendly. Northern-style phở meticulous quality control, Keiko à Nob Hill uses a slightly wider rice The place the bone-in filet has fallen 1250 Jones (at Clay), noodle, and while Turtle off its carnivorous pedestal. 415-829-7141, Tower’s broth lately seems Here’s the good news: Dal www.keikoanobhill.com watered down, the broth for where locals Bozzo has resurfaced with Also on Nob Hill, Keiko both the beef and chicken Osso Steakhouse on Nob is one of the few restaurants versions at Golden Lotus Hill. The interior is Art Deco left in the City offering that are rich and redolent with inspired and classier than truly romantic fine-dining spices such as clove and eat seafood! the funky-fun vibe at Bobo’s, experience. The $95 tasting star anise. Phở gets much but the “big-bone-in (Osso) menu (wine parings addi- of its flavor from the bones, filet mignon” will bring you tional) changes frequently, and because the owner is a back to Bobo’s glory days. but over a half dozen visits, butcher, he uses the best cuts Spectacular Bay Views While the leanness of a every course was memo- of rib eye, which is unusual filet can produce a spongy, rable. The most memorable for most hole-in-the-wall tasteless cut of beef, its less is the caramelized onion Vietnamese spots. The lotus common bone-in brethren mousse with Osetra caviar, root salad with pig ears and has more marbling, better sea urchin, scallop tartare, shrimp is also a must-try on texture, and, because of the and dashi gelee served in a the small menu. bone, additional flavor (it clear glass vessel filled with Tip: It’s family run and rivals a topnotch rib eye). cherry blossom smoke. It’s open until 7:30 p.m. (Turtle This is an impressive steak, a dish that will take you Tower closes at 5 p.m.). standing four to five inches back to Ron Siegel’s creative Not to Miss: Beef phở, high and seared with garlic zenith at the Ritz-Carlton, chicken phở, lotus root salad. and rosemary for a crisp, and the kind of elaborate, ◆◆ aromatic, caramelized crust, elegant presentation you while the interior is cooked find less and less of in this China First to rosy medium-rare perfec- era of bacon-obsessed rustic 336 Clement Street (at Fifth), tion (and you shouldn’t eat comfort food and purpose- 415-387-8370 World Famous Restaurant it any other way). The size ful minimalism. While the This may look like one of and quality justify the $43.95 staid interior hasn’t changed the many generic Chinese price tag — you’ll pay a lot much since Charles of Nob restaurants in the Richmond more for a lot less elsewhere. Hill, the food definitely District, but they have some If you’re dating an NFL line- has. There are no cocktails, unusual seafood in their live NO backer and the “big” isn’t big but the international wine tanks, like longneck clam enough, there’s also the “big- list is extensive with bottles and Alaskan king crab along 9 FISHERMEN’S ger bone-in filet” for $79.95 ranging from $40 to $2,100 with Dungeness crab, Maine (when available). And if (and beware the sommelier’s lobster, and various kinds of you’re with a group, the attempt to upsell). fish. The live spot prawns 415.673.7025 “New York, New York Bone- Tip: Even with a Michelin are the stars here — you’ll Free Validated Parking GROTTO in Empire Steak Building” star, there’s no valet, so best find them at popular places cut (89.95) is a must. to Uber or cab it. like Koi Palace in Daly City No. 9 Fisherman’s Wharf at the foot of Taylor There’s much more to like Not to Miss: The menu and or Great Eastern in San about Osso’s (a full review changes often, but standouts Francisco’s Chinatown, but fishermensgrotto.com Banquet Facilities Available is coming soon), but even if include caramelized onion at China First the price is you just go for a perfect steak mousse, king crab and lily bulb SHORT BITES, continued on 17

16 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Short Bites spot. Former Fairmont crispy pork salad with continued from page 16 Hotel chef Marc Passetti grilled nectarines (try it serves up an elevated twist before stone fruit is out of far more reasonable. The on the humble Italian food season); tripe salad; roasted best preparation is steamed he grew up with (the res- red potatoes; and lightly whole; suck the juices from taurant is named for the battered and fried fresh the head and dip the body street where both his par- calamari replete with the in jalapeño soy sauce. Other ents and grandparents grew best part — the tentacles. Chinese staples like walnut up). Passetti buys a whole The daily pasta is also a prawns, salt-and-pepper pig each week, which is spit winner, especially the squid chicken wings, sweet-and- roasted and used to make, ink fettuccine with cala- sour spareribs, and Peking among other things, his sig- mari and clams in tomato duck, are also good. nature porchetta sandwich sauce. It’s in a rough part Tip: Look for lobster and — unctuous loin and belly of town near City Hall, but crab specials starting at $15 in rolled around herbs with once you’re inside, it feels handwritten signs on the wall. a golden brown, caramel- fresh and bright and the Thursday Not to Miss: Steamed ized exterior on a light, airy counter service is friendly spot prawns, longneck clam Acme ciabatta roll topped and efficient. two ways (choose from with a citrusy salsa verde. (If Tip: The weekend brunch October 10th sashimi, soup with bitter you’re lucky, you’ll be there includes luscious eggs greens, salt and pepper, or on a day when he tops it with Benedict and $2 mimosas. 4:00-8:00pm stir fry), snails in black bean crunchy chicharrones.) Not to Miss: Porchetta sauce (seasonal), deep-fried The menu changes daily, sandwich, lampredotto sand- sand dabs, rock cod two but other favorites include wich, fried calamari, crispy ways, beef tendon clay pot. lampredotto, a Florentine pork and grilled nectarine ◆◆ peasant dish made from salad, tripe salad, roasted the fourth and final stom- potatoes, daily pasta (espe- Elmira Rosticceria ach of a cow, which is slow cially squid ink fettucine). 154 McAllister Street cooked until meltingly ◆◆½ (at Hyde), 415-551-7332 tender in a tangy tomato Elmira has quickly sauce that soaks through E-mail: susan@marinatimescom; become my go-to lunch the bottom of the roll; a www.tony1andonly.com

New and Notable Date nighter ILLUSTRATION BY JOCELYN HAYBITTEL GIBSON HAYBITTEL BY JOCELYN ILLUSTRATION $20 Advance Online Wine Sampling Ticket Palmer’s Tavern: Fillmore $25 Day of Purchase Ticket ~ 2040 Union St (Across from Metro) Street’s newest hot spot SRESproductions.com • UnionStreetSF.com • 1-800-310-6563 by julie mitchell carnivores and vegetarians alike, with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Standards like a ham- eighborhood residents looking burger, steak frites, and a chicken breast with for a new watering hole and place mashed potatoes and cream sauce will flank to grab dinner on Fillmore can lighter fare like an heirloom tomato salad (as Nrejoice! The long-vacant space that most long as the tomatoes are available), chilled recently housed the short-lived Long Bar corn soup, and grilled king salmon. Risotto is now home to Palmer’s Tavern. And from and pasta dishes will certainly be listed, the looks of it, and the current Palmer’s is well on menu features fried Crack. its way to becom- oysters, pork cheeks, ing a Fillmore cornmeal-crusted Street institution. chicken, and fried Located right squash blossoms. Hip pain? across the street While Palmer’s from the Clay is built for dining, movie theater, plenty of patrons Palmer’s is the will stop in pre- or latest addition post-movie for a from restaurateur drink. And there Albert Ranier, are plenty to choose Don’t suffer another day. co-owner of the from. In addition popular Leopold’s to a lengthy, global on Polk Street. wine and beer list, Our fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons specialize in: Designed in clas- Palmer’s focuses • Anterior Approach Hip Replacement sic tavern fashion, on cocktails, with Palmer’s features a 10 specials for • Partial and Total Knee Replacement spacious bar craft- Palmer’s interior has a cozy, clubby ambiance under $10, like a • Total Joint Replacement ed from richly pol- photo: julie mitchell Fillmore Fizz with ished mahogany. gin, Fernet (a bit- The Orthopedic Leaders in San Francisco. Mirrors, flattering ter digestif), pine- wall lamps, and apple gum, citrus, a wealth of cozy The current menu features and egg white; or an Our comprehensive orthopedic programs offer the most advanced leather booths Adonis with sherry, techniques and treatments for joint replacement, allowing for RAPiD and banquettes pork cheeks, cornmeal- Italian vermouth ReCOveRy so that you can get back to the life you enjoy quickly and comprise the res- and bitters. pain free. taurant’s interior. crusted chicken and fried With cooler nights Twin antelope just ahead, Palmer’s heads surround a squash blossoms. Tavern is the perfect Call 866-466-1401 to schedule an appointment. bison’s head above date-night destina- the bar, and a giant wall-mounted swordfish tion for a classic cocktail or dinner for two Saint Francis Memorial Hospital St. Mary’s Medical Center graces a center wall. All of this makes for a in an urban and happening locale. Bush at Hyde Stanyan at Fulton warm, clubby, retro feel. Don Draper would Downtown Across from Golden Gate Park feel right at home. Palmer’s Tavern: 2298 Fillmore Street, While executive chef Raymond Tamayo 415-732-7777; Monday–Thursday 5:30–10 and Ranier were still polishing the menu p.m., Friday–Saturday 5:30–11 p.m., Sunday www.saintfrancismemorial.org at press time, you can be certain that 5:30–10 p.m. www.stmarysmedicalcenter.org Palmer’s Tavern will feature a variety of dishes designed to win the hearts of both E-mail: [email protected] www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 17 Food & Wine

The Tablehopper Where to visit A fall full of openings by marcia gagliardi Larger dishes include a burger, roasted chicken, and Niçoise salad. y the time this column is in And just next door, Adam Snyder, your hands (or on your comput- Hugo Gamboa, and Andy Wasserman er screen), the reborn Fog City (The Brixton) will be turning the for- BDiner will be open, but now as Fog City mer City Tavern space into Sabrosa (1300 Battery Street, 415-982-2000). (3200 Fillmore Street), a Mexican restau- The brand-spanking-new 145-seat digs rant and bar. Jose Ramos (Nopalito and are from chef-owner Bruce Hill (Bix, Nido in Oakland) will be the chef, who Picco, Pizzeria Picco, and Zero Zero) will offer a menu highlighting regional and founders Bill Higgins and Bill Upson Mexican cuisine. And of course there (Real Restaurants). The place hadn’t been will be a lively bar. Look for an opening updated since it opened in 1985, so expect later this year. some ch-ch-changes. The 4,334-square- foot space has been completely redone FINANCIAL DISTRICT by architect Michael Guthrie, and is now Another new project: Ken Tominaga much more open, with a V-shaped onyx- (Hana in Rohnert Park) is partner- Tuesday, October 8 | S.F. hued 30-seat bar and an open kitchen. ing with Michael Mina on another FREE WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR There will also be outdoor seating along restaurant. Coming in spring 2014 sutterpacific.org/bariatrics Battery Street. will be the second location of Pabu The menu is “San Franciscan cuisine,” and the launch of Ramen Market, with a strong focus on items from the both in 101 California Street (a monster wood-fired grill, like wood- Platinum LEED-certified green build- ANOTHER BIG PLUS grilled tomato soup and mesquite-grilled ing with a glass and atrium area focused local albacore or lamb skewers. The on plants). Pabu is the modern izakaya ONLINE CONVENIENCE burger will be made with Bruce Hill’s concept the duo launched at the Four Personal primary and specialty care at 50+ special technique using his patented Seasons in Baltimore — this iteration neighborhood doctor locations. Plus, you’re Chef’s Press. The wood oven will also will include a sushi bar (with local sea- connected directly to medical records, be blazing full time, cooking up clams food and fish sourced via Japan’s Tsukiji and chicken. Erik Lowe (Bix) is the chef. Market), izakaya dishes, a robata grill, prescription renewals, lab results, physician Many items are house made, from the shabu-shabu, noodle, and soup dishes. messaging and online appointments – even same hamburger buns to the American cheese Ramen Market will be open breakfast day office visits. It’s another way we plus you. (even the hot sauce on the chilled oysters through dinner, with the busy FiDi is barrel-aged). Dessert includes frozen customer in mind (who can order take- custard (from Straus Family Creamery out or dine in). There are five ramen milk) and French crullers made fresh to choices or guests can make their own FIND A LOCAL SUTTER DOCTOR order. The cocktail menu includes clas- bowl, choosing from five or six broths, 1-888-699-DOCS (3627) sics, plus newer-school creations, like proteins like duck confit, plus a variety sutterpacific.org barrel-aged and on-tap cocktails. Look of vegetables (there will also be gluten- for primarily local wines on the 16 taps; free Japanese sweet potato noodles and there are also 7 beer taps. Cheers to a low-carb vegetable noodles). Many of new era for the iconic restaurant. the greens, vegetables, and herbs will be Over at the Ferry Building, Ferry grown in the residents’ garden (remem- Plaza Seafood is leaving the Marketplace ber, there’s that atrium). and plans to reopen in the former Pasta Pomodoro (655 Union Street) in RUSSIAN HILL AND NOB HILL North Beach near Washington Square. Residents have been wondering what Hog Island Oyster Bar will move into was opening in the former Pasha (and the Ferry Building space, which will short-lived Cossu) space on Broadway. more than double the current size of Owner Giovanni Toracca, a name many the restaurant. Construction will North Beach longtimers know well, is begin in January 2014 (Cass Calder opening Taps (1516 Broadway Street), Smith is behind the design); look for a 170-seat restaurant that will have a full bar, expanded menu, commu- chef Michael Lamina (Leopold’s and nal tables, and, of course, a killer view. Cav) at the helm. The menu will be gastropubby by nature, with an exten- COW HOLLOW sive selection of elevated bar food, like Some new projects in the infamous terrines and pâtés (there are also plans Triangle: Open now is Franck LeClerc’s for an in-house salumi program; stand second location of Café Claude (2120 by). There will be a wood grill and a Greenwich Street, 415-375-9550). The rotisserie with different meats each day space is definitely opulent and over (lamb, pig, chicken). The menu will the top, with damask wallpaper, gilded have plenty of apps for large parties to mirrors, burgundy leather, and shiny, share, and main dishes will be offered à dark wood surfaces (the swank design is la carte with sides listed separately, like from Elmer Lin a duck breast, of Consortium). chicken, steak There is bar seat- off the grill, ing (with a bar The menu is San and, of course, menu), and the a burger. secluded booth Franciscan with a strong Jesse Ostroski in the back is (Bigfoot Lodge) great for a large focus on items from the is running the party. On nice bar program, days, there will monster wood-fired grill. which will fea- be six tables out- ture 28 beers on side, plus windowed doors that open. draft, and will highlight many local On the bar menu, look for aperitifs like craft beers (Lagunitas, Pine Street, the Bitter Grin with Bonal, lemon juice, Magnolia), plus two ciders and a range and soda, and bites like charcuterie and of bottle choices, including Belgians, cheese plates, escargot and a brandade. sours, and some Mikkeller beers. There On the regular menu, from chef Doug are also eight wines on tap. Cocktails Degeeter, you’ll find a rotating daily will feature six classics to start (with special, including short ribs on Sunday more drinks to be added later), and and loup de mer on Friday. The menu is fresh juices and seasonal ingredients classic bistro fare, with small plates like will be a focus. a smoked trout salad and steak tartare. TABLEHOPPER, continued on 19

18 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com tablehopper CHEF shuffles continued from page 18 Chef Jan Birnbaum has left Epic Coming soon: Roasthouse (369 The Embarcadero, The front room features a long 35-seat 415-369-9955) after six years for Weekend wine tasting bar, a stand-up table, several high seat- some much-needed rest and a travel ing areas, a communal table, and an open break. While he is no longer han- at We Olive kitchen with more counter seating, plus dling day-to-day kitchen operations, a chef’s table for 10 in its own alcove. he remains a partner. Chef de cui- Check our Facebook page There’s also a back room with a separate sine Eric Hollis is running day- and watch for more details! bar that will open a month later as a qui- to-day operations at the restaurant eter raw-bar space. The look is simple and in the interim. Take good care of rustic — and a little industrial — with yourself, Jan. banquettes in leather and warm-toned Meanwhile, over in the Presidio, fabric upholstery. After some inspections, chef-partner Joseph Humphrey has they should be open this month. left Dixie (1 Letterman Drive, 415- Luella has closed after nine years on 829-3363), taking part of his kitchen Russian Hill, and the new takers are Jason crew with him. Managing partner Dean Kirmse and Cyrick Hia (Fat Angel), who are Tinney has brought on Erik Hopfinger partnering with Ryan Cole (Michael Mina). (Spoon, Circa, Top Chef) as a consult- The new project will be called Stones Throw ing/interim chef, who will make the (1896 Hyde Street), with Jason Halverson as menu more casual. chef (Michael Mina). The team plans to offer a neighborhood vibe and good value, Marcia Gagliardi is the founder of the weekly but with all the Mina training, you know tablehopper e-column; subscribe and get many details will be dialed in. And with Fat more food news and gossip at www.table Angel’s involvement, you know the beer will hopper.com. Follow her on Twitter: @table be good. The project will open this fall. hopper. E-mail: [email protected]

LA VITA DELIZIOSO Recipe

Cooking classes for groups | Call ahead for information

Ghostly meringues make boo-tiful Halloween treats by susan dyer reynolds in the United States, first and continue to beat until made in Hershey, Penn. the egg whites form very eringues are in 1893). stiff peaks. Beat in vanilla something peo- extract. Add sugar, a little ple rarely think BOO-TIFUL GHOSTLy at a time, and continue to Mof making, but they’re MERINGUES beat until meringue holds actually a quite simple, no- Makes approximately 24 ghosts very stiff peaks, is glossy, fat way to satisfy a sweet and no longer feels gritty tooth. The flavor is simi- 4 large organic egg whites, from the sugar. lar to marshmallows, but room temperature Transfer meringue to you get that fun, crunchy ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar pastry bag. Holding the texture. Best of all, they’re 1 cup superfine sugar (or bag perpendicular to the a blank canvas, which put sugar in food pro- baking sheet, pipe 2-inch makes them perfect for cessor for 30 seconds) high mounds of meringue. Halloween. You can add ½ teaspoon pure white Carefully press minia- food coloring for a festive vanilla extract ture chocolate chips or mood: orange and black Miniature chocolate chips or edible confetti into each (which you can also do for edible confetti (for the eyes) meringue ghost using two your next San Francisco for the eyes and a third for Giants party) or purple Preheat oven to 200 the mouth. and black and shaped as degrees. Place rack in cen- Bake meringues for witches’ hats. You can ter of oven. Line a bak- approximately 1¼–1½ also leave them white ing sheet with parchment hours or until dry and crisp and make little ghosts by paper (or use nonstick to the touch, and they sepa- adding chocolate chip or cooking spray). Prepare rate easily from the parch- candy eyes. The ghosts a pastry bag with large ment paper. Turn off oven, look adorable as a center- round tip. open door slightly, and piece on a glass cake stand In a mixing bowl using leave meringues in oven to layered with candy corn the whisk attachment of a finish drying several hours, or Good & Plenty (fun mixer, beat egg whites on or even better, overnight. trivia: Good & Plenty is low–medium speed until the oldest branded candy foamy. Add cream of tartar E-mail: [email protected] www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 19 Arts & Entertainment

Michael Snyder on Film Make your own fright-film fest A terrifying top 10 for Halloween

by michael snyder Bride of Frankenstein (1935), friendly big-screen musicals) obsessions and a very creepy secret. directed by James Whale helmed this near-perfect predeces- Psycho, which gave Anthony Perkins ith Halloween Truly a quintessential monster sor to the likes of The Amityville a career-defining role as the twist- shambling toward us, movie, this continues the immortal Horror, Poltergeist, and even the ed Norman Bates, is another case October is an ideal tale told in Mary Shelley’s Gothic Insidious features of recent vintage. where so many scenes and situations Wtime for movie-lovers to seek novel Frankenstein (and the epony- Based on Shirley Jackson’s novel have become so essential to the lan- cinematic encounters of the mous film it spawned) about what The Haunting of Hill House, this guage of genre filmmaking that they frightening kind, whether super- can happen when man tries to play extremely effective flick focuses on come off in retrospect as clichés. natural or science-fictional. god. In this case, a scientist wants a ghost hunter who, accompanied Yet, they’re the real deal — and as Let me be frank about this to animate a body comprised of by a skeptic, a clairvoyant and a shocking today as when they first — or, better yet, let me be Dr. parts of various corpses then build a timid psychic, investigates an old rattled audiences in 1960. Frankenstein, and build you a mate for the creature. Starring Boris mansion with a history of violence. monstrous selection of classic Karloff as the monster and Elsa Otherworldly chaos ensues. Rosemary’s Baby (1968), horror films that you and your Lancaster as the bride, it features directed by Roman Polanski ghoulfriends can watch in the some of the most iconic scenes and Invasion of the Body Snatchers Say what you will about Roman comfort of your own home enter- art direction in Hollywood history (1956), directed by Don Siegel Polanski, but he’s a hell of a direc- tainment room … or dungeon. — and surely was the core inspira- A model of 1950s Cold-War tor — and one of his greatest works I’ve put together a Terrifying Top tion for Mel Brooks’s hilarious hom- paranoia in sci-fi form, this fear- is this hellish tale based on Ira 10, any one of which will bring age/parody Young Frankenstein. fraught film shows what happens Levin’s blood-curdling book about chills around the witching hour when an alien force begins replac- a very, very difficult pregnancy. on a late October night. They’ll Curse of the Demon (1957), ing normal people in a small town Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes also work quite well as Halloween directed by Jacques Tourneur with emotionless duplicates. Those portray a young husband and wife party entertainment or as a diver- Sometimes it’s what you don’t who have yet to be changed are who move into a posh Manhattan sion when you’re waiting for trick- see that frightens you the most. In targeted by the body-snatched who apartment building. When she or-treaters to ring your doorbell the case of Curse of the Demon, the look exactly like their family, friends unexpectedly gets pregnant, her on All Hallow’s Eve. forces of evil lurk in the shadows, and neighbors, but have a sinis- husband and her new neighbors In making my selections, I but an escalating sense of dread is ter agenda. A local doctor knows are extremely excited about the decided to avoid anything done inescapable. Dana Andrews plays the awful truth, but can he escape impending birth, but she’s worried. in a foreign tongue (so no pesky an American psychologist visit- assimilation/duplication? The fine Needless to say, no Lamaze class subtitles); shunned most of the ing London to reveal the leader 1978 remake with the same title is could possibly prepare Rosemary usual horror franchises (sorry, of a devil-worship cult as a fraud. also worth catching. for what’s about to happen to her. Freddy and Jason); tried to keep When the cult leader attempts to gobs of gore to a minimum curse the psychologist, the film Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Thing (1982), (as in chainsaw massacres); becomes a case of who’s curs- directed by George A. Romero directed by John Carpenter eschewed found-footage hor- ing whom. The atmosphere is The granddaddy of zom- Here’s a case where a remake ror; and said, “Go suck it, vam- unsettling throughout — and the bie apocalypse movies was also of a classic is as good in its own pires!” (The wimpy Twilight accompanying anxiety is brutal. the first full-length effort from a way as the first version. One of films and the wacky True Blood young George Romero who went my favorite science-fiction films is TV series have pretty much The Exorcist (1973), on to be recognized as one of the the 1951 thriller The Thing from defanged vamps in my mind.) directed by William Friedkin groundbreaking horrormeisters in Another World, inspired by the short So without further ado, in A priest who doubts his faith the business. Made on a shoestring story, Who Goes There? The plot alphabetical order, here we go: must save a young girl from what in black-and-white and utilizing a involves a discovery at a remote appears to be demonic posses- small cast of fledgling actors in an Arctic research station that endan- Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott sion in this adaptation of William intimate milieu, the original Night of gers everyone there, and potentially Essentially, Alien is a haunted- Peter Blatty’s best seller. With its the Living Dead is still scarier than threatens the rest of the world. The house tale set in outer space. deeply resonant religious imag- most of the zombie films that fol- 1982 update, starring Kurt Russell as This mega-tense science-fiction ery, its innovative, precomputer- lowed in its wake. A renowned siege a helicopter pilot at an Antarctic out- corker unleashes a slimy, vicious, animated practical effects, its sequence, with the uninfected trying post, uses latter-day special effects to elusive extraterrestrial biohazard award-winning sound design, and to save themselves from the undead bring an extra dimension to the title with teeth against a crew from a stunningly precocious perfor- onslaught, has been imitated repeat- antagonist, ratcheting up the tension Earth in a creaking, dimly lit, rust mance by then-pubescent actress edly. This is where it all began. to the white-knuckle level. bucket of a space ship. Tough gal Linda Blair, it can still get the skin Sigourney Weaver, crusty Harry crawling and the stomach churn- Psycho (1960), Michael Snyder is a print and broad- Dean Stanton, and the ever-ver- ing — 30 years after its release. directed by Alfred Hitchcock cast journalist who covers pop cul- satile John Hurt are standouts Anointed the master of suspense ture every week on KPFK/Pacifica in a fine cast, while the creature, The Haunting (1963), after years of success in Hollywood, Radio’s David Feldman Show, and on designed by fantasy artist H. R. directed by Robert Wise Hitchcock put his rep on the line by Michael Snyder’s Culture Blast, avail- Giger, and the various sets were How amazing that the director making this low-budget, now-arche- able online at YouTube and Digidev photos Left to Right: © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; © Universal Pictures;; © beyond influential for much of of The Sound of Music (a high typal horror film about a disturbed TV. You can follow Michael on Twitter: Columbia Pictures; © Warner bros. the sci-fi that followed. watermark in saccharine, family- young man with some unpleasant @cultureblaster

The Best of Books What you’re reading Best sellers and recommendations compiled by sandy mullin America’s Cup, and Deliverance in the by Julian Guthrie City of Love, Books Inc. hardcover 5. Cool Gray City of Love: 49 by David Talbot best-seller list Views of San Francisco, 9. Strengths Finder 2.0, The Skull and the Night- a hyper-competent father, Ike’s Incredible Ink, 1. The Violet Hour: A by Gary Kamiya by Tom Rath ingale, by Michael Irwin a time-traveling stego- by Brianne Farley Novel, by Katherine Hill 6. It’s All Good: Delicious, 10. The Alchemist, Sex and dark doings in saurus, thirsty wumpires, Ike wants to write a story, 2. City of Thieves: A Easy Recipes That Will by Paulo Coelho and 1760s London — thor- piranhas, a god of peo- but it has to be the best Novel, by David Benioff Make You Look Good Alan R. Clarke oughly engaging! ple with short and funny story ever. And what should 3. Beautiful Ruins: A and Feel Great, — Bob Deloria names, aliens, pirates, he write about? Follow our Novel, by Jess Walter by Gwyneth Paltrow STAFF PICKS FOR ADULTS buttons, and a quest to intrepid protagonist on his 4. The Billionaire & 7. Orange is the New Christian Nation: A STAFF PICKS FOR KIDS get a bottle of milk home quest to find the perfect ink the Mechanic: How Black: My Year in a Novel, by Frderic C. Rich Fortunately, the Milk by Neil in time for breakfast. The for his epic tale. Larry Ellison and a Women’s Prison, Frightening, plausible Gaiman and Skottie Young story comes to life with — Sandy Mullin Car Mechanic Teamed by Piper Kerman alternate history. And a Neil Gaiman brings his fantastical illustrations by Up to Win Sailing’s 8. Season of the Witch: cracking good read! singular brand of magic Skottie Young. Sandy Mullin is the manager Greatest Race, The Enchantment, Terror, — Bob Deloria to a whimsical account of — Marie Siegenthaler at Books Inc.in the Marina.

20 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Hockney documented in the 2009 film @nite Halloween continued from page 1 David Hockney: A Bigger Picture. The artist is shown comprehensive survey of in his studio and in the coun- David Hockney’s work since tryside, painting and discuss- Ghouls just 2002, arguably the most pro- ing his methodologies. The lific and acclaimed period of subjects are given the typical the artist’s 50-plus year career. Hockney treatment. Trees are wanna have fun One of the top con- rendered in rich, seemingly temporary British artists, non-naturalistic pop colors, by maryann lorusso Extreme Pizza (1980 Union Hockney’s bright pop art yet Hockney shows the cam- Street), where partiers reg- paintings of vividly col- era that the trees’ shadow ure, one of the ister before heading out ored swimming pools and really is purple. He returns most charming aspects to some of Cow Hollow landscapes portrayed his to the same locales at differ- of Halloween is watch- and the Marina’s hottest life in Southern California, ent times of the day creating Sing pint-size Power Rangers nightspots. Drink specials his home for many years. radically different paintings and princesses trick-or-treat before 10 p.m. include $2 Portraits of friends, relatives, out of the same bare trees. up and down Avila Street. But domestic drafts and $4 and lovers — some rendered Like Monet’s series of hay- in San Francisco, the holiday well shots (415-573-0740, life-size on large canvases stack paintings, the trees are is just as fun, if not more so, www.ournightlife.com). — serve to document his transformed as shadows shift for the 21-and-over crowd. Titanic Masquerade personal and professional in the changing sunlight. Here, the revelry of Halloween Halloween Party Cruise: relationships over time. The film may serve as a rivals that of Mardi Gras, with Setting sail on Saturday, Oct. Hockney was also one of helpful introduction for many hotels and bars host- 26, for a four-hour excursion, the first painters of his gener- museumgoers as these same ing big bashes complete with the Fume Blanc Commodore ation to embrace technology immense multicanvas land- scary decorations, D.J.s and yacht is transformed into the at this fifth annual event place on Saturday, Oct. as an art form. He utilizes the scapes will be a prominent dancing. As a grownup you doomed Titanic cruise ship, at the Regency Center, the 26, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. iPhone Brushes application, feature in the de Young get to enjoy drinks specials with an open bar, D.J.s, snacks, recently restored landmark The party includes three once admitting, “I draw flow- exhibition. The survey will and costume contest prizes and three decks filled with theater (1300 Van Ness separate rooms with D.J.s ers every day on my iPhone include Hockney’s more — on this eeriest of evenings. more than 300 roaming ghosts Avenue). On Saturday, Oct. spinning Euro, Top 40 and and send them to my friends, traditional paintings as well Halloween Pub Crawl and ghouls. Check-in begins 26, partiers can enjoy three international house music, so they get fresh flowers every as his Photoshop portraits, San Francisco: Every year at 7:30 p.m. at Pier 40, (the levels of D.J.s and live enter- and a Latin room featur- morning.” Other popular digital videos tracking the locals put on their cool- foot of Townsend Street near tainment, including Top 40, ing salsa band Julio Bravo. Hockney mediums include changing seasons, and his est costumes and head to AT&T Park), and passengers hip-hop and EDM. The cos- Samba dancers, costume stage design, photo collage, iPad landscapes. Union Street to embark on board the ship at 8:30 p.m. tume ball will also feature contests, live drummers, and printmaking. In his 76th year, David this massive Halloween Pub During the cruise, costume- go-go dancers, several cash and a complimentary salsa In recent years, Hockney Hockney continues to seek Crawl. On both Saturday, clad guests can party until 1 bars, a costume contest, and class from 9 p.m. to 9:45 returned to his native out new territory instead of Oct. 26 (from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. while enjoying great views a VIP mezzanine overlook- p.m. round out the fes- Yorkshire, England to revisiting his celebrated past. a.m.) and Thursday, Oct. 31, of Treasure Island, the Golden ing the main floor (888- tivities (415-260-9920, embark on a series of land- His art is happening now. (from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.), par- Gate and Bay Bridges, and the 929-7849, www.theregency www.aykutevents.com). scapes made from multiple ticipating bars throughout magnificent San Francisco ballroom.com). canvases depicting nature Sharon Anderson is an art- the neighborhood are offer- skyline (415-573-0740, Halloween International Maryann LoRusso is a San imagery on a colossal scale. ist and writer in Southern ing drink specials to help www.ournightlife.com). Ball: The annual bash at Francisco-based journalist who The execution of these California. She can be reached get people in the Halloween A Nightmare on Van the historic Fairmont Hotel also writes a blog for women at monumental paintings was at www.mindtheimage.com. spirit. The crawl begins at Ness: Costumes are required (950 Mason Street) takes www.redtypewriter.com.

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1931 union STreeT, SAn frAnciSco, cAliforniA 94123 tel: (415) 775-6622 web: www.lb-sf.com www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 21 Arts & Entertainment

San Francisco’s STICKLEY Source

There are a lot of stories about life behind bars at Alcatraz photo: Alison Taggart-Barone / NPS Alcatraz: Life on the Rock by marilyn damon diamond Luke had a hair-trigger temper, which usually led to physical confrontations. In ’ve never chatted with a career addition to being extremely violent, he con- criminal before,” I said, smiling at the soft- tinued to rob banks and committed enough spoken 80-year-old man who was talking crimes to send him to San Quentin and other Ito me while eating scrumptious appetizers at prisons before Alcatraz. For Luke, one of the San Francisco’s elegant Hyatt Regency Hotel. biggest negatives about his time at Alcatraz Bill Baker said he considers himself a “career was boredom. The hour in the yard, meals convict,” not a criminal. The difference? “The and voracious reading in his cell helped, career criminal is successful,” he grinned. but the rest of the day was dictated by the NORIEGA FURNITURE The Hyatt reception was the first event of guards’ morning wakeups, meals, yard times, 1455 TARAVAL ST (AT 25TH AVE) SF 94116 (415) 564-4110 a two-day annual weekend reunion of former and lights out. One thing Luke particularly guards and inmates of Alcatraz. Additionally, missed was the smell of freshly mowed lawn, NORIEGAFURNITURE.COM a never-before-seen Alcatraz photo collection, and after his release, he would simply lie on a “Alcatraz: Life on the Rock” by renowned lawn and appreciate the aroma. photographer Leigh Warner, adorned the enor- In some respects, as Luke pointed out, mous walls throughout the hotel’s massive Alcatraz was a better place to be than some atrium lobby. of the other pris- @NoriegaFurnitureSanFrancisco The 79th anni- ons. It was smaller, versary in 2009 of for one. Alexandra Alcatraz Island’s Warden Johnson made sure Picavet, public opening as a fed- that Alcatraz food was of high affairs specialist eral penitentiary, with the National a collaboration quality, which characterized the Parks Service, among Alcatraz estimates that the Cruises, the menu until the prison closed. prison popula- Hyatt Regency tion never reached and the National Park Service created its capacity of approximately 350, whereas a memorable event. Leavenworth and others held 2,500 men who Baker described his life in Alcatraz in his were forced to share small cells. book, Alcatraz 1959AZ (his prisoner number). Also, Luke said, the food at Alcatraz was “I wasn’t a great kid. I didn’t get along with excellent. Warden Johnson attributed some family members, and I ran away a lot,” he said. of the prison rioting at the turn of the 20th In the end, it was his predilection for escape century not only to crowded conditions but that landed him on Alcatraz. His first serious also to bad food. He made sure that Alcatraz run-in with the law came when he stole a food was of high quality, which character- car and drove it from McNeil Island Federal ized the menu until the prison closed. Prison in Washington State to Portland, Ore., While Baker continued to practice his making it a federal crime. As an inmate at talent for forgery after his release from McNeil Island, he was being transferred to Alcatraz in 1963, Luke took a different Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. “I cut the path. Through contacts, he managed to link of the handcuff hooking me to the next get a job in Los Angeles with a company guy, and got caught.” He was, therefore, a can- that gave him an opportunity to work. He didate for “the hole” in Leavenworth. nearly lost this opportunity when another The hole is a dark, dank cell with no bed, employee taunted him, mainly to irri- no covers and no light. He was stripped tate him as the new guy. Luke respond- naked and kept there for several months. ed by bashing the employee in his face. “Two or three times a week I got an onion, a Fortunately, his employers were pleased pea and some watery soup. The other days it with Luke’s work and kept him on. was bread and water,” Baker said. When prisoners were released from the Ashamed of his past, Luke told only his hole in any Federal prison, they were put in family and his first employers that he had segregation. It was a regular cell (though not been in Alcatraz. When he met the love the prisoner’s own), with three meals a day, a of his life, Ida Marie, his background did bed, light, and time to walk around but isolat- not deter her and the two were married ed from everyone else. No yard time. The pris- in 1973. Days for Bob and Ida Marie Luke oners had to demonstrate their rehabilitation are spent golfing, fishing and traveling. In before being allowed back to their own cells. the dedication to his book, Luke thanks Robert Luke, another Alcatraz inmate, also Ida, his “best buddy,” for encouraging him described his life in his book, Entombed in to write about his past. He has had no Alcatraz #1118AZ, along with a DVD. A legal trouble for 50 years. perennial runaway, Luke made his first real Baker continued to ply his trade — forgery money by serving as lookout for a friend who — after leaving Alcatraz. Currently on parole was burglarizing St. Louis hotel rooms. Both in Ohio, he required permission from Ohio eventually were caught, and because Luke officials to make the trip to the reunion. He was only 15, his captors put him on a bus for had wanted to sleep in his old cell, which Los Angeles and told him never to come back is what he did, and experience the thrill of to their city. “I never did,” he chuckled. walking out the next morning.

22 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Humor Playing dress up How to be yourself … in a costume by sandy fertman ryan those plastic masks that smell sional cheerleading outfits. I group of goofballs — er, people doctors’ coats, and others were like old cheese and make you mean, these guys were not kid- — to wear them via a single asked to don the same coats, but ver since childhood, you sweat like Richard Simmons, ding around: Their pompoms tweet. Still, if this is the era of were told that they were painters’ were told to “be your- but amazingly authentic look- were ginormous! being yourself, why do so many coats. The ones wearing the doc- self.” And love yourself ing attire (although I can’t recall San Franciscans have a his- people feel the need to dress up tors’ coats showed an enormous Ejust as you are. Of course, you having seen a real pirate, alien, tory of dressing up for no as somebody else when it isn’t improvement in attention, but first have to look for yourself or superhero in the flesh). But reason. Take Burning Man, even Halloween?! those in the painters’ coats did to find yourself to actually be for a fleeting moment, I really which started on Baker Beach First, it’s fun! Why not change not (and believe me, they weren’t yourself and then love your- was terrified that I would be in the 80s with just a handful up the routine of having your Picassos either). The point is that self, but that’s another story. Just forced to walk the plank in my of costume-clad (and not-so- friends over for a simple, meat- when you take on another per- ask Oprah. She has an entire four-inch heels. Totally shivered clad) revelers. Then there is our and-potato dinner and instead sona, you really do get to “be” TV network based on that very my timbers. annual, costume-crazed Bay to slip into your Colonel Mustard someone else, i.e., not yourself. premise. So doesn’t it seem like A couple of weeks later, my Breakers race. The first person garb for a Clue-themed picnic? Maybe you won’t be able to leap a no-brainer that to “be your- husband and I were Also, stress at work is tall buildings in a single bound self,” you should at the very on a walk when we seriously off the charts dressed as Superman, but you least dress like yourself — well, witnessed a bunch of these days, and there probably could gather enough except on Halloween? Not so in Japanese anime char- San Franciscans have a history isn’t much of an oppor- strength to lug that enormous San Francisco! acters lounging on tunity to let your inhi- keg to the roof deck. That’s gotta Yes, Oct. 31 is just days blankets, snacking of dressing up for no reason. bitions down without, count for something! away, and while everyone on Fritos and beer These days, it’s a snap to get say, losing your job. So I guess you don’t have to is busy conjuring up their on the lawn at Fort So put on a rabbit dress like yourself — or even like inner twerking Miley Cyrus, Mason. Other than fantastic costumes. head and tweet your a human being for that matter — bearded Duck Dynasty star, the fact that I didn’t friends to meet you for to be yourself. In fact, wearing or Anthony Weiner (I’ll spare think animes could drink (don’t to run that race in costume was an Alice In Wonderland “tea” a costume on any non-Hallow- you the description), I had a they lose their virtual powers?), dressed, for no apparent reason, party. Then proceed to go down een day may be the best way to revelation: In San Francisco, it was a spectacular site with as Captain Kidd, in 1940. Aside the rabbit hole. That’ll blow express who you truly are. Hey, dressing up isn’t just for all the elaborate, otherworldly, from the fact that Kidd was exe- off some steam. I think I’m having an Oprah aha Halloween anymore! pastel-colored costumes dot- cuted for piracy and the guy in Last year, a study by scien- moment: Maybe you really don’t For instance, last July (as in ting the green. And dare I say, the race placed last, a great tra- tists of a phenomenon called have to be you to be you! summer), while walking down all those cartoonish figures dition had begun for all of you “enclothed cognition” was Chestnut Street, I was besieged looked nightmarishly REAL. Yet wanna-be Jamaican bobsled- reported in The Journal of Sandy Fertman Ryan has writ- by about 15 San Franciscans in oddly cute. ders, walking Porta-Potties, Dr. Experimental Social Psychology. ten for numerous national mag- the midst of a pub crawl wearing Then on a warm September Seuss characters, and salmon This study found that what you azines, including Cosmogirl, pirate, alien, and superhero cos- night on Union Street, we ran swimming upstream. wear affects your cognitive pro- Seventeen and ‘TEEN. She is tumes. And these get-ups weren’t into a gaggle of twenty-some- These days, it’s a snap to cesses. For example, some par- dressing as a middle-aged pussy just your flimsy, childhood, tie- thing guys heading to a football get fantastic costumes on the ticipants were asked to wear cat doll this Halloween. E-mail: on Halloween costumes with party wearing women’s profes- Internet while rounding up a what they were told were white [email protected]

City and County of San Francisco  Department of Elections

November 5 Municipal Election Register to Vote by October 21 Request to Vote by Mail by October 29 Vote early at City Hall October 7 – November 5 Vote at your Polling Place on Election Day 7AM – 8PM

M ANY POLLING PLACES H AVE C HANGED! Check your Voter Information Pamphlet or sfelections.org/toolkit for your Polling Place address

(415) 554-4375 sfelections.org www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 23 Calendar

38th Annual S.F. Open Studios Sat–Sun, Oct 19–Nov 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Various S.F. venues Visit over 900 artists in their studios during this October Events citywide event, which is the oldest and largest open studios event in the country. 415-861-9838, what not to miss this month www.sfopenstudios.com

MAJOR EVENTS LAST CHANCE Neighborhood Free Days PERFORMANCES Fri–Sun, Oct 18–20 Butterflies & Blooms Academy of Sciences Here’s a reason to like a big-box chain store: Tuesday–Sunday thru Oct 20, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Thanks to a grant from Target, residents in zip Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park codes 94108, 94109, 94115, 94118, 94121, 94123, Don’t miss this special exhibition about plant polli- 94126, 94129, and 94133 can enjoy free admission nation featuring hundreds of living butterflies. Free– $7, 415-831-2090, www.conservatoryofflowers.org to the museum. Other neighborhoods are eligible throughout the month. Free, www.calacademy.org Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Tue–Sun thru Oct 20 Carriage House Rummage Sale Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 13 Curran Theatre (445 Geary St.) Fri–Sat, Oct 25–26, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Set to the music that made her one of the record- Saint Anne’s Home Little Sisters of the Poor Fri-Sun, Oct 4–6 ing industry’s most enduring icons, this musical (300 Lake St.) This sale of clothing, jewelry, books, toys, art, furniture, Writers Who Paint/Drawers Golden Gate Park tells the inspiring true story of King’s rise to star- Who Write Gallery Exhibition Over 75 bands including Dwight Yoakam, Elvin dom. $78–$495, 415-551-2000, www.shnsf.com and more is one of the home’s largest fundraisers and the proceeds greatly assist the nuns in providing neces- Bishop, The Time Jumpers, Laurie Lewis & the Saturday, Oct 12, 7:30 p.m. sities for their elderly residents. Free, 415-751-6510 Right Hands, Moonalice, Boz Scaggs, Emmylou Impressionists on the Water Emerald Tablet (80 Fresno Street) Harris, MC Hammer, and Bonnie Raitt, will Tue–Sun thru Oct 13, 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m. Literature meets cartoon musings, relational line perform on six stages at this annual three-day See another side of nautical life through drawings and social satire in oil and acrylic. Join event. Free, www.strictlybluegrass.com over 80 paintings and works on paper by GALAS & BENEFITS Don Asmussen (The Bad Reporter); Shannon Impressionists Monet, Caillebotte, Renoir, and Wheeler (New Yorker illustrator); Paul Madonna (All Pier 39’s 35th Anniversary Celebration Pissarro and Post-Impressionists Denis and TNDC Celebrity Pool Toss Over Coffee); Lisa Brown, best-selling graphic nov- Saturdays thru Oct, 8:30 p.m. Signac whose artistry reflects their own under- Tuesday, Oct 8, 6–9:30 p.m. elist; Alan Kaufman, outlaw author and painter; and Pier 39 standing and engagement with pleasure boat- Phoenix Hotel (601 Eddy St.) Nancy Calef, “Peoplescapes” creator and talented Enjoy live music, fun, special surprises, and fire- ing and competition. Free–$20, 415-750-3500, Celebrity hosts will introduce the celebrated new memoirist. Free, http://emeraldtablet.org works at 8:30 p.m. Make it an evening with dinner www.famsf.org toss-ees, while partygoers bid on the opportu- nity to toss their favorite celebs into the pool to at any of the 14 restaurants and receive a free des- BATS Improv: Horror Super Scene sert. Visit www.pier39.com for details. Macbeth benefit Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Fridays thru October Thu–Sun thru Oct 13, 6 p.m. Corporation’s youth and family programs. $125 & Bayfront Theater, Bldg B, Fort Mason Center 145th Italian Heritage Parade Fort Point up, www.tndc.org, 415-358-3906 Don’t miss one of BATS’s most popular shows where Sunday, Oct 13, 12:30 p.m. W ind through the dark stone corridors and stories unfold one scene at a time, round by round, Fisherman’s Wharf to Washington Square narrow passageways of Fort Point accompa- 7th Annual YMCA Golf Invitational and the audience chooses which stories continue Established in 1868, this year’s parade prom- nied by the wind and fog as you follow the Thursday, Oct 17, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. until only one story remains. $17–$20, 4150474-6776, actors in this engaging participatory theater Presidio Golf Course ises to be bigger, better and more colorful than www.improv.org ever. Highlights include handcrafted parade floats, production of the Bard’s suspenseful tale of Play golf and support the Y’s youth programs, serving more that 8,500 urban youths per year. marching bands, festive open-air dining with Italian ambition for power. $45–$60, 415-547-0189, ACT: Underneath the Lintel www.weplayers.org Includes 19th-hole reception and silent auction. wine and food from North Beach restaurants, and Tue–Sun, Oct 23–Nov 17 $250 & up, 415-447-9611, www.ymcasf.org traditional Italian musicians and performance art- 405 Geary St. ists. Free, 415-703-9888, www.sfcolumbusday.org Sharing the Harvest Gala Reception In this riveting ghost story, an eccentric librar- ian finds a weather-beaten book in a return bin, Union Street Wine Walk Friday, Oct 18, 6–10 p.m. Golden Gate Club, the Presidio (135 Fisher Loop) discovers that it is 113 years overdue, and sets Thursday, Oct 10, 4–8 p.m. Featuring a VIP reception, artisan appetiz- off on a quest to unravel the secrets of the book Union St. (btw Gough & Steiner) & Fillmore St. ers, wine and gourmet food tastings, cock- and the person who borrowed it. $20–$140, (btw Union & Lombard) 415-749-2228, www.act-sf.org tails, a silent auction, and more to benefit the Take your happy hour to the streets, and stroll Hamilton Family Center, celebrating 28 years of through Cow Hollow tasting wine and food ending homelessness. $90–$150, 415-409-2100, samples offered by local merchants. $20–$25, www.hamiltonfamilycenter.org www.sresproductions.com, 800-310-6563 Next to Normal Root Division’s 12th Annual Art Auction Litquake 2013 Thu–Sun thru Oct 13 Thursday, Oct 24, 7:30–10 p.m. Daily, Oct 11–19 Gough Street Playhouse (1622 Gough St.) Root Division (3175 17th St.) Venues throughout San Francisco This Tony and Pulitzer-winning rock musi- Come support art, artists, and arts education Featuring more than 800 authors and journalists cal is about a suburban mother’s attempts in this fundraising event presenting an eclectic in more than 160 events in nine days of readings, to cope with her mental illness and its mix of quality artwork from over 100 established discussions and literary happenings. The event effect on her family. $37–$43, 415-798-2682, and emerging local artists. Proceeds benefit local culminates with a Lit Crawl through bars and cafes, www.custommade.org emerging artists, and Root Division’s free after- galleries, a bowling alley, and even a police station. school art classes for Bay Area youth. $25–$80, 415-750-1497, www.litquake.org 415-863-7668, www.rootdivision.org COMMUNITY CORNER Art for AIDS Friday, Oct 25, 5:30–9:30 p.m. S.F. Lawn Bowling Club Open House City View at Metreon (135 Fourth St.) Saturday, Oct 5, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This premier art event features 170 modern and SFLBC Clubhouse (Bowling Green Dr., contemporary art pieces for auction via silent, Golden Gate Park) live and online bidding (until Oct 20), and some Looking for a new low-impact activity you can of the finest S.F. food and drink purveyors in sup- Smuin Ballet: XXtremes play year-round? Come to the SFLBC open port of UCSF Alliance Health Project. $50–$175, house, learn about this fun sport, and take a 415-502-7276, www.artforaids.org Daily, Oct 4–12 lesson (wear flat shoes). Free, 415-753-9298, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre www.sflbc.org Global Fund for Women The company celebrates its 20th sea- S.F. Fall Antiques Show 25th Anniversary Gala son with Dear Miss Cline performed to the Disaster Preparedness Training Wednesday, Oct 30, 7–11 p.m. music of Patsy Cline; Return to a Strange Preview Party Benefit Gala: Wednesday, Oct 23 Thursday, Oct 10, 17, 24, 31; Nov 7 & 14, Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center Land, a tribute to Stuttgart Ballet’s John Show: Thu–Sun, Oct 24–27 6:30–9:30 p.m. Celebrate 25 successful years of advancing Cranko; and Carmina Burana, Michael Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center Missionary Temple CME Church human rights for women and girls with a din- Smuin’s intensely physical piece. $25–$72, Benefiting Enterprise for High School Students, (1455 Golden Gate Ave.) ner, VIP reception, after-dinner musical perfor- 415-912-1899, www.smuinballet.org this show features approximately 60 dealers Topics include basic disaster skills, light mance, and dance party. $100 & up, 415-248-4813, from across the U.S. and Europe offering all search and rescue, earthquake awareness, www.globalfundforwomen.org styles and periods of decorative and fine arts and hazard mitigation. Attendance at all ses- from American and English to Continental and sions required for certification. 415-970-2024, NIGHTLIFE Asian. $15 & up, 415-989-9019, www.sffas.org www.sfgov.org/sffdnert ARTS & CULTURE After Dark: Fog Wharf Fest 2013 94th Annual Columbus Day Bazaar Stand up for Art Comedy Show Thursday, Oct 3 Sat–Sun, Oct 26–27, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat-Sun, Oct 12–13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct 31, 7–10 a.m. Exploratorium (Pier 15) Fisherman’s Wharf Ss. Peter & Paul School (660 Filbert St.) Firehouse 8 (1648 Pacific Ave.) Learn foggy facts, see antique foghorns, dance This inaugural event celebrates the legacy of the This North Beach family festival of entertainment, Stand-up comedians/artists Anita Drieseberg, Michael in a “fog pour,” be enveloped in the mist on the historic waterfront with music, food and wine, a food and games, includes the salami toss and Capozzola, Kurt Weitzmann, and Ed Attanasio close Fog Bridge installation, and view the world pre- chowder competition, children’s rides, ship tours, pumpkin bowling. Benefits Saints Peter and Paul their art exhibition with a comedy show featuring spe- mier of Fog City, a meditation on the beauty and classic cars, street performers, art, fireworks, and School, serving North Beach since 1919. Free, cial guests to benefit art programs at S.F. Skate Club. mystery of our beloved fog. Ages 18+, $10–$15, more. 800-810-6563, www.sresproductions.com 415-421-0809, www.sspeterpaulsf.org $20, 415-890-4800, www.brownpapertickets.com 415-548-4444, www.exploratorium.edu

24 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Startup and Tech Mixer GACC Oktoberfest 2013 8th Annual Children’s Halloween Friday, October 4, 5–11 p.m. Thursday, Oct 17, 5–10 p.m. Hootenanny in the Haight W San Francisco (181 Third St.) Conference Center, Bldg A, Fort Mason Center Saturday, Oct 26, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mingle and network with technology and startup Join the German American Chamber of Commerce Waller Street Cul-de-Sac near Kezar Pavilion hopefuls. Free, https://stmixerwhotel.eventbrite.com for an authentic evening of delicious German tra- Sponsored by the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, this ditional food, beer and music. $50, 415-248-1249, year’s theme is “Day of the Dead” and will include Oh Land www.gaccwest.com a costume contest, performers, raffles, and cre- Wednesday, Oct 23, 8 p.m. ative, hands-on activities designed to entertain The Independent (628 Divisadero) 10th Annual Brews on the Bay children of all ages. Free, www.facebook.com/ Saturday, Oct 19, 2–5 p.m. Singer and producer Nanna Øland Fabricius groups/59256907498/ S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien (Pier 45) brings her unique background (a trained Come thirsty and enjoy over 50 handcrafted beers, ballet dancer with an opera-singer mother Supernatural Halloween Party live music, spectacular views, and delicious food. Saturday, Oct 26, 5–9 p.m. and church-organist father) to a perfor- $55, 415-939-1943, www.sfbrewersguild.org California Academy of Sciences mance that feels “like 2050 meets some- Come in costume and trick-or-treat your way thing really classic, like meeting a stranger CUESA 11th Annual Sunday Supper through the Academy among spook-tacular ani- that feels as familiar as an old friend.” Sunday, Oct 20, 6–10 p.m. mals, creepy specimens, and more. Have fun with Ages 21 and up, $15, 415-771-1421, Ferry Building www.theindependentsf.com The Lodger: Silent Film with Organ face painting, photo booths, and much more. Enjoy a champagne reception, four-course family- Proceeds support the Academy’s educational out- Thursday, Oct 31, 7:30 p.m. style feast prepared by supreme culinary talent reach activities. All ages, $35–$50, 415-379-5411, Davies Symphony Hall showcasing produce offered at the Ferry Plaza ww.calacademy.org/halloween FILMS & LECTURES Spend an appropriately spooky Halloween Farmers Market, and more to benefit Schoolyard to night with Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent thriller Market, a youth development and entrepreneurship Howlin’ Moon 5K and Fun Run The 36th Chamber of Shaolin The Lodger. Live organ accompaniment and program. $225, 415-291-3276, www.cuesa.org Sunday, Oct 27, 10 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct 5, 4 p.m. the Hitch’s trademark ominous touches could Little Marina Green Vogue Theatre (3290 Sacramento St.) have you squirming in your seat. $20–$60, Put on your sneaks, pack up the kids, and run Catch astonishing fight choreography in this 1977 www.sfsymphony.org SPORTS & HEALTH to support public education at Claire Lilienthal classic kung-fu epic directed by martial arts leg- Alternative School. $15–$25, www.active.com end Lau Kar-leung, about a Shaolin student who Orthodontic Evaluations trains to get vengeance on the people who have Mon–Fri thru Oct 13th Annual Halloween Hoopla occupied his village. $10–$14, www.sffs.org SCIENCE & University of the Pacific (2155 Webster) Sunday, Oct 27, noon–1:30 p.m. Yerba Buena Gardens TECHNOLOGY The Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry invites children and adults to receive a complimentary Featuring interactive performances and games for kids under 10 and their adults, this program cul- The Kepler Story orthodontic evaluation to learn about treatment minates in the Halloween Costume Parade, where Sunday, Oct 6, 13, 20, & 27, 6:30 p.m. options and cost. Free, appointments required at everyone shows off their Halloween finery! Free, Morrison Planetarium 415-929-6555 or dental.pacific.edu. 415-543-1718, www.ybgfestival.org (California Academy of Sciences) This immersive performance work designed for Yoga on the Great Meadow planetarium domes about 17th Century astrono- Saturday, Oct 5, 9 a.m.–11 a.m. mer Johannes Kepler features spectacular visuals, Great Meadow, Fort Mason haunting music by avant cellist Zoë Keating, and Start your morning with a sun salutation fac- sound design by multiple Emmy Award-winner ing the Golden Gate Bridge in these ses- Christopher Hedge. $12–$15, 877-227-1831, sions hosted by Burning Heart Yoga and www.calaademy.org Yoga Rocks the Park. Free, 925-437-0615, www.facebook.com/burningheartyogasf Cosmic Evolution: A Scientific Creation Myth Like No Other 37th Annual Oral-B Glide Floss Bridge Saturday, Oct 12, 9–10:30 a.m. to Bridge Run & Expo Tiny Tot Halloween Parade California Academy of Sciences Sunday, Oct 6, 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Christopher Guest Thursday, Oct 31, 10 a.m. A panel discussion of extraterrestrial explorers Ferry Building to Crissy Field Starts: Moscone Park (1800 Chestnut St.) Tuesday, Oct 8, 7:30 p.m. moderated by Jill Tarter of the SETI Institute Whether you run or walk a 7K or 10K, you’ll enjoy Create spooky art projects and play carnival Nourse Theatre (201–299 Hayes St) (she’s the woman on whom Jodie Foster’s char- beautiful vistas in this rain-or-shine race benefit- games before heading down Chestnut Street for The genius from This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for acter is based in the film Contact) explores the ing the Special Olympics. $25–$50, 415-759-2690, www.bridgetobridge.com trick or treating. Neighbors and merchants will Guffman, Best in Show, and more comes to town current standard scientific model for how the provide free trick or treat bags. Free, 415-831-2700, for a discussion with Adam Savage. $20–$27, universe works and looks at how the public can Advance Health Care Directives www.sfrecpark.org www.cityarts.net add its ideas into the mix. $25–$35, 877-227-1831, Monday, Oct 7, noon–1:30 p.m. www.calacademy.org/brilliantscience Board Room, Community Health Resource Center The Commons for Art & Social Change: VERGE (2100 Webster St.) Wounds into Blessings Advance Health Care Directives are important Wednesday, Oct 9, 7–9 p.m. Mon–Thu, Oct 14–17 JUST FOR FUN Palace Hotel (2 New Montgomery St.) for everyone over the age of 18 to ensure a Building B, Room B-301, Fort Mason Center person’s wishes will be followed if unable to VERGE gathers innovators, entrepreneurs and Madonna del Lume Celebration Fred Mitouer, Ph.D., reads excerpts from his book make decisions. Take the time now to under- public officials to find ways for tech to create Sat–Sun, Oct 5–6 Wounds into Blessings, chronicling his efforts stand and determine choices for end-of-life care. advancements in energy, buildings, and transpor- Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Memorial Chapel to create transformational bodywork. Free, $10, registration required at 415-923-3155 or (Across from Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf) 707-884-3138, www.bodyworkmassage.com tation. $795–$1,975, www.greenbiz.com [email protected], www.chrcsf.org Parade: Sts. Peter and Paul Church to Fisherman’s Wharf Join the Italian American community as it celebrates Lunafest OPEC Embargo + 50 Life Line Screening Friday, Oct 18, 12:30 p.m. its ties to the ocean beginning with a service at the Thursday, Oct 10, 6 p.m. reception; 7:30 p.m. show Wednesday, Oct 9, 9 a.m. The Commonwealth Club (595 Market St.) chapel, followed by a parade of boats and memo- Nob Hill Masonic Center (1111 California St.) Room 362, Bldg C, Fort Mason Center Former Secretary of State George Shultz and rial, and culminating with a parade and blessing of Join a screening of the best short films by, Be more proactive about your health and register the fishing boats on Sunday. www.sfcolumbusday.org for, and about women. Nine films are part of former CIA Director Jim Woolsey team up for these safe, painless, noninvasive preventa- this year’s festival, which will be seen in more to discuss the lessons learned from the 1973 tive health screenings not normally part of a rou- oil embargo, new technological approach- Castro Street Fair: 40th Anniversary than 150 cities accross the country. $20–$30, tine physical. $60/test (package rates available), Sunday, Oct 6, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. es to producing energy, and how to get www.lunafest.org/sanfrancisco 800-324-1851 & www.lifelinescreening.com Castro Street (at Market) cleaner energy. $15–$40, 415-597-6705, S.F.’s longest-running street fair features colorful www.commonwealthclub.org spectators, music and lots of dancing as well as CHILD’S PLAY food, beverages and arts and crafts booths. Free, 415-841-1824, www.castrostreetfair.org POTABLES & EDIBLES Goblin Jamboree Sat–Sun, Oct 19–20, 10–4 p.m. 41st Annual Victorian Alliance House Tour Taste San Francisco Bay Area Discovery Museum (557 McReynolds Dr., Sunday, Oct 20, 1–5 p.m. Friday, Oct 4, 5:30 p.m. Fort Baker, Sausalito) Mission District The St. Regis (125 Third St.) This haunted wonderland is complete with games, Tour seven homes along South Van Ness Avenue, Molecular gastronomy pioneer and James Beard attractions, and live entertainment. Enroll in including an antique farmhouse, a popular inn, and Award winner Wylie Dufresne joins Stuart Brioza the witches’ school, take a train or pony ride, a designer flat. Proceeds benefit the Preservation and Nicole Krasinski of State Bird Provisions, Daniel visit the petting zoo and enjoy a full brew of Grant Fund of The Victorian Alliance, S.F.’s old- Patterson of Coi, Lisa Lu of Boulevard, and many games and activities. $13–$15, 415-339-3900, est all-volunteer, not-for-profit architectural pres- more distinguished chefs to create the menu for www.baykidsmuseum.org ervation and education organization. $45–$50, this dinner. $65 & up, [email protected], 415-824-2666, www.victorianalliance.org www.jbftasteamerica.org Family Halloween Day Saturday, Oct 26, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday Streets: Richmond District San Francisco Magazine’s FallFest 2013 Randall Museum (199 Museum Way) Sunday, Oct 27, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. James of All Trades: Saturday, Oct 12, noon–4 p.m. This Halloween haunt will include ghoul- Clement St (btw Arguello & Funston) & Arguello St An Evening with James Franco Justin Herman Plaza, Embarcadero Center ish games, creepy crafts, tricks, treats and (btw Clement & Fulton) Leading local restaurateurs, winemakers and Sunday Streets creates a car-free route to get out Sunday, Oct 27, 6:30 p.m. more! Costumed revelers can explore the artisans join for an inspiring day of premier and get active and explore neighborhoods and Castro Theatre (429 Castro St.) Twilight Forest, take a stab at pumpkin carv- wine and food, tasting, chef demonstrations, encourages health, community and fun. Stroll, The locally born Franco returns to the Bay Area to talk ing, and enjoy live entertainment. There will cocktail competitions, live music, and panel bike or skate and enjoy people watching and other about his life of celebrity and his renaissance man life be two special Halloween performances discussions that celebrate eating and liv- activities. Free, www.sundaystreetssf.com of acting, writing, directing, and teaching. $15–$95, by magician Brian Scott. Free, $3 dona- 415-597-6705, www.commonwealthclub.org ing locally. Benefits Meals on Wheels. $110, tion suggested, $.50 activities, 415-554-9600, www.sffallfest.com www.randallmuseum.org E-mail: [email protected] www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 25 At Home

The Healthful Life The power of sleep Are you getting good zzz’s? THE by dr. thalia farshchian To diagnose the condition, the “breaks are out,” and the one must complete a sleep excitatory neurotransmit- ith the de- study, and treatment includes ters can increase, making it GREAT mands of a busy a C-PAP machine that regu- difficult to sleep. life, sleep tends lates breathing. Melatonin is a common Wto fall to the bottom of our supplement people suffer- PUMPKIN priority list. Sleep deprivation STRESS ing from insomnia turn HALLOWEEN is a growing issue — studies It is impossible to dis- to as a natural solution. RACE & CARNIVAL show the average hours of cuss sleep without discuss- Unfortunately, it is often sleep in the 1950s was eight ing stress. Stress is the root used in the wrong scenarios. hours per night. Today the of many of our modern-day Melatonin is affected by light average American is sleep- issues, and sleep is no excep- to regulate the sleep-wake ing six-and-a-half hours per tion. When we are under cycle. When the sun is shin- night. Insufficient sleep can stress, our body releases ing, melatonin is low, and as have profound affects on our the hormone cortisol from it grows dark, levels increase health and quality of life. the adrenal glands. Cortisol to help one sleep. As a supple- is responsible for our fight ment, it can be helpful for THE IMPORTANCE or flight response and short-term jet lag but not for Friday OF SLEEP raises alertness. chronic insomnia. th Poor sleep quantity and After testing my patients October 25 quality can contribute to for their cortisol levels DIET AND LIFESTYLE mental illness, weight gain throughout the day, it is com- CHANGES FOR 5:00pm-8:00pm and obesity, diabetes, ele- mon that those with diffi- IMPROVED SLEEP Presidio Community YMCA | 415 · 447 · 9622 | www.ymcasf.org/presidio vated blood pressure, poor culty sleeping release higher Avoid drinking alco- immunity, and impaired amounts of cortisol at night. hol four hours before bed. memory. Though we are People with elevated eve- Alcohol does not provide at rest during sleep, neuro- ning cortisol levels will com- sleep, but it provides seda- scientists have proven our monly report a second wind tion. Drinking alcohol OPEN HOUSE brain is still incredibly active. in the evening, being night can inhibit your ability to Two important functions of owls, or increased productiv- get into the sleep stages sleep include restoration and ity at night. Over time, these where repair and memory Sunday, October 20, 2013 memory consolidation. people deplete their cortisol consolidation occur. While at rest, particular levels, and will have a difficult Avoid drinking caffeine 9:00 am genes associated with restora- time waking in the morning. at least six hours before NDV Family Mass tion are turned on to repair Elevated cortisol is nec- bed. Stimulants like sugar, tissue. The human growth essary in the morning to caffeine, drugs, energy Notre Dame des Victoires Church hormone (HGH), associated awake, and lower levels drinks, and nicotine tem- 566 Bush Street, San Francisco with repair, is highest around throughout the day allow us porarily fuel cortisol and (between Stockton & Grant) 10 p.m. It behooves us to rest to sleep at night. Cortisol serotonin, but the tempo- during this time, so energy rhythm can be rebalanced by rary rise eventually leaves 10:00 am to 12:30 pm can be efficiently expended. a combination of herbs like you with a sudden drop. School Tours and Reception During the night, our rhodiola, nutrients, and diet These sudden drops often brains are processing and and lifestyle changes. leave you craving that Notre Dame des Victoires School consolidating memories energetic euphoric feeling 659 Pine Street, San Francisco from the day by strengthen- PERI-MENOPAUSE that can make all the above (between Stockton & Grant) ing important neuronal links. AND MENOPAUSE stimulants quite addictive. Sleep deprivation impairs our For women, the onset of Eat regular balanced All teachers and staff members will be in attendance, ability to remember learned insomnia can occur with the meals. Blood sugar fluctua- and the Student Council will conduct tours. tasks and causes decreases hormonal fluctuations of tions can affect your cortisol in creativity. Good quality peri-menopause and meno- and energy levels. The best A wonderful reception will be offered and prepared by sleep increases our ability to pause. As sex hormones way to manage blood sugar the NDV Parents’ Association hospitality committee. develop creative solutions to begin to drop, insomnia is changes is to eat before you complex problems. common, and many women hit your low point and to eat benefit from hormone sup- meals balanced in protein, fat, (415) 421-0069 | www.ndvsf.org UNDERSTANDING port. Hormone support can and complex carbohydrates. INSOMNIA range from herbs with hor- Eating sugar even from fruit I frequently treat insom- monal indications like black too close to bedtime can nia without the use of phar- cohosh and Vitex to bioiden- cause enough stimulation to maceutical medications, tical hormone therapy. affect your sleep. INVITATION and to do so successfully, it Wind down at least 30 is important to identify the NEUROTRANSMITTER minutes before bed. Turn You are invited cause. Sleep disturbances are IMBALANCES down the lights as the night to meet Dr. Farah commonly caused by sleep Sleep is affected by the neu- comes to a close to stimu- apnea, hormone imbalances, rotransmitters released in the late natural melatonin and neurotransmitter imbalances, brain and their ability to excite engage in low stimulation and diet and lifestyle choices. and inhibit neuron pathways. activities like take a nice New Patient Special $200 The three neurotransmitters bath, drink herbal tea, or SLEEP APNEA most commonly involved in read leisurely. Avoid using Comprehensive Initial Exam Sleep apnea is a condition sleep are serotonin, GABA, your phone, computer or Oral Cancer Screening where a person ceases to and melatonin. These neu- television as the light emit- breath while sleeping. People rotransmitter levels can be ted from the screens sup- Necessary X-rays with sleep apnea may not tested via urine. presses melatonin levels. Routine Dental Cleaning wake up due to the disrup- Serotonin is most widely Following these tips will tion, but it still affects their known for its connection help you get the restful night’s ($350 value) sleep. It is common that a with mood disorders like sleep you need. (Does not apply to patients with gum disease) partner will notice the cessa- depression, but also plays a tion of breathing. significant role in the sleep- Thalia Farshchian is a natu- Those affected by sleep wake cycle. People with low ropathic doctor at Discover apnea will complain they levels of serotonin often have Health. Her background wake up feeling unrested, and difficulty sleeping. includes both conventional Smile SF: Dr Farah Sefidvash they have a greater incidence GABA is an inhibitory and alternative modalities, of high blood pressure and neurotransmitter that affects and her practice is primar- The Art & Science of Beautiful Smiles obesity. Sleep apnea can con- sleep and anxiousness. This ily focused on weight man- tribute to obesity, but obese neurotransmitter “pumps agement, hormone imbal- Call Today: 415-922-2990 individuals have a higher the breaks” to balance excit- ances and gastrointestinal likelihood of being affected atory neurotransmitters. conditions. E-mail: drthalia@ by sleep apnea. When GABA levels are low, discoverhealthmd.com

26 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com The power of words Caring for Our Kids THE BEST OF TWO WORLDS LEARNING IN GERMAN AND ENGLISH

Open Houses @ San Francisco Campus S a t u r d a y , O c t o b e r 2 6 , 2 0 1 3 , 1 1 a m ­ 1 p m Saturday, December 7, 2013, 11am ­ 1pm

Book clubs for kids are becoming very popular ;<=5>?@5"A@BC""!""DBEFBGBH""!""I?5"JE?5K@IK<

!"#$%&'()"German­English bilingual K­8"*+,-./"'("" Raising readers """012"3$2/'4'%

by liz farrell as it is easier to get through a grocery !"5%&"+**2-0'()"+--6'*+0'%(/"7%$"*1'64$2("2(02$'()" store with a list, the same can be true for etting our children to love book shopping. We usually sit down and """Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 3 reading is one of the most impor- make a list of books, oftentimes relying tant things we can do as parents. on the resources of a few great websites. !"8')19/0+(4+$4"bilingual"24.*+0'%(+6"*%(*2-0"01+0" GAt school, they learn the basics of how to For girls, I highly recommend A Mighty """7%/02$/"1%6'/0'*"+(4"'(4':'4.+6"42:26%-,2(0 read, but inspiring a love for reading hap- Girl (www.mightygirl.com); they have pens at home, and it requires some time great book lists for all ages and subject and patience on our part. I remember areas that focus on strong, courageous !"Safe and nurturing"62+$('()"2(:'$%(,2(0 my dad read to us every night, and this female characters. Another great website is something that I feel strongly about is Common Sense Media (www.common GISSV San Francisco Campus, Funston Ave. (Bldgs. 4 & 8), San Francisco passing down to my children. It’s hard sensemedia.com); they have nearly 3,000 Phone:5x4_ad1.pdf 650 254 0748 1 9/17/13 | Web: 4:09 www.gissv.org PM | Email: [email protected] sometimes after a long day — it may be reviews of books for all ages and interests. the last thing I feel like doing, but then This month they have a great feature with as they snuggle in next to me, negotiating wonderful picks just for boys. how many stories we can read, I know it’s th all worth it. Here are some tips that our FORM A BOOK CLUB SF BUSINESS Vote November 5 family is using to build an early love for Another great way to get your school- VOTES books and reading. aged children excited about reading — and for a Better one that is quickly gaining in popularity 2013 START EARLY Economic Future! — is to form a book club. My daughterC It’s never too early to start reading with and I have been part of a book club since M your child — even babies enjoy looking she was in kindergarten. We meet monthly The November local election ballot contains three critical initiatives that at pictures, hearing your voice, and even- with a moderator who picks the bookY will impact San Francisco residents and businesses for years to come. tually turning the and leads the disCM- Join your neighbors, local merchants and SF Forward in voting for jobs pages. Establishing cussion. He doesMY and a better economic future. a regular reading not have a child inCY VOTE YES routine from the the group, which It is never too early CMY start is beneficial, seems to work K Prop A Solve San Francisco’s Retiree Healthcare Liability that way books will well, but there are to start reading with Open Up the Waterfront become a natural books clubs where Prop B part of your child’s your children. parents take turns Prop C Housing, Jobs, Open Space day, and one he or as the moderator. SF Forward – the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the San Francisco she will associate with fun. Also, the good We read the book together, and then the Chamber of Commerce – is the political voice for businesses and residents news is most babies and young children discussion is for the girls. They are asked who support sound economic policy and an exceptional quality of life for all can hear the same story repeatedly and about vocabulary in the book, themes and San Franciscans. www.SFChamber.com/sfforward still be amused by it. The book may be characters, and there is always time for chewed on or have ripped pages before each child to read aloud. This has been the story gets old. For older children who a wonderful way to keep my daughter may be just learning how to read, reading engaged. She knows this is something to them and having them identify words special that just she and I do, and she loves and talking about sequencing or charac- talking about the books with her friends. ters is a good start. One of my favorite things to do is to get CHOOSE WISELY lost in a great book. To now see my daughter Finding books about topics your chil- reading on her own and begging for a few dren are interested in is a good first step. more minutes each night of “quiet” reading If you are like our family, a trip to the is very rewarding. One of our favorite things bookstore or library can be quite excit- is listening to her read my son to sleep, ing, but it can also be a bit daunting. For which is a wonderful way for all of us to end boys, I look for books that are not too the day. There are so many great books that violent or aren’t completely awash with I can’t wait to share with them. I can only potty humor. For girls, I look for books hope that whatever device they read from with strong independent girls as the lead in the future, they will always treasure the characters. Don’t get me wrong — there is feeling of diving into a good book. a time and place for fairies and princesses, but I also like to balance that out with Liz Farrell is the mother of three young active, smart, adventurous characters. children. She was formerly a television Part of choosing wisely for both you producer in Washington, D.C. and San and your child is to be prepared. Just Francisco. E-mail: [email protected]

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 27 At Home The Urban Home & Garden The great pumpkin Educational and playful

by julia strzesieski • X-Acto knives in varying blade sizes • Petroleum jelly ctober is a month of goblins, • Bleach ghouls, jack-o’-lanterns, and other scary things Halloween 1. Gather your tools, and spread news- O— what plants could be creepier than papers before you begin. carnivorous ones? Fascinating and fun 2. Using a large knife, carve out an for children, these plants serve as an opening at the top of the pumpkin, excellent science lesson. Pick up one of making the opening large enough these deadly (but not to people) plants to scoop out the insides — gener- along with your pumpkin for carving ally about two-thirds of the pump- into a jack o’ lantern. kin’s diameter. Cut the top at an angle so it doesn’t fall into the pumpkin. 3. Scoop out the Fascinating and fun for pumpkin’s insides with a large spoon or ice children, carnivorous plants serve cream scoop. 4. Use cookie cutters as an excellent science lesson. as templates: Place on the pumpkin and CARNIVOROUS PLANTS hammer in slightly. Remove cookie cut- Venus flytraps: One of the few plants ter and cut out the shape. that has the ability to move rapidly, 5. Drill different-sized holes to form its trapping mechanism is triggered patterns by pressing the tip of the bit when an insect or spider crawling into the pumpkin and drilling gradu- along the leaves comes into contact ally. Easy does it on the drill trigger; with one or more of the plant hairs otherwise, you’ll rip the skin right off twice in succession. The redundant your pumpkin. triggering serves as a safeguard, so the 6. Use X-Acto knives for detail work plant doesn’t use on faces. They energy closing are also useful to when nonliving shave off bits of objects that don’t pumpkin skin, provide nutri- enabling you to tion fall into its create spooky lay- crosshairs. ered effects. Pitcher 7. Help your plants: Don’t pumpkin keep let these dainty its moisture by LADIES’ NIGHT little plants fool coating it inside you! The cup- and out with shaped pitcher petroleum jelly RETURNS! plant stores a immediately Wednesday, October 9 sweet-smelling after carving. juice that lures 8. Mix a lit- 4:00 pm–Closing its insect vic- tle bit of bleach Please join us for this exciting evening and bring the family! tims in and then with some water eats them up. in a spray bot- A fun evening of activities - raffle prizes, appetizers, wine, music, product demonstrations, The nectar con- tle, and mist the and more! With any $5 purchase, you will tains enzymes inside of your receive a special edition Ladies’ Night pink that dissolve the carved pump- 5-gallon bucket. insect. Large pitcher plants can even kins to prolong their freshness and trap frogs, birds and snakes. prevent mold from growing. Sundews: The sundew gets its name Roasted pumpkin seeds: After Donate women’s work- from the gel on the ends of its explod- all of your hard work carving appropriate clothing, accessories, ing tentacles, which resembles morn- pumpkins, you need a treat! Rinse and shoes and jewelry. ing dew. Insects that fly too close to drain the pumpkin seeds. In a mixing Donate $10 to Dress for the plant get stuck in the gel, much bowl, combine seeds, enough olive oil Success or any appropriate like flypaper, and are then devoured as to lightly coat the seeds, and salt. Mix clothing and accessories and receive a $5 Cole the plant senses movement and wraps in some garlic powder, rosemary, or Hardware gift card good on your next visit. its tentacles around the bug. your favorite spice. (For a sweet and spicy treat, mix in chili powder, cinna- Create a Planter from JACK-O’-LANTERNS a Salvaged Item Bring in a small salvaged item Try something a little dif- suitable to hold dirt. We’ll supply ferent and experiment with the soil and succulents to turn some creative designer pump- Roasted pumpkin seeds are your treasure into a planter on the kin ideas in addition to or spot! (Limit 5 free plants) instead of your traditional great for snacks, or toss jack-o’-lanterns this year. Visit colehardware.com Painted pumpkins, polka-dot them into a salad. for more information! pumpkins, and hardware- adorned pumpkins create opportuni- mon, and sugar. For a hot, spicy snack, BONUS LADIES’ NIGHT COUPON ties for playful, interesting and even toss with pepper flakes, paprika, and $ elegant Halloween displays. You’ll need cayenne pepper.) Spread mixture on these supplies: a baking pan and roast at 325 degrees 10 OFF for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or ANY $20+ PUrCHASE DUrING LADIES’ NIGHT • Newspapers twice, until golden brown. Great for Valid Wednesday, October 9, 4:00 pm–closing. • Thin-bladed knife snacks or toss them in a salad. Offer does not apply to gift cards, Muni passes, Clipper cards, meter cards, special orders, or sale merchandise. • Large spoon or ice cream scoop Not valid with other coupons or offers. One redemption per person. • Cookie cutters Julia Strzesieski is the marketing coor- • Hammer dinator for Cole Hardware and can be • Drill and various-sized boring bits reached at [email protected].

28 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com ANNOUNCEMENT: We need foster homes! Grateful Dogs Rescue partners with theANNOUNCEMENT: San Francisco city shelter We needto save foster dogs homes! from euthanasia. Grateful Dogs Make Rescue your homepartners a shortwith termthe San or longFrancisco term citysafe shelterhaven and to savehelp dogssave afrom dog’s euthanasia. life. Vet bills Make for fosteryour home dogs paida short by GDR.term orVolunteers long term and safe donations haven and are help always save welcome!a dog’s life. Our Vet websitebills for featuresfoster dogs more are dogs, paid events,by GDR. training Volunteers resources, and donations etc. Apply are today always to welcome!foster, adopt, Our or website foster-to-adopt! features more GDR dogs, is an allevents, volunteer, training 501(c)(3) resources, non-profit. etc. ApplyMake today your to year-end foster, adopt, tax-deductible or foster-to-adopt! donation GDR today! is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit.Make your year-end tax-deductible donation today! AUSTIN LULU AustinBATES is an eight-month, LuluJACKSON is a little 6 pound, 6 years puggleMeet Bates. (beagle He x ispug). a tri-color He’s a15 Sweetold sweetheart Jackson isChihuahua. a great Sheguy. poundhandsome, puppy talkative full of gentleman curiosity Thisloves to 30-pound cuddle and puppy shares is foster nine andin his affection. middle years. He’s Bates very is active fully monthshome with old. Heother has small fun all dogs. day andhouse loves and going crate out trained. for walks. He is andShe’s cuddles easy going all night. and happiest Jackson Austinhappy relaxingis very affectionate in a sunny spotwith iswhen currently you are living close happily by. Being with everyoneall day but he also meets. loves He going likes forto twoalone kids is not and fun multiple for her. dogs. Sleeping This snugglelong walks. and Hissleeps leash with manners his people are atexcellent. bedtime. He He loves enjoys to a inAustralian a crate is Cattle scary forDog Lulu, mix she loves would his exercise.prefer sleeping His ideal near home you. goodrun and game romp of chasewith otherwith dogs dogs. his Bates size. Heis around is friendly 8 years with Luluwould was have terrified someone of theto lovecar buthim has and gotten make suremuch hebetter. gets Luluhis littleold and kids. a trimAustin 12 ispounds. quite smart He is and looking already for knowsa quiet how home to with mellow human companionship with whom to enjoy isdaily great exercise. on her Jackson leash, andis your loves basic to exploreyoung pup outdoors. that will She need is sit on command, he is working on his house training. Austin life’s low-key pleasures. Careful, once you meet Bates housebasic training. broken andHe putsalerts on her a fosterwhole parentsact of hystericsthat she needswhen heto can be left alone, but prefers being around people. Are you you will be batty for him! He is your perfect companion. gosees outside. another This dog little on leashgirl wants so the to training be your class friend. will Do help you teach have up to giving this active, fun-loving pup his forever home? ahim gentle, manners. loving Adopting home for young her? Jack ’O’ Lantern will bring a year- round glow to you life. BAILEYCHLOE PHARAOH BaileyChloe, is anan adorable, extremely huggable sweet SUMMER 11-year-oldhoney-colored Corgi-Pomeranian Chihuahua Pharaoh a 10-week-old Shep- mix (his is looking body is for mostly someone Corgi herdSweet mix Summer puppy. His time! foster She par- is andto share his head her is life. the ThisPom gentlepart!). entsabout have a year given and him a halflots oldof love and Hegirl currentlyweighs 9.5 weighs pounds 23 andpounds. is 6 and55 pounds nurturing of love since and being fun. born.Sum- Baileyto 7 years is very old. healthy She is but healthy, could Pharaohmer favors LOVES running everything on the beach in loves her walks and loves shedto play. a She few is always extra pleasant pounds. hiswith world: her K9 people, pals where playing she feels ball, companyBailey is looking and best for of a allcompanion – she’s not he acan yapper! hang outShe withis a free and easy. Summer can sittingget very in yourscared lap, of givingnew people. kisses, greaton the cuddler couch, andat the looks park, forward or on a to nice a warmwalk throughlap to curl the napping,She has improvedpuppy treats, dramatically toys, and over other the dogs. last Hemonth. is already Sum- upneighborhood. in. Chloe gets His along ideal greathome with will bekids, one cats, without and other small trainedmer is not to the come gal whento hang called, out at sit the for local treats, coffee and shop, fetches. but would rather be jogging or hiking with her person. She has dogs.children. Chloe’s He doesn’t previous require adopter a lot hadof exercise to return but herhe loves due Pharaoh is trained to use wee wee pads. Pharaoh is looking wonderful play skills with dogs and loves play time. Sum- togoing moving, for walks so stability and being is keyoutdoors. to her new He ishome. good Areon leash you for someone to spend time with him, as he is too young mer’s ideal home would be with female(s) that are sight- readyand is tofine enjoy with this other friendly dogs. little Bailey goblin? is looking for a walking to be left alone. He will positively make you laugh and hound experienced. Summer is crate trained, potty trained, companion- are you the one? smile! Pharaoh will be your new best friend. He will love currently lives with dog savvy kids and a very patient man you Soooo much! who is helping her learn that men aren’t bad. She is good CLEO with cats too! Enjoy Summer in every season of the year. MissLADY Cleopatra is beautiful inside andLady out. is a She 4-year-old, is sweet, 21-poundenergetic, SHILOH Schipperke mix but looks more and eager to do anything for a Shiloh. He is a 6 year-old Rat like a combination of border MAMA treat. Cleo is 50 pounds and a Terrier mix and around 40 collie and black bear! Lady Mama needs a home and a new year old. She is currently living pounds. He loves his walks and had a miserable beginning name. This loving, lightly brindled with two small children and a pack of dogs. Cleo’s perfect to her life, unloved and tied Staffieall the peoplemix has hedone meets. her stint Shiloh as a home will have someone to to a exercise short cablewith her. by Someone day and doting,is a pure loving joy mother at home to her and two is interested in agility or dog insidesports would a storeroom help work at out night. her pupscompletely and is ready house to receive trained. love puppyDespite energy. this, Lady Cleo hasrequires adapted 1 to well2 hours to herof dailyfoster exercise. home andShiloh attention is not comfortable on her own. when Her Trainingand quickly classes learned will be required basic manners for adopting and this housetraining. young lady. strangematernal dogs instincts run areup stillto his evident. face. Mama He gets will nervous check in and on dogscan Cleo’sGentle new Lady home loves needs her walks.to be one She that loves understands belly rubs how while to actaround out. her His to perfect make sure home they would are fine be andone notwith in timedistress. to giveOnce trainlying aupside-down dog in a positive, in your upbeat lap. way. Lady Cleo thrives has never on human met a himthe otherlots of dogs love have and checkedtime for out,daily she walks. is content Someone to play to toss and humanattention she and doesn’t would like bebut happiest may be a as bit the too only much dog for inyoung the hishave ball some for fun him for and herself. rub Andhis belly. does she He haveknows fun all playing his basic with children.home. Lady This is is ready the perfect for a gentle, season loving to adopt home this where pumpkin- she commands.any toy she canShiloh get isher looking paws on! for Mama the perfect is house companion trained and coloredcan get beauty.the attention she deserves. togreat share with life’s other simple dogs. pleasures.Meet Mama and ‘fall’ in love with her.

GDR’S MESSAGE: Are Are youyou looking to adoptadopt aa dogdog inin the the San San Francisco Francisco Bay Bay Area? area? Then you Visitshould us atcome the nextout toGrateful the Grateful Dogs Rescue Dogs adoptionRescue Adoption event: October event 26on /March 12:00 –16 3:00pm at Pet Food Express on Market from 12:30 to 3PM. Our second March event will be at BellaPelle at 9 Pet Pride Day | SF Animal Care and Control | Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park Maiden Lane on March 30th from 11AM to 2PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER DOGS: 415-587-1121 • www.gratefuldogsrescue.org [email protected]

This page is sponsored by Locally owned and operated by Michael & Mark This page is sponsored by Locally owned and operated by Michael & Mark GRATEFUL DOGS RESCUE GRATEFUL GRATEFUL DOGS RESCUE GRATEFUL

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 29 Real Estate

Real Estate Update Don’t pass up — or out House hunting sticker shock

by stephanie saunders ahlberg because we have come through it, while other areas and regions are alk about sticker shock. still in recovery. Our home values Have you watched as someone are already at or above the height from middle America sees San we experienced in 2006 and 2007. TFrancisco home prices for the first How can that be? We have very time? They about pass out. The people little land in San Francisco (remem- who already live here, and those from ber, only seven miles wide by seven New York, are more accustomed to miles long), high demand (ours is a these prices. It’s the same with today’s world-class city), and a number of foreign investors. Yes, San Francisco is strong industries that support our a very expensive city in which to live local economy (high tech, genetics, and buy real estate, but there are many financial, tourism, and so forth). These combined factors gen- erally make us “last in and first out” of any real estate San Francisco home values downturns. I have person- ally seen this about a half are already at or above dozen times. Here are some encouraging the height we experienced facts: In 1993, the average single-family home price in in 2006 and 2007. San Francisco was $323,112. In 2003 it was $810,000. At other cities that are just as expensive, the height of the market in 2007 it if not more so. was $1,204,167. As of mid-2013, the Chinese investors generally think average single-family home price is San Francisco is a good value and already up to $1,222,028. a great place to buy real estate. This means if you purchased a Londoners are used to much higher home in 1993 for $323,112, that prices than here. New Yorkers expe- home is now likely worth $1,222,028, rience prices as high and higher. and that’s a profit of $899,916. I think But those coming from most of the any investor would consider that an rest of the United States are often excellent return on an investment taken aback. and in the meantime you have had a Many times I have received calls home to live in — you can’t do that from people planning to move here with stocks. So I think we can see from elsewhere in America. They will that historically real estate has been describe their beautiful large home a great investment in San Francisco, Margaret Handelman, resident since 2011 on several acres with a swimming and all indications are that it will pool and other amenities. I’ll ask continue to be so. what they expect to sell their Living By home for, and they proudly reply, for example, $800,000 (large sums where they live). Why put such large amounts Then I will ask what they are looking for here. Often they of money into a single home or DESIGN want a large home, but under- asset? Well, history suggests stand they can’t have the acre- age in the City. They want The wonderfully fashionable mix of a life well lived is to spend what their house is that it is worth it. worth in their home state, right here at San Francisco Towers. Margaret finds time and when I tell them what they can Don’t let sticker shock be a deter- to help organize both our fundraiser fashion show and get for that sum in San Francisco, rent to buying a home or investment they experience —you guessed it — property here. Examine the facts and our annual holiday trunk show. Be our guest, come by sticker shock. decide for yourself. You may ask, why put such large Happy house hunting! and meet people like Margaret who still pursue their amounts of money into a single home orCLIENT asset? ESC Well, / Sanhistory Francisco would Towers Stephanie Saunders Ahlberg has been a passions and are writing their next, best chapter right suggestPUB that Marina it’s worth Times it. We just real estate agent for over 30 years and came through a terrible real estate joined Hill & Co. in 1983, where she here. To learn more, or for your personal visit, please AD NAME Margaret downturn, experienced throughout has consistently been among the top REF NO EPSF651-01re call 415.447.5527. the United States and abroad. When 10 salespeople. She can be reached at I say “we,”TYPE I Half-pagemean San Franciscans, vertical, 4C www.realtyinsanfrancisco.com. SIZE 4.936” x 16” ISSUE 10/01/12 AdvertiseDUE 9.10.13 in the VERSION 01 AGENCY RESIN CONTACT Tim Paschke 415-987-4274

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30 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com STRATEGIC & PROACTIVE

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www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 31 Real Estate

The Marina Times Real Estate Real Estate Today Show and tell Market Report: August 2013 By Hill & Co. SINGLE FAMILY HOME SALES BEDROOMS/ ABOVE/AT/BELOW DAYS ON Neighborhood Address Bathrooms Sale Price Asking Price Market

Cow Hollow 2374 Greenwich Street 4BD/4.5BA $4,050,000 Below 77

Lake 6115 California Street 3BD/2BA $1,250,000 Above 15 155 25th Avenue 4BD/3.5BA $2,350,000 Below 56 1421 Lake Street 4BD/3.5BA $2,805,000 Above 16

Laurel Heights 15 Emerson Street 3BD/2BA $1,350,000 Above 21

Lone Mountain 225 Ewing Terrace 2BD/1BA $1,330,225 Above 14

Marina 2146 Bay Street 2BD/2.25BA $2,030,000 Above 8 134 Alhambra Way 3BD/3BA $2,407,700 Above 20 Finding exactly the right scratching tree is not unlike finding the right home 75 Rico Way 4BD/3BA $3,150,000 Below 32 Photo: saajaja 3625 Baker Street 5BD/4BA $5,375,000 Below 12

Nob Hill 51 Bernard Street 2BD/1BA $925,000 Above 18 North Beach (no sales) Bears, tech humans Pacific Heights 1945 Franklin Street 6BD/6.5BA $2,525,000 Below 137 2714 Steiner Street 6BD/4.5BA $5,250,000 Below 111 2500 Divisadero Street 6BD/5.75BA $8,800,000 Below 56 and primal instincts Presidio Heights 3310 Clay Street 4BD/4.5BA $4,250,000 Above 0 3935 Washington Street 5BD/5.5BA $4,900,000 Below 6 by carole isaacs the Peninsula that corporate shuttles were Russian Hill 725 Bay Street 2BD/1.5BA $1,500,000 Above 25 1050 Filbert Street 3BD/3.5BA $3,500,000 Below 141 invented to take them back and forth to work 1055 Green Street 3BD/3.5BA $6,800,000 Below 208 his morning I needed a bit of in comfort.

Sea Cliff (no sales) amusement, and fortunately my daughter sent me a YouTube video It looks to me like powerful primal behav- Telegraph Hill (no sales) Tto brighten my spirits: Bear Hoe Down: What ior is going on here that may be common to Goes On When You Are Not There (http:// all living things. If one member of a species CONDOS ow.ly/nxtvK). Two minutes of bears in the likes something and it feels good, they will BEDROOMS/ ABOVE/AT/BELOW DAYS ON wild rubbing up against a tree (30 seconds pass the information on to other members Neighborhood Address Bathrooms Sale Price Asking Price Market may be enough for you). Who could imagine of their species. such a thing, or better yet that here sitting Cow Hollow 2701 Van Ness Avenue #602 1BD/1BA $715,000 Above 21 1633 Lombard Street 2BD/2BA $865,000 Above 15 at my computer in San Francisco I could What will the future bring 3030 Octavia Street 2BD/2BA $1,160,000 Above 55 watch the action in Alberta, Canada, thanks as more tech humans move 1844 Greenwich Street 3BD/3BA $2,200,000 Above 14 to YouTube? As a certified city dweller who to San Francisco? Lake 144 Lake Street 2BD/1BA $1,120,000 Below 87 feels anxious if I am not walking distance San Francisco has been a destination to seek 225 26th Avenue #1 4BD/4BA $1,360,000 Above 41 to coffee, I found the bears scratching their your fortune and find the good life since the Laurel Heights (no sales) backs on a tree amazing. gold rush, but the tech revolution seems to have There were thousands of trees in the for- opened the flood gates, and the City is swarm- Lone Mountain 117 Masonic Avenue 2BD/1BA $870,000 Above 41 2276 Fulton Street 2BD/2BA $885,000 Above 9 est, but for some reason the bears scratched ing with new arrivals looking for homes. 2686 McAllister Street #1 3BD/2.5BA $1,250,000 Above 18 their back on the same tree. So what has this The forecast is that job growth is strong

Marina 7 Casa Way #2 1BD/1BA $665,000 Above 40 got to do with San Francisco real estate? and all signs point to the human flood con- 190 Cervantes Boulevard #304 1BD/1BA $800,000 Above 7 Because I know more about teddy bears than tinuing. Interest rates have gone up a bit, but 1111 Bay Street #207 2BD/2BA $1,105,000 At 13 real bears, I will do a bit of free association here. not so dramatically relative to incomes to 21 Retiro Way 2BD/1BA $1,360,000 Above 26 40 Toledo Way 3BD/1.25BA $1,600,000 Below 42 reduce the number of buyers actively look- Bears ing for homes. If anything, the rise in interest Nob Hill 1615 Jones Street #1 0BD/1BA $445,000 Below 144 1350 California Street #402 1BD/1BA $649,900 At 10 1. Walking in the forest a bear found a rates has caused fence sitters to jump into the 1177 California Street #923 0BD/1BA $665,000 Below 46 great tree for scratching its back. market, worrying they would be eventually 1650 Jackson Street #305 1BD/1BA $669,000 At 62 2. Another bear watched or the first bear 1650 Jackson Street #609 1BD/1BA $743,000 Below 18 priced out of a home in San Francisco. 1540 Jones Street 2BD/2BA $795,000 At 49 went back to the den and told another bear. Now that Dolores Park, Noe Valley and 1560 Jones Street 2BD/2BA $830,000 Above 54 Here it looks like Papa bear told Momma bear. the Mission, Bernal Heights, Glen Park, 1454 California Street #3 2BD/1BA $865,000 Above 42 1810 Polk Street #510 2BD/2BA $955,000 Above 25 3. The Momma bear tried the scratching and neighborhoods along the corporate 1550 Jones Street 2BD/2BA $1,050,000 Above 70 tree and liked it, too. shuttle routes have been discovered by the 850 Powell Street #602 2BD/2.5BA $1,100,000 At 54 1129 Leavenworth Street 3BD/2BA $1,715,000 Below 70 4. Momma bear showed the tree to the tech humans, real estate in these areas have 1200 California Street #4D 2BD/2BA $1,800,000 Below 134 baby bears and taught them how to scratch exploded to life. Today sellers can expect a their backs. premium of 20 percent or more if they are North Beach 530 Chestnut Street #C105 2BD/2.5BA $1,275,000 Above 37 5. One thing led to another and word lucky enough to own a home within walking Pacific Heights 1817 California Street #112 1BD/1BA $485,000 Below 37 spread throughout the forest that there was a distance to a shuttle stop. Oh, to be a fly on 2999 California Street #603 0BD/1BA $505,000 Above 5 2040 Franklin Street #502 1BD/1BA $537,500 At 1 special scratching tree. the wall when the transportation engineers 2121 Laguna Street #5 1BD/1BA $635,000 Above 31 6. The strong scent of bears caused other at Apple, Genentech and Google meet to 2949 Jackson Street #A 1BD/1BA $810,000 Below 28 animals to investigate the area and the discuss adding additional shuttle stops or 2200 Sacramento Street #701 2BD/2BA $880,000 Above 10 1701 Jackson Street #508 2BD/2BA $1,020,000 Above 28 scratching tree. routes. Note to tech companies: Call me and 1869 California Street #1 2BD/2BA $1,071,869 Above 19 7. Once the word got out among the bears, I will make suggestions on where to extend 2200 Pacific Avenue #2A 2BD/2BA $1,200,000 At 27 1998 Broadway Street #804 2BD/2BA $1,210,000 Above 20 more bears came to the tree to happily current routes or add new ones. 2604 Buchanan Street 2BD/2BA $1,228,000 Above 13 scratch their backs. As far as the bears go, the question is: 1990 Green Street #601 2BD/2BA $1,230,000 Above 14 2268 Jackson Street 3BD/2.5BA $1,368,000 Below 28 What will they do when the scratching tree 2345 Green Street 3BD/2BA $1,670,000 Above 25 Now to real estate and is worn down and used up? Where will 2551 Clay Street 2BD/2BA $1,782,000 Above 28 humans in San Francisco they go next? Will it be the closest tree near

Presidio Heights 112 Arguello Boulevard #4 2BD/1BA $700,000 Above 20 1. Educated humans found high-paying the one they clearly enjoyed, or will it be 432-436A Laurel Street #436A 3BD/3BA $1,349,000 At 27 tech jobs in the Bay Area. at the other side of the forest? In the case 3583 Sacramento Street 3BD/2BA $1,399,000 At 81 3581 Sacramento Street 3BD/2BA $1,575,000 Above 35 2. They told their friends about their great of tech humans, they have special brain 3330 California Street #1 3BD/3.5BA $1,850,000 Above 22 jobs and more tech humans moved here. power that causes employers to cater to their 3. They came to San Francisco for enter- needs. From all accounts, the tech industry Russian Hill 1050 North Point Street #505 0BD/1BA $378,500 At 126 1463 Green Street 2BD/1.5BA $725,000 Above 57 tainment (maybe a bit of back scratching) is doing everything humanly possible, from 929 Greenwich Street 2BD/1BA $870,000 Above 26 and found Dolores Park, moved to Noe corporate shuttles to fabulous food in their 1438 Filbert Street #301 2BD/2BA $1,000,000 Above 22 2550 Polk Street #2550 2BD/1BA $1,020,000 Above 59 Valley, the Mission, Bernal Heights, Glen cafeterias to mention only a few, to keep their 907 Union Street 3BD/2BA $1,600,000 Above 12 Park, and other neighborhoods. employees happy. 947 Green Street #5 3BD/2.5BA $3,400,000 At 35 4. One thing led to another and word The outlook is positive! As long as the tech Sea Cliff (no sales) spread about how much fun it was to live in humans are happy and loving San Francisco, San Francisco. it looks as if the price of homes will continue Telegraph Hill 1250 Kearny Street 2BD/1BA $580,000 Above 81 1360 Montgomery Street #7 1BD/1BA $1,350,000 At 0 5. Once the word got out among the tech to go up and buying a home will be a solid 186 Francisco Street #3 3BD/2.5BA $2,050,000 Below 26 humans, they were coming in droves to San investment for the future. 268 Lombard Street #1 3BD/2BA $4,900,000 At 0 Francisco to live and to enjoy city life (a lot of The data presented in this report is based on the San Francisco Multiple Listing Service and is back scratching going on now). Carole Isaacs is a Realtor with McGuire Real accurate to the best of our knowledge, but cannot be guaranteed as such. For additional information, 6. There were so many tech humans Estate. Visit her online at www.caroleisaacs. contact Hill & Co., 1880 Lombard Street (at Buchanan), 415-321-4362, www.hill-co.com. living in San Francisco who worked on com or call 415-608-1267.

32 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com Mystery Housebuyer Eyes wide open All that you can’t leave behind What to look for when you look at a potential new home by anonymous Here are some good reminders ing if they will match your furni- hardwood. But it still would have Directions. Did the living room of what to make sure you file away ture. Assuming you don’t want to been good information to take in face north or east? Will the sun be ou’re heading into a in your memory during your ini- keep the carpets, you should be during my initial visit. beating on the office most of the for-sale house or condo tial property visit. sure to inquire about the floor- Measurements. Some open afternoon? Make note of which to tour. You’re mentally Outlets. You might not be obses- ing underneath; some older homes houses will have available sheets directions the rooms face and how Yarmed with all of the questions sive enough to count and record have perfectly wonderful original with all of the home specs, includ- that might affect your use and you want to ask the listing agent the number of electrical outlets in hardwood floors that were covered ing room sizes and dimensions. comfort in those rooms. about the seller, timing, other every room, but you might want up some years back by wood floor- Many, however, do not provide Stairs. Do the stairs squeak loud- offers pending, etc. You’ve boned to do that for the living room, hating property owners, but those that information. Try to remember ly while you’re walking on them? up on all of your own informa- major bedrooms, perhaps the hardwood floors might be just to bring along a tape measure. You How is your traction on the steps? tion that you might need to offer office and the garage, if any. And what you wanted. probably don’t want to measure Could you or a family member in up in response to agent questions after having lived in an every room, but you socks slip on the uncarpeted stairs? about your financing, your top apartment with abso- might want to figure Is there plenty of headroom in the needs, etc. The tour goes well, you lutely no outlet in the out if certain pieces stairway, or will six-foot-five Uncle race home to talk to your fam- bathroom, I am always Consumer technology makes of furniture will fit Barry have to stoop to climb them? ily or significant other or random careful to note the exis- where you desire Consumer technology makes it neighbor. And very soon you real- tence of a handy outlet it easy to revisit a property them to be. easy to revisit a property virtu- ize something: You have no idea if there for hair dryers, Rods. Make note ally once you’re back at home. the living room has enough outlets electric razors, and virtually once you’re back home. of whether there Just about every smartphone has to handle your beloved big-screen hair clippers. are curtain rods in a pretty decent camera and even television. Nor do you remember Carpets. How many times have Real wood? Speaking of wood rooms in which you would like to video capability. Take photos of if the stove had four burners or you tried to describe a place to floors, the first time I saw the hang curtains. Were there curtain every room; make a video of your- five. Wait, was it gas or electric? someone, only to find you can’t home we would eventually buy, I rods you would actually want to self or your house hunting partner You can put this in the category remember the details? Often what was aware enough of the medium- keep? Be sure to ask the agent walking through the space. Or you of First World Problems, but it will have stuck in your mind is dark wood-grained flooring in the or the seller if the existing rod could use the voice-recorder capa- is a problem nonetheless, and it that there were carpets through- living and dining rooms, but my and hardware will remain; own- bilities of your phone to make is exacerbated by the speed with out most of the house. So sure, attention was really focused on ers sometimes take them with verbal notes to yourself about all of which many people feel they must the bedrooms have carpet, but other things. On subsequent visits, them when they move. If there the above features. Then, once at evaluate and bid on a property in do you remember if the hallway I realized my mistake: The floor were no curtain rods, was there home, you can evaluate the prop- today’s hot market. In that process, is carpeted? And just what color was actually Pergo, a laminate enough wood or strong wall space erty better, with fewer question they sometimes forget to note the were the carpets? Assuming you flooring that looks like wood but near the tops of the windows that marks about the home. little things that will actually make would like to keep those carpets, isn’t. It wasn’t a deal-breaker for would support the hardware for the home pleasant to live in. you might want to start think- us; we’ll eventually replace it with curtain rods? Anonymous likes to remain anonymous.

Russian Hill SOMA Nob Hill Offered at $1,950,000 Offered at $1,595,000 Offered at $1,395,000 Amazing View Condo! Hip, Urban SOMA Beautiful 2BD/2BA Located on the top 3BD/3BA Penthouse Beaux Art Condominium. two floors of a well- Work/Live Loft. Rarely available home maintained, professionally This unique state-of-the- in the St. Elizabeth, an managed building, this art loft with two decks (one elegant Beaux Art building. condominium is unlike secluded and panoramic), Beautiful detailing both in any other! The top floor was designed to capture a the unit and the building. boasts a great entertaining feeling of space and light. Spacious rooms, great area with direct access Very convenient location flow and wonderful light. to a spectacular, private near freeway entrances 1 car parking. Elevator to rooftop deck with (North and South), shops all levels. Common view panoramic Bay views! & chic restaurants of roof deck. 1BD/2.5BA + bonus room SOMA. 2 car parking. 901Powell.com and parking. 45JuniperPentLoft.com Sandra Bagnatori 757NorthPoint.com (415) 518-4865 Brooke Krohn, MA Paula Pagano Scott Brittain (415) 321-4298 (415) 860-4209 (415) 385-6657

Pacific Heights Marina Russian Hill Offered at $895,000 Offered at $725,000 Offered at $699,000 Gorgeous Corner Great Location! Sophisticated 3BD/2BA Property. In Pleasantly located Condominium in the back of a sophisticated between the Marina Green Premium Location. building, this home features and Chestnut Street, this Lovely 1BD/1BA Polk natural light throughout. attractive 1BD condo is Street Corridor condo The beautifully remodeled roomy and bright. Updated in courtyard building chef’s kitchen with stainless appliances, nice finishes with spacious living/ steel appliances and and good storage make dining room/office granite counters opens to for an easy move-in area. Amenities include the dining room and living experience. Common roof garage, storage unit, room, a wonderful layout for deck with an amazing wood flooring, fireplace entertaining and everyday view. Common and pleasant outlooks. living. 1 car parking. washer/dryer. Parking. Special end unit. 1856FranklinStreet.com 190Cervantes102.com 1425Vallejo-106.com

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NOPA Nob Hill Offered at $599,000 Offered at $599,000 Stylish Urban Retreat. The City’s Best Sophisticated Condo in the Heart of the Located just steps from the Neighborhood. Unique world renown attractions To see homes for sale in your neighborhood, private entrance on ground of Nob Hill, including cable make your smartphone smarter using our mobile App. level. Pet friendly and close cars, hotels, restaurants, to USF, cafes, parks and Huntington Park and Text: HILLCO To: 87778 transportation. Kitchen with Grace Cathedral, this granite and stainless steel 1BD/1BA condo is also Hill & Co. is a proud member of the Who’s Who with open living room/dining; close to Union Square, In Luxury Real Estate international network. bedroom includes walk-in theaters and the Financial shown as office nook. In-unit District. Includes distinctive washer/dryer, 1 car deeded private balcony and a 1 car garage parking. deeded parking space. 2001Mcallister13.com 930PineQuietCondo.com Cathy Devito Cindi Kass (415) 652-2902 (415) 515-5026 (415) 921-6000 • www.hill-co.com

www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 33 Real Estate

Real Estate Investor Leading the recovery How are we doing? A residential and commercial real Mary D. Toboni Toboni & Co. estate report for the Bay Area Luxury Property Specialist by john zipperer decline in purchase prices. In Redfin’s c. 415.317.4255 listing, San Jose and San Francisco d. 415.345.3002 here has been a 96 percent were numbers 1 and 2 respectively [email protected] increase in home prices from in its estimates of “fastest-moving” BRE# 00625243 the trough of the recession markets, i.e., where houses are under Tuntil today in the San Francisco- contract the soonest after being listed. Oakland area. That, according to a But here, too, Redfin sees the length of study from RealtyTrac, puts this region time increasing ever so slightly. A city built on 43 hills is bound to have among the best-performing areas in steep, curvy streets. While many people the country in terms of the housing Who is buying and flock to Lombard Street’s curves, market recovery. where is the buying despite popular belief it is not the That means good times for home Trulia reports that the Marina “crookedest” street in San Francisco. sellers and big challenges for home District had an average listing price of Vermont Avenue between 22nd and buyers, but there is data in the study $1,157,059 over the summer, a decline 23rd is the “crookedest,” and Filbert Gillian Silver to please nonsellers, too: The numbers of 36 percent. Keep in mind that there between Hyde and Leavenworth is the of local homeowners who are under- still is a constrained inventory for San Toboni & Co. steepest at 31.5 degrees. water with their mortgages has gone Francisco residential real estate, so a c. 415.297.5572 down; in this area, 17 percent were small number of sales can have an out- d. 415.345.3131 underwater, and foreclosure activity sized effect on the averages. [email protected] has dropped 88 percent from its peak. Nationwide, there are similar reports BRE# 01523027 Those are good numbers, and they that the housing recovery continues, are especially so when you consid- albeit at a less-frenetic pace. Rising er that the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, interest rates are likely playing a role, For a Custom Designed Market Fla. area, which ranks a couple slots according to various experts, even Analysis and Opinion of Value on your higher on the list of top-performing though they are still quite low by his- Property (at no cost of obligation), metropolitan areas in the RealtyTrac torical standards. or if you are interested in buying study, still has 42 percent of its One type of buyer that is not jump- mortgages underwater. ing in with both feet is foreign buy- property, please call 415.345.3131 or The southern end of the Bay Area ers. With home prices spiking in email [email protected] also performed well — in fact, the San Francisco and foreign currency San Jose area did a bit better than fluctuations playing parts, foreign the San Francisco portion in terms of buyers looking to pick up U.S. real underwater mortgages (only 9 per- estate as an investment have backed cent) while underperforming in terms off — significantly in our area. of price recovery from the trough Keller Williams Realty broker Kevin City and County of San Francisco (70 percent). Both regions were in Kieffer told Thomson Reuters that Outreach Advertising the top five nationwide in terms of purchases by foreign buyers in this August 2013 #2 housing rebound. area have dropped 30 percent in the Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) Fueling the Bay Area’s housing recov- past few months. Notice is hereby given of 8 vacancies on the AAB. Applicants must have at least 5 years ery is a number of factors, but one of That makes those tech buyers even experience as one of the following: Certifi ed Public Accountant or Public Accountant; licensed Real Estate Broker; Property Appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized the biggest reasons is the strong perfor- more important to sustaining the organization, or Property Appraiser certifi ed by the California Offi ce of Real Estate mance of the technology industry. It has strong San Francisco market. Appraisers. For additional information or to obtain an application, please call 415-554- provided a steady influx of homebuyers If this trend of a moderation in a con- 6778 OR visit the Board of Supervisor’s website at www.sfbos.org. with the means to complete the pur- tinued housing rebound continues, it Department of Public Health chase, and that could be the best Healthy Foods and WIC Nutrition Services at No Cost to You ends up helping thing to happen Eating well during pregnancy is important. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) others, as well: to the real estate Nutrition Program can help. WIC serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children under fi ve years old who meet 185% or below of the federal poverty cities and the One buyer that is not market and the income level. WIC benefi ts include nutrition and breastfeeding education and support, state get higher economy. It will checks to buy healthy foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables) and referrals to low tax revenues, stop pushing cost or free health care and other community services. jumping in is the foreign and stores and everything out of Enrolling in WIC early in your pregnancy will give your baby a healthy start. Also, WIC buyer. That makes tech staff can show you how you and your family can eat healthier. Migrants are welcome restaurants get the reach of only to apply as well. more customers. buyers even more crucial. the wealthiest (or San Francisco WIC has six offi ces throughout the City. For more information, call But for all of the cashiest) buyers, (415) 575-5788. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. talk about locals and it will reduce Health Benefi ts! being outbid by cash-paying buyers, the likelihood of an overheated market For recently granted Asylees, Refugees, and Victims of Human Traffi cking the truth is, that RealtyTrac study says leading to another crash. Newcomers Health Program works to promote the health and well-being of newly 24 percent of San Francisco/Oakland arrived refugees, asylees and immigrants throughout San Francisco by providing sales are for cash (19 percent in San Who can sell — big access to excellent medical services and community referrals. Jose); it’s a mind-boggling (and frankly In September, RealtyTrac released We offer health assessment services, and access to, in-person medical interpretation, suspicious) 70 percent in Cape Coral- another interesting report, the “RealtyTrac referrals and ongoing health services for new refugees, asylees and victims of traffi cking Fort Myers. Home Equity & Underwater Report.” It (VOTs). Our health workers are professionally trained medical interpreters who speak more than 8 languages and we have access to interpreter services for many other languages. Put all of those numbers together and features a color-coded map of the entire These services are FREE to you if you have Medi-Cal (public health insurance). You you get a picture of the San Francisco country on a county-by-county basis, must apply for Medi-Cal within the fi rst 8 months of your legal status as a refugee, market as pretty solid. Add in another showing how high a percentage of home- asylee, or VOT. bit of information and things look owners in each county has reached at Call us at 415-206-8608 for help with Medi-Cal or for any other questions about the even more interesting: Prices may be least 50 percent equity in their homes. program. beginning to moderate. Trulia.com’s For perspective, about 7.4 million Newspaper Outreach Advertising Survey market analysis for the City shows that homeowners nationwide have a mini- The Board of Supervisors is evaluating the effectiveness of Outreach advertising. the average listing price dropped 2.3 mum of 50 percent equity in their homes; Was the information in this ad helpful and/or interesting to you? What types of articles would you like to see? Please provide your comments at 415-554-7710 or email board. percent from late July to mid-August. that is about 16 percent of homeowners [email protected]. Please include the publication name and date. (The median sales price did increase with mortgages. On the RealtyTrac color- Board of Supervisors Regular Meetings during that same timeframe, howev- coded map of counties, green represents Open to the Public; Tuesdays at 2:00pm at City Hall - Room 200 er, which suggests that the upward the counties with a high percentage of pressure remains, however moderated equity-rich homeowners; red is for those September 3, 10, 17, 24 October 1, 8, 22, 29 it might be.) with a low percentage (and other colors The City and County of San Francisco encourage public outreach. Articles are translated Redfin also reports a slight slowing for gradations of in-between amounts). into several languages to provide better public access. The newspaper makes every in the local market — and, all things The Bay Area, including San Francisco, is effort to translate the articles of general interest correctly. No liability is assumed by the being relative, “slowing” continues to almost solid green. In San Francisco, 41 City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers for errors and omissions. mean in this context a slowing in the percent of the homeowners have at least CNS#2521731 rate of rapid growth, not an actual investor, continued on 35

34 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com

1/4 H PG: 4.936” X 7.875” MARINA TIMES Investor recovery, because “negative continued from page 34 equity will always hamper the housing market from half of the value of their making a strong recovery.” home in equity; the rate is Further, RealtyTrac Vice 37 percent in nearby San President Daren Blomquist Mateo County; 35 percent said, “Steadily rising home in Santa Clara County; 32 prices are lifting all boats percent in Marin County; in this housing market and 20 percent in Contra and should spill over into Costa County. more inventory for homes By comparison, a grand for sale in the coming total of 0 percent of the months. Homeowners who homeowners in Berrien already have ample equity County, Mich., have are quickly building on reached the 50 percent that equity, while the 8.3 Club. The same in Orange, million homeowners on Vermont. RealtyTrac notes the fence are on track to that 10.7 million residential regain enough equity to homeowners in the nation sell before 2015 if home owe at least 25 percent prices continue to increase more on their mortgages at the rate of 1.33 percent Photo: lucasfoxbcn / flickr than their properties are per month that they have actually worth, and anoth- since bottoming out in The commercial scene cent; and industrial was aforementioned booming real estate investors in er 8.3 million are slight- March 2012.” On the commercial real 11.2 percent. tech industry in the Bay SoMa outperformed the ly underwater or slightly So here in (relatively) estate side, San Francisco NAR is forecasting retail Area. CBRE Group, a major overall market,” according above water. equity-rich and plain old stands out nationally vacancy rates to decline commercial real estate ser- to CBRE. So what do these num- rich San Francisco, that with a very tight retail nationally from an aver- vices and investment firm, All of the info here pretty bers mean to homebuyers means we have a relatively scene. According to the age of 10.6 percent now recently identified San much sums up why San and sellers Commercial to 10 percent in the third Francisco — along with Francisco remains such here in San Real Estate quarter of 2014; that can San Jose, Boston, Seattle, a strong real estate per- Francisco? O u t l o o k only mean a continued and Washington, D.C. — as former: Lots of high-earner Despite the NAR is forecasting retail vacancy from the increase in retail rents and having the highest “tech tal- buyers for private homes, large amount National good times for retail real ent” ratings in the country. booming local business cli- of red on rates to decline nationally from Association estate investors. Vacancy “Live-work-play environ- mate for commercial leas- the map, of Realtors rates in the other catego- ments,” particularly like ing, and an equity-rich set RealtyTrac 10.6% to 10% in Q4 2014. (NAR), San ries of commercial property our South of Market dis- of homeowners. quotes Laffey Francisco are also expected to stay trict, were said by CBRE Fine Homes International higher percentage of peo- retail vacancy in the third strong, decreasing slightly to be playing a big role in John Zipperer is the for- CEO Emmet Laffey as ple who can, if they choose quarter was is a minis- for office and industrial, attracting company sitings. mer senior editor for saying that the number of to cash in in this market cule 3.9 percent; its mul- and a very slight increase “Mixed-use strategies in Apartment Finance Today homeowners with nega- and take equity with them, tifamily vacancy rate was for multifamily. that market were executed and Affordable Housing tive equity is declining, and add their properties to the even lower at 3.1 per- Office leasing will cer- before the submarket was Finance magazines. E-mail: that’s good for the housing for-sale inventory. cent; office was 13.3 per- tainly be helped by the ‘priced-in’ and many early [email protected]

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www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 35 Travel

Weekend Traveler An indulgent fall getaway Falling for West Marin by garrick ramirez the hallmarks of autumn Cottages. A handful of PLAY are being comforted by humble yet carefully curat- West Marin is filled with ou won’t hear food and nature. If no one ed cottages rest on a bucol- areas of natural splendor, many San Francis- were looking, I’d cozy up ic acre of land in rural but none more dramatic cans complaining in a cabin in the coun- Olema Valley. Relaxed than Point Reyes National Yabout our lack of seasons in try and eat homemade pie gardens filled with year- Seashore. Try the pictur- the dead of winter. Having all day. How lucky then round blossoms and eclec- esque Abbotts Lagoon trail to don an extra layer while to have West Marin in tic objects offer peaceful for an easy introduction. It’s a a good portion of the our proverbial backyard. corners to unwind. Hens level stroll through meadows country shovels their way With its pastoral scene of roam the grounds hop- kept vibrant green from the out of snow banks is cer- rolling hills, quaint 19th ing that you’ll feed them constant spray of coastal fog. tainly California privilege. century towns and excep- from a bucket filled with You’ll end up at an expansive, But come fall, we may feel tional food, it provides an scratch. Cottages are windswept beach where said left out. It’s such a roman- indulgent fall getaway. homey and stocked with fog lends an otherworldly tic season when the air essentials: a comfy bed, aura. You know you’re some- turns crisp, the light shines STAY wood stove, and lots of where special when every golden, and day-to-day life Realize your farm- books (415-663-1288, other person has a photo- slows just a tad. For me, stead fantasies at Olema www.olemacottages.com). journalist’s camera. Sibley fans take note: It’s a birding mecca this time of year. To hasten your heart rate, consider the Mt. Wittenberg trail. My wife and I refer Marin Sun Farms needs imal interior of plank floors, to it affectionately as The no introduction to Bay artful taxidermy, and tree Butt Burner. It climbs a Area foodies who tout their branches that cast shadows steep 1,300 feet to the park’s high-quality, pasture-raised from freestanding candela- highest peak before leisurely meats. In a stroke of genius, bras. It feels like the home winding back down through the shop took an adjacent of some particularly hip forest and meadows. The less lot and propped up tables, Shakers. Dishes are a refined ambitious can concentrate plunked down hay bales, version of rustic comfort. A on the muscles in their right and created the perfect thick cut of local smoked foot by driving the scenic Mt. country setting for their salmon is topped with salt- Vision Road to its namesake meat-heavy menu. Try the cured marsh greens (yep, as peak. You’ll enjoy top-of- lamb burger topped with in what you hiked by earlier), the-world views of Tomales manchego, chimichurri, and a quail over rich, savory Bay, the Point Reyes sea- and a glorious lamb bacon. dressing is possibly the best shore, and its twisty, sculpt- They also pour flights of poultry dish you’ve eaten. Top right: A contemplative spot near Abbotts Lagoon; Above: Overlooking Tomales Bay ed estuaries (415-464-5100, cult wines from Bolinas- Special occasion or regular photos: Garrick Ramirez www.nps.gov/pore). based Sean Thackrey. If Sunday night, dining here Urban pumpkin patches you made this your only is a treat (415-663-1034, make the Halloween spirits stop, your trip would be http://sirandstar.com). cry. Nicasio Valley Farms a success (415-663-8997, offers redemption for town- www.marinsunfarms.com). SHOP ies with a prototype patch The cozy Farm House Point Reyes Station is a in a picturesque rural set- Bar at Point Reyes Seashore pleasant place to window ting. It’s the kind of patch Lodge is a good spot for shop, peeking in and out of Charles Schultz would send a predinner cocktail. The the storefronts that line its Linus to (415-662-9100, ruggedly charming inte- main drag. Pop into Point www.nicasiovalleyfarms.com). rior feels backwoods, but Reyes Books to find some- the craft beer and arti- thing to while away your EAT sanal spirits selection says weekend. Or take home a Join the morning buzz otherwise. Salute the set- memento with one of the of activity at Toby’s Coffee ting with St. George’s aro- numerous photography Bar in Point Reyes Station. matic Terroir Gin made or history books of the Plop down in a chair with from botanicals collected local area (415-663-1542, your paper or get the real from nearby Mt. Tam (415- www.ptreyesbooks.com). scoop by chatting up a 663-1264, www.pointreyes The center of activity is local. Just across the street, seashore.com). at Toby’s, an upscale gen- a line forms outside Bovine For a casual meal, try Cafe eral store and working feed Bakery for a pick of their Reyes for delicious wood- barn. Both yuppies and hor- organic baked goods. Snag fired pizza. Skip the sparse sies are well taken care of a loaf of Brickmaiden dining room for a seat on here. Gourmet foods, various bread for a taste of local the back patio, and enjoy gift items, and an art gallery manna (415-663-1223, a gorgeous background of encourage idle browsing. It’s www.tobyscoffeebar.com; Point Reyes’ forested ridge- also the site of a Saturday 415-663-9420, www.the line and moody, shape-shift- farmers’ market, which runs bovinebakery.com). ing clouds (415-663-9493). through Nov. 2 (415-663-1223, If you closed your eyes You’ll love Osteria www.tobysfeedbarn.com). and pictured what brunch Stellina for it’s well-execut- Source the picnic of your heaven might look like, ed Italian fare and easygoing dreams at Tomales Bay Foods. you’d probably envision vibe. The food speaks to its All manner of cheese, wine, Saltwater. It’s a modern surroundings with hearty bread, and spreadables fill seafood shack in Inverness dishes like braised meats this former hay barn. It’s also with a sunny — and heat- and pastas. The wine list the original home of beloved ed — deck that peeks over shuns the locavore gods and Cowgirl Creamery. Picture Tomales Bay. Raw oysters goes boldly overseas. Servers windows display future deli- are like precious art forms so are relaxed, knowledgeable, ciousness in the form of resting pristine you almost feel bad and friendly. You’ll have Red Hawk rounds, a cheese devouring them. Cooked a difficult time not being unique to Point Reyes, thanks to oysters raise the bar with happy here (415-663-9988, native bacteria (415-663-9335, bacon, basil, and brown but- http://osteriastellina.com). www.cowgirlcreamery.com). ter. Add a vibrant panzanella The newly opened Sir salad and a glass of rosé and and Star should be a high- Garrick Ramirez can be call it a very good day (415- light of your trip. Housed in reached on Twitter at 669-1244, www.saltwater an 1870s inn painted a dra- @WeekendDelSol or at oysterdepot.com). matic gray, it features a min- [email protected].

36 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com LEAVE NO DOG BEHIND.

ADOPTION EVENTS EVERY SUNDAY AT PET FOOD EXPRESS: 3160 20TH AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO FROM NOON TO 5 P.M. Can’t have a pet but still want to help save lives? Consider volunteering, donating, or fostering! Visit www.rocketdogrescue.org for more information.

BLAKE SHEENA Blake is an adorable purebred toy Meet Sheena, a four-year-old fox terrier puppy, around 7 months Pomeranian mix. Rocket Dog old. He has a docked tail (which is Rescue is assisting Sheena in typical for the breed) and is cute finding a new home, as her el- as a button with a personality to derly owner is unable to keep match! He’s a total lover and joy her due to a change in her liv- to have around. He loves other ing situation. Sheena is a lovely dogs, and would love a doggie friend in his new home. girl, 14 pounds, house trained, He’s super smart, alert, and spunky, too. He does like to and up to date on vaccines. Her eat paper, so he will of course need training – and he’s a owner took her to a basic obedi- still a baby and learning the ropes. He is doing wonderful in ence class, but we think Sheena foster care, and would make a great apartment dog. would benefit from training with her new owners. She likes other dogs, but needs work on her manners when meeting new dogs while on leash. Sheena would be a KODA BEAR great companion for an older person and would love to hang out in the garden or snuggle on the couch during Koda Bear is an extremely beau- a good reading session! tiful 3 1/2 to 4 year old American Bull Terrier who needs a loving home. He’s tawny with match- HONEY BEAR ing exotic eyes and weighs ap- proximately 55 pounds. He was Honey is a Staffordshire terrier/ rescued off of a highway three Rhodesian ridgeback mix who is years ago and he’s been living on ranches since. He is around 4 years old and a lean, extremely affectionate, fun loving and athletic. Koda just around 75 pounds, and in great wants to be with you; he would be a lap dog if you let him shape. Honey is healthy, lively, and he’d love to join you on your daily jogs along the Ma- and beyond sweet! Darling Hon- rina Green! Koda enjoys riding in the car; he is toy driven ey loves dogs and all people; and enjoys cooling off in any small body of water, so he’d she is super friendly and beyond love swimming and fetching at Crissy Field! He gets along affectionate and snuggly. Honey very well with his Staffordshire terrier foster brother. Koda has lived near Ocean Beach her would ideally like to be with an athletic person or a family whole life and is very well behaved off-leash at the beach, that has slightly older children with whom he can play. He Fort Funston and Stern Grove. Honey is house trained, loves kids and is wonderful with the 22-month-old toddler knows how to ask to go out, and thoroughly understands he has been living with. He’s working with respected Bay basic commands like “sit, lie down, off,” and “go to your Area dog trainer Dan Perata and learns quickly. Koda is a bed.” Honey is a little dog in a big dog’s body just waiting fantastic dog looking for a fantastic person! for the perfect person to bond with at the beach!

COME MEET THE DOGS YOU SEE HERE AS WELL AS OTHER AVAILABLE ROCKET DOGS EVERY SUNDAY AT PET FOOD EXPRESS (3160 20TH AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO) FROM 12 TO 5 P.M.! PLEASE VISIT WWW.ROCKETDOGRESCUE.ORG TO SEE ALL OF OUR ADOPTABLE DOGS AND FOR INFORMATION ABOUT VOLUNTEERING OR FOSTERING WITH US!

ROCKET DOG RESCUE | 415.756.8188 | P.O. BOX 460826, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94146 WWW.ROCKETDOGRESCUE.ORG | [email protected]

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www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 37 Pets

The Adventures of Skylar Grey Chapter 5

Home alone

by susan dyer reynolds pounds. As I told the class that Skylar was a two-month-old blue nose pit bull, Aishe Is that a shadow — or a hole in the floor? scanned the room for reactions. “I had a And what’s that noise outside my door?? pit bull in my last class,” she said. “They’re Home alone. On my own … and all alone … wonderful, smart, sweet dogs who love to — “Home Alone 4,” by D-A-D learn and always excel here.” After orientation, I stayed to give Aishe he first time I went to SF Puppy a check, and to thank her for giving the Prep was also the first time I left the class a pit bull pup talk. “Well, people tend Itty Bitty Pittie home alone. It was to be afraid of what they don’t know,” she Ttime for puppy parent orientation, and our said. “But once they get around a pittie and furry children weren’t invited. see how sweet they are when they’re treated A day after adopting Skylar Grey, we well and get good homes like their puppies, went to Pet Food Express to get all things it’s really a great learning experience.” puppy, including a crate — because I Zoe’s parents, also waiting to hand over know, in theory, it’s good to crate train a check, smiled and nodded in agreement. your dog. I did the same thing with Jazzy, “We’ve never met a pit bull,” Zoe’s mom but the crate became an extra end table said. “We’re looking forward to meeting where we rested Skylar.” I left that pizza boxes dur- day feeling great ing movie nights. about kindergarten. It was eventu- “People tend to be afraid Pulling into the ally relegated to of what they don’t know,” driveway, I was the garage until thinking about we donated it Aishe said. “It’s a great all the things Sky to Rocket Dog might have done Rescue. Six years learning experience.” while I was gone. later, here was My mind flashed another brand-new crate in the bedroom. back to the first time Bill and I left Jazzy As I got dressed for orientation, Skylar fol- home alone. “She’ll be fine,” he said, and lowed me back and forth. When I brushed took me to a nerve-wracking three-hour my teeth, I could see her staring back at me lunch. When we opened the door, she in the mirror with those big green bug eyes, greeted us in her usual cool, collected her ears pressed back tightly against her fashion with her favorite stuffed toy, Mr. head. Every few seconds she would emit Froggy, in her mouth, and her entire butt a hoarse, guttural whine, soft yet pointed. wagging. “I told you she’d be fine,” Bill Before leaving, I opened the crate door, said, and indeed, all of Bill’s low hanging put a treat inside, and closed the bedroom fruit — from rolled up vintage Fillmore door. “I guess we can think of the bedroom posters in one corner to his laundry on as one big crate,” I said, trying to justify my the floor — was intact. actions as I looked down at Itty Bitty, seated After the cancer, Jazzy’s greetings less- in front of me with her eyes fixed on mine. ened, and toward the end she waited on the She tentatively wagged her tail and let out sofa, though I could always hear the telltale another raspy whine, this one longer and thump-thump-thump of her tail as I came more dramatic; synchronized to the time it down the hall. took to lower her body to the floor and rest The minute I put the key in the lock her chin on my foot. I grabbed my keys and I heard Skylar Grey whining, and when headed toward the garage, Skylar right at the door opened, she acted as if I’d left my heels. “Stay,” I said, directing my finger her for a week. “No jumping!” I said, at her tiny grey nose. As I slipped out the checking for accidents and destruction, door, I heard the whining grow louder. but there were none. I lay down on the When I arrived at orientation, seven bed and she was right there, showering other parents were already seated in a half me with sweet puppy breath kisses. She circle around SF Puppy Prep owner and flopped beside me, resting her head on director Aishe Berger. We introduced our- my chest and her paw on my hand as we selves and talked a little about our new simultaneously let out a sigh of relief. family members. Except for a black Lab “Good girl, Sky,” I said, and I softly mix named Hunter, I knew that Skylar’s stroked her velvety ear until the whining classmates — who included a Norwich ter- faded into that familiar, comforting pit- rier named Zoe, a Corgi named Cole, and tie snoring as she drifted off to sleep. a poodle mix named Itsy — were going to weigh considerably less than her 19 E-mail: [email protected]

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www.Marinatimes.com THE MARINA TIMES OCTOBER 2013 39 40 OCTOBER 2013 THE MARINA TIMES www.marinatimes.com