12 Community 15 Arts & Entertainment 16 Calendar Supervisor: Mark Farrell Michael Snyder on Film: January events: Kick answers your questions 7 Last year’s best 15 off the new year in style with Restaurant Week, bal- Food & Wine Real Estate let opening night, visits Tablehopper: Inside Real Estate: by everyone from Itzhak New restaurants to Why are China’s buyers Perlman to William Shatner check out in 2016 12 so active? 22 to Joyce Carol Oates. 16

MARINATIMES.com Celebrating our 32nd Year Volume 32 Issue 01 January 2016 S.F. Culinary Trends 2016 Move over Sriracha; camera-shy chefs; farm-to-shop butchery, and more

by SUSAN DYER REYNOLDS

t’s the most wonderful time of the year — for journalists in the trend-predicting business, any- way. As a food writer, a restaurant critic, and a Icook (I often write recipes for this publication), I look at trends in several ways. First, what are the chefs and restaurateurs likely to be doing this year? Second, A 49ers fan from North Beach meets his hero, Ronnie Lott; everyone else can meet him Jan. 26 in Santa Clara. what ingredients do I find myself gravitating toward? photo: Mullethair And what will be the forward focus of food on a cul- tural level? Here, in no particular order, are my predictions for How to play in the Big Game San Francisco culinary trends in 2016.

SAUCE SWAP The Super Bowl is coming (almost) to town I’ve kept a bottle of Sriracha in my fridge for as long as I can remember. I use it in everything from my by john zipperer the half-time show. But the festivities golden city in high-definition across “Best Deviled Eggs” to a key ingredient in a marinade of the week preceding the ultimate the country. for slow-braised, crispy skin pork belly. Named after uper Bowl 50 will take place football excess will take place here Locals, too, can take part. The Si Racha, a coastal city in eastern Thailand’s Chonburi down in Santa Clara, and the in San Francisco. Along with 5,000 local organizers have teamed up with Province, the bright red viscous sauce is made from 49ers are highly unlikely to be journalists, there will be tens of thou- national league officials to entertain chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt. Son the field for the game, unless sands of visitors to San Francisco football fans of all stripes — even While I still love Sriracha, over the past year, I’ve been they’re singing and dancing during and the local environs, putting this Super Bowl, continued on 17 reynolds rap, continued on 4

Bellingham by the Bay New rules There oughta be a law by bruce bellingham horns should be abolished of ‘hopefully’ is this: The in San Francisco. So should aging man perused the ith the new year overly noisy motorcycles. young woman’s posterior comes a cascade I know. I’m risking the hopefully.”… While we’re of new laws out wrath of the Hell’s Angels at it, the expression “no Wof Sacramento. Many of and attendant benevolent worries” would be pro- them deal with the state’s societies on two wheels. hibited. When I hear it, I four-year-long drought. Bicycles should be kept really start to worry. … But lawmakers have yet off sidewalks. Oh, right. Lawrence Ferlinghetti to suggest that California There’s already a law for wants Coit Tower to wine replace glasses of that. No one seems to nei- lean slightly like Pisa. water on restaurant Lawrence should be Janet Cardiff, The Forty Part Motet (installation view, Gallery 308, Fort Mason Center tables. Seems practi- the new Emperor of for Arts & Culture), 2015; co-presented by Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. photo: jka photography cal to me. During the ‘No worries’ should San Francisco. Ernie cholera epidemic in Beyl should be chief Europe during the 19th be prohibited. When of staff. … Gov. Jerry century, no one dares Brown signed a law Janet Cardiff’s ‘The Forty Part touch a glass of water. I hear it, I really that enhances sexual (Except Tchaikovsky, health education in Motet’ to close this month who drank cholera- start to worry. the schools in 2016. contaminated water. Everyone knows by sharon anderson sonal, differing moment-by-moment, It’s still being argued if ther heed it nor enforce that high school kids are person-to-person. he drank it on purpose.) it. Obnoxiousness is not already experts on sex he Fort Mason Center for Arts Created in 2001, The Forty Part “What is overlooked,” sur- illegal. Here’s another: education. They can teach & Culture and the San Francisco Motet reworks English composer mises Maurice Kanbar, No whistling anywhere the rest of us. … Museum of Modern Art Thomas Tallis’s Spem in Alium from the Pacific Heights reign- in the county. Only Sir Terrified of commit- T(SFMOMA) have presented the sound 1570. A choir in Salisbury Cathedral ing genius and philanthro- Paul McCartney and Bing ment, I rarely make New installation, The Forty Part Motet by sound performed the 40-part choral work. pist, “is that water short- Crosby are exempt. … No Year’s resolutions. I’ll artist Janet Cardiff through Jan. 18. An oval arrangement of 40 speakers ages will be catastrophic for using the term “hopefully” abandon them before A stark row of speakers surround- plays back the individually recorded the planet.” … incorrectly. William Safire late February. This year, ing benches sets a minimal stage for a parts so that participants can focus on I have my own sugges- told The Commonwealth I pledge not to be too sound experience, and yet the nature a single voice or immerse themselves in tions for new laws. Car Club: “The correct usage bellingham, continued on 4 of the work is extraordinarily per- sound art, continued on 14

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES JANUARY 2016 1 Contents In This Issue 19 25

8

News Arts & Entertainment Around the Northside Big men and big films News briefs on the city’s plans for deal- Ernest Beyl talks with radical San ing with a stormy winter, proposed Francisco lawyer Tony Serra, who changes to the Care Not Cash program, describes how LSD and an oath of poverty reduced prices to get more trees planted helped create his legend; Michael Snyder on the Northside, and relief for victims revisits the best movies of 2015; plus the of stolen cars. 3 best sellers. 14 Community Calendar You’ve got questions, January events we’ve got answers Berlin & Beyond returns for its 20th anni- Supervisor Mark Farrell answers ques- versary, and the Noir film festival is back for tions from the Marina about Lombard, its 14th in January. But if films aren’t your Peskin’s return, 2016 challenges, and thing, there’s still the Shen Yun Performing Mario Woods; plus the Police Blotter Artsw, the Science of Cocktails, Jersey 16 reports on the plague of auto crimes. 6 Boys, and much more. Wellness and Family Street Beat Start the new year right New year, new happenings Julie Mitchell has trends and tips for a fit Lynette Majer reports on the expansion of 2016; and Liz Farrell finds family-friendly Le Marais Bakery & Bistro, the closing of Super Bowl events. 18 David Clay Jewelers after 30-plus years, and other Northside news; and Ernest At Home Beyl welcomes U.S. Restaurant. 8 Space, the final frontier Business & Finance Julia Strzesieski says look and ye shall find place to store all of your stuff. 20 Good business sense Jesus Guevara tells you how to save your- Real Estate self money; and John Zipperer finds busi- ness advice from his late father that can Price conscious help businesspeople here and now. 10 Carole Isaaces says now is the time to think about how your home or condo will Food & Wine handle the big rains expected this winter, not after a problem has occurred and you New things to eat can’t schedule a roofer for three weeks; The Tablehopper reports on The Gipsy Frederick Kuo explains real estate’s “China Darling, The Dorian, Craftsman and factor”; plus our market report. 21 Wolves, the Original U.S. Restaurant, Geppetto, and Rialto Mercato; and ONLINE SPECIALS Julie Mitchell finds deliciously intrigu- ing British food with a California Evalyn Baron, the Coastal Commuter, twist at the new American gastropub restaurant reviews, and more Scotland Yard. 12 marinatimes.com

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2 JANUARY 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com News

News Briefs Rain, homeless, trees, towing Find the right mortgage Preparing for El Niño backed by neighborly service. CITY LAYS OUT STORM PREP PLANS Now is the time to review your mortgage(s) With expectations (and hopes) that this winter will and consider refinancing. Ask us about our bring an El Niño-infused del- historically low adjustable rate or fixed rate uge of rain to local drought- parched land, San Francisco mortgage loans today. is making preparations and response plans. National weather experts are predicting a 95 percent chance of El Niño, which could result in power outages, mud- and landslides, high winds, flooding, and, of course, heavy rainfall. The city’s Human Services Agency will make an addi- tional 1,100 beds available in emergency shelters throughout San Francisco; meals will be provided by agencies such as the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and others. The health This is the month for Northsiders to get in on a cut-price department will provide physi- plan for new street trees. photo: Sanfranman59 cal and mental health assistance. About 10,000 sandbags have been The bill is expected to get an early distributed to the Marina, SOMA, February hearing by a Board of Richmond, and other neighborhoods Supervisors committee. by San Francisco Public Works and the Public Utilities Commission. MORE TREES FOR THE NORTHSIDE Those agencies are also clearing catch The deadline is rapidly approaching basins, pruning trees, and doing other for property owners in the Marina, storm preparation. Pacific Heights, and Cow Hollow “Don’t wait for heavy rains to start to apply to receive a street tree as preparing, especially in low-lying areas part of a Friends of the Urban Forest that have flooded project targeted to in the past,” said San March 5. People Francisco Public Sandbags have been can save almost Utilities Comm- 75 percent of the ission General Man- put in the Marina and tree-planting costs ager Harlan Kelly. by participating “You can purchase other neighborhoods. in the program, flood insurance, which is funded elevate belongings, and during a by grants, government funding, and storm clear clogged drains not drain- private donations. ing due to debris.” About 13.7 percent of San Residents can learn more about Francisco is covered by trees, how they can be prepared for and according to Friends of the Urban recover from an emergency at sf72.org. Forest, and that’s not impressive. Businesses can get additional informa- “San Francisco is one of the least tion at businessportal.sfgov.org/ElNino. leafy cities in the nation,” the group states. The city might be thought of FARRELL WANTS CARE as a haven for environmental love, NOT CASH CHANGES but ”San Francisco ranks only 17th District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell among the 20 most populous U.S. is proposing legislative changes cities in its tree canopy coverage. to the city’s Care not Cash hous- The Marina lags well behind, with ing assistance program for home- trees covering a paltry 9.8 percent of less people that seek to reduce evic- its land area.” tions and housing instability among To apply or to get further informa- program participants. tion, residents of Pacific Heights can The changes would affect par- sign up at fuf.net/pacheights/, and ticipants who currently can end up Marina and Cow Hollow residents can homeless as a result of repeated fail- sign up at fuf.net/marina/. They can ures to comply with the program also contact Kyle at [email protected] or rules; their money is cut off, but 415-268-0772. that also eliminates their ability to pay rent, so they often lose housing. REDUCING THE PAIN OF According to Farrell’s office, dozens TOWING FEES FOR STOLEN CARS of people face eviction every year this If your car is stolen and abandoned way. The proposed changes would elsewhere in the city, you not only still impose a suspension of benefits have the frustration of the missing to the individual, but rental payments car and any damage it might have would still be made, thereby keeping incurred, you often also get slapped Contact your neighborhood mortgage loan the person in stable housing while the with hundreds of dollars (or even city’s Human Services Agency tries to thousands) in towing and storage officer for more information. bring them back into compliance. fees. On Dec. 1, the city’s new tow- “Keeping the formerly homeless ing contract expanded from four Reina Ceja housed will continue to save our city hours to 48 hours the length of time Branch Manager valuable resources in the long-run and residents have to pick up their car 2197 Chestnut Street, stop individuals from cycling back into without incurring towing fees; non- San Francisco, 94123 homelessness,” said Farrell in a state- residents will have a 24-hour grace 415-287-8800 ment. “This ordinance reaffirms San period. In addition, other fees will be [email protected] Francisco’s commitment to keeping reduced or eliminated. people housed through our Care not Cash program.” E-mail: [email protected]

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES 49251-mortgage-4p936x16-marinatimes-ad1a.indd 1 JANUARY12/15/15 2016 10:01 AM 3 News

Culinary Trends Francisco, is in its 13th season. In fact, it’s continued from page 1 been on so long that they’re running out of culturally significant food cities (the gravitating toward gochujang, a more pun- new season is a California road trip). I gent dark red paste favored in Korean kitch- still think Top Chef is the best chef com- ens. Made from red chili, glutinous rice, petition series, but “cheftestants” have fermented soybeans, salt, and sometimes a become ubiquitous on television real- little syrup or honey, I find the flavor, due ity shows, with many chefs seeking fame to the fermentation of the soybeans, to be rather than respect. Food Network, once more complex than Sriracha, and yet the a top cable lifestyle brand, has seen its heat, while definitely there, is subtler. ratings fall dramatically. Like many food writers, I blame the increase of chefs as LESS WASTED game show hosts and travel guides, coin- Over the past decade, chefs led by pioneers ciding with the decrease in chefs actually like Chris Cosentino have realized what my cooking, for the precipitous drop. Sicilian grandfather knew many years before: Recently, I dined at Scotland Yard in It’s important to respect ingredients, and that the former Bin 38 space (3232 Scott Street, means using the whole animal, offal and 415-872-6853, scotlandyardsf.com), a all. For the month of March 2015, chef Dan British pub meets California cuisine Barber’s Blue Hill restaurant in New York mash-up that manages to make Victorian City’s Greenwich Village morphed into a era furniture hip and chic (see New and high-profile pop-up called WastED, where Notable, page 13). I was blown away by a roster of notable chefs created nightly the elevated yet honest cooking of execu- The Yard “Double Smash” 3/4-pound burger with bone marrow aioli. photo: susan dyer reynolds menus made entirely of discarded food from tive chef Jason Raffin, who pours his heart upscale restaurants, using ingredients such into dishes like clam chowder with charred doesn’t do traditional Hawaiian “loco- sic but modern-thinking butcher shop as stems, bones, peelings, and rinds. corn and butternut squash covered in moco” (like my favorite, kalua pork over a and restaurant that sells meat from its own The nonprofit End Food Waste Now esti- puffed pastry; delicate tuna ceviche tacos bed of steamed cabbage with sides of rice farm, located at the foot of Mount Shasta mates the average with persimmons, and creamy macaroni salad), but rather in California’s Cascade Range. Certified American restaurant watermelon radish, what he grew up eating — simple, bal- as organic by California Certified Organic tosses 150,000 pounds and avocado cream; anced food inspired by Chinese, Filipino, Farmers and as a humane handling facil- of edible refuse per Look for items like fish and the Yard Burger Korean, Japanese, and native Hawaiian ity by Animal Welfare Approved, the year, from those with bone marrow flavors. One of Liholiho’s most popular animals are pasture raised, meaning bones and peelings to ribs, juice pulp aioli, aged ched- items is tuna poke (pronounced POH- they’re free to graze and express natural vegetables that aren’t cheeseburgers, and dar, and cornichon kay), Hawaii’s popular raw fish salad. herd instincts. “pretty” enough for rémoulade (which In San Jose, which has a large Hawaiian Belcampo in Russian Hill is their sixth service. cauliflower-stem gratins. is quite possibly the population, poke bars and fast-casual poke California outlet and features a restau- In France, super- best upscale burger bowl restaurants are growing. At Poki Bowl rant serving lunch, brunch, and dinner markets are required to donate all edible in the city right now). When you talk to (4750 Almaden Expressway, 669-247-7654, alongside a butcher shop that sells beef, food to charities. Here in San Francisco Raffin, his passion for cookery, for mak- poki-bowl.com), they take the concept even pork, poultry, sausages, jerky, bacon, and many companies donate food to organiza- ing everything that he can in-house (no further by allowing patrons to customize fresh eggs (among other things). With tions like Food Runners (foodrunners.org), shortcuts), for working with only the best their poke (poke purists should stop read- ever-increasing occurrences of food- which picks up perishable and prepared and freshest ingredients, is a breath of ing here) by choos- borne illnesses like food from restaurants, caterers, bakeries, fresh air. ing their base (sushi the recent E. coli hospitals, event planners, corporate caf- I predict in 2016 that more chefs will rice, brown rice, or outbreak linked to eterias, and hotels and delivers it, via a follow their passion into the kitchen rath- salad greens), poke Chefs will follow their the Chipotle restau- network of volunteers, directly to neighbor- er than the limelight. (select three or four, rant chain (more hood food programs. including spicy tuna, passion into the kitchen than 50 people from With an innovative culinary culture, I’m POKE BOWL BARS salmon, octopus, rather than the limelight. multiple states got surprised the trend of serving “refuse food” I’ve always been a huge fan of Hawaiian shrimp, tuna, and sick) and salmonel- hasn’t already caught on in San Francisco, food, so I’m glad to see its popularity ris- yellowtail), and toppings (such as wasabi, la linked to factory-farmed chickens and but I predict it will in 2016. Look for menu ing, especially since the celebrated opening ginger, seaweed, or fish roe). eggs, people are more concerned than items like fish ribs (which I’ve had in New of Liholiho Yacht Club (871 Sutter Street, With San Francisco’s love of sashimi ever about where and how their food is York City and can attest that they’re deli- 415-440-5446, lvcsf.com). Liholiho started and newfound love of Hawaiian cuisine, I raised and sourced. ciously addictive), juice pulp cheeseburg- as a pop-up from chef and Hawaii native think poke bars could hit the city in 2016. Supporting local, sustainable, humane, ers, and cauliflower-stem gratins. Ravi Kapur (Boulevard, Prospect) and, farm-to-shop butchery operations like with help from Nopa partners Allyson FARM-TO-SHOP BUTCHERY Belcampo Meat Co. is a trend we need ‘GET THAT CAMERA OUT OF MY FACE’ Jossel and Jeff Hanak, became one of the Last August, I wrote about Belcampo more of in 2016. It’s hard to believe that Bravo TV’s hottest tickets in town when it opened Meat Co. (1998 Polk Street, 415-660-5573, Top Chef, which debuted here in San as a restaurant in January of 2015. Kapur belcampomeatco.com), a wonderfully clas- E-mail: [email protected]

Bellingham whose work is on exhibit at all the attractions of the next was. Everyone here has been ago. But it will live on in continued from page 1 the Look Gallery on O’Farrell world.” … Alyssa Choo, a man- complaining about the frigid San Francisco’s political his- and Geary Streets. His latest, a ager at City Impact, a Christian temperatures. It only takes a tory. You may recall that Ed sentimental, ironic, or nostal- portrait of Orson Welles, can be charity, asks me if I ever think few days for us to get back Jew, a former city supervisor, gic. We all know that “nostalgia seen at Rick Wilkinson’s book about what happens in the next to a more temperate climate. went to prison after plead- ain’t what it used to be” — often shop on Trinity Place in the world. I’m more concerned Maybe three or four days. Just ing guilty to extorting $20,000 attributed to Yogi Berra. … Financial District. Jack’s integ- with what’s going to happen to long enough to see another from Quickly to fix some The Waldo Grade Tunnel, gate- rity shows in the treatment of me in this one. … handful of high-rise condo- operating permits. Word on way to Marin, has been named his subjects. Orson is still larg- Michael Rawls, a true prince miniums materialize. … Yes, the street is the Quickly loca- after Robin Williams. This is a er than life. At a Hollywood of Nob Hill, was surprised to evictions seem to be our most tion will become a nightclub. good thing. It keeps up a new party, a young starlet once get a royalty check in the mail. important product in the City It’s already getting mixed tradition started by Ferlinghetti patted Orson on his That Knows How. reviews. … years ago: naming streets and ample stomach. “Gee, Like everything else, David McCollough has an landmarks for poets and artists. Orson,” she purred, “if little can be done idea (he credits his daugh- Robin brought a mad love, and a that were on a woman, Shall we talk about the but to grouse about ter): “Bring back suppertime!” sublime artistry to all of us. He we’d know what to weather? Rarely do we have it. Politics is a good Meanwhile, Dr. Oz, for health made insanity virtuous. What think.” “That was on place for someone reasons, extols the virtue of most people would not know a woman a half hour any in San Francisco. who can point to the home cooking. I don’t know. is how generous he was. Now I ago,” Welles growled. problem, and have That sounds a little nostalgic can tell it: Robin used to go to “Now what do you think?” It was from a radio station in no idea what to do about it. to me. Home cooking? That’s meetings at the Marina Dock on Oscar Wilde was also a man Norway. They’ve been play- … Christopher Buckley quoted all right if you have a home Greenwich Street, where people, for the ages. Keating’s portrait ing a song that Michael wrote his famous father on CBS This or are too busy to cook while some very troubled, look for of the old boy hung for years with his late brother, Rodney, a Morning when he was asked trying to hold on to yours. … support. Robin might hand out at the now-closed O’Reilly’s very long time ago. Mr. Rawls what the GOP needs. William Let’s hold on through this new lots of money for those in dire Pub in North Beach. The pic- is red hot in a very cold coun- F. Buckley replied, “The party year. And hope for the best. … positions. I’m not ratting Robin. ture could be anywhere in San try. … Shall we talk about the needs a repristination.” Or He was very public about addic- Francisco. Wilde always was the weather? Rarely do we have maybe a fumigation. Perhaps Bruce Bellingham is the author tion. That, in itself is a generous restless type. “It’s an odd thing,” any in San Francisco. But I eschewing big words should be of Bellingham by the Bay. He thing to do. … Yes, but who’s Wilde remarked, “but anyone got back from New York after another New Year’s resolution hopes to undergo a repristina- Waldo Grade? who disappears is said to be Thanksgiving. It was colder for me. … tion this year. Or something One of the city’s most talented seen in San Francisco. It must here. Everyone in the East was The Quickly tapioca shop close to it. Show him the way at portrait artists is Jack Keating, be a delightful city and possess talking about how warm it on Polk Street closed months [email protected].

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Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES JANUARY 2016 5 Community

Police Blotter From the officers of Northern Station Assaults, more auto crimes, and drug arrests

The crimes described below are only a and with a backpack breaking into threw a plastic cup that missed hit- the dispatcher that the victim was small snapshot of what the police officers vehicles. Several officers arrived ting the victim’s head. chasing the suspect and they were of Northern Station are doing. For a more and located the suspect. A search The victim signed a citizen’s arrest on Mission Street. The officers were comprehensive list, visit sf-police.org; under of the suspect turned up a screw- form. The cup-throwing suspect was able to find and detain the suspect. Compstat, select the link to Crimemaps. driver, pry tool, and drug para- cited and released. The victim told the police that phernalia in his front pocket. Two he walked out to his car to find the of the victims’ vehicles were dam- suspect inside sitting in the driver’s GAME, SET, MATCH aged and broken into; the passen- DRUG PARAPHERNALIA seat and going through the victim’s Nov. 1, 1:17 a.m. ger seat and center consoles were Nov. 4, 4:39 p.m. belongings. He yelled at the suspect Polk at Clay Streets in disarray. A third vehicle had pry Fern at Polk Streets to get out, and the suspect ran away. marks on the window but was not The suspect had an outstanding A witness flagged down patrol officers broken into. Officers on patrol spotted a male warrant for his arrest. He was trans- to report a possible aggravated assault by A computer check showed the sitting on the sidewalk, hunched ported to County Jail. a white male wearing a white shirt and suspect had an outstanding warrant over and facing the wall of a build- carrying a tennis racket. They heard that for his arrest. His backpack con- ing. They approached him and saw the suspect had gotten into an argument tained items belonging to the owner that he was holding a glass smok- YET MORE AUTO CRIME with some people outside of a bar, and he of one of the two vehicles that had ing pipe in his mouth while using a Nov. 6, 1:19 a.m. put one of the victims into a headlock and been broken into. The suspect was lighter to heat the end of the pipe, Octavia at Page Streets punched him in the face. Two other vic- booked at County Jail. which they recognized as one used tims were assaulted while trying to help with controlled substances, specifi- Officers on patrol spotted a male the first victim. The suspect walked away cally stimulants such as metham- subject rummaging through the when the police were called. STREET FIGHT phetamine. They detained the man trunk of a parked vehicle; several The officers searched the area and located Nov. 2, 8:39 p.m. and told him to put the pipe on the items were strewn across the nearby the suspect, but when they tried to talk to 800 block of Franklin Street ground; he told them that he had sidewalk. Due to the increase in auto the suspect, he ran away. After a chase, he a second pipe in his pocket. Both boosts in the area, officers believed finally turned to face the officers, but he Officers responded to a report pipes were seized and booked into the subject was breaking into the would not comply with their demands to get of a group of men fighting on the evidence. vehicle. They attempted to detain onto the ground, and he continued to resist sidewalk, with one of the suspects The suspect did not have any out- the suspect, but he walked away and arrest. After a brief struggle, he was taken throwing objects at people. The standing warrants, so he was cited ignored their orders to stop. into custody and later booked at County Jail. officers arrived and broke up the and released at the scene. They finally detained the suspect, fight. One of the suspects was very who confirmed that the vehicle was agitated, yelling profanities. The not his. He said the trunk was open MORE AUTO BREAK-INS officers detained two suspects and AUTO CRIME REDUX so he looked through it, taking some Nov. 1, 9 p.m. learned they were arguing over one Nov. 4, 4:53 p.m. duct tape and paint supplies. A com- Austin Street at Van Ness Avenue of them ringing all of the door Gough at Oak Streets puter check showed that the suspect bells to the building in an attempt was on felony probation for receiv- A caller to 911 reported seeing a to be let in; the suspect does not Officers responding to a report ing stolen property. He was trans- black male wearing a black jacket live there and was told to leave. He of a vehicle burglary were told by ported to County Jail for booking.

6 JANUARY 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com From the Chambers of our Supervisor Answers to your questions 2016 challenges, Peskin, and more by MARK E. FARRELl sidewalk and utility upgrades in that are important to our city and less numbers have not statistically The tragic death of Mario winter 2017 through spring 2018, neighborhoods — especially since increased, every neighborhood in Woods and the accompanying What is the status of the and Caltrans would begin the road we share district borders. San Francisco is feeling the effects, as videos released documenting his Lombard Street project? resurfacing in winter 2018 through traditional encampments in SOMA death have impacted many San Lombard Street is one of the spring 2019. What do you think will be the are being displaced due to new con- Franciscans, and I know I was not main gateways to San Francisco. For more information on the biggest challenges that people struction. In the Marina specifically, alone in finding them disturbing. A few years ago I kicked off a Lombard Street Safety Project, in San Francisco will face in the we have a growing issue around Our entire city must know that community process to reenvi- please visit sfmta.com/projects- upcoming year? the Marina Safeway, Moscone lethal force at the hands of our sion Lombard Street and push planning/projects/lombard-street- San Francisco is experiencing a Recreation Center, and Chestnut police department is an absolute last our government to dedicate extra safety-project. strong and growing local econo- Street that I have dedicated signifi- resort — it cannot be any other way. resources to the street in advance my, and low unemployment, but cant budget resources toward, and Our brave men and women in of Caltrans’ scheduled repaving in What will be Aaron Peskin’s that success has also brought many we hope to see significant progress the police department put their 2018. Specifically, we are looking impact on the Board of challenges for San Franciscans of in the New Year. Despite what people lives on the line every day that at beautification, business develop- Supervisors? all stripes. I believe three issues will are feeling in the neighborhoods, they put on their uniform and ment opportunities, and pedestrian With the November election continue to dominate next year. I am encouraged by our progress they dedicate their lives and pro- safety upgrades. now behind us, we welcome a First, housing costs and the cost behind the scenes and pledge to con- fession to protecting and building Lombard is one of the main cor- new colleague to the Board of of living will continue to be a chal- tinue to make homeless a top prior- trust with all of our communities. ridors on the city’s High Injury Supervisors to represent the neigh- lenge for many San Franciscans. ity throughout my tenure in office. I believe that our police depart- Network, as every year there are borhoods of District 3 with for- While December saw some soft- Last, I believe all of the ancillary ment is one of the most forward multiple crashes and pedestrian mer Board President Aaron Peskin ening, the San Francisco hous- effects of San Francisco’s growing thinking, progressive forces in the injuries, which are only getting regaining his previous seat. Much ing market remains hot. Decades population will start to bubble up nation, but we must never be afraid worse as our roads get more con- has been made about a “progres- of under-producing housing has in 2016. From road congestion to to reexamine current policies in gested. For months, our office sive” and “moderate” divide that exacerbated the impacts that many MUNI overcrowding to overcrowd- the interest of public protection has been closely collaborating some felt has existed on the board San Franciscans are feeling. We are ed parks to challenges getting a res- and individual safety. with the SFMTA, Caltrans, the before his election. But I can tell doing everything in our power at taurant reservation — these issues With that being said, San Office of Economic Workforce you from firsthand experience that City Hall to add more housing at are starting to percolate across our Francisco deserves nothing less Development, and the Public all of our colleagues care equally all income levels to help keep pace city. In coming years we are going to than a full and transparent inves- Utilities Commission to implement about the city and the districts with the housing demands that we have a significant discussion about a tigation into the circumstances needed safety improvements along they represent and don’t let politi- continue to see and feel, but this vision for the future of San Francisco, and facts surrounding the death of this corridor. cal labels stand in the way of doing issue was not created overnight, and I expect these and other related Mario Woods. I know our chief, our The SFMTA Board of Directors what they think is right for their and it cannot be solved overnight, issues to play a significant role. mayor, and all of my colleagues on has jurisdiction over the project district and our city. One of the so I anticipate housing to continue the Board of Supervisors support and will be first hearing this issue biggest lessons I learned early on at to dominate headlines. I was really disturbed by the the independent investigations that in mid-January or February. If the the Board of Supervisors was how Second, homelessness will con- death of Mario Woods at the are currently underway, and I per- project is approved by the SFMTA to work across the proverbial aisle tinue to be a challenge —­ both for hands of San Francisco police sonally believe that our police need Board of Directors, near-term safe- with my colleagues, and I look for- those experiencing homelessness officers. What can the city do to more, not less, nonlethal options to ty installations will begin in win- ward to partnering and working and for our city residents and visitors balance police protection and deal with dangerous situations that ter 2016 through spring 2017, the with him on issues and projects who are impacted. While our home- individual safety? occur on our city streets.

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Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES JANUARY 2016 7 Street Beat

Marina-Cow Hollow Insider

Le Marais Bakery’s new space in Ghirardelli Square will have an outdoor bakery kiosk. photo: Le Marais Open for business by lynette majer also the workout accom- ing a grand opening cel- modates all fitness levels of ebration with some beau- COMINGS AND all ages and people needn’t tiful antique, as well as CELEBRATIONS feel like they need to get new, pieces. The successful French- in shape just to take a Union Street Goldsmiths inspired Le Marais Bakery class. There’s a full-service (2118 Union Street) has suc- & Bistro (2066 Chestnut Street) smoothie bar, plus a kiosk cessfully reopened between has expanded to Ghirardelli where you can preorder Fillmore and Buchanan, just Square (900 North Point a meal from Plate (3251 down the street from their Street) and expects to open Steiner Street), which will previous location at 1908 this spring near the foun- be delivered and wait- Union Street, which suf- tain in the premier East ing when you’ve finished fered a devastating fire last Plaza Apartment House your workout. year. The space is down a building, which some may Get ready to enjoy few stairs from street level, recall formerly housed your inventive taco com- which creates a cozy inte- Sharper Image (and way bos as well as margari- rior for viewing their exotic before that, Ann Taylor). tas and other craft cock- gems and beautifully set Owners Joanna and Patrick tails in a larger space diamonds. Ascaso plan to continue after Tacolicious (2031 their farm-to-table philos- Chestnut Street) expands GOT LEGOS? ophy, but will offer a larger into the former The Grove After the Lego com- menu than the Chestnut (2250 Chestnut Street) pany refused artist Ai location and include items space later this year. Weiwei’s bulk order for his like fresh seafood. In the next project, saying that meantime, they’ve opened LIVE PIANO it “cannot approve the a pop-up pâtisserie near AND COMEDY use of Legos for political the new site (in the for- Live entertainment in works,” the artist has been mer Kara’s Cupcakes space the Marina/Cow Hollow swamped with donations. next to the Wattle Creek neighborhood just got a Contribute yours through Winery), which Joanna little more interesting: The the sunroof (weather per- said she would like to keep Comet Club (3111 Fillmore mitting) into the 1997 dark open as well, as the small Street) is hosting a come- green BMW parked just bright space has a real dy night every Wednesday beyond the entrance gate European feel. from 8 to 10 p.m. to Fort Mason Center (at Congratulations to Ace Reed & Greenough the concrete island) daily Wasabi (3339 Steiner (3251 Scott Street) recently from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Street), which last month launched a nightly piano The car is titled Collection celebrated its 20th anni- bar. Start time and dura- Point, encouraging public versary in the Marina, tion were not available at involvement and inviting packing in not only its press time, so those inter- participants “to reflect regular Marina-ite crowd, ested will need to stop by on their individual role but also those as far away for details. We’re betting in defending freedom of as the Mission, who it will be a popular addi- expression.” found the neighborhood, tion to this sophisticated we’re told, “a breath of and popular neighbor- MARINA GREEN fresh air.” hood spot. RACE ALERT Barry’s Bootcamp (2246 For any who have hap- Lombard Street) opened last NEWS ON JEWELS pened to drive to the month in the former Past After 30-plus years on Fort Mason Farmers’ Perfect space. Workout- Union Street, David Clay Market and unwittingly of-the-stars Barry’s has Jewelers (1872 Union encountered a race, you a SOMA location as well Street) is calling it quits in will know the frustra- as others in New York favor of retirement. They’ll tion of crossing Marina and Los Angeles, and the be open until their invento- Boulevard into Fort Marina location is one ry is liquidated, so if you’re Mason. Both of these of the largest. The studio in the market for fine jew- races will impede access accommodates more than els, you’ll find some attrac- into Fort Mason and will 50, working out on tread- tive discounts. be held rain or shine, mills and benches with Prince Estate Jewelers from 9–9:45 a.m.: free weights to nightclub- (2181 Union Street), which Jan. 3: Marina Green 5K style music, and led by an has a store in Sausalito, Jan. 10: Fort Mason 5K energetic trainer. Justin opened another outpost Note the races are sub- Roja, veep of business several months ago in ject to change. Call DSE development (who used to the former Old and New hotline at 415-978-0837 work with Gavin Newsom Estates space. Yekutiel’s or visit dserunners.org for in the day) says not only father was one of Old and updated information. is the company commit- New’s suppliers, and at ted to the community but press time, Prince was hav- E-mail: [email protected]

8 JANUARY 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Marina-Cow Hollow Insider Sketches from a North Beach Journal

Find The One.

The Original U.S. Restaurant is back. photo: earl adkins Happy New Year — a backward glance and the view ahead by ernest beyl tion of U.S. Restaurant down the street at 515 Columbus Avenue, Benjamin Ruiz, A decades old tradition appy New Year! And thanks executive chef, and Renee Gammon, for reading my Sketches column principal server. There are also investors, last year. But let’s begin 2016 with Alberto Cipollina, who ran the original of custom craftsmanship Ha backward glance. San Francisco and place for many years and Mario Alioto, the old North Beach neighborhood lost marketing boss for the Giants. And lest in California. some giants last year: bartender Michael you have forgotten or didn’t know — the McCourt, trumpet wizard John Coppola, U.S. in U.S. Restaurant does not stand for leading citizen Carol Doda, and gallery United States. The abbreviation stands owner Laura Mattos. All were important for “Unione Sportiva,” reminding diners in the social fabric of North Beach and that back in the early days of this classy added panache to the entire city. Here’s spot, it fed the city’s collection of Italian- an example. American athletic clubs.

HOWLED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL LAST CHANCE FOR A PIAZZA IN During its 2015 60th anniversary, much BOOMTOWN, USA has been written about Allen Ginsberg’s There was a community meeting at iconic Beat poem Howl. Ginsberg first the Italian Athletic Club in North Beach read it aloud at the Six Gallery on last month on Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s Fillmore Street Oct. 7, 1955. As a new visionary Piazza St. Francis, The Poets year’s tale, let me add Plaza, set for Vallejo to the Howl melee. I Street between Grant learned this from John The reopening of the and Columbus Ave- Mattos, renowned nues. More than 100 North Beach graphic U.S. Restaurant was of interested citizens at- designer. John’s wife, tened. Angela Alioto, Laura, died last year. major importance. the project’s principal Here’s the story. fundraiser, chaired Both John and Laura were born in the event, and did an admirable job pre- Modesto, went to high school there, and senting the concept, then listening and were in the same grade and English class. responding to questions. There were One day the assignment was to read a naysayers and they were vocal — some poem. Laura stood and read a blister- measured and thoughtful, some raucous ing stanza from Howl. When she finished, and self-centered. They focused on traf- the teacher said, “Not only are you out of fic, parking, safety, and NIMBY (con- this class, but you are out of this school.” cerns about personal inconvenience). Laura got up, grabbed her copy of Howl City officials, including the police and and walked out. She never did get a high fire departments, and the project’s school diploma, but she went on to gain an designers, answered concerns. English degree at UC Berkeley, and had a Ferlinghetti attended and listened with- distinguished career as an editor and North out contributing to the dialogue. I caught Research Follow Us Beach gallery owner. Along the way, she up with him later and asked for a state- and John were reunited and married. ment. Here it is: Learn about our Feast your eyes on “Our squabbles over parking and UNIONE SPORTIVA: traffic flow are ignoring the fact that proven track record our bevy of one-of- A NORTH BEACH CLASSIC San Francisco today is a boomtown The reopening of the U.S. Restaurant greater than the Gold Rush of the of five star service & a-kind-custom fine in December was of major importance 1860s. Silicon Valley’s gold was the to North Beach. Not since Original first to fuel what’s happening today: a history of happy jewelry. Joe’s came to the neighborhood in 2012 new buildings going up everywhere, has there been an event that has added new cars flooding our streets, elec- customers. @LaBijouterieSF such a veneer of timeless class to the tronics [IT], building, [and] medical historic area. and tourist industries going full blast. Many years ago, my idea of breakfast In 10 years, we may not recognize was to drop down the hill to the U.S. the city. Today may be our very last Restaurant, originally at the corner of chance to create a new piazza in North Columbus Avenue and Stockton Street. Beach or open space in downtown San My standard breakfast was scrambled Francisco. Our window of opportunity eggs, hash browns, Italian sausage, and a is closing fast in Boomtown, USA.” glass of red wine. By the way, I have been asked why Now into its third version since it I write so frequently about Lawrence Appointments preferred. launched in 1919, U.S. Restaurant has Ferlinghetti. It’s because he is a towering Book online at www.LB-SF.com reopened in the former Colosseo space at figure in our community. These days we 414 Columbus Avenue. Much of the old are short on towering figures. crew is back aboard: Gaspare Giudice, (415) 775-6622 | 1931 Union Street, San FranciSco who operated the more recent reincarna- E-mail: [email protected]

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES JANUARY 2016 9 Business & Finance

Personal Finance Doing more with more

There are many ways to save money for your secure future. photo: Ken Teegardin from Boulder, Boulder Clean up with a new Try these tax tips to Vacuum from your neighborhood save money, boost refund Vacuum Store! by JESUS GUEVARA should not make these decisions for tax purposes alone. axpayers still have time left to influence their tax future. Many 4. TO SAVE MONEY, SPEND MONEY taxpayers can do something to It’s the triple play of tax savings. Putting Tlower their tax liability with these tax tips. money in a Health Savings Account (HSA) during the year saves taxpay- 1. TO SAVE MONEY, SAVE MONEY ers from paying taxes on that amount. One way to save money on taxes is Individuals can save $3,350, families to save money — in tax-advantaged $6,650, and taxpayers 55 or older can retirement accounts. Saving leads to save an additional $1,000 in their HSA. more saving. But taxpayers can also use this money Contributions to a 401(k) or IRA are tax-free on qualified medical expenses. pretax or tax-deductible, respective- And funds left in the HSA grow tax-free. City and County of San Francisco ly, which reduces taxable income and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are Outreach Advertising January 2016 potentially the tax bill. Taxpayers can also another great savings tool and work contribute up to $18,000, or $24,000 if similarly to an HSA. But whatever funds Stay Connected To the City through SF311 they are 50 or older, to their 401(k). They taxpayers don’t spend before the end of The SF311 Customer Service Center is the single stop for residents to get can save up to $5,500, or $6,500 if 50 or the year — or grace period, if their com- information on government services and report problems to the City and County of San Francisco. And now, we have even more ways for you to stay connected to older, in a traditional IRA. Taxpayers pany’s plan provides one — is just money the City with our SF311 App and SF311 Explorer website. who deduct their IRA contributions left on the table. They can use this money can designate contributions they make for unreimbursed medical expenses such The SF311 App lets you get information on City services and submit service requests on-the-go right from your smartphone. You can track your service through April 15, 2016, on their 2015 tax as eyeglasses, prescription medications, requests through the app or through our new website, SF311 Explorer. returns, giving them a little more time to medical equipment, or copays. sock away that money and boost their SF311 Explorer not only lets you check the status of your own requests, it enables tax benefit for 2015. 5. TO SAVE MONEY, PAY ATTENTION you to see what issues are being reported throughout all of San Francisco and what the City is doing to resolve them. Maxing out a 401(k) and IRA at age 50 Many popular tax breaks expired at could lower taxable income by $30,500 the end of 2014 and there has been Download the SF311 App from your smartphone’s app store and visit the SF311 — or, for a taxpayer with a 25 percent uncertainty about their extensions. Explorer at explore311.sfgov.org today! marginal tax rate, provide a tax benefit These include the deduction for state of more than $7,625. The IRA deduction Assessment Appeals Board (AAB) and local general sales tax, tuition and is limited for higher-earning taxpay- fees deduction, educator’s expense Notice is hereby given of 7 vacancies on the AAB. Applicants must have at least ers participating in a 401(k) or other deduction, and tax-free qualified chari- 5 years of experience as one of the following: Certified Public Accountant or employer plan. table distributions from IRAs. Changes Public Accountant; licensed Real Estate Broker; Property Appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized organization, or Property Appraiser certified by the are made when Congress acts on the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers. For additional information or to obtain 2. TO SAVE MONEY, GIVE MONEY expired breaks, which can come at the an application, please call (415) 554-6778. Another way to save money on taxes is end of the year or early in January. to give money away. If taxpayers give to Taxpayers need to stay tuned to learn Healthy Foods and WIC Nutrition Services at No Cost To You Eating well during pregnancy is important. The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) qualified organizations and itemize their whether they can use these tax breaks Nutrition Program can help. WIC serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants and deductions, their charitable contribu- for 2015. young children under five years old who meet 185% or below of the federal poverty tions could lower their taxable income. There are a lot of ways for taxpayers to income level. WIC benefits include nutrition and breastfeeding education and support, Taxpayers need to keep receipts, pic- save money on their taxes — from sav- checks to buy healthy foods (such as fresh fruits and vegetables) and referrals to low cost or free health care and other community services. tures, or other documentation of any ing, giving, losing, and spending money Enrolling in WIC early in your pregnancy will give your baby a healthy start. Also, noncash donation. A $1,000 donation to paying bills and getting health insur- WIC staff can show you how you and your family can eat healthier meals and for someone in the 25 percent brack- ance. The trick is to save, give, lose, and snacks. Migrants are welcome to apply as well. et who itemizes deductions can see spend money in the right way. Taxpayers San Francisco WIC has six offices throughout the City. For more information, call (415) 575-5788. $250 in savings. can use online tax calculators to esti- This institution is an equal opportunity provider. mate their tax refunds and should always 3. TO SAVE MONEY, LOSE MONEY talk to a trusted tax professional when Board of Supervisors Regularly Scheduled Board Meetings The Dow Jones has decreased since in doubt. January 2016 Meetings OPEN TO THE PUBLIC –Tuesdays, 2:00pm, City Hall Chamber, Room 250. this summer, so this could be a good • January 12 time to help trim that tax bill. People Jesus Guevara is a Tax Professional • January 26 with a large net capital gain in 2015 with H&R Block, the world’s largest tax could have reduced their tax liability by services provider. Jesus provides expert There will be no scheduled meetings on January 5 and January 19. selling stock before Dec. 31 if it would tax advice and service in San Francisco The City and County of San Francisco encourage public outreach. Articles are reduce the gain or generate a loss. and can be reached at 415-268-0756, translated into several languages to provide better public access. The newspaper Taxpayers should look at their whole or at the office on 2151 Lombard St., makes every effort to translate the articles of general interest correctly. No liability financial picture with an investment San Francisco. is assumed by the City and County of San Francisco or the newspapers for errors and omissions. advisor before offsetting their capital CNS#2827281 gains with losses in this way. They This article is sponsored by H&R Block.

10 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Personal Finance Doing more with more My Father’s Book Business wisdom

C ONCERTS at thePRESIDIO

Phone the home

by John zippereR Brass and Strings Soiree

ne day, about In a musical offering that presents an engaging and eclectic array of sounds, styles and 15 years ago, my moods, we bring to the historic Golden Gate Club two chamber music ensembles, drawn father told me largely from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, each delivering its own Oabout his desire to write a distinctive imagination, passion, virtuosity and melodic élan. book about how to con- Oak Street Brass performs Giovanni Gabrieli (Conzona per Sonare No. 2), Victor Ewald duct a small business. My (Symphony for Brass No. 1), Maurice Ravel (Pavane pour une infante défunte), J.S. Bach father was a piano tuner, (Contrapunctus No. 9) and Debussy (Girl with the Golden Hair). From SFCM’s Pre-College traveling every day to his Division, the Cambiata String Quartet performs Beethoven (String Quartet in F minor), loyal customers in mostly Debussy (String Quartet in G minor) and Shostakovich (String Quartet No. 3 in F Major).

small towns in southern

Wisconsin, and he was so

good he had more custom-

ers than he could handle. Call or text or at least e-mail if you’re running late — and But when he described if you want to retain your customer. photo: Karlis Dambrans what he wanted to include in the book, I was sur- (because he scheduled for a missed appointment.

prised because it sounded well, but that’s a lesson for Would I like to reschedule? so small-ball. It was about another time), so if they Not if I can avoid it. things like how you inter- were ready for him to come Today, practically every-

act with your customers, early, he’d head to their one has a smartphone or what you say, what you house and get to work; if at least a mobile phone; if

wear on your feet, how you for some reason he was a repair or delivery peo- behave around their dog. running late, he’d call and ple lack one of those, they I hope I didn’t discourage let them know, offering to could still stop at a pay

him, but I thought at the reschedule to another day phone and call the custom-

time that this would never if the timing didn’t work for er or at least contact their

be worth his effort. As it the client. company dispatcher and Weian Wang turned out, he never did We are now many have them call the custom- get to the book. He died a years into the world of er. Send an e-mail. You have

couple years ago, at a ripe smartphones and tablet my cell number? Text me. old age and leaving behind computers and e-mail and Just don’t not do anything.

many loving friends and texting. So why are the I’m an adult; I can take bad

family — not to mention delivery people and the news. What I can’t take, and 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, January 14 & 15, 2016 long-time customers. repair people and the home what will drive me to an at the historic Golden Gate Club Only then did I begin to improvement people we alternative business in the 135 Fisher Loop, Presidio of San Francisco (intersection of Sheridan and Infantry Terrace)

realize how important his contract to help us so often future, is being treated as if This concert is offered to the public free of charge

AWOL? It is my time is infinite but the Limited seating. Reservations recommended (415) 447-6274

easier than ever company’s is ultimate. for them to let If I’m stuck at home, let Send an e-mail. us know their me know you’ll be late. I Text me. Just don’t schedule, but might not be thrilled, but we are often at least I can plan my day. not do anything. less informed You’re running an hour than we were late? O.K., then I know book would have been. I in the precomputer days. I have time to walk over have been a business jour- A colleague of mine to the store and pick up nalist for more than two tells this story: She took some lunch. Or your pre- decades, mostly in the a day off — which means vious customer’s project commercial real estate field burning a day of vaca- turned out to be an all- and the high-technology tion time, costing her real afternoon thing and you realm. What I have learned money — so she could be can’t get to me? I under- in that time is that more home for a repair person. stand things like that hap- than a few businesses are This was the type of repair pen; let me know, give run by people who have lit- company that is hired by me a quick apology (no tle idea what they’re doing, a large retail business to groveling necessary), and and they often appear inca- fulfill deliveries or install I’ll reschedule (probably pable of correcting even the large purchases. She wait- on a weekend, though). most obvious flaws. They ed. And waited. And wait- If I could find a com- could do with some basic ed, until an hour after the mon thread between how-to advice, courtesy of scheduled delivery time the companies that are southern Wisconsin’s most when she called and was offenders in this manner, successful piano tuner. told the repair person was I would easily avoid them In this new column, I’ll running late but would in the future. But I haven’t. see if I can shed light on be there soon. More wait- Companies that have done these mistakes and high- ing, but the person never this to me have been large light the good things busi- showed up. and small, brand-names nesspeople can do, all the At the end of the day, and never-heard-of-thems. while drawing on the ideas when she contacted the Respecting your customer’s that my father never got the company, she was told the time is a great way to make chance to write in his book. repair person was delayed at sure they don’t come to Dad was a gadget freak, another client and couldn’t hate you and warn their always creating homemade get to her home. Would she friends away from you. HAPPY NEW YEAR! television audio switches like to reschedule? Well, of There was a reason my long before he had a remote course she would not; she father had more custom- OFF YOUR PURCHASE control, or making numer- found someone else to do ers than he could handle. OF $20 OR MORE.* ous boxes and slots around the job. He knew how to handle *Offer$7 does not apply to gift cards, postage stamps, Muni passes, Clipper cards, meter cards, special his desk to hold things. He I have had the same thing his customers. He never orders, or sale merchandise. Not valid with other coupons or offers. One redemption per person. Expires 1/31/16 also was an early adopter of happen to me. Numerous acted as if they owed him a car phone, and he put it to times. Even when I (polite- loyalty; he knew he had to 956 Cole Street 3312 Mission Street 70 Fourth Street good use. One of his rules ly but firmly) let the com- earn it with each and every 415/319-6705 415/200-3344 415/200-3444 Now in Rockridge! was that if he was running pany know that I had contact. That ensured that 2254 Polk Street 415/200-3370 5533 College Avenue late or early for an appoint- scheduled my entire day to he stayed in tune with his 510/230-0145 ment, he would call his cli- be there for the delivery or customers. ents and let them know. the repair person, there is www.colehardware.com He was almost always early not so much as an apology E-mail: [email protected]

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 11 Food & Wine

New in the new year TREAT YOURSELF TO AN EXCITING CULINARY ADVENTURE Tablehopper WITH MICHELIN STAR CHEF SRIJITH GOPINATHAN

Shortbread cookies at Craftsman and Wolves. photo: craftsman and wolves / facebook It’s a new year, which Spice Pot — Chef’s interpretation of traditional Indian street food with vegetables, tamarind chutney, and chickpea crackers. means new things to eat Journey along India’s Spice Route by way by Marcia Gagliardi and Dana Eastland The cafe and pâtisserie serve breakfast of California at six-time Michelin star winner items like their frittata breakfast sandwich Campton Place. Chef Srijith’s cuisine master- MARINA (you should really try that amazing thing) fully blends the fi nest local produce with the Things keep percolating in the Marina. and pastries, while lunch includes sandwich- richness of the region’s seasonal bounty. Opening in the former Yuzu in mid-January es, salads, and savory tarts. You can pick will be The Gipsy Darling (3347 Fillmore up breads and desserts like caramel-walnut- Enjoy a six-course Spice Route menu or indulge in our nine-course Street), a New American restaurant that is mandarin tarts, or from their retail section, Degustation menu. For those with lighter appetites we offer a three- a family affair: James Bourque is working great items like their matcha milk jam. course Theatre Menu and Vegetarian Tasting menu. alongside the owner and his Peruvian-born The space is dark and dramatic, yet full mother Margot Bourque (who is working of natural sunlight. MAK Studio is behind 2016 Michelin Guide Two Star Winner! with the assistance of her husband). They the eye-catching and minimal design, which come from a cor- includes a 20-foot porate dining back- pastry case made Located in the Taj Campton Place Hotel in the Heart of Union Square ground, as does At Rialto Mercato, of stone and black- camptonplacesf.com for reservations | 415.781.5555 executive chef Kevin ened steel. There 340 Stockton St. | San Francisco Fietek, and are excit- you’ll find Gaspar’s is seating for 18 at Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner ed to launch their both high- and low- first public project. favorite ingredients. top tables. Open Their vision is to Monday through offer a personable, approachable, affordable, Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 7 and casual experience. The menu will be p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 8 updated weekly and fine-tuned based on a.m. to 6 p.m. what their customers like best. Some ini- tial menu items include blood orange and NORTH BEACH pear toast with micro radish, pear, whipped The Original U.S. Restaurant (414 chèvre, and cracked pepper; duck confit Columbus Avenue, 415-398-1300) has relo- with sweet potato chips, house-made farmer cated to its new home in the former Colosseo cheese, parsley couscous, and celery slaw; Ristorante. It’s open for lunch, with sand- and bacon-wrapped shrimp with creamy wiches, salads, and pasta dishes, while din- Gruyère grits, roasted corn, and fig glaze. ner brings white tablecloths and dishes like They care a great deal about using ethical risotto and osso buco, with plenty of Italian ingredients and quality sourcing and will be wine to choose from all day. Open daily 11 working directly with a Morgan Hill farm for a.m. to midnight. their produce. Meanwhile, after a year or so of being With just an 18-month lease, which will then closed, the Italian deli Geppetto (658 Vallejo go month to month, they’re having fun with Street, 415-291-8811) from the chef of the project, knowing it’s short term. The decor Pinocchio, Giovanni Zocca, has reopened. will be playful, with a midcentury look, plus Not only can you can get sandwiches but also some “new Baroque” elements. The 14-seat some grocery items. Initial hours are 11 a.m. sushi bar will be transformed into an open to 5 p.m. kitchen experience, so guests can interact with Flora Gaspar of Da Flora has opened her the chef. There will also be some booths and new gourmet grocery and wine shop, Rialto regular tables with total seating for 64. Mercato (705 Columbus Avenue), just a few Breakfast will start at 9 a.m., with lunch 11 doors down from Da Flora in the former a.m. to 1:30 or 2 p.m., and then dinner from Wing Wah Tailor Co. shop. 5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Beer and wine will Da Flora has been open since 1994, and be offered. You can follow along on Facebook at Rialto Mercato, you’ll find Gaspar’s and Instagram for up-to-date news. favorite ingredients, from the common to The Dorian (2001 Chestnut Street, 415- the elevated, such as Sicilian jams, hon- 814-2671) is now serving weekend brunch eys, pastas, olive oils, canned tomatoes, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The menu and her Red Fangs paprika (as homage Wishing You a Prosperous New Year! includes some pastry options like huckle- to her Hungarian roots). Gaspar is exclu- berry scones (two for $5) and cinnamon sively selling chocolates from Christophe I'm ringing in 2016 by offering a complimentary market evaluation of your home. Whether you’re thinking of selling now or in the future, contact me sticky buns with whiskey caramel sauce — he has made a chocolate with paprika sooner rather than later. ($7), as well as a grilled shrimp chop salad flakes in it just for her. There are also Selling fine homes in the Marina/Cow Hollow neighborhoods for over 23 years. ($17) and a classic toad in the hole ($12). wines, spirits, unique books, and even There are also plenty of cocktails, and the some artwork for sale. Thank you for your continued business with much success! raw bar will be in full swing. Silvana Messing Marcia Gagliardi writes a popular insider Top Producer, Luxury Home Sales RUSSIAN HILL weekly e-column, Tablehopper, about the San 415-305-8702 Craftsman and Wolves (1643 Pacific Francisco dining and imbibing scene; get the [email protected] Avenue, 415-855-1414) is finally open, so latest news at tablehopper.com and follow 2523 California Street folks on the north end of town no long have @tablehopper on Twitter and Instagram. San Francisco, CA 94115 LIC# 01141928 to trek over to the Mission for chef-founder Dana Eastland is the associate editor for William Werner’s inventive creations. tablehopper.com.

12 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com New & Notable More food, please, we’re British Voted Best Romantic Restaurant

Chase Away the Winter Blues with Three Cliff House Favorites The Bistro Wednesday Night Prix Fixe Three courses for $28.00 4:30 – 9:00 pm Clockwise: Yorkshire puddings; Charcuterie plate; Tuna ceviche tacos. photos: courtesy scotland yard Scotland Yard brings British-themed $5 Moonlight Cocktails Featured Cocktail Changes Daily extravagance to Scott Street Sunday through Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 pm Begins January 3, 2016 by julie mitchell poached potatoes ($13). The Yard Burger ($13) with bone marrow aioli is served with hether you call it a wine aged cheddar and a cornichon-remoulade Wine Lovers’ Tuesday bar, a lounge, or a gastropub, sauce, and the richness of the marrow restaurants with a bar-centric, heightens the burger’s overall juicy opu- Every Tuesday bottled wines are half price* Wsmall-plate focus are opening everywhere. lence. A Double Smash Burger with three- all day with purchase of an entrée! Restaurateurs are offering patrons unique, quarters of a pound of meat is an extra $4. often intimate spaces in which to drink and Sides are diverse and include pickled Valet parking every night after 5:00 pm. nosh in an informal manner. Specialty craft vegetables with herbed goat cheese ($6), *Some restrictions apply. Promotions are not valid on holidays. cocktails and wines and beers from local, market vegetables with golden raisins and often low-production wineries and brewer- toasted pistachios ($5), “dirty” creamed ies reign, and menus lean toward seasonal, spinach with garlic chicken livers ($6); local produce, meat, and fish. fries with herb aioli and house ketchup ($5); and fried lemon Brussels sprouts with A NEW AMERICAN GASTROPUB bacon ($6). Large and small meat and Scotland Yard on Scott Street offers a cheese plates ($16/$31) are also available new twist on this trend. Its logo is a silhou- and feature a tasty variety of charcuterie ette of a pipe-smoking Sherlock Holmes, such as Italian prosciutto and chicken-liver 1090 Point Lobos and the restaurant is named after London’s toast and cheese ranging from Beemster 415-386-3330 police headquarters. Inside there’s an 18-month Gouda and Brillat Savarin to www.CliffHouse.com eclectic mix of Victorian-inspired wallpa- local specialties like Humboldt Fog. per, sparking old and modern chandeliers, private nooks with armchairs, gleaming BRUNCH hardwood floors, and one small row of Sweet and rich brunch offerings are tables with stools on one side and an a carrot cake French toast with brown- upholstered bench on the other. The bar butter frosting, strawberries and whipped is the focal point. Billing itself as a “new cream ($13), and chicken and waffle bites American gastropub,” Scotland Yard can made with Belgian waffles feature Captain seat 50 inside and 80 in the outdoor cov- Crunch-encrusted chicken thighs with ered patio. The restaurant has a quaint black pepper maple caramel ($11). ambience where Holmes and his sidekick, For eggs, there’s the egg muffin sandwich Watson, might well have felt at home. with an over-easy egg, bacon, American Co-owned by Brian Cassanego, owner cheese, Worcestershire, and Serrano of Hayes Valley’s Noir Lounge, Scotland Sriracha ($14). The bangers Benedict has Yard’s kitchen is manned by Jason Raffin, house-made pork belly sausage, poached formerly executive chef at Bin 38, which egg, Worcestershire-marinated tomato, and the space formerly housed. A graduate of hollandaise on a Panorama English muffin; the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, and whipped eggs are served with sautéed Raffin has worked for Morimoto (Napa) mushrooms and oven-roasted baked beans and Scala’s Bistro. His menu at Scotland ($12). A corned beef sandwich features Yard seeks to combine a sense of fun and buttermilk-fried chicken livers with pepper imagination with a focus on flavor and tex- relish, cornichon remoulade, and pepper ture. Dishes like fried pork belly wontons jack cheese ($15). are combined with Thousand Island dress- On the lighter side, there’s toast with avo- ing and house-made Serrano Sriracha ($8). cado and roasted tomato ($7) or with Di Stefano burrata, seasonal jam, and honey SHARED/LARGER PLATES AND SIDES ($11); “fraîche fruit,” mixed fruit with In keeping with the British theme, other nitro-infused crème fraîche and Pop Rocks shared plates include baby Yorkshire pud- ($6.50); or vegetable quiche with mixed dings with cheese foam and leek pow- vegetables and cheese ($13). der ($8), and bone marrow served on Many of Scotland Yard’s dinner dishes toast points with parsley, Dijon, and fennel are available at brunch, including the clam ($6). Dishes with a more international, chowder puff pie, ribs, burger, and salads. California-inspired theme include sirloin Mains are served with a choice of hash tartare with remoulade, mustard, quail egg, browns, fries or salad; bacon, house-made and Worcestershire sauce ($15); crispy tuna sausage, salad, and toast with jam are avail- ceviche tacos ($6); and pan-seared seafood able as sides. dumplings with golden pea sprouts and kaeshi sauce ($8). A kale Caesar salad with Scotland Yard is not for those counting poached egg, pickled turnips, cherry toma- calories or vegans, but it’s a fun spot to toes, and fried shallots; and a simple mixed indulge your Anglophile fantasies or just vegetable salad are available in small ($7) or enjoy sharing some hearty fare. entrée sizes ($12). Scotland Yard: 3232 Scott Street (btw. Larger plates include an indulgent bacon- Lombard & Chestnut), 415-872-6853, scot- brined pork chop with a Dijon-honey glaze landyardsf.com; Monday–Wednesday 4 ($14), Coca-Cola spareribs with toasted p.m.–midnight, Thursday 4 p.m.–1 a.m., almonds and cilantro ($7/26); and clam Friday–Saturday 4 p.m.–1:30 a.m., Sunday chowder puff pie with charred corn and 4–10 p.m.

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 13 Arts & Entertainment The Back Story Tony Serra: A lawyer greedy for life

by ernest beyl A life filled with passion, trou- ble and general sh**-kicking may or the past several be the best life to have, but proba- months, our attention bly only if you’re Tony Serra, wily has been riveted on the defense lawyer, generous sup- Fsensational drama of Raymond porter of perilous causes, devoted “Shrimp Boy” Chow, whose custodian of just about everyone attorney, Tony Serra, has been except himself. displaying a courtroom high- — San Francisco author wire act. Here is the backstory Herbert Gold

on Serra, the colorful defense Tony Serra is famous, but he never went for the gold. Photo: mike kepka attorney. EXHILARATING For its size, you might think TO BE A HIPPIE “But then I experienced anoth- Broadway. Finnochio’s, the city’s action groups — some of which that feisty San Francisco has had The bare bones of the Tony er romantic fallacy. I decided I long-gone female imperson- have resorted to violence — that more than its share of eccen- Serra story are these: would become a mafia lawyer. ator nightclub, once occupied jolt the minds of those in our tric, over-the-top lawyers. Silver- A native San Franciscan, Tony But I was disabused of that idea the space. Most law offices echo lock-step society. Black Panther tongued, sometimes gun-tot- excelled in high school and went by the Haight-Ashbury and the the severity and gravitas of the leader Huey Newton; the White ing, principled or unprincipled to Stanford University where Summer of Love. It was exhil- courtroom. Tony’s law office Panthers; the Hells Angels; Earth defenders of raw justice or book- he was a letterman athlete. He arating to be a hippie. There echoes a 1960s Haight-Ashbury First; the New World Liberation ish, law book, bookworms — majored in philosophy with a was free love and everyone was party pad. The psychedelic décor Front; the Symbionese Liberation have all paraded through the specialty in epistemology, no naked and that was exciting.” reflects Tony’s interests. There’s Army; and Brownie Mary, a legal history of the city. A few less. He recalls: “When I gradu- Middle Eastern and American champion of marijuana for rec- who come to mind are Vincent ated there was nowhere out there AN LSD SESSION Indian art on the walls along reational or medicinal purposes. Hallinan, Charles Garry, J. in the real world with jobs for AND A VOW OF POVERTY with drawings and paintings by Twice he has served prison Martin McGuiness, Melvin Belli, those who had studied episte- Serra passed the bar and began death row inmates. terms in California’s Lompoc Jake Erlich, Al Bendich, and Paul mology. I was from the so-called to practice law. He gravitated to So lawyer Tony Serra has Federal Prison Camp for his Halvonik — all courtroom brawl- upper lower class. My father unpopular causes and went on become a celebrity in our celebri- strong stance against paying ers for the downtrodden, to become one of the most ty-ridden culture. Books are writ- taxes, which he says go to sup- for the disenfranchised, famous defense lawyers of our ten about him. He also writes his port America’s wars. His method for the impoverished, and time — a demon for social own books and he has a new one of resistance? He does not file tax the marginalized. But of all When he graduated, there change through litigation. in the pipeline — “The Scaffold,” returns, which has landed him these legal drumbeaters, were no jobs for those But Serra adopted a curi- (Grizzly Peak Press) due out in in the slammer. He accepted his there’s one at the head of ous lifestyle. It was the life- April. A 1989 movie based on incarceration in good spirits and this parade. who studied epistemology. style of most of his clients. his life dealt with a Chinatown wound up advising inmates on He’s J. Tony Serra, “Early on in an LSD session murder case in which he won an their problems. perhaps the fiercest of these worked and put food on the I took a vow of poverty. I pledged acquittal for the defendant. “But And while Tony Serra has been courtroom fighters — and table. My family wanted all the never to capitalize on the practice it was butchered,” he says. defending lost causes, he has won perhaps also the most dedicat- good things in life — jobs and of law. I denounced capitalism, There are those observers of numerous awards from influential ed and most effective of them material manifestations of suc- private ownership of property and this celebrity culture who would law groups and received accolades all. He’s the guy you want to cess. But for some reason, this major business. I rejected probate refer to Tony Serra as kooky or from his legal peers. Recently, I defend you in the U.S. legal was absent in me and has been law that allows one generation to loopy. But they are only margin- asked Tony how long he planned system if you have a stagger- all my life. pass accumulated wealth to anoth- ally correct. If you had called to keep on truckin’ in the court- ing uphill fight, impossible or “But I was filled with what er generation. Tony Serra kooky or loopy in the room. He’s been at it for 50 years preposterous charges against we might call romantic fallacies. “Today I own nothing but old old days, you probably would with an uncanny degree of suc- you, and maybe face the rest So I took on the image of an clothes and artifacts. I have no have gotten into a fistfight with cess. “Well,” he said, “we all have of your life behind bars. Yes, Ernest Hemingway — an expat real property, no money in the him. These days — he’s 80 now different wicks in our candle, that would be Tony Serra — a who wanted to explore, experi- bank, no stocks, no trusts. I so I can’t really say. But I true legal maverick, law text- ence life, and write about the live from hand to mouth.” don’t abuse myself. I’m not book radical, and a battler, experience. So, logically to me at Serra’s clothes are sec- an alcoholic. But I acknowl- skilled in maneuvering in the that point, I took off for Tangier ondhand and comfort- ‘I’m greedy for life. edge that occasionally I get arcane, sometimes draconian to write poetry. I sat around in able. He drives old beat-up But when the time comes, zonked smoking a mild weed world of the American justice the cafes writing in my journal. cars that fall apart on him. for relaxation. I smoke for system. I became part of the scene. I Aren’t lawyers supposed to I want to die in court.’ sacramental purposes. But don’t take my word for it. dabbled in raw opium, kif, and get rich, wear bespoke suits, “I want to continue in the Here’s what some of his peers hashish. and drive Porsches? That’s not — he might just give you a lash- courtroom while I am of sound have to say about the man: “Then I realized that I wasn’t Tony Serra. ing with his sharp tongue. Or, he mind. I’m greedy. I’m greedy for Not since Clarence Darrow going to be a poet, at least not a might just use the occasion as a life. But when the time comes, has a trial lawyer attracted such good one. I had misguided myself LAWYER SERRA, jumping-off point to nail you on I want to die in the courtroom envious attention in court. Not with the romantic fallacy. So I THE CELEBRITY a point of legal logic. while having a heart attack as I’m since Byron has there been a came back to San Francisco and Tony Serra operates out of making my final arguments in more poetic, passionate defender went to law school at the University what he terms Pier 5 Law Offices NO TAX RETURNS a case — and my client will be of liberty. of California in Berkeley where — not on the Embarcadero’s Pier Over the years, Tony Serra acquitted.” — San Francisco attorney I became heavily involved in the 5 anymore, but now in a large has defended a wide range of John Keker free speech movement. open space in North Beach on individuals, causes, and direct E-mail: [email protected]

Sound Art map in the 1990s, and she’s been an award- other people present affect an individual’s “We are delighted to present Janet Cardiff’s continued from page 1 winning artist ever since. sensory relationship to the exhibit that remarkable masterpiece. This entrancing work “Cardiff’s address of the audience as a can’t possibly be re-created. This relation- has a legacy of inspiring audiences in settings the entire chorus based on where they single person, free to move on stage, is ship to disembodied human voices in real ranging from the spare to the sacred,” said are standing. part of what makes her work so emotion- time, in this context, is public, personal, Rich Hillis, executive director of Fort Mason Cardiff insists that sound is sculpture. ally intense,” says Rudolf Frieling, curator and unique each time. Center for Arts & Culture. “Experiencing Born in Canada and currently living in of media arts at SFMOMA. “She creates Among Cardiff’s public and private col- a 400-year-old motet in this historic space, British Columbia, Cardiff began study- a one-to-one relationship between the lis- lections are two audio and visual works within view of the San Francisco Bay, will be ing photography and printmaking before tener and a human voice that’s very inti- commissioned by SFMOMA. Chiaroscuro a powerful addition to that legacy.” embarking on her career in immersive mate, even in a public setting.” 1 (1997) was created for the exhibition multimedia works that have been cele- The public setting contributes to a one- Present Tense: Nine Artists in the Nineties, Sharon Anderson is an artist and writer in brated around the world. Her site-specific of-a-kind experience. The space, the time and The Telephone Call (2001), featured in Southern California. She can be reached at audio walks first put her on the art world of day, and the sounds and movements of 010101: Art in Technological Times. mindtheimage.com.

14 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Michael Snyder on ... Film Revisiting the best movies of 2015 by michael snyder gating her way through 1950s Brooklyn? Eilis (a winsome and touching Saoirse new year dawns, and for me Ronan) comes to the United States to make that brings the requisite reflection a life for herself independent from her on the events of the previous year. family back home. But even a love connec- AIn the case of this column, that would tion with a kind, earnest Italian-American mean the highs and lows in cinema dur- suitor (Emory Cohen) may not be enough ing 2015. And true to my annual apprais- to break her away from her roots. Novelist- als, I’ve compiled a list (in alphabetical screenwriter Nick Hornby (of High Fidelity order) of my favorite English-language, and An Education fame) wrote the delight- live-action movies released in the past 12 ful, emotionally resonant script based on months. These narrative features are cer- Colm Tóibín’s book. The result is a sweet, tainly among the best of the year, and the gentle love story with fine period detail and ones I enjoyed the most. a cast (including Domhnall Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Julie Walters) that sells the ‘BEASTS OF NO NATION’ whole thing. This violent, disturbing, and heartbreak- ing drama follows the perilous journey of ‘THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL’ Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil One of the breakout performances of 2015 war of an unnamed West African country gives heart and soul to this coming-of-age Emory Cohen and Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn. Photo: © wildgaze films as part of a unit of conscripted children. story set in San Francisco in the mid-1970s Most of the kids are orphaned by callous and shot on location by first-time director presence of self-awareness — only the ‘SPOTLIGHT’ slaughter in their home villages, then they’re Marielle Heller. Based on the 2002 graph- A.I. comes in the form of a very realistic- Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, and turned into weapons by the mercenaries ic novel-memoir by Phoebe Gloeckner, looking and behaving female-identified Rachel McAdams star as a trio of cru- behind that devastation. The commander of it introduces Minnie — a bright, sensi- robot (Alicia Vikander). Tense, starkly sading journalists at the forefront the unit is a cruel bastard played to the hilt tive, artistic, beleaguered “ugly duckling” beautiful, and made all the more vivid by of the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize- by Idris Elba in a complex and chilling per- about to bloom — and provides a stunning seamless, subtle, believable special effects, winning investigation into the Catholic formance. Writer-director Cary Fukunaga showcase for Bel Powley, the young actress it’s the most astute movie I’ve encoun- Archdiocese after a wave of child moles- does an impressive job in bringing this who plays her. Powley is British, but her tered that deals with the issues and reper- tation allegations that may have inspired rough tale to the screen, dramatizing a real American accent and attitude are spot-on, cussions of A.I. and technology possibly a subsequent cover-up. Filmmaker Tom tragedy facing hordes of youngsters in war- and she dominates the movie, although well outgrowing its creators. Hooper has created a powerful, deeply torn Third World territories. supported by Kristen Wiig as Minnie’s feck- affecting fact-based human drama with less single mom, Alexander Skarsgård as ‘ROOM’ superb contributions from every cast ‘THE BIG SHORT’ the mother’s handsome, cavalier boyfriend, Dark, deep, and intimate, this is a small- member. The supporting actors are as It’s hard to believe that Adam McKay — and Christopher Meloni as Minnie’s father. scale drama with big payoffs. It traces good as the three leads, and that would director of the Anchorman movies and other This isn’t a girl’s awakening to womanhood the journey of a young mother and her be very, very good. Standouts include silly Will Ferrell comedies — is behind an as viewed through a gauzy nostalgic filter, 5-year-old son who have been tragically Liev Schreiber as the Globe’s new edi- endlessly fascinating look at a handful of nor is it romanticized in any way. It doesn’t closed off from the world for the child’s tor and Stanley Tucci as a dedicated prescient but derided brokers and specu- dance around issues of teen sexuality, nor is entire life. Ma is caring, diligent, and ded- though difficult lawyer trying to help lators who predicted the housing, mort- it exploitive. It’s just honest, sharp, moving, icated to her little Jack, doing whatever the victims who have been marginal- gage, and banking crisis that triggered the and totally engaging. she can to make his life easy and secure ized or may have been bought off by 2008 recession. But he’s at the helm of this in their tiny, claustrophobic living space. the church. crackling docucomedy that benefits from an ‘EX MACHINA’ Suddenly, their circumstances change in inspired script peppered with pointed wit, Director and screenwriter Alex radical fashion, and they will have to Read this column online at marinatimes.com and note-perfect casting and performances Garland’s thrilling, thought-provoking, adjust. Brie Larson as the mother does for a list of additional fine films of 2015. down to the smallest cameo. Clever, infor- and ultimately scary sci-fi adventure deals phenomenal work that takes her burgeon- mative, exciting, and funny with standout with the possibility of sentience in lifelike ing career to new heights, and little Jacob Michael Snyder is a print and broad- work from Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan robots. The multibillionaire founder-guru Tremblay who plays Jack is a wonder. Joan cast journalist who covers pop cul- Gosling, and Brad Pitt, it’s a total win for (Oscar Isaac) of a worldwide info-gather- Allen and William H. Macy are typically ture on KPFK/Pacifica Radio’s David McKay, who also co-wrote the screenplay. ing search engine welcomes an underling reliable as Jack’s grandparents, who have Feldman Show and Thom Hartmann (Domhnall Gleeson) to the CEO’s remote been through quite a trial themselves. Show and on Michael Snyder’s Culture ‘BROOKLYN’ hideaway and invites the code monkey Adroitly directed by Lenny Abrahamson Blast, via GABnet.net, Roku, and How about a charming, romantic period to check out the company’s new artifi- and tenderly adapted for the screen by YouTube. You can follow Michael on drama about a young Irish immigrant navi- cial intelligence program and test for the Emma Donoghue from her novel. Twitter: @cultureblaster.

The Best of Books Flying off the shelves Best-selling at Books Inc. compiled by brian pettus Anti-Stress Art Therapy The Red Storm: A Mystery, for Busy People, by Emma by Grant Bywaters Books Inc. best-seller list Farrarons (paperback) Winner of numerous awards, 1. 111 Places in San Francisco 9. The Conquering Tide: War this debut private-eye mystery That You Must Not Miss, in the Pacific Islands, 1942– follows a former heavyweight by Floriana Peterson 1944 (Pacific War Trilogy), champion turned P.I. through (paperback) by Ian W. Toll (hardcover) 1930s New Orleans. Laced with 2. City of Thieves, by David 10. The Boys in the Boat: Nine hard-boiled fun along with an Benioff (paperback) Americans and Their Epic unflinching look at race rela- 3. The Sense of an Ending, by Quest for Gold at the 1936 tions, this is a good read for Julian Barnes (paperback) Berlin Olympics, by Daniel mystery fans. 4. The Tender Bar: A Memoir, Brown (paperback) by J.R. Moehringer Better than Before: What I (paperback) HOT NEW TITLES FOR 2016 Learned About Making and 5. All the Light We Cannot See, Breaking Habits, by Anthony Doerr (hard- The Relic Master: A Novel, by Gretchen Rubin cover) by Christopher Buckley New from the author of The 6. Animal Kingdom: Color Me, In a heist caper set in the Happiness Project, this book Draw Me (Millie Marotta 16th century and surrounding follows that vein with lessons Adult Coloring Book an attempt to steal the Shroud gleaned from her attempts to How not to Die: Discover the with preventative measures you Series), by Millie Marotta of Turin, Buckley brings his become happier. Her breezy, Foods Scientifically Proven to can take to help you and your fam- (paperback) acerbic wit and keen eye for fun style and matter-of-fact Prevent and Reverse Disease, ily live longer, more healthful lives. 7. My Brilliant Friend, by Elena character to a new style, and demeanor make this book on by Michael Greger Ferrante (paperback) the result is massively fun for self-control, discipline, and The latest self-help tome that Brian Pettis is the manager of 8. Mindfulness Coloring Book: mystery and fiction lovers alike. happiness a joy to read. already has been a quick seller Books Inc. in the Marina.

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 15 Calendar

Dance Brigade: D.I.R.T. — Dance in Revolt(ing) Times Fri–Sat, Jan. 23-Feb. 7 Dance Mission Theater (3316 24th St.) January Events Four different programs will ask the question, what happens when artists gather in revolt? $22–$25, w h at n o t t o m i s s t h i s m o n t h 415-826-4441, dancemission.com

MAJOR EVENTS LAST CHANCE MUSEUMS MUSIC Cavalia: Odysseo & GALLERIES Itzhak Perlman Plays Beethoven Sat.–Sun., Jan. 9–10 Tue.–Sun. through Jan. 10 Sublime Beauty: Raphael’s White Big Top, AT&T Park (74 Mission Rock St.) “Portrait of a Lady with a Unicorn” Davies Symphony Hall One of the greatest violinist virtuosos of our time Odysseo marries the equestrian arts, stage arts, Tue.–Sun., Jan. 9–April 10, 9:30 a.m.– and high-tech theatrical effects with 65 horses and performs Beethoven’s sweet, lyrical Romances for 45 artists on a journey in a world of dreams where, 5:15 p.m. violin. $56–155, 415-864-6000, sfsymphony.org together, they discover some of the planet’s most Legion of Honor unforgettable landscapes. $44.50–$154.50 (VIP This focused exhibition features one of Raphael’s Bill Graham’s 85th Birthday Bash most beguiling and enigmatic paintings presented packages available), cavalia.net Disney and Dali: with Todd Rundgren for the first time in the United States. $10, 415-760- Thursday, Jan. 14, 7 p.m. Architects of the Imagination 3600, famsf.org Shen Yun Performing Arts The Fillmore Tue.–Sun., Jan. 5–10 Daily through Jan. 3, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mel Shaw: An Animator on Horseback Songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording art- War Memorial Opera House ist, and more, Rundgren has made a lasting impact Walt Disney Family Museum Daily, Jan. 13–Sept. 12, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Don’t miss this spectacular colorful and exhilarat- This interactive multimedia experience showcases on both the form and content of popular music. Walt Disney Family Museum ing performance of classical Chinese dance and two vastly different icons who were drawn to each Benefits the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation. This retrospective of the artist and storyteller fea- music. $60–$300, 888-974-3698, shenyun.com other through their unique personalities, mutual $42.50, 800-745-3000, thefillmore.com tures more than 120 works, including caricature admiration, and collaboration on the animated sketches, storyboards, and conceptual artwork 15th Annual Sketchfest short Destino. $20, 415-345-6800, waltdisney.org Chris Botti stretching from Fantasia to The Lion King. $20, Tue.–Sun., Jan. 7–24 Photo: waltdisney.org Thu–Sun, Jan. 19–24 415-345-6800, waltdisney.org Various S.F. venues SFJazz (201 Franklin St.) This nationally recognized comedy festival mixes S.F. Playhouse: Stage Kiss Don’t miss this trumpet superstar and the world’s hundreds of national headliners, local favorites, top-selling jazz instrumentalist who has collabo- Tue.–Sun. through Jan. 9 and the best up-and-coming groups from through- THEATER rated with everyone from Yo-Yo Ma and Herbie out North America for sketch, improv, stand-up, 450 Post St. (in the Kensington Park Hotel) Hancock to Paul Simon and Sting. $55–$130, and alternative comedy. sfsketchfest.com This semi-romantic comedy delivers the laughs, ACT: Satchmo at the Waldorf 866-920-5299, sfjazz.org tripping lightly through a playground of desire Tue.–Sun., Jan. 13–Feb. 7 and sexual fantasy. $15–$125, 415-677-9596, FOG Design+Art Fair 405 Geary St. Alexander Jean featuring Mark Ballas sfplayhouse.org Preview Gala: Wednesday, Jan. 13 This richly imagined biographical one-man show Fri–Sat, Jan. 22–23, 8 p.m. Thu.–Sun., Jan. 14–17, 11 a.m. features a collision between two jazz titans, Feinstein’s at the Nikko (222 Mason St.) Ancient Luxury and the Roman Silver Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. $20–$160, Emmy-nominated, singer songwriter Mark Ballas Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center Treasure from Berthouville This fair features prominent 20th-century and con- 415-749-2228, act-sf.org has been captivating viewers on Dancing with temporary design dealers; a selection of lead- Tue.–Sun. through Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.– the Stars for the past seven years; singer-song- ing modern and contemporary art galleries; and 5:15 p.m. writer BC Jean is his girlfriend, and together 21POP, a special pop-up shop created by cel- Legion of Honor they are Alexander Jean performing pop-rock- ebrated designer Stanlee Gatti; plus a sit-down Discovered in a field in Normandy, these silver-gilt soul à la Alicia Keyes. $55–$75, 866-777-8932, restaurant by the award-winning chefs Michael and statuettes and vessels were deliberately buried hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx, ticketweb.com Lindsay Tusk of Cotogna and Quince. Proceeds during antiquity and date to the first or second benefit SFMOMA. $20–$25 (fair), $175 & up (gala); century AD. $15, 415-760-3600, famsf.org 415-551-5190, fogfair.com Breguet: Art and Innovation in Watchmaking NIGHTLIFE S.F. Restaurant Week Tue.–Sun. through Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.– Wooden Wisdom: Daily, Jan. 20–31 5:15 p.m. Elijah Wood and Zach Cowie Various S.F. restaurants Legion of Honor Friday, Jan 15, 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Dine at over 125 of your favorite restaurants offer- This exhibition explores the history of the watch S.F. Playhouse: The Nether Harlot (46 Minna St.) ing two-course lunches for $15 and 25, three-course and clock maker Breguet, which from its begin- Elijah Wood (known as DJ Frodo, for you film fans) dinners for $40 and $65. A portion of proceeds ben- nings in 1775 Paris, advanced such technical devel- Tue.–Sun., Jan. 19–March 5 and Zach Cowie bring their five-city Wooden Wisdom efits the 50 Fund. Check website for participating opments as the self-winding watch, the first wrist- Kensington Park Hotel (450 Post St.) tour to San Francisco and play an all-vinyl set up-close restaurants. 415-781-5348, sfrestaurantweek.com watch, the repeating mechanism, and, most nota- This serpentine crime drama and haunting sci-fi and personal. $10–$20, 415-244-4222, harlotsf.com bly, the tourbillon — a revolutionary movement thriller explores the consequences of living out that neutralizes the negative effects of gravity on S.F. Ballet 2016 Opening Night Gala: our private dreams in a virtual wonderland of Dreamstate SF Infinite Romance pocket watches. $15, 415-760-3600, famsf.org total sensory immersion. $15–$125, 415-677- Sat.–Mon., Jan. 16–18, 5 p.m.–1 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 5 p.m. 9596, sfplayhouse.com Bill Graham Civic Auditorium City Hall & War Memorial Opera House Jewel City: Art from San Francisco’s Photo: Jeffrey Adams / sfplayhouse.com Panama-Pacific International Exposition This multiday trance event features Cosmic Gate, Start with an elegant cocktail reception and dinner at Paul Oakenfold, Aly & Fila, Bryan Kearney, Markus City Hall, then head to the Opera House for free pro- Tue.–Sun. through Jan. 10, 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m. Jersey Boys Schulz, and others. Ages 18 plus, $140–$150, secco followed by a performance, then head back to M.H. deYoung Museum Tue.–Sun., Jan. 20–Feb. 14 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com City Hall for an after party and mingle with ballet danc- This landmark exhibition reassembles more than Orpheum Theatre ers while enjoying live music, dancing, complimentary 200 works by major American and European art- This award-winning musical tells the true story of Kaluki Music: Eats Everything cocktails, refreshments, and desserts. $1,250 (additional ists, most of which were on display at this defining how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 p.m. ticket options available), 415-865-2000, sfballet.org event. $25, 415-750-3600, famsf.org side of the tracks became one of the biggest Mezzanine (444 Jessie St.) Neil Folberg: Celestial Nights American pop music sensations of all time — Eats Everything, Patrick Topping, and Pirate Copy are Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. $45–$212, featured in this electronic music party from Kaluki Musik. Wed.–Sun. through Jan. 21, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 888-746-1799, shnsf.com Ages 21 plus, $20, 415-625-8880, mezzaninesf.com The Dryansky Gallery (2120 Union St.) This exhibition from S.F. native and UC Berkeley grad- Shatner’s World uate, who studied with Ansel Adams, merges the land Saturday, Jan. 30, 8 p.m. of Israel and the Sinai Desert with the awe-inspiring FILMS & LECTURES The Warfield beauty of the cosmos, conveying a universal spiritual Through anecdotes, songs, jokes, and even message. Free, 415-932-9302, thedryansky.com William Perry: A Personal Journey to some poignant moments, audiences will expe- Reduce the Nuclear Threat rience Shatner’s path from classically trained Thursday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. Shakespearean actor to cultural icon, brilliantly COMMUNITY CORNER creating the most important character he has The Commonwealth Club (555 Post St.) 16th Annual Edwardian Ball ever played … William Shatner. $39.50–$180, The former U.S. Defense Secretary has been at Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 888-929-7849, thewarfieldtheatre.com the center of defense and national security issues Fri.–Sat., Jan. 22–23 Monday, Jan. 18 for decades, including as an early Silicon Valley entrepreneur who pioneered tech for understand- Regency Ballroom Golden Gate National Park locations ing the Soviet nuclear arsenal. Today, he is working This description-defying, high camp, whimsical Commemorate MLK day in family-friendly events DANCE to remove all nuclear weapons from the world. and surrealistic two-day festival is a living inter- to help grow and restore cherished natural park- $7–$50, 415-597-6705, commonwealthclub.org pretation and celebration of the stories of the lands. Registration required; visit website to sign up late macabre cult author, comic artist, illustrator Forever Tango for project details as they become available. Free, Sat.–Thu. through Jan. 10 and cartoonist Edward Gorey. $60 (additional 415-561-3077, [email protected], Herbst Theatre ticket options available), edwardianball.com parksconservancy.gov Photo: Marco Sanchez This show celebrates the passionate music and dance of Argentina, with six world-class Argentine Tango couples (plus guests from Dancing with the 8th Annual SF Beer Week GALAS & BENEFITS Stars), a traditional Argentine 1930s-style vocalist Opening Gala: Friday, Jan. 22, 6–10 p.m. and an 11-piece orchestra featuring the ban- Pier 35 6th Annual the Science of Cocktails doneón, a 19th-century German accordion. $25– Berlin & Beyond Daily, Jan. 23–31 Friday, Jan. 22, 9 p.m.–midnight $125, 415-392-4400, forevertango.org Various Bay Area locations Exploratorium (Pier 15) Thu.–Sun., Jan. 14–17 Join the kickoff party featuring over 100 breweries Enjoy an evening that mixes the artistry of craft Company Wayne McGregor: Atomos Castro Theatre for the largest, most anticipated and prestigious cocktails with the science behind the beverage. Thu.–Sat., Jan. 14–16, 7:30 p.m. The 20th anniversary film festival is the largest U.S. annual gathering of the Northern California craft Includes open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and special YBCA Theater showing of German films, and it’s based right here in beer community: a nine-day marathon of beer cocktail-related activities, demonstrations, and The boundary-blurring choreographer presents a San Francisco since 1996. Check website for schedule dinners, tastings, tap takeovers and educational programs. Proceeds benefit the Exploratorium’s work that features sculptural, rigorous movement and prices, 415-263-8763, goethe.de/berlinbeyond events. Visit the website for locations and pricing. education programs. $120–$215, 415-528-4444, with a jarring and hauntingly lyrical edge. $40–$65, Photo: © Barefoot Films GmbH $80 (gala), sfbeerweek.org cocktails.exploratorium.edu 415-392-2545, sfperformances.org

16 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Feathers of Fire Sat.–Mon., Jan. 16–18 Cowell Theater, Fort Mason Center This action-packed, cinematic shadow play tells a magical story of star-crossed lovers, based on Shahnameh, a 10th century classic Persian epic Noir City 14: The Art of Darkness legend, and features over 140 colorful shadow puppets, performers in elaborate masks and cos- Daily, Jan. 22–31 tumes, and spectacular digitally animated back- Castro Theatre grounds. $10–$45, 415-345-7500, fortmason.org The name says it all: A film festival devoted to film noir. Check website for schedule and MLK Day March and Festival prices, noircity.com Photo: © paramount pictures Monday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. Yerba Buena Gardens & YBCA Joyce Carol Oates Visit the gardens and surrounding museums for a full day of remembrance and activities. Program Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. includes the annual march/parade, MLK Dream Nourse Theater (275 Hayes St.) address and program, a children’s reading festival, Super Bowl City. Photo: SB Committee, inc. Noted author Joyce Carol Oates will talk about her and more. Free, including admission to area muse- work and career in a discussion with former U.S. Poet Almost lost amid all of the hype and Laureate Robert Hass. $29, 415-392-4400, cityarts.net ums, 415-691-6212, sfmlkday.org Super Bowl continued from page 1 player storyline dramas that will fill the national media leading up to the big SCIENCE & SPORTS & HEALTH ones still smarting over their football game is the fact that the Super Bowl team moving to the suburbs. Here are is an athletic competition. So you can ENVIRONMENT Optimal Health Retreat: the highlights of the month leading up get into the true spirit by kicking off How-To Nightlife Jump Start the New Year to Super Bowl 50. your involvement with the Run the Thursday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Road to Super Bowl 50 (Sunday, Jan. California Academy of Sciences Cavallo Point Healing Arts Center & Spa (601 FREE FAMILY STUFF 10, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara). This Explore a collection of how-to workshops, dem- Murray Circle, Fort Baker) Super Bowl City is a free fan village will include a 10K, 5K, and Kids Run, onstrations, and more. Ages 21 plus, $10–$12, Led by two renowned wellness experts, this based in Justin Herman Plaza downtown. with registration prices of $20–$75; the 415-371-8000, calacademy.org empowering retreat shares mind, body and spirit It is designed to be fun for people of all earlier you sign up, the cheaper it is practices to improve mental focus, energy, vital- ages and family appropriate. (See Liz (runsb50.com). Full-Spectrum Science with ity, immunity, and emotional intelligence. $250, Farrell’s report on family-friendly Super Also worth the trip is Gridiron Ron Hipschman: Radioactivity 415-339-4777, cavallopoint.com Sunday, Jan. 24, 1 & 3 p.m. Bowl activities on page 19.) Interactive Glory: The Best of the Pro Football games, food, and more will help locals Hall of Fame exhibit (Monday–Sunday, The Exploratorium (Pier 15) The Paleovedic Diet Scientist Ron Hipschman takes you inside an and out-of-town guests celebrate the Jan. 18–Feb. 7, Triton Museum of Art, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6–7:30 p.m. atom’s nucleus to find out how it sends out 50th Super Bowl, and NFL Network and 1505 Warburton, Santa Clara). In this radiation, and he explains the facts of life about S.F. Main Library CBS will be broadcasting live from Super free exhibit, learn about the birth of the Dr. Akil Palanisamy from the Institute for Health & radiation. Free with museum admission ($29), Bowl City (sfbaysuperbowl.com). NFL and how the game evolved, famous 415-528-4444, exploratorium.edu Healing talks about his new book, which blends Paleo with Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old traditional moments from the past, great players Health and Hope from the Ocean holistic healing system of India, with the latest NFL IMMERSION EXPERIENCE including Joe Montana and Bart Starr, Depths to the Mountain Tops research in nutrition and medicine to present a Show me a football fan, and I’ll show dynasties, football’s interaction with social Tuesday, Jan. 26, 6 p.m. comprehensive roadmap to optimal health. Free, you someone who probably has dreamed trends in the country, and more, many in The Commonwealth Club (555 Post St.) 415-557-4400, sfpl.org of playing in the NFL since he or she interactive features. (tritonmuseum.org) Green Science Policy Institute Executive Director was a child. They can get a taste of that Arlene Blum and activist Liz Cunningham share Yoga Journal Live at the NFL Experience (Saturday, Jan. PARTY ON, GARTH their worldwide adventures and the environmental Thu–Mon, Jan. 15–18 Political commentator George Will once lessons they have learned along the way. $7–$20, 30 through Sunday, Feb. 7, Moscone Hyatt Regency (5 Embarcadero Cntr.) 415-597-6705, commonwealthclub.org Center). For an entry fee of $25 for quipped that baseball is what America If yoga’s your thing, this is the place to be with children and $35 for adults, fans will likes to think it is, and football is what it nearly 40 master yoga teachers and presenters be able to try kicking a field goal, learn really is. Will, of course, is a well-known who will help you flow your way into the new year. a lot of history of the game, get their baseball aficionado, so he is biased. But POTABLES & EDIBLES Choose from all-day yoga intensives, a free mar- ketplace, and more. $80–$1,050, 800-561-9398, photo taken with the Vince Lombardi football — and in particular the National Healthy Cooking for the New Year yjevents.com Trophy, set the youngest loose in the Football League and its annual celebration Saturday, Jan. 2, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m. Play 60 Zone, and spend even more of excess in February — also serves as an Sur la Table (2224 Union St.) Maintain Your Brain: Memory and Aging money at the NFL shop (superbowl.com excuse to indulge in America’s other great Take a break from holiday indulging and treat your and ticketmaster.com). pastime: partying. family to deliciously healthful meals they’ll love. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2:30–4 p.m. $69, 800-243-0852, surlatable.com Level A Conf. Rm., CPMC (2333 Buchanan St.) For many people, football cuisine Just as the Vanity Fair party is a high- Learn how brain health contributes to overall cog- is associated with hot dogs, expen- light of the Academy Awards postpro- Good Food Marketplace nition and behavior. The latest in diagnosis, treat- sive beers, and nachos. If they’re lucky, gram events, so have Rolling Stone and Sunday, Jan. 17 ment, research, and technology will be discussed they might have experienced some Playboy magazines made the Super Bowl Herbst Pavilion, Fort Mason Center for various conditions, including memory loss, great barbecue at a tailgate party. But their Party Central. Taste and buy items from more than 80 Good early dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. $10 sug- Michael Mina is seeking to change that Music and culture magazine Rolling Food Award winners from across the country in gested donation, 415-923-3155, cpmc.org by teaming up with the NFL and the Stone was founded in San Francisco, 13 culinary categories and enjoy being part of a culinary community. $5–$20, goodfoodawards.org NFL Foundation for On the Fifty: before it headed off to the tempting bright A Charitable Dining Experience lights of New York. The magazine will Art of the Modern Drink JUST FOR FUN (Monday–Sunday, Feb. 1–7, for lunch toast the NFL championship game with a Wednesday, Jan. 27, 5:30–8 p.m. and dinner service, RN74, 301 Mission Saturday, Feb. 6 party at the San Francisco Grand Hall, Ferry Building 26th Anniversary of the Sea Lions’ Arrival Street, San Francisco). The menu will Design Center’s The Galleria. The tickets, At this Winter Cocktails of the Farmers Market Daily, Jan. 15–19, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. feature RN74’s lineup, with added foot- which start at a paltry $1,400 and rise to series, Cocktail as Canvas with a Modern Twist, Pier 39 ball touches. Guests will be able to $23,000 for a table of 10, will get you into bartenders re-envision modern works of art as drink- Watch these playful pinnipeds as they lounge on bid on NFL memorabilia and packag- the party with football celebrities, perfor- able masterpieces in a special collaboration with K-Dock, where naturalists from Aquarium of the SFMOMA in anticipation of the museum’s reopen- Bay will also be, weather permitting. Check out es, including a VIP experience at the mances, five-hour open bar, and more ing in spring 2016. $60–$65, 415-291-3276, cuesa.org the sea lion center, take a seal lion encounter Super Bowl itself; proceeds support NFL (brandedconciergeservices.com). walking tour (noon, 2 & 4 p.m.), and make the sea Foundation’s charities (415-543-7474, Playboy is known for holding a big Presidio Wine Seminar: Sustainable, lion pledge. Free, 415-262-4734, sealioncenter.org, michaelmina.net/restaurants/san-fran celebrity-filled party the Friday of Organic, Biodynamic – What’s the Deal? pier39.com cisco-bay-area/rn74/). Super Bowl weekend. We’ve never been Wednesday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like invited, but we know there are lots of Presidio Cafe (300 Finley Rd.) 1850s San Francisco: Paris of the Pacific More producers are changing the way they grow to participate in a Super Bowl, you can big-name athletes, bunnies, and prob- and make their wines, resulting in a variety of new Saturday, Jan. 9, 1:30 p.m. hear from some University of the Pacific ably really good food and drink. If you certifications and labeling. What does it all mean? Meet: Pyramid Building (Clay & Montgomery Sts.) alums who have done just that at Presidio get to go to the party, might we sug- Learn these different terms, how wines grown with Gold Rush San Francisco had a large population Dialogues (Thursday, Jan. 28, 6–7 p.m., gest you ask Hef to explain the influ- these labels impact the environment, and then of French Parisians. Their influence, abilities, and Presideio Officers’ Club; eventbrite.com). ence of Martin Heidegger on philoso- taste to see if you can discern a difference. $25, taste for the finer things of life helped the city If you are up for a bit of a drive or pher Jean Paul Sartre as described in reservations required, [email protected], to blossom almost overnight from the mud of Caltrain ride, former 49ers head coach Sartre’s 1965 Playboy Interview. Then presidiocafe.com Yerba Buena Cove into a sophisticated, cosmopol- itan city. Free (donations welcome), 415-557-4266, George Seifert, Hall of Fame 49er cor- hit the buffet (Friday, Feb. 5, 9 p.m. to CHILD’S PLAY sfcityguides.org nerback Ronnie Lott, and other speak- 2 a.m., San Francisco location TBA, ers will take part in a program of the supersundayhq.com). Family Movie Night: McFarland Calendar listings Institute of Sports Law and Ethics You can of course ignore the paparazzi Friday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m. (Tuesday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m., Santa Clara and the bunnies and hold your own Super Presidio YMCA (63 Funston Ave.) Send your event listings to [email protected] University, the Leavey Center, 500 El Bowl party, inviting only the people you Come early for the food trucks at 6 p.m. and car- with succinct specifics about your event, loca- Camino Real, Santa Clara). They’ll talk want and treating them all to the big game toons at 6:30 p.m. before the Walt Disney movie tion, dates, times, prices, and contact informa- about the contributions made by sports to on your widescreen television. based on the true story of the 1987 cross country tion (telephone and Internet). team starring Kevin Costner who leads the team leadership, life skills, ethics, and values. to the state championship. Free, 415-561-5300, (sfbaysuperbowl.com). E-mail: [email protected] Visit marinatimes.com for additional calendar listings. presidio.org

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 17 Wellness

Fitness First Measure by measure

Fitbit is one popular brand of fitness tracker. photo: fitbit Start the new year right: Keep your fitness plan on track by julie mitchell with strength exercises events such as running, that can include squats, skiing, or bike races. f you’re thinking of lunges, holding planks, Functional fitness, starting off 2016 with and yes, push-ups, is an which involves workouts a new workout or extremely efficient way to where the moves replicate Imaybe just adding a little work out. actual physical activities zip to your routine, here’s Still popular for 2016 is from our daily lives, like a tip directly from the High-intensity Interval bending down to pick up a American College of Sports Training (HIT), which bag of groceries or keeping Medicine’s 10th annual involves short bursts of your spine straight while worldwide fitness trends high-intensity exercise fol- sitting at a desk, remains a PAINT RECYCLING forecast for 2016: Wear it. lowed by short periods of popular trend. The survey polled more rest. An entire HIT work- These exercises are par- than 2,800 health and fit- out that incorporates both ticularly good for seniors, MADE ness professionals around aerobic and strength train- and developing fitness easy the world who looked at 40 ing can take as little as programs for older adults potential possible trends. 30 minutes. is trend number eight. The Here are the top 10: Strength training, which ever-increasing number of Do you know where to recycle paint? Fitness trackers, which can mean using weight aging boomers has trig- There are over 750 PaintCare locations in measure steps taken along machines, resistance tub- gered the rise of fit and California where households and businesses with user data to calculate ing, free weights, or a active older adults. Not can take any brand of old paint, stain distance walked, calories mix of all three, remains only is functional fitness and varnish all year-round. (It’s free.) burned, floors climbed, popular. Health and fit- good for this demograph- One of our new locations is nearby: and activity duration and ness professionals say that ic, but other safe work- intensity, is the number one weight training should be out programs that run ORCHARD SUPPLY HARDWARE trend in fitness this the gamut from 2598 Taylor Street year. According to strength training survey author Walter to community cen- San Francisco, CA 94133 R. Thompson, Ph.D., Yoga, while retaining ter and gym exer- (415) 563-8016 quoted in Shape mag- its popularity, has cise classes to team azine, “Tech devices sports are a great All PaintCare locations accept up to 5 gallons per visit. are now central to our way for seniors to (Some take even more.) Please call ahead to confirm fallen slightly. daily lives and have stay healthy and business hours and ask if they can accept the type and amount of paint you have to recycle. Leaking, unlabeled changed the way we plan part of everyone’s workout create a social network of and empty containers are not accepted. and manage our workouts. because it helps to melt like-minded friends. Wearable devices also pro- calories and builds lean Exercise and weight www.paintcare.org vide immediate feedback muscle mass while pro- loss is another trend for • (855) 724-6809 that can make the wearer tecting bone strength. 2016. Physicians have more aware of their activ- The ACSM survey also long contended that the ity and can motivate the found that more fitness only healthy way to lose user to achieve their fit- buffs are turning to edu- extra pounds and keep ness goals.” cated, certified fitness them off is a combination Tech experts say that professionals. If you’re of restricting calories and the best fitness trackers thinking about going being active. TM are those that monitor back to school, now is the Finally, yoga, while your workouts and display time to get a degree in retaining its popular- information about your personal fitness therapy, ity has fallen slightly on activity on your smart exercise science, or exer- the list to the number 10 A weekly insider e-column phone or the device itself. cise physiology; commu- spot. There are enough Fitbit has several mod- nity colleges and universi- styles of yoga to accom- els, and other popular ties are offering more and modate anyone, from packed with SF restaurant wearable devoice makers more programs accred- Bikram to ashtanga and include Garmin, Jawbone ited by the Commission vinyassa, and even power and bar news, reviews, and of course, the of Accreditation of yoga, which incorporates Apple watch. Allied Health Education strength training with and culinary happenings. Fitness trackers beat Programs. traditional yoga moves to out last year’s top trend, Related to the rise in cer- make a power class more bodyweight training. Body- tified fitness professionals of a total body workout weight training uses mini- is another trend: personal rather than a Zen-like mal equipment, making it training. Almost all gyms practice. convenient, affordable offer one-on-one, custom- Whatever workout you Subscribe (for free!) and available to all. While ized training, and there select and however you you may think that this are qualified, personal monitor your fitness pro- at tablehopper.com kind of workout is lim- trainers who will come to gram whether it’s track- ited to push-ups and pull- your home or meet you ing steps or pumping iron, ups, fitness experts point for an outdoor workout. exercise is one of the most out that circuit training, This is an excellent way healthful ways to ring in involving a cardio work- to breathe fresh life into the new year. out such as jogging or a style fitness routine or jumping jacks combined to get ready for specific E-mail: [email protected]

18 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Family

Caring for Our Kids The big game

Lots of room for families at the NFL Experience. photo: sfbaysuperbowl.com 1 2 3 PLAY! Super Bowl fun in the city Little Bears classes start January 11 bluebearmusic.org/littlebears by liz farrell touchdown pass or kicking the win- ning field goal. After you have worn e are lucky fans here in them out, grab your camera and head the Bay Area. In the last to the NFL Draft set, which is an exact Blue Bear School of Music few years, we have witnessed replica of the real thing. Here, kids (and Wthree World Series titles from the Giants parents) can pose with their team’s jer- Helping you channel your inner rock star since 1971 and more recently an unprecedented sey and take pictures pretending they Adults • Kids • Toddlers • All Instuments • All Levels winning streak from the Golden State have just been drafted. You can also Warriors. San Francisco loves its sports, and it is difficult not to when we have had such amazing success in recent years. Pack a football or Unfortunately, the 49ers are notebook for one of the not headed to the Super Bowl, but in just a few weeks, the Bay autograph sessions. Area will play host to one of the largest sporting events in the world: have your picture taken with the Vince Super Bowl 50. Although the game Lombardi Trophy. itself will be played in Santa Clara Along with your camera, I would also at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 7, Super pack a football or notebook for one of Bowl City, the NFL Experience, and the autograph sessions where you can the Media Center will all be here in San meet some of football’s biggest stars. Francisco. This means even if you can’t Kids and their parents will also be able dish out hundreds of dollars for a Super to get up close in the fan-viewing gal- Bowl ticket, there are still plenty of lery and watch as current NFL players ways your family can enjoy this unique and legends are being interviewed by experience. Here a few family-friendly national radio broadcasters. This experi- events that will definitely be worth ence will also open on Jan. 30 and runs Flip through our winter catalog at checking out. through Feb. 7. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for kids under age 12. You can SUPER BOWL CITY buy them in advance on superbowl.com bluebearmusic.org This will be an expansive area cen- or through Ticketmaster, but be sure to tered along the Embarcadero in Justin check out the Family Pack discounts. Herman Plaza. Traffic in this area can be brutal on a normal day so expect CONCERT OF CHAMPIONS major delays and try to take public This sounds like it will be an amazing transportation to the area if possible. event combining music and sports. The The good news though is that this area concerts will be held on Wednesday, Feb. is free to the public and will be filled 3 and Thursday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. at Davies with events the whole family can enjoy. Symphony Hall. This is a late start for Super Bowl City will open on Jan. 30 younger children on a school night, but giving locals an extra few days to enjoy for your tween or teen, it could be a great the festivities before the thousands of way to way to expose them to a live sym- phony experience while watching movie footage of some of the best and worst NFL moments. It is free to the public and The best part is the concert host will be filled with events the is NFL Hall of Fame running Hello Marina! back Marcus Allen. Tickets for whole family can enjoy. this unique experience start at We are so excited to bring our newest store $50 and can be purchased at to your neighborhood! fans descend on our city. This area will sfsymphony.org/nfl. be open daily after that through Feb. 7. Having spent almost 80 years downtown and on Market Street, There will be plenty of football-themed Even if our local team or your favorite it’s refreshing to finally see the bay! As you’ve come to expect from Flax, activities, but it will also feature cultural team isn’t playing in the Super Bowl, performances and culinary experiences it will still be an exciting time to be our collection of supplies and gifts is out in full bloom. that highlight our unique city. around our city with lots of activities for families to enjoy. Just remember to NFL EXPERIENCE pack your patience trying to get around. This mega fan area will take over | FLAXART.COM Moscone Center and be a highlight for Liz Farrell is the mother of three young Born and raised in San Francisco. And here to stay. even the smallest fans in your family. children. She was formerly a television FORT MASON CENTER and 1699 MARKET STREET There will be interactive games where producer in Washington D.C. and San FMC hours: Mon–Sat 9:30am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm; 415.530.3510 your child can practice throwing a Francisco. E-mail: [email protected]

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 19 At Home

Urban Home and Garden Wise use

Find space for what you want, get rid of what you don’t want or need. Photo: tk tk tk ktk ktk t Reclaim your living space in the new year

by julia strzesieski USE CREATIVE STORAGE SOLUTIONS Conduct a space survey. Assess he lack of sufficient closet your living area by looking for storage and cabinet space is often a prob- potential that has escaped your notice. lem in apartments and older build- You probably won’t find hidden doors Tings, so creating storage solutions is a chal- to undiscovered closets, but an objec- lenge familiar to many San Franciscans. tive look at spaces “between, behind, Getting organized is one of the most com- above, and below” can reveal possibilities mon New Year’s resolutions — and one for storage. that doesn’t require a trip to the gym! If it Is it where you need it to be? Think seems daunting, start room by room, and systems, big picture. Consider how you use before you know it, you’ll be done. and move through your living space. Do you currently have things in the most con- PURGE, REDUCE, AND RECYCLE venient places? If not, where would you Do you need it? Accumulated posses- like them to be? Even if there isn’t a storage sions not in active use are clogging up your system in that spot now, you may be able to life. Make sure you have a legitimate justification for hanging on to those possessions you don’t often use. If not, purge them. Consider how you If you have trouble letting go of use and move through The place stuff, think of purging as “passing it on.” You may have friends who your living space. would love to take these items off where locals your hands. Or donate them to charity. create one. There are many organizing and If you need the money and have time, storage products on the market, including sort out items of particular value and flexible shelving systems, storage totes, bas- eat seafood! take them to a consignment shop. Do the kets, clear boxes and drawers, hooks, and sorting when you are in a discriminat- much more. ing mood. Get rid of pass-it-on items Maximize your area. Any empty area is as soon as you identify them so you can a candidate for storage. Take advantage of get them out of your sight before you the high ceilings found in many older build- Spectacular Bay Views change your mind. ings. Use decorative wooden brackets to put Reduce clutter. Every home has at least shelves over doors and windows, or under one place where clutter accumulates, like the ceiling line to display collectibles (use the items you set down when you come Museum Wax to hold treasures in place). into the room — keys, mail, coat, umbrella, Kitchen and bath. Use hanging pot backpack, etc. And then there are the mis- racks in the kitchen. Hanging wire baskets cellaneous things, which may end up in a can be used for produce in the kitchen and miscellaneous drawer — if you are lucky. for toiletries in the bathroom. Lazy Susans turn on pedestals and make items in the back corners of cabinets and counters easily accessible. Wire slide- Every home has at out baskets pull out on sliding tracks, come in a large variety of sizes, and are least one place where not difficult to mount inside cabinets. clutter accumulates. Closets. Increase a closet’s hang- ing space by adding an extra rod. Short World Famous Restaurant Design an organizing system for these items like jackets and skirts can be hung things where they naturally accumulate. above and below. A hanging rod can be eas- A well-placed coat rack, shelf, hanging ily made: Cut a closet dowel to size, screw basket, mail pocket, key hook, or bulletin eyebolts into the ends and attach chains with NO board can make all the difference in locat- S-hooks. Use large S-hooks on the other ing these items when you next need them. end of the chain to hang the dowel from the 9 FISHERMEN’S Cull as you go — and recycle. If you existing rod. Multitiered hangers save space don’t need stuff, get rid of it as soon as by allowing several garments to be hung per you can. Locate a recycle box and mail hanger. Shoe racks are a necessity and are 415.673.7025 pocket right inside the front door, and available in myriad styles and sizes. Racks, Free Validated Parking GROTTO do a quick sort of mail as soon as you shoe bags, and other storage accessories can bring it into the house. Keep an empty be mounted on or hung over hinged doors. No. 9 Fisherman’s Wharf at the foot of Taylor donation bag in your closet, and drop clothing and other items into it as soon Julia Strzesieski is the marketing coordina- fishermensgrotto.com Banquet Facilities Available as you recognize you’ve “had it” with tor at Cole Hardware and can be reached at them. And donate often! [email protected].

20 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com Real Estate

Real Estate Today Are you ready for El Niño? A strong house for strong weather by carole isaacs sures and often feel that once they into their basements. Today is the own a home they will fix whatever time to start thinking about what oday it is important to issues come up. might happen to your home or listen to the meteorolo- Some sellers meticulously note condo when the big rains come. gist warning that there everything from a neighbor’s Climbing up on your roof with Tis serious rain coming our way dog barking or Sunday morning a hose to see if you can find any this winter. church bells to a roof leak 10 years leaks is not the best idea. This is After living in a single-family earlier that was recently repaired the time to call a roofer for an home for most of my life, it is times with a new roof at great cost. inspection. It may cost a few hun- like these I think I am so lucky to Other sellers are more general. dred dollars to have a formal inde- Now is the time to prepare for a stormy winter. own a condo. If there are roof leaks How do you know what “occa- pendent roof inspection of your Photo: thomas dwyer or other water intrusion issues, the sional moisture in the basement home. Compared to the unpleasant HOA or management company and storage area” looks like after experience of waking up in the 1. Walk around both the inside for a small loss may result in a will deal with it. Lucky me! the current three-year drought? middle of the night to a dripping and outside of your home, tak- greater loss if the yearly premium Unfortunately the thing about I have found items included in sound a few feet from your head or ing a close look at windows, door is raised, or your insurance is can- leaks from rain or pipes is that water a disclosure like a receipt for a walking into the bathroom to get frames, and the foundation. If the celed and you have to find a new moves down through a building 30-year roof installed in 1998. ready for work to find the floor wet paint is cracked and weathered or carrier who will ask if you ever until it reaches the ground. Even The roof had 13 years of life left. and a puddle of water where there there is a crack in your foundation, made a home insurance claim in if a condo is located in the middle That sounded good, but was the shouldn’t be one, this is a small there is a good chance water can the past. of a large building, it is possible roofing company still in busi- price to pay. That is not to mention make its way inside your home. 4. Keep a list handy of trades- to have an unpleasant experience ness? Had check-ups or main- the general hysteria that will fol- A bit of preemptive caulking by people who can help with house- from a leaky roof. Also in many tenance been done on the roof? low when you try to find a roofer you, a painter, or a handyman can hold emergencies. A plumber, elec- condos, owners are responsible for Even a new untested roof can to come out and fix the leak. You be an easy short-term answer to trician, and reliable handyman on the condition of their windows. If have water intrusion issues after will ask yourself how it is possible potential leaks. If you have a sump whom you can call on short notice a leaky window causes damages three years of drought. that every roofer in town is booked pump, now is the time to have a will be worth its weight in gold. on a lower condo, the owner will Sellers need to be very careful through the winter. plumber check it to make sure it is In a pinch, if you don’t know be responsible for damage to oth- to disclose even the smallest issues I have rolled up towels and put in working order. what to do, call the agent who sold ers. There is no perfect solution to they have had with their homes them in leaky windows and on 2. If you relied on the seller’s you your home. Full-service real home ownership. over the years. The last thing a seller a few dismal occasions put out a disclosure and inspection when estate agents make a living by hav- Generally new buyers do not talk wants is to be contacted by a buyer bucket to catch the water from a you bought your home, consider ing long-term relationships with much about future home main- about what the buyer believes to particular nasty leak in my kitchen. having your own contractor’s their clients and will be happy for tenance when they are shopping be an “undisclosed material fact” I actually had to come home from inspection to get up to speed the opportunity to help. for a home. Buyers need to make when there is a major rain storm work at lunch to empty the buckets on current or future issues with a quick decision about whether and the roof leaks. a few days during a bad storm. your home. Carole Isaacs is a Realtor with to make an offer, and more often Homeowners who purchased I can guarantee that preventative 3. Read the fine print on short- McGuire Real Estate, where she than not today the winning offer is their homes during the last several maintenance is the way to go. and long-term homeowners’ is a Top Producer. Follow her on a noncontingent offer leaving little years have had little cause to think There are some important things insurance. Question your home Twitter @CaroleIsaacs or visit her or no time for buyer inspections. about their roof or the condition you can do to head off a home insurance carrier closely before online at caroleisaacs.com or call Buyers must rely on seller disclo- of their windows or water seeping repair emergency. making a claim. Being reimbursed 415-608-1267.

Homes Sold by Hill & Co. Agents in 2015 Include...

SOLD Represented the buyer SOLD Represented the seller SOLD Represented the seller SOLD Represented the buyer SOLD Represented the buyer

Cow Hollow Cow Hollow Russian Hill Pacific Heights Marina Sold by Annie Williams Sold by Richard Weil Sold by Meagan Levitan Sold by Dianne Weaver Sold by Eva Daniel Listed at $9,600,000 Listed at $9,500,000 Listed at $8,450,000 Listed at $8,200,000 Listed at $7,499,000

SOLD Represented the buyer SOLD Represented the buyer SOLD Represented the buyer SOLD Represented the seller SOLD Represented the seller

Russian Hill Presidio Heights Pacific Heights Pacific Heights Noe Valley Sold by Joan Gordon & David Cohen Sold by Missy Wyant Smit Sold by Missy Wyant Smit Sold by Annie Williams Sold by Tal Klein Listed at $7,495,000 Listed at $6,500,000 Listed at $6,500,000 Listed at $6,150,000 Listed at $5,800,000

Since its founding, Hill & Co. has been one of the premier San Francisco real estate brokerages. Few have focused their attention on the City as we have. Our company offers all the attributes of a boutique brokerage, while at the same time providing cutting-edge technologies, comprehensive networking channels and global marketing opportunities.

M a r i n a O f fi c e , 1 8 8 0 L o m b a r d S t r e e t Pacific Heights Office, 2107 Union Street N o e V a l l e y O f fi c e , 3 8 9 9 2 4 t h S t r e e t 415.921.6000 www.hill-co.com

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 21 Real Estate

The Marina Times Real Estate Inside Real Estate International buyers Market Report: November 2015 By Hill & Co. The ‘China factor’ in SINGLE FAMILY HOME SALES BEDROOMS/ ABOVE/AT/BELOW DAYS ON Neighborhood Address Bathrooms Sale Price Asking Price Market American real estate

Cow Hollow 2374 Greenwich Street 4BD/4.5BA $5,995,000 Above 6 by frederick kuo not gradual; China added a whopping 242 billionaires in just the last year alone. Lake 22 22nd Avenue 7BD/5.5BA $4,970,000 Below 102 rom Sydney to London, from The source of affluent buyers coming from luxury Manhattan condos to palatial China is not only unlikely to cease, but their Laurel Heights (no sales) Los Angeles mansions, the ubiqui- aggregate numbers and the relative size of tous Chinese buyers have made their their personal wealth is likely to increase sig- Lone Mountain 270 Ewing Terrace 2BD/1BA $1,575,000 Above 14 mark pushing the envelope on rising housing nificantly in the years to come. F Marina 2146 Bay Street 4BD/5.75BA $7,100,000 At 0 prices throughout cosmopolitan cities of the 172 Cervantes Boulevard 3BD/3.5BA $4,250,000 Above 6 West. San Francisco is certainly no stranger SEEKING STABILITY AND SAFETY 3260 Baker Street 3BD/2BA $2,800,000 Below 97 to this global phenomenon; being a primary Despite all of its successes, China still suffers gateway of Chinese immigration into the from significant problems that serve as major Nob Hill (no sales) United States, it has continuously ranked catalysts for many Chinese buyers seeking as the most-preferred housing market for foreign properties. Many of these problems North Beach (no sales) Chinese buyers. — pollution, vast wealth disparities, and poor

Pacific Heights 2209 Pacific Avenue 4BD/4BA $9,950,000 Above 0 However, San Francisco is hardly the only safety standards — are ongoing byproducts 2535 Vallejo Street 3BD/3.75BA $5,600,000 Below 118 market. This year Chinese buyers overtook of its rapid and often unregulated industrial- 1641 Green Street 4BD/3.5BA $4,150,000 Above 51 Canadians as the single largest source of ization as well as expected challenges facing 46 Presidio Avenue 4BD/3.5BA $3,900,000 Above 22 foreign home buyers, and they are buying the management of a massive population. significantly more expensive properties than These issues will likely take decades to solve, Presidio Heights 3808 Clay Street 4BD/2.5BA $4,200,000 Below 22 other foreigners. The average median price therefore Chinese buyers will continue to seek 318 Walnut Street 4BD/2.5BA $3,750,000 Above 15 purchased by Chinese buyers was $831,000 Western countries as lucrative destinations this year; Canadians ranked a distant second that offer many perks such as clean natu- Russian Hill 819 Francisco Street 2BD/3.5BA $5,600,000 Above 14 18 Moore Place 2BD/2BA $2,380,000 Above 10 at $380,000. ral environments, uncontaminated food and This phenomenon has fueled enthusiasm water, and relatively cheap and sizable living Sea Cliff (no sales) on the part of home owners and entrepreneurs spaces located in attractive neighborhoods. who are eager to ride this wave, while also Even as China’s economy has modernized, Telegraph Hill (no sales) causing consternation among locals about its political system remains authoritarian by yet another factor feeding growing housing nature, with power concentrated in the hands CONDOS unaffordability. This ongoing wave of invest- of the Communist Party and its leaders. BEDROOMS/ ABOVE/AT/BELOW DAYS ON ment inflow has sparked debates about the Though China’s leaders love to preach about Neighborhood Address Bathrooms Sale Price Asking Price Market sustainability of this trend, as well as bringing the establishment of the rule of law, the real-

Cow Hollow 2869 Broderick Street 4BD/3BA $3,300,000 Below 34 about bearish comparisons with Japan during ity is that China’s political system is still very 1844 Greenwich Street 4BD/3BA $2,682,000 Above 16 the 1980s, where a flood of cash-rich invest- much “ruled by man.” China’s wealthy and 2286 Filbert Street 2BD/1.5BA $1,225,000 Below 25 ments turned to a trickle as Japan fell unto its powerful exist in an atmosphere of precarious 1902 Filbert Street 1BD/2BA $825,000 Above 13 two “lost decades” of flat economic growth anxiety and insecurity, fearing that at any time from which it has yet to recover. Will the they may fall victim to the latest political fall- Lake 286 27th Avenue 2BD/1BA $950,000 At 30 seemingly endless supply of cash-rich Chinese out if they find themselves on the losing side.

Laurel Heights 8 Jordan Avenue #7 2BD/2BA $1,250,000 Below 34 buyers be just another trend, or will this be a This nerve-racking reality translates into the

164 Parker Avenue #A 2BD/1BA $1,155,000 Above 31 fixture in American real estate? West being seen as a safe haven for wealthy 27 Parker Avenue 2BD/2BA $1,075,000 Above 11 The fundamental forces compelling Chinese to park their considerable riches, Chinese investment overseas are deep, wide some of which may have been questionably Lone Mountain 4 Rossi Avenue 3BD/1BA $1,045,000 Above 48 ranging, and also unlikely to change signifi- earned, and to possess an exit ticket in case cantly in the near future. political winds blow south. Marina 1456 Chestnut Street #2 3BD/2BA $2,200,000 Above 14 The rise of the wealthy Chinese buyer 108 Cervantes Boulevard 3BD/2BA $2,100,000 Below 45 CHINA’S ONGOING currently transforming the global economy 212 Mallorca Way 2BD/1.25BA $1,650,000 Above 32 INDUSTRIALIZATION 2341 Francisco Street 2BD/1.5BA $1,575,000 Above 8 rests on many strong underlying currents China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for ranging from the increasing ranks of wealthy Nob Hill 1100 Sacramento Street #908 3BD/3BA $5,750,000 At 25 when she wakes, she will shake the world. individuals resulting from China’s ongoing 1333 Jones Street #801 1BD/1.5BA $1,300,000 Below 47 —Napoleon Bonaparte development, the continued desirability of 1810 Polk Street #201 1BD/1BA $850,000 Above 31 The greatest story of our age is proving the Western lifestyle, and an ongoing sense of 1250 Clay Street #204 1BD/1BA $650,000 Above 28 to be the rise of China as a modern indus- insecurity with China’s authoritarian political trial nation and economy. Emerging from climate. These factors are unlikely to signifi- North Beach 445 Francisco Street #304 2BD/2BA $1,243,000 Above 45 the darkness of the Cultural Revolution cantly change over the course of the next two

Pacific Heights 2955 Pacific Avenue 3BD/2BA $3,650,000 Below 43 in the late 1970s, China now boasts the decades, thus it is equally unlikely that the 1795 Green Street 3BD/2BA $2,500,000 Above 14 world’s second-largest GDP in nominal flow of Chinese investment into American 2947 Jackson Street 3BD/2BA $1,870,000 Below 66 terms (and the largest by other mea- and other Western real estate will decrease or 1901 California Street #8 3BD/2BA $1,800,000 Above 10 surements), the largest foreign exchange come to an abrupt halt. Currently, Chinese 1770 Pacific Avenue #103 2BA/2BA $1,760,000 Above 7 reserves, and ranks as the world’s greatest investment flows into North America have 2409 Scott Street #2 1BD/1BA $1,320,000 Above 32 trading nation. primarily been heavily concentrated in several 1950 Gough Street #304 1BD/1BA $1,227,000 Above 19 China’s industrialization will undoubtedly key metro regions such as Vancouver, New 3177 California Street 3BD/2BA $1,175,000 Above 38 continue as the country’s development poten- York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. 1950 Gough Street #405 1BD/1BA $1,095,000 At 0 2921 Washington Street #5 1BA/1BA $1,000,000 Above 45 tial is still far from being fully realized. China’s However, as the number and sophistication of 1895 Pacific Avenue #506 1BD/1BA $975,000 Below 48 urbanization rate is only slightly above 50 Chinese buyers continue to grow, investment 2234 California Street #A 1BD/1BA $779,000 Above 39 percent, and the next few decades will likely into less traditional regions and real estate see this figure continue to rise significantly. property types will likely expand and diversify. Presidio Heights (no sales) This means that a sizable portion of China’s The impact of Chinese investment in population continues to live in its vast rural American real estate poses both challenges Russian Hill 1070 Green Street #201 2BD/2BA $2,900,000 At 23 interior and are not yet fully plugged into the and opportunities for American consum- 1353 Green Street 2BD/2BA $2,300,000 Above 13 global economy. ers and governments. While the presence of 2111 Hyde Street #406 3BD/2.5BA $2,275,000 Above 45 1000 North Point Street #1401 2BD/2BA $1,800,000 Above 53 China’s current relative slowdown is a strong foreign demand may contribute to a 1362 Vallejo Street #C 2BD/2.5BA $1,550,000 Above 46 symptom of the government’s efforts to significant drop of affordability in already 2548 Hyde Street 3BD/1.5BA $1,535,000 Above 14 transition the nation away from the invest- high-priced markets such as San Francisco, 44 Macondray Lane #2E 2BD/2BA $1,295,000 At 73 ment-led growth that propelled China into large investment inflows also present great 1101 Green Street #303 2BD1BA $1,210,000 Above 37 becoming the “factory of the world” to opportunities for American businesses and 1907 Leavenworth Street #8 2BD/1BA $908,000 Above 36 a consumer-led model more in line with governments to prosper and ignite greater developed economies; this will help fuel the economic growth. Either way, the presence of Sea Cliff (no sales) rise of the service sector and the increas- the China factor in local real estate markets

Telegraph Hill 345 Union Street 2BD/1BA $1,150,000 Above 26 ing enlargement of China’s middle class. So throughout America is looking like a reality 1360 Montgomery Street #1 1BD/1BA $720,000 Above 26 China’s ranks of wealthy and moderately that will be here to stay. wealthy will likely continue to grow. Just this The data presented in this report is based on the San Francisco Multiple Listing Service and is year, China officially overtook the United Frederick Kuo is a San Francisco-based real accurate to the best of our knowledge, but cannot be guaranteed as such. For additional information, States in the number of billionaires, with 596 estate broker, consultant, and blogger. He can contact Hill & Co., 1880 Lombard Street (at Buchanan), 415-321-4362, hill-co.com. versus America’s 536, and the takeover was be reached at frederickkuo.com.

22 January 2016 MARINA TIMES marinatimes.com THINK ENERGETIC & DRIVEN

Think Zephyr.

Highly competitive and nuanced, the Bay Area real estate market can be both challenging and rewarding. Zephyr turns local clients into successful home sellers, buyers and investors.

ZephyrRE.com

Marinatimes.com MARINA TIMES january 2016 23