Bros vs. Buddhists: The Medjool Debate

Steven Seagal: Both bro and Buddhist

Laurie forwards a note from the Director of the San Francisco Buddhist Center, in order to provide us with “another side of the story.”  Read on:

Dear friends of the San Francisco Buddhist Center,
The SFBC wants to let you know about a situation that will potentially have a big effect on our ability to practice at the Center in the future (and for residents, to live in the building.)

Some of you are familiar with cafe Medjool which is just behind the Center, on Mission street. A couple of years ago they opened an unpermited outdoor rooftop bar. The reason I know this is because of the nights I spent feeling like my apartment was vibrating with sound, even with both sound windows shut, a pillow over my head, ear plugs in my ears. The blasting music and shouting from the bar also disrupted meditation classes. Over a couple of years the city was inundated with complaints from the neighborhood so the rooftop bar was shut down (the rest of the business is still happening) so things have been quiet again for several months. There is a Board of Appeals hearing this Wednesday that will determine if they can open the bar again.

Medjool has launched a “Save Medjool” campaign, claiming that the city has gone mad trying to revoke their permit for the outdoor bar (they never had one) and that neighbors and the SFBC are “whiners” since Medjool paid for the sound windows in the building (also not true.) (And their noise is far beyond the level of sound windows anyway).

“Save Medjool” signs have been cropping up in the Mission, as if it’s some kind of ‘power to the people’ thing. My guess is that people who like the bar do not know what the real issues are, that is is illegal and a hazard to the neighbors and the Center which by law has precedence because it is a religious community established here for 10 years before Medjool came into the scene. But the Save Medjool Facebook page has almost 1700 members! The page invites people to the hearing, with Save Medjool buttons to wear, and offers free transportation! So I think the meeting may be packed out with Medjool supporters.

If you want to help try to “Save the SFBC meditation hall” (from seeming like it’s in the middle of a rave or raucous cocktail party), PLEASE COME TO THE APPEALS HEARING WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18 AT 5PM.
Wear an SFBC t-shirt (or if you don’t have one, something light blue? Or whatever!)
Location:
City Hall, Room 416, One Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Suvanna Cullen
Director, San Francisco Buddhist Center
suvanna@sfbuddhistcenter.org

Fair enough.  Don’t forget to attend if interested, it sounds like the Buddhists may be outnumbered by the Medjoolites and could likely use the manpower.

Should we get some “Team Bro” and “Team Buddha” t-shirts printed up?

16 Responses to “Bros vs. Buddhists: The Medjool Debate”

  1. jimbeam says:

    Medjool sucks. Since when was the opposite a tenable position in the Mission?

  2. piratesnack says:

    Does the law really give “precedence” to “religious communities” in this kind of thing?

  3. laura says:

    team bro for sure. medjool is douchey and overpriced, but the view is very nice from the roof. we need more rooftop bars… one that i would actually go to would be nice.

  4. Mission Mistaken says:

    Did I ever tell the story about putting my mother up in the hostel, right under the dj table at Medjool? They didn’t say a word when I made the reservation, paid the reserve amount and told them it was my 77 year old mother. Now THAT was douchy. The Buddhists should just go meditate over their trust fund statements and get over themselves.

  5. olu says:

    I’m gonna rock my free murat t-shirt, take iphone photos, while eating some delectable offerings from whichever street cart vendor is catering this ur-san fransisco showdown.

  6. Sweet T says:

    Fuck picking sides. Is there any way we can get rid of both Medjool and this so-called “religious community?”

  7. pixeltan says:

    Medjool is for douchbags. Next.

  8. laurie bk says:

    “Save the Progressive/ Historic/ Latino/a Mission District”

    http://missionantidisplacement.blogspot.com/2009/05/they-say-save-medjool-we-say-save.html

  9. Drew says:

    Save the New Mission Theater!

  10. laurie bk says:

    The hearing isn’t happening tomorrow. It’s been rescheduled for Dec. 9th.

  11. Medjool is like Zeitgeist, only higher. A+!

  12. Will says:

    medjool is whack. so are religious people. but in this case, i’d say the marina oasis in the mission is more whack. so down with medjool, down with armani exchange t-shirts, and going out looking like you just came from a fancy downtown job (seriously, there might be a big business meeting later – better wear a suit! [but unbutton the collar cuz chicks dig it!!!#%@!])

  13. Ramirez says:

    rarely has one athlete been so dominant in international sport. if you are into candlesticks, today’s doji shows there may be a change of direction.when looking at the institutions, it appears that even though gold has been moving up nicely in january, the institutions have been selling on the way up. values please just ask and i will do my best.