Mission Mission

The copy reads, “Until there’s a cure, Tim Lincecum throws strikes.”

So, if somebody cures AIDS tomorrow, no more strikes? Seems like a powerful disincentive.

How about, “Until there’s a cure, Tim Lincecum sits on the bench”? That might get it done, right?

Mission Local this morning takes a look inside Halberstadt Fencers’ Club, the typographically compelling storefront on South Van Ness. Watch now!

Previously:

Don’t Fence Me In

Our buddy Rick from Twenty-Something Wisdom witnessed a troubling exchange in line at Denver International:

Agent: “Back to Florida, eh?”
Passenger: “Yup, a whole lot warmer down that w…”
Agent: “Yeah, but I can out drink you.”
Passenger: “…”
Agent: “I went and visited my friends down there, drank ‘em ALL under the table, AND drove us all home.”

Yikes. What a brag.

In Potrero.

Mm, no. Just some smudges and blotches. Or maybe Robert Smith and a baboon? You be the judge:

This is probably still on the rack by the checkout line at Thrift Town if you’re into it.

Previously:

Punk Rockers Employed By the Government Are Causing Trouble in a Puerto Rican Neighborhood

Lou Reed Defaced

Yeah we get it, snow is a magical gift of nature that looks pretty, makes passable forts, and can be sledded upon. Then you live in it and within days you realize it’s a pain in the ass. It’s cold. It gets slushy. Your face hurts and you start ducking into random stores on the street just so you can warm up enough to walk further.

Need further convincing?  Check out these luxuries we get to enjoy in our temperate neighborhood microclimate.

Riding bikes

I don’t care how “connected to the road” you feel on a fixed gear ride, nothing is “connecting” you to a thick layer of ice. Check out what those less fortunate cyclists in Seattle have to do:

Yup, those are zip tie tire chains. The innovator Fritz Rice says:

I can accelerate, brake, and corner with aplomb, even on the vile snowpack/sheet ice mix the plows leave in the bike lanes. The zip ties dig nicely into the hardest packed surfaces, but they’re thin enough not to bounce the bike around at low speed or on short pavement sections.

Bragging about being able to accelerate, brake, and corner in the winter? And here we are complaining that our butts get wet because of some puddles. By the way, if you don’t have a fender, we have our own little innovation. Bungee a folded up copy of the Examiner to your rear rack. Works great.

[Dutch Bike Co. via lifehacker]

Native Burritos

If we want a burrito, the process is simple: walk a block (or two if you want the better one), buy a burrito, and enjoy.

Apparently, this is not so easy in ski towns like Mammoth Mountain. Burritos must be imported to you on monstrosities such as this:

Think of the carbon footprint on that sucker. I feel like if I don’t comply with a valid order within 20 seconds, a machine gun turret will open up on the side and lay me to waste. I’ll bet the burritos stink, too.

[Thrillist via Laughing Squid]

Youtube user nico1001nico made a nice short documentary about Mission gentrification from the perspective of the small business owners. For the most part, they don’t really seem to mind the changes happening. There’s less crime, better business, and more diversity.

Micah from Black & Blue delivers the most scathing line, when asked what she’d like to see changed: “More low income housing, more services available to the poor, and less trust fund babies moving into the neighborhood.”

The most baffling quote comes from Connie, the Latina business owner, describing her dream of 24th becoming the next Noe Valley. For serious?

Previously:

Dregs One on Gentrification

Update: Video removed by the creator. Probably pissed off too many trust fund babies.

Update 2: Aaand it’s back. Not sure what’s changed:

Now you can show everyone what you think is the best pizza in San Francisco when you wear your new Arinell hat and t-shirt with pride!  Trucker hats are only six dollars!  Rumor has it that Steve Jobs already has one . . .

Also, can we finally put that whole “Arinell’s” nonsense to rest?  There’s no apostrophe, folks.  Recognize.

Previously:

Kink.com at Arinell (NSFW)

Sometimes it’s best to just let the baby decide where you’re going.  Of course, the downside is that you could always end up at a Gymboree outlet.  Or, God forbid, babyGap.

Previously:

Precocious Parallel Parker

On the side of an apartment building. Or is it a firework?