Mission Mission

There’s been a whole bunch of guac talk on this blog lately, and for very good reason:  we live in the land of delicious 25 cent avocados!  Got a killer guacamole recipe you’ve just been dying to unleash on the public?  Well, now’s your chance to pit it against all other contenders in a battle to the death (death for the avocados only, since they will be eaten) at the First Annual Indian Summer Guac Off going off this Saturday:

A party that will be showcasing the best Guacamoles that the city has to offer.  The winner to be crowned with the guacamole glory trophy, bragging rights until next Indian Summer, the title of official “Guacamole of San Francisco”, and a secret mystery prize.

You can talk all the talk you want, but can you actually walk the guac?  See if you have what it takes and check out all the details here.

Previously:

• Guacamole is good on anything
• How to make guacamole

Whenever I see a cool car around the neighborhood, I take pictures and send them to my pal Eric up in Portland who runs Other People’s Things, my favorite car blog. He responds with some knowledge and we post the results here and it’s called “Car Beat.” Here’s what Eric has to say about this lovely vintage Volvo:

This is a Volvo Amazon, known in the States as the 122S (1956-70, though this is a ’65-66).  The 122S, much like the BMW 2002 is the car that cemented the company’s popularity with the American consumer.

The 1965-66 model year is one of the most relevant, with a brand new ergonomic seat design in fancy leatherette (aka PVC).  It also featured what was a Volvo innovation that would soon become the standard for all auto manufacturers- the three-point safety belt.

One thing they didn’t figure out just yet was that beautiful but frustrating rear filler cap.  One rear end collision and you can’t put gas in it.

Thanks, Eric! More pics (including a closeup of the rear filler cap) after the jump:

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If you’ve never gone on a Midnight Mystery Ride, you’re missing out on one of the most magical free adventures this city has to offer. The mystery route varies each time depending on who hosts it, but the ride always promises to take you through beautiful undiscovered nooks and crannies of the city in the dark before ending in a secret party.

To give you an idea of what’s in store for you, here’s a video that Mission Bicycle produced, of a ride they hosted back in December. (P.S. I’m in this video, nbd.)

Mission Bicycle is hosting another Midnight Mystery Ride this Saturday, September 15, and their general manager Jefferson has promised that it will be “very interesting.” Remember to check back on the Midnight Mystery Ride website later in the week to find out where the secret meetup spot is!

Local filmmaker Jay Francisco Lopez recently completed his first feature, Sin Padre, which premieres this Friday at the opening night of the San Francisco Latino Film Festival.

I first met Jay on the set of Peter and Benjamin Bratt’s 2009 film, La Mission. He was a background actor and I was doing the behind-the-scenes. Since then he starred in a short feature that I co-wrote at BAYCAT, The Invisible City, about a group of friends in Hunters Point. After that he raised funds himself to write, produce and direct his own feature film about a Honduran teenager getting by in the Mission, where Jay himself was born to Honduran immigrants.

Jay’s film screens at The Victoria Theater (on 16th at Capp) on 9/14. The show is sold out, but according to Sin Padre’s Facebook page:

Due to popular demand and the high ticket sales Just added a 2nd screening of SIN PADRE this Sunday Sept 16 5:15pm at the Opera Plaza Cinema Theater 601 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102 you can buy tickets at http://sinpadre2.bpt.me/

Before Sunday screening there well be a meet and greet with the director and the cast from 2pm to 4pm at the Verizon Wireless store [at] 2654 Mission St.

Jay’s film looks good, check it out when you can.

P.S. I also have a film in the SF Latino Film Festival, Miles Away, a short I co-directed with Jose Alfaro, will be screening at the Opera Plaza Theater this Saturday at 1:00pm.

Maybe I should eat one before the Hot Chip show tonight?

[via MonkeyBrains]

Eater SF reports:

[A]n active full liquor license just crossed the ABC wires, and opening should be imminent. [link]

So that’s it right? Those things ain’t cheap, so they better open the doors and start capitalizing on it quick. Right? Any day now, I’m sure.

I wonder if he’ll start selling regular plain ol’ cookies the way Cold Beer Cold Water has switched to just water. “Treats! Treats! Regular ol’ treats!”

[via Just Crazy Enough to Work via SFist]

Last night at DJ Purple‘s regular (2nd and 4th Mondays) Make-Out Room party. Shot by our own Jess Kelso. Enjoy:

And comes on this dope checkered wax paper! The bonito flakes obviously aren’t vegetarian, but you should probably just pick them off since if you don’t get them you don’t get to see them do that thing they do.

I just can’t get enough of this place.

Our pal Stokemonster was on the scene:

Lower Mission/La Lengua neighbors, today I witnessed and chased after a guy who stole someone’s Yorkshire Terrier from in front of the Mcdonalds on 24th . I lost him on 26th & Mission but he was only out of my sight for less then 30 secs so, unless he had a getaway driver, I’m pretty sure he lives in the neighborhood. Keep an eye out for a white male, about 6 ft 180 lbs, shaved head (possibly wearing an oversized grey hoodie) with a Yorkie.

Stokes managed to track down the owner, so this is a pic of the actual dognapped pup. Keep your eyes peeled.

UPDATE: The pup is safe, according to this comment from its owner…

My dog is safe and home. I’m too overwhelmed and exhausted from such a horrible day. I will write back and tell the story later. Thank you to those who were concerned and looking out. I appreciate it sooo much.