Mission Mission

Tree at Free Farm Stand was faced with a dilemma. At an event last week promoting sustainability and stuff, he was asked to partake in a wild-boar feast. The boars were non-native pests, decimating local populations, and they were procured sustainably and respectfully, but Tree abstained nonetheless:

I just want to put this matter to rest. As much as I understand this boar eating, I personally prefer to remain a vegan and stay with my principles of doing as little harm as possible in the world. About a year or so ago I was so mad at the rats eating the avocadoes in the trees in the garden I was working in, I thought about getting night vision goggles and a bb gun and shooting them. I think I could have done it at that time. Now I am thinking that the wild boar eaters don’t have to travel out of town to go hunting. They should stay local and hunt the rats that are everywhere here (it is a delicacy in Thailand and it doesn’t come with the karma of eating pork). Then they could go for the feral cats that are everywhere pooping in our gardens and eating the birds and over reproducing.

Link. So, dear readers, what’ll it be? Ratmeat, pork karma or veganism?

Paolo over at Eater had this to say in his Slow Food Nation wrap:

The Coffee Pavilion was the most ridiculous area and consequently, the most educational, because you had to learn if you wanted to taste. The best part: when pouring each cup, the (very nice) barista started each time with “This farm you are tasting right now is…” We learned a lot about Ecuadorian shade patterns.

I love learning about shade patterns! Anyone else learn anything else interesting? Note that the coffee pavilion was curated in part by Eileen Hassi of Ritual Roasters. Well done, Eileen!

Previously on Mission Mission:

Barack Obama Drinks Blue Bottle

Mission Mission and Ritual Roasters

Yesterday, Elizabeth at The Ladder Herald saw some compelling new street art on a wall near 18th and Valencia. Today, she saw some cranky dude scrape it off. (And somewhere in between, she wrote a moving analysis of all the Sarah Palin news.) Thanks, Elizabeth!

We asked Rhiannon to fill us in on what went down at 12 Galaxies’ swan-song show:

All space metaphors aside, 12 Galaxies went out with a big bang last night. StitchCraft opened the show up, all beautiful harmonies and hot chick with a fiddle, and there went beer one. After that it just got louder and sillier and more fun. During Big Light’s first set, the place got really packed, and really really hot, but no one cared. The Mikes and Willy at the door were having a great time, while Robert was shmoozing and dancing and answering the same questions a million times over. Someone whose face was a blur got up and played an acoustic set. (Their face probably wasn’t a blur in reality, but I was three beers in, not to mention the three margaritas at Velvet Cantina during dinner beforehand.) Then Big Light was on again, and someone had turned the amps up to 11. After that, it just became a jam fest. I got some video of some 10 people on stage, tearing the guitars apart, shouting “12 GALAXIES!” in some kind of rhythm, Robert got up and sang, first the 12 Galaxies song they were all making up, then some Grateful Dead-type stuff…

It was awesome, I left around 3, after KrOB put his famous neon sign in a cab and headed on home.

Thanks, Rhiannon! Can’t wait to see the video…

Photo of Frank Chu’s last appearance on the 12 Galaxies stage by Amor de Cosmos.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Save 12 Galaxies!

I was like, “Hey Sad Vader, why so glum?” And he was all, “Dude, read between the lines.”

Infospigot spotted this bit of stencil art outside the Burger King at 16th and Mission. Link.

Look at him flop! Also, be sure to stick around for the twist ending. (Thanks, Lola!)

Over at The Snitch, Masha Rumer tells us about an overhaul of Valencia Street in the works at the Department of Public Works:

Some highlights of this $6.1 million project, according to DPW’s Great Streets Program: the center median will be removed; the sidewalks will be widened from their current 10 feet to 13-15 feet, allowing for more foot traffic, for outside seating in cafes and hopefully for room to push through swarms of bluegrass-crazed people congregating outside busy Mission establishments. The parking lane will grow by 0.25 feet to 9 feet. [...] Also planned are new bike racks, art, trash receptacles, curb ramps and bulb-outs instead of left-turn pockets in some areas.

Full analysis here. Now, I’m open to change, and I love sidewalk seating and pedestrian safety, but I also love Valencia’s narrow sidewalks and crummy old bike racks and trash receptacles. Will improvements curb our beloved boulevard’s fundamental charm?

Update: Subito_Piano informs us that there’s a “status update meeting” regarding this project being held at the Mission Police Station tonight at 6:30pm. More at Better Valencia Project.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Construction Camp on Valencia Street

ZOUNDS!!!!  You’ve been caught in a TIME MACHINE!!!  Quick, Click Here to warp back to the 2010 18th Street Block Party!  Warning:  Not Safe For Vegans (NSFV)

Reader Robert forwards us the skinny on the fancy charity shindig:

It’s the season of block parties! Next Saturday September 6th is ~PARTY ON BLOCK 18~, a full-tilt hootenanny featuring the 18th Street businesses between Dolores and Guerrero, which is where the street will be closed off. A family-style meal will be available, and the purchase of a ticket entitles everyone to a meal with your choice of three savory meals from Bi-Rite, Delfina, Dolores Park Café, and Craig’s Place, and Tartine and Bi-Rite Creamery will be handling the sweets. Since 18th Street is ALL about food, here are the menu items: spit-roasted Niman Ranch pork shoulder with summer bean salad and salsa verde, Fulton Valley chicken grilled under a brick with a Tuscan bread salad, and vegetarian paella and corn on the cob with Calabrian chili butter. The kids can enjoy Let’s Be Frank organic hotdogs, fresh sandwiches, and Bi-Rite Creamery hot fudge sundaes, fresh fruit smoothies, lemonade, and a watermelon agua fresca by Dolores Park Café. For the adults, in the Wine & Beer Garden there will be premium barrel of wine by Unti (a fave of mine) and keg beer by Russian River Brewing Company, Magnolia Brewery, and Anchor Steam. Entertainment includes gypsy band Gaucho, and teen rockers She’s and The Psychotherapists for the kids. The party runs from noon to 4pm. All proceeds from the party will be donated to the Women’s Building. Meals are $15, sides and sandwiches $2.50–$5, beverages $2.50–$5. For information and to purchase advance meal tickets, call Christie Ward at 415-971-7291 or email PARTYBLOCK18@gmail.com.

Looks like a bargain, and for a good cause, and Russian River Brewing Company! Thanks, Robert!

Update: Robert attributes this find to Marcia Gagliardi and her Tablehopper.com newsletter.

Previously on Mission Mission:

Katie Loves Gaucho

Women’s Building Architecture, Murals Celebrated

Reader Lauren asks:

Can you post up some info about the 18th street block party on September 6th? I’ve seen posters around but can’t seem to find info anywhere online with the juicy details.

We performed some perfunctory investigations, but turned up nada. What up with the 18th Street Block Party?