Mission Mission

The cement is curing on the first court in the US built from scratch specifically for bike polo.

After years of being run out of nearly every court with lights, the San Francisco Bike Polo (SFBP) club will finally have a place to play without the threat of being ticketed. SFBP met with both the mayors office and the Park Director after being kicked out of Dolores Park in 2011. “This allowed for some frank discussions about the need and what to do with us” explained Bikeman Ben, one the SFBP organizers.

“Once we heard about the park renovation, we as a group, attended all of the planning meetings and made sure that the parks department knew that there was a demand” Ben continued. “SFBP is the reason the court is being built.”

When asked why a vacant basketball court wasn’t sufficient, Ben detailed three main factors:

1. Safety – Posts and poles are a danger to the riders.
2. Flow – Keeping the ball in play – Walls (at least 2’ high) surrounding the court.
3. Size – Bigger than tennis or basketball. Smaller than hockey.

“We are happy to be able to play anywhere, but being able to design the court to our specifications has made San Francisco the envy of the international polo community” Ben added.

SFBP members include national and world champions, among others considered top players in the sport. Ben continues “more players are moving to San Francisco just because of the talent and the new court. It is a quality fraternal sport that is welcoming to all who love the sport.”

Until the new court opens, you’ll find bike polo being played nearly every night of the week at the Corondo Playground on 21st. Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM is newcomer night.

Previously

• Dolores Park Bike Polo Crackdown

Brittany had to go out of town for work so she couldn’t go with me to see Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, produced by Crowded Fire Theater at the Thick House, which is the first show of their 2015 season. It’s a bummer because I really think Brittany would have liked it. I mean a story about how a brother and sister deal with the loss of their mother and being neglected by their father along with the complications that two teenage boys go through due to becoming more than friends, that is told in a humorous, honest, and touching way – definitely a Brittany show.

The Verdict: This was a refreshing piece of theater! It’s a story I haven’t seen done like this. If you enjoy heart warming, edgy stories that also make you laugh, this is a good time to check out Crowded Fire Theater. I have to admit this play had me almost moved to tears while smiling out loud.

The Drama Talk: It was well produced, with a simple, yet clear, set and the director used the space well. The 3 young characters, though played by adults, were well developed and you really care about them. The actor who played Benji (Maro Guevara) was so good I would swear he wasn’t acting, that it must just be who he is in real life.  I would say however, I didn’t leave wanting more because the show felt a little long.

Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them runs through March 21st at Crowded Fire Theater. Tickets are currently available on Goldstar for $10 dollars for this weekend. You can also get tickets directly from their website.

(Maro Guevara, Nicole Javier, and Wes Gabrillo)

Photo by Cheshire Isaacs

Or is it a Contopus?  Either way, he actually looks kind of cute from this angle, where it looks like he’s minding his own business instead of trying to devour your face:

Keep it civil, y’all!

SF Gate reports:

An Uber driver and a taxi driver collided Wednesday morning in San Francisco’s Mission District, sending the cab into a bar, authorities said.

The crash happened at 9:24 a.m.

Read on.

(Thanks, Nicky!)

Our pal Nick Pal has officially locked down the *first Wednesdays* happy hour slot at Pop’s. Good work, Nick! Here’s the deal:

Nick Pal spins short songs because life is short. Hard rock, power pop, punk and pop vinyl.

Plus the Warriors are playing the Bucks and Jay Beaman’s behind the bar. See you at Eighty-Five Song Happy Hour!

RSVP and invite your friends!

Local poet Ticklefight takes us back to, oh, 2005 or so:

Frog’s Tavern

We had dinner at Frog’s last night. The burgers are always great. Toasted sesame buns, the way I like it.

Randy was working, so we got the hookup. Zucchini stick appetizers, oh yeah.

A few hottie nurses walked in just as happy hour was ending so we stuck around for a coupla more Miller Lites.

Took the 26 home but don’t remember much.

Burgers were 2-for-1 at happy hour I think. But it wasn’t really called Frog’s. Poetic license I think.

Man the 26 was fun.

[link]

Local commuter David Enos tells us about a little Muni mishap:

“Hello? Are you on your way home yet? Where are you?”

“My train…it went the wrong way.  Can you pick me up? I’m lost.”

“Where are you?”

“Patogo.”

“Where?”

“I think it’s close to Ingleside, maybe South of City College, I don’t know.  Can you look it up on maps?”

Read on for the full story. (And be sure to bookmark David Enos and read his blog every day.)

[Photo by David Lytle]

[via Gareth]

Whoa, baby.

(Thanks, @beamercola and @mahlie!)

(Thanks, Jess!)