Mission Mission

Sorry Devin Ramirez from San Mateo High School class of 2008, but judging from their table of commandeered identification cards, it doesn’t look like it.

Good try though.

You find cool stuff clicking through to our commenters’ web sites. Case in point: T.C.’s Don’t Go Changing SF, a blog that finds an old picture of a SF building and shows it right next to a current one from the same angle.

Remember Kay Jewelers on 21st and Mission?

No? Weren’t you around in 1953? What are you, 27 or something? Maybe you know it as this:

I’ve always wondered about the origin of those weird Romanesque pillars in that particular building. No answers here. I guess they really didn’t care for them in 1953 and covered them up with that sign.

But look, if you can afford the lease, that could be your windowsill! On the downside, you’ll probably have to hear Medjool patrons every night.

[via Don't Go Changing SF, check it out for more great historical photos]

You can store a lot of rainwater in a double-bass! Stick funnels in the f-holes for added efficiency. Bottle and save for later.

“Robin Williams, Brian Wilson, and  Jem.”

Seriously, though. This guy was way cool. He didn’t seem phased that I ran out of Dalva yelling, “HI I SAW YOU FROM THE BAR AND CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE PLZ?”. He confirmed that he didn’t lose a bet and just did it for fun. You rule, dude.

Just so everyone knows, Walgreens at 23rd/Mission is your one-stop shop for all your birthday poster needs.

I’m not talking about Scrabble — we all know Scrabble in real life is boooooring. (Sorry, Ladies Who Scrabble Club.)

It’s Bananagrams! Fast paced! You play in groups, so peer pressure keeps people from playing irritating bullshit like “QI” or whatever. Plus, you can high-five when something cool happens, and jeer your friends right to their face when they do something dumb. (David.)

It’s a joy! (And, sorry if I’m late to the game on this, but it was tons of fun. Thought you should know.)

Just be sure you play with friends that speak English okay:

(David.)

(Actually, David speaks English fine, usually. Might’ve been all the wine.)

Yessir, this is one excellent and festive idea. Brown Eyed Baker has the recipe here.

If I saw one of these on the ground late at night, I would definitely, definitely consider it.

(Thanks, Tiffany!)

In the aftermath of the shootings at El Tin Tan last night, reader Alicia recalled a Mission Local piece from a couple years back which details the bar’s very special standing in the Mission and abroad:

When Pedro Ruiz arrived here twelve years ago, his only possessions were a bag of clothes and a slip of crumpled paper: “El Tin Tan, 3065 16^th Street, San Francisco,” it read.

Ruiz had come from Yucatan, Mexico and El Tin Tan—a dusty bar between Mission and Valencia Streets where Spanish and Tecate are on everyone’s tongues and mournfulrancheras howl on the jukebox—was his only contact in America. But he didn’t come for a cerveza. He came for a job.

Informal meeting places where immigrants gather and hear about job opportunities have always been vital to settling in America. Despite its humble appearance, El Tin Tan is one of these places, famous throughout Pedro’s home state of Yucatan as a key stop in the United States for Latinos hoping to escape poverty in their home countries.

Read on.

P.S. El Tin Tan, not to be confused with El Tim Tam.

[Photo by Mission Local alum Armand Emamdjomeh]

Pontificating on the frustrating nature of bike security in the comments thread of a recent post about ninja-like bike thievery, reader Tiny Tim elucidates a creative solution:

Best to use Bagel Lox. Smell stays on thief’s hands and then you can trace him. Cream cheese also makes it slippery.
Bagel Lox–wherever fine lox are sold.

Think about it!

[Photo by Jesse Friedman]

I mean, you’re innocent until proven guilty, right? Right.

Also, the vandalism may be alleged, but the excellent penmanship is confirmed.

[Photo by Talent Is An Asset]