Mission Mission

Browsing the SF Historical Photo Collection, I saw this cerca 1975 picture of the Giant Value building on 22nd and Mission.

First, I noticed the cool pinstripe paint job on the façade. Then something else occurred to me: the word “GIANT” is actually in a different place than it is today. At some point, whoever took over the building moved it over to the left and added the word “VALUE” after it.

Here is a picture of the building as it stands today:

So the question remains, what was it before it was “GIANT VALUE”? ”VALUE GIANT”? “MOVIE GIANT”? “THE GIANT”? Surely, someone who was here before 1975 can provide the answer. Ha! Yeah right… most of you weren’t even BORN in 1975.

In any case, it will probably be CONDO GIANT in a couple of years.

Update: Burrito Justice Johnny0 to the rescue again (there’s a shocker):

It had changed to its current incantation by 1982 when it was “Giant Value Pharmacy”.

A bit more judicious googling shows us that PayLess bought out the “Value Giant” store chain in 1976. I bet that PayLess didn’t take keep our Mission store, and in order to keep lawyers happy, that particular pharmacy flipped the sign around to read “Giant Value” — pretty damn clever.

A handsome color scheme for Halberstadt’s Fencing Club on S. Van Ness. Ever notice how it matches that of the “No Dumping” notices by sewer drains?

I never noticed this place before, but according to Yelp, it’s legit:

This is where I go for a great workout and to blow off some steam.  There’s nothing better than grabbing a sword and stabbing someone to make you forget about the work day.

It’s no secret that I’m a sword owner now. Maybe I should take up fencing? After all what’s more macho than a shrimpy, shirtless, asian man brandishing a foil?

Oh wait:

We all had a laugh at “Ecosexuality” a couple of days ago, but as it turns out, it’s a real thing and the event in question will be in the Mission at the Lab on Feb 13!

In celebration of Valentine’s Day and this new decade pregnant with possibilities for change and transformation, acclaimed performance artist and sex educator Annie Sprinkle and her partner, interdisciplinary artist and activist Elizabeth Stephens, take you on a joyous and inspiring journey as they explore, generate, and celebrate love through art. They will weave their amazing stories, share some dazzling images, and do mini-performances about their experiments in romance, artificial insemination, breast cancer, sex education, performance art weddings, and other love-inspired projects. Currently investigating “ecosexuality,” these two dynamic women are mapping a new field of research they coined “sexecology” — the place where sexology and ecology intersect. Perhaps you’ll discover that you, too, are an ecosexual.

There will also be an erotic cake contest. Go ahead and fork over the 7-10 dollarónes just so you can sit in the back, cross your arms with a smug half-smile, and act like you are sooo above this. More info at the Lab.

(Hey, if this is your bag, it’s none of my business. It’s 2010 and we are a kinder, more sensitive Mission Mission.)

Some seriously shreddin’ classical players are playing tonight at Amnesia, of all places!

First is Phyllis Chen, virtuoso classical/experimental pianist. Did I mention she plays her pieces on the TOY PIANO?

Next, German cellist (and apparent hottie) Johannes Moser. If the youtube comments on this guy are true, he’ll melt your face AND your heart:

Between this and Classical Revolution, there has been an increasingly strong presence of classical music in the mission. It seems as though a lot of those conservatory students are in need an outlet that isn’t playing Pachabel’s Canon at a wedding and are taking it to the dives.

Say here’s a tip: bring a date that you’re trying to impress with your “sensitive artiste” side. At some point during the show, gently close your eyes and mime some conducting movements with your hands. If that doesn’t seal the deal, try shaving off that goddamned beard.

Amnesia is on Valencia b/t 19th and 20th. Show starts at 9pm and costs $7-$10.

What the Christ? Since when is it ok to enclose a golf cart in orange sheet metal just so you can score some dubious parking?

Spotted on Valencia between 19th and 20th.

A couple of days ago I posted a collection of BART maintenance badges. I was convinced I was missing one more and it had to be something on or near the end of the peninsula line. So this weekend I was coming back from the east bay and saw THIS:

This is definitely the definitive SF maintenance station badge. It features Golden Gate bridge (which is incidentally nowhere near Daly City or BART), and an airplane heading to or from SFO. For the record, the car smelled better than any car I’ve ever been in. Some kind of sweet flowery cleaning fluid was just used. It also had a spotless, non-carpeted floor. Go DC! Show ‘em how it’s done.

Next conquest: MUNI bus maintenance badges. Psych! Nobody maintains those.

Already donated to Haiti relief and have an itching some more philanthropy? Laurie sent us a note about some neighbors organizing a community clean-up of 24th St on Monday morning. That should bring your smugness to an all-time high!

Start 2010 with a benevolent gesture and Join your neighbors in acknowledgement of A Day of Service on Dr Martin Luther King Junior’s day.

Bring your garbage bags, a caring attitude and an interest to improve your neighborhood.

There will be two 2-hour work periods starting at 10:00 am and 12 noon: choose from either one. It is proposed that folks work in groups of 4 or less. Meet at Phils Coffee on 24th street and Folsom at either 10:00 am or 12 noon to establish/join a group.

The intention is to collect street garbage within one city block around 24th street. Alternatively there is an interest to do some weeding along Harrison street sidewalk from 22nd to 24th.

Bring large garbage bags, brooms, dustpans and gloves. If you intend to weed bring your gardening tools.Collect garbage and/or weeds in your bags and dispose of the full bags in the trash cans at the street corners. If you have any questions email Elena at elena.engel@friendssfpl.org

Looking forward to working with other concerned citizens!!!!

Oh, and watch out for sinkholes.

Over the past couple of months I’ve noticed and collected pictures of these delightful maintenance badges inside of BART cars. Each with their own personality:

Richmond: “Hey don’t let all that gang rape stuff that happens in Richmond put you off–don’t you want your BART car to enjoy a lovely bay view while its being serviced? Richmond Maintenance Facility: home of the best view of San Rafael in the bay area.”

Hayward: “Look, if you want some guy to bullshit with you about sports and the weather while he does sub-par work, go to Concord. If you want solid, no-nonsense maintenance done on your BART car, come to Hayward. We take quality seriously and have 15+ years of industry experience to prove it. Our 10-point inspection includes door re-greasing, upholstery steaming, and complete removal of graffiti cocks scrawled on the on windows.”

Concord: “Think we’re just a bunch of bummer straight-ahead mechanics from a failed city? Think again. We actually have kick-ass senses of humor as indicated by this badge’s allusion to classic WB cartoons. Free coffee, donuts, and ESPN while you wait. Say me and the boys are going out for a drink at the Time Out afterwards. Why don’t you join us? And… fuck it, here are the keys to my house.”

It seems like these are all at the terminal stations. That might mean I’m missing Daly City Maintenance Facility. First one who gets me a snap of it’s badge gets a high five.

Update: Heyo!

Snapped at 16th and Mission:

Is this some marketing ploy to skirt around not-really selling things for a dollar? Kinda like when Kentucky Friend Chicken renamed themselves to KFC after they started serving mutant chickens. Or maybe “dollarón” is Spanish for “really large dollar”.

Boy, I really have a thing for dollar stores, don’t I?