Mission Mission

I accidentally turned left onto Valencia from 15th Street this afternoon, and it was like I was teleported into the post-apocalypse version.  What could have caused all this havoc to take place?  Luckily, intrepid MM “videographers” provide a peek below into the process behind the repaving of Valencia for the Streetscape Improvement Project:

1. Humongous cement buster pneumatic drill to loosen up the pavement
2. Group of foremen standing around chit-chatting
3. Scoop shovel breaks up the street concrete into chunks, which are then scooped into an adjacent disposal truck for removal
4. Cement crew gets busy and springs to action, with more cement trucks mixing in reserve

Previously:

Coming Soon: Valencia Streetscape Improvements

Getting A Feel For The New Valencia

Chasing the Moon continues doing their wonderful work with their latest podcast featuring Ramon & Jessica, a lovely duo featuring members whose names are neither Ramon nor Jessica.

I think the interview at the end sums it up really well: they write really unusual music that is musically complex but manages to have an undeniable pop familiarity. I really love the A Capella + beatbox tune they do as the second track. Accordion babe Marie Abe joins them on the 3rd song.

Also, check out their video shot in the Mission last year:

You know that asshole who tried to kill four cyclists last week? Well they nabbed him after he tried to file a false police report that his vehicle had been stolen. So what’s the profile for a murderous bicycle hater?

In addition to being a tennis pro, Clark boasted on a Web site that he was a crystal therapist, a “Reiki master,” referring to a natural healing technique, and a “priest in the Order of Melchizedek.” The order is described on one Web site of believers as “composed of evolved beings who have dedicated themselves to the work of promoting spiritual growth.”

Get the full scoop at SFGate.

[Thanks for the tip, Void. Photo by Troy Holden]

Previously:

Creep In An SUV Targeted 4 Cyclists Last Night

Celebrate the birthday of your favorite eccentric, Jehova’s witnessing, conspiracy theorizing, pop musical genius with the Jazz Mafia. Tonight will be their 4th annual Prince birthday tribute at Coda Lounge, featuring the 20-piece hip hop jazz orchestra Realistic Orchestra.

It’s definitely going to be crowded so I highly recommend you get there early (and stay away from those chemtrails).

[photo by thebaytaper]

Just had to stop by the Jimi Hendrix shrine in Renton, WA, on the way to our show with Citay in Olympia.  Judging by the mementos left behind, it appeared that a number of folks had similarly visited to pay their respects.  American flags, beads, flowers of all shapes and colors, Taz (!!!), and . . . what’s this?

I can’t decide who’s the sadder hypothetical person.  The one who was all, “Dude, we have to leave a nug for Jimi!” or his buddy who probably responded with, “Duuuuude, you can’t just leave one nug for Jimi!”

I guess I’ll have to go with C, the inevitable stoner who eventually would stumble onto this scene and think to himself, “Jimi won’t miss these nugs.”

PS.  DO NOT fuck with the Renton PD

(file photo)
Sirron Norris has been working on a new mural on the side of Revolution Cafe. The artist who’s whose piece (seen on the wall above) had been replaced has thrown his objections up in street art form. Mission Local has the story. Luckily Sirron sounds like he’s interested in having a discussion with the previous artist, rather than reacting with the same kind of aggression.

Just kidding. It’s not about choosing sides. Right?

It’s time to vote. Matt Baume at SF Appeal has laid out the ayes and noes with some colorful graphs in a very helpful way, divided between the props and the candidates.

Look up your polling place and get a sample ballot at SFGov.

The San Francisco League are Young and Pissed Off and after the ballots are in you can join them at El Rio from 8:01pm-12:00am.

Anyway, go out there and do it, it’s fun and I always wear a tie on election days for some reason.

Just spotted ‘em. This city acts fast!

Previously:

“There Are No Savesies”

Hey, sooner or later your neighbor with the unsecured Netgear is going to wise up and throw a password on that sucker. What will you do once that happens?

I was browsing SF ISPs since Comcast is getting hella expensive and stumbled across MonkeyBrains, based right in the Mission. They seem like a laid back bunch. One interesting thing on their site is their FREE wireless offer:

RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS in the Mission: We are starting a pilot program in the Mission District of San Francisco where wireless is FREE through the end of 2010 — all you pay for is the setup of an antenna on your rooftop. Speeds are 10Mbps to 20Mbps up and down. Fill out the Sign Up form and we’ll contact you to see if your house is eligible for this pilot program (it requires line of site to our antenna).

Sounds like an awesome idea, but you might not have a lot of luck convincing your landlord to install an antenna on the roof. Has anyone with a qualifying location taken these guys up on this offer?

Just posted: the route map for the (first of two) Mission Sunday Streets on June 20th. Biggest difference — this year, Harrison gets carless, and it runs to 3pm instead of 2pm.

Not yet on their web site, but some details on Facebook.

As a reminder, here’s 24th St last year:

Don’t forget to move your cars this time around, OK?