Dale's Scene

Breaking through

2011-11-16T16:31:00.000-08:00

Thin fog at 9am this morning near Rob Hill, SF CA.
Photosynth app on an iPhone

A coffeeberry grows in NoPa

2011-07-17T15:55:00.001-07:00

A better kitchen

2011-04-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Cyprian's Community Kitchen Project from cyprianscommunitykitchen on Vimeo.

Good to see some friends here speaking up for a better kitchen and healthy eating habits. Please support!

A new sign marks a new beginning

2011-03-16T23:01:00.001-07:00

Just revisited this picture and was kind of delighted to see how much
it captures.

A glimpse of the new El Polin

2010-11-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

When the skies cleared this afternoon I visited the Presidio and got a view of the transformed El Polin area. Up the slope from the spring, and past the patch of restored habitat, a huge area has been freed from army-era landfill. The freshly contoured soil is now covered with the green fuzz of weedy grasses, sprouting quickly after the recent rains.

A great spot to see birds, El Polin did not disappoint. A flight of four American Kestrels took off from the brush when I neared a fenced off area. One came back and settled in a tall tree. What a spectacular bird.

In the meadow

2010-10-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

We had a visit to Yosemite last weekend. The clouds were heavy Sunday morning.

Buckeye

2010-08-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

So exciting finding this Common Buckeye (Nymphaliidae) this afternoon in the Presidio at El Polin

A dune is born

2010-05-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

San Francisco has a new sand dune, bare for the time being but ready for native plants soon. In the Presidio just east of Battery Caulfield Road.

Scenes from rare wildflower monitoring

2010-04-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

I joined an excursion Thursday to Nicasio Ridge, in the GGNRA, where the spring bloom was erupting in yellow energy and blue dicks.

Together with park rangers and community botanists, we tramped through ceanothus to count up the castilleja affinis ssp. neglecta, an endangered species, aka Tiburon Paintbrush.

We also estimated and geo-tagged population of a threatened perennial herb, Fragrant Fritillary.

Eyjafjallajökull

2010-04-18T15:08:00.001-07:00

Volcanic Eruption Eyjafjallajökull
Originally uploaded by fridgeirsson

Hello, Eyjafjallajökull. Nice to meet you.

Scrub Jays return

2010-03-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

Hello, scrub jays! I'm glad we left some twigs and roots for you in the garden. We haven't seen you since last spring.

I love Mona's murals

2010-03-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Mona Caron's new mural in the Tenderloin.

2010-02-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

So much strange news today - a suicide bomber attacked the IRS in Texas, San Francisco's police chief wants our police to carry more lethal weapons. I started watching The Hurt Locker, then interrupted that to see a preview of a new production at ACT tonight: The Caucasian Chalk Circle. Yow, more bombs exploding and machine guns! Wacky accents and verbal takedowns, CNN/Fox style.

Habitat restoration at Battery East

2010-02-17T16:51:00.000-08:00

Tree removal over the past few months has re-opened a stellar view of the Golden Gate from Battery East in the Presidio.

I just felt lucky to get to do habitat restoration in such a location. Removed non-native grasses and planted yarrow, native iris, lizard tail, sticky monkey, cow parsnip, nettle, sea daisy.

Nearby, last year's planting along the pathway is not so great looking - yet! There are hundreds of native plants, most of them in the ground for less than a year and they are slowly getting better established. The soil was incredibly hard there, and maybe they need a little more time to take root.

Hydrology

2010-02-01T22:30:00.000-08:00

After the storms of the last month, the hills of the Presidio are alive with bubbling streams and seeps, like this one near Inspiration Point.

Blue Bike Rack

2010-02-01T17:14:00.000-08:00

I loved all the blue on the bike rack at the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Branch Library on Sunday.

Getting Smooth on the West End

2010-01-18T16:10:00.000-08:00

Townsend's Warbler

2010-01-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

More backyard birding.

Happy New Year, news about The Share Fund

2010-01-06T14:44:00.001-08:00

New Year with New Bike Racks
Originally uploaded by firesigned

A belated Happy New Year to my blog readers. Here I am welcoming 2010 at Ocean Beach.

On a completely unrelated note, a friend told me about her work with a local/global project, The Share Fund. This project promotes the understanding of indigenous cultures. It is supporting sustainable development in Ecuador, Kenya, and elsewhere.

Bucks for Presidio visitors center in latest federal spending bill

2009-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

I believe that the Presidio is best understood in the out of doors. Still, a high-quality visitors center would be justified, especially if it can be built into the Officers Club in a way that respects and brings forth the history of the building.

From the Chronicle, news about funding that Nancy Pelosi shook loose:

Billions in earmarks inflate defense bill's cost: "'The Heritage Center at the Officers' Club will introduce visitors to a series of exhibits, digital media, classrooms and programs about the Presidio and its role in the development of the American West,' said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly.

The Presidio expenditure presents an unusual irony. After the Presidio was included in a round of military base closures, Pelosi helped craft a public-private agreement to keep its valuable real estate from being carved up by developers. The congressional requirement promised that the park would be free of federal subsidies by 2013.

The $5 million earmark will fund close to 25 percent of the center's estimated renovation and help leverage other donations from corporations and foundations, said Tia Lombardi, director of public affairs at the Presidio Trust."

Gavin just bought us an island!

2009-12-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

irene. on Flickr

Our Mayor's paying the Navy $105M for a big pile of rocks in the middle of the bay. Someone in the Navy thinks they're pretty smart to get that agreement for a percentage of "potential profits."

San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom's Blog: Mayor News om and U.S. Secretary of Navy Announce Agreement to Transfer Treasure Island to San Francisco: "Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that they had reached a broad outline of terms for the conveyance of former Naval Station Treasure Island from the Navy to the City’s Treasure Island Development Authority. The terms of the agreement include a guaranteed payment to the Navy of $55M followed by an interim payment of another $50M, plus an additional share of potential further profits."

el mundo quiere un acuerdo real

2009-12-14T15:41:00.001-08:00

San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Originally uploaded by The World Wants a Real Deal

Big goings on this week.

Climate advocates should build ties with the public-health community | Grist

2009-12-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

Climate advocates should build ties with the public-health community | Grist: "The Lancet‘s recent study found that climate policy written without bearing health costs in mind was far more expensive, far less beneficial to communities, and left potential savings of tens of billions of dollars on the table. It found that “the measures needed to make the necessary reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions are those needed to protect and improve global health. Overall, what is good for tackling climate change is good for health.”"

I've also been reading about this in my alumni magazine from UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Prof. Kirk Smith is, I believe, one of the authors of the piece in the Lancet and is articulating the "co-benefits" (to health and to climate) of social changes.

We're getting bike lanes...soon!

2009-11-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

My bike coalition widget, which currently counts 1,256 days since a bike lane was installed, could be retired from the blog within days, according to news reports. Oh, what a legal system we have here in 21st century California.

First look at new Buena Vista park

2009-11-14T22:14:00.000-08:00

Today I visited Buena Vista park to see the changes made to the southeastern slope. Weeds and fallen trees have been cleared, and hundreds of young plants are in the ground, many of them San Francisco native plants: yarrow, lupine, flowering currant, as well as many I did not know. Also in the ground is a lot of apparatus: jute nets peak through the soil, fat wattles cling to wooden stakes pounded into the slope, and irrigation pipes snake in every direction.

I had so many questions, especially about how long the prolific irrigation system will be needed, if it's going to remain so darn visible, whether the plants are a good match for the sandy soil, and how the community is planning to control weeds.

Besides all the stuff for the plants, there's the heavy-duty construction: for people. A solid path, retaining walls (some cement, mostly wood), hand rails, and new wood stairways.

My friends told me that one of their reactions to the new path, with its waist-high walls on each side for much of its length, was to feel strangely cut off and separated from the natural surroundings.

But nature is there if you look for it. As I sat my bag down to snap a few pictures, butterflies circled around and landed on my bag. And a benefit of these new walls is the abundant places to sit, talk, and zone out looking at the fabulous views of Corona Heights and beyond.

We have a new path to enjoy, and it's ADA accessible. A chunk of the park has less ivy and more native plants. Good reasons to celebrate. It's the biggest investment in the park we're likely to see in a long time. Let's take care of it.

Watershed of Marshall Beach

2009-11-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

Willows and blackberry vines grow in the bottom of this ravine that drains at Marshall's Beach, San Francisco.

New plants for Buena Vista

2009-10-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Plants are lined up and ready for planting in Buena Vista Park. The east slope project has taken quite awhile, but paths have been rebuilt and the end seems to be in sight. Hopefully these fences will be gone within a few weeks or months.

Yay it's Halloween!

2009-10-26T18:28:00.001-07:00

Halloween is definitely upon us, coming in just five days. True to form, our October has given us rain showers, and the nights are getting chilly, resulting in Halloween superstores sprouting across the city and polyester cobwebs adorning cypress bushes.

I'll be performing in a show in the Castro on Halloween night. "Yay it's Halloween" is a line in of the songs in the show, a new "horror opera" by Jack Dubowsky presented by the Lesbian Gay Chorus of San Francisco.

"We want to see some gays!" That's another line, delivered by gawkers - some innocent, some not so innocent. Are gays and drag queens still a freak show diversion for straight folks? It can certainly feel that way, but people are beginning to wonder if all that is fading with the proliferation of gay and trans images and in popular culture (not to mention the increasing vulgarity of straight culture).

One thing that is definitely still here is the fear of violence. Fear, more than annoyance over quality of life issues such as pissing in the street, breaking bottles, and noise, helped get our street party shut down a few years ago. There will be no street closures. Yet on Saturday night, as we left the theater at 10:30 pm and walked down 18th St, SFPD had closed and taken all of the street parking on Collingwood, just a short block off of Castro St. A show of force one week before the big event? I have no idea, really. Transparency hasn't exactly been an SFPD virtue while I've lived here.

So is there anything wrong with "home for Halloween", the city's new slogan? If you pay attention, they've make it clear they're not telling you to stay home, they're talking about your "home 'hood". Party there! I'm all for local participation and after 8 years in the Western Addition, have formed solid ties with people in my 'hood. Heck, my partner even pulled together a Street Party earlier this month. And this neighborhood will have an outdoor community party on Halloween, with street closures, though I'm pretty sure it's mostly for kids & parents.

So what else is happening on Halloween? A lot of expensive parties, which will likely involve as much or more alcohol and drugs than our street party did, and considerably more hearing loss. And a lot of cultural events, expensive and not so expensive, at theaters and museums across town. One big party? Definitely not.

Thank you to all who have already been to our show, or are planning to come this week. My message for all of you, is, don't be afraid to do what you want and go where you want to go on Halloween.

Fall color in San Francisco

2009-10-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

We do have some fall color in San Francisco - that's why I love Japanese Maples, which just glow with color and have a few more weeks before they drop their leaves.

Restoration on Lyon St

2009-10-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I'm impressed by a good house restoration. This Lyon Street house was transformed between August 2008 and yesterday's open house. It's now two, 3-bedroom homes, each going for about $1 mil.

Check Bike NOPA for new bike route

2009-10-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

seems everyone's reading BIKE NOPA

Today, I'm contributing to Bike NOPA, a neighborhood blog all about bikes and livability. My post contains a detailed bike route (developed on Bikely) for tourists and locals alike to explore both Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.Bike NOPA has developed quite a readership since it went live this summer, so I thought it would be a perfect place to host this route.

2009-09-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

It's PARK(ing) Day on Friday, and this year the map even comes with a cycle tour. See you out there on Friday!

Bike the Block in NoPa on Sept. 27

2009-09-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

This bike-themed street party is coming to our neighborhood later this month. I'm helping Michael organize this, and we'd love to have you join us!

Trio still together

2009-09-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

It's the time of the year for my big succulents to bloom - just like they did this time last year! Compare this photo (from a week ago) with a shot of these three pots two years ago to see how much the tall one on the left has grown.

Last week was also the height of our two strawflowers. I found them at Plant It Earth this spring, and they took forever to bloom! Even if Michael thinks they're freakishly tall for strawflowers, I love 'em.

"Blight" on Hayes from the Harding Theater?

2009-08-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

The debate over the future of the Harding Theater is heating up again, and there are still some pretty sharp divides between the property owner and some folks in the community. At the Planning Commission last week, the owner presented a new design that conserves the theater (but not all of the backstage).

One neighbor protested against the "blight" from leaving the theater abandoned. I decided to check it out and decide for myself. Here are a few shots from Hayes Street (showing the "fly loft" that would be eliminated and where the eight units of housing would go). With grafitti on not just one but three signs, and the chain link fence, and the hulking Clear Channel billboard, I have to agree that the owner's not taking care of the property.

Then there's the pile of black trash bags and a dusty black truck with flat tires.

Yet no matter how neglected the property, it's still going to be difficult to bring the Harding Theater back to life. Too bad, since performing groups need more mid-sized stages, and the Western Addition is poorly served (notwithstanding the recent renovation of the African-American Arts and Cultural Complex).

The bright spot for my visit was finding that the corner (Hayes @ Divis) has been cleared of a low-hanging Clear Channel billboard (recently wheatpasted by "uppity bike commuters").

Presidio Parkway underway

2009-08-18T14:12:00.000-07:00

The impending transformation of Doyle Drive into the Presidio Parkway has generated a fair amount of local press. Earth-moving and tree-cutting began this month. Starting in early 2010 and lasting for a year, a detour will affect the traffic shown in the center of this picture, where the small, green railing is visible: the direct connection from northbound Hwy 1 to eastbound Doyle Drive. That connection is to be closed, and motorists wanting to make that connection will leave Hwy 1 closer to the bridge and circle around in that area to get back onto Doyle Drive southbound. Marin motorists and Golden Gate Bridge officials are freaking out. This is a $1 billion dollar CalTrans project, and Ghilotti Brothers received a contract for work during the first phase.

Big trees, small people

2009-08-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

Watching these workers in the Presidio yesterday reminds me just how small we are next to a 100+ foot tall tree. In the top picture, a worker hangs from a rope attached to a crane and cuts limbs from a monterey cypress just east of the stables. Below, you'll need to click to enlarge to see another worker, who apparently carried his climbing and cutting gear up this enormous eucalyptus just west of 101/south of Doyle Drive.

Steven's Creek & Mountain View bike trip

2009-08-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Great weather last week for our bike trip. We took Caltrain to Mountain View and then rode on Steven's Creek trail to the Bay shore trails.

Goodbye to neighborhood palm

2009-08-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

This big palm tree will be gone soon, apparently, so that the (future?) residents of this Broderick Street house will have off-street parking.
I wonder, does a palm like that go on the market or does it go straight into the chipper?

Ride with us - Portland's social marketing

2009-07-28T18:29:00.001-07:00

Chris
Originally uploaded by communitycyclingcenter

A campaign by the Community Cycling Center in Portland invites people to "Ride with us." Each image features one or two people from the community telling us why they ride. I like the poster showing Chris.

Presidio Bike Tour

2009-07-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

Nice weather and a cool group for today's bike tour in the Presidio. Here we are at Immigrant Point Overlook. This shot, and much tour assistance, by Michael.

Rob took this nice shot of me with Debbie in front of Letterman Digital Arts Center.

Map of upcoming bike tour

2009-07-04T18:25:00.000-07:00

Presidio Bike Tour Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

SFBC getting decked out for Pride 2009

2009-06-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Great preview for Presidio Tour

2009-06-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to friends for coming out for the preview of my Presidio Bike Tour last Sunday. I hope we get half as much sun for next month's tour! I'm cutting back the tour a bit - 10 miles and 11 stops was just a bit too much.

Presidio Bike Tour - Preview this weekend

2009-06-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to guiding friends in the Presidio on Sunday for a tour by bike. We'll be checking out a bunch of the changes happening in the Presidio. This tour will give me practice for a bike tour next month that's open to the public. I've got 11 stops planned, to take a look at the changes happening. Here are three of the topics that have caught my attention (the photos are from various sites - not the places the tour is stopping):

Re-planting of historic forests

shown: stand of Monterey Cypress near Lover's Lane

Rehabilitation of historic buildings

shown: Civil-War era housing for officers off Funston Ave

Demolition and rebuilding of paths, streets, and highways

shown: Mason St multi-use path, with Doyle Drive in the background

Lucca and Luisa at 9 months

2009-06-14T22:16:00.000-07:00

Our two girls are doing well and getting along like the best of friends.

2009-06-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

Susan Vaughan at Streetsblog posted a piece today about poor work by some of DPW's contractors. The work she described is just like this bad job done this spring at the Broderick-Hayes intersection.

Health Reform - Outline from "Tri-committee" released

2009-06-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

An outline of a health reform proposal (click for pdf) is available from the Ways and Means Committee. It would expand community health centers and boost the pathways that lead to careers in primary care, among other good stuff.

Metropolis POV : On the High Line at Last

2009-06-09T17:30:00.001-07:00

High Line Park opened today in New York City!

Metropolis POV: On the High Line at Last

Shared via AddThis

Join us June 27: National Health Care Day of Service

2009-06-09T17:26:00.000-07:00

Health Reform is breaking out!

2009-06-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

The United States needs comprehensive health reform, and we may finally make it happen:

President Obama has built an impressive team and they're pursuing a deliberate political strategy.
New leaders on the Hill are prepared for the fight.
Health system leaders have formed new alliances.
Grassroots leaders at the neighborhood, local, state, and national levels have done their homework.

This weekend, I got together with people in my neighborhood through Organizing for America. We're working together to raise awareness and demonstrate our support for health reform that supports three major principles: control the escalating cost of health care; we keep the freedom to choose the doctors and health care plan we have or to find another one; and that all Americans have quality, affordable health care.

Here's my prescription for you: watch for news about our upcoming events, and stay informed about health reform by reading stories such as Matt Bai's article in the New York Times Magazine yesterday.

for Shri K. Pattabhi Jois

2009-06-05T22:51:00.000-07:00

A great yogi, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, passed away last month at age 93. From his home city of Mysore, India, he nurtured the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice, which is the kind of yoga that has been best for helping me toward a strong practice. How sad that just as I began trying to re-build my practice, its founder passes away.

Eel River weekend

2009-06-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

My friend Stuart hosted a group of us for a weekend gathering on the Eel River in Eastern Mendocino county. Here we are crossing through steep meadows on the way to swim in the river.

Cycling book reviewed by David Byrne

2009-06-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Pedaling Revolution, by Oregon journalist Jeff Mapes, got a strong review by David Byrne in Sunday's New York Times book review. That's great exposure for a book published by the Oregon State University Press. Michael has already read the book and he is more fired up than ever. I guess I'll check it out next!

Mori Point

2009-05-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

One of the natural areas of the GGNRA is Mori Point, along the coast in the city of Pacifica. It's undergoing a rehabilitation to promote native plant species. When Rob, John and I checked it out yesterday, the Coast Guard was conducting practice operations, landing two of its helicopters on the hilltop.

Presidio Bike Tour in the works

2009-05-26T19:02:00.000-07:00

Name that Presidio District!

My plans for a bicycle tour of the Presidio really started rocking today. If you'd like to join me for a preview tour, come out on Father's Day, June 21. If you'd like to join other members of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for the Official ride, watch your Biker Bulletin for a later date.

Likely stops: The Spire, Infantry Terrace, Disney Museum, Lombard Gate, Battery East bike trail, Native Plant Nursery, Public Health Service Hospital District, Mountain Lake.

Next show: Let's Get LOUD!

2009-05-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

Our annual Pride concert is coming up in at the end of June for 2 nights. Check the LGCSF website for details and tickets!

Mount Sutro excursion

2009-05-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Alerted by UCSF to restoration plans under public review, I visited Mt. Sutro last week with a map in hand.

The public image the open space preserve at Mount Sutro, owned and managed by UCSF, has been that it's covered with planted eucalyptus trees, many overtaken by ivy, resulting in a dank and boring monoculture.

In reality, the paths across the mountain are underused, but have interesting features, like these great mineral specimens of San Francisco serpentine.

Several species of ferns abound, including these growing from a tree trunk.

Also, some major work in recent years has opened up some space to a greater diversity of plants, such as these natives in the Rotary Meadow area.

The new work will be propelled by FEMA grants, and will be designed to reduce the fire hazard of eucalyptus forests growing on steep slopes within yards of residential neighborhoods.

The projects will take place in two areas: one just west of Edgewood Avenue and the other north of Crestmont Drive. According to the letter from UCSF, the slopes will be planted with California Buckeye, Pacific wax myrtle, Pacific Madrone, toyon, California coffeeberry, Monterey cypress, and coast redwood.

A great trail map is available online from Pease Press to guide people who want to explore Mt. Sutro.

Richmond to Vallejo Ride

2009-05-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

I started out from Richmond BART station today, hoping to ride my bike across the Carquinez Strait on the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge. After making it past the refineries north of Rodeo, I saw these goats along San Pablo Ave and stopped at a small pullout. Then I ended up taking took a panorama series.

At the vista point on the south side of the bridge, they've planted native species around the parking lot. Naturally, they really need to be weeded. This billboard for Chase has the obligatory bicyclist.

I made it across the bridge! From here it's on to Vallejo for a fast ferry ride back to San Francisco.

Oregon, April 2009

2009-05-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Painted Hills were an amazing stop on our Oregon trip last month.

Smoother Market Street

2009-05-05T15:42:00.001-07:00

Market Street could be the most important street for cycling in San Francisco. Yet the potholes and bumpy surface are really lousy. Thanks to the SFBC's Good Roads campaign, things have been looking up. Last night, we brought a card and some donuts and thanked DPW's Road Crew for working night shifts, in the rain, to get some bumpy stretches of Market Street re-paved.

My friend's new book

2009-05-04T22:09:00.001-07:00

My friend Howard Miller has a new book called You're Full of Shift. It's a funny title, and the book is full of short stories about the times throughout hs life when he made a shift in his thinking and how that helped him create a better situation or outcome. Howard also has a business that offers training and public speaking. I recommend checking out the book for some helpful ideas and a lot of laughs!

Sunday Streets #1

2009-04-28T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sunday Streets on the Embarcadero was awesome! I got to volunteer with the folks from the local Dance Studio. A little later, friends were there to help me fix a flat tire.

Western Scrub-Jays in the Yard

2009-04-28T18:39:00.000-07:00

These two western scrub-jays are visiting our yard several times a day this week. Our bare flower bed with a few dahlia shoots gives them a place to gather twigs and roots for their nest.

You Can't Stop the Beat

2009-04-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hairspray Rehearsal. "You Can't Stop the Beat" from JordanaL on Vimeo.
I am going to learn this song for Pride this year! The vocal part, not the dance steps - aww.

Mule Ears

2009-04-01T22:02:00.000-07:00

I hiked at Sweeney Ridge on Monday, and found these beautiful sunflowers. I understand they are Mule Ears, and with their soft, fuzzy, light green leaves, they are either Grey Mule Ears (wyethia helenioides) or Coastal Range Mule Ears (wyethia glabra).

"Best Mexican Food in the Bay Area"

2009-04-01T18:35:00.000-07:00

Nopalito, the new restaurant next door to Falletti Foods, was described as the "best Mexican food in the Bay Area" in the Chronicle's review this weekend!

Herbs in the garden

2009-04-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

We've put in a few spring plantings: Oregano, Italian Rosemary, Texas Tarragon, and Slow Bolt Cilantro. Also some Baby Blue Eyes (nemophila menziesii). There's no telling how they'll do in our shady garden, but we wanted to try something new. This bed looks completely different since Michael took out the tree.

Arizona sky

2009-03-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

I really miss the skies in Arizona, like this show from my Patagonia trip this month.

Wash House is Close

2009-03-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

More changes in North of Panhandle. Although the sign makes the closure sound temporary, I wouldn't be surprised if the Wash House is all washed up.

Great Ride: Centennial Way

2009-03-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Centennial Way, a path in San Mateo County, is nearing completion, and I checked it out on Tuesday. The northern half isn't yet open - some of the hard surfaces and plants are still going in, and a few fences are still up, so I don't actually encourage people to ride it yet...but I made it through. I started at the South San Francisco BART, rode on the new segment (see the path without stripes). I then passed this sign, which says the southern part of the trail was opened in April 2008, and continued on (see the striped path). Walkers and wildflowers were out in force for a beautiful spring day.

Market Street, San Francisco, 2009

2009-03-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Great new video begins discussion about how to create a Market Street century that works for more people.

2009-03-11T15:46:00.000-07:00

Local leader Sen. Mark Leno today introduced SB 810, a bill to overhaul the health care system in California. Go Mark!

Video from LifeCycle rider

2009-03-03T23:00:00.001-08:00

My friend Greg is in the AIDS LifeCycle this year. Here's a video from his ride. Check it out and then click through to support his ride.

Blossoms on the Tour of California

2009-02-20T14:43:00.001-08:00

Blossoms
Originally uploaded by amgentourofcalifornia

Amgen Tour of CA crosses SF

2009-02-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

The Tour of California crossed through the city on a rainy Monday morning. I went out to see the teams race through the Presidio and up Camino del Mar, but was too late to see most of the riders. I should have headed out on my bike like these sturdy folks.

Demolition on Baker St.

2009-02-18T17:46:00.000-08:00

A sign posted on this Baker Street house states that because of the recent fire, the house will be demolished. That is unfortunate for the residents, and for the whole neighborhood, since this beautiful house is full of character and is part of the architectural and historical heritage of the North of Panhandle neighborhood.

Love Bites 2009: Love Bites Pop Rocks

2009-01-25T11:52:00.000-08:00

Our next LGCSF performance is coming up in just two weeks. It's our first time singing in the Women's Building. Come check us out!

Two weekends!
Friday, February 6th and Saturday February 7th,
Special Adults ONLY Show: Friday, February 13th
All shows at 8 pm @ The Women's Building, 3543 18th St.

Tickets available now - HERE

or by phone at 1-800-838-3006

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Ocean Beach sunset, San Francisco 1/1/2009

Three of Luisa

2009-01-03T16:30:00.001-08:00

Luisa is turning out to be quite a serious predator cat.

Two of Lucca

2008-12-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

Lucca's becoming a sunloving cat.

Thanks to Hank

2008-12-29T18:16:00.000-08:00

Henry "Hank" Ruhe Wilson, April 29, 1947 - November 9, 2008

Earlier this month, the community gathered in the Castro for "Thanks to Hank: A Celebration of the Life and Work of Hank Wilson." Hank had a hand in many, many community causes, and groups such as the GLBT Historical Society put together altars, tables, and displays showing some of his work. I remembered seeing Hank many times giving people information about poppers, I took a shot of this scene: his provocative black and white flyers were pasted, taped, and tossed around a small trio of folding chairs. It evoked Hank's commitment to getting the word out by any means necessary.

Many people helped with the event, and afterward we were led by Extra Action Marching Band to a final celebration at Harvey Milk Plaza. Here's one of their dancers!

Sanchez St., part 2

2008-12-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

This recent photo shows the ongoing work on Sanchez St. north of Market. See Part 1 for more info.

New 3-speed Mikado Commuter

2008-12-25T12:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks to local bike store Citizen Chain and the bike coalition's winterfest, I've now got a "new" bike! I just took it for a ride to Golden Gate Park, and wearing my green jacket, I looked just like Christmas. It's a mint-condition, vintage 1979 Japanese bicycle. From what I can tell, "Mikado" was a minor bike line, and the Mikado Bicycle Division was a small part of Toyoda America, Inc. (an importer of Japanese manufactured goods, which must have translated the bike's Owner's Manual). Toyoda America, Inc. is still around, only now it's called Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. and it's owned by Toyota. So I guess my new bike is a Toyota.

A Massachusetts cyclist named Sheldon Brown - who, sadly, died in 2008 - has interesting background on Japanese bicycles at his website.

The bike comes with a cartridge-type Shimano three-speed hub. I got the paperwork on that, too, and it's copyright Dec. 1978.

Lucca and Luisa's first two weeks

2008-12-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

Since coming home with us on Nov. 22, Lucca...

...and Luisa first got to meet Annie...

...then Amani...

...then Will and Cynthia...

and then John and Rick.

Rahaim pulls it off by Thanksgiving (Day 890)

2008-11-27T13:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the 890th day since an injunction stopped all city progress toward making San Francisco more bike-friendly. It was also the day that the Planning Department, led by John Rahaim, had pledged to finish work on its Draft of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the San Francisco Bike Plan Project Project. They submitted it at 4:40 pm yesterday! Congratulations to all who worked on it!

Gay Hero: Remembering 30 years ago

2008-11-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

The murder of Harvey Milk was 30 years ago today. A new movie about his life and accomplishments is now out, and tomorrow at City Hall, my chorus will join with SFGMC to lead a community commeration.

Lucca

2008-11-23T22:42:00.001-08:00

Lucca, born 9/16/08
Originally uploaded by firesigned

Luisa

2008-11-23T22:41:00.001-08:00

Luisa, born 9/5/08
Originally uploaded by firesigned

Sanchez St. upgrade? Part 1

2008-11-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

Sanchez St is a great street for bicycling, but the pavement quality is a real pain in the a**. But change may be afoot. Below is some information that Michael found yesterday. He adds that he got the from the five year plan, and the dates for start-up may have changed. When we rode it today, we found lots of work underway ... lots of metal plates are covering up different excavations.

I found the current schedule for repaving parts of the Wiggle and nearby streets. The info might be useful for the Parks Ride tour through the Wiggle area next Tuesday....and for SFBC efforts to get a higher priority given to some of our prime bike routes.

DPW's Street Construction Coord Ctr. 554-5810 said that the PG&E work permit for Sanchez is valid until January 2009, or at least the Duboce to Market stretch (all of Sanchez from Duboce to 30th will be getting the PG&E treatment). The rep said the Duboce to Market stretch should be paved, curb to curb, "soon" after that.

According to the Five Year Plan http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/sfdpw/bsm/sccc/PavingPlanDPWInternet.pdf ,
Sanchez at the Duboce intersection is due for paving June 1, 2009. (it also notes "232 days"...for completion? yikes)

But the rest of Sanchez, including the shredded part from Duboce to Market is not scheduled for paving until July 1, 2012. And soon it will have the several cuts/wide patches from the PG&E work adding to the overall surface. (This work is tagged at "150 days")

Bush countdown

2008-11-15T17:07:00.001-08:00

334 Obama, 155 McCain ... for now!

2008-11-04T22:41:00.000-08:00

Still waiting for Missouri, Montana, Indiana and North Carolina.

Yeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Beach day today!

2008-10-25T19:48:00.000-07:00

77 degrees in San Francisco.

The pathway to the beach near the bridge has been re-built since my last visit. If you know where you're going, the new path makes the climb down much easier. The eco-system of the area will hopefully benefit from some improved management. One of the invasive species that will be suppressed is Cape Ivy. Today, though, everything just looked and felt very dry. We need rain soon!

Election 2008

2008-10-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

We filled out our mail-in ballots today, a process that took more than a half hour since there were 42 separate local, state and federal measures and races to consider! Here's a video from a local candidate I'm supporting in his race for District 11 Supervisor.