When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
A Berkeley developer has halted plans for a major West Berkeley marijuana retail outlet by buying the Scharffen Berger Chocolate building at 914 Heinz Ave., where the Berkeley Patients Group had planned to move, the Oakland Tribune reports.Wareham Development had threatened to sue to halt plans to move a pot club into the building, based on the fears marijuana sales would make nearby buildings the company owns less attractive to prospective tenants. A French immersion school in the neighborhood had also threatened to sue.
But it took actually purchasing the building to keep the dope fiends away.
PostedByPeter Jamison
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 4:34 PM
A typical San Francisco newlywed?
Are you a newlywed San Francisco woman itching to have your bodice ripped off by a dude who's not your husband? If so, never fear -- you're not alone, according to data released by cheater-enabling website ashleymadison.com.
This city -- following a nationwide trend -- has seen an explosion of interest in extramarital affairs among females who have been married less than three years, according to new data from ashleymadison.com, a website that helps married folks cheat on their spouses.
According to a release from Avid Life Media, the parent company of ashleymadison.com, the number of newlywed women signed up for the infidelity service in San Francisco skyrocketed from 284 in April 2009 to 846 this month. While the site's overall local membership grew by 63 percent, female newlywed membership went up 198 percent.
PostedByWill Harper
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Most parents take it for granted that when their babies pee or poop, the problem can be resolved by reaching for a fresh diaper.
Homeless moms, however, don't have that simple luxury. According to nonprofit Help a Mother Out, diapers are the number one need at some homeless shelters.
"It's heart-breaking, but social workers tell us that many mothers are
re-using disposable diapers and letting their child sit in soiled
diapers all day because they can't afford to buy more," said Lisa
PostedByLois Beckett
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Who's behind @Bossy_Brugmann?
Once upon a time, if you wanted to roast your newspaper editor, you would make a drunken speech at an office party or draw a funny cartoon. But that was back in the bad old days, before fake Twitter accounts created the perfect medium for a constant stream of homage/mockery.
For instance: @Bossy_Brugmann. This simulacrum of Bay Guardian editor Bruce Brugmann is drunken, outrageous, rails against Village Voice Media executive editor Mike Lacey, and aims to "smother all local media" with his "death wings."
PostedByWill Harper
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 1:37 PM
If you are young, old, or disabled, a Muni Fast Pass will cost you an extra $5 starting tomorrow. The Municipal Transportation Agency is raising the price of its discounted passes from $15 to $20.
PostedByWill Harper
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Even Democratic Socialists like money.
How's this for great leadership: In June, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums publicly promised to take a 10 percent pay cut, then privately kept collecting his full pay. His excuse: It was just a really inconvenient time to make less money.
According to news reports, a statement issued by Dellums' office said only that "changed family
circumstances following the death of a close family member made it
PostedByLauren Smiley
on Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 11:27 AM
From douchey to yawn worthy...
If San Francisco had a Hot Columnist contest, Mark Morford and Melissa Griffin would run away with the trophies. Griffin is a ball-breaking fox and Morford's blazing stare could set kindling on fire. Who could even attempt to compete? Columnists tend to be a pretty frumpy crew.
But if you've been paying attention lately, the King and Queen of Hot among the city's scribes have changed their image. For the worse, people!
First, Mark Morford, SF Gate's prolific rambling man on all things progressive. Morford is the embodiment of the San Francisco hottie, a man who posts sexy photos of himself doing yoga on his website categorized by "Presence," "Strength," and "Bliss."
The point of his talk, of course, was to condemn the rapid and brutal depletion of shark population worldwide to satisfy a seemingly endless appetite for shark fins. But he also favored the audience with several tongue-in-cheek tips on how to get eaten by a Great White Shark, if that's what you're into.
1. Look Like Food You should definitely flounder around in a wet suit on top of a surfboard. A shortboard. Because that's how you can best look like a pinniped (such as a seal), which sharks love to eat. The vast majority of unprovoked shark attacks involve people wearing wet suits. And, interestingly, the shift from longboards to shortboards saw an increase in shark attacks, possibly because the smaller boards better resemble a delicious pinniped.
I'm just going to say this once - up front - and then I'm going to move on: The furor raised over the Arizona illegal immigrant law is interesting to watch from my queer perch. I understand the outrage. The nerve of one state threatening to restrict the constitutional rights of a minority - simply because the majority can get away with it (even if only temporarily), sure sounds familiar to me.
But I don't remember hearing all the indignation and outrage as multiple states passed laws restricting the rights of gay people to have legitimate families. Nor was there much turmoil or foot stomping about the multiple states that passed amendments in addition to laws against the recognition of our families.
In news that harkens back to the glorious days of segregation, the Hawaii state legislature passed a bill on Thursday that creates Civil Unions for same-sex couples. The Republican governor isn't sure if she'll sign the bill yet. She's still trying to decide where to install the "gay only" water fountains. Boycott Hawaii! Fat chance.
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
