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.
The sinews of old San Francisco lie in the water: the posts standing in the Bay mud that supported the docks and piers where the shipping that made the city possible, and later allowed it to flourish, flowed.
You can enter many an "Irish pub" in San Francisco with an ample Guinness flow and trad music on the PA that is about as Irish as a bowl of Lucky Charms floating in green beer.
God help me, but it's true: I love America's Funniest Home Videos. Thanks to YouTube, you can find more than enough old episodes. You turn the sound off -- be gone, Bob Saget! -- and bliss. It's so predictable, yet so hilarious. Men working on roofs are gonna fall. Skateboarders will not land wheels-down. Rodeo clowns defy the laws of physics. Perfect.
Longtime readers may recall the Exendorsing John McCain in 2008 -- and doing so in language seemingly salvaged from the McKinley era. They will not be disappointed this year.
In the heart of the nation's most liberal city, the Ex endorses just about every Republican candidate, ballot measure, and hobby horse it can. In the Ex's world, San Francisco needs Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorina, raids on marijuana users, the ouster of Nancy Pelosi, and the repeal of the three-fifths compromise (just kidding). This is what happens when your paper is owned by a messianic right-wing billionaire.
The sole Dem-friendly endorsements: No on Prop. 23 (a clear oil-driven subterfuge vehemently opposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger); Yes to Treasurer Bill Lockyer (running essentially unopposed); and Yes on Secretary of State Debra Bowen (her Republican opponent, Damon Dunn, has only voted once before in his life. That's odd for a position that largely entails overseeing and administering state elections).
And now, on to our favorite rhetorical flushes:
The Ex endorses Whitman and notes that "it is time to make clear that the crowd in Sacramento plans to repeal
the two-thirds requirement for approval of a budget or tax increase will
not stand. As perilous as California's financial condition is now,
allowing state spending and taxes to be increased with a simple majority
of state legislators would be insanity." That's interesting. California is one of only three states to require a two-thirds vote to pass a budget. It's one of only 13 states to require a two-thirds vote to raise taxes. How "insane" can a process 94 percent of the nation abides by be?
The paper's glowing endorsement of Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina introduces her as "the former Hewlett-Packard CEO and breast cancer survivor." Jarring -- the oddest juxtaposition of supposedly positive attributes since "Martha Raye -- comedienne, denture-wearer." Astoundingly, the Ex feels that Fiorina's brush with death somehow uniquely qualifies her for political office. "As
a breast cancer survivor, Fiorina knows the agony of uncertainty and
the crucial importance of perseverance when the road ahead is foggy." Good Lord, where to begin? Millions of Americans are afflicted with cancer -- but they probably wouldn't think to put it on their resumes. Fiorina's battle is admirable, and, sadly, ongoing. It doesn't translate to the duties required of a Senator, accountant, or bottle-washer. But the Ex's loose comparison of the Senate to a disease -- that says something.
Bio:
Joe Eskenazi was born in San Francisco, raised in the Bay Area, and attended U.C. Berkeley. He never left.
"Your humble narrator" was a staff writer and columnist for SF Weekly from 2007 to 2015.
He resides in the Excelsior with his wife, 4.3 miles from his birthplace and 5,474 from hers.
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.'"
