Keep In Touch | Asterisk San Francisco Magazine

Asterisk San Francisco Magazine
 Volume 2 Issue 3 - PEOPLE ISSUE

Keep In Touch: Not everything in San Francisco is going the way of the web. Asterisk San Francisco Magazine has embraced a brick and mortar (and paper) strategy for keeping an information-hungry public up to speed on all that’s cool and happening in the city.  The six square-shaped issues published each year are designed at 24th and Shotwell Streets in a storefront that also doubles as an art gallery and party space.  Consider taking a break from writing that limits you to 140 characters and read from something that doesn’t need to be recharged.  For those with a nasty tech habit to feed, Asterisk offers an interactive experience on its website. Asterisk San Francisco Magazine, 3156 24th Street, San Francisco, (415) 839-9707, asterisksanfrancisco.com.

Attention, Shoppers | San Francisco Scooter Centre

Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday

San Francisco Scooter Centre's Showroom

Attention, Shoppers: Now that the sun is out and the days are long, it’s time to discover the city à la Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn by picking up a vintage Vespa at the San Francisco Scooter Centre.   This is the Bay Area's best source for scooter service and sales, from classics to brand new. The proprietor, Barry Gwin, and his team take their craft seriously and will guide the most extreme of novices through all the steps of buying, owning and repairing your way to a Roman Holiday.  If only they could do something about the lack of motorcycle parking around town.  San Francisco Scooter Centre, 127-10th Street, San Francisco, (415) 558-9854, sfscootercentre.com.

Let’s Get This Party Started | The Bold Italic’s Hocus Polkus

Let’s Get This Party Started: Leave it to The Bold Italic to recast a real estate trick, the microhood, into a cultural treat. Microhoods were invented by realtors eager to make a buck off marketing small stretches of hip shopping and nightlife to eager buyers. Thanks to The Bold Italic they’re now a reason for the rest of us to celebrate.  The next neighborhood fête is on May 3 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Polk Street between Bush and Post.  With promises to cast a magical spell on revealers at the aptly titled Hocus Polkus, the party's interactive art installations presented by area galleries and the great discounts offered by Lower Polk stores are sure to please more than the realtors. Hocus Polkus, Polk Street and Fern Alley, San Francisco, thebolditalic.com.

Curtain Call | The Cutting Ball Theater

The Cast of Tenderloin

Curtain Call: The Cutting Ball Theater’s stated vision “is to produce plays that reveal a poetic truth as opposed to a naturalistic or realistic one.”  This should make for an interesting production of Tenderloin, a documentary play based on interviews with people who live and work in the Tenderloin (many of whom might prefer some poetic justice to poetic truth).  If like the Tenderloin-based Hydropathes you call this neighborhood home, the Cutting Ball Theater offers you a limited number of pay-what-you-can tickets to this production that runs from April 27 through May 27.  The Cutting Ball Theater, 277 Taylor Street, San Francisco, (415) 292-4700, cuttingball.com.

Let’s Get This Party Started | 1906 Earthquake & Fire

View of Market Street and Lotta's Fountain on April 18, 1906

Let’s Get This Party Started: At the time, it was the greatest catastrophe in the history of the United States, devastating a city and leaving some 3,000 people dead and tens of thousands homeless.  And tomorrow, this legendary disaster gives San Franciscans an occasion to party. Every April 18th at 5:12 a.m. (the exact time of the quake), survivors of the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, city officials, historical reenactors and fans of an early-morning Bloody Mary gather at Lotta’s Fountain to remember the tragedy, but more importantly to celebrate the city’s “rise from the ashes.”  Lotta’s Fountain, Market and Kearny Streets, San Francisco.

Attention, Shoppers | Get Your Orange (and #54) On

Detail of the Sergio Romo "Fear the Other Beard" Bandana

Attention, Shoppers: Any San Francisco Giants fan knows that the Dugout Store is the legal spot to pick up official merchandise. If only the front office buyers offered a selection of the Hydropathes-favorite Sergio Romo, there would be no need to venture outside the comforts of AT&T Park to the north side of King Street.  Here vendors sell edgier and less expensive selections not endorsed by Major League Baseball, including the “Fear the Other Beard” bandana.  With a feeling reminiscent of New York’s Canal Street, shoppers break several laws just to get some distinctive Giants gear to début at the next game.  And with 150 more remaining in the season, there are plenty of opportunities left to show off the latest in orange fashion.  Go Giants! Dugout Store, AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco, sfgiants.com.

Let’s Get This Party Started | Queen’s Day

Let’s Get This Party Started: Surrounded by a windmill and tulips, you might think that you are in Amsterdam for this Queen’s Day celebration hosted by the Netherlands Consulate General, the local Dutch community and the Department of Recreation and Park on Saturday, April 28th.  No need to renew your passport for this trip, simply venture down to Golden Gate Park’s Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden at the Dutch Windmill.  There you will be treated to live music, Dutch food, traditional Dutch children’s games, a flea market and a beer garden all in honor of the queen's birthday.  Attendees are asked to wear orange--so dig into your Giants gear stash and have yourself a blast at this Koninginnedag party. Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden, Golden Gate Park, Great Highway to  47th Avenue along  John F. Kennedy, Jr. Drive, San Francisco, sfdutch.com.

Attention, Shoppers | Futagami

Futagmi's "Universe" Trivett

The Japanese metalware company Futagami has been producing handcrafted objects for over 100 years.  Made of brass and bronze, these unique pieces have a antique feeling while maintaining thoroughly modern designs. Do some star-gazing from the kitchen table with their galaxy-themed trivets, including the appropriately titled “Universe.”  These and other contemporary household products can be found at the Outer Sunset’s General Store.  Futagami, futagami-imono.co.jp.  General Store, 4035 Judah Street, San Francisco, (415) 682-0600, visitgeneralstore.com.

Edibles Du Jour | Hooker’s Sweet Treats

Hooker's Classic Caramels Come in Classic Packaging

Edibles Du Jour: There’s a new type of hooker peddling something sweet in the Tenderloin.  From his Hyde Street café, David “Hooker” Williams gives caramels a makeover by adding his own twist to this classic treat.  Grab a box to go, or enjoy these standouts and other organic specialties with a Sightglass espresso at the café's community table.  The service is warm and reflects Hooker's Southern roots.  These sea salted, dark chocolate covered caramels are sure to give you an experience quite unlike any you have known.  They're pure ecstasy and well worth a visit to the TL.  Hooker’s Sweet Treats, 442 Hyde Street, San Francisco, (415) 441-4628, hookerssweettreats.com.

Let’s Get This Party Started | Muni Centennial

SFMTA Centennial Logo

Let’s Get This Party Started: Across the street from the San Francisco Railway Museum, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Mayor Ed Lee today, kicked off the Muni centennial year celebrations by welcoming historic streetcar No. 1 back to the fleet.  Founded in 1912, Muni has since grown to provide transit service to more than 200 million customers per year.  While there’s no such thing as a free ride on Muni, there’ll be plenty of free events this year to celebrate the history of San Francisco’s Municipal Railway. San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, (415) 701-2311, sfmta.com.

Edibles Du Jour | Toy Boat Dessert Café

A View of Toy Boat's Kitsch Interior

Edibles Du Jour: Sure, Toy Boat Dessert Café has an extensive menu of salads and sandwiches, but the number one reason to venture out to this Inner Richmond favorite is the Double Rainbow ice creams that have been served up for decades without that hipster attitude found at the latest parlors popping up around town.  Stop calorie counting for one day, and try a scoop of It’s a Goody with extra marshmallow sauce.  Toy Boat Dessert Café, 401 Clement Street, San Francisco, (415) 751-7505.

Off The Wagon | Big 4

A View of the Big 4's Classic Interior

Off The Wagon: The back dining room isn’t what draws the crowds to the Big 4 Restaurant--the bar is the place to see and be seen. Just tonight, Hall of Famer Joe Montana was spotted at one table, while seated in the green-banquettes across the way was a gaggle of City Hall politicos.  Classic never goes out of style at this Nob Hill watering hole that is the go-to hang out for the after work crowd, locals and hometown celebrities.  Come here to indulge in cheeseburgers and martinis (Grey Goose, up, dirty, two olives, please), stay for the excellent people watching and live piano music.   Big 4 Restaurant, The Huntington Hotel, 1075 California Street San Francisco, (415) 771-1140, big4restaurant.com.

L'art Pour L'art | Art on Market Street

Collage of Past Market Street Kiosk Posters

L'art Pour L'art: The San Francisco Arts Commission has issued a call for artists for the 2013 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.  This is the best opportunity for professional, practicing artists to install their work along San Francisco’s main thoroughfare.  Posters from earlier installations are on sale from the SFAC archive at $50 each. All the funds collected from the sale of the posters go back into the Market Street Program and support the installation of original, contemporary art for thousands of workers, residents, and visitors to enjoy. San Francisco Arts Commission, 25 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, (415) 252-2590, sfartscommission.org.

Let’s Get This Party Started | SFMOMA’s Modern Ball

Let’s Get This Party Started: The kick-ass Modern Ball returns to SFMOMA on April 25th with three parties in one: The Gala Dinner, The Supper Club, and The Post-Modern Party. This Stanlee Gatti designed soiree in support of SFMOMA's student, teacher and family programming manages to remain fresh each year and is your best chance to cut loose afterhours among the masterpieces. Join patrons and partieres as they kick out the jams in the suggested attire of "Dress Up!" to a DJ set by the electrofunk duo Chromeo.  San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third Street, San Francisco, (415) 618-3263, sfmoma.org/modernball.

Attention, Shoppers | Reliquary Boutique

Attention, Shoppers: Hayes Valley moves one step closer to solidifying its position as the best place in San Francisco to avoid that nasty chain-store shopping habit.  All those seeking a mix of new, vintage and antique sewing notions, small wares, clothing and jewelry will surely find something to add to their collections at Reliquary Boutique.  Reliquary Boutique, 537 Octavia Street, San Francisco, (415) 431-4000, reliquarysf.com.

L'art Pour L'art | Manifest Destiny!

L'art Pour L'art: Has a modern-day Henry David Thoreau escaped the trappings of the material world and built his own version of a cabin on Walden Pond from the side of the Financial District’s Hotel des Arts?  To the disappointmet of transcendentalists everywhere, no.  This log cabin hanging high above the streets was not created as a place to withdraw from society or as a call to Union Square shoppers to live more Spartan-like existences.  Rather, this is the first installation of Southern Exposure’s Off-Site Initiative.  Consumers can breathe a sigh of relief.  Manifest Destiny! by artists Jenny Chapman and Mark Reigelman II is on view until October 31, 2012.  Hotel des Arts, 447 Bush Street, San Francisco, soex.org/manifestdestiny.

Attention, Shoppers | Lauren DiCioccio

Attention, Shoppers: From its beautifully renovated warehouse next to the Yellow Building in Dogpatch, The Workshop Residence today, launched Lauren DiCioccio’s line of finely detailed embroidered fabric tote bags. This is The Workshop’s latest effort to connect resident artists with makers in the Bay Area to produce crafts that are unique and local. And the result from Ms. DiCioccio's residency is pure beauty and reusable function brought to the eco-unfriendly and mass-produced plastic bag. The totes are available for sale through The Workshop Residence. The Workshop Residence, 833 22nd Street, San Francisco, (415) 285-2050, theworkshopresidence.com

Edibles Du Jour | Jane

Jane's Storefront

Edibles Du Jour: Someone spilled the beans on Pacific Height’s best-kept secret for the last year: Jane, a chic cafe in the Fillmore District. Serving the City’s top roast, De La Paz Coffee, fresh baked goods and other specialties made in house, Jane’s proprietor and top baker, Amanda Michael, brings new meaning to all day dining--no one ever wants to leave this neighborhood favorite. From a perfect cup of Joe to tasty treats and even tastier staff decked out in Matt Dick-designed uniforms, you’re sure to find something that pleases you at Jane. Jane, 2123 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, (415) 931-5263, janeonfillmore.com.

L'art Pour L'art | Luke Butler



Luke Butler's The End 2012

L'art Pour L'art: Alas, an exhibition of new paintings by Luke Butler is now on view until May 5th at Silverman. The artist’s second solo exhibition at the gallery presents several new paintings, continuing Butler’s ongoing study of 1970s television with a technical precision that is second to none. The show includes a dramatic new series of paintings titled, The End, which offer stunning vistas and closing credits reminiscent of the glory days of motion pictures. Silverman, 804 Sutter Street, San Francisco, (415) 255-9508, Silverman-Gallery.com

Attention, Shoppers | Little Vine



The Little Vine Storefront

 Attention, Shoppers: Several months ago, a small-town-style grocery opened in North Beach offering a nice variety of wines, locally sourced artisanal foods and customer service like it used to be. Little Vine is the perfect spot for locals to find all the basics and for visitors to pick up all they need for a classic picnic (Washington Square is just blocks away). This jewel-box of a gourmet store is a welcome addition to a sleepy block of Grant that seems to be waking up. Little Vine, 1541 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, (415) 272-7567, shoplittlevine.com.