San Francisco Bay Guardian

The progressive communist conspiracy

02.24.10 - 7:44 pm | Tim Redmond |

(3)

This city's seen such heated discussions about what the word "progressive" means, it's fun to watch Glenn Beck proclaim that progressives are a disease facing America, really just Communists who don't have guns.

Live Shots: K.Flay, Bottom of the Hill, 02/21/2010

02.24.10 - 4:55 pm | Ben Hopfer |

(3)

After braving crummy weather and the odd timing of her Sunday night show, I finally got to see my new favorite female rapper K.Flay live. To be honest, K.Flay a San Franciscan by way of Illinois, is way more than just a rapper. She makes her own beats, mash-ups, and plays guitar, in addition to rocking a mic and a party.

"The State of Black SF"

02.24.10 - 3:48 pm | sfbg |

(1)

By Adrian Castañeda

To support those living in public housing, the Osiris Coalition is hosting an event called The State of Black SF this Sunday (Feb. 28) at the Main Library’s Koret Auditorium from 2-4:30 pm. It will feature a short film and a panel discussion on the plight of the city’s African American population, a topic discussed in this week’s Guardian cover story.

One of the items the panel is sure to discuss is the mayor’s Hope SF initiative to renovate eight public housing projects around the city. City officials, residents, and developers agree that housing projects like Hunter’s View and Alice Griffith are dilapidated. But while plans have been made for revitalization and rebuilding, some community groups are worried that current residents, an already marginalized population, will be overlooked.

Local CEO arrested in bribery sting

02.24.10 - 3:25 pm |

(0)

By Nima Maghame

San Francisco-based High Com Security owner Yochanan Cohen was one of 22 CEOs and presidents of security companies that make everything from bullets to bullet-proof vests who were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for illegally bribing foreign officials to win weapon defense contracts.Read more »

Gascon's remarks at press conference are stunning

02.24.10 - 3:21 pm | sfbg |

(4)

By Brady Welch

Police Chief George Gascon held a press conference Feb 25th to discuss his desire to arm his officers with Conducted Energy Devices (known to you and me as Tasers or stun guns) -- and his comments demonstrated that the chief still doesn't get it.

Gascon is arguing that Tasers could prevent some deadly police shootings. But there’s a much larger issue that he seems to be ignoring.Read more »

(Lack of) grace at EpiscoDisco

02.24.10 - 3:20 pm | Andre Torrez |

(0)

It was bound to happen. Some girl in a white coat tagged Grace Cathedral. Read more »

Happening

sexsf

Hot sex events: Feb 24-March 2

02.24.10 - 2:46 pm | Molly Freedenberg |

(0)

It's all bondage, bodies, and polys in the Bay this week. Read more »

Local Events

Snap Sounds: Kammerflimmer Kollektief

02.24.10 - 2:42 pm | Kimberly Chun |

(0)

KAMMERFLIMMER KOLLEKTIEF

Wildling

(Staubgold, released March 2)

At first sonic glimmer, Germany’s Kammerflimmer Kollektief wax too softly, too New Agedly to stir many passions apart from recollections of browsing self-help bookstores and listening a mite too closely to the soundtrack of a massage. Read more »

Snap Sounds

On Feb. 26, the cab industry changes, radically

02.24.10 - 2:38 pm | Tim Redmond |

(16)

The San Francisco taxi industry will undergo a major change starting Feb. 26, when the Municipal Transportation Agency is expected to adopt a complete transformation of how cab medallions -- the permits needed to operate a taxi in the city -- are allocated. You can read the proposal here. In essence, it would allow cab medallions -- which are now allocated to individual drivers on the basis of seniority on a waiting list -- to be sold on the open market.Read more »

video

Illin' for Illiad

02.24.10 - 1:29 pm | Marke B. |

(0)

A preternatural rooting of the vengeful Bush legacy (and Obama continuance) into neo-classical sonic aesthetics? Another uncanny contemporary slice (in slo-mo) of the Illiad? A Shriekback? Sea breeze, sea breeze... These New Puritans' "We Want War" from the awesome and challenging new Hidden (Domino) complexifies their post-punk revival ways to put the sinew in Stravinsky, the killer in Achilles.

Appetite: Don't forget to remember

02.24.10 - 1:07 pm | Virginia Miller |

(0)

In the wake of a number of January closings, including some long-timers I'd rather not see go (like Vivande Porta Via), I've been reflecting on those neighborhood spots or classic restaurants we often forget are there but don't want to lose. From time to time, I'd like to share reviews of places we'd do well to re-visit... or get to for the first time. They might be receiving a fresh infusion of flavor from recent chef or menu changes, or are good enough to remain noteworthy, despite the flood of new openings and (over)hyped hot spots. The Grand Cafe is one of them.

A look back at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival (part three: docs!)

02.24.10 - 1:02 pm | Jesse Hawthorne Ficks |

(2)

Check out Jesse's two-part take on Sundance's narrative side here and here.

Sporting the revamped tagline "This is the renewed rebellion. This Sundance, reminded," the festival's always-stellar documentary selections most often live up to their astonishing subject matter. This year was no different. First up for me was the controversial 8: The Mormon Proposition by Reed Cowan and Steven Greenstreet. The film explores the Mormon Church's involvement (and sneaky double-dealings) in the pro-Prop 8 campaign in California, as well as exploring how many Mormon leaders use God's will as a manipulation tatic towards preventing (or in this case, taking away) civil rights. The film's most jaw-dropping revelation, which draws a connection between the persecution of a follower of Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith and today's struggle for same-sex marriage, will chill your bones with irony.

Film

Funkin' and flashin' in Sebastopol

02.24.10 - 1:24 am | Caitlin Donohue |

(0)

So you're in wine country on your way to (or more likely, from) a bubbly tasting at Korbell when suddenly you realize something startling; you're not feeling so effervescent yourself. The answer to your frump? Well, I'm guessing a wine colored tutu or red corduroy cowboy pants embroidered with sequined cacti wouldn't hurt. Enter Funk & Flash, to my knowledge the best secondhand clothing store in the North Bay. Carnival/Sgt. Pepper/Mexicali fun time, here you come!Read more »

Noise Pop: A last-minute slacker's guide

02.23.10 - 7:09 pm | Amber Schadewald |

(0)

An exhausting week of show after show has arrived, and it’s hard to say no to such a thick lineup of interesting indie. That is, if you had a choice. If you’ve already got your tickets, my mother would be proud. If you are among the league of last-minute fools, be forewarned -- you are officially SOL (insert Debbie Downer "whaw whaw" here). Lots of shows are sold out, including almost everything I had my eye on: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zones, Loquat, Best Coast, Zee Avi, Atlas Sound, Four Tet, Mirah... So, if you’re like me and staggering to find your place in Noise Pop, here’s a guide to what’s best of what’s left.

Dolores Park closure update: Public forum on March 3

02.23.10 - 6:26 pm | sfbg |

(1)

By Chloe Roth

Dolores Park is a prime spot for many activities: basking in the sunshine, finding dates, judging people, smoking and drinking in public, hitting nappers in the head with Frisbees, fraternizing with the locals, feeling claustrophobic, and becoming more attractive (see below). First and foremost is sunshine, of which the rainy months and desk jobs have robbed many SF residents. The exodus to Dolo Park usually begins when the first rays of sun break through the fog, but the true swarm takes place on the first days of summer. Certain contingents (we could call them “the gentrifiers”) arrive looking like the undead: wan, anemic, and skeletal. But by August, Dolores Park has worked its magic: tank top tans have transformed them from “almost-see-through” to a sallow shade of “slightly-less-pale” and little beer bellies round out their skinny frames.

A couple weeks ago, however, it seemed that all this Dolo magic might be coming to a temporary halt.