The Blog

Last Thursday we teamed with Yammer, EpicenterSF, Twitter, and Blick for our 2nd Annual Mid Riff Microhood party. Mid Riff focuses on the businesses on Market between 6th and 7th streets. More than 1,000 people came out to enjoy copious libations, gallery openings, special deals, and live performances.

The awesome folks at Mosey created one of its custom maps to help everyone guide their way through the event. Posted at Satelite 66, Bold Italic staffers were pouring Thorny Rose wines while guests viewed the beautiful art show inside. There was also an opening at Hospitality House for the “In My Dreams” show.

The Burning Man Project had performances throughout the evening from the colorful and energetic Carpetbag Brigade performing the acrobatic show “Sailor and Sirens” on stilts. GAFFTA, also showcased a few of its live urban prototyping demos along Market Street including the “Glowing Crosswalk,” “I Just Wanna Hold Your Hand,” “Street Stage,” and “Smart Stops.”

Huckleberry Bicycles and Chrome teamed up to show off their amazing handmade messenger bags. Chrome seamstress Morgen was making bags on the spot to be raffled off later in the evening. If that wasn't enough Speakeasy Brewery was freely pouring not one, but two, of their delicious brews – Payback Porter and White Lightning – at Huckleberry.

To be sure that our guests being plied with free alcohol had a good foundation for their tummies, Show Dogs offered an extended happy hour, which included specials on their delicious dogs. Bicycle Bánh Mì was also serving up amazing Vietnamese sandos at SQFT for the night.

We ended the night at Rio Grande with an epic after party featuring the DJs of Sweater Funk and free whiskey from Templeton Rye.

All photos by Isla Murray. 

This Sunday, March 31, is the Season 3 premiere of Game of Thrones, and man, oh man, are we excited. If you're about to marathon watch Seasons 1 and 2 this weekend then I won't give away any spoilers, but, in the course of re-watching the episodes myself, I realized that Game of Thrones could totally take place in San Francisco. At least we wouldn't have to change the amount of wine and sex. Don't believe me? What about these uncanny resemblances? 

1. Winterfell would be in ... 

The Outer Sunset, duh. That mythical land on the fringes of society that never sees the sun. 

2. The Wall would be ... 

The Golden Gate Bridge, protecting normal people from the dangers of Napa. You might argue that there are scarier places across the Bay Bridge that SF should be protected from. I'm just saying that there are a lot of white people ... er, white walkers in Napa. 

3. Battling families would be ...

Battling 'hoods of course, complete with heirlooms, spirit animals, and hierarchies. I'll let the neighborhoods duke it out among themselves for who gets the ferocious San Francisco pigeon as their mascot. 

4. Honorable sword fights would become ... 

an app. Imagine this: an app that creates a virtual joust between you and your frenemy with everything from computer generated armor, blood, and even beheading. Loser gets banished to Daly City, and you get to take your virtual head with you. 

5. The Iron Throne would become ... 

The plastic throne, or the throne made out of computer chips, whatever can better be formed into a coveted throne for tech nerds. Nothing is more cutthroat than the battle for most influential tech company in SOMA.

A lot of iconic events occurred this week: gay marriage went to the Supreme Court, Adobe Books battled for their lives against Liz Claiborne, and a tsunami hypothetically hit the city. Here's the best roundup of news you'll see all week.

Photo by Steve Rhodes 

For the past year, Adobe Books has fought against its landlord's ever increasing rent. Despite a successful fundraiser that garnered enough money to pay off the new sum of $6,000, the landlord increased rent again to $8,000. It turns out that a huge name in fashion has decided that they want the prime retail spot for themselves and Adobe doesn't stand a chance. Fifth and Pacific Companies Inc., formerly known as Liz Claiborne Inc., is planning a new Jack Spade location in the storefront on 16th street. With only seven stores in the United States, Jack Spade is not a formula retail store and has already asked permission from the San Francisco Planning Department to set up shop in the Mission. It's not looking good for Adobe, but we're crossing our fingers that the little bookstore that could will prevail against all odds. (Uptown Almanac)

Image from CA Department of Conservation 

Did you know it's Tsunami Awareness Week? To celebrate this important scientific holiday, the California Department of Conservation created a handy dandy map to let you know whether or not your tiny apartment would end up underwater in the case of a tsunami. It looks like everyone would remain relatively safe – unless you live on the edge of the Marina; then you're screwed. (SFist)

Photo by Mel1st

Wednesday was a momentous day for the Golden Gate Bridge; morning commuters over the famous structure were the first to experience the new automated tolling. While most cars used FasTrak to get over the bridge, those without the little white box still have options. They can set up a billing account tied to their plate number, make a one-time payment for a single bridge crossing, or pay an invoice that is mailed to the address associated with the license plate after the car passes through the toll plaza. (CBS Local)

Photo by Sarah Han 

On Monday – the eve of the Supreme Court's hearing over gay marriage – a large group of same-sex marriage advocates marched down Market Street from the Castro to City Hall to show their support. On Wednesday the Supreme Court also heard the case for The Defense of Marriage Act. A ruling for either case has not been issued, but we still have our fingers crossed. (Mercury News) 

Photo by Mat Rick

On Thursday Mayor Ed Lee gave all San Franciscans permission to eat, drink, and be merry. Mayor Lee proclaimed March 28 official Mid-Riff Microhood Day in honor of the block party The Bold Italic hosted on Market Street between 6th and 7th. With government documentation in hand, the party was an amazing night of discounts, free drinks, and awesome artisans. 

I know many of you are still recovering from Lululemon's Pantsgate, but the number of unsolicited asses I have seen recently tells me this issue needs a blog post. Even when I can't actually see your underwear through your pants, it would be nice to have a little extra buffer between my skin and yours on muni rides.

To be clear, I'm willing to make exceptions to these rules for children under the age of 10, Olympic athletes, people who have actually done yoga or ballet in the last 30 minutes, and Beyonce. I also don't care about outfits people wear in the comfort of their own homes, but the minute you walk out into the world in sheer bottoms, you can bet your visible ass I'm gonna call you out. Here's a list of the things you shouldn't pretend are pants: