Eminent Domain and Art in SF

77 Natoma Street will be demolished in October 2009 unless people at this party can stop it. In all fairness, it sounds like a great show with works from 200+ artists and a handful of people, musicians and artists in attendance. If only Matt Gonzalez hadn't run with Ralph Nader in 2008 for the White House ticket, I might be impressed that he'll be there.

This past Friday I met this guy, Mr. Lucky. He was wearing exactly what he's wearing on his website and told us he got his hat in the 1960's (maybe 1950's. Long time ago, that's the point) in Oakland. A little eccentric, but I always appreciate an artist who's serious about it.

I also met the owner of Grasp, a gallery in North Beach. Intriguing but I need to learn more, so there will be more about that later.

Finally, yesterday at SFMOMA yesterday I saw the new Georgia O'Keefe/Ansel Adams exhibit. It was truly fantastic. The juxtoposition of painting and photography of some of the most beautiful images in our natural world was done exquisitely. Five stars for sure. I also finally got up to the rooftop garden and liked all the sculptures, with the execption of that weird spider. Ugly. There's also a very cool trailer on that top floor that's super retro and fun to daydream about taking a road trip in like the people in the video that's alongside the actual trailer. I took a few minutes to see William Kentridge's exhibit one more time before it was gone and didn't regret it. He always blows my mind.

Overheard in Russian Hill

"Ugh, my boyfriend's getting mad at me."

-Man mooning/flashing us from a neighboring balcony while at a rooftop BBQ.

Overheard on Arguello

"We need to get some weed."

This morning AP and I decided to venture out a little early to look for a birthday present for her niece. It was not a normal morning in SF as Bay to Breakers is taking place today. As we left our apartment, we passed a group of kids dressed in neon green and yellow spandex shirts. One guy was wearing a huge straw hat around his neck and was speaking very loudly about the group's agenda. I hope they were successful.

Bette Davis Eyes

AP and I are pretty much obsessed with this song at the moment and found this AMAZING video of Kim Carnes singing it live in 1981. Pay careful attention to her hands.

Ode to Robots

T4 is opening next week, so to get excited I want to honor robots with the following:

Robot in front of a Pac Heights neighborhood house.



The Positronic Man was one of my favorite books as a child. I absolutely loved the idea of having a robot that learned to feel and be friends with. I would highly recommend reading it. Now it's kind of like our Governator is like that robot/man.

Giant Robot is a store near where we live in SF. I've actually never been there, but have seen some pretty unique knick knacks people have picked up there.

We need a theme!

B, another friend and I are going to run Bay to Breakers next weekend and we are brainstorming themes. This is what we have so far:

- Jonas Brothers
- Three Stooges
- What you would get if you combined the Jonas Brothers and the Three Stooges

Please kindly give us suggestions so we don't end up looking like one of these

Sunday Strolls

On a Sunday walk through the Mission, I ran into some awesome spots. First, coffee and donuts from Dynamo Donut and Coffee, then exploring Valencia Street's adorable shops. I love the signs in the Mission, not just because they're mostly all in Spanish, but they seem to have a style all their own, whether they're a little dated or not.

The sun was so wonderful and although the rain is nice once in awhile, I'm definitely wishing I could stroll again today...

I <3 this city

Varnish

Park Life

Hayes Valley

Bi-Rite

Enthralled with the good ones. . .

I was accepted into Summer Search when I was a 6th grader at Davidson Middle School in San Rafael. The program absolutely changed the trajectory of my life not only with summer trips but with a support system that continues to make me feel connected and part of something truly amazing and change-inducing. This past week was their annual fundraising Leadership Luncheon where current students, alumni and staff told their stories and inspired many to give to the program. This speech by Niles Lichtenstein left me speechless. Coincidentally, John Osterweis, the co-Founder of Summer Search works in my building and when chatting with him in the elevator about the program he summed it up well when he said, "I can't think of a better way to spend money." Neither can I.

My adorable friend Evie is finishing up her second year at UC Hastings and in connection with her studies there, helped organize an event about femicide in Guatemala. I had no idea how prevalent violence against women is there. What's even worse is that our government gives theirs millions for their justice system, which allows these crimes to go unpunished. Although Guatemala lacks many tools for investigating crimes, there are also problems deep in the system that perpetuate these human rights violations. The fact that we're basically funding that is letting them know it's acceptable, so Evie and her group at Hastings is working to educate our local representatives so actions can be taken in Washington and hopefully make some real change.

5ft2in

Tonight I met Sunny, the woman who started this company - clothes for women 5ft2in and under that aren't like the dowdy petite stores that cater to that market. I liked the idea of her company, but what's even more compelling, is that she started it with a microfinance loan from a Bay Area based organization called Opportunity Fund. Starting off with less than desirable credit, the loan from Opportunity allowed her to get out of debt, get organized and eventually start her company. Her idea for 5ft2in came from having so many women ask her to hem their pants after she graduated from fashion school that she realized there was actually a niche there. Being one that fits in that category, I certainly like the idea.

Microfinance has gotten a lot of press in relation to its impact on developing countries, mainly because smaller loans can be extremely helpful to entrepreneurs in places where capital simply doesn't flow. California on the other hand has a huge economy, but a growing number of both immigrants as well as unemployment rates. Small loans along with financial education for people attempting to get their ideas off the ground is a fabulous way to help our local economy at any time, but especially in the current climate everyone is faced with. If you have any experience or knowledge about microfinance, domestic or otherwise, I'd love to hear about it!