Street signs now on 24th Street marking it a “Latino Cultural District’
October 19, 2016
Visitors to 24th Street in the Mission may notice a new addition to the business-lined corridor: street signs aimed at raising awareness of the neighborhood’s cultural history.
On Tuesday, city crews hung signs reading ‘Calle 24 Latino Cultural District” along the stretch of 24th between Mission and Potrero streets, the latest in ongoing efforts by an area merchants and neighborhood group. Calle 24, which pushed for a resolution that declared the area a cultural district in 2014, also plans to place larger signs to mark the district’s borders and hang newly restored banners along 24th.
Erick Arguello, president of Calle 24, said the new street signs will be helpful for marketing purposes and “letting people know they are in a special use district similar to Japantown, North Beach and Chinatown.
“[It’s] part of the larger picture of what we are establishing for the cultural district,” he added. ”The reason the Latino Cultural District was done was in response to displacement in the area.”
In addition to new street signs, Calle 24 has plans to erect larger signs denoting the cultural district along its borders, on Mission, 22nd, Potrero and Cesar Chavez streets. Arts organization Precita Eyes is also restoring the Flags of the Americas, banners created by Mission artists to recognize the neighborhood’s Latino heritage that have hung along 24th Street for decades.
Arguello said banners will be rehung in more prominent spots, unobscured by trees, and the larger signs will be placed in the coming weeks.
[Photo via Calle 24’s Facebook page]
Woman can’t take the heat, attempts to rehome once-bitten burrito
October 18, 2016
In what has to be one of the most, er, unique takes on the sharing economy, a woman posted to a Facebook forum Monday in attempt to give away her too-spicy carne asada burrito “with one bite taken out.”
Up for grabs for free in Oakland, the burrito had come from somewhere in the Mission and was so hot, the woman wrote, “I had to spit it out and drink milk to put out the mouth fire.”
No word on whether anyone was brave enough to take her up on her offer. My hot take? She was probably kidding. Or at least I hope so.
[H/t Blair]
Not-so-super man
October 17, 2016
He got aHEAD of himself?
[Photo via 42Lions/Instagram]
Previously: Rough times for superheroes
Stopped in to say ‘high?’ Amazon pot comedy wrapping up filming in the Mission
October 13, 2016
The Mission has been a bit greener as of late. Crews have been filming the pilot for Amazon’s pot-themed comedy ‘Budding Prospects’ has been taking place in various Mission locations since the beginning of the month and wraps up today in the neighborhood.
Budding Prospects, based on the book of the same name by T.C. Boyle, began shooting in the city on Oct. 4 in locations including Taqueria Vallarta and the Blind Cat bar on 24th Street, Bernal Heights and Hunter’s Point, according to Susannah Greason Robbins, executive director of the San Francisco Film Commission. Today, filming is taking place in the building at 1125 Guerrero St., near 24th.
The show is being directed by Terry Zwigoff, of Bad Santa fame, and stars former MadTv cast member Will Sasso, according to Deadline, which summarizes the plot as such:
Three hapless city boys move to the country to grow marijuana. Their expectations of the experience being a back-to-the-land, nurturing adventure in a beautiful rustic setting run up against the harsh truth upon their arrival at “The Summer Camp” – a miserably run-down shanty out in the middle of nowhere, where they are bedeviled by rats, snakes, mosquitoes, and harsh, unfriendly growing conditions, noisy neighbors, dangerous locals, and menacing law enforcement.
The show is apparently set in the 1980s. Robbins said she doesn’t know how the Guerrero building fits into the plot but that they are shooting the interior of an apartment there.
[Photo by @BikePretty]
A chapter closed: Modern Times will shutter next month
October 11, 2016
Never quite able to regain its footing since it was forced from Valencia Street in 2011, Modern Times Bookstore Collective is set to close next month after 45 years in business.
According to an announcement on the store’s Facebook page, the progressive book store will shut its doors at 2919 24th St. on Nov. 15. having explored “every possible avenue of support to sustain the store since its displacement from Valencia Street in 2011.
“Though we have persevered out of love and duty and a willingness to continue to fulfill our mission, we are the first to admit the store is not operating at the level we would like and we can no longer serve our customer’s needs as well as those of our workers,” the statement said.
The news doesn’t come as a complete surprise. The store has had to launch multiple funding campaigns to sustain itself after its former landlord opted not to review its lease at 888 Valencia St. Last year, Capp Street Crap reported that Modern Times was for sale because owner Ruth Mahaney was retiring. Mahaney’s retirement party on Oct. 22 will also serve as the store’s closing party, according to Modern Times’ statement.
Here is what the store posted in its entirety:
We wanted to be the first to let you know…
Dear comrades, loyal customers, friends, and neighbors.
This was the letter we had hoped to never send but the day has finally come: Modern Times Bookstore Collective will be closing its doors after 45 years of serving the beloved community. As those closest to us know, we have tried every possible avenue of support to sustain the store since its displacement from Valencia Street in 2011. Though we have persevered out of love and duty and a willingness to continue to fulfill our mission, we are the first to admit the store is not operating at the level we would like and we can no longer serve our customer’s needs as well as those of our workers.
Our doors will close on November 15. Books will begin to be marked down starting October 15 and all merchandise will continue to be reduced until it’s gone. We would love nothing more than for you to stop by, bid us a fond farewell, and to take home a book or some remembrance of Modern Times with you.
Some of you will no doubt be concerned about our community-serving programs from Spanish Book Club and Queer Open Mic to our books to prisons mailings: Have no doubt, we are working on forging solutions and finding appropriate venues and stewards to carry on our work.
All October and first part of November in-store events will remain on the schedule. Ruth Mahaney’s retirement party will serve as our closing party and will remain on the calendar for October 22.
As for the future, who knows? We’ve been asked if we will carry on, and only time will tell: We are not ruling out possibilities or eleventh hour reprieves. As ever, we will keep you informed and in our hearts.
With love and thanks,
Modern Times Bookstore Collective.
[H/t El Tecolote, photo via Google Maps]
Teen injured in weekend shooting
October 10, 2016
A 13-year-old boy was shot in the Mission District early Sunday evening but is expected to recover from his injuries, authorities said.
The shooting took place around 6:30 p.m. near the corner of 26th and Valencia streets, said San Francisco Police Sgt. Michael Andraychak. The teen was taken to an area hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.
Police released little additional information on the shooting and did not say whether the boy was the intended target. According to Andraychak, there is no suspect information available, but the police department’s gang task force was notified.
[Photo via Google Maps]
Dumped doll a real head turner
October 7, 2016
Devil baby be gone!
[via @LDellas]
Political season snark
October 6, 2016
Posted at 20th and Folsom streets by someone, I’m guessing, cranky about the plastic wrapped political fliers that District 9 supervisor candidate Joshua Arce left on neighborhood doorsteps this week.
[via Leef Smith/Instagram]
Girl, Interceptored
September 27, 2016
That’s MS. Meter maid to you buddy.