Still Awake

I have realized that my intrigue with the SoMa district is still lingering, despite the struggle I had getting to know the neighborhood at times. I still find myself there more than any other part of the city as I loom around the streets after work or a night of drinks. It has become more of a comfort zone as the semester came and went and I continued to meet more people who only welcomed me more. So with that I have decided to continue a blog on the SoMa district in hopes that I become better at reporting on a specific location.

I have also gotten some positive feedback from both the class and some online publications on the stories I have covered in the SoMa. My aim to get better acquainted with the people rather than the place. Over the semester I only wished to have more time to do more of anything, but primary to be better suited with a place I was spending so much time in and thinking of. Already there are stories that have happened than I wished had come sooner so I would be able to write about it and share it with the class.

As of now I am taking a lot of lessons learned from the SoMa. It taught me to be tough when needed and not looking on guard all the time. People can tell when you just want to get the hell past 6th Street.But as I made my decent from there day in and day out I found out that people will read you and take what they transcribed. I found people who were not just homeless, but kind and wanting to just talk to someone.I found men who would cat call to the point of no end, but once told how uncomfortable it made me they would later just say hello when I saw them again. I have threatened people who thought my response to them would be passive and submissive, but walked away not feeling like a victim.

If anything I have learned to respect the neighborhood. Officials, locals, and tourist can wish for it to be different or more comfortable to their lifestyle, but there is a line of respect for all sides that must be accepted. It is the way it is because of the actions we have acted on in the past. That is why I think what we take away from our neighborhood is important. It will change our approach when entering a new or even familiar place.

Photography in Mexico at the MoMa

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art currently has an exhibit called Photography in Mexico. They are showcasing over 150 photographs taken between 1920s-present day. It is a beautiful selection that captures different eras, landscape, daily life, and the complexity of living in Mexico.

Some of the pictures were shocking and a bit disturbing, but I liked the grit the pictures carried about a way of life in the Mexican culture. The landscape photos especially carried that message because of the drastic change it experienced since the 1920s. It showed what beauty once existed in current popular cities that are more of tourist destinations. The landscape shows what rich rural life the Mexican people lived and the effects of the Mexican Revolution and foreign influence on the country’s land.

The exhibit is showing from March 10 – July 08, 2012

The Local Edition

Located at 691 Market Street and Third is the Local Edition. It opened its doors in April in association with the Bourbon & Branch and Rickhouse bar.

What was once the printing room of William Randolph Hearst’s Examiner is now a swanky underground drinking well. It is underneath the busy street of Market, but once inside you feel a world away. Their cocktail list is spirit driven and prohibition themed. They have a vast selection of your rye, bourbon, and wheat, along with four tending (barkeep)  stations around the thick wooden bar.

If anything the atmosphere is comfortable.The candles at the tables are like orbs amongst the velvet covered walls. The whole room smells of fresh cut wood and musky dust from its recent restoration. And what is best about this place is they have displayed some of the old news papers from when it was the printing room of the Examiner. The articles are behind glass display cases and lit so you can actually read them. There are vintage typewriters in almost every nook and cranny to remind people what the place to be. They have utilized what the place used to be and have shown respect and admiration of preserving that.

When I first came to Local Edition I didn’t know how comfortable I felt. There were few people there with the exception of Kevin Systrom,the founder of Instagram,who recently sold his company to Facebook for approximately $1 Billion and was enjoying a drink with some friends…..But as the night dragged on more people showed up. Of course the increase of people in the bar was done in SoMa fashion of a flash mob of yuppies streaming in with their fellow co-workers.

Soon the have plans to have swing bands come and play which will be an amazing addition to such a space.

Gin
Lemon
Maraschino Liqueur
Creme de Violette

Green Dilemma

by Juliana Severe

Despite recent crackdowns on medical marijuana dispensaries, the South of Market district continues to host many of the city’s cannabis clubs. Its prevalent industrial and non-residential location has many applicants choosing to operate in the SoMa over other districts. In April city officials began questioning whether to permit more approvals in the district due to its current concentration of dispensaries.
Of the 22 legally operating dispensaries in San Francisco,12 of them reside in the SoMa. It has become a sanctuary for merchants because of its location surrounded by office buildings, warehouses, and nightlife. Because of the limited amount of youth organization in the area it is easy for merchants to sell within the permitted zoning of 1,000 feet from schools and recreation centers.
What does lie heavily in the SoMa is its crime and homelessness. It is one of Mayor Ed Lee’s top priorities in the city’s handling. Lee officials don’t see the presence of more dispensaries as a significant part to help restore the district. Residents and officials have begun voicing concern that permitting another cannabis business does nothing to help the already drug affiliated neighborhood.
Statistics from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health show part of the decline in support of legalizing marijuana has derived from the lack of regulations enforced to ensure that patients are not just smoking marijuana for recreational use. This notion subjects medicinal marijuana patients to be seen as fakers,which associates them as drug users and abusers.
“There are so many clubs around the area already so I get why they don’t want more, but to blame the crime on weed is just stupid,” said Tony M., medicinal card holder and resident on 1st Street.
Susan Christian, assistant attorney general for San Francisco, lead a special hearing on Apr.12 by the city of San Francisco and the Human Rights Commission. The focus of the meeting was the failure of the Federal war on drugs and the effects from it that are hitting low income and crime afflicted demographics such as the SoMa.
“Tonight we are not going to take up the question of whether drugs and narcotics should be illegal or criminalized, what we want to look at tonight is the effect of the criminalization and the same issues that have been placed on narcotics use and abuse,” said Christian.
Guest speakers such as Alice Huffman, president of the California NAACP, and Novella Coleman, criminal justice and drug policy fellow for the American Civil Liberties Union, urged San Francisco commissioners to continue to acknowledge the depletion of human rights given to those affected by drug use and abuse.
Huffman stressed that the Federal government’s concentration of convicting high level drug dealers and legalizing marijuana is pushing aside those in need of help and who are lacking resources. Although Huffman claimed to have never used illegal, substances she still believes a person has the choice to decide what they can and can’t have. “Eventually this right that people have is something this country is going to have to comes to term with,” said Huffman.If they are ridden with addiction or abuse there are few government outlets to help better them.The attention of drugs in the SoMa neighborhood has been directed toward the number of dispensaries, but the problem is still active on the on the street and will continue to be unless there is a change in policy.
“They found out that during the alcohol prohibition that they couldn’t tell an adult what to do with their body and they finally gave up on it.Now we are having with the use of marijuana and narcotics,” said Huffman.

Something for the class

Hey guys

So in the spirit of all of us reading Sybil Exposed and my assumption that we all are connect to or know about Netflix.com I thought I would mention that they have seasons of United States of Tara. Its a show about a wife and mother of two living in the suburbs who has multiple personalities. I just checked it out for the first time and find it to be really funny. Full of dark humor. I can’t remember if the show was mentioned somewhere in the book or on one of the sources Yvonne gave us but I stumbled upon it via that information.Just thought I’d give a shout out to check it out.Plus, even though you aren’t physically reading Sybil Exposed watching the show doesn’t feel so guilty since it has something to do with it…right.

J

Citizen’s Band

Citizen’s Band is located on the corner of 8th and Folsom Street. From the outside it looks a little rough due to its small framework, key marked windows and tumble weeds of trash rolling down the street. But like most places with such description, it is pretty hip.

The deco on the inside is entertaining because it consists of vintage radios, transmitters and magazine clippings all over. Some of the clippings hung on the walls were of old Marlboro adverts, automobiles sales, Elvis and nostalgic American human interest pieces. With their atmosphere, it is as if the restaurant is giving ode to what was once the definition of American and they re-invent themselves with a modern twist to the food. They also at times feature dishes inspired by other cultures.

Citizen’s Band does a good job at offering options,whether you are in the mood for something different or leaning on the traditional side. The prices aren’t half either. A classic burger with fries or a salad goes for $13, wedge salad for $8, or if you are calling it a splurge $20 for dished meat. To compliment the food they have a careful selection of wine and beer that serve more to the palate then just its presence of containing booze.

At first it may be a bit confusing to figure what sort of place it is. A simple layout of  metal tables and a diner like bar feels casual. But then there is a wall just for wine and the dishes’ descriptions look like they had a head chef put some good time into them. All is assured when the waiters come out. They too are casual and relaxed, both in appearance and clothing, which makes the mood just the same. They are all well equipped with knowledge of the wine they are currently serving, the seasonal dish they have on menu, and where to go afterward for a night cap.

A place like this is good for small gatherings (2-4 people),bringing any more than that and would seem like a siege. It also is a great place to go if you are downtown because it isn’t that far of trek from Market Street and is well worth your buck then paying for a franchise diner joints in the area. Plus it isn’t necessary to order desert because once you are ready to pay and mozzy on out they leave a sweet morsel on your bill.

You know a place is courteous when they leave you with a cookie rather than a mint.

 

Give Workshops a Chance

Workshops provide an opportunity to develop, create, and learn individually or with others. Every once in a while I will look around and see what free workshops are being offered in the Bay Area. Recently I found myself driving in the pouring rain to the boonies of Oakland to attend a House Kombucha workshop. Despite the headache of getting there and the deception that I thought House Kombucha was still located in the SoMa district so I would be able to use it as a place to for my profile story…..it was still worth going.While I was there I got to see how the brew is made,stored,sold,and the makers of the company. All in all I learned a lot.

I have also attended workshops I wouldn’t think of going to but have left not regretting.For example a writing workshop. Usually this wouldn’t appeal to me but I thought why not, I need to shoot something anyways. It was a weekend morning and I found myself in a underground theater in the SoMa at Bindlestiff Studio.The workshop was ran by SFSU alumni Nicole Maxali.

She is funny and has a lot of personality. I was relieved to hear her say that she runs her workshops differently and focuses more on self expression, being comfortable, and having fun. Sounds cheesy but it was great.

It was a small group of 10 people who heard about the workshop by going to one of Nicole’s comedy shows (yes she cracks jokes), through her flyers, ads online or just by mysterious ways of the universe. I would just like to point out that one person there ended up being a former school mate of mine back in elementary school in southern California. We hadn’t seen or spoken (not even Facebook friends!) since the 5th grade…..that is what I mean by mysterious ways of the universe.

Moving on.

What made Nicole’s workshop unique is the fact that she wanted to focus more on what was going on inside rather than on piece of paper. The exercises were more like games to get everyone to open up.One for example was having everyone alphabetically line up using only their hands to communicate. As everyone giggled and figtited away they actually were able to do it. There we others like this that got the once quiet room of people to show you their personalities. She wanted you to feel goofy by making weird noises, comfortable by sharing embarrassment and feeling something when you eventually sit down to write.

It was just the first of the six week workshop that I attended but I wouldn’t mind trying it again. That one session taught me a lot though. I at first didn’t understand where Nicole was going with these exercises, but I later realized when I got home that I felt like writing about the interaction I had just had with the people there. It was a fun to think that people are pretty fun when they let their guard down and just go with things because everyone else is as comfortable.

There is this place….

A Saturday night can mean many things. It could be a night to let loose,spend time with friends, or do the things you have been putting off. For me this is a day I dread the most.

I work at a bar in the North Beach district five days a week. There lies well known bars and restaurants, diverse groups of party goers, and a variety of erotic entertainment such as Larry Flint’s Hustler Club.The people who come out here praise Saturdays. It is as if they are restricted from going out on any other day of the week. The weekend air is loud and full of rowdy muffles and as the night drags on ambulance lights and flash mobs fill my work. Looking out the window and up the street, police can be seen sprinkled at every Broadway corner. Even on a rainy day such as the one we had yesterday party goers prevailed. This is why I dread Saturdays. Once the clock hits 12 I know it isn’t long until I can leave this place.

The only good part about working on Saturday is the band that plays that night. They are a cool group of guys who help me get through my shift. We run out to the back alley to share cigarettes, laugh when customers make a clear declaration that they are drunk, and talk about about projects we are working on. Eventually they stop playing and I turn on some Chet Baker despite the fact people are being louder than the music. Before they leave though they remind me it is now Sunday and that means its speakeasy time.

Starting at 2 a.m. there is a speakeasy that opens up in the SoMa. The location is known to most but people don’t know that it is a speakeasy at night. There is no clear indication of an entrance except for recognizing the gate structure. Behind the gate stand one person with a clipboard and to get in you have to be on the list or just show up at the right time when a group is being let in. Thankfully my band friends who play at my work get me on the list. Some of them play there Sunday mornings until 6 a.m.

Whats nice about getting to the speakeasy is that its more laid back making your way there. No swarms of people,no loud music, and no police scouting the area. Once inside it is almost humorous to see how much people don’t care about laws or the outside world. This may be coming from the celebratory atmosphere or whatever choice of party favor you choose for the night. Either way the speakeasy is filled with people just hanging out.

Different levels and hallways make the warehouse feel as if you are in a maze. One minute you are following the sound of the jazz band, but you then find yourself at the bar. There is furniture ranging from artistic to antique to very questionable. The people are just having fun and are for the most part extremely friendly. In every room there are  people just chatting away, smoking cigarettes, and drinking. Going into the women’s bathroom is the only definite uncomfortable moment. There is always one toilet disturbingly clogged, more men than women, someone taking a few hits and no paper towels.

It is hard to describe this place fully. So much is going on and as one might assume there are no pictures allowed,ever. They only way to know is to follow the whispers and clues, muster up the energy for a long night, and go!

 

 

 

Come on Down to South Park

Wedged between 3rd and 2nd Street is a green haven called South Park. Its the most green at least in that area of Byant and Brannan Streets. South Park stands alone taking the whole center of a block to stretch its strip of grass, Solanaceae Brugmansia trees, and child safe playground. Its a quiet strip, but one that takes you somewhere else. The moment you turn the corner into the park area you feel like you are in some British miniseries.

  There are cafes, small shops, modern apartments and cars! Cars parked all along the park. I understand there is ample space in this cornered haven but there is a feeling the cars are like the fencing around the sidewalk there. None the less, sitting on a bench surrounded by the trees (and cars) is tranquil. Families seem to like coming here, because throughout the time I was enjoying myself in the silent space parents were cycling in and out of the play ground. But just because this was a family friendly place doesn’t mean all aren’t accepted. A scatter of homeless men and women were spread throughout the park, quietly engaged in conversation or just sipping out of their brown bag. No one comes here for trouble or spontaneous encounters, they seek out South Park for its solitude (at least to me).

Broccoli that lead me to the Flower of Life

This spiral shaped broccoli is both amazing in taste and form.

Rainbow Grocery on 14th and Folsom Street is great because it carries fresh and unique produce from relatively local farms. A few weeks ago I bought a Romanesco broccoli head because of its amazing natural appearance fascinated me. I love to cook with different things so this tickled my fancy. Little did I know this would lead me to a strange yet tranquil place called the Sound and Consciousness Institute.

After looking up more on my precious broccoli I found that it had relation to something called the Flower of Life. The Flower of Life is the symbol of life intertwining with all beings. It is based on the mystical knowledge discovered through sacred geometry.Sacred geometry shows patterns of creation based on religious structures and natural existence. This means that the location, shape, size,and placement of centers of worship are thought to be based on a geometric alignment that was planned by a God.Numerous religions such as Judaism, Paganism, and New Age reference these mathematics as their connection with a higher being.

Basically followers see signs of creation and being in forms of architecture, art, nature, and music. But so what? why get into all of this? There is a lot to explain about all of this and somewhat confusing since this belief seems to relate itself to everything…absolutely everything. Personally I say that things are just being and there doesn’t have to be an explanation behind it all. But these opposing views are what lead me to stumble into the Sound and Consciousness Institute on 6th and Bryant Street.

Weeks had gone by since I looked up the meaning behind my broccoli and I had almost wanted to forget about trying to understand sacred geometry. But as I was walking down Bryant Street on a windy Sunday I passed this 90s looking building adorned with signs promoting health treatments using sound and music…and it all had to do with sacred geometry. Why not? I just happened to pass by on the day they were holding a free workshop. So I went in and experienced something I found quite strange and therapeutic. As I walked into the building and up the stairs I found a room full of diverse people: young, old, couples, singles, white, black, hippy, corporate sort. They were people you imagine seeing anywhere in the City. They were there sitting amongst pillows, Flower of Life posters, a giant sound board hooked to massive amplifiers and singing bowls.

As I sat down the group had just finished going over some calculations of brain waves equating to emotion triggers, as evidence of a whiteboard showed. I slowly began to understand that the workshop was all based on sound and music emanating frequencies that effect how we center ourselves. That our emotions depend on what sound level we are hearing. The instructor then switched on the sound board to play the sounds of crickets, slowed down to an extremely slow rate, which in returned played back sounds like singing sirens. This was supposed to explain how the variations of sounds depend on their Theta, Delta, Alpha, and Beta level.

Everyone there was very much into and strong believers of sacred geometry but I was enjoying the sounds. Even if you don’t believe in these things like I do, you have to give the Sound and Consciousness Institute credit for having an amazing array of trans music that will put anyone in a relaxed mood. Not to mention they have a chair that rotates and vibrates according to the music being played. I was on it for 20 minutes listening to ocean sounds as my chair rumbled to the crashing waves.