Where do you work again?

It's Time for a Haircut.

2009-08-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

I'm not talking about me, I'm talking about you. I'm only saying this to you as a friend. I want you to look your best. With that said, here's a recommendation for a barber in the neighborhood. Yeah, you can go during your lunch break. Why? Because it's next door to the office. Coincidence? Perhaps. Just go with it...

The shop is called Details Barbershop & Salon and is located at 929 Market Street, 2nd Floor, inside Shiekh Shoes. Speaking of Sheikh shoes. Has anyone bought anything from here? You know, because I wear shoes that look like Pastries to work. I am not hating on the shoe. It's actually very cute if I were 16. Who said as you get older you can't wear colorful shoes?

Market Street 101 - A Retrospective

2009-08-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

From the 1930s to 1970s, Central Market was the bustling center of commerce and public life in San Francisco. With restaurants and theatres – including the popular Paramount and Fox theaters – the Central Market area was the entertainment center of the Bay Area. Market Street was nicknamed The Great White Way in honor of the neon signs lining the corridor. Remnants of the neighborhood’s colorful past can still be found along Market Street.

Here's a picture of its colorful past and present from Mike Humbert's blog on the indiosyncricies of San Fran. Oh, did I mention the Crazy Horse is right by the Warfield, which means it is also across the street from my work. I always joke with my colleagues that we can take our authors out to lunch for steak and strip special. Yes, I meant steak and a lap dance. Only in San Francisco...

Anyone Want to go to a Show?

2009-08-21T12:21:00.000-07:00

So there is this awesome iPone App called "iConcertCal" that let's you monitor your music library and generates a personalized calendar of upcoming concerts in your city. I only mention this because across the street from my office is The Warfield. This awesome music venue seats 2,2250 people and according to their website is located in the "heart" of San Francisco. *Great choice of wording.* Another fact according to their website is ""everyone" has played The Warfield, from The Clash, Grateful Dead and U2, to theatrical productions such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Cantonese Opera from China." I'm posting pictures from the Kings of Leon show because they are my favorite band of the moment. Check out one of their latest music videos here:

I'm Going to Cancun. Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the one in Mexico.

2009-08-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm taking about Taqueria Cancun on market street. It's disheartening that this strectch of market street still exists. This is an area full of poverty, homelessness, drugs, crime, and struggling independent businesses. Taqueria Cancun is one of those places. Check this picture out I got off Flickr from David Glass. It's a perfect representation of what I experience every morning on my walk to work, during lunch breaks or when I leave the office in the evenings. It's not all negative though. The food here is pretty good and inexpensive. Just when you thought I was going to take it somewhere insightful, I leave with that... you're welcome.

Where's Waldo?! I Mean the Guy In the Brown JumpSuit

2009-08-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

If you don't know anything about these people, let me share a little bit with you. First off, these guys are INCREDIBLE and have been a fantastic addition to the market street cooridor. Part of their job includes:
• Sidewalk sweeping
• Monitoring public trash receptacle overflow and trash removal
• Weeding of tree basins, sidewalk cracks and landscape planters
• Reporting of bulky items for removal by the Department of Public Works
• Spot cleaning
• Steam cleaning of public right of way (every two months)
• Graffiti abatement

God Bless them because they make my walk to the office much more enjoyable and cleaner.

Tear drops round the city

2009-08-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

Have you seen these things? Apparently they are part of some Google Favorite Things campaign. What does this have to do with Market Street, you ask? Well, one of them was strategically place outside of Blue Bottle cafe. Yes, BLUE BOTTLE. Why do I keep talking about this place. It seems to follow me wherever I go. Read the yelp reviews. I promise I will go by the end of next month.

MAYOR NEWSOM ANNOUNCES ART IN STOREFRONTS, A PILOT PROGRAM TO REENERGIZE COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS STRUGGLING WITH STOREFRONT VACANCIES

2009-08-12T14:04:00.001-07:00

What a mouthful of a headline! If you can get past that, check out this press release from the Central Market Community Benefits District.

Pilot to be launched on Central Market, Taylor Street in the Tenderloin, Third Street in the Bayview, and Lower 24th Street Corridors

Mayor Gavin Newsom is pleased to announce Art in Storefronts, a pilot program that will temporarily place original art installations by San Francisco artists in vacant storefront windows located on Taylor Street in the Tenderloin, Third Street in Bayview, Central Market Street and Lower 24th Street in the Mission. Initiated by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC), the program will engage local artists in reinvigorating neighborhoods and commercial corridors that have been hard-hit by the economic downturn. It also provides artists, who have also been affected by the economy, with a unique opportunity to showcase their creativity in transforming vacant storefronts into free exhibition spaces and to garner public recognition for their work. Launching this September in the Central Market neighborhood, the program will run through January 2010 and will culminate in a supporting website that will provide a toolkit for private property owners and neighborhoods who would like to implement similar temporary art projects in the future.

“These tough economic times have had an impact on our treasured neighborhoods, leaving storefronts empty or underutilized,” stated Mayor Newsom. “Art in Storefronts encourages a temporary alternative use of storefronts that will reinvigorate our neighborhoods and commercial corridors, improve streetscape conditions and safety, and support merchants by increasing foot traffic and instilling community pride. We also believe that the art installations will ultimately help get these spaces leased.” Read the rest of this press release here

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Live from Mint Plaza!

2009-08-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

It's Bolery y Mas. A cool cuban group I've never heard of, nor can I find any info on. Hmm, oh well. Shame I won't be in town, I would check them out. They are playing this Friday at noon right in the plaza. You can check out the Community Benefits District website for more info. If you work downtown make your way over there and tell me about it. Nothing better than lunch time tunes. If you really want to go all out you could even grab a glass of wine at the new Italian place called 54 Mint. Fridays = Liquid Lunch. kidding...

Sausage in the City - It's Gourmet

2009-07-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

I'm talking about sausages folks. Lamb sausage, Wild Boar Sausage with remoulade and arugula, Organic Duck sausage with pasilla BBQ sauce and kimchee, so many varieties for $5-$10. It was created by the same folks who brought you Foreign Cinema (they are no stranger to building restaurants in not-so-nice areas); here comes Show Dogs. First off, I think it's a great concept. I posted a little survey in the sidebar to see if any of you have been there and what you think. Vote away!

Welcome!

2009-07-22T14:55:00.001-07:00

So, this is actually my second attempt at writing to the world. I first attempted a blog 5 or so years ago when I live in San Antonio, TX. Frankly, I found updating it too cumbersome, now with the advances in technology, I can do most of the writing from my phone, but I digress. The purpose of this blog...

Musings on Market Street is all about life and working downtown on the Market Street/Tenderloin border. Our office strattles two worlds and the adventures outside the office window never cease. From high-end shopping at the Westfield Center to the musicians performing near the Cable Car roundabout close to Union Square to the crackheads that hang out in Stevenson alley. Yeah, I love it here. I hope you will join me on my journey down Market Street.

Everyone's Favorite Coffee Shop - Blue Bottle

2009-07-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Why do people love this place so...? I can't give an explanation because i've never been there. I walk by it almost every morning on my way to work. In the heart of Mint Plaza, a special area, around the corner from Market Street, is where students, hipsters, working professionals, and the occasional tourist all come to hang out. Maybe it's their handmade coffee? It takes forever to brew or so i've been told. Could it be the amazing Texas toast. Yeah, I said Texas toast because it's massive, or perhaps it's the ideal location for morning/afternoon hangout. See some of the pics below and you decide. If you've been there, tell us what you order. Cheers!