Eye on Blogs

chris daly buys bar

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:42:08 GMT

According to NBC Bay Area (and nice scoop, by the way) Chris Daly plans to retire from politics and buy Buck Tavern on Market Street, which is a slightly gross but perfectly fine bar:

“I sat down and thought about it,” Daly said about his career after politics. “And ultimately decided that it would make sense to purchase a bar and grill.”

Daly hasn’t picked out a name for his new establishment, though he says he’s leaning toward the name “’Daly’s Dive.” He also plans ample work behind the bar – a throwback to his pre-political career.

Daly hasn’t ruled out future political runs. But in the meantime, he said he’d hold fundraisers and political gatherings in his bar. And with Daly behind the counter, it’s a given that liberal politics will be on the menu.

There's all kinds of additional info over at NBC Bay Area.

I can't stop thinking about what the Supervisor should name this place. Daly's Dive doesn't seem very appetizing. Do you have any brilliant ideas? I'm mulling this one over. Anyway...

Congratulations Chris! I look forward to sending something back in your new establishment.

where'd you go?

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:19:14 GMT

Guess what? We're getting a whole new website! It's pretty exciting, and thus, my job currently consists of populating this new site with content. That means I've got to write a bunch of stuff and snazzify it instead of scour the interwebs for awesome blog posts. I hope you'll bear with us while this site is:

They actually make me wear that helmet.

I'll try and sneak in some favorites from time to time. The new launch is right around the corner, so stay tuned!

Yours in blogging, Beth

under 40 and on a list

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:49:39 GMT

Like Fire pokes a little fun at something we love: Numbered Lists of Vaguely Important People Based on their Age and Measurable Success!

This year alone we’ve had the New Yorker’s favorite 20 writers under 40, which spawned lists of 20 More Under 40, Over 40 Over 40, 50 Over 50, and 10 Over 80—all of which starts sounding like a lot of really bad blood pressure readings.

10 over 80? There are 10 people over 80? Gross.

Ordinarily I’d be loathe to enter this fray. But the glaring omission here is keeping me up nights, and we can’t have that. So I submit, for the list-loving public: A Writer Who Is Getting Exactly the Right Amount of Acclaim Who Is 40. Congratulations, Daniel Handler!

The charming San Franciscan and Lemony Snicket author had one of his books made into a movie starring Jim Carrey. I certainly hope the screenwriter of Ace Ventura II is getting this kind of attention.

Do you agree? More lists, including The 15 Most Over-Rated and Worldwide Under-Rated Writers over at Like Fire.

And just a friendly reminder, you have 7 more years to get me on 7x7's 20 Under 40 List. Not that it matters, it's only just the most important list in the world.

police dogs, mad men and dolores park

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:37:43 GMT

Hey blogging types! As we prepare to launch the new CBS San Francisco web site in a few weeks, I'm spending most of my time populating the new site with all kinds of gripping and entertaining content. This means Eye on Blogs has fallen to the wayside in the past few weeks. But I think the new site's gonna be worth it, I really do.

There's still tons going on in the local blogosphere, however.

Lt. Ralph of the San Rafael Police Department has another post up, this one featuring Rocky the Police Dog and an awesome rundown of crime by time:

It kind of breaks down like this: 5PM to 7PM, traffic crashes, “group fights” – some call them gang fights but lets be nice…shoplifts - for dinner- I presume, and missing kids probably at their girlfriends or boyfriends without telling mom. From 7PM to 9-ish is violence prime time. It’s our robbery, shooting, stabbing and miscellaneous ringside beat up your fellow citizen or loved one time. 9PM to 1AM is drunk at the bar time, prowler time and a couple of robbery straggler’s who missed the 7 to 9 larceny shift. No night would be complete without illicit social engineering time. The red-light is usually turned on around 5PM for the dinner crowd and goes pretty much until midnight. From 1AM to 3AM is DUI- I’m an idiot time, and crash into the building or tree time. From 1:30AM to 5AM is burglarizing cars and business time. It’s probably the same in variety and volume in just about every town.

There's TONS more over at Protecting the Mission City.

In political stuffs, my FORMER best friend tries to steal my boyfriend, Newark Mayor Cory Booker under the guise of interviewing SF Mayoral Candidate Joanna Rees. The Examiner's Melissa Griffin asks:

Can you get me a date with Cory Booker?

Unacceptable! Melissa also asks real, appropriate questions of Rees. Read it all at The Sweet Melissa.

Uptown Almanac's KevMo went to the Dolores Park Community Meeting last night. Naturally. Among other things, he learned:

Neighbors only think three types of people use the park: 1) People with their kids, 2) people with their dogs and 3) wasted people.

Bevan Dufty spent most of the time talking about himself.

Bevan Dufty thinks I'm ~~racist~~ xenophobic.

It's the children.

The neighbors were complaining about issues that are not even remotely Dolores Park specific.

Read the entire narrative over at Uptown Almanac, but be warned. The photo with the post can best be described as SUPER GROSS. And it just ruined my last sip of tea.

Sexpigeon is still a genius.

And because hey, it's Thursday, Flavorwire has a list of Mad Men characters and their 90210 counterparts. Roger Sterling is Steve Sanders? Uh, I think not.

Stay with me, folks! We're working HARD over here, but you can look forward to a whole new online vibe coming soon from your pals at KPIX.

happy 9/02/10!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:24:53 GMT

Happy 90210!!! Head to the Triple Crown tonight for a 90's Dance Party!

We're gonna party like it's the Peach Pit After Dark!
Costumes (Are you a Kelly or a Brenda? A Dylan or a Brandon?)
Trivia (Prizes yo!)
90's house, pop and hip hop
with DJs

Anyone else kickin' it, Walsh Family style tonight?

bay area's best outlets

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:10:11 GMT

On my constant quest to deliver fun lists and bests to the cbs5 website, I dove into this true labor of love: OUTLETS! All I had to do was look up the phone numbers. Everything else in this post came direct from the heart.

Now more than ever, we’re all looking for a bargain. Designer Outlets are some of the best places to spot the brand names you love at prices you like. Fill your closet without emptying your bank account at our favorite factory stores:

Petaluma Village Premium Outlets: Hwy. 101, Petaluma Blvd. North, (Old Redwood Hwy. exit), Petaluma, CA, (707) 778-9300

The Petaluma Premium Outlets are host to a beautifully maintained Off 5^th, the Saks Fifth Avenue Factory Store, with a public restroom in the back. Not only will you find your favorite international and independent labels at deep discounts, beauty products like Bumble & Bumble and Kiehl’s are stacked by the registers. Nike, Brooks Brothers, Nine West and Banana Republic will keep your hands (and probably heart) full. Although dining options are virtually non-existent. Pro-tip: Remember, Gap and Banana Republic Outlets sell their own label, not the clothing you’ll find in their retail shops. Fit and quality suffer so save your money for big sales at the real thing.

Napa Factory Stores: Hwy. 29. (Exit at First Street), Napa, CA, (707)226-9876

There is a Barney’s Outlet at the Napa Factory Stores. I repeat, there is a Barney’s Outlet. And it’s GOOD, with incredibly discounts on accessories and Barney’s label products. Plan accordingly. J. Crew, Coach and BCBG are also popular spots at this sunny strip of savings. The Max Studio store is the perfect spot for a little black dress and you’ll be able to find something for your favorite hipster at American Apparel. Pro-tip: Park at the Gap, and work your way down and back this long row of retail.

Vacaville Premium Outlets: 321-2 Nut Tree Road, Vacaville, CA, (707) 447-5755

Yes, the Nut Tree still exists. And the only reason to pull over (on your way to our from Lake Tahoe) are the Factory Stores of lining the freeway. With 120 outlets options, you’re sure to walk away with more than a few finds. Try the Burberry, Tommy Bahama or Under Armor outlets, which are hard to come by. Converse and Puma are unique spots as well, but the old standbys always please picky shoppers. Pro-tip: Steps away from the mall are a myriad of chain-dining options, but swing by the Harry & David outlet for specialty snacks on sale.

Gilroy Premium Outlets, 681 Leavesley Road, Gilroy, CA, (408) 842-3729

It’s a trek out to Gilroy, the garlic capital of the world. But it’s worth it. This massive outlet mall is home to everything you’d hope to find and more. You think of it, Gilroy’s got it. From massive department store closeouts at Off 5^th to multiple specialty-size options to designer destinations like Juicy Couture. Gilroy Premium Outlets is literally the motherload of the Bay Area’s outlet adventures.

St. Helena Factory Stores: Hwy. 29 (two miles north of center of town), St. Helena, CA, (707) 963-7282

These boutique factory stores are small and intimate. You won’t have to dig though bins and fight for blouses here. You also won’t get the selection or the rock bottom discounts you might find elsewhere. But for a classy, carpeted shopping experience and the knowledge that hey, at least you didn’t pay retail, head to St. Helena. Pro-tip: St. Helena is also home to one of California’s few Dean and DeLucca Food Emporiums. Foodies won’t want to miss this.

dog own the sidewalks of san francisco

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:09:08 GMT

While I try to discourage any kind of reliance on animals as companionship or entertainment (except for sharks, of course), this post from Dogblog is flawless:

“You only think this place is yours. This city, this street, this patch of sidewalk, it’s ours. It’s ours ‘cause we bought it, with blood and with fire. You walk on this sidewalk at our pleasure, and you draw breath in our presence only as long as it amuses us. Remember this. You remember this when you see us little-ass tiny dogs next time, all right? All right. Get outta here.”

Dogblog San Francisco is an adorable (even to my cold heart) Tumblr blog devoted to photos of dogs on sidewalks with wacky captions. Please pretend to work while surfing it's contents.

Along those same wonderful lines, Hungover Owls is another Tumblr blog featuring photos of owls with captions implying the wild night before. For example:

“Yeah, so…we’re gonna go grab some coffee, and then…then we’ll start cleaning up this s***.”

Oh, animal humor on the internet. You're a sure thing!

the bay area's spookiest spots

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:16:58 GMT

The Bay Area’s got our scary share of haunted houses and spooky spots. Steel your nerves, brave readers, as we explore Haunted Bay Area.

Boo!

Toys ‘R Us: 130 East El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA

Since the 1970’s the Sunnyvale Toys ‘R Us has been a haunted hot spot. With visits from famous psychic Sylvia Browne and an appearance on ‘That’s Incredible’ this toy store features much more than bouncy balls and Barbie dolls. According to store employees, the ghost is a harmless 19^th century preacher named Johnson. Head to Aisle 15C and take a whiff. Smell flowers? That’s Johnson!

USS Hornet: 707 W Hornet Avenue, Alameda, CA

This World War II-era Naval ship is said to be one of the most haunted places in America. Since 1943, over 300 people have lost their lives on the USS Hornet, many rumored to be suicides. Tools move, massive doors open and close and long, lost soldiers roam the narrow hallways. See for yourself. The USS Hornet is open to the public and on special evenings, the brave are invited to spend the night.

Moss Beach Distillery: Beach Way and Ocean Boulevard, Moss Beach, CA

Home to the Blue Lady, the Moss Beach Distillery’s famous hauntings are said to be the result of a tragic love triangle gone awry. The often playful ghost makes herself known in various ways, from walking the cliffs at night (typical) to hacking into the Distillery’s computer system and changing all of the dates to the establishment’s opening year, 1927. Don’t be fooled, however. The swaying lamp in the bar is no longer the work of the Blue Lady, but the shenanigans of the owners.

Mystery Spot: 465 Mystery Spot Road, Santa Cruz, CA

It’s certainly not haunted, but mysteries about at the Santa Cruz Mystery Spot. No one has ever been able to explain the scientific reasoning behind phenomena such as billiard balls rolling uphill, the ability to stand at extreme angles without falling, objects falling at angles instead of straight down and humans actually shrinking up to 8 inches on the spot. Think you can figure it out? Good. Let us know what you find out!

840 Powell Street Basement: 840 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA

Legend has it, the ghost of a survivor of the Titanic haunts the basement of this apartment building. According to lore, Dr. Henry Washington Dodge was so upset at implications of his cowardice in surviving the Titanic’s sinking that he marched down to the basement of 840 Powell and shot himself. Henry missed, but suffered a massive head wound and managed to stagger to the lobby where he was found. Dr. Dodge died 3 days later in a San Francisco hospital and apparently, still roams the basement of his former home.

Curran Theater: 445 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA

It’s not just costumes actors that can be seen roaming the storied halls of this old theater. The Curran has been home to real life ghost tales for decades. The most popular involves a mobster who mistakenly shot a ticket taker in 1933, but according to psychics, over 300 specters and spirits roams the aisles at one of San Francisco’s most popular show-stopping spots.

Let us know your favorite spooky spots!

did they kill that chicken on stage?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:01:26 GMT

Zach Perkins of Uptown Almanac has an eye-watering (?) photo montage of this past weekend's Eat Real Festival in Oakland. Apparently there were live animal sacrifices or similar:

See much more over at Uptown Almanac: Where 20-Somethings (and chickens) Go to Retire.

can you guess the newest status symbol?

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:21:12 GMT

There is a short list of things in this world that are flawess, perfect, sacred. Among them, I count creme fraiche, Bravo's reality programming, business class TransAtlantic flights, big sweaters on rainy days, Jon Hamm and Vanity Fair Magazine. In today's online VF Daily, Jamie Johnson reveals the "newest status symbol among the wealthy." Oh, thank God:

Typically, conspicuous luxury items—sports cars, yachts, private airplanes—succeed at making the strongest impressions on observers of upper-class life. More and more, though, the rich are setting themselves apart with affectations that communicate wealth merely by suggestion.

An artfully performed yawn, especially one that is ever so carefully timed to interrupt snippets of important discussion among friends and colleagues, sends a clear message that apathy is a comfort reserved only for the elite.

Gripping! This post is anything but drowsy. Catch your zzzzz's over at VanityFair.com. I'm off for a lie down...