Eye on Blogs

"Why, I wonder, did the Mayor even agree to an interview? I mean, I know everyone's saying that he should be talking to the press. But hello? If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all! Is it just me, or is Gavin digging himself deeper into this, "I'm actually kinda mean these days" hole? Actually, he's digging with a shovel in one hand and giving you the finger with the other. And he has a cigarette hanging out of this mouth. And he's doing the fake-mad-laugh. Because this is all so comical."

--Beth Spotswood on Gavin Newsom's, um, tantrums

"<3 Basketball" by Cam Vilay:

["Today's (Insert City Here)" is a photo post series at Eye on Blogs that brings you a provocative or otherwise interesting image from a Bay Area city. Photos are found on Flickr. All photos selected are licensed under the Creative Commons for commercial work.]

The replacement for SF Weekly restaurant critic Meredith Brody, who was let go recently, has been announced. He's Jonathan Kauffman, and he writes for the Weekly's sister paper in Seattle. Well, he did. Now he's coming here.

Grub Street interviewed the critic about his return to the Bay Area (he's from Berkeley):

Jonathan Kauffman will take over as SF Weekly's staff restaurant critic in January after three years with the Seattle Weekly. The East Bay Express veteran and former cook didn't have to consider long before accepting the job. He told Grub Street he's excited to get back to the Bay Area to explore the region's lesser known gems in depth, from wacky dishes like the Murder Casserole Gangsta Style at Spices 3 to undiscovered Filipino food in Fairfield. Read on to learn Kauffman's plans for his coverage, his impressions of Seattle, and the bee-line he'll be making when he hits town.

Read the interview.

Food Wishes Video Recipes is sharing a holiday how-to that's a little off the beaten path:

As you decide on what to include in your fabulous array of vegetable side dishes for the upcoming holiday feasts, keep one thing in mind. No guts, no glory. For some reason, normally adventurous cooks when faced with a house full of hungry relatives, play scared.

It's probably driven by the desire to want everyone to enjoy everything (you know that's impossible, right?). Serving something too exotic just doesn't seem prudent. I take a different approach. Since these holiday meals are one of the rare times we get to serve multiple side dishes, I think it's the perfect occasion for springing a surprise or two.

This lovely red curry butternut squash certainly fits the bill. Sweet, spicy, and mysterious – this turkey-friendly side dish won't be everyone's cup of tea, but for those at the table that let it work its magic, it promises to be one of their favorite parts of the meal.

The great thing about this food blog is that the blogger shows you how in video form. Find out over here.

Domestic chickens, you are out of luck. Try the street.

Despite disruptive protests going on at UC Berkeley over the decision to jack up tuition by 32%--where a fire alarm was pulled--one "badass" math teacher continues teaching outside on the wall of Evans Hall:

[via The Daily Blog Twitter feed]

Santa is gonna be around this weekend taking orders.

MarinMommies has a great list of Family Fun Things to Do This Weekend, one of which includes a local visit by the Bearded One. Find out where the Ho Ho Ho Haver will be.

"Cavorting crows" by wolfpix:

["Today's (Insert City Here)" is a photo post series at Eye on Blogs that brings you a provocative or otherwise interesting image from a Bay Area city. Photos are found on Flickr. All photos selected are licensed under the Creative Commons for commercial work.]

Ladies and gents, the curse-laden stylings of one Broke-Ass Stuart is telling you about (what looks to be) a fun event in San Francisco this weekend:

To say I’ve seen a lot of f-cked up sh-t in San Francisco is like saying I sing Lady Gaga in the shower — I rarely admit it but it totally happens. But for all of the really weird, brain bending and memory searing events that have taken place, there is always the really bizarrely amazing ones that completely change my life. Now, I’m not saying in any way, shape or form that this pending event is going to change your life — it may very well do the opposite. But its a great example of all the sh-t our city has to offer us on a daily basis, so take advantage, you culture-less pr-ck.

Bikes and the ballet are two things that I’m completely ignorant of, but the combination of the everyday and the elegance really makes me think that this might be a great thing to get f-cked up at. Just sayin’.

Details at Broke-Ass Stuart.