About this Blog

Eye on Blogs aims to be a one-stop source for hot topics and discussions happening on Bay Area blogs. We sift through hundreds of sites on a daily basis, offering up links to and commentary on the brightest, funniest, most engaging posts made by local bloggers, while providing a place to interact and converse about the issues of the day.

About the Author
brittneygilbert
Brittney Gilbert has been blogging personally since 1999 and professionally since 2005. Before coming to cbs5.com, she wrote a community blog for WKRN-TV in her hometown of Nashville, TN.

She resides in Berkeley, and when she’s not blogging, she’s daydreaming about strong coffee, David Lynch films or roller coasters. She can be reached at bgilbert@kpix.cbs.com.
Aug 26, 2008 8:02 AM

Getting One Over on the Gate

Posted by brittneygilbert
Oliver_Clothezoff

Okay, now back on hiatus.

[Spotted by Alex, who has no blog to link to in this credit.]
 
Aug 22, 2008 7:50 PM

Eye on Blogs is on Hiatus

Posted by brittneygilbert
Everyone needs a break now and again, even from the awesome. Which is why Eye on Blogs is going on a little hiatus while its editor takes a vacation. We'll be back with the best and the brightest Bay Area bloggers on Sept 2, the day after Labor Day. You will be missed.

CBS 5 is planning a blogger party in the middle of September, a time for local web publishers to get together and chat, trade stories and eat and drink on CBS's dime. You'll be getting your invitation to the bash very soon.

The Bay Area Blog Bonanza returns to its regular schedule in one week. Blog hard until then.
 
Aug 22, 2008 4:28 PM

Third Wave Coffee:An Actual Thing?

Posted by brittneygilbert
With the opening of Four Barrel in the Mission, coffee talk has increased of late. San Francisco is no Seattle, but citizens in the 7x7 still take their espressos very seriously. There is an interesting debate going on at Espresso News & Reviews about "Third Wave Coffee." No, really:

To boil this whole pompous wave theory down, a few years ago Ms. Skeie postulated that coffee consumption and preparation was progressing through three distinct transformations.

The First Wave is consumption — marked by America’s early preoccupation with poor quality coffee, often instant or freeze dried, that was more a caffeine and heat delivery mechanism than anything with an enjoyable flavor. The Second Wave is about enjoyment and defining specialty coffee — characterized by the selection of arabica beans over robusta, Colombian coffee’s Juan Valdez marketing campaign, and the proliferation of espresso and Starbucks.

So where are we now? Supposedly, this Third Wave is all about letting the coffee speak for itself — or enjoying coffee for coffee’s sake. Confused yet? You should be, because here are the problems with this logic and how people in the industry are misusing and abusing it…

The comments were hot with discussion. I imagine the same will be true for the follow-up post there, The Tyranny of the Barista.

If you are feeling saucy, why not join in the debate?
 
Aug 22, 2008 3:43 PM

Your Bay Area Sports Bloggers

Posted by brittneygilbert
Aug 22, 2008 2:56 PM

Dance, Dance Friday

Posted by brittneygilbert

"For most people, Friday's just the day before the weekend. But after this Friday, the neighborhood'll never be the same." -Craig, "Friday"

It's the day before the weekend, and so it's dance time. Don't fight it. What we've got here are a collection of people having a good time getting their groove on on the streets of San Francisco. Guaranteed to bring a smile to your pretty face. So, without further ado, slap on the headphones, turn up the volume and if the beat moves you, shake your ass.

Thrill the World, 2007: San Francisco grooving to Michael Jackson's Thriller:

A large group doing a choreographed dance to Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet" in the streets around Union Square:

The kid in this video is amazing:

Little better than break dancing:

The girl in this video tries to "get hyphy," but fails. She's cute as a button though, and she makes me laugh:

Disco Dancing Taxi Driver:

An older gentleman straight up getting it on a pair of roller blades:

Anonymous, the masked Scientology protesters, have a dance off:

 
Aug 22, 2008 2:10 PM

OutsideLands: Not that "Sick" for Locals

Posted by brittneygilbert
Akit, who runs a Complaint Department, is proof positive that not everyone is zomg, so stoked about Outside Lands, the three day music festival kicking off today at Golden Gate Park:

It is starting to become a tradition here in San Francisco that whenever there's a major festival and this is their first one, they never notify the residents affected by the event about street closures.

Well here comes the new Outside Lands festival (concert) event that is consuming a huge part of Golden Gate Park. So this billionaire thinks of this great idea and gets the necessary permits to do it, I say, well a good idea there.

Then the residents don't get told about how this will hurt them. For this event, people who live in the Sunset, Richmond, and Panhandle areas will be greatly affected, especially if you take the bus or drive.

The festival's website DOES NOT have any information about street closures in the park. I noticed one sign saying that Chain of Lakes will be closed, but I noticed that when I was driving home last week Friday.

I checked the SFMTA's website about closures, and there is barely any information.

I checked the 511 website about closures, and they just tell you to expect heavy traffic and take the bus.

Then there's the folks at 311.

If you read the rest of this entry, as well you should, you'll see that this blogger got little help in determining how to get around his neighborhood this weekend.

RELATED:
N-Judah Chronicle's handy-dandy MUNI Survival Guide For the Outside Lands Music Festival and the LaPlaya Block Party

Flickr results for "Outside Lands," sorted by most recent

Outside Lans offerring free bicycle valet
 
Aug 22, 2008 1:28 PM

Photo of the Day: The Source

Posted by brittneygilbert
the source

When I pass under the wires the stretch across the San Francisco sky like tangled nests, I like to find their source. I'm always a little blown away by how secure the source must be to hold up the dozens and dozens criss-crossed wires that permeate our line of vision. There is something comforting about finding the strong start of something.
 
Aug 22, 2008 12:58 PM

Video of the Day: Timelapsed City Fog

Posted by brittneygilbert
You know it. You live it. You love it? No matter. This time lapsed video of a foggy morning on the Bay is still a treat for even the most fog-weary city dwellers:

 
Aug 22, 2008 12:41 PM

Duck : Water :: BART : Twitter

Posted by brittneygilbert
As an unabashed Twitter fan, and a constant BART rider, I am pleased as punch that BART has jumped, both feet first, into those tumultuous microblogging waters. Some organizations set up Twitter feeds just to publish links, but BART is getting creative with its Twitter account. They are going to begin giving $25 BART cards to those who write about BART on Twitter, but only if they've been chosen as a "favorite":

We’re excited to have hundreds of Twitter users following us and want to show our appreciation for all the tweets about things they hear, see and do on BART. Their tweets about BART help us better understand what’s important to riders and give us ideas for destinations and activities we can recommend to others. Some of the best are like tiny little stories (140 characters or fewer!) about personal experiences, or the sense of being part of a community. They’ve made us think and made us smile.

We’ll occasionally reward some of our favorite tweets with a $25 BART promotional ticket. There’s not a lot of fine print to that, but here's the basic FAQ.

Get the FAQ.

And this is one of the reasons I'm so enamored with the 140 character publishing tool. It's a service with limitless potential for new internet interactions. They've even set up a Seen and Heard on BART static page on their website with quoets from local Twitterers. Nicely done. Well played, BART.
 
Aug 22, 2008 12:26 PM

Beer by BART: Within Stumbling Distance

Posted by brittneygilbert
Yesterday I made a call for mass transit blogs, and there was a response! Yay! The good whir informed us all about a very awesome site called Beer by BART. Here's their story:

There’s good beer - real local west coast ales and well-crafted brews - all over the Bay Area, and we are lucky enough that there is no paucity of good beer within walking distance of public transit. Get out of your car, get onto rapid transit and into slow, delicious pints. Oh yeah: BART closes (station by station) starting at midnight. Uncivilized, but important to know.

A growing list of great beer places near BART for your reference (One shoe less than a quarter mileis up to one Quarter Mile walking, one way).

You know what to do. Thanks, whir! This is indispensable.
 
Aug 22, 2008 12:17 PM

Quote of the Day: City Living

Posted by brittneygilbert
Which is how I wound up yelling in the middle of Grand Avenue that “My ears are not trashcans!” And then, pointing at one of the public trashcans on the street, inviting the man to insert his “mouth into the trashcan!" --Evany

[Evany is an uber-popular local blogger, and with good reason. Her every post is side-splitting funny. See also: Cafe Platitude.]
 
Aug 22, 2008 11:48 AM

Audio of the Day: Bloggers Drink, Talk

Posted by brittneygilbert
Three local bloggers sat down with The Snitch for a little boozing and belly aching. They are discussing the issue that has gotten Michelle Malkin and her minions riled up the point of frothiness:

Give Paul Hogarth, Joe Eskenazi, and Sweet Melissa a little too much beer and they'll tell you what they really think: sanctuary city policies ROCK!

They think Gavin Newsom isn't saying so because only by making migrant workers suffer can he redeem himself in the eyes of the state and national media. And he will.

Hear the show behind this link.
 
Aug 22, 2008 11:14 AM

The Downtime Before the Student Storm

Posted by brittneygilbert
A former teacher, Mister Writers, pens an essay about this time before the doors fly open, the desks fill up and the hallways are consumed by chatter:

It wasn't that long ago that, at this time, I would be in my classroom, unpaid time, cleaning  the summer grime off desktops until they shined, dusting the inner cubicle, arranging textbooks, supplies that I had bought over the summer, so that first day would be thrilling to those new faces. There would be fresh paper (at least until I discovered the fadeless paper that lasts forever) and posters on the walls. The first few week's lessons had been planned, introductions, rules, getting acquainted, reviewing procedures and rewards and consequences, and making certain that the students knew each would be enforced.

As a teacher, it is that moment of calm before the waves of obligations crash in - a moment to not feel that driving sense of urgency brought on by the cramming of standards and benchmarks paced out by someone who had only planned the process in theory and not in practice. A politat, perhaps.

At that moment, looking at that room, you are filled with an incredible sense of potential...

There's more this way. It's a ode to the hard working and underpaid.

OTHER BAY AREA EDUCATION BLOGS:

The SF K Files

The Daily Clog

School 94501/94502

San Francisco Schools


Teaching in the 408
 
Aug 22, 2008 10:38 AM

Design Fans Help the Design Challenged

Posted by brittneygilbert
One of my favorite things about the excellent Apartment Therapy: San Francisco, besides their combing of Craigslist so you don't have to, are the Help-A-Reader posts. Locals submit photos of their abode and ask for advice on how best to decorate or organized based on the goals in mind. It's a terrific collaborative effort, and a unique way to build community. Today, a reader submits this:

I just moved into this apartment less than two months ago. I am a college student. I am disgusted by my living room. Everything was given to me and looks pretty much like junk, except my one pride and joy - the white and gold end table. I love French Rococo style... Unfortunately, my apartment doesn't allow paint on the walls. Does anyone have cheap ideas on how I could make this ugly place into a cute and inviting living room that actually looks like a young, future designer lives there?! Thanks! -luvr_of_paris

Check out the photos the reader sent in, and see if you have any ideas for the thrify book learner yourself.
 
Aug 22, 2008 10:10 AM

It's Going All the Way to Weekendville

Posted by brittneygilbert
but i want it to

Happy Friday.
 
Aug 21, 2008 5:26 PM

Recipe of the Day: Carboload!

Posted by brittneygilbert
CityMama is a blog written by a local mother, and it's good stuff. It's her personal blog, so the topics are wide and varied, but sometimes she posts recipes. Today, we feature her recent entry as the Recipe of the Day:

Penne with raw tomato-pepper sauce
 
Aug 21, 2008 3:08 PM

Tell Me: Who Will Obama Pick?

Posted by brittneygilbert
"I’m really starting to think Obama’s VP pick will be Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. It’s my strongest hunch in … days." -Here and There

Surely you have a hunch of your own. Share who you think Obama will pick as his VP running mate. Just below. In the comments. Go ahead.
 
Aug 21, 2008 2:47 PM

Your Bay Area Mass Transit Bloggers

Posted by brittneygilbert

Let’s start with a logic puzzle of sorts.

Q: Where are you if you see four J-Church metro trains, all headed downtown?

A: Gee, probably on Church? Maybe in Glen Park. One thing’s for sure, you can’t possibly be at Carl and Cole, smack-dab in N-Judah territory.

Oh, wait.

What comes next is a laugh-at-her, since-it-didn't-happen-to-me piece about a serious cluster of MUNI fail. Go read the rest at Muni Diaries, which is a new group blog that is really picking up a lot of steam.

While we're at it, here's the Eye on Blogs' List of Mass Transit Bloggers in the Bay Area. This is a great go-to roll of websites that can cure your need to read about public transit:

Muni Diaries

VTA Watch

BART Musings

The Overhead Wire

Muni Manners

Muni Gone Wild

Friends of BRT Blog

Bart Rage

Transbay Blog

N-Judah Chronicles

Rescue MUNI

Muni Outrage

Fog City Notes

No Line Left Behind


SF Muni Grouch


Stepdown

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: If there a mass transit blog based in the Bay Area not listed here. Let us know! We need to know! Spill it in the comments.
 
Aug 21, 2008 2:25 PM

Super Cheesy

Posted by brittneygilbert
Who doesn't love cheese, I ask you? Eye on Blogs has a new food site on the rolls, and it's a humdinger. It's a cheese blog, y'all! A blog devoted to all things cheese. You simply cannot lose. The blogger recently went to an eatery in Oakland (and managed not to get held up!), and he wrote about his cheese plate. Mmmm, cheese plate:

À Côté in Oakland, California, near the border of Berkeley, is described as being a “small-plates restaurant” (read as: Tapas-style servings and portions, shared in a “family style” manner). Selections on the menu can change almost daily, with many excellent permanent selections as well. They also have a wonderful wine list, assembled bi-weekly, and they offer well-selected flights of wine to accompany your meal.

Wine, that’s OK, but what about the cheese?

I’m getting to that, inner cheese voice… There were six to choose from, any and all to be served with candied walnuts, toasted (and heavily salted) almonds, apple slices, poached figs and an excellent walnut levain bread. The three I choose were the following (pictured starting from left to right):

Majorero [semi-soft, goat milk, from the Canary Islands]

La Tur [three-milk soft cheese from Piemonte, Italy]

Ossau Iraty [semi-firm, raw sheep's milk, from the French Pyrénées]

All three were amazing, and I was most looking forward to the La Tur, which I don’t think I have ever tried...

He gets down to the nitty-gritty in describing his threesome. Head over and read the rest, then peruse the whole place. Dare you not to come away starving.

ALSO
: Are there any other local cheese blogs I don't know about? Drop their URL in the comments.
 
Aug 21, 2008 2:02 PM

5/7/5 Train in 2 Minutes

Posted by brittneygilbert
People on the N
staring dreamy out the glass
into my bedroom


The above is a selection from the excellent MUNIHaiku.com. Sure, we've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating.
 
Aug 21, 2008 1:25 PM

Kindergarten Rule #1: Wipe Your Own Butt

Posted by brittneygilbert
Silicon Valley Moms Blog has a post up that will make you shake your head at the cluelessness of some parents:

As my kids ran off to play, I ducked into their classroom to put their lunch boxes into their cubbies. In the classroom, an itty bitty girl was sitting on the ground, shyly fingering a toy. Her parents were hovering over her. Other than myself, they were the only parents still there.

"Oh, first day of drop-off?" I said, smiling.

"Oh, no! She's just two-and-a-half, we're observing today." replied the parents.

"Have you checked out the preschool class next door? The teacher is amazing! This class is for the older pre-K kids, " I suggested.

"Well, she's ready for kindergarten only she's not potty trained yet."

"Oh..." I said, at a loss for words.

Read more of this report on pushy preschool parents. And if parent blogging floats your boat, check out their entire site which is chock full of tales like these.
 
Aug 21, 2008 12:27 PM

Have You Seen This Man?

Posted by brittneygilbert

From our inbox:

James Walker, a resident of Oakland CA and my brother, has not been seen since Monday evening after suddenly leaving the Cactus Restaurant before dinner was over.  The Cactus is located directly across the street from the Rockridge Bart Station.  He is mentally ill and now has not had his medication since Monday morning.

The medication he takes is used to help control depression.  According to his doctor, without this medication there is a possibility he could become a danger to himself.  

A missing persons report was filed with the Oakland Police Department that Monday evening.  We have heard from them only once to confirm that we filed the report.  Further phone calls to the case officer have not been returned.  Missing person flyers have been posted in numerous locations.  The problem is he could be anywhere in the bay area due to the Bart Station being directly across the street from the Cactus Restaurant.

This afternoon it will be 72 hours since James has gone missing.  He did not have more than $20 in cash with him at the time he disappeared.  He has not used his credit cards or his ATM card during this period.  Checks with all the hospitals not turned up any leads. 

I would greatly appreciate if your station could assist in any way to alert the public to my brothers’ situation.  Please feel free to call me with questions or clarifications that will help in safely finding James.  

Randall Walker

home:  510-531-1533

cell:      510-326-1799

email:   rtonguido@att.net

 
About this Blog

Eye on Blogs aims to be a one-stop source for hot topics and discussions happening on Bay Area blogs. We sift through hundreds of sites on a daily basis, offering up links to and commentary on the brightest, funniest, most engaging posts made by local bloggers, while providing a place to interact and converse about the issues of the day.

About the Author
brittneygilbert
Brittney Gilbert has been blogging personally since 1999 and professionally since 2005. Before coming to cbs5.com, she wrote a community blog for WKRN-TV in her hometown of Nashville, TN.

She resides in Berkeley, and when she’s not blogging, she’s daydreaming about strong coffee, David Lynch films or roller coasters. She can be reached at bgilbert@kpix.cbs.com.
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