After last weekend's torrid schedule, this weekend returns to the town's typical hectic pace we're accustomed to. In case you were out of town, we had you covered with event recaps and photos from the Italian Heritage Parade, Fleet Week and, of course, the Blue Angels.
But first, a look back at the news this week for North Beach.
A 27-year-old man was shot at the corner of Broadway and Columbus last Saturday around 2am. The victim was transported to San Francisco General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the motive for the shooting remains unclear at this time.
SFPD Central Station Capt. David Lazar was injured following an accident Monday night at the intersection of Broadway and Steiner Street in Pac Heights. Capt. Lazar was rear-ended by a drunk driver and reportedly broke a rub and had soft tissue damage as well.
On the always-busy food front, Sinbad's on the Embarcadero has staved off eviction yet again by filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move that will allow the restaurant to stay open and one that will allow the eatery, as Sinbad owner Chuck Stinson hopes, to stay on Pier 2 for as long as it can.
Closer to home, the Petite Deli shop (752 Columbus Ave.) has been sold to neighboring Dylan's Tours (782 Columbus Ave.) who plan to keep the same hours at the sandwich shop and adjust the menu slightly. Over in Chinatown, we spoke with Alice Long at the Red Blossom Tea Company—the same shop that welcomed Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton earlier this summer—who celebrated 30 years in business this week.
The San Francisco Senior Center is in danger of closing as permit fees for the use of the space continue to rise. You can help them via online donations at their indiegogo.com page, but note that the campaign ends tonight, so act fast.
A large ficus tree along Columbus that was slated for removal toppled over last Saturday. The tree fell on live Muni wires and "started smoking," but the SFPD and Fire Department were quick on the scene to assist.
If the abundance of fliers everywhere wasn't a big hint, we're in crunch time with the November elections less than three weeks. It's been a good week for Aaron Peskin, who picked up endorsements for District 3 Supervisor from both the Examiner and the San Francisco Apartment Association. (See our election guide tool to sort who's endorsed whom, and to help you make up your mind.)
Irish pub Maggie McGarry's (1353 Grant Ave.) has long been known as a soccer-friendly establishment, opening early on the weekend for international soccer leagues. Their popularity has been reflected in a recent NBC Sports contest to find the best English Premier League Bar in America, with local support pushing McGarry's into the top ten trending bars in the country. The winning bar receives a $50,000 cash prize to upgrade its "viewing experience," so click on over and show your support.
As part of their Cocktail Week 2015, SF Eater wrote a short piece on Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe (12 William Saroyan Pl.) and dubbed it "a closely-guarded locals spot the evokes Old San Francisco" while also referencing an Esquire.com Top Bars in America post from earlier this year in which Specs' was one of the three SF bars to make the top 15.
On Friday, filmmaker Dana Walden and SF poet Joan Gelfand will show their film "The Ferlinghetti School of Poetics" at the Beatnik Museum (540 Columbus) starting at 7pm. The film is based on Gelfand's poem of the same name and was filmed partly in North Beach, in addition to Santa Cruz and Venice, CA.
And now, on to more of this weekend's events:
Saturday, October 17th
Marini Plaza clean up: The Friends of Washington Square are inviting local volunteers to join them in helping to clean up Marini Plaza—on the west side of Columbus Avenue north of Union Street—starting at 9am. If enough people show up, they may also do some upkeep on the Washington Square lawn as well. Lunch will be provided; RSVP to info {at} friendsofwashingtonsquare {dot} com.
Bobby Lee: The MadTV alum, who also acted in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Pineapple Express and The Dictator, will perform 7:30pm and 9:30pm sets at the Punch Line Comedy Club. (444 Battery St.)
Explorables - Handmade Science: Join Exploratorium volunteers between 1pm-4pm for creative workshops where all ages can create tools that create silly and surprising sounds, including popsicle stick harmonicas and glove-a-phones. (Pier 15 at Green Street)
Free Admission to California Academy of Sciences: This weekend admission to the California Academy of Sciences is free for residents of North Beach, Chinatown, Telegraph Hill and the Marina as part of the museums Neighborhood Free Weekend program. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID, postal label, utility bill to prove you're a resident of the area. Current special exhibits include "Color of Life" and "Whales: Giants of the Deep." Hours are 9:30am-5pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday. (55 Music Concourse Dr)
Hotel Transylvania: Part of the Films & Videos program from the San Francisco Public Library, the North Beach library will show this 2012 3D animated film about Count Dracula running a hotel for the world's monsters. It's rated PG and the sequel is in the theaters now, so come see the first one for free—and enjoy the popcorn. (850 Columbus Ave.)
Lily Cai Dance Company: The Chinese dance company will present the world premiere of Shanghai Women, exploring the evolution of Shanghai women from matriarchs of the past to today's affluent women and how they're connected to the rest of the world. The performance will be at the Cowell Theater at Ft. Mason at 8pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. Tickets are available online. (2 Marina Blvd.)
Quiet Clubbing at Monroe: Ever been to a club but didn't enjoy the DJ? "Quiet clubbing" allows you to rent a headset and flip between one of three DJs, spinning everything from '80s/'90s singalong throwbacks to Top 40 hits and hip-hop. Event starts at 10pm. (473 Broadway)
Really Funny Comedians (who happen to be women): The latest group of up-and-coming female comics from the Bay area—including Jessica Sele, Lydia Popovich, Clara Bijl, Ester Steinberg and more—perform two sets at Cobb's Comedy Club, beginning at 7:30pm and 9:45pm. (915 Columbus Ave.)
Shantytown: The "Soul and Roll" band returns as Tupelo's main Saturday act, starting at 9:30pm. (1337 Grant Ave.)
Tessa Souter: The New York-based vocalist, composer and lyricist performs at Doc's Lab starting at 8pm. (124 Columbus Ave.)
Trio Zincalo: Named after the street slang spoken by gypsies in Southern Europe, the three-piece gypsy jazz band from Oakland will play at Rose Pistola at 9pm. (532 Columbus Ave.)
The Self Proclaimed Heroes: The SF-native cover band returns to Maggie McGarry's starting at 10pm. (1353 Grant Ave.)
Vintage Reggae Night: A free all-vinyl reggae show will drive the volume up at Pier 23 starting at 9pm. (Pier 23, Embarcadero)
Sunday, October 18th
Electric Squeezebox Orchestra: If it's Sunday evening, that means it's time for the 17-piece big band to take over Doc's Lab, beginning at 5:30pm.Eric Markowitz Trio: The New Jersey native bassist and his ensemble perform at Rose Pistola at 8pm for the second of their two monthly shows at the Italian restaurant.
Jinx Jones & The Kingtones: The guitar virtuoso and his three-piece outfit return to play a frees show at Pier 23 starting at 5pm.
Mike E. Winfield Presents: The Funny Five: The actor and comedian hosts an ensemble that includes Chris Riggins, DJ Sandhu, Aliceon Beltrani and Ricco Da Great at Cobb's Comedy Club at 7:30pm.
North Beach Saints: The jazz group returns to end the weekend music scene at Tupelo, beginning at 9pm.
SF Comedy Showcase: The showcase of up-and-coming SF comedians returns for its weekly 8pm performance at the Punch Line Comedy Club.
Did we miss anything good? Let us know in the comments, and enjoy your weekend!
