Since it’s a little too crappy out today to drag the camera out I thought I’d share this little guy that I found on a random walkabout by SBC Park. This is part of a statue that’s behind the park by the water. You can see the masts in the background from the nearby harbor. And it was sunny which it certainly isn’t today…
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I’ve never been one for holiday (oh, excuse me, Christmas) shopping, and I think it’s wise to stay the hell away from the malls and other grand shopping centers. While Christmas is over, and flocks of folks are heading back to the malls for the discounts, I’d like to help support our local merchants.
The SFLOMA has a list of local merchants to buy from and a great list of reasons why:
1. Significantly more money re-circulates in San Francisco when purchases are made at locally owned, rather than nationally owned, businesses: More money is kept in the community because locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing locally helps grow other businesses as well as the San Francisco tax base.
2. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses: Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally, and in San Francisco provide the most new jobs to residents.
3. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of our distinctive character: The unique character of San Francisco is what brought us here and will keep us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit.
I just love urban decay and this sign was nestled between 2 fairly new sushi restaurants out toward the ocean. I’ll try and get a little more creative with my locations when this rain give me a bit of a window.
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The sunset at Ocean Beach was beautiful last night and the waves were quite impressive. Especially when you look at the crappy Christmas weather Mother Nature dumped on us today. Happy Holidays™.
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Our Lady of LaSalette in the Inner Sunset. I ran across this little gem as I was walking up Judah on my way to the ocean this morning while I was praying it wouldn’t rain.
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As a Midwest born & bred San Francisco transplant, I find the concept of Christmas without snow a bit confusing. Which may be why I haven’t been full of holiday cheer this year. In an effort to reverse this mood (before the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future come to get me), I spent a bit of time today looking up holiday-related activities in the city…so put on your Santa hats (or yarmulkes!) and get out there! Ho ho hooooooooo!
Holiday Ice Skating at the Embarcadero Center (there’s a rink!) through January 1 (10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays, open until 11:30 p.m. on weekends)
Visit Union Square to see the purty tree & decorations
Metreon Center Winterland…apparently they make snow there once/hour? I might have to see this in person.
Feeling cold? Been poured on in the past week (although it has to be said – the thunderstorm was kind of fabulous)? Feeling distressed that California is not delivering on its good weather reputation? Look! There are SO many places where the weather is beyond hideous. Blowing out their proverbial candle – weather-style – should certainly make me feel like ours is glowing brighter. Temps below are the lows in the listed cities today. Feel better?
Chicago: 13
Detroit: 22
New York (not as bad as I thought): 31
And it rained in Seattle and Portland – so we have company.
In the 50’s Frank Badagliacca didn’t know he was starting a Christmas tradition that would not only endure, but then grow to cover such a significant area.
Frank had noticed his neighbors were trying to put a small decorated tree out on their lawn but the wind kept blowing it over. Good neighbor that he was, Frank staked a rebar pipe into the ground and used it to secure the tree.
He then had the idea to put up what has become affectionately know as “Charlie Brown Trees” on all the lawns on his block. They were placed exactly 10 feet from the sidewalk, and the top light of each tree was always white.
What began on one block now covers much of the Willow Glen area of San Jose. Frank is no longer with us but his love of the spirit of Christmas lives on.
The best way to view the trees is to drive Willow Street heading south from Lincoln Avenue.
I’m scrambling to get my holiday cards out today, after getting over my inability to make my own this year (as I usually do) and buying some on sale at the store.
For those of you who haven’t gotten around to buying/making/sending out your Holiday Cards, The Chron has provided some print-and-send
Holiday Cards for your convenience in PDF format. Cool! My favorite is last year’s Microchip Tree, pictured here.
At least I was able to get some custom stamps made via Flickr on Zazzle… I got my stamps within 2 days, how awesome is that?
More SF Dodgeball hijinx brings up the question…
If San Jose is nicknamed “Crotch of the Bay” (I actually used to call it the “Armpit of the Bay”, I guess it’s less crude), what are the other areas of the Bay Area? With this assertion, the Peninsula and East Bay would be legs. Is the North Bay a detached foot? I’m so confused.
