As i was writing this new year’s Sketches column, I realized I had written more than 50 of these columns since 2012. Who knew? I intend to write at least 50 more. Then I̵... Read More
As a north beach flaneur, I come across a lot of neighborhood characters who lighten my load. This is especially important during the year-end holidays. Let me tell you about a few... Read More
Some of my sketches columns almost write themselves, like this one. All I need to do is walk around the old neighborhood and keep my eyes open. Recently, I did some walking around ... Read More
Recently, I was sitting at the bar at Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store and Cafe alongside Patrick Douglas, a fixture there. Patrick told me he plays guitar and sings. “What else is... Read More
BARNEY’S SAN FRANCISCO CITY GUIDE Tony Bennett, who you recall left his heart in San Francisco, was asked by Barney’s, the upscale New York retailer, to prepare a city guide as... Read More
AL CIPPOLINA AND BACCALA ALLA MESSINESE If you’re around North Beach on a Friday, you might want to drop into the Original U.S. Restaurant. That’s the day Al Cippolina ... Read More
The last time I saw Alphonsus McCourt was at the memorial for his celebrity bartender brother, Michael. Alphie, as everyone calls him, came out from New York and read one of his p... Read More
POLITICALLY INCORRECT AND THE CLOONEY PROTEST This paragraph should have appeared in my May Sketches column but monthly deadlines being what they are, I missed it. However, I think... Read More
PRIME TIME AND THE TUBES You may recall that I like to hang out at Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store and Cafe. If you join me there sometime you may meet a Deadhead, a city superv... Read More
THE DISTRICT THREE DUDE Aaron Peskin is one cool dude — the big progressive Lebowski of District 3. He demonstrated his cool dudeness last month when more than 200 people showed ... Read More
THE HABERDASHER Gentleman haberdasher Wilkes Bashford missed my deadline last month. He died just after I turned in my February column. I counted Wilkes a friend, and patronized hi... Read More
As I write this, Gino and Carlo, my favorite North Beach saloon, is looking for a cook to replace Denise Sabella, who died over the Christmas holidays and is sorely missed by all o... Read More
“If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.” — Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, The Leopard I’m on a rant. So I hope you won’t mind i... Read More
A few months ago, I reported that an Irish pub would open in North Beach. And it has. It’s called BarNua and it’s located at 561 Columbus Avenue. My informant tells me ... Read More
This month, a little of this and a little of that goes a long way. So please stick with me. MARRIED SEX Lest you think the above subhead is an oxymoron, let me tell you about Jesse... Read More