The last refuge of a scoundrel

On the 22 fillmore bus the other day, a very nice lady sat next to me. Her name was Helen. Yes, just like Helen of Troy. Yes, she launched a thousand ships. What is that famous lin... Read More

Reynolds Rap

The Trump effect

Voters sent a message to city leaders — but will they listen?

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

A little over 9 percent of San Franciscans voted for Donald Trump. I wasn’t one of them, but I understand why people did. It was their way of sending a message to Washington,... Read More

Bellingham by the Bay

We can be heroes

By

Christmas is about music. it’s also about generosity of spirit, whether you can play an instrument or sing. But anybody can sing — as long as you want to sing. The only require... Read More

North Beach Journal

Holiday wishes for my favorite neighborhood characters

By Ernest Beyl

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

Bellingham by the Bay

The power of the pun

By

It all looked too easy. in a split moment, we knew the truth. Some of us went to Sunday school. Some of us never left Sundays at all. Some of us drifted away from where we were sup... Read More

Reynolds Rap

The ‘me-me-me millionaires’ still not taking charitable chances

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

In December 2012, i wrote an editorial called “The Me-Me-Me Millionaires” in which I called out nouveau riche tech workers for their lack of interest in helping the com... Read More

North Beach Journal

Bartenders, a photographer, an author, a rabbi, and Sicilian sausage

By Ernest Beyl

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

Bellingham by the Bay

Here’s the October surprise

By

The surprise is that few of us may be surprised at all these days. Small wonder. To most civilized people, we have tumbled into an era of incivility. Of vulgarity, and a sad excurs... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Proposition SDR: Should meter maids run San Francisco?

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

I split my time between the Silicon Valley and San Francisco. It’s a great arrangement: Just when I’m getting tired of too many places to park, squeaky clean streets, a... Read More

North Beach Journal

Blues, poetry, Stravinsky and Lloyd, saloon updates, and some neighborhood fish news

By Ernest Beyl

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

North Beach Journal

Betty Lou’s Seafood & Grill, Tony Bennett’s statue, Barney’s city guide, Chief Sullivan’s Irish mural

By Ernest Beyl

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

Reynolds Rap

Upscale comfort food

How a $60 fried chicken dinner took San Francisco’s restaurant scene for a ride

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

Back Story, Features

San Francisco is a hall of fame city for photographers

By Ernest Beyl

San Francisco has long been a haven for photographers and fine photography. Almost from its Gold Rush beginnings, it has attracted photographers who have documented life in this dr... Read More

Bellingham by the Bay

Feeding the hungry ghosts

By

The Buddhists call them hungry ghosts. They are the dead. They wander the planet, ravenous for something they’ve lost or never had. They have not attained a peaceful place in the... Read More

North Beach Journal

The truth about baccala; Beat Museum plans move, seeks angels; the loss of a McCourt poet

By Ernest Beyl

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

Features