The Ernestos: First (and last) annual ‘Best of North Beach’ awards

This is the first — and probably the last — “Best of North Beach” list I will write. I say probably the last, since my esteemed editor has better judgment than to l... Read More

Reynolds Rap

The Marina Community Association’s personal pet store peeve

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

At a meeting held March 14, 2013, at Moscone Recreation Center, a small group of neighbors gathered to hear about plans for a Sur la Table on Union Street in Cow Hollow. The event ... Read More

Bellingham by the Bay

The Garden of Eden needs attention

By

In comes the Chinese Year of the Snake; it’s an auspicious year for children to be born — lucky in favor, prosperous in fortune. A splendid life awaiting each and every one... Read More

North Beach Journal

Formidable neighborhood women to remember

By Ernest Beyl

This North Beach Sketches column is becoming too beefy for my taste. Too many snippets about guys and guy things with only a sidelong glance at North Beach gals, past and present. ... Read More

Back Story

Home away from home

Lyle Lahey’s local power

By John Zipperer

Breathing is difficult for me right now, but it’s not because of fear or excitement. I have just returned from a week in my childhood hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin, where ... Read More

Bellingham by the Bay

The Urban Spaceman

By

It seems I’ve become a bit of a nomad these days, wandering from hither to yon. Or, as Herb Caen would say, “Hither to Yawn.” But for all of my impenetrable ennui... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Debate over Marina Green disintegrates

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

In this month’s op-ed column, the Marina Community Association (MCA) gives a detailed and informative timeline of how the Recreation and Park Department’s plans for a W... Read More

North Beach Journal

Laughing it up

By Ernest Beyl

North Beach has always been a funny place — a haven for comedy and comics. In San Francisco’s early days (and where we now call North Beach was San Francisco), there wa... Read More

Back Story

The stories behind St. Valentine’s Day

By John Zipperer

Hearts, cupids, boxed chocolates, and mailboxes stuffed with greeting cards are all signs that we’re approaching Feb. 14 or, more formally, St. Valentine’s Day. America... Read More

Bellingham by the Bay

Rollin’ and tumblin’ into the new year

By

Now we are headlong into a great struggle. We hardly have time to make merry for the New Year. Ah, but we can take a stab at it. There will be dancing at the Big 4 atop Nob Hill. T... Read More

Dining, Interview

Dishing with Mo Rocca: Cooking with experience

Show: My Grandmother’s Ravioli broadcast on The Cooking Channel Airs: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time; repeats at 12:30 a.m. Thursday and throughout the week at... Read More

North Beach Journal

In Banksy’s words: Writing the life of a neighborhood

By Ernest Beyl

As I scribble this column, I sift through memories, North Beach memories of course. Let’s consider the majesty of the written word. The old neighborhood has seen both flood a... Read More

Reynolds Rap

What’s more divisive – a pet store or a pot club? You’d be surprised

Pet Food Express on Lombard, Part I

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

At a meeting of the Marina Merchants Association held in October 2012, two possible new tenants for Lombard Street, a pot club and a pet store, were on the agenda. Only one had peo... Read More

Reynolds Rap

With Equinox Fitness moving in, is the Marina becoming big box friendly?

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

A groundbreaking ceremony on November 13, 2012, signaled the beginning of a much-needed facelift for the landmark Metro Theater, which has been a boarded up blight on Union Street ... Read More

A & E, Features

Blast from the past: For one longtime Marina hairstylist, everything old is new again

By Maryann LoRusso

I sit in a salon chair as my long hair is slowly unraveled from huge plastic rollers. I have just spent a half-hour under an old-fashioned hooded hairdryer, so that my locks, satu... Read More

Features