THIS IS BIG NEWS IF YOU’RE FROM THE MID-WEST:
Fans of the tasty fresh water Chubs are in for bad news.
Our beloved fish is disappearing on two fronts.

EWIG’S FISH MARKET REPORTS:
After several phone calls and personal appearances to the Chubs mother ship I have once more been told by Ewig’s Fish Market that the chubs are not being fished.

THE STORY OF SMOKED CHUBS:
I was first told that chubs just aren’t profitable to
fish anymore. Then it was “check back in October”, followed
by “check back in February” in an endless loop of
unexplained excuses.

NATURE SENDS SOME BAD NEWS TOO:
Really bad news. Seems the reason we can’t find any Chubs in the fish markets is not just because of low profit.
Blame the zebra mussels and the larger quagga mussels that hitch-hike aboard ocean-going ships. These invasive species are eating chub food, the plankton that smaller fish like to eat. The mussels promote clear water by munching on enough green stuff to open up the feeding area to sunlight. Sunlight promotes the growth of killer algae. Scientists have yet to figure out a way to completely control this ecological disaster. Attention to all budding scientists. This looks to me like uncharted territory for your dissertation or research grant application.
Will some dedicated Cheese Head please figure this out?

As if you needed a reason to come to San Francisco.

TWO WORDS: FILM FESTIVALS!
The San Francisco International Film Festival presented by the San Francisco Film Society is on it’s 56th year, fresh as ever.
Executive Director Ted Hope eloquently described the 2013 program as “intelligent films for grown-ups where complex things happen like in real life.”

OPPORTUNITIES:
It would be enough if SFIFF limited itself to premiere screenings of top notch independent films. This year one’s cutting edge can be sharpened via A2E , the new Artist to Entrepreneur program. Let’s face it, anyone with a smart phone and a cute kitten can upload a film to YouTube. A2E guides serious filmmakers through this new world, teaching them how to be entrepreneurs. Way to go SFFS.

WINNER SHOWCASE:
SFIFF won at Sundance two years in a row with “Beasts of the Wild” and “Fruitvale”. Twelve films have won the audience award at “SWSW”.
An in-house shiny statue goes to Phil Kaufman, accepting the Local Hero Award. Perhaps best known for directing “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” in 1978, he continues to keep the Bay Area film scene alive with the yet to be released “Invaders of the Lost Ark5″. Yep, that’s correct, they don’t just honor obscure filmmakers here at SFIFF. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

THE NEXT ANNA PAQUIN?:

There was a lot of well-deserved buzz about the opening night film at the beautiful Castro Theatre.
“What Maisie Knew”, pronounced a favorite book that could not be filmed by his mother, David Siegel did her and Henry James proud. We watch a bitter custody battle from the child’s point of view. Expect to see a lot more of the lead actress Onata Aprile who charmed the audience on opening night and unfortunately could not attend the post-party since it was past her bedtime.

NOT TO BE OVERLOOKED:
The Festival presents 113 films from 43 countries in this 15 day cultural extravaganza. If you are still sorting out your viewing game plan, don’t forget to pick out some obscure wild cards.

“Tall as the Baobab Tree” by Jeremy Teicher was one such gem. I never expected such a realistic look at African life by a North American director. At times I had to remind myself this wasn’t a documentary. We follow a teenage girl in a rural African village as she plots a rescue of her younger sister from an arranged marriage. Just why would the father put his daughter in this predicament? How does the girl manage to maneuver around the myriad cultural restrictions? What the heck does a tree have to do with all this? You will leave this screening not only knowing these answers, but feeling like you were an invited guest by the African tribe. “Tall as the Baobab Tree” is a five star travelog with a complex emotional plot.

MASTER CLASS:
You can’t get this by staying home watching NetFlix. The San Francisco Film Society has arranged sessions with Festival filmmakers who will explain their creative processes to you live in person. The line-up includes an animator for Pixar, a rock music documentarian, and a classic film director. Think “The French Connection” and “Exorcist”.
An animation workshop is held at the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio at 104 Montgomery Street. Parents can entertain themselves at the annex, located west of Montgomery behind the Museum in a beautifully restored auditorium with a million dollar view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Plenty of free parking on the weekends, but do not even think of ignoring the meter during week days. Remember, you are on a former military base.
Informal salons are scheduled at the San Francisco Film Society Film House, temporarily located at 1426 Fillmore Street, #300. Take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs. Keep your frustration level down by taking the Fillmore 22 MUNI bus line. If you want to play urban ninja and take your chances with the Safeway parking guards, by all means park in the large lot behind the Film House. Tango Diva and this writer do not in any way endorse this method.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE:
Specifically, music, conversation and various artistic performances.

Sunday, May 5, 4:30 pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street
No More Road Trips?

Tues, May 7, 8:30 pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street
Waxworks

Wednesday, May 8, 6:00 pm
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street
A Conversation with Richard Linklater

ALL THE INFO YOU NEED:
Now Through May 9th, 2013
http://festival.sffs.org/

all photographs courtesy San Francisco Film Society

Once upon a year the public pays for access to the private world of Pacific Heights.

DECORATOR SHOWCASE 2013
In the 94115 we have an 8000+ square-foot Georgian mansion at 2800 Pacific Avenue with 27 interior and exterior design spaces transformed by 24 design firms. Oh yes, the views are amazing. Alcatraz island peaks out over the hill in the center of the golden gateway. From the east balcony you can see the tip of the Transamerica pyramid doing a “Where’s Waldo” in the middle of the San Francisco skyline. On the north side are a lot of opaque window coverings and exceptionally narrow staircases. This is traditional monster home camouflage for room count trumping open space.

TERRARIUMS ARE OUT, RE-PURPOSED LIGHTING IS IN:
This year shows the waning of the terrarium fad and an homage to Restoration Hardware colors and re-purposed metal factory do-dads turned into lighting fixtures. The only place busting out of the lux look was the teen room sporting a touch of designer wacky, courtesy of Applegate Tran Interiors. How fitting to have a centerpiece neon sign proclaiming “Everything You Want, Right Now”. The washrooms shined again this year with impressive engineering feats. One small room borrowed the mobile home concept of toilet and shower all in one with a glamorized version complete with flowing Swarovski crystal bead strings and a floor drain disguised as a narrow etched design element on the striped concrete floor. Another larger wash room contained a shower with sliding open weave lacquered doors, followed by a bathtub flanked by a living wall.

AND NOW, A DESIGN RANT:
Something has me irked about these high end benefit events. It reminds me of my disappointment over the many years of attending the Tenderloin Celebrity Pool Toss. Back in the day there was a democratic Euro-trash feel to the evening, brimming with food, personal fashion and over-the-top art for the people. My all time fav was the Donker Brothers, three hunky blond painters who collaborated on your portrait for $200. That was an affordable, memorable splurge. One year the local socialite Charlotte Mailliard volunteered to be dunked and thrilled the crowd by jumping in with a full length mink, quickly followed into the pool by her hairdresser. Fast forward to the last couple of years where you have no idea who the “celebrities” are and lose interest watching the auction and the in-crowd get progressively more sloshed. Everyone knows the bidders are all preselected fronts for the dunkee anyway. There are tasty tidbits and drinks that run out after the first hour. Gone are the pop-up artists and entertainment.

THE STATE OF INTERIOR DESIGN:
Back to the Showcase rant already in progress.The designers did an amazing job as usual. The cause was worthy. Evidence of skill and big budgets were everywhere. But where was the sense that you were part of the exclusive event? The general feel of the Showcase is a far cry from 2012′s art gallery-like display of ethnicity and whimsy. There was a room blasting loud African music with matching loud colors. It was a friendly party atmosphere where people actually sat and talked to one another. The rooms seemed to be inspired around art rather than budget or function. For example, there was artist Michel Pred’s bathroom ceiling umbrella festooned with dangling sharp airport security confiscated scissors. Now you can wander around and eavesdrop conversations amongst the regulars of Pac Heights. I heard one woman ask someone if he had ever attended before. He replied with alarm, “oh yes, I started this thing. I was at this house annually for Halloween carrying my teddy bear”. And everyone was coming up to young ladies in formal gowns or skin tight short mini dresses and stilettos wishing them congratulations. Er, maybe for their design, or engagement, or pregnancy, I wasn’t always sure what was going on.

IMAGE GALLERY:
The following images provide a feel for the event and hopefully peak your curiosity enough to pony up the dollars for a self guided tour. Come to satisfy your curiosity on how the one percent lives and stay to be inspired by the interior designs. Your money is helping diversify San Francisco University High School by contributing to their financial aid program. Believe me, this is way better than crashing a real estate agent’s open house.

.
.
.
.
LOCATION:
2800 Pacific Avenue
April 27 through May 27

HOURS:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
10:00am – 3:00pm (last entry)
Friday
10:00am – 7:00pm (last entry)
Sunday and Memorial Day:
11:00am – 4:00pm (last entry)
Closed Monday (except Memorial Day)

ADMISSION:
General Admission $30
Seniors $25

FOR INFORMATION:
(415) 447-5830
www.decoratorshowcase.org

Proceeds benefit the financial aid program
of the San Francisco University High School
at 3065 Jackson Street, SF, CA 94115

Well folks, get out the credit cards and see how much you can save by spending. This year’s list promises to grow by the hour, so stay tuned.
This year I’m advising all shoppers to do their homework prior to cyber shopping. There are many better deals in brick and mortar land.

iPHONE ACCESSORIES:
A special note on all iPhone accessories. Starting with the iPhone5, the connector pin has changed, rendering your five year collection of do-dads useless without a $29 adapter. I advise holding out on buying anything for the iPhone 4s and below as prices will certainly drop further as companies try to clear their inventories.

For example’s sake, I have spent way too much time researching every listing of retro iPhone handsets. I found them them selling for $7 to $40. Apparently it’s not all about the groovy colors, there are several brands and not all have good receptions. Most have nice soft mat plastic colors and the pricey models include shiny silver or gold.
Everyone is selling the retro phone handset for Apple iphone 5, 4/4s ipad2/ ipad3 and ipad mini.
Bloomies has them for $30 (if you must have the shiny gold or silver), everyone else $9.99, buy in person at BB&Beyond w 20% off coupon best deal, colors berry.

Amazon’s retro handsets are over $10, but they have zebra, etc

AIRLINES:
Woohoo, finally a decent sale. Start with KAYAK.com and check out the $50 each way sales. I found a round trip from SFO to PDX for $107. Boston fares are way down as well.

A FEW WEBSITES:

Angies List

Mamasource

Saveology

Groupon

Saveology

RetailMeNot

BEST BUY:
free shipping on everything
Canon PowerShot A2300 Camera, free case, free 8gb for $79.99 (save $94.98)

Sandwich Grill-Black $7.99 (save $12)

Free $50 gift card w Apple 32FB iPod Touch (5th Gen) $294.99

32″ Panasonic LCD 720p $189.99

eBags:
EXO Hardside Spinner Carry-On, hazard yellow, $94.99 (68% off) w Free Ship
High Sierra Elevate 22″ Carry-On Wheeled Upright (outside pockets, $62.99 (MSRP $240, thats 73% off)

REI : 30% off winter gear & gifts + Free shipping, no minimum

PROMO CODES:

LANDSEND:
30% off everything! , free ship on $50 orders
Promotion Code: THANKFUL
PIN: 2025

UNDERARMOUR:
25% UA TECH Fleece Pullover Hoody, free shipping, no minimum

MACYS:
$10 off $75
Note: some exclusions apply (expires November 30, 2012)
code: XJW562A992

OVERSTOCK.COM:
10 % off + free shipping for new customers

TORY BURCH:
20% off $300
code: GIFTFORYOU

LE CREUSET:
Free Shpping on all orders
code: FREESHIP

DSW:
$15 off $74, $30 off $149, $50 off $199
code: HOLIDAYS

BURT’S BEES:
holiday grab bag $20
code SPRING12

CRATE and BARREL:
15 % off + Free Shipping
code: SAVE15

HORCHOW:
20% off First Purchase
code: FIRST

HARRY and DAVID:
10 % off $49, 15% off $99
code: JOY

FANCY:
20% off entire purchase
code CBRMON

MOVIE DEALS:
Amazon Limited Time Deals
7:20 AM – 11:20 AM EST
11:20 AM-3:20 PM EST
3:20 PM-7:20 PM EST
7:20PM-11:20 PM EST
Hall Pass DVD $1.96
Harry Potter 6 Blu-Ray $3.96
Die Another Day Blu-Ray $3.96
Safe House Blu-Ray $8.96
Hot Tub Time Machine DVD 1.96
Harry Potter 7 Part 1 Blu-Ray $3.96
Fight Club Blu-Ray $3.96
Columbiana Blu-Ray $3.96
Bad Teacher DVD $1.96
Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader DVD $1.96
Contagion DVD $4.96
Fast Five Blu-Ray $7.96
Battleship Blu-Ray $8.96
Harry Potter 7 Part 2 DVD $1.96
Unstoppable Blu-Ray $3.96
2 Fast 2 Furious Blu-Ray $3.96
King Kong DVD $1.96
LOTR: The Two Towers Blu-Ray $3.96
Brave Blu-Ray + DVD $8.96
Spartacus Season 1 DVD $9.96

Complete Inspector Lynley Mysteries DVD Set $69.99
Dark Shadows the Complete Original Series DVD Set Deluxe Ed. $299.99
Spartacus Season 1 & 2 Blu-Ray $32.99
other advertised AMAZON movie deals
• Harry Potter Complete 8 Film COllection on Blu-Ray $67.99
• Spaceballs Blu-Ray $7.88
• John Carter Blu-Ray $19.99
• Big Bang Theory Season 1 DVD Set $15.99
• The Lorax DVD $3.99
• Batman Begins DVD $3.69
• Horton Hears a Who DVD $3.99
• The Expendibles DVD $3.99
• The Goonies DVD $8.75
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory DVD $3.99
• Captain America Blu-Ray $9.96
• Thor Blu-Ray $9.96
• Pulp Fiction Blu-Ray $3.99
• Despicable Me Blu-Ray $9.99
• Kill Bill Vol. 1 Blu-Ray $3.99
• Kill Bill Vol. 2 Blu-Ray $3.99
• No Country for Old Men Blu-Ray $3.99
• Sucker Punch Blu-Ray $3.99
• In Time Blu-Ray $5.99

best buy $3.99 BLU-RAY
Pulp Fiction
Salt
Kill Bill Volume 1
Kill Bill Volume 2
No Country for Old Men
Wedding Crashers
The Crow
Red Riding Hood
Hall Pass
Sucker Punch
Eclipse
Twilight
New Moon
Just Go With It
Caddyshack
The Last Samurai
Cool Hand Luke
Blazing Saddles
Yes Man
The Tourist
Edge of Darkness
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Contact
The Other Guys
Executive Decision
The Green Hornet
Boondock Saints 2
The Roommate
best buy $7.99 BLU-RAY
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Wrath of the Titans
Project X
Lucky One
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Campaign
Cabin in the Woods
Dark Shadows
Moneyball
Safe
Taken
The Expendibles
Spider Man 3
Fight Club
The Dark Knight
Warrior
Boondock Saints
Alien
Batman Begins
Red
Aliens
The Lincoln Lawyer
The A-Team
Abduction
Wolverine
Men in Black 3
The King’s Speech
Max Payne
Alien 3
Alien Resurrection
Spider Man 2
Men in Black
Spider Man
XMen: The Last Stand
The Social Network
Office Space
Rain Man
X2
The Silence of the Lambs
Love and Other Drugs
XMen
Live Free or Die Hard
Platoon
Rocky IV
Man on Fire
Rocky
Raging Bull
Predator
Aliens vs Predator
Hot Tub Time Machine
Terminator
AVP
Rocky 3
There’s Something About Mary
Rocky 5
Rocky 2
Robocop
Due Date Ronin
Bull Durham
City Slickers
Dumb & Dumber

best buy $9.99 BLU-RAY
Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Oceans 11, 12, and 13 Set
Underworld: Awakening
Sherlock Holmes
Lucky One
Project X
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Xemn: Fist Class
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence
Inception
Hangover 2
best buy $12.99 BLU-RAY
Hunger Games
Breaking Dawn: Part 1
Prometheus
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Act or Valor
best buy $14.99 BLU-RAY
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs 3D
Wrath of the Titans 3D
The Vow
Rio 3D
I, Robot 3D
21 Jump Street
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 3D
Prometheus 3D
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Walmart Movie deals
• Smallville: The Complete Series DVD $148.96
• Six Feet Under: The Complete Series DVD $54.96
• Rome: The Complete Series $34.96
• Footloose DVD $5.96
• Macgyver The Complete Series DVD $49.96
• Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol $4.96
• ET Anniversary Edition $9.96
• The Tudors Complete Series $49.96
• Dirty Harry Collection: All Five Movies on Blu-Ray $21.96
• The Essential Eastwood Directors Collection Blu-Ray $21.96
• SUper 8 Blu-Ray $5.96
• TinTin 3D Blu-Ray $14.96
• No Strings Attached $5.96 Blu-Ray
• Supernatural Complete Season DVDs $9.96-$16.96
• True Blood Season 1 $15.00

ZAGG:
20% OFF KEYBOARD CASES, 50% ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE, FREE SHIPPING OVER $29.98
AWESOME EARPHONES, DJ QUALITY

BREW CITY:
ALL T-SHIRTS 50% off
free UPS ground shipping at $50

PINK DOLPHIN:
35% off entire store
code: CYBER
(clothing, accessories, fun fleece, retro letter jackets in fleece)

SEARS:
50% off Craftsman 192-pc Mechanics tool set w trifold case

MACYS:
Select women’s sweaters, buy one get one free
24 piece room-in-a-bag sets 99.99
Holiday dresses & select coasts 50% off
Designer and trend handbags 25-40% off
Charter Club leather gloves & cashmere scarves – 50% off

PUBLIC BIKES:

Sale on Pink Bikes!

BETABRAND:
Dance for your discount!
(seriously, they’re a hoot)

Have you ever left a meeting because you forgot your phone? My trusty assistant keeps notes for me, takes beautiful photos, has apps galore, and even makes phone calls now that I’ve switched to Verizon. I’m still looking for an App to make my dinner. But I digress. My point is that once you start relying on your phone your expectations rise. Maybe you’ve noticed that not exactly professional hiss in the background of your iPhone/ iPod/ iPad recordings.

iRig Mic Cast:
These days iPhone videos are often seen on television. I say it’s time to start re-educating the viewers on broadcast standards of yore. The iRig Mic Cast pops right into the speaker jack, long enough to work with your phone’s case left on. Don’t you hate taking the case off constantly because some plug isn’t long enough? I love that there’s a headphone jack on the mic so you can monitor your audio recordings. The mic itself is really small and light. Put to the test I would say it’s the best in its class. You definitely have to use this mic in a quiet space. Think of the Mic Cast as your $35 anti-hiss device. The package includes a stand meant for recording in your home studio. The iKlip stand doubles as an excellent desk buddy for easy monitoring of texts while both hands are on the keyboard. (Not at work of course).

iRig Mic:
The iRig handheld unidirectional condenser microphone is the real deal. This mic looks just like those professional Shure models with the built-in metal wind screens as seen on TV. It’s actually metal and the first iPhone accessory I have seen that doesn’t feel like “Baby’s First Audio Kit”. The package includes three apps, VocalLive, AmpliTube, and iRig Recorder, which create sound studios in the palm of your hand. You get a zippered carry case which fits not only the mic, but the included mic clamp and dual mini-jack for monitoring your recordings in real-time. The three level gain switch is just the ticket for adjusting your sound level. During tests the mic actually did it’s job, filtering out the background noise in a crowded café. Be aware that plugging into the iPad mic port disables the internal speakers. You probably have a nice set of external speakers anyway. I’ve seen this package selling from $47 to $59.99.

iRig AmpliTude:
If you are a hard-core musician pick up an iRig Guitar Interface Adapter. Karaoke anyone?

iKlip Studio:
Now that you’ve eliminated studio fees you can pop $40 for an iPad desktop stand. The iKlip Studio has a solid feel. There are eight different height adjustments just like a deck chair. Best of all, this stand folds up neatly to about one and a half by nine inches. It’s got rubber feet so no more sliding around, and a built-in swivel for horizontal or vertical viewing of your virtual sound board. This is way cooler looking than trying to use the sliders on your iPhone screen.

iRig products are available from IK Multimedia, Apple stores, and Google results everywhere.

YEAR 35: Read the rest of this entry »

The American Craft Council Show is on the road. Their 2012 schedule includes Baltimore, Atlanta, St. Paul, and San Francisco. This is no pot holder knick knack flea market, oh no. The American Craft Council has been around since 1943 and they take their craft seriously. All their shows are juried to ensure an impressive blend of skill and creativity.

Categories were added this year including under $100, brides-to-be, $10k and up, men-centric, local artists, foodieware, and of course green art.
I attended the opening night festivities featuring the Balvenie rare craft scotch whisky tasting bar, make your own book mini-classes from the San Francisco Center for the Book, and lots of incentive for artists & collectors to join the American Craft Council.

I don’t know about you, but I was starting to suffer from craft show burn-out. I really didn’t want to see another bird graphic on a pillowcase, felted owls, squirrels with mustaches or hair thingy made of dryer lint. Impressed I was by the diversity of ideas as well as the degree of insanity, I mean difficulty in this show’s creations.

Several artists took common mid-century crafts and turned them on their head.
Yan, of Yan’s Design, learned embroidery from her mother in China. As an adult she studied Japanese Art at Kobe University. Her blended technique starts with painting a large image on silk, then accenting with heavy silk thread embroidery. No machines here. Yan’s work can be viewed on the walls of the Lafayette Library and in several East Bay collections.

Check out Jenn Bell’s copper art. Inspired by enamel pins from the 50s, Jenn has super-sized the images along with the degree of difficulty. Here’s the recipe: grind glass finer than sugar, sift onto copper plate, fire in small electric kiln, then make a drawing with copper wire. Once the wire has sunk in, it creates a shape to be filled in with another color of glass. You go girl!

Who hand forges knives anymore? Karl Schroen does. He makes every part of the knives except the scrimshaw. At his studio in Sebastopol he teaches blacksmithing classes. You will learn design, forging, annealing, hardening, and tempering. Karl has authored a highly rated how-to book called “The Hand Forged Knife.”

Hsu Studios, aka the husband and wife team of Carol and Jean-Pier Hsu has been working with light weight anodized aluminum for 35 years. They create mobiles, wall sculpture and jewelry. Located in West Virginia, Hsu Studios participates in the twice yearly Berkeley Springs Studio Tour. Consider a custom order to get the sculpture of your dreams or some clever mobile earrings with plastic pigs. I saw the flying pigs with my own eyes. What was it that happens when pigs fly?

Ann Williamson Designs of Portland, Oregon uses the traditional craft of hand-sewing, beading, appliqué, piecing and embroidery along with vintage Japanese kimono silks to create wearable works of art. Ann’s statement pieces offer instant confidence on stage while accepting your Emmy award for lifetime achievement.