SHOCKING!!! Freakish “Mossquatch” Discovered in Bernal!!!

June 8, 2011June 8, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 7 Comments

The BIA’s Agent Aaron has either discovered a classic example of the Bernalwood creative impulse, OR a mutant form of hybrid Bryophyta-Homo Sapien life that could earn him a National Enquirer cover story… if not a Nobel Prize.

Aaron writes:

Spotted this creative use of the meter reading hole on the corner of Bocana & Eugenia today and thought we would share it — this is what we love about Bernalwood!

Take a closer look, and here’s what you see…

Now, let’s peek inside… IF YOU DARE!!!!

Prediction: Mossquatch is embraced as folk hero by Bernal Heights vegans, becomes raw food spokesmonster, develops political aspirations, defeats David Campos (the “rumored omnivore”) for D9 Supervisor’s seat, serves two terms in Board of Supes, runs for Mayor of San Francisco, and, after hard-fought campaign, elected by mudslide in 2019.

You heard it here first.

PHOTOS: Agent Aaron

Alemany Flea Market Report: Early June 2011

June 6, 2011June 8, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

I had a few minutes to spare on Sunday morning en route to taking Bernalwood’s Cub Reporter to a birthday party in Sunnyside, so we made a quick detour into the Alemany flea market to sample the selection.

Despite the threat of rain, it seemed as though the summer season is starting to kick in, as the supply of merchandise was decidedly more interesting than it has been in weeks past.

The goodies above caught my eye, but the Cub Reporter found herself smitten by an old 45 record.

She’d just learned about “records” at preschool, she explained, and this one had a rainbow on the label, and what could possibly be finer? So for 50 cents, she got her very first 45. The A Side is “Him” by Rupert Holmes. Thank god we don’t own a record player.

I was quite taken by a GIANT aerial photograph of San Francisco International Airport taken in ~~1967 or 1968~~ the early 1960s. It was mounted on a heavy metal frame, and it was fascinating. (Cub Reporter shown for scale.)

The detail was excellent! Check out the terminal complex, which did not yet include Terminal 3 (nor, of course, the International Terminal). SFO’s central parking garage hadn’t been built yet either. (Click here for a close-up enlargement.)

The price was tempting — asking $100. But after some inner turmoil, I decided to pass, if only because the piece was so freaking BIG that I’m not sure where I could put it.

Instead, I settled for this circa 1976 Mighty Tonka dump truck. It was one of of the older, all-steel models, with only minor surface rust, and a prime candidate for resurrection as one of our Kustom Tonka hot rods. Plus, it was just $9. The Cub Reporter made me promise to share it. “Deal!” I told her.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Cheerful Bernalwood Bobos Fear Exile to Sunset District

May 26, 2011May 26, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 11 Comments

Hey brother, do you happen to have an affordable 1 BR apartment for a cosmopolitan couple in need of a glamorous address? Homemade signs posted to Bernal Heights utility poles are practically a form of local folk art, and Going West spotted this gem:

Bernal Heights is where everyone wants to be. Saw this sign posted on a pole on Cortland and in some other places around. You’d think it was impossible to find a place to live here.

Here is a contrast-enhanced detail for the small print-challenged. Also, new Bernalwood slogan: “SAVE US FROM THE SUNSET!!!”

PHOTO: Going West

Bernalwood Style: Floral-Decorated Wooden Post

May 20, 2011May 20, 2011 / Todd_Lappin

Martha Stewart would be so proud, because here in Bernalwood, it’s the attention to detail that makes each day a good thing. Reader Ed shared this photo of a wooden post up on the hill:

Walking onto Bernal Hill from the small parking lot at the base of the road, there’s a post. There are always a few stones there, but now and then someone adds flowers.

PHOTO: by ejbSF

Alemany Flea Market Report: Rainy May Edition

May 16, 2011May 15, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 2 Comments

During a break in the Sunday morning rain, I made a quick run down to the Alemany Flea Market for a routine check-in. The drizzle definitely put a damper on the selection, but a few goodies caught my eye — including the stuff above.

But for whatever reason, I fancied this the most:

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Epidemic of Abandoned Bras Besets Bernalwood

May 6, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Anna Pulley keeps finding discarded bras during her walks around Bernalwood, and she’s wondering WTF:

I found another bra on my way to the bus in Bernal Heights! One more and it’ll be an epidemic. What’s going on here? I know San Francisco likes to be naked, and the weather has been rather glorious as of late, but there’s something disconcerting about it.

PHOTO: Anna Pulley

The Classic Wallpaper at Cancilla’s Market

May 2, 2011April 30, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 3 Comments

As Bernalwood has noted previously, good things are happening at Cancilla’s Market at the corner of Folsom and Precita Park on the north side. The store now sells good cheese, good bread, and even good sake, and there’s even talk that the name will soon change from Cancilla’s Market to Harvest Hills. (Meh.)

Yet amid the store’s dramatic transformation from standard-issue frumpy to gourmet-handy, there is one thing that thankfully has not changed: The campy vintage wallpaper that shows illustrated scenes of San Francisco. Classic awesomeness:

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Zombie Marcel Duchamp Installs Street Art on Shotwell

March 9, 2011March 7, 2011 / Todd_Lappin / 1 Comment

Last week we celebrated when Shepard Fairey chose Bernalwood as the location for his street art. Yet during the weekend we trembled in terror when we noticed that a zombie reanimation of Marcel Duchamp left some undead guerilla street art in the roadbed on Shotwell Street near Cesar Chavez.