Shelly’s Picks
I have lived in San Francisco since 1986. This city has it all from the beach and parks to restaurants, shopping and entertainment. There is always something to explore and this section of my website is created to share the pleasures of living here.
Joan Brown is at SF MOMA, a show I plan to attend and am working on hiring a docent. I’ll let you know if I get organized enough to do this. Here’s more info:
One of my favorite hikes. Who has been on this recently?
Manny sure knows how to connect people. Look at all the events his organization is planning this week:
Just bought tickets to see this author speak at City Arts and Lectures. I haven’t read his book yet but I heard it is excellent. Have you? If you go, let me know so we can grab a bit beforehand.
Open Studios is happening this year! We haven’t experienced this event since 2019 so I am happily sharing the website for more details on this fantastic event.
As the co-chair of this week-long fundraising event, I’m reaching out to my peeps and encouraging you to support Goodwill San Francisco Bay by either donating on the website and/or participating in the on-line auction. There are some really good items! Check them out.
It’s happening…the launch of A Week of Goodwill, a major fundraising event for Goodwill San Francisco Bay. I’m co-chairing the event and hoping you will want to donate in any way you can. There are some great auction items (link will be ready soon) which include my cabin in Mammoth Lakes, a photography workshop and pickleball lessons. Check out the website for all the happenings starting October 13.
This is a must see, especially for those who loved the Club Fugazi show, “Dear San Francisco” (which is still going on).
Who wants to march this Saturday?
Two new parks in San Francisco that should be on your radar: Battery Bluff Park in the Presidio and Francisco Park (www.franciscopark.org). Bruce Keene pushed this along for years! Thanks Bruce for helping to beautify our City!
Some of my favorite artists are located in this Sausalito building and they are having an Open Studios event this weekend. Margot Hartford will be showing her art!
Check this out in Chinatown this weekend! Thanks Eleanor Bigelow for bringing to my attention, and yours.
I really liked this show at the deYoung! Alice Neel was in the swirl of the New York art scene for decades and captured the mood and energy of the people who were in the middle of it all.
Really wish I was in town for this! Happening this coming weekend.
Artspan is the group that puts on Open Studios. If you want to get to know more about the organization, meet artists and art enthusiasts, join me next Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Mission Bowl. RSVP on Eventbrite and let me know you’re going so I can look for you.
Join SF Goodwill for a series of events celebrating the Lunar New Year! Come hear guests speak about Lunar New Year traditions and cuisines, learn about communities who celebrate this holiday, and participate in our Virtual Hongbao to create “new beginnings” for the New Year.
For some end of year inspiration, check out this artist on Thursday, Dec. 16.
#ArtSpanSF
Start 2022 off by being inspired by artists sharing their knowledge at this Artspan event. Join me, via Zoom!
#ArtSpanSF
When I lived in L.A., I discovered music through the public radio station KCRW. FINALLY, San Francisco has their own amazing music via KALW. Every night starting at 8pm, get tuned in: https://www.kalw.org/show/kalw-at-25th. Instead of Netflix, listen and have your own private dance party. #kalw
This is a fantastic documentary! Very timely too, given the recall of the three teachers on the Board.
Another great event at Manny’s this Friday. Have you heard of the Do Something for Nothing movement? #Manny‘s
Artspan, the organization that manages Open Studios in San Francisco, is offering salon-style events by artists. The next one is Thursday, November 18, 6:30-8pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/…/sfos-2021-showcase…. I’ve been to one and it was really good! Hope you can make it.
This is a must-see! I got kinda weepy at the very beginning because I was witnessing an incredible event, in a theater, surrounded by people (masked). Life is coming back! However, it wasn’t because I was desperate for entertainment: this world-class Cirque de Soleil-style show weaves in stories about SF that will make you laugh and maybe, get you weepy. Mostly though, you’ll be in awe. #clubfugazi #7fingers
Angelique Kidjo playing Talking Heads songs at Zellerbach! She is tearing it up with this version.
Who wants to march with me this Saturday?
Saturday, October 2, 2021
11:00 AM 12:30 PM
Civic Center Area (map)
Last week to see the artist Kai Samuels-Davis’ latest work at Dolby Chadwick Gallery in SF. Thankfully, the painting I wanted was already sold because the price tag was $30k. Beyond my budget!
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Pier 24 for the “Looking Back: Ten Years at Pier 24 Photography”
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The high flying acrobatics, music and poetry of The 7 Fingers group at www.ClubFugazisf.com
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Colson Whitehead, one of my favorite authors, is speaking at City Arts and Lectures Sept. 17
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I bought a series of tickets at Berkeley Rep and the first one I’m attending is Homecoming. My first theater event since the shutdown so I’m really looking forward to it!
This is an excellent find by my teammate, Courtney Banks, at Kindred SF Homes. I will be visiting this art gallery soon.
I have no idea how this food tastes but for creativity, I’m planning to go to Farmhouse Kitchen in Oakland. Making the covid-protocol amusing… Thanks Carla Borelli for sharing. When are we going?!?!
I am soooo looking forward to the opening, now that I play pickleball. Who plays?!?!
If you want to see my latest blog post for Kindred SF Homes, it’s about our latest amusements like horseshoes, bocce and pickle ball. Kinda funny, if I do say so myself.
Some of you may follow my blog posts for my team at Kindred SF Homes. Most have been pretty funny, sardonic and sarcastic but this one is more reverential because of the holidays. Quick read to learn of ways to support our older family members, friends and neighbors during the stricter shelter-in-place policies.
Top SF Realtor Perspectives: 10 Tips to Support Our Seniors Durin…
I am not motivated to shop this year because our choices are so limited. Some of my favorite retail is closed which is heartbreaking! But my friend Susan Burks is making shopping more enjoyable.. For unusual, beautiful and local gifting, visit her website here.
Learn a bit more about her because she will be Kindred SF Homes’ first speaker of the year, in February, discussing how we can best create places in our homes to support all of our senses.
A friend works at Open Space Trust and she has shared dog-friendly hikes in the Bay Area. Go and explore!
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
Get ready to step into a whimsical wonderland of lights this winter! From Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 an art installation coming to Golden Gate Park will transform Peacock Meadow into an enchanted forest of otherworldly shapes and ever-changing light. “Entwined” by San Francisco artist Charles Gadeken, will honor Golden Gate Park’s 150th Anniversary. We are excited to partner with San Francisco Parks Alliance to bring this spectacular public art experience to life!
I have always wanted to go to the Crocker Museum in Sacramento. Have you ever visited? Wayne Thiebaud is being shown now!
I got out of the house…had to! Even during the smokiness, the new section of Golden Gate Park was beautiful place to stroll. The bocce ball courts are lit up at night so let’s plan for night of competition, once the air is better. Visit the area at the Stanyan/ Haight entrance.
Soon, Crane Cove Park is going to be open to the public. This area is part of the Pier 70 development. We will be able to lounge on the grass next to the SF Bay. So excited for this!
I think SF is a great city to S.I.P. So many urban hikes nearby. One of my faves is Glen Canyon. Birds-a-chirping, kids-a-playin’, dogs-a-sniffin’…perfect start to a day.
One of the prettiest hikes in the City and plus, it is a butt-burner. These days, not too many people on the trail, at least during the week. Try it!
Another interesting on-line event at City Arts and Lectures happening June 15. How can you pass up on this one with such a title! Consider donating.
One of my favorite chocolatiers (and you gotta have more than one) is Recchiuti. To access, go to @RecchiutiConfections and for more info on the company, here’s their website.
Recchiuti Confections has been handmaking the best chocolates and confections in San Francisco since 1997.
Two witty, smart, badass social commentators are speaking tomorrow night at City Arts and Lectures via Zoom tomorrow night. I bought my tix awhile ago for the live event. Consider donating but you can also watch for free.
My best find during Covid is this: www.SomeGoodNews.com. A must see!
I just discovered this community event space that serves food & drink (when open again) while featuring various speakers in a casual setting. Manny’s in the Mission has a great line-up of speakers you can now view via Zoom. I’m attending the one tonight to hear the Stockton mayor, Michael Tubbs, and Monday night, CEO of Goodwill William Rogers. Both inspiring speakers who think “outside the box”.
Take your minds off covid-news and get inspired by attending this lecture I am organizing on the artist David Park. Let me know if you would like to attend.
My associate at Kindred SF Homes knows how to cook, being from Italy, and is sharing a video on how to make a classic Italian pasta. Makes me hungry watching this!
Alex Kelly on cello…amazing! He is performing at my favorite gallery in SF, Dolby Chadwick, in front of an incredible Edwige Fouvry painting.
I really hope this show happens at MOMA. David Parks is one of my favorite artists. If you don’t know his work, lets go together to the show.
Keep positive, people! Art helps so check out these tours of museums from the comfort of your home.
A new trail system has been created called the Laguna Honda Community Trails. Rolling trails through forest and meadows. Besides hiking, great mountain biking, all in the middle of the City. Thanks Sf Park Alliance and Martha Ehrenfeld and Drew Becher!
The restaurant scene here is always pushing the envelope and now we have two restaurants featuring Scandinavian food and the other, Eastern European. I went to www.DearInga.com last night and recommend it for the service, decor and well, the unusual fare. I haven’t been to https://plajrestaurant.com/ yet. Who has and can you recommend?
Hayes Valley is my favorite area to shop. Just discovered Paloma at 112 Gough St. (see photos) and an amazing purse store on Linden Alley. I really hope with the passing of Prop. D, we can revitalize our neighborhoods and have more interesting shopping options. Shop less with Amazon, please!
Our trash is becoming art at our city’s dump site. This art program has been going on since 1990. I want to go to the next art show and will be watching for its announcement. Here’s more info on the program.
I love the blues and this is the concert to go to on Friday, March 6 at the Paramount Theater in Oakland. Get tickets! Blues Master Summit BUDDY GUY with Charlie Musselwhite and Jimmie Vaughan.
‘Tis the season! For all the holidays, this home at Upper Terrace and Masonic in Ashbury Heights is dressed up accordingly.
Not to be missed, according to Bob Concannon and Dave Greenberg. Who wants to join me and Chris? Last show is November 16: https://themarsh.org/performers/dan_hoyle/border_people/
I am here , now, in Hunters Point for Open Studios. Anyone else here?!?! More weekends coming up.
SF Open Studios is an annual, month-long art event in October and November that showcases over 800 emerging and established San Francisco artists in their studios. Explore our city and find amazing art at every turn. Discover an authentic connection to your art community and artwork in myriad forms, from painting, photography, and printmaking to glass, metal sculpture, and more.
The SF Open Studios event is FREE for visitors.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, a young blues musician played at GAMH last nite. He was incredible! If you like blues, this is your guy. Here he is walking through the crowd, just like his mentor Buddy Guy.
A friend told me about this and it is to late to go, but next year!!!
Learn More
For all those Burners out there, this is a reminder to go to the Imperial Spa to remove all that playa dust. For the rest of us, start the fall with the removal of layers of skin detritus. It is quite amazing what is sluffed off. And kind of feels good too but there is a pleasure/pain aspect to the treatment. I “enjoyed” the experience with my niece
I prefer the art rather than actually attending and soon, we can enjoy Burning Man without the hassle at the Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art.
A worthwhile event, don’t you think? Join me Sept. 29 at Cavallo Point to see the film “When Lambs Become Lions”. Let me know if you’re going.
Stay-cation recommendation is walking the stairways of San Francisco. The ones near me are the Vulcan and Pemberton Stairs. Here are current and historical images of the Vulcan Stairs with my pooch Sasha.
This Tenderloin bar features comedy in the lower level and it is always entertaining. Usually 4-5 comedians do their thing so if one is having an off-night, the others will keep the laughs going. Buy tix in advance for Friday, June 21, the 7:30pm show.
I am hoping this new place is like Eataly in NYC. It just opened and I’m dying to go! www.one65sf.com. Another place that has been compared to the High Line in NYC is our Salesforce Park that will be open soon. From what I’ve read, the landscaping is incredible! Here’s the plan: http://www.pwpla.com/salesforce-transit-center-park.
For the Average Income Earner, Here’s One Way to Buy Property. Learn more at my home on May 13.
I’ve been a realtor in San Francisco for almost 25 years and during this time more people are choosing to live outside of SF because of high housing costs. There also seems to be less opportunities for middle-income earners so for this reason, I’ve become involved with an organization called CoBuy that helps friends, family and partners buy a condo or a home together. Their system balances the practical with the emotional and provides a framework for people to ultimately afford a home and own a valuable asset. Please join me at my home on Monday, May 13, 6:30-8:30, with the owner of CoBuy, Matt Holmes.
CoBuy guides you step-by-step through the process of buying a home together, from planning to financing to creating a co-ownership agreement to protect your relationships and your investment. CoBuy also helps you plan for how to exit the arrangement if and when the time comes.
In this informational session, we’ll explore:
● The co-buying process
● Preparation, planning, and how to get started
● Joint financing
● Safeguarding against the risks
● Tips for a successful co-ownership arrangement
Anyone interested in seeing the author Rachel Kushner speak at The Booksmith this Wednesday evening?
Move over, Burma Superstar! Mandalay is my new favorite Burmese restaurant. It has been around forever! Why am I just figuring this out? Hurry over to enjoy this specialty. Leslie Iorillo and I surely did! On California at 5th. Plus…no long line to get in!
How about some wine tasting Thursday, May 2 at Tofino? This wine will be delicious!
Tiffany Austin is playing at The Bach in Half Moon Bay. She has a beautiful voice and her band is Marcus Shelby’s group. Should be a great show! Join me and Chris Ripps May 12. Concert starts at 4:30pm.
Best views of SF are at the Salesforce Tower! Then go to Trailblazer Cafe at 350 Mission for Hawaiian food. This is nuts but you must try the spam!
U.C.Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) is in a new building and it is a stunner! Plus, the current abstract art show of Hans Hofmann is a must-see. Even if you are not a fan of abstract art, seeing these paintings all in one space is powerful.
This place is so cool! Get playful with the interactive light installations at onedome.global. Have a kava drink at the bar beforehand.
New music discovery! I met Christopher in Golden Gate Park, playing in the tunnel near the Conservatory of Flowers because of the acoustics. Check him out: www.christopherparkersmith.com.
Ever want to learn more about sherry? The restaurant in the AirBnB building has some very knowledgeable bartenders so taste away at Bellota! We didn’t get to the food…next visit.
I have seen the film by the group, Hydrous, and it is incredible. Try to see this Sunday but you need to register. Here’s the info:
IMMERSE, a virtual reality (VR) film developed by the Hydrous to generate awareness and scientific understanding of coral reefs, will premiere at the International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) on March 10, 2019 from 10am to 2pm at Fort Mason in San Francisco. Screenings are FREE, but you need to reserve a space online.
Our goal now is to take ONE MILLION people on this virtual dive to increase ocean awareness and provide “OPEN ACCESS OCEANS” for all. We can’t bring everyone to the ocean, but now we can bring the ocean to everyone! If you can, please DONATE once again to The Hydrous so that we can share IMMERSE broadly. We look forward to maintaining our momentum, and continuing to engage frontier technologies and scientific analyses to encourage ocean conservation.