PopSugar San Francisco

See the Unveiling of The Fairmont's 22-Foot-Tall Gingerbread House!

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 08:15:00 PST

Saturday at 11 a.m., The Fairmont San Francisco will unveil its 2011 gingerbread house with an official ribbon cutting by children from the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation. The extravagant Winter wonderland measures 22' by 23' and is nearly double the size of last year's house (shown), which was the largest in the state. Led by Executive Chef JW Foster and Pastry Chef Stephan Sullivan, the house was constructed with 7,500 homemade gingerbread bricks, 1,200 pounds of icing, and 650 pounds of colorful candy. And inside the house, there's a special room where children can write a letter to Santa! How cute.The house will be on display in the hotel through New Year's Day, but if you want to visit the opening ceremony (which runs 'til 1 p.m.), you'll be treated to holiday refreshments, and you can also check out the hotel's 23-foot Christmas tree, the Molinari Family nutcracker collection (on loan from the SF Ballet), and lots of beautiful holiday decorations! Sounds like a lovely way to kick off the holiday season.

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Crazy/Brilliant Craigslist Missionite Seeks Girlfriend . . . Just For the Holidays!

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:30:00 PST

While the holidays may bring peace, joy, and happiness, for partner-less people, the holidays can also be an unflinching reminder of your loneliness and failure to meet age-appropriate milestones. Finding a match ain't easy, and for a lot of reasons many of SF's busy, social people aren't even looking for one. So one smart, single, 28-year-old Mission dude came up with a work-around: a Craigslist ad titled, "WANTED: Holiday Girlfriend."

His pitch?

"Deep down inside, you don't want to be alone for the holidays. You want someone to do all of those cute snuggly things with, someone to get fat and keep warm next to (let's also recognize that it's getting fucking cold here), and someone to accompany you to your friends' coupley holiday parties so they don't keep thinking you're a loser destined for permanent solo status."

The benefits?

"You have someone to keep you company on these witch-tit-cold San Francisco nights. Did I mention I'm an excellent cuddler? (I have references.)"
"I like to cook. Especially for others. Nothing too fancy, but always tasty and satisfying. As long as you're an omnivore, you win."
"Having done it professionally for some years to pay for school, I know my way around a bar. Same goes for wine cellars and beer coolers. Homemade winter warmers? Done."
"Hate holiday music? Me too. Seeing as every other establishment or event you step into will be playing it, I'll spare you the excess."
"Love taking photos? Sweet. Let's wear gaudy holiday attire and make ridiculous Xmas postcards to send your friends and family. Just for the lulz."
"Worried about finding someone to kiss on New Year's Eve who doesn't look (or sound) like Sloth's cousin? Boom! Got you covered."

Kind of crazy, but he's got a point . . .

Visit the Westin St. Francis Sugar Castle, Unveiled Today!

Julia Millay Walsh — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:50:00 PST

Executive Pastry Chef Jean-François Houdré of the Westin St. Francis (335 Powell St., 415-397-7000) unveiled his signature 15-foot, rotating holiday sugar castle in the hotel's main lobby this morning, and it will be on display through Jan. 3, 2012, for your eyes to see! The castle, which resembles a French château, was originally created in 2005 and grows larger and more spectacular every year. The extraordinary creation weighs more than 1,200 pounds and features more than 20 grand circular towers, more than 20 rooms, glowing windows, and a running train. This year, a second train was added, as well as a lifelike replica of a medieval French village with intricately constructed homes, a church, a bakery, and stores - with illuminated windows and surrounded by a magical forest. Sounds like the perfect respite from a long day of shopping the Black Friday sales in Union Square!

3 Kind-of-Weird Ways to Spend Your Turkey Day in SF

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:30:00 PST

If you're looking for a nontraditional way to spend your Thanksgiving this year, or you just want to make post-pumpkin-pie plans, San Francisco has a lot to offer in terms of alternative engagements. From a sunrise festival to a wee-hour dance party, here are a few turkey-free fetes happening in SF on Thanksgiving day.
Occupy Alcatraz

On Thanksgiving day in 1969, Alcatraz Island was the scene of another "Occupy" sit-in: a troop of Native Americans gained control of the island and demanded the land be returned to them, proclaiming that it belonged to their tribes, according to the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. The event, which lasted 19 months, brought attention to American Indian civil rights issues. This Thanksgiving, you can head to the island for the Indigenous People’s Sunrise Gathering and enjoy percussion, traditional dance, costumes, and speeches from Native leaders in tribute of America's native ancestors. Boats will depart from Pier 33 every 15 minutes between 4:45 and 6 a.m., and the last return boat leaves at 8:45 a.m.

Turkeytopia!

Bernal Heights dive The Knockout (3223 Mission St., 415-550-6994) is giving its weekly Thursday night Bingo party, Bingotopia, a holiday overhaul in the name of the bird. Turkeytopia kicks off at 9 p.m. and will go wild with bingo, karaoke, and lots of drinks. If the five-letter game seems too senior citizen for you, remember you're playing for free drinks and goofy prizes, including, in this week's case, turkey basters! Ain't that somethin'?

For one more nontraditional Thanksgiving day event . . .

Kill a Few Hours Clicking Through Vintage Photos of SF

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:36:00 PST

I don't know about you, but I've always been fascinated by historical photography. And when that black and white, tattered imagery captures the place where I live or a place where I have spent time, the appeal is even stronger. So I was thrilled to discover Old S.F., a brilliant website that allows us to browse the San Francisco Public Library's incredible SF Historical Photograph Collection online via a map underlay. The creators of the site essentially associated latitudes and longitudes to about 13,000 images, taken between 1850 and 2000, in the collection.

If you click the intersection of Polk and Vallejo streets, you'll find the image above, taken on a rainy day in 1945. To left, you see Nob Hill Club and and Sherry's Liquors. On that block today, you'll find Bullitt, Cresta's, Pesce, Yabbies, and more. To the left, the large brick building is still standing, but today it houses Russian Hill Bookstore, Polker's, and a few other businesses. You can also see the Alhambra Theater down the road (which has trolley tracks!), way before it was turned into a Crunch gym. Below is a photograph of Union Square taken in 1885. While the square remains today, albeit with paving and altered landscaping, little or nothing else is recognizable. Prepare to waste a few hours of your life clicking through all of these amazing images - starting with your own intersection, of course.

Get a Clue: 6 Must Reads in San Francisco Today

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:30:00 PST

Get Thanksgiving table inspiration from Dining by Design. - Six Twists
Meet sand artist Jim Denevan at Anthropologie tomorrow! - Refinery29 SF
A build of a giant Lego Yoda kicks off in Union Square this weekend. - 7x7
Santacon 2011 will get a lot more naked this year. Find out why! - SFist
Peep pics of the new Mr. Lew's Win Win Bar and Sazerac Emporium. - The Tender
Eye new baubles from jewelry designer Melinda Rodriguez. - SF Indie Fashion

4 Can't-Miss Events Happening This Weekend

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:35:00 PST

Whether you're needing a fashion fix, looking to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping, or wanting to brush elbows with the art world's hippest crowd, there's a grand plan on the agenda for you in San Francisco this weekend. Come check out what's happening.

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5 Unique Hotels to Visit For a San Francisco Staycation

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:00:00 PST

I'm giving up flight delays and Northeastern chill this month in favor of a San Francisco staycation. My friends and I will be hosting an orphan Thanksgiving for all of the lonely transplants and friends stuck working over the holiday - want an invitation? While I won't be checking any bags next week, I am considering doing some travel - to a destination perhaps just a MUNI ride away. If, like me, you're feeling like switching up where you slumber, check out these five absolutely unique hotels to visit for a wonder-filled weekend.

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Get a Clue: 8 Must Reads in San Francisco Today

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:40:00 PST

The SFMOMA makes an adorable tribute to 11.11.11. - SFist
What wines to pour at your Thanksgiving dinner this year. - Six Twists
Check out more than 20 local Instagram feeds you should follow! - Refinery29 SF
Neiman Marcus hosts brunch with designer Joseph Altuzarra. - 9 to 5 Chic
There's a bicycle pin-up party happening tonight at Photobooth. - Uptown Almanac
Russian Hill jewelry store Elle-Meme is having a sale through Nov. 23. - SF Indie Fashion
Get the lowdown on a winning pair of cocktails at the Burritt Room. - SFoodie
Try a delicious, Thanksgiving-themed sandwich (or hot dog!) around town. - 7x7

Hilarious, "Only in SF" Moments on Twitter

Anna Monette Roberts — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:35:00 PST

We live in a wonderful city full of fruits and nuts, so crazy and unusual sightings are just part of daily life for SF dwellers. Here are some hilarious tweets from San Franciscans who are willing to admit that the liberal attitude toward sex, drugs, and rock and roll is what it is here. Join the chat of which occurrences you've experienced #onlyinSF.

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