Taylor Friedman

On World AIDS Day, No Talk of 'Barebacking' in San Francisco

​Today is World AIDS Day, and the men and women who have devoted themselves to fighting this pandemic -- from Bono to former President George W. Bush -- can justifiably take credit for a lot of progress.The day has particular resonance in San Francisco, which was at the forefront of formulating a ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

SF Weekly Letters

Occupy SF: Mysterious Urinator Pisses Off Protesters

Taylor FriedmanWill someone please donate some diapers to Occupy SF?​Despite a couple of violent brushes with police this weekend, the Occupy San Francisco movement has been relatively quiet compared to its sister camp in Oakland, which has managed to make national headlines. But while there have ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

SF Weekly Letters

Alexandra Pelosi Talks to SF Weekly About Her New Film Citizen U.S.A

Taylor FriedmanThe other Pelosi's take on immigration​Documentarian Alexandra Pelosi -- yes, that Pelosi -- has doled out heaps of patriotism in her latest film and companion book, Citizen U.S.A.: A 50 State Road Trip. So much so, we imagine former naysayers will go out to buy American flags for t ... More >>

Adele Is Coming Back, But Now You Must Choose: Greek Theatre Or Outside Lands?

"Pick me!"​ Anyone sick of hearing "Britney's back, bitch"? We didn't think so (who can tire of good, old-fashioned alliteration?), but that doesn't mean we should forget that poor, sick Adele has been gone. First, we announced in April that the British R&B superstar would be taking her act t ... More >>

Circumcision Ban Challenged: Religious Leaders File Lawsuit Today

Taylor FriedmanNo, this isn't a bris ceremony ​Update 1:25 p.m.: Jewish and Muslim plaintiffs file lawsuit challenging San Francisco's circumcision ban. Read more after the jump.We knew this was coming -- it was just a matter of time. The Jewish community has united with other religious groups to ... More >>

Taxi Drivers Strike at City Hall

Taylor FriedmanShowing Muni drivers how it's done​At City Hall this afternoon, there was honking -- lot's of honking. Taxi drivers shouted and chanted as they circled the Civic Center protesting, among other things, higher credit card fees. Taxi driver Tariq Mehmood, who organized the protest, est ... More >>

S.F. Firefighters Vincent Perez and Anthony Valerio's Funeral Draws Thousands

This morning at St. Mary's Cathedral, thousands of people gathered for the funeral of San Francisco firefighters Vincent Perez and Anthony Valerio -- marking the fourth time in the past 20 years that the life of a San Francisco firefighter was honored at that location. Democratic leader Nancy Pelos ... More >>

iHelp for Autism

For autistic children, the new iPad is an effective, portable device for teaching communication and social skills. It’s also way cool.

Jerry Brown Wants You -- To Put Him on a T-Shirt

Put that man on a T-shirt. Now! ​California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown is no spring chicken. And he needs your fashion advice. Brown has enough elections under his belt to know the value of lookin' sharp. That's why the man of many hours is calling on his supporters to "help Je ... More >>

All Shook Down Festival: More Crowds, Even More Cupcakes

I've made my way slowly but surely -- navigating around the exponentially growing crowds filling the North Beach streets and random hula hoopers-- to Mojito again, where people are getting down to The Park. Just five minutes until Janelle Monae hits the big stage. We can't wait. Bu ... More >>

All Shook Down Festival: Janelle Monae Has Officially Got It Going On

Taylor FriedmanJanelle Monae​ It's official. Janelle Monae is amazing. The wacky, crazy-cool dance moves; the even wackier black cape she drapes over herself; and her anything-but-wacky, unbelievable pipes. She comes from some other world that only she inhabits, where people with high-collared, r ... More >>

All Shook Down Festival: Off to a Scrumptious Start

Taylor FriedmanThe Jazz Mafia All Stars​ Greetings from the All Shook Down Music Festival! I come to you from Mojito on Grant Avenue, with the Rondo Brothers with the Foreign Globester serving as the perfect soundtrack as I live blog from the event. It's 2 p.m. If you're not here already, why the ... More >>

All Shook Down Festival: It's Not Over Yet!

When we last left off, our friend Janelle Monae had just blown everyone's minds and then left us alone to process everything.We now resume our story with Neon Indian. Alan Palomo and his band played for a crowd of loyal All Shook Down goers willing to withstand the chills for some chillwave electron ... More >>

Byron Williams, I-580 Shooting Suspect, a Composite of Nightmares

Byron Williams -- a man with issues​Also: Is Byron Williams the poster boy for flaws with three-strikes law? Update, 1:15 p.m.: Here's a satellite photo of the remote, rural home of Byron Williams and his mother -- in the remote, rural town of Groveland:

Angry Giants Fans Line Up Hours Early -- And Don't Want Your Company

Taylor FriedmanFirst pitch is 7:15 p.m. What are you doing here?!​Warning: Reading this post will induce you to drop everything and sprint to AT&T Park. At least, that's the prevalent fear among Giants fans huddling in front of the ballpark today at 2 p.m. -- a good five hours and change befor ... More >>

Monday Morning Hangover: Superheros, Boing Boing, & Paul McCartney

This weekend was a great weekend to geek out. Whether you wanted to dress like a superhero or go to a nerdy picnic in Golden Gate Park, opportunities abounded to just let your inner-dork hang out.Hanna Quevedo​Heroes and villains in all sorts of outrageous costumes took over the waterfront this we ... More >>

Saturday Night: Au Revoir Simone, Social Studies and Alexa Wilding @ Great American Music Hall

Taylor FriedmanAnnie Hart of Au Revoir Simone​ Au Revoir Simone Social Studies Alexa Wilding July 10, 2010 @ Great American Music Hall Better Than: A date with your crazy ex-girlfriend Guys, if you've ever wondered what it's like to be a woman, look no further than last night's show at the Gr ... More >>

Johannes Mehserle Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter

Involuntary manslaughter for Mehserle​Check back for updatesEx-BART cop Johannes Mehserle has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of unarmed BART passenger Oscar Grant. The jury could have convicted Mehserle of either second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter - ... More >>

Rooney, The Young Veins and Black Gold at Slim's Last Night

Taylor FriedmanRobert Schwartzman, Rooney​RooneyThe Young VeinsBlack GoldJune 22, 2010@Slim'sBetter than: Random! punctuationFor the price of seeing Rooney and two opening acts, the audience at Slim's was also treated to half a Panic! at the Disco concert. Black Gold's Eric Ronick and Than Luu wer ... More >>

Friday Night: With Junip, José Gonsález is Less Mesmerizing Than When Solo

Taylor Friedman​ Junip (featuring José Gonsález), LoveLikeFireJune 18, 2010Rickshaw StopBetter than: Getting kicked to the curb for reasons unbeknownst to you.A sign at the Rickshaw Stop entrance warns that anyone can be ejected from the venue at any time, for any reason. With no rabble-rouse ... More >>

Filipino WWII Vets, in S.F., File Suit Seeking Recognition, Compensation

Taylor FriedmanRomeo de Fernandez, 91, survived the Bataan death march. But now, he says, his own government is shortchanging him.​Philippines-born Romeo R. de Fernandez, 91, served in the United States military and defended Manila during World War II. In 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army took him ... More >>

Riders Rolling with Muni's Punches

Taylor FriedmanSure, the 30 is crowded. But everyone's too busy listening to their iPod to complain. ​People love to bitch about Muni. You very rarely hear anyone mention their joyous -- or even normal -- ride to work. That's because Muni is a collective complaint; the bond that ties us togeth ... More >>