San Francisco Meetup? August 19, 2008 8:54 AM   Subscribe

I'm headed to San Francisco for Slow Food Nation next week. How about a meetup?

My travel plans involve getting in Tuesday afternoon, the 26th. I have flexible time Tuesday day and evening, Wednesday (the 27th) day, and Friday (the 29th) evening. Saturday day, I'll most likely be going to the events of Slow Food Nation (Taste Pavilion, Marketplace, etc) , but would welcome company should anyone else want to go to those.

Anyone interested?
posted by Miko to MetaFilter Gatherings at 8:54 AM (80 comments total)

Well hell yes, I'm in. Days won't work for me, but evenings, yes.

Where are you staying?

I'll throw out a suggestion, even though I usually suck at those: Olive, in the TL. Happy hour, cocktails, tapas.
posted by rtha at 9:06 AM on August 19, 2008


I'll be at Hotel Whitcomb, but I'm eager to see a lot of the city, so I'm thrilled to go wherever you all recommend. I should mention that this is also my very first time visiting San Francisco (or California at all), and any tips 'n' picks are welcome.
posted by Miko at 9:20 AM on August 19, 2008


Hotel Whitcomb
posted by Miko at 9:20 AM on August 19, 2008


I think you really, really, really need to take me with you.
posted by Dave Faris at 9:37 AM on August 19, 2008


Damn. . .I am there Wed. through Fri this week. The other side of that is that I would be too busy to meet up then anyway.

Enjoy!
posted by Danf at 10:22 AM on August 19, 2008


daaaaaaaaaang... I have no chance of making a road trip my first week of classes, but I WISH I COULD! And Miko, I love that hotel. It's got the perfect mixture of creepy and romantic, and the room service is good!
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:53 AM on August 19, 2008


Olive is a good choice. Its a nice bar but in an area with lots of...uh, character. Its the bar that the GuessWhereSF crowd usually meets at. Not that I have a vote in this, since I'm in London now.

Oddly enough, I'll be in the Piemonte region that same week, eating food in the Lange. If you know about the Slow Food movement, you'll know why thats special.
posted by vacapinta at 11:03 AM on August 19, 2008


I'll be there! Olive's not too far from the Whitcomb. You haven't really been to SF unless you've walked through the Tenderloin, after all.

Isn't there some music thing at Slow Food, with the New Pornographers? Do I remember this?
posted by gingerbeer at 11:29 AM on August 19, 2008


Saturday, August 30

Gnarls Barkley, Ozomatli, The New Pornographers and Medeski Martin and Wood


!!!
posted by rtha at 11:31 AM on August 19, 2008


Don't know where the heck all the other SF mefites are - we're usually exceedingly meetup-happy. Are they at work? Stuck somewhere without the interwebs?

*goes off to mefimal people*
posted by rtha at 11:32 AM on August 19, 2008


Yup. Following Miko's helpful link, instead of relying on my faulty memory finds that Slow Food Rocks has New Pornographers, Ozomatli, and Gnarls Barkley at the music festival all day on Saturday the 30th. $59 for the day, so maybe not great for a meetup.
posted by gingerbeer at 11:34 AM on August 19, 2008


Yay, I'm getting excited. The restaurant/bar looks great. And yeah - that Saturday concert looks pretty fantastic. If anyone wants to go to that I'm in, though I might wander around the expo stuff as well.

Vacapinta...enjoy your eating!
posted by Miko at 11:36 AM on August 19, 2008


Oh hey!

rtha sent up the bat signal.

Jenn and I might be able to make the friday slot, I'll need to check with her and see where she is on scheduling for social and work.

Wednesday is probably a no go due to work for both of us...
posted by iamabot at 11:38 AM on August 19, 2008


I keep saying I intend to be somewhere and then things don't work out, but this time, damn it, I'm going to make it.
posted by tangerine at 11:42 AM on August 19, 2008 [1 favorite]


Hey, wasn't there another... oh, right. Never mind.

I'm curious about Olive.
posted by Pronoiac at 11:43 AM on August 19, 2008


Hiya! I'm going to be at ROFLthing Thursday and Friday evenings, so I can't make anything those days, and I'm probably not up for Slow Food Nation. But if something materializes for Wednesday, I can probably make it.
posted by lore at 11:43 AM on August 19, 2008


Wednesday evening's out for me. I think Friday will work best. I will probably be hung up with conference stuff until at least 6. Does that place get crazy busy on Friday night?
posted by Miko at 12:05 PM on August 19, 2008



   :           (

I'm going to be at another meetup!

I hate it how there's sometimes good stuff happening at two different places at the same time. Can't somebody do something about this!
posted by aubilenon at 12:12 PM on August 19, 2008


Surely someone on the playa has a bicycle-powered teleportation device that can get you back to SF for the evening, aubilenon!
posted by gingerbeer at 12:16 PM on August 19, 2008 [1 favorite]


What's the scoop on Saturday's non-concert events at Slow Food Nation? Where, when, and how much does it cost? I'd love to wander around the expo with Miko et al - anybody else possibly interested?
posted by Quietgal at 12:23 PM on August 19, 2008


I believe that device comes in the form of a pill, but nobody else knows that you're back in San Francisco. Anyhow, I am surely up for a meetup, although I also have some vacation time to use during that week and so may not be around.
posted by whir at 12:24 PM on August 19, 2008


I dunno what Olive's like on a Friday night - been ages since I was there on a non-school night.

Shall we vote?

Tuesday night at Olive (6ish?)

Friday night at Olive (7ish?)
posted by rtha at 12:51 PM on August 19, 2008


I vote Friday.
posted by Miko at 12:56 PM on August 19, 2008


I'd prefer Friday as I already have 2 competing events on Tuesday, although one of them is very close to Olive.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:03 PM on August 19, 2008


What's the scoop on Saturday's non-concert events at Slow Food Nation?

The free events of Saturday include wandering around the Civic Center area, where they are going to have the "Marketplace," including the 21st century Victory Garden, a farmer's and food vendor's market, and a "soapbox" where people are supposed to speak informally. Most of the other events are ticketed, and I've resisted buying tix, since I will probably be verging on slow-food-ed out after 3 solide days of it. But the Marketplace and Victory Gardena areas seem like they'll be rather large and fairlike, with music and dance performances and stuff like that.

It's kind of hard to know what to expect, since this is a first-time-ever event.
posted by Miko at 1:07 PM on August 19, 2008


Well. lookit, since our Guest of Honor is all "Friday, yo!" and since my girlfriend is also all "Friday, yo!" then I vote Friday, too.

Place: Olive

Date/time: Friday, August 22, 7ish.
posted by rtha at 1:25 PM on August 19, 2008


You mean the 29th, right?
posted by expialidocious at 1:43 PM on August 19, 2008


Yes - 29th is when I'll be in town. This Friday, not so much.
posted by Miko at 1:51 PM on August 19, 2008


Yes. Gah. Looked at the wrong line on my calendar. 29th.
posted by rtha at 1:54 PM on August 19, 2008


OK...I'm posting it!
posted by Miko at 2:00 PM on August 19, 2008


I was just thinking that it was time for another meetup.

I can't offer afterparty space this time as I think there's have a noise show that night. Also, breakcore dance party this Saturday. Email me for details about either.
posted by loquacious at 2:21 PM on August 19, 2008


boo. I'm just emerging from having-a-baby hibernation, and I'm out of town that week.
posted by ambrosia at 4:58 PM on August 19, 2008


Olive is very much nice, and I am jonesing for another MeFi meetup. However, as I am not-so-freshly unemployed and, as a result (as an old friend of mine once put it) "poverty's plaything", I shall just say "cheers!" to you all.
posted by trip and a half at 6:15 PM on August 19, 2008


I'm in Montreal now, but I'll be back in town by then. Didn't bring my calendar, so I don't know if I can make the meetup, but I'll be there if I can. In any event, thanks for the tip about the slow food event, Miko, and welcome to San Francisco! If you decide to do an open mike or some other kind of performance thing, PLEASE let us know. It would be such a treat to hear you sing live!
posted by jasper411 at 6:33 PM on August 19, 2008


Dunno if I'll make it to the Friday evening beerfest, but is anybody interested in strolling around on Saturday as a sort of auxiliary meetup? Miko, I'd love to show you some of the sights if you've got time.
posted by Quietgal at 8:09 PM on August 19, 2008


I believe we (gingerbeer and I) are contemplating the possibility of wandering about the Civic Center stuff on Saturday. As much as we lurrrrrrrrve the New Pornographers, we do not lurve them $60/ea. No.

But free stuff at the Civic Center? Could do.
posted by rtha at 9:41 PM on August 19, 2008


I'll try to be there!
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 12:00 AM on August 20, 2008


Great, quietgal - I'll send my cell # arround so we can arrange a meetup point. I agree that the NP's are too expensive.

Last night Slow Food [finally] emailed me the exact program schedule...looks like I might be showing up more like around 7.30 Friday night, due to an evening program starting at 6. I can duck out early but probably not too early. never to fear, I will be at Olive.
posted by Miko at 8:01 AM on August 20, 2008


OK, sounds like we have a quorum of sorts for Saturday (Miko, rtha, gingerbeer, ClaudiaC, and me). Howzabout Miko picks a time and place to meet, since she knows the schedule of events?
posted by Quietgal at 8:04 AM on August 20, 2008


Is that the same contingent as for Friday night? 'Cause we could just skip the Friday thing and do the Saturday thing instead.
posted by Miko at 8:29 AM on August 20, 2008


If anyone's curious, the Slow Food Victory Garden is already up in Civic Center Park, along with some interesting sculptures. Officially, it's open 9am-4pm.
posted by Pronoiac at 9:12 AM on August 20, 2008


When are you getting in? How about Thursday night or Friday during the day? I think I'll be there for part of Friday, but then I'm leaving town right after work, so Friday night or Saturday won't really work for me, unfortunately.
posted by salvia at 9:12 AM on August 20, 2008


Oh, sorry, I missed the quorum comment. You all have fun, sorry I can't join you.
posted by salvia at 9:16 AM on August 20, 2008


Oh, let's do both, eh? Cocktails and snacks are always good on a Friday night, and lend themselves well to chatting and dishing non-present Mefites.
posted by rtha at 3:25 PM on August 20, 2008


IF I don't get stuck going with Mr. Padraigin to his teambuilding exercise in Carmel, I will be there.

Otherwise, I'll be in Carmel, sitting around with a pissy look on my face listening to people talking about branding whilst doing shots.
posted by padraigin at 9:52 PM on August 20, 2008


But your tweets will be entertainingly cranky. (Entertaining for those of us not enduring SOMEONE ELSE'S team doing team-building things. Bad enough when it's your own co-workers. Rebel, refuse to go, and come to the meetup!)
posted by rtha at 10:19 PM on August 20, 2008


Oh for the love of pete - this is the third meetup in a row I'm going to have to miss due to band obligations. Have a great time, ya'all!
And if you can't be there because you're going to Strawberry, look me up!
posted by smartyboots at 11:09 PM on August 20, 2008


OK, so we're on for Olive, 7ish, with me most likely being a bit late but definite.

For Saturday, how awesome to have fun company to explore SFN with. I don't know the Civic Center area at all. Is there an obvious landmark that would make a good meeting point? I could meet at noon on Saturday. The soapbox schedule looks great (see below) - I'm especially down with the 12:30 - 2:00 PM timeslot in which you get Deborah Madison, a tamale making demo, and an old-time trio ...but would be happy to watch any of it. In the market are some neat-sounding things like goat's milk caramels and Cowgirl Creamery cheese Probably some combination of watching and wandering is what will happen.

Saturday, August 30
9:00am
Garden for the Environment Non-profit organization based in San Francisco, CA that maintains a one-acre urban demonstration garden

9:30am
SF Victory Gardens Non-profit organization based in San Francisco, CA with the mission to transform unused land into organic food production

10:30am
Peter Jacobsen Orchardist for The French Laundry, Yountville, CA 10:00am
Tom Willey Farmer, T&D Willey Farm, Madera, CA

11:00am
RSK Arts and Drums Performers of traditional Nigerian music

11:30am
Lucas Benitez, Meghan Cohorst and Damara Luce Coalition of Immokalee Farmworkers, Student/Farmworker Alliance and Just Harvest USA

12:00pm
Uncle Buzzy’s Hometown Theater Independent comedy theater based in San Francisco, CA

12:30pm
Deborah Madison Chef and author, Santa Fe, NM

1:00pm
Tamale Time! Tamale-making demonstration by Los Haro Support Committee, a non-profit organization that helps Hispanic workers in Napa County support their home villages in Mexico

1:45pm
Slow Food Russian River and Sonoma County 4-H Partners in the Heritage Turkey Project based in Sonoma County, CA

2:00pm
Old Time Trio Performers of oldtime country music

2:30pm
Serge Labesque Beekeeper, Sonoma, CA

3:00pm
Andrew Gunther Former pasture-based poultry farmer and Program Director, Animal Welfare Approved

3:30pm
Hmong Music and Dance Hmong farmers, Fresno, CA
posted by Miko at 9:13 AM on August 21, 2008


Aw heck, I could meet at 10. Look at me tryin' to sleep in and all. Just let me know what sounds right to you all.
posted by Miko at 9:14 AM on August 21, 2008


Saturday's events sound like fun! Noon is fine for me, or 10 would also work. I'll leave that for the rest of y'all to sort out.

For a meeting place, I propose the concourse level of the Civic Center BART/Muni station, since a lot of people would arrive by transit. At the most "outbound" end of the station, closest to the Main Library, there is a big circular mural depicting City Hall - unmistakeable with dome and all - which is easy to see from most places in the station. The concourse level is the uppermost level and you don't have to pay a fare to enter the concourse. I suggest we meet at this mural.

When we sort out a time, should we post a second meetup link for Saturday's events? Just to make it obvious, like. (And to incite respect for our awesome meetup-fu here in SF, and possibly jealousy from our less fortunate MeFi brethren in less awesome places.)
posted by Quietgal at 11:40 AM on August 21, 2008


I'd almost forgotten that Slow Food Nation was happening next weekend, having been caught up in apartment hunting all summer. Perfect timing, as I'm moving to Walnut Creek on Sunday.

So...thanks to Miko's reminder, I'm now planning to check out the free events on Saturday--especially the tamale demo--and would love to meet up! 10am and noon both work for me.
posted by kiripin at 9:41 PM on August 21, 2008


OK, what time tomorrow at the station mural?

I may not be there exactly at the crack of ten, and I have an old-fashioned phone that only does voice and text. But I'm thinking about all of you and some goat's milk caramels.
posted by tangerine at 11:20 PM on August 22, 2008


Next weekend, tangerine!
posted by gingerbeer at 8:57 AM on August 23, 2008


... What gingerbeer said.

Yesterday was like that for me too, if it makes you feel better. Overtime & meetups don't mix.

You can check out the Victory Garden if you like.
posted by Pronoiac at 9:02 AM on August 23, 2008


Why don't we split the difference and say 11:00? I just don't want to have a rushed morning, since I'll be coming off 2 days of early meetings. The location Quietgal suggested works well for me and sounds findable.

Are we settled then?
posted by Miko at 3:04 PM on August 23, 2008


Looks like I'm out for Friday but in for Saturday.
posted by jewishbuddha at 10:30 AM on August 24, 2008


11:00 at the mural sounds great. Miko, please post to the sidebar? (Two meetups within 24 hours! I don't think even New York has pulled that off!)
posted by Quietgal at 3:06 PM on August 24, 2008


It's on the sidebar - and I'm reluctant to make another, new post because of the clutter factor. So maybe I'll just bold this one:

Friday, August 29: 7ish PM and onward, Olive.

Saturday, August 30: 11 AM at the concourse level of the Civic Center BART/Muni station. At the most "outbound" end of the station, closest to the Main Library, there is a big circular mural depicting City Hall - unmistakeable with dome and all - which is easy to see from most places in the station. The concourse level is the uppermost level and you don't have to pay a fare to enter the concourse. I suggest we meet at this mural. Agenda: Slow Food Nation.

Need my cell #? Please send a MeMail!
posted by Miko at 7:31 PM on August 24, 2008


Ok, does the above comment have the agreed upon meetup times/places? If so, I'm going to try to make it Friday, but not Saturday because it costs $$$, right?
posted by iamkimiam at 10:04 PM on August 24, 2008


iamkimiam: As I understand it, the Saturday Marketplace/Soapbox/etc events are free. If I find out that's not the case, I'll post beforehand.
posted by Miko at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2008


Yeah, the stuff in the Civic Center on Saturday is free. Fort Mason stuff costs $$$.

Anybody who doesn't already have my cell, send me mefimail.

(Miko, I am about to send you mefimail!)
posted by rtha at 8:56 AM on August 25, 2008


Here's a pic of me from just last week (I'm the lady). For Saturday, I just packed a black 'eat local' t-shirt that I'll probably wear, with a blue oval in the middle. On Friday, I have no idea, but I'll try to be obvious!
posted by Miko at 9:40 AM on August 25, 2008


I'm in for Saturday - looking forward to it. See y'all at Civic Center.
posted by expialidocious at 12:37 PM on August 25, 2008


I'm supposed to be in SF for work later this week, and will possibly be asked to stay the weekend so the flights are cheaper. If this happens I might well bring wifey and kiddies (in which case an evening meet is out), but if I'm there solo for the weekend then I will definitely try to pop along.
posted by bifter at 5:25 PM on August 25, 2008


**CHANGE OF PLAN!**

This is a bummer, but it looks like I won't be able to break free of the thing I have to go to tonight. It goes until 9 and then I'd have transportation to figure out. So I will probably not be able to get to Olive at a reasonable hour :(. I'm still in for tomorrow on the Civic Center, though. it's pretty cool what they have - the street food menu looks awesome. I may not be able to check back to MeFi, but some of you have my cell #, so feel free to call. Sorry all! See you Saturday, I do hope!
posted by Miko at 12:45 PM on August 29, 2008


Bummer, Miko!

But I'm still up for meeting up with the rest of you crazy folk at Olive tonight. I'm still good for tomorrow, too, as far as I know.
posted by rtha at 12:56 PM on August 29, 2008


Oh noos I'm confused! Anyone going tonight? I see rtha's game and I was planning on it ...
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 5:09 PM on August 29, 2008


I think I'm too wrung out from a rough week. I'll recoup, not drink. Maybe tomorrow...
posted by Pronoiac at 6:05 PM on August 29, 2008


We're on our way - delayed slightly by Critical Mass
posted by gingerbeer at 6:56 PM on August 29, 2008


Ok we is here. Middle of the room, look for the sign on the table.
posted by gingerbeer at 7:14 PM on August 29, 2008


My boyfriend just had 2 hours of surgery at the dentist's office. I think we're staying in tonight.
posted by iamkimiam at 7:39 PM on August 29, 2008


Rtha and I are at the vet with one of our cats, and may not get to the meetup spot at the appointed time. We have some cell numbers, and will try to find you all later, assuming all goes well.
posted by gingerbeer at 10:00 AM on August 30, 2008


I'll be leaving the house in a few minutes. I should be at the mural in the Civic Center BART station a little before 11. I'll have a small sign saying MeFi; I'm short and have long dark hair. Hope to see you soon!
posted by Quietgal at 10:26 AM on August 30, 2008


We are here and have found jewishbuddha and tangerine. Where are the rest of you?
posted by gingerbeer at 12:04 PM on August 30, 2008


Thanks, everyone, for showing up on a lovely summer day. The fog burned off early and our guest of honor probably thinks that warm and sunny is normal August weather in San Francisco! It was nice to see some of the regulars again and meet some new faces, and conversation was as smart and funny in person as it is online.

Miko is every bit as terrific as she seems on the blue and the green and we hope she'll come back soon for another visit. There's so much here for anybody who loves history: raucous Gold Rush boom town and desolate military outpost, birthplace of the United Nations and hippy culture, epicenter of the gay rights movement and the dot com bubble, the place where Rice-A-Roni and television were invented - we'd love to show Miko some of our local historic sites and sights. Have a safe trip home and come back real soon, y'hear?
posted by Quietgal at 7:23 PM on August 30, 2008


Lovely, lovely meetup. Wonderful to meet Miko - please do come back soon! Yes, the weather's always like this! The food is always this awesome and easily available!

I also ran into to friends I haven't seen in FOREVER (one of whom doesn't live here anymore, and was just here briefly for a visit), and two other friends I haven't seen in a few weeks. So yay meetups!
posted by rtha at 8:57 PM on August 30, 2008


SF was definitely at its best this afternoon. Miko, it's great to have met you - also great to see all the other bay area MeFites out in force for the delicious slow food.
posted by expialidocious at 9:37 PM on August 30, 2008


I can't say enough about my visit to SF and about all the MeFites who came out. It was a true pleasure to meet you all and enjoy some realtime conversation with the same people I've enjoyed so much here on MeFi - the sparkliest of wits and personalities on the sparkliest of days. Thanks to all of you, and especially for organizing the awesome weather. I can't wait to come back; I hope this is the first of many trips. See you next time!
posted by Miko at 8:27 AM on August 31, 2008


My trip was rescheduled - and it seemed like a long commute to make on my own dime. Should be in SF in October though.
posted by bifter at 5:22 AM on September 1, 2008


That was one of the nicest meetups ever. Food, sunshine, lazing on the grass, and finally a surprise hike down to a rocky cove by the ocean to watch waves boom and break and froth like fireworks. (I kept a little stripey rock in my pocket.)

Thanks for coming out, Miko. And thanks to everyone for being such good company.
posted by tangerine at 10:25 PM on September 1, 2008


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