Randy's Guide CCLXI (261)

Local History

Irish-born Jasper O'Farrell (1817-1875) was the first surveyor of San Francisco, and designed the promenade for Market Street. He surveyed much of Marin and Sonoma counties, and also became a significant landowner. O'Farrell Street, which runs from Union Square to the edge of the Richmond District, is named after him in San Francisco.

Local Food Pick

Broken Record

1166 Geneva Ave. (at Naples St.)

San Francisco, CA 94112

Broken Record

Yelp - Broken Record

Way out in the Excelsior, a short stroll from the Balboa Park BART station, is the Broken Record. It looks unassuming from the outside, but once you venture past the small bar (with whiskey and local brews on tap), you'll find a gourmet's trove of high-value, quick-service options. The bacon mac 'n' cheese and pulled pork fries are amazing. Several vegetarian options are available too. Show up around 6:30 if you want a full selection of menu items. 607 reviews - 4.5 stars

Previous picks: Radius; Limon Rotisserie; Art's Cafe; Little Star Pizza; Yamo; Breakfast at Tiffany's; Angeline's Louisiana Kitchen; Humphry Slocombe; Tu Lan; Little Lucca Sandwich Shop & Deli; Foreign Cinema; Zanze's Cheesecake; San Tung; Asmara; Katana-Ya; Bouchon Bakery; A La Turca; Boxing Room; Falafel's Drive In; Frances; Saigon Sandwich; Brenda's French Soul Food; Sunny Bowl; Park Tavern.

Bay Area Charity

Charity: First Graduate. This case-management-based educational program annually brings in 25-30 seventh graders from public middle schools for a 10-year program focused on mentorship, counseling, year-round instruction through 12th grade, and career exploration. To date, 100% of participants have graduated from high school, and the oldest students have this year become the first college graduates in their families. Recently, I donated leftover office supplies, and the two employees couldn't be happier. www.firstgraduate.com

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, Urban Solutions, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse, Shanti, Curry Without Worry, SF Neighborhood Theater Foundation, La Cocina, Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, and The Bike Kitchen.

Bay Area Weekend Highs

Another quick storm on Monday has cleared the air and streets. Look for things to stay warm for our real summer time.

~ THU-FRI ~

Coast: mid-70s
SF: low-80s

Bay: low-80s

South Bay: mid-80s

North Bay: upper-80s

Inland East Bay: low-90s

~ SAT-SUN ~

Coast: low-60s

SF: low-70s

Bay: mid-70s

South Bay: upper-70s

North Bay: upper-70s

Inland East Bay: low-80s

Free Bay Area Activities

Menlo Park Arts Fall Fest [Fri-Sun 10am-5pm]: 15th annual. 90+ artists. Along Santa Cruz Ave (Menlo Park). www.menloparkchamber.com

Friday Nights at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45pm]: Performance by Fared Shafinury, theatrical installation, Maori weaving, and hands-on art making. At the de Young Museum (SF). http://deyoung.famsf.org

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival [Sat-Sun 9am-5pm]: 41st annual. Pumpkin patches, pie eating contest, haunted barn, three entertainment stages, and more. Along Main St (Half Moon Bay). www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest

Potrero Hill Festival [Sat 9am-4:30pm]: 21st annual. Cajun jazz brunch, two entertainment stages, dunking booth, and more. Near De Haro and 20th St (SF). www.potrerofestival.com

Noe Valley Festival [Sat 10am-5pm]: 7th annual. Near 24th St. and Sanchez (SF). http://noevalleysf.blogspot.com

Trolley Dances [Sat-Sun 11am-3:30pm]: 8th annual. From the SF Main Library to West Portal station, along the K-L-M lines. www.epiphanydance.org

Tenderloin Block Party [Sat 11:30am-3pm]: Free food to the first 800 attendees, plus free health screenings, cooking demos, and pie-eating contest. At Boeddeker Park (SF). www.tndc.org

Midnight Mystery Bike Ride [Sat 11:59pm]: Meet at a local bar, and head out on an impromptu 5-mile ride at midnight. Check it out at www.midnightmystery.org

Fiesta on the Hill [Sun 10am-6pm]: 23rd annual. Bernal Heights brings in people with two live music stages, petting zoo, and local community organizations. Along Cortland Ave (SF). www.sresproductions.com/fiestaonthehill.html

Inner Sunset Fair [Sun 10am-5pm]: Near 9th Ave. and Irving St (SF). www.isstreetfair.org

Portola Festival [Sun 10am-4pm]: 9th annual. Along San Bruno Ave (SF). www.portolafestival.org

Chamber Music Day [Sun 10am-5:30pm]: Over a dozen chamber music orchestras. At the de Young (SF). www.sffcm.org

Family Museum Day [Sun 11am-4pm]: At the SFMOMA, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora, and Children's Creativity Museum (SF). www.sfmoma.org

Community Music Center [Sun 2-9pm]: Live choruses, chamber music, jazz, and Latin dance party. At CMC's Capp Street Hall (SF). www.sfcmc.org/site/calendar/event-single?id=1371

California Academy of Sciences [Wed 9:30am-5pm]: I went last month around 4pm and faced virtually no crowds. Adult admission is $29.95 normally. At the Cal Academy (SF). www.calacademy.org