It was a rainy afternoon ... and then Katy Tang, our district supervisor, walked in. She and Ming hit it off.
Ming's Dynasty
Ming’s wife, son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter stopped by FOG today.
St. Patrick's Day On Our Street
St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow and I would like to take the opportunity to honor three Irish gentlemen who own businesses on our very street. As I sip my fabulous cappuccino I salute Michael McCrory from Andytown. Right next door is where John Campbell bakes his Irish specialties at Jennies' Sweet Passion Bakery. A little farther to the west is Marc Hobden at Cara Glass, a bustling workshop that manufactures custom made wooden windows. Hats off to all three of you and thank you for making our neighborhood a more diverse and enriching environment. I plan to do some Irish music tomorrow afternoon in your honor. -Cheers, Peter
Inbox
Dear Anne & Peter,
Whenever I/we visit FOG, we always come away feeling joyously positive and energized. While there and afterwards, I find I can actually put away the terrible reality of today's politics.
The demonstration today was a feast for the eyes; Ming is quite a lovely, happy man. Thank you for what you do for our community!
Peace,
Barbara
Ming's mesmerizing calligraphy demonstration
Ming demonstrated five different types of calligraphy for us: Cursive, Running, Regular, Clerical, and Seal.
Each scroll is stamped with this symbol for Good Luck.
We take a quick break from watching Ming's calligraphy demonstration to walk a couple doors down and watch the calligraphy going on at Andytown!
Peter's Thursday
Exciting day on Taraval. First Richard Kamler comes by and is really taken by Ming's show. True artist-to-artist appreciation. Then Andytown's crew comes by with a cart laden with coffee beans soon to be exquisitely roasted and brewed. Then Ming comes by with some artist pals. Don't forget to swing by FOG on Saturday around 2:00 for a live demonstration of Ming's artistry. -Peter p.s. We'll be open Sundays in March!
Ming and his pals.
Is that Richard? Richard Kamler? Yes!
Ready for roasting at Andytown.
Ming's Opening
Ming used a gigantic brush for this piece. The title is HEALTH.
Soon as we walked in the big red door for Ming's opening, we were caught up in a wave of great energy. Ming enjoyed explaining his calligraphy to us, and we had a blast looking. Next Saturday, March 11 at 2:00, he'll be bringing his brushes and ink and treating us to a demonstration.
Hanging Ming's Show
Join us for Mak Ming Chan's opening this Saturday, March 4, from 12-6 pm. Ming will be joining us at 2:00.
The paintings, they soothed me
The paintings, they soothed me
warmed me as I entered the quiet space.
The ambience was peaceful,
just what I needed.
I was offered wine and cheese
immediately upon entering,
and little chocolates on a small plate.
Like the guest in The Red Brocade
who was not asked what he was there for
or where he was going. But instead
was offered nourishment and snippets
of mint to put in his tea.
The owner was not there, but Peter was,
and Carmen, their big brown dog.
Carmen ran away while I was there
and that caused some drama.
I stayed and looked after the Gallery
while Peter scurried up and down the block
in a mild panic, trying to find their dog
who had never run away before.
She's never done that, he said
looking seriously distraught.
I stood, glass in hand with sparkling water,
walked and turned and looked some more,
quieted by the presence of lightly-washed paintings,
landscapes of nature and dogs and people,
an interior world of empty beds.
I had found this gallery, and the bearded gentleman
and his wife, and we were sure we knew each other.
And then his wife came in, who owned the
gallery, and she was as lively as Peter, and happy
'cause Carmen had been found
who wagged her tail and bounded over
to Peter, and everyone was happy again,
including Carmen.
Several blocks from the ocean, the wind
was cold, and I was wrapped in a heavy
wool coat and hand-knit scarf, my wool beret
and purple gloves.
Still... there was that mystery between Peter, Anne and me ~
how did we know each other, where had we met?
It was Howie, she suddenly blurted out!
You were at Howie Leifer's memorial.
Yes, that's it. And a flood of memories came back
and the years all came together
and the French-American school where we both taught.
And his art and all the things he did ~
puppet shows and music and teaching,
anti-war marches and solidarity with the people
of El Salvador, and walking with his larger-than-life
puppets down Market Street with hundreds of thousands
of others. Howie was such a mensch.
His art is all over our home! they said. He is everywhere!
And he would make the biggest Trump puppet if he were alive,
we said! And then I grew sad and I missed my friend.
And we talked some more, of how we met,
at Howie's memorial, and we talked of Phil Ochs
and music and art. I walked into a gallery
and was welcomed by a stranger,
was offered cheese and wine and water.
I was warmed in the presence
of softly-washed paintings
and came away bonded by art and friendship.
I went out into the night, bundled against the cold,
walked toward the ocean as the sun set,
and got on the streetcar and a bus ride home.
Warmed with the thoughts of a friend now gone,
and new friends who will be there when I return.
Marlene Aron February 23, 2017
Andytown to open tomorrow for coffee beans
MIke and Steph adding some finishing touches before opening. Starting tomorrow the public will be able to pick up their favorite roasted beans just three doors from FOG. And be sure to drop in for the last week of Janet Norris's show.
Our Caseworker
from the Huffington Post
Janet Norris: ‘Living Dangerously’ at Far Out Gallery, San Francisco
by John Seed
photo by Mark Hubbell
Painter Janet Norris, whose work is currently on view at the Far Out Gallery in San Francisco, creates personal and poetic images that multiply metaphors and possible meanings. For example, when water appears in her work—as it often does—it may represent a primeval ritual element, a mode of travel, a threat, an escape, a precious resource, or a metaphor for life or death. Norris’ open-ended narratives, although told gently, often embody risks, dangers and transformations. (Continue reading here.)
Is that coffee I smell?
Yes sir, Andytown has begun their production. That's Roos operating their old smaller roaster. At the counter Alex and Scott are labeling and bagging the beans. They will be using this space, two doors down from FOG, as the heart of their operation. It will supply the original shop at 43rd and Lawton and their soon-to-be-opening one by the Riptide. Andytown, the sunset community salutes you. –Peter
p.s. Today was one of those wet, dreary days sitting in the Far Out Gallery until a delivery guy walks in and hands me these glorious orchids (from Greg and his family who live across the street). Then, in comes Cherry from Hong's restaurant down the street with a piping hot bowl of hot and sour soup - did that hit the spot. And now here comes our FOG family pal Robert to visit Carmen.
Janet Norris's Opening
Janet in the midst of her down-to-earth, open-hearted talk – followed by questions and much conversation.
A Painting, A Book, A Poster
Anne's amazing artwork (below) is showcased not only on Andrew Ramer's new book, but on the poster celebrating the book.
Under the Sun Anne Herbst
Hanging Janet's Show
Martha, I Still Love You acrylic on canvas 36" x 48"
Janet Norris, that is!
Join us this Saturday, February 4, for the opening.
12-6 pm; Artist's talk at 2:00.
Cacophony at FOG
FOG was the scene of a major improvisational music event on Jimmy McCullough's birthday. Violin, Koto – clarinet, Jew's harp, drums, xylophone, electric bass, bells, guitar, whistles, and vocals all blended into an extended jam. Even Jimmy's paintings were swinging at the end. This is the last week to see his exhibit - don't miss it, it is exceptional work. –Peter
Our fearless leader on the xylophone.
This place is going to the dogs
Saying hello to Gretta
Bidding adieu to Atlas
Update from Andytown
The new roaster is in, the counters are set, storage areas are being arranged, and soon shipments of raw coffee will be unloaded at 3016 Taraval. After a shakedown period to fine-tune the roasting, we are all going to welcome our new neighbors.
Is that coffee I smell?
A Martin Luther King Jr. Day Salute from the Fog Family
We cannot walk alone and as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream rooted in the American dream. I dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all the people are created equal.”
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
–excerpts from I HAVE A DREAM by Martin Luther King, Jr. August 28, 1963