Lawrence Ferlinghetti's 100th Birthday

The whole city is gearing up for LF’s 100th birthday just two weeks from today. Anne and I went to the opening of his painting and drawing exhibit at Rena Bransten’s gallery at Minnesota Street.

S. Francisco Acrylic on paper 36 x 74 1/2 in. 1993

If you happen to be in Paris, there will be two weeks of celebrations at Shakespeare and Company, City Lights’ sister book store. We’ll be having our own celebration chez FOG from 4-6 on the 24th.  Everyone is encouraged to read a favorite poem, with cake and prosecco to follow.  Calling all “Whitman’s wild children.”   

Come in and peruse some of Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s books of poems on our window shelf.  We would love to hear you pick out a favorite, and give it a good reading.  Anne’s got a beauty, and so do I.

Join us for our own celebration chez FOG from 4-6 on MAR. 24

Introducing Hondo

…and he has something to say, dance, and show!

Carol A. Levy's Opening

TIDES: PAINTINGS AND WORKS ON PAPER

Her opening was packed with devoted friends from near and far as well as the regular FOG family art lovers.

Carol talked about the influence of her Buddhist practice on her life, and the fact that her life is her art. She described her process as a search and shared her method of making these paintings beginning with no preconception. She asks her mind to step out of the way to allow her intuition to take over. From there, she and the paint have a dialog where recognizable forms such as ships and figures emerge. Carol’s art straddles abstract and recognizable worlds for the viewer to explore.

Beauty inside and outside the gallery.

Hanging Carol A. Levy's Show

Carol A. Levy

Tides: paintings and works on paper

Opening this Saturday, March 2, 1-5 pm

Artist’s talk 2 pm

We Are Waiting

As February winds to a close, we have one more weekend to savor the striking photographs of Hank Keneally, and one week before the Tides - Carol Levy’s show of paintings opening on March 2nd.

photo by Starr Sutherland

March also marks a fantastic birthday: Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s 100th. Check out the schedule for all things Lawrence – including a documentary, an art show at Minnesota Street, a library tribute, a book release, and an open house at City Lights bookstore on the 24th.

We’ll also be honoring him here @Fog with a fete from 4-6, also on the 24th. Please join us and bring a favorite poem to read, or a good Lawrence Ferlinghetti story (I have a few to relate from my 43 years at City Lights).

Dressed for the Show

our good pal Clay

Gung Hay Fat Choy

Celebrating with Baba (above) and Jan (below).

Hank Keneally's Opening

Hank’s message: Take Time. Look Around. Listen.

Hank asks us to slow down. Much of today's media forces us into "automatic mode,” where things move faster than we can absorb them. At this rate, much of what’s around us is lost and cannot be acknowledged. It’s easy to lose our sense of self in our own environment.

His photographs are combinations of images taken mostly in San Francisco. They are montages of pavement, walls, dumpsters, trucks, etc., combined with painterly techniques from Photoshop.

These four took Hank’s message to heart. Drenched, they’re just back from stepping outside and seeing a rainbow.

Hanging Hank Keneally's Show

Please join us for the Opening of Hank’s

SAN FRANCISCO WALL ESCAPES

MIXED MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHS

Saturday, February 2, 2019

1 - 5 pm

Artist’s Talk at 2 pm

Robin Stearns' Opening

A spectacular event. San Francisco lovers, art lovers: Don’t miss Robin Stearn’s inspiring show.

Robin Stearns in front of Ghostly.

Bay Bridge 40x30 in oil on wood panel 2018

There are 18 breath-taking paintings of San Francisco on view.

One of the most expressive and entertaining talks ever.

And get a load of these cookies, would you?

A Note of Thanks

An end of the year note of thanks to all our Fog family and to our Taraval pals. We have forged a wonderful connection to the rich street life that we experience every time we open our doors: the amazing Jenny from the Sweet Passion Bakery, our lovely hair stylist Stacy two doors down, to the newest kids on the block, the After Hours crew, and Roberto at North Beach Pizza and Paul from the corner Sunsets Best Seafood. Our regular passersby who wave their hearty hellos: Esther from Walgreens, Gina next door, and of course, all our dog friends, who now perhaps are wondering where Carmen, the real boss at FOG, has gone. Anne and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this living, breathing community.  We wish you all a happy and healthy and artistic 2019.

A Sublime Solstice

A pretty wonderful event if we do say so ourselves. Thank you for coming!

The seasons go round and round…

P.S. WE’ll be open on Monday, DECEMBER 24, for you TO SEE STEPHEN FOX’S WONDROUS SCULPTURES..

Our Own Peter (and Lawrence)

Publlshed this month in Rain Taxi

News and Events

Linda Davick, our designer/media whiz/all around inspiration has just published a new book and it has already achieved high accolades. Congratulations, Linda, we are all so proud to have you in the FOG family.

The sad part is that the Davicks (Tom is the architect of FOG) are moving to Albuquerque - so come and say goodbye if you get a chance.

Linda and Tom in New Mexico last winter

Let it be known that FOG will be open on Monday, December 24th, for your shopping pleasure.

And don’t forget to come to the Winter Solstice celebration on the 21st.

Better Things to Come

The darkening days of December always portend better things to come, the first being our Winter Solstice celebration. This will be our 4th consecutive marking of the return of our sun.

Join us on December 21st for seasonal song, libation (including Anchor Steam’s Christmas Ale), and John Campbell’s wondrous plum pudding. Though the actual time of the solstice is 2:23 pm, the festivities here at FOG will commence around 4:00 pm.

Our other seasonal tradition will be the offering of the 2019 Tidelog which is a must-have for all us OB worshipers.

In a related note, we sadly read Steve Rubenstein’s obituary of Carol Schuldt, a grand nature spirit soul, Earth Mother and eternal mermaid of Ocean Beach. “She loved the sun, so let’s welcome it back.”

Join us on December 21st for seasonal song, libation (including Anchor Steam’s Christmas Ale), and John Campbell’s wondrous plum pudding.

We all miss Carmen.

Stephen Fox's Opening

Fox in the Box was the name of the show. And was there ever a mad scramble. We’re talking a line at the register!

Stephen Fox

Front window

Standing room only for Stephen’s talk.

Eye candy everywhere.

Inhaling Barbara’s food.

Celebrating Carmen's Life

photo by Tim Thurman

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Quite a few dogs attended.

Carmen’s toys in the window

Another toy in Anne’s pocket

… And Closing Anne’s Show

The warmest gathering of FOG friends and family ever.

Please Join Us Sunday

our first date with Carmen, 12/1/2007 chez Davick

Dear Friends of FOG,

We are going to celebrate the end of Anne’s Farther Out show this Sunday, November 25, along with a celebration of Carmen who peacefully died this morning on our bed at 7:30 - her big heart finally gave out. She has been our best friend for the past 11 years, so please join us.

3-6 pm

Yvonne Daley's Book Reading

Thank you, Yvonne, for reading to us from your new book, Going Up the Country – also from Octavia Boulevard – and for the incredible conversation that followed.

Anne's Birthday Party

photo by Starr

Cards.

Presents.

Blue City Jazz

Playing For Frances and Valerie from their new CD.

Singing Happy Birthday to Anne…

And then it’s time for cake.

I want the piece with all the icing. (This was before Jain appeared with the overflowing platter of phenomenal chocolate chip cookies.)

Lots of laughs in the gallery this evening.