Let’s do a little bit of catching up with los local events. Mucho good stuff happening this month.

MAY 10: BIKE TO WORK DAY 2012
That time of the year again. Lots of goodies, power station and an after work party. 
The two bike citizens on this year’s promotions are very nice, and represent a very mellow non-racer type but not sure why they are headless?!

However, other than that, very cute. Poster courtesy of PDF dowload from the bike coalition, I have found the español poster 🙂
Find a near by power station +goodies: here

MAY 10: SF BIKE COALITION’S ANNUAL BIKE FROM WORK PARTY 
Thursday, May 10 | 6-9pm, Public Works, 161 Erie St. “Celebrate San Francisco’s biggest day of bicycling at the SF Bicycle Coalition’s big Bike from Work Party with DJs, a photo booth, fabulous raffle prizes, snacks hosted by Whole Foods and complimentary bicycle valet. $5 for current SF Bicycle Coalition Members, $10 for non-members or join at the door ($35) & get in free.”
Further SF Bike Coalition BTWD 2012 info here: link

Further Bay Area info here: youcanbikethere.com 
In which I found the SF commuter of the year, this year is a woman (YES!!)
♥Congrats to non-profit lawyer Selena Kyle

MAY 10: DRAG QUEEN KARAOKE
My friend James is doing a fun karaoke fundraiser this week.
I mean this man was a fund-raiser machine last year (his 2010 personal post here) he raised a monumental $28K (!!)

The Mint Karaoke Lounge 1942 Market St, San Francisco
Thursday May 10th, 7PM
FB event here: link 
The Crazy 88’s AIDS/LifeCycle Team is hosting this year’s most festive fundraising event for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation! The first 150 guests who pay the $8 cover will receive a California Roll from neighboring Sushi Delight restaurant and a feather boa…..because there is no such thing as enough boas.

MAY 11: BJM
On a musical note, the Brian Jonestown Massacre recently dropped a new album,
and they are playing this Friday 11th at the Fillmore.

BJM opening for some other band, at the fillmore, March 2009

MAY 12 – MAY 19: BIKE FOR KAM
COUNTDOWN: 3 Days – $14,825 Raised of $40,000 Goal San Francisco to Santa Monica – Seven Days, 500 Miles / May 12-19

“How about a group of Los Angeles friends, biking from San Francicso to LA (home). 500 miles, seven days, fully loaded ride for their friend Kam. None of the conveniences like mobile tent cities, swag wagons or fully stocked rest stops. These guys do it rugged, not professional cyclists and are powered by motivation.
Through this project they hope to raise awareness of my rare genetic muscle debilitating and degenerative condition; HIBM, because it’s no longer about finding a cure; it’s about funding the cure.”

Thanks to Kam for contacting me directly, this is a great ride/cause/awareness for HIBM.
How lovely is their poster? You can also download it and promote it, and check out the good things they have going on.
Please visit their site +my best wishes in their efforts.
+BikeForKam.com +Facebook page +Twitter

TUESDAY MAY 15: DR SKETCHY’S PRESENTS 4TH ANNUAL CUTE GIRLS ON BICYCLES!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012. 7-10PM 
21+ $12 in advance, $15 at the door
FB event page link: here
Alice, the fantastica woman organizing these events posted:
“Ding ding, it is that time of year! Time to ride your bike and draw the cute girls of San Francisco with their bicyclettes.”

MAY 21st: SEWING WORKSHOP FOR ALC RIDE 2012
Sewing 101 Machine And Hand Basics
For AIDS LifeCycle Fundraiser $38

Monday, May 21st, 7:30PM-10:30PM
Learn basic sewing skills including how to cut fabric, how to use a simple pattern, and how to perform a few different stitches.
Workshop info+link: here

My friend Gwen is doing the ACL 2012 ride,
she is close to reaching her goal, check out her page here:
AIDS LifeCycle 2012 Team Pedal Savvy

ACL 2012: KLAW
On that note, also dear Klaw has
already reached her goal but she
notes ‘why stop there?!’

visit her fundraiser page here:
AIDS LifeCycle 2012: Kristen

ACL 2012: ¡SI SE PEDAL!
I’m a little late about this April fundraiser,
but the spanglish promotion is at its finest.

Expect no less coming from a sweet San Francisco/Tejas
connection via my homie Rio Yañez.

Here is their ALC page:
AIDS LifeCycle 2012: Si Se Pedal

SUNDAY MAY 13: CELEBRATE WOMEN AND BIKING WITH CYCLOFEMME AND RICKSHAW BAGWORKS

SF local ride organized by Christy over Rickshaw,
check out the event’s +facebook page

“We’re partnering with Girl Bike Love to present the SF edition of 
CycloFemme: a ride to encourage women in cycling.
Friends, women, mothers, children, sisters, dads, brothers: everyone is invited!
Honor the past, celebrate the present and empower the future. http://girlbikelove.com/ | http://cyclofemme.com/
Schedule:
Join us at 9 am at the Rickshaw Factory for a morning stretch before the ride courtesy of Giggling Lotus yoga: www.gigglinglotus.com.
9:30 am Meet up at Rickshaw Bagworks in the Dogpatch if you haven’t
joined us for yoga.
10:00 am Depart on the rideMORE INFO: +route +cyclofemme +facebook +twitter

MAMAK SF IS HERE!
Local bike advocate, friend and all good-things Ian, has combined his great local energy with yummy Malaysian inspired food into a great new project, now on kickstarter. mamakSF has been getting the love +support from my friends (velovogue, cylrab, wheelright and the SFYellow Bike, and more)
Support mamakSF on kickstarter
[kickstarter url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1386378157/pedal-powered-food-cart width=480]
“After many days of planning and hair-pulling, mamakSF’s Kickstarter project is up and running. You have been supportive and patient with the build up of ‘the little bike food cart’ that could. For that, I am forever grateful. We wouldn’t be here today without your love, support and belief.
It’s not all about funding via Kickstarter, though that helps.
I hope I get to feed many, if not all, of you some day. Let’s get this food party started!”
Find/follow MamaK SF: +Facebook +Twitter +Website

FEATURED IN THE BOLD ITALIC: LOCAL PEDAL-POWERED SMALL BUSINESS
The local zine The Bold Italic publishes the coolest articles one of the most recent posts I sent to a bunch of my friends (was April the break-up month?) Ex-Factor survival guide here.They have recently turned the spotlight to pedal-powered delivery services, I of course love Bicycle Coffee +glad to learn about new and upcoming ones I had not heard of. I’m happy to see the magic kurry kart which is well known around town +the bikey community (spotted in the mission, 2009)

link: The Bold Italic: Pedal Pushers

THE WIGGLE GETS SONG, PSA FOR BIKE TO WORK DAY

“Local bicycle enthusiasts celebrate San Francisco’s vibrant bicycle culture with 60-second video “Do the Wiggle.” Instant classic reminds all cities that robust bicycle infrastructure supports healthy, sustainable urban living.”

links +info: +therealnumbers +wigg party

IN OTHER NEWS, PLACES Y FACES
TIJUANA’S BICI ESTACIÓN OPENING – BIKE TOURS

Visit their FB page here: link

 
-Fotos borrowed from their FB page.

AUGUST 5, 2012: TOUR DE PENINSULA 
2012 Tour de Peninsula presented by Raleigh Bicycles and Talbot’s Cyclery, recreational bicycle ride 
Sunday, August 5, 2012, rides start at 7:00 am and 8:00 am, kids at 12:00 noon. 

Start/finish at Eucalyptus Picnic Area, Coyote Point Park, San Mateo, California. 

Enjoy a day of cycling and outdoor fun with family and friends. Proceeds benefit San Mateo County Parks Foundation and Bicycle Sunday—car free biking on Canada Road. 

supportparks.org
  

“The 2012 Tour de Peninsula offers Bay Area families a day of fun, fitness, and healthy family activities. Now in its 21st year, this ride is one of Northern California’s most fun recreational cycling events/family/social gatherings. Held in the scenic, mellow Coyote Point Park alongside the San Francisco Bay in San Mateo, the TdP is a perennial highlight of the Bay Area’s recreational social calendar. The TdP is a variety of great cycling routes designed for all levels, from young children and first time riders to serious cyclists. During and after the ride, a day of family fun activities takes place in the park, with a children’s playground, barbecuing, picnics, live music, and equally lively conversation. Proceeds benefit San Mateo County Parks Foundation and Bicycle Sunday – car free biking on Canada Road.”

SEPTEMBER, 2012: CLIMATE RIDE – CALIFORNIA COAST
 One of my long time favorite blog readers David Jabber 
will be participating in this year’s Climate Ride.
“This September, we will bike 300+ miles over five days, to raise money for a host of great organizations working toward real climate solutions.Climate Ride has emerged for me as a key opportunity, along with a handful of others (Keystone XL action, etc.) to make a significant contribution and tackle the challenges which so many of us very deeply care.”
Check out his page here: link





– – – – – – – –

This sunset earlier this week was wicked beautiful.

– – –
hola.
Bikes and the City got a haircut, gained some weight and got a little makeover. Well, I am not Terry Gross but there was a much needed dose of fresh air. I had not updated any visual features since the beginning, it is what’s in the inside that counts, right. There are small updates in general.
How do you like the new look of the blog? Hope you enjoy it.

To be honest, I have been overwhelmed in a very loving way, with the feedback +support in the last few weeks, I had sincerely not expected this online momentum after being away for quite some time. I had considered myself not strong nor capable to return here or anywhere, many things were just completely out of the picture, I was completely checked out of the existing world. There is a time +place for everything. The process and forces of grieving are a beast of their own.
I’m not trying to catch up, life moves fast. I’m happy to just be here and in my own pace be present, day to day.
We humans, are fragile beings. So once again, thank you.

Okay, here is a new set of photographs around the city. The weather has been beautifully diverse. Not sure why people would complain when we get a little rain, this is northern California and we don’t quite get the drastic season changes to shovel snow or deal with unbearable humidity. I’m a fog worshiper that is no secret, but I also have enjoyed the recent random warmer days. We got to see some monumental thunder lighting show a few weeks ago and here is a photo from the local news: msnbc link

These were all taken between March-April, in San Francisco and a couple of them in Marin county.
All photographs taken with my Leica lens/Panasonic LX5.
– – –
kitteh love. that cat in the window and what appeared to be its owner. affection maximus./polk street

inside the owl tree. /tendernob

best sweater. ever. /pacheights


the interiors of the recently remodeled Brenda’s have cool cement textures. and a giant lobster. /lower polk street

noc noc is as colourful as it is dark. good place to drink gulden draak. /lower haight


weekend lunch in point reyes. /marin county

window watcher. /mission district

has been quite sometime, red poppy. /mission district

mimis wall.

lady gaga y elton john?

these last three above taken in the south of market.

new orleans iced coffee +chismes. the guys +i chillin in mint plaza. /downtown

sightfilm. /7th street

a memorial for a young man shot +killed at the corner of divisadero +eddy, San Francisco’s 18th homicide for 2012. /western addition


a quiet rainy day in union square. /downtown

mi new bus friend.

rain +hearts +umbrellas. /mission street near 5th

early morning solo sight sip. /7th street

– – –

Michael Miller’s exhibit “West Coast Hip Hop – A History in Pictures” was presented last week for two days at fifty24 in the lower haight /link. The presentation of the photographs was sharp and the uniqueness of the West Coast culture during that period of time jumped right out of the walls. I was intrigued by the printing process, the quality of the pieces was visually provoking.

– – – –
♥My best wishes and fun times to the beautiful bicycle community in the San Diego/Baja Cali/Tijuana area riding the fantastic beach coast 33rd biannual Rosarito-Ensenada bike ride this Saturady, 5 de mayo. Can’t wait to see some pictures 🙂

That is all for now.
Have a good weekend!
xxomeligrosa

Two events this thursday, two neighborhoods:

CHOLAS TO PICASSO
The 3d artworks of Rio Yañez | presented by asterisk. More info /link
My favorite mission-native local artista and homie Rio is having his first Bay Area solo show. Congrats Rio!
photo by rioyanez.com

LOWER POLK ART WALK
Polk street is one of my favorite arteries of the city.
I have written extensively in the past, I am glad to see an walk art that has taken off as of March this year.
Not sure their site thelowerpolkartwalk.com at the time I tried it,
but here is some info from the facebook page:
There’s no start point and no end point, but on May 3rd
our neighborhood galleries are open until 10pm celebrating
lower Polk’s thriving arts community.

This Art Walk will feature the “Artists in the Alley” Outdoor Night Gallery. 
Fern Alley (between Polk & Larkin) will …be closed to house the night gallery 
of local independent artists as well as special exhibitions by our neighborhood galleries.

Shooting Gallery, White Walls, Nine Four One, The Popular Workshop, Siete Potencias Africanas

the world is cruel. he rather talk to the wall.
market st.

– – –
hola all.
thank you for all the kind words and recent comments upon my return to posting+writing+sharing+blogging. A slow pace, has certainly been a bit smoother than I had initially thought. LC (my beautiful Italian bloggie-friend living in London) told me earlier this month, and I’d like to quote her: “The blogosphere can be a powerful world, through your blog we have to come love you and think of you as a dear friend.”
Powerful indeed.

I feel the same way about you. Blog pals, good friends, long time readers – I have had the pleasure to meet many, and even if we have not yet met, it certainly is reciprocal with you all.
The blogesphere has allowed us to share, read and connect with a global community. To feel like we quite know each other and enable us to grasp a level of inspiration, admiration, variation and reflection we all give and take from this, is beautiful.

Enjoy this black+white set of photos.
These were all taken between February-April, in San Francisco.
All photographs are straight the from camera, taken with my Leica lens/Panasonic LX5.
– – –

velcro. the world’s most beautiful kitteh.

la taquería, on mission st.

okay. mission pie on 25th.

february birthday gurlfriend. part 1. mission district.

february birthday gurlfriend. part 2. outer richmond district.

“if you live in SF please do not forget to remember how lucky you are.” geary st.

snail mail. I send plenty of.

magazines. larkin at geary.

alta plaza park. pacific heights.

dottie’s at night. on 6th street.

whiskey night. on 6th+mission st.

keep cruising.
♥xxom

Buy the ticket, take the ride. 
-Hunter S. Thompson

 
the castro

noe valley

pac heights

outer sunset

civic center

year del dragon +city hall

Looking up when it gets crowded down here. And crowded like cotton candy wrapped around the eyes, clear like the sun after the fog has burned out, busy like a programming intern working for free and quiet like the SFmoma surrounded with people dressed in black. Hungry like a teenager at in-n-out, stuffed like bubblewrap inside a fragile package, dramatic like people crying in a mexican telenovela, lively like kids laughing at the playground, sad like a philosophy fanatic dropout law school student working at film yard.
 
And when all those emotions rush to the mind like a flock of seagulls, it is best to breathe. 
And look up. 
There might be flying bagels up there.

above photographs with my Leica lens/Panasonic LX5
all below on the go, with the mobile phone. 

i love them angels. amazing.

night walk 

UP en san francisco

high on caffeine 

sinfonía de fog y cables

cherry blossoms

marin county




– – –

bagels flew over the cuckoo’s nest

Side wall outside a coffee shop, somewhere in Los Angeles.

It is said that time heals. I do not agree with that.
Time has made me learn to live with pain, and it is a slow process that is far from easy. After a traumatic loss, my heart and soul have a gigantic hole in them.

Continuing to spend time taking care of myself and spending time with family+loved ones, I also feel quite blessed and grateful for the loving support of friends, readers, and all of you, for your constant check-in and for reading this blog. and everyone that has reached out in the past 1+year.
2011 was a life changing, dark+difficult year.

Taking one day at a time, and slowly taking small sips back into the world around me, the daily sunrise and thankful for today – a sunny April 1st in San Francisco.
m.

Adrian bicycle advocacy and legacy will continue to live through us and we will be his voice to raise awareness on bicycle safety. Heading home from school after his evening class about one year from today, taking all the safety measures a cyclist can take, riding on an extremely dangerous bike path on campus, his beautiful young life was cut short.
He would be 22.

There will be a peaceful rally to commemorate Adrian’s passing this week. Let’s all gather to raise awareness and speak upon the dangers of this bicycle path. As an activist he was, he would be among the first to organize and participate for such event.

This will take place on the UCSC campus At the beginning of the Great Meadow pathway, near the recital hall, this Friday, February 10th at noon.
If you or someone you know in the Santa Cruz area has experienced the dangers of this path, message this page directly. Pass the word, share this event’s info and please join us for this rally.

FACEBOOK tribute/info page: http://tinyurl.com/88hbqfn
TWITTER RT http://bit.ly/zE4nay