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Macworld Conference & Expo 2008 In January

2007-11-26T09:59:00.001-08:00

This is from "Typical Mac User" who's as excited about MacWorld as I am.

My pick for today is the Macworld Conference & Expo. By the way it was pointed out to me that its’ not MacWorld but Macworld Conference & Expo.

I’m so excited that going into my third year as a switcher, I am going to attend the premier conference for innovation and how my life as a Macgeek will change in 2008. The Macworld Conference & Expo offers an extensive list of conference sessions that are meant to teach, energize and help you grow as a user of Apple products.

In 2008 the Macworld Conference & Expo is Jan 14-18, 2008. As always it will be held in San Francisco at the West and South Halls of the Moscone Center.

With over 400 exhibitors from the Apple community, extensive sessions on all things Mac, I’m sure I will encounter things I did not expect ,and come home with new insights to share with all of you.

I hope to be able to get a press pass so that I can interview some of the exhibitors, and people who add so much to the mac community. If you haven’t signed up and want to attend register today and come say hello to me.

Of course Macworld Conference & Expo is about “The Keynote.” However, it’s also about the community and how we are all part of it.

Aqua 252 California St. (at Battery), San Francisco - Chron Review

2007-08-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

Aqua - A Top 100 SF Restaurant

Aqua continues to set the bar for expensive, creative seafood. Even though it's now 15 years old, the look and feel of the place is as fresh as the day it opened -- high ceilings, sexy lighting and the most impressive flower arrangements in the city. On the downside: The place can be noisy and the tables are closer together (and there are more of them) than you'll find at other restaurants of this caliber. Under Laurent Manrique, the food has taken on a heavy French accent, and recently Ron Boyd, formerly at Domaine Chandon and a Chronicle Rising Star, became chef de cuisine. Bargain seekers, consider the three-course lunch for $34.

Specialties:

Tuna tartare with Moroccan spices; black pepper Parmesan souffle; scallops with parsnip mousseline, short rib ravioli and apple and endive salad; chocolate tart.
Prices: $72-$105 (fixed price)
Noise: (symbols key)
Seating: 120
252 California St. (at Battery)
San Francisco
Tel. (415) 956-9662

Bar Bambino 2931 16th St. (near Capp), San Francisco, CA

2007-08-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

SLICES AND SIPS OF ITALY AT MISSION'S CHIC BAR BAMBINO
Michael Bauer - SF Chroncle
Sunday, August 5, 2007

Some hot restaurants defy logic. While location seems to be crucial in the success - and failure - of many places, there are exceptions. Sometimes when the place is obscure, the location's negative becomes a positive.
At least that's the best way I can explain the runaway success of the tiny Bar Bambino, in the Mission on 16th Street between South Van Ness and Capp.
It's a location that defines the word dicey. Most places on the block have a decade worth's of soot and grit glazing the facades and windows. Yet in the middle of the block sits a celery green brick building, with a discreetly marked black storefront. Peek inside and it looks like an oasis.
The metal screen that pulls across the windows when the restaurant is closed is folded inconspicuously into a corner. Well-dressed crowds peruse the soft, leather-bound, all-Italian wine list filled with unusual red wines, and make new friends at the communal tables in front and in back overlooking the patio. Some sit at the bar, basking in the glow of the glassed-in charcuterie station where the tattooed chef slices salami, prosciutto and cheese. The rest of the all-day menu by Elizabeth Binder is designed to be versatile - diners can have a full meal or a quick bite - and to match the wines.
The small tables are packed so tightly in the 51-seat dining room that it feels like a place you'd find in New York's East Village. It's a wonder it made it through the Americans with Disabilities Act inspections. The dark wood floor, the lath slatting covering the back wall and the chandeliers made with wine bottles and filament lights lend a chic, urban look.
We wove our way through a maze of people to the communal table overlooking the heated 16-seat patio and took a seat next to two parties of women (why are there always more women than men at wine bars?).
I felt as if we needed to catch up or join in as they talked about layoffs at the Gap and then turned to the important topic at hand: what they thought of Nopa, Spork and Farmer Brown. We quickly ordered a selection of noshes and a bottle of wine, which we ended up sharing with them because they were interested in trying as many wines on the list as they could.
Choosing from the half dozen house-made sausages ($9.50/$18/$22.50) and a cheese board ($4.50-$25.50) is a good way to begin. The meats come on a cutting board, without accompaniments. They're good, but the deluxe platter with six kinds became a little monotonous after a while, especially since there's nothing to interrupt the richness, other than sips of wine. If you want something like olives ($3.50) or bread ($4.50), they're extra.
We ordered caprese salad ($9), which is the pinnacle of elegant simplicity, with three kinds of heirloom tomatoes, creamy puffs of buffalo milk mozzarella, torn basil, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt, which helps cut the fat after a bite of pancetta.
More substantial plates include meatballs ($14.50) napped in a sweet tomato sauce with onions and bits of chard. They're good, but pale next to the eggplant meatballs ($13.50) with their crusty exterior, and creamy pine nut- and currant-laden interior and dousing of light tomato sauce.
Beef brisket and short ribs ($14.50) are slow cooked with leeks and olive oil and come out looking like a European version of carnitas; the meat needed something to complete it. Fortunately, there are some excellent side dishes, including pencil-thin grilled asparagus with a scattering of cheese ($6.25), mixed green salad ($4.50) and garlicky roasted potatoes ($5).
My favorite main course over three visits was pork shoulder braised in milk ($15.50), with its fork-tender texture and robust flavor. I also liked poached sausage ($14.50) cut into slices and about as rich as foie gras, served on a bed of lentils.
Carbs rule at Bar Bambino. You can get white beans in a soup with pasta and greens ($7.50), on bruschetta interlaced with greens ($8.50) or in an appetizer that includes tuna and red onions ($8.50). There's also a hearty Tuscan bread stew ($7.50) with tomato and basil.
An entire section is devoted to bruschetta, with toppings such as fresh ricotta and roasted tomato ($8) and egg with Parmesan ($8.50), with a glaze of truffle oil ($9.50). The four panini include speck, fontina cheese with braised fennel ($9.50), which adds a pleasant licorice taste; roasted vegetables and goat cheese ($9); and tuna and tapenade ($9.50).
Pastas are equally filling alternatives, with choices such as linguine with sheep's milk ricotta and herbs ($11.50) and a soulful rabbit ragout with pappardelle ($13.50).
The vibe of the food, wine and interior is relaxed and casual, and the service can vacillate from precise to sloppy. The young waiters know the menu and wine list, but they seem to be perpetually a beat or two behind. Unless you ask, the same plate may have to take you from salumi to shared pasta, meatballs and panini. I drew the line and asked for a new plate at dessert.
At the top of the dessert list is the vanilla gelato with 20-year-old balsamico ($7); other desserts - an olive oil cake with grilled stone fruit ($7) and a strawberry shortcake ($7) - are somewhat disappointing.
Another way to end the meal is with the cookie plate ($5.50) with biscotti and shortbreads that go with one of the sweet wines, giving diners another excuse to linger. When the place is less crowded, as it is in the afternoon (the same menu is served all day), it's a great opportunity to have your own olive oil tasting. There are eight on the menu ($2.50-$3) so diners can check out examples from various regions of Italy.
Bar Bambino truly is an oasis. Owner Christopher Losa has taken a risk on the location, but has created a sexy, speakeasy vibe. He's a pioneer - Bar Bambino may have started a rejuvenation of this gritty Mission strip.
New: For a 360-degree view of the restaurant, visit sfgate.com/food.
The wine list
Bar Bambino boasts an adventuresome all-Italian wine list.
Although younger drinkers seem to be more open to imports, I'm not sure many would know about selections such as the 2004 Grillo Schiopettino ($58).
Selections like this are somewhat esoteric, so diners will need to rely on the staff, which is still struggling to taste through the list. Another choice is to try one of the 37 wines by the glass ($6-$13). When servers don't know about them, they're quick to offer tastes, but in most cases you can take your chances, because all of them are well chosen and versatile.
The 120 bottles are well selected for price, too, although markups tend to be on the high side. The pricing seems more palatable because these aren't wines you'll find at the local supermarket.
All the regions are covered; in the by-the-glass list alone, diners can choose wines from Sardinia, Sicily, Marche, Puglia and Lombardy.
The dessert list also encourages diners to linger: 11 are offered by the glass. Beverage selections are rounded out with 10 beers, teas ($2.50-$4.50 a pot), sodas ($2.50), and espresso drinks made with either Northern or Southern Italian roasts. Corkage is $20.
- M.B.
Michael Bauer is The Chronicle's restaurant critic. E-mail him at mbauer@sfchronicle.com. Read his Between Meals blog on SFGate.com and visit sfgate.com/food for comprehensive Bay Area restaurant reviews and listings.

Essencia 401 Gough St. (at Hayes), San Francisco - SFgate.com

2007-08-04T23:49:00.001-07:00

Essencia's upscale peruvian fare is hit-and-miss
Michael Bauer
Sunday, July 29, 2007
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After my third visit to Essencia, this question stuck in my mind: Why did Anne Gingrass-Paik choose to open a Peruvian restaurant?
Gingrass-Paik and her former husband, David Gingrass, were the original chefs at Postrio. They left to go out on their own to open Hawthorne Lane, which garnered glowing reviews. David Gingrass generally handled the front, while she was in charge of the kitchen, creating innovative East-West dishes. She even installed an aquarium with live prawns in the dining room. After the two divorced, she opened Desiree Cafe in the Presidio, which has since closed.
Now she's lending her name to Essencia in Hayes Valley at Hayes and Gough streets. The restaurant's Web site proclaims, "Essencia is a new and exciting Peruvian restaurant with an organic California twist," which sounds as innovative as her previous ventures. Yet the niggling question remains: Why?
The food, while pleasant, isn't particularly distinctive, especially for the price. I'd just as soon go to Limon or Destino, where the tab is lower and the food more interesting.
While I love the idea of giving cuisines an interpretive twist, in this case the twists take a wrong turn, beginning with the bread. The three or four irregular chunks of baguette tossed on a saucer look like leftovers. I first thought it was a mistake and cut the kitchen some slack, but after the third visit, I realized that was the way it was supposed to be. Why?
And why is the kampachi ceviche ($12) doused with so much mustard-yellow hot pepper sauce that it destroys everything but the texture? Dish after dish, I wondered why.
The interior has a modest, upscale look, using the same large plate-glass windows as when the space was the Pendragon bakery-cafe. The dozen or so tables are made of wood slabs with irregular edges; their small size might be the reason many main courses are served on rectangular plates that look as if they were last used in United's first-class cabin.
The brown color scheme helps warm the space, and the amoeba-shaped lights with printed fabric shades add interest to the ceiling. It's pleasant, but I'm not sure the cramped interior and somewhat disjointed service support the $26.75 price tag for lomo saltado, the classic Peruvian beef dish Gingrass-Paik updates with yucca fries and a sauce with too much vinegar.
The staff seems better suited to the casual interior than to the upscale prices. They place the flatware on the table helter-skelter, and often don't bother to put the right dish in front of the person who ordered it.
They also aren't well versed on the menu. When we had a question about the wine, the waiter couldn't answer it, although he offered us a taste of two other wines. When we were confused about why barbecued octopus with celery heart salad with black olive sauce ($11) was listed under the ceviche section, the waiter gave a convoluted explanation of how the sauce was put in the pan until crusty and then the seafood was added, but really wasn't cooked. He came back later and offered another unintelligible explanation.
The dish consisted of a few pieces of tentacles briefly sauteed and served over frisee and celery. It tasted fine, but it was more of a salad than anything else. Another one of the three selections in the category was the shrimp, sea bass and mussel ceviche with cucumbers ($11.50), which had too much acid to do the seafood justice.
With the chef having such a seemingly assertive seasoning hand, I was surprised by the lack of flavor of the sea bass ($12), served chilled on paprika onions, practically raw green beans, slices of avocado and cherry tomato halves. The flavors never integrated, and when I wanted to perk things up with salt, there was none on the table.
One of the best ways to counterbalance the assertive items is with the golf ball-size potato fritters and crisp yucca fries ($8.50); or the composed salad ($12). The salad includes artichoke hearts sliced and fanned around a lemon parsley sauce, and a quinoa salad in which each bead was separate, slightly firm and topped with strands of smoky marinated peppers.
My favorite appetizer was grilled beef hearts ($7), which has chunks of chewy meat marinated in Cabernet vinegar and served on a small plate of marinated bell peppers.
I also liked some of the riffs on the main courses, such as adding whole fried chickpeas to baked halibut nestled on garbanzo puree and accented with shrimp and clam sauce ($23.50). The best part of the lamb ($25) - chunks of leg meat simmered in a cilantro sauce studded with peas and green beans - was the accompanying bowl of saffron-yellow risotto with what looked like an egg on top. It was a tad mushy, but the flavors were so good, it didn't matter.
A side of rice came with the "chicken with pecans, Parmesan and hot yellow pepper sauce" ($23.50), although I wasn't sure because the waiter placed the bowl in the middle of the table between that dish and the chupe, a shrimp, sea bass and rice chowder ($21) with a harsh, one-dimensional broth. The chicken - a Latin version of creamed chicken without the toast - was nothing like what I had expected. Shreds of meat were blended with a brownish creamy sauce topped with toasted pecans. It was good in a homey, 1950s way, but the price was clearly planted in 2007.
The green risotto-like bamboo rice ($24) also had a homey appeal. It was mounded on the plate with garlicky shrimp and scallops flanked by knobs of spinach.
I was mildly disappointed with the dessert offerings. The moist vanilla cake with white chocolate and cherry sauce ($6.50) was the best. The lucuma fruit flan ($6.50) tasted more of condensed milk than anything else; the whipped cream on top was overprocessed and the papaya was underripe.
The flavor of the guanabana (soursop) mousse ($6) with strawberries was pleasant, but the texture was a bit grainy. Orange pisco madeleines ($7) were too sweet with orange syrup, and the alfajores ($4.50) - butter cookies with various fillings - were slightly soggy.
Still confused about what was going on at Essencia, I called Gingrass-Paik for an explanation. Turns out that Peruvian food is a newfound interest. The family of one of her former employees wanted to open the place and lacked the experience. She became the go-to person in helping Juan and Carmen Cespedes design and staff the place, plan the menu and cook. Eventually, she said, she plans to open another restaurant, but she's now spending most of her time getting Essencia in order.
Unfortunately, the Cespedes' passion and Gingrass-Paik's talent haven't translated very well to the place. I still wonder why.
New: For a 360-degree view of the restaurant, visit sfgate.com/food.
The Wine List
The high food prices are consistent with the wine prices at Essencia, where the 15-item list concentrates on international wines.
Most wines come from Spain, with a few from Argentina and France. There are no California wines, which is strange since part of the gestalt of the restaurant is to offer an organic, local (read California) twist to the menu.
Most people probably won't recognize many of the wine producers, and from our visits, it appears the staff isn't well versed in the selections. They did offer us tastes when we asked about two Tempranillos on the list; both are offered by the glass. In fact, nine of the 15 wines are offered by the glass, priced between $7 and $9.
The list also includes two sherries by the glass, a Port and one beer: Cristal ($4), from Peru.
If you bring wine, corkage is $15. - M.B.
Essencia
401 Gough St. (at Hayes), San Francisco; (415) 552-8485 or www.essenciarestaurant.com . Lunch 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; dinner 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, until 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Beer and wine. Reservations and credit cards accepted. Difficult street parking.
Overall: Rating: ONE AND A HALF STARS
Food: Rating: ONE AND A HALF STARS
Service: Rating: ONE AND A HALF STARS
Atmosphere: Rating: TWO STARS
Prices: $$$
Noise rating: THREE BELLS
Pluses: Some Peruvian combinations have interesting twists. Try the fritters, grilled beef hearts, baked halibut.
Minuses: Food, service and decor often don't justify the prices.
Michael Bauer is The Chronicle's restaurant critic. E-mail him at mbauer@sf chronicle.com. Read his Between Meals blog on SFGate.com and visit sfgate.com/food for comprehensive Bay Area restaurant reviews and listings.

Essencia 401 Gough St. (at Hayes), San Francisco - SFgate.com

2007-08-04T23:49:00.000-07:00

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom Opens Marina SF Library Branch

2007-08-04T23:46:00.000-07:00

SAN FRANCISCO
Marina celebrates library's return
Hundreds check out newly renovated neighborhood branch, closed for 2 years
Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, August 5, 2007

=Saturday was not an ordinary day at San Francisco's Marina Branch Library.
Not only did nobody "shhhhhhhhh" the loud talkers, but the musicians accompanying the Chinese dragon dancers banged on drums and cymbals, and people had to shout above the din to be heard. Folks ate and drank. Mayor Gavin Newsom signed autographs and shook hands. And a clown twisted balloons into the shapes of animals.
The occasion was the grand reopening of the library, closed for two years for expansion and renovation. About 300 book lovers of all ages gathered early outside the library -- its shades drawn and doors covered -- to get their first peek.
"It's been a long two years, and we've all been pressing our noses to the windows and wondering what's going on inside,'' said Donna Bero, of Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, in one of several speeches.
Finally, after 40 minutes of speeches and ceremony from politicians and community leaders, the doors were flung open and the crowd surged inside. They found a thoroughly overhauled library with a bright new glass-enclosed reading and browsing area, revamped and separate children's and teen areas, new restrooms, more computers than the old library, free wireless Internet access and new furnishings.
And they raved about it all.
"This is really cool,'' said Pamela Fortino, 52, an author and acupuncturist. "It's nice to have it open again."
The bright, open feel of the building, its clean modern design and its roominess seemed to draw the most attention.
"It's wonderful,'' said Willa Sweeney, 15, whose mother is a librarian. "It's very light -- good for reading -- and it's airy."
Melissa Em, 16, said the remodeled library stacks up favorably against its old, darker and more crowded predecessor.
"I went here before the renovation and it was smaller, not as spacious,'' she said. "There's more places to put your stuff down and more computers.''
As people shook the mayor's hand and snacked on hors d'oeuvres, others lined up to check out books or sign up for library cards. Some carried huge piles of books to the checkout counter.
"This is their library,'' said Luis Herrera, the city librarian, who smiled as he watched the activity. "There's a tremendous sense of ownership. You can see it. Look at the different generations.''
The Marina Branch Library is the fourth renovated under a $105.9 million bond measure approved by voters in 2000. A new Glen Park library will open in October, followed by rejuvenated libraries in the Western Addition and Noe Valley.
The $3.9 million Marina library renovation was enhanced by a separate community fundraising campaign by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, which raised $200,000 for new furniture and equipment.
Bea Krivetsky, who raised much of that money, said the neighborhood's generosity, and the resulting library, says a lot about the community.
"It says we appreciate the fact that you have to have community facilities -- everything can't just be you yourself sitting on a curb drinking a latte,'' she said. "You have to have a place where multi ages can come and everybody is welcome.''

HR# 755 - Barry Bonds Ties Henry Aaron Today Vs. San Diego

2007-08-04T23:41:00.000-07:00

Side by side with Aaron
Bonds' historic home run, dogged by controversy, is a big relief
Henry Schulman, SF Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, August 4, 2007

(08-04) 23:32 PDT San Diego -- Throughout the pursuit, Barry Bonds' world had become suffocating. He chased Henry Aaron while allegations of steroid abuse chased him. To his left, to his right, above and below, the media and fans crowded him, watched him, questioned him, cheered him and taunted him.
When he caught Aaron on Saturday night, hitting his 755th home run in the second inning of the Giants' 3-2, 12-inning loss to the San Diego Padres, Bonds finally got his reward -- a chance to run the bases in solitude, to breathe, to know that no man who ever wore a major-league uniform has hit more home runs than he has.
Thirty-three years, three months and 27 days after Aaron hit his 715th home run to surpass Babe Ruth, Bonds met Aaron with a 382-foot shot against San Diego right-hander Clay Hensley, a onetime Giants farmhand who two years ago drew a 15-game suspension in the minors for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds' 755th homer went to left field, just like his first one in 1986. It clanged off the facing of the low second deck at Petco Park, a stadium that, legend holds, was built with deep dimensions to be "Bonds-proof."
A crowd of 42,497 reacted with more cheers then boos. It was fitting he tied Aaron's record against the Padres. Bonds' 87 home runs against them are his most against any opponent. Hensley became the 445th pitcher to surrender one.
After homering, Bonds walked three times. When he left in the eighth for pinch-runner Rajai Davis, Bonds received a standing ovation from a large segment of the crowd.
His next opportunity to pass Aaron is expected to be Monday, when the Giants open a seven-game homestand with the first of four games against the Washington Nationals. Even before Saturday's game, manager Bruce Bochy said Bonds probably will rest in today's series finale.
At 7:29 PDT, four hours after completing an unusual, 40-minute round of early batting practice, Bonds came to the plate on a warm evening, with plenty of sunlight still bathing the office buildings and hotels that compose the skyline beyond the 3-year-old stadium. As usual, flashbulbs popped incessantly as soon as he made his way to the batter's box, although their effect was muted in the dusk.
Bonds took the first three pitches, a strike and two balls, before slamming the 2-1 pitch to the opposite field. He had no doubt he made history.
Bonds stood and watched the record-tying home run sail away. Left fielder Scott Hairston retreated as far as he could, stuck his back against the left-field wall and did not bother to look up and watch the baseball sail over the fence. A scrum for the ball ensued among the bleacher fans. It was retrieved by Adam Hughes, 33, of nearby La Jolla -- a city whose Spanish name translates to "The Jewel."
Bonds dropped his bat, punched his palm and clapped his hands as he started to run. There were no histrionics, only a satisfied 360-foot trot.
The fans, already on their feet, provided a mixed reaction that stood as a fitting symbol of the divisiveness Bonds has engendered during his chase for the record.
The cheers, many from Giants fans in a hostile house, reflected their appreciation for Bonds' feat, matching a record that had stood for 33 years. The boos reflected the anger of many baseball fans who believe Bonds achieved this milestone only because he took performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds' son and batboy, Nikolai, charged out of the dugout on the third-base side of the field as the ball cleared the fence. When Bonds reached the plate he lifted Nikolai with one arm and continually slammed him on the back with the other, walking several steps along the way.
Commissioner Bud Selig was present, a reluctant spectator. As Bonds rounded the bases, ESPN cameras showed Selig standing in his box, looking indifferent, his hands appearing to be in his pants pockets.
Selig later issued a statement that read, "Congratulations to Barry Bonds as he ties Major League Baseball's home run record. No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds' achievement is noteworthy and remarkable."
Bonds hugged on-deck hitter Ryan Klesko then greeted the rest of his teammates, who emerged from the dugout. They stood on the field only a short time before Bonds walked to his wife, Elizabeth, and daughter Aisha, who were seated in a box behind the plate. Bonds kissed both through the protective netting of the foul-ball screen.
Bonds then hugged Sue Burns, the Giants' principal investor, tipped his helmet to the crowd, walked into the dugout, sat down and smiled, knowing that his next home run will leave him atop the all-time list.
Bonds hit his 754th home run against Florida at home on July 27. Since then he was 2-for-18 with a pair of singles. Frustrated by his slump, he spent 40 minutes on the field Saturday afternoon, from 2:50 to 3:30, taking early batting practice, a rarity for Bonds. Bochy himself threw to Bonds for half an hour and batting coach Joe Lefebvre the other 10 minutes.
Bonds took 113 swings over 11 rounds, alternating in the cage with rookies Fred Lewis and Davis and hitting 17 balls out.
"He wanted some early hitting," Bochy said. "Joe wanted to work on some things, he and Joe. He got a lot of swings in. Barry's got a lot of pride. He wasn't happy with some things. I thought he swung good. He was pleased. He thought he found something."
Bonds did find something a few hours later, what it feels like to share baseball's all-time home-run record. In one respect, Bochy can say he helped Bonds achieve it.
"I had some good stuff today," he joked before the game.
No. 755 tied the game 1-1 after Scott Hairston homered against rookie Pat Misch, making his first career start for the Giants. It was Hairston's third homer in four innings against the Giants. He tied Friday's game with a three-run homer in the eighth and won the game with a homer in the 10th.
Bonds walked to start the fourth inning and scored on an infield out by Bengie Molina, which followed a Klesko double. The Padres tied the game 2-2 in the fifth on an RBI triple by Mike Cameron.

Mr. C Howard Cosell From Heaven With Piper At Bauer's Party

2007-07-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Bauer's All Star Game Party - MLB All Star Game

2007-07-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

This party was held July 10th after the MLB All Star Game at Ruby Skye in San Francisco and attracted a room full of stars and beautiful people. The party , which was hosted by SF Giants' Rich Aurilia and his wife Raquel Aurilia, was well attended and featured her perfomance as well as two DJ's and other musicians.

The party was on two levels and featured not just three well-stocked bars, but two large food tables. This is the second major sports related party thrown by Bauer's Transportation and Gary Bauer. The first one was The Bauer's Pure Rush Party in Miami, Florida.

I'll have to give Raquel her props, as her band presented a great mello yet moving sound. I'd never heard of her until this event, but now I'm a fan.

SF Limo Service Tour | Bauer's Limo Video

2007-07-07T01:24:00.000-07:00

MLB All Star Game Party At Ruby Skye - July 10th, 2007

2007-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Rich and Raquel Aurilia host the Green All Star Jam at San Francisco's Ruby Sky at 420 Mason St., July 10th from 8:30 AM to 2 AM to benefit Saveit. A limited number of pre-sale tickets for the hosted event will be priced at $300 for Black VIP (including private access to all athetes, models, and celebrities, access to all designated VIP areas) and $85 general admission

Click here: MLB All Star Game Party for tickets and information.

TheAList.org Promotes Bauer's All-Star Game Party!

2007-06-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

TheAList.org (24,000 subscribers/over a million hits per month) has been secured to help promote the upcoming Bauer's Transportation All-Star Game Party. Here's the particulars of the event:

When:
Tuesday, July 10, 2007, 5:00 PM - 1:30 AM

Where:
TBA, San Francisco, CA
(We'll be making the announcement the week of June 18)

Contact:
Valerie Britt
allstarparty@TheAList.org

Step up to the plate with Rich Aurilia, Bauer's Limousine, TheAList.org + 1200 of your closest friends, for this once in a lifetime experience.

Party the night away at Rich Aurilia's MLB All-Star Athletes' and Celebrities' Celebration benefiting SaveIt Foundation

Baseball's All-Star Game is sports' premier All-Star event. On June 10th, the All-Stars will gather in San Francisco and we're going to get you up close and personal with some of today's biggest sports stars and celebrities.

Invited Athletes, Celebrities and Who's Who:
Rich Aurilia (Giants infielder), Raquel Aurilia (singer/songwriter), Barry Zito (Giants pitcher), Al Harrington (Warriors), Britt Bockius (Rodeo), Byron Davis (Warriors), Gavin Newsom (Mayor of San Francisco), Jason Giambi (Yankees), Jason Richardson (Warriors), Joe Nicholas, Larry the Cable Guy, Mark Sweeney (Giants), Rick Sutcliffe (Broadcaster), Stephen Jackson (Warriors), Toby Keith (Musician), Tom Brady (Patriots quarterback), Tuff Hedeman (World Champion Bullrider), + many more to be named...

Featuring:

• A walk down the “Green” Carpet, with media coverage and photographers
• OPEN BAR
• Live entertainment provided by Chris Clouse, DJ Solomon, and singer/songwriter Raquel Aurilia

Tickets: Bauer's All Star Game Tickets

Pure Rush Party - Hooter Girls, Michelle Nunes, Stacey Burns with Chris Myers of Fox Sports

2007-06-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

This rare video is part of a larger video taken at the Bauer's Pure Rush Super Bowl Party on February 4th 2007.

It features The Hooter Girls including Michelle Nunes and Stacey Burns, with Chris Myers of Fox Sports and Gary Bauer of Bauer's Transportation and the producer of the Bauer's Pure Rush Party.

Speed Racer and Mach 5 Come Alive In Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci's Live Action Movie

2007-06-10T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ok. When I was a kid, I lived for the cartoon "Speed Racer" and wanted to have a car just like the Mach 5 . If you remember the show from the 60s, Speed was constantly in a battle for racing supremacy with Racer X. But more important to car freaks like me was the Mach 5 itself and what it could do. It had twin retractable cutting blades that allow it to slice trees in a forest.

With the push of a button the car could seal passengers and travel underwater, while a periscope allowed a view of the elements above water. The Mach 5 had a before-its-time robot homing pidigeon that could fly around and come back to the car. It had "super jacks" on all four wheels which permitted it not only to be lifted off the ground, but cause the car to jump over creeks and rivers. The tires were fitted with extendable special treads for ice-covered pavement driving. And finally, the thing was just plain cool to look at: sleek, long hood, arrow fenders that cut through the wind. The Mach 5 was the real star of Speed Racer.

Now, we have the live-action version of the cartoon, brought to you by Matrix directors the Wachowski brothers, produced by Joel Silver, and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The Mach 5 will be an actual vehicle in the film. Instead of being driven on pavement, it will be hung from a crane and have its effects computer-generated. The real Mach 5 was unvealed last week and from what you see here, I think they got it right. Here's the car in this video:

Gary Bauer - How Bauer's Worldwide Transportation Was Built

2007-05-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

How Gary Bauer Built a Company on Three Hours of Sleep

SAN FRANCISCO — While most kids his age were sleeping late, Gary Bauer, founder of Bauer's Worldwide Transportation, was taking a decidedly different approach.
As a precocious high school student, his first job was window cleaning. Next he was operating his own landscaping company in Marin County during the day, and transporting his buddies at night in a Caddy he bought for $3,000.

"I would do landscaping from six in the morning to six at night and drive the Caddy from 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m." said Bauer, who grew up in Novato and now lives in Foster City. "I would get about three hours a sleep a night, six days a week."

Now, the man who aspired to be a financial investor owns a fleet of 135 luxury vehicles, including state-of-the-art business shuttles, stretch Navigators, and San Francisco Cable Cars, Bauer can afford to sleep a little more and he does, by his admission, he's getting "four hours of sleep a night."

Bauer's transportation service began with the aforementioned Cadillac and steadily grew exponentially. In 1994, Bauer moved his company from Marin County to 17th Street and Harrison in San Francisco, and in 2000, he relocated to Pier 27, where the business operates with 165 employees, including 110 trained chauffeurs who transport thousands of people daily.

Bauer's Worldwide Transportation has exclusive partnerships with major sports franchises in the Bay Area and an extensive program shuttling workers to the Google Inc. complex in Silicon Valley.

Along with continually expanding his transportation service, Bauer also created California Coach Sales, which customizes vehicles and pioneered models such as the stretch Navigator and Hummer.

His work ethic aside, Bauer's most impressive attribute may be his progressive environmental advocacy. Highlighting his company's "Corporate Green Initiative" is the fact that 85% of the miles his vehicles travel do so with alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel, and propane. He is looking into other outlets such as hybrids and electric vehicles.

"We think it's very important to promote responsible environmental practices," Bauer said. "Ever since I started my landscaping business, I've always wanted to maintain a strong support for a healthy environment."

Along with using eco-friendly alternative fuels, Bauer has also created SaveIt, a charitable outlet that donates proceeds of the company's profits to help build and maintain parks and green spaces in various Bay Area communities.

"SaveIt is a way of giving back to the areas that use our services," Bauer said. "We know we’re in the position to create positive change, and we want to continue to do so."

Source: San Francisco Examiner

About Gary Bauer - Bauer's Limousine CEO - San Francisco, CA

2007-05-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

The SF Examiner captures Bauer's Worldwide Transportation's President Gary Bauer in this story. He's going to become the king of Hybrid Cars if he keeps this up!

Gary Bauer: From high school entrepreneur to limo executive

(Jason Steinberg/Special to The Examiner)

Gary Bauer is the president and CEO of Bauer’s Worldwide Transportation, which operates a fleet of 135 luxury vehicles.
SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - While most kids his age were lazing idly and sleeping in late, Gary Bauer, founder of Bauer’s Worldwide Transportation, was taking a decidedly different approach.

As a precocious high school student, Bauer was already operating his own landscaping company in Marin County during the day, and transporting his buddies at night in a Cadillac he bought for $3,000.

“I would do landscaping from 6 in the morning to 6 at night, and drive the Cadillac from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.” said Bauer, who grew up in Novato and now lives in Foster City. “I would get about three hours a sleep a night, six days a week.”

Now, with a fleet of 135 luxury vehicles, including state-of-the-art business shuttles, stretch Navigators and San Francisco Cable Cars, Bauer can afford to sleep a little more, and he does — by his admission, he’s getting “four hours of sleep a night.”

Bauer’s transportation service began with the aforementioned Cadillac and steadily grew exponentially. In 1994, Bauer moved his company from Marin County to 17th Street and Harrison in San Francisco, and in 2000, he relocated to Pier 27, where the business operates with 165 employees, including 110 trained chauffeurs who transport 12,00 people daily.

Bauer’s Worldwide Transportation has exclusive partnerships with major sports franchises in the Bay Area and an extensive program shuttling workers to the Google Inc. (GOOG) complex in Silicon Valley.

Along with continually expanding his transportation service, Bauer also created California Coach Sales, which customizes vehicles and pioneered models such as the stretch Navigator and Hummer.

His work ethic aside, Bauer’s most impressive attribute may be his progressive environmental advocacy. Highlighting his company’s “Corporate Green Initiative” is the fact that 85 percent of the miles his vehicles travel do so with alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel and propane. He is looking into other outlets such as hybrids and electric vehicles.

“We think it’s very important to promote responsible environmental practices,” Bauer said. “Ever since I started my landscaping business, I’ve always wanted to maintain a strong support for a healthy environment.”

Along with using eco-friendly alternative fuels, Bauer has also created SaveIt, a charitable outlet that donates proceeds of the company’s profits to help build and maintain parks and green spaces in various Bay Area communities.

“SaveIt is a way of giving back to the areas that use our services,” Bauer said. “We know were in the position to create positive change, and we want to continue to do so.”

Business
Last project: Consolidating hotel shuttles around SFO to reduce emissions and congestion

Number of e-mails a day: 200

Voicemails: 65

Web site: Google

Perks: Meeting exciting influential people in the business world

Education: San Diego State University

Last conference: National Limousine Association — Day on Capitol Hill

First job: Window cleaning

Original aspirations: Financial investor

Career objective: To continue the growth of our “Green Initiatives” by being a leader within the corporate transportation industry

Personal
Age: 37

Height: 5’11”

Likes: Positive, upbeat, motivated individuals

Hometown: Novato

Sports/Hobbies: Jet Ski riding, water skiing, boating and snowskiing

Transpiration: Lexus hybrid

Favorite restaurant: Slanted Door

Computer: Toshiba Satellite

Vacation spot: Bahamas

Favorite clothier: Custom-made suits

Role model: Anthony Robbins

Reading: Business systems and motivational books

Motivation: Seeing my team excel on a daily basis

The Bionic Woman Is Remade - Michelle Ryan Stars

2007-05-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

I remember the Bionic Woman TV show from the 70s, as I watched it when it came on. Being a fan of the $ Six Million Dollar Man, it was easy to take to The Bionic Woman, but after a time, I liked it better than the show with Lee Majors.

It was more melodrama than action, which is fine with me. Plus, I liked the idea of a strong woman.

Now, we have a 21st Century remake of The Bionic Woman . But this one has the 22-year old English chick named Michelle Ryan from The East Enders, who plays a great Jamie Sommers.

The entire idea of the show is more -- sinister -- there's a top secret organization, not a government division this time. And the man who calls himself "her landlord" is not likable. Indeed, he's more like the original Oscar Goldman in the Six Million Dollar Man.

For more on the show, see the webpage at NBC.

Here's a video of a scene from the pilot that's going to air on NBC:

David Eick of Battlestar Gallactica's the executive producer. In the view below, he explains what he's trying to achieve:

Christina Aguilera - Another Maxim Top 100 Girl - Candyman Video

2007-05-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera , who has the new song Candyman, should be in a Bauer's Intelligent Transportation limo or Hybrid Car. See her video here:

Galileja Montijo - The Next Paris Hilton?

2007-05-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Galilea Montijo has surfaced as the focus of an unseen sex tape, not unlike that with Paris Hilton in it. She was born June 5, 1973 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and is a Mexican actress, who participated in the reality show Big Brother 3 VIP and in the second season of Bailando por un Sueño (Dancing for a Dream). She's also one of Maxim's Hot 100 Girls for 2006.

Whatever the case, she's hot and probably uses Bauer's Limos for transportation. Here's her video:

KFOG Kboom - San Francisco Show - Video

2007-05-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

Kenny w. Sheperd at KFOG Kaboom show 14th annual May 12 2007 in San Francisco. Here's the video:

The Indigo @ Yard Dogs Road Show In San Francisco

2007-05-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

We're not sure who The Indigo are, but they're fun, look good, and performed in San Francisco, where Bauer's Intelligent Transportation users flock to.

Here's their video:

Fujiya & Miyagi Bimbo's 365 Club SF

2007-05-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Bimbo's 365 Club in San Francisco is one of the favored destinations of Bauer's Intelligent Transportation users. The club recently as of this writing, hosted the band Fujiya & Miyagi . Here's the video from that event:

Ron Paul Shakes Up Republican Debate - Giuliani Attacks

2007-05-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ron Paul, who again won a poll conducted by a major media outlet, got into a controversial argument with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the hero of the New York recovery from 9-11.

The Nation has the discussion.

2006 Lincoln Town Car Limousine

2007-05-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

If you've ever wondered what's in a 2006 Lincoln Town Car Limousine, here's your presentation at the Ford Fleet Sales website. As far as I'm concerned, the car needs its own separate website.

You can rent Lincoln Limousine's at Bauer's Intelligent Transportation.

City of San Francisco Largest To Use Biodiesel

2007-05-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

According to this blog , the City of San Francisco's the largest to use Biodiesel. San Francisco's the location of Bauer's Limo, too, which provides Hybrid Cars for rent. An innovative culture.

Paris Hilton Emotionally Upset Over Looming Jail TIme

2007-05-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Others on the blogsphere have laughed at this news that Paris Hilton's emotionally upset about her presumed jail time, but I don't. If she's having this problem now, she may be a suicide risk, and this news should be taken seriously.

I personally think Paris should get home arrest rather than 45-days in jail.

Garrison Keillor On Barack Obama - Gives His Endorsement

2007-05-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Folktale legend Garrison Keillor gives what reads as an endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for president when he remarked:

"Barack Obama is an outsider who found the center. He is completely new, a break from the old rhetoric; a guy who doesn't pummel the old straw men or seem put together by pollsters. He has youth, cool intelligence, an unabashed love of country, and it's exciting to imagine him in the White House.

"He is a rebel who got over himself and discovered the beauty of the American cadence. Not like the Current Occupant, who came from the privileged mainstream and is still flailing against it, the Iraq war his latest attempt to prove that he knows better than his father.

"People who are dubious about a Clinton Restoration are mighty taken with Senator Obama, who seems to hear the drummer the rest of us hear. The beautiful old tune about picking up our feet and redeeming our promise and bringing people back together. Eight years of corruption and deliberate ignorance. Time for the big dogs to move over and let the skinny dog run."

He said this in an article in the May 13th Minneapolis Tribune.

It's clear that

Ron Paul Being Ignored By Mainstream Press and MySpace - Technorati

2007-05-13T16:43:00.000-07:00

This isn't a post in support of Ron Paul, but a statement of fact; the mainstream press is trying to ignore this libertarian Republican who actually not just leading, but according to one account "demolishing" other Republican candidates in online polls.

According to an MSNBC poll, Ron Paul "stood out from the other candidates" according to a wild 47 percent of those who elected to answer the poll. There was no other close competitor. This bit of interesting news wan't even explained by MSNBC itself.

It's also reported that MySpace is paying no attention to Ron Paul's candidacy.

What's going on?

It's an attempt to manufacture consent by the mainstream media. But the simple fact that -- as of this writing -- he's the number one topic on Technorati means that eventually, they'll have to pay attention to him.

Bauer's San Francisco Party Bus Video Tour

2007-04-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.bauerslimousine.com - If you've ever wondered what it's like to actually be on a party bus, here's your chance. Bauer's Worldwide Transportation has the best fleet of party buses available for the Golden State Warriors Playoff games, SF Giants and Oakland A's games, Police concerts, and Oakland Raiders football tilts.

As this video tour will show, these party buses are very well stocked and high tech in design.

To rent the party bus, just contact Bauer's Transportation at 1-800-Limo-Out

Google Goes Green - Bauer's Shuttle Service - Annika Mengisen, The Street.Com

2007-04-20T14:52:00.000-07:00

Gary Bauer, President, Bauer's Transportation

This is from Annika Mengisen's article on Bauer's shuttle service used by Google.

Green for Good

By Annika Mengisen
TheStreet.com Staff Reporter
4/20/2007 9:20 AM EDT
Click here for more stories by Annika Mengisen

Something about Earth Day irks me.

It's not because I want to see my planet's resources depleted to the point where lunar real estate looks appealing, but rather that it fires up protestors who believe that cardboard signs and caustic slogans shouted from megaphones will open corporate eyes to the correct moral path.

Companies that offer green services know their corporate clients need more incentive than a clean conscience and a Cat Stevens song. Some of them are proving that Earth-friendly makes good business sense, too.

Driving Change

It's no surprise that Bauer's Worldwide Intelligent Transportation's Corporate Green Solution in San Francisco is considered one of Google's (GOOG - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) biggest employee incentives.

About 2,500 Google employees get chauffeured to and from the office in Bauer's fully equipped compressed natural gas vehicles with leather interiors, Wi-Fi and tables for conferencing. The drive takes half the time of an individual commute, thanks to HOV lanes, and employees can relax or get work done through an otherwise stressful and unproductive morning commute.

But Google's motives aren't solely altruistic. This perk draws employees to the company, increases potential work time and gives Google the "green" look -- the new key to coolness and a customer-friendly corporate image.

"Just look at the Oscars," says Bauer's CEO and founder, Gary Bauer, "and all the [celebrities] coming out of hybrids."

While hybrids used to be associated with squat-looking cars, "you don't have old funky-looking vehicles anymore. [Hybrids] are cool now. It's a trend," he says, describing the sleek, popular cars.

At Google, Bauer continues, some employees regularly ride their bikes to work. "Engineers and tech type people are very into what goes on around them," he explains. "They appreciate [the green ride] ."

"Transport to and from work is the No. 1 employee incentive," he says. "It's a big benefit to the company at the end of the day."

"A lot of [my corporate clients] realize that the service makes them look good as a company ... but a lot of companies are just doing it because it's the right thing," says Bauer, who also offers chauffeured luxury transportation in hybrid 2007 Lexus RX SUVs at a price similar to that for regular limousines.

Bauer's company is one of the largest limousine companies to take the green initiative, with 85% of his miles run on clean-air vehicles.

"We're taking less from the environment and giving more to our clients," he says.

Bauer's Limousine & Transportation Service - Shuttle Provides Rides to Google Employees - Source: New York Times

2007-04-17T09:06:00.001-07:00

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIF. — The perks of working at Google Inc. are the envy of Silicon Valley. Unlimited amounts of free, chef-prepared food at all times of the day. A climbing wall, a volleyball court, and two lap pools. On-site car washes, oil changes, and haircuts, not to mention free doctor checkups.

But the biggest perk is the morning Limo Shuttle commute. Google will not discuss the cost of the program, which it operates through Bauer's Limousine & Transportation Service, a private transportation company in San Francisco owned by NLA Second Vice President, Gary Bauer. But the shuttles appear to be having the desired effect on recruiting.

The company now shuttles about 1,200 employees to and from Google daily, nearly one-fourth of its local workforce, aboard 32 shuttle buses equipped with comfortable leather seats and wireless Internet access. Bicycles are allowed on exterior racks, and dogs on forward seats, or on their owners' laps if the buses run full.

The shuttles, which carry up to 37 passengers each and display no sign suggesting they carry Googlers, have become a fixture of local freeways. They run 132 trips every day to some 40 pickup and drop-off locations in more than a dozen cities, crisscrossing six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and traveling more than 7,000 miles.

Bauer's Limousine & Transportation Service - Shuttle Provides Rides to Google Employees - Source: New York Times

2007-04-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Lincoln Town Car Beats Lexus SC430 In Drag Race - Video

2007-04-11T17:15:00.000-07:00

In this video, a Lincoln Town Car was put up against a Lexus SC430 in a drag race between non-racing cars. Now anyone seeing this would put their money on the Lexus to win -- wrong.

The Lincoln won by 22/100th of a second.

What this says is that the Lincoln's more of a performance car than its marketing would lead people to think. Check out the video:

Lincoln - Lincoln Town Car Limousine in Black - Video

2007-04-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

This video features the 2003 Lincoln Town Car Limousine, from stem to stern, interior to exterior.

MR. - San Francisco's Financial District - Barber, Bar, And Lounge

2007-04-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

Big TV, beer, barber -- a man's one-stop shop
Ilana DeBare, SF Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, April 6, 2007

Beth Schnitzer was sipping champagne by the bar and glancing at a baseball game on the big high-definition TV. John Gart-land was relaxing with a pint of beer on a black leather sofa. Kumi Walker was moving furniture around to prepare for a March Madness party later that evening.

Right next to him, Adam Kennedy was getting a really sharp haircut.

"The haircut's great, the atmosphere's great, the conversation's great, and the people hanging out here are great," said Kennedy, who joined his friend Gartland for a beer when the haircut was done.

Bar? Barbershop?
Or both?

MR. -- which opened last month in San Francisco's Financial District -- is an unusual startup that combines upscale men's barbering with a bar and lounge.

Conceived by two 28-year-old Stanford business school grads, MR. is not your corner clip joint. Instead of individual haircuts, it sells monthly memberships for men, like a health club. It's open until 10 p.m. for drinking and socializing by both men and women. The bar's glass countertop displays pricey men's accessories such as wallets and flasks for sale to patrons.
Co-owners Kumi Walker and Sean Heywood envision the Sacramento Street shop as the first in a chain that will spread to cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and Chicago.

And they benchmark themselves not against other hair salons but against giant hospitality brands such as Four Seasons hotels or Starbucks.

"If this were just about one barbershop, it would be a loss for both of us," Walker said.
"We didn't go to Stanford to own a barbershop," agreed Heywood. "We went to Stanford to learn about creating a brand."
Walker and Heywood aren't the first entrepreneurs to try an upscale, branded approach to men's grooming. The Art of Shaving opened in 1996 and today has 20 retail stores -- including one in Westfield San Francisco Centre -- that each year sell more than $25 million of expensive shaving paraphernalia such as $250 razor-and-brush sets.

American Male is a national chain of 16 salons, including one in Mountain View, that offer "hand detailing" instead of manicures and "body finishing" instead of waxing.

But no one has yet created the kind of large market for expensive men's haircuts that Starbucks did for expensive cups of coffee.

"This is an untapped area," said Marianne Dougherty, editor in chief of American Salon magazine. "People are still thinking about how to get men in (to salons) and how to get them to spend more money."

MR. differs from other upscale men's salons in several ways. One is its founders' backgrounds.

Rather than coming out of the beauty industry, Walker and Heywood worked at high-powered financial firms such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs and the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. after meeting as undergraduates at Brown University.
The two friends realized they wanted more autonomy than they could expect in corporate America. They came up with the idea of opening a barbershop -- but a barbershop reinvented for the 21st century. Then they went to business school to prepare themselves.

"Whether you are Republican or Democrat, East Coast or West Coast, white, black or Latino, every individual gets their hair cut," Heywood said. "We realized that it's something most men are pretty underwhelmed with. The barbershop is the only thing not consistent with the aesthetic characteristics we expect from the rest of our lives."

Walker and Heywood envisioned something more fashionable than Supercuts but not as female-focused as the typical hair salon.

They also wanted to replicate the role that barbershops played as a social hub in the African American communities where they grew up.

But they wanted their shop to be inclusive and welcoming to all ethnic groups. So their barbers are cross-trained to handle all kinds of hair.

"Historically, this is a very segregated business, with African American barbershops serving a 100 percent African American clientele, Asian barbershops serving an Asian clientele, and so on," Heywood said.

"It's tough being two African Americans pitching anything in the grooming space," Walker said. "People's initial reaction is, 'This must be an African American barbershop.' But we see ourselves like the Four Seasons -- not defined by race, but as a hospitality business."

One challenge facing upscale men's salons such as MR. is generating enough income, since men typically spend much less on grooming than women do.

"One of the reasons this market has been tough is that men are less willing to pay $50 for a haircut," said Jim Ellis, a Stanford business lecturer who taught Walker and Heywood. "If you're used to going to the local barber for $13, how do you justify spending $50? They've got to make this an 'experience.' "

MR.'s use of memberships rather than service fees may help with this. Memberships start at $65 per month for a haircut and a follow-up trim -- giving patrons an incentive to come in regularly and providing Walker and Haywood with a steady income stream.
The bar and lounge will also be key to turning a profit.

"The bar component is an interesting idea," said Scott Simon, an Oakland hairstylist who considered opening a men's salon with a colleague several years ago but concluded it wouldn't pencil out. "All those extras -- the bar, the retail -- are a big addition."

So far, MR.'s bar and lounge seem to have taken off more quickly than its barbering services.

MR. held a private pre-opening party in February for members of Yelp, the online review site, which generated a lot of positive word of mouth.

Its sleek interior of exposed brick walls, wooden beams, black leather seats and free Wi-Fi has also attracted downtown professionals seeking an offbeat new spot for parties or business networking.

"Every time I go in there, I've met people who are useful to me at work," said Lars Leckie, an associate at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and a business school classmate of the owners. "Every time I go, I end up spending a couple of hours. I get a haircut, I watch TV, I talk to people."

In keeping with Walker and Heywood's philosophy of inclusion, many of the most enthusiastic lounge patrons are women -- even though they can't get a single strand of hair trimmed there.

"I love it because it's a unique venue," said Pier 39 executive Beth Schnitzer, who had been sipping champagne at MR.'s bar while waiting to host a March Madness party there. "It's fun, upscale, intimate. I'd love to get my hair cut here if they had female barbers."

Stretch Hummer | Hummer Limo | Hummer H2 Stretch

2007-04-05T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a neat video of the kind of Hummer H2 stretch limo you can rent from Bauer's Transportation:

Don LaFontaine, John Leader, Al Chalk, Mark Elliot, and Nick Tate - Video

2007-04-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Don LaFontaine, John Leader, Al Chalk, Mark Elliot, and Nick Tate are the greatest movie trailer voice-over artists of our time. The "Big Five" get together in a Lincoln Limo you can rent at Bauer's Limo, and for a trip to the Key Awards.

But what's most fun is the trip itself. Watch how it unfolds!

11 Green Business Ideas - From My Moment Of Life

2007-04-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

This can be seen at My Moment Of Life

THE FUTURE IS GREEN BUSINESS. If you haven’t caught on to this, you need to start paying attention. Global warming, as you have probably realized, is no longer speculation. It is real, and the consequences are approaching faster than anyone imagined. The American government has already dropped the ball, but, ironically, American capitalists are picking up that ball and running with it.

We are on the brink of what will be the biggest economic revolution in the world’s history. Those who catch on to this in time stand to make some serious bread, and what’s more, you can now make your millions and feel good about it. Starting your own business means no boss, you make your own hours, and you get the profits. Green business cater to customers who are committed to a cause. If you support that cause, they will be committed to you. Here is a list of eleven green business ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

1. Eco-friendly House-cleaning. Use only non-toxic all-natural cleaning products. Brainstorm other ways to not only implement green standards but to inspire your customers to think green. For example, supply new customers with brochures that outline ways to save energy in the home, or you could even provide a list of local alternative energy installers who could assist them in taking the next step. House-cleaning is unique because it is up-close and personal, providing the opportunity to teach others how to have an eco-friendly home-life.

2. Hybrid or Biodiesel Taxi Service.

3. Green Remodeling Company. Another slant on this business for someone with a lack of construction knowledge or proper financing would be to broker out existing services. Be the middleman for the homeowner who wants to implement green living but doesn’t know where to start. Handle phone calls, haggle with the specific comapnies involved in the process, and coordinate the comings and goings of the laborers for a flat fee.

4. Bio-diesel Conversion Shop.

5. Organic Catering. Organic food is good for the environment not only because it avoids the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides but because organic foods are usually bought locally, which means less fuel burned for distribution.

6. Organic At-home Chef. As they say, staying in is the new going out! Go the extra mile with the at-home chef idea by keeping your clients involved and showing them hands-on how to prepare healthy, nutritious organic meals for themselves.

7. Organic Fast Food Restaurant. Many Americans don’t give up their usual eating habits because they don’t have time to cook and prepare their own meals with their fast-paced lifestyle. Give them an alternative that supports their fast-paced lifestyles allowing them to make necessary changes to their eating habits.

8. Eco-tourism Guide. Do you live in a tourist town? Set up a local guiding service or information serice showing how to see the local attractions with a minimal amount of impact and an up-close interaction with nature. Most tourist traps became popular due to natural beauty but have become focused on shopping and blowing money. Bring it back to the basics. Guide your tour to the local natural food restaurants. Implement bicycle rides, kayaking tours, and hiking trips. Include a tour of alternative-energy powered homes and businesses in your area. Get creative!

8. Bio-fuel or Hybrid Limo Service. The upper class will lead the green revolution because they already have the discretionary income needed to create change in their lives and are more than willing to communicate their beliefs through their spending power.

9. Bio-diesel Powered Hauling Service. With raging gas prices and environmental concerns looming, many people are opting for smaller vehicles to increase fuel mileage. Less trucks on the road means people will need to hire others to do their heavy work for them.

10. Solar Panel Installer. For training information, go to http://www.solartoday.org/2005/sept_oct05/dream_job.htm

11. Green Business Consultant. Many businesses want to change their ways but do not know where to start. Overlook their transformation and show them how to implement new strategies.

These ideas are only the tip of the iceberg. Any business can become a green business by changing simple strategies and offering slightly different products. Come up with a fresh approach no one has thought of yet or take a traditional home business idea and paint it green. As we proceed into the green revolution, the customers will come to you.

Welcome to Bauer's Blog!

2007-04-04T10:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Bauer's Blog!