Ground Zero

Just thinking about the recent passing of SF "person of character," Jay Johnson.

Jay was one of those figures that made San Francisco so unique.  I remember him from when he opened the "Ground Zero" coffee shop in the incredibly dicey Lower Haight area in 1985.

Fast forward a few years, and there was Jay at a different "ground zero."  This one was at his new endeavor , the undeniably Art Deco "Club Deluxe."  With the swing-revival gaining steam, Jay was the one leading both the retro and burgeoning craft-cocktail charges throughout the 90's.

His third endeavor was instrumental in the formation of the Thursday Night Social Club.  With the opening of a second incredibly beautiful Art Deco bar in an Art Deco apartment building in 1993, the Orbit Room became "home base" for TNSC during its inception in late 1996.

But less about us, and more about Jay.  More than just overseeing operations that dispensed magic and dreams, he also was an incredible entertainer.  He possessed an impressive voice with all the nuance of a seasoned Sinatra, but at the same time everything was tempered with an air of cantankerousness when he wasn't on stage.

He will be missed by many, and it's good to know that so much of what he gave to San Francisco will keep on giving.  I'm sure that he's rubbing heavenly elbows with the other cocktail king of Haight Street, Bruno Mooshei, trading stories, and talking about Sinatra.

Here's the official obituary.

This one is for you, Jay.

Linkey-Loo Robot -

AJC

Man Overboard!!!

Ms. Heather Lake "throws out" these links to save this robot's shiny metal ass.

Get your nightclub name here.

For you science nerds, here's some Craft Beer Chemistry.

"You don't have to remind me
I smell like a skunk.
Excuse me, baby but
*hiccup*, I'm drunk!"

Linkey-Loo Robot -

AJC

Young At Heart

Why not get them started early?  It's at least good for a laugh.

And the youngest Tech entrepreneur.  (great.. lives in the Mission)

Lastly, things that only happen in San Francisco (but you knew that already)

** links courtesy of Ms. Heather Lake

"Please don't take the baby to the liquor store
That's not the kind of bottle he's been cryin' for.
Take our milk money and walk right out the door
But please don't take the baby to the liquor store."

Linkey-Loo Robot -

AJC

The Final Frontier

... in watering holes.

Drinking across the country.

And around the world.

And in the final frontier. 

** links courtesy of Ms. Heather Lake

"I got a red car with blue tail lights
Shiny red seats with piping in white
Leopard skin dash with a louvered hood
She goes ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba when she's runnin' good"

Linkey-Loo Robot -

AJC