YEAR OF THE CUPCAKE
Pottery and bronze are the traditional gifts for eighth anniversaries, but this year, people might consider substituting cupcakes. For the eighth anniversary of Marina-born Kara’s Cupcakes at 3249 Scott Street, the company’s founder, president, and executive pastry chef Kara Haspel Lind planned a three-hour birthday party at the bakery, beginning at 1 p.m. on Nov. 1. She has lots to celebrate; not only is it difficult enough to keep a new company going for one year, let alone eight, but she has operated the business in a green-friendly manner and has even donated more than $4.5 million in cash and cupcakes to various Bay Area causes. So you can feel extra good about popping into Kara’s Cupcakes to congratulate them on their birthday this month (karascupcakes.com).
LEFT COAST TREATS
West Coast Wine-Cheese is now open at 2165 Union Street in the former La Belle Crêpe space (westcoastsf.com). Husband-and-wife team and Marina residents Chris Wanner and Lindsey Repose are offering wine sourced exclusively from California, Oregon, and Washington, along with a rotating selection of regionally sourced artisanal cheese and charcuterie, plus salads, small plates, snacks, and sweets from the Chestnut Bakery.
CAN UNION STREET ASSOCIATION GRAB THE PRIZE AGAIN?
Last year, San Francisco Travel said the Union Street Association “blew us away with their festive twinkles and tinsel,” which earned them the top prize in the annual Illuminate SF campaign showcasing holiday lights and decor. We’re sure that will inspire Union Street’s merchants to try extra hard this year to out-do themselves.
Union Street always becomes an enchanting place during the holidays, and thousands of you will be heading there this holiday season. Send a photo of your favorite holiday lighting and decorations this season to [email protected], and it may appear in an upcoming issue.
ALL STAR DONUTS EXITS
The Marina Times has heard from numerous folks sad to see All Star Donuts close the doors of its 2095 Chestnut Street store. Twenty-eight years after it opened in 1986, All Star posted a sign saying “Lost our lease. Closed Monday 9/22/14. Thank you for your support.” The owners are reportedly searching for a new location for their 24-hour-a-day shop; we hope they are successful in this tight retail rental market so people will once again be able to enjoy their classic donut holes, apple fritters, and more.
In the meantime, we hear that All Stars’ old location will be filled with a teriyaki spot.
HEART OF THE MATTER
Athletic Heart of San Francisco has opened its doors at 2000 Van Ness Avenue (athleticheartsf.com). It bills itself as “the first dedicated sports cardiology clinic in the Bay Area,” and it addresses the concern many sports participants and their parents have been raising about heart conditions in sports.
“Sports cardiology is a new discipline developed to promote sports-specific knowledge,” said Dr. Michel Accad, Athletic Heart’s founder and a fellow of The American College of Cardiology. He is also a member of ACC’s new subsection focused on sports cardiology. “Athletes have unique circumstances related to the demands of their exercise activity, and sports cardiology fosters a highly personalized approach. We strive to get to know our patients well and to understand their individual needs.”
THE ART OF ART
The Dryansky Gallery, a fine art gallery featuring painting, photography, sculpture, and works on paper debuted last month at 2120 Union Street and plans to feature both emerging and established international and Bay Area artists (thedryansky.com). It celebrated its Cow Hollow home with a grand opening reception Oct. 23, featuring an exhibit by co-owner Geoffrey Dryan. Check their schedule for upcoming exhibits and events.
THE FOOD TRUCK OF FITNESS
That’s what Nathan Amy calls his new fitness company in San Francisco, Kokoda (kokodafit.com). Amy, a native of Australia, offers a mobile fitness truck that provides on-site group fitness classes with a range of equipment. Its first San Francisco location is at beautiful Crissy Field on Jauss Street; it plans to add a second location soon at Baker Beach in the West Presidio.
OVERHEARD ON DOWNTOWN MUNI/BART STATION ESCALATOR
Man to friend: Ugh. Smells like urine. If they made this smell like bacon, this would be the best station in the world.
