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Posts published in “Essays”

River Views

The next time you venture to Mendocino you’ll want to step inside Frankie’s Creamery. If you have never been to Frankie’s, what’s wrong with you? — ice cream from Cowlick’s, good pizza, all sorts of…

Prohibition ’37: Anslinger’s Testimony

Continued from last week’s AVA —the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing at which the prohibition of marijuana was considered by Congress. Narration by Fred Gardner. * * * DOUGHTON: Mr. Anslinger, the committee will…

Prince’s Sign O’ The Times

When The Artist Again Known As Prince first exploded into superstardom three decades ago, I had just moved to San Francisco and his music — “Purple Rain,” “Little Red Corvette,” “1999” and so forth, was…

Back In The Hands Of Hippies

I've never been one for heeding others' advice. I'll listen politely, acknowledge its validity, speculate on how to apply it to my situation with the best of intentions. But believe it: tell me the stove is hot and not only will I touch it once, but I will return and do it a few more times in case the first one was a fluke.

$1.50

“Once, during prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.” — W.C. Fields This just in: Ben Affleck, the movie star, is going to try to survive for five…

Rogue Wave

“… for my mind misgives Some consequence yet hanging in the stars Shall bitterly begin his fearful date With this night’s revels… But He, that hath the steerage of my course, Direct my Sail!…” —…

Apotcalypse Now

On April 20th each year, San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district and Golden Gate Park are arguably our beleaguered planet's ground zero for what is loosely referred to "cannabis culture." Why that date? It's a long hazy…

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