Well, you probably already know all you want to know about the Stow Lake Boathouse, but here’s the latest.
(Oh, Joan, this vendor lost 5-0. Was that competition rigged, do you think? I don’t know, if you don’t like Rec and Park, you take it out on the Mayor, right?)
The case against the current operator:
Click to expand
“The local concessioner is being evicted by SF Rec & Park in retaliation for protesting unfair bidding process.”
Uh no, it’s more like local concessioner refuses to leave after losing competition, legal proceedings. IMO.
Let’s see, I can write maudlin headlines too. How could I spin a different type of possible news:
“Beloved, local 68-year-old rapist apprehended by vacationing, off-duty, out-of-state, evil cop from New Mexico. SaveStowLakeRapist.org”
Or something like that.
Now, realize that the boathouse isn’t going anywhere, IRL, but, anyway here are the last gasps of the most ridiculous grass roots effort I’ve ever seen:
“Yet another treasure lost!”
And Phil Ginsburg Lied, People Died, something like that:
Do the blondie Euro tourists care that the Stow Lake Boathouse will have a new operator?
Not in the least!
The only thing left to do is to have a blowout party on September 10th, since, you know, you’re not paying rent anyway:
It’ll cost $500 each* (or best offer) for the faded paddleboats. Apparently, they went for $3000 when new. Apparently, their faded surfaces will “buff out real good.” (But if you’re 5’8″ or taller, you won’t fit in so hot…)
The KTVU was on hand, for the finale:
Maybe they’ll have something for you to watch, sometime. (Oh, here it is. This report is somewhat more maudlin than expected. Realize that the current operators were given extra points for being local, for being in operation for so long. Even with this kind of affirmative action/legacy/locals-only type of assistance, the current operator lost five votes to zero. Oh well.)
All right, as long as nobody torches the place this month (which would take some doing in this kind of foggy weather), look forward to a revivified Stow Lake Boathouse soon…
*Oh, the old paddle boats “start at $200,” per KTVU-TV. Hey, why not buy one and then put rubber tires underneath? You’d be all set for the Burning Man Playa next year, or a Critical Mass or something. Hey, even better, pilot the thing to La Playa in Nevada next year, why not? That would be quite a road trip…