Category Archives: Frisco

Frisco Beat: “Mr. Worley in 1963”

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Don

Just got a note in from Keith Young, yet another student in the classes once taught by William Worley, author of the classic San Francisco mystery My Dead Wife. Here’s Keith, verbatim: “A recollection from his class at Lowell. One day … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, Lit | Tagged , , , , |

Frisco Beat: Virginia Rath Returning to the Mean Streets

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Don

Coachwhip has reprints of all the mystery novels by Virginia Rath in the works. Since I’m one of the few vocal proponents of Rath you can track down on the net, track me down they did to ask for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Frisco, Lit, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Frisco Beat: Secret San Francisco

Posted on July 5, 2019 by Don

How about a couple of pics from the panel last Sunday in Jack Kerouac alley? A trifle in front of the stage, to the your left is Vesuvio’s Bar and to the right City Lights Books. At the back Grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, SFSC | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Frisco Beat: In the Alley

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Don

Jeez. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. . . . In three days I’ve got the talk or panel with Signman: John Law in Oakland, a couple of hours, and done. I figured after … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, SFSC | Tagged , , , , |

Tour: Summer & Fall 2019

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Don

Shot above: leading the pack across the intersection of Post and Hyde Streets during the tour by appointment for Sisters in Crime, August 5, 2017. Let’s say you’ve had the Hammett Tour on your bucket list for awhile, or you … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, Tour | Tagged , , |

Hammett: And Fechheimer

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Don

Got a note in from Nathan Ward commenting on the death of P.I. David Fechheimer.  “Here is my Hammett-related obit that was picked up in Crimereads. “Just repaying a debt. “Too bad that guy never wrote his book. “I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Dash, Frisco | Tagged , , , |

Hammett: The Passing of Fechheimer

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Don

Just heard from Terry Zobeck, who heard it from Larry Block, who must read the New York Times, that David Fechheimer died April 2 at the age of 76 — reportedly from complications after open heart surgery. Once again, ouch. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dash, Frisco, Tour | Tagged , , , , , , , |

Frisco Beat: At Least One Guy Hits the Century Mark

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Don

Doing a quick check of the net, it looks as if Lawrence Ferlinghetti turns 100 years old today. The event could have slipped past my radar, except a few days ago I got a deluxe one-sheet poem from D. S. … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, Lit, News | Tagged , , , , |

Frisco Beat: Anniversary 101 for Stan McNail

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Don

As it turned out, the first installment of my short-lived review column for Lit, a literary supplement for The San Francisco Bay Guardian, hit print in May 1995 — timing that allowed me to wrap up the piece with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Frisco, Lit, News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Hammett: Only $227 mil

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Don

Brian Wallace just popped me the news that Sam Spade’s office building in 111 Sutter has sold for a mere 227 million bucks. Makes the sale of Sam Spade’s big cushy armchair for $90,000ish seem like chump change. In addition … Continue reading →

Posted in Dash, Frisco, News | Tagged , |