Sam Mondros

2 days ago | sfstandard.com | Sam Mondros

Six giant wooden trolls have invaded the San Francisco Peninsula. Their aim? To lure visitors to the Arcadian redwood forest at Filoli, the Georgian revival estate with sprawling gardens. Children – and intrepid grown-ups – are encouraged to climb on the structures, which are hidden throughout a mile-long looping walking path. Basse Buller, or the Painting Troll, in a grove of redwood trees.

5 days ago | sfstandard.com | Sam Mondros

The Wide Shot celebrates the work of Bay Area photographers, showcasing their latest projects and the behind-the-scenes stories of how they got the shots. The year was 1977, and San Francisco was in the grips of intense social change. Harvey Milk was elected the nation’s first openly gay official, the nascent tech industry was just warming up, and the free love era had given way to a booming counter cultural scene. But none of this was apparent in the slow-moving outer reaches of the Sunset.

1 week ago | sfstandard.com | Sam Mondros

Takeshi Onishi was trying to keep it together Tuesday, as a steady stream of loyal customers came into Japan Video & Media, the retailer of Japanese and Korean films and figurines he founded more than 40 years ago. It was the store’s final day. Tears were shed as customers paid their respects. They left thank you notes in the foyer.  Onishi declined to answer questions, because, according to 20-year employee Maria Suwabe, who stood at his side, he would start to cry if he talked about the closure.

2 weeks ago | sfstandard.com | Max Harrison-Caldwell |Sam Mondros

Buyers who sign up to receive a passcode can purchase tickets during the presale period on May 28 at 10 a.m. The general public can buy tickets two days later. A variety of ticket packages will also be available during the presale period. They include the $1,725 3-day VIP pass, which offers fast entry, exclusive lounges, upgraded bathrooms and a front-row viewing area. The August 1-3 shows are expected to draw up to 60,000 attendees each day at the park’s Polo Fields.

3 weeks ago | sfstandard.com | Sam Mondros

Jim Gohary, managing director and chief financial officer at California Academy of Sciences, abruptly resigned this week, The Standard has learned. Gohary declined to disclose the reason for his resignation, but said it was “unexpected.”The resignation comes at a difficult time for Cal Academy, which has been battling growing financial obstacles and labor unrest for years. Last year, the museum laid off 38 employees.