If you've picked this up, you more than likely fit into one of three categories: a) Locals who are tired of having to save up to go out and have fun once in a while, b) Visitors who want to find out what locals like to do or what the City has to offer besides wharfs and bridges, or c) One of my family or friends.

The idea for The Skinny changed several times before I finally set it in motion and this incarnation is, among other things, my ode to San Francisco. Growing up in a place I didn't like made the City's endless possibilities and 'anything goes' attitude that much more refreshing when I moved here. I'm always discovering new and interesting things about SF and the people in it. I love its perfect combination of dense, bustling city and gorgeous natural landscapes, and that it's full of talented people doing extraordinary things - people like Daniel Handler, an effortlessly creative writer with about five projects in the works; Micke Tong, an amazing painter and illustrator; and local pop-rockers Loquat and fashion label Nisa, both about to make it big.

I've lived in the Mission ever since I moved to San Francisco six years ago, so it was the natural choice for the first neighborhood The Skinny covered. Some of my favorite things about the Mission include the view from the southwest corner of Dolores Park; getting two huge bags of veggies for about $8 at 23rd and Mission Produce; hiking the insanely steep incline on 21st Street, between Dolores and Sanchez, and the surrounding staircase gardens; and living a block from Valencia and its umpteen restaurants and shops.

That it's one of the more diverse and constantly morphing areas of the City made it a challenge to keep up with; even after the years I've lived here and all the legwork and research I've done for this issue, I'm overwhelmed with all that I still don't know about the Mission. So this is in no way a comprehensive guide to the area, nor will any future issue be for any neighborhood we're exploring; I still have a page-long list of people, places and things I didn't have a chance to investigate. But I've accepted my limitations as a financially challenged human girl and am satisfied that I've done my best to turn everyone on to at least one place they'd never heard of.

The Skinny would never have come together without the help of my amazingly talented, generous and patient friends and family who've come through for me over and over again. I especially have to thank Chris, Earl, Mom & Stanley, Daniel, Becker, Josh, Travis, Trina, Karen, Micke, Ben, Grandma, Dad & Jan, Raphael, the Lopez family, the Lautz family, Miriam, Marla; Laura, Ethan, Mary, Chris and Susan at the Grotto; the Nisa girls, Alicia, LSC, Emily, David, Naomi, Lise, Kylee, my models, Precita Eyes, and everyone else who supported and encouraged me during the last two years as I babbled on about "the magazine." I must also thank Grae, who first planted the seed during that bizarre trip to Montreal.

Thank you again for picking up our first issue - enjoy (and tell everyone you know)!

Jennifer Elks
Editor & Publisher
jen@skinnymag.com