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About the "No Goods"
The "No Goods" are a loosely associated bunch of old friends. In the mid-1990's, three or four of the "No Goods" lived together on the corner of McAllister and Broderick streets in San Francisco. They used to host a Christmas party which quickly outgrew the confines of their apartment. Each year the party has grown, so has the number of hosts. While the list has varied a bit over the years, most of the hosts of 1998 have been hosts in previous years.
Fireman's Toy Drive
When the "No Goods" Christmas Party started, the hosts wanted to make up for their year of being "No Good" by giving gifts to Charity. They chose to work with the San Francisco Fireman's Toy Drive. During the first couple years, the firemen could not attend the party (They would have to cite us for exceeding the allowable attendance to meet fire-code). However, for the last 3 years they have thoroughly enjoyed our event, and have even brought an antique fire-engine in each of the last 3 years.
The Toys
The "No Goods" party is known as being the best oy raising party of the year. The generosity of the guests is legendary amongst the Firefighters. Not only does this party bring in more presents than any other private Christmas party, the presents are of a much higher caliber than even the office parties.
Previous "No Goods" Christmas Parties
-1997-2000: 7th Note Showplace
For the three years our annual event was held at the 7th Note, we routinely
hosted between 750 and 1,000 guests, donated over 500 toys per year, and also
donated a subsantial amount of cash to the Toy Drive. The nighlight of the three
year run is unquestionably in 2000 when Dave Wakeling (formerly of the English
Beat) was the musical guest and well over 1,000 people came through the doors
in a flawless evening. Due to a change in ownership, we were unable to secure
the venue for 2001.
-1996: Rococo Showplace
Just south of Market on 10th Street in San Francisco is a little known 5,000sq
foot party place called the Rococo Showplace. Guests arrived to find a large
antique fire-engine parked right in front of it's 10th Street entrance. Inside
they were greeted with a coat check and a pair of fire-fighters collecting presents.
These presents were displayed at the base of a 7 foot tree. From the entrance
guests strolled past the beer bar, and sitting rooms, and into the main ballroom.
Upstairs there was a billiard table on the balcony overlooking the ballroom.
The party had approximately 500 guests.
-1995: Jack's Bar, Fisherman's Wharf
Jack's Bar offered a huge variety of beers, and allowed for a lot of overflow
space just in case the party grew beyond the confines of our private room, which
it did. Upstairs held about 400 guests, the balance lingered downstairs. Nathan's
Hand played two rockin' sets, and we went through about 10 kegs. This was the
first year the firemen were able to attend. We've had the same two firemen every
year since.
1994 Warehouse in China Basin
Out in those avenues named after states the "No Goods" rented a huge warehouse
with four main rooms. One held the band. Another had pool tables. A third had
a bar with four keg taps, and the last was used as a reception area. About 300
people were able to find the event, with only one needing to be removed: apparently
an 18 year old guest tried to steal the tip jar.
1992 &1993 McAllister and Broderick
For the first couple years, the party was held in a huge apartment just off
Divisadero. For both years the McAllister and Broderick apartment held Patrick
Toland, and Fred Rubenstein, although many other friends lived in the apartment
at one time or another including Mary Hallet, Sean Corrigan, Roger Bohl, Craig
Powers, and Sarah Buckley. These parties were known for the mystery punch, and
jello shots which seemed to lead to interesting stories.