We had a hot spell a couple weeks ago. (To be perfectly honest, we’re having a hot spell right now.) In mid July, though, the temperatures rose even higher than they are right now, and brothers all over the Bay Area shucked their shirts in an effort to beat the heat. Driving along Bancroft Avenue (in Oakland) on my way to Zocalo Cafe (in San Leandro), it seemed like there were shirtless men on every corner between Hegenberger and 98th. Oddly, though, they didn’t seem any more comfortable than the guys who were fully clothed. The placebo effective of removing one’s shirt was not working for them at all.

Ajuan Mance