See what happens when you bring a hot tub to a design conference? Mayor Gavin Newsom jumped in after this woman led the way out to the post-programming party after his surprise speech. Blue skies and warm breezes draped over Dwell’s outdoor showroom–a refurbished parking lot with all traces of asphalt expertly converted into prefab lots and patio furnishing vignettes. There were strappy chaise lounges, shiny glass shards that crunched underfoot like shattered bottles, squares of penny tile over the bars (fabulous idea), and a DWR Airstream (designed by none other than Dwell founder Lara Hedberg Deam‘s hubby Chris Deam).

We commiserated with the Chronicle Books squad (and UnBeige readers!) Jodi Warshaw, Christina Amini, and Alan Rapp (who we wrangled into snapping these photos for us, merci). LA editor Frances Anderton introduced is to more of the Dwell crew, including pres and publisher Michela O’Connor Abrams, and editors Amber Bravo, Aaron Britt (who used to work for word god William Safire!) and new hire Geoff Manaugh, who’s adjusting to San Fran life quite nicely. He’s got the intellectual take on the conference over at BLDG BLOG. We’re also reading Emily Pilloton‘s coverage on Inhabitat but haven’t found her curled up in a Fatboy yet.

The orange human crock pot above, by the way, is by our friends at Dutchtub, comes in six colors, and yes, that’s a little skillet to sear your grass-fed bison steaks while you prune up appropriately.

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You heard it here first, Gavin Newsom is scheduled to make a surprise appearance at the Dwell on Design conference momentarily…we hear he’s quite the Dwell fan, too.

UPDATE: He’s here! Giant posse trails into the room, Newsom shakes hands with Dwell editor Sam Grawe.

Design and sustainability minded San Francisco residents, apparently all you have to do is ask your mayor to do something green, and he’ll do it. And he’s very proud that he does whatever he wants and doesn’t have to ask permission from Arnold, Congress or Air Force One.

According to a raspy-voiced Newsom, San Francisco is the greenest large city in the US, had an alternative fuel taxi fleet before anyone else did, and has more solar projects than other places in the nation. They also have a 69.1% recycling rate, one of the highest in nation, and even though it pisses off Newsom’s “good friends” at grocery chains, they’re still saying no to plastic bags. In the works: Capturing the natural energy of SF Bay’s tidal flow by building underwater wind farms, and an ambitious green building program to get more architects and developers to achieve higher LEED certifications.

Now, the architecture bonus round: Not bad! He ticks off building after building, architect after architect, LEED certification after LEED certification, even namechecks Frank Gehry. Newsom claims Gehry said he would never ever do a building in SF, and now they’re trying to get him to consider it. Because you’re not a world-class city unless you get Gehry.

Triple word score: He’s a subscriber. “Politicians usually lie about that stuff,” says Newsom. “But I actually am a subscriber.” We think we’re in love.

More Dwell on Design coverage.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.