San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s Santa Con expected to bring in large crowds, benefit local bars
For some businesses, Saturday is the most wonderful day of the year as thousands of Santas visit San Francisco watering holes for Santa Con.
But for others, the festive event is more trouble than it’s worth.
Kevin Sully Sullivan and his wife, Deb, met at the Marina Lounge in the 1980s. Sully then went on to work at the bar for 30 years and just two years ago, took over the business from the prior owners.
“We’ve loved this bar for such a long time and it’s a dream come true to actually have our names in it,” Sully said.
While Sully loves celebrating the holidays and supports Santa Con, he has posted this sign on the door of the Sully’s Marina Lounge, officially making it a Santa-free zone. For him, the extra customers aren’t worth the hassle.
“Some of these bars that encourage it, that participate, they do months of business in one day,” he said. “But many of them have to replace sinks in their restrooms. They get it torn off the wall and toilets that have all kinds of things go wrong.”
On the other hand, Westwood has beefed up its staff and is looking forward to all the Santas coming to town.
“It’s really good,” Kwame Wright said.
“It pumps in a lot of money into the economy,” Westwood said. “Local businesses, we benefit from it as well. So, we’re really happy and we’re excited that we get to host. Santa’s are welcome here.”
Aside from Halloween, Santa Con is one of the biggest events of the year for Westwood. This place normally has long lines to get in on weekends and it’s expecting an even bigger crowd Saturday. Westwood is taking steps to make sure all the Santas behave.
“Security does really hard work, and we have extra security to make sure everybody is safe,” said Wright.
But for those willing to wait until Christmas for a Santa sighting, Sully says his place will be the place to be.
“It actually ends up being a really nice day here because they know it’s a sanctuary haven from the Santa Con,” Sully said.
San Francisco, CA
15 injured after San Francisco cable car comes to screeching halt
More than a dozen people were injured when a cable car in San Francisco came to a screeching halt on Monday afternoon, rattling passengers inside, according to authorities.
A total of 15 people suffered minor to moderate injuries after the cable car abruptly stopped without warning and tossed around those onboard, the San Francisco Fire Department said on social media.
Two people were taken to the hospital with moderate injuries, 11 others were hospitalized with “minor aches and pains,” and two people refused assistance at the scene, authorities said.
Fire officials told ABC7 that an object might have been thrown at the cable car, causing the abrupt stop. Authorities have not officially released information on what led up to the incident.
Some of the cable car’s windows were completely shattered, according to photos of the aftermath. Video posted by fire officials also captured several ambulances crowded around the stopped cable car.
“Safety for our passengers on all Muni vehicles continues to be our top priority. We’ll be conducting a full review of incident details to ensure continued safety on the cable cars,” SFMTA said in a statement.
Cable cars first began running in San Francisco in the 1870s, and became designated as a National Historic Landmark in the 1960s.
Passengers on the famed tourist attractions do not wear seat belts and often hang off the cars, which are partially open-air.
The SFFD and the SFMTA will investigate the incident.
With Post wires
San Francisco, CA
This Week: E-Bikes, Happy Hour, Holiday Lights – Streetsblog San Francisco
Here is a list of events this week.
- Monday/tonight! Introduction to E-Bikes. This is a San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, SFMTA/SFCTA-sponsored virtual class. Monday/tonight, December 15, 6-7 p.m. Register for Zoom link.
- Tuesday Bike It Forward Community Repair Night. Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition as they rehabilitate donated and abandoned bicycles and get them to folks who need them. Tuesday, December 16, 5-7 p.m. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, 1720 Market Street, S.F.
- Wednesday Car-Free Happy Hour. This event is open to everyone, whether they’re car free, car light, car-free curious, or they just want to hang out with fellow urbanists. Wednesday, December 17, 5:30-7 p.m. Cornerstone Berkeley, 2367 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley.
- Thursday Vision Zero Committee Meeting. This committee supports the work of improving street safety in San Francisco. Thursday, December 18, 1 p.m. Union Square Conference Room, Floor 7, SFMTA Headquarters, 1 South Van Ness Avenue, S.F.
- Thursday Transform Happy Hour with the New Executive Director. Come meet Transform’s new leadership, mingle with like-minded folks, and give your input for Transform’s next chapter. Thursday, December 18, 5:30-8 p.m. Line 51 Brewing Company, 303 Castro Street, Oakland.
- Friday Alameda Holiday Lights Ride and Christmas Caroling. Ride to see the holiday lights in Alameda. Friday, December 19, 6:30 p.m. meet, 7 p.m. roll out. Finishes at 10 p.m. MacArthur BART, 555 40th Street, Oakland.
Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco honors legendary photographer Jim Marshall with street named in his memory
This week, San Francisco is set to honor a legendary photographer, the late Jim Marshall, by officially commemorating a street in his honor.
On Friday, officials, including San Francisco Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, will be on hand to reveal a new street sign for the 3600 block of 16th Avenue.
The tiny stretch becomes a big landmark for music lovers, historians, and photography buffs. This stretch of 16th will also be known as Jim Marshall Way.
“Finally, Jim Marshall gets his name in San Francisco history, ” proclaimed photographer Amelia Davis.
For years, Davis was the assistant and editor for Marshall.
Marshall documented and photographed San Francisco history – the music scene, social unrest and protests
Included in his portfolio is a rare photograph of Janis Joplin on top of her psychedelic Porsche, a famous portrait of John Coltrane, discussing an imminent change in his music, at the Berkeley home of jazz critic Ralph Gleason; a very intimate photo of Johnny Cash and June Carter, at their home in Tennessee; Miles Davis in the boxing ring; Bob Dylan kicking a tire down a New York City street; and the final public concert played by the Beatles at Candlestick Park.
Fifteen years ago, when he died, the San Franciscan left his entire portfolio to Davis. She explained how Marshall, who was childless, called his photographs his children.
“That’s what he loved and protected his whole life,” noted Davis.
Marshall was on hand to capture the Grateful Dead’s last free show on a flatbed truck in the Haight.
He was also on hand in Times Square in Manhattan to capture the grief following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
His photographs of poverty in Appalachia are part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian.
“Jim Marshall always called himself a reporter with a camera and Jim’s work did document pieces of history, whether it was music, civil rights, or protests,” said Davis.
Marshal had a tumultuous personality and struggled with addiction.
After his death, he was the subject of an award-winning documentary called “Show Me The Picture.”
He was the first photographer to receive a Grammy.
Now, a street where the photographer lived for 28 years will be named in honor
“Little did they know you have this legend living right in the middle of the street here,” exclaimed Justin Fichelson.
Fichelson grew up a few doors away from the photographer, where his parents still live.
He says the honor of renaming the street is a reminder that the city was iconoclastic way before tech and the AI flood.
“The idea of San Francisco, which is a crazy place where people come from all over the world to reinvent themselves, Jim really captured that in an incredible way,” noted Fichelson.
Marshall grew up in the Western Addition, went to Lowell High School, raced fast cars and loved the city. Now, the city is loving him back.
The ceremony to honor Marshall is on Friday, Dec. 19, at 10 a.m. at the corners of Noe, Market, and 16th. A commemorative sign will be placed beneath the 16th Street sign. Those who wish to attend are asked to bring any old Leica cameras to honor the late photographer.
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