San Francisco, CA
Former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown, turning 90, kicks off week of birthday merrymaking
SAN FRANCISCO — Well-wishers packed Chief Sullivan’s Irish pub in San Francisco’s North Beach Friday night for a special celebration in honor of hizzoner — former mayor Willie Brown.
“As of next Wednesday, the 20th of March, I will be exactly 90 years old,” Brown proclaimed.
After serving two terms as San Francisco mayor, Willie Brown achieved true celebrity status in the city. At Chief Sullivan’s (a bar known as O’Reilly’s during Brown’s tenure as mayor) everyone wanted to take pictures and share old stories with “Da Mayor.” The night was filled with laughs as Mayor Brown mingled.
Asked to reveal his secret for a long, healthy life, Brown had a quick answer. “Vodka. Vitamin V. I shouldn’t call it vodka.” he smiled.
The tavern was packed with notable guests. Michael Smith, consul general of Ireland attended along with Max Gail, the actor who played detective Wojo in the 1970s sitcom “Barney Miller.”
“He’s a guy who’s conducted himself with dignity and grace and a fierceness in what I think is a really good way,” Gail said.
“If you’re OK at this business, you can actually have a friend or two that’s not asking you for anything,” Mayor Brown said. “That’s a good deal. So thank all of you for being here!”
This is one of the many celebrations leading up to his actual birthday next Wednesday. At age 90, his birthday wish is fairly simple.
“I want to be able to answer your question next year,” he said.
San Francisco, CA
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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
3-alarm fire burns San Francisco Tenderloin residential building
A large fire burned at a six-story residential building in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District early Friday morning, leaving dozens displaced, officials said.
The fire started at around 3 a.m. at a building on Golden Gate Avenue near Taylor and Market streets, adjacent to the Golden Gate Theatre. The San Francisco Fire Department said the fire started on the top floor and reached three alarms, spreading to the attic and roof of the building. Over 100 firefighters at the scene were able to prevent it from spreading to lower floors and nearby buildings, the department said.
Multiple people were rescued and self-evacuated, and a total of 45 residents were displaced, but there were no injuries, the department said. Two cats were also rescued, one that was treated by medics at the scene and another cared for by Animal Control.
Evacuated residents were provided temporary shelter at the corner of Golden Gate and Jones Street aboard a Muni bus. The Red Cross and other city agencies were called in to assist the displaced residents, the department said.
The fire was contained by 5:30 a.m., and firefighters remained on the scene for several hours. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
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