San Francisco, CA
SF’s millionaire anti-pickleball crusader has her own private court
A new online petition is asking San Francisco to shut down a nuisance in the city’s Presidio Heights neighborhood. That nuisance? Pickleball courts.
The petition, signed by residents Holly Peterson and Mary Tesluk, is chock-full of claims that seem designed to generate sympathy. The authors say the sounds emanating from the courts are “grating,” and claim that the “endless racket” threatens native ecosystems. They also say that the “flood of pickleball fanatics” are depressing neighborhood home values with their “unyielding noise,” and are creating a safety hazard by clogging up a nearby Slow Street with their vehicles.
The petition appeared online last week and has so far gathered 94 signatures. But earlier this week, internet sleuths in a pickleball forum on Reddit dug up a Wall Street Journal article from May that describes the 106-year-old Presidio mansion that Peterson shares with her husband. Turns out the home has a pickleball court in the backyard. Reddit users were quick to jump on the newfound information.
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“She has a pickleball court? Lol that can’t be good for her petition,” one person wrote.
A call and a text sent to Peterson from SFGATE went unreturned in time for publication, but a real estate agent who has reportedly shown the house to potential buyers told the San Francisco Chronicle that Peterson and her husband do not play pickleball, but “admired and appreciated” their court. (The Chronicle and SFGATE are both owned by Hearst but have separate newsrooms.)
The Wall Street Journal article says Peterson and her husband — Karl Peterson, a venture capitalist and co-founder of the discount travel website Hotwire.com — purchased the home, which encompasses more than 11,000 square feet, for $16.7 million in 2007. A listing for the home on the real estate site Compass says the mansion is currently on the market for $36 million.
The Wall Street Journal article says the Tudor-style home was built in 1917 and designed by famous architect Julia Morgan, who designed hundreds of buildings in California during the early 20th century, including Hearst Castle near San Simeon. Photos on the Compass listing show the pickleball court just outside of a room replete with couches and side tables, which also has at least three golden disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The court appears fenced in and is hidden by rows of neatly groomed and symmetrical trees.
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The goal of Peterson’s petition is to have the city forbid the sport on the playground’s courts until officials can conduct a “rigorous” review of the environmental impact of the courts. Speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle, Phil Ginsburg — the general manager of the city’s Recreation and Park Department — didn’t seem concerned about Peterson’s petition.
“Not everyone can afford a pickleball court in their backyard,” he told the outlet. “That’s why it’s nice to have them in public parks.”
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco remembers traffic victims 10 years into 'Vision Zero' commitment
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — It was a powerful symbol in San Francisco Sunday of the dangerous toll of our roads.
A vigil honored the hundreds of people killed on San Francisco streets as the city pushes to make them safer. This comes as San Francisco marks 10 years of “Vision Zero” efforts meant to stop traffic deaths.
Three hundred and seventeen pairs of white-painted “ghost shoes” lined up on the steps of San Francisco City Hall Sunday.
Each was with a name, every one of them representing someone killed on city streets–on bikes and scooters, in cars and on foot.
It was the total of victims since 2014, when the city committed to Vision Zero and efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic deaths by making roads safer.
MORE: SF eliminating 14,000 parking spaces as CA’s new Daylighting Law takes effect: Here’s what it means
“We never want to contribute more ghost shoes to this memorial. It’s the hardest part to see this number grow,” said Jodie Medeiros, executive director of Walk San Francisco. Medeiros noted noted that while the overall number of victims is down so far this year, the number of pedestrians killed remains the same.
“The same number of pedestrians since the policy was passed in 2014. And Walk San Francisco being the pedestrian advocacy organization trying to make San Francisco the most pedestrian-friendly city, this does hit us the hardest, and this is why we do push on our city to make sure that our streets are safe for people walk,” Medeiros said.
Among the safety measures they’ve pushed for are speed cameras.
“We worked really hard. Walks in Francisco and families receive streets and getting the speed camera pilot to come to San Francisco,” Medeiros said.
MORE: SF divided over ‘Slow Streets’ program: Here’s what residents are saying
Those efforts mean a lot to families like Jenny Yu’s. Her mom was hit by a speeding driver in 2011.
“A speeding driver turning left struck her with an SUV and threw her body to the other side of the road, where she needed to have surgery to remove her brain cap, because it was too much pressure, but they saved her,” Yu said, explaining her mom hasn’t been the same since. “She now needs 24/7 cae. She’s physically here, but she can’t be by herself.”
And, that’s why advocates are calling for another commitment from the city.
“San Francisco learned a lot in 10 years. So, how do we build on those learnings to make a really smart policy for the next decade?” Medeiros said.
Copyright © 2024 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
San Francisco, CA
Photos: San Francisco 49ers collapse in fourth quarter and lose to Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 with a 13-yard rush into the end zone by quarterback Geno Smith in the game’s final minutes.
It was the 49ers’ third defeat this season via a fourth-quarter collapse, the others also coming against NFC West opponents — at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, and at home against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 6.
The Seahawks (5-5) snapped a six-game losing streak to the 49ers thanks in massive part to Smith’s heroics on the final drive. Smith completed 7-of-8 passes for 54 yards and had a 16-yard scramble two snaps before his touchdown. Smith overcame a sack by Leonard Floyd, all while Nick Bosa remained on the sideline with a new hip/oblique injury that forced him out in the third quarter and could shelve him longer.
Next up is a visit Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, who improved to 7-3 after winning in Chicago 20-19 on a blocked field goal as time expired.
San Francisco, CA
Four Starting Pitchers San Francisco Giants Should Pursue in Free Agency
The San Francisco Giants are a team many people will keep a close eye on this offseason. With a new front office in place, led by president of baseball operations Buster Posey, there is potential for intrigue.
How will the new regime differ from the previous one, which was managed by Farhan Zaidi? Will San Francisco be able to lure free agents successfully after striking out so many times recently?
While hitters are tough to convince, the Giants should be able to find success bringing in pitching. Oracle Park is a big draw as it is considered a pitcher’s paradise.
With Blake Snell hitting free agency again, the Giants may have a void in their rotation. Here are four pitchers San Francisco should target to replace Snell.
The talented right-hander landed on the injured list and missed about two months of last season. But, his talent showed in the postseason after he knocked off the rust.
Buehler allowed six runs in the second inning of his outing against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. In his 14 other innings of postseason action, he allowed no runs and struck out 13.
He could be one of the most valuable pitchers in free agency this offseason. He carries immense upside as a top-of-the-rotation producer when everything is clicking.
Last season was a renaissance for the veteran left-hander with the New York Mets. He changed his arm slot and the results were terrific, as he realized the immense potential he carried as a youngster. He went 12-6 with a 3.74 ERA as the Mets reached the NLCS.
Now back on the free agent market, he has proven he has ace-level stuff. With Logan Webb atop the Giants’ rotation, Manaea can slide into the No. 2 role in his second go-round with the franchise.
If San Francisco wants to replace Snell with another southpaw, the veteran is an excellent option.
Adding a pitcher of Williams’ caliber would make a lot of sense because of the versatility he brings, even as San Francisco has a group of young pitchers hoping to break through and continue their development in the rotation next season.
Replicating the success he had in 2024 feels unlikely (6-1, 2.03 ERA, 59 strikeouts), but Williams can provide middle-of-the-rotation production. If the young pitchers flourish he can move down the pecking order.
HIs experience coming out of the bullpen would allow him to be used in a hybrid role alongside Jordan Hicks. Versatility, maneuverability and affordability would all be attractive to the Giants.
If San Francisco wants to make a big splash, the Giants could sign Fried, one of the market’s top left-handers, to replace Snell, should he depart.
The talented Atlanta Braves star brings a lot to the table. Durability has been an issue, but production has not. More importantly, he has extensive postseason experience that can help a team attempting to get back into contention.
A two-time All-Star with incredibly consistent production in the regular season, Fried would create a strong one-two punch with Webb atop the team’s rotation.
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