San Francisco, CA
Twitter Bars San Francisco Inspector From Accessing Roof to Assess ‘Unsafe’ X Sign
San Francisco authorities are targeting Twitter, rebranded as X, for installing an “unsafe sign” on the roof of its office building, but have yet to gain access to review the potential safety violation. Twitter installed a giant “X” sign on Friday without proper authorization, according to city officials who say a permit is required to replace letters or symbols on buildings to ensure the sign doesn’t present a safety hazard.
City officials issued a notice of violation against Twitter the same day the sign went up. An inspector attempted to access the rooftop twice but was denied by company representatives. The inspector spoke with Twitter representatives only hours after the sign went up who claimed it was there temporarily for an event and barred the inspector from the roof, according to San Francisco’s complaint tracker. A second attempt was made on Saturday after the inspector had a conversation with the building manager, but was again denied access upon arrival by the tenant, the tracker says.
The attempted inspection comes after authorities forced Twitter to cease taking down its logo from the side of the building on July 24. The company planned to replace the Twitter sign with its rebranded “X,” but authorities had received reports of a “possible unpermitted street closure,” and said the crane was disrupting two lanes of traffic at the crossroads of a busy intersection, AP News reported. Twitter was forced to stop removing the sign, leaving just an “er” on the building after authorities said the workers hadn’t protected pedestrians from falling debris by taping off the sidewalk, according to the outlet.
A spokesperson for the Department of Building Inspection told the outlet last week that work couldn’t continue until Twitter retained a permit to ensure the work was “consistent with the historic nature of the building” and that safety measures were in place.
Twitter has received additional complaints from residents who say the giant “X” at the top of the building is too bright and shining into nearby apartments. The company posted a video to its Twitter account showing the pulsating “X” sign blazing, and one resident told ABC 7 News: “From below, we were walking our dog and saw it and were like, oh wow what a spectacle, and then we get upstairs and we see like the ramifications of it and it is so bright and ridiculous.”
The building inspection spokesperson told AP News on Friday that they are “planning review and approval is also necessary for the installation of this sign.” He added, “The city is opening a complaint and initiating an investigation.”
The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment.
San Francisco, CA
Watch: Every Splash Hit By Recent San Francisco Giants Legends
Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt are among the most recognized and well-liked players in recent San Francisco Giants history.
The pair combined to help San Francisco win world titles in 2012 and 2014.
Crawford recently announced his retirement in November and will be honored in April. Belt remains a free agent but didn’t play last season. He hasn’t officially announced his retirement.
At Oracle Park, one of the best moments is when a Giants player hits a “splash hit,” which is a home run into McCovey Cove, which is behind the right-field seats. Typically, left-handed hitters slam balls into McCovey Cove — but it’s not easy.
Crawford and Belt played more than a decade for the Giants and combined, they only hit 14 of them.
Recently, the Giants put together a super clip of all 14 of their splash hits during their Giants careers.
Crawford played 14 seasons, 13 of which were with the Giants. The 37-year-old California native was a three-time All-Star selection, won four Gold Gloves and was the Silver Slugger at his position in 2015. He also played for the U.S. in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where the U.S, won the gold medal.
The Mountain View, Calif., product finished his career with a slash line of .249/.318/.395/.713 with 147 home runs and 748 RBI. His best single season was in 2021, when he slashed .298/.373/.522/.895 with 24 home runs and 90 RBI. He was selected an All-Star for the last time, won his last Gold Glove and finished fourth in National League MVP voting.
Belt was primarily a first baseman throughout his career and played in 2023 with Toronto, where he batted .254 with 19 home runs and 43 RBI.
Belt was a National League All-Star in 2016 and finished in the Top 20 in MVP voting in 2020.
He has a career .261 batting average with 194 home runs and 697 RBI.
San Francisco, CA
City Improvement Project Funds Improvements To Local Businesses
Locally owned and loved San Francisco establishments like tapas restaurant Cha Cha Cha and the Hong Kong Bakery are getting a hand from the SF Shines Improvement Project, the city announced.
A total of $350,000 in funding will be distributed between more than 50 businesses to support storefront improvements and equipment purchases from the project, which is administered by the city’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Both new and existing small businesses can receive up to $10,000 apiece to make building improvements to reduce vulnerability to crime, attract foot traffic, ensure compliance with City requirements and stimulate economic growth.
Since it launched in 2022, the program has been vital to the City’s economic revitalization strategy, awarding more than $3.7 million to approximately 960 businesses, city officials said.
“San Francisco’s small businesses are at the center of what drives our economy and what makes our city so special,” said Mayor London Breed.
Onur Ozkaynak, owner of Cha Cha Cha, said he plans to redesign the bar at Cha Cha Cha and purchase a new pizza oven for his other establishment, Oz Pizza, with the grant funding.
“This investment has not only enabled much-needed improvements to my businesses but has also brought renewed hope for future growth,” Ozkaynak said.
Hong Kong Bakery owner David Huang said, “In previous years, our old freezer would stop working randomly, requiring constant repairs and careful maintenance.
“With the funds from SF Shines Grant, we will be able to purchase a brand new commercial-use freezer for our bakery,” Huang said.
The new unit will make it possible for Huang to more accurately control and maintain the desired temperature and deliver fresher food to his customers, the bakery owner said.
The program will begin accepting new applications in January 2025. Information on how to apply for an SF Shines grant is available on the Office of Small Business webpage: sf.gov/SmallBusinessGrants.
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Copyright © 2024 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
San Francisco, CA
Warriors dance squad presents special Christmas show
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