Mayor Gavin Newsom today unveiled statistics revealing a dramatic upswing in film production in San Francisco. "Shooting days" on major motion pictures increased more than 500 percent in 2005. The increase is mainly attributed two major film productions, "Rent" and "Pursuit of Happyness," that based operations in the city last year. San Francisco will continue to court Hollywood by offering incentives for building local soundstages, reaching out to film production unions and streamlining the process for filming in the city, Newsom said at a noontime press conference.
Vietnam and its biggest city have come through a postwar fracture of sightless optimism and successive sharp disappointment, and are entering a new era of professionalism and growth, according to American and Vietnamese executives at a deal summit in San Francisco Thursday. About 75 members of a trade allocation from Ho Chi Minh City met their American counterparts at City Hall for the final session of a road show that also took them to New York and Toronto. The group touted Vietnam's young, aggravated, well-educated workforce, low operating costs and newly smooth bureaucracy as compelling reasons why U.S. corporations should invest in the communist nation of 81 million people.
It looked like the San Franciscans opposing against Stockton for the USS Iowa were jump for Davy Jones' locker Tuesday, but the Port of San Francisco let them come down off the board. Port commissioners had been predictable to vote against berthing the historic World War II battleship after a staff report found the group, Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square, may not have money to make the Iowa work as a balanced museum. Their "no" likely would have sunk the S.F. campaign lastingly. San Francisco's supervisors did their own loopy kamikaze on the Iowa idea last year.
QANTAS has resumed direct flights to San Francisco in a new move forward to develop tourism and business in the United States. The service from Sydney to San Francisco - resuming after a shatter of 12 years - will run three days a week but Australia's national airline is aiming to make it a daily service. The new service has been urbanized so connections to other main US cities including Dallas, Chicago, Miami and Boston can be made speedily through local airlines. The opening flight arrived in San Francisco yesterday with a high-powered reception of business leaders including San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Qantas' celebrity representative John Travolta and central Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran.
Bill O'Reilly might have custom ordered this situation to showcase his " Culture War". A Christian Right youth group calling themselves Battle Cry had a congregation in San Francisco last weekend and decided to reveal against Gay Marriage at the Court House where many gay couples were married. The supportive community came out to respond to the expression and O'Reilly confirmed it an "anti- Christian" protest from "radicalized" and "intolerant" San Francisco. The first segment about this story on Monday, 3/27, featured Ron Luce, Evangelical organizer of the youth group and Sunsara Taylor, from World Can't Wait, who participated in the counter demonstration. Gerardo Sandoval appeared for the second segment tonight, 3/29, where O'Reilly had the chance to attack San Francisco and hint at the possibility of financial ramifications for SF.
SAN FRANCISCO (Business 2.0 Magazine) - The mantra of the boil era was "build it and they will come." Telecom carriers spent billions putting fiber-optic lines in the ground, anticipating ever-increasing Internet traffic, and Amazon.com freckled huge chunks of cash on building warehouses around the world, counting on a flood of new online shoppers. It was, and remains, an extremely risky move, and you don't hear the phrase a lot these days.
The Iowa is the battleship San Francisco just can't seem to descend. The Board of Supervisors flat out rejected a offer last year to bring the World War II-era ship to the city by the bay and turn it into a tourist attraction, declaring there's no room for a warship in anti-war San Francisco. But Iowa backers persisted and tried to win over support by offering to use a portion of the historic ship as a museum for the military's don't-ask-don't-tell policy on gays and lesbians. They pitched holding an annual peace meeting on the ship.
(AP) - It's always a good time to visit San Francisco and now you can enjoy the modern city while gaining an appreciation for its history, as it holds a variety of observances for the bicentennial of the shocking 1906 trembling. Look around and get familiar with the city at Only in San Francisco - http://onlysf.sfvisitor.org/ - a guide to places to stay, eat and shop, and to things to do ranging from touring Haight Ashbury to hooking up with tour guides who will take you during Chinatown or out to Alcatraz. Plan your visit by clicking on What to Do and picking out a category or looking for the Pick an journey heading for guidelines on personal tours. Once you have an idea of what you want to see, go back to the main page and check out "Special Offers" and then look for the Only in S.F. Store for to buy advance tickets to moving and museums.
Last Friday and Saturday, March 24-25, a fellow named Ron Luce and his Texas based organization Teen Mania held a big old evangelical Christian youth rally at the AT&T Park in San Francisco. They had something like 25,000 folks there as part of a "reverse rebellion" tour. He wants to turn loose a bunch of new youth ministers to help the homeless, evangelize for Christ, and so on. Typical Christian stuff. But daring to be a basic Christian in San Francisco seems to be unacceptable to many of the locals. There were all kinds of counter demonstrations protesting their presence in the city. Why, they're just a fascist pep rally of hate! According to Assemblyman Mark Leno "they're loud, they're obnoxious, they're disgusting, and they should get out of San Francisco."
For proof that sky-high prices have not robbed the San Francisco accommodation market of momentum, look no further than the St. Regis Residences. The 102 condos were thoroughly crafted from African wood and limestone over the course of five years. Sitting on top of 277 hotel rooms, they stood higher above the ground than any other homes in the city - and had prices to match. Starting at more than $1.5 million, the units came on the market in early November 2005. Six weeks later, 85 percent were sold. That includes all three penthouse units, which developer Victor MacFarlane bought for a probable $30 million. In contrast, it took more than two years to sell the same percentage of luxury condominiums in the Four Seasons San Francisco after they came on the market in September 2001.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Supporters of the USS Iowa who want to carry the World War II-era battleship to this city aren't ready to give up. The idea already has been shot down by the Board of Supervisors - who affirmed there's no room for a warship in anti-war San Francisco - and it seems to be headed for a similar fate with the Port of San Francisco, whose five-member commission is considering the offer Tuesday. Among the port's concerns are the $28 million to $40 million it would cost to arrange a dock for the ship, the fact that supporters so far have raised no money for the project and outmoded information about how many visitors it would draw.
It's always a good time to visit San Francisco, and now you can enjoy the modern city while ahead an approval for its history as it holds a variety of observances for the centenary of the devastating 1906 earthquake on April 18. Look around and get familiar with the city at Only in San Francisco - www.onlysf.sfvisitor.org - a guide to places to stay, eat and shop, and to things to do ranging from touring Haight-Ashbury to hooking up with tour guides who will take you through Chinatown or out to Alcatraz. Plan your visit by clicking on what to do and selection out a category or looking for the Pick an Itinerary heading for tips on personal tours. Once you have an idea of what you want to see, go back to the main page and check out Special Offers and then look for the Only in S.F. Store to buy move forward tickets to transportation and museums.
SAN FRANCISCO - As the home market slows, more home sellers are turning to professional home enactment for the help they need to get their property in shape for showing and selling, according to the San Francisco Association of Realtors, a trade group of more than 5,000 local members. "It is becoming more common to stage homes and property as owners appreciate the value and benefit of the service," said Matthew Borland, president of the association and managing partner of Zephyr Real Estate. "It's a tactical move that helps compensate for flaws in the home and helps present the property at its very best." "All properties should be dramatic, and it need not be exclusive. Utilizing a client's existing furnishings and presenting them in a clean, simple manner which optimizes the property is important. I often tell clients that the way you live in a home and the way you show a home are entirely different," Borland said.
From slang to the anti-gangbang, the Bay Area has been a stick out from the rest of its industry counterparts, even if you take the eight hour trek down the Golden State freeway to Los Angeles. San Francisco native, San Quinn is noted in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most teamwork, yet he clearly holds his own even when he's playing team ball. From the young age of 14, San Francisco Quincy, aka San Quinn, had a lot to say. He has spent a great deal of his time/life making sure his story and the story of those in the Fillmore District gets told. In a funny, but candid interview with Ballerstatus, San Quinn discusses his views on the Bay and why "goin' dumb" every now and then isn't all that dreadful.
"Jobs and Apple are still paying the price for losing a critical fight with Microsoft in the 1980s. It was fought in court and in the marketplace, and at the end, Apple was left with an irrelevant share of the very market one could quarrel it had invented, personal computers," Dan Fost writes for The San Francisco Chronicle. "To this day, even as its stock and income soar, Apple's computers are but a sparrow escaping the Microsoft hawk... In a way, Apple's survival is remarkable... like a dinosaur living beyond the Ice Age. All the early PC-makers like Amiga, Commodore and Acorn crumbled, but idiosyncratic Apple hung on."
SAN FRANCISCO - In the early morning of April 18, 1906, a shaking shook this city for a frightening 48 seconds. The jolt ignited fires that soon extend out of control. Over the course of the next three days, 500 city blocks were destroyed, including some 28,000 buildings. An estimated 3,000 people died and almost 250,000 were left homeless. This year, San Francisco is commemorating the 100th birthday of all that with exhibits and walking tours that graphically tell of the destruction and the determination of residents to restore the city.
SAN FRANCISCO - Robert Redford's Sundance Cinemas has bought San Francisco's Kabuki 8 Theatre, which it will run as a state-of-the-art self-regulating movie house. 'As San Francisco holds a special place in my heart and is one of the nation's enormous centers of sovereign film, I am particularly thrilled to have found such a perfect home for Sundance in this city,' Redford was quoted as saying by The Hollywood Reporter. Sundance will take over the theater before or during the San Francisco International Film Festival next month, The Reporter said.
These pitching investigation reports have really turned into a labor of love for me. I have detailed notes going back many, many years on all of these hurlers, which gives me a strong edge from a handicapping point of view. I can now jangle off basically all the strengths and weaknesses for any pitcher that takes the hill as well as how they'll match-up with the opposing lineup. One prime example that I'll use all over the year is whether a pitcher might be hurting. When a pitcher is hurt, those are some of the best opportunities to bet a baseball game. By watching a pitcher on the mound or looking at the numbers, I can quickly respond and come to a wrapping up about their health. One other quick example would be a lineup that struggles or thrives against a certain type of pitcher.
San Francisco-based Gap, which has struggled greatly the last two years with lethargic sales and fashion misses at its other more-established concepts Gap stores, Banana Republic and Old Navy, has taken a purposeful approach to regular out its latest concept. The Forth & Towne concept is aimed at women 35-years-old and above with a mix of private-label contemporary casual business attire and sportswear as well as selects Gap-brand products. "Our expansion into these new markets allows us to deliver our unique concept to more women across the country and widen the impact our stores have already made on this underserved customer," said Gary Muto, president of the Forth & Towne concept.
San Francisco's selected Board of Supervisors issued a strong reprove Tuesday to the Vatican over its influence a publicly funded broad charity not to provide adoption services to same-sex couples. In a nonbinding resolution that passed generally, the board said: "It is insolent to all San Franciscans when a foreign country, like the Vatican, meddles with and attempts to negatively influence this great city's existing and traditional customs and traditions, such as the right of same-sex couples to adopt and care for children in need."
The Commission on the Status of Women, Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Board of Supervisors, together documented 12 women for their exceptional personal achievment and for their commitment to advancing rights for women. The mission of the San Francisco Commission and Department on the Status of Women is to ensure the equal treatment and promote the socioeconomic, political, and educational advancement of women and girls throughout San Francisco, through policies, legislation, and programs focusing primarily on populations in need
San Francisco would have the power to fine fluid stores that attract criminal or nuisance activity, under legislation given final approval Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors. The ordinance, sponsored by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, provides for penalties up to $1,000 against owners whose stores attract drug dealing, prostitution or other district problems. Maxwell said the legislation is not planned to force the conclusion of any of the estimated 900 liquor stores in the city but rather to reinforce regulations already required of liquor store owners by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Police have arrested a 24-year-old San Francisco man on manslaughter charges in the death of a martial arts instructor from San Jose. Kyle Adams, 24, is being held on one count of manslaughter and two counts of assault in the Jan. 30 attack that led to the loss of Chad Ferreira, 27, of San Jose. Police slaughter Inspector Kervin Silas said both men had been drinking before the event happened on the 2300 block of Market Street near Castro Street.
San Francisco, CA - Worldwide protests, riots, boycotts, and intimidation aimed at Denmark and its citizens have taken place ever since the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten printed cartoon strips featuring the Islamic prophet Muhammed. In response to this unparalleled assault on the right to free speech, rallies supporting Denmark have occurred in New York, Washington, D.C., and Madrid. Others are planned for Chicago, London, Toronto, Montreal, and Sydney.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted commonly on February 14 to pass a resolution that supports statewide legislation and local initiatives requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for collecting and recycling their products and packaging at the end of their useful life. This is the strongest statement yet from a local government in the United States on the matter of who is dependable to pay for the diversion or discarding of the ever-growing mountain of waste generated by the consumer society. The decision signals a fundamental shift in thinking among local governments, which have bear responsibility for collecting and disposing decline since a century ago. As the resolution puts it: "By covering the costs of collection and disposal, local governments are subsidizing the production of waste because manufacturers know that whatever they produce the local government will foot the bill for recycling or disposal."
San Francisco Giants fans will be watching their team hit home runs at AT&T Park, not SBC Park, this season, since the park takes on its new name today. The new name was adopted when SBC bought AT&T in 2005 to form the largest telecommunications company in the U.S., according to San Francisco Giants officials. This marks the third name for the park since it opened in 2000 as Pacific Bell Park. SBC bought Pacific Bell in 2003 and the park changed its name to SBC Park in 2004.
A state appeals court has upheld the illegal convictions of a past South Bay judge for fixing traffic tickets, reducing drunken-driving sentences for friends and sports stars and trying to get parking tickets on his own car dismissed. William Danser, 52, a former Santa Clara County Superior Court judge, was convicted in 2004 of crime scheme to obstruct justice and eight crime charges. He was sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, and a $2,700 fine and was ordered to perform 400 hours of community service. He resigned from the bench in July 2004 and was suspended by the State Bar after his assurance.
|
