Friday, January 31, 2014

Jersey Joe Walcott -- January 31, 2014

In 1951, Jersey Joe Walcott defeated Ezzard Charles to win the heavyweight championship.  At the time, Walcott, 37 years old, was the oldest man to win the title.  He had lost two title fights to Joe Louis and two to Ezzard Charles.  Walcott lost the title to Rocky Marciano in 1952.  Walcott was born 100 years ago today, on 31-January-1914. 

Today is the beginning of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse.  Visit my other blog, The Big V Riot Squad (http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/)  to see a tribute to the Year of the Horse and Rex, King of the Wild Horses: http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2014/01/rex-marvelous-stallion-in-devil-horse.html

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Pete Seeger, Amiri Baraka and Bud Spangler, RIP -- January 29, 2014

 
I came along after the folk music craze had lost steam.  Groups like the Kingston Trio give me hives. Pete Seeger, on the other hand, was not just an element of a craze.  He supported migrant farmworkers, union organizers, the anti-war movement (except World War II, he served in that and believed we had to "lick Mr. Hitler"), the environmental movement  and the no-nukes movement.  He joined the Communist Party and later drifted away.  He was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee and invoked his First Amendment right of free association.  He was blacklisted.  He taught children.  A good life.  Arlo Guthrie said "Well, of course he passed away! But that doesn't mean he's gone."


I first heard of Amiri Baraka when I read a book about humor from the Anza Branch Library.  It talked about his play The Dutchman, and called him LeRoi Jones, which I thought was an interesting-looking name.  He generated a lot of controversy with his poetry and his statements, but he was an artist.  I listened to his son's eulogy on KPOO.  He talked about his father's spirituality and how the home was always full of jazz and artists and food. 


Bud Spangler was a drummer, a record producer, and a radio producer and artist.  I remember him on KJAZ, where he produced a show with Turk Murphy.  Later, I listened to his "Sunday Night Suites," a series of remote broadcasts on KCSM.  I borrowed the photo from Wikipedia. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

No Charters in Sight -- January 28, 2014


From the 20-March-1896 San Francisco Call. William A Coulter did many maritime drawings for the newspaper. Click on the image for a larger view. 

NO CHARTERS IN SIGHT

A Fleet of Twenty-five Vessels Waiting for Something to Do.

SIX NOW LYING AT SAUSALITO.
While Living in Expectation the Captains Are Having the Ships Overhauled.


When the people of Sausalito awake in the morning nowadays they think for a few moments that a boiler-making establishment has been started in the town.  It is hammer, hammer, hammer, from morning till night, and the noise is at times exasperating. It all comes from six British ships that are lying in the safe anchorage off the township. There is no prospect of an advance in freight rates, so the vessels will remain at anchor until the times improve.

In the meantime, however, the captains are improving the shining hours, and all hands are sent over the sides each morning to chip off the rust. The vessels are all light, and in consequence nearly their whole sides are exposed. When the work of chipping is completed the ships will be painted, and thus hundreds of dollars will be saved to the owners when an English port is reached.

There are now twenty-five ships in port waiting for something to turn up in the shape of a charter. Of these six are now lying at Sausalito, and some of them have been in port three months. The Craigend, Captain Lewthwaite, arrived January 20; the Eden-Valleymore, Captain May, on February 1; the Hyderabad, Captain Scott, on January 21; the Kilmeny, Captain Jones, on January 29; The Hahnemann, Captain Newson, on January 8, and the Wynnstay, Captain McBryde, on January 15. The skippers all expect to spend the summer at least in Sausalito, and some of them may remain until next season.

The tonnage at present in port is just about what it was at this time last year. There were twenty-five ships representing 45,887 tons disengaged yesterday, while last year it was 47.756 tons. This year there is 44,618 tons engaged and last year it was 50,120.

The disengaged list was added to by the arrival of the Beechbank yesterday. She had a very rough passage from Hamburg, and on January 22 a sea broke aboard that did considerable damage. The wheel and wheel-box, the port and starboard light houses were smashed and the bow ports were driven in. Temporary repairs were made and all went well until January 30, when a serious accident happened. The ship was rolling heavily and Frederick Slotton, an apprentice, fell from the fore royal-yard and was instantly killed. This was to have been, his last trip as an apprentice, as he expected to pass his examination on his return and take a position as third officer.

The accompanying illustration shows the six British ships that cannot get a charter tied up off Sausalito. Every night they are visited by one or more parties from the shore, so life is not dull or monotonous aboard.

Monday, January 27, 2014

The Family -- January 27, 2014

This plaque, at Commercial and Montgomery Streets, marks the 100th anniversary of the 05-April-1902 founding of The Family, a private men's club.  Members of the Bohemian Club withdrew to protest the activities of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, particularly the publishing of a poem by Ambrose Bierce about the assassination of Kentucky Governor William Goebel:

The bullet that pierced Goebel's breast
Can not be found in all the West;
Good reason, it is speeding here
To stretch McKinley on his bier.

Many people felt that Bierce and Hearst had called for the assassination of President William McKinley.  After McKinley was assassinated, a number of Bohemian Club members quit and formed The Family. 

The Family meets at Powell and Post and has The Family Farm in Woodside.  The Family has several charitable interests. 

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Catholic Schools Week -- January 26, 2014

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week.

I'm grateful that my parents put me in Catholic schools for 12 years.  I'm also grateful to my teachers. 

Good Shepherd in Pacifica gave our daughter a great education and continues to do the same for many other children. They are having an open house today from 11am to 2pm.  The school is worth considering if you live in or near Pacifica: http://goodshepherdschool.us/

Saturday, January 25, 2014

New Cat #3 -- January 25, 2014


I took the photo on 30-December-2013.  She is hard at work on the chair in the background. 

Friday, January 24, 2014

FLX Pacifica -- January 24, 2014


SamTrans is cutting off a big chunk of the route of our local bus in Pacifica and piloting a paratransit-like option on two routes.  The other is in San Carlos.  I don't remember any public hearings about this. 

http://www.samtrans.com/schedulesandmaps/Flex_Routes_Pilot_Project.html

"SamTrans to Introduce Two Flex Routes Effective Jan. 27, 2013
"As part of a one-year pilot program, SamTrans is launching two weekday bus routes that will be a mixture of fixed and flexible routing for customer convenience.  The routes – FLX Pacifica and FLX San Carlos – will serve SamTrans bus stops for the fixed routing.  For the flexible routing part of the service, the bus will pick up customers directly from their homes or other locations within the defined service area.  Buses will only stop to serve customers where it’s safe to do so and won’t go in private driveways, public parking lots or shopping centers.  SamTrans fares will apply.  SamTrans will use 25-foot wheelchair lift-equipped buses with bike racks for the pilot project.  By mid-January, route schedules and maps will be available online at www.samtrans.com/timetables, by calling 1-800-660-4287 (TTY 650-508-6448) and at the Pacifica and San Carlos city halls.

"FLX Pacifica
"Service area: The bus will travel clockwise from the Linda Mar Park & Ride along Highway 1 to Crespi Drive, Fassler Avenue, Terra Nova Boulevard, Oddstad Boulevard and back to Linda Mar Boulevard.
"Service flexibility: The bus will operate on a fixed schedule serving SamTrans bus stops.  However, customers will be able to arrange for direct service within one-half mile of the route by calling one day in advance. 
"Service hours: Buses will operate every 45 minutes weekdays from about 7 a.m. to 5:40 p.m."
"To arrange a ride: Customers will call a designated number up to one day before they want to travel.  Rides will be reserved based on availability. The reservation phone number will be available after Jan. 20."
Route map and schedule:

Thursday, January 23, 2014

1954 Dodge Firearrow IV -- January 23, 2014

We visited the Blackhawk Museum in June to drool over their collection of classic autos.  The 1954 Dodge Firearrow IV is a concept car designed by Virgil Exner, with a body built by Ghia. 
(051/dsc_0057)

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The New Sherlock Holmes -- January 22, 2014

We saw back in September (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2013/09/richard-gordon-in-role-of-sherlock.html) that Broadway actor Richard Gordon started playing Sherlock Holmes on the radio in 1930.  British actor Louis Hector took over the role when Gordon left because of "salary differences."  Recordings of some of Louis Hector's performances are available on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio.  When I listened to "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," I thought Hector sounded like WC Fields.  After, the host of the podcast said the same thing. 

The item is from the February, 1935 Radio Mirror

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Comic Book #31 -- January 21, 2014

Captain Jim Albright was a brave aviator who served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War One.  He earned the name Captain Midnight when he returned from a critical mission at the stroke of midnight. 

I remember reading about Captain Midnight in Jim Harmon's The Great Radio Heroes.  The show began as a fifteen-minute daily radio serial in 1938.  Soon after, the Captain and his Secret Squadron were fighting Axis villains.  In 1942, the Captain appeared in a syndicated comic strip, a Fawcett comic book, and a Columbia movie serial.  The radio show ended in 1949.  In 1954-1957, he appeared in a television series. 

I heard some episodes played on Gene Nelson's show on KSFO and elsewhere. 

When I read Harmon's description of the many premiums available to radio listeners, badges, medals, games and especially decoders, I wanted to get them, but I couldn't figure out how.  I think that chapter prompted my interest in cryptography. 

The image is from the wonderful site CoverBrowser (http://www.coverbrowser.com/).  

Monday, January 20, 2014

Pulp #51 -- January 20, 2014

The cover of the October, 1934 Star Western features a story by Max Brand. Frederick Schiller Faust wrote more than 500 novels using many pen names, including Max Brand. He wrote for many pulp magazines and was particularly admired for his westerns.  He created the popular characters Harrison Destry and Doctor James Kildare.  He worked in the movie industry.  He wanted to be a poet. 

Despite his age and chronic heart disease, he became a war correspondent during World War II.  In 1944, Faust died from shrapnel wounds in Italy. 

The image is from a wonderful site called Cover Browser:
http://www.coverbrowser.com/.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Willie McCovey -- January 19, 2014


Inspired by the book Few and Chosen: Defining Giants Greatness Across the Eras by Giants great Bobby Thomson and Phil Pepe, I thought I would devote my nickname meme to Giants players for the next several months. 

Willie McCovey, Stretch, was a great first baseman for the San Francisco Giants.  Everyone loved him when I was growing up.  Some people liked McCovey more than Willie Mays because McCovey had started out in San Francisco.  I loved watching him hit line drives.  I loved watching him stretch out to take a throw at first. 

I was shattered when he went to the Padres in 1974.  I was very happy when he came back in 1977.  He earned the Comeback Player of the Year award. 

We were at a game at Candlestick in 1980, one of his last, I think, when he reached first base.  I don't remember who was hitting behind him, but suddenly McCovey took off for second; it looked as if he was trying to steal the bag.  Because of knee problems, it had been a long time since he had stolen a base.  The stadium went silent, the catcher threw the ball to second, and he was out.  It turned out to be a broken hit and run play. 

Willie McCovey is in the Hall of Fame, where he belongs.  Despite mobility problems, he spends a lot of time at the ballpark and shares his wisdom with the players.  Every year the Giants players and coaches vote to give the Willie Mac Award to a player who embodies Stretch's qualities of leadership and spirit. 

I took the photo of Willie McCovey's statue, across China Basin, also known as McCovey Cove, from the ballpark on 21-September-2007. 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Removing a Curve -- January 18, 2014

I went to the post office at lunch time and noticed that a crew was removing the curve that led from Fremont Street to Market Street.  Earlier in the week, they removed the old switch at First and Market.  These were the sole remains of the loop that used to allow streetcars to serve the East Bay Terminal. 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Ferry Building Gate E -- January 17, 2014

I took this photo of Gate E at San Francisco's Ferry Building on 13-January-2014.  Gate E is the destination of the Alameda/Oakland, Alameda Harbor Bay and South San Francisco Oyster Point ferries.  It is also the destination of the experimental Google ferry, which takes its tech workers down the Peninsula. 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

San Francisco and San Jose Railroad 150 -- January 16, 2014

On 16-January-1864 the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad reached San Jose.  The Southern Pacific took over in 1870 and today CalTrain operates commute service and Union Pacific hauls freight. 

The image, by Edward Vischer, is captioned "Evening passenger train on the San Francisco - San Jose Railroad, crossing San Francisquito Creek."

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

North Pacifc Coast Railroad -- January 14, 2014

The narrow gauge North Pacifc Coast Railroad ran from Sausalito to the Russian River at Cazadero.  Ferries ran between San Francisco and Sausalito.  The railroad began in 1874 and ran into many financial issues until 1902, when it was taken over by new owners who changed its name to the North Shore and rebuilt part of it into a standard gauge electric commuter line.  Eventually the North Shore became part of the new Northwestern Pacific Railroad, my favorite.  NWP abandoned the remaining narrow gauge by 1930. 

A. Bray Dickinson's Narrow Gauge to the Redwoods, completed by Roy Graves, was one of the first railroad books that I read.  I was staying with my father in Cloverdale one week during the summer while he worked on Warm Springs Dam.  I couldn't go with him one day, so I went to the Cloverdale Library and looked for a book to read.  I enjoyed the mix of history, maps, photos and diagrams. 

North Pacific Coast 12, the Sonoma, an 1876 Baldwin, is on display at the California State Railroad Museum.  I took the photo in 2012. 

Monday, January 13, 2014

The Baldwin Hotel -- January 13, 2014

In 1878, Elias J "Lucky" Baldwin built Baldwin's Hotel and Theatre at the corner of Powell and Market in San Francisco.  It is ironic that the article says "But the precautions against fire are so complete that it seems that the necessity for the alarms scarcely exists."  The hotel burned to the ground in 1898. 

From The Industries of San Francisco: Her Rank, Resources, Advantages, Trade, Commerce & Manufactures ; Conditions of the Past, Present and Future, Representative Industrial Institutions, Historical, Descriptive, and Statistical by Frederick H Hackett, 1884. 

THE BALDWIN HOTEL.


Northeast corner Powell and Market Streets.

 
Conspicuous among the buildings which ornament the city is that of the Baldwin Hotel. There is no handsomer, more convenient, or better conducted hotel in America. It is centrally located on Market Street, the great artery of the city, at the corner of Powell, with entrances on both streets. The Baldwin derives its name from the founder, E. J. Baldwin, the California millionaire. It was formally opened to the public in February, 1877. It has a capacity for the accommodation of about 500 guests. The cost of the building was $2,000,000, and the cost of the furniture $300,000. The pay-roll of the 100 regular employes averages $4,000 a month. The site of the Baldwin is the triangular block bounded by Market, Powell, and, Ellis Streets. In its present proprietor and manager, H. H. Pearson, the patrons of the Baldwin are fortunate in the possession of one whose long training and natural aptitude have made him what he has long been recognized as being—the most successful, because the most satisfactory, hotel-keeper on this coast of hotel patronizing people. The Baldwin is within a few minutes' easy walk of every theater, besides having a handsome little theater within its own great court. It is on the line of half a dozen street-car routes to all the bay ferries; the most perfect cable car lines in the city starting from the ferries, passing the Baldwin entrance; Powell Street, on which is one of the Baldwin entrances, leads by a short, easy, pleasant walk to the dome of aristocratic Nob Hill, with its great mansions and wonderful views; it is in the center of the great retail store division of the city, and in every way imaginable its location is all that its patrons could wish. But, after all, the guests of any hotel are most directly concerned as to its interior arrangement and its management. In regard to the latter feature, the name of its manager carries all that need be said. A life-long training in first-class hotels has fitted him to control such an institution as the Baldwin in just the manner he does, which is to the complete satisfaction of every guest who has ever had a day's or a year's relation with him. His knowledge of the markets of San Francisco, or, in fact, of the larder resources of California, shows itself in the unequaled excellence of the Baldwin table. In this department he is ably assisted by the famous chef, J. P. Forer, whose domain in the great kitchen is a wonder-land of all that goes to make up the detail of the French art of catering for good dinners. The handsome exterior of the Baldwin only suggests the rich and tasteful elegance of its interior. The hotel was originally constructed with the sole idea of combining comfort, elegance and convenience ; and a stroll through any one of its floors shows how thoroughly that idea was carried out. In connection with every suite of rooms are bath-rooms and closets; and every room in the house is in direct connection with a system of electric signal service, either for the call of house servants or outside messengers. The house throughout is elegantly furnished, and the comfort of the guests is further provided for by a large, carefully trained, and well organized corps of servants, waiters and stewards. The main office of the hotel, from which ascends the grand stairway and principal elevator, is a spacious apartment, finished in marble, polished wood, plate glass, and gleaming silver. It is the order of the house that the office shall be kept clear of idlers. But, as handsome as the office is, it could have no charms sufficient to keep gentlemen of leisure any length of time, for adjoining it is a seductive reading-room, stocked with a full supply of current literature ; and next to that is one of the largest and most fashionable billiard parlors in the city. Beyond the billiard parlor is a richly appointed bar, and on the opposite side of the office is the hotel barber shop. The office is in charge of Chief Clerk Brush Hardenbergh, well-known to all coast travellers. The Cashier is M. A. French, known to hotel guests since the days of the old Rassette House. The night clerk is H. G. Pearson, son of the proprietor, who is displaying his father's genius for the hotel business. There is one feature of a hotel of which guests have the liveliest recollection, which in the Baldwin is one of the most prominent—the dining-room. Every guest the Baldwin ever had is a lifelong advertiser of the superb excellence of its dining-room—considered entirely aside of the meals served there. It is safe to say that there is in the United States no more handsome room for the enjoyable purposes to which it is set apart. Wisely located on the second floor, and opening on Ellis and Powell Streets, it is away from the noise of the restless rush of traffic on Market Street, and delightfully quiet, as all dining-rooms should be. Its handsome interior must be seen to be appreciated. Its perfect arrangements as to light, both natural and artificial, make it bright and cheerful, whether at a midday lunch or a midnight banquet. The house is fitted with self-acting fire indicators and alarms. A heat of 110 degrees, Fahrenheit, instantly acts upon the automatic alarm, which sounds, not only in the office, but also in the rooms of guests. But the precautions against fire are so complete that it seems that the necessity for the alarms scarcely exists. Three watchmen are especially engaged all night as a fire patrol; and their watchfulness is assured by the assistance of a patent watchman's clock, which indicates the fact of half-hourly rounds by the patrol. This brief sketch of some of the points of excellence of the Baldwin is sufficient to demonstrate to the stranger what is attested by every guest—that it is at once the handsomest, most convenient and best-conducted hotel on the coast.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Classic Movie History Project Blogathon -- January 12, 2014

Over at my new blog, The Big V Riot Squad (http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/), I am participating in the Classic Movie History Project Blogathon.  Each blogger is writing about one year between 1915 and 1950.  My entry is "1916, A Funny Year" (http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2014/01/1916-funny-year-january-12-2014.html).  I wrote about the state of slapstick in 1916.  Charlie Chaplin's first eight Mutual comedies came out in 1916.  Harold Lloyd and many others were still imitating Chaplin.  Lloyd Hamilton was appearing in Ham and Bud movies.  Oliver Hardy was in the Plump and Runt series. 

I'm looking forward to reading about every year. 

The image is from the 16-December-1916 Moving Picture Magazine

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Juiced by a Bunch of Carrot Farmers -- January 11, 2014

I took this photo of an interesting ad on a bus shelter at California and Davis on 18-November-2013. 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Train Won't Stop -- January 10, 2014

For a change, the BART board negotiated seriously with the unions and came to a resolution about the item that the board's highly paid negotiator signed but apparently hadn't read.  One of the large unions has accepted the renegotiated contract and I hope the other will, too. 

I took the photo at the Colma BART station on 08-November-2013. 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Jerry Coleman RIP -- January 9, 2014


Jerry Coleman grew up in San Francisco.  He went to Lowell. 

Jerry Coleman flew fighters  in combat for the US Marine Corps in both World War II and Korea.  He won two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Jerry Coleman played second base for the Yankees during the 1950s. 

Jerry Coleman broadcast for the Padres since 1972 and for CBS Radio.  The Padres made him their manager in 1980.  I remember my father saying it wasn't going to work.  It didn't.  I always enjoyed his work on the Game of the Week and the post season. 

Jerry Coleman was famous for his unique command of the English language.  "Winfield goes back to the wall, he hits his head on the wall and it rolls off! It’s rolling all the way back to second base. This is a terrible thing for the Padres." "Rich Folkers is throwing up in the bullpen." "George Hendrick simply lost that sun-blown popup." " McCovey swings and misses, and it's fouled back." "There's a hard shot to LeMaster and he throws Madlock into the dugout."

I will miss his voice. 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Sutro Baths at Auction -- January 8, 2014

One hundred years ago today, San Francisco's Sutro Baths were put up at auction as part of the settlement of the estate of philanthropist and former mayor Adolph Sutro, who had died in 1898. 

My grandfather took me to Sutro Baths several times when I was little. By then it was owned by the Whitney Brothers, who also owned the Cliff House and Playland-at-the-Beach.  The pools had been converted into ice skating rinks. I remember the Egyptian mummies, the Tucker automobile, and Tom Thumb's carriage. Some years before, in 1958, the Baths had appeared in the movie version of The Lineup, directed by Don Siegel.

I was playing in my backyard one day in 1966 when the sky grew dark and ashes started flying overhead. Sutro Baths, which was being demolished to make way for apartments, had caught fire. The mummies and the Tucker and Tom Thumb's carriage had already been removed.

The developer went bankrupt, and the cove where the baths stood is a nice place to hike.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Train Station #67 -- January 7, 2014

The signboard at the San Carlos Caltrain station.  The station building was built in 1888 by the Southern Pacifc. I took the photo on 27-December-2008.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Firehouse #75 -- January 6, 2014

Company 13 (Engine 35, Truck 13, Engine 13) at Sansome and Clay, mildly decorated for Christmas.  Before the growth of the South of Market area, it was the busiest firehouse in the city. I took this photo on 23-January-2013. 

I have not featured it in this series since 2008:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2008/01/firehouse-3-january-3-2008.html

Sunday, January 5, 2014

16 Magic Tricks -- January 5, 2014

This ad, from the October, 1915 Motion Picture Magazine, promises 16 magic tricks, 15 new card tricks and 40 sensational experiments for only ten cents.  The large book of novelties and tricks would be a catalog of the Sterling Specialty Company's other products.  I like the graphic. 

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Flying Upside Down -- January 4, 2014

The 31-December-1913 San Francisco Call and Post advertised that Lincoln Beachey would fly upside down on New Year's Day on the grounds of the upcoming Panama-Pacific International Exposition.  The ad does not mention that Beachey would also fly inside a building, the Palace of Machinery.  The article, from the 01-January-1914 San Francisco Call and Post gives a few more details.  This was probably the first flight of a manned, powered airplane indoors.  Lincoln Beachey was an early stunt flier. He was the featured performer at San Francisco's Panama Pacific International Exposition, where he died on 14-March-1915.

Beachey to Fly Today

Inside Machinery Hall


Lincoln Beachey. the aviator, will add to his exploits by flying within the machinery palace this afternoon. The flight will be the first to be made indoors and will demonstrate the size of the exposition building. Beachey's aeroplane is about 30 feet wide, and the width of the building is about 75 feet. The interior of the building will permit a flight of several hundred feet.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Genuine Grafonola -- January 3, 2014

This ad, from the 30-December-1913 San Francisco Call and Post, offers a limited number of Genuine Grafonolas for $38.90.  The Grafonola was the Columbia Phonograph Company's product intended to complete with the Victor Talking Machine Company's Victrola.  Both machines used an internal horn. 

"At last a thoroughly desirable, well made Talking Machine, with top, is obtainable for less than $50.00. Tomorrow we will offer a limited number of the latest 1914 genuine Grafonolas at $38.90.  Price includes 12 selections and 300 needles. We enthusiastically say it is the greatest money's worth ever offered. Embodies all the desirable features of the higher priced models, such as Metal Motor Board, Bayonet Joint Tone Arm, No. 6 Reproducer, Unobstructed Tone Chamber, Tone Control Leaves, etc. Plays both Columbia and Victor records. Cabinet is 16 inches high with top. Only a limited number, so shop early. Other models up to $500.00."

The Emporium, "The Big E," was a department store on Market Street in San Francisco.  The store opened in 1896 in the Parrott Building, which is not to be confused with the Parrott Block on Montgomery Street.  The façade was preserved when the store was demolished to make way for a Bloomingdale's.  I fondly remember the Roof Rides. 

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Die Techie Scum -- January 2, 2014

I was walking out Front Street near California on 23-December-2013 when I saw this sticker on the side of a newspaper rack.  "Die Techie Scum/Save San Francisco" refers to the growing conflict between people who have lived in neighborhoods like the Mission for a while and Silicon Valley tech workers who have been moving in.  Google and other companies send private buses to bring them to work.  These have been regarded as a symbol of working people being pushed out of San Francisco.  There have been protests and attempts to block the buses. 

As a techie myself, I think they are just another wave of settlers who come in and displace many of the people who were there before. 

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Alfred Stieglitz 100 -- January 1, 2014

Alfred Stieglitz worked hard to make photography an accepted form of art.  In his photograph "The Terminal," we see the driver of a Harlem horse car give his motive power some care at the end of the line on a cold day in 1892.  Stieglitzwas born on 01-January-1864.

My new mostly-movies blog launched today:  The Big V Riot Squad
 

Happy New Year #7 -- January 1, 2014


I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

 The drawing is from the 31-December-1913 San Francisco Call. It isby Hearst artist Nell Brinkley, who was famous for her "Brinkley Girls."  In 2009, we saw a Nell Brinkley exhibit at the Cartoon Art Museum.  As we looked at a page from "Golden Eyes and her Hero, Bill, Over There," I said to my wife "You can say a lot of bad things about William Randolph Hearst, but he liked comics and illustrations." My wife said "And scantily clad blondes." In fact, my wife said the character looked like Marion Davies. I thought that relationship had started later, but actually they were already together when the stories were published.

My new mostly-movies blog launched today:  The Big V Riot Squad

Last night we went to a nice four-course dinner at the Moonraker in Rockaway Beach.  It was a four-course tasting menu.  We enjoyed it very much.