My City By The Bay

Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post

There have been some major developments in the Oscar Grant BART shooting case.  First it was reported that before Oscar Grant was shot and killed by Johannes Mehserle he was hit and beaten by another BART cop, Tony Pirone.  All seven of the cops at the scene early that morning have been put on paid administrative leave except for Mehserle who is right now in jail, though that could change.

Mehserle, the murderer, was granted 3 million dollars bail of which his family is ready to put up for his release.  The cop has stated that he thought he pulled his taser that night when he shot his gun.  The interesting thing about his story is that he was not even carrying a taser that evening.  There are videos out there as well as pictures which show all he had on him was a gun.  The video below shows a clearer shot of what happened that evening.

His stories have been inconsistent and the taser one is just more proof that he is lying.  Let’s assume for a minute that he did have a taser on him.  Oscar Grant was lying face down on the ground with his hands behind his back.  There wasn’t even reason to taser him.  According to reports, Mehserle was shouting  “give me your arms” to Grant and then said to his partner Pirone “move back, I’m going to shoot him” supposedly referring to the taser.

Legal analysts state that since bail was granted it is likely that the murderous cop will be charged with manslaughter rather than murder.  He is also believed to be a flight risk when he is let out on bail.

Protests again erupted on the streets of Oakland as a result of the bail hearing.  My feeling is that this murderer will be set free just because of the fact that he’s a cop and a racist cop at that.

I will keep you all updated.

While attending the Lunar New Year celebrations I decided to take a walk through the botanical gardens.   I know the gardens like I know my own apartment.  I’m there all the time and snapping photos of everything I see.  I literally have hundreds and hundreds of picture of the gardens.  It’s just so beautiful there I cannot stop myself from taking photos.  Anything that catches my eye gets snapped.

You would think that being there so often I would know all the plant species by now.  However, I do not.  I just know your basic roses, daisies, violets, orchids etc…  While I could take the time to make note of each plant while I’m taking pictures, I’m just too excited to be bothered with the actual names.  I have to visit all my favorite spots which is basically the entire garden.  When I passed the plants in the above photo I was just mesmerized by their beauty.  I don’t know what they are but I fell in love with them.  If any of you know the name, feel free to comment and let me know.

This is a small yet beautiful Japanese vignette located near the entrance to the gardens.  I have taken photos of this spot during every season and weather condition.  I just love it here.  I very often sit on the bench in this garden and write.  

The wooden bridge pictured above is located right next to the Japanese Moon garden, another favorite of mine.  When I visited there this past week, due to the lack of rain we have had here in San Francisco the area was dry as a bone.  I was very disheartened to see that.  Hopefully the coming weeks will bring some precipitation our way.  I like to see the gardens flourishing.  More to come soon.

San Francisco’s own vocalist Sony Holland performing at the Stanford Jazz Festival.  Enjoy!!!

Home to world class dining, shopping and entertainment, Pier 39 is located on Beach Street along the Embarcadero in San Francisco.  This post will feature important facts and information.

Information: The retail shops within the complex are open from  10:00 am to 8:30 pm with extended hours of operation during Summer months.  The full service restaurants are open from 11:30 am with some opening earlier for breakfast.  There are also many small kiosks where you can buy coffee, hot chocolate, hot dogs, corn dogs, sodas etc…

Security: Pier 39 is patrolled around the clock, 24 hours a day. The head of security is maintained by the SFPD and the security guards are experienced professionals who are certified in First Aid, CPR, The Automated External Defibrillator and Fire and Life Safety.  They are well versed in law enforcement techniques and a wide range of emergency response scenarios.

Directions & Parking: Pier 39 is a major destination and therefore accessible by all major thoroughfares and freeways.  The Pier 39 garage is located directly across street from the Pier.  Patrons of any of the full service restaurants receive one hour validated parking for lunch and two hours validated parking anytime after 6:00 pm.  Visit the Pier 39 website for detailed directions.

Accessibility: Pier 39 is handicap friendly and accessible to all.  You can also receive sign language for live performances with a two week advanced notice.  Call 415-705-5500 for further detailed information.

Anniversary: Pier 39 is currently celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary with special events throughout the year.

California Welcome Center: The welcome center is located on level 2.  Pier 39 has two levels.  The welcome center is the official California Visitor Information Center for San Francisco and the entire Bay Area.  It’s hours of operation are seven days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Internet access and luggage storage is also available.  Phone # 415-981-1280.

Public Transportation:

In San Francisco: The following MUNI lines go to Pier 39. The F line streetcar, bus #’s 30, 47, 10, 19 and 39.  For trip planning click the MUNI link. On this website you can also plan your trip around the Bay Area by using the handy trip planning tool.  Also taxi’s are plentiful and always available within the city.

From the East Bay: Blue and Gold Fleet ferry services from Alameda/Oakland and Vallejo - 415-773-1188.  There is also AC Transit at 510-817-1717. My personal suggestion is to take BART when traveling to and from the East Bay to San Francisco.  It is the quickest and most inexpensive means of travel.  However if you want the scenic route, the Blue and Gold Fleet is the way to go.

From the South Bay: Caltrain or Sam Trans.  Again, by going to www.511.org you can plan your trip and find all the information you need.

From the North Bay: The Blue and Gold Fleet ferry service from Sausalito or Tiburon - 415-773-1188. Golden Gate Transit 415-455-2000.

Shopping: There are over 110 specialty shops catering to souvenirs as well as high end gift shops.

Dining: From your favorite catch of the day to Italian cuisine and casual fare there is something for everyone.

Sea Lions: The major attraction of Pier 39 and located at Pier 39’s K dock which is located on the left hand side as you enter the main plaza toward the end of the pier.  Just follow the barking.

Bay Views: There are panoramic bay views throughout Pier 39.  Alcatraz and San Francisco Bay are the highlights.

Fun and Activities: Pier 39 is fun for the whole family.  From the Riptide arcade to the Frequent Flyer Bungee Jumping to the San Francisco Carousel kids and adults of all ages love these attractions.  For you music lovers out there the entrance plaza hosts musical performances 365 days a year.

In keeping with the Lunar New Year celebrations here is some ancient Chinese music being performed at the Asian Art Museum.  Enjoy. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Lion Dancers are a focal point of the Lunar New Year.  They ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.   The ornately detailed costumes are elaborately designed and very top heavy.  The dancers themselves are formally trained athletes.  In order for the choreographed performance to take place the synchronization is important and a must between the dancers.  It takes much athletic and mental focus to perform these dances.

While attending the Lunar New Year celebrations at the Botanical Gardens, we were thrilled and excited to see the West Coast Lion Dance Troupe in action.  The above video is one of three which I filmed during the performance.  It was definitely a treat to watch their acrobatic expertise.  The howling of the drums and movement of the lion made some children happy campers while others hid and cried.  In either case it was a dazzling show with plenty of tradition and culture.

The video above is a clip from a movie which depicts what would happen to the Golden Gate during a 10.5 earthquake.  It makes my heart sink and gives me chills just watching it.  It’s scary!

Photo courtesy of www.greendragonsoda.com

Before 2005 medical marijuana or pot clubs were operating storefronts within San Francisco without any permits or regulations.  As a result basically anyone and everyone who so wanted could buy some weed whenever they felt like puffing on a joint.

In 2005 the city began regulating these clubs which caused many to either close or go out of business.  The city now requires permits to be in place along with handicap accessibility before these businesses can operate.  In order to open a “pot club” you must fork over the $7,000.00 for a permit or it’s a no go.  

The permits allow the city to monitor and regulate each of the clubs.  To keep these clubs legal in order to provide necessary medical services the city will be overseeing each club.

Personally I think it is a service that is needed for some patients and I agree with the city needing to regulate the operations.  So, what do you think?

During the Lunar New Year Flower Market celebration this past Saturday, these lovely Asian flowers performed candle and ribbon dances for the lively crowds.  Decked out in satin and chiffon pastel gowns these beautiful ladies took to the stage with Vietnamese music and performed in gracious style a traditional Vietnamese candle dance.

These young women are a part of the Vietnamese Youth Development Center of San Francisco.  The organization hosts various programs in conjunction with the public to provide job training, drug and alcohol abuse prevention, workshops for the arts and so much more.  They are located in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco and were founded by Southeast Asian immigrants who came to San Francisco and decided to pull their resources and energies together in 1979 and form this organization to help the people within their community.

The Tenderloin district is plagued by drugs, prostitution and illegal activities.  The Asian population living there work two and three jobs just to make ends meet.  Most of the population are families.  The Youth center provides a safe and educational environment for the children within this community.

The candle dance as performed in the above video was simply lovely to watch.  The gracefully choreographed movements were almost like watching leaves on trees being carefully guided by the wind.  Just stunning.

The ribbon dance in the video above was a colorfully designed dance performed with grace and ease.  

This dance troupe was just one among a few performances which captivated the audience during the Lunar New Year celebration.

Check out the Botanical Gardens for more information on upcoming events.

Photo courtesy of www.myhipline.com

San Francisco’s own Lebanese dancer Samar Nassar performs a drum solo in the video below.  For more information including a bio, her music, paintings and upcoming events please visit her website at Hipline Studios.

Enjoy!!!