Jan 01 2009
Swinging San Francisco
Two of San Francisco’s best, Ari and Jane with SF’s landmark backdrops. Enjoy!!!
Archive for January 1st, 2009
Jan 01 2009
San Francisco Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest
Photo courtesy of www.cablecarmuseum.org
The first cable car bell ringing contest took place in 1949. At that time there were only two contestants. Since then the contest has become an annual event with dozens of grip-men strutting their musical talents on San Francisco’s cable car lines. This past Summer the 46th annual contest was held at Union Square where Leonard Oats was awarded first prize. The contestants are judged on style, musicality, rhythm and originality.
The above video shows Leonard in action. For more information on the contest please visit the Cable Car Museum . Enjoy!
Jan 01 2009
New Year’s Eve in San Francisco
San Francisco is a party town and New Year’s Eve can be crazy. Last night was no exception. We all got together at Enrico’s which is a long standing North Beach restaurant and club. We chose Enrico’s to support our friend Sony Holland who was performing there. She of course was stunning and as usual fabulous in her performance. This year was much more intimate in flavor yet a party atmosphere as the night went on into the wee hours. We sang, we danced and just overall celebrated the fact we were amongst good friends ringing in a new year.
The North Beach area was packed with people yet much less that last year. The police and fire departments were out in force. In the 50 some odd years I’ve lived in San Francisco I have never heard and seen so many police, fire and ambulances than I did last night. It was literally non-stop throughout the North beach and downtown areas. It was surreal. I almost felt as if I were watching some movie. The free fireworks display along the Embarcadero brought out thousands and thousands of people all trying to get home by either public transportation or taxi cabs. MUNI, our public transportation system was free and running until 4:00 a.m. to accommodate all the revelers. Taxi cabs were non existent. I don’t know where they were but they were not where everyone needed them to be.
All in all a fantastic start to the new year with a special night of good friends, laughter and love.
