Fallen Elms

iPad: Vimeo / YouTube

(07-23-2010; 14:43 PDT) SAN FRANCISCO [Golden Gate Park] -- Vandals struck the Music Concourse and cut numerous young elm trees with a hand saw. This is one of many related incidents since mid-May, totaling the number of downed trees to about 44. Authorities see a pattern, and surmise the same culprit or culprits are responsible. (26 July) SF Gate: Got info on the Golden Gate Park tree vandal? Call SFPD (24 July) SF Gate: Volunteer army could reclaim Golden Gate Park (24 July) Richmond SF: Who’s killing the trees in Golden Gate Park? (23 July) KTVU: Reward Offered For Vandals Attacking Trees In SF Parks (23 July) Bay Citizen: Tree Killer Hits Golden Gate Park (23 July) SF Appeal: First They Came For The Bees, Now They're After The Trees

Bay to Breakers - new rules

iPad: Motionbox / YouTube

(05-16-2010; 11:18 PDT) SAN FRANCISCO [Golden Gate Park Mile 5] -- The 99th Bay to Breakers brought new rules, including float restriction west of Traverse/Arguello in Golden Gate Park, $250 fee for float entry, strict alcohol enforcement, and 11 a.m. shutdown of amplified music on JFK drive in the Park. There were no live bands on JFK as in previous years. The media focus was on elite runners breaking records, evidence that Bay to Breakers has become a serious race. Partying was fairly tame on JFK Drive in the Inner Richmond area. This video shows some of the partying, with serious comments by rollerblader and sound system aficionado David Miles after he was shut down and moved to his regular Sunday location on 6th Avenue, where he bellows music weekly to skaters. During B2B on JFK across from 6th Avenue, DJs from SanFranPsycho were briefly shutdown, but defied the order for several hours. The party apparently stayed at Alamo Square, Nopa, and the Panhandle, so the revelers never reached JFK Drive. Supervisor Mirkarimi is perturbed about the carnage in his district. (18 May) SF Appeal: Panhandle Pissed, Pooped, Trod Upon; Mirkarimi Asks, "Why?" (17 May) SF Citizen: Bay to Breakers 2010 Recap: Less Garbage But Why So Few Bathrooms in the Panhandle?

Gavin Newsom talks about Critical Mass

iPad: Motionbox / YouTube

(05-12-2010; 11:06 PDT) SAN FRANCISCO [Civic Center] -- The mayor talks briefly about Critical Mass during an impromptu encounter with press, one day before Bike to Work Day.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at Democrat fundraiser

iPad: Motionbox / YouTube

(10-07-2009; 20:56 PDT) SAN FRANCISCO [Fairmont Hotel] -- Willie Brown impulsively invited the California Republican governor to a Democrat fundraiser where Schwarzenegger was staying while attending a golf tournament in the City. His reception was poor, the highlight being state senator Tom Ammiano's yelp, "Kiss my gay ass." The story, and this video, received international attention through the internet and TV networks. Stephen Colbert used part of the clip on his show. On this special cut Ammiano's cry is repeated at the end of the video.