This is the new normal, with the SFPD routinely handing out tickets to bicycling hipsters on Market at or near the Powell Street turnaround crosswalk.
Like this, yesterday, when MACAFRAMA and fedora LEGO bag here got cold busted for, one presumes, running a red light and/or listening to tunes using both the left and right earbuds:
Click to expand
When will we learn?
Horses, that’s why. Police horses, that is.
JHP poo, tourists, the Embarcadero, and Ferry Building. Welcome to San Francisco!
Click to expand
Perhaps the super-whiny whiners in the the area, such as Boston Properties* and whoever, will start writing sneaky letters to SFGov about how they’re going to sue, sue, sue over horse poo now?
Perhaps.
So, now that OccupySF is over, area property owners are happy? Really? Mmmm.
And who was it, was it Hawaiian Airlines or Disney what was demanding the end of OccupySF? Maybe I’ll look into that and see how they feel about Occupy. [Cough, boycott, cough.]
On It Goes…
*Owner of Embarcadero Center or someplace. (Now isn’t that a great name for a San Francisco company?)
Now it was a little funny earlier this year when a high level person at Rich King* Casting started quoting sub-minimum wages for extras in that new Contagion movie starring, I don’t know, everybody, you know, these people right here (and let’s throw in Famous Movie Director Steven Soderbergh too – he’s a luminary as well):
But then somebody, no not somebody from the local Film Commish and not any MSM reporters (who don’t seem to be aware of what the minimum wage is in the place where they live and work), but somebody up here in the 415 got word down to Los Angeles County about The Law ‘n stuff.
So fine, the RKC people changed their minds and decided to pay extras “$80″ for up to eight hours (and then they finally did the math and decided that $79.36 would be the wage, cause, you know, después de todos, dinero es dinero.)
But now word comes that RKC thinks it’s OK to pay people up to six weeks** later?
And the extras still haven’t all been paid?
And RKC is ignoring contact attempts from said extras?
Could all this be true?
Well let’s hear from a Real Life Contagion Extra:
“I got in the film as well, but its now mid April, and I have not seen the payment in the 6 weeks that the casting company stated. Got my work receipt right here – would be nice if someone from this casting agency would follow up with my contact attempts.
“It was still a really cool day either way. I got to see an amazing set up of the set @ Candlestick and didn’t mind standing/sitting around all day. That is what background extras do. All of these girls were being very rude that day saying “when are we going to meet the stars”, and “I can’t believe they are making us stand around”, and “come on! I wan’t to be in the movie already!! Shortly after one of the assistants heard those remarks, our group was dismissed for the afternoon. It is like they never listened to what they told us at the casting meeting at Fort Mason, or the information the casting directors told us over the phone when they offered us the part. I did not get an email confirmation after that day, but a personal phone call.
“Would be nice to see my check, but I will give them a bit more time to respond since I bet the other 5,000 are hounding them as well. I mean come on – I am on unemployment – it would be nice to have the $79 bucks right now, but I can wait a bit”
Now, isn’t it ironic, dont’cha think, that a company what has a cavalier attitude about at least one kind of wage and hour rule would drag its feet about making payments? (Well, maybe not, in my experience.)
Anyway, all you non-union extras ought to form a union or something so you can start playing hardball with the Hollywood vanga vanga.
So why don’t you pay all your extras ASAP, Rich King Casting? Like posthaste or something.
Now, speaking of Hollywood, wouldn’t you like to see a list of all the movies that Steven Soderbergh has seen the past twelve months? Sure you would. See it after the jump.
*Forget about Obama’s birth certificate – I want to see the one with “Rich King” printed on it, and oh, Sandy Beach too, I want to see one of those as well – I think Hollywood still has a few guys around with that name.
**I should make a horror film – it’ll be about the horrors of Regular People dealing with Hollywood People. It’ll be called 42 Days Later.
Now do I think that this SFPD officer was told to drive around in his truck all day and hand out tickets to cyclists? Nope, not really.
H0wever, it seems that, for whatever reason, as far as cyclists should be concerned, there’s a new Sheriff in town, so to speak, you know, for 2011.
Can I prove this with satistics* and whatnot a month or a quarter or a year or two down the road?
We’ll just have to wait and see.
Irregardless, with great power comes great responsibility, or something:
Click to expand
Choose wisely.
*It’s just like with Pruis drivers at night – do I notice them because I want to, because I’m biased, because I only see what confirms my suspicions? Don’t know for sure, I s’pose. But the fact remains that most of the drivers going about the Streets of San Francisco at night without headlights on are Prius owners. This has to do with a lot of factors, and Toyota is somewhat to blame, apparently, but anyway, the point is I can’t do anymore to persuade than I’ve already done. Oh well.
Turns out that you extras working on the local Contagion shoots are going to get $80 per working day instead of the $64 that Rich King Productions was talking about the other day.
Simply, the people at JKP were unaware that S.F. has its own minimum wage of $9.92 per hour.
Anyway they’re back down in Los Angeles now, but they’ve just sent a message to me how they going to pay $80 for starters and then more after the first eight hours, if necessary.
Break a leg!
[UPDATE: It's all good, hard-working extras. Just got the call from Down South about how you all are going to get at least $80 per working day. They were all apologetic, saying stuff like, "Thanks, you really saved our bacon on this one." Turns out that San Francisco County is the only place in the entire state what has a higher-than-CA min. wage.]
That means that $64 ($8 times 8 hours) isn’t going to cut it, right?
Remember those “unfortunate,” “innocent” 18-year-old faux prostitutes in Chinatown from the time that horrible Trauma series came to the 415 all lies and jest? Those people got paid way more than $64 a day – it was close to $80. So why should you Contagion extras get paid any less?
Is it possible that Rich King* Casting doesn’t know the minimum wage in the area where it’s casting?
Yup!
Those playing hos back in ought-nine got paid minimum wage, so why not you?
Feel the excitement:
(And the beauty part is that there are “no fees to apply” Really? No fees to stand around for hours trying to get a gig that doesn’t pay minimum wage? Sweet, Thanks Rich King Casting.)
So, extras, practice this line: “I knows I gots to get paid!”
Start chanting all together and then your $64 paychecks will increase to $79.36 paychecks tout de suite.
Of course, if they take you to the East Bay or if they shoot on Federal land(?) in the 415, well then maybe you won’t get your full $9.92 per hour. But they’re talking about filming at Candlestick Park and Chinatown,** where San Francisco laws are in full effect.
In closing, these pretzels are making me thirsty!***
Extras Needed for New Matt Damon Film “Contagion”
Filming in SF February 9-19, 2011
Casting Call
- 1/29/11 Fort Mason,
- 1/30/11 Embarcadero YMCA
Filming starts on February 9th and goes through the 19th. Before shooting though, we will be coming to San Francisco to do an open casting call for those who may be interested in working on this film on Jan 29th and 30th. We are looking for Men and Women all shapes, sizes, types and ethnicities to be background performers for this feature.
We look forward to offering the opportunity for fun,exciting PAID work to San Francisco and Bay Area area residents. We will be casting lots of locals in the production.
The date and times for the open call castings are:
January 29, 2011 (2pm-6pm)
FORT MASON CENTER
Landmark Building C
Room C260and
January 30, 2011 (10am-4pm)
Embarcadero YMCAAll applicants need only a pen, a small photo of themselves and a great attitude. It’s as easy as that!
>> For more information about the casting call: 415-373-4202
*C’mon, “Rich King?” I suppose that’s better than Sandy Beach or something. (Never trust anyone from the movie biz.)
**Contagion in Chinatown? Hey, remember SARS? Restaurant owners would come out on Grant and to try to, physically, pull diners inside. Bad times.
***That’s from the comments section on SFGate. (Kramer was going to be more than an extra on that Woody Allen film, but anyway…)
No, it’s not ironic at all, but that’s O.K. Everybody loved her anyway.
via Steve Rhodes - he’s Everywhere You Want To Be.
And hey, here’s Michael Franti, the man who started Power to the Peaceful, back in the day:
Oops, that was Rasputin. Similar stare though. Here’s Mike Franti. Sort of reminds me of that other charismatic, yoga-loving, 9/11 Truther About Town…
…Mark Morford:
Would Rasputin be a Truther if he were around today? Hells yes.
And wasn’t Rasputin into yoga as well? Sure, he could have been.
Isn’t it ironic? Don’cha think?
(And what’s this, the controlled demolition crowd isn’t welcome in the Truth Movement anymore? I’m confused, srsly. Is is possible to have a Pearl Harbor without FDR-Let-Pearl-Harbor-Happen theories springing up? Apparently not. IIIDYT?)
Let’s see what our little town has up this weekend – hey, how about the popular Power to the Peaceful Concert and Festival on Saturday in Golden Gate Park and then the Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration on Sunday at the Herbst Theatre?
Singer Alanis Morrissette is the draw on Saturday and San Francisco First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom is the draw for Sunday. The whole joint is being put on Michael Franti, as per usual. But what’s that? Isn’t Franti a 9/11 Truther, since, among other things, he “signed” the same petition as Van Jones back in 2004? Well actually, you just don’t know, not enough information. See below.
Power to the Peaceful (fka “911 Power to the Peaceful“) in Golden Gate Park, as it happened last year. It featured Ziggy Marley, but without the Melody Makers. Click to expand:
So why did Franti call this event “911 Power to the Peaceful” until 2008? Well, you see, it’s not “9/11″ - it’s “911″, as in “911 is a Joke”
Here’s an explantion from 2002:
“The first two 911 Festivals (1999 and 2000) were held on September 11 to draw attention to the emergency state of the court case of Mumia Abu Jamal. Last year’s events involving the World Trade Center and the world abroad brought new significance to the subsequent festivals. Michael Franti states that the 4th annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival ‘will create a compassionate space of healing for ALL those people killed or displaced by terrorism and by the war on terrorism.’”
Some of the Truthers are a little hazy on this score, it seems. Oh well.
And oh, by the way Truthers, do you know that you’ve been banned from writing about your conspiracy theory on the Huffington Post? Let’s hear from Arianna:
“I despise 9/11 “truther” conspiracies. Indeed, one of the guidelines for bloggers on HuffPost is a ban on posts putting forth those kinds of theories.”
Oh snap! Hit me! That’s right, Truthers, they’ve gotten to Arianna! Who will They get next? No se. Moving on…
Let’s just say Thank You to Alanis for coming to town and having the courage to ask “¿Qué tal zanahorias transparentes colgando?”
All the deets on San Francisco’s biggest event this weekend:
“This coming Saturday, Bay Area native and Billboard-chart topping musician, Michael Franti, will host his annual Power to the Peaceful concert and festival in Golden Gate Park which is expected to draw more than 70,000 attendees with performances by Alanis Morissette and others. On Saturday, at 1:30 pm at the park, Franti will hold a press conference to kick off the weekend of Power to the Peaceful festivities. Joined by a variety of musicians and renowned speakers, Franti will speak on topics ranging from cultural diversity and non-violence to environmental sustainability and socio-political causes.
The following day, Sunday September 13, Franti will join forces with the global humanitarian organization, CARE, to host the Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration which will bring together experts on issues including climate change, hunger/food aid, and girls’ education with community members to discuss solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing women and girls around the world.
Opening with a welcome message by First Lady of San Francisco, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and closing with an intimate performance by Michael Franti and friends in the historic Herbst theatre, the Global Action Forum & Celebration is an afternoon and evening event that will include engaging sessions on critical global issues, as well as yoga, music, dance, a reception and more.
Michael Franti and CARE Present
the 11th Annual Power to the Peaceful Concert and Global Action Forum & Celebration:
Empowering People to Create Solutions to Poverty
WHAT: For the past 10 years Michael Franti, singer/activist and ambassador for the global
humanitarian organization CARE, has hosted the free Power to the Peaceful Concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. On Saturday, September 12, this one day event will bring more than 70,000 attendees together for a day of music and inspiration to serve people and the planet. This year, the Power to the Peaceful Concert will be followed on Sunday, September 13 by an afternoon forum that will harness the public’s energy and enthusiasm to tackle global poverty issues, particularly those affecting women. The Power to the Peaceful Global Action Forum & Celebration will feature experts from the global poverty-fighting organization CARE, as well as civic and community leaders who will discuss topics including Global Climate Change, Girls’ Empowerment, and Hunger and Food Security. Each session will examine challenges and solutions facing women in the developing world, and participants will leave with tangible strategies to affect change at home and abroad. Simultaneously, yoga practitioners can attend the Power to the Peaceful-sponsored yoga session and Brazilian capoeira/dance workshop. The event will culminate with symposium attendees and yogis joining for an evening reception featuring an acoustic concert with Michael Franti and friends and performances by Aguas da Bahia & Tambores Julio Remelexo drum and dance ensemble.
TICKETS:
The Power to the Peaceful Concert on Saturday, September 12 in Golden Gate Park is donation-based. Tickets to the Global Action Forum & Celebration, which starts at 2:00 pm on Sunday, September 13 are on sale now at www.care.org/forum
WHO:
- Michael Franti, musician/activist and CARE Ambassador
- Acclaimed photographer Phil Borges (www.womenempoweredproject.com), representatives from Back to Earth, Ode Magazine, Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Potentia Foundation, Room to Read, Spark, UC Berkeley, and Vitamin Angels, as well additional participants to be announced.
- A message from First Lady of San Francisco, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
- Experts from CARE including: Marcos Neto (Climate Change); Sarah Bouchie (Basic & Girls’ Education Unit), and David Kauck (Hunger/Food Aid)
WHERE:
The Global Action Forum & Celebration will take place in the Herbst Theatre and Green Room, in the War Memorial Veterans Building at 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister Street in San Francisco.
ABOUT:
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. www.care.org.
“Join thousands of people at Speedway Meadow, Golden Gate Park and be part of the international community coming together to build, inspire and pledge service toward those in need and help the planet. The 2009 event takes place at 11am on September 12th and will feature a full lineup of bands, speakers and information booths. In addition to morning yoga, main stage performers include Michael Franti and Spearhead, Alanis Morissette, Sly & Robbie and a slew of renowned DJs.
2009 Event Details:The weekend-long festival begins on Saturday, September 12, 2009 with confirmed main stage performances by music luminaries: Michael Franti and Spearhead, Alanis Morissette , Sly & Robbie, Cherine Anderson , Vieux Farka Toure’ , Sellassie and Truth Universal; a variety of renowned DJ’s include: Miguel Miggs, Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist, DJ Heyman and DJ Adnan, In addition to the main stage of musical artists the PTTP Festival will kick off the festival with 1000 Yogis for Peace, a morning yoga practice sponsored by Yoga Tree SF with teacher Seane Corn. From Tibit, keynote speaker, Namkha Rinpoche, will address global, personal peace and his service of teaching Buddhism in the western world “by making unhappy people happy. The main practice of Buddhism is compassion and patience.”
Saturday’s festival is a family-friendly event with a kid’s zone with conscious carnival games, flag making, face painting, marionettes, stilt walkers, and a chill tent for napping and feeding. The Kids Zone Stage will feature performances by: PopLyfe, Jaden, Peace Outs, Gabby La La, Bird School PTTP Band and the Bay Area Girls.
This was the scene today as Democratic Women in Action met at the San Francsico State Building to discuss the best way to react to recent budget cuts. Click on their poster below to see what it was about.
San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner Linda Richardson, Community Activist Jane Morrison, and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma outside the meeting.
Keep up with future meeting like this one at San Francisco FYI Net.
