Posts Tagged ‘beach’

Ocean Beach Erosion Town Hall Meeting Tonight at the Great Highway’s Park Chalet

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Our neighbors in the Great Sand Waste* of the Outside Lands are having a little trouble with the partial collapse of the Great Highway near Sloat, so there’ll be a meeting tonight at 7:00 PM:

“A community meeting is being held on Monday, January 25th at 7:00 PM at the Park Chalet (located behind the Beach Chalet at 1000 Great Highway just south of Fulton in San Francisco) to discuss the proposed actions at Sloat Boulevard. The DPW Project Manager, Frank Filice will be there to discuss the emergency declaration, the short-term strategy, and a process for a long-term solution. Everyone who has an interest in the preservation and the future of Ocean Beach is encouraged to attend. The emergency declaration will go before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for ratification the following day, Tuesday, January 26th.”

Will San Francisco “armor the beach or something? Stay tuned…

by k. riccitiello

If that doesn’t float your boat, there’s always, this:

“The Park Chalet will be offering $2 pints and extending their $5 happy hour menu of appetizers all night for the event.”

See you there.

*Look at this – snark from 160 years ago: The True Story of How San Francisco Received Its Name:

“San Francisco – this is a derivative word from sand and Francisco. In the early settlement of this country it was the custom of an old monk of the interior, by the name of Jeremiah Francisco, to perform a pilgrimage to this place every month, to visit the tomb of a brother of the order whose remains he had here interred. The wind “blew like mad” here, and upon his return he was usually so covered with the dust and sand, that his neighbors were unable to recognize him; hence they soon began to call him sand Francisco.

On one of his pilgrimages he happened, by mistake, to die here, and the place ever after was called by his name. From the difficulty of enunciating the d, it was usually called SAN FRANCISCO, and has so continued to this day. The present popular notion that the place was named after the St. Francis Hotel is an error!

California Weekly Courier
August 1, 1850″

Marin County’s Hill 88: A Wild Ghost Town in the Sky, and Former Home to Nuclear Bombs

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

This is the view from San Francisco over the Golden Gate – can you see the defunct buildings of Hill 88 in front of the East Peak of Mount Tamalpais? Those buildings were the eyes and ears of SF-88, southern Marin’s very own Nike Hercules missile complex.

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The actual nuclear warheads and missiles were stored at another facility down the hill – you can visit that place Wednesday through Saturday.

What’s shown in this photo above is the radar station part of the base, on the summit, where they had German shepherd guard dogs, machine guns, the whole magilla until the 1970’s. San Francisco also had a similar setup back in the day using the Presidio and Mount Sutro, but that was the smaller, non-nuclear Nike Ajax system and there’s really nothing left to visit anymore.

But in Marin, you can climb up to the hilltop facility of SF-88 whenever you want - you’ll get nice views and you’ll have a chance to see the graffiti.

Come visit Marin’s Wild Ghost Town in the Sky.

OMG! It’s Gay Family Day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this Saturday, October 3, 2009!

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Pack up the kids and head on down to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this Saturday  to get in on the 1st Annual Gay Family Day!

It’s on!

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Does your organization (amusement park, museum, or what have you) have a Gay Family Day? If not, why not?

Here’s some free legal advice so you don’t have to bother those pesky lawyers:

1. Have a Gay Family Day and give somethings away for free, or give some kind of benefit for coming that day.

2. Offer said benefits to all comers, including non-gays and non-families and neo-Nazis and everybody else.

That’s it.

Memorial for Fallen Pedestrian Melissa Dennison Set for Tuesday Night at Ocean Beach

Friday, September 25th, 2009

A San Francisco memorial for Melissa Dennison is set for Tuesday, September 29th, 6:00 PM at Ocean Beach (somewhere near the Beach Chalet, most likely). All the details are/will be here on this Facebook entry. From FB:

“Please join me in paying tribute to this bright star.all are welcome.please bring any music,poetry,ect. that melissa liked or that remind’s you of her.and please pass this on to anyone who might have know melissa. any network friends,ucsb,ucsf,etc. thank you.=i’m not sure exactly were on the beach it is going to be,i cant reserve a fire pit.i just need to go early and save one.if anyone wants to help in any way firewood,passing this on,food.you are more than welcome. p.s. this is a drug and alcohol free event.”

The scene at Fell and Broderick:

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A Thrilling End to AVP Pro Beach VolleyBall 2009 in San Francisco

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Get up to speed on professional volleyball’s recent four-day visit to San Francisco right here. And read on to see what it was like yesterday during the Finals.  

Pro beach volleyball with gold medal Olympians under the golden Sun - what better use could you have for the old Piers of San Francisco? Click to expand:

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Let’s pass by the sponsor’s tent to see the rainbow of Crocs shoes…

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…and here’s the mise en scene at Centre Court in the mini-stadium. This is a pretty good transformation of Piers 30-32. You don’t get the total SoCal experience as you might in counties Los Angeles, Orange (yes, The O.C.) 0r Fun Diego, but it isn’t bad at all:

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First the Women’s Final. (Results here and better photos here.) Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs took on Jen Kessy and April Ross. See how high above the net they can get?

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You don’t know where the spike is going to go. Will the ball go to the left or the right…

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…or just slam right through your arms? (NB: KGC stands for Kentucky Grilled Chicken)

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And on to the Men’s Final, with John Hyden and Sean Scott taking on recent gold medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. Here’s Phil the Thrillhissself:

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These fellows are a little tall. See? Todd Rogers injured finger didn’t seem to slow him down too much:

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And here’s the “Beast of Beijing” flying along above the sand:

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Guess who won?

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Joe Gallo presenting the giant check. Barefoot Wines is owned by Gallo? Did not know that.

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So there you have it – an accessible, world-class sporting event that doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, right here in our little town. That’s the AVP San Francisco Open.

See you next year!

AVP Pro Beach Volleyball in Full Swing in San Francisco. Finals Tomorrow

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Read all about the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball competition in San Francisco right here. And, bonus, watch it live right now, right here(assuming you can handle a little Microsoft SilverLight software, that is.)

And you can also see some action on Comcast cable TV (somehow, not sure which channel) starting at 2:00 PM Sunday.

New mom Kerri Walsh wins a point in a close match yesterday. Click to expand:

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See? The first game went into overtime:

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No 90-pound weaklings here. Beefcake, Beefcake, BEEFCAKE!

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Lucky fans can find a giant key in the sand to win, win, win! I think this was for a luxury stay at a Hyatt:

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And the Marines are recruiting, using their giant red Hummer.

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See you there!

See Gold Medal Olympians Play Pro Beach Volleyball – AVP in SF, CA Thru Sunday

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Well, construction is all finished at Piers 30-32 so the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open is on today, tomorrow and the next. Read the press release below.

Competition in the Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup yesterday. The finals  on Sunday will be in the temporary stadium. 

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Hunter/House and Kaslow/Wooliver Win Inagural Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup and Break into Main Draw of AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine
Main Draw play begins 8 a.m.  FRIDAY

SAN FRANCISCO (August 13, 2009) – Two beach volleyball teams have earned their shot at professional beach volleyball stardom Thursday at the inaugural Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup. Colleen Hunter and Meghan House (St. Louis), and Colin Kaslow and Tim Wooliver (Austin) have played into the Main Draw of the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine, professional beach volleyball’s only stop in the Bay Area.

The Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup featured the best players from sixteen volleyball leagues around the nation, each of whom qualified to play in San Francisco in the hopes of getting their chance to make it into the main event, the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot Wine.

On the women’s side, Hunter and House defeated New York’s Dana Fiume and Ginger Schuster 18-21, 21-17, 16-14 to take home the first-ever women’s Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup title.

“We’re in shock,” House said. “As soon as the ball hit that net, we just started bawling.”

Hunter and House, now seeded 24th in the Main Draw, will take on ninth-seeded Angie Akers and Tyra Turner at 8 a.m. on Friday.

On the men’s side, Kaslow and Wooliver defeated St. Louis’ Phil Goedecker and Wayne Scott 13-21, 25-23, 15-10 in the final.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Wooliver said. “That’s why we play, to eventually make it to the AVP.”

Kaslow and Wooliver, also now seeded 24th, will attempt to upset ninth-seeded Billy Allen and Braidy Halverson.

Friday marks the start of Main Draw action at the AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Barefoot wine. Athletes set to play include Santa Clara native, Stanford graduate and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh and 2008 gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, as well as Beijing Olympian and Orinda native Nicole Branagh. Stanford graduates Matt Fuerbringer and Ashley Ivy will also take to the sand Friday.

The AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open presented by Bud Light continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Piers 30/32 in San Francisco. Sunday’s men’s and women’s finals will be broadcast live on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area, starting at 2 p.m. PDT.

Tickets are available at www.avp.com, www.sfgiants.com or at the onsite box office.

Along the piers they have more tents set up than you would find at a typical Quidditch World Cup. They were handing out free Barefoot Wine yesterday:

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See you there!

Kerri Walsh Returns – AVP Pro Beach Volleyball This Weekend at Piers 30/32

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Bay Area native Kerri Walsh is scheduled to appear in the 2009 AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco. It’s this weekend in the SoMA, on Piers 30 & 32.

Get your tickets now. Deets and photos below.

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AVP CROCS TOUR SAN FRANCISCO OPEN TO TAKE PLACE AUGUST 13-16 AT PIERS 30/32
 
Professional beach volleyball’s only stop in the Bay Area to feature return of two-time gold medalist , Santa Clara native and Stanford grad
 
WHAT:                        AVP Crocs Tour San Francisco Open, professional beach volleyball’s only stop in the San Francisco Area, features world-class beach volleyball on the shores of the Bay. High-level athletic competition combines with a beach party atmosphere to make the tournament a perfect summer event.
 
WHO:                          Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Santa Clara native and Stanford graduate Kerri Walsh, fellow Beijing Olympian and Orinda native Nicole Branagh, 2008 Olympic gold medalists Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, AVP Crocs Tour stars and Stanford graduates Matt Fuerbringer and Ashley Ivy.
 
WHEN:                        This weekend – August 13-16, 2009
 
WHERE:                      Piers 30/32, San Francisco, CA
 
TICKETS:                   Please visit www.avp.com or www.sfgiants.com for tickets. Tickets are also available at the onsite box office throughout the tournament.

From this, as seen on Monday…

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…to this, as it looked last year:

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And are they still looking for volunteers?

“To ensure a successful event, we are looking for volunteers to assist as ball shaggers, score keepers, ticket takers, hospitality assistants and more. To volunteer in San Francisco, please click here.”

Or if you just want to check things out, try it for free this Thursday:

Barefoot Wine AVPNext Championship Cup
Gates open when play begins at 8:00 AM – Free Admission
Start time 8:00 AM. End Time (Approx) 6:00 PM.

See you there!

The California Academy of Sciences Announces Extended Summer Hours

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

Our CalAcademy has just announced extended hours!

So, until September 3, 2009, the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park will be open until 8:00 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. Check all the deets below.

Are the animules friendlier during the evening? It sure seems that way:

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THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES ANNOUNCES EXTENDED SUMMER HOURS FROM AUGUST 3-SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

Museum to stay open until 8:00 pm every Monday and Tuesday night.

Summer nights in San Francisco just got steamier. Visitors to the California Academy of Sciences can now enjoy the four-story rainforest exhibit, the swampy alligator habitat, the mangrove lagoon, and the rest of the museum’s exhibits and shows until 8:00 pm every Monday and Tuesday from August 3 through September 8, 2009.

San Francisco residents and tourists alike can take advantage of the long summer days to visit the Academy during off-peak times for Golden Gate Park—and to catch some of the aquarium’s nocturnal animals at their most active. “We have been delighted by the strong interest that San Francisco residents and visitors have shown in the new Academy since we opened last September,” said Dr. Greg Farrington, executive director of the Academy. “These extended summer hours will help ensure that everyone who wants to visit with our penguins and zoom through our digital Universe is able to do so.”

Dr. F welcomes you:

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“Throughout the extended summer hours program, all of the Academy’s exhibits will remain open until 8:00 pm on Monday and Tuesday nights, and the planetarium and 3D theater will offer additional shows. The Academy Cafe will also remain open, giving working parents the opportunity to bring their kids to the Academy for “dinner and a museum” as a special weeknight treat.

Regular admission fees will apply for the Academy’s extended summer hours; Academy members will be admitted free of charge. Unlike the Academy’s weekly Thursday night program, NightLife, during which adults ages 21 and over can enjoy the museum from 6:00 – 10:00 pm, the Academy’s extended summer hours on Monday and Tuesday nights will be available for all ages. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online at www.calacademy.org/tickets. As always, visitors who take public transportation receive a $3 discount.

On Monday, August 3, evening visitors can also choose to attend an astronomy lecture by Margaret Race from the SETI Institute. Hosted inside the Academy’s 90-foot diameter planetarium dome, the lecture will begin at 7:30 pm. During the talk, Race will describe how experts from many different disciplines contribute to searches for extraterrestrial life—and explain how the Outer Space Treaty and planetary protection policies urge “responsible exploration” when visiting other planets. Lecture tickets cost $10, and advanced purchase is recommended. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 800-794-7576.

 The California Academy of Sciences is home to Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Kimball Natural History Museum, and world-class research and education programs—all under one living roof. The new Academy, designed by award-winning architect Renzo Piano, opened to the public on September 27. Admission to the Academy is: $24.95 for adults; $19.95 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with valid ID; $14.95 for children ages seven to 11; and free for children ages six and younger. The Academy is free to the public on the third Wednesday of each month. Admission fees include all exhibits and shows. Hours are 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Saturday, and 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sunday. The Academy is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. www.calacademy.org. (415) 379-8000.

The View You Get From the 17th Hole of San Francisco’s Lincoln Park Golf Course

Monday, July 20th, 2009

What can you see here looking north from the 17th hole of the inexpensive and much-discussed Lincoln Park Golf Club (aka “Stinkin’ Lincoln”)? Well, there’s the teeing area, of course, but you can also see the Golden Gate and the Point Bonita Lighthouse, as well the houses of Muir Beach City and a good chunk of western Marin County.

Click to expand:

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And when you get to the green, you get a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 Not too shabby for just $1-something per hole, huh?

“Until the 1840s the strait was called the “Boca del Puerto de San Francisco” (Mouth of the Port of San Francisco). On 1 July 1846, before the discovery of gold in California, the entrance acquired a new name. In his memoirs, John C. Frémont wrote, “To this Gate I gave the name of “Chrysopylae”, or “Golden Gate“; for the same reasons that the harbor of Byzantium was called Chrysoceras, or Golden Horn”