The San Francisco Citizen

Now back in the day, it was easy to see construction workers on the job. All you had to do was look up through the I-beams and see them walking around. Those were the days, see?  

But these days, due to changing construction techniques using concrete, rebar, and whatnot, you need to get above the workers to see them at labor. These folks are mostly out of view after the first floor gets done. Here, they work on the third floor.

Pretty soon, you wont see the cars of UC Hastings Law School students and staff clogging up the parking spaces of Civic Center  and Little Saigon thanks to this new mixed-use building that’s still going up.

Click to expand.

The other problem with seeing these people at work is that these jobs are drying up lately.

Good-bye construction workers of San Francisco. See you again in a year or two?

Ivy League lawyer and writer Anthony Kapel Jones, aka Anthony “Van” Jones, aka Van Jones (think that’s the right progression) held a book signing at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park today for The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.

After being introduced by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Van Jones went out of his way to mention Green For All, an organization he founded with a little help from Majora Carter (who was last seen in San Francisco earlier this year on Van Ness being manhandled by elements of both the SFPD and the Chinese People’s Armed Police), and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. 

You can get a feel for his views here on the HuffPo, with him discussing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s “Green Jobs Act of 2007.”

It was a quite an effort for Van Jones to get this book published, what with one prospective publisher saying:

“Black people don’t buy Green books and White people don’t buy Black books.”

Or words to that effect. (Can you imagine?)   

So there you have it. Check out the impressive list of endorsements, below. 

Early reviews:

“Brother Van Jones is a visionary who spells out real solutions in black and white - and, of course, green. Van’s vision of a thriving, green economy doesn’t have throw-away things or throw-away people. It’s the kind of environmentalism everyone can get behind.” — Mario Van Peebles, actor and producer, Mario’s Green House

“It’s rare that someone with such a gift for speaking is able to convey the energy and excitement of his message equally well in writing. With The Green Collar Economy, Van Jones surpasses all expectations. The country seriously needs his take on the environment and the economy.” — Gavin Newsom, Mayor of San Francisco

“This book illustrates the link between the struggle to restore the environment and the need to revive the US economy. Van Jones demonstrates conclusively that the best solutions for the survivability of our planet are also the best solutions for everyday Americans.” — Al Gore

“Van Jones has a unique ability to inspire people of all colors, classes and generations to uplift vulnerable people, while protecting our vulnerable planet. His sparkling intelligence, powerful vision and deep empathy are all on full display in The Green-Collar Economy.” — Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives

“Van Jones reminds us that the worst of times can also be the best of times — that a nation with an abundance of resources it’s wasting — beginning with its youth — has an enormous opportunity to stop foolishly bankrupting itself by chasing resources it is running out of — like oil.” — Carl Pope, Executive Director Sierra Club

“Van Jones’ authentic and passionate arguments trump the status quo. In The Green Collar Economy he holds the welfare of our neediest people front and center as he lays out a viable plan for the remainder of the 21st century.” — Tavis Smiley, Author, Television and Radio Host

Of course Apple really wants you to buy their new iPhone3G, but are you game? Last year’s debut of the 1st generation iPhone (oddly refered to as the “2G” in this leaked memo) went well enough. But that was then and this is now.

You gots to get iReady before Good Friday, July 11, 2008, right? That’s what this gal from New Orleans thought, but she recently found a decided lack of southern hospitality at her local AT&T store (despite the fact that Central Pennsylvania is the Alabama of the North).

Unfortunately, this Southern belle’s experience is not unusual.

This is what it looked like year on the Streets of San Francisco:

From the Flickrstream of Jen SFO-BCN,mmmm…SFO bacon

Of course last year, the lines moved swiftly. So swiftly that employees were commanded to hit the sidewalks to start hawking the goods. This year? Not so much. And because of the expected hassles, you’ll be able to activate and buy just one iPhone on Opening Day at AT&T stores.   

All you can do at this point is to just be prepared.

So people get ready to spend a lot of time iWaiting in line on iFriday. If you want.

$700? Yep, that’s what the 16GB model will run you if you don’t want to get the two-year contract from AT&T. But let’s say you play it safe and sign up for AT&T service - some people think that the second-generation iPhone will end up costing you more money. Or maybe you already signed up for the first iPhone - will you be able to easily upgrade? It’s hard to say. (At least you don’t live in Canada, where Rogers rules.)

So much for Twice as Fast, Half the Price. Consult your phone guru for advice here. Some people might actually stick with their existing brick. Good for them.

But not you. You want the latest details on the 3G models from a fake Steve Jobs who gesticulates as if he’s one-quarter Italian. Right? You’re in luck.

Check out the new 3G here.

And if you’re already familiar with the existing iPhone, find out what’s new right here.

Excited? See you in line on July 11, 2008. Let’s hope we’ll get a greeting like this at opening time. But uh oh, are you iReady?  

 You bring the coffee, and I’ll bring the cupcakes.

Apple retail stores are offering four free workshops that are recommended for kids ages 8 to 12 this summer. Sign them up today! But hurry, as spaces are filling up right now.

Is this how they will greet your tweens when they arrive at the three-hour workshops in July? We can only hope.

Talk with your young ‘uns and pick two of the following:

Apple is the new Borg - the sooner your kids realize that, the better. Give in.

See you there!