I don’t know, You Make The Call on how wrong this Cadillac commercial is:
Apparently, San Francisco and Los Angeles are the same place.
Apparently, Brad Pitt just looooooves grandpa cars.
Apparently, Brad Pitt is a whore and his price is $3,000,000.
Apparently.
Is this the thing that everybody’s talking about tonight?
The LA Times says meteor.
Fireballs FAQ from your American Meteor Society.
Follow men’s eyes as they look to the skies
The shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams
[UPDATE: Here we go, the impression of a Young Artist, suspiciously over-detailed:
Jill Padilla’s son Juan drew this pic right after seeing the strange lights. (credit: Juan Padilla)
Awesome!
Until next time…
Released today:
“STATEMENT: SF AND LA CITY LEADERS SPEAK OUT ON FAN VIOLENCE”
“The following statement was issued today by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, SFPD Interim Chief Jeff Godown, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, San Francisco Giants Managing Partner Bill Neukom and Los Angeles Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt in regard to the assault that occurred after Thursday’s Opening Day game at Dodger Stadium:
“This attack is unconscionable behavior that will not be tolerated in either of our ballparks or in either of our cities. Once apprehended, the attackers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Public safety is the top priority for all of us and even one act of random violence is unacceptable.
Baseball is a family sport that has unified our country after times of crisis and tragedy. This senseless act of violence has no place in our society and certainly not in our national pastime.
The Giant/Dodger rivalry is one of the most storied in all of sports, dating back to when the teams played across town in New York City before their moves to California. This is a great rivalry between teams competing on the field of play. That’s where it must stay.
We call on our respective citizens to stand together in honor of that rivalry as you have done throughout the years. Root hard for your teams, and do so with civility and common decency.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim Bryan Stow and his family. The best thing that we as a community of baseball fans can do to support Bryan and his family is to rise above this outrageous act and exercise good sportsmanship and mutual respect for each other.”
Read this afternoon’s bit from the Bay Citizen‘s John Upton and then decide for yourself.
“San Francisco Appears to Be Only America’s Cup Bidder - Officials have failed to identify any competitors to host sailing event”
I’ve already had my say about the prospects of San Francisco hosting the America’s Cup yacht race in a few years – read the latest on the matter, below.
Larry Ellison’s fleet at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, complete with Japanese meatballs. Will it soon be expanding?
Click to expand
MAYOR NEWSOM AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INTRODUCE THE 34TH AMERICA’S CUP HOST CITY AGREEMENT
Host City Agreement Formally Sets Essential Terms and Conditions Agreed Upon by the America’s Cup Committee of the Golden Gate Yacht Club for San Francisco to Host the 34th America’s Cup if Chosen
San Francisco – Mayor Gavin Newsom, Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi and other members of the Board of Supervisors today introduced San Francisco’s Host City Agreement, a final step in the consideration process to host the 34th America’s Cup. The Host City Agreement sets forth essential terms and conditions agreed upon by the America’s Cup Committee of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and the City of San Francisco in accordance with the Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup and the Term Sheet adopted by the Board of Supervisors by a vote of 9-2 on October 5, 2010.
“There is no better place and no better partner for the America’s Cup than San Francisco,” said Mayor Newsom. “With this agreement, San Francisco is making its commitment to the America’s Cup in return for the Team’s commitment to bring the world’s oldest international sailing competition and all the jobs and long-term economic benefits that come with it to San Francisco. This is the opportunity of a lifetime we must not let pass.”
In addition to Mayor Newsom, Board of Supervisors President Chiu and Supervisor Mirkarimi, the Host City Agreement was also initially co-sponsored by Supervisors Michela Alioto-Pier, Carmen Chu, Bevan Dufty, and Sophie Maxwell. The San Francisco America’s Cup Organizing Committee is also a party to the Agreement.
Hosting the America’s Cup in San Francisco would bring a beautiful backdrop, predictable winds, world-class visitor amenities and enormous spectatorship opportunities that the natural marine amphitheater of the San Francisco Bay offers. In order to provide the Team with the highest level of certainty possible regarding a number of important issues, including the venue plan, key financial terms, sponsorship opportunities, schedule and event logistics, City staff have negotiated host city agreement with the team for endorsement by the Board of Supervisors.
“We as a City are coming together to put into place the commitments necessary to host the 34th America’s Cup in our Bay waters,” said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu. “The economy of the entire San Francisco Bay Area will benefit exponentially from hosting the America’s Cup in 2013, and we are preparing to bring this world class sailing race to our world class waterfront.”
“San Francisco is the only location for this event,” said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi. “Having been exposed during my youth to sailing and the America’s Cup, I know we have everything race organizers need, including the expertise and will, to host the ‘World Cup’ of sailing and make this event a historic success. I look forward to the Budget and Finance Committee hearing on the Agreement on December 1st, where we will hear concrete answers to the questions of how the America’s Cup will benefit the people of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.”
The Host City Agreement envisions the use of piers along the southern waterfront and leaves open the possibility of exploring and studying other sites if there are opportunities to deliver the facilities more quickly, using fewer resources on both sides, and further enhancing the America’s Cup experience in San Francisco.
The possible alternatives are part of the Fiscal Feasibility study and will be included in the project’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review.
Hosting the Event in San Francisco would generate significant public benefits for the City, including providing a catalyst for the repair, improvement and productive reuse of City piers along the City’s central and southern waterfront that are currently in a such state of grave disrepair that there is no other viable plan to pay for the improvements. Hosting the America’s Cup would also generate an enormous amount of economic development in a very short period of time, including over 9,000 jobs and more than $1.4 billion of new economic activity.
There are additional terms in the Host City Agreement that expand upon the concepts in the Term Sheet including a number of suggestions made by members of the Board of Supervisors and the public during the prior hearings, and they include:
· Ensuring that the Event Authority receives future development opportunities commensurate with the infrastructure improvements necessary to build world class America’s Cup Village facilities on San Francisco’s public waterfront.
· As the specific plans for the 34th America’s Cup have not been finalized, the parties anticipate certain changes may be made by mutual agreement prior to the execution of the Venue Leases, the Development and Disposition Agreements for the Legacy Leases and/or the Transfer Agreement.
· Ensuring the highest environmental standards and sustainability programs are used for the America’s Cup event as well as the infrastructure improvements as well as using local labor and workforce for the infrastructure improvements undertaken by the Event Authority.
· Securing MOUs from key third parties, specifically federal and state agencies with oversight and are key parties to a successful hosting of the America’s Cup in San Francisco These include: the Coast Guard, FAA, FCC, GGNRA, Homeland Security, BCDC, to name a few.
· Affirmatively stating that the Board of Supervisors and/or the Port of San Francisco will have future discretionary approvals for the execution of the Venue Leases, Development and Disposition Agreements, Legacy Leases and Transfer Agreement, as well as any potential CEQA appeals.
Just saying.
Now, if we had different kinds of laws in California, and if we had three-quarters of a billion to offer, you know, the way others do, then tings might be different. Oh well.
Of course, sometimes, you’re better off not “winning” a big event like the Olympics.
Anyway, read below for the News of the Day. (The Lawsuit Countdown starts right now.)
Crazy Larry Ellison with Mayor Gavin Newsom at City Hall:
“America’s Cup Organizing Committee Unveils Honorary Committee Members. Public Officials from Across the United States Support U.S. Bid. Mayors of Long Beach, California; Newport, Rhode Island and San Diego Highlight Local Officials Support. Republicans and Democrats Join Together in Effort to Bring America’s Cup to the U.S.
San Francisco, CA –Democrats and Republicans from across California have joined together to form the Honorary Committee of the America’s Cup Organizing Committee demonstrating strong bi-partisan support from around the state for bringing the Cup to California’s San Francisco Bay area.
The honorary committee includes Senator Dianne Feinstein and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It also includes Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Governors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. In addition, California State Senate President Darrel Steinberg and CA State Assembly Speaker John Perez have joined the Honorary Committee.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco County Board of Supervisors President David Chiu and Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi headline a large group of local officials on the committee.
In addition, officials from across the United States have agreed to join the ACOC Honorary Committee including: Newport, Rhode Island Jeanne- Marie Napolitano; San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Long Beach, California Mayor Bob Foster.
Ever more deets, after the jump (more…)
In Latin, qui means “lotta” and tam means “cashola,” or something like that, so that’s exactly what you get when you win as a whistle blower in a False Claims Act lawsuit.
Read on to learn about a recent qui tam suit involving local attorneys Eric R. Havian and Claire M. Sylvia and Allen Davis, a former quality assurance manager at Northrup in SLC, Utah.
Northrop Whistleblower and His Attorneys Comment on Company’s $12.5 Million Settlement
LOS ANGELES, June 23 — The fraud charges Northrop Grumman is settling today for $12.5 million were brought to the government’s attention by a company manager in its Salt Lake City, Utah, plant who filed a “qui tam” (whistleblower) lawsuit against Northrop in federal district court in Los Angeles in 2006.
After investigating the whistleblower’s allegations, the federal government determined that Northrop for nine years had failed to test certain electronic components it sold the military for use in the navigation systems of planes, helicopters and submarines.
Whistleblower: Allen Davis, formerly a quality assurance manager with Northrop’s navigation systems division in Salt Lake City. He will receive a reward of $2.3 millionas provided in the “qui tam” provisions of the False Claims Act.
Whistleblower’s attorneys: Eric R. Havian and Claire M. Sylvia, San Francisco lawyers with Phillips & Cohen LLP. Tel: 415.836.9000.
Statement from Claire M. Sylvia, Phillips & Cohen LLP, San Francisco.
“Allen Davis demonstrated a lot of courage in reporting to the government that his employer was failing to ensure that parts used in military products were properly tested. He did everything he could to raise his concerns with his supervisors, but they ignored his complaints. So he turned to us to become a whistleblower to force the company to address the problem. Mr. Davis is deeply committed to doing his part to keep our armed forces safe.”
Statement from Eric R. Havian, Phillips & Cohen LLP, San Francisco
“Northrop charged the government for tested parts and delivered untested ones. The government allows defense contractors to use commercial parts in military equipment only if those parts are tested to withstand the extreme temperatures and wear that can occur in combat situations. The military pays contractors extra money to cover the costs of those tests. Allen Davis alleged – and the government’s investigation found – that Northrop was knowingly failing to conduct required safety tests.”
Statement from Allen Davis
“If an everyday person such as myself can bring about change for the better, anyone can. I pursued this case because we owe the men and women of the armed forces our best efforts to provide them with the best equipment possible. They are risking their lives every day and depend on the equipment we build to stay safe.”
About Phillips & Cohen LLP
Phillips & Cohen LLP is the nation’s most successful law firm representing whistleblowers. Qui tam lawsuits brought by Phillips & Cohen have resulted in civil recoveries and related criminal fines totaling $5.3 billion. Phillips & Cohen also represents whistleblowers in cases involving major tax fraud and evasion as well as securities law violations. The firm’s attorneys are regularly recognized for their successful work on whistleblower cases with inclusion on such select lists as the Top 10 “Winning Attorneys” in the U.S., the “100 Most Influential Lawyers” and the National Law Journal’s Top 20 “Hot List” of plaintiffs’ law firms. See www.phillipsandcohen.com for more information.
Remember back in the day when San Francisco had it’s very own “world-class” airship, the largest in the world? Well, it looks like we’re losing her to Los Angeles and Fun Diego, slowly but surely.
One of our dirigibles/ is missing/ tonight/ from the skies of the bay area.
First the Redwoods, now this. Who lost the Eureka?*
I’ll miss your piggy tail most of all, Eureka. Sure you’ll come back and visit from time to time, but we want you all to ourselves.
Tell us Airship Ventures, tell us what we did wrong! How can we change?
*Feel free to add this to your list of Pointless Inter-City Rivalries. It’s #87 on mine.
“Our New-Look Airship Returns to the Los Angeles Skies
“It’s been a while since Eureka sailed the skies, spending the past four weeks under wraps in Hangar Two for her annual maintenance. During her month-long tune-up, the airship not only got some new parts, she also got a new look. For the second time this year, we are partnering with Farmers Insurance to fly their brand above communities they serve in California– first stop, Los Angeles!
Join us aboard Eureka March 26 – April 4 for flightseeing SoCal style. Choose to fly along the coast, above L.A. landmarks and Tinseltown icons, or perhaps celebrate spring with an Easter egg hunt from 1000-feet!”
Bye bye Empire, bye bye – after the jump.
San Francisco-based Virgin America Airlines has its own “docu-series” starting up on March 24th at 9:30 PM on the CW – it’s called Fly Girls (and it’s not to be confused with the In Living Color/Jennifer Lopez kind of Fly Girls from the 90′s).
Take a look. Meet Mandalay, a local “girl” who’s a Virgin America flight attendant based out of SFO in real life. Listen to her go on about the “romance of aviation” and the benefits of choosing Virgin America, the only California-based airline left by the way.
Barbie, Skipper, and the ”ethnic girlfriends of Barbie“ (or, more politely, a ”mini- United Nations of races and ethnicities“) are coming soon to KBCW-TV channel 44 / 45 and all the CW stations across America. Oh yes, their “real” names (or “reel” names) are Tasha, Louise, Mandy (or Mandi), Nikole and Farrah:
Doesn’t this promo shot from the CW Network of former beauty queen Nikole look just like a Virgin America ad?
This show is going to be something like eight half-hour Virgin America infomercials complete with 30-second commercials for shampoo and cosmetics. Nevertheless, it’s going to be better than NBC’s high-budget San Francisco-based Trauma serial, that’s a given from the get-go. (Wonder if cheeky Virgin Airlines founder Sir Richard Branson will make an appearance or two…)
Just discovered that my aging Trinitron (that could be older than you) actually receives channel 44 so I’ll be sure to tune in to check out the debut.
Excelsior, Ever Upward.
Now, meet the Fly Girls and get more deets after the jump.
Farrah Williams
Hometown Airport: LAX
Must Have Travel Accessories: Lip balm and a camera
Travel Tips: “Be nice to fellow travelers and flight attendants. It makes for a more pleasant experience all the way around.”
Security Checkpoint Tips: “Don’t make eye contact. Strip down quick so you’re not holding up the line.”
Years with Virgin America: 2 ½
Louise Nguyen
Hometown Airport: LAX (currently SFO)
Must Have Travel Accessories: Moisturizer and lip balm
Travel Tips: “While on the plane, always wear your shoes in the restroom!”
Security Checkpoint Tips: “Get in line behind someone who has already taken their shoes off, and who is not juggling a ton of things in their hands, and then do the same.”
Years with Virgin America: 2
Mandy Roberts
Hometown Airport: PHX (currently SFO)
Must Have Travel Accessory: A big, soft pashmina that can be used as a pillow or blanket.
Travel Tips: “Drink an endless amount of water.”
Security Checkpoint Tips: “Wear slip-on shoes with socks, if possible. It’s yucky to wait in line with bare feet on the dirty floor.”
Years with Virgin America: 2
Nikole Rubyn
Hometown Airport: SMF (Sacramento)
Must Have Travel Accessory: Visine
Travel Tips: “Always wear or bring socks with you to walk through security!”
Security Checkpoint Tips: “Don’t wear all of your jewelry to the airport, keep it in small bags and put it on after you get through security.”
Years with Virgin America: 2
Tasha Dunnigan
Hometown Airport: SMF (Sacramento)
Must Have Travel Accessory: Cell phone
Travel Tips: “Don’t forget your common sense at home.”
Security Checkpoint Tips: “Have all of your things in order and pay attention.”
Years with Virgin America: 2
“Fly Girls” is from Collins Avenue Productions, with executive producers Jeff Collins (“Bridezilla 3, 4 & 5,” “The Exterminators”) and Colin Nash (“The Hills,” “The City”) and co-executive producers Larry Bond and Porter Gale.
San Francisco’s method of handling feral cats might be affected by a recent ruling down in L.A., where Judge Thomas McKnew just suspended the entire county’s Trap-Neuter-Return program. So people can still bring in feral kitties for sterilization at various clinics but the county can’t subsidize or promote any such program now.
Do we have a similar TNR program in San Francisco? Oh yes. If you call the SPCA about a feral cat in your backyard, they’ll help you trap it, they’ll perform the operation and then they’ll release the kitty right back in your backyard.
Judge McKnew didn’t like that fact that there was no CEQA Environmental Impact Report done and then he read up on county reports stating that TNR was ineffectual. I don’t think San Francisco supports TNR the way Los Angeles did, but certainly it works with the SF SPCA on some issues, anyway.
This feral cat in Golden Gate Park has a notched right ear – a sure sign that it’s been through a TNR program – that’s how they mark “graduates.”
This feral kitty from the West End of GGP has yet to be trapped:
Learn more about this issue from the Chinatown Pet News Examiner (yes, the Chinatown Pet News Examiner!) and then bone up on San Francisco’s Feral Fix Program here, and below.
So, Will a Recent State Judge Ruling Affect San Francisco’s Feral Cat Neutering System? I don’t know. Just asking.
Anyway, the system in place now is about as convenient as it could be:
“Free Feral Fix Program (http://www.sfspca.org/veterinary-services/feral-fix)
In most cities, there is no care available for feral cats. But since 1993, The SF/SPCA has teamed up with feral cat caregivers to control, monitor, feed and provide veterinary care to feral cat populations — and even help adopt some into loving homes.
We provide spay/neuter procedures for San Francisco’s feral cats for free on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — no appointment necessary.
Read the Adoption Pact between The SF/SPCA and ACC.
The new Leanne Roberts Center dramatically increases our capacity to care for and treat feral cats. See the tips below for how you can help.
How Our Feral Fix Program Works
We accept trapped cats Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding major holidays).
Drop off time is between 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Bring a trapped cat to the Leanne Roberts Center Feral Cat Department Entrance at 220 Florida Street. Be sure to cover the trap with a towel or sheet.
No need to park your car! We offer a curbside drop-off service. Simply pull up between 7:30 – 8 a.m., and a staff person will assist you.
You will be offered the option of purchasing a Feline Leukemia Test ($27.50) and/or a one-time treatment of Revolution ($8) or Advantage ($7) for fleas. If interested, please be prepared to pay by credit card or check.
Same-Day Feral Cat Pick-Up Information
Feral cats must be picked up the same day between 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.
We offer curbside pick-up at the Feral Cat Department Entrance, 220 Florida St.
Recovery Information
A recently altered feral cat must remain indoors for recovery for two to three days.
If the cat is semi-social, you can use a garage space or bathroom.
For cats that cannot be handled, plan on keeping the cat in the trap. Ask us for advice on cage cleaning and feeding during the recovery period.
If you want to rent a trap from The SF/SPCA, contact us at 415.522.3539.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a feral cat?
A: An unsocialized “community cat” that cannot be safely handled and must be trapped to be transported.
Q: How young can a feral cat be to be spayed/neutered?
A: Feral kittens can be altered at 2 months of age and/or 2 pounds.
Q: What if I have found a feral mother cat and kittens?
A: If possible, trap the mother and kittens and provide in-home care and daily socialization of the kittens until they are eight weeks of age. At that time, the kittens can be surrendered to The SF/SPCA for adoption. The mother cat will be spayed at no charge and returned to you for release.”
