Mayor Gavin Newsom...pops into Starbucks! Nearly runs me over!

 

Mayor has roving eye!

This morning I almost ran smack dab into Mayor Newsom on my way to Safeway to shop.

Actually, his handlers nearly ran into me, literally.

As I crossed the pavement to the entrance of the grocery, a SUV cruised up - made a turn a few inches across my path - and pulled to an abrupt halt.

The door swung open - at which point - I caught sight of Mayor Newsom as he gingerly stepped outside of the vehicle with his nose in a raft of paperwork.

Burning the midnight oil, Gavin?

I give him Kudos for popping into the cafe to snap up his own morning cup of Java.

Or, was he intending to glad-hand potential voters along the way?

I suppose I should have lingered about  to determine what kind of caffeine beverage kick starts his Honor at the crack of dawn.

Actually, it was about 8:40 a.m., so he must be a late riser!

I slurped down my first cup of coffee at 6 a.m., after all.

The political candidate's casual attire - dress slacks and plain white shirt (sans jacket) - tipped me off about one thing.

The Mayor with the roving eye stays fit and trim.

Uh--Huh!

Gotta look - suave, sophisticated, and healthy - for those cameras capturing the candidate's every move  around the city, eh?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger & Gavin Newsom...3 wise men bearing gifts?

Don't let the stars get in your eyes!

Best t*ts in dirty politics today!

They were  three men with distinct personalities and individual styles which matched up with their social and political aspirations.

Above all, each was voted into power by constituents who were not only a bit starry-eyed - but praying in their heart of hearts - that dirty politics and the old boy's network were part of a bygone era about to get the boot.

The candidates made a slew of promises, danced the old soft shoe, then fenagled their way into the living-rooms of the unsuspecting (remember the old tale of the wolf in sheep's clothing?) who were expecting radical changes overnight and assurances that each of their "Saviours" was in for the long haul.

Of course, their names are Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The political postures the winsome threesome were drawn to - suited  'em - and dovetailed nicely with their unique persuasive skills.

Barack, known to be agile of mind, was capable of selling an Eskimo snow.

Of the three, Obama was the true political gladiator, humanized by the experience.

In fact, the PREZ was man enough to admit error, omission, lack of foresight (you name it).

Gavin, the aw-shucks Mayor, would have his supporters believe he was down-to-earth.

Just the kid next door!

That must be quite a neighborhood!

And then, there was  the larger-than-life Austrian (Schwarzenegger) who bulldozed his way into office after he mesmerized Californians with his superstar aura and promises to terminate those who got in his (and the voters) way.

Shall we call them the three wise men or Curly, Larry and Moe?

They're the three stooges, alright.

Pray that the next election delivers up a more lovable (reliable) cast of characters, eh?

Never trust a politician who can't give a cool thumbs up!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Gavin Newsom...San Francisco Mayor's bid for Lieutentant Governor post!

Howlin' at the moon!

Gavin biting off more than he can chew?

San Francisco's madcap bureaucrat - give him an inch and he thinks he's a ruler - has thrown his wide-brimmed hat into the race for California's Lieutenant Governor.

Newsom started rustling up endorsements (and pledges for donations) earlier in the week before officially announcing his bid for the post yesterday, acccording to inside sources  close to the scandal-ridden Mayor.

Testing the political waters?

Is he serious?

Well, he plunked down the $2600.00 filing fee, for starters.

Unless money grows on trees in his neck-of-the-woods, I'd speculate that he's rarin'  to get on the campaign tweet - um - trail!

The slick San Franciscan has allegedly rustled up $17,950.00 smackeroos to date.

The sum is comprised of donations from two pals who own Esprit (Mark & Susie Buell coughed up $6500.00 each) and the  handsome sum of $4950.00 (oddball figure, don't 'ya think?) from a former press secretary.

Ah, the PR game must be pretty lucrative if you can throw around cash like that, eh?

Although Newsom has pooh-poohed the integrity of the post in the past - an empty title with little clout, he joked in so many potshots in the past - he touted the job yesterday and promised to give it the old College try.

I expect His Honor will need some backers with  deeper pockets to sashay into his pompous corner to maneuver a win.

Of course, he's not in Barack Obama's league when it comes to fundraising, but tidy little sums dotting the terrain here and there right now are nothing to sniff at.

One has to wonder, though - if the moolah doesn't pan out in the sums he's grovelling for - will he bow out of the race down the road?

Is he crying wolf again?

Or, howling at the moon!

News at 11!

Posts on Gavin Newsom

Mayor's Inaugural

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomat-mayoral-inaugural.html

Green Mayor

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomsan-franciscos-green-mayor.html

Film Commission Scandal

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/01/gavin-newsomscandal-film-commission.html

Main Library
Opening Ceremony

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/san-francisco-librarygrand-opening.html

http://www.thetattler.biz/

San Francisco...Bart & Muni trains overflowing at rushhour! Pack 'em in Japan-style...

Occasionally, I'll glide down the escalators at a Bart (or Muni) station, and hop on a lightweight rail  to avoid city-wide bustling street traffic that erupts at the crack of dawn each day.

In many respects, the journey beneath Market street can be just as hectic - if not more so - than the one over the obstacle-fraught terrain above ground.

Although regular trains zip in-and-out of local stations every few minutes - maneuvering through the crush of commuters at rush-hour - still requires quite a bit of travel savvy and painstaking skill.

Doesn't anyone drive to work these days?

On the underground in San Francisco - a keen observer wouldn't think so - judging by the teaming masses hauling ass every morning in the tunnels at Bart and Muni without fail.

The problems, if any, don't arise from any misbehaviour on the part of the commuters, though.

Frankly, I've never encountered such a well-mannered  posse of city travellers, clawing their way through the concrete jungle to and from work each day with such little aggravation.

By the time the miniature trains roar into the station, they've managed to politely queue up, with very little fanfare or upset.

And, they're downright civilized  to each other, too.

In spite of the foregoing, the train embarkment phase, still requires a little strain and effort just before the doors slam shut.

Today, as a few stragglers attempted to squeeze into the last square inch of stuffy space, I envisioned efficient-minded Mayor Newsom importing a gang of train attendants from Japan to ceremoniously pack in a dangling arm or protruding butt to ensure the automated door slid closed quickly and without mishap.

Unpacking 'em at the other end, may require a sturdy sardine key, though.

Amen!

Japan trains packed in like Sardines!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Gavin Newsom...scandal @ Film Commission! Mayor's immature goof...

No shelter for Stefanie!

If it happened in Tinsel-town, it would be business-as-usual.

But, in the provincial climbs of tony San Francisco, it's turned into a juicy scandal that has tongues wagging.

Newsom was obviously brimming with high regard for Stefanie Coyote when he ceremoniously appointed her to the $132,000.00 a year post as Executive Director of the Film Commission in 2004.

Unfortunately, the relationship took a turn for the worse in November, when Newsom allegedly asked Coyote to resign.

Insiders titter (and twitter) that the city's ultimate mad hatter was indigant when it came to his attention that Stephanie Coyote's hubbie  (actor Peter Coyote) backed Jerry Brown for Governor.

Ouch!

Dissent (and spies) in the ranks?

Will not do!

When the film commission congregated for their monthly meeting, the eleven board members criticized Newsom for taking action, especially in view of the fact they were in the dark about a matter that was within their purview (right to fire or hire).

One of the Supervisors asked for a city attorney investigation since Coyote sworn up-and-down that the Executive Director hadn't agreed to take leave of her post.

All the big chiefs - the film commission's top brass (Vice President & President) and the Mayor's top dog (head of staff) - met on Monday to discuss the sordid details.

Amid a swirl of titillating gossip, and behind-closed-doors meetings, it was officially announced that Coyote (relented?) and agreed to resign at the end of January.

Film Commission President Lorrae Rominger officially announced thereafter (whew!) that Coyote simply decided to move on.

But, if you read between the lines, comments made by Newsom's natty spokesperson (Joe Arellano) say it all.

"We're not going to discuss personnel matters."

Or, shed any more light on Newsom's immaturity and shocking lack of professionalism and ethics either, eh?

The Emperor has no clothes!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

______________________
Footnote

Posts on Mayor Newsom @ Tattler:

Green Mayor Newsom
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomsan-franciscos-green-mayor.html

Mayor Inaugral Celebration
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomat-mayoral-inaugural.html

Mayor Newsom chats up Ryan Seacrest about hair products
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/03/mayor-gavin-newsomchats-with-ryan.html

Mayor Newsom embarrases staff @ San Francisco Library Grand Opening
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/san-francisco-librarygrand-opening.html

Mayor Gavin Newsom...chats up Idol host Seacrest about hair products! L'oreal is static free...

Thanks for the quickie!

San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom flew in to town to have a ringside chat with Ryan Seacrest this morning on the radio about the wonders of L'oreal hair gel.

The two darling chatty-Kathies were having a gay old time until His Honor suddenly realized it might be wise to discuss a handful of campaign pledges in his upcoming run for Governor once the budget terminator steps down.

Gavin is quite the character, sort-of your typical kid from the wrong side of the tracks, with a shine in his pants.

And, with an arrogant street-wise personality, to match.

Heck, in one dull interview recently, he tried to spark up a controversy by bragging that he was a lousy speller.

Needless to say, his tweets are a little slow since he has to reach for his pocket dictionary every few seconds or so, to get his p's & q's just right.

Gavin keep this in the forefront of your mind:

"i" before "e" except after "c"

A bit of helpful advice?

Try your hand at scrabble - or at least a crossword daily - because either one has the capacity to sharpen word skills over time.

Newsom loves pomp and circumstance, though, in spite of his aw-shucks manner.

The last time I was in San Francisco, I took in his inaugeration at City Hall.

What a hoot!

A boy's choir, a girl's choir. No stops were pulled.

I seemed to recall, though, that the Mayor's office assured the press and his constituents that the celebration would be a low-key affair.

What- "Next to the Queen's Coronation?" - I joked to a local politician chuckling next to me in the gallery.

Take a gander at the post I wrote on the occasion of the swearing in and decide for yourself.

Post: 01/08/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomat-mayoral-inaugural.html

I expect that if Mayor Newsom lands a seat in the Gov'nor's Mansion, he'll rustle up some new-fangled ideas about how to pretty-up the State.

After all, in San Francisco he's known as the "green" Mayor, in view of his visionary efforts to heal the planet in a myriad of novels ways.

I even attended a "tree planting" ceremony he sponsored one nippy morning on Market Street, to get a take on what makes the Mayor's bark tick on environmental issues, for starters.

Pity, that!

There wasn't much of a turn-out for the much-ballyhooed event.

Some pooh-poohed that Gavin was on everyone's sh** list because he cancelled Halloween that year.

Big meanie!

Post: 01/07/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/gavin-newsomsan-franciscos-green-mayor.html

But, that didn't deter golden boy.

He'll turn up at the opening of an envelope, given the chance!

Yup, when renovations on the downtown library - labelled "The Main" by famed journalist Herb Caen - were completed, Gavin stood in the wings at the ribbon-cutting ceremony chomping at the bit to spout his mouth off.

But, he sure wasn't going to dash to the podium 'til he was good 'n ready, and most certainly not in any way, shape, or form that might denegrate his importance in the eyes of all the social climbers in attendance in the main foyer that fateful day.

Yeah, I got all the unpleasant business down in my little black book and transferred all the dirt onto my blog site post-haste.

Post: 01/16/08

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/01/san-francisco-librarygrand-opening.html

If Gavin does gets his foot in the Governor's door, he'll be the spittin' image of Clinton (slick Willy, dude) who was inclined to bend over a few pages now and then.

But, I admit, Gavin's "do" looks great!

And, he's managed to keep his di** in his trousers out of scandal's way, for about a year now.

Thank God for small mercies!

Once you have black you never go back!

http://www.julianayrs.com

San Francisco Library...grand opening! Mayor says, "Envy of Nation"!

Amid the normally quite environs of the Main Library where staff members are prone to quip "shush" to noisy patrons, a Mariachi band broke into song one fine Wednesday morning.

After all, there was much to celebrate about!

The renovations at the downtown library - "The Great Main" (as newspaper columnist Herb Caen has been inclined to label it) - were now complete.

Now, book-lovers from around the city - flanked by a well-heeled gaggle of local politicians who were on hand to join in on the celebrations - were allowed to tour San Francisco's dazzling new showcase.

But not before the city librarian - noted at the unveiling - that initially the main library on Larkin Street opened to mixed reviews.

So, a team of architects and library staff sought to resolve - what many claimed - were oversights or outright design flaws.

Although the "Main" has been literally transformed, utmost care was taken to ensure the unique original architectural context in which it was built, was preserved.

The creative team in charge of the major renovations succeeded!

But, there were other issues to address, according to the architects from Pei Cobb Freed & Partners who oversaw the project.

"There were two main elements uppermost in our minds. Natural light and books."

For example, some criticized the fact bookshelves in plain view housed voluminous tomes, which negatively impacted the aesthetics.

But, one official was quick to point out the reason for the obvious display.

"The innovative architectural idea bootstrapped the entrance to the Library - and thus - defrayed the cost of replacing books that were stolen in the past at the old library due to poor design."

Valid point!

In honor of the occasion, the Mayor turned up to cut the red ribbon, but waved off the key speaker when first asked to approach the podium.

"I'm not ready yet," he uttered almost under his breath as he reviewed some papers in his hand.
It was one of those awkward pregnant moments that hung thick in the air.

Undoubtedly, Gavin Newsom is not referred to as the - "Green Mayor" - without good reason.
Wise old sage "Master Julian" once opined:

"It is not polite to insult host while a guest in his house."

In spite of the Mayor's rude behaviour - a handful of city workers, library staff, and local officials strode proudly up to the microphone in his stead first - to contribute a few insightful comments about the renovaton process, the fundraising support efforts, and a myriad of complex issues that had to be met "head on" to meet the challenges of the renovation process.

Thanks to the new first-floor renovations - 76,000 books (normally held in storage on the third floor) - will now be available to the public and easily accessed.

A new automated sorting system will also speed up the process of locating, ordering, and checking out books.

A spanking new Audiovisual Center also boasts an impressive array of CDs, DVDs, and other non-print materials.

Steve Coulter - a former member of the Library Commission - was proud to note that in spite of the fact the construction was a multi-year project, "there were no closures or any inconveniences to the public".

When Mayor Newsom finally stood before the excited (and at times giddy) book-lovers kibitzing in the elegant foyer, he was brief and to the point.

"We are the envy of cities across the Nation. Although there have been closures in other cities due to a lack of funding, San Franciscans came through with the money."

Librarian Luis Herrera's associate added poignantly:

"We're keeping the dream alive."

Part of that lofty aspiration was achieved because of generous donors.

For example, Bill and Melinda Gates provided funding for all the computers in the first floor Internet-access section of the Main Library.

"The goal," one staff member added, "was to enhance service to the public and enlarge upon the user experience."

It is estimated that there are two million visitors to San Francisco's main library each year; so, the additional facilities are a God-send, obviously.

With little more fanfare, the whole kit 'n kaboodle - guests, politicians, and members of the press who jockeyed about for key photo ops - rushed forward to the cordoned-off area where the Mayor (with a broad smile on his face and a wave of his elegant hand) cut the red ribbon and beckoned the anxious lookie-loo's inside.

"Very spiffy", "Well-organized", "Wow, this is great" - were some of the comments I overheard as I embarked on a little tour through the newly-opened library wing.

Meanwhile, the Mayor was engaged in carefree open dialogue with the citizenry, a-hop-and-a-skip away with no apparent political agenda in mind.

The Library was built twelve years ago and is a stunning piece of architecture designed by the design firm Pei Cobb Freed and Partners.

James Ingo Freed was the main designer.

Originally, the public library was built to complete San Francisco's Civic Center.

The Library's modernist design echoes the materials and massing of the neighboring sym
metrical facades at the Beaux-Arts institutions fronting on the Civic Center, while the two other facades opposite, make a contemporary response to the adjacent commercial district.

Because the Main Library allows for passage into and through the building and out to the opposite side of the full-block site - it is both a destination and a link - connecting the modern city with its cultural core.

"It's a bridge between the people of San Francisco and the institutions that serve and enrich them," explained the architects.

A stunning open staircase and a five-story atrium - 60 feet in diameter - provide a luminous hub of orientation. In addition, a stunning glass-enclosed periodicals reading room - suspended above - further helps to draw light into the core of the 300' x 200' building.

Novel bridges link precincts that provide access to advanced online information systems and three million books on open/closed stacks.

Other features include a public atrium, reading room, a special rare book collection, an auditorium with 620 seats, public meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, a roof garden, café, bookstore, and art commissioned by Alice Aycock Stair, Nayland Blake, Ann Hamilton, Ann Chamberlain, and Charley Brown.

An outstanding ceiling mural, by Mark Evans, gazes down from the main ceiling.

As Carl T. Rowan once noted:

“The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the
wars in history."

http://www.thetattler.biz