Month: August 2007

An Urban Dweller’s Experience in Two Installments.

BACKGROUND
When he moved to 1367 Union in San Francisco, it was his first experience as an urban dweller. He moved from a suburb, a dense suburb to be sure, but still, it had detached houses, lawns and driveways. Here in the city, houses are against one another and folks live over or under one another and there are always more cars than places to park.

As an introduction to a facet of the urban experience, John, his landlord who lived above him, instructed him on how to call the cops when someone obstructed the driveway. John said he should be ruthless.

The trouble comes from the downhill side of the driveway. At the curb, there is barely space for three cars, and it’s tight. Any big car or SUV makes it almost impossible to fit three, so the front car often extends over the red curb, or worse, over the curb cut of the driveway. Continue reading “City Life” →

It was a perfect San Francisco day at Candlestick Park on Friday, August 10th; sun drenched and about 70 degrees, the sky a picture quality “California blue.” I was amazed when I stepped onto the field; the grass was cut to a uniform one-inch height, flat and green as a billiards table, yet with a little spring to each step and not a blemish in sight.

Chris Berman, was honored and awed by his role as emcee and brought just the right tone to the proceedings with dignity and humor. He began by introducing a video biography of Bill Walsh, put together by NFL Films.

The Grace Memorial Church Ensemble sang an incredible upbeat rendition of Amazing Grace.

Mayor Gavin Newsome proclaimed that this field where we were sitting would forever be known as Bill Walsh Field, as he held aloft a framed City Proclamation. Steve Young remarked, “This field looks a little better than what I was used to, no dirt infield.” Continue reading “Bill Walsh, A Celebration” →