Always glad to hear from folks enjoying the weekly efforts.
But when I get complaints, well… They tend to be valid ones, especially when they come from my mother.
So leading off today’s effort, let me set the record straight that my grandparents lived in, not outside of, Sea Cliff in San Francisco on Twenty-Ninth Avenue between California Street and Lake Street. When I get a chance, I’ll update a couple of columns to reflect this fact.
Some other San Francisco history tidbits that popped up recently:
One of my favorite Gold Rush personalities was Joshua Norton. Last week, the SF Chronicle reprinted this notice of his demise from it’s January 8, 1880 edition. According to the notice, he was famed for his eccentricities, one of which was his talent at issuing imperial proclamations such as “commanding that the Golden Gate bridge be built, and famously decreed that “Whoever after due and proper warning shall be heard to utter the abominable word ‘Frisco,’ which has no linguistic or other warrant, shall be deemed guilty of a High Misdemeanor.” The penalty for noncompliance was $25.” I say we bring that one back and quadruple the fine…
And Chronicle staff writer Kevin Fagan made my Sunday on January 25 with this look at his family’s past in mining camps of Nevada. Great tales of the simple life…
A gentleman by the name of Woody LaBounty has set up a great web site with more San Francisco history. His Western Neighborhoods Project has all kinds of great information and tales from past and present residents.
And just to show that nothing good truly ever dies, how about Vaudeville? Yes, it’s come back to life in the Bay Area. Check this link for information. Looks like I’ll be making a visit…
Also from the Chronicle, columnist Tim Goodman has a great look at the efforts of both Bob Keeshan and Fred Rogers. I think it is abominable that there are not episodes of both “Captain Kangaroo” and “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” for sale today. Even though both shows were from a simpler time, both men had a great gift for not misunderstanding their audiences.
Ahh, the Oakland Paramount Theater… I’m off tonight to enjoy “Casablanca” along with Jim Riggs at the keyboard of the Mighty Wurlitzer and the usual diversions such as Dec-O-Win! Come on down if you’re in the neighborhood. Only six bucks for a great evening!
Congrats to Bud Luckey and all his compatriots at Pixar for the nomination for his short subject, “Boundin'”. The Jackalope has always been a great character waiting to show up in a story, and now it has. Here’s a preview from the film, now showing on the Pixar web pages, and maybe somewhere in a theater we all can enjoy? Bud is one of the folks who go way back at Pixar. You may recall seeing some of his concept drawings for Woody from “Toy Story” on display in the Animation Adventure at Disney’s California Adventure. He’s just chock full of talent having written, directed and done the narration for this little gem. And if the rumors I hear are correct, he wrote the music for it, too! So if voting for “Destino” leaves you feeling a bit off, give Bud your vote instead… I can just imagine his acceptance speech now.
And just to say that it isn’t all dark and gloomy on the animation front, I hear good things from a project that’s not based in the Golden State or the Sunshine State. Can’t share all the details just yet, but the medium isn’t dead just yet, folks. Honest!
Glad to see Peter Jackson win the Golden Globe for his direction of “Return of the King” and the win for best drama. Here’s hoping Oscar voters share that thought! Michele and I saw the film on an IMAX screen last week, and I had tears just as much, if not more, than I did the first time through. And yes, I’ll be waiting for the extended version like all the rest of the true faithful… Wonder if I can place a bet in Reno this weekend on the Oscars?
That’s all for now. Back again next week with more tales from out and about… If you’ve enjoyed this or any other of these Ruminations, drop a buck or two in Roger’s Paypal Donation Box? Keep the keys busy for the next time!