Sam Spade's San Francisco

If you don't know Frank Chu, you probably don't live in San Francisco. Knowing Frank is one of those very special treats reserved only for real San Franciscans.
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That's Frank right in the middle of the photo from the SFist. He's holding the "Schoultz" sign. Remember his 12 Galaxies sign? -- Photo by Justin Beck. The original may be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinbeck/4459497564/ or see more of Justin's work (including photos of Frank) at justinryanbeck.com
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Fortunately I pass the San Francisco citizenship test. I know Frank and I want everybody to know today is Frank's 50th birthday. If you see him with his sign downtown today, be sure to step up and offer Frank a very hearty Happy Birthday greeting.
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We should have lobbied the Mayor to declare this Frank Chu Day in San Francisco. What an oversight. Damn.
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See more photos of Frank and another Frank Chu tribute on today's SFist, an excellent SF-theme online daily news journal that I read regularly.
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Happy Birthday, Frank!
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A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak flew to Midway Island in search of a sailing vessel whose emergency locator beacon was activated after its mast broke and a crewmember suffered head injuries in heavy weather during the Clipper Round the World Race Sunday.

The Hercules crew located the 66-foot British-flagged sailing vessel Clipper California and its 42 person race team including several Americans more than 800 miles northeast of Midway Island.

The rescue crew arrived at 7 p.m. ADT and successfully dropped a radio to the crew and established communications in 50 mph winds and 20 foot seas.

The 14th Coast Guard District in Hawaii received the initial notification of distress from the Clipper California’s emergency beacon but with no aircraft available to conduct a search they requested assistance from Alaska-based resources. The 17th Coast Guard District command center responded to the request for assistance and launched the Hercules crew from Kodiak just before 2 PM Alaska Daylight Time.

The 14th District joint rescue coordination center has requested the commercial vessel Nord Nightingale divert to the sailboat’s position and assist the injured man. Three other sailboats participating in the race are also heading toward the Clipper California to provide further assistance.

After locating and establishing communications with the Clipper California, the Hercules crew was diverted while en route to Midway Island to refuel to search for the missing Taiwanese fishing vessel Sheng I Tsai 166.

The rescue crew was unable to locate the Sheng I Tsai 166 and landed in Midway for fuel and crew rest. The rescue crew is scheduled to continue searching for the fishing vessel and continue to monitor the sailboat California.

An emergency position indicating radio beacon sends out a signal to orbiting satellites which relay the signal to the Coast Guard. This emergency beacon can be manually activated or automatically activated if knocked overboard or submerged to a specific depth if a vessel were to sink.

For further information about the rescue efforts, contact the 14th Coast Guard District Public Affairs in Hawaii at .

You may also be interested in:

Coast Guard's newest cutter, USCGC Waesche, reports to homebase San Francisco Bay

9 San Francisco Coast Guard MSST cops return from keeping the peace in Haiti

San Francisco USCG Guardians deploy to Middle East

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The health care bill passed.

In addition to my profound thanks to Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer and to President Obama, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the late senior senator from Massachusetts who, for most of his life, fought long and hard to bring health care reform to the ordinary, un-powerful people of this country.

Thank you so very much, Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

From San Francisco Business Times:

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on Thursday kicked-off the first phase of three major construction projects, part of the SFPUC’s $4.6 billion Water System Improvement Program to upgrade and improve the region’s aging water system.

The East Bay pipeline through Fremont and Newark is a $61.4 million project to install a new, seven-mile welded steel water line.

Later this spring, SFPUC will also start a $215.3 million, five-mile tunnel under San Francisco Bay and another $56.3 million project for a nine-mile pipeline on the Peninsula.

The construction projects are projected to create a significant number of jobs, requiring 1.3 million hours of work from various construction crafts.

In particular, Alameda County workers through this work and additional regional projects will exceed more than 5 million crafts hours with the wages and benefits for these workers exceeding $1 billion.

“Hetch Hetchy water is the supporting lifeline for many of our Bay Area cities and local economies,” said SFPUC General Manager Ed Harrington, at the Fremont groundbreaking. “Our critical work rebuilding the water system not only protects that lifeline, but serves to provide work to thousands struggling in these tough economic times.”

The SFPUC began planning for these water infrastructure improvements more than a decade ago and launched the first Water System Improvement Program project in 2003 to repair, replace and seismically retrofit our regional water delivery system. Of the 86 defined projects under the program, 55 are in construction or have been completed.

The East Bay pipeline segment is scheduled to reach substantial completion in summer 2011. The tunnel under the San Francisco Bay will begin construction later this spring and continue into 2015.

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There are some things that seem just too weird to be true. For decades Orange County, California has been a protected retreat for right-wing "we're against everything" Republicans. The county's main newspaper, the Orange County Register, has been a steadfast and reliable voice for the "Party of No".

That's why it is shocking to learn the Orange County Register is urging California voters to legalize and tax marijuana. You've got to read this one for yourself:

"One of the most sensible ways to mitigate the government's budget crunch is unlikely to come through the legislative process, though a bill has been introduced and passed by one committee. But California voters will have a chance to get ahead of their leaders in November by approving an initiative to tax, regulate and legalize marijuana use for adults. Doing so would also help our neighbor Mexico, given that some 60 percent of the revenue of the Mexican cartels involved in the current tragically deadly drug war are said to come from marijuana. Legalizing marijuana in California would dry up a significant part of that illicit revenue."

"Although marijuana is not without its potential dangers, scientific studies validate that it is less organically dangerous to human beings – as in no documented overdose deaths over thousands of years of use – than the legal drugs alcohol and nicotine. In the form of hemp, it is also valuable for food, fiber and fuel. Legalizing it would invigorate California's agricultural sector."

"The benefit to California's budget would be twofold. Police focusing on the hopeless task of eradicating marijuana could focus on real crimes, and enforcement costs would decline. Fewer lives would be ruined by people being arrested for marijuana use, and the jail and prison population would decline. And if marijuana were taxed it would bring in considerable revenue. The state Board of Equalization estimates that a $50-per-ounce excise tax would bring in $1.4 billion to the state, and decreased costs of investigation, prosecution and incarceration would be at least several billion. That wouldn't close the budget deficit but it wouldn't hurt."

Read the full and original story from the Orange County Register

Learn more about taxing cannabis from Tax Cannabis 2010

Watch this interview with CA Assembly member Tom Ammiano:

This just in from the US Coast Guard San Francisco:

March 12, 2010

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, from Air Station San Francisco, conducted a medevac early this morning off the coast of Monterey.

The master of the vessel British Oak, a 729-foot tanker vessel, requested a medevac after one of his crewmembers injured his hand in a water-tight door. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended the evacuation in efforts to prevent further damage to the injured hand.

The rescue crew launched from the air station at approximately 5 a.m. today. The crew rendezvoused with the British Oak 11 miles west of Monterey Bay. The injured crewmember was taken to Stanford Medical Center for treatment.

The condition of the injured crewmember is unknown at this time.

Contact:

Petty Officer 3rd Class Levi Read -- or

Resource:

U.S. Coast Guard San Francisco - Media Port: www.uscgsanfrancisco.com

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In August 2009, I performed at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC in celebration of Afghan Independence Day. At that event, I met Mr. Tim Nusraty, an Afghan-American who now works at the National Security Council at the White House.

Many months later, Mr. Nusraty recommended me to perform at the White House on March 8, 2010 for International Women’s Day. When I learned that I was selected to perform, it was the second happiest day of my life. The first was the day I met President Barack Obama and his beautiful wife First Lady Michelle Obama. I have to say that meeting the President, the First Lady, and performing at the White House was surreal. I never thought in a million years that this dream would come true.

As an Afghan girl born in Kabul, Afghanistan and raised in Vancouver, Canada, I have made it my duty to fight for women’s rights and to promote education in Afghanistan. I decided that more than anything else, music would be the best way to do this. It was a long-term goal, and it involved a lot of time, dedication, and hard work, not to mention the many obstacles I would have to face to get there. I had never sung professionally in my life, and decided to start from scratch at the BC Conservatory of Music. Today, my lyrics are heard by millions of people throughout Afghanistan and the region.

Learn more about Mozdah Jamalzadah

Original posted by Maggie Chen on the White House blog.
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Here's the scoop on Easter in San Francisco -- specifically the annual Tenderloin Tessie's Free Easter Dinner and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence annual Easter Party at Dolores Park. The news comes to us from the Bay Area Reporter as compiled by the B.A.R.'s news editor, Cynthia Laird.

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Easter is early this year and the folks at Tenderloin Tessie's are putting out the call for volunteers for the group's annual Easter dinner for those in need.

Board president Michael Gagne said that this year's event will be held Sunday, April 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street at Geary.

Gagne said that help is needed on Saturday, April 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for unloading the truck. Additionally, volunteers are needed on Easter for shifts to set up (9 a.m. to noon), serving, and clean up at the event. A mandatory volunteer meeting takes place at noon, just before the dinner.

On Tuesday, April 6, Gagne said he needs a couple people to help unload the truck at the group's storage facility. It should only take an hour or so starting at 9 a.m., he said.

To volunteer, call Gagne at . For more information about Tenderloin Tessie's, visit www.tenderlointessie.com.

In other Easter news, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are getting ready for their 31st anniversary Easter party in Dolores Park. That event also takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on April 4.

Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch said that the theme for this year's party is a take on Alice in Wonderland – "Sisters Thru the Looking Glass." People are encouraged to come in costume. For more information, visit www.thesisters.org.

Note: there is a newer May 2010 update posted here.

Here is the original March 2010 update:

2010 Bay to Breakers update from the staff of San Francisco Board of Supervisors Member Ross Mirkarimi:

The 99th Bay to Breakers will be run on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Last year's race saw a significant reduction in problems and impacts on the neighborhood, although there is still more work to do be done. Plans are still being developed for how floats will participate this year. Race organizers initially proposed having all floats start on Divisadero; however, this raised concerns with both neighbors and with float advocates.

Supervisor Mirkarimi organized a meeting with the race organizers, the Mayor's office, float advocates, and neighborhood representatives. We are still waiting to hear the organizers' revised plan, but they have indicated that they now plan to have two staging areas for floats: at the beginning of the race and at Civic Center.

Floats, Registration and the Panhandle

We are encouraged to hear that the organizers plan to adopt Supervisor Mirkarimi's suggestion to implement a registration system for floats. This will generate additional revenue to pay for the impacts of the floats, and also create a new level of accountability for floats that are abandoned on the streets. Despite the improvements last year, the impact on the Panhandle area was still unacceptable.

Supervisor Mirkarimi remains committed to changing the practice of floats celebrating in the Panhandle for hours after the race has passed. Ross continues to encourage the race organizers to provide an end-point for floats in Golden Gate Park. He believes creating an event in the Park that encourages floats not to stop in the Panhandle will significantly reduce the impact on the neighborhood.

More information:
- http://ingbaytobreakers.com/
- Float information (to be posted soon)
- San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi (official site)
- Ross' personal website

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Free and open to the public!

What: Nowruz Deed-o Bazdeed Celebration
When: Friday, March 26, 2010 - 5:30 - 8 pm
Where: San Francisco City Hall

This year's Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebration is expanding beyond Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi's office to include the City Hall Rotunda and North Light Court.

About the image: Persian New Year celebration. Photo by Luke Thomas, publisher of Fog City Journal.

Schedule:
5:30-6:00 - Guests arrive
6:00-6:45 - Live musical entertainment
6:45-7:00 - Nowruz greetings and entertainment in Rotunda of City Hall
7:00-8:00 - Nowruz and arrival of spring chronicle music (saaz and Dohol) guiding guests to the North Light Court for viewing of the Haft (the traditional decorative table setting) and art work while sweetening your taste with traditional Persian sweets, drinking fragrant Persian tea and fruits, and doing Iranians' favorite thing: deed-o-baazdeed which means "seeing & seeing again". It is connecting to each other and the true spirit of Nowruz.

This is a free community event. Since this will be a substantially more ambitious party than in the past, the organizers ask that you RSVP so they can plan for how many people to expect. To RSVP, please go to: www.nowruzatcityhall.com

Accessibility Information: City Hall is accessible to persons using wheelchairs and other disabilities. The Van Ness Avenue Entrance is closed at 5pm each day. The entrances to City Hall that are open after 5:00 pm are the Grove Street and the Polk Street / Carlton B. Goodlett Entrances. The Polk Street / Carlton B. Goodlett entrance is accessible via a ramp and a wheelchair lift. All of the other City Hall entrances are accessible via ramp.

For more information you can also contact Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi at or online at:

• Supervisor Mirkarimi's Official City website
• Ross' personal website

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Video:

Owe Taxes But Can't Pay?
Unemployment Compensation: |
Job Search Expenses: | |

For these and other videos:

The Internal Revenue Service today announced several additional steps it is taking this tax season to help people having difficulties meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems.

The steps –– an expansion of efforts that began more than a year ago –– include additional flexibility on offers in compromise for struggling taxpayers, a series of Saturday “open houses” offering taxpayers extra opportunities to work out tax problems face to face with the IRS, special outreach with partner groups to unemployed taxpayers and the availability of more information on a special section of the IRS Web site.

“Times are tough for many people, and the IRS wants to do everything it can to help people who have lost their job or face financial strain,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “We continue to make adjustments to key programs and expand ways for people to get help. We’re doing everything we can to help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers.”

New Flexibility for Offers in Compromise

For some taxpayers, an offer in compromise –– an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles the taxpayer’s debt for less than the full amount owed –– continues to be a viable option. IRS employees will now have additional flexibility when considering offers in compromise from taxpayers facing economic troubles, including the recently unemployed.

Specifically, IRS employees will be permitted to consider a taxpayer’s current income and potential for future income when negotiating an offer in compromise. Normally, the standard practice is to judge an offer amount on a taxpayer’s earnings in prior years. This new step provides greater flexibility when considering offers in compromise from the unemployed. The IRS may also require that a taxpayer entering into such an offer in compromise agree to pay more if the taxpayer’s financial situation improves significantly.

These immediate steps are part of an on-going effort by the IRS to ensure the availability of the Offer in Compromise program for taxpayers.

Hundreds of Saturday Open Houses to Resolve Taxpayer Issues

In addition, IRS will hold hundreds of special Saturday open houses to give struggling taxpayers more opportunity to work directly with IRS employees to resolve issues. The offices will be open on March 27 and three additional Saturdays in the spring and early summer. Dates, times and locations will be announced shortly.

During the expanded Saturday hours, taxpayers will be able to address economic hardship issues they may be facing or get help claiming any of the special tax breaks in last year’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the:

• Homebuyer tax credit
• American Opportunity Credit
• Making Work Pay credit
• Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit

In addition to these special Saturdays, taxpayers can take advantage of toll-free telephone assistance and regularly scheduled hours at local Taxpayer Assistance Centers. Taxpayers can find the location, telephone number and business hours of the nearest assistance center by visiting the Contact My Local Office page on IRS.gov.

Special Outreach Efforts to Unemployed

The IRS is working and coordinating with state departments of revenue and state workforce agencies to help taxpayers who are having problems meeting their tax liabilities because of unemployment or other financial problems.

These coordinated efforts may include opportunities for taxpayers to make payment arrangements and resolve both federal and state tax issues in one place.

Special Section of IRS.gov Created

Taxpayers who are unemployed or struggling financially can find information on a new page on the IRS Web site, IRS.gov. This online tax center has numerous resources including links to information on tax assistance and relief to help struggling taxpayers

Other Options Available for Taxpayers

The IRS will continue to offer other help to taxpayers, including:

• Assistance of the Taxpayer Advocate Service for those taxpayers experiencing particular hardship navigating the IRS.
• Postponement of collection actions in certain hardship cases.
• Added flexibility for missed payments on installment agreements and offers in compromise for previously compliant individuals having difficulty paying.
• Additional review of home values for offers in compromise in cases where real-estate valuations may not be accurate.
• Accelerated levy releases for taxpayers facing economic hardship.

In addition, the IRS will accelerate lien relief for homeowners if a taxpayer cannot refinance or sell a home because of a tax lien. As previously announced, a taxpayer seeking to refinance or sell a home may request the IRS make a tax lien secondary to the lien by the lending institution that is refinancing or restructuring a loan. The taxpayer may also request the IRS discharge its claim if the home is being sold for less than the amount of the mortgage lien under certain circumstances.

You may also be interested in reading:
Free tax help in San Francisco 2010
Free IRS tax forms and help available here

Know this: Beware of non-attorney businesses offering to help. If you are experiencing problems with the IRS, do yourself a favor: go see an attorney at law who is a tax specialist. Don't fall for the TV commercials that promise you rainbows and sugar plums. You may become a victim.

Set an appointment to see an attorney at law. Most tax attorneys offer free consultations. Stay away from non-attorney scam operations!

Final word: If you are having problems with the IRS it is most likely within the boundaries of the practice of law. Your problems are likely NOT within the practice of accountancy. Be sure you hire the correct professional: a tax attorney, not an accountant.
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Roger Ebert will receive the Mel Novikoff Award at the 53rd San Francisco International Film Festival.

The award, named for the pioneering San Francisco art and repertory film exhibitor Mel Novikoff (1922-87), acknowledges an individual or institution whose work has enhanced the filmgoing public's knowledge and appreciation of world cinema. The Novikoff Award will be presented at

An Evening with Roger Ebert and Friends, Saturday, May 1
5:30 pm
Castro Theatre

Confirmed guests to date include directors Jason Reitman and Terry Zwigoff, with others to be announced soon. The program will close with a screening of Julia, touted by Ebert as one of the finest films released in 2009. Erick Zonca's character-driven thriller, starring the fearless Tilda Swinton, barrels straight into the sleazy wasteland of an abrasive alcoholic kidnapper who is in way over her head.

The Mel Novikoff Award Committee members are Francis J. Rigney (chairman), Rachel Rosen (ex officio), Helena R. Foster, George Gund III, Maurice Kanbar, Philip Kaufman, Tom Luddy, Gary Meyer, Anita Monga, Janis Plotkin and Peter Scarlet.

Tickets are $12 for San Francisco Film Society members and $15 for general admission. For tickets and information visit www.sffs.org or call .

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