| Only in San Francisco- The Automatic Human Jukebox
by K Thomas
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Grimes Poznikov died recently, but is fondly remembered as San Francisco's Automatic Human Jukebox. He would sit at Fisherman's Wharf in a painted refrigerator box and play musical instruments. On one side were dozens of little tabs cut in the cardboard, with a song title written on nearly every one. On the other side was a slot for dropping in money. Tourists would push in a song tab, drop in money, and the lid would open to reveal Mr. Poznikov in a fedora hat and tie. He'd reel off the song on the trumpet or a half dozen other instruments he kept in the box.
According to his sister, "By the time he could talk he could play any instrument from the piano to trumpet, drums, whatever. "He is a a true musical genius," said Bill Self, a childhood friend. "And, like all creative giants, he always lived a few notes ahead of the masses."
For more information on Grimes Poznikov,
Read this San Diego Union-Tribune article
(link may expire at future date)
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| THE NO SPIN ZONE TELLS SAN FRANCISCO TO TAKE A HIKE
BY KT
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(Andy Kuno/Reuters) |
Conservative talk show guy, Bill O'Reilly, let go with a vitriolic diatribe against the City by the Bay recently. He said something like, "You want to be your own country? Go right ahead. And if al Qaeda comes in and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead."
It is kind of funny, especially using the Coit Tower. The "Tower," which supposedly resembles a giant fire hose and is known to the locals as a giant phallic symbol, hardly seems an appropriate bombing target. Why didn't he use Castro Street, home of most of the gay community or Golden Gate Bridge, the most visited place in all the world? But Coit Tower? It just goes to show you that he did not leave his heart in San Francisco. Tony Bennett where are you when we need you?
Occasionally Listen To His Rants
Would you believe that occasionally I listen to him. He's mostly an idiot; but, on occasion, he hits a topic I'm conflicted about too. Objectively, at least, he doesn't appear to be an apologist for anybody and is an equal opportunity bigot. Nothing seems to be outside of what he will rant about. What fascinates me is that he gets some pretty good people to appear on his program. Why would anybody be on a program to be insulted? He's not a Rush Limbaugh who has nothing but opinions; both do have something in common: they can get infamously embarrassed with their personal behavior and have it overlooked by their disciples; Rush is a druggy and O'Reilly loves to talk dirty to women.
Bashing Frisco Is Easy
(Hi ON SF) |
It was stupid to say what he did; but, then again, what could you expect? San Francisco, unto itself, is, on occasion, arrogant. In a city, politics is best separated from the people. The politicos do some stupid things like gun control; the concept of controlling the flow of guns within a city is not a bad idea, but it is so stupid to ban guns from citizens; sure, the crooks are going to rush right down to City Hall and turn in their weapons? And, "no" to Military recruiters in High Schools? Let's get real.
The gun control and recruiter issues in school, I'm sure, will be challenged and overturned, And, I hope the City loses federal money. When people are stupid in politics, in my humble view, it should cost them something.
I love this letter to the editor, "There are a lot of us in the Bay area who think Bill O'Reilly hit it right on the City's pointy little head in his rift on the recent vote. Should San Franciscans find themselves under terrorist attack someday, certainly a greater than zero possibility, who are you going to call: Christ Daley? Tom Ammiano? (Supervisors), The cast of Beach Blanket Babylon?" FUNNY!!!
(note: Beach Blanket Babylon is a long-running San Francisco musical revue that does parodies of well-known celebrities including actors and politicians, singers, etc.)
Out Of Step With the Rest Of the Country
Such stupidity is the worst sort of message to send on issues like gun control and recruiters in the schools. A worse sin is that there are those who think that Frisco is in step with the rest of the country. Those folks have been dipping deep into one of the multitudinous medicinal marijuana shops around town.
What I think is unfortunate and often comes across from those who espouse views, like the ones coming out of San Francisco now, are that they sound anti-American. There is a fine line in disagreeing, etc., and in coming across as anti-American. I have to believe that most are simply misguided. I think most San Franciscans are thinkers, but this vote gives some skepticism whether 58% did think. Thinking voters should realize that they have the freedom of thought to vote the way they want because they live in a country where people can say what they want to say about most anybody or anything. But this was a Stupid vote!!! for gun control and banning military recruiters in schools (my opinion as I don't want to sound like O'Reilly).
Hugh Gay Population
Part of the reason San Francisco is different from the rest of the country, is its large gay community. Get past the idea of gay marriage, bias, etc.; the fact exists that gays view themselves as a beleaguered minority; let's face it, they often suffer from discrimination. So, what do they do? Gays vote in a block; they make up close to 40% of the population by some estimates; and, as a result, the politics of the city are effected. Most vote a progressive liberal agenda, i. e., no guns and recruiters in the schools.
The bigger question is why would anybody pay any attention to O'Reilly. I agree with the Mayor of San Francisco who said, "Consider the source."
The Country Needs A San Francisco
If you want everybody to look alike, think alike, talk alike, and be white, go to Salt Lake City. But, if you are interested in a melting pot or a tossed salad, San Francisco is the place to be. It is a city that colors outside the lines and pushes the edge of the envelope. It is built on the idea of being maverick; and, in this world of carbon copies, it is nice to have an original, even if at times I have to shake my head.
The beauty is unexcelled; ask the tourists if you don't believe us locals. San Francisco, in a way, is a bunch of little villages stuck together. You can go to any imaginable foreign country, pick one, and never leave San Francisco. I never eat in the same restaurant twice.
In a week's time, as I'm literally out running, I'll eat Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, Pakistani, Indian -amazing.
I often drop into only one regular place, this Irish bar, which use to be an IRA bar I'm sure. Every Thursday night, a Priest teaches a Bible study. I went one night and thought I was in some Baptist Church. There were about a thirty people listening to him teach the book of Ephesians. Other patrons were sitting around, having a beer. Doubt that would go over in "red state" America. But, this is San Francisco and Bill O'Reilly can just go to hell. KT
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Marine Corps Birthday
Their 230th(November 10)
 (AP Photo/US Postal Service)
Stamped to be unveiled Nov 10
On November 10th, 1775, the Second Continental Congress resolved to raise two battalions of Continental Marines marking the birth of our United States Marine Corps.
On July, 11, 1798, President John Adams signed the bill recreating the Marine Corps that provided the rationale for the birthday celebration. On October 21, 1921, the birthday of the Marines was changed to November 10 and declared as a Marine Corps
Holiday. The holiday is celebrated throughout the corps.
Happy Birthday Marines, Hooah! | |
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