Today’s Headlines

  • Fear of BART Strike Prompted Many to Consider Telecommuting (SF Gate)
  • Nevius Weighs in on Mason Street Closure in North Beach (SF Gate)
  • Routsey App Back at Apple Store, Muni Re-Asserts Claim to Own Real-Time Data (SF Appeal)
  • Multiple Cars Set Ablaze Last Night in SF and Oakland (SF Gate) (SF Gate)
  • Lombard Street Turned Into Giant Candyland Board Game to Mark Anniversary (SF Gate)
  • Personal Transit Services on the Rise for Seniors (Sac Bee)
  • Tesla Sites New Electric Powertrain Plant and Corporate HQ in Palo Alto (SF Gate)
  • San Jose Bike Party Gets Some Ink from "Mr Roadshow" (Merc)
  • DiFi Says "Cash for Clunkers" Windfall for Makers of Trucks and SUVs (Sac Bee)
  • LaHood Makes Plans to Wind Down "Cash For Clunkers" (SF Gate)
  • Arizona Man Hits and Kills Cyclist, Then Tries to Sell Car Under "Cash For Clunkers" (Phoenix NT)

  • CW Nevius strikes again! His ignorance never ceases to amaze.

    Besides the usual pro-car undertones, the bit about fire trucks struck me as odd. There is a station on Stockton up Telegraph hill so there is no reason for fire trucks to make that sharp right hand turn from Columbus to Lombard because the trucks would actually be coming down fro the east.

    And then to mention tree sitters as the last gab to get people upset. It is like he is using every talking point in his book. “Wait, traffic problems don’t upset you? Ok, try on fire trucks having a hard time turning. Don’t believe me? Um, TREE SITTERS!!! That should strike fear in your heart!”

  • Omri

    So, why is Lombard Street still open to traffic? Everyone has power brakes, so they don’t need it anymore, and the tourists who want to drive down the street make it so crowded it’s just a boring exercise in stop&go. The city could turn it into a Spanish Steps kind of thing.

  • The fire truck fears for Mason Street Green are indeed unfounded. I spent a pleasant hour and a half last sitting there last week (finishing up Jeff Mapes’ Pedaling Revolution, as it happens) and soaking up the unique scene. It’s very much thrown together, but it also feels like it’s always been there, the space makes so much unconscious sense, very serene and centered among a lot of dynamic city life. The cut-off street isn’t missed for motor traffic at all — a fire truck came hooting down Mason from the north and seemed unfazed at making a jog right on Lombard and left onto Columbus, presumably no lives were lost due to delay. Grab a cold drink and a book and head over soon (at least before Sept. 27 when the trial ostensibly ends) to loaf for yourself . . .