The Obama Express and San Francisco festivities – Four days until Inauguration Super Bowl XXXXIV

President-elect Barack Obama will board a train in Philadelphia, home of the American Revolution and American Independence. It’s a very fitting start for a man who is making a history as he prepares to pave the way for a renewed and optimistic American independence in the 21st century. His festivities include pit stops in Delaware and Maryland until his destination Washington. Inauguration event organizers predict two million people will attend the start studded event. But what about those who can’t attend like me? The following is a list of San Francisco parties and events that look interesting:

SOCK IT TO ME: Free event will be held at the Civic Center Plaza in front of City Hall. They will have live coverage. This will be huge. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to attend since they open the barricades at seven in the morning and traffic will be a bear. Will see. Instead of an entrance fee, organizers are asking the public to donate unused socks to benefit the homeless and underprivileged. http://www.nextarts.org/concerts/inauguration_faq.php

THE BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION SKATERS' BALL: This evening dance party looks fun. Roller skate and dance to old school disco beats. People are encouraged to dress as their favorite politician: Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom or whatever tickles your affiliation. Maybe I’ll dress like Sarah Palin since I have the glasses and hair. The entrance fee is $10. If you’ve ever perused the Golden Gate Park on Sunday, these are the dancers that boogie all day long along a strip of Kennedy Drive. I first saw them in 1993 and they looked like Dance Fever (showing my age) alumni but on roller skates: fluid, awesome and entertaining. http://www.cora.org/ObamaParty09.htm

INAUGURATION WEST: Held on the top 360 view floor of The Metreon with live music and dancing. Guests include former San Francisco 49er football greats among other local celebrities. Ticket prices are $75 to $125 for general to VIP admission. Proceeds benefit Omega Boys Club and other non profit organizations. With these high $$$, I believe more people will attend Sock it to Me and several smaller parties and venues which won't burn your recession lined pockets.
http://www.inaugurationwest.com/

Following up on my “Amazing Spiderman #583” hunt, as I had suspected, my neighborhood comic (geek) book store ran out of all first and second print issues on the first day of the release. Marvel is printing their third release which won’t hit stands until mid-late February. The second publication will ship on Inauguration Day. I’m #30 on the store’s waiting list.

Alzheimer's hits again

I just found out that actor Sean Connery, who passed away last October, died of complications due to Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's debilitates cognitive function. The cause of his death hit me three-fold: He was my mother's favorite movie star, they are both in their 90s, and she too has Alzheimer's. According to a recent AARP feature story , I was shocked that the great jazz singer Tony Bennett has Alzheimer's. Tony was also another idol of my mom. She would always perk up whenever she heard his infamous "I left my heart in San Francisco" ballad. Photo by Dyna Lopez In 2017, one year after his diagnosis, my mom, brother, and I watched him for the first time performing in San Francisco to a packed audience amongst a sea of silver-haired ladies. He was 90 at the time and did not disappoint. He belted out hit after hit and showed no signs of the debilitating disease. She sang along to a melody that was unfamiliar to my brother and me. My brother asked her, ...

Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival

It is refreshing to write about a non-political and lighthearted review of a local cultural annual event. Yes, I'm "taking a well deserved break from politics", my boyfriend Paul chimed. To give you some context, when I do watch television or go online, I primarily watch news and the current political climate. The balmy weather was the perfect backdrop for the two day 36th annual Japanese spring celebration known as Cherry Blossom Festival last weekend. I've seen the banner line the streets of Cupertino last month but decided to attend by invitation of my friend Miyuki who was performing the traditional tea ceremony. It was the perfect lazy Sunday to visit Miyuki and watch her craft at the Quinlan Community Center. I also had a chance to see my other ex-coworker, Maki, who also participated in the tea ceremony. I've seen tea ceremonies on television but never live so I was really excited to see Miyuki in action. A woman was narrating the entire ...

Interview This! 48 Hour Film Project - San Francisco Style

So who the heck are these filmmakers who paid to get their one-weekend-produced film on the big screen? And in this economy? The 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) in San Francisco is an annual homage to quickie film making where producers have only two days to create a film out of scratch. When I first heard of 48HFP, I thought these people were bananas. Film production is an unpredictable, challenging and expensive hobby. Why go through the torture, stress and looming deadline and not get paid for it? Uhhhh, can you say out loud P-A-S-S-I-O-N? You can't put a price tag on creative drive and entrepreneurial spirit. Directors, Producers, Writers, Editors, Sound Engineers and Actors from 70 teams showcased their pride and joy during the five day screenfest. These are some of their stories from the June 30 premiere screening that was held at Landmark Lumiere Theater. But wait! Come back for more. I'll upload another feature video this we...

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