former sf supervisor sentenced to five years vi`s corner: "pupper"
Transcription
former sf supervisor sentenced to five years vi`s corner: "pupper"
PAGEEIGHT SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 VI'S CORNER: "PUPPER" Remember "Kushi", the Lab mix that you saw here a few weeks ago? She told you that she had nine pups shortly after she was brought into this shelter. Well, I'm "Pupper", one of those pups. You say that I don't look like a Lab? Well, I guess By Vi Logan I'm the only one that takes after my father in looks and color. I'm really not sure who he was, but he could have been an Australian Shepherd mix. What do you think? In any case, everyone thinks that I'm a pretty cute little boy, and I'm ready to be adopted into a loving home. Remember, I'm just a baby, only two months old, so there's a lot of training to do. I won't know right from wrong unless you teach me. But, please do it in a loving way— no yelling or hitting, ever! That will only make me afraid of you. I have to be housetrained, and taught, oh, so many things. I'll need a lot of doggie chew toys, as I'm teething, and you don't want me chewing your shoes or other things not meant for me. It's best to keep things that aren't meant for me out of my reach, as I don't know the difference at this point. Anything that you wouldn't want a baby to put in its mouth, is not meant for me, either. To show you how smart I am at this young age, I overheard talk that there's a lot of information on the internet about puppy proofing your home, foods and plants that are dangerous to pets, tips on training, and so much more. I think it would be a good idea to read all those things before you adopt a puppy, so that you know what is ahead for you. I want you to be sure that you have the time and patience and most of all, the love to give. I want to be part of your family forever, and not brought back because I was too much trouble or outgrew my cute puppiness! I'm going to grow up to be a big boy! So, won't you please call to see me? I can't go for a walk, yet, because I haven't had all of my shots, but I'm still small enough to sit on your lap. There are other dogs that would love to go for a walk and lots of kitties that would love some company, too. Newsroom Staff Publisher......................................Glenn Kelly Assistant Publisher.......................Winter Kelly Editor.......................................Susana Marcelo Copy Editor................................Susie Kopecky Newsroom Assistant........PatriciaPiaszczymski Graphics Director.........................Darshan Patil Production/Online News.................Smitha Pai Marketing Assistant................Skye Harrington Admin........................................... 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Provide a community newspaper that tells all the news honestly without any political agenda, slant or spin. 2.) Allow commentary writers the freedom to express their opinions and views without interruption, censorship or persua sion. 3.) Provide members of the community (rich or poor) with the truth and a place to voice their concerns. 4.) Abstain from printing anything demeaning, calumniatory or potentially harmful to any living being. 5.) Maintain the highest level of journalistic integrity. Readthenewsasithappens without bias, slant or prejudice. We tell it like it is. For freedom of opinion, See Point of View which allows allsidesofpolitics. NEWS.....................................PAGE1,2 ENTERTAINMENT......................PAGE3 FEATURES...................................PAGE4 POINTOFVIEW.....................PAGE5 CLASSIFIED.............................PAGE6,7 BACKPAGE................................PAGE8 JAIL FOR SUPERVISOR APRIL12,2009 VOLUMEIVISSUE15 FORMER S.F. SUPERVISOR SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS SAN FRANCISCO—On April 3, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced that former San Francisco Supervisor Ed Jew was sentenced to 64 months in prison for bribery, extortion and mail fraud by deprivation of honest services. “The sentence handed down today demonstrates that elected officials are not above the law,” said Russoniello, according to a United States Department of Justice press release. “Anyone who abuses his or her office for personal financial benefit will be held accountable.” Ed Jew, 49, represented the Sunset District in San Francisco and pleaded guilty to the charges in an indictment released on October 10, 2008, after going before a federal grand jury in November 2007. Along with the charges, he admitted to extracting $80,000 from Cantonese-speaking small business owners in his district as a payment to himself for offering services in dealing with violations issued by the City Planning Department. By Stacey Zynen “Mr. Jew selfishly pursued personal gain at the expense of some of the most vulnerable of his constituents,” said FBI Special Agent Charlene B. Thornton. According to his indictment, Ed Jew broke several codes under California political reform that he was bonded to through his position as supervisor, including one that stated he “was prohibited from using his official position to influence a governmental decision in which he knew…he had financial interest” (CA. Govt. Code 87100). U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston was the one who sentenced Ed Jew with the charges as well as a threeyear period of supervised release with a fine of $10,000 and $5,000 in restitution. Ed Jew will begin to serve his sentence on July 1. “The sentence he received today reminds us no one—regardless of power or position—is above the law,” Agent Thornton said. “There is a heavy price to pay for the abuse of power and betrayal of public trust.” S.F. ZOO WELCOMES BABY GIRAFFE By Stacey Zynen SAN FRANCISCO NEWS NEWSROOM: [email protected] WEBSITE: thesfnews.com HOMEDELIVERY$50 Baby Niklas with mother Photo courtesy of SF Zoo SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Zoo has recently welcomed a new—and extremely tall— member of its family into the world. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 168 pounds, Niklas was born to mother Kristen on April 2, and has passed all of his health exams and check-ups with flying colors. The San Francisco Zoo’s veterinary team has completed a successful visual exam, and has reported that his sucking reflexes and nursing schedule is normal. “The first 24 hours after any birth is vital,” said chief of veterinary services Jacqueline Jenceck in a press release. “We want to see the calf nursing, walking, sitting down and standing up. It’s part of early development and ensures us that the calf is progressing well.” Niklas comes from a herd of retic- ulated giraffes which are found in Central and South African regions, and stand taller than any living land species. Their particular breed is near-threatened and the San Francisco Zoo is actively partnering with other organizations to breed and strengthen the reticulated giraffe population. Female giraffes give birth standing up, which results in a steep 6-foot drop for the newborn calf. Life spans for giraffes are 20-25 years in the wild and up to 28 years in captivity. Staff and visitors alike are looking forward to Niklas’ showcase at the zoo’s upcoming four-month “Baby Bonanza,” beginning in May. For more information, check the San Francisco Zoo’s Web site, at sfzoo.org. News SFMOMA PLANNING FOR NEW WING PAGETWO SAN FRANCISCO—Celebrating its 74th year as a museum powerhouse, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in downtown San Francisco is planning to develop a new wing. The new installment is hoping to expand education programs and double gallery space. In a press release garnered by San Francisco News, SFMOMA states: “The future expansion will enable the museum to double its gallery space to 100000 square feet; enhance and grow its curatorial, conservation, and library programs; and consolidate its offices, 60 percent of which are currently housed off- site.” This expansion has been in the works since 2007, but was put on hold because of the economic downturn last fall. The museum is no doubt thinking about their future with regard to this expansion, but at the same time trying to offer museum goers a unique experience. SFMOMA director Neal Benezra stated in the press release that, “We are taking this important next step in securing our future in response to the By Naeem increasing public demand for our programming, to be able to properly present our collections and exhibitions, and, equally important, to accommodate future growth,” adding, “Continuing this planning is critical since it will enable us to move forward quickly and confidently with a fund-raising campaign once the nation regains its economic footing.” The museum has been home to some of the most interesting and breathtaking art for decades. It was the first museum on the west coast to house 20th century art. The museum is such an integral part of the city of San Francisco that even Mayor Gavin Newsom had something to say, “Cultural infrastructure is a vital component of stimulating and sustaining the economic health of San Francisco, California, and the nation. At the same time, it also provides equally important educational benefits to students, families, and businesses.” Benerza hammered home the importance of keeping SFMOMA as a leading art museum on the West Coast, and how the Bay Area SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 Ataian has much to offer with regard to art collections, “In looking to the future, it is important to note that the Bay Area is home to one of the most important groups of private collections of contemporary art in the U.S.” With more than 650,000 visitors annually as well as 46,000 students a year there is no doubt that this project will offer something for everyone who studies or simply enjoys contemporary art. By Bridget Kwok reverse mortgage. He then allegedly convinced her to put the money into annuity accounts. McTaggart instead fraudulently deposited the money into his personal account before fleeing to Tennessee, according to prosecutors. According to investigators, the elderly woman had responded to multiple mass mailing advertisements from McTaggart. Investigators are unaware of any other alleged victims of McTaggart. McTaggart was found in Memphis, Tennessee and was arrested on December 4. He was extradited to California on March 13 and was arranged on April 3, on charges of grand theft, grand theft from an elder and residential burglary. McTaggart faces up to eight years in prison, plus fines and restitution to the victim if convicted. STANDPIPE CAPS STOLEN FROM SF BUILDINGS SAN FRANCISCO—Some standpipe caps have been stolen off of San Francsico's taller buildings. So many of these brass caps have been stolen that the San Francisco Fire Department worries that standpipes and By Bridget Kwok sprinkler charging pipes may not work in an emergency if the caps are missing. With the standpipe caps missing, lives and property are at risk if firefighters cannot get water to where it is needed. The standpipe caps are easily stolen as they are usually on the front of buildings, by the sidewalk. It is suspected that metal thieves find these caps an easy way to make $10$20. A state law enacted late last year requires that scrap metal sellers must present a photo ID and must wait three business days to get thier money. Scrap metal dealers who illegally buy fire hydrant parts are subject to a $3000 fine. SEARCH CONDUCTED AROUND BAPTIST CHURCH NEAR CANTU HOME TRACY—On April 7, Srgt. Tony Sheneman, of the Tracy Police Department, stated in a press conference that officers will search the Baptist Church located near the home of Sandra Cantu, an 8-year-old girl whose body was discovered by farmers in an irrigation pond inside a suitcase on April 6, after she had been reported missing for more than a week. The church pastor, Lane Lawless, is a resident of the Orchard Estates mobile home park in Tracy, where the little girl had lived. The online press release issued by the Tracy By Rosana Police Department indicates that farmers discovered the suitcase while transferring water from a collection pond to a field for irrigation. Around 5:40 p.m. the suitcase was transported to the San Joaquin County Morgue, where the suitcase was opened, and the body of Sandra Cantu was identified. Sandra was a second-grader at Jacobson Elementary School. She disappeared from inside Orchard Estates on March 27. A home security video revealed the girl skipping down the road before she was reported miss- Clarkson ing. The F.B.I. arrived after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday to search the Baptist Church, which was lined with yellow crime scene tape. Lawless was interrogated by police after Sandra's body was found. The church is not being ruled out as a possible link to Sandra's murder; however, no arrests have been made, and the pastor is only one of hundreds of people who are being interviewed, according to police. When questioned by The San Francisco News if there are any new leads on the Sandra Cantu investigation, Srgt. Sheneman stated that he has no further updates at the moment. Police encourage those who want to send letters or gifts to the Cantu family to send them to the Tracy Police Department at 1000 Civic Center Drive, Tracy, CA, 95376, and write ATTN: Cantu Family on the envelope or package. The donations will be forwarded to the family via a liaison. LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT CITY'S SANCTUARY POLICY PLAYED ROLE IN MURDERS SAN FRANCISCO—On April 3, relatives of 48-year-old Tony Bologna, and his sons, 20year-old Michael, and 16-year-old Matthew—who were shot and killed in San Francisco in 2008—stated in a lawsuit that the killings would have been prevented had By Rosana the sanctuary policy of San Francisco not protected the suspected murderer from deportation. The alleged gunman, Edwin Ramos, is reported to have a record of being extremely violent, and is affiliated with the infamous Mara Salvatrucha gang. Clarkson The attorneys representing Bologna's wife and his two living children, affirmed that Ramos had previous juvenile convictions, yet he was not dutifully deported due to the city policy. The lawsuit indicates that the policy had prevented police from reporting Ramos' status to immigration authorities, and claims that the lack of action played a significant role in the murders of Bologna and his two young sons. Ramos is currently facing murder charges and an oncoming preliminary hearing. PAGESEVEN REAL ESTATE FOR SALE 720 A REAL ESTATE FOR SALE 720 A HOUSING FOR RENT 720-B OFFICE & COMMERCIAL 720 C CONCORD DANVILLE SAN MATEO SAN CARLOS $319000 OPEN HOUSE -SUNDAY 1PM TO 4PM 2 Bedrooms, 1.25 Bath Upper End Unit End-f—Court Location Inside Laundry-Washer/Dryer Included Separate Storage Room Low Homeowner Dues - $240/month 975 Sq. Ft. (based on public record) 1440 Reganti Place, #15, Concord 300000 From the $300,000 - No Down, - No Closing Cost Call at 925-648-2311. Greg - 925-648-2311 Office RICHMOND MAN FACES CHARGES IN FRAUD SCAM SAN FRANCISCO—Orange County man, John McTaggart, 45, was arranged on April 3, in San Francisco Superior Court on charges of stealing $140,000 from an 86-year-old woman who tried to invest her money with McTaggart. McTaggart, a former broker, helped the elderly woman secure a legitimate Classifieds SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 $465000 Office Condo for Sale in Inner Richmond New office condos in elevator building. 3rd floor finished shell space approx. 657 sqft ready for immediate possession/use or further improvements. This unit is 1 of 10 units in building including 2 retail condos on ground floor. call agent at 415-290-2927 $525000 Retail Space for Sale Ground floor retail space approximately 715 sqft and 1 of 2 retail spaces in a 10 unit elevator building. This unit has individual HVAC, ADA bathroom, 40 gallon hot water heater, and separate gas, electric and water meters. High ceiling for take-out restaurant/cafe. agent at 415-290-2927. FREMONT $629950 Union City: Shows Like A Model! Call to Preview. 4 Bdrm Single family house 2210 Mann Ave, Union City, CA Year Built 1977 Sq Footage 1,378 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 car garage Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month Seller contact info: Jerry Jacques Coldwell Banker [email protected], www.jerryj.com !! First-Time Buyers !! New Home Buyers Start Building Equity! Free Inside Report of Homes available with no money down - no obligation. Visit: www.srvFixerUppers.com Beat others to Hot New Listings! $689999 Beautiful Park-ike Setting Backyard ~4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms Approx 1,479 Sq. 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This Spacious floor plan includes recessed lighting throughout, Pergo flooring with Upgraded wall to wall carpet in bedrooms and family room. This property is located in an established gated community and conveniently located within the San Ramon Unified School District. Easy access to the 680/580 corridor... Stress free living!!! Currently rented out and all offers are being considered!!! Seller to negotiate and pay for up to 6 months of HOA fees. Call for more details. Joe 925-525-9297 $1929 / 2br -EAT 2B2B APARTMENT WITH CATHEDRAL CEILINGS!! GREAT LOCATION!! A vine-overed trellis, leafy trees and manicured shrubs create an elegant poolside environment for residents of Scotchollow. There’s plenty of opportunity for R&R with 2 heated pools, a spa, sauna and tennis courts. contact Mollie at (650) 574-2300 WILLOW GLEN $1200 / 2br -Available for immediate move-in Choose a Decorator Accent Wall Color for your New Apartment! Call at 800-518-2236 SANTA ROSA $2300 / 4br -— GORGEOUS! 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If interested call Mike (707) 332-586 OFFICE & COMMERCIAL 720 C SANTA CLARA $3750 / 3430ft² -— R&D/Flex space w/4 offices + large open area + wrhse-ll HVAC Please see our website for further information at https://www.lbcproperties.com or call for an appointment to view the property at 831-24-1640. 309 Laurelwood Rd at De La Cruz Blvd 2250 / 900ft² -— Attractive medical, office or retail space at Morse and Laurel 1000B Laurel Street, in downtown San Carlos, offers one suite available for medical office, office or retail use with immediate occupancy. The space offers: -—open buildout with restroom -—excellent building signage fronting Morse Blvd at Laurel Street The building offers: -—prominent downtown San Carlos location, one block north of Brittan Avenue -—high quality interiors built by contractor/owner For tour or more information, contact: Trask Leonard, Bayside Realty Partners, 650-949-0700 3200ft² - San Carlos Warehouse / Office Space On Industrial I have 3200 sqft of office/warehouse space available in San Carlos. Unit has both glass door entrance and large roll up automatic door. It is on the 1160 block of industrial, right behind Home Depot, and across from Best Buy. If interested, please call me at 650-339-3743. $1650 / 1050ft² -— ELCAMINO FRONTAGE COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE EL CAMINO IN SOUTH SAN CARLOS. IDEAL FOR RETAIL. MANY POSSIBILITIES. PLEASE CALL 650-400-0575 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE OAKLAND $1200 / 520ft² -Brand New Commercial Space - Store Front! Brand new commercial/store front space in Oakland (near New Chinatown area) on the ground floor with private bathroom! Available for retail or office use. Approximately 520 square feet. Move in cost is first month’s rent plus security deposit. Easy to show! Please e-mail or call Cindy at 510-381-4599. Coin Laundry for Sale in Oakland Coin Laundry for Sale. Asking Price is $145,000. Please contact me if you are interested in this listing. Jeffrey Ota (Agent) BIM, Inc. (415) 567-8002 ext.11 [email protected] VACATION RENTALS 720 D SOUTH LAKE TAHOE $1884 / 1013ft² -—One Office for lease on Kifer Rd at flexible rates in Santa Clara We have one commercial office space suite for lease remaining: * Central Santa Clara location * Great window lines * 1,013 sq. ft. * 2 private offices * Large open area * Storage/server room in suite * CAT5 wired Please visit our website, http://www.borelli-inv.com/craigslist, for complete information and floor plans Call us at 408-453-4700 $189 / 3br -RUSTIC LOG CHALET, JUST REMODELED~ NEW AMENITIES~ CHRISTMAS AVAILA CHRISMAS IS STILL AVAILABLE!!! BOOK IT HERE TODAY: More Pictures and detail descriptions are available here: http://www.laketahoechalet.com Please go online and click on the nights that you want to book and pay online. Once we get your payment, we will confirm your booking asap. $1295 / 1br -— ***Great Loc-ool/Spa, GE Appliances, AC, FP Avail, Fitness Center!** (santa clara) Address & Phone Number: 1901 Halford Ave Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 241-8508 $130 / 3br -home style cabin clean and cozy This 3-bedroom and 1 bath cabin with knotty Pine features and a wood burning stove provides a cozy Tahoe ambience, centrally located in S. Lake Tahoe in a quiet neighborhood. It is 3 miles from the Heavenly Ski Resort, 4 miles to the casinos and 1 mile to the “Y” shopping outlet center. Winter rate: $165\per weekend night & 130\per wkday night Contact Us: 408-306-8510 (Dan) 408-306-8511 (Roxanne) Cheap Rents-lnut Creek/PH boarder CHEAP RENTS Spaces available immediately Space from 276 sq. ft. to 5000 sq. ft. Close to B.A.R.T. station Extremely close to HWY 680 on ramps Please call Anthony Kessler r. e. agent 925-627-2886 see us online at http://www.thesfnews.com Classifieds PAGESIX CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY ANNOUNCEMENTS............................101 SINGLE EVENTS................................102 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY..................203 FOR SALE.........................................304 COLLECTIBLES..................................305 AUTOMOTIVE.....................................306 LEGAL...............................................402 SERVICES..........................................407 MUSIC...............................................408 FREELANCE WRITER..........................409 HAULERS..........................................410 SECURITY..........................................411 HOME IMPROVEMENT........................412 HEALTH.............................................413 SPIRITUAL.........................................414 LIFE COACH......................................415 COMPUTER SERVICES.......................417 HUNTING..........................................418 PETS.................................................516 EMPLOYMENT...................................619 REAL ESTATE....................................720 OPEN HOUSE....................................722 COMMERCIAL RENTALS.....................723 HOMES FOR SALE.............................724 RESIDENTIAL RENTALS......................725 SINGLE EVENTS 102 MUSIC 408 Beautiful, professional Celtic harp music for your event The magical music of the Celtic harp can add a special touch to your: *Wedding *Social Event *Dinner Party *Art opening *Studio Recording Website: www.flowinglass.com/princess/wed.html call Margaret Davis at (510) 569-0437 Sumac’s Soul Heaven B and BIZ OPPORTUNITY 203 Enthralling Summer Job Opportunity Summer C ounselors Wanted Please contact us through our website: www.summerfun.com FOR SALE 304 $575000 3 BED/2.5 BATH OPEN HOUSE SAT/SUN 1-4PM (Fremont / Union City/ Newark) Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2+ APX Sqft.: 1212 Year Built: 1997 Name: Gary Yip TEL(D): 510-656-1188 TEL(F): 510-656-9868 [email protected] AUTOMOTIVE 306 NEED AUTO MOBILE REPAIR CALL 510 229 0715 (Oakland East) WILL COME TO YOU, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FAIL SMOG CHECK RADIATOR, WATER PUMP, STATER, ALTERNATOR BRAKE, ELECTRICAL, OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS 101 LEGAL 402 BERKLE E MUSIC GRAD TAKING NOTARY PUBLIC 1-800-820-0121 NOTARY PUBLIC ALL BAY AREA !!, PLEASE CALL 1-800-820-0121 ALL OF SAN FRANCISCO, ALL OF SAN MATEO COUNTY, INCLUDING COAST. MOBILE SERVICES,24 HOURS A DAY, CALL 1-800-820-0121 , CELL PHONE 415-215-2517 GUITAR STUDENTS LEAN THE GUITAR STYLES OF HENDRIX,CLAPTON,VAUGHN,JIMMY PAGE,ROLLING STONES. $25 HR. $50 HR HOUSE CALLS. CALL CASEY 616-450-8191 learn to play electronic keyboard for free (santa clara) Would you be interested to play your favorite songs in music keyboard in a matter of few hours?? Do you want to impress that special someone by striking a musical note? Mail me at [email protected] for a trial free version of this new methodology for playing keyboard. SAN FRANCISCO NEWS NEWSROOM: [email protected] WEBSITE: thesfnews.com SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 SERVICES 407 ONSITE COMPUTER & NETWORK SOLUTIONS ($35/Hr) Service Area: All San Francisco Bay Area, Alameda, Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerito, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, Moraga, Orinda, and Lafaytte. Rate: $35 for Home Users; $45 for Small Business 510-682-7598 AFFORDABLE TRADEMARK/PATENT/COPYRIGHTS ATTORNEY Contact my law offices. Sean Donrad, Esq. 1300 Clay Ave Oakland, CA 94612 Phone: 510-387-482 Email: [email protected] We have solid soulful sounds featuring a dynamic vocalist in Soul, Blues and R&B. For Bookings, please call 925-864-1403. FREELANCE WRITER 409 FRE ELANC E INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY This is a part-time, telecommuting position. Please send a resume, cover letter and three published writing samples to [email protected] HAULERS 410 HAULING -- DUMP RUNS Call Steve at the Hauling Company today for estimates and scheduling to haul all that stuff you don’t want or need anymore. We’ll haul old appliances, furniture, yard, office, storage room or construction site clean-ups. 650-207-2185..........650-207-2185.......... 650-207-2185..........650-207-2185 SECURITY 411 CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER ****Free Consultation**** Shawn S. Salehieh, Attorney At Law Office: 415-773-1270 Mobile: 415-225-6353 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.lawinfo.com/leadcounsellawyers/san-francisco-criminal-1202/ HOME IMPROVEMENT 412 We want to be your BAY AR EA Home Renovations Call us now for a free quote on all of our Bay Area home improvement services. (415) 806-932 (650) 758-2986 Browse thru our web site: http://www.santiagoafanadorphoto.com/index2 .html RS PAINTING CO. (belmont) WE DO INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING CALL US NOW (650)773-5875 HEALTH 413 The Power of Human Touch For more Information, Gift Certificates or an Appointment, please call: Phone # (925) 370-1910 Website: http://www.sunmassage.com LUXURY FIXER UPPE RS Free list w/ pictures www.BHFixers.com 24 hr. hotline (650) 941-5857 ID#8848 SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 SPIRITUAL 414 Reiki at Cafe Del Soul Cafe Del Soul is offering 20 min Reiki sessions for $20.00 Every Saturday 11-2pm Christine Gardivaud Reiki Master Energy Healer 415-637-2686 Cafe Del Soul 247 Shoreline Hwy Mill Valley, CA CATERING 416 AMBROSIA Personal Chef Service: We Make Life Better E-mail us for more info at [email protected], see our website at www.cheflisa.net, or call Lisa Stroh (executive chef) at 415-307-7270 or Claudia Miles (manager) at 415-54-4465. COMPUTER SERVICES 417 Computer Repair Professional Computer Repair San R amon 925-855-9600 WebDispatch.com 2819 Crow Canyon Road, Suite 105 San Ramon, CA 94583 (925) 855-9600 Call 24 Hours! MISCELLANEOUS. JOBS 619A Need a complete IT solution for small business Kirk H. Lesser [email protected] 510-552-6896 OBJECTIVE Helping small businesses utilizing my 13 years of expertise HUNTING 418 HUNT ELK… Red Stag, Buffalo, Whitetail. Guaranteed License: $5.00 Your Trophy in 2 Days: No Game/No Pay! Days: 314-209-9800, Eves: 314-293-0610 BEAUTY 499 SKIN CARE HAIR CARE WAXING SERVICES (willow glen / cambrian) REFLECTIONS HAIR DESIGN & SPA 1702 Meridian Ave. Ste. J San Jose, CA 95125 Tel: (408) 265-2000 The hours are Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm & Sat: 9am—6pm. For more information or to make an appointment, please visit the web site http://www.reflectionshairdesignandspa.com. PETS 516 8-week-old Collie/German Shepherd mix puppy for adoption *PHOTOS* This is a Rocket Dog Rescue. Pictures at: http://pics.corace.com/Sofia Sofia is a mixed breed (GSD/Collie or GSD/Husky) rescued from a nearby Bay Area dog shelter. EMPLOYMENT 619 NOW HIRING IN YOUR AREA * CUSTOMER SERVICE * * RETAIL * * OTHER GENERAL POSITIONS * PAID TRAINING NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FLEXIBLE HOURS CALL NOW (905) 392-1016 ASK FOR DAN MEDICARE FINANCE SPECIALIST To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter with salary expectation to: Georgia Montgomery, HR Recruiter Health Plan of San Mateo 701 Gateway Blvd., Suite 400 South San Francisco, CA 94080 Email: [email protected] Phone: (650) 616-2149 Fax: (650) 616-8039 File by: 1/19/2009 EOE UNITED STATES—Pretty much everything in the economy is down, from housing to employment. The jobless claims have piled up by the hundreds of thousands, so it’s hard to believe anyone’s hiring. The only ones thriving perhaps are collection agencies, repo men, foreclosure specialists, pawnshops and criminal-defense lawyers. Now, with summer just a few months away, almost 42 percent of people have canceled their vacation plans. Some will do the “Staycation” and others who will lay down tracks for their album, will go to Geejam, the newest hotel in music mogul Chris Blackwell’s Island Outpost group, in Port Antonio on the northeast coast of Jamaica. Besides a gym and a spa, there’s a top-of-the-line recording studio, in fact, No Entertainment WHAT A SURPRISE! By Rose Quintiliano Doubt recorded its Grammy winner “Hey a school in Malawi, where Kabbalah is Baby” there. preached. Of course, Madonna doesn’t have to worry Traveling in the Europe together a few about round-trip fares to Malawi. Is there any weeks ago were President Obama and First Mercy for Madonna? The Material Mom’s Lady Michelle Obama, who made a fashion plan to adopt her second child went a bit awry. statement as she disembarked in London Court officials first postponed her adoption wearing a modern chartreuse dress by Jason application, and the grandmother of the 4- Wu with a black belt and a Michael Kors year-old girl Madonna wanted to adopt old duster coat. First ladies are always scrutinized the Sun, the British newspaper, that she for what they wear and, what a surprise, whatopposed it. The judge said that granting the ever the First Lady wears, people are bound to adoption would set a dangerous precedent by keep talking about it—and of course— envy bending rules requiring that prospective par- it. ents live for at least some time in the southern These days the prolific celebrity users ferAfrican country. Madonna’s attorney has vently updating their Twitter pages are also “filed notice for appeal in the Supreme Court saving lives. Demi Moore, known on Twitter of Appeal.” No date has been set. Madonna as “mrskutcher,” and followers of her Twitter arrived in Malawi a few weeks ago with feed, called the San Jose Police Department daughter Lourdes, 12, and sons Rocco, 8, and when a woman known as “Sandieguy” from David, 3. So why aren’t the three children in San Jose, Calif., used the micro-blogging school? Um, Spring break, maybe. Madonna platform to let Moore know she planned to stirred controversy and opposition by chil- commit suicide. “Getting a knife, a big one dren’s advocates last year when she adopted that is sharp. Going to cut my arm down the David, who says the singer used her celebrity whole so it doesn’t waste time,” she wrote to status to circumvent regulations. There is no Moore around 3 a.m. Moore’s hubby, Ashton doubt in my mind that if Madonna wants this Kutcher, later twittered that the woman was in child, she will win the case. When she adopt- the hospital. “Wifey is pretty amazing, huh?” ed David, you may remember that she set up The Kutchers post tweets from their cell PAGETHREE phones several times a day. Twitter attracts many readers who enjoy seeing the behindthe scenes writing, photos and video from celebrities who enjoy the social-network technology. What’s amazing is this season’s "American Idol," with its new concept and pre-taping. According to published reports, the two women judges ignore each other off-camera. There seems to be a Great Divide between them. We expected that, as women can be vicious and spiteful. Meanwhile, while you’re watching the contestants perform at home on your flat-screen TV, the judges are talking to each other, right in front of those poor contestants. How rude. Alright, so you’ve seen the performers in dress rehearsal, and you’re bored, but the Fab Four also chat it up while superstars such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Joss Stone are singing too. Now to the contestants. It looks like Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey are front-runners. Rose’s Scoop: The Jonas Brothers’ pre-sale tickets sold within minutes, like hotcakes. They had to add another show to accommodate fans at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter! MICHAEL ST. JOHN'S CONFIDENTIAL FILE HOLLYWOOD—HELLO AMERICA! Being a part of the 20th Century Fox Studio Public Relations Department was something one might only dream about. Some follow-up stories needed to be done about Steve McQueen, who was starring in “The Sand Pebbles,” and I was asked to deal with it. Robert Wise was directing the film, and the cast included Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna and Candice Bergen. Before I knew it, I was in route to Taipei, Taiwan. I was met at the airport by Doris Nei, the studio’s Asian press rep for the picture. “This will be a different experience for you,” she claimed. I, of course, was dazed with this exotic and strange world. The Ambassador Hotel, where I stayed, was beyond belief. One could barely disrobe at the end of the day when whatever you were wearing was whisked away, cleaned and pressed, along with shoes shined and returned. My room overlooked the main street of Taipei and breakfast was had by a window where I could view the pedicab station (rickshaws with bicycles). These cabs dashed about like water bugs in unison with the helter-skelter traffic. Doris Nei took me on a jaunt around Taipei that included a snake restaurant, a Temple where I lit incense and made a wish, to some stores and down a few rather dark allies. Without a doubt, I was captivated by it all. After Steve McQueen was made aware that I would be shadowing him for a while, we got together and decided to do some exploring on our own. We witnessed the strange religious rites of an obscure pagan cult: the purification ceremony of walking barefoot over red-hot coals. The rain poured and we walked and stood in ankle-deep mud in a field well off the road, miles out of Tamsui (meaning sweet river), a town 30 miles from Taipei. The ceremony began with a rhythmic chant and a warrior-type dance. It was performed with swords around a bed of hot coals as bits of yellow paper bearing Chinese characters were thrown to prove the heat was intense. When the By Michael St John dancing ceased, a drumbeat along with a new chant commenced. Suddenly, a native jumped into the circle as in a seizure or hypnosis, shaking and clacking his teeth. He half danced, half shuddered in front of the altar that was set up in the field while the monks dressed him in ceremonial garb. After several ritual dances around the bed of coals, he rolled his head round, started foaming at the mouth and moved straight for the hot coals. And they were hot! We could barely stand eight feet from them; the heat was intense. Other members of his sect walked through, carrying small statues of Buddha. Some there told us that this was a Taoist ceremony, and a secret one. The theory was that if they had remained pure for the past 12 months, they would not be burned. One fellow wore a grey flannel suit, tie, with his pant legs rolled up over bare feet – they were not even scorched! I can understand not feeling pain under hypnosis, but not having blackened feet or burned in some way, is a mystery. Steve and I were told, also, that at night, they were to walk on razor-sharp swords, but we decided not to stick around to watch. Later, when Steve had another break in shooting, he and I and several Chinese people went to the home of the famous Chinese general, who not only was a member of Chang Kai Shek’s general, but was a renowned painter of horses. His name is General Yeh Tsui-Pai. We had dinner together and afterwards, he gave a demonstration of his paintings. He asked all the women present to mark a piece of paper and he painted a horse from their marks. He asked Steve and I which paintings we would like, and he would give them to us. It was an evening never to be forgotten. It was also an example of the way the Taiwanese community welcomed the movie people there. Hello from Hong Kong! This is what I wrote to Chris Robinson, my closest friend and actor at Universal Studios. I had much to tell him because I had witnessed a riot on Nathan Road, the main street of Kowloon, which was right in front of my hotel room. The streets were filled with protestors against the proposed ferryboat fare raise. It wasn’t long before the crowd became a mob and started breaking streetlights and pulling rain guards down. The police came with riot shields and guns and gas masks. They finally had to shoot tear gas into the crowd; some of it blew up into my room. As I gasped for breath, I thought this might be the end of me. Down the street from the hotel, the mob burned and looted the Shin Hing Department Store (the Bullocks of Kowloon). I watched the violence from my window until 3 in the morning. The next night, it erupted again, but further down the street. The police, this time, fired into the crowd killing one person and wounding three others. Now, there was a curfew established between 1 and 6 in the morning. Absolutely no one was allowed on the street. Finally, the film company returned from location at Three Fathoms Cove, Tolo Harbor, in convoy, at a speed of 20 miles an hour, so that if anything erupted, we would all be together. We traveled first by car for 45 minutes, then by boat. The first day, it took two and half hours to reach the San Pablo. She had a rough trip being towed from Tamsin Harbor in Taiwan. The waves were so high, sometimes the tug pulling her could not see her when she dipped down. But here we were, shooting in the “New Territories” as this British-leaded land is called, a base 5 miles from the Communist border, and we had to have special permits to be there. While shooting again in Three Fathoms Cove, six of us had quite an adventure. Steve McQueen, a female reporter, Joan Vertigan of the South China Morning Post, Tom Middleton, Ted Fish, Barney Phillips, Joe Turkel and I were in a motor launch headed for home across Tolo Harbor when the motor conked out. We were stranded five miles from the Chinese Communist borderline! The San Pablo was miles away with the rest of the company. The only boat we could see was an ocean-going tug, hauling a huge dredging barge. It seemed to be flying a red flag. Joe Turkel leaped to the bow of our launch and whistled, waved and surprisingly, the tug veered toward us. When it got about a fourth mile away, we saw it was manned by Chinese. They spoke no English, but they threw us a line and towed us. Fortunately, a Hong Kong police boat appeared with a Chinese crew and a British maritime officer aboard. We jumped in their boat, and they took us to Tai Po dock where our cars were waiting. If few had continued in the other boat, we might have ended up in Communist China. As we got off the dock and crossed the tracks of a nearby railroad, we had to pass through a waiting train. As it happened, another train came by and the guys almost got hit. What a day! Before returning to Hollywood, the company was invited to the wedding of a young Chinese man, David Chin, who worked on the film in the prop department. The ceremony was beautiful. According to custom, everyone applauded when the bride and groom walked in on a red carpet. All around the altar, there were tables set for the reception dinner. People from all walks of David’s life were asked to give speeches; a childhood friend, co-worker and relative. Mr. Wise as David’s boss and Larry Gates, as an American co-worker, expressed the company’s good wishes. David’s father said he was so proud that friends from 20th Century Fox had come to the wedding of his only son. Then, we all plunged into a sumptuous meal, which included sweet and sour steamed fish, ginger duck, shark’s fin soup, and many toasts with rice wine to the bride and groom. During the meal, the bride changed clothes six times, and reentered to applause on the arm of the groom. This is according to custom, whereby the bride shows her trousseau to the guests, during the reception, which is paid for by the groom’s father. It was a lovely, festive evening, and one that gave me a view of another great culture. PAGEFOUR Features “I WENT ON A BEACH TRIP WITH MY CLOSEST FRIENDS...” SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 By Deanna M D ear D ean na! I went on a beach trip with my closest friends. As married women we agreed that whatever happened while traveling would stay in its place. This agreement went well for two years. One of the ladies in the group went through a divorce and she told our husbands about our sexual affairs and has caused so much drama. I’m concerned about them but my husband is taking things pretty hard and feels he’ll never trust me again. How do I repair this damage? Embarrassed Kat ie Wichita Falls, TX Dear Kat ie: You should’ve honored your vows instead of running behind your girlfriends. The first thing is to forgive yourself and seek forgiveness from God. From that point, confess to your husband, and ask him to forgive you and to work with you to fix the marriage. You have violated your husband’s honor and his heart. You both should be open minded to professional counseling. In the future, if you do dirty things, do them alone so that your secrets won’t be released. D ear D ean na! My fiancé and I are trying to get married but I have interest in spending tons of money on a honeymoon. I prefer saving for a home. My fiance wants a big wedding, the church and a trip to the Virgin Islands. We're on the brink of breaking up because I won’t compromise all the way and let her have her way. I’m willing to make the wedding a good memory but I’m not going broke to do it. What do I do? Micha el Indian apolis, IN D ear M i chael : In this day and age, your fiancé should feel blessed to have someone wanting to marry and do the right thing. Most women want big weddings so they can show off to their family and friends and look silly three years later when they divorce. The most you should do is set a budget and make her get the most out of those funds. A peaceful solution is to get married with a simple wedding, buy your home and have a big celebration when you renew your vows. D ear D ean na! I’ve had it with my girlfriend and her pet obsession. We’ve been together for two years and all of a sudden she’s become an overnight dog lover. Every time I turn around the little dog is in my face. My girlfriend is rude when she has it on her lap at the table, she brings in a box to the movies and she lets it in the bed with us. There are too many women out there for me to be held hostage by a dog. Am I wrong to say she needs to choose the dog or me? Dear Brian: You’re a grown man and you let an animal control your relationship. You should’ve had this discussion the first time the dog came to the dinner table. Just like children, pets have a time and place to be seen and involved and a dog is no different. However, your girlfriend needs to grow up and learn how to be mature and manage her man and her pooch. If there’s no commitment and she chooses to keep her habits with the dog, suck it up and keep it moving. MAKING FRIENDS WITH SALES STAFF VARIOUS—Developing personal relationships with sales associates and managers is a smart, sharp strategy. It’s mutually beneficial, and will pay off for you — the customer — as well as the salesperson. This column discusses ways to accomplish this. Any relationship takes time, energy, and effort to nurture and grow. It won’t happen overnight. The starting point is always the same: engaging someone in conversation. I suggest doing a twice monthly reconnoiter of department stores, clothing stores, specialty shops and discounters. Large shopping malls have many such retailers under one roof. They’re a good place to begin. Weekday evenings, Monday through Thursday, are the best times. Business is slow and there’s lots of time to By James F Brown talk. Salespeople are often simply standing around, bored, with time on their hands, and are usually willing — even eager — to talk. Fridays and weekends are the worst times to try shooting the breeze with sales associates. They’re busy, frazzled, and have to deal with an onslaught of often rude, demanding, pushy customers. There is no time for chitchat, and any conversations will be constantly interrupted. But on weeknights, be forthright about going up to idle sales associates. Ask them if they have time to answer a few questions. Inquire about possible upcoming sales and how big the discounts might be. They usually have advance notice and can share that information with you. Solicit their advice about clothes. What indicators of quality fabric and workmanship should you look for? What brands have good reputations, and which ones should be avoided? Pay particular attention to what they have to say about the store’s house labels. Make a point to always thank them for their advice when you leave. Continue to develop relationships. Be sure to seek these associates out whenever you’re in their store. Whenever you make a purchase, do it through them. Commissions can be a significant part of their compensation. And even when they aren’t paid commissions, their overall sales are still tracked and noted by management. You’ll also find that friendly sales associates will help resolve any problems you may have. They may go out of their way to give you “the benefit of the doubt” and get you better deals than the average customer. They can also educate you by “spilling the beans” about their company’s ways of doing business that the company would much prefer remain confidential. I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve learned over the years by becoming friends with sales associates and managers. Knowledge is power, and I’ve personally benefited enormously from what these people have taught me. You, too, can pursue this strategy. Take time to talk with sales people, be friendly, and you’ll gain from these relationships. CALENDAR: WEEK OF APRIL 12 "THE STORY": - When: Mar 21-Apr 25, Tue at 7 pm; Wed-Fri at 8 pm; Sat at 3 & 8 pm -Description: Inspired by real-life events, an ambitious newspaper reporter goes against her editor to investigate a murder and finds the best story...but at what cost? A co-production with the Lorraine Hansberry. Theatre. -Location: SF Playhouse: 533 Sutter, San Francisco -Contact: 677-9596 -Ticket: $40 "Diva Fest 2009: an Affair of Honor": -WHEN: Apr 4-25, Thu-Sat at 8 pm; Sat Apr 25 at 3 pm. Description: An Affair of Honor is the story of Julie D'Aubigny, a cross-dressing sword fighting opera diva forced to fight in Parisian taverns for francs until she is discovered by Philippe Duc D'Orleans who takes her to Marseilles to sing in the opera. There she meets and falls in love with Bette, who believes Julie is a man. Ultimately she is unmasked by Philippe's jealous lover Georges and must fight for her honor with Georges as the horrified Bette duel … of Honor. -Location: Exit Theatre: 156 Eddy Street, San Francisco -Contact: 673-3847. -Tickets: $12-20 Emerson String Quartet: -When: Apr 19, Sun at 7 pm -Description: Program: Beethoven/Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 "Serioso;" Mozart/Quartet in B-flat, K. 589; Webern/Bagatelles, Op. 9; and Ravel/Quartet. -Location: Herbst Theater: 401 Van Ness, San Francsico. -Contact: 392-4400 -Tickets: $40-44 "JEWS ON VYNIL": -When: Feb 6-Jun 9, Fri-Tue 11 am-5:30 pm, Thu 1 pm-8:30 pm (closed Wed). -Description: This exhibition is based on Roger Bennett's and Josh Kun's book: "And You Shall Know Us by the Trail of Our Vinyl: The Jewish Past as Told by the Records We Have Loved and Lost," which spans the history of Jewish recorded music from the 1940s to the 1980s, weaving an account that begins with sacred songs and ends with the holy trinity of Neil, Barbra, and Barry. The exhibition features a soundtrack of highlights from these LPs By San Francisco News Staff to provide opportunities for Museum visitors to experience forgotten moments in Jewish American pop history. -Location: The Contemporary Jewish Museum:736 Mission, San Francisco. -Contact: 655-7800. -Tickets: $10; $8 srs & stu with valid ID; mbrs & 18 and under, free; $5 Thu after 5 pm 5th Annual Dance Anywhere: -When: Apr 24, Fri at noon (Pacific Time) -Description: Thousands of professional and amateur dancers worldwide—ballet, modern, jazz, ballroom, hop-hop and more—come together in movement on April 24 to celebrate the universal importance and joy of movement. For more information about participating in this event, visit the website. Locations: Various. Contact: www.danceanywhere.org Ticket: Free CubaCaribe Festival of Dance and Music: -When: April 17 to May 2. Call or visit the website. -Description: This year’s festival features workshops, lectures and performances that celebrate the art and music of the Caribbean and the impact it’s had on cultures around the world. Details TBA. Visit the website for updates. Location: Dance Mission: 3316 24th Street, San Francisco. -Contact: 273-4633. Ticket: $12-22 Inside/Outside: Artist Environments: -When: Mar 6-May 24, Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat & Sun 11 am-5 pm. -Description: From folk art environments to homes, artist environment builders blur the lines and push the boundaries of how we define art. This exhibit seeks the alternative cultural histories of artist environments that are often overlooked, or undervalued, by the art world and institutions. Featuring a new commission by Mike Shine, works by William Scott, Watts Tower Project, and Megan Wilson, and historic documentation of famous California environments. -Location: Museum of Craft and Folk Art: 51 Yuerba Buena Lane, San Francisco. -Contact: 227-4888. -Ticket: $5, $4 seniors, free under 18 and for members; Free every Tue in 2009 "Let Your Motto Be Resistance": -When: Mar 21-Jun 14, Mon, Wed-Sat 10 am-6 pm; Sun noon-5 pm. -Description: Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits. Presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, this exhibition consists of 70 modern prints selected from the National Portrait Gallery’s collections highlighting 150 years of African American resistance in the U.S. Highlights include images of boxing legend Joe Louis (c. 1935), Josef Breitenbach’s image of singer Sarah Vaughan (1950), Dan Weiner’s photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. (1956) and Irving Penn’s image of opera icon Jessye Norman (1983). -Location: Museum of African Diaspora: 685 Mission, San Francisco. Contact: 358-7200. -Ticket: $10; $5 students & seniors 18th Annual Spring Celebration & Easter Parade: -When: Apr 12, Sun 10 am-5 pm; parade begins at 2 pm. -This annual event celebrates and showcases the diverse community of San Francisco and features some of Union Street's best restaurants serving attendees in an outdoor bistro setting. A variety of children's and family activities are the focus of the event and include; large inflatable bounces, kids' rides and games, a climbing wall, a hands-on children's activities area, costumed characters, a petting zoo, a pony ride and entertainment from some of the Bay Area's best musicians. -Location: Union Street, San Francisco. -Contact: 800-310-6563. -Tickets: FREE Exploratorium After Dark: -When: Apr 23, Thu; open until 9:30 pm; Tours Begin at 7:30, 8, 8:30 and 9 pm. -Description: An open terrain of phenomena-based exhibits, the Exploratorium is designed to be navigated freely, according to personal inclination and imagination. This evening, encounter the museum through the eyes of local scientists and creative thinkers in a series of unique, half-hour walking tours. Highlights include a behind-the-scenes look at the machine shop, where exhibit developers share their inspirations and challenges in building new exhibits. -Location: Exploratorium:3601 Lyon, San Francisco -Contact: 561-0399. -Tickets:$14; $11 students, seniors, youth; $9 children ; free children under 4, members, & first Wed of the month. The Piety Street Band: 11.$14; $11 students, seniors, youth; $9 children ; free children under 4, members, & first Wed of the month. -When:Apr 11, Sat at 8 pm; pre-concert talk at 7 pm. -Description: Guitar hero John Scofield boasts one of them most distinctive sounds in jazz. Delving back into Crescent City beats, Scofield introduces his latest group, The Piety Street Band—a rare chance to see the guitar god with a blues-and gospel-drenched crew featuring Jon Cleary on keyboards and vocals, drummer Ricky Fataar and legendary New Orleans bassist George Porter Jr., who provided the irresistable pulse for immortal R&B combo The Meters. -Location:Palace of Fine Arts Theater:3301 Lyons, San Francisco.-Contact: 866-920-jazz -Ticket: $25-65 International Lao New Year Festival: -When: Apr 11, Sat 10 am-5 pm. -Description: Activities include free screening of Nerakhoon: The Betrayal; directed by: Thavisouk Phrasavath and Ellen Kuras; Buddha image procession and parade; kite making and kite flying; music; and more.-Location: Civic Center Plaza, San Francisco -Contact: 680-4027. -Ticket: FREE SF'S ZOO FOR THE PLANET: -When: Apr 18, Sat 10 am-3 pm -Description: Celebrate Earth Day and learn about green, sustainable living solutions inside and outside of the Zoo. A variety of local, earth-friendly companies and services are showcased as well as music and puppet performances with "greenthemes" that the whole family can enjoy. -Location: San Francisco Zoo: Sloat and 45th Avenue, SAN FRANCISCO -Contact: 753-7080 -Ticket: $8-$14; Free for children 3 & under Point of View SYMPTOM OF A CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASE SANFRANCISCONEWSAPRIL12,2009 UNITED STATES—On special occasions, I wear a red silk tie printed with 56 signatures, all but one of them in black; the featured one in white is “Th. Jefferson.” The names are, of course, the signers of the Declaration of Independence. When asked, I tell folks I practice law for a bunch of dead guys. They pay me nothing. But it is an honor to represent them, especially when it reaches into the Supreme Court. That brings me to President Obama’s nomination of Harold Koh, Dean of Yale Law School, as Legal Advisor to the State Department. This nomination is a symptom of a constitutional disease that will cause great, and possibly fatal, damage to our Constitution in the next four years. That is a bold and harsh charge. Here is the proof: Dean Koh has repeatedly written and said that interpretation and application of the US Constitution should be “guided” or “influenced” by the “laws and judicial decisions of other nations.” There is no doubt on this. As they say hereabouts, he’s said this “in front of God and everybody.” Look at his position first from a practical standpoint. The United Nations has 192 member nations. By John Armor Of those, a majority are dictatorships of some kind. And of that majority, a majority are barbaric states which claim and exercise the “right” to execute citizens on the spot for their politics, their religions, their sex or their objections to the current administration. If one takes a consensus from this motley crew, there are many conclusions that are the polar opposite of the principles in American government. These include democratic elections, freedom of the press, non-discrimination between citizens based on religion, politics or sex. Does the United States do a perfect job of carrying out these principles? Of course not. We have amendments in the Constitution that are monuments to improvement of our efforts. However, we are light years ahead of the majority of the world’s governments, whose constitutions contain deliberate continuations of censorship, discrimination and restriction (or elimination) of free elections. Harold Koh wants to use this gaggle of bad governments as a template for American judicial decisions because he seeks to avoid American law and American legislatures that have not made the “right decisions” in areas he personally favors, such as abolition of the death penalty. He talks law, but he’s really just a politician. His legal conclusions are even more dangerous than just that. They are so dangerous they make me fear for the Constitution, fear the results of four years of President Obama, and ashamed of my degree from Yale. Here’s why: The Constitution in its text says that it is “the supreme Law.” Madison, Hamilton and Jay, in The Federalist, patiently explained why the Constitution had to be superior to all other sources of law. As Hamilton wrote in the Federalist No. 33, this clause only “declares a truth, which flows immediately and necessarily from the institution of a federal government.” As George Washington wrote in his Farewell Address to the American People, the Constitution is “sacredly obligatory upon all” until changed by “the authentic act of the whole people.” By that he meant amendment through use of Article V, through Congress and the state legislatures. So, Dean Koh is attacking the Constitution itself. He is also attacking the Declaration of Independence, which declares that PAGEFIVE governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” By trying to change the Constitution without using Article V, Koh is attacking the fundamental principle of American government, control of our own government. It is appalling that such a man would ever be appointed to lead any American law school. Since his politics control his legal principles, like many other appointees in the Obama Administration, he shows that Administration is a continuing danger to the Constitution itself. Either Koh is an illiterate who has not read the Constitution and the Federalist, or he is a bald-faced liar when he talks about this subject. His resume indicates that he can read, so I conclude that he is a liar. The Obama Administration proposes to put him in the second-most dangerous spot for his constitutional ignorance, at the State Department. The worst place would be as a new justice on the Supreme Court. It looks like this President is prepared to find and appoint another Koh when, inevitably, such a vacancy occurs. THE MAGIC OF A WEEKEND AWAY, FULL OF NOTHING UNITED STATES—I just re-discovered a wonderful cure for what ails you. Body aches? Depressed? Fatigued? I’ve got something that’ll take care of it all. You can’t get a prescription for it, but, lucky you, Dr. Susan here has got the secret to obtaining this powerful elixir. Last week, my back gave out. Not from actually doing anything strenuous, physically, but from pure stress. I hadn’t slept much in days. I was coughing up a lung. My brain was fried. And, facing the weekend ahead, my to-do-list was a mile long. I felt like a broken woman. I used to spend my weekends going places. Wake up on a Saturday, call a friend: “Wanna go for a drive?” “Sure.” And then we’d end up in Mexico for two days, just the clothes on our backs, amazed at the amount of Spanish we seemed to know after By Susan Michelle a few margaritas, dancing on bars, spending our last peso on souvenirs like plaster columns and clay suns at the border on our way home. I’d spend weekends visiting cities I’d never been to before, cramming as much as I could into a weekend: visiting friends in Seattle, sightseeing in Albuquerque, romancing in Santa Barbara, skiing in Mammoth. As time passed, there seemed to be fewer and fewer new cities to explore. More and more things on my to-do-list to do at home on weekends. More responsibility. More belongings. More work. Work became about travel. Travel became about work. When I went out of town, I had to go everywhere, see everything, record it all while I was there, then rush home and work some more. The economy collapsed. Money disappeared. The to-do-list grew. And, somewhere along the way, the idea of taking a weekend off to get away and do ANYTHING fun, simply vanished. So, last Thursday, when my alsoburned out better half asked, “Wanna go to Palm Springs for the weekend? Get massages, lay by the pool, do NOTHING?” it was an offer I could not refuse. We ate. Slept. Soaked. Ate. Got massaged. Ate. Slept. Woke. Hit repeat. We had no agenda, researched nada, ran nowhere; we just were… Seems utterly superfluous and indulgent in today’s economy, right? How could I justify any expense that’s not related to mere survival right now? Because taking care of one’s body and soul IS essential to surviving tough times. Worrying, working, and stressing 24-7 only leads to…well, in my case, being a cripple, pleurisy and a gnarly attitude about life. A relaxing weekend away, however, can heal it all— it did for me. So, as next Friday approaches, if you’re feeling broken, please, get out of town. You don’t need to get a hotel in Palm Springs. Swap houses with a friend for a night instead. Or go camping in the desert. Find a cheap cabin rental on Craig’s List. Just get in the car and drive. Leave the laptop at home. Don’t make plans. Simply vacate, and be. Doctor’s orders! This medicine’s worth every penny. About the author: A former Hollywood producer and now second-generation travel professional, Susan Michelle travels the planet as the “face” of the fashion-forward Compass travel lifestyle brand.