Forty years ago today, November 9 1969, American Indians began an occupation of Alcatraz Island which would last for 18 months. The prison had closed 6 years earlier and the government was trying to sell the island as surplus property. Their occupation would end a federal program of termination, saving the tribes.
My Pics from the Past Pic of the Day: Moffett Field on its 75th anniversary (2008) with Eureka (a Zeppelin, not a blimp) in the distance. The hanger was designed by former Zeppelin engineers for the US Navy in the 1930's - it is the second largest structure with out internal supports in the world and covers about 8 acres.
One of the most unusual things I've ever done in San Francisco was to boat out to Mile Rock, climb up the rope ladder, and jump off it. But that was 17 years ago.
Tried to go to the new Walt Disney Family Museum (http://disney.go.com/disneya...) in the Presidio today (as a birthday present to myself) only to find they're closed on Tuesday! But I did get to talk to their staff about arranging a tour for the Alcatroopers (Alcatraz rangers), so not a total loss.
If you're doing the Beggers Night thing with the kids in San Francisco, start at Robin William's house in Sea Cliff - they always have glow necklaces. But go early!
I just spent the last half hour (here on Alcatraz) talking to an old friend who I hadn't seen in about 9 years, Morton Sobell. Mort was tried with the Rosenberg's and ended up on Alcatraz for 5 years. He use to live here in the Bay Area, but moved back east about 7 years ago. More on my talk with him today when I get some time...
My daughter was recently in Holmes County Ohio, She brought us back some Guggisberg Baby Swiss (they invented it over 50 yrs ago). They get their milk from area Amish farms (this part of Ohio has the largest concentration of Amish in the US). Makes ...the best toasted cheese sandwiches I've ever had - guess what I had for dinner tonight.
SutroTower.com has announced completion of some work which should improve broadcast TV reception in the San Francisco area and recommends you rescan to take advantage of these improvements (wonder if that means we'll now get NBC in the City?).
Didn't know that Peter Coyote was narrating THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA'S BEST IDEA - the new Ken Burns film showing on PBS this week. He does have a great voice. I interviewed him a few weeks ago about his role in the occupation of Alcatraz 40 years ago - an occupation that saved the tribes. And saved Alcatraz. Guess I should get that online soon.