An unfair advantage

IF I KNEW STEROIDS WERE GOOD for writers, I would have taken them a long time ago. ... Ah, yes, you're right. It would not have helped. ... Here in Polk Street's Crepe House, the chit chat over the home fries is all about how Barry Bonds might be implicated in this drug-taking mess. "It's an unfair advantage for sure," said Dan Langley, who is a land surveyor by profession. He's also surveying the cultural scene. ... "Reading the news reports about the owner of Balco, I think it's cool that Victor Conte was the bass player in Tower of Power." ...

Oh, THAT Victor Conte. ... I think that's cool, too. I would be happy to appear as a character witness. But I don't think characters get called as character witnesses. Someone would object. ... I am already off the topic -- likely because of the steroids. ... Tower of Power is a treasure from Oakland -- a swell horn section. Great arrangements. I am not suggesting steroids are involved -- just brass. ...

This reminds me. There's a really terrific song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It's called "Little Jeannie." The horn section is, of course, Tower of Power. ... Here's my favorite part of the tune: "You stepped into my life from a bad dream/ making the life that I had seem suddenly shiny and new." ... That's sweet, redemptive stuff. ... Once in a while we go back to that cardiac thump that attaches us to tunes. And I am reminded again that I am alive. Thanks, lads. ...

As I was last night at Anú, while the rain came down at 6th and Market at midnight. ... There is nothing like a soft San Francisco rain. It reminds me that this city is, at heart, kind, but simply fearful of showing its compassion sometimes -- as if we are in competition with the big leagues of other cities. ...

But we are in the big leagues. This city of San Francisco is not only defined by its charm and wonderment -- it's defined by its desire to find excellence. ... Beyond that, we're happy to be here. If San Francisco isn't that great, why then is it such an annoyance to the rest of the country?

Here at the Crepe House on Polk Street, where the owner, Philip Issa --who is from Jordan -- plays Turkish music on the house system, I asked for Tower of Power. Philip is still rifling through the archives at my behest. ... At the table next to me yesterday, an Irishman said to me, "The most amazing thing about America is its honest people. For example, you just entrusted me to watch your laptop computer. Are you kidding? In Europe, they'd steal it in a minute." ... There are days when you have to sit still in a Polk Street bistro to learn a little about the world. ...

Here's one of the great things about San Francisco: A sense of honesty. It's enhanced by our young mayor, who has the courage to take a stand. Even -- imagine this -- to have an opinion. ... Gavin Newsom must be tired. Doing the right thing has got to be wearying. ... As Bob Dylan said, "To live outside the law you must be honest." ...

"Gay marriages?" asks Karen Warner. "Why not? Straight people have made such a mess of them already." ... Karen was at Opi's restaurant on Market, where the serene, cool owner, Max Benghazi, watches over the Tenderloin landscape. ... "I love the changes I see here," he said, glancing at the astonishing circus act that revolves around Market and 6th. ... It's Cirque de Soleil without the sunlight. ...

The times are indeed a'changing around here, thanks to Max. I suspect that Max had never thought about the notion of an unfair advantage. Impresario Max does what he does and he does it well. ... He has a goodness about him, and an infectiously good time when he works. And Max works. He pays attention, and he has chops. Not the kind that are on the menu. ... I should take lessons from him. ... Iranian-born, and a cheerful cat, Max embodies the immigrant passion that compels all to do well. I know these things. ... After all, I'm an immigrant from New Jersey ...

Speaking of lessons, George Michalski -- the debonair chap who is often in the company of a dazzling person from some province or another -- calls to say he has no good regard for Bob Dylan. Except perhaps for the line about living outside the law. George wants to revitalize San Francisco's music history. He's already working with Mayor Newsom on a San Francisco Music Commission. ... "I've never had a piano student before," says George, who wrote songs for Barbra Streisand. "But he's arriving in five minutes."

You know what's so great about that? George is still willing to give lessons. And I'm still willing to take them. ... The piano is still a difficult instrument to carry -- but, after all, this is San Francisco. I've got plenty of people to lend me a hand.

Once in a while

ONCE IN WHILE I HAVE TO BE reminded about about why I love living in San Francisco. Silly isn't it? It ... happened while I was I on the Stockton bus yesterday along North Point and noticed there was greenery on Alcatraz ... Can you imagine? ... After the rain, it was all green on The Rock.... Green on the Rock? ....Sure, there is life on the water....

Yesterday, when Examiner columnist Jan Wahl said that Steve Silver was devoted to a transformative notion of performance, it all came together at Club Fugazi in North Beach. In case you don't know, Steve Silver invented "Beach Blanket Babylon" -- San Francisco Steve's widow -- Jo Schuman Silver, who has kept the Silver legacy going. "We've decided to give some money other arts agencies."... And she did ...

'It's amazing." exclaimed Pamela Rosenberg. Pam runs then S.F. Opera. She looked a little stunned as she got a check. Yes, money. Who gives money to the Opera? To ACT? To the the San Francisco Symphony? ... Jo does -- and so the legacy of of Steve Silver endures.

Charlotte Shultz was very funny -- and she held one of those famous, heavy hats from the show -- you know, the one hat depicts the ever-changing cityscape ... Charlotte said, Mayor Gavin was not here today." ...

Of course not. He had larger things looming over his head. Yesterday morning, I could not help but feel I am am one lucky chap. Lucky to be living here in San Francisco. Shameless but true. ...

Here is another reason I believe in San Francisco: Tony Dingman threw a surprise 82nd birthday party for Enrico Banducci at the Washington Square Bar & Grill yesterday. ... Enrico did not show. If it were my 82nd birthday, I would not show up either ...

In Enrico's absence, everyone told him how much they loved him -- I was equaully effusive. ...too. -- Tony Dingman was particularly on point when he said, "Enrico was generous and a terrifcally lovable person." ... It's all true. Enrico gave a few breaks to people, Rod McKuen ... Phyillis Diller ...

It all reminds me how much I do love this town. ....

Here's the Baney day ... Mike Greensill is another reason to love this town. He and Wesla Witfield splash beauty all over the landscape. ... The great sultry jazz singer, Lisa Baney, says, 'Mike Greensill is my hero. He is so supportive of singers ... He is the greatest..."

I got back from Dallas the other morning ... put on Mike Greensill's new album, "Live At The Plush Room" ... and heard that more than supportive version of Sammy Cahn's "I Can't Stop Loving You."

Gosh, I was grateful to be home..

Jo Schuman asked a gathering of media people yesterday at Club Fugazi in North Beach if anyone had been there at the opening night of "Beach Blanket Babylon" in 1974. I was the only one who responded in the affirmative. I didn't know hether to be proud or embarassed. But what is the diffference?

Gosh, I was grateful to be home..

Jan Wahl is right. Art is transformative. And it's right here in our own Beach Blanket Babylon backyard ... When I see the "Beach Blanket Bablyon" experience, where they hang together, love together and swing together again -- again -- I'm reminded that I am home. What I did not tell Jo Schuman is that I once auditioned for Beach Blanket Babylon. That was back in the 1970s. I stood on that same stage with a 12-string guitar and a song in my heart.

I didn't get the part.

Gosh, I was grateful to be home..

And to San Francisco,"I can't stop lovin you."

Why not believe?

WE WERE MARRIED ON A rainy day," goes the Paul Simon song. The tune is called "I Do It For Your Love." ... What a great reason to do anything -- it's the best justification of all. ...

Despite the rain, hopeful folks lined the block around the blocks that encircled San Francisco City Hall all through the weekend. Let's face it: Getting married at City Hall will never be the same. But that's the point, isn't it? This weekend was different for every giddy couple who was sure that this is the right thing to do. Gavin Newsom is convinced that this is the right thing to do. Many agree. Even his occasional detractors agree. ...

A new syndrome might have surfaced in a major American city over this Valentine's Day weekend. It's called "wedding fatigue." No, not lassitude from the honeymoon -- or Reno-style remorse -- but for the ones who perform the weddings under national media scrutiny. Particularly when it all goes on for more than 72 hours. ...

On Sunday, Mayor Gavin shuffled into the Balboa Cafe -- which he used to own -- and whispered to Pat Kelley, the doyenne of the Marina, "Am I under the radar?" ... She discreetly sat him at a discreet table in an indiscreet location. ... Gavin's eyes were glassy with weariness. He noshed while his dad, Judge Bill Newsom, is recovering well from serious surgery ... State Sen. John Burton ... and Jim Halligan sat at the bar. ... Then Gavin raced back to City Hall for more of this matrimonial melange. ...

"I find it hard to believe that anyone would take issue with these marriages," said Linda Fimrite. ... Ah, but they will. ... "Why not believe?" ask Rod McKuen. "The cost is negligible."...

"It's all about being an American," says Allen White. "What I mean by that is it is the meaning of having choice." ... Allen is not completely comfortable with the cascade of same-sex marriages at City Hall this weekend: "It puts many of us on a new par with straight people." Then Allen explained his point of view, "I'm not the marrying kind." ...

That's an old song by Elvis Presley. Rod McKuen recalls Elvis: "It was at a stop light in L.A. Elvis pulled up in a Cadillac, rolled down the window, and said, 'Hey, Rod when are you going to write a song for me?'" ... I saw Rod in Dallas this weekend. He was celebrating the launch of his new book of poetry -- his 47th -- called "Rusting In The Rain." ...

Rod said about the deluge of S.F. marriages, "It's so great. It's about the heart. Who could deny it?" ... And it is about redemption -- as all good stories are. Rod McKuen has the ability to turn little stories into memorable songs. Sinatra also said, "Rod, when are you going to write a song for me?" Rod did. He actually wrote an album for him, called, "A Man Alone." ...

Rod McKuen is the Oakland-born, San Francisco-seasoned troubadour who has lived in Beverly Hills since 1969. He made San Francisco even more famous as a literary mecca by the success of "Stanyan Street and Other Sorrows" during the 1960s. ... Like all famous poets, he needs no home address. ...

In the restaurant in the Marriott near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Joann Grisanti, who lives in Houston, saw Rod and exclaimed, "I can't believe you're here. You are my hero." ... It amazes me how many times I have seen this sort of recognition around Rod. I don't think it's groupie stuff. I think it's the way people are attracted to an authentic and loving spirit. ...

There is a precision and simplicity to McKuen's words and lyrics. It hits the mark. "Rod is the best of all Valentine's Day poets," observed his manager, the wonderful Chuck Ashman. "He gets it. Then Rod puts it out there and we all get it. It creates happiness." ...

All right. I'm happy about this. Rod wrote a poem for me. Honest, I did not ask. Yes, he dedicated the last poem in his new book to me. It's called "Caveat," which I guess, is a tribute to my ambivalence. But the message this Valentine's weekend is about taking a chance -- about diving in. ... As Rod writes to me in his verse: "It's all part of the ride." ...

McKuen and I are also having a show at the Commonwealth Club here in S.F. on March 30. ... I will chat him up -- and maybe we'll bring those ukuleles that we bought in Maui last August. ... Please come along and be part of the ride.

With Malice Toward...None?

Today is President's Day. Many businesses are closed. In this economic climate, it's unclear if all of these businesses will open again tomorrow. And if the firms open again, who knows how many of their jobs went to India overnight? ... Banks are closed. The workers at my bank hurriedly take the ketchup off the table when they see me coming these days anyway ... There's no regular mail delivery today -- as if there is any such thing. ...

Oh, yes, the courts are also closed today. That gives Mayor Gavin Newsom and all the City Hall staffers another day to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples while opponents of such magnanimity have the whole day to wring their hands. They can file their injunctions tomorrow. ...

Mayor Newsom says he was moved to legalize same-sex marriages after he heard President Bush make a reference in his State of The Union about supporting a constitutional amendment to ensure marriage remains a contract between a man and woman. I can't help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would say about such a lurid scheme to corrode the Constitution. And I can't be precisely sure what Jefferson meant when he said in his first inaugural address on March, 4, 1801, "Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion ..."

That has become such an odd term is recent years, "persuasion." Sort of a creepy code word for bigotry. For example, "My good friend, Cuthbert, is of the Jewish persuasion" or "Cuthbert is of the gay persuasion."... Who persuaded him to be Jewish? Or gay, for that matter? Was anyone ever persuaded to be gay and Jewish? But I digress. ...

The phrase of Jefferson, "equal and exact justice," is what Mayor Newsom is talking about when he rejects the notion of "civil union" as a substitute for marriage. "It's a case of separate and not equal," says Gavin. Jefferson might be inclined to agree, though it's silly to speculate. Would Jefferson condone same-sex marriage? He was a man of the world. It might have been just fine with him -- as long as it didn't frighten the horses or get in the way of him sleeping with the slaves. ...

The President's Day holiday was signed into law in 1971 by Richard Nixon. Doesn't it sound just like Nixon to come up something so vague, colorless and bureaucratic? To combine the birthdays of Washington & Lincoln, and "honor all the presidents of the past." All of them? Even Nixon? I'm sure that's what he had in mind. He certainly didn't do it to give bank employees a day off. He didn't have any use for banks. Nixon had his money delivered to him in battered suitcases by burly men in bulging jackets while he was on the golf course. ...

As we honor the presidents of the past, it's a good time to honor those who should have been president. Anyone who might have seen what Viet Nam was doing to the nation. That could have been Robert Kennedy. It might have been Barry Goldwater. Or Eugene McCarthy. Or George McGovern. Or Pat Paulsen. ... America got hornswoggled by Nixon, who had "a secret plan to end the war -- I'll tell you about it after I'm elected." ... I wish the Democratic candidate might have the guts to say, "I've got a plan: I'll end this thing in Iraq before it becomes a Viet Nam." ...

As for the birthday boys: I grew up in a part of the country that was surrounded by Revolutionary War history. All sorts of inns and hotels displayed signs that read, "George Washington Slept Here." There were so many of these places that one began to believe Washington got more than plenty of sleep while fighting the British. This is unlikely. He didn't sleep around all that much. That's the rap they're trying to hang on John Kerry. ...

On the other hand, Lincoln looked like he never got any sleep. That was one tuckered-out looking man. He had guided the Union through the Civil War and he was ready for nap. But Mrs. Lincoln insisted he go to the theater that last night. ... "There are two things that scare the tarnation out of me," Ulysses S. Grant might have muttered. "Running out of Tennessee whisky and running into Lincoln's wife." ... She had a terrific temper. "Emancipation Proclamation?" she once shrieked at the president. "I'll show you Emancipation Proclamation. Go take out the garbage!" ...

All jokes aside, Washington and Lincoln were remarkable men who seemed truly committed to doing the right thing for the nation as a whole -- not for pragmatism, nor the polls nor for their personal aggrandizement. ... We might not be able to remember the exact dates of their birthdays anymore but on this day, I can recall enough to stop and sigh, "Why can't we find anyone like them?

With malice toward ... none?

TODAY IS PRESIDENT'S DAY. Many businesses are closed. In this economic climate, it's unclear if all of these businesses will open again tomorrow. And if the firms open again, who knows how many of their jobs went to India overnight? ... Banks are closed. The workers at my bank hurriedly take the ketchup off the table when they see me coming these days anyway ... There's no regular mail delivery today -- as if there is any such thing. ...

Oh, yes, the courts are also closed today. That gives Mayor Gavin Newsom and all the City Hall staffers another day to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples while opponents of such magnanimity have the whole day to wring their hands. They can file their injunctions tomorrow. ...

Mayor Newsom says he was moved to legalize same-sex marriages after he heard President Bush make a reference in his State of The Union about supporting a constitutional amendment to ensure marriage remains a contract between a man and woman. I can't help but wonder what Thomas Jefferson would say about such a lurid scheme to corrode the Constitution. And I can't be precisely sure what Jefferson meant when he said in his first inaugural address on March, 4, 1801, "Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion ..."

That has become such an odd term in recent years, "persuasion." Sort of a creepy code word for bigotry. For example, "My good friend, Cuthbert, is of the Jewish persuasion" or "Cuthbert is of the gay persuasion." ... Who persuaded him to be Jewish? Or gay, for that matter? Was anyone ever persuaded to be gay and Jewish? But I digress. ...

The phrase of Jefferson, "equal and exact justice," is what Mayor Newsom is talking about when he rejects the notion of "civil union" as a substitute for marriage. "It's a case of separate and not equal," says Gavin. Jefferson might be inclined to agree, though it's silly to speculate. Would Jefferson condone same-sex marriage? He was a man of the world. It might have been just fine with him -- as long as it didn't frighten the horses or get in the way of him sleeping with the slaves. ...

The President's Day holiday was signed into law in 1971 by Richard Nixon. Doesn't it sound just like Nixon to come up with something so vague, colorless and bureaucratic? To combine the birthdays of Washington & Lincoln, and "honor all the presidents of the past." All of them? Even Nixon? I'm sure that's what he had in mind. He certainly didn't do it to give bank employees a day off. He didn't have any use for banks. Nixon had his money delivered to him in battered suitcases by burly men in bulging jackets while he was on the golf course. ...

As we honor the presidents of the past, it's a good time to honor those who should have been president. Anyone who might have seen what Vietnam was doing to the nation. That could have been Robert Kennedy. It might have been Barry Goldwater. Or Eugene McCarthy. Or George McGovern. Or Pat Paulsen. ... America got hornswoggled by Nixon, who had "a secret plan to end the war -- I'll tell you about it after I'm elected." ... I wish the Democratic candidate might have the guts to say, "I've got a plan: I'll end this thing in Iraq before it becomes a Vietnam." ...

As for the birthday boys: I grew up in a part of the country that was surrounded by Revolutionary War history. All sorts of inns and hotels displayed signs that read, "George Washington Slept Here." There were so many of these places that one began to believe Washington got more than plenty of sleep while fighting the British. This is unlikely. He didn't sleep around all that much. That's the rap they're trying to hang on presidential hopeful John Kerry. ...

On the other hand, Lincoln looked like he never got any sleep. That was one tuckered-out looking man. He had guided the Union through the Civil War and he was ready for a nap. But Mrs. Lincoln insisted he go to the theater that last night. ... "There are two things that scare the tarnation out of me," Ulysses S. Grant might have muttered. "Running out of Tennessee whisky and running into Lincoln's wife." ... She had a terrific temper. "Emancipation Proclamation?" she once shrieked at the president. "I'll show you Emancipation Proclamation. Go take out the garbage!" ...

All jokes aside, Washington and Lincoln were remarkable men who seemed truly committed to doing the right thing for the nation as a whole -- not for pragmatism, nor the polls nor for their personal aggrandizement. ... We might not be able to remember the exact dates of their birthdays anymore but on this day, I can recall enough to stop and sigh, "Why can't we find anybody like them? ...

Sadie, Sadie, married lady

This month marks Leap Year, which means we'll have an extra day, Feb. 29. Sometimes this extra calendar day -- which appears every four years -- is called Sadie Hawkins Day. You might recall its an old-fashioned tradition that permitted single women to propose marriage to recalcitrant men. ... At City Hall, it was a Sadie Hawkins Day of sorts, all done San Francisco-style. ... And tradition be damned. ...

Assemblyman Mark Leno stood in the middle of the City Hall rotunda as he officiated over dozens of same-sex marriages. Assessor Mabel Teng was busy at the same task on the steps. Mayor Newsom had been there earlier. It was a tornado of gleeful energy. Ninety-five same-sex couples tied the knot. ... "I keep tearing up as I do this, and I've been doing this for hours," Leno said, as he filled out yet another marriage certificate. "I didn't think it would get to me. What's happening here is so humane. Our opponents will come to learn that." ...

Some are calling Mayor Gavin Newsom courageous for this defiant act of allowing same-sex marriages. Some say he's reckless. ... Down in the City Hall dining area, Molly McKay was dressed in a traditional white wedding gown and was posing for pictures with her friends and her new spouse, Davina Kotulski. ... "Why am I dressed as a bride?" asked Molly. "Because today is the day I could finally marry my wife." ...

At a Union Street bistro, one chap muttered, "The word 'marriage' means a union of a man and a woman -- that's what the dictionary says." ... In Massachusetts, Justice Martha Sosman of the state's high court wrote, "We have a pitched battle over who gets to use the 'm' word." ... To newlywed Molly McKay, there is no argument. "The meanings of words in the dictionary are always changing," she said. "There was a time when marriage could not exist between different races either." ...

I don't really understand how men marrying men and women marrying women undermines society. But then again, I don't live in San Francisco for nothing. ... Certain styles of living may not be my cup of tea -- but that doesn't mean we have to outlaw tea parties. ... Dictating how people should or should not live is far more dangerous than demanding what straight people already have. ... Thursday was a grand day for San Francisco, a great day for Mayor Newsom, and for those who finally got official recognition for what seems to be rather innocuous. But I wouldn't count on a honeymoon outside the county just yet. S.F. is like no other place in the world. ...

"Funny how February, the month of love, is the shortest month," notes Andrea Froncillo, who is "The Love Chef." ... Perhaps not so coincidentally, the people at Mattel announced the break-up of Barbie and Ken, the famously eternal boyfriend & girlfriend dolls. Perhaps Ken had no intention of marrying Barbie after all these years. ... No, Ken was not married to Chuck on Thursday. ... The quick-witted Brian Copeland might have something to say about all this. He appears with Clinton Jackson ... Diane Amos ... Steve Kimbrough and other comics at the 4th annual Bay Area Comedy Benefit for the San Mateo Chapter of the NAACP at the Punch Line, 555 Battery, on Monday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. It's only 15 bucks at the door. ...

Big things are happening for LUCE these days. The group's song, "Good Day," will be featured in "13 Going On 30," a new movie with Jennifer Garner, star of TV's "Alias." Founder Tom Luce called to say he's thrilled. San Francisco is a tough town for musicians. "It's so expensive," he says. "It's hard to find a way to survive and work at your craft to get good enough. It takes hard work -- yes, I've busted my butt -- but it takes luck. But I'm glad I've always had a good work ethic." ...

Tom doesn't think he's related to the Luce publishing family, as in Henry Luce, founder of Time magazine. "Lots of people these days claim they're related to me," says Tom. ... Now, that's success. ... I mentioned this to Clare Boothe Luce, the granddaughter of Henry and the playwright/congresswoman. Clare wasn't quite sure who Tom is, either. But maybe she could sit in and play the maracas or the tambourine with the group one night. ...

Father William Myers of St. Anne of the Sunset Church is off to Nicaragua this weekend with eight others. They plan to get their hands dirty by helping out at the Hogar de los Niños, the orphanage that Father William and his parish support. There are 183 children at Hogar. "This is their last stop before prostitution, drug addiction and death," says Myers. "We are hoping to complete a well that we started digging last year so the orphanage can have fresh water for the crops and for the kids. The well is very deep. Then again, so is the human spirit." ... Like to help? Call Father William at St. Anne's, 850 Judah St., 94122 ... 665-1600.

Once more, with feeling

THERE WAS A HUMAN BE-IN OF sorts outside the Warfield Theatre on Market & 6th on Monday, as The Dead appeared for one night only. "People were lining up at four o'clock this morning," said the Warfield's Dwion Gates. ... Here today, ganja tomorrow. ... Jewelry and brownies of specious nature were being proffered on the grimy sidewalk -- along with clay pipes ... glass pipes ... and porcelain pipes. ... All this street theater was accompanied, of course, by the obligatory obligato of a lone conga drummer. ...By nightfall, it was a full-fledged, noisy, tribal gathering under a low-lying, hazy, pungent cloud that wafted over the block between Taylor & Mason ...

The Dead's music -- as well as the scent of herbs -- was coming up through the floors here at The Examiner. The Dead sound is vibrant and, well, lively. The remaining Dead are a testament to being alive. With Grateful Dead originals Bill Kreutzmann ... Bob Weir ... Mickey Hart ... and Phil Lesh, now 62, and with a new liver -- this merry band represents the triumph of flesh over pharmaceuticals. ...

John Creighton Murray, the Marina violin virtuoso, and Dr. Harvey Caplan, the Green Street psychiatrist, attended Friday night's concert at the Herbst by Midori, the Japanese-born violinist. ... John, just as famous as Midori in his day, studied with the great Bronislaw Huberman, who actually knew Brahms. (Funny how we think history is always so separate and distant.) ... The program indicated that Midori's violin is the 1734 Guarnarius del Gesu "ex-Huberman" -- once owned by John's venerable teacher. ... John was stunned. "I possessed that very violin for a number of years!" And John recently discovered an old photo of him and Huberman with that very violin. ... It gets better: John had the photo in his pocket. ...

John Murray believed this priceless instrument wound up in the hands of another great violinist, Ruggiero Ricci. ... After the concert, Harvey and John went backstage to greet Midori. John told her the story and showed her the picture. An amazed Midori explained she indeed got the violin from Ricci. It's on a lifetime loan from the Hayashibara Foundation. ... It's startling to see how these connections are made through the ages in an endless continuum of attempts to express beauty. ...

Midori, by the way, lives in New York with her two dogs, Franzie (after Franz Joseph Haydn) and Willa (after Willa Cather, one of Midori's favorite writers). Really, Midori? ... Dr. Caplan was amused to learn Midori has a psychology degree from NYU. Harvey is an amateur violinist. ... In the 1940s, broadcast pioneer Lowell Thomas described John Creighton Murray as the world's greatest violinist. ... Jane Riley, now retired from KCBS, introduced me to Lowell Thomas more than a few years ago. Thank you, Jane. ... Jane, who created the radio show, "Bay Area Woman," was spotted having a spot of lunch with the great Al Hart at Moose's the other day. ... Three courses and six degrees of separation. ...

This Sunday, Feb. 15, marks the last day for jazz at Marlena's in Hayes Valley. "It's the same, old sad story with small jazz venues," laments Barry Kinder, who's been singing there. "It's money. We did enjoy a three-month run. I guess that's rather good for today's standards." ... Let's show up on Sunday; maybe Marlena will change her mind. ...

Kevin Keating, the witty travel writer and raconteur, died Saturday at his Sausalito home. He was 71 and had been suffering from prostate cancer. Kevin, a sweet, funny man, was a fixture at the Washington Square Bar & Grill over the years. He worked with the legendary Chronicle columnist Stanton Delaplane. ... On occasion, he'd do the international legwork for Delaplane. Keating was a disc jockey for the old KSFO -- "when it was a real radio station," said Kevin's friend, Mike Thurston -- and a promoter for the Ice Capades. He became a regular writer for Hemispheres, the magazine for United Airlines. "The magazine is sending me on assignment," Kevin once said to me, "to drive the whole length of Baja in a Hummer. I can tell you one thing, Bruce. Everything in Mexico will stab you." ...

When Diane Weissmuller saw the special section of the Sunday Honolulu Star-Bulletin devoted to the life of the late columnist Dave Donnelly, she remarked wistfully, "He was a legend in his spare time." ... Bill Babbitt wasn't exactly wistful when he saw Sunday's editions of the Sacramento Bee. The paper ran photos on the front page of those who had been executed at San Quentin, including Bill's brother, Manny Babbitt, who died in 1999. "It was my brother's name all right," says Bill, "but it's my picture that's in the paper. I'm afraid to go out of the house." ...

Parade's gone by

SATURDAY'S CHINESE NEW YEAR Parade was a blast. Union Square was flooded with light like the set of a Hollywood spectacle. ... The clear, crisp, cool weather marked an auspicious beginning to the Year of the Monkey -- all under a yellow, yet waning, Full Hunger Moon -- if you can be hungry and full at the same time. ... The traffic cops -- gracious and patient during the parade on Saturday -- were helpful to those who had to get to work downtown amid the crush of spectators. ... On Post Street, I fell in behind the parade -- with its explosions of color and fusillades of firecrackers -- just barely tickling the dragon's tail. ...

Strange de Jim, no stranger to the more enjoyable things in life, checks in with "Happy Year of the Monkey" greetings. "Although," Strange adds, "I'm still writing 'Year of the Fruit Bat' on my checks." ... Janet Jackson's absence from last night's Grammys compels Strange to advise: "Remember, if we let the nation be traumatized by Janet Jackson's right breast, the terrorists have won." ...

"I think PG&E has something against North Beach," Ed Moose griped after another power outage hit the neighborhood on Friday night. It started at 7 p.m. and lasted for nearly three hours. "We lost 150 reservations," muttered Moose. "And they haven't compensated us for that big one just before Christmas." Friday's outage also hit the area unevenly; the lights went out at the Washington Square B&G but all was calm and bright at Tony Nik's. ... On Sunday, serenity had clearly been restored to Moose's. Pianist Don Asher & the wonderful Waldo Carter, horn in hand, provided a sweet version of "Here's That Rainy Day" on a beautiful afternoon. ... The great Billy Philadelphia has joined Moose's lineup on Tuesday nights. ....

There was a gaggle of charming gals at Moose's on Wednesday night. It was a send-off party -- orchestrated by S.F.'s pre-eminent hostess, Donna Ewald Huggins -- for Doris Raymond, who is moving her business and herself to Los Angeles. ... Doris has a wonderful vintage clothing house called The Way We Wore. ... Pat Yankee sang a couple of spirited songs with Mike Greensill at the piano and Ruth Davies on bass. ... Chuck Huggins called into Moose's pay phone to serenade Doris with "Ace In The Hole." ...

I'll miss Doris and her great clothes. ... I'm fond of vintage neckties. I have a very short and loud one that still has the coffee stains that Broderick Crawford left on it while filming "All The King's Men." ...

Some took care of that yearning caused by the Full Hunger Moon this weekend by stopping at Opi's on Market & Golden Gate for a dish of Max Benghazi's homemade rice pudding. ... The employees of Jossey-Bass, the publishing house on Market & 6th, have made Opi's, open only a month or so, their regular hangout. ... Meanwhile, Tariq Alarzraie is moving his Dot Com Cafe -- a longtime center for mid-Market social life -- around the corner to 120 Mason, next to the Olympic Hotel. ...

Last week I reported that Anna's Danish Cookies, in the Mission, had closed. It turns out that Anna's has moved -- to San Mateo. ... Michael Pulizzano writes: "Anna's re-opened last month at 1007 Howard Ave. and it still has its 'Classic Original and Chocolate Enrobed' Danish cookies!" ... Chocolate enrobed? ... Tom Carroll reports that Tartine, the bakery at 18th & Guerrero, near the former site of Anna's, is going strong. Tom says Tartine is terrific. ... A fave of Boz Scaggs, too, it seems. ... Speaking of the Peninsula, that was Dana Carvey -- once enrobed at Belmont's Carlmont High and S.F. State -- behind the Warriors bench last night in The Arena. ...

Chestnut Street's Lucca's Deli, one of the old mainstays of the Marina, is celebrating its 75th year in business. Owners Paul Bosco and his sister, Linda Fioretti, will be making a display of Marina memorabilia and family photos for the front window. ... Meanwhile, I'll continue to leer at the artichoke frittata through the glass. ... Phil Kaplan still finds it hard to believe that he's been operating his Bond Cleaners at Fillmore & Jackson for 52 years. ...

Janet Jackson was banned from the Grammys for not apologizing for her Super Bowl antics. Justin Timberlake got on the Grammy broadcast because he did apologize. ... I'll apologize for my transgressions -- but I'm not appearing anywhere. ... Kat Luciano, a lucky lass, no doubt, points out that I referred to the main character in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" as "Cat." ... S.F.'s Kat says, "Bruce, I think you mean Ashley Judd is getting rave reviews for her portrayal of Maggie, in 'Cat,' not Cat in 'Cat.' I should know: I've been getting rave reviews for being Kat for many years now." ... Thanks, Kat, for not being too catty about it. ...

In Russia, one of Vladimir Putin's challengers in next month's elections has suddenly disappeared. Notes Sebastian Melmoth: "At this point, that must give George W. a few ideas." ...

A little twisted

Philip Kaufman, the movie director, was in the Washington Square on Wednesday, having lunch with his son, Peter. He explained why his new movie, "Twisted," is no longer called "Blackout," as it was during its three-month shoot here last year. ... "It seems Harvey Weinstein owns the rights to the title 'Blackout,'" said Kaufman. ... I didn't think one could copyright a title. So how did Weinstein, the co-founder of Miramax, lay claim to "Blackout?" ... Kaufman said a movie title may by protected these days if it's going to be used as the name of another film. I wonder: Does Harvey Weinstein just buy up these titles at random? ...

"The title change to 'Twisted' works out for us," Kaufman said. "It's a better name than 'Blackout,' and now that I'm headed to New York to promote the movie, I won't have to answer questions about why I am doing a film about a power outage." ... While in New York, Kaufman will drop in on Doug Wright, who wrote "Quills," the Kaufman film about the Marquis de Sade. Wright has a play on Broadway, "I Am My Own Wife." ... Kaufman will also be seeing Ashley Judd, the star of "Twisted." ... Ashley is getting rave reviews for her portrayal of Cat in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof," at Broadway's Music Box Theatre. ...

"Twisted" also stars Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia. ... Geoff Callan, who is Mayor Gavin Newsom's brother-in-law, plays a detective in the cop flick. ... Oh, Ashley Judd plays a police officer who is a suspect in a string of killings where all of the victims are her ex-boyfriends. ... Yes, it's a fantasy. ...

A little more real: Jayne Kelly, the splashy S.F. divorce attorney, will wed John Gzikowski on Valentine's Day. What's a little unusual about this event is the groom -- a "powerful" Hell's Angel -- is serving 25 to life for murder at Ironwood State Prison, near the Arizona border. One of Gzilowski's former residences was Death Row at San Quentin. ... "John has already served 26 years," Jayne said yesterday. "Now that he told the parole board he'll agree to quit the Hell's Angels to be with me, I think his chances for release are good." ... Jayne should know. She's also his lawyer. ...

"I'm telling you that Frank McCourt, Mike's brother -- the guy who wrote 'Angela's Ashes' -- is the new owner of the Dodgers!" a customer doggedly insisted to Balboa barman Marty Lindstrom. "You can think that if you want, but I think it's another Frank McCourt," sighed Marty. ... Of course, Marty is right. ... The new owner of the Dodgers is a Boston real estate developer. ... Over at the Washington Square, Mike McCourt snickered at the thought of his brother buying a ball club. "Mum would've been so proud," Mike whispered. "She always wanted a baseball team in the family." ... By the way, Willie McCovey and Franklin Mieuli popped in the restaurant for lunch yesterday. ...

In other mistaken identities, Gerald Nachman -- Jerry to his friends -- is still putting to rest rumors that he died. It was in fact Jerry Nachman, the editor-in-chief of MSNBC, who died. Not the retired Chronicle critic who wrote "Seriously Funny," his book about '60s satirists. ... My pal and mentor, the late Jerry Nachman, was also the editor of the New York Post. "That only muddled matters more," Gerald Nachman writes in a piece about this misapprehension. "I had once worked myself at the New York Post in the mid-'60s." ... Oh, THAT Jerry Nachman. ...

Herb Caen used to tell me about a running gag he had in his column decades ago. "There was a barber in the Sunset named Joe Stalin," Herb told me. This engendered all sorts of "No, not that Joe Stalin -- THAT Joe Stalin!" jokes. ... Yeah, I know. The running gags -- like the Days of Wine and Roses -- have laughed and run away. ...

Speaking of good tunes, sultry jazz singer Lisa Baney returns to the Cafe de la Presse, 469 Bush St. at Grant Avenue, tomorrow night, Saturday, Feb. 7, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ...Lisa will be backed by the cool and gregarious guitarist Dave McNab ... Near the Chinatown Gate and near the Chinese New Year Parade, the evening will have an exotic glow -- and Lisa will be wearing one of her scintillating sartorial creations, perhaps in Mandarin red. ... She has a way of looking as good as she sounds. ...

Ranjan Dey's pilot episode of his PBS series "My India! With Ranjan Dey," will be screened at his wonderful New Delhi Restaurant 160 Ellis at Cyril Magnin this Tuesday, Feb. 10. ... KQED's Norm Howard, was startled to see that Anna's Danish Cookies, on 18th Street, is suddenly closed. "It's been here as long as I have," says Norm. "And that's a long time." ... Too bad the bakery's gone bust. A box of cookies might have made a nice gift for that happy nuptial couple, the Gzilowskis. ... And with that, I have run out of running gags for the week. ...

The eyes have it

AT ORIGINAL JOE'S IN the Tenderloin this week, former police chief Earl Sanders ... his attorney, Phil Ryan ... and Hollywood screenwriter Bennett Cohen, poring over the first 15 pages of script that Cohen has written about S.F.'s terrifying days of the Zebra killers back in 1974. ... Five black men -- calling themselves the "Death Angels" -- randomly kidnapped, raped and maimed 24 victims -- all white. Fourteen of the victims died. ... Former S.F. Mayor Art Agnos, a social worker at the time, also was shot by the killers. He often credits the Trauma Unit at S.F. General for saving his life. ...

Sanders and the late Rotea Gilford were homicide detectives at the time. ... "This is such an unbelievably riveting story," says Ryan. "I hope a director and producer have the courage to take the project on." ... At play behind the desperate hunt for the murderers were the racial struggles within the San Francisco Police Department itself -- and Sanders' and Gilford's efforts to bring some sort of racial justice to the police force. ...

When the five Zebra killers were finally caught, police took the entire staff of a moving company in the Fillmore called Black Self-Help into custody. ... Phil Ryan likes to tease me because he knows that I hired these guys to move my piano in early 1974. I like to say I was lucky just to get overcharged. Ryan says, "Haven't you ever heard of Delancey Street Movers?" ... I have. And they're much nicer people. ...

Sharon Smith -- whose partner, Diane Whipple, was the victim of the the horrible Pacific Heights dog mauling just over three years ago -- was in the back dining room of Perry's on Union Street yesterday, lunching with her new partner. They were bouncing their new babies, who were born in December and who have the same father, on their respective laps. ...

Speaking of ladies, "Woman" is the subject of a new exhibition of Chet Helms' photography that opens tonight at the Artemis Gallery at 545 Sutter St., with a reception from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. ... Aside from being a gifted photographer with a keen eye, Chet is the amicable and faithful spirit of the psychedelic San Francisco '60s. He was the impresario of the S.F. sound, promoting shows at the Family Dog, the Avalon Ballroom, and at the Fillmore in its nascent days. ... Go see Chet. You don't have to wear flowers in your hair -- not if you don't want to. ...

If there ever was a cheerleader for San Francisco, it was David Donnelly, who wrote a column for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin for 36 years, often describing this city in rhapsodic detail. A few S.F. people are in Honolulu today for Dave's send-off at his beloved Murphy's Bar & Grill. He died on Jan. 24. He was 66. ... "We'll have the weird mix of music that Dave loved," says publican Don Murphy. "Hawaiian slide guitars, ukuleles, and Irish bagpipes." ... Money is being raised for a theater scholarship in Dave's name at the University of Hawaii. ...

Eric Platt is a big cheerleader for literacy. That's why he hosted 25 pre-kindergarteners from Saints Peter & Paul yesterday at his Cold Mine ice cream parlor on Union & Powell. "What better way to teach the alphabet than to remind the kids what 'I' stands for? Yes -- Ice Cream!" ... There might be a lesson in self-worth here, too. ... Herb Caen used to joke about how the "I" was the first key he'd wear out on his Loyal Royal typewriter. ... Aye, the ego of these columnists. ...

"I" might stand for ice cream but I recall the halcyon days in North Beach when "I" stood for Izarra -- that exquisite Basque liqueur that seems to have vanished along with all of those great family-style Basque restaurants. But Mattin Noblia -- who, until recently, was a chef at Gerald Hirigoyen's Piperade on Battery Street -- is opening Iluna Basque later this month. It's smack dab in the middle of North Beach -- at Powell & Union. Mattin will offer tapas and a full bar -- and maybe, just maybe, Izarra (Basque for "star"), as well. ...

And more nostalgia: Susan D'Asaro, who knows more about '60s music than Murray the K, says radio station KFRC is doing something cool tomorrow. The Sun Kings -- that's the Beatles sound-alike band -- will play an hour-long rooftop concert at noon at Tower Records, Columbus and Bay. ... The show marks the 40th anniversary of the Beatles arriving in S.F. Of course, it also pays homage to the famous Abbey Road rooftop concert. So let it be. ...

Overheard on the 45-Greenwich bus in Chinatown yesterday, a young woman talking excitedly into the cell: "You should have heard him. He was Tourettes-ing all over the place!" ...