Bellingham by the Bay, June 2008

from the San Francisco Northside

Bellingham by the Bay, SF Northside, June 2008

The State Supreme Court's decision to reinstate same-sex marriages seems to have riveted more people who are out-of-state than here in San Francisco. So, what else is new? Of all that things that might concern us, I don't see gay marriage being a problem. Gavin Newsom was prescient when he recommended the legislation four years ago. I don't think being a bigot, such as the famous segregationists like Jesse Helms, pays off in the long run. They have to apologize eventually. Besides, if S.F. is irritating everyone else, we're doing the right thing. Mark Leno was at City Hall that day four years ago, and was one of the many local officials who were performing these notorious same-sex marriage ceremonies. "Hey, Bruce," Leno said to me with a smile, "why don't you do a few of these ceremonies, too? I'll let you." I declined. I just don't perform well under pressure, I guess. But it was nice to be around some happy people for a change. ...

The irrepressible author Herb Gold was in The Crepe House on Polk Street the other day, and reports that he was off late last month to speak in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. He wanted to invite me along but it seems he didn't need anyone to hold his jacket for him. Herb's an expert on Haiti, and has written a few books and New York Times pieces about the place. "It's gotten a little dangerous lately," Herb concedes with his understated wit. Herb Gold's new book, Still Alive, comes out in July, and he's being honored at a dinner in New York, sponsored by his publisher. "I suppose you heard that Oakley Hall died in May," Herb said. "All of my old friends are disappearing, so I'd better keep an eye on you, Bruce." ...

Chasing our tales: Former Nob Hill resident Dorothy Hearst's first novel is about to be published. It's called Promise of the Wolves. She just loves those wild beasts. Speaking of wildlife, Dorothy has moved to Berkeley, where it's likely that you'll find an apartment that accepts pets. ... More literary news: Dame Edna Everage returns to S.F. for a run at the Post Street Theatre from Nov. 20 to Jan. 4. La Dame is still outrageous, and promises "a spookily intimate show." She's also announces that "Amy Tan wants to write a book about me, and Armistead Maupin is weaving me into a new Tale of the City." ...

A few people got together at Garry Graham's night club in Fairfax, the 19 Broadway, to remember Chuck Day, who was a regular customer and a regular fellow with not-such-a-regular talent as a guitar player. Chuck would occasionally play his Fender Stratocaster in the club's bar. In the 60's, he was a first-rate session player in L.A. and had a long romance with Mama Cass Elliot. Chuck was a burly, bearded chap & a really sweet man. ... One of the best & sweetest S.F. chantootsies is long, tall & lithe Lorna K., who just landed a regular gig at the Hotel Rex on Sutter at Mason. Lorna sings there on June 6 & June 27. ... Tim Hockenberry has become a regular at the Rrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko. ...

Jazz singer Kim Nalley was having her nails done & all that girl stuff on Nob Hill the other day. She's happy to say that she'll continue to run her club, Jazz at Pearls, for as long as she can. Kim had announced the club's closing, then had a change of heart. "The only problem is that I have to get the musicians who thought I was closing booked all over again," she confesses. "Oy." ... Maurice Kanbar, the peripatetic philanthropist of Pacific Heights, was hanging out at the Cannes Film Festival again this year (he's gone to Cannes every year since 1968). Then Maurice pressed on to Israel, where he received an honorary degree. ... Maurice is still a huge supporter if the S.F. Film Festival, which reports a very successful year. At a gala to honor the legendary screenwriter Robert Towne at the St. Francis last month, Warren Beatty mingled with a few of us mortals. "I have to tell you that I pestered you for an interview at the Democratic National Convention in 1984," I told Beatty. "You refused because you'd have to give an interview to everyone, if you acceded to my request." Beatty replied, "You know what? The answer is still no." I'm sure Warren said that just for old time's sake. ...


Bruce Bellingham is the author of Bellingham by the Bay. He continues to pester all sorts of people because Bellingham has no sense of shame. He basks in the luminescence of prominent personalities, seeking a vague form of validation. It's sort of sad, isn't it? ...