Imaging if a city closed a sidewalk during construction and told pedestrians to just walk in traffic for a month.

That’s tantamount to what San Francisco has done to cyclists on Howard Street between 5th and 6th–within sight of where Tess Rothstein was doored and killed while biking to work in 2019.

Well that was short lived. No more protected bike lane on Howard @sfbike pic.twitter.com/PctTPyCYTT

— Ms. Doreen (@MsDoreenReads) February 7, 2022

The move left cyclists understandably riled. Rothstein was killed precisely because the city left long stretches of unprotected bike lane in place for many years; she died in sight of where the protected bike lane used to begin, on the other side of 6th Street.

“They painted this unprotected lane on a street where three people were killed in three years!!” wrote People Protected Bike Lane advocate Matt Brezina, in an email to Streetsblog and public officials.

Fortunately, this is a temporary measure. “The protected bike lane that was there will be restored. The current configuration is made of temporary tape and related to the construction of the development there,” explained an official with SFMTA.

Where the bike lane bends around the construction site. The passing box truck is the same type of vehicle that took Rothstein’s life. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick

That’s not going to help though, if someone is injured or killed in the meantime.

Unprotected human bodies, on bicycle or foot, should never be put in close proximity with fast moving, two-to-five ton cars and even heavier trucks that can snuff out a life in a millisecond. Motorists are encased in passenger compartments with crumple zones and seat belts and air bags for a reason. Why on earth would anyone think it’s okay to leave cyclists or pedestrians in traffic without protection, especially in construction zones, where things are already especially dangerous?

It’s not hard to make temporary protective barriers. In fact, SFMTA went through the trouble of putting in lightweight pedestrian barrier along part of the route (as seen above). How much harder would it have been to put down real barriers? Cities in Denmark, the Netherlands, and elsewhere find ways to keep cyclists safe, even in construction zones.

A construction zone bike and pedestrian lane in Copenhagen. Photo: Jason Henderson.

In fact, it’s occasionally done even in a far away city called Oakland:

A construction area on Broadway in Oakland. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick

Is the above configuration in Oakland above really that hard to emulate, SFMTA? Is it really that hard to see why the arrangement used on Howard, seen below, is just not safe?

The Howard Street temporary lane as seen from the pedestrian area. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick

That said, Streetsblog would be unfair not to point out some of the positives getting installed in the area. At the corner of 5th, SFMTA installed a great protected turn. So at least when the construction is done, things should be better than ever.

A protected corner is under construction at Howard and 5th. Photo: Streetsblog/Rudick

Let’s just hope nobody gets hurt during the remainder of construction.

The post Howard Protected Bike Lane Eliminated – Streetsblog San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

PLEASANTON (KPIX) – Neighbors on East Bay Street have been bringing the Christmas cheer every year since 1953. They call it Candy Cane Lane, but according to the town of Pleasanton, it’s actually Walnut Drive – a cul-de-sac not far from downtown.

The street has its own radio station that plays Christmas music to get everyone in the spirit of the season.

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“This is great. This is my first time coming here. A friend of mine posted about it on Instagram and wow. I didn’t know there was such a thing,” says Bobby Simcock from Dublin. He brought his wife and his two and a half year old daughter Adeline to see the lights.

“How does it feel, Adeline? Impressive! It’s so magical! ”Exclaimed Adeline’s mother.

“To see your face, it’s just amazing to see your face light up and so energetic and hug the whole Christmas experience, it really is a real gift,” said Simcock.

“We like to sit on the porch, wave and say hello to people and show them some snow from our snowman because it’s snowing here on Candy Cane Lane,” said Renee and Shareef Mahdavi.

They both came to visit Candy Cane Lane with their children when they were little. When their children left home for college, they eventually moved to Walnut Drive, understanding that with homeownership on that street, there is an obligation to decorate.

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“We cannot confirm or deny the money that has been spent and allocated on decoration, but let’s just say we are happy to do it,” says Shareef.

“Everyone is really coordinated. Really can be said that they went out of their way so it is very much appreciated. That’s incredible, ”said Rahim Shakoor. It was his first visit to his wife and son, who will be two years old in January.

“It’s really crazy. I live near here and it’s really fun walking here every year, and we do that several times,” said Casey Bailey, who was out with his daughter Chloe.

“The last year has been crazy. So far this year we’re seeing pretty much the same thing. People want out. They want to bond and it’s these little decorations in our garden that seem to do that, ”said Shareef.

“No matter what, there is always joy to be found and we can share it in different ways,” says Renee.

The only time houses on Candy Cane Lane were not adorned with lights was during the energy crisis in the 1970s.

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Candy Cane Lane is open to cars and pedestrians daily from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM

The post Neighbors Creating Vacation Magic On Sweet Cane Lane In Pleasanton Since 1953 – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

The resident lounge terrace on One Steuart Lane

We see this as a golden opportunity to own a home in an iconic San Francisco estate.

SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB)
October 05, 2021

After more than a decade of construction, the much-anticipated One Steuart Lane is now complete and welcoming its first homeowners in what is the city’s last chance to live in a new condominium on the San Francisco waterfront.

The premier, ultra-luxury building continues to fetch the highest price per square foot in San Francisco, with bay view homes selling for over $ 4,000 per square foot, a price the city has not seen since 2018, according to renowned sales and marketing broker Polaris Pacific; One Steuart Lane has sold several apartments that exceeded this threshold.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), one of the most influential architecture, interior design, engineering and urban planning firms in the world, One Steuart Lane is a unique residential building in San Francisco, the exterior of which is gleaming with solid Roman travertine from quarries in North – and central Italy. Beautiful and durable, it is the same stone from which the great works of early Rome were built.

“With One Steuart Lane, our goal was to strike an effortless balance between a deeply modern sensibility and a timeless presence in San Francisco,” said Christopher Brandt, senior vice president of asset management at Paramount Group, Inc., the developer of One Steering lane. “The team took inspiration from the waterfront, and every element of the building was artfully constructed to maximize bay views, including floor-to-ceiling windows, impressive patios and balconies that open out from the living space. We see this as a golden opportunity to own a home in an iconic San Francisco property. “

Starting this week, four extraordinary model houses are available for viewing by private agreement. Two were designed by Liaigre and the other by FrenchCalifornia and ASH.

Priced from $ 1.2 million to over $ 10 million, each residence evokes a sense of unparalleled sophistication, with expansive glass windows and two-meter-high ceilings that enhance the colors emanating from the water. The residences range from one to three bedroom apartments ranging in size from approximately 900 to 3,000 square feet, as well as remarkably large penthouses measuring up to 6,200 square feet.

When the first residents moved in, they were greeted by the 24-hour concierge in the beautifully designed two-story lobby and served by a private, closed valet parking service for their cars. In their free time, they enjoy the timeless common spaces, designed by Rottet Studio and showcasing the European brands Molteni Group and Liaigre, as well as an extensive collection of amenities on the second floor, the centerpiece of which is the flexible indoor / outdoor owner’s lounge. This lovely space includes a gourmet kitchen and dining room with a lush terraced garden and outdoor grills overlooking Cupid’s Span and the bay. In the adjoining room there is a state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor wellness center, which is complemented by a fitness center with a private training area, an outdoor hot spa, an Effegibi sauna and a steam bath, as well as a vertical shower system with massage jets and optional aromatherapy.

To maximize this connection, SOM created the building’s exclusive collection of Waterfront Terrace Residences every three to four floors. These houses have huge sliding glass doors, some as tall as 4.50 m wide and 2.70 m high, that separate at the corner to fully open the houses to their wrap around 12 m high terraces and city and bay views to open. Blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, these residences are fully furnished with intricately designed wall unit dividers designed by Habitat Horticulture Experience like no other in a residential San Francisco building.

“Our holistic design approach has enabled us to build a striking tower that fits seamlessly into the urban fabric,” says Mark Schwettmann, Design Director at SOM. “The location of One Steuart Lane was the central inspiration for this project. This extraordinary, last of its kind, waterfront site provided information about the building: shape, structure, space, materiality and detailing. “

Beyond its physical beauty, One Steuart Lane achieves the highest environmental standards in the city without sacrificing luxury. With the goal of LEED Gold certification, the building is considered a leading example of sustainable architecture and design on the west coast. Key ecocentric features include a state-of-the-art mechanical system that allows heat to be transferred from one side of the building to the other, making it possible to take advantage of San Francisco’s bright sunlight even on cooler days. Rooftop solar water heaters provide renewable energy and save 250,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually compared to a gas boiler. The commitment to the union of beauty and performance ends at the top of the tower, where vacuum tube solar arrays collect energy while gently filtering light through the top of the building.

Sales at One Steuart Lane have remained strong during the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of the recent buyers are from San Francisco and the greater Bay Area, which underscores the attractiveness of the building’s location and offering. Owners include those looking for the “right size” to accommodate the more common work-from-home and entertainment-from-home setups that require larger living space, empty nests that are now touring the world and the ones Freedom want to lock up and leave without the maintenance of a high-maintenance apartment, first-time buyers who prefer the waterfront location, and those looking for a pied-à-terre that allows them to be present in the city for occasional work and social events.

“This unique opportunity to live in a modern, world-class building on the San Francisco waterfront makes One Steuart Lane the first choice for home buyers who insist on the best of city life,” said Paul Zeger, partner at Polaris Pacific, who oversees the Sales and marketing. “The rebirth of the Embarcadero, which began in 1989, culminates in the addition of this elegant residential complex.”

To learn more and to schedule a private appointment, visit OneSteuartLane.com or call 415-904-2540.

Via One Steuart Lane

Located directly on the popular Embarcadero of San Francisco, One Steuart Lane is the last opportunity for a new housing development on the city’s most sought-after waterfront. The 20-story building is refreshingly intimate and has 120 exquisite condominiums, many with unobstructed views of the bay and bridge, as well as private outdoor living spaces with wraparound patios. The meticulously designed One Steuart Lane strikes an effortless balance between a deeply modern sensibility and a timeless presence in San Francisco. The iconic development features architectural and residential interiors from renowned Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and amenity interiors from Rottet Studio – a fitting family tree for the city’s last opportunity for exceptional waterfront living. Residents are offered unrivaled open and endless views, from Cupid’s Span and the Ferry Building clock tower to the Bay Bridge and Yerba Buena Island and beyond. There is nothing like One Steuart Lane in San Francisco and maybe the whole world. Please visit OneSteuartLane.com for more information.

Paramount Group, Inc.

Paramount Group, Inc., headquartered in New York City, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust that owns, operates, manages, acquires, and redevelops high quality class A office properties in select submarkets of New York City’s central business district, San Francisco. Paramount is focused on maximizing the value of its portfolio by leveraging the sought-after locations of its assets and proven property management skills to attract and retain quality tenants. For One Steuart Lane, Paramount Group is supported by Project Management Advisors Inc. (PMA), a national real estate advisory firm that offers advisory services.

SRE Group Ltd.

SRE Group Ltd., founded in 1993 was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1999. (Share Code: 01207.HK) and became a member firm of CMIG Jiaye under the China Minsheng Investment Group in 2015. After more than 20 years of development and growth, SRE Group Ltd. successfully established with a range of high-end residential and mixed-use projects in more than 20 major cities including London, San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. In accordance with the concept of “Finance + Industry + Real Estate” integration and in order to accelerate the progress of corporate transformation, SRE Group Ltd. implemented a dual strategy of real estate investments and development in order to gradually build up three core businesses: development of the financial city complex, characteristic urban development as well as asset mergers and acquisitions.

About Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is a global collective of architects, designers, engineers and planners who are responsible for some of the most technically and environmentally advanced buildings and important public spaces in the world. From a strategic regional plan to a single piece of furniture, SOM’s designs anticipate changes in the way we live, work and communicate and have brought lasting value to communities around the world. The company’s approach is highly collaborative and its interdisciplinary team is involved in a variety of international projects with creative studios around the world.

About Polaris Pacific

Polaris Pacific is the premier real estate sales and marketing group for today’s new residential community. Based on a 30-year track record in the western United States, Polaris Pacific specializes in new developments and uses the latest tools and technologies to create a clear path forward. Long-term customer relationships with industry leaders form the company’s innovation platform and make Polaris Pacific the indisputable expert in key urban markets. Please visit PolarisPacific.com for more information.

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Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical by Cameron Mackintosh and Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) is an adorable stage version of the popular Disney film. Directed by Chapman Shields, the Freeland Center for the Performing Arts in Bristow, OK is presenting this musical as part of their Onstage at the Freeland series.

The large cast of mostly (15+) Bristow community members shows and proves that “anything can happen if you allow it”. Smart Moves are made by Shields and Company to cast professional actors in the two leading roles. Brooke Melton as Mary and Gavin Thomas Drew as Bert take the show from a fun community event to a professional theater production. Melton is fresh and neat, practically perfect as a magical nanny. She delivers her lines of dialogue with a mischievous shoulder shimmy, a cute gesture that gives this iconic character personality. Drew as Bert is the charming Cockney, with the strongest accent of any cast. He is the fourth wall breaker and narrator, and he dances and sings with infinite energy.

Lauren Reece as Mrs. Banks and Ethan Kel Hunter as Mr. Banks are dynamic and believable. Reece has a remarkable voice and a compelling stage presence. Hunter is strict and moving and serves as a turning point for the family. Reece remains the lovable wife, even if her husband is less lenient. Hunter also learns to rediscover the lost childhood.

Kara Stagier’s choreography is robust and makes good use of the stage, filling it with one iconic number after another. The tap dance is missing in “Step in Time”, probably the most breathtaking number in the Broadway version. Another disappointment comes in the second act, the supposed moment of magical discovery, when Mary Poppins opens her umbrella and flies away. But Mary doesn’t fly in this production. That scene is why people come to this show and it’s disappointing that this production doesn’t try. Budget and time constraints could be a factor, but it is worth doing whatever you can to get yourself into this scene and get it right.

Mary Poppins is nostalgic with his musical numbers and the ensemble pulls everyone off with a smile, creates unforgettable moments and ignites new ones. Melodies like “A Spoonful of Sugar” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” come to life on stage, and this line-up is vibrant and fresh. Carmen Bruner is a showstopper in “Feed The Birds” and Drew shines in “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”. Melissa Hall’s Music Direction is polished. All of the musical numbers, both familiar and new, are immensely entertaining and practically flawless.

Dakota Norman stands out as Von Hussler and Miss Andrew. The Banks children are portrayed calmly as Annie Grizzle as Jane and Wake Tidwell as Michael. Autumn Manus is crazy and animated as Mrs. Brill and steals every scene. Stacey Shields is strong and alive as the Talking Shop owner Mrs. Corry.

Rounding out the hard-working cast is Mackinsey Darrough as Katie Nanna & Nelus, Gary Daughtry as Parker Keeper, Jaxie Sargent as Miss Lark, Keith Symcox as Admiral Boom, Hunter Remington as Robertson Aye and Aaliyah Givings as Queen Victoria. John Tidwell is the chairman of the bank, Jessica Colbert is Miss Smythe, Patrick Lupp is North Brooke, Carly Junod is Fannie, Kendal Hurley is Annie, and Gabrielle Wilson is a chimney sweep.

Mary Poppins is a triumphant achievement in musical theater, and it is not without hard work and dedication that this theater company make it through. It’s two solid hours of great pieces of music that are well known to everyone in the audience. There are big footsteps out there, and this cast fills them in the most adorable way. This production is really an example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a common goal. What a beautiful community that must be! Bristow, Oklahoma puts on the map.

Disney musicals keep touching our hearts, teaching us about love for one another and reminding us that life is more exciting and precious when we look for the little things. Childhood is magical, and after a few minutes with Mary Poppins and the Banks family, we all feel like kids again.

Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical closed on June 26, 2021. Further information on the upcoming productions of the Freeland Center can be found on Facebook in the Freeland Center.

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EPCOT at Walt Disney World is about to get an extra spoonful of sugar.

On Sunday, Disney announced at the annual D23 Fan Expo that EPCOT, a centerpiece of Florida’s Walt Disney World, is undergoing a major overhaul in the next few years – as part of which a new attraction inspired by Mary Poppins is ready To become part of the Disney theme park universe.

Everett collection

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Bob Chapek announced the announcement and outlined the planned plan for EPCOT, including an overhaul that will divide the park into four new neighborhoods – World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature and World Discovery. World Showcase will keep much of EPCOT’s DNA and will continue to focus on celebrating culture, cuisine, architecture and other countries around the world.

Disney

However, it will also welcome new attractions, including the chance to walk down Cherry Tree Lane, a new installation in the UK Pavilion. Guests visiting the pavilion can stroll down the famous street that first featured on screen in Mary Poppins’ 1964, complete with cherry trees in bloom and the flickering gas lamps that played an integral part in Mary Poppins Returns. Cherry Tree Lane will serve as the entrance to a new Mary Poppins-inspired attraction as guests stroll down the street, past Admiral Boom’s house and through the doors of the Banks family home, number 17, for a new adventure to start.

Disney

Disney brought some Mary Poppins magic to the announcement with a surprise appearance by Dick Van Dyke, who played as Chimney Sweep Bert in the original film (and made a cameo as Mr. Dawes, the bank’s owner in Mary Poppins Returns.)). Accompanied by an electric “step in time” performance from a very talented gig, Van Dyke took the stage to surprise the guests before Chapek made the Poppins announcement.

Van Dyke received the longest cheers and standing ovations of anyone on stage at the D23 Expo this year before making a few brief remarks about the legacies of Mary Poppins and Walt Disney. He called Disney “a creative genius who sees the world through a child’s eyes” and “came to the set every day … to bring out the child in you.”

The story goes on

Then Chapek made the announcement of the upcoming happy vacationers who one day may take away.

Related content:

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This Christmas season, the Drury Lane Theater is hosting DISNEY AND Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS, the 2004 musical based on the stories of PL Travers and the 1964 Walt Disney film. Marcia Milgrom Dodge directs and choreographs this uplifting story about a magical nanny who shows up just in time to help the families who need her most – in this case, the Banks family. In a strong ensemble, Emilie Lynn shines with a Broadway-worthy performance in the title role.

From the moment she flies onto the stage, Lynn nails the dignified, detached sense of authority required of the famous nanny with her chin held high, perfect posture and graceful movements. While she won over the Banks kids with her talent for turning tasks into games and turning a walk in the park into a scene from a fairy tale, she also charms viewers of all ages with her shrewd sense of humor, gentle wisdom, and breathtaking singing. Lynn’s bell-like soprano floats with apparent ease through the beloved original songs by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman as well as the catchy additions by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. While comparisons to the author of a role in this case are rarely helpful or fair to the current performer, I mean it as the highest praise to say that Lynn’s performance is as masterful as Julie Andrews’ in the film.

With Mary Poppins as a nanny, the miracle is always around the corner for her young protégés Jane and Michael Banks (played by Nicole Scimeca and Hunter DiMailig in the show I attended). Jim Steinmeyer’s illusions bring Mary’s mysterious powers to life on stage. But outings with Mary are not just entertainment; Every adventure teaches a subtle but valuable lesson. Dancing on the rooftops shows that problems from above don’t look so bad. Feeding the birds shows the importance of looking beyond what the eye can see. And as the company finale proclaims, “Anything can happen if you let it.” This family-friendly musical may be a little darker than the movie, but it is full of hope and goodwill.

Of course, the Mary Poppins story is more about parenting reform than about children. In the musical, George and Winifred Banks (Matt Crowle and Alexis J. Roston) get more detailed backstories than in the film. George’s tightly wounded nature and inhibited emotional life are chalked up by the influence of his childhood nanny, Miss Andrew or “The Holy Terror” (whom we briefly meet in a group of Holly Stauder who is the stuff of childish nightmares). Crowle is honored as George, a man whose career is on the verge of disaster and whose family is falling apart. His transformation as he remembers his teenage dreams, mending relationships with loved ones and, as he says, “rediscovering humanity” is truly heartwarming and deeply understandable for the adults in the audience. As Winifred, Roston has less extensive material to work with, but she uses the former actress’ struggle to live up to her husband’s and London society’s expectations.

James T. Lane shows an outstanding performance as Bert, an all-rounder from painter to chimney sweep. With a constant wink and a Cockney accent far more convincing than the often-mocked attempt by Dick Van Dyke, Lane serves as the casual narrator and encourages the mysterious atmosphere that surrounds Mary’s sudden comings and goings. While he is a standout singer and actor, Lane’s most memorable talent is his dance, which comes to the fore in the rousing tap number “Step in Time”. In another notable twist, Catherine Smitko delivers a poignant duet as Bird Woman with Lynn in the melancholy ballad “Feed the Birds”. While a couple of supporting characters are not to my liking – for example, I found the slapstick physicality of Sawyer Smith’s Robertson Ay over the top – this production has many top-notch performances overall.

Both the musical and Disney film are based on PL Travers’ children’s stories, and Kevin Depinet’s scenic design and Kevan Loney’s projections emphasize those literary origins. Two oversized books frame the proscenium sheet and distribute their pages on the stage. They provide a canvas for projections that incorporate text from Travers’ books and whimsical illustrations. Watercolor-like projections suggest places like St. Paul’s Cathedral, the park, and the waterfront, but the images are fragmented and unrealistic to create a dreamlike quality. Most of the time, the stage is free of large set pieces, with the exception of a large staircase. Aside from the beautiful projections, the stage often feels too empty to evoke the magical elements of the story.

Robes L. McGee’s colorful costumes fill this gap and connect the dots between the everyday life of the Banks children and their enchanted antics with Mary. “Jolly Holiday” shows Edwardian fashion from the perspective of a rainbow filter, and in “Playing the Game” the old-fashioned children’s toys are creepily brought to life. On the other hand, the fantastic vision for “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” with a mixture of continental European folk styles seems to come back from the left field in a rainbow palette. While there is a lack of cohesion between costumes, sets and projections, there are many interesting visual moments throughout the show.

MARY POPPINS is a crowd puller to feel good, but there are also content-related messages for all age groups on which the imaginative children’s story is based. What better time than holidays to remind us of the importance of family and hope for a fresh start? When Mary Poppins finally flies away, loved, but no longer needed by the Bankses, we are left with the image of a loving family that is again in harmony with itself and with one another. If that’s not a practically perfect ending, I’m not sure what it is.

DISNEY AND Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS will run through January 19 at Drury Lane Theater, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. Single tickets ($ 60-75) are available at 630.530.0111 or DruryLaneTheatre.com.

Photo credit: Brett Beiner

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