If “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” were a real word, it would be the longest word in the world, longer even than “antidisestablishmentarianism” by a full six letters, and a lot more fun, because as every child knows, “anti” is a negative prefix that means against, and “super” is a positive adjective that means marvelous — an encomium that aptly describes the magical world of England’s most celebrated nanny. This elongated, run-on word was concocted by the songwriting Sherman brothers, Richard and Robert, for the merry 1964 Disney movie Mary Poppins, and it is a highlight of the popular musical stage adaptation that is currently on view at the Muny.

When, late in Act One, the unruffled Ms. Poppins and her lithe pal, Bert sing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” the Muny stage must be the happiest place on earth. It’s a welcome feat considering that happiness is in short supply in Mary Poppins.

The plot, which draws on the mysterious character introduced by Australian author P.L. Travers in 1934, concerns a high-flying nanny who heals a dysfunctional earthbound family in Edwardian London. In the stuffy Banks home, there’s little communication among parents and children or even between husband and wife. Enter Mary Poppins. Between her somewhat abrupt arrivals and departures, Mary instructs her charges, Michael and Jane (Aidan Gemme and Elizabeth Teeter, who has acquired considerable stage poise since her last Muny appearance two summers ago), in important life lessons. “Don’t interrupt when someone’s barking” is the sort of supremely sane truism from which we all can benefit.

All summer long the starlit sky of the open-air Muny has enriched the theater’s offerings of Spamalot, Shrek, South Pacific and Les Miz. But with its reliance on special effects, Mary Poppins is one show that might work better indoors. Nevertheless, director Gary Griffin and choreographer Alex Sanchez have mounted a buoyant evening that moves from sprightly moment to moment. In the title role, Jenny Powers is a crowd pleaser. If a porcelain dinner plate could smile — and in Mary Poppins’ fantastic world, anything is possible — that porcelain would smile the smile of Jenny Powers.

As the repressed Banks family patriarch, Stephen Buntrock portrays a stuffed shirt without being stuffy. Last summer when Buntrock played a similar role in his Muny debut in Thoroughly Modern Millie, he innately understood how to project voice and personality without calling undue attention to himself. Here, again, he is as if to the Muny manner born. In the opening scene when Mr. Banks learns that yet another (pre-Poppins) nanny has quit because of his difficult kids, Buntrock’s bellicose “Nonsense!” can be heard as far away as Art Hill. This production officially kicks in with the delivery of that word.

But the most triumphant performance of all — and the one that makes this Mary Poppins memorable — is Rob McClure’s exuberant Bert. “When you walk with Mary Poppins,” this chimney sweep (cum street entertainer cum painter) advises Michael and Jane, “you go places you never dreamed of.” But McClure doesn’t walk anywhere if he can stroll, skip or glide. The dexterous actor is not notably tall, but he has figured out that an extended arm will add another couple feet. As he leaps about the stage, Bert is all extensions — the theater equivalent of a whirling dervish. Regardless of whether he is balancing on one foot atop a rooftop chimney or entering the Banks home through the fireplace, McClure is clearly having a blast. And when at the end of “Supercali…” (you know the rest) he slides across the Muny proscenium as if he’s stealing second base, McClure is not merely skidding across the stage; he’s skidding into our hearts. The effect is euphoric.

The post Swept Away: The Muny’s Mary Poppins is nice, however it’s the chimney sweep who’s tremendous…ali-docious | St. Louis appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Flowers placed at the overlook trail down to Esplanade Beach in Pacifica, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. A San Francisco State University student was swept out to sea Thursday morning while swimming at a beach in Pacifica, according to authorities. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

PACIFICA — A San Francisco State University student was swept out to sea Thursday morning while swimming at a beach in Pacifica, according to authorities.

SF State student Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, was reported missing after he went swimming with two friends Jan. 19 at Esplanade Beach in Pacifica. (Courtesy of Pacifica Police) Courtesy of Pacifica Police

Hamzah Alsaudi, 22, a senior who wrestled at the school, had not been found as of Friday afternoon.

The incident was reported around 10:30 a.m. at Esplanade Beach. Alsaudi was swimming with two other people when he was struck by a “large wave and pulled farther away from the shore,” the Pacifica Police Department said in a news release.

Alsaudi’s companions made it back to shore and called 911 for help, police said.

Pacifica police officers and North County Fire Authority firefighters searched the area without success, police said. The U.S. Coast Guard also helped look for the student.

While residents at the nearby Oceanaire Apartment Homes complex said emergency crews were present through the night, there were no search-and-rescue operations visible off the beach around midday Friday and it was not clear if the search would resume. The Coast Guard did not respond to calls for comment.

Pacifica police described Alsaudi, a Santa Monica native, as 6’1” tall, 215 lbs. with brown hair. He was last seen wearing black shorts.

The university issued a statement Friday afternoon:

“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and classmates of beloved student and athlete Hamzah Alsaudi who remains missing following yesterday’s tragic accident. We are grateful to the Coast Guard and the Pacifica Police Department for all they have done. Campus resources are available for the members of our community who need assistance during this difficult time.”

At Manor Beach Friday, a single bouquet of flowers hung from a fence post. Neighbors described an extensive rescue scene the night before, with water, air and ground crews searching the area throughout the night.

Several signs in the vicinity of Manor and Esplanade beaches warned of dangerous rip-current conditions. Surf was high Friday morning, with waves nearly reaching the Manor Beach cliffside.

An ocean-safety page from the California Department of Parks and Recreation warned about swimming in such conditions, saying “large surf, cold water temperatures, backwash, sudden drop-offs, pounding shorebreak, and dangerous rip currents can turn what seem like safe activities such as playing near the surf line, wading, or climbing on rock outcroppings, deadly.”

Swimmers caught in a rip currrent are advised not to fight the current, but to swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the coastline; if they are unable to swim out of the current, they should remain calm and attempt to signal for help.

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A chimney sweep will use a variety of tools to break up deposits within a chimney. (Dreamstime)

By Paul F. P. Pogue

If you own a fireplace and use it regularly, fall is the time to give serious thought to hiring a chimney sweep — before you light your first fire. Chimney sweeping is an intricate and sometimes high-tech job that is critical to the safety of your home. The National Fire Protection Agency says unclean chimneys are a major cause of house fires. And for that reason, the NFPA recommends a yearly inspection. A clear chimney improves safety, creates a more comfortable experience, and allows smoke and gases to vent away from your living area.

You won’t always need a full cleaning, but the inspection will help identify any problems. In addition to ensuring your safety, an inspection may also identify structural problems that can be solved for less that it would cost after years of buildup.

Signs that you need a chimney inspection include a visibly thick buildup of soot and creosote, smoke entering into your living space, a weak fire and a tar smell emanating from the fireplace.

Elements of a chimney inspection

A professional chimney sweep will closely inspect your chimney from top to bottom, including the firebox, interior flue, smoke chamber, exterior masonry and flashing. They’ll look for both creosote buildup and structural damage. In many cases, house fires caused by the fireplace take place because a structural issue or cracked wall allows the fire to escape. They’ll also keep an eye out for animals, bird nests and branches.

In many cases, a sweep will inspect your chimney free of charge. On average, a full chimney cleaning will cost between $125 and $325. In extreme cases with large amounts of buildup, the cost may be higher. If you have significant structural damage, the cost may be as high as a few thousand dollars.

A professional chimney sweep will use a wire brush attached to a flexible rod that extends deeply into the flue. In some cases this is an old-school brush that hasn’t changed much since the days of “Mary Poppins;” others use electrically driven brushes to break up the soot and creosote.

What is creosote?

Creosote is the thick, oily residue deposited into a chimney by burning wood. Creosote deposits increase fire risks, and if left unattended, harden into a solid glaze that can be difficult to remove. Chimney sweeps make a particular point of getting creosote off the surface.

You may have seen creosote-sweeping logs on the shelves at your local big box store. While they’re not fully effective in preventing creosote, using them throughout the season can dry up the creosote and make it easier to flake away. It’s not a substitute for chimney sweeping, but when used properly it can improve your fireplace experience.

As always, when hiring a professional, make sure they hold the proper license, bonding and insurance to work in your area. Ask if they hold certification from a professional organization such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

The post Have your chimney swept yearly for security and luxury appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Comment

It was raining in San Francisco on Wednesday morning when volunteer Shanna Orona arrived at a homeless encampment on Erie Street surrounded by police vehicles.

As rain fell — the approach of the powerful “atmospheric river” that would slam California cities with heavy winds and flooding — city workers, including police and fire department personnel, cleared out the encampment so they could power-wash the street, Orona alleged in a court document.

The individuals at the encampment left without receiving “concrete” offers of shelter after a fire department commander threatened that police would arrive to conduct warrant checks and other city workers would throw away people’s belongings, said Orona, who volunteers with the Coalition on Homelessness, a San Francisco nonprofit. When one person from the encampment responded to the fire department commander in Spanish, the commander allegedly turned away, saying, “I don’t speak Mexican.”

The Jan. 4 sweep Orona witnessed was not only inhumane but also violated the orders of a California district court, attorneys representing the Coalition on Homelessness argued in court documents filed Thursday.

On Dec 23, the Coalition on Homelessness won a preliminary injunction in an ongoing court case against the city of San Francisco, successfully arguing that it was unconstitutional for the city to enforce certain laws penalizing unhoused individuals while the city lacks sufficient shelter space to house them. The court order forbids the city from enforcing various laws prohibiting “involuntarily homeless individuals” from sitting, lying or sleeping on public property.

But San Francisco isn’t listening, the coalition alleged last week.

The group filed statements from several staff members and volunteers, including Orona, who alleged that the city violated the injunction by conducting several sweeps of homeless encampments in late December and early January, even as the devastating storm neared.

“I was very taken back,” Orona told The Washington Post. “I was like, the city has a lot of nerves.”

A spokesperson for the city attorney’s office told The Post in a statement that the activities described by the coalition did not violate the injunction.

“The order prohibits the City from enforcing six specific laws to prevent involuntarily homeless individuals from sitting, lying, or sleeping on public property,” the city attorney’s office said in the statement. “The order does not prohibit the City from maintaining safe and healthy streets for all. The City may continue to ensure sidewalks are not obstructed, but are usable for everyone. And, the City may still ask unhoused people to move temporarily for cleaning activities.”

In court filings, attorneys for the coalition contested that characterization, alleging that individuals were still threatened with the confiscation of tents and other personal belongings, which the injunction forbids, and that city workers’ behavior — threatening warrant checks and “forcibly waking people up, standing over them, and yelling at them to move” — still constituted an enforcement threat. They also questioned why the city moved unhoused residents to power-wash a street during a storm.

The timing of the newest wave of sweeps, coming shortly after the injunction was issued and as a powerful storm prepared to batter the city, came as a shock to the coalition, executive director Jennifer Friedenbach told The Post.

“My experience is that the city kind of backs off on these things during bad weather,” Friedenbach said. “It was a bit shocking to see them continue these operations in the pouring down rain.”

John Do, an attorney representing the coalition, echoed Friedenbach’s concerns.

“Your survival gear, your personal belongings shouldn’t be taken by the city and thrown away,” Do said. “And certainly not in an atmospheric river. That is truly inhumane and cruel.”

As of Monday, 11.16 inches of rain had fallen on San Francisco in a 13-day stretch, the wettest spell since 1871. The city remains on flood watch, and residents have been advised to stay home.

Additional storms have been forecast in the coming week. In response to the weather, San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing opened four temporary shelters accepting walk-up referrals that will run until Jan. 15.

Strongest atmospheric river yet battering California with damaging floods

The allegations surrounding the pre-storm sweeps are the latest development in a months-long court case challenging San Francisco’s handling of a persistent homelessness crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. In September, the Coalition on Homelessness and seven unhoused individuals sued the city and county of San Francisco, Mayor London Breed and several city departments to stop the city from enforcing several laws that criminalize sitting, sleeping or lying on public property.

The coalition argued in a 100-page complaint that because San Francisco lacks enough shelter space to house the majority of the city’s unhoused population, sweeping encampments and displacing individuals under threat of arrest amounts to cruel and unusual punishment that violates people’s constitutional rights. The nonprofit also alleged that city workers routinely violated a “bag and tag” policy that is supposed to allow displaced individuals to retrieve belongings seized during encampment sweeps, saying workers repeatedly dispose of them instead.

In the complaint, Toro Castaño, a plaintiff with the coalition, called the city’s sweeps a “dehumanizing disruption to the small ounce of stability I was trying to build for myself during one of the hardest times of my life.”

As issued, the preliminary injunction remains effective for the duration of the case, as long as there are more homeless individuals in San Francisco than shelter beds available. San Francisco had a total capacity of 5,080 shelter beds in 2022, including around 2,000 temporary beds scheduled to be phased out by the end of that year, according to city statistics cited by the coalition, while 7,754 people were counted in the most recent survey of the city’s unhoused population.

The city filed a motion for clarification on the injunction last week, arguing that the restrictions within are unreasonable and contradicting an injunction in a separate case on homelessness that mandated the city remove unhoused individuals who’d refused offers of shelter in the city’s Tenderloin district.

“It defies logic to require that San Francisco have shelter for all persons experiencing homelessness before San Francisco may enforce these laws against any one person, even after that individual has refused adequate shelter,” the city attorney’s office told The Post. According to the city, providing the required shelter beds and services would take several years and cost an additional $1.45 billion.

In their recent filings, attorneys for the coalition asked the court to mandate the city provide additional information about sweeps and appoint a special master to monitor the city’s compliance with the preliminary injunction. The lawsuit broadly asks for the city to submit to greater oversight over sweeps and for the court to establish a similar, permanent injunction until all of San Francisco’s unhoused residents have access to shelter.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, when a judge may address both the coalition’s allegations and the city’s motion for clarification.

The post As storm neared, San Francisco swept homeless encampments, group alleges appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

By Paul FP Pogue

If you own a fireplace and use it regularly, fall is the time to give serious thought to hiring a chimney sweep — before you light your first fire. Chimney sweeping is an intricate and sometimes high-tech job that is critical to the safety of your home. The National Fire Protection Agency says unclean chimneys are a major cause of house fires. And for that reason, the NFPA recommends an annual inspection. A clear chimney improves safety, creates a more comfortable experience, and allows smoke and gases to vent away from your living area.

You won’t always need a full cleaning, but the inspection will help identify any problems. In addition to ensuring your safety, an inspection may also identify structural problems that can be solved for less that it would cost after years of buildup.

Signs that you need a chimney inspection include a visibly thick buildup of soot and creosote, smoke entering into your living space, a weak fire and a tar smell emanating from the fireplace.

Elements of a chimney inspection

A professional chimney sweep will closely inspect your chimney from top to bottom, including the firebox, interior flue, smoke chamber, exterior masonry and flashing. They’ll look for both creosote buildup and structural damage. In many cases, house fires caused by the fireplace take place because a structural issue or cracked wall allows the fire to escape. They’ll also keep an eye out for animals, bird nests and branches.

In many cases, a sweep will inspect your chimney free of charge. On average, a full chimney cleaning will cost between $125 and $325. In extreme cases with large amounts of buildup, the cost may be higher. If you have significant structural damage, the cost may be as high as a few thousand dollars.

A professional chimney sweep will use a wire brush attached to a flexible rod that extends deeply into the flue. In some cases this is an old-school brush that hasn’t changed much since the days of “Mary Poppins;” others use electrically driven brushes to break up the soot and creosote.

What is creosote?

Creosote is the thick, oily residue deposited into a chimney by burning wood. Creosote deposits increase fire risks, and if left unattended, harden into a solid glaze that can be difficult to remove. Chimney sweeps make a particular point of getting creosote off the surface.

You may have seen creosote-sweeping logs on the shelves at your local big box store. While they’re not fully effective in preventing creosote, using them throughout the season can dry up the creosote and make it easier to flake away. It’s not a substitute for chimney sweeping, but when used properly it can improve your fireplace experience.

As always, when hiring a professional, make sure they hold the proper license, bonding and insurance to work in your area. Ask if they hold certification from a professional organization such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

The post Have your chimney swept yearly for security and luxury appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

By Paul FP Pogue

If you own a fireplace and use it regularly, fall is the time to seriously think about hiring a chimney sweep – before lighting your first fire. Chimney sweeping is a complicated, and sometimes high tech, task that is vital to the safety of your home. The National Fire Protection Agency says unclean chimneys are a leading cause of house fires. For this reason, the NFPA recommends an annual inspection. A clear fireplace improves safety, makes for a more comfortable experience, and lets smoke and gases out of your living area.

They don’t always need to be completely cleaned, but the inspection will help identify problems. In addition to ensuring your safety, an inspection can also identify structural problems that can be resolved at a lower cost than it would cost after years of construction.

Signs that you need a chimney inspection are a visibly thick build-up of soot and creosote, smoke entering your living space, a faint fire, and a tar smell emanating from the fireplace.

Elements of a chimney inspection

A professional chimney sweep will carefully check your chimney from top to bottom, including the fire box, interior flue, smoke box, exterior masonry and turn signals. You will be looking for creosote formation as well as structural damage. In many cases, home fires caused by the fireplace occur because a structural problem or a cracked wall is allowing the fire to escape. You will also be on the lookout for animals, bird nests, and twigs.

In many cases, a sweep will inspect your chimney for free. On average, a full chimney cleaning costs between $ 125 and $ 325. In extreme cases with large amounts of build-up, the cost can be higher. If you have significant structural damage, the cost can go up to a few thousand dollars.

A professional chimney sweep uses a wire brush attached to a flexible rod that extends deep into the smoke outlet. In some cases, this is an old school brush that hasn’t changed much since the “Mary Poppins” days. others use electrically powered brushes to break up soot and creosote.

What is creosote?

Creosote is the thick, oily residue deposited by burning wood in a chimney. Creosote deposits increase the risk of fire and, if left unattended, harden into a solid glaze that is difficult to remove. Chimney sweeps take special care to remove creosote from the surface.

You may have seen creosote sweeping logs on the shelves on the shelves of your local big box store. While they don’t completely prevent creosote, using them throughout the season can dry out the creosote and make it easier to flake. It’s not a substitute for chimney sweeping, but when used properly it can enhance your fireplace experience.

As always, when hiring a professional, make sure they have the appropriate license, bond and insurance to work in your area. Ask if they have certification from a professional organization such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America.

The post Have your chimney swept yearly for security and luxury appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – San Francisco Bay Area authorities continued to search Monday for a man who was swept at sea after straying off a path to climb some cliffs and being caught by high surf.

The missing man was with two friends on Sunday afternoon as they scrambled down the cliffs below the Point Bonita lighthouse, said Julian Espinoza, spokesman for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The friends were also swept away, but returned ashore and called 911.

Authorities identified them but said the men were from the San Francisco Bay Area.

The dangerous high surf conditions in Northern California over the weekend led to some rescues elsewhere.

A dozen children on a sailing course were rescued Sunday after several sailing boats capsized in Santa Cruz Harbor. All children who wore life jackets were drawn from the cold water and not injured.

“We just warmed up some children on the backs of some ambulances, we didn’t transport anyone and hand them over to their parents,” Daniel Kline, a battalion chief for the Santa Cruz Fire Department, told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It was a very happy result.”

But a woman from the Redwood City area went missing Monday after a large wave pulled her and her husband off the rocks at Pescadero State Beach on Sunday afternoon. First responders said they appeared to be fishing or looking for clams.

The husband made it ashore and was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Rosemerry Blankswade, a spokeswoman for the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, told the Chronicle.

Last week in Sonoma County, a family of four was swept at sea by a powerful ocean wave. Two children are still missing and their father died after trying to save them. The mother made it back to the coast.

The National Weather Service Bay Area tweeted that high astronomical tides, also known as “king tides,” along with larger-than-normal waves on Monday and Tuesday morning will result in minor flooding on the coast.

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