17 Aug 2012
CITY NEWS
$56 Million Moscone Center Renovations Completed
San Francisco's Moscone Center has emerged from a two-year, $56 million renovation of the North and South buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of function space and a number of upgrades that were customer-driven. The renovation was funded by a public/private partnership with the San Francisco Travel Association, the City and County of San Francisco, and the San Francisco Tourism Improvement District (SFTID). Designers accessed everything from the international orange of the Golden Gate Bridge to the aquatic blue of the San Francisco Bay for the color pallet. Thirty-seven graphics depict San Francisco and the Bay Area's beautiful natural setting. The buildings have also been transformed with new carpet, paint, lighting and ceilings; restroom renovations; upgraded lobbies and kitchens, and significant infrastructure projects including major upgrades to HVAC systems, elevators and escalators. And what isn't visible may be the biggest hit of all with future convention attendees: a $4.5 million wireless system that can provide high speed service to as many as 60,000 devices at one time. Attendees using Google Maps "My Location" feature will also be able to find their way more easily to meeting rooms, food services, restrooms and more in the building. For information visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-974-6900. Media contact: Laurie Armstrong, 415-227-2615, larmstrong@sanfrancisco.travel.
San Francisco's New Pier 27 Cruise Terminal
Construction on Schedule for 34th America's Cup Village in 2013
On July 18, 2012 San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee joined the Port of San Francisco, Department of Public Works, Turner Construction and the maritime community to celebrate the "topping out" of the Pier 27 Cruise Terminal project. The traditional topping out ceremony signifies the half-way mark of a construction project, and is demonstrated by the hoisting of the final steel beam into place at the top of the building being built. The Port is building the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 over an approximate one-year period. The new terminal building will be used first as the venue for the 34th America's Cup Village in 2013. After the America's Cup event, the Port will complete the cruise terminal in 2014 to make it operational for cruise ships, and create a new 2.5 acre public park known as the Northeast Wharf Plaza. The entire project, which will be completed in two phases, is estimated to cost $90 million.
The new cruise terminal will accommodate vessels up to 1,200 feet long, carrying 2,600 passengers, and has the capacity at key areas to allow it to service vessels carrying as many as 5,000 passengers. On non-cruise days, the terminal will be used as a special event facility. The Port of San Francisco is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013. For information visit www.sfport.com. Media contact: Renée Dunn Martin, 415-274-0488, renee.martin@sfport.com.
Golden Gate Bridge Celebrates 75th Anniversary
May 27, 2012 marked 75 years for the Golden Gate Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the National Park Service, the Presidio Trust and the City and County of San Francisco, have created significant, long-lasting visitor experiences to honor the history, beauty and ingenuity of this famous span. These include:
A new 3,500-square-foot Bridge Pavilion to welcome visitors, house celebratory merchandise and display interpretive exhibits Conversion of the iconic Round House from a gift shop to a space for visitor and education programs Revitalization of the bridge plaza to serve as a gathering and orientation space Restoration of trails and scenic vistas A "green screen" photo area where visitors can picture themselves in locations not accessible to the general public such as the top of the tower or climbing the cables New, personally guided, 45-minute (day) and 60-minute (evening) bridge tours utilizing the latest in audio technology spring through fall Construction of a dramatic new Golden Gate Overlook on the southwest side of the bridge
For additional information, visit www.goldengatebridge75.org. Media contacts: Mary Currie, 415-923-2222, mcurrie@goldengate.org or David Shaw, 415-561-3064, dshaw@parksconservancy.org.
America's Cup World Series Races Oct. 2-7, 2012, and the 34th America's Cup in Fall 2013
The 161-year-old America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and has evolved into one of the world's leading sporting competitions featuring the best sailors on the world's fastest boats — the wing‐sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans.
The 34th America's Cup is an umbrella term that covers several events - the AC World Series, the Louis Vuitton Cup (America's Cup Challenger Series), the Red Bull Youth America's Cup and the America's Cup Finals in 2013:
- The America's Cup World Series is a professional circuit that brings America's Cup-level racing and the America's Cup experience to top international venues. There are two seasons of the AC World Series. The 2011-12 AC World Series concluded on July 1, 2012 in Newport, R.I. The 2012-13 AC World Series opens in San Francisco Aug. 21-26 and Oct. 2-7, 2012 as well as other international ports before concluding on May 19, 2013, prior to the beginning of the 34th America's Cup events in San Francisco in July 2013. Countries currently represented in the AC World Series races include competitors from France, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and ORACLE TEAM USA.
- Louis Vuitton Cup, the America's Cup Challenger Series, is used to determine who will race the Defender in the America's Cup Finals. Scheduled for July 4-Sept. 1, 2013 on San Francisco Bay, the Louis Vuitton Cup will draw challengers from around the world for the opportunity to compete for the America's Cup; 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Cup, first held in Newport, R.I. in 1983. Teams officially registered as challengers for the Louis Vuitton Cup are Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis Racing (Sweden), Luna Rossa Challenge (Italy),Team Korea and defender ORACLE TEAM USA. The entry deadline is Aug. 1, 2013.
- The America's Cup Finals will take place Sept. 7-22, 2013 in San Francisco Bay and will pit the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup against the Cup's defender - ORACLE TEAM USA. The events will be sailed in the cutting-edge AC72 wing-sailed catamarans, the next generation America's Cup boats that are 131-feet tall, 72-feet long and are capable of speeds of more than 35 mph.
- Dates for the recently announced Red Bull Youth America's Cup, open to national teams of sailors ages 19-23, are yet to be confirmed, but expected to be in August/September 2013, in the heart of the AC34 racing season.
Construction has begun at Pier 27 which will serve as the heart of the spectator village for AC34 and is slated to be completed by February 2013. The AC Village will feature an amphitheater for 10,000 fans, entertainment including live music and dance, exhibitions of past America's Cup winners, and other exciting activities.
The America's Cup World Series is being covered by NBC, with live broadcasts on national television on Oct. 7, 2012 at 5 p.m. EST/2 p.m. PT. For additional information visit www.americascup.com. Media contact: Irene Corosu, irene.corosu@americascup.com or http://mediacenter.americascup.com/.
PERFORMING ARTS
SHN Upcoming Shows
Formerly known as Best of Broadway, the SHN Series brings Broadway to the Bay Area with a dynamic series at the SHN Orpheum, SHN Curran and SHN Golden Gate Theatres.
SHN's just announced 2012-13 season includes:
- Disney's "The Lion King" returns to the SHN Orpheum Theatre, Nov. 1-Jan. 13, 2013 for the first time since its triumphant 43-week run here in 2004. Winner of six Tony Awards, "The Lion King" has been seen by more than 13.5 million people in more than 60 cities across North America.
- "The Book of Mormon," winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, will play a limited engagement at the SHN Curran Theatre Nov. 27-Dec. 30, 2012. Declared "the best musical of the century," by The New York Times, the musical features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone; Parker and Stone are the creators of the landmark animated series, "South Park." Tony Award-winner Lopez is the co-creator of the hit musical comedy, "Avenue Q."
- The new Broadway revival of Cole Porter's time classic musical masterpiece, "Anything Goes," comes to the SHN Curran Theatre Jan. 8-Feb. 3, 2013. The rewrite of the 1934 musical comedy unfolds on board the S.S. American on a trans-Atlantic crossing and features hits songs such as "It's De-Lovely," "You're the Top," and, of course, "Anything Goes."
- The spellbinding "Wicked", returns home to the Bay Area again to the Orpheum Theatre Jan. 23-Feb. 17, 2013. The untold story of the witches of Oz, long before Dorothy dropped in, "Wicked" tells the unforgettable story of two girls who meet in the land of Oz — one born with emerald-green skin who is smart and misunderstood and the other who is conventionally beautiful, ambitions and "very, very popular" as one of the show's signature songs confirms.
For ticket information visit www.shnsf.com. Media contact: Erin Garcia, 415-551-2075, pr@shnsf.com.
100th Season of San Francisco Symphony
Founded as an orchestra "for the people" just five years after the 1906 earthquake, the San Francisco Symphony is celebrating its 100th season. Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas and SFS will feature performances by Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn; semi-staged presentations including Bartok's "Duke Bluebeard's Castle" and "Barbary Coast and Beyond," an evening of music from the Gold Rush to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, are also high points of the centennial season. For more information, visit www.sfsymphony.org or call 415-864-6000. Media contact: Public Relations, 415-503-5474, publicrelations@sfsymphony.org.
Teatro ZinZanni Reopens in Late 2012
After more than 11 years, 800,000 visitors, hundreds of guest artists and 40 different shows, Teatro ZinZanni shuttered the fabled Palais Nostalgique Spiegeltent on Pier 29 after its 2011 New Year's Eve show, Dec. 31, 2011. Teatro's current home on Piers 27 and 29 is scheduled to be a part of the upcoming America's Cup. On Dec. 6, 2011 Teatro ZinZanni announced that they will build a new permanent home on the Embarcadero. The new site is a triangular parcel, located where Broadway and Davis meet the Embarcadero. Media contact: Karen Ames, 415-641-7474, karen@karenames.com or Brenden Guy, 415-641-7474, brenden@karenames.com.
California Academy of Sciences Offers New "Earthquake" exhibit
The "Earthquake" exhibit at the California Academy of Sciences allows visitors to experience a high-magnitude jolt in an earthquake simulator, fly over and into the dynamic planet in an immersive planetarium show and explore the impacts of the largest disaster in San Francisco's history—the 1906 earthquake and fire. Along the way, visitors will see how earthquakes fit into the larger story of plate tectonics, a constant process that builds mountains, moves continents, and creates the landscape in which life evolves or goes extinct. For more information visit www.calacademy.org or call 415-379-8000. Media contact: Andrew Ng, 415-379-5123, ang@calacademy.org.
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Nureyev: A Life in Dance
de Young Museum
Oct. 6, 2012-Feb. 17, 2013
Dedicated to the life and work of the legendary dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev, this exhibition showcases more than 80 costumes and 50 photographs from the dancer's personal collection. Nureyev loved sumptuous shows and was particular about his costumes; the costumes on view expose the wear and tear of daily use, bearing witness to the lives and bodies of Nureyev and his partners.
Jan. 26 -June 2, 2013
"Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis"
de Young Museum
The de Young will be the first venue in the American tour of paintings from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, The Hague. This jewel box of a museum, housing one of the world's most prestigious collections of Dutch Golden Age paintings, has not lent a large body of works from its holdings in nearly 30 years. The exhibition features 35 paintings representing 17th-century painting in the Dutch Republic. Among the works traveling to the U.S. is the Johannes Vermeer's celebrated masterpiece Girl with the Pearl Earring (c. 1665). For information visit www.famsf.org or call 415-750-3600. Media contact: Clara Hatcher, 415-750-3554, chatcher@famsf.org.
SFMOMA Showcases Works of Cindy Sherman and Jasper Johns
As SFMOMA prepares for the groundbreaking for the $555 million expansion in the summer of 2013, it will continue to present a full range of exhibitions for the coming year. Among those announced are:
Sept. 15-Dec. 31, 2012
"Six Lines of Flight: Shifting Geographies in Contemporary Art"
An international group exhibition, "Six Lines of Flight" features key artists from six cities around the world who have developed unique artistic organizations and/or collectives, contributed to their own communities, and helped each city become a burgeoning art center. The cities include Beirut, Lebanon; Cali, Colombia; Cluj, Romania; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; San Francisco and Tangier, Morocco—places that, like San Francisco, are not considered primary artistic centers but act as critical cross-cultural platforms for those living and working there. Cultivating an awareness of their collective, international contingency is a primary motivation underlying the exhibition.
"Jasper Johns: Seeing with the Mind's Eye"
Nov. 3, 2012-Feb. 3, 2013
A remarkably strong relationship has developed over the past 40 years between artist Jasper Johns and various museums and private collectors in the San Francisco Bay Area. Johns's painting Land's End (1963 is a cornerstone post-war work in the museum's collection. In 1978, SFMOMA presented a major survey of Johns's career, and in 2000 organized "Jasper Johns: New Paintings and Works on Paper,"which traveled nationally. Continuing SFMOMA's significant involvement with the artist, this exhibition brings together for the first time works from Bay Area collections both public and private, and will be supplemented with key works in the Johns's own collection.
For information visit www.sfmoma.org or call 415-357-4000. Media contact: Robyn Wise, 415-357-4172,
rwise@sfmoma.org.
The Walt Disney Family Museum Celebrates 75th Anniversary of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
Nov. 15, 2012-April 14, 2013
The Walt Disney Family Museum, The Presidio of San Francisco, 104 Montgomery St., will present a special exhibition "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic" celebrating Walt Disney's first feature-length animated film Nov. 15, 2012-April 14, 2013. The exhibition celebrates Walt Disney's vision and the artistry of his dedicated staff, illustrating how they shaped and defined an entirely new American art form through their creation of this groundbreaking film. Guided by the vision of a master storyteller, 32 animators, 1032 assistants, 107 in-betweeners, 10 layout artists, 25 background artists, 65 special effects animators and 158 inkers and painters and countless production staff came together to create the masterpiece. The exhibition features more than 200 works of art including conceptual drawings, early character studies, detailed story sketches and animation drawings. Also featured are delicate thumbnail layout watercolors, meticulously rendered pencil layouts, rare watercolor backgrounds, colorful cels and vintage posters all illustrating how Walt Disney advanced the creation of an entirely new art form. The Walt Disney Studios began work on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1934 and it was released on Dec. 21, 1937. For information visit www.waltdisney.org or call 415-345-6800. Media contacts: Andi Wang, 415-345-6816, awang@wdfmuseum.org or Libby Garrison, 415-345-6822, garrison@wdfmuseum.org.
Asian Art Museum
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Asian Art Museum in its Civic Center location, "China's Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor's Legacy" will be on view Feb. 22-May 27, 2013. Featuring 120 rare objects, including 10 terracotta figures, from one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in recent history, the exhibition will take visitors on a journey from the birth and rise of the Qin Empire to the life and rule of the First Emperor, his quest for immortality, his death, burial and complex legacy. The exhibition includes bronze ritual and jade artifact s, gold and silver ornaments, and palatial architectural components—some on view for the first time in the U.S. The objects are drawn from more than 13 institutions in China, including the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, the Shaanxi Provincial Archaeological Institute, and the Shaanxi History Museum. The Asian Art Museum was among the first museums outside China to feature some of the terracotta figures in a major exhibition held in 1994. For information visit www.asianart.org or call 415-581-3500. Media contact: Cara Vivian, 415-581-3560, cvivian@asianart.org.
FAMILY NEWS
Sailing Lessons: Hands-On Learning Aboard 1891 National Landmark
Scow Schooner Alma Returns to San Francisco Bay Continue through Nov. 17, 2012
From now through Nov. 17, 2012 three-hour sailing adventures will be offered by the National Park Service aboard the Alma, an 1891 scow schooner that once hauled cargo around San Francisco Bay. Part of the historic fleet at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, the 60-foot Alma was the flatbed truck of her era. Dazzling views of the bay, stories of San Francisco's riveting history and tried-and-true sea skills all come together in this unique, hands-on, educational sailing program. Boarding is at 12:30 p.m. at Hyde Street Pier, Hyde and Jefferson streets. Rates for this three-hour sail, which departs at 1 p.m., are $40 (adults), $30 (seniors) and $20 (children); children under six are free with an adult. Rough conditions are possible and all sailors should be prepared for cold, wind, spray and bright sun. Wear flat shoes and bring a sense of adventure. For reservations call 415-447-5000; additional information is available at http://www.nps.gov/safr. Media contact: John Cunnane, 415-561-7049.
SPORTS
MLB Announces that San Francisco Giants Will Host Semi-Finals and Finals of World Baseball Classic
at AT&T Park in Spring 2013
Major League Baseball announced that the San Francisco Giants will host the semi-finals and finals of the World Baseball Classic at AT&T Park in the spring of 2013. This is San Francisco's debut as the host city for the World Baseball Classic which draws teams from more than two dozen countries from around the globe to test their "brand" of baseball against the other. Joe Torre, who won four World Series titles with the Yankees as part of a 29-year managerial career, will lead Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Larry Baer, San Francisco Giants President and CEO, stated, "The Giants are excited to have been selected by MLB to host the Championship Round of the World Baseball Classic. We believe that AT&T Park will be the perfect venue to showcase the best baseball players in the world as they represent their countries and compete in this one-of-a-kind international tournament. We look forward to bringing this international competition to one of the most international cities in the world!" More information will be announced in the coming weeks. For information visit www.sfgiants.com. Media contacts: media@sfgiants.com or call 415-972-2445 or Patrick Courtney or Michael Teevan, Major League Baseball, 212-931-7878, or Greg Bouris, Major League Baseball Players Association, 212-826-0808.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
ACsailingSF Offers America's Cup Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay
As the San Francisco Bay Area prepares for the arrival of the 34th America's Cup, visitors will have an opportunity to sail on a former America's Cup racing yacht. For those with a craving for speed, adrenalin, and the latest America's Cup technology, sign up for a ride on the 85-foot, 20-passenger USA 76, the ORACLE Racing challenger for the 2003 America's Cup. Public sailing on San Francisco Bay and charters for corporate events are available now. For information visit www.acsailingsf.com or call 855-ACSF-2013 (855-227-3201). Media contact: Beth Schnitzer, 917-287-7064, beth@spritzsf.com.
Aquarium of the Bay Offers Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Aquarium of the Bay, PIER 39, The Embarcadero at Beach Street, offers two new experiences for visitors to learn more about how their naturalists care for some 20,000 marine animals. The Behind-the-Scenes tour is 45 minutes and occurs daily at 1 p.m. and twice a day on weekends, with the second tour at 4 p.m. The 75-minute Feed-the-Sharks tour is available Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Each tour participant will receive a bucket of seafood to feed to sharks, rays, skates and other fish in the Aquarium's 350,000-gallon, Offshore tunnel exhibit. For information visit www.aquariumofthebay.org or call 415-623-5300. Media contact: Mallory Johnson, 415-623-5340, mallory@bay.org.
Bay Area Brewery Tours
Bay Area Brewery Tours provides a fun and safe way to visit some of the top breweries in the country and taste many of their award winning beers. Co-founder Mindy Eastman started a similar brewery tour company in San Diego four years ago building on her experience working at one of the top small breweries in the world. Public tours are available Thursday through Sunday with visits to three different breweries. Private customized tours are available seven days a week and are available for groups of two to 200 people. Both the tours include round-trip transportation, a guided tour, a souvenir glass, beer tasting at each brewery, and several of the tours include lunch or dinner. For information visit www.bayareabrewerytours.com or call 415-999-4989. Media contact: Jon McDermott, 619-961-7999, jon@bayareabrewerytours.com.
The Bugster Experience Features VW Convertibles Loaded with GPS
A self-guided tour, The Bugster Experience uses restored VW convertibles equipped with a state-of-the-art GPS loaded with the coordinates for many of San Francisco's famous sightseeing destinations. In addition to the GPS, each Bugster Experience convertible includes a remote controlled video camera that records every twist and turn of the tour; a copy of the video (up to four hours) is given to the visitor at the end of the tour. The GPS can be controlled by voice or touch and is available in 20 languages. Verbally activate The Bugster Experience GPS and a list of San Francisco sightseeing options will display, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the Castro, Palace of Fine Arts, Exploratorium, Fisherman's Wharf, Cable Car Museum, Haight-Ashbury and Sausalito. Tours range in length from one-hour to all-day (9 a.m. to dusk). Reservations recommended. For information visit www.thebugsterexperience.com or call 1-855-BUGSTER (855-284-7837). Media contact: Stan Hatfield, 916-966-6071, theoutsourcegroup@sbcglobal.net.
Free Golden Gate Park Shuttle -- Weekend and Holiday Service
San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department launches a free shuttle ride for visitors to Golden Gate Park. Shuttles will run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. every 15 to 20 minutes on Saturday, Sunday and all legal holidays. Shuttles will stop at all Golden Gate Park destinations such as McLaren Lodge, National AIDS Memorial Grove, Koret Child ren's Playground, Conservatory of Flowers, de Young Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Rose Garden, Stow Lake, Marx Meadow, Spreckles Lake, Bison Paddock, Dutch Windmill, Murphy Windmill, Ocean Beach and more. For information visit www.sfrecpark.org. Media contact: Connie Chan, 415-895-0689, connie.chan@sfgov.org.
Genius Loci Cultural History Tours Explore North Beach's "Bohemians, Beats & Beyond"
Every Saturday at 10 a.m. (or privately by appointment), social geographer Elizabeth Vasile, Ph.D., founder and managing director of Genius Loci Tours, takes small groups of visitors on a three-hour, three-mile-long walking tour of North Beach. Branded as "cultural tours for the curious mind," these local journeys explo re the cultural history of an area, in this case visiting the haunts and inspirations of major cultural figures — from the early San Francisco Bohemians of the 1860s to the activist literati of the 1930s to the Beats of the post-WWII era, and the poets, painters and others who continue to make art and mischief in today's North Beach. All tours are capped at no more than 10 participants. A personal wireless listening device furnished to each guest ensures audio clarity and privacy. Saturday tours are $45 per person. Private tours are customized, available in English or Spanish, and start at $245/tour. To make reservations (required), visit www.geniuslocitours.com or call 415-509-4543. Media contact: Elizabeth Vasile, 415-509-4543, liz@geniuslocitravel.com.
PowerHiking Guides Offer 12 San Francisco Walks
Authors, long-time friends and "power hikers" Carolyn Hansen and Cathleen Peck have created a compact (6 x 6-inches) guidebook for visitors to San Francisco who want to explore the city on foot and pick up some historic, c ultural and architectural insights and learn more about parks, gardens, shops and restaurants . Av ailable at bookstores throughout the area and online at www.powerhiking.com, the guides feature photos and an easy-to-follow color map for each walk. Among the areas covered are the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Chinatown, South of Market (SOMA), Lands End, Pacific Heights, the Union Square/Embarcadero, Yerba Buena neighborhood, The Presidio, Tiburon in Marin County, and the east and west ends of Golden Gate Park. PowerHiking guides are also available for Paris, London, Seattle, New York City and London. For information visit www.powerhiking.com or call 888-897-7242. Media contact: Carolyn Hansen, 415-269-3064, powerhiking@gmail.com
See the Future of Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf Beach and Presidio on Walks with Neighborhood Vision Tours, Inc.
Raymond Leung, president of Neighborhood Vision Tours, Inc., grew up on San Francisco's Russian Hill on the edge of Chinatown in a building across the street from the city's cable car barn and museum. Leung offers visitors the option of a personal tour of Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf or the Presidio led by him or young staff members. Not intended as historic retrospectives, the tours are more focused on contemporary issues and what the future may hold for the communities they visit. Guides are paid minimum wage for the length of the tour: $10.24 per hour; tours range in length from two- to three-hours. Longer options and custom tours are also available. For tour times, starting point, reservations and additional details visit www.neighborhoodvisiontours.com or call 415-613-7247. Media contact: Ray Leung, 415-613-7247, neighborhoodvisiontours@gmail.com.
Gourmet Walks Debuts Gourmet Japantown/Fillmore Tour
Gourmet Walks, founded by Andrea Nadel, has added another gourmet adventure to its culinary rambles: the Gourmet Japantown/Fillmore Tour. Guests who join the three-hour walking tour will make stops at seven local shops and restaurants, sampling some of the best treats from five different cultures: Japanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese and Indian. The one-mile tour is offered on Saturdays and Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Limited to 12 people ($68 per person), it begins at the Buchanan Street Plaza in Japantown, heads up to Pacific Heights and then descends down Fillmore Street before returning to the Japan Center. Tour participants will learn about the history of the country's oldest and largest Japantown and the "Harlem of the West" of Fillmore Street. Guides share recipes and cooking tips along with stories about the growth of Asian cuisine in San Francisco. Advanced tickets may be purchased at www.gourmetwalks.com. Media contact: Andrea Nadel, 415-312-1119, anadel@gourmetwalks.com.
San Francisco Electric Tour Company Offers New Segway Evening
Tour of Chinatown, North Beach and Embarcadero Waterfront
The San Francisco Electric Tour Company has added a new night time Segway tour to their existing repertoire. The new tour highlights Chinatown, North Beach and the Embarcadero waterfront. Beginning at the west end of Fisherman's Wharf before gliding through North Beach, also known as "Little Italy," the tour makes stops in Washington Square and Chinatown before it heads back up the Embarcadero waterfront, cruising past historic piers before returning to historic Fisherman's Wharf. The new route continues on to the cable car turnaround and Ghirardelli Square before pausing for a look at Alcatraz Island's lighthouse offshore against the glittering backdrop of San Francisco Bay. Tours depart April-October nightly at 7:30 p.m. and November-March Friday-Saturday at 5 p.m. from 757 Beach St. Additional tours will be added for four or more guests. For reservations (encouraged) visit www.electrictourcompany.com or call 415-474-3130. Media contact: Brian Huber, 415-692-0925, segway@sfelectrictour.com.
Discover Walks Offers Free Tours of North Beach, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf
Originally started in Paris, Discover Walks recently expanded to San Francisco and is offering free walking tours with a "real" San Franciscan to several popular areas including North Beach, Chinatown and Fisherman's Wharf. Dressed in bright orange outfits, the guides offer the insights and experience that visitors might have if they had a good friend who was a San Francisco native. All of the walks are with guides who know the city as only a native would - the landmarks, the side streets, today's gossip and yesterday's storied history. From the 1906 Earthquake and the Golden Gate Bridge to Willie Brown and Joe DiMaggio, only a San Franciscan can give the local perspective - as well as the best restaurants, favorite cafés to people-watch and where to find an authentic Mission burrito at midnight. All of Discover Walks San Francisco walking tours are free of charge with tips as the sole source of income. The walks start and end at major city landmarks. For information visit www.discoverwalks.com or call 415-494-9255. Media contact: Jesse Miyazaki, media.sf@discoverwalks.com.
Sunsail Opens New San Francisco Bay Base Featuring Matched Fleet of Sunsail First 40s
Featuring a new matched fleet of Sunsail First 40s and on-water activities including racing, corporate events, team building, charter vacations and ASA sailing schools, Sunsail has opened its first base on the West Coast. The fleet of Sunsail First 40s will be available for charter to race in numerous local regattas held throughout the year. Sunsail offers a fully comprehensive range of sailing courses, designed for every level of ability and previous experience. Courses are suitable for families, groups or individuals and cover everything from the basics of boat handling to advanced sailing skills. Schedule by the cabin or charter a full yacht to gain certification in the ASA 101, 103 and 104 courses. Sunsail's new base is located at Sausalito Yacht Harbor, a quick 30-minute sail from the Golden Gate Bridge, offering spectacular views of the bridge, the city and world famous Alcatraz. For information visit www.sunsail.com or call 800-797-5907. Media contacts: Josie Tucci, 727-451-7755, josiet@sunsail.com or Gillian Hegner, 727-437-0073, gillianh@sunsail.com.
Treasure Island Flea Market
Treasure Island, renowned as the site of the 1939 World's Fair, now features the Treasure Island Flea marketplace. In addition to antiques and collectibles the marketplace has become a magnet for new independent designer merchandise, handmade one-of-a-kind items, repurposed and up-cycled goods, shabby chic and French garden pieces, home décor, emerging designers, art, specialty food providers and more. Co-founders Angie and Charles Ansanelli have curated an experience for shoppers to connect directly with designers and collectors. The open-air market is held on Treasure Island, Avenue of the Palms, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the last weekend of every month. Admission $3, 12 and under free. Parking is free. For information visit www.treasureislandflea.com or call 415-898-0245. Media contact: Charles Ansanelli, 415-898-0245, charles@treasureislandflea.com.
New and Future Developments
Exploratorium "Breaks Ground" -- Completion Date: 2013
The future home of the Exploratorium, San Francisco's internationally acclaimed museum sciences, art and human perception, will be Piers 15 and 17, located on San Francisco's historic northern waterfront at Embarcadero and Green streets. The new project will add Public Park and open space, and expanded exhibit galleries, classrooms, theater and cafes at Pier 15, with room for expansion into Pier 17 at a future date. The Exploratorium remains open at its current site in the Palace of Fine Arts until shortly before re-opening at Pier 15. For information visit www.exploratorium.edu or www.press.exploratorium.edu. Media contacts: Linda Dackman, 415-561-0363, lindad@exploratorium.edu or Leslie Patterson, 415 561-0377, lesliep@exploratorium.edu.
Construction Underway on New SFJAZZ Center -- Completion Date: January 2013
The $60 million, SFJAZZ Center, at 205 Franklin St, slated to open in January 2013, will become the first center anywhere in the country for jazz designed and built from the ground up. The Hayes Valley location is just blocks from Davies Symphony Hall, the War Memorial Opera House, the Asian Art Museum, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. The 35,000-square-foot, transparent structure designed by Mark Cavagnero of Mark Cavagnero Associates, will feature a flexible, 700-seat performance hall, dedicated space for education and professional development; three rehearsal spaces; a digital music lab, and a sidewalk-level restaurant/café. Cavagnero recently completed the Oakland Museum of California expansion. For information visit www.sfjazz.org or call 415-398-5655. Media contact: Kevin Causey, 415-283-0306, kcausey@sfjazz.org; Marshall Lamm, 510-928-1410,marshalllamm@earthlink.net; or Ann-Rebecca Laschever, 866-PR-WEILL, arlaschever@geoffreyweill.com
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
SAS opens San Francisco-Copenhagen Route Starting April 8, 2013
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is continuing to expand its services and starting April 8, 2013, SAS will open another nonstop route between the United States and Scandinavia to San Francisco International Airport. The first ever non-stop service connecting SFO to Copenhagen will offer six weekly frequencies year -round. SAS expects approximately 125,000 passengers per year on the route. SAS's main hub in Copenhagen offers fast and efficient transfers to an extensive SAS and SAS partner route network in Scandinavia, Finland, Russia, the Baltics, Poland and Germany. SAS will depart from San Francisco to Copenhagen daily, except Tuesdays, at 5:35 pm arriving the next day in Copenhagen at 1:15 pm. Departures from Copenhagen will be daily, except Tuesdays, at 12:25 pm, arriving San Francisco at 2:24 pm same day. Flying time will be 11 hours and 20 minutes. To book travel, visit www.flysas.com/us or www.flysfo.com. Media contacts: Anders Lindström, +46 70-997- 3394, anders.lindstrom@sas.se or Michael C. McCarron, 650-821-4000, michael.mccarron@flysfo.com.
United Airlines to Add Non-Stop Service to Taipei and Paris Beginning April 2013
United Airlines announced in July 2012 that it will begin daily year-round service between its hub at San Francisco International Airport and Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport in Taipei beginning April 9, 2013, subject to government approval. The airline will also begin daily year-round service between San Francisco and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris beginning April 11, 2013, also subject to government approval. The new Paris and Taipei services will augment United's ongoing investment in air service at San Francisco International Airport. This year, the airline will operate more than 300 flights daily from San Francisco, more than any other airline. United continues to grow with 8 percent more departures this year from San Francisco compared to 2011. For information visit www.flysfo.com. Media contact: Michael C. McCarron, 650-821-4000, michael.mccarron@flysfo.com.
San Francisco International Airport Recognized for Excellence
SFO Cited by Skytrax for Four Different Awards and Named Best Airport in the Americas by Frequent Business Traveler
Skytrax, the world's leading airport and airline review site, recently named San Francisco International Airport's staff service the best in North America. Skytrax also recognized SFO for having the second best Regional (U.S.) Airport (just behind Cincinnati) and being the third best Airport in North America (Cincinnati and Vancouver, were first and second, respectively). SFO's Terminal 2 (T2), which opened in 2011, was named the fourth best terminal in the world. T2, the first LEED Gold certified terminal in the United States, was preceded by Heathrow's new Terminal 5, Changi's (Singapore) Terminal 3 and the newest terminal at Beijing airport, in that order. The World Airport Survey began in 1999 and "is a leading airport passenger satisfaction benchmark" covering 370 airports in 2011, Skytrax officials said. More than 12 million international passengers participated in the survey. The annual survey "is 100% independent of any airport control or input, and delivers survey accuracy and award impartiality that is unmatched worldwide," Skytrax noted, adding that the airports are judged on cleanliness, facilities, staff friendliness, amount of queuing etc. The survey also asks for passenger recommendations.
In July 2012 San Francisco International Airport was also has been named Best Airport in the Americas by the readers of Frequent Business Traveler (www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com), an online publication written for and by affluent frequent business travelers. The Frequent Business Traveler GlobeRunner Awards recognize the world's best travel companies, including airline, hotel, car rental agencies and travel websites. Award nominations were made by the publication's editorial team of experienced travel journalists in more than 20 categories. Voting was conducted online from March 1 through May 15, and almost 50,000 votes were cast.
For information visit www.flysfo.com. Media contact: Michael C. McCarron, 650-821-4000, michael.mccarron@flysfo.com.
SFO Opens "Yoga Room" in T2
"Only in San Francisco" - and "Only at SFO." San Francisco International Airport opened the first of its kind Yoga Room in the Airport's recently refurbished Terminal 2. The room, located just past the security checkpoint and adjacent to the Recompose Area, offers visitors the opportunity to step into a space devoted to contemplation and self-reflection. "When we began to remodel Terminal 2, one of our goals was not just to bring the glamour back to air travel, but to also make the entire experience less stressful and more enjoyable," said Airport Director John L. Martin. "With the opening of the Yoga Room, SFO has taken another giant leap forward in providing our travelers the opportunity and space to relax and decompress on their own terms."
Drawing inspiration from contemporary color and light artists, Gensler, the architects of Terminal 2, designed a room enveloped in a calming blue color. A floating wall symbolizes a buoyant spirit and enlightened mind. Large, felt-constructed rocks will be installed in Spring 2012 to resemble the Zen garden spaces of the Japanese tradition. Light levels are set low and warm in juxtaposition to the bright, light filled concourse. Gensler Design Director Melissa Mizell explains, "Throughout the terminal, Gensler's design aims to elevate the passenger experience. The Yoga Room gives modern travelers a space that fosters and supports quiet and reflection. Those aren't emotions that people typically encounter at the airport." For additional information, visit www.flysfo.com. Media contact: Michael C. McCarron, director, bureau of community affairs, 650-821-4000, Michael.McCarron@flysfo.com.
SFO Museum
SFO Museum was established by the Airport Commission in 1980 for the purposes of humanizing the Airport environment, providing visibility for the unique cultural life of San Francisco, and providing educational services for the traveling public. The Museum has been accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1999, and has the distinction of being the only accredited museum in an airport. Today, SFO Museum features approximately twenty galleries throughout the Airport terminals displaying a rotating schedule of art, history, science, and cultural exhibitions, as well as the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, a permanent collection dedicated to the history of commercial aviation. For more information, please visit www.flysfo.com/museum.
For information visit www.flysfo.com. Media contact: Michael C. McCarron, 650-821-4000, michael.mccarron@flysfo.com.
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