San Francisco's Emergency Services Train for Water-based Terrorist Attack

San Francisco's emergency services held a major training exercise this morning to help protect the city against a water-based terrorist attack.

The exercise involved two sea lions and a dolphin from the US Navy Marine Mammal Program who are trained to detect underwater mines and intruder divers.

Their venue, McCovey Cove behind the  Giants' AT & T baseball park, where 42,940 fans had packed into the stadium on the opening day of the season.

Any large gathering place in the US, especially a sports stadium, is a potential target, said an informed bystander who wished to remain anonymous.

It has taken about a year to prepare for the exercise, which is held once every five years and is part of a wider state drill, including at the port of Oakland across the bay.

The planning itself has proved crucial as it has given the emergency services opportunity to think of new ways in how the city might be attacked.

'There are over 50 specific things we identified to be lacking, so that alone makes this a success,'  continued the bystander.

Training for today was based around the question, 'What would you do if.........? We have been thinking "outside of the box",' he said.

'We know there are all sorts of places we don't want to think about. It's important to look at everything we can.'

The emergency services are not complacent, however. The result of the year-long process and today's practice 'may not be an A-plus but a passing grade,' he said, but without the exercise there is 'maybe something we wouldn't have done.'

SF Giants Fans Celebrate Opening Day 2010 in Style!

The SF Giants fans know how to celebrate their Opening Day in style. And with a breathtaking win over the Atlanta Braves, giving them an unbroken run so far, there was plenty to celebrate.....see previous blogs

Six-month-old Arielly, though, in baby-pink Giants' outfit, was not concerned with numbers as she

dangled happily in front of her father, Julio. She was making her debut appearance.

'She's happy to be here for her first game. She has five more games to go this year,' said Julio. Julio, there also with his brother-in-law, Marcos, has been a fan 'since I was her age.'

His favourite memory?

Will Clark's base hit in the play-offs against the Chicago Cubs in 1989.

In more exuberant manner, Bob, Jim and Billy from the Bay Area were having a blast! 'I just bought this shirt today,' said Jim. All three are confident that the Giants' will get to the play-offs.

And Stephen brightened up the Arcade area with his Pablo 'Panda' Sandoval costume. Does he often go out dressed like that?

'Yeah!' he said. With the Giants trailing 4-2 at the time and the end of the ninth inning approaching, he shrugged off the game as 'been okay!' Just before Benjie Molina gave a good hit and made a run to first base that put the fans hearts in mouths and raised the tension.


 Behind the Arcade was McCovey Cove where boaters celebrated in their own style on the water.

But it wasn't just fireworks, streamers, fighter jets and excitement in the air at the ballpark that afternoon. It was good old-fashioned love! Three guys proposed to their girlfriends via jumbotron messages.

As 42,940 fans poured exultantly out of the ballpark,
they savoured a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves in a record-breaking near four-and-a-quarter-hour Opening Day game.

It is the longest home opener in San Francisco history, the Giants later announced on their website.

'The thing we like,' said Ted, speaking on behalf of his friend and himself, 'is that there's no clock in baseball.'

Unless, of course, he added, it got to midnight and then someone might call it a night!

'Everything in America is fast, fast, fast. But this game is 160 years old,' he said, and so not designed around clocks.

His tee-shirt summed up the feelings of the fans.

Had he played hooky to watch the game, and how many people did he think had?

'I'm self-employed,' he replied, 'and many around here are.' But out of the crowd in the ballpark, 'probably a third to a half,' he reckoned.

Tonight pitcher Tim Lincecum will be presented with the Cy Young Award trophy, his second consecutive year of winning it. The presentation takes place at 6.30 pm followed by the second game against the Atlantia Braves. At the end of which, there will be fireworks at McCovey Cove featuring a musical tribute to Lincecum

Jackson Neverland Ranch Ride at Giants County Fair - San Francisco

An amusement ride that once belonged to Michael Jackson at his Neverland Ranch is thrilling fans of the San Francisco Giants by the ballpark.

The Zipper, known as a tough ride for G-forces and random spinning, is part of the Giants County Fair at McCovey Cove, which opened yesterday and runs through to July 19 - see previous blog

'I can't believe that this ride would be in Neverland Ranch because it's pretty intense! I thought it was great. There are parts where you definitely don't know what's happening!' said Molly.

She rode the Zipper with friend, Jeff, now cradling his one-month-old baby son,

Casey, while his partner, Erin, and friend Gina took their turn. Casey, well-wrapped in blue jacket and hat and covered in a blanket, was on his first-ever outing - but wasn't about to ride the Zipper!

Minutes later, Erin and Gina, staggered dizzily off the ride.

'It's a crazy ride and it's too harsh. If you were 12 it would be too hard,' gasped new mum, Erin. 'I think it takes a lot of muscle!'

A light-hearted debate started up as to whether 12-year-olds would love or hate the ride, with Gina saying that she thought youngsters would find it exciting. 'But as a 35-year-old woman, it's far too hard for my bones!' she exclaimed.

Jeff, standing on the side with Casey, said, 'I had a blast!'

What did they think of having ridden on something that once belonged to Michael Jackson?

'I don't know if I believe it,' was Gina's understandably cautious remark. 'If it's true - amazing!!!'

My info that the Zipper was from Neverland Ranch came from Evie who was supervising the Giants Guest Services tent at the fair. Jeff, too, had been told by one of the security guys at the gate that it was Jackson's ride.

'He sold it because he needed the money,' was what Jeff was told.

***The Zipper is a complex ride with an oblong bar, known as a boom, that rotates like a ferris wheel with capsules that not only move around the edge but spin randomly.

Described as 'untamed, mechanical chaos in its purest form' - http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/zipper/ - it was designed in 1968 by Chance Rides Manufacturing, Inc., in Kansas. Earlier models were nearly double today's speeds but have been said to have caused whiplash and back injuries and even heart attacks.

Wikipedia reports four deaths connected with faulty door mechanisms in the early years and a similar accident causing serious injury to two girls in 2006.

The ride was named, it says, because the 'odd, apostrophe-shaped capsules, spaced evenly along the perimeter of the boom, look very much like the rows of interlocking teeth on a zipper.'

Pics show the Zipper; Molly (lt) and Gina (rt)

San Francisco Giants July 4 Fireworks 2009

It was a triumphant display of the San Francisco Giants last night!

With the flash and boom of a trouncing success over the Houston Astros rebounding in the ballpark, the revelling ended beneath the sparkling explosions of a thrilling July 4 Weekend firework display.

The celebrations began when the Astros conceded defeat for the night at 13 - 0. The game was over at 9.45 pm. Fans with great views over the Bay stayed in their seats, while thousands of others spread out rejoicing around McCovey Cove.


They flanked the small harbour walls that jut out on the far side, lined the jetty at the back of the ballpark by the waiting ferry boats and filled the plaza area.

After five minutes another loud cheer arose as the stadium lights dimmed. Suddenly, the dark sky was lit by shimmering red, white and blue spheres sparkling in the sky. Purple, green, orange, gold and silver sparkles and streamers followed, then fiery explosions of all colours.

Victorious-sounding music blared from the stadium.

'Wait till it gets to the end! That's when it gets good!' said an enthusiastic guy behind to his friends.

As the fireworks progressed with multi-coloured shapes, there were claps from the crowd.

'Oh nice!' shouted the guy behind. Not once, but twice! No, thrice!!!' Four times, before he left to wander down the cove.

In the vivid flashes there were humorous smiley faces and a panoply that for a few seconds turned the bay emerald green.

Then, walking along the jetty, it was like standing beneath a golden heaven dotted with colourful sparks before the grand finale burst into the sky.

One celebrating couple leaned against the railings and had their pics taken against the backdrop of the finale.

'I'm stoked!' said Real Dad as he made his way towards the cove with Tabitha B 111.

'This was stupid! Doodoo! Dumb!' said Tabitha.

San Francisco Giants Ready for 2009!

The finishing touches of a giant makeover are being applied prior to one of the city's biggest celebrations of the year...the opening of the San Francisco Giants' 2009 baseball season.


Down at the AT & T Park, home of the Giants at China Basin, staff can be seen working both inside and outside the stadium.

At the grand entrance at Willie Mays Plaza, people have been on their knees this week polishing the thousands of bricks inscribed with the names of donors that sweep in seven arcs across the front.

And with the help of a cherry-picker today, men were standing on the heavy glass and steel frames that overhang the entrance, brushing and washing down.

Already, new turf has been laid and stands are being readied.

All this for the Giants' party on Opening Day on Tuesday, April 7, when the area around King Street and McCovey Cove will turn into a bobbing sea of orange and black .

In the opening game, currently scheduled for *1.05 pm, fans will watch their beloved team pitch against Milwaukee Brewers. The match continues on Wednesday at 7.15 pm and Thursday at 4.05 pm.

Prior to the home game, the team can be see in action in a series of exhibition games after returning from their Spring Training in Scottsdale, Arizona. They will be in Oakland on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, and then in Los Angeles on Sunday, April 5.

Games throughout the season are broadcast on TV and radio and this info, along with downloadable and printable match schedules, directions, videos and all up-to-date commentaries and info about the Giants community - along with a countdown to the minute to Opening Day! - is on their website: www.sfgiants.com

*** The Giants advise: 'Game times do change and fans should check the online schedule for the most up-to-date game information.'

pics show the gleaming bricks and, just visible, men cleaning the glass and steel frames above the entrance