They're Baaaaaaaack.........

As I type this, the Blue Angles are practice flying over the bay and City for the big show this weekend as part of Fleet Week. They are so loud and it is just amazing to watch them.
Here is a crude video I took from the roof of the hotel so you can get an idea of the experience. The jets are coming from the noth bay, circling around behind the Westin St. Francis Tower as they get back in formation and head off toward the east bay.

If you can not come visit during Fleet Week, I hope you can see them some time because it is really something!

Here are a few pictures from previous years:

Maiden Lane Block Party

Last Thursday was the 5th Annual Maiden Lane Renaissance Block Party. The first block of the lane between Stockton and Grant is closed off and we have a great party to raise funds for the improvements to Maiden Lane. This year the block party featured the Edna Love Band, pictured below

Catering by Grace Street Catering, Campton Place Hotel showing off their restaurant specialty, Red Stripe Beer, Skyy Vodka and San Pellegrino.

Of course, the Chancellor Hotel could not miss another opportunity to pour wine, thanks to our sales representative at Young's Market, Vito.

Tony and Helen were served the crowd and had a great time as well.

I want to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge sometimes!

Some people make me want to throw up my arms and say "are you kidding me?"

Back in the olden days (10 years ago), people would get out their AAA Book, call a travel agent, call the local visitor's bureau, call hotels and request a brochure and make their choice that way. They were dependent on the information that THE HOTELS put out via their sales department to make their decision. The hotels had more control over the information and sold folks on their particular hotel. Today, people use the Internet and review sites to make their decision. People are relying on the comments and postings, often anonymous and from complete strangers, on review sites such as TripAdvisor to make their decisions on which hotel to stay. That is fine, and it is the new reality, but in my opinion, the responsibility for the selection has shifted from the hotels to the guests. Now, it is buyer beware! People are choosing the hotels, the hotels are not selling themselves to the guest like they used to do. Thus, assuming that the service is good and everything is working, if a guest doesn't like the hotel THEY selected, that is their fault, not the hotel's fault. Case in point: The Chancellor Hotel

We are now, always have been and always will be (as far as I know) a hotel without air conditioning, with small rooms, smaller bathrooms and a hotel with all of the charm and character (quirks) of such built in 1914. That is not going to change. It is on our website and mentioned repeatedly throughout our reviews and postings on the Internet. When considering the Chancellor Hotel, that information can't be missed. Therefore, if someone selects us to stay at when visiting San Francisco and they are unhappy because we are a historic hotel and/or we have small rooms, etc., who's fault is that? Is it fair that we get dinged because we are what we are and people pick us anyways? I don't think so. If I rented an old Model A car, and it served me well, I surely wouldn't complain because it clinked and rattled, and didn't have a cup holder like every other car today does.

Don't get me wrong either. I am not excusing things not working or poor performance. If I rented an antique car for my wedding or whatever, it should do the job. If someone stays with us, they should get a clean room, everything should work and the service should be very good. We are not perfect, things break and stuff happens. However, if the car broke down during my wedding, I would want things made right. The same goes for us. If we drop the ball or fail to deliver, we will make it right. We always have and always will. But again, if I rent an antique car, if is unfair of me to complain because it is not like a new car. If you book a historic 3 star hotel, you will be getting a historic 3 star hotel. Don't knock us for what we are, just accept that we weren't right for you and you know better for the next time when considering a 3 star historic hotel. Thanks!

The Chancellor Hotel is Recognized for its Green Efforts

The Chancellor Hotel, San Francisco has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Green Hotels in the U.S. by journalists at Mother Nature Network (MNN). MNN is the new earth-first environmental Website founded by Chuck Leavell, the noted eco-activist who doubles as a long time keyboardist and musical director for the legendary Rolling Stones.

MNN launched in January (visit us here: http://www.mnn.com), the everyman's one-stop guide to greening your daily routine as big or small as you want.

We appreciate the recognition. The Chancellor Hotel has actually been actively working to reduce waste, energy usage, water usage and more for over 10 years...Long before it was "the" thing to do. We have been doing it quietly and because it is the right thing to do, not because it is a sales gimmick to get PR and create a niche in the market. Reducing our impact on the environment is something we truly believe in and will continue to do to the best of our ability.

Karma in action...

Yesterday, a Berkeley Farms delivery truck was parked in front of the hotel while it was delivering to Border's Books next door.

Of course, the truck was not supposed to be parked in the white passenger loading zone, so their may have been a little Karma payback to them as well. It is when trucks violate the law and use the white zone for their commercial use that we run out of space and guests have to circle the block, but that's another story.

This story is about people getting what they deserve. In this case, the driver was delivering to Border's and he did not lock his truck. Up the street comes a clumsy thief and he decides to go into the truck and take a case of orange juice. Unfortunately, the thief forgot there was a step down out of the truck and fell face first onto the sidewalk. The Orange Juice splattered all over the sidewalk and he must have been in pain.

He got up, closed the door of the truck and strolled away.

Result:

Thief - Nothing but pain

Berkeley Farms - short one case of OJ

Remember...lock your car and do not leave valuables visible.

Sunday Streets this Sunday August 9th - A Great Time!

Here is some information I pulled from the website:

Bring San Francisco’s streets to life!
Sunday Streets creates a safe, fun, car-free place for people to get out and get active in San Francisco neighborhoods. Last year’s two events drew more than 15,000 people each weekend creating huge demand for more. This year, we’ve expanded the event to six Sundays, opening the streets to San Franciscans to explore four different neighborhoods and participate in a wide variety of activities, including: dancing, biking, skating, walking, hula hooping, yoga, and just people watching.

Sunday, August 9: Great HighwayBike, walk and play next to the Pacific Ocean. Travel from Golden Gate Park to the San Francisco Zoo, along Ocean Beach. 10am-2pm.

Sunday Streets Main Event: Lincoln Way at the Great Highway

* Free bike rentals provided by Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours* Sports Basement ‘Lube Fairies’- free basic bike maintenance and information* Sunday Streets main information table and media check-in* Sunday Streets Sponsor booths* Community Based Organization information tables* California Academy of Sciences “Penguins to Penguins” activity center* Solar Telescope Viewing, 11am-1pm, presented by Morrison Planetarium(note: this event is dependent upon weather, clouds or fog cancels)* Adult Fitness screenings, presented by the YMCA* SF SPCA’s Sloan “Big Dog” and Miss Emmy “Kitty” mascots* Historic displays from “Playland-Not-at-the-Beach” museum
Kid’s Activities: Main Event Area (Lincoln/ Great Highway) and Great Highway at Sloat
Presented by the YMCA of San Francisco
* Heroix 4 Kids* It’s Yoga Kids!* Hula Hoops, obstacle course, and kid’s games* “Penguins to Penguins” activities, presented by the CA Academy of Sciences and SF Zoo* Zoomobile and “Leaping Lemur” game, penguin crafts, SF Zoo- Great Highway at Sloat
Roller Skating: JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park, near 6th Ave
Presented by David Miles- the ‘Godfather of Skate’, the California Outdoor Rollersports Association
* Free skating lessons from 10:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.* Roller rink (over 100 roller skates available for free use, while supplies last)* Thriller Dance and tribute to Michael Jackson skate dance demo- 12:30 – 1:30 P.M.
Dance: JFK Drive at Transverse, Golden Gate Park
Presented by Cheryl Burke Dance Studio
* East Coast Swing: 10 - 10:30 A.M.* Salsa: 10:45 - 11:15 A.M.* Boomercize® Dance workout: 11:30 - 12 Noon* Boomercize® Dance workout: 1 - 1:30 P.M.
Yoga and Martial Arts: JFK Drive east of Chain of Lakes, across from Bison Paddock
Presented by Golden Gate Kokikai Aikido and Purusha Yoga
o 10-12 noon Kokikai Aikido Demonstrations and Introductory Classeso 12 noon Yoga by Purusha Yoga
Live Music: Various locations:
* Noriega/ Upper Great Highway, Pedal Powered stage by Rock the Bike* Taraval/ Upper Great Highway, music by Aoede Music, Grain
Rivera Activity Area: Rivera and Upper Great Highway, Ocean Beach, Seawall
* Fitness activities* Hungry? Grab a snack to go: provided by local vendors Celia’s, Other Avenues Coop, Le Bahn Mi* Acoustic Music Jam Area (Seawall)* Beach Activities, TBA
Bike: Taraval and Upper Great Highway
Presented by the Presidio Community YMCA Bike Program and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition
* 150 free bike rentals byo Bike & Roll (Taraval)o Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours (Lincoln and Great Highway)* Bike & Roll’s ‘fun cycle, a bicycle built for seven!* Sports Basement “Lube Fairies” (Lincoln and Great Highway)* REI Bike Repair (Taraval)* Youth Bike Rodeo by Presidio Community YMCA (Taraval)* SFBC’s Freedom From Training Wheels (Taraval)* Adult Bike Education hands on lessons (at Free Bike Rental Stations)

The SF Chefs. Food. Wine. in Union Square for the 1st Time Should be a Great Event

August 6-9, 2009

Union Square is getting ready for the Big SF Chefs. Food. Wine Event. Here is a picture from our roof where they are setting up the tent. As you can see, the entire Square will be tented for the four day food and wine event celebrating the unique flavor, diversity and bounty of Northern California.

The tasting tent will cover almost the entire Square, where chefs, wine makers and distillers will offer an exploration of taste featuring local products.


There will also be classes and seminars that will offer interactive opportunities for the public to participate with local farmers, ranchers, chefs, winemakers, distillers, media, luminaries, authors, vintners, mixologists and culinary experts in an entertaining forum.


Check out their web site for more information: http://www.sfchefsfoodwine.com/


Here is some event schedule information:

• Welcome to SF Chefs. Food. Wine., August 6–9, 2009
• Thursday Night Opening Reception Rising Star ReunionThursday Night Opening DinnerHosted by Epicurious.com
• Friday Morning Sessions
• Friday Grand Tasting
• Friday Afternoon Sessions
• Friday Night Party at Orson
• Friday Night America's Culinary Pioneer Award Dinner
• Saturday Morning Sessions
• Saturday Grand Tasting
• Saturday Afternoon Sessions
• Saturday Sommelier Luncheon
• Saturday Night Urban BBQ on the Square
• Saturday Chocolate Enchantment
• Sunday Morning Sessions
• Sunday Grand Tasting:Industry Focus
• Sunday Afternoon Sessions

Tickets available on the website. You can buy tickets to indiviual events or day and event passes. If you are a "foodie" this event is not to be missed!