So, what’s the environmentally healthy answer? San Jose, Berkeley and Santa Clara County want to persuade people to use “reusable bags.” Their first step, which they are working on now, is to establish ordinances that would restrict the distribution of paper and plastic bags at checkout. How will they inspire consumers? By banning both all together or charging fees for the store-provided totes.

Before the city ordinances went into effect, San Francisco residents used 3.8 billion plastic bags annually. It’s been estimated my local officials that the ban has but that total by 100 million, so obvious it wasn’t a “perfect” solution. But, since 90 billion plastic bags are distributed in this country every year, with no healthy destination once the groceries are put away, something needs to be done on a national basis. I say, if we can no longer get “free meals” in coach class when we fly but are “forced” to come prepared, maybe it’s time to charge for bags at the store so that we can plan ahead and bring our own. What are your thoughts on this?

Technorati Tags: paper bag ban, plastic bag fees, San Francisco

And according to a study by Lieberman in February’s issue of the journal Nature, the answer is “people seem to be born to run — barefoot.” The study found that running barefoot seems better for the feet because it produces far less impact stress compared to feet hampered by expensive running shoes.

People who grew up running barefoot (such as boys in Kenya’s Rift Valley province, which is known for endurance running champs) tend to land mostly on the front or middle of the foot when they touch ground. And when these runners do use shoes, they continue to run in that way, while people who have always worn cushioned running shoes usually hit the ground heel first.

The difference in the way the foot strikes the ground is important. People with running shoes strike the ground with the mass of the entire leg, nearly 7 percent of the body, which is more than three times the weight of impact for barefoot running.

For runners in cushioned shoes, “it is literally like someone hitting you on the heel with a hammer,” Lieberman said. But, he said that “the way in which barefoot runners run is more or less collision free.”

So, the next time you teens, or you twenty-/thirty-something, San Francisco runners take off for Golden Gate Park or maybe even the Golden Gate Bridge, leave your shoes at home and do as we, Baby Boomers, used to do before there were fancy running shoes, just go barefoot!

Technorati Tags: barefoot, Daniel Lieberman research, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, jogging, running, running shoes, San Francisco

The suggestions for fun and free adventures will surprise you. They’re not usual crooked walk down Lombard Street or straight walk on the Golden Gate Bridge. No, these were suggestions like going for a free ride on the glass elevators at the St. Francis or going to the Sunday service at the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church. There were reasons for these suggestions and several more on the website.

So, if you’re like me and you’re running out of ideas and money when it comes to entertaining people you hardly know, check out sfgate.com for some freely-offered great ideas!

Technorati Tags: entertainment, Glide memorial United Methodist Church, San Francisco, St. Francis Hotel

But, once we got to Fisherman’s Wharf, Sean was in his element, i.e., he was in one of the hyper-kinetic wonders of the world. It might not be “real” San Francisco, but it’s a fantastic treat for a kid like Sean (and, therefore, his companions). Between stopping to grab a snack every hour or so (for Sean, anything bready or cheesy, and “nothing fishy, yuck!”), Sean’s own version of street entertainment, his loud, but friendly teasing of the sea lions, we managed to visit the Musee Mecanique  (where Sean learned what life was like before video games), Ripley’s Believe It or Not (which was just weird and gruesome enough to hold his attention momentarily captive), and the USS Pampanito (where Sean must have said, “This is so cool!” countless times, okay, so I stopped counting after twenty-five.)

Anyway, fellow City dwellers. I just wanted to pass along a little positive local vibe for Fisherman’s Wharf. After that day, I started looking at it in a whole new light!

Technorati Tags: ADHD, fishermans wharf, Musee Mecanique, San Francisco, USS Pampanito

Technorati Tags: Alcatraz, photography, San Francisco, Sausalito

Now being a Orlando chiropractor, I’m not all that familiar with some of the streets and it seems like everyone drives too fast here. But with my helmet on I feel that I’m pretty safe. And the thrill of the open air ride is fantastic.  And of course you can’t beat Lombard Street. Next stop, Fisherman’s Wharf, perhaps!

Technorati Tags: cheap scooter, lombard street, San Francisco, tank scooter

This Chicago chiropractor had a fabulous time on my adventure to San Franscisco. This is now one of my two favorite cities. As you can guess my other is Chicago! Go Cubs.

Technorati Tags: gloden gate bridge, San Francisco

Arguably the oldest Chinese temple in North America, established in 1853 as a place of refuge, and worship for newly come Chinese to this far shore. Tien Hau is revered as a Goddess who has control over the Heavens and Sea to ensure safe passage, it seems fitting that those devoted to her erect a temple in her honor after such a long and wild sea journey. Built with an eye for privacy when worshipping and discretion against other hostile cultures, this temple was built on the top level of a large building. If you have been to China and have seen the larger state temples, then it might seem a little cozy to you. The Temple is built more along the lines of a family shrine being decorated like one with red light bulbs, golden lanterns, and ornate Chinese décor. Located on the third floor of a tidy walk up at 125 Waverly Place, just west of the infamous Grant Street, the Temple is open from to 10AM to 4PM daily. If lost one can also ask a local for the Tin How Temple. A fun feature of this temple is that if you feel the need to do so, you can bring a statue of Guan Yin (look in any nearby Chinese market on the walk to the Temple), which the caretaker will embody, with the energies of the Goddess over night.

Source: Justin Howard, San Diego Gay Travel Examiner

Brought to by a lonely Ventura Chiropractor who longs to be back in San Francisco! This is my next best thing to be able to talk about it.

Technorati Tags: San Francisco, Tien Hau Temple

The mayor’s comments on health care, education and same-sex marriage raised applause from the crowd, and he repeatedly tried to distinguish himself as a candidate who is more than just an ultra-liberal from San Francisco. San Joaquin County voted overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition 8, the measure to ban same-sex marriages. He spoke for about an hour before a crowd of more than 300 people at the University of the Pacific, insisting that San Francisco is not so different from Stockton or the rest of the conservative San Joaquin County – left-leaning politics and wacky reputation aside. “There’s nothing inherently unique in San Francisco,” Newsom said, in response to a question about how he could expand San Francisco’s universal health care program to the rest of the state.

I care about real, tangible, measurable results.” He seemed a bit more subdued than he has at previous campaign events – he joked a little less often and didn’t run around the audience as much as he has in the past – but he stuck to a familiar banter, fielding many of the same questions he’s addressed at events in the Bay Area on the economy, education and the environment. He did very well,” said Gayle Speare, 55, who moved to Stockton from San Francisco three years ago. Being a somewhat fresher face probably doesn’t hurt him.” Even so, Newsom had his critics in the crowd, and he didn’t win all of them over.

Tommie Ware-Muhammed, 62 and a lifelong San Joaquin County resident, attempted to ask Newsom a question about black residents leaving San Francisco, but was cut off before he could finish his question as the mayor cut in to talk about the steps he’s taken to retain minority populations.

E-mail Erin Allday at eallday@sfchronicle.com. 

Technorati Tags: Gavin Newsom, San Francisco