by: klnason

Just got the details of the SFSG rally, So Far So Good IV, with an overall theme of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" from SFSG President Lauren Harp.

So Far So Good #4 is an "all rides, no raffle" rally, so you can spend your money on beer and food instead of raffle tickets. However, Saturday morning's kick-ass breakfast will be provided by the San Francisco Scooter Girls!

All scooters, all riders are welcome. Patches will be available for $5.

FRIDAY, SEPT 10: Night Ride
Meetup: 5:00 PM
San Francisco Scooter Centre - 127 Tenth Street (at Mission), San Francisco
Ride leaves: 6:00 PM (led by Rachele)
Arrive: 7:00 PM
Broken Record Bar and Grille - 1166 Geneva (at Edinburgh), San Francisco

SATURDAY, SEPT 11:
Breakfast: 9:00 - 11:00 AM
Green Bar – 101 Clay Street - Embarcadero 3 – 2nd Level, San Francisco
Kick-ass breakfast provided by SF Scooter Girls at Green Bar
Scooter parking provided by SFSG on Drumm Street at Clay
Ride leaves: 11:00 AM (led by Lauren)
Arrive (back in SF): 2:00 PM
Park Chalet – 1000 Great Highway (at Ocean Beach), San Francisco

Night Ride Meetup: 7:00 PM
Silver Crest Donut Shop - 340 Bayshore Blvd., San Francisco
Ride leaves: 7:30 PM
Arrive: 8:30 PM
Serra Bowl - 3301 Junipero Serra Blvd, Daly City

SUNDAY SEPT 12: East Bay Ride
San Francisco Meetup: 10:00 AM
Philz Coffee - 201 Berry St (at 4th Street, near King)

Ride leaves: 10:30 AM

East Bay Meetup: 11:00 AM
Doyle St. Café - 5515 Doyle Street, Emeryville

Ride leaves: 11:30 AM

Arrive: 2:30 PM
New Zealander – 1400 Webster Street, Alameda

This has always been a great, friendly rally. The SFSG really knows how to put on a rally, so try not to miss this one.

by: klnason

Can’t imagine being involved in the world of courts, trial lawyers and the innumerable others who seem to conspire to make sure that justice will be delayed as long as possible. One word describes yesterday’s day in court as a two-wheel rider supporting Astrid Molzow-Gunter at the preliminary hearing of the People vs. Felicia Stenson. Tedious. So much time, so little accomplished. And this was after I've-lost-count-how-many delays and continuances.

To recap, Astrid was riding her 600cc Silverwing scooter home from a SFMC meeting on February 26, 2009, when she was hit by a driver previously arrested for DUI with injury. The accident, which occurred when the car driver made a left turn against a red light, cost Astrid her leg and nearly her life.

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 9 am at the Courthouse at 7th and Bryant, as 15 motorcyclists and scooterists filed into the hearing room once again. Sometime around 10, we we were told that the hearing had been reassigned to Judge Gail Dekreon at the Civic Center Courthouse on MacAllister, where it would begin at 1:30.

As the hearing commenced, 12 supporters showed up for Astrid (those who had to leave were replaced by others who could come in the afternoon). In fact, we filled the room to the last chair available. Then we waited for the defendant's attorney, who showed up 20 minutes late, saying he had dropped a "super burrito" in his lap and had to change clothes. That should have been a clue. All witnesses, including Astrid, had to leave the room, and we finally got started at 2:25.

The rest of the afternoon, until nearly 5pm, was taken up with the first witness, called by the Assistant District Attorney Brian Buckelew. Jacqueline Berry, a brave (and patient) Muni driver, observed the accident and its aftermath. She had been driving the bus outbound on Portola at around 11 pm on February 26, 2009, with Astrid on her Silverwing behind her. Astrid pulled into the left lane to pass the bus as the light turned green, proceeding across the intersection of Portola and Claremont in the West Portal neighborhood. Ms. Berry noticed a white car approaching rapidly from the opposite direction in the left hand turn lane. Despite the light having turned red, the driver continued to make the left turn. The front of her car hit the left side of the scooter, which Ms. Berry described as "sliding under a parked car on the right." Ms. Berry called the accident in to her dispatcher and got out of the bus. When she saw the driver of the car getting out of her car, Ms. Berry shouted, “She’s drunk!" The car driver replied, "Bitch, I'm not drunk!"

In cross-examination, the defendant's attorney badgered Ms. Berry, asking the same questions over and over, submitting photographs of the scene and otherwise taking up time without accomplishing anything. Despite this, Ms. Berry refused to be confused or derailed, replying calmly and succinctly to his questions. After a two-minute re-direct by Mr. Buckelew, the witness was dismissed. The hearing was continued to Thursday, August 26 at 9:00 am, which unfortunately, I am obliged by other commitments to miss.

In an impromptu meeting with Mr. Buckelew outside the courtroom immediately following, as we were filling Astrid in on what had gone on, he told our group that he was very pleased with the progress of the hearing so far, that it had gone extremely well for the people's case. Once again, he emphasized the importance of our presence, as supporters for Astrid and the two-wheeled community, saying it makes a strong impression on the court. At the close of this hearing, a trial date will be set.

Stay tuned for further updates and information on events going forward.

by: klnason

After many delays, the Preliminary Hearing WILL BE HELD on Wednesday 8/25 at 9:00 AM. Criminal Court, 850 Bryant Street, Dept. 20, Second Floor. Same details as below. Please come out to show support if you can.

Here's a message from Astrid:

"In less than 2 weeks the case "goes" this time as Judge Lee reminded the defense lawyer at the last court date. We won't have as many other cases ahead of us. No waste of time this time!

Everybody is invited to make sure by showing through your presence how seriously we take a case like this.

To jog your memory: the defense lawyer asked for probation and 6 months in rehab for his client. This is her second offense with injury! She ...got out on bail! My accident happened on February 26, 2009!

I appreciated all of you, some taking the day off work last time - and all the other times. I cannot get my real leg back but we can show the judge that we don't think that "Justice delayed is Justice denied"."

The hearing can take all day. There is a Deli is across the court house or bring something to eat and to drink. A coffee cart is downstairs. There is free and metered motorcycle parking near the courthouse.

There were about 20 riders there last time. It's really going to happen this time, so let's make sure there's a good turnout. The deputy district attorney, Brian Buckelew, says the show of support makes a strong impression on the court.

I can't think of a more important issue to all of us--scooterists, motorcyclists, bicyclists--and I will be there.