The CrackBerry Chronicles

With Elaine Santore

Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Elaine Santore

June 15, 2007

Ragone Meets the Artist Formerly Known as SFist Elaine

After the media roundtable for Michael Moore's new film, Sicko, I finally came face to face with the Commenter Formerly Known as Byorn. I am referring to, of course, former Newsom Communications Director, Peter Ragone.

The Three Muskateers: Nathan Ballard, Chris Lehane, and Peter Ragone.

Immediately, Ragone complimented me on my snazzy red Kitson sneakers. I, in turn, thanked Ragone for "giving me something to write about for three months." He also happens to be a big fan of my column, and showed me his shiny new CrackBerry. "I heard you threw yours away," I said. "That was my Mayor's Office one. I'm a private citizen now," Ragone replied.

Newsom's Kool-Aid Convention

The battle for the City Hall steps between Mayor Gavin Newsom and District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly was an exercise in misinformation towards a misinformed populace. The skinny: Daly requested to rent the steps for his budget rally, but his request was trumped after Newsom's campaign put in a request for the steps for their budget rally at the exact same time.

In response, Daly cancelled the regularly scheduled Budget and Finance Committee meeting. Daly cancelled the meeting after Newsom's Kool-Aiders threatened to flood the hearing with a stream of their supporters and press people.

At the time of the rally, Daly wasn't in his office. Members of the press wondered whether Daly or his supporters would appear at the rally. He didn't. Newsom didn't even mention Daly by name; he merely referred to him as "this Supervisor."

During the rally, Fog City Journal chatted with Newsom Campaign Manager Eric Jaye. Jaye refused to have his photo taken telling us to, instead, "take a photo of h. 'rap' Brown." This was in response to h. Brown's column where he jokingly writes Jaye is "small and fat and ugly as me [Brown]."

The criticism reportedly prompted Jaye to ask his daughter, "Am I fat?" To which she responded, "Well, Dad, you're not exactly manorexic."

Mayoral candidate h. Brown's unlikely campaign cash cow, Eric Jaye.

While Luke Thomas and I stood by the City Hall doors, a familiar authoritarian-complexed security guard singled us out and began hassling us, for what reason we are still not quite sure. However, after refusing to move from our shaded spot, the less than svelte sarg waived his finger and promised to make life miserable for us at every turn. Bitch, please!

Dear Fat Security Dude: Jesus may love you, but everyone else thinks you're a jerk.

Is it a crime for me to stand in the shade so I can prevent further signs of aging? Do you want me to look like Cheryl Jennings by the time I'm 30? (Seriously, does anybody know how old she is? My guess is a young 72.)

After the rally, everybody flocked to the Board Chambers for Supervisor Daly's Budget and Finance Committee meeting. But it was obviously cancelled.

Bummer. The last one was so much fun!

Meanwhile, District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty put up a "Gone Fishing" sign outside his office.

Supervisor Dufty explained that he "didn't want anyone to think I was hiding"
during Newsom's campaign rally. Whatevs, Buffy.

Gaviffer: Not Dunzo at Sicko screening

Our Day of Gavin didn't end at the rally. Luke and I attended the San Francisco premiere of Moore's Sicko at the Sony Metreon on Wednesday night. Newsom hosted the packed screening. There were plenty of bold-faced names in attendance, including Police Commissioner Joe Alioto-Veronese and his wife, Julie, Ragone, Jaye and SFist Editor-At-Large, Rita Hao.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was an appearance by Newsom's girlfriend, Jennifer Siebel, almost unrecognizable as a brunette. Siebel told Fog City Journal that she dyed her hair for a role in an upcoming film where she plays a school teacher in gang-ravaged South Central Los Angeles.

After being introduced to Siebel, I identified myself explaining my past analyses of her sartorial choices on SFist. Siebel laughed and said, "I don't read any of that anymore. I feel much better now that I don't read any of that negative stuff."

I then mentioned our mutual love of black capes. Unfortunately, I forgot to inquire whether or not she'd found herself a personal assistant.

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel (as a blonde) at the Bayview Town Hall Meeting in February. I hate it when my plus-one drags me to boring government meetings, too.

Newsom gave his galpal's new 'do a big thumbs-up. History has shown the mayor to be more favorable towards brunettes. I say Siebel should keep her hair dark; the fewer blondes in Hollywood, the better.

CrackBerry Blind Item

Which Newsom mole, in bloggers clothing, was caught glad-handing with his supposed frenemies at the Sicko screening Wednesday night?

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