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Acknowledgements

While I take full responsibility for the content of this book, I couldn’t have done it by myself. Those history writers who put pen to paper prior to the writing of this book led the way and I’m indebted to them. Not that I took all for fact but they provided a starting place and yes, inspiration. The San Francisco Public Library’s Main Branch has been my primary source for research and research support, especially the Herb Caen Magazines and Newspapers Center and the San Francisco History Center on the sixth floor. Pat, Selby, and Susan each provided kind, patient support in spite of my hurried requests and myriad questions. The California Historical Society and the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society have each played a key role in the creation of this book, as has the Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco and the San Francisco Genealogy website SFGenealogy.com; many thanks to Pamela Storm Wolfskill and Ron Filion for retaining history as a major part of that site. I also owe Ron for his serious research and transcriptions (http://www.zpub.com/sf50/sf/), which he so willingly shared.

A number of people have shared their expertise in areas that are less than well documented. Claudine Chalmers, author of Splendide Californie, 2002, and a number of articles on the French in early California, provided invaluable information and guidance on that topic, including the history of the Poodle Dog restaurant. Her website is www.FrenchGold.com for those interested in the subject. Cal Lalanne, grandson of Calixte Lalanne of the nineteenth century Old Poodle Dog and owner of the final incarnation, kindly offered insight into his family and their restaurants. In the same manner, John T. Freeman offered guidance through the maze of the various Chutes locations. His in-depth article on that topic just appeared in The Argonaut-Journal of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, Vol. 14 No. 2, Winter 2003. Bill Roddy shared his experiences in San Francisco during the thirties, both directly and through his www.AmericaHurrah.com website. Additionally, a large number of kind folks offered images, anecdotes and histories to help personalize this history. My warmest thanks to all of them.

Ruth Grady Skewis was quick to recall or research incidents and places from her life in “da Mish,” the Mission District of San Francisco. She also provided encouragement and some great editing. Matt O’Neil and wife Mary Ellen also shared their memories, especially of the restaurants and the Golden Gate International Exposition. My dad’s best friend, Bud Clark, shared stories of growing up in San Francisco. Friendships like that come once in a lifetime, if one is lucky. My sincere thanks to all!

John Freeman is owed special recognition for clarifying the history of The Chutes and for his input on Playland. James Jarvis pointed out the exact location of the Cobweb Palace which I have since verified.

Finally, I owe my family a great debt of gratitude for its support and encouragement as well as their tolerance. My wife Liberty stuck by me through the whole process, overlooking the busy hours and offering her great editing skills and suggestions, as well as urging me on. No man deserves to be this lucky.