Latest news with #WillieBrown
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Roy Wood Jr. says Willie Brown crashed his show and walked off with merch
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. shared a distinctly San Francisco story this week: a surprise encounter with former Mayor Willie Brown that ended with a free ticket, a handshake — and a missing CD. Posting on X Wednesday, July 16, Wood described how Brown appeared unannounced at one of his stand-up sets in San Francisco. 'Willie Brown showed up to my sold out San Francisco shows once & told the door man 'Willie Brown on every list' (he was NOT on my list),' Wood wrote. 'Still they gave him a free ticket.' The comedian, a veteran of 'The Daily Show' and a regular at Cobb's Comedy Club and the Bay Area's comedy festivals, said Brown didn't stop at the velvet rope. Willie Brown showed up to my sold out San Francisco shows once & told the door man "Willie Brown on every list" (he was NOT on my list) still they gave him a free ticket. THEN after the show, he came up to my merch table, took a CD w/o paying, then shook my hand and said "You… — Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) July 16, 2025 After the show, he approached Wood's merchandise table and picked up a CD without paying. 'You just met Willie Brown, You want a picture?' Brown reportedly said, before disappearing 'into the night.' 'No date, no homeboys, no security detail,' Wood continued. 'Just the mayor out by himself showing up to yo show for free and stealing yo sh–. He was so charming I couldn't even be mad.' For many San Franciscans, the anecdote fits Brown's well-known persona. Now 91, he remains a towering figure in California politics — the city's first Black mayor and the longest-serving Speaker of the California Assembly — renowned as much for his political clout as his social style. Even in retirement, Brown is a fixture in the city, often spotted dining alone or holding court at longtime haunts.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
East Kilbride Pirates get grant for new kits from Royal Mail
The East Kilbride Pirates U16s American football team was awarded the funding through Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids programme, which aims to get more young people active by supporting grassroots clubs in their communities. The Pirates were nominated for the funding by their coach and local postman, Willie Brown. Mr Brown, a Hall of Fame player, ensured the boys got new practice and playing jerseys, as well as 'bottom kit' for training and games. Read more: Donald Trump expected to visit Scotland later this month Greg Sage, director of corporate affairs and ESG at Royal Mail, said: "Our 130,000 people are at the heart of their communities across the UK, and Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids gives colleagues the opportunity to show their support and help young people get active in their local area. "Unwavering pride and passion, forging through all weathers, out in the community – grassroots sport has a lot in common with Royal Mail. "This exciting new initiative brings the two together and we are delighted to be able to support the East Kilbride Pirates." The Pirates were established in 1985 and are an amateur, volunteer-run club that aims to provide a safe and positive environment for all players to participate in and enjoy American football. Amanda McDonald, chair of the East Kilbride Pirates, said: "The grant from Royal Mail has been a godsend for us in these challenging times, especially because American football uniforms have to be ordered specially from a limited number of suppliers. "The kids are delighted to wear their new jerseys to their tournaments. "Willie was a real hero to apply for this funding – it's typical of how passionate and dedicated he is to the team." The Kits 4 Kids programme was launched to help youth sports teams in need of new equipment and received 2,500 nominations from employees in its first year and has supported 300 teams so far.
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
East Kilbride Pirates awarded funding from Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids programme
The team received the funding as part of the company's drive to support employees' local grassroots teams and help young people get active. Budding American football players from East Kilbride Pirates U16s are celebrating being awarded a grant for brand-new kits as part of Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids programme. The team received the funding as part of the company's drive to support employees' local grassroots teams and help young people get active. The team was nominated for funding by Willie Brown, a postman in Glasgow who coaches the team and is a Hall of Fame player. The funding means that the team was able to purchase new practice and playing jerseys, as well as new 'bottom kit' for training and games. Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids was launched in response to many requests from colleagues across the country who want to help their local youth sports teams by funding new kit. Royal Mail and Parcelforce employees were encouraged to nominate their local grassroots youth sports teams to receive grant funding. In its first year, the programme has received 2,500 nominations from employees and has supported 300 teams so far, with successful clubs chosen randomly by region. The East Kilbride Pirates are Scotland's leading American football club. Established in 1985, the club is amateur and run by volunteers, who believe that everyone should be able to participate in and enjoy American football in a safe and positive environment – whoever they are and whatever their background. Greg Sage, Royal Mail's Director of Corporate Affairs and ESG, said: 'Our 130,000 people are at the heart of their communities across the UK, and Royal Mail's Kits 4 Kids gives colleagues the opportunity to show their support and help young people get active in their local area. 'Unwavering pride and passion, forging through all weathers, out in the community – grassroots sport has a lot in common with Royal Mail. 'This exciting new initiative brings the two together and we are delighted to be able to support the East Kilbride Pirates.' Amanda McDonald, East Kilbride Pirates Club Chair, added: 'The grant from Royal Mail has been a godsend for us in these challenging times, especially because American football uniforms have to be ordered specially from a limited number of suppliers. 'The kids are delighted to wear their new jerseys to their tournaments. Willie was a real hero to apply for this funding – it's typical of how passionate and dedicated he is to the team.'
San Francisco Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
It used to be a clubhouse for S.F.'s literati. Now it's the city's most mysterious restaurant
When I told my editor I had dropped by Lillie Coit's a few weeks ago, her response was immediate. 'Oh interesting!' she Slacked. 'One of the most mysterious restaurants in S.F. What is it?!' What is it, indeed, and is it even open? Lillie Coit's website offers this description: 'Before Lillie Coit's makes its grand opening, we're inviting our neighbors, friends, and in-the-know San Franciscans to experience Petite Lil's— a neighborhood preview while we are still building.' According to its Instagram, Petite Lil's launched over two years ago, and the full restaurant, Lillie Coit's, will 'be opened when we're Ready!' When I visited in May, the French-leaning restaurant seemed to be making incremental progress toward Readiness. The walls were swatched with paint. There was a sawhorse in the back corner, and the workman who had been manning that sawhorse was drinking at the bar. My party of four squeezed into the alcove that will someday become the Willie Brown booth, but which at the time consisted of two mismatched bar tables pushed together. A restaurant in a vague state of openness with a years-long build-out might not be noteworthy were it not for Lillie Coit's location. It occupies 1707 Powell St., the North Beach building that formerly housed the legendary Washington Square Bar & Grill, known to a generation of Herb Caen readers as the Washbag. In 2017, the Chronicle reported that Nick Floulis, the owner of Hole in the Wall Coffee (itself located on the site of another historic San Francisco institution, the Paper Doll Club), hoped to have Lillie Coit's up and running by the following year, so it seems unwise to make any firm predictions about when the restaurant may or may not open. But no matter — Petite Lil's is currently receiving guests and is worth a visit in its own right. The somewhat limited menu is plenty enticing and definitely quirky. For an additional $9, you can add a 'green Chartreuse luge' to your $18 order of bone marrow, and when you buy a $99 bone-in tomahawk 'booth steak' and a $18 French omelet, you get a shot of house amaro (it's Montenegro) gratis. We did just that, and both the omelet and the 32-ounce steak — served with herb or anchovy butter, or, in our case, both — were superb. For dessert, there was a slice of fanciful St. Honoré cake ($12), walked all the way across Columbus from Victoria Pastry Company. It's a classic for a reason. We departed before 10 p.m., but had we stayed, we surely would have partaken in oyster happy hour, which runs until 1 a.m. The purchase of six oysters ($23) gets you six more free. According to a white board dangling over the bar, someone by the name of Nathan Lane allegedly consumed 120 oysters in a single eve. Nathan, you doing OK, bud? On a Thursday evening, the majority of the bar seats were occupied, and Floulis, who appeared to be holding down the fort with the help of one other bartender, seemed to know most everyone. Lillie Coit's might be mysterious to most San Franciscans, but to North Beach locals and industry folk, the secret is out. Petite Lil's at Lillie Coit's. 1707 Powell St., San Francisco.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Chicago, Waukegan men charged with burglarizing work van, fleeing police in Wilmette
Two men were charged after burglarizing a work van and attempting to escape from police in Wilmette this week. Dalvin D. Johnson, 31, of Waukegan, and Willie E. Brown, 36, of Chicago, were charged with burglary of a motor vehicle, felony theft, and resisting arrest. Brown was also charged with aggravated fleeing/eluding. Wilmette police said just before noon on Wednesday, officers responded to the 1900 block of Washington Avenue for a burglary in progress to a work van with tools being taken from the vehicle. The burglars [Johnson and Brown] then left the scene in a silver 2023 Nissan Rogue. Officers found their vehicle as it entered onto the southbound I-94 ramp from Westbound Lake Avenue. As the Nissan accelerated, it lost control and crashed into the entry ramp. Police said Johnson and Brown then exited the vehicle and ran across the expressway. They were then found hiding in the trees along Eden's northbound off-ramp. Both were taken into custody without incident. The tools stolen from the work van were recovered from the Nissan. Fire crews took one of the men to Skokie Hospital for injuries he suffered in the crash. He was treated and released into custody. It's unclear which of the men was taken. Johnson and Brown were processed and released. Both are expected to appear in court on Friday.
