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| by Andy
Evangelista first appeared 2 September 1998 They Speak Softly, But Carry Some Mean Sticks
MacKenzie, who played a lot of pool as a teenager, didn't begin to master his skills until five years ago when he discovered the tables in Millberry Union. He's been a regular since; he's helped start a campus billiards club and often places in the money at Bay Area pool tournaments. People here are surprised when they find out their soft-spoken co-worker has a somewhat adventurous hobby. But the image of the pool player, as a con-guy or hustler who frequents the smoke-filled hangouts to earn some bucks, is old and unreal. Today's pool halls -- or billiard parlors -- are upscale and trendy, he says. But a friendly game, maybe with a little wager to cover expenses, is ok. Among skilled players, there's nothing wrong with sinking a few balls to line your pockets. If you want to learn the game or brush up on some skills, MacKenzie will be teaching two new billiards classes this fall at Millberry Union, or you can catch him lunchtimes at the MU tables. Sign of the Times A study this week from Johns Hopkins in Baltimore found that simple, inexpensive signs in shopping malls -- e.g., "Your heart needs exercise, use the stairs" -- increase physical activity and get people off the escalator. In this city recently, there was an even more simple sign that got a lot of folks, including many from UCSF, to take long walks and get the good old heart pumping. It read: "N Judah." Parking Under Shelter While we're on the subject of commuting, many of those with campus parking permits were pleasantly surprised by a new law that allows amounts paid for parking fees to be tax-sheltered. For those who pay $67.50 a month for the top permit, that totals $810 a year protected from Uncle Sam's tax hit, as long as the fees are paid via payroll deduction. If you're wondering what those folks in Washington (where parking rates must be pretty high) were thinking when they approved this last year, it was strictly "tax relief" and not environment relief. Those who could afford parking are now getting a shelter to boot. At least vanpoolers and transit pass purchasers who have the fees deducted from their paychecks will get a tax break, too. And if you're a staff member thinking of getting in on the parking deal and storing your car in a Parnassus lot or garage from 8 to 5, forget it. The waiting list for a "B" permit, which allows you to park near the Woods Building up Medical Center Way, is at least seven years, according to the Parking and Transportation office. "A" permits are allotted by the schools to eligible and new faculty for the already crowded ACC garage. Permits for afternoon and night parking, however, are available to staff. For those scheduled to move to Laurel Heights, surveys indicate there should be enough parking there to accommodate all who want it, says Jon Gledhill, who heads the Parking and Transportation Office. Gym Opportunity Jumping back to the subject of exercise, those new to Laurel Heights can join the Pinnacle Fitness Center, located just across the street, for about the same $36 a month cost to join the MU Fitness Center. It's a good deal -- much lower than Pinnacle's normal rate. The agreement was struck last year between the private gym and campus recreation people who were trying to make sure employees at LH and Mount Zion had benefits comparable to those on Parnassus. Employees new to LH, however, have only 30 days to get the reduced fee. Slide Party There are still plenty tickets available to the UCSF/UCSF Stanford Getaway Day at Waterworld on Saturday, Sept. 26, when campus people get exclusive use of the Concord park. Tickets, which include a picnic lunch, are $15 per person (kids under 3 get to splash around for free). Empact! will also hold its annual raffle that day. More than 40 prizes available, including the top prize of a trip for two to Hawaii, donated by United Airlines. In addition to a Disneyland package, $100 gift certificates to Macy's and Nordstrom's, dinners and entertainment tickets, prizes also include six month pager service and a teeth whitening procedure donated by UCSF dentist Ronald Yee. For more information on Waterworld and raffle tickets, call 476-2675. Readers: If you have any items or suggestions for this column, send us an email: andye@itsa.ucsf.edu. |
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Who said UCSF can't put together competitive sports teams? UCSF's
"New Kids" have been racking up championships the last few years at the Great
Entertainer, a billiard hall South of Market. The "Kids," who are led by
51-year-old Bob MacKenzie, an administrative assistant in the School of Dentistry, and
Drew Pitts, who works at the Medical Center, will go after their fifth title next month in
one of the city's top amateur leagues. (Like basketball and bowling, pool players have
leagues too.) UCSF's four-person team usually is tops in "8 ball."