Mayor, Tots, Rap About Hair and Other Reminiscences of Longtime City Hall Guide

Fashionist

Ellen Schumer knows fashion as well as she knows City Hall

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Mayor Gavin Newsom is many things. But a department store Santa he is not.

That being said, there are times when Newsom makes a tour group's day. "The other day we were in the International Room, and we were talking about how when a foreign dignitary comes to San Francisco with a gift, the mayor presents them with a gift from San Francisco," recalls Schumer -- and, yes, she's Sen. Chuck Schumer's cousin. "So I was explaining this to a group of children and [Newsom] says 'Oh, hi!' And he invited the children into his office and they were beside themselves.

And what did Newsom and the kids talk about? Hair. Really. Newsom pointed at the framed portraits and photos of his predecessors and pointed out their odd hairstyles -- particularly Mayor James Van Ness. And who initiated this subject of conversation -- Newsom or the kiddies? "I think it was a combination," answers Schumer.

What shall we talk about?

​Newsom, in fact, is the subject of many tourists' queries. How tall is he? (tall -- at least 6-foot-2). What kind of gel does he use in his hair? (L'Oreal Total Control Clean Gel). Is he married? (That's what they say).

Newsom, however, isn't the only city official who'll interact with tour groups. Ever discreet and professional, Schumer notes that many of City Hall's more well-known residents are "classified by docents as 'user-friendly.'" She'll tell us who is user-friendly. She'd rather not mention who isn't. City Attorney Dennis Herrera? Very user-friendly. Treasurer Jose Cisneros? The same. Also earning plaudits are Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Board President David Chiu, and Supervisor Eric Mar.

Has Chris Daly ever used profanity in the presence of a tour group? Not one of hers. "When I'm doing a tour, I have fairly good control of my group," she says. "I know where to take them and where not to take them."

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