Entertainment

S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced plans for a Citywide civic celebration to honor the acclaimed, award winning singer Tony Bennett whose signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” was recorded 50 years ago. The free public tribute with Tony Bennett will take place on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at noon in the City Hall Rotunda.

“Thanks to Tony Bennett, people have been experiencing the magic of San Francisco for 50 years no matter where they are in the world,” said Mayor Lee. “The song reminds us of why we love our City so much and when we are away, it calls us home. Mr. Bennett’s signature voice is celebrated around the world, and when he comes back to San Francisco, our hearts will surely be lifted.”

Bringing up the rear on a day already filled with critics groups announcing film awards, the San Francisco Film Critics Circle has chosen Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life” as the best film of 2011.

Aside from choosing Albert Brooks as Best Supporting Actor, “Rango” as Best Animated Feature and “Tree of Life” for Best Cinematography, the group went in a different direction from most of its predecessors Gary Oldman (“Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”) and Tilda Swinton (“We Need to Talk About Kevin” were honored for their lead performances, while Vanessa Redgrave was named Best Supporting Actress for “Coriolanus.”

It began with a cough. And then the coughing wouldn’t stop.

“We would cough, cough, cough for like five minutes straight,” said Emily Tobita, 18, of the Richmond district. “At the end of really bad fits, we’d end up throwing up.”

Emily and her twin brother, Zak, had pertussis, a once-uncommon childhood illness that has made a resurgence in recent years. The potentially fatal disease is better known as whooping cough for the gasping sound that sufferers make after each violent coughing session. More >