Archive for May, 2008

A covert, underground lobbying movement including some of San Francisco’s top power brokers - and, not coincidentally, connoisseurs of the delectable lunchtime options found at Los Compadres Taco Truck - results in this Leah Garchik article - and word on the street is that late Friday, this City Hall institution was granted a reprieve and can stay in its current location, one block south of City Hall. Viva Los Compadres!

Eight candidates qualify for public financing for their race for the Board of Supervisors.

The Guardian takes a look at the breakdown of City jobs that were eliminated and added over the course of the past ten years.

Mayor Newsom is looking to require private-property owners to
seismically retrofit their buildings and ensure the safety of San
Franciscans during the next big earthquake.

The Community Challenge Grant Program begins accepting proposals again
today, giving residents and neighborhood groups an opportunity to
beautify their part of the city.

The Examiner discusses the additional pay for the City’s top elected
officials, which they gained from Proposition C in 2006.

Despite the horrible economy, the Convention and Visitors Bureau says that we had sixteen point four MILLION visitors last year.  Please remember - these people are why we can afford Muni and our health care system, so don’t make fun of their accents, and if they’re staring at a map, stop and ask if they need help finding something.  (And then send them in the RIGHT direction, damnit.)

A San Francisco official is proposing legislation that will increase fines for taunting animals at the zoo or trying to enter their habitat.  It seems to me that trying to enter an animal’s zoo habitat may result in the ultimate fine.

It’s been almost three years since San Francisco imposed Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s plastic bag ban at large supermarkets.  Now, he is considering legislation to expand this ban to ALL businesses by March 1, 2011.  If you’re a plastic user, I would keep my eyes and ears open for this one…

The Chron reports on the possible impact that a chain store ban,
recently proposed by Supervisor Ammiano, may have on the City’s
planning process.

The Examiner discusses Proposition E, which will decide how much power
the Mayor will have with appointing members to the SFPUC, at a time
when the commission has several major projects in the works.

Trash can cops will now issue warnings instead of $100 fines to first-time offenders for leaving garbage cans on the street after pick up and Mayor Newsom postpones his debut on Air America due to his travels to Israel and New York.

Voters may be asked to consider a bond measure this November that would rebuild San Francisco General Hospital.

Supervisor Sandoval introduces legislation to crack down on illegally operating limos in the city.

The Governor visited San Francisco yesterday to talk some green.

The BAR discusses how Superior Court Judge Thomas Mellon is affiliated
with the same-sex marriage ruling, and reviews the LGBT candidates in
the upcoming primaries.

The City is close to hiring a full time worker to plan an alternative
to the past Halloween celebrations in the Castro.

A federal judge allows a complaint to move forward against top city
officials from an officer involved in producing a controversial
training video.

The BAR covers the unveiling of the bust of Harvey Milk at City Hall.

Thanks to one of our readers, we have found some solid commentary on the race for Superior Court Judge.

The Chronicle takes a look at what historic preservation means to
homeowners hoping to make upgrades to their properties in San Francisco.

A genius, auteur, visionary, performer, director, and Important Person in the World of Film - shuffles off this mortal coil. Sydney Pollack, who made you laugh, made you think, made you feel - (and if he hasn’t done this as of yet please ask Netflix to send you Tootsie, Michael Clayton, The Player, and Out of Africa). We are, as a culture, diminished.

The Chronicle profiles a new wave of national African American leadership, many of whom were born and bred in the Bay Area.

Families, elected officials, and war veterans gather to honor the memory of lost loved ones.

City funding for a variety of AIDS programs may likely be spared from the budget cuts this year.