Archive for February, 2009

Former Supervisor Edward Lawson passes away.

Fully half of the members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors have trekked out to Washington D.C. to lobby Congress and the federal government for our share of the economic stimulus pie.  However, one City official remains here on the West Coast, just working on his own thing.

The San Francisco Business Times reports that as city based companies agree to lower greenhouse gas emissions, such reductions could allow San Francisco to serve as a green leader nation-wide.

As the three-story Virgin Megastore on Market Street shuts its doors, the economic slowdown seem be affecting even the largest retail stores in San Francisco.

The economic downturn hits even our beloved arts.  The San Francisco Ballet, Opera, and Symphony, and the A.C.T face the music of budget cuts as ticket sales continue to shrink.

An Examiner editorial pleads for City officials to spare the Office of Citizen Complaints from the budget knife.

Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting writes about the high costs of foreclosures and the steps that must be taken to avoid them in San Francisco.

The Examiner reports that a lawsuit against Mayor Newsom filed by a police officer involved in Videogate has been dropped.

Supervisors and other City officials gather to hear from residents at a large rally in Mission in support of immigrant rights.

With two-thirds of Golden Gate Bridge drivers utilizing FasTrak, the signature toll booths may be just that, signature, as the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation Districts vote and recommend the Board approve plans to go totally electronic in 2012.

The Chronicle reports on the battle over who is responsible for the cleanup of the Bay close to the City’s only large power plant.

The City decides we’re using too much water.  Yep, they’re probably right.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera threatens to sue Major League Baseball if the A’s are approved to make their move to San Jose, claiming San Jose is Giants’ turf.  It is my strong opinion that black and orange are much more becoming on South Bay residents.  So let’s make the best choice here people, for all of us.

In an attempt to keep the Chroicle afloat, the Media Workers Guild explores different opportunities for the paper’s future.

Human services - along with everything else! - will be on the chopping block, as the City deals with an unprecedented shortfall.

The San Francisco Police Department is eyeing a parcel at Third and Mission Rock as the site for their $200 million new headquarters.

The SF Weekly takes a look at the fight against a Sunset District cannabis dispensary and sees a double standard.

Now there are concerns over the impact the 8 Washington project may have on nearby sewer lines. Well, any article that references “20 million gallons of human waste” sure has my attention! (But seriously… that’s gross.)

She’s a Republican billionaire CEO.  He’s a gelled, liberal Democrat mayor espousing San Francisco Values.  They’re both running for governor and hillarity is sure to ensue.

In light of Sean Penn’s Oscar win for Milk, the Globe and Mail examines what, if any, political implications may result for the Castro and the gay rights movement statewide.  (Psst, Sean! Loved the speech.)

For an important announcement about Barbary Coast Consulting, please click here.

School districts across the state discuss the possibility of suing the state to ensure adequate funding.

Thirteen percent of City air travel costs are required to go into a fund for carbon offsets.  But when almost all City air travel is Not Happening because, well, the Great We Ain’t Got No Money problem, the fund is floundering as well.  Thirteen percent of seventy-eight cents isn’t much dough…

The Examiner takes an in-depth look at Congresswoman Pelosi’s political career, and the effects of her increasing importance in Washington on her popularity here at home.

The San Francisco Department of the Environment takes a look at the costs associated with its recycling program, including a proposal to provide financial incentives to recycle more and waste less.