Archive for April, 2009

A survey shows that City businesses are cutting back on pay and benefits to comply with the sick leave ordinance.

With numerous construction projects stalled due to the economic climate, the Mayor’s Office seeks to encourage developers and property owners to convert blighted construction sites in waiting to interim park-like spaces for playing.

A new report commissioned by the Mayor urges struggling San Francisco nonprofits to merge.

The D4 Supervisor joins Board President Chiu as they set their sights on our City’s complicated and antiquated IT systems, and say they see opportunities to find huge cost savings. (Sources at City Hall say that the City will likely replace its current systems with a fleet of Commodore 64 machines secretly stockpiled in a City vault since 1982.)

The City asks its residents to grade delivery of services.  Residents oblige.  Hijinks ensue.

Plans to build two new skateparks in the South of Market and Haight are moving forward after receiving approval from the Board of Supervisors.  However, the plans have to overcome several roadblocks before we see all of those helmets and safety gear out in full force.

The proposed building at 110 Embarcadero is finding itself in the middle of a union battle: the past versus the present.

The City’s emergency center is reduced to standby mode as all confirmed cases of swine flu in San Francisco have tested to be mild.

The swine flu may be sending people on high-alert, but it’s also sending unexpected tourism by way of San Francisco.

While the City earns high marks in ozone pollution standards, it fails the American Lung Association’s particle pollution standards.  Being green ain’t that easy.

The Chronicle reports on the ongoing debate between environmental groups and the City about whether to restore Hetch Hetchy to its natural state by demolishing the reservoir.  All I can say is that San Francisco has some of the damn tastiest water West of the Mississippi, and the Yosemite-based water body also offers a gorgeous environment for backpackers.  (Not really relevant to this debate, but it is so true!)

Ken Garcia offers his take on Newsom’s new Twitter habit, and the ramifications it may have for his campaign.

A pending settlement over unclaimed hospital beds could cost the Department of Public Health a fair bit of change.  Just what we need in this economy, more money going out the door.

Supervisor Bevan Dufty’s legislation that increases the prize money available to charitable bingo games in San Francisco is up for a vote next Monday before the City Operations and Neighborhood Services Committee.

The Examiner discusses how the SFPD is working to increase safety in the public housing structures of San Francisco.

A local Civic Center art exhibition may be damaging the trees to which it is attached and some are calling for its removal.

The Examiner reports on the system designed to keep track of the use of City-owned vehicles and why it’s not fully functional.

The Examiner gives us some face time with the former supervisor.

The Examiner profiles Gabriel Metcalf.

The MTA and Friends of the Cable Car Museum both want ownership of the museum’s historic cars transferred to the City, but there are a few other topics on which the organizations disagree.

After three hours of debate, no action was taken on the potential new law to limit unruly nightclubs.  The issue is back on the table next month.

The Mayor defends the City’s 311 call center service against those who favor a regional 511 program.

One gubernatorial candidate challenges another to an interesting test of smarts.

Will these popular gay street fairs take place?  The BAR’s political columnist takes a look behind the curtain, as organizers hope to gain permission.

Now the answer to that pressing question can be known, San Franciscans.  Our City rolls out a new tool that allows us to do our own research and find out.