Archive for July, 2009

A City Grand Jury report highlights several San Francisco unions’ “spiked” pension programs and the impact they have on the City’s budget. Supervisor Sean Elsbernd calls for reform and the need for greater accountability.

The BAR reports that the departure of See’s Candy from Union Square is related to the company’s inability to comply with the City’s equal benefits ordinance.

The Chronicle’s Insider Team reports on who some local politicos are supporting for state insurance commissioner, Carol Channing’s upcoming performance at SF State to beneft art and music education, and why the Mayor missed a planned announcement at Mission Bay about new biotech companies moving into the neighborhood.

The Board of Supes’ Budget and Finance Committee advances proposed increases to the City’s vehicle license fee and sales tax to the full Board. Expect to see ‘em on your November ballot, folks.

The Examiner offers its $0.02 on the role of the City’s park rangers and the ongoing public discussion about their oversight.

The Recreation and Park Commission considers whether or not to allow the creation of local food vendor markets (kind of like Farmers Markets but with hot dogs and tacos and tamales) to legally offer their wares in three new City parks.

Philip Morris USA and others have asked a San Francisco court to tell the City of San Francisco that their 20-cent cigarette pack sales fee is actually a 20-cent cigarette pack sales TAX.  Here’s where I’m confused: I was unaware that anyone in San Francisco smoked cigarettes any more.  Smoked?  Sure.  But cigarettes?  F’real?  Wow.  Didn’t Know That.

The Bay Citizen tells us that in effort to encourage the 280,000 people who drive across the Bay Bridge daily to opt for other forms of transportation, Caltrans has taken to the Internet with a series of programs - including an online animated simulator - to keep commuters informed about bridge interruptions and changes. Who knows, maybe you’ll come to love this as much as you love Angry Birds?

One of San Francisco’s most respected companies announces that it is staying put.

The City of Berkeley follows San Francisco in the quest to save cat paws.

Lindy hoppers successfully obtain a permit to continue their swinging on the sidewalk in Golden Gate Park.  But the Golden Gate Renaissance Festival’s permitting process wasn’t such a walk in the park and as a result, the festival won’t be held in San Francisco this year… Can you even see the Golden Gate from Fremont?

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor John Avalos put the budget battle on hold to get behind San Francisco Giant Pablo Sandoval as the race for a spot on the National League All-Star team comes to a close. Voting ends at 1pm today so get on it, people.

Mayor Gavin Newsom hopes to change the way San Franciscans eat.  If this somehow gets between me and a good burrito, I’m moving to Canada… er, Mexico.

Because seven ate nine.  Get it?  Har de har har.  OK, that moment of levity was admittedly brought to you by a guy operating on too little sleep - but today’s date is indeed interesting.  It’s seven-eight-nine.  At at a certain point at about twenty-three minutes past noon, we’re going to see a once-in-a-century occurrence.  The Kalamazoo Gazette explains…

According to the Examiner, Mayor Lee is a tad cautious about CleanPowerSF and the financial risks that it may involve.

The Blue Greenway spanning from AT&T Park to Candlestick on the southeast side of the city will be gussied up after receiving a sizable grant from the feds.  Go out and breathe some clean air, y’all…

Batten down the hatches!  Hide the children and the infirm!  Stockpile canned food and bottled water and buy a gat!  We’re being INVADED by … by … by seaweed. …  (seaweed.  really, seaweed?  OK.  never mind.  sorry about that.  go back to your regular programming, please.)

Mayor Gavin Newsom continues his silence with some members of the media as he participates in Project Homeless Connect in Golden Gate Park.

Isabel Wade, a well-known and effective advocate for open space, is profiled as she retires from her longtime position as Executive Director of the Neighborhood Parks Council.

The Examiner reports on the possibility that the Mayor’s new home lies in a cellular dead zone.

Nooooooo, not Dwayne Johnson.  You know!  The Rock?  Like, Alcatraz?!  Well, it’s turning 75 and doesn’t look a day over 30.  A commemorative program (and birthday party) are being held this weekend on-site.  The Chronicle also reviews the infamous federal prison’s history.

The Chronicle’s architectural writer imagines a number of options for empty lots on hold for residential construction.

Our new Director of Rec and Park starts his job with a new blog about our city’s parks and open spaces.

Developer David Addington works to get a new sign ordinance for Mid-Market on the ballot.

The Examiner considers the impact of building fees imposed by the City on the sluggish pace of development in San Francisco.