Archive for August, 2009

The MTA Board will vote tomorrow on an amendment that will make it easier to penalize the city’s illegitimate taxi drivers.

Some of the most difficult construction on the Bay Bridge begins this Thursday night.  For those of you who are planning on taking a road trip to celebrate the long weekend, better find an alternate route.

The Examiner takes a look at what happens to the property that’s left on BART, and it turns out that all those lost cell phones have a financial benefit for the agency.

A report from the SF Controller’s Office states that the Department of Public Works did not do a good job of controlling costs for a library branch rebuild.

San Francisco’s natural gas-powered traffic vehicles are having a difficult time maneuvering around some of our hilly terrain.

With City Treasurer Jose Cisneros and City Attorney Dennis Herrera each running unopposed this fall, we’re prepared for a snoozer of an election.

Members of the local Muslim community applaud the recent apology from Police Chief George Gascon.

The last surviving brother in the Kennedy political dynasty and one of the most influential senators in history, U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) - our nation’s touted “Liberal Lion” - dies in Hyannis Port after a long battle with a brain tumor.  Our nation is better because of him and he will be terribly missed.

The two-day Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival concluded yesterday as the sun finally decided to grace us with its presence.  There was music, dancing, food, perhaps a beer or two, and fun was had by all.  ‘Til next year!

The City opens the doors to a new elementary school, helping to address increasing kindergarten enrollment in San Francisco public schools and teaching the kids Cantonese along the way.

The Chronicle reports on a cadres of committed volunteers who successfully restored 16 horseshoe pitching courts in Golden Gate Park.  How did they do it?  Through sweat and assistance from the Recreation and Park Department and the Department of Public Works.  Come fall, it’s tourney time!

Whole Foods gets the official go-ahead from the San Francisco Planning Commission to move forward with a shiny new store (not to mention residential units).  A plethora of shmancy cheese and impossibly perfect grapes are on the horizon…

…and just down the hall, the Board of Supervisors’ Land Use and Economic Development Committee will vote on legislation proposed by Supervisor Eric Mar that would make it much more difficult to evict families with young children.

More or less, that’s what Chief George Gascón and Mayor Gavin Newsom are saying about Compstat, in a press conference held yesterday.  Waitaminnit - I thought Friday press conferences were where you dumped BAD news, not touted good … perhaps Newsom and Gascón were trying to make sure the super-villains in the Legion Of Doom didn’t hear about their successes, thereby avoiding a counter-attack on 850 Bryant?

The San Francisco Unified School District is using technology to help teachers track attendance and inform parents when their kids are playing hooky.

SF Weekly profiles Doug Cameron, whose work with the San Francisco Police Department around use of force issues has spanned decades.

The Unite Here Local 2 and hotel management courtship continues with an organized protest yesterday in front of the Hyatt, and some serious he said/she said debates on who’s not being treated fairly.

CultureMap Houston brings us up to date with the happenings surrounding former San Francisco political operative and woman about town, Laura Spanjian.  Howdy, Laura!

Next Tuesday, the Board chamber will not only be filled with people just returning from vacay, but a few feline and canine friends might also be making an appearance.  And by feline and canine friends, I actually mean the folks who are trying to open a chain pet store in the city.  (Are animals even allowed in the chamber?)

Debra Stein - advocate, strategist, organizer, world traveler and well-regarded fixture on the San Francisco political scene, passes away at 48.  Our thoughts are with Jeff and her family at this difficult time.

But in any event, you’re not going to be able to get it out of your head.  Please enjoy the original and a remix version of the smash underground hit “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” by hip-hop deconstructionists Das Racist.  Nope, it’s not about politics - it’s about bringing the silly.  Tenuous San Francisco connection: one half of the duo is San Francisco-born Victor Vasquez.  Turn up your speakers and enjoy - and yes, you will start dancing in front of your computer at about 0:45 of the Wallpaper Remix version of this song…

The Chronicle reports on the progression of state Senator Mark Leno’s SB792, and how local groups are helping shape Candlestick Point State Recreation Area’s future.

In the next few months, Golden Gate Park will lose some of its oldest residents. Nearly 150 trees, which are 80 to 100 years old, will need to be taken down due to the risk (read falling limbs) they pose to the parks millions of visitors. Tear.

The Examiner profiles the Mayor’s incoming budget director, Greg Wagner, who will officially assume the post at the end of the month.

As former Police Chief Heather Fong retires, a bunch of dolla, dolla bills follow.