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.

In today’s Open Forum, SFPD Chief George Gascón offers his professional perspective on the Board of Supervisor’s proposed community-based foot patrol and itemizing dignitary protection costs measures, and what they would mean for departmental effectiveness.

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.

Our local newspapers offer their reviews of this weekend’s Outside Lands music festival.  And while attendance was down slightly from last year, the City still stands to make a pretty penny on the event.

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!

The Examiner’s Will Reisman takes a look at the plans for a Whole Foods in the Castro, and lets us hear from some of the voices in favor and opposed.

…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.

Supervisor David Campos will hold a hearing today at the Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety Committee to examine citywide crime on a neighborhood and district level.  And rumor has it that a special guest may drop by to introduce himself…

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 SF Business Times reports that negotiations between UNITE HERE Local 2 and hotel management have ceased, and that a new contract is unlikely to be signed before summer.

This just in:  The Bay Area Reporter breaks the news that PUC Assistant General Manager Laura Spanjian has departed the highly competitive District 8 supervisorial race to replace Supervisor Bevan Dufty to take a job in Houston, Texas.

A debate is raging in the Marina over whether or not a new pet store chain is welcome in the neighborhood.  C.W. Nevius weighs in.

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.

Residents who live around Sutro Forest are challenging a proposal from UCSF to remove some of the trees, and Supervisor Sean Elsbernd weighs in on the side of safety.

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.