Archive for October, 2009

Chron columnist Nevius and Ex columnist Garcia look at the reasons behind Newsom’s departure from the race, and offer their ideas about what might be next.

The Examiner gives us the lowdown on Prop E, which would prohibit any increase in the amount of general advertising on the City’s street furniture.

In a guest column in today’s Chronicle, Jennifer Friedenbach reviews the state of the city’s homeless problem under Mayor Newsom and reveals what she hopes will change under the new administration (whoever that may be).  Elsewhere, the SF Public Press weighs in on the debate with their $0.02.

Get your election rundown here on Usual Suspects!  Find out who is running, what measures are being considered, and what the pundits are saying.

The Guardian takes issues with some of the decisions by our new Police Chief.

The Guardian urges the PUC to implement community choice aggregation before a June ballot measure could undermine the program.

Okay, I’m officially obsessed with bridge building.  Seriously, how does it all work?  And yes, I realize that I could actually take the time to learn the answer to that question, but I’d much prefer to sit and watch our city’s newest bridge be constructed whilst marveling at the wonder of it all from afar.  Next up?  The 4 million pound, 101.7-foot-long iconic white tower, which should be in place by Christmas Eve.  They have to lift it 400 feet above the water in order to set it into place.  I mean seriously, how cool is that?

The Chron’s Heather Knight talks with politicians and other leaders about why this November’s ballot holds exactly zero of the various revenue proposals that were floated earlier this year.

Let’s face it, San Francisco is unlike any other place in the US, and our views on governance are no different. So, while some cities are actively cutting staff to deal with debts, we’re looking at a surplus and City Hall is hiring.

Prop A succeeds at the ballot box.

This column appeared in the New York Times yesterday, but it was too fabulicious for us to pass up.  San Francisco-based author Andrew Sean Greer opines on the sanctity of Sunday routines and gives a Shout Out to one of his favorite political news websites, The Usual Suspects.  Thank you, Mr. Greer.  We aim to please.

A local man attempts to make his home an official museum, and works with a local Supervisor to have it declared a special use. Among the items in his collection are a 3-foot replica of the Transamerica building made out of condom boxes. Just wanted to give you an idea of what we were talking about here.

The Art in Storefronts program is brought to Market Street as part of an effort to bring change to blighted areas in the city. I just wanted to bring some of the art home with me.

Today’s San Francisco-focused New York Times column reflects on the Halloween of 2006.

The Chronicle gives us a comprehensive story about our city’s first transgender department head and current candidate for District Six supervisor.

State inspectors are holding back reimbursements to SFUSD for a federally subsidized lunch program because they say that the rules are not being followed.

The Ex reports that consumers are doing such a stellar jobs conserving water after umteen years being in a State of Emergency For Drought, that utility companies are left with no choice than to reward rate payers with higher rates.  Congratulations.  You’ve won!

The City gets its tail whupped by some spectacularly aggressive rainfall yesterday.  Muni Metro drowns, freeway entrances temporarily close, sewer grates clang and shudder, some Excelsior residents build an ark and round up some animals - you know, all the normal stuff.  Thanks, Mother Nature!  Come back soon!

The Chronicle weighs in with its opinion on legislation under consideration by the Board of Supervisors that would send $150K to disaster victims in Asia.  Their take?  We have needs, too.  Keep the money closer to home.

Funds to spruce up Golden Gate Park will be used to renovate four fountains in the park that stopped working several years ago. I hope that doesn’t mean the pigeons will start using them as their personal bathtubs again.

Two new waterfront restaurants encounter a hefty fine for neglecting to supply the public with tables and chairs.

We get all the insider scoop on First Lady Michelle Obama’s appearance in the Bay Area yesterday, without the cost of a high roller ticket and with the opportunity to use silverware at our leisure.

As a pilot project extending meter hours to Sunday is set to begin, the MTA looks to the Board of Supervisors to gauge their opinions.

With the anniversary of September 11 this weekend, the City continues to build up its own homeland security that the feds have appropriated some serious cash for and that Police Chief George Gascón has put into place to help us all sleep better at night.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson gets his suit stolen and we offer him 49er tickets and a stay at the Fairmont. I’ll have you know that I wasn’t offered so much as a free Muni ride when that lady stole my wallet at Crocker Galleria… I’m just sayin’.