Archive for March, 2010

The Guardian reminds us about the upcoming election with its endorsements of candidates for the Democratic County Central Committee.

The Weekly examines the relationship between the San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks and the San Francisco Parks Trust.  My hunch is that they’re pretty tight, no?

So I will, of course, be paying you in quarters.  (Why this fit of pique, you ask?  Well, the Assessor-Recorder’s office is about to raise the fee to file certain real estate documents from a whopping $2 to an even more whopping $3.  Hmph.)  Let’s slowly count out twelve quarters, whilst glaring, shall we?  One … two … three …

The SFUSD Board is dealing with some in-house pilfering and some members aren’t quite sure how to react.

Complaints across the city on the loudness of tour bus guides have been heard loud and clear by City officials, who are looking into ways to turn off the snare in our headphones and pipe down the volume of bus microphones.

In his latest article, New York Times writer Gerry Shih points out an interesting trend going on between San Francisco’s budget deficit and the salaries of those safeguarding its citizens.

The San Francisco Business Times reports that Caltrain leaders are ready to approve an environmental review of how best to modernize its railway systems.

According to a recent poll, San Francisco’s commitment to the environment is bringing tourists to the City by the Bay.  Talk about a win-win!

Today’s SF Weekly includes an in-depth review of some dangerous driving that helps the city’s cabbies make an extra buck.  (WARNING: If you are a frequent flier to or from SFO who regularly takes cabs, you may not want to read this article.  And please buy a BART pass immediately.)

The Chronicle takes us on a walk down memory lane, reminding its readers that San Francisco already bungled a chance at free citywide Wi-Fi.  And with our competition swimming with sharks and renaming their city “Google,” we need to step up our efforts to woo the Internet giant for a second bite of this apple.  A Board resolution just ain’t gonna cut it.

Tim Redmond raises questions about a certain Chronicle columnist’s involvement with a local corporation and what that should mean for his relationship with the paper.

The Examiner reports on the new plan formulated between Mayor Newsom and the San Francisco Police Department to appoint one officer in each neighborhood to serve as the liaison between the City and venues to help with late night safety.  Methinks that these officers will soon either be served a lot of free drinks or will never be able to get a drink in their neighborhood again.

Mayor Gavin Newsom throws down a gauntlet at the Big Apple, saying that our taxicab fleet is becoming greener more quickly than the World’s Biggest Taxicab Centrifuge.  So take THAT, New York!

Their key nemesis - vegetables - will soon be EVERYWHERE, as Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Vegetable Garden Reign of Terror kicks off.  From zucchini to broccoli to peas to those icky green things with the other stuff on them, those horrible, horrible vegetables will be not only on dinner plates, but on roofs of buildings, median strips, and even treehouses!  We’re waiting to hear back exactly what the response will be from Eight Year Old Boys Inc., but we understand the counter-offensive involves Super-Squirters.  (Nope, the eight year old boys are not thinking it through, again.)

Facing severe budget problems, San Francisco City departments across the board look to raise fees on everything from parking to hazardous waste disposal.  Several city business owners are worried that the new fees, some beginning as early as next month, will promptly squeeze the life out of their businesses.

The Examiner reports that our supply of high rise condominiums is dwindling rapidly.

New reporting laws for city lobbyists hit the books.

It’s the public’s turn to weigh in on the proposed renaming of Third Street to Willie L. Brown Jr. Boulevard and (with no disrespect to the former mayor, of course) most people think that it’s going to be more trouble than it’s worth.  I think it all comes down to the fact that the T-Willie Brown doesn’t roll off the tongue nearly as nicely as the T-Third.

The Chronicle reports about how infrastructure projects and street landscaping efforts by the city are already showing results in San Francisco’s Western Addition.

SFMTA officials report that they may soon be changing the way the agency monitors arrival and departure times on its entire transit fleet.  Current traffic checkers question the accuracy and the changes’ effects on their jobs.

Facing a $113 million budget shortfall, SFUSD leaders consider changes in student transportation policies.

The New York Times’ local crew takes a look at Mayor Gavin Newsom’s possible successors, should he go on to win the race for lieutenant governor.

Supervisor David Campos takes on Muni, declaring his support for a comprehensive management and performance audit of the agency.

San Francisco International Airport is in the news today with Mayor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement that a new, 10-year deal for concessions revenue has been inked.  Plus, USA Today takes note of SFO’s aggressive new advertising campaign.