Archive for August, 2010

The Examiner reports that domestic violence calls are on the rise here in San Francisco, begging the question: what can we do to help?

For those of you who like old movies (and even older movie houses), never fear: Fillmore Street’s Clay Theater has been designated an historic theater and will be saved from the chopping block.  If you need a subtitle fix, come on down!

House Minority Leader and Power House Nancy Pelosi toured Pier 70 this weekend with Mayor Ed Lee, Port Executive Director Monique Moyer, and Supervisor Malia Cohen to discuss the importance of sustaining national funding to our nation’s ports to improve commerce, tourism, and development efforts.

After years of never having to feed the meter, City employees are facing the same fate as the rest of us: they will now have to pay to park.  I wonder how popular the City’s transit first policy will be over at City Hall and down at Muni today?

Borrowing a page from their friends in New York, the San Francisco Police Department is making better use of crime data to help them, well, fight crime.  The department’s new Bay Area Regional Information Crime Center takes a look a where the most criminal behavior is occurring and then beefs up foot patrols in response.  Sounds like a good (if somewhat obvious) plan to me: Better Data + More Cops = Less Crime.

The staid newspaper from back east takes a look at the mayoral ambitions of Dennis Herrera, our fair city’s City Attorney - calling him a leading candidate for the post, and detailing his political and civic history in San Francisco.  (We’d post a picture of Dennis along with this item, but he hasn’t sent us his official campaign photo just yet - and we’re not going to poach the WSJ’s line drawing, because that would get us in trouble.)

Due to financial struggles, the LGBT nonprofit New Leaf has announced that it will be shutting down in October.  The BAR tells us about the fate of the organization’s programs and services.

The San Francisco Redevelopment Agency is leading efforts to build 150 low-income units in the Mission Bay neighborhood, which is expected to break ground in 2012.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough of cabs that turn on their “for hire” lights when they really aren’t “for hire.”  Thanks to the SFMTA, a proposal has been submitted to create a new tattletale lighting system that will help signify whether a cab is actually available.  Maybe I can finally stop wailing my arms and screaming “TAXI” at every “for hire” light that goes by…

We learn that the recent acts of violence conducted at a number of popular spots in San Francisco might be taking a toll on our tourism industry.

San Francisco’s historic street cars may become more than just a trip down memory lane as the SFMTA looks to expand routes and even charter services to raise some much needed cash for the agency.

…with a strong emphasis on SHARKS.  Nope, this isn’t political, but in today’s public service announcement (and because it’s a fairly slow news day), your friends at Usual Suspects want to warn you that sharks have been sighted here in the Bay Area, off Ocean Beach.  If you’re out there trying to take advantage of the last few days of summer, be careful!

The Chronicle takes a look at the Republican Party’s efforts in San Francisco, where we don’t usually roll out the red carpet for the Grand Ol’ Party. Grab your popcorn and get comfy, because this election is going to be an interesting one to watch.

The Chronicle’s exclusive Sunday edition includes, as always, an insightful column from Mayor Willie Brown.  He covers topics ranging from redevelopment funds to hamburgers, and everything in between. Matier & Ross are behind today’s pay wall as well, with details of a six-figure protection plan for one tree on Telegraph Hill and commentary on Senator Leland Yee’s latest death threats.

The esteemed columnist at the Chronicle takes a hard look at what it means for some parents to volunteer at their child’s elementary school.

… They’re free, for heaven’s sake!  Card or no card, the Examiner reports that theft and assault are on the rise in San Francisco’s Main Library despite heightened security efforts and even hiring a social worker.

Michael Cohen, the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, whose work includes the Hunter’s Point Shipyard project, the Transbay Terminal and the ongoing redevelopment of Treasure Island, is leaving City Hall.  It is, indeed, an end of an era.

In the days of advanced technology, it’s about time that our public safety systems are brought up to speed.   Yesterday, our City received a whopping $50 million from our friends in Washington to increase communication efficiency between departments in the event of a major disaster.

Proving that I am not a complete wimp, the Chronicle reports that these are in fact unseasonably (yes, even for San Francisco) cold times.  But the fact that we have all been shivering through August means that we do have consequently cleaner air and September is expected be nice and toasty (fingers crossed!).

The BAR reports on the plans for a medical cannabis dispensary to open its doors in the Castro that have recently come to a halt due to the area’s zoning.  Even still, Supervisor Bevan Dufty and many residents think the project wouldn’t be half bad.

Mayor Gavin Newsom is trying to increase the number of tags that can proudly state products were manufactured in San Francisco.  The City will gain some cash; you will gain some clout by wearing Nike made in San Francisco instead of China.  Sounds like a win win!

Success!  According to the results of the 2010 California Exit Exam, high school students city and statewide are successfully passing the test.  Gold stars for everyone!  Wait, do they still have those in high school?

After receiving pressure from local residents, SFMTA will be installing a new set of red-light cameras at the Fell Street and Masonic Avenue intersection to catch all of the dangerous speed racers in action.

Costs are on the rise over at the Public Defender’s Office thanks to an increase in cases and a decrease in staff avability.  The result?  Paying über-expensive private attorneys to help out.  The Examiner takes a look at the ins and outs of the situation and what the mayor is doing to help foot the bill.