Archive for May, 2011

As we’ve done from time to time in years past, Suspects is collecting and displaying this election season’s political documents in one handy, centralized location. We need your help to make sure everyone sees all the puff pieces, hit pieces, slate cards, walk pieces, door hangers, and (new this year!) television ads - so click here to find out how to get your favorite candidate’s mail into our database.

The moving costs for four SFUSD schools are raising the eyebrows and dropping the jaws of a number of City officials.

No, it’s not a fancy dish or a ballet movement. It’s what started a neighborhood battle between a Russian Hill couple and the City. Supervisor Scott Wiener weighs in on the issue and has introduced legislation that might prevent cartouche battles in the future. (And in case you haven’t Googled what a cartouche is yet, you NEED to check out the Ex’s article!)

If you’ve been keeping up at the state level, you’ll know that there’s been talk of extending a 1 percent statewide sales tax. If that fails? Mayor Lee’s (sort of) got a back up plan. The Examiner gives us the scoop.

The SFUSD school board granted teachers an extension to obtain PE credentials to teach JROTC and extended the program for another two years in some district schools.

The Examiner runs a lengthy piece (for them!) about how development is changing in our fair city, with Hunter’s Point, Parkmerced and Treasure Island all being showcased as examples.

A judge in San Francisco dismissed several criminal cases at the request of the District Attorney because of the credibility of testimony from one particular police officer.

Following the recommendation of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, BART gets approval to purchase Tasers for every officer on its police force.

The Examiner takes a look at our Sit-Lie law and says that we have been getting mixed results thus far.

OK, perhaps it *is* too complicated for some knuckleheads out there who would rather get on through the back door and then rob and beat the Muni driver with their skateboards.  This is redonkulous, and needs to stop.  Increase the peace, stupid knuckleheads, or I’ll take you to the zoo.

…so goes the Union Street Fair. For all you youngsters who preferred the beer gardens to the streets lined with baby strollers and face painting, you’re outta luck this year. The verdict is in and there will be no booze at the fair. And in completely unrelated news, every store in the city seems to have sold out of flasks.

Supervisor Scott Wiener’s proposed regulations for professional dog walkers in San Francisco will move along for a full Board vote early next year. In the meantime, get your fix of walking 35 dogs at one time today!

In today’s Public Service Announcement, the Examiner informs us that it is very, very dangerous to be a pedestrian in San Francisco. I don’t know what the follow up is, as driving more is not going to sit well with environmentalists and city planners, and taking Muni probably won’t mean a significant increase in your safety, but there you have it: walkers, beware.

The Ex tells us about a recent campaign fundraiser invite that a lobbyist sent to his distribution list and why that certain invite might be raising more than a few eyebrows.

Though it is TBD whether California’s future high speed rail will be mono or bi or tri-railed, I’m including a tribute to “The Simpson’s” circa 1993 episode because it was awesome.  Today’s Ex ventures into what could happen to the Fourth Street exit should one possible speed rail route be executed.  Not as bad as what occurred in Springfield, but the plan does conjure up similar images - in the interim.

Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting and CA Reinvestment Coalition’s Kevin Stein take an in-depth look at the foreclosure crisis facing the Bay Area and what our local politicians can do about it. Read up!

The Bay Area Reporter covers District Attorney Gascón’s announcement that he will be setting up community courts in the Mission and Bayview to help deal with misdemeanors.

Police Chief Greg Suhr and Mayor Lee announce the City’s first special victims unit that combines several units within the department.

Following last week’s system failure of the City’s emergency communications technology, Mistermayor wants to know what happened and how we can prevent it from happening again.  Sounds like a great idea to me, especially learning that when the system fails, emergency personnel resort to using pens, paper, and radios (like the olden times!).

Today’s Examiner gives us the 411 on what Muni is considering in efforts to speed up the overcrowded N-Judah line. Sounds like a great idea, but transit advocates such as N-Judah Chronicles’ (props!) Greg Dewar have doubts about the plan. Read up!

The Chronicle profiles Recreation and Parks Commission President and America’s Cup torchbearer Mark Buell in today’s Sunday edition.  Spend the extra change and grab a hard copy.  Go ahead - treat yourself.

This week’s BoS Land Use Committee meeting will showcase a topic that many of us have a love-hate relationship with: taxicabs. Sponsored by Supervisor Scott Wiener, today’s hearing on taxicabs will feature the first-ever quarterly report on the industry.

The San Francisco Unified School District hopes voters will approve a $531 million bond to renovate (and simply fix) its aging facilities.  We’re talking leaky facets, broken windows, and cracked pavement.

Despite the passage of Prop H in 2004, music and art programs are taking a hit in San Francisco public schools.