Archive for July, 2011

The Examiner fills us in on Karl Bradfield Nicholas, the ballot thief. Last December, his Election Day political protest (he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of taking 75 ballots and a poll list from a polling place) landed him in jail. On the eve of his release, he was ordered back to jail for his “Gandhi-esque” behavior in court. I didn’t know Gandhi was in to stealing ballots.

The Board of Supervisors has thrown its support behind a project to house LGBT youth in the Marina district, and the Bay Area Reporter gives us all the deets on who voted which way and why.

What’s the first thing you do after being bought by a mega cable-neé-Internet company? Why, expand into San Francisco, of course! The Huffington Post is now covering our fair city, with all sorts of bloggers and videos and electeds weighing in with their two (or sometimes two hundred) cents. While we won’t be linking to the individual blogs (see our posting policy here) we encourage all of our Suspects readers to check it out!

The Chronicle reports on a $500,000 settlement between the City and a local restaurant accused of wage theft. This is the single largest payment the City has received for this type of violation.

First, pants were dropped. Then, charges were dropped. Now? It looks like Mr. Deshon Marman, our resident pant-sagger, plans to sue US Airways. I bet none of you saw that coming. The upside? If he wins, he could buy many many belts.

If it’s Candlestick park and houses you’re talking about, the answer is “to grow,” unanimously. At yesterday’s Board meeting, all eleven Supes gave the nod to the Executive Park development, which is smushed in between the ballpark and 101. And yes, smushed is a technical term.

Heather Knight takes a look at public housing in San Francisco and the issues residents are dealing with. What I learned: I am not the only person that does not enjoy the presence of cockroaches.

…I will post this. Some of you will wonder, appropriately, why two of the top stories in today’s edition of Suspects don’t have much of a title, or any commentary at all. Click below to read about why we do that, and under what circumstances. Thanks!

Will Senator Mark Leno’s legislation to stop our state’s educational stonewalling about Stonewall get inked by a sympathetic Governor? If so, Gov. Brown, where will the signing ceremony take place? And will you please, please invite Phyllis Lyon, and give her one of the ceremonial pens? Kthxbai.

The Chron looks at the minotaur maze traversed by those who seek to obtain a liquor license. Looks like it might be easier to open up a pot club…

The Health Department deals with the complexities of regulating hookah lounges in our smoke-free town, as it searches for the correct line to draw between protecting public safety and respecting ethnic traditions…

And they say the housing market is struggling. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s San Francisco home sold in less than a week! The Examiner uncovers the real reason behind his move to Marin… (cliffhanger!)

The Bay Citizen glances over at the vacant building at 1886 Mission, reports on why some neighbors think it’s been blighting up the neighborhood, and discusses just what the City plans to do about it.

There’s no time like the present. The JUSTIS project to link our City’s Police and Sheriff’s Departments’ information systems - which was approved over 10 years ago, mind you - is said to finally be getting off the ground this year. Your choice on whether you’d like to hold your breath on this one.

With the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval of 55 Laguna, which will provide rental units specifically for low-income LGBT seniors, project sponsors now check their pockets and their friends’ pocketbooks to meet funding requirements and finally get this thing built.

The San Francisco School Board is working on providing affordable housing for teachers and other district employees in the Mission. What’s the debate? Does $9 million worth of land stay in the public or private sector?

The Guardian’s editor dissects his recent conversation with the political consultant working on the Ed Lee for Mayor campaign, and has some Points Of View about what it all means.

The Guardian takes a lengthy look at San Francisco development, considering whether green building standards are what we should be concentrating on - or, perhaps, some other fundamental issues, instead…

I’ll bet you didn’t know about this loophole found in today’s Ex - if you put an un-approved sign up on your business, it’s generally disallowed. However, if you’re advertising a contest and telling people to come inside to enter said contest? Generally allowed, it seems. (And I’m sure there’s more to all this, but we can’t learn all the laws in one brief newspaper article, now can we?) In any event, it looks to be a fun fight that will play out over coming weeks and months… stay tuned…

Mmmmmmm. Coke goes great with lots of things. Summer, for one - and recreation donations, for another. The Bay Citizen and the City Insider both cover the Big Donation made by Big Coke for our collective fitness.

Former head of San Francisco’s Arts Commission, Luis Cancel, resigned but continues to defend his position that he was working abroad. The Arts Commission, however, has already moved on and appointed a new interim head, J.D. Beltran, to the post. Best of luck to you both.

The Chronicle explores the Bayview Opera House’s history and current uses, as well as how much it will cost to keep the building functioning.

BAAQMD has several incentive policies for local agencies to use environmentally-friendly vehicles. Some folks say it’s too much, others say it’s not enough, and the agency remains stuck smack dab in the middle. Always an awkward place to be, dontchathink?

Board of Supervisors President David Chiu has proposed legislation that would require new and renovated buildings to include water refill stations in their plans. Can we also include a clause to include Kool-Aid packets too? Ohhh Yeah!