Westside Observer

The Way We Were

“...the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA) hired some 300 artisans to create a detailed wooden model of San Francisco for the Planning Commission...Built at a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet, the 6,000 wood blocks of this mini-mundi covered 1000 square feet.”
By Dr. Derek Kerr Read More
WPA's San Francisco Model at Neighborhood Library Branches

“Each Branch will hold three special events. The West Portal Library (shown here) held an opening event on Jan. 26 and two more will be held on Feb. 23 and 24 when New Deal Scholar Harvey Smith will speak about the project and the era”

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Fabricated stats

SFPD Scarecrows Replacing Clark Kents

“San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego share similar economic backdrops and enforce a single California Penal Code. Yetin the annual FBI Uniform Crime Reports, by the 2010 U.S. census figures, only SF experienced a seismic spike in crimes starting in 2011.”

By Lou Barberini

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Shortage of Elderly Healthcare Facilities

Supervisor Yee—Step Up to the Plate

“... omissions and shortsightedness in collecting data affects developing public policy. The problem? Missing data. No data is asked for, none collected. The City doesn’t ask for data. No questions, no data.”

By Patrick Monette-Shaw
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Congratulations Supervisor Norman Yee

“... I feel an urgency – to respond to the crises facing our City in a time of population growth and rising inequality, and an urgency to make as much impact as I can in my last two years as Supervisor...”
By George Wooding More ...
SF Moving to a Public Bank

“Public input also favored divesting from Bank of America and Wells Fargo. However, the Treasurer’s Office finds it daunting to “create a Public Bank from scratch.”
By Dr. Derek Kerr
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Quentin Kopp

Kamala Harris?

“Forgotten is Kamala Harris’ conduct 16 years ago. Before election as San Francisco’s District Attorney in November 2003, she benefited from appointment to the $97,000-per-year California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board by then-Assembly Speaker Willie Brown in 1993, and the next year to the even higher-paying California Medical Commission.”
Quentin Kopp
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Westside Observer Wins James Madison Freedom of Information Award

“The publication stands out among San Francisco’s neighborhood newspapers for fostering citizen journalism based on public records disclosures that shed light on city government and promote community engagement.” More ...
Eelgrass: Bay's Basic Building Block

The Treasure of Treasure Island

“... it is known as a keystone species. If the eelgrass does well, then so will the lives dependent on it. If it does poorly, then its many dependent species will also suffer.”

By Katherine Howard
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Focusing on the Big Picture

“ SFPUC’s rights are junior, which means that it drinks at the fountain only when the irrigation districts have had their quota. If flow is insufficient in any year, tough luck for SFPUC.”

By Steve Lawrence

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Streamline Cafe

Exhibit Rocks Westside

"Wilson aims to continue bringing more art (of all kinds) to the community. Particularly to the Westside of the City, this is a primary goal for him and the staff at Streamline."

By Jonathan Farrell

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A Proud San Francisco Tradition

Magnificent Magnolias

“...home to the most significant magnolia collection for conservation purposes outside China, where the majority of species originated. ”

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West of Twin Peaks Central Council
FEBRUARY MEETING

“The February, and first, meeting ... the agenda to focus on community, including law enforcement reports, an overview of current state government-driven housing plans, and a recap of district 7 results in the local and statewide 2018 election.”

By Mitch Bull Read More ...
FEBRUARY 2018

“Although it’s winter, the temperatures have been more spring-like and a very good time to be out and about in San Francisco. Lots to see and do in our “City by the Bay. ”
By Mitch Bull
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Floating Hotels and Random Considerations for a Future City

“In the past, along the San Francisco Bay, numerous boats have been used as either bars, hotels, dance halls, museums or residences.”Illustration: Eddie Guy for Spectrum IEEE
By Glenn Rogers
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Taxing Taxes

“... this disconnect is so immense that the SFPUC may have to seek remedy by going to the voters ... This might require a promise of significant reorganization and restructuring...”

by Brian Browne

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How to find true-love...with a financial advisor

“An advisor is there to steer you toward more rational decisions, helping you invest with a purpose and strategy in mind. They offer a wealth of knowledge that you can access as you work towards saving for your goals.”

By Brandon Miller

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Meet Our New Captain Rainsford -Tuesday, February 19| 6 pm –7 pm Taraval Station Community Room

Burglaries Down, Robberies Level

“...Burglary and theft from vehicles are down, while we are on par, same as last month with robberies. The majority of the robberies were business related, late night....”
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Remember When?

Ocean Beach, Looking South. 1961

Looking Towards Ocean Beach from Sutro Heights | October 13, 1961 | Published by permission of SFMTA Photo Center.
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