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The very first piece that I wrote for the Westside Observer was for the July/August 2009 issue, yes over 10 years ago and in the interim I’ve submitted close to 100 articles. Revisiting my first missive, I wrote about our visit to Chicago and although we stayed at the Drake Hotel I commented on the beauty of the newly built Trump Tower and commented on how clean the downtown area of Chicago was. 10 years later our world is upside down and I thought you might enjoy revisiting a few of my observations at the time.
“If it takes a State House full of crooked politicians and a bunch of home grown gangsters to run a city then San Francisco should take notice and follow suit. It works great in Chicago and as I’ve said many times before Chicago is a beautiful city, clean, well maintained and full of very nice people and where pedestrians always have the right of way. Homelessness does not exist and graffiti is not to be seen.
If it takes a State House full of crooked politicians and a bunch of home grown gangsters to run a city then San Francisco should take notice and follow suit. It works great in Chicago and as I’ve said many times before Chicago is a beautiful city, clean, well maintained ...”
Chicago is well known for all its museums, aquarium, planetarium and city parks. Having seen most of them in the past we chose to visit Trump’s new International Hotel and Tower located just off Michigan Avenue and bordering on the Chicago River. After seeing a couple of the rooms and spa I had to tip my hat to Mr. Trump—it is spectacular. The hotel has been open for a year and unfortunately we found out too late but it’s definitely our choice for our next visit. Although we were not guests at the hotel we were welcomed to use the spa facilities so first thing the following morning we took advantage of the ultramodern facilities and cursed the fact that our one-hour massage went by much too quickly.”
My, my, what a decade can do to a person or a nation. Let’s keep pushing forward and here’s to 10 more years or better yet, a hundred more.
Sergio gets around—the world!
June 2020
You may be familiar with Lao Tzu’s well known phrase, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For me It all started with a casual lunch with Tony Hall, where I mentioned to him how much I enjoyed his column in the Westside Observer and casually mentioned that I too enjoyed writing about our occasional travels to our family and close friends. Tony mentioned that the paper was looking for a travel writer and asked me to send him a sample of my missives.
Never expecting to hear back, the very next day he wrote and said the paper wants to publish the missive that I had sent him. I have never taken any writing classes so obviously I felt honored to be in the company of so many talented writers, and so the adventure began. That simple step was over 10 years ago and approaching 100 issues!!! (And I still have every copy of the paper since I started with my column.)
...borrowing another famous quote from Les Guêpes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So, a new adventure begins with the realization that endless trees are saved in the process while our electronic gadgets take over.”
It’s been a great ride but like everything else in life, things happen, and like all our contributors I was deeply saddened when I learned that the Westside Observer would no longer appear in print. Again, borrowing another famous quote from Les Guêpes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So, a new adventure begins with the realization that endless trees are saved in the process while our electronic gadgets take over.
You keep reading and we’ll keep writing……it’s been a great ride and our deepest thanks for your continued support.
Sergio gets around—the world!
February 2020
After leaving Costco’s checkout area, I never fail to take a quick glance at the eye chart in front of the Optometrist’s office to make sure I can still pass the next driving test. So far so good as far as looking forward but what about looking back? Is there a special set of glasses to handle that? 2019 is teetering towards the history books but what great adventures have we lived in the last 12 months that are worth reviewing? We recently returned from a very enjoyable cruise to Mexico and a few months before that we visited our relatives in Chicago. All very pleasant adventures but what about all the political madness that we’re facing every day? Our State almost became a roasted marshmallow with all the wildfires and may soon be known as the “State of S’mores”.
The New Year started out rather innocently with good cheers and high hopes. A few birthday parties, some joyful anniversaries, new children welcomed into loving arms and sadly, a few departed souls. Not all that unusual starting with a few business gatherings, fund raising events, ribbon cuttings, and an occasional doctor’s appointment. The Napa Valley had another successful harvest and the world-famous vineyards were spared complete annihilation while Pebble Beach showed its true elegance while hosting the Concours d’ Elegance.
On Ground Hog’s Day, we looked for that shadow hoping for warmer, clearer days. The happiest of all events were Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas and certainly, the ugliest day of all was April 15, the day that income taxes were due. Being the eternal optimist, I always see the bright side, the glass is always, half full. Three of our grandchildren are finishing college; the other four are well on their way to successful careers.
Looking back, it was not so painful but now it’s time to put on those forward-looking spectacles once again. Here’s to everyone’s good health, happiness and to a peaceful world so let’s raise our glasses to a brand new year, 2020 here we come.
Sergio gets around—the world!
December 2019
With more than 100 T-Shirts hanging in the open-air kiosk, one said it all. “KEEP CALM, You’re on the Fun Side of Trump’s Wall.” And fun it was on our 10 day cruise to Mexico from San Francisco back to San Francisco on the Grand Princess. The best part, no 10 hour flights, long security lines, exchanging money and learning a new language. This was not our first Mexican “rodeo” and at best, it was just a boat ride. An hour after leaving our home we were settled in our room and from the deck we enjoyed the beautiful views of the Salesforce Tower, the Transamerica Building, Coit Tower, and a peek of Fisherman’s Wharf. At that point, it was almost a shame to let go of the lines and get under way.
Why can’t we just stay put for 4 or 5 days and enjoy our surroundings? Certainly better than a long weekend at the Ritz. However, if we never left we would miss crossing under the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the spectacular views of Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, and the Farallon Islands while watching the setting sun as we headed west.
With the two armed Coast Guard patrol boats escorting us out, one almost felt like a dignitary being driven in bulletproof limos with American flags attached to the fenders. In fact, after the boats turned around and headed back to the City, we almost felt abandoned.
After 5 days at sea our first stop was in Puerto Vallarta, where again from our veranda we had a gorgeous view of a huge shopping center anchored by a monster of a Walmart. As we made our way down the gangplank, the first thing that greeted us was an outdoor massage tent. With it sides open and flapping in the wind there was no need to worry about being busted, truly a happy beginning instead of the latter. 
We have always taken our chances and innocently stepped inside the first taxi that was available, and for $40 dollars an hour we were driven to the beach area and walked along the boardwalk enjoying the endless array of drug stores, jewelry shops, and street vendors. All the main tourist stops now have beautifully painted huge signs along the waterfront with the name of the city. A great photo op along with some cleaver artwork, and that cardboard box always waiting for a few dinaro. On the way back we stopped by the former home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton highlighted by beautiful bronze statues of the two of them.
Another day, another stop, this time at Manzanillo with more of the same stores, shops, and beautifully painted signs. A magazine rack with literature from the Jehovah’s Witnesses flanked an ice-cream store, which was our destination of choice.
Mazatlán provided us with another opportunity to jump in a cab, but this one was an open-air relic of days gone by. Another ride along the beachfront, which had, yes, another large painted sign with the name of the city. The beachfront was home to a large group of bronze sculptures with a real life McDonalds across the street. 5 days of cruising for a big Mac? I wonder if they serve Tequila instead of Diet Coke.
Our final stop was in Cabo San Lucas, and as we tendered in we were greeted by a familiar sight, Senor Frog’s and the 50-foot tall metal sculpture of a flying fish. The Souvenir store was our last stop where we purchased a few trinkets to remind us of yet another trip to this happy land. As we strolled through more shops and bars, I could have sworn that I saw a variety of workers all wearing T-Shirts with the Mar-a-Lago emblem emblazoned on them. Is it possible that they crossed over and ended up on the fun side of Trump’s wall?
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
November 2019
The first time I saw Hamilton was in San Francisco and after yawing my way through it, I quietly asked the question, “What’s all the fuss about? You could buy a round trip ticket to Europe for the price of admission and the wait for a ticket is endless. I’m not much of a theater goer but I’ve certainly seen a few of the well-known productions. Phantom of the Opera, Fiddler on the Roof, and my all-time favorite, Les Miserables to name a few. So in all fairness I thought I would give Hamilton one more try and what better opportunity than during our recent visit to Chicago.
The theater was not as crowded, the ticket prices were a bit more manageable and guess what? I actually enjoyed it except for the fact that for the next 3 days that one line kept jumping in my head and would not let go, “I am not throwing away my shot”, “I am not throwing away my shot”. After sitting through it one more time I saw it in a new light and I must admit it was a much better cast than the San Francisco production but equally as enjoyable was our visit to the Art Institute of Chicago located in Grant Park where we enjoyed the exhibit of Edouard Manet’s paintings. The Art Institute was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States. The exhibits were beautifully displayed and I managed to take endless photos but one of his most famous paintings and most scandalous “Lunch on the Grass”, was to be admired only in book form.
The museum has an endless display of world-renowned artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Grant Wood, Edward Hopper, Henri Matisse and Claude Monet. Claude Monet? Didn’t we see him recently at the de Young museum in San Francisco? The paintings were from his later years and again it brought back so many fond memories of our visit to his home and gardens in Giverny where we got a chance to take a few photos standing on his Japanese Bridge spanning his infamous water lily pond and then followed the arbor-covered pathway to the main entrance of his house. From Hamilton to Manet to Monet. Quite a range of talent as we went from bullets to bulbs, from lasting impressions to impressionists. So much fun but that song still rings in my ears.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
October 2019
Sixty years! It may seem like a long time but to quote that old cliché “it seems like yesterday.” We went to Carmel in 1960 for our honeymoon and continued to go a couple times a year. We eventually bought a modest home of our own in town.
One of our favorite spots has always been Talbott Ties, and through the years I managed to accumulate a nice collection of ties when people still wore ties. My collection grew from knit ties, to narrow ones, to holiday ties, and ordinary every day varieties. Eventually, Talbott’s started selling shirts, jackets, bow ties, and vests, and even went into the wine business. Looking thru my closet I still have a nice assortment of knit ties that were very popular at the time. Somehow I just can’t work up the courage to donate them to charity, but if you see a homeless person wearing one on Market Street or the Tenderloin you’ll know where it came from. Some of the Christmas ties are real gems with sparkling Christmas trees, decorated ornaments and brightly colored stripes.
During our last visit to Carmel I happened to be driving down Ocean Avenue and I couldn’t believe my eyes, Talbott Ties is gone, closed, a “For Lease” sign sadly displayed in the window. A notice on line mentioned that the company had laid off most of their employees and was auctioning off all its equipment.”
But all my ties didn’t come from Talbotts. One of my favorites was purchased in Danang, Viet Nam, with its red and white diagonal strips, highlighted with silver threads. While there we visited a silk worm farm. We watched in awe as the worms spun their magic tirelessly, working so hard to create a tie for me, a pair of stockings for the women, or a parachute for a hang glider.
Just as unusual is a solid black tie that I purchased in Rome many years ago that has a symbol of a fasces on it, the original symbol of fascism that came from ancient Imperial Rome as a symbol of power and was adopted by Mussolini’s Fascists. It was eventually referred to as Fascio, a bundle of sticks featuring an axe as a symbol of strength through unity.
Still hanging on my tie rack is another tie from Barney’s in New York with Martini olives all over, and one with a full length figure of James Dean. I don’t remember where that one came from, but what a gem to wear at a movie night. Rebel Without a Cause was released in 1955, and how can one forget that great scene with James Dean drag racing his car as Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo watch in terror as the car careens over the cliff and into the ocean. Sadly, James Dean died one month before the release of the film.
So many fond memories, but wait, James Dean’s demise is not the only sad ending to this story. During our last visit to Carmel I happened to be driving down Ocean Avenue and I couldn’t believe my eyes, Talbott Ties is gone, closed, a “For Lease” sign sadly displayed in the window. A notice on line mentioned that the company had laid off most of their employees and was auctioning off all its equipment. And to make matters worse I saw that the Talbott wine division had been sold to E & J Gallo in 2015. One of my favorite Pinots born in the same barrel as Carlo Rossi?
On the brighter side I saw that Talbott ties are still available on Amazon. $175.00 for a Talbott tie, and I thought that 15 or 20 bucks was ridiculous at the time. Having known that I would have bought a ton of them. Considering the return I would have done better than buying Apple stock 20 years ago. At least I still have the ties to console me, and perhaps at the next dress up function I can tie a bottle of Talbott’s wine around my neck out of respect to Robb Talbott.
So if you’ll excuse me now I’m headed to Total Wines and More to pick up a $17.00 bottle of a 92 point Kali Hart Pinot Noir to drown my sorrow…...and I may even put on one of my knit ties out of respect for the last 60 years.
Sergio gets around—the world!
September 2019
We stood innocently by a three-foot concrete pad known as “Point Zero” that is recognized as the center of Paris. The marker is always covered with small coins and surrounded by hundreds of tourists, like us, taking endless photos before turning the camera on the façade of Norte Dame Cathedral. The Plaza in front of the Cathedral is always crowded but not to the point where the people are obnoxious. To me the beauty of this marvelous structure is best seen from the side were one can marvel at the flying buttresses that seem to embrace the entire building like a mother caressing a child.
Structurally, they hold up the building, esthetically, especially at night, they represent what Paris is all about. Yes, there is the Eifel Tower with its rotating beacon and the bridges, buildings, monuments and riverboats but this marvelous structure is what truly makes Paris “The City of Light.”
We’ve been fortunate to have visited Paris a couple of times in the last few years and will always cherish the sights and sounds of this beautiful city, so you can well imagine the shock and sadness when we heard about this devastating fire.
On our last visit, we stayed at the Hotel Brighton on rue de Rivoli, where our corner room was directly across from the Tuileries Gardens and provided us with a postcard view that stretched from the towers of Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower and beyond.
So many fond memories and so much sadness that this grand cathedral has been sadly wounded, but it appears that not only the French but the entire world is set on rebuilding this glorious structure to its original grandeur. In the mean-time, we’ll hope and pray for its full and speedy recovery while we hold on to all those fond memories of visiting Notre Dame, admiring all the artifacts, listening to the priests’ sermons in French, not understanding a word, while never forgetting to light a candle on the way out. May that light shine forever.
Sergio gets around—the world.
MAY 2019
A very dear friend of mine called me the other day and wanted to know if I would be home for a while, he wanted to stop by and show me his new baby. Now, knowing his age and disposition I figured that this one would probably show up in Depends.
Fortunately, that was not the case and to my surprise, this one was in fact a new baby and absolutely gorgeous. “Wow, that’s really nice, what’s its name?” “Well, we don’t have a name yet but we’re considering Nikola, does that sound too Italian?” “Actually, we like the nickname, “T” but we’ll know better when the license plates arrive.” “Nikola? “T” like in Tesla I asked?”
Obviously, the next step was to sit inside and enjoy the smell of a new car. Beautifully crafted and silent as a church mouse. The power as we took off was indescribable. “So, what else can it do, I asked? And what happens when it runs out of juice?” In an instant a button on the gigantic screen was pushed and immediately the map showed all the charging stations within a 250-mile radius. And the best part is that the charging is free! Truly amazing and the best part is that you can now say “Goodbye” to those nasty gas pumps.
“So where can we go in that distance?” I drew a 250-mile radius on an old fashioned map and I was amazed at how much I could revisit. I hadn’t been to Camp Roberts since my days in the 91st Infantry Reserves, and what about San Louis Obispo, where we would spend our weekends away from the blistering heat. Santa Barbara was another spot I hadn’t seen in many years and what about those beautiful rides along Highway 1 from Half Moon Bay with a stop along the way at Duarte’s Tavern. We were there just a few months ago for an 80th birthday party and the views of the ocean were stunning. Going further south we could barely make it to San Simeon on a single charge but once there we could revisit the magnificence of Julia Morgan’s Hearst Castle.
Going north there is the Napa Valley region and with plenty of charge left over we could revisit Healdsburg with all its great restaurants. Tahoe might be a stretch but after all there are plenty of charging stations along the way. The beauty of Lake Tahoe in the spring and early summer is beyond description. The smell of those pine trees coupled with the amazing sunsets over the lake are truly one of nature’s greatest gifts.
At that point my imagination went into overdrive as I imagined all those wonderful stops that appeared on that gigantic screen. “Navigate to Novato” and there it is, the road, the traffic conditions and of course all the charging stations along the way showing how many at each stop and how many are available, but what else does this beauty do? You can tune to radio stations all over the world, you can put it on auto-pilot and watch the car start driving itself, speeding up, and slowing down as the conditions change, and finally I had to ask my friend, “So, show me something really cool.” Well, apparently, with the latest software update they have a new gadget that absolutely blew me away. Press the Tesla icon, hit the photo of the Whoopi Cushion and pick “Fart on Demand” and so help me, all you do is hit the radio volume wheel and be prepared to have the biggest laugh that you’ve enjoyed in a long, long time. You can even set it for either of the rear seats and watch the look on your friends’ faces when you make a left or right turn. Just make sure that you have a box of tissue with you, I laughed so hard that tears were streaming down my face.
The Tesla automobile is truly a revolutionary piece of engineering, but how would Mr. Nikola Tesla react to this latest feature? Hopefully with a true sense of humor of course. After all, this is Silicon Valley and not Austria where he was born.
Sergio gets around—the world!
March 2019
With our country in a death spiral and our loyal Federal employees working for no pay and with no money to buy food, what is one to do? Our President suggested surviving on a Big Mac but will the landlord accept that in rent payment? What happens if he’s a vegetarian? And what happens if you want to visit a National Park, or Alcatraz or Muir Woods? I guess I could bring along a trash bag but what happens when nature calls? Maybe a box of Depends the next time I’m at Costco.
In my younger days we never had those problems. On most weekends we would pile in a car and drive to Fairfax and spend the day sitting by the pool at Marin Town and Country Club. I don’t remember the entrance fee but the grounds were beautiful. Green lawns, padded chairs, a beautiful pool and background music. You could bring a picnic lunch and always be assured of clean garbage cans long before the days of re-cycling and composting. By late afternoon our backs were beet red with the sun leaving strange marks on our back, face and chest. No bikinis in those days so the area between natural skin and burned was quite obvious. We used baby oil as lotion and who knew about SPF ratings. If you came back looking like lobster it was a badge of honor. Today people go to tanning salons, we just sat there and burned!
If you were looking for some real adventure you might travel as far as the Russian River and stop off in Rio Nido, Guerneville or Occidental and spend the day canoeing on the River. We always looked forward to a stop at the Union Hotel, which opened in 1879, or one of my favorites, Negri’s, where they were famous for their Italian meals since their opening in 1943. I can still vividly remember being in a canoe with a bunch of friends paddling down the river when someone jumped off the side — overturning the canoe, and dumping me in the river. Fortunately, they knew that I couldn’t swim, and through the panic you could hear “save Nibbi, save Nibbi.” Thankfully they were able to pull me towards the shore until my feet touched the muddy bottom. From then on I always wore a life preserver.
As time wore on we made our way as far as Mendocino and beyond while enjoying the beautiful ocean views. We stayed a few times at Heritage House and loved it. Eventually we ended up with a boat of our own, still not knowing how to swim. We had many adventures on the Bay, going from the Marina to Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon, and eventually to the Delta. So many great times, but like anything mechanical, boats do break down, and on more than one occasion we had to call the Coast Guard for assistance. At the time there were no cell phones, but our trusty two-way radio was always set on channel 16 where we could get patched in to the Coast Guard. No charge, no hassle, they just showed up.
The biggest thrill was Opening Day, where hundreds of boats are decorated, loaded with friends, food, and booze, and headed out in the bay to parade around after passing by the anchored Coast Guard cutter where all the boats were blessed, and then to a sheltered anchorage were the music was loud and the liquor strong. Knowing the lurking dangers on the water my steadfast rule was no drinks for the captain until I was safely back in our berth.
And speaking of safety, what would happen now if all of a sudden we were in need of assistance? Can’t call the Coast Guard, they’re grounded. Maybe I should call Trump, but being from California I’m sure he won’t even pick up my call. I guess the best bet is to stay home and enjoy a Big Mac, but considering that I still have a job I may chase down a furloughed Coast Guard family and go all out and treat them to an In-N-Out burger.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
February 2019
Having recently spent two weeks in Eastern Europe visiting scores of churches, cathedrals, synagogues, fortresses and magnificent palaces, I always marvel at the size, height and beauty of these amazing structures. As a builder I always marvel at the talent and craftsmanship of those builders from so long ago. One of the first Cathedrals that we visited during our river cruise was the Regensburg Cathedral with its soaring spires. Who was the soils engineer? Who designed the foundations? Where did the material come from and how many men did it take to carve that magnificent exterior? The spires reach to the heavens but how did they get all that material to the very top? Today we have tower cranes and metal scaffolding, but how many trees did they need to cut down to get to the very top of those spires? And how many would-be Michelangelos did it take to carve all those sculptures?
The Cathedral in Florence known as the Duomo was started in 1296 with the realization that at the time, no one knew how to build the dome, and it would take over 100 years before Brunelleschi finally figured out how to construct what is still the largest brick dome ever created. And what about Giotto's Bell Tower next door? Still standing and not an inch out of plumb. Is there a lesson to be learned here?
I questioned a structural engineer years ago about the construction of Saint Peter's in Rome, and why the building that huge didn't tilt or sink. His answer was very simple. They figured out the weight of the soil being excavated and figured the weight of the new structure and the solution was simple, the weight of the new building was equal to the weight of the soil being removed.
With all the construction going on in San Francisco at this time, one would think that a little research would be in order. I'm sure that with all the brilliant soils engineers in our area someone must have visited some of those magnificent old world structures and spent time doing research on the means and methods. Could it be that there were more workers than attorneys? And speaking of workers, was there a minimum wage, days off on your birthday, or two weeks paid vacation?
I've never given this a lot of serious thought, but maybe I had better start holding on to those cruise brochures that come in the mail daily. I still vividly remember the sun shining through the hole in the roof of the Pantheon, the grandeur of St. Peter's in Rome, the amazing mosaics that cover the walls and ceiling of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, and one of my favorites, Notre Dame in Paris.
With the holidays upon us, maybe Santa's sack might have just enough room for a pair of tickets to some exotic spot where we can study the construction of these magnificent structures, take some notes and bring back some ideas on how to build them right, build them straight and, well, you know what Shakespeare said about the attorneys!!
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
December 2018
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| A View of Budapest |
As we made our final approach into Paris from our early morning flight from Budapest,
I caught a glimpse of the Eifel Tower off in the distance enshrouded in the morning mist. At that point we reminisced about all the fond memories we've shared in this wonderful city, and the question that begged to be asked, "Why are we not spending a few extra days in Paris before heading home?" Fortunately, we had made arrangements through Air France to have someone meet us at our gate once on the ground and the "Meet and Greet" service worked like a dream. Had it not been for that beautiful young woman that met us at the plane's exit, we would still be walking around the airport asking for directions to the next terminal. The line in Passport Control was as at least an hour's wait but we went to the head of the line, crossed under the cloth barricades, and walked right through. In the bus, off the bus, up the stairs, down the stairs and into a private room in Air Frances's business lounge. Certainly worth it.
For the next 12 hours on the way home, we had the time to relive our adventure from Prague to Budapest on Scenic's Jasper that turned out to be more of a nightmare than a sweet dream. Our 4-hour bus ride from Prague to Nuremburg was pleasant enough until we met in the lounge shortly after arriving on board and were told that there was not enough water upriver to allow passage to our final destination, Budapest. Our cruise director, Richard, suggested that we not unpack our suitcases until they knew more in a few days. Sure enough, on the 3rd day they loaded us on a bus, suitcases and all, and after a full day of riding on the bus we ended up in Melk where we toured the Abby and eventually had an overnight stay in Krems.
We eventually found out that the boat had in fact made it through the shallow water, and that we would eventually catch up with the boat. Another full day of bus riding that took us from Krems to Vienna that lasted from 11 am to midnight, before finally getting back to our room after another 3 hours' bus ride after the concert. As they say, "All's well that ends well," but that was not the case. The next day we cruised all day, never stopping in order to catch up to our final destination, Budapest. Unfortunately, we got to Budapest in the wee hours of the morning just in time for our disembarkation at 8:30 am.
Fortunately, we had made arrangements to extend our stay for an additional twodays. Otherwise our view of Budapest would have been from the window of our airplane heading home. Being the eternal optimist I tend to look at the bright side of life. The views from the bus window showed us what real roads should look like, newly paved, no potholes, no garbage strewn along the roadways, and absolutely no homeless. In Prague they wash down all the sidewalks every night and during the day workers with huge "Dust Busters" continually clean the streets and sidewalks. All the buses are brand spanking new and squeaky clean.
Are we doing something wrong in our State? Maybe it's time to treat our politicians to a river cruise and try to figure out what they are doing right and find a way to improve. It was truly an adventure but am I ready for another river cruise? Yes, but this time it's going to be on a Mississippi River paddle boat.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
November 2018
The view from the tail-mounted camera on "Big Bird" gave us great views of our approach and landing at Charles de Gaulle airport as we pondered what we enjoyed more, the amazing Air France A380 double decker flying machine that defies gravity or that delicious gourmet meal. After the usual cocktails we started with pickled quail's eggs and salmon, followed by a rack of lamb with all the trimmings, beautiful desserts and more drinks. Truly a delicious French meal, except this one was obviously prepared in San Francisco. I wonder if they cater.
...we made our way to the Documentation Center, where there were endless displays of the Nazi era from their rise to the end of World War Two. Extremely educational but so sad, with photos and video of the history of the Nazi Party and the Nuremberg trials... ”
After a two hour layover in Paris, we boarded another but smaller Air France plane for a 90 minute hop to Prague. Another easy flight. but a slight hiccup when we arrived. The driver that was scheduled to pick us up pulled a no-show, and moments later a text informed us that he had an accident and was not able to be there. Our tired eyes spotted a counter with a great big sign on it, and after a brief conversation with a very helpful young woman she told us to wait here and a driver would be here in a minute and sure enough Joseph appeared, wheeled our bags to his waiting car and away we went without the usual standing in line outside, fighting for a cab. As it turned out Joseph spoke perfect English and after asking him if he had time to give us a quick tour of Prague he spend the next hour driving by all the major tourist "must see" spots. It's amazing how much we saw in that little time and how nice he was.
Our hotel, the Art Deco Imperial Hotel, was in a perfect location, close to the main train station and an easy 15-minute walk to Old Town. After a two-night stay on our own, our "Gems of the Danube with Prague" cruise on Scenic's Amber started with the first three days being spent in Prague as part of the cruise package. With a total of five days to sightsee, we got a great feel for this beautiful ancient city, packed with wall to wall tourists at the time. We arrived on Saturday the 15th and coincidently the 18th happened to be my 83rd birthday. What a great way to check off another year. (Did I really say Czech?) In five days we saw every corner of the city and gave our Apple Watch a real workout on how many steps we did every day. In Old Town Hall we visited the Astronomical Clock, which was covered with tarps and under repair. But we did make our way to the 3rd floor and bought tickets to the small, round elevator that took us to the very top of the Town Hall's tower where we enjoyed the spectacular views of the entire city as well as the twin Gothic towers of the Tyn Church.
An early morning taxi ride brought us to Prague Castle where we watched tourist after tourist stand next to the armed security guards taking one picture after another and yes, we took one also. Once inside the huge courtyard we made our way through security, which was tighter than going through SFO. We spent the morning visiting St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Place, Basilica of St. George and various other exhibits before crashing for lunch. The restaurant off the entrance to the square had great outside dining areas. After sitting down, drinks were ordered. When we asked for the menu we were asked to follow the waiter where he escorted us to the kitchen area and proceeded to lift the lids to the various pots showing us the specials of the day. A great meal followed, and certainly a first for us. Another must see was the Charles Bridge, and again there were hordes of tourists as we crossed, admired all the statutes on either side before heading back to our hotel.
That evening was the birthday bash for this poor, tired old traveler. With the recommendation from one of the drivers we ended up at Portfolio Restaurant, a one-star Michelin restaurant that lived up to its rating. Thursday morning our bags were brought downstairs as we finished breakfast and prepared for our four-hour ride to Nuremberg. A pit stop along the way gave us enough time for a Big Mac and a chance to stretch our legs. Finally, we were on board, settled in and headed to the dining room, tired but eager to see this town, with so much history. Our bus tour the next day started with a drive around the main attractions in town, and finally a stop at the famous Zeppelin Field where Adolf Hitler spoke from that well-known balcony, and where that huge swastika was blown up by the Allies after the war. After a short walk we made our way to the Documentation Center, where there were endless displays of the Nazi era from their rise to the end of World War Two. Extremely educational but so sad, with photos and video of the history of the Nazi Party and the Nuremberg trials which were held in Court Room 600 in the Palace of Justice that concluded on November 20, 1945.
Our bus brought us back to reality as we ate dinner that evening at Portobello, one of the specialty restaurants, and had a delicious Italian meal. Our overnight cruise brought us to Regensburg, and after arriving mid-morning we took an escorted walking tour of this beautiful old town. All good so far except the word is coming down that there may not be enough water in the river up ahead to float this boat. Worst case, we may have to be bussed to our next stop, Passau and then what? Is our 7-day river cruise turning into a bus trip? Hopefully not……
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: Sergio@westsideobserver.com
October 2018
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| Prague |
Russia, London, Paris, Madrid, Dublin and Athens. Ports of call on a magical around the world cruise? Fables from a great storyteller or a young person’s dream of travels to far off lands? Fortunately, none of the above, especially if you live in San Francisco where these locations are as easy to visit as a trip to the market. When I was a teenager, we moved to the Excelsior District where we lived on Edinburgh and Brazil. My grandmother lived on Madrid, we had friends that lived on Naples, Munich and Dublin, and the corner grocery store was on Vienna. Russia, Persia, Madrid and Edinburgh bound the Excelsior Playground. The long standing Italian American Social Club has been on Russia and London Streets for many years and still serves great food and drinks to the locals and outsiders as well.
After the 1906 earthquake Emanuel Lewis and his daughter Jeannette built over 200 homes in the area, and in the process proceeded to name the streets and avenues after the world’s capitals and countries. When I lived there, the Excelsior District was predominantly Italian, Irish, and Swiss, and today it is one of the most ethnically-diverse districts in San Francisco.
Although through the years we’ve had the pleasure of visiting many of these beautiful cities and countries, we’ve never visited Prague, not the street but the city. In a few weeks, we leave for a river cruise on Scenic Cruise Line’s Amber, leaving from Prague and ending up in Budapest for an 11-day adventure on the Danube River. Our Air France flight will take us to Paris on the gigantic Airbus A380, and then after a brief layover we settle in for a short hop to Prague. I’m amazed when speaking with friends about Prague, and how much they’ve all enjoyed the area, and I don’t even know what country it’s in.
Our trip starts with a three-day tour of Prague and the surrounding area. Some of the highlights will include a stop at the Astronomical Clock, a walk across the Charles Bridge and a guided tour of the City and its rich history. On the third day, a coach will take us to Nuremberg where our cruise begins and obviously some delicious food and drink to welcome us aboard. On the following day, we will have our choice of visiting the moving World War ll sites, or a more pleasant tour of the “Tastes of Nuremberg”, certainly a much happier way to end the day. Our cruise will take us to the old town of Regensburg, and then a ferry ride to the Weltenburg Abbey where we’ll be tasting beer from one of the oldest monastic breweries in the world. Another day, another Abbey, while we visit the 18th century Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and then on to Vienna where we can once again revisit the Schonbrunn Palace and the world-renowned Spanish Riding School. On the 10th day, we arrive in Budapest for a guided tour of the city, including a piano concert and a dip in the Thermal Baths and Spa. The following day we disembark the ship with two days to tour on our own another beautiful city before heading back home.
Hopefully before we leave I will have found the time to figure out what country we’re going to and what we’ll be seeing along the way. But most importantly, I need to find a pair of Lederehosen, an Alpine hat, and certainly a couple of German beer steins. I hope that after all this I don’t wake up in the middle of the night yodeling my way to the bathroom.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: Sergio@westsideobserver.com
Sept 2018
Considering that Bottle Rock was history and the ground had finally stopped shaking, we thought that it would be a perfect time to visit Napa. Late spring, looking for summer, with the vines starting to perform their yearly ritual. Beautiful weather, with cult wines looking to be discovered, decanted, and enjoyed. Looking for some peace and quiet, we made reservations at the new Archer Hotel in the center of downtown, which opened just six weeks after the devastating fires that swept through the wine country. Anchoring the new 183 room Archer Hotel is Charlie Parmer's Steak House, a carnivore's delight with their "cowboy cut" 18-ounce Ribeye served with a side of Béarnaise sauce, truffle, and bacon twice-baked potato and roasted mushrooms. Fortunately, Queen of the Valley Hospital is just a mile down the road!
The ride home was pleasant. Feeling badly about our lack of jazz involvement, I did find some smooth jazz on the radio to play on the ride back. Perhaps next year we can come better prepared to join the crowds, enjoy some of that great talent, and catch some live entertainment, but for now my apologies to The Commodores, Norman Brown, Peter White, Faith Evans and Bobby Caldwell…see you next time”
Moments after checking in, I picked up a copy of Inside Napa Valley and there it was, The Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, a week's worth of more raucous music and more tourists. With that, we took a quick walk across the street and decided to split a club sandwich at the Subway Sandwich franchise and down it with a diet coke; so much for being in the gastronomical center of the universe.
That evening we decided to have dinner in the Sky and Vine Restaurant on the rooftop of the hotel, and of course, that evening was the fourth playoff game for the Warriors, and again more whooping and hollering, and yes it was an amazing sweep for our three-time champs. The staff gave us one of the best tables near the TVs behind the bar. With so many people standing in front of the TVs it was impossible to see any of the action, but we could tell from the gyrations of the guests that we were headed for victory. By the end of the evening our ears were ringing, and we both got a free lesson on lip reading before the final cheers subsided.
On Saturday we headed to Yountville for lunch and took a chance at Michael Chiarello's Bottega. Both the inside and outside were packed with diners, but somehow we lucked out with one of the best tables on the outside patio. Ordering was easy; we always have the Gnocchi Della Nonna, fluffy pillows filled with ricotta cheese served with a delicious tomato sauce…Yes!
For dinner we took another chance and without reservations headed to Filippi's Pizza Grotto. We sat down at the plastic-covered table and settled for the mushroom and sausage pizza. Not being beer drinkers, we surprisingly ordered a pitcher of the locally crafted beer and proceeded to drink it all. Again, this was not the French Laundry, but that pizza was out of this world, and although we ordered the smaller one we had to force ourselves to devour the entire six slices. And if that wasn't enough we walked across the street to the Oxbow Public Market and took home a couple of Kara's cupcakes in case we suffered hunger pangs in the middle of the night.
Fortunately, we did manage a real meal with some friends at the River Terrace Inn, where we enjoyed the alfresco dining while sharing a nice Pinot from the Napa Valley. Monday morning's breakfast was again at the Sky and Vine rooftop restaurant, where the weather was picture perfect and the background music very pleasing to our tired ears.
The ride home was pleasant. Feeling badly about our lack of jazz involvement, I did find some smooth jazz on the radio to play on the ride back. Perhaps next year we can come better prepared to join the crowds, enjoy some of that great talent, and catch some live entertainment, but for now my apologies to The Commodores, Norman Brown, Peter White, Faith Evans and Bobby Caldwell…see you next time.
Sergio gets around — the world!
July 2018
With all the hoopla and around the clock coverage of the Royal Wedding, I couldn't help but think about the first time we visited Windsor. It was in 2008, and after an easy flight from SFO to Heathrow we were picked up at the airport and driven to Windsor for the 90 minute ride to this lovely town that reminded us so much of Carmel. 
When we arrived at the Harte & Garter Hotel, we were pleasantly surprised to see our room, not very large and not very fancy, but it was directly across the street from Windsor Castle. The large iron balcony off our room gave us a direct view of the Castle, the changing of the guards, and the young men from Eton College, a very famous public school, jogging down the street intermingled with the endless swarms of tourists. A priceless location for watching a Royal Wedding, if only we knew.
As we strolled around town we discovered great little shops with the most interesting names, like the Italian restaurant called Little Italy—Pizza Express, The Two Brewers, whose message over the door read, "Dedicated to Life, Liberty, Food, Drink and Other Less Serious Matters" and of course, a McDonalds. Walking around, we admired the Crooked House, a Woolworth's, and Hooters, a very clever name for a store selling musical instruments.
After crossing the Windsor Bridge, we visited the old train station that had been converted to a lovely shopping arcade, where we saw another cleverly named shop called "Wooden it be Lovely." Another sign reminded us that there was "No Driving on This Side of the Street."
The following day we walked past a gaggle of swans as we made our way to a river cruise on the Thames, and watched as swimmers dodged the cleverly decorated mini-house boats and small yachts tied to the banks of the river.
The next morning we made our way through security and entered Windsor Castle. The grounds are meticulous, with guards standing like ramrods at every entrance to the various rooms. Photographs are allowed outside but not inside, which was very disappointing as we visited St. George's Chapel, and yes, there were no royals there to greet us. We were able to have our picture taken with one of the guards as he stood there motionless, and I'm sure thinking to himself, "enough of this, already." On our way out, we walked past Windsor Guildhall, the building where Prince Charles and Camilla, now the Duchess of Cornwall, were married in a civil ceremony. Again, a lot of tradition as to why they could not be married in St. George's Chapel. 
In the evening, we again watched the changing of the guards as they marched along with their drums, flutes, and more pomp and circumstance, and of course the usual wall-to-wall tourists.
Our stay was short but made all that much more interesting having visited this lovely town, and now revisiting it again on national television as the royals romp around in their carriages, on horseback, in their Rolls, and with the women sporting their designer clothes and plumed hats.
The Royal Wedding has been a great spectacle, and thank you Harry and Meghan for putting on a truly enjoyable show, but for us there is no Royal Honeymoon as we come to the realization that tomorrow is just another day of slaving away. God bless the Queen.
Sergio gets around — the world!
June 2018
We flew from San Francisco to London, with a few days at the Mayfair Hotel, and then a quick flight to Florence for the 50th birthday celebration of a dear friend from Woodside. During our stay in Florence, we managed to drive to the Cinque Terre, which was a harrowing experience, driving along those narrow, winding roads, hanging on to those steep cliffs, but certainly worth the adventure while we enjoyed the spectacular views of the crystal blue waters below.
Next on our agenda was a drive to Salzburg, Austria with a few stops in-between. Our hotel, the Schloss Fuschl, a former castle, was located on the lake of the same name and a real treasure. It was a short ride into Salzburg and our first stop was at the Mirabell Palace, where we admired the Marble Hall and decided that it would be a great spot for our next party. Lovely, until we stepped onto the geometrically arranged Mirabell Gardens, with its bronze sculptures by Italian sculptor, Ottavio Mosto. Truly unbelievable. We later learned that several scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed there where the children sang Do-Re-Mi' while dancing around the horse fountain and using the steps as a musical scale. We just could not get that song out of our heads for the next several days.
The main streets sported beautiful new streetcars that coexisted peacefully with the centuries-old horse and buggies, as well as stores full of delicious-looking cakes and desserts. We settled for an ice cream cone from a shop right next door to a MacDonald's. It was a quiet Sunday, but still enough people who caught the attention of a very clever dog playing a piano as we all watched the chess players in the middle of the plaza playing with life size chess pieces.
As beautiful as the main Cathedral was, it did not compare to listening to the dual organs playing simultaneously in this massive structure. From there we took the funicular to the top of the fortress and prided ourselves by walking all the way down and saved 20 Schilling in the process, we should have taken the tram back down and spent the money. A quick stop by Mozart's House, and then it was back to our hotel.
The following day we drove to Hallstatt where pastel-colored houses cast flickering reflections on the glassy lake. Surrounded by the mighty Alps, the entire area has been known for hundreds of years for the production of salt, which was a major economic force. The one place we skipped was the Bone House, home to over 1,200 human skulls, which was used as the local cemetery. We settled for a cold beer instead.
Our visit was extremely enjoyable, but as often happens, far too short. From there we drove through a lush valley covered with wild flowers and on to Innsbruck, Lucerne, and eventually finding our way back to Pisa where we returned our rented Mercedes. So many great memories.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
May 2018
It appears that North and South Korea decided that it is a lot more fun to challenge each other on the slopes than lobbing nukes at each other. I've truly enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang every evening and cheering those young athletes from around the world performing those amazing stunts on the mountain sides and marveling at their skill and courage. But while watching this amazing show I can't help but think about the 1960 winter Olympics held only a few hundred miles away at, of all places, "Squaw Valley."
It was 1956, and as a young man I remember driving to Lake Tahoe and putting up with the endless delays as men and equipment worked fearlessly to expand Highway 80 in order to handle the additional traffic. While drilling rigs bored into the sides of the mountain, brave men packed the chambers with dynamite in order to disrupt the beauty of nature for the sake of humankind. The wait was endless as we sat patiently anticipating the next "boom." The roadway signs warning us "Do not turn on radios." Just imagine with today's I-Phones, cell phones and I-Pads the mayhem in controlling the threat of a pre-mature explosion. Talk about terror!
Once Squaw was chosen, the challenge was to turn the virtually unknown and undeveloped Squaw Valley into a world-renowned resort. The task was accomplished in an unbelievably short length of time and for a total cost of 80 million dollars, a far cry from today's billions spent in recent years by host countries. Without today's fanfare or chain cutting, the politicians were able to deliver the project on time and probably under budget, but that was the California of old. Edmund G. "Pat" Brown was governor and should have taken a little more time educating his young son in the ways of governing, but wait a minute, this is about history and not political comment which shall be left for the more talented columnists appearing on these very same pages.
The amount of planning, design and construction is unfathomable in today's litigious society, and starting from a clean slate was an advantage and disadvantage at the same time. McKinney Creek Stadium, as well as Blyth Memorial Arena, were built from the ground up, and the latter used as the site of both the opening and closing ceremonies. And who better to chair the Pageantry Committee than Walt Disney himself, who was responsible for both ceremonies.
I vividly remember attending the spectacle and being enthralled by the high jump as skiers soared hundreds of feet in the air. I only wish I had stayed to see the closing festivities, but the treat of driving back on a brand new four lane Highway 80 was too tempting to resist.
So now the games are over, the medals proudly displayed, and the nukes still in their silos. Perhaps we should extend the games to run all year long — certainly a lot more fun and a much safer world.
Sergio gets around—the world. Feedback: sergio@westsideobserver.com
March 2018
I do not remember why but I do remember when. It was in 1970 and we decided to leave the comfort of our home and venture north to spend 10 days in a rented motorhome. With our three young children, we packed our Winnebago, maps in hand, and headed out. Our first night was spent at a campsite along the Sacramento River outside of Corning, and at that point all was good. We had done some research on stops along the way, but obviously GPS did not exist and certainly no Google. One of the first things we learned was that every day we had to stop and empty the holding tank and refill our water. We also found out that you just didn't start cooking in the tiny galley while speeding down the highway. The campsites that we visited were comfortable and the people friendly, but we had to make sure that we had all our provisions with us, there were no 7 Elevens at the campsites and going shopping meant unhooking the electrical, water and sewer and driving to the closest town and risking the chance of not finding another spot at the campsite for that evening.
As we continued north, we made brief stops in Red Bluff and Redding, and then witnessed the majesty of Mount Shasta and the beauty of Lake Shasta. We did not know it at the time, but in later years, Ashland became one of our favorite destinations as we returned on several occasions for the Oregon Shakespeare festival to enjoy not only the performances, but also the fine food and lovely accommodations.
A stop in Portland allowed us the opportunity to introduce our children to Karen's grandparents, aunts and uncles while enjoying a home cooked meal and doing some much need laundry. Our final destination was Victoria, British Columbia and in order to get there we put our trusty home away from home on a ferry from Anacortes, Washington to Victoria, which took us through the San Juan Islands, which became another one of our must-see destinations in later years.
Once in Victoria our first order of business was to jump ship, which in our case meant our motor home, and check in to a nice, clean, warm hotel for 2 days to give our tired backs and stomachs a much-needed rest. One of the most famous sites in Victoria is the Butchard Gardens located on Vancouver Island, and what a treat that was. With its beautiful sunken garden, waterfalls, statuary and its massive Italian garden it is truly worthy of its designation as a Canadian National Historic Site.
So once again, it was time to squeeze our belongings in our home on six wheels and head back. The one thing that I still remember was the excellent condition of the roads that we traveled through Washington and Oregon, and how quickly we realized when we were back in California, and that was 48 years ago. Where do all those tax dollars go? And speaking of dollars, why are we in a trade dispute with Canada that may result in as much as a 25% import tax on newsprint which is mostly produced in Canada? Are we "Making America Great Again" by putting our newspapers out of business? Perhaps they got it backwards and our Pres is trying to make "Canada" great again!!!
Sergio gets around—the world.
February 2018
120 newly built rooms will remain empty indefinitely. Many San Franciscans who needs a bed will have to wait or go out of county.
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SFMTA’s Traffic Calming Fiascos
As the death rates increase, will SFMTA stop building slow streets, neck-down configurations, and quick-build projects?
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Remember Prop E in 2024?
Voters passed Prop. E in 2024 to establish a Task Force charged with modifying, eliminating, or combining the City’s appointive boards.
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Three bold proposals unveiled for Brotherhood Way and Alemany Boulevard go beyond traffic safety to tackle environmental concerns.
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“Conservatives,” their Hawkers and Shills Who Target SF Progressives
Signing up for trash pick-up required handing over an email address that became the property of TogetherSF and their multi-year campaign to move San Francisco rightward.
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Disquieting Takeover of PG&E
Does PG&E do a splendid job? There’s room aplenty for improvement. But not via SFPUC takeover of our old, complex electrical system. Down that path lies trouble.
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San Francisco has, at last official count, 61,000 unaffordable empty rental units, and the City’s iconic skyline suffers from too many of these monstrosities.
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LA Style Wildfires Can Happen Here
Last year the National Weather Service issued unprecedented red flag warnings for San Francisco... yet vegetation management is minimal across city-owned lands.
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To promote the closure of the Great Highway via Prop K last November SF’s Transportation Authority and Rec & Park inflated the count of pedestrians and bicyclists on the weekends
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I was almost hit by a bus in 2018, because there was no curb ramp in the direction I was crossing at one of the corners.
Check it outParticipatory Budget Time!
Voting began on June 6th — you had until June 22nd to cast your vote if you live in District 7 and you are over 16 years old.
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Our board and mayor refuse to require competitive bidding for garbage collection rates—thus the highest in California.
Check it out”Trump’s Deep Cuts Strike Bayview/Hunters Point
EPA verified falsification of radioactivity data submitted by Tetra Tech, and Parcel G was the site of extensive soil fraud. Only 3% of Parcel G samples were not falsified
Check it outSunshine anyone?
... people who risk their safety to fight crime deserve better than bureaucratic guesswork.
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Every entrance would require a toll collection gantry. These are not an insignificant cost, and SF would require many toll collection points.
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On May 22nd, citizens delivered 10,985 recall voter signatures to the Department of Elections. Volunteers secured 8,200
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SFPD’s Drone Program
Drones, license plate readers and security cameras are partially responsible for some 500 felony arrests using technology in Oakland.
Check it outChallenging Pelosi?
Chakrabarti is inspired by FDR’s 1933 New Deal, and the years of prosperity that followed.
Check it outIs Lurie’s Approach Working?
Lurie has consolidated the old billionaire-insider influence and continued all of Breed’s major policies.
Check it outJapan’s Leadership
4,000 buildings in SF were built with no rebar to resist side-to-side shaking before 1990. These buildings were usually built as office spaces or multi-family houses.
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The Board of Trustees, the City Attorney, and Director Harry Parker knew that without that approval, the lease would be null and void. Yet, they all stood by and said nothing
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Cronyism, often cleansed by the term networking, involves hiring managers favoring friends for loyalty instead of for their potential value to the organization.
Read More ...I bet Trump never worried about after-school programs for his kids
Hey Donny–most families don’t have nannies or private tutors or hired drivers to pick up the kids.
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Mayor/Supervisors: the issues I am raising are exactly what you claim to prioritize ... walk the walk. Prove my cynicism wrong.
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UC changed course and abolished its 75-year practice of requiring a sworn national loyalty oath of all faculty members.
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Birthright citizenship needs to be clarified in a modern context, and it is not wrong to revisit rulings, legislation, and policy and update it.
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We want our Supervisors to stand for and defend our neighborhoods, not hide behind 'state-mandated' reshaping of our city for expedience or donor pressure.
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SF Neighberhoods
On the verge of destroying the character of neighborhoods, they aim to make residential units smaller, denser, and affordable...
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What Killed Tom Waddell Clinic Urgent Care Clinic?
Mismanagement impairs employee morale and patient care. Conscientious employees will try to remedy the dysfunction. If ignored or repressed, they will burn out and leave.
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CMS refused the recent SFDPH request to re-license 120 nursing beds at LHH. These semi-private single rooms are still in jeopardy
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The focus on misdemeanors, funded by astroturf groups was driven substantially by the Chronicle’s unrelenting crime coverage.
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Building A will apply for tax credits this year. Construction may start in Winter 2026.
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Promised 375 Housing Units — Reality 124
No neighborhood-serving retail within an eight-block radius of the LHH’s campus The isolated site features steep hills all around.
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The mural honors visionaries and changemakers who inspire the world
Keep your eyes open as you drive past Laguna Honda. A new mural celebrates public school arts educators.
Read More”We Goin’ to Trial!!
Judge Donato: maximum recovery of $51.5 million for harm and damages to the people of BVHP.
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In 2021, Muni was projected to earn $219 million from transit riders. Now they are projecting 33% less — $140 million.
Read More ...Muddy Waters
In the last 50 years, the Amazon Rainforest has lost land equivalent to the size of Texas.
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The suit names Engardio and Melgar, Mandelman, Preston and Dorsey all Prop K proponents as Real Parties in Interest.
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Trash Talk
Single-family homeowners in San Francisco will see an anticipated 30% increase over the next three years
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Remaining hurdle: 120 LHH semi-private rooms are still in jeopardy. 2016 regulations limits bathroom sharing to 2 patient beds. The building opened in 2010—and the rooms are spacious and safe.
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I received calls representing they were claiming “We are PG&E”. They told me I was eligible for a 30% discount on my PG&E bill.
Check it outHow did shredding urban assistance work out?
In 1980, federal dollars accounted for 22% of big city budgets. By the end of Reagan it was only 6%.
Check it outScaling back scientific Federal employees
Today, the islands are considered off-limits to all but a few scientists; they are considered the Galapagos of California.
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Back in the '60s, you could spend a day visiting the park—all free! Rents were affordable, the neighborhood diverse...
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A San Francisco liberal accepts some MAGA arguments: What’s going on?
This issue is not hypothetical for me. My son has played on a girl’s team, and my daughter has played on a boy’s team
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It should have been Diane Wilsey’s last meeting as President but FAMSF Trustees voted to elect her to a sixth term.
Check it outPlease No Artificial Turf in Crocker Amazon
Microplastics are crossing the blood-brain barrier and accumulating in human brainsNature Medicine
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The Doctor from Madras is the epic story of one family’s collision between old ways and a changing world
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Mayor Dan Lurie, however, has acted twice in a questionable manner insofar as taxpayers are concerned.
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Under Mayor Ed Lee and Mayor London Breed employees grew to 42,584. Wages skyrocketed by 94.8%, from $2.5 billion to $4.9 billion.
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It is not prudent to rely on drinking water from the Sunset Reservoir —quake survivors will need potable water after a major earthquake.
Check it outTwo Sensible Oceanview Library Sites
It’s next door to the existing library and accessible public transportation with safe platforms is nearby.
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About a fifth of California students live in a family with insecure immigration status, many include a mix of authorized and unauthorized. ones.
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When the Bay Bridge opened in 1937, motorists were charged 25¢ per crossing and were assured tolls would end once the bonds sold to fund it.
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It was such blatant advocacy of cars as a solution to the city’s transportation problem.
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Sunset residents may blame Supervisor Engardio but the Pacific Ocean is an invincible foe.
Read More ...Pedestrians enter crosswalks against the red signal as drivers are the midst of a turn.
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Tumlin resigned from his $400,725 annual salary + benefits
SFMTA reports inflation and the end of emergency funding will leave a $260-million to $322-million deficit beginning in 2026...
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For decades, Strybing served as a gathering place for one and all, hosting people from all walks of life and every economic strata. What could possibly go wrong?
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With a sincere sense of regret, I declined the invitation to sit next to Melania at the presidential inauguration.
Read MoreDesigning for Fire & Wind Safety
The common belief is that homes are too close to woodlands, where fires catch on easily. However, one home in Pacific Palisades contradicts that notion..
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People unable to afford rent come to San Francisco and wait until a city-funded outreach worker offers them an unlimited stay in a tourist hotel with a private bathroom. Plus two meals a day.
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Laguna Honda: Finish the Job
—Open the Doors.
Why are ALL types of admissions so slow? As of the end of November, less than 430 of the 769 licensed nursing home beds at LHH were occupied.
Read More”A DUTY TO PROTECT“!
Its policy and directives need to be updated to incorporate climate change, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and chemical and radiological exposures
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The devastation in Maui was a tragic example of how important emergency notifications are, we must be ready when the time comes.
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We can either continue the downward spiral of government waste, unneeded bureaucracy, and patronage or start running City Hall as a business.
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Do white Christian nationalists, some advocates of liberated ethnic studies, and fascists have anything in common?
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Remember that a New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
Check it outWest Portal Beat
A man drove through the front wall of the Miraloma Club on Portola Avenue, injuring two and essentially demolishing the bar’s façade.
Check it outWest Portal Beat
The driver accidentally stepped on the gas pedal instead of the brake as she pulled into the parking spot.
Check it outBEST OF THE NET
A cadre of west side San Franciscans want to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio for supporting Proposition K
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This is not the first or last time that SFDPH will keep periodically trying to eliminate long-term care at Laguna Honda.
Check it outWest Portal Notebook
The Wave that Wasn't
Emergency Management sent a warning to stay away from Ocean Beach as many people ignored it as took it to heart
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Under Breed’s direction, Redistricting removed progressive Inner Sunset from Preston’s D5. At the same time, the Tenderloin was grafted onto District 5.
Check it outSF Jail Overcrowding
We haven't funded the support systems to divert offenders to other programs programs that make real public safety possible.
Check it outReader Response
Now More Than Ever
In 1979, facing an unprecedented housing crisis, Supervisors enacted rent control for hundreds of thousands of renters.
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Kids Books for Christmas
Truth, kindness, empathy, good choices, equality, and patriotism there's some confusion over what these words mean.
Read MoreBEST OF THE NET
GrowSF/TogetherSF Left in the Dust
When the city’s district boundaries were redrawn, D7 lost its most conservative precincts to D4, and gained more progressive ones from D5.
Check it outWest Portal Notebook
From Deficit to Surplus
We were led to believe City College was in dire financial straits—the fiscal reality was a substantial surplus.
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Does that mean San Franciscans needing skilled nursing carewill continue being dumped out-of-county?
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...by any other name.
No doubt about the cost to ratepayers. SIP is not free, since the lowest bidder may not get the job. That costs ratepayers.
Read More ...
Voter’s Rejection of Prop 33 Opens the Door
I am not suggesting an elimination of rent control over night... it is too late for many tenants to move and afford another unit. However...
Check it outFollowing SFPUC Over the Cliff?
Yearly, as much as 1.2 billion gallons of combined stormwater runoff and sewage containing feces, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and trash are dumped into the Bay.
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Focus on Education
Our country’s political divisions are again raising basic questions about the separation of church and state.
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Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.—George Jean Nathan’s warning.
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TogetherSF Action’s Project 2024–2028 scheme starts with a Mark Farrell victory. From there it seeks to eliminate district elections.
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Kamala, Trump, and public education
On the campaign trail education policy has taken a back seat to other really important national issues, such as eating dogs and the size of crowds.
Read MoreWest Portal Notebook
Candidates Mark Farrell and Daniel Lurie both spoke at the neighborhood bookshop and attracted considerable audience attendance.
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The $390 million bond allocates just $66 million for our two hospitals. The rest—$324 million—is for other totally unrelated projects.
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Sunshine Anyone?
The City’s sunshine laws are in need of updating, but most mayoral and supervisorial candidates are mum on how to increase city government transparency.
Read MorePresto Chango!
The Navy’s Parcel F Radiological Impaction map was excluded from the Record of Decision of September 2024. Raw data was also excluded from environmental testing for radionuclides.
Check it outAnother SFMTA Disgrace
With no limits on the number of ride-share cars on the street undercutting fares, taxi drivers cannot make a living.
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It’s a logical, environmentally sound plan for what is already happening to the Great Highway.
Read More ...We now are beginning to see the filth and degradation Breed’s gang has encouraged to infest West Portal.
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SFUSD’s Quandry
An under-enrolled school does not have enough students to offer educational opportunities we want for them in a fiscally responsible way.
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Following the money. Prop D is the billionaire’s attack on citizen oversight.
Check it outD7 Supervisor Candidates
Candidates Melgar, Martin-Pinto & Boschetto all agree on one thing.
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Over-Controlled Housing
Should we double down–on what has so far failed? Do we just need to spend more public money?
Read More ...West Portal Notebook
Over the next two months, each mayoral candidate will have an evening to greet attendees and answer questions in a laid-back “meet the candidate” event.
Check it outWhy is SFF’s Crime Rate Dropping?
Property crimes have plunged the most (42%), led by a steep decline in car break-ins, but violent crimes...
Check it outProp K is wrong for San Francisco
5 supervisors put Prop K on the Ballot, unannounced and at the last minute. No community input, no questions answered, no concerns addressed, no discussion by the Supervisors.
Check it outProp K: a new park for all
Why transform a section of the Great Highway into an oceanside park? It will help the environment, boost local merchants, and bring people joy.
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Escalating power, water & sewer rates
At present, there is no citizen group concerned with rates paid for water, sewer and power. Few attend or comment to the SFPUC Commission.
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The West Portal debacle, Laguna Honda disaster & neghborhood density. She’s out of step.
Check it outShipyard toxics—activists join forces
They originally consisted of fifteen residents and UCSF workers, located within six blocks of the western fence line of the NRDL campus and industrial landfill”
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to tackle antisemitism
District must provide training about the American Jewish experience and antisemitism to ensure that instruction is free of anti-Jewish hate
Read MoreEnvironmental Windfall
This new concrete removes many of the wasteful steps commonly used in producing concrete.
Check it outD7 Supervisor Candidates
Reaction from the candidates for Supervisor in D7 ranged from pleased to dismayed.
Check it outWest Portal Notebook
Ruling that “cruel and unusual punishment” does not apply to fining, ticketing, or even arresting homeless (even when there are no public shelters available),overturning the 9th Circuit Court.
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It’s a Good Idea.
After too many years of ignoring financial crisis, SFUSD is biting the bullet. It’s called resource realignment...
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On the last day the Supervisors could put an initiative on ballot, Engardio and Melgar pounced and forwarded the legislation to the Department of Elections.
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Once just a border of California native plants around the garden’s perimeter, providing habitat and nourishment for local fauna it’s now a beautiful neighborhood gem.
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How I’m voting? I plead guilty in favor of a write-in candidate—me! Therefore, I proceed to the local ballot measures.
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No matter how much my esteemed colleague at the Westside Observer, Quentin Kopp, wants to quibble over Kamala Harris ...
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Class Action Lawsuit Looms Over Laguna Honda
City has long minimized the root cause of LHH’s dysfunction and decertification. Just look at the self-congratulatory Press Release announcing its re-opening.
Check it outWest Portal Notebook
West Portal merchants, residents, and long-time frequenters have weighed in for months on the City’s plan to institute significant new traffic regulations and barriers primarily at the mouth of the MUNI station.
Check it outTime for the Governor to Do the Right Thing
The Precautionary Principle affirms SF’s leaders duty to prevent harm through anticipatory action. ‘There is a duty to take anticipatory action to prevent harm.”
Check it outOpen Roads
SFMTA claims 10,000 people visit the Great Highway on a weekend. Residents ask for an unbiased study.
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Some good news!
California no longer lurks in the basement of national school funding.
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Visualizing Ms. Harris as president makes me fear for the future of our country. Coupled with convicted felon Donald Trump, we possess little choice.
Check it outD7 Supervisor Candidates
Since the Mental Health Rehabilitation Facility closed, the City began relocating mentally troubled and drug addicted patients to LHH, mixing them with frail senior and disabled populations.
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Our City Our Power Our Pocketbook
No doubt PG&E is quite imperfect. But is the City bureaucracy an improvement? Shall we expand an already oversized City department?
Read More ...
It’s not only how schools are funded but how important topics are taught. At stake is what our children learn about democracy as well as about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.
Read MoreWest Portal MUNI Station Committee
West Portal accounts for 6% of the City’s accidents; after the implementation of Project Zero in 2014, accidents of every kind in the West Portal area have dropped from 20% - 48%.
Check it outWest Portal MUNI Station Committee
Right now, there’s no timeline or budget for this project. The SFMTA admitted it had not conducted a preliminary cost/benefit analysis despite the multi-million-dollar deficit they’re facing this year.
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City’s Granny Dumping Spike
The hospitals shed their Skilled Nursing bed capacity in the City’s private sector hospitals en masse. It Was adversely affecting profits
Check it outWest Portal Notebook
Police patrolling up and down the block, speaking to residents, shop owners significantly prevents possible crime.
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...before artists were forced out by rising rents and landlord policies, artists made up about 7% of the City’s population, around 50,000 people.
Check it outCity’s Decline is SFMTA Designed
San Francisco is designed by SFMTA planners who have more design clout than any other agency in the City, except perhaps the State.
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The men the American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth.” Thus spoke H. L. Mencken
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An Open Letter to City Hall
There is a dire shortage of nursing home beds in SF—especially for those on Medi-Cal—which pays for chronic long-term care when a resident cannot afford $15,000 a month.
Read MoreD7 Supervisor Candidates
Mayor Breed has proposed an unprecedented rollback of San Francisco’s height and density limitations that would allow six story buildings in areas previously zoned for one and two-story construction
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The slow pace of climate action has never been about lack of science or even lack of solutions; it has always been about lack of political will.
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Newly recertified
—same old problems
How long will the Health Commission delay the “LHH sustainability plan” that will shape its management in the future?
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Hope it's not your last.
Many of the basic rights we value are under attack. There are even those who think Jan. 6th should be celebrated instead of July 4.
Read MoreCity for Sale
The format made it difficult for candidates to evade tough questions—all four seasoned politicians are skilled in. Even non-politician Lurie was not exempt.
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A confluence of major legal actions has moved forward to pretrial deposition testimony in BVHP Residents v Tetra Tech brought by SFPD and whistleblowers under the False Claims Act.
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Trees in McClaren Park
Removal of the weedy species is necessary. All plants have natural predators in their native ranges, but landscape plants imported from, say, across the ocean, left their predators there.
Read More ...
While gasoline tax-paying automobile owners finance the streets of San Francisco San Francisco’s Budget finances the SF Bicycle Coalition, a private entity?
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Nightmare Plan from Melgar, Breed, and Tumlin
SFMTA still has no quantifiable road safety data other than right turns are bad, left turns are bad, fast-moving cars are dangerous, slow-moving cars are dangerous, cars are bad, and bikes are good.
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Local school board elections used to be sleepy affairs. No more. Political activists now pay close attention to these local contests — for good reasons.
Read MoreDesigning for Drought
Despite a surplus of water in our reservoirs sufficient to withstand a drought for four years, the SFPUC has imposed a drought surcharge on San Francisco ratepayers.
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A perfect illustration of the magic that independent bookstores can create—It was a day filled with joy, connection, and a shared love of books!
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The previous City Administrator was a protégé of Willie Brown—resigned due to corruption. The current City administrator is a protégé of a protégé of Willie Brown.
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What happened to The City that Knows how? What happened to the City that Everybody Loves?
Read More
So What’s the Damage?
Sadly, LHH has not been recertified, patient admissions have not restarted. So patients needing skilled nursing care are displaced out-of-county.
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Addressing the West Portal Tragedy
The winning projects will be most closely align to the criteria and can be successfully completed with the funding allocated as a one-time grant.
Read More ...
City’s Clear Cut
According to the SF RPD’s plan at least 809 trees were planned to be cut down in McLaren Park
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With housing and commercial vacancies like Park Merced and businesses still closing downtown, on Market Street, and in most neighborhoods, it’s dogging the Mayor’s election.
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California’s PTA got started in San Francisco way back in 1897 with the California Home and School Child Study Association.
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Battling lethal drug combinations
The devastating effect of drug addiction is evident from the human wreckage ...Yes, it’s a nationwide plague. But SF overdose rates are twice the national average.
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Thumbs Down
“It is a significant reconfiguration of the street. A two-way bikeway would replace existing parking. Bus stops would relocate from the curb to new transit boarding islands in traffic lanes.
Check it outHomeless seek respite at Ocean Beach
If you do get into a shelter — they’ll take away your belongings, you can’t have a pet, you can’t have visitors and after a few days or a week, you’ll likely be turned out on the street again with nothing.
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Two surprises. Republican Steve Garvey, and Democrat Adam Schiff were the top two finishers. Schiff concentrated on making Garvey his opponent rather than Barbara Lee and Katie Porter.
Check it outRemoving density controls in western and central SF?
Demolitions, speculations, and displacement are in store if the city moves forward with Breed’s approach.
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Herrera’s team has settled in. The disruptions from the FBI probe and COVID had abated. Employee satisfaction should have improved. It didn’t.
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“As it is right now...there is no plan to manage and care for Twin Peaks
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No one wants to close schools. Not the communities. Not the school boards. Not administrators and school district personnel..
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Will Rec and Park be satisfied when every square foot of Golden Gate Park is concrete and artificial turf?
Check it outIs Hydrogen in our future?
Unfortunately,it also has many disadvantages. The gas is explosive. It needs to be compressed or converted into other chemicals, such as liquid ammonia...
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African-American Shakespeare’s stunning production at Taube Atrium Theater
Check it outEvery five years, the EPA determines the success of superfund cleanups
Take-home message: Cleanup efforts in 15 parcels and sites do not protect residents from hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants emanating from the dirty base
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The problem is Harris replacing him — she’s the D.A. who defeated incumbent Hallinan by lying under oath in that 2023 campaign
Check it outHow Safe is SF’s Aquifer Water?
Unlike Flint, we don’t use salt to deice roads. However, if we over-tax our ground aquifers, we could draw salt from the Pacific into our drinking water.
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Re: David Romano’s recent commentary — is simply bad journalism.
Read More ...When the tower comes down what will replade it?.
Read More ...
More Trouble for DPH
Just when Laguna Honda seemed to be turning the corner on its struggle toward reform, three law firms have teamed up to expand their Class Action lawsuit.
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It reminds me of when my kids did something that I thought was not well thought through. I tried to bring them back to reality.
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“Tamales are such a delicate process... things like the balance of masa to filling, or how long you steam them for, or how tightly they’re wrapped in their husks And time... timing is crucial to ensure they do not become dry and tough.
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She is out of step with the majority of San Franciscans who are calling for an immediate cease-fire and a halt to military aid to Israel
Check it outCould SF be the next Lahaina?
Hetch Hetchy water supply comes from 167 miles away, crosses 3 major faults, goes under the bay and then up the San Andreas Fault for 25 miles.
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Today’s students alarming lack of knowledge
This is an education emergency made worse by a divided America where many believe it is ok to make up your own facts.
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Confronting taxpayers and other voters are six ballot measures, one state measure, and presidential, Congressional and legislative primaries.
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The complaints ranged from as many as ten squatters living rent-free, theft, casinos, dog kennels, brothels and drug laboratories at Parkmerced.
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Big money ‘neighborhood’ groups step up their campaign of take-over tactics in 2024 elections.
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Rec and Park’s plan expands access for the privileged few bupkis for the rest of us.
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Few were surprised when Supervisor Safai learned the library was not to be built in the Greenbelt — he feared the worst. No library at all.Since 2023, the Library Commission has been considering 466 Randolph Street, where the I.T. Bookman Community Center and the Pilgrim Community Church are located.
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When the runways for the Alameda Naval Air Station were extended out into the bay—using dredged bay fill, the same way Treasure Island was created — they crossed over the city line. The federal government apparently didn't know or care.
Read More ...
San Franciscans need nursing home care
The survey attests to a quality of care that is higher than in for-profit private nursing homes. But there are ongoing problems.
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Your ballot will be in the mailbox in a few weeks
The March 5 election is fast approaching. The San Francisco Department of Elections will start mailing all registered voters automatic vote-by-mail ballots in early February.
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Your local self-appointed sage hopes Trump is barred from his presidential candidacy by high courts such as the Supremes. (And I don't mean the singing group!).
Check it outParking Control
A four-hour parking limit is going to make things even more difficult for RV residents.
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Does this look like wildlife habitat?
“GG Park provides not only habitat for wildlife but also a haven for San Franciscans who find refuge in nature in our parks.”
Check it outUCSF proposes settlement for Joseph Miranda and his radioactive truck
Two UCSF workers with respiratory disease, cancer and lung disease were not evacuated during shipyard landfill fire that erupted in “green, yellow, and orange” flames.
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Chris Duderstadt’s Mission
“A Bench helps promote a sense of community,it encourages neighbors and passersby to stop and visit and enjoy some sunshine.”
Check it outPeripheral Canal Redux?
Delta Conveyance Project is back on the drawing board, attempting to move clean water to the Los Angeles Southern Basin.
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Fortunately for Mendez, he appeared in ultra-liberal Judge Michael Begert’s court. Despite Mendez’s failure to comply with diversion, Begert nevertheless granted Mendez “mental health diversion’ (again).
Read More ...
Remembering the Heroine We Lost in 2023
Newsom, Breed, and SF’s Supervisors may all have taken a hands-off waiting game approach I knew Nancy and her good government advocacy for years, sometimes crossing her path when we both attended meetings at City Hall.
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The unreliability of American and San Francisco media today is not new to our country. Neither is the people's right to discard biased, unsound judges.
Check it outSFMTA’s Grinch Strategy
To families parked along Winston Drive the dreaded December 19 date is less than a month away. Four-hour parking restrictions approved by SFMTA will certainly upend their lives and dampen their holiday spirits.
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Neighbors apprehend a thief in the act, but will he be back on the street?
Aware that his escape was implausible, or perhaps it was the ear-splitting sound of approaching police cars, the thief turned and ran back into the Walgreens
Check it outSF’s Enlightened Pretrial Diversion Programs
The Judge denied a motion to detain an alleged drug dealer despite the defendant had over half a kilo of drugs, including 170.8 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill 85,400 people.
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Delayed Inspections Mean Dumping More Seniors Out-of-County
Newsom, Breed, and SF’s Supervisors may all have taken a hands-off waiting game approach to LHH’s Medicare recertification inspection process that will take four months to complete.
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Falling advertisements, digital transitions and major lay-offs plague journalists
Emilio Garcia-Ruiz worried about the New York Times becoming a “huge competitor” in the Bay Area by “undercutting the market on subscription costs to $1/week.
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SFUSD needs to take responsibility
At last! SFUSD has identified why students aren’t learning. Ready? The real cause is White Supremacy. That’s right. White Supremacy Culture is preventing our students from learning.
Read MoreOur Transit-First Policy is Long Gone.
Today, ridership is entirely different — a problem. And the money Congress spent to save transit dries up next year.
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The unreliability of American and San Francisco media today is not new to our country. Neither is the people's right to discard biased, unsound judges.
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Behind Peskin’s Dark Maneuver
It effectively punishes hundreds, if not thousands, who want to participate in our local government. Even worse, it will force those who have disabilities to disclose their special needs. Or face the burden of traveling to City Hall.
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Rec and Park’s plot to build a new boat harbor will close the Bay views and access from Marina Green.
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It cost Star of India nearly $5,000 to replace the glass doors and to put new bars up.
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Construction of new housing? I’ve concluded from present vacancies and dispirited new home construction the matter is extravagantly exaggerated by City Hall politicians and local media.
Check it outStreets, sidewalks and roofs of cities all absorb heat during the day
Unlike the temperature in the atmosphere — ground temperatures become increasingly warmer over time a recent study found
Check it outNeighbor Power
It is alleged that on the afternoon of September 27th, Janda was sitting on the bench in front of her ice cream shop.
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The city fought PG&E for 20 years over Marina harbor’s toxic waste. And when they finally secure a settlement of $190 million?
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When so much wealth is concentrated in the hands of so few people without money and power lose out.
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Owner Diana Zogaric has little time to bemoan setbacks. She notes that the original owner, Douglas Shaw, opened the business during the Great Depression in 1931.
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Phony ‘neighborhood’ groups exploit a loophole in campaign laws — evading the $500 limit on campaign contributions.
Check it outSF’s Armenian Community
Tragedies in Azerbaijan were overshadowed at local Armenian Food Festival at St. Gregory’s.
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SFMTA’s capital deficit is projected to grow at an average rate of $1.1 billion a year to create a total gap of $20 billion by FY2040.
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Laguna Honda Wake Up Call
SF has lost 1,381 Skilled Nursing Facility beds. If LHH loses 120 more beds it will leave only 2,161 meanwhile 4,186 patients were discharged to other counties in 2022.
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Instead of 100,000 votes to elect Supervisors, now with ranked-choice voting a paltry 8,237 votes, elected Supervisor Matt Dorsey.
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Does SF needs more housing? Downtown is 31% vacant and Parkmerced has a 25% vacancy.
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SFUSD High School Task Force:
How familiar are the Task Force members with the research and how well are they equipped to make data driven recommendations?
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RE: David Romano’s recent commentary — the neighbors are supposed to smile and put up with these shows year after year...
Read More ...
Over 100 crowded the room to address Westside disorder, homelessness and street crime.
Check it outStop Crime SF seeks to inform voters about our judges...
California law entrusts its citizens to retain or reject sitting judges. We need more light, not less.
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Scientists who analyzed Earth’s safety boundaries found humans are currently transgressing six.
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After neighborhood protests at Rec & Parks residents got more, not less concerts.
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How familiar are the Task Force members with the research and how well are they equipped to make data driven recommendations?
Read MoreFive of the state”s dirtiest beaches are in the Bay Area
Want your taxes & utility fees to pay to pollute our beaches? SF taxpayers and ratepayers are footing the bill to fight for that privilege.
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Oh no! You don't want Nancy Wuerfel on your case! That woman does her homework, which means that you're going to have to do yours as well!.
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LHH’s bedrooms exceed the minimum square-foot restrictions. They have sliding doors between each bedroom — essentially making them all private, single-person rooms.
Check it outSFDPH enables contaminated development
The Health Department’s Article 31 needs to prevent housing on radioactive sites.
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Budgets are built on predictions. Will Californians actually earn income and pay taxes at the levels predicted? No one knows for certain.
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Our critic of all things civil tackles the City, State and the rest of the world.
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Recertification accomplished - so what’s this for?
On top of the $64.9 M already spent — including $30.5 M on consultant contracts, $22.3 M lost Medi-Cal reimbursement, and $12 M misc.
Check it outBeyond the tangle of red tape
Mired in Dull-as-Dishwater Details, It's an Amazing Accomplishment — But Will Oakland Beat Us To It?
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Schools scramble to comply with Supreme Court’s admission decision AND still create diverse college communities
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Should all the ice in Greenland melt, we could expect the sea level rise an additional 23 feet.
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Before Prop 47 eliminated California Penal Code section 666, a police officer could charge a thief with a criminal history with “felony theft with-priors” and take him to county jail.
Read More ...
... E.T. versus City
Pretend you're an alien (E.T.) come to earth in human form to live and learn and even to rationally guide humans who have lost their way. You land in San Francisco.
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Have any such housing units been built? Of course not! Why? Probably because there’s no market for them. Why not? Because the population has declined
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Managers disregarded the risks to patients
Known costs climbing to $65 Million but City Attorney conceals ($5 million?) in legal fees.
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I’m reminded again and again that there are really great things the world of San Francisco.
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SF has 60,000 market-rate apartments standing empty. They’re unlikely to be filled any time soon since about 70,000 left in the last three years.
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... & The Family Enterprise
Some say a little bit of corruption greases the wheels. Just don't kid yourself ... each of these words, Social Impact Partnering, are buzzwords. There's a reason for that.
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The neighborhood was much different then. Yellow and white margaritas were everywhere in wild areas on the south and north side of Alemany Blvd. There was no Highway 280.
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City Family’s coziness with contractors sustains a “Homeless-Industrial-Complex." Politically-connected entrepreneurs are awarded City contracts and return the favor.
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Moss Adams’ contract increased by by $5.9 million to $9,987,293 — just $12,707 shy of requiring Board of Supervisors approval.
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One small problem. Although we called it a computer match, we did not have a computer. Yup, that long ago.
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Giving a complaint to the “Ethics” Commission is like giving a complaint to a black hole. Your complaint goes in and the chance that anything comes out is slim.
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Neighbors were not adequately notified — the few who showed up were ignored.
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Long-time Westside activist commended
The Supervisors celebrated her preservation and conservation efforts and recognized her significant contributions.
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Bored? Libraries to the rescue
The good news: it's available to every child though our public libraries in every corner of San Francisco. And it's free!
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Observations and criticisms with a bit of the usual snark.
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We will lose Laguna Honda Hospital if immediate jeopardy citations continue.
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Budget Problem? City Hall's Reliable Cash Cow to the Rescue! Stop the exploitation.
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After 20 years without a licensed Nursing Home Administrator at the helm, that will change. At last someone knowledgeable about Federal nursing home regulations will be in charge.
Check it outThe Greatest Story Never Told
The Health Department burned down a village of Chinese fishermen dependent on the lucrative shrimping industry when the Navy purchased the 934-acre property using eminent domain for the Naval Shipyard.
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“ You guys had a bunch of secret planning meetings ... no Brown Act notice ... now you want to permit an additional 60,000-person event ...”
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Ratepayers may need to rely on the courts
1985 to 2022, the nominal SFPUC rates have increased annually by an average of 10.1%.
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Inside the Sunshine Task Force’s “Compliance and Amendments Committee.”
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The day before evictions of all residents — a final last-minute reprieve
CMS extended federal funding while the facility continues without resident evictions until September 19, 2023
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LHH “disregarded” the risk of transfer trauma to elderly dementia patients
3 families filed suit, alleging LHH culpability in the deaths of patients transferred to outside facilities last year.
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It's Game On!
The selected projects will be up for public voting beginning June 12.
Read More ...
Julie Pitta’s most recent commentary misrepresents what I said in a TMZ interview — “to stoke fears about public safety.” This is false.
Read More ...
SFUSD: Failing Math and Literacy for Kids
The evidence is in time for SFUSD to change.
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Newsy bits and quips Quentin’s monthly criticisms, and encouragements.
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District 7 residents grill officials
Grassroots anti-crime and pro-accountability organizing could imperil elected officials who can’t get a handle on the disorder.
Check it outThe Truth about SF's Crime Spree
San Francisco has experienced a spike in property crime, no surprise in a city of wealth disparity.
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While consultants released three follow-up reports ... details of the complete picture are still dripping out, like a leaky faucet.
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Anti-crime group to test its political strength
Judges can undermine the good work of the police and the DA ... Judges are elected, but the public doesn't know about their decisions
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It Could lead to more arrests of protestors, minorities, or anyone the State considers a threat if artificial intelligence is designed and executed improperly.
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It's Teacher Appreciation Week
Flowers and cards are great, but teachers deserve a fair wage for their valuable work.
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When I made a simple request for documents what I got left me confused — should I laugh or cry?
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The lawsuit cites seven Causes of Action
It took courage for the Public Guardian to file suit. Hopefully, the public will learn the full extent of the scandal. The timing couldn’t be worse for LHHs struggle to survive.
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April 14th is the anniversary of Laguna Honda's decertification
LHH mostly serves low-income, medically indigent patients, likely to face discharges, exile, and displacement to out-of-county facilities, away from their families, and support networks.
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The City's vacant downtown businesses and escalating housing rents are a San Francisco disaster. Roadkill: San Francisco's artist communities.
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Fentanyl overdoses have killed more San Franciscans than COVID. Yet, SF fails to prosecute dealers; no convictions for fentanyl sales in 2021. Most dealers are granted diversion.
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I am plain worn out listening to all the things that have gone wrong in our City and our Country.
The arts are more than alive and well in San Francisco public schools. In many cases, they are spectacular. A little hyperbole? Nope.
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The history of liberty is the history of the limitations on the power of government. And the provenance of government usually expands on federal, state and local levels
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Fentanyl has a new rival
Xylazine is infiltrating North American fentanyl and heroin supplies. It is causing more fatal overdoses, zombie-like intoxication— addictions that are harder to treat than simple fentanyl dependency.
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April 14th is the anniversary of Laguna Honda's decertification
Inept managers from SF General and SF Health Network are principally responsible for the current mess at LHH, not LHH's caring and dedicated staff.
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Controller's estimated $290 million deficit — $90.1 million more than projected in January. For the next two fiscal years, the shortfall is projected at $779.8 million.
Check it outLet the Bay Lights go dark
Our resources are precious, and we shouldn't be using them for displays of lighting that serve no practical purpose.
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When the City Attorney and the Ethics Commission demur — the SOTF needs to police itself.
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The project cost for the non-high speed rail portion in the Central Valley increased last month to $35.3 billion from $25.2 billion. It obtains money from a cap-and-trade program which adds 23 cents to every gasoline gallon besides the state’s 53.9 cents tax per gallon
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Facing the under-reported facts
For decades, the City has allowed weaker standards for buildings shorter than 240 feet — no signs of seriously considering these structural deficiencies.
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... & Housing Dreams
Our Board of Supervisors is keen for the City to acquire the PG&E infrastructure.An offer of $2.5 billion has been rejected.
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This mural is currently on loan from City College to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) — The agreement includes the return of the mural to City College which has been its owner and guardian since 1940.
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In third grade...nearly 60% of students are not yet proficient in reading — students can't “read to learn” until they have successfully learned to read.
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Westside Neighbors to Protest Climate-Hostile Banks
West Portal's Chase Bank protest highlights banks’ dominant funding of fossil fuels.
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Dreams Come True
The winning projects will be most closely align to the criteria and can be successfully completed with the funding allocated as a one-time grant.
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Concerns that trouble Quentin but may only annoy most folks.
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The Oxalis Obsession
The herbicides don’t kill the bulbs. You can kill the top growth and other plants, but you won’t kill the oxalis.
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No wonder the City finds itself in scandals — when the Ethics Commission and the City Attorney doesn't enforce misconduct.
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PTA's Honorary Service award recognizes people for outstanding service to children and youth — above and beyond what is asked of them.
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Is it true that none of Mayor Breed’s four nominees for the Homelessness and Supportive Housing Oversight Board seem to have any experience or credentials in dealing with the problems of homeless citizens?
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DPH kept the report secret for months
The report finally gives us a complete picture of LHH's problems and the path to recover.
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Oxalis is rampant in the Bay Area
Its a tragedy for all the foragers who depend on native plants: myriads of insects, the birds and others that feed on them ...
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Roadmap or Pipedream?
Well-resourced Neighborhoods are guilty of plenty, explains the new Element. Racism, greed, selfishness– ... it's time to reform
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Did 20 years of mismanagement prompt the Feds to intervene?
Kanaley had no experience running a skilled nursing facility whatsoever and certainly no experience or training to run a 1,200-bed nursing home with approximately 1,500 employees
Check it outWhat could possibly go wrong?
It had major consequences for SF's economy, and millions in lost tax revenue City taxpayers spent an additional $2 million for police patrols.
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Ignoring document requests, misinforming Supes and Boards — are Feds feed up yet?
The showdown at LHH. Now the Feds are demanding SF hire qualified Nursing Home Administrators!
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An easier way to pass local taxes for schools
Can regulating taxation by local governments (two-thirds vote for a parcel tax) override a majority vote in a citizens initiative? Nope.
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According to TogetherSF, District elections is the problem
The proposed fix is to return to at-large board seats to get more done for the whole City.
Check it outProblems looming at the Shipyard
Newsom violated ethics laws by signing into law Shipyard redevelopment measures he sponsored before the Board of Supervisors and accepted the transfer of Parcel A at the cost of one dollar
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Oversight for Patients’ Rights
A group of friends formed to rescind her hospice disposition and return her home to live or die among her treasured surroundings...
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Culpability extends to the feds as well as LHH
So far, twelve patients are dead. 11 patients were severely disabled and had profound cognitive impairment.
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Weeks After Forced Discharge, Patients Began Dying
LHH wants to avoid culpability when patients die, but actions have consequences, sometimes grave
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and even stranger things
A look at the City's lawsuit against PG&E, at at SFPUC's mismanagement of flooding, AI's artificial idiocy, and aging in SF!
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The issue is heating up AGAIN. the SFUSD high school task force will present recommendations on admission policies
Read MoreSay No to Bay Lights; Stop polluting the night sky
Our resources are precious, and we shouldn't be using them in displays of lighting that serve no practical purpose.
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City Hall and its environs are fair game for Quentin’s inquiries.
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A book review of San Fran-sicko
Poor people seldom end up on the street. But, addicted and mentally ill people become “disaffiliated” from supporters – a key determinant of street homelessness
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Immediate Jeopardy Violation Further Risks Laguna Honda
Unanswered questions: will they continue admitting behaviorally disturbed patients ... will forced discharges resume on February 2?
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30% of Parkmerced's 3,221 units are vacant. If the Prop M Vacant Unit Tax does not encourage lower rents, the City might purchase them at a bargain, making thousands of new units available...
Check it outCalifornia Deserves Better
Feinstein has been an enthusiastic supporter of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. How have those wars benefited the families of California?
Check it outMadam Mayor parties down as City is deluged in “atmospheric river”
Adorned in a feather boa and accompanied by City Attorney David Chiu, Breed's City Officials were oblivious to the massive flooding NASA satellite images predicted December 16, 2022.
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A huge number of students who enter high school are not proficient in English and math — almost 45 percent of SFUSD 8th graders are not proficient in English. More than half are not proficient in math
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Moses was a great lawgiver. He was satisfied to keep the Ten Commandments short and to the point . . . he was not an ordinary lawyer..
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Mayor Breed’s backroom manipulations brought the defeat of Mar and the election of Dorsey — more targets in 2024?
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It's America! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah
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Root Cause Analysis: Key Report Missing?
... it tells us that they are maintaining secrecy to cover up the loss of greatly needed skilled nursing services in SF
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Banning children’s books from schools and libraries is a threat not only to freedom of speech but also to our commitment to teach our children well.
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...the mission of a nursing home is to promote resident autonomy. This is not compatible with the treatment of persons with unstable behavioral issues, which requires structure and agreement to "house rules." If LHH continues admitting persons with active substance use or unstable mental illness, we will lose Laguna Honda.
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Willie Brown predicted the Central Subway would reduce (can you imagine?) Muni’s operating costs by $23.9 million annually. Muni’s operating costs will now increase by more than $25 million per year.
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Renne's Gambit Goes Belly Up
Renne sought to take credit for the Tobacco Settlement Revenue lawsuit. It was used, in part, to pay for the LHH rebuild project. Renne had done no such thing.
Check it outUNs’ COP27 / Healing Starts at Hunters Point
Climate reparations dominated Egypt's UN Climate Change Summit this month — overburdened communities demand help cutting emissions, adapting to climate change…and compensation for damages!
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The expectation is that children attend school. The latest data from SFUSD severely challenges these expectations.
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Too many questions remain unanswered
Has LHH been skirting its Admissions Policy — by accepting patients who endanger themselves and others by using and distributing drugs?
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Residents of single-family homes will be watching this variance ... if this could happen to my property, neighbors could easily be the next victim.
Read MoreNobody Home?
We’re not building at the price points where the demand actually is, so we’re overproducing what folks can’t afford.
Check it outWhat could possibly go wrong?
3 meetings held so far —will Westside feedback be considered?
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… the statistics remain grim. In 2018, DPH found that Bayview is significantly more at risk than other neighborhoods.
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City Attorney’s Legal Case Was Strong
Why did Chiu do an about-face and drop both his lawsuits merely to delay re-certification?
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School districts with the more low-income students, English learners, foster youth and homeless students get a lot more money.
Read MoreReassesing DA Boudin's Recall
We are reaping what was sown in 2004. Newsom and Mark Buell, a real estate developer, had big plans for the City
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His required learning curve and that of his associates is just the opposite of what theory teaches is a management requirement.
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On the eve of an election, a candidate asked a reporter: “Did you hear my last speech?” The reporter replied: “I certainly hope so.
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Ongoing Issues Threaten Re-Certification
The first survey completed in July found Laguna Honda would not pass a CMS certification.
Check it outReassesing DA Boudin's Recall
Within months, single-handedly, this incredibly powerful man was causing misery and making people feel unsafe throughout San Francisco.
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Since its inception, the SOTF has been a thorn in City Hall’s backside. Why? ... Engaged citizens and journalists seek more information than officialdom likes to share.
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The school board, ... voted to create these Muslim holidays. The threat of a costly lawsuit then forced the school board to reconsider.
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Post-Pandemic Light rail and buses are running empty. SF’s mass transit was designed to take people to a deserted downtown ... a ghost town.
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Audit non-profit agencies and City contracts to ensure that services are provided ... especially those providing homeless services. ...revenue-generating departments need to ensure all revenue sources are addressed
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A 21,000-gallon diesel fuel deficit ...despite spending $230,000 on a fuel monitoring system...and the struggle to track $4.7 million tool inventory.
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But Don't Hold Your Breath
Housing and crime are driving residents out of the city, so too does the rising cost of utilities!
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What Me Worry? Owning DPH’s Mistakes
Laguna Honda followed the wrong rulebook and failed to follow training guidelines
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Reducing access to advanced mathematics — elevating trendy but shallow courses could cause lasting damage
Read MoreSeptember is the best month for skywatching
You won't see from downtown what you can see from Mt. Tam. Out here at Ocean Beach the nighttime fog makes viewing an occasional event. Happy skywatching!
Check it outTravel: Sergio is back!
Florence, where the Renaissance blossomed and its endless treasures are still here for all of us to enjoy.
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Step-by-step
& Where are we now?
LHH has always been a nursing home facility, has no locked beds and no licensing to take care of behavioral, substance abuse or mental illness.
Check it outOutside Lands Outrage
It's clear Outside Lands damaged Golden Gate Park but has not honored its agreement to repair any damage to the Park
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Laguna Honda Update EPIC software bungles safe transfer process - Will Failed ”Restorative Care“ program be a major cause of closure?
Check it outDigging Into the PG&E Buyout
Is there any company easier to despise than PG&E? Explosions, fires, outages: PG&E is constantly in the “ain’t it awful” column.
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At about $17,000 per student, California funding no longer lurks in the national basement.
Check it outTravel: Sergio is back!
I would think that a small island like Mallorca would have a simple, antiquated airport, but that was quite the opposite.”
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Despite these commitments to ensure safe and minimally-stressful transfers ... it did not fully grasp the number and complexity of LHH patients. So, LHH was “pigeon-holed into rules applying to standard nursing homes.
Check it outWestside Fire Response
Mayor Breed remains blissfully silent on the need to extend adequate fire protection to approximately half the City, even though she has knowledge of Fire Department needs having been a fire commissioner in 2010.
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Supervisor Myrna Melgar rallied Supervisors, passing two urgent Resolutions — before the Board went out on summer recess. She achieved this victory!
Check it outDead Trees of LaPlaya
D5 gets $50,000 for tree planting. D8, $246,000 for sidewalk gardens and street trees. And that's it for the entire City. If there is a climate emergency you wouldn't know it from San Francisco.”
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There is a need for a routine and consistent review of this facility. Programs that exist here are rarely audited, and when they are, the list of improvements required is long and important.
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“A successful man or woman is one who thinks up ways of making money faster than the government can take it away from him or her.”
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Children living in poverty are two to three times more likely to be chronically absent—and face the most harm because their community lacks the resources to make up for the lost learning in school.
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As of July 11, just 623 patients remain at LHH, compared to 681 in May. Most have been transferred to San Mateo nursing homes. Three went to homeless shelters.
Check it outWill District 7 Join the Progressives?
Banished D7's western precincts voted 76% in favor of the recall. Acquired Inner Sunset voted 61% against the recall, the future is in flux.
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Carving Up LHH Patient Towers into Two Uses, “Cohorting” Different Patient Populations in Each Tower? A Disaster for SF's Health Needs
Check it outWest Virginia v EPA
Power plant emissions formed black soot on windows and doorways in their homes and triggered asthma attacks, headaches and nosebleeds in their children. Residents led the successful fight that ultimately closed the PG&E Hunters Point power plant in 2006
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It began in 2016 with an op-ed by a parent and writer, Lisa Lewis. School started at 7:30 — her son strugged each morning. He came home exhausted.
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LHH was given 6 months to correct its deficiencies. A follow-up inspection found persistent - and seemingly worse - drug and contraband use, despite LHH’s Plan of Correction.
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Both consultants provided “preliminary assessment reports” of their initial recommendations. Only HMA’s “preliminary assessment report” has been made public.
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in the near-term, methane is 80 times more potent than CO2 as a contributing factor to global warming.
Check it outCulture of Silence" and Cover-up Plagues LHH Management
Crises like COVID-19 and the one at LHH have “unmasked a society that does not value the aged and disabled.” Dr. Palmer noted
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MTA management ignored two reports in 2011 that would’ve saved hundreds of millions on an essentially useless transportation project.
Check it outDPH's “Flow Project” Comes Home to Roost
Everybody involved knew that adding “unstable” adults brought disarray and danger to Laguna Honda's seniors. Most folks just went along. Now they’re surprised?
Check it outSea Level Rise and Toxic Groundwater
The report concludes groundwater “may” become contaminated as sea level rises. In fact, Shipyard groundwater was documented as“contaminated” where thousands of homes are being constructed.
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“It seems preposterous to put a library on a congested thoroughfare when there are better places that are safer for pedestrians to use,” one community member said.
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People are frustrated and spurt out the word “segregated” That's because SFUSD has failed to prepare all ethnicities for a rigorous academic high school.
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41% of companies allow employees to relocate permanently to any state freely, while companies that do not allow the employees to relocate elsewhere represent only 5%.
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The moderates only need to flip one district from the progressive side of the aisle to preclude the veto power of the Board of Supervisors, since the mayor appointed moderate Supervisor Matt Dorsey ... the Redistricting Task Force handed moderates a perfect set up to do just that.
Check it outCalifornians Asked to cut water by 5%
If a mandatory reduction is ordered, there will be a “floor” or minimum allocation per person so that those who have conserved, and now conserve, will not be penalized.
Read More ...Graft, deception, double-dealing, fraud
...competence erodes as conscientious employees get marginalized and lackeys are promoted. This consolidation promotes impunity. Betraying the public trust is normalized.
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Boudin's famed "puppy killer" strikes again
Boudin and the judge circumvented diversion rules because violent criminals are “not eligible” for diversion programs. Why did Boudin send someone to drug diversion if they weren’t arrested for drugs?”
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Despite the fact that discharge is not legally required (yet) at Laguna Honda, all patients and their families are being interviewed for discharge and this is causing a lot of stress.
Too bad no one saw this coming......oh, a group of doctors from Laguna Honda did.
Read More ...Addicts Housed among Frail Elderly—What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
State Health inspectors diagnosed “Substandard Quality of Care.” Records showed the disarray was more dire than LHH publicly disclosed.
Check it outBreed's Policing Numbers Don't Add Up
You can flood the Tenderloin with officers, but if you do not have the officers to sustain the effort, you will not see sustained results.
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HP Biomonitoring was awarded a $50,000 grant from CalEPA to create a live and virtual “Community Window on Environmental Exposures””
Check it outGUEST OP-ED
They would have us believe he’s responsible for the statistical rise in crime that’s occurred since the pandemic. Research, however, suggests otherwise...
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Over time, those special interests have proven adept at using the same “peoples protections” to further their own interests. Recalls are expensive, and a few of San Francisco’s bitterest billionaires buy low-turnout elections when they disagree with the voters...
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41% of companies allow employees to relocate permanently to any state freely, while companies that do not allow the employees to relocate elsewhere represent only 5%.
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Knowing that either way he rules, an appeal is likely, Alameda Court Judge Frank Roesch weighs the evidence.
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...there are issues that can unite us.. We all want to support our educators who have been doing the hard work every day despite a pandemic and political feud.
Check it outInternational Dark Skies Week
In Pittsburgh a new ordinance makes it the first major American city to adopt lighting standards addressing light pollution.
Check it outA great beginning that ran into WWI
36 Garden Residence neighborhoods were planned only St. Francis Wood was actually built.
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Could the motivation behind all of this be to create such a god-awful divisive plan and create so much anger that the voters would just throw up their hands and get rid of it altogether?
Check it outMedicaid & Medicare threaten payments...
Medicaid or MediCal covers 96.5% of LHH patients, the City’s General Fund – aka tax-payers – would then foot the bill. The deadline is April 14th.
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Taylor minced no words … the results of her 1995 investigation displeased health officials and influenced her decision not to publish significant findings, “I was convinced there was something there
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A catastrophic rate disaster shows SFPUC's ingenious ability to evade culpability. They take full responsibility for lowering the water usage...
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Chair Townsend's Solution to African-American Population Decline Will Likely Result in a Lawsuit Redistricting's latest map has everyone on edge, scrambling to find out who their new Supervisor will be.
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Three new Board of Education commissioners were appointed last month by Mayor London Breed who promises implicitly that SFUSD will somehow conquer a budget deficit of over $125,000,000.
Check it outWestside Public Safety Forum
What had Taraval Station done about the unprecedented rise in burglaries in 2021? There were 620 — a 29% increase over the previous year.
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District 7 reclaims Forest Knolls, Twin Peaks, Midtown Terrace, the Woods and Miraloma Park from District 8 as well as all of Lakeshore and Merced Manor from District 4, but loses ground entirely in the Inner Sunset.
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Lowell high school's merit-based admission policy is perfectly legal. We’ve looked at the language of the law, the history of the law and the intent of the law. We've done our homework.
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As additional funding for supportive housing services through programs like Project Home Key become available, radical reform of board and care programming and funding will be necessary to maintain and expand this crucial resource.
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Coastal Commission Takes a Wrong Turn
The Port will spend billions to protect Bayside property but not a dime to protect Ocean Beach.
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SF has had some surprising changes since the current lines were drawn in 2011 — they could change which Supervisor represents us.
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Civil rights laws have been enacted to protect people who are being denied equal access and opportunity. The closure is a violation of the ADA and California disability rights laws.
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Donald Trump, disregards 42,000,000 Ukrainians by lauding Putin’s “genius” in invading Ukraine. I urge readers to divest themselves of any reverence or respect for Trump, a draft-dodger, who could demolish the Republican Party.
Check it outLabor Union Sues City for Corruption and Retaliation
Why does the FBI manage to unearth City Hall corruption, while our watchdog agencies; the Controller’s Whistleblower Program, Ethics Commission and City Attorney’s Office cry “What happened?
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When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground Old African Proverb.
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… instead of looking seriously into what could be done to solve the coupling problem … henceforth the trains operating in the subway would be only one and two cars long.
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Limit plastic used in wrapping done by on-line shopping? Since the pandemic, online shopping has created 29% more waste in landfills which can end up in our oceans
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Hint: the software is not the problem
The Health Dept. continues to flout the open records laws. Our seniors deserve better.
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Newly unearthed public records show that the developers paid more than $1.3 million during 2020 to Brown and two partners
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In 2020 SF was paying $59.70 per garbage bin to Recology while San Mateo ratepayers (under competitive bidding) $24.93 per month...
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If they want to override the current cost criteria ... jack up the rates ... they must seek voter approval. The SFPUC has not done that ...
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Most contractors lagged in delivering community benefits and submitting required progress reports. And, once a contract ended, undelivered benefits were not recoverable. SFPUC had no policies to monitor compliance.
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Ideally, police can stop “sideshows” before they happen with intel from undercover officers and by monitoring social media accounts that announce where sideshows will be. That was not evident in West Portal & 30th/Lawton incidents
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Ginsburg, working with the SF Bicycle Coalition and Walk SF, have banned cars on JFK Drive and the Upper Great Highway during the pandemic. Plans are being made make the bans permanent ...
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Drivers ... good news for you: the vast majority of streets are dominated by cars! You can drive on all the roads, which is why a radical change is necessary.
Check it outSF Parks Alliance Records Subpeonaed
The vendor was selected on a sole source basis for a one-year term ... due to the limited time to accomodate a community event date in April 2020 ...
Check it out“Housing Galore—if you're a millionaire...
Two years after the 2019 Affordable Housing Bond passed—No progress status reports, or annual or quarterly reports to MOHCD or the Supervisors?
Check it out“Granny Dumping”
Moving physically - or mentally-challenged patients is clearly detrimental to their health...leaving fragile patients stranded, miles away from their families and friends
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Does the City care what your rates are? The Commission recently passed a resolution to guide Herrera. It lacks anything about keeping rates as low as possible.
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