By Megan Robertson

Happy September! This month, I know I am looking forward to warmer days ahead on the west side and more time spent with our amazing community members in the Richmond and Sunset neighborhoods. 

Firstly, I want to again thank you all for the kindness you have extended to myself and our team after the passing of our former publisher and editor-in-chief, Michael Durand. It was wonderful to be in community with you all at Michael’s celebration of life last month. We miss him often and carry his spirit into the future.

As we are still in a period of transition of ownership at the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon newspapers, I’m excited to continue sharing monthly updates with you about how things are evolving at the papers.  

The Apartment Plug

This issue debuts the first column in our publications by Daisy Hernandez. You likely know Daisy from her social media accounts, @TheApartmentPlugSF. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has gained a following of nearly 80,000 on Instagram alone, sharing apartment tours directly on social media. Recently, she created apartment search application “that helps renters discover available homes through video listings,” Daisy writes. “We created it to make apartment hunting feel more intuitive, organized and transparent.”

In her renter’s column for the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon, she will share local rental market updates and practical advice for apartment seekers each month. Daisy has become an invaluable resource for many renters throughout the Bay Area, and I am thrilled that she will now bring more of this knowledge to us each month. 

Podcast

I am also happy to say that next month our podcast will launch! This podcast will be a home for longer form interviews and an expansion of our work, allowing you to hear directly from community members and businesses making a difference on the west side. I will share more information on what the first episode will entail and where you can listen in the coming weeks on our Instagram (@RichmondSunsetNews) and website (RichmondSunsetNews.com). 

On Neutrality and Electoral Endorsements

I have received many inquiries in recent weeks regarding my political stance and if our team will be making any endorsements or political editorials as we lead up to November’s election. The way I see it, the purpose of these publications is not to tell you how to vote, but to provide you the information you need to make informed decisions about choosing what to select on your ballot. With that ethos in our newsroom, we will not be making any endorsements or editorial comments other than to encourage you, if you are able, to vote! All commentaries we publish have been diligently fact-checked by our team and are solely the opinions of the writers. They should not be considered our editorial stances on issues. We strive to remain neutral and offer a balance of viewpoints. In this issue – and throughout the coming months – we will do our best to provide you with a variety of nuanced perspectives on the ballot measures and candidates’ stances so you can make an informed decision heading into the polls.  

Upcoming Events 

In the interest of serving and being in community with you all, we are looking forward to being a part of the 10th annual Autumn Moon Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Clement Street between eighth and 11th avenues. We will also be participating in the Sunset Night Market’s Autumn Moon Festival on Friday, Sept. 25 from 5 – 10 p.m. on Irving Street, from 20th to 25th avenues. We look forward to seeing you all there! 

As always, please let us know if you have any questions, tips, ideas or concerns. We appreciate you!

Megan Robertson is the editor-in-chief of the Richmond Review and Sunset Beacon newspapers. Contact her at Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com.