When you retire or get older and have time on your hands, one of the most dramatic things you discover is how much you miss the mental challenges and your work-life social connections.
From a Reader: Lifelong Learning at Fromm Institute
‘From a Reader’: Demons
The young man sat hunched over on the West Portal Avenue sidewalk. Faceless. Nameless. Knees pulled up to his chest, he was covered with a tattered blanket and had a handwritten sign resting against him: “Pray that I can conquer my demons.”
From a Reader: Community Meeting – Summer Concerts in GG Park
Community meeting regarding summer concerts in Golden Gate Park in August will be held on June 16.
From a Reader: Open Letter to Supervisor Joel Engardio
You have repeatedly said that you should not be recalled over a single issue, i.e., the Prop. K vote closing the Upper Great Highway (UGH). Yes, the recall is for a single issue, but the issue is not the UGH. The issue is YOU, and your behavior, lack of response and a sense of duty to those who put you in office.
From a Reader: Recall Engardio – Unpleasant But Necessary
Joel Engardio, San Francisco’s District 4 Supervisor since 2023, has had a relatively short tenure in City Hall and yet has already committed a serious violation: Ignoring the will of his constituents.
‘From a Reader’: How Should Progressive Cities Face Their Urban Crises?
If the current lack of housing has been decades in the making, it will require an extraordinary re-allocation of resources to catch up. A good place to start would be tax reform.
From a Reader: Trees of the Richmond, Part 2
Continuing my survey to discover the provenance of the Outer Richmond District trees, in my neighborhood, near Ocean Beach, there is holly oak, coast live oak, Kwanzan flowering cherry, and Majestic Beauty fruitless olive
From a Reader: ‘The Future Past’
The garments that come into Lindsey Hansen’s hands need refurbishing for a variety of reasons. They’re either worn out, ripped or simply out of style.
From a Reader: Correspondence About Taraval Tracks at 46th Ave.
As you can imagine, I was less than delighted to see the NTK crew once again on lower Taraval, this time between 45th and 46th, pulling up and replacing tracks (some of which had already been replaced). According to the MTA website, this is the result of a “Requested Action” for additional $4.7 MILLION to “(e)xpand scope of work to include special track work on 46th Avenue and Taraval” which includes “replace(ing) curve, cross-over, and straight rail.”
From a Reader: A First-Hand Account of a Record-Setting Swim to the Farallon Islands
Sarah Roberts describes Amy Gubser’s historic swim from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Farallon Islands, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of the journey. Battling fog, strong currents and cold water, Amy’s determination and support team led to a 17-hour, 3-minute victory, marking the first successful swim from the Golden Gate to the Farallon Islands.
From a Reader: Profile of Mikhail Berdichevsky, DDS
On May 16, Richmond District resident Dr. Mikhail Berdichevsky, D.D.S., will be celebrated for 30 years of steadfast service to thousands of San Francisco Bay Area residents. San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Walnut Creek Mayor Nancy Tragarz have both issued mayoral commendations for Dr. Berdichevsky’s lifetime of service, perseverance and leadership.
From a Reader: The (Not so) Subtle Takeover of Private Property by the City
Once you build an ADU, your SFR is now a two-family dwelling or “multiunit” property. All the ADUs are now legal units. Not only will your property be re-appraised at a significant increase in value with an increase in property tax, but the Rent Board will now resume operation of your new unit(s) as well as your old unit.
From a Reader: Trees of the Richmond
One tree, found in profusion, is the New Zealand Christmas tree. You can recognize it by its red bottle brush (spiky) flowers. There are many trees from New Zealand and Australia in our neighborhood including the Brisbane box tree, New Zealand tea tree, karo tree, primrose tree and myoporum.
From a Reader: Solutions Needed to Prevent More Traffic Injuries and Death
Collectively we have prioritized the movement of vehicles over the safety and livability of our City. What is left for us is to decide whether we want these tragedies to continue.
From a Reader: The Sunset’s Graffiti Plague
Photos and descriptions of graffiti in the Sunset District.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 