Beutel is an artist and a self-proclaimed “tinkerer.” Trained as a software engineer, he uses simple machines and everyday materials to bring objects to life.
Automation as Art: Thomas Beutel Brings Found Objects to Life
Flower Show Wows Orchid Lovers
According to the website Flowerweb, certain species of orchid can survive up to 100 years. It also claims orchids have the largest variety of flowers with the number of officially documented species standing at 25,000 plus.
41 New Housing Units Proposed to Replace Lawton Street Gas Station
A five-story, mixed-use building, now under review by the San Francisco Planning Department, will replace a Union 76 gas station at the corner of Lawton Street and 42nd Avenue in the Outer Sunset District.
Woman Finds Her Voice at Hollow, a Solid Sunset District Cafe
For more than 12 years, the lime-green sliver of a building has been doling out small-batch goodies. What was once a garage, and later a barber shop, is today a nook for people to catch a breath, enjoy a coffee and grab a bite.
Pilot Program Aims to Bring Recycling Back to SF’s West Side
The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) approved the new pilot project for San Francisco last month, called a “bag-drop collection” program, as the state explores new models to boost consumer access to recycling California Redemption Value (CRV) bottles and cans.
Looking Back – Link to a List of Stories Exploring the History of San Francisco’s West Side
Link to “Looking Back,” a column by Kinen Carvala exploring stories about the history of San Francisco’s west side.
Letter to the Editor – What Does Connie Chan Stand For?
She has a good story, but what does she actually stand for? Good question! Connie Chan’s website does not give a single indication.
The Promise and Peril of Tech
“Uncanny Valley: Being Human in the Age of AI,” a new exhibit at the de Young museum, is an international group exhibition examining the effects of artificial intelligence.
Cafe Nourishes Outer Sunset Community
“My hope with Boavida is to provide the neighborhood with some delicious and healthy food, and a small market where they could pick up fresh bread, fruit, cheese and wine. We even sell toilet paper, due to neighborhood demand,”
City Hall – Sandra Lee Fewer
The annual lunar new year celebration at City Hall started off with a lion dance and continued with speeches and performances by Marina Middle School and West Portal Elementary School students. It was a festive and fun event and a wonderful way to welcome the new year.
Looking Back – Robert Emmet
A statue near the Academy of Sciences celebrates Robert Emmet who is described on the statue’s base as “Irish patriot executed in Dublin.”
Historical Photo – Packed Playland Parking Places
A packed parking lot along the Great Highway in front of the Cabrillo Street entrance to Chutes at the Beach, circa 1932. This was the main gate to an amusement area that became known as Playland at the Beach, where visitors could get sweet waffles (a favorite treat) before enjoying popular attractions such as the Aeroplane Swing and Ferris wheel, visible in the distance.
Police Blotter – Richmond District
Police activity in the Richmond District in February, 2020.
Assembly – Phil Ting
The number of Real IDs issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is lagging behind projected demand. If you anticipate needing one, I advise you go to the DMV now because I expect the lines to worsen as we approach Oct. 1.
Real Estate – John M. Lee
2020 is here and, as with every year, people are preparing for the big push in the spring real estate market. Activity in the first two months has been decent with good buyer demand and still very little inventory.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 