Many Outer Richmond businesses have been landmark hotspots for decades. Establishments like Mandalay Restaurant and Schubert’s Bakery have cultivated an inviting environment, bringing food and community to the area.
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to give back to the community. As the end of the year rolls around, here are some of my reccomendations for organizations on the west side to volunteer with or donate to.
Culinary historians have recorded that cookies were first prepared in the 7th century in Persia, after sugar became more available there to everyone. Back then, Persian cookies were sweetened with sugar, nuts and dates and they were most likely not soft.
You have all heard me say it before, but small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods. They are where we find community and gather for celebrations. We rely on them for everyday essentials, delicious meals, special treats, local artisan products and so much more. Which is why I have been working to find ways to both protect and support our small businesses and neighborhood commercial corridors.
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.
Cartoon by Paul Kilduff.
Comparison photos of The Cliff House 119 years apart.
It was Thomas Jefferson who declared in an Aug. 4, 1801, letter: “Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.” Oh, how we need in Washington, D.C. those “reformers of error.” Instead, we have a government of men and women (I mean you, Attorney General Pam Bondi) which creates fear among most of the governed.
Richmond Review crossword puzzle and solution, December 2025.
Recent police activity in the Richmond District.
In May 2024, Alessandra Correia and Bruno Santos took over what was once Sunstream Coffee and rebranded it as Padoca – a Brazilian term for “little bakery.” They said their goal is to preserve the cafe’s roots while welcoming a wider San Francisco crowd to experience authentic Brazilian flavors.
With the holiday season here, check out my holiday guide of some charming spots in the Richmond District for out-of-the-box gift ideas for friends, family or yourself!
In recent weeks, housing has been on the brain as San Franciscans debate Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan. Since my name has come up in some of these conversations, I’d like to take the opportunity to explain a bit more about my work to build more homes – especially affordable homes – to lower costs for families in every part of this amazing City. I’d also like to correct the record on some significant misinformation – some of it being spread via A.I. – about what exactly my housing laws do and why I do this work.
As we head into the holiday season, there’s no better time to celebrate and support the small businesses that make our neighborhoods so special. Whether it’s a cup of coffee from your favorite cafe on Balboa Street, a gift from a shop on Clement Street or dinner at arestaurant on Irving Street, small businesses are the heart and soul of the Richmond and Sunset districts.
Now through Jan. 4, the Garden’s trees, plants and ponds will serve as a backdrop for more than a million lights, creative art installations and musical accompaniment. Visitors will walk a one-mile trail of lights carpeting the meadows and strung from the branches of trees, highlighting the beauty of nature in winter. Hot cocoa and other seasonal fare will be available to set the holiday mood.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 