Sarah Madland, the new head of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, is entering her position promising transparency and that everyone will have the opportunity to express feedback.
Madland Appointed New General Manager of Rec and Parks
From the Editor: Remembering Michael Durand
I am sad to say that on Saturday, May 30, Michael Durand peacefully passed away after 70 years of life. He will be dearly missed… He has been an incredible mentor, friend and teacher to me and so many other young journalists. I will always be grateful for the time we spent together and truly touched by the opportunities he has given me.
‘Pet Pix’: Richmond District
Send up to three photos of your pet to Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com for consideration for “Pet Pix.” Please include your pet’s name.
Real Estate: John M. Lee
The upcoming June 2026 election in San Francisco’s District 4 is shaping up to be a definitive referendum on the neighborhood’s identity. Centered in the Sunset District, this race, along with a quartet of ballot propositions, carries significant implications for the City’s political trajectory and impacts the local real estate market, to a certain degree.
Candidates’ Corner: Meet the Front-Runners
This month, westside voters will receive their ballots for the June 2 primary election. One of the most notable items on the ballot is the congressional race. These four candidates will go head to head in attempts of securing Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s D-11 seat in the House of Representatives.
California Coastal Commission Approves San Francisco’s Housing Plan
San Francisco’s proposed Family Zoning Plan cleared an important bureaucratic hurdle in April when the California Coastal Commission (CCC), the state’s quasi-judicial agency which has jurisdiction over the coastline, approved it with a 10-1 vote.
Commentary: The Civil Engagement and Education Committee of the District 1 Youth Council
On May 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the District 1 Youth Council will host a Town Hall at the San Francsico Public Library, Richmond Branch open to all students in the Richmond District, creating a space where young people can speak honestly about their experiences and help shape what comes next.
Commentary: Paul Kozakiewicz
This Memorial Day weekend, take a moment with your families to honor the memories of the men and women who gave up their lives in the service of our country.
Comedian Margaret Cho: The Outsider Who Found a Way In
Trailblazing comedian Margaret Cho has always made sure her brazen stand-up material aligns with her feminist, politically progressive and all-inclusive views on sexuality. What is radically different about the 57-year-old San Francisco native is that her once chaotic, dangerous life has gradually evolved into that of a serene homebody, who surrounds herself with animal and plant life.
The Etruscans Take Center Stage With the Legion of Honor’s Latest Exhibit
The new exhibition at the Legion of Honor Museum, “The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy,” which opened May 2 and continues through Sept. 20, seeks to enlighten curious visitors on the innovative and artistic contributions of the largely overlooked Etruscans, an indigenous society with a one-off language, who thrived in the central Italy peninsula from the ninth century to the first century B.C., in the period preceding the Roman Empire.
Trump Fires All Presidio Trust Board Members
The move came after Trump issued a 2025 executive order calling for the trust to be among those entities “eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.” The order also targeted development agencies for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the U.S. Institute of Peace, which has been subsequently renamed the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.
Announcements: May 2026
Things to do on San Francisco’s west side in May 2026.
Police Blotter: Richmond District
Recent police activity in the Richmond District.
San Francisco’s Literary Lifeline Lives on the West Side at Green Apple
Green Apple Books on Clement Street has been a cornerstone of the Richmond District since 1967. Known for its expansive rare book collection and homey atmosphere, the two-story building features eclectic themed rooms adorned with handwritten signs on the doorways and shelves.
City Hall: Connie Chan
In April, I called a hearing into the denial of healthcare by Blue Shield for our employees, retirees and their families. These denials came to light after a retired firefighter, Ken Jones, shared his story about being denied care as recommended by his oncologist for his Stage IV lung cancer. Firefighter Jones served and protected our City for almost 20 years, and to be denied treatment, particularly at this most critical time of care, is unacceptable. Across our country we are seeing access to healthcare being cut, made unaffordable or inaccessible. We must push back – we cannot allow insurance companies to put profit over people.
