“Fact: SF NIMBYs, such as they exist, are not stopping housing right now; the Federal Reserve and the preferences of speculative capital are. The City has approved tens of thousands of housing units that could break ground today, no NIMBY opposition, no frivolous lawsuits …”
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is currently celebrated all over the world by over a billion people. San Franciscans take pride in honoring diversity; this includes celebrating Diwali! On Sunday Nov. 12, 2023, the Outer Sunset Farmers Marker & Mercantile was buzzing with activities including crafts, a cultural exhibit, a sari show, Indian themed dances and a cooking demonstration with food sampling to share this beautiful holiday with the community! This was the first outdoor celebration of Diwali in the Outer Sunset of San Francisco. And, the OSFMM plans to repeat Diwali and other cultural celebrations in the future.
Now we have the horrendous news that the San Francisco Botanical Garden Society is seeking quotes for a new anti-environmental “Winter Lights Show.” Another exciting opportunity to exploit formerly public space for private profit!
In news that came as no surprise to anyone, last month Marjan Philhour announced her third run for District 1 supervisor. Knocking out an incumbent – even in a district gerrymandered to improve her prospects – won’t be easy. That said, Philhour will benefit greatly from the largesse of the wealthiest political players in San Francisco, most notably the City’s tech elite.
Heading into the holiday season after dwelling on ghosts has me thinking about Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” While winter weather is seemingly far away from San Francisco lately, the tale of Ebenezer being visited by three ghosts leading to his transformation and reformation feels ever closer in relation to what our City is facing.
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Photos of the Month, November 2023.
One tragic shipwreck that Stephen Haller and John Martini discussed during ShipWRECKED! was the City of Rio De Janeiro. For years, the City of Rio De Janeiro had sailed through the Pacific, carrying immigrants from Hong Kong to San Francisco. During her last trip, the ship was carrying 210 passengers.
As residents of a major city, we know that getting from point A to point B doesn’t have to always involve a car. While public transit is a great option, people power should also be considered – and even play a bigger role. Active transportation is human-powered mobility, such as biking, walking or rolling.
Sakatani, along with 640 other Bay Area artists, attended “artist day” at the de Young Museum, a reception staged a few days prior to the Sept. 30 opening of the de Young Open, a community-based art exhibition consisting of 883 artworks, displayed salon style from floor-to-ceiling by artists from nine Bay Area counties.
As we prepare to pay our federal and state income taxes pursuant to two extensions granted this year by the always-benevolent Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board, I’m reminded of quips meriting reiteration, such as: “Sorry people feel the government owes them a living! The rest of us would gladly settle for a small tax refund.”
The single-family home market emerges as a winner as since the pandemic people prefer to move to a lower density environment and to not live in close proximity with others. Luxury homes were slow and prices did drop but homes under $2.5 million held their own in terms of pricing.
It is hard to believe that it is already November! As we get closer to the holidays, I want to take a moment to encourage all of you to shop and eat locally – TimeOut listed our District as the coolest in San Francisco, and it’s in no small part thanks to our local restaurants and shops. Protecting and supporting our small businesses takes all of us working together.
The end of the road is on the horizon for a section of the Great Highway between Sloat and Skyline boulevards, after a unanimous vote by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) on Oct. 10.
What sculpture in Golden Gate Park was made by someone accused of cheating because his sculpture was too lifelike?
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 