What a busy year’s end it was for the Richmond, Sunset and Parkside neighborhoods!
Commentary: Paul Kozakiewicz
A.I. Filmmaking on Display at Richmond Film Festival
December in the Richmond District is a month of holiday celebration, shopping and local film screenings. The Balboa Theater has hosted the independent film festival, Another Hole in the Head, for 22 years. The festival ran throughout the month of December at the theater.
Supervisor Wong Supports Putting UGH Issue on Ballot
Newly-appointed District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong is calling out some supporters of the Sunset Dunes park who claimed he had not meaningfully engaged with them before announcing his support of a ballot measure that would return the question of the future of the Upper Great Highway to San Francisco ballots.
Housing Included in Safeway Redesign Plans
Plans to replace the Safeway supermarket near the beach at 850 La Playa St. with a couple of eight-story buildings – including 526 new residential units – have been submitted to the San Francisco Planning Department.
Sponsored: Ms. Marian’s Dance Garden Presents Snow White Ballet
Ms. Marian’s Dance Garden presents Snow White to be presented at the 11th annual dance recital in May. Audition on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Sponsored: A Year of Progress on Geary – Upgrading the Pipes Beneath Our Neighborhood
Residents and businesses along 20 blocks of Geary Boulevard in the Richmond now have new water and sewer pipes to reduce the risk of breaks, ensure reliable service, and improve seismic safety.
‘Slavic Voice’: Slavic Voice 4 Ukraine Expands Youth Leadership Across San Francisco
Slavic Voice 4 Ukraine, a youth-led journalism and cultural storytelling organization founded by two San Francisco high schoolers, continues to grow its presence across the City. What began as a small effort to share youth perspectives on culture, identity and the war in Ukraine has become a larger movement connecting students across the world.
‘Photos of the Month’: December 2025
To submit photos for consideration in the Photos of the Month online gallery, send three jpegs to Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com by the 15th of the month. (If possible, send pictures resized to 150 dpi, 6″ wide.)
Real Estate: John M. Lee
As 2025 draws to a close, the real estate market has experienced yet another interesting year. The recurring question at this time is: Where is the market headed next?
‘Pet Pix’: Aj, Chicken, Crouton, Daisy, Echo, Fletcher, Gloria, Kai and Lola, Kashi, KitKat, Lucky and Bebe, Mousse, Murphy, Pepper and Oliver, Percy and Marlowe, Pogo, Quilla, Simba, Sumi, Taffy, Toast, Wally
Send up to three photos of your pet to Editor@RichmondSunsetNews.com for consideration for “Pet Pix.” Please include your pet’s name.
Announcements: December 2025
Things to do on San Francisco’s west side in December 2025.
Changing Outer Richmond District Reflected in Opening of Rice & Shine
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.
Everything Nice: Where to Give Back
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.
‘Cooking Together’: Vegan Pecan Cookies for the Holiday
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.
City Hall: Connie Chan
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.
Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon 