Monthly Archives: March 2012

March 31, 2012 · 3:09 pm

Proceeds from upcoming leather/fetish events to benefit local charity work

A press release from Folsom Street Events:

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  (Wednesday, March 28, 2012)  –  The Board of Directors of Folsom Street Events announced this year’s line up of its Major and Supporting beneficiaries today. Net proceeds from five key San Francisco leather and fetish events (Bay of Pigs™, Up Your Alley®, Magnitude®, Folsom Street Fair®, and DEVIANTS™) will be donated to local charities working in public health, human services, and the arts. Last year, Folsom Street Events donated over $330,000 to local and national charities in need.  Continue reading →

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Filed under art, community services, entertainment, events, parties

March 29, 2012 · 9:42 am

Community Unity map pushes Redistricting Task Force to keep our neighborhoods together

Draft "Community Unity" map

As the April 15 deadline nears for completion of the redistricting process, which will define the political boundaries of San Francisco for the next ten years, progressives worry that all of the city’s liberal bastions might be concentrated into District 6 (South of Market/Tenderloin), District 9 (the Mission/Bernal) and District 5 (Haight/Western Addition). This could result in a permanent 8-3 fix for downtown and business interests.  Continue reading →

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Filed under meetings, politics, social justice

March 22, 2012 · 7:04 pm

SoMa Mandarin-immersion school expanding to a K-8 program

Presidio Knolls School, located on the grounds of the former St. Joseph’s campus at 10th and Howard Streets, is gradually expanding to a full K-8 program. Next Fall they will open kindergarten and 1st grade classes and will add one more grade per year thereafter.  Continue reading →

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Filed under community services

March 19, 2012 · 10:17 am

Western SoMa alley improvements coming up for final approval

Update: The Western SoMa Neighborhood Transportation Plan was approved unanimously by the full Transportation Authority on March 27.

Our friends at the Transportation Authority are preparing to take the Western SoMa Neighborhood Transportation Plan through the board approval process. The report recommends traffic calming and pedestrian improvements to the alleys of Minna, Natoma, and Ringold Streets and signalized mid-block crossings of Seventh and Eighth Streets. You can read the complete plan by following this link.

Continue reading →

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Filed under community services, meetings, open space, planning, quality of life

· 6:24 am

SFpark’s proposals prompt backlash

The SFMTA’s parking management proposals for the Mission Bay, 12th and Folsom and 17th and Folsom Street areas have been put on hold, pending further consultation with those living and working in the targeted neighborhoods.  Continue reading →

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Filed under meetings, planning, transportation

March 16, 2012 · 12:38 pm

Entertainment and land use make for strange bedfellows

The committee established by the Entertainment Commission to review the Western SoMa Community Plan held its second meeting this week and objections continued to fall away as its members learned more about what the plan actually does. Nothing is taken away from the entertainment industry. In fact, the plan opens up the entire area south of Harrison Street for the expansion of new venues.

Commissioners Audrey Joseph and Bryant Tam toured the area with April Veneracion from Jane Kim’s office prior to the first official meeting of the committee and they developed concerns that the proposed buffer zones might be an obstacle to growth. It was later explained that the 200 foot buffer zones only applied to four residential enclave districts (see map) and that the vast majority of the area would provide ample room for new nightclubs.

Continue reading →

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Filed under entertainment, politics

· 11:37 am

Lights and Sirens!

Plans are moving ahead to relocate Fire Station 1 from 676 Howard to 935 Folsom Street. Expansion of the SFMOMA museum in Yerba Buena Center necessitated the move. Everyone welcomed the “gift” of a new fire station except the neighbors who will be affected, of course. Station 1 moves from an area with very few residential buildings to a neighborhood with senior housing, new condos and several residential enclave districts.  Continue reading →

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Filed under community services, crime watch, planning, public safety

March 5, 2012 · 5:08 pm

“Nightlife” report finds that tourists spend most $$$ in Chinatown, North Beach and Broadway restaurants

Supervisor Scott Wiener released his long-awaited report on the “The Economic Impact of San Francisco’s Nightlife Businesses” at a hearing today, and few were surprised to learn that 77% of the spending on entertainment in the city was at restaurants. Only 4% was at nightclubs or venues with DJs.  Continue reading →

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Filed under entertainment, politics