Quentin Kopp A Letter to the Speaker No-Bail’s Monitor Device Quandary Quentin has opinions about the MTA Can we get some help with the Long- Anmarie investigates the electronic and the California legislature ...... 3 Term Care crisis in San Francisco? ...... 3 monitoring of pretrial individuals.....9 Beware of Prop A on the Ballot Raided Journalist Brian Carmody Desert Danger Monette-Shaw spotlights Novem- Westside journalist at the Society of Kathy Howard cautions environmen- ber’s “Affordable Housing” bond ...... 2 Professional Journalists’ Forum...... 7 talists against massive solar...... 11

Northern California Society of Professional Journalists’ 2019 James Madison Freedom of Information Award Volume 32 • Number 7 Celebrating Our 32nd Year www.westsideobserver.com September 2019 YGC: A Confederacy of Dunces Laguna Honda’s Silent Abuse Scandal by George Wooding By Dr. Derek Kerrr he Youth Guidance Center (YGC) will be ll organizations veil their failings and struggle with revelations of miscon- closed and turned into a Navigation Center. duct. But when internal criticisms are suppressed, or nobody sees, hears TThe YGC was built to help youth see there are Aor speaks of wrongdoing, we get what DPH Director Grant Colfax labeled new paths they can follow. a “Culture of Silence.” Such silence can inflame scandals. As summarized in the On June 4 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10 – 1 to July Westside Observer, the abuse of 23 Laguna Honda Hospital (LHH) patients by close the YGC by December 31, 2021. Supervisors could be seen cel- 6 employees went unreported for 3 years. ebrating their lame decision. From beginning to end, the legislative pro- In July, the California Department of Public patients. He and a CNA cess took only two months. Health (CDPH) declared a state of “Immediate Jeop- exchanged text messages Mayor London Breed was against the YGC closure and stated, “she ardy.” An abbreviated survey found that 2 Licensed joking about making is concerned that if juvenile hall is closed, San Francisco would have to Vocational Nurses (LVN) and 2 Certified Nursing patients “sleep” and display- Acting CEO Margaret Rykowski send young people to another county when a judge orders detention.” Assistants (CNA) shared cell-phone images of 19 ing a bag of stolen medications. They were on duty According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the YGC closure was patients without their con- when the druggings occurred. based on a juvenile delinquent study by the Chronicle. The study — sent. Three were naked, show- One patient was treated for hardly “independent” — showed that as YGC juvenile delinquency ing buttocks, genitals – even Silence arises from a 2 overdoses. Another had 8 rates declined, overall facility costs rose. an enema treatment. Another mistrust of leaders and fear of urine tests showing non-pre- This article is about: 1) The stupidity of closing the YGC facility, 2) sprawled on the floor in a soiled scribed narcotics between Jan- The City’s repurposing of mental health facilities to create Navigation diaper. Some were filmed as retaliation. Silence also exhibits uary and August 2018. He died Centers, and 3) The repurposing of the YGC to become a large Naviga- staff taunted them with sexual a lack of empathy. Health care that September. Like all LHH tion Center. affronts or asked to borrow caregivers, the perpetrators Navigation Centers are designed to shelter San Francisco’s highly money. One was being kicked without empathy leads to abuse received annual Abuse Preven- vulnerable and long-term homeless residents who are often fearful of by a staffer; another muffled and neglect. Nationwide, the top tion and Reporting training. accessing tradi- tional shelter and with a towel. These photos and 3 causes of patient harms are In a 2015 lecture, Dr. Ron services. Naviga- tion Centers pro- videos had emerged inciden- Wyatt, from the Joint Com- vide these oth- erwise homeless tally during a staff-to-staff sex- lapses in supervision, leader- mission on Accreditation of San Franciscans room and board, ual harassment investigation. ship and communication. All Hospitals, identified a Culture while case man- agers work to LHH sent families a “Notice of of Silence as detrimental to connect them to income, public Data Breach” disclosing privacy are aggravated by fears of patient safety. The remedy, a benefits, health services, shelter, violations – without mention- speaking up. Culture of Safety, requires trust and housing. ing the abuses. that reporting problems will Navigation YGC Under Construction Centers are dif- Worse, 5 patients were result in action and improve- ferent from tra- ditional homeless drugged with non-prescribed morphine, metha- ment. Silence arises from a mistrust of leaders shelters in that they have few barriers to entry, and intensive case done, and tranquilizers, resulting in life-threaten- and fear of retaliation. Silence also exhibits a lack management. Unlike traditional shelters, people with partners, pets, ing complications and emergency hospitalizations. of empathy. Health care without empathy leads to and possessions are welcome at Navigation Centers. Drug users and An LVN had pilfered the medications from other Cont. p. 4 alcoholics are also welcome. Clean syringes are passed out freely and often. Shelter residents are not allowed to take drugs or drink alcohol Chief Scott Raids Pension Fund inside of Navigation Centers; therefore, they will drop used hypoder- mic needles and bottles throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. by Lou Barberini, CPA Cont. p. 1 Shelter residents are not prisoners and have total access to surround- y father abandoned us. We didn’t ing neighborhoods. Locating a navigation center at the YGC will allow see him for months. When he wasn’t easy resident access to Midtown Terrace, Forest Knolls, Forest Hills, St. Mworking, he buried himself in the John Armenian Church, Greater West Portal Neighborhood Associa- solitude of an isolated room — studying for the tion, Twin Peaks Improvement Association, Miraloma Park, children’s SFPD sergeant’s exam. During that period, he parks, public trails, Mount Davidson, Mount Sutro, City streets, Laguna shared with me the subject matter, like the ridiculously impor- Honda Hospital, St Brendan Parish School, Rooftop Elementary tant California Vehicle Code law, Section 23114(a), that only School, Clarendon Alternative Elementary School and just across the feathers from live birds and clear water are legally allowed to Chief William Scott sworn in by Mayor Lee Photo: Courtesy LA Sentinal street, The Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School. escape from a moving vehicle. Legislative wording: “The City may not close the Juvenile Hall until The San Francisco Civil Service Commission lieutenant/lawyers to captain. Bizarro World: the Board of Supervisors has approved by resolution a final plan fol- scored my father’s test and then the identity-centric Why promote a person having a postgraduate law lowing the submission of such a plan by the Close Juvenile Hall Work- groups protested that the test was discriminatory. degree to captain, when you can promote a person ing Group as provided in Section 5.40-6(d).” Some of the complainants admitted that they neither who never took the test and only has a high school This wording means that the current YGC has approximately a 90% bothered to acquire the study materials, nor both- diploma to temporary captain? chance of being converted to a navigation center. The City will have ered to study, because of the presumption the test was By ignoring the merits of the promotional tests, public meetings, but the Mayor and the BOS can move forward on discriminatory. SFPD is demoralized in several ways: Navigation Centers without any public approval. Forty years later, nothing has changed. How can we expect a sergeant to respect another SEC. 5.40-7. SUNSET DATE. In prior articles, I have addressed how SFPD Chief sergeant who scored lower on the civil service test, Legislative wording: “This Article XL shall expire by operation of Bill Scott has ignored the Civil Service Commis- but has now been promoted to be his/her lieutenant? law, and the Working Group shall terminate, when the Chief Juvenile sion’s test rankings for the current SFPD sergeant, How can we expect a sergeant to respect a “tem- Probation Officer certifies in writing that Juvenile Hall is closed and lieutenant, and captain candi- porary” lieutenant who never there is a substitute place or places of detention, approved by the Court, dates. Instead, the Chief has even tested for the lieutenant’s that is available for wards of the Court and persons alleged to come either bypassed higher scoring Why promote a person rank? within the jurisdiction of the Court. In that event, after the sunset date, candidates on the promotional having a postgraduate law Officers who are assigned the City Attorney shall cause this Article XL to be removed from the lists, or worse, temporarily pro- to a temporary rank, but Administrative Code.” moted officers who never even degree to captain, when you never tested for that rank, are Everybody talks about the rights of homeless people, but nobody took the promotional test. can promote a person who beholden to superiors as “yes talks about the rights of residents to have a peaceful existence in their Rewarding childhood friends never took the test and only men,” or they risk forfeiting neighborhoods. and schoolmates, or the elected the unearned, but accompa- Despite completing the brand new YGC for $45 million in 2007, leaders of identity unions with has a high school diploma to nying, pay raise. By contrast, the City will consider rebuilding a “hidden” YGC. This will allow the leapfrogged promotions pro- temporary captain? “ an officer who has been pro- participants who closed the 2007 facility to continue to feel good about liferated under the prior SFPD moted in rank order is in a themselves. administration. Chief Scott has secure enough non-temporary Allen Nance, San Francisco’s Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, hates merely continued the practice of ignoring civil ser- position to act as a sounding board to their superi- the idea of closing the YGC. Nance states “that he has concerns that 2.5 vice rankings, while from a statistical perspective ors, for example by voicing opposition to serving a years is not enough time to create and implement alternative settings quite obviously kept his eye on meeting identity search warrant on a journalist. for youth.” Nance acknowledges most juvenile detentions in San Fran- quotas. Deviating from the civil service test creates a two- cisco are for serious, violent felony offenses. Ironically, with no attorneys on the SFPD com- tier us versus them suspicious mentality amongst Nance and representatives from local chapters of the NAACP have mand staff, during the last two captain’s tests both SFPD. Are you connected? Were you in the chief’s Cont. p. 6 of the past two Chiefs sidestepped promoting Cont. p. 9 Page 2 September 2019 Vote “No” on Prop A: It’s a Lottery in Bond Disguise “Failure to Build” Middle-Income Housing facilities. This is important because over On July 11, 2019 MOHCD’s then-direc- 1,659 San Francisco residents have been Who Affordable Housing Bond Leaves Behind tor, Kate Hartley, surprisingly blurted dur- dumped into out-of-county facilities ing her opening presentation to the Board due to a severe shortage of such facilities by Patrick Monette-Shaw of Supervisors: “We have failed in our in San Francisco. uring the Board of Supervisors Rules Committee hearing on efforts to build affordable middle-income $1 Billion Across Three Bonds July 11, 2019 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer repeatedly asked: housing.” She further claimed it costs What housing are we getting for the $1 “Who are we leaving behind?” D MOHCD $100,000 more per unit to build billion across the 1996, 2015, and 2019 If the $600 million Affordable Housing around over time. In June 2015, before middle-income housing because of the bonds? Bond passes this November, we’ll climb to being presented to voters, MOHCD lack of federal and state funding sources. • Nearly 83% ($835 million) of the com- over $1 billion across three general obli- claimed the bond would produce 1,435 She then noted: bined $1 billion were or are budgeted for gation bonds for affordable housing, plus units. In September 2017, MOHCD public housing and low-income hous- $659.6 million in estimated bond interest, asserted 1,785 units would be produced. “If we’re putting $100,000 extra to put an ing, including low-income housing for with little middle-income housing to show It’s probably more like only 1,003 units. apartment that is affordable to somebody seniors and low-income residents in the for it. • Between the March 2019 loss of 53 senior at 100% of AMI, or 120% of AMI, then Mission District The 1996 bond promised building 3,000 housing units at 735 Davis, and loss of that means less affordable housing to other • Another 8.3% ($84.4 million) is, or was, new apartments, and home 56 planned senior units at groups of people who are desperately in need, budgeted for DALP and TND loans ownership loans for 1,000 1296 Shotwell, 109 units like people experiencing homelessness.” to purchase market-rate ownership families. Only 1,812 units for seniors were removed There you have it: MOHCD isn’t inter- units, reserved for households earning — 60% — were produced. from bond spending. In ested in spending $100,000 extra for mid- between 80% and 200% of AMI. Trans- Just 340 loans were issued. December 2018, MOHCD dle-income housing units (other than for lating 200% of AMI in 2019 is $172,400 Given 1996 failures, voters removed 516 units previ- educators), because it would negatively for a one-person household and up to wised up and rejected two ously included in the total affect those who are homeless. Hartley $246,300 for a four-person household. affordable housing bonds, counts because they were was, in effect, pitting middle-income It’s hard to find much solicitude or one in November 2002 and only for pre-development households against the homeless, holding empathy for households earning 200% one in November 2004, projects that shouldn’t have middle-income households hostage. Kate Hartley, former Director MOHCD of AMI. totaling $450 million. been counted. Pre-develop- The 2015 bond will produce just 121 • Combined, fully 91% ($919 million) Voters should reject the 2019 bond, too, ment expenses include “soft costs” like middle-income rental units, 82 for teach- is allocated to low-income housing or based on performance of the 1996 and architectural, engineering, and legal fees, ers and only 39 for non-teachers. loans to purchase market-rate housing 2015 bonds. and other pre- and November 2019 ownership units. November 2015 Bond Disaster post-construction $600 Million Bond • Just 9% ($91 million) of the combined expenses. Since 2014, the city has pro- Consider obvious problems with the With a straight $1 billion is allocated to other categories • Inexplicably, $310 million bond voters passed in duced 710 affordable middle- face, MOHCD and of housing, including 1% ($10 million) MOHCD is still November 2015: the City claim the for 39 middle-income rental housing including in the income units, 710.” That is just • Bond Issuance Delay: Now almost four 2019 bond will pro- for non-teachers, 4.8% ($49 million) total units count years later, 30.5% ($92.5 million) of the 14.2% of the 5,000 middle-income duce or preserve for educator-only housing, and 3% ($30 445 Public Hous- bonds haven’t been issued and won’t be units goal Mayor Lee had set for 2,755 units — nearly million) for other affordable housing ing “units” — until sometime after October 2019. triple the 1,003 units preservation. including 125 MOHCD. • Housing Construction Delay: As of April funded by the 2015 The bonds should be renamed “Low- market-rate units 2019, four of nine projects funded by the What an admission of failure! bond. Income and Market-Rate Housing Bonds” — that are actu- bond were in construction; five projects The 2019 bond to reflect truth-in-advertising. still being designed hadn’t begun. ally infrastructure has six sub-catego- Middle-Income Households Left Behind • Teacher Housing Delay: A Westside projects for roads, sewers, etc. The 445 ries of projects identified, in part, by four Observer July 2019 article debunked units are being constructed from other focus groups convened by Board President Hartley replied to Supervisor Fewer on Mayor Breed’s untruthful assertion that sources of funding, not from the bond. Norman Yee and Mayor Breed. Concerns July 11: “We have failed to build afford- the delayed teacher housing at the Fran- Infrastructure projects fund new streets, about the six categories are described in able middle-income housing.” That’s who is cis Scott Key Annex site hadn’t broken gas, sewer, and electricity, or new side- the expanded version of this article. being left behind. ground only because of a two-year delay walks, streetlights, and landscaping, not Of interest: Hartley also testified that spending in re-zoning the parcel to allow con- new or rehabilitated housing units. • $150 million is for Public Housing, $64 $100,000 more for a middle-income hous- structing housing on public land. Breed • The 2015 bond allocates just $9.5 million million (41.8%) of which is for infra- ing unit (other than for teachers) might should know $29 million for the project (12%) for construction of 72 actual pub- structure projects including seven new deprive housing for the homeless. God won’t be allocated until the third bond lic housing units; the remaining $70.5 streets, calling into question whether forbid funding housing equity for middle- tranche is issued after October 2019. million is for pre-development or infra- constructing the actual housing will be income households might impair housing The project remains in the design phase. structure expenses for the 445 units. from other funding sources for the homeless. The “Unit Counts” Bouncing Ball Removing the 445 infrastructure-only • $30 million is allocated to a misnamed • Between 2007 and 2014 San Francisco produced a paltry 19% of the RHNA Given its focus only on the number “units” essentially reduces the bond Middle-Income Housing category, total unit count to just 1,003 units — promising 90 units. It’s not middle- target for middle-income households of units produced, the Mayor’s Office of earning between 80% and 120% of AMI Housing and Community Development 70%, almost one third less than the income housing. Instead, it’s a lottery 1,435 promised. No wonder voters feel program for the Down Payment Assis- — while producing 109% of the RHNA (MOHCD) appears to have inflated its target for market-rate units for Above- data, with the total unit count bouncing betrayed. tance Loan Program (DALP) and the Teacher Next Door (TND) program Moderate income households earning of forgivable loans, both for purchase over 120% of AMI. and ownership of market-rate units. Hartley also admitted on July 11: “Since The category may fund middle-income 2014, the city has produced 710 affordable construction, but only if cost-effective middle-income units, 710.” That is just opportunities arise. The category doesn’t 14.2% of the 5,000 middle-income units include funds for middle-income rental goal Mayor Lee had set for MOHCD. housing. The DALP loans are highly What an admission of failure! profitable, because the City collects a Given the multiple problems described significant share of capital gains appre- in this article, Vote NO on Prop A in ciation when properties are re-sold November. • $150 million is earmarked for senior The expanded version of this article at housing, claiming 500 new senior hous- stopLHHdownsize.com includes addi- ing units will be created. Unfortunately, tional detail about the 2015 Bond. no meaningful gap analyses were used to Monette-Shaw is a columnist for West- measure housing preferences expressed side Observer newspaper, and a member of by San Francisco’s senior populations for the California First Amendment Coalition independent rental housing, vs. afford- (FAC) and the ACLU. He operates stopLH- able board-and-care homes, vs. assisted Hdownsize.com. Contact him at monette- living facilities, vs. skilled nursing [email protected]. Page 3 September 2019 Ruminations From a Former Supervisor by Quentin Kopp A Letter to Speaker Pelosi n anonymous wit declared: “Capital punishment is when the gov- Fix Long Term Care for Senior and Disabled People ernment taxes you to get capital so that it can go into business in Acompetition with you, and then taxes the profit on your business in order to pay its losses.” Dear Madam Speaker, Government is surely unelectrified, purveys its false information. The proposed Medicare for All Act is the first to include comprehensive provisions in the rail transit business, It hasn’t laid a single foot of track between for Long Term Care (LTC). We would like to again thank you, Madam Speaker, for which essentially disappeared in the post its alleged first segment from “Merced to ensuring that the proposed bill has had committee hearings - a historic first for any World War II era with the advent of capa- Bakersfield”, which genuinely is only from single payer healthcare bill! We look forward to further hearings in the Energy and cious air transportation. Examples abound Madera to Wasco, 30 miles or so north of Commerce Committee and a mark-up in the Ways and Means Committee. in California and in San Francisco, which Bakersfield, where you’d transfer to a shuttle Madam Speaker, you have a great opportunity to speak out, raise awareness and last month endured illogical action by bus. The U.S. Department of Transporta- explain to the public and congress how broken and wasteful our current Long Term the Metropolitan Transportation Agency tion three months ago demanded return Care system is. Everyone has or had a grandmother or grandfather, knows someone (MTA) on a 4-3 vote of naming the Cen- of $2,500,000,000 from the Federal Rail who is aging or disabled and faces these challenges – the need for comprehensive LTC tral Subway station at the end of the line Administration and canceled a $929,000,000 coverage touches us all. The provision of long-term care (LTC) should be a priority for nearly in Chinatown after now deceased grant for failure to perform. Last month, the the Democratic Party, the party that historically has cared for vulnerable older adults and “insider”Rose Pak. Assembly Speaker, and other legislators, people with disabilities. MTA did so in the face of adopting two announced that remaining funds should years ago a policy of naming stations only best be given to Caltrain for its electrifica- for geographical location, which is logical tion and the Los Angeles Basin commuter Comprehensive Long Term Care because, for example, who besides politi- train, Metrolink, for similar improvements. in Germany is available to disabled cal “insiders” can identify Rose Pak? She He proposed legislative action, ignoring the people of all ages, assesses need by func- was a San Francisco Chronicle reporter fact that the approximately $4,500,000,000 tional limitations and recognizes and financially supports informal care. LTC Last month, the Assembly Speaker, and other legislators, expenditure in 2008 was 1.3% of GDP.” announced that remaining funds should best be given to Caltrain for its electrification and the Los Angeles Basin commuter train, Dr. Tadepalli began by defining LTC as a spectrum of support services for activities Metrolink, for similar improvements. He proposed legislative action, of daily living such as managing and cueing medications, housekeeping, eating, toileting ignoring the fact that the approximately $4,500,000,000 of California and bathing that can be delivered in the community, in assisted living facilities or nurs- ing homes. She described her experience as a geriatrician coping with the complexities taxpayer-approved general obligation bonds remain from the of qualifying for public funding for LTC services. In the current system she witnesses November 2008 action of California voters, and that the law requires clients becoming impoverished as they spend down to meet qualification criteria for Medicaid and then consequently being left without any control or choice over their care. voter approval of diversion of such money from the high-speed rail She explained the strain clients and their families experience because of this impover- bond issue. The legislature and governor cannot ignore voters.” ishment and subsequent insecurities related to continuing care. She talked about the undue burden on family care givers, most of whom are women, and the toll this takes in the 1970s who was arrested by police of California taxpayer-approved general on mental and physical health. after attacking physically a man whom she obligation bonds remain from the Novem- Dr. Palmer spoke about her own experience providing care for her mother, now a interviewed for a story after he failed to ber 2008 action of California voters, and nursing home resident and 102 years of age, who has a history of mental health prob- provide responses suiting her “storyline.” that the law requires voter approval of diver- lems. Despite a long career as a geriatrician and extensive experience dealing with the As announcer in the 1990s for the Chinese sion of such money from the high-speed rail complex needs of older adults, Dr. Palmer found navigating the LTC system and caring New Year’s Parade, she regularly insulted bond issue. The legislature and governor for her mother at home a hard burden to bear. She suffered mental, physical and mari- parade participants passing the review- cannot ignore voters. (That’s the subject of tal strain related to the anxiety her mother’s care caused. Dr Palmer also spoke briefly ing stand, usually political adversaries. She a pending suit by taxpayers in the Califor- about her work as a geriatric expert for lawsuits regarding abuse and neglect in nursing violated the law regarding eligibility for low nia Court of Appeal on 2017 legislative homes and assisted living. She highlighted the approach by certain facilities to encour- income tenant treatment in securing a nifty diversion.) age residents and families to opt for “comfort care” when completing the POLST (Physi- condominium apartment in a city project The District Attorney’s race is the most cian’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) not because this was best for residents but near Rincon Annex. She actively aided the important November 2019 ballot item. I’ve because it suited the facility management who felt empowered to give minimal care People’s Republic of China in its cruelty to withdrawn my endorsement of Leif Bautch once this was agreed. disfavored groups such as Falun Gong, a II after he disclosed he opposes use of tas- Dr. Halifax agreed with the evidence given by Drs. Tadepalli and Palmer that the cur- spiritual movement in China and now the ers (instead of guns) by police officers, and rent US model for LTC provision is unsustainable. She gave examples of other countries United States, whose body parts are used by believes holding police “accountable” is his that have introduced comprehensive LTC coverage: Austria (1993), Germany (1994), Communist China imprisonment of Falun highest brochure priority. (The Police Offi- Japan (2000). These countries have used strategies that have included: covering all citi- Gong members after they’re executed. At the cers Association also withdrew its endorse- zens (with no age restrictions); providing individual assessment for eligibility based on MTA hearing last month, written evidence ment of him.) Our Police Department, like ability to function; combining provision of services and cash benefits to pay for formal was circulated that non-English-speaking other cities, can’t recruit enough police and informal care; scrapping means tested services in favor of social equity and fund- Chinese people testified in support of the officers. We have about 300 fewer police ing through mandatory social insurance payments. She argued that these models could Rose Pak station renaming in return for officers than our Charter requires. The last be used to address the challenges of providing care that the US faces. She went on to lunch, beverages, and $25! Police Academy class graduated less than describe the comprehensive care her mother had received both at home and in a nurs- MTA’s action could be reversed by an half the recruits who began. Simultaneously, ing home in the UK following a diagnosis of dementia. She explained that her family initiative ballot measure, which I’ll happily the establishment candidate, Suzy Loftus, as had peace of mind that care would be provided and would be within their means, that support. Meanwhile, the Central Subway one-time president of the Police Commis- they were able to continue working, support their own families and maintain healthy project itself won’t be completed this year sion, reduced public comment from three to lives. and is overspending available funds, both two minutes. As author of 1996 legislation Comprehensive LTC in Germany is available to disabled people of all ages, assesses local and federal. Hardworking Examiner requiring public comment at local commis- need by functional limitations and recognizes and financially supports informal care. reporter Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez noted sions on each item and at commencement LTC expenditure in 2008 was 1.3% of GDP. In the same year, US LTC expenditure was the project’s federal financing appears pre- of each meeting, I’m repulsed by such treat- 1%, despite serving less of the population and providing limited services. We ask you carious, and the MTA continues to purvey ment of San Franciscans. Additionally, as to consider the contribution that marketization (profit taking) of nursing home care false information that is three years old legal counsel to the Sheriff, she failed to stop makes to LTC costs in the US. about the project costing $1,600,000,000, or abusive treatment of jail inmates by deputy In conclusion, the only bill in congress that comprehensively addresses a continuum $1,000,000,000 per mile. The true cost esti- sheriffs. I reiterate my strong recommen- of care for the disabled and for our seniors as they age is the Medicare for All Act of mate now appears over $2,600,000,000, but dation of Nancy Tung, a former San Fran- 2019, HR 1382. We ask that: the bureaucrats stonewall taxpayers even cisco Deputy District Attorney and current You as Speaker of the house, show that the Democratic party stands for care and com- after the resignation last month of MTA’s Alameda County Deputy District Attorney, passion for our vulnerable older adults and people with disabilities. General Manager who will ravish Oakland for election. Unlike the incumbent, Nancy You, as Speaker of the House use your skills to see that this bill goes through the taxpayers as Assistant City Manager. The Tung has tried scores of criminal cases to Energy and Commerce Committee, the mark-up process in the Ways and Means Com- project’s general contractor, Tutor-Saliba juries. It shouldn’t be a close choice. mittee and gets to the floor of the House for a vote in a timely manner. Corporation, is infamous in California and Thomas Jefferson, in a November 1802 You, as Speaker of the House, speak positively and inclusively about those who sup- San Francisco for gouging projects with letter, declared: “If we can prevent the gov- port Medicare for All, knowing we are standing by to help the Democratic Party at change orders and other tactics in recondite ernment from wasting the labors of the election time. fashion, while the Rose Pak MTA avoids people, under the pretense of taking care of Teresa Palmer MD, on behalf of Uma Tadepalli MD, Elizabeth Halifax, PhD, & Jeanne Crawford action to stop it. them, they must become happy.” Simultaneously, the now-misnamed Retired former Supervisor, State Senator Dr. Teresa Palmer is a geriatrician/family physician who has California High-Speed Rail project, worked in San Francisco for over 30 years, including at Laguna and Judge Quentin Kopp lives in District 7. Honda Hospital, at UCSF and at On Lok, a program of all inclusive care for the elderly(PACE). Due to her family and professional expe- Police Statistics ...... PG&E’s Blackouts ...... 12 rience, she is especially concerned about the SNF bed shortage and More 4 Letters to the Editor ...... 5 Remember When ...... 13. the unmet need for high quality skilled nursing care in her own com- SFPUC Watch ...... 5 . mmunity for moderate and low income people. In 2017 and 2018 she Homeless ...... 13. wrote a series of columns in the Westside Observer about the short- Will Durst ...... 5 Open Late ...... 13. comings in our ability to offer appropriate long term care to those in Police/Crime Report ...... 8 . Calendar ...... 14 San Francisco who most need it. Money Matters ...... 10. Real Travel ...... 15 Editor’s Note: This letter is excerpted. A complete Bio of Drs. Tadepalli and Halifax will Neighborhood Character . . . . .10 Around the Town ...... 16 be included on the website. Education ...... 11 Page 4 September 2019 Patient Abuse Scandal (Cont. from p. 1) staff. Nowadays, Nurse Managers cover 60 abuse and neglect. Nationwide, the top 3 beds, spending much of their time at desks, Victim Demographics Missing from Crime Statistics causes of patient harms are lapses in super- computers and meetings. When important by Jonathan Farrell vision, leadership and communication. All people disengage from patients, patients istrict 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar’s office discovered some unsettling details are aggravated by fears of speaking up. become unimportant. To mask this loss about the crime statistics made available by the San Francisco Police Dept. Leadership: Organizational climate is of engagement, wards were re-named There aren’t any. Or at least very few. That is what the Westside Observer learned set at the top. Unethical or incompetent D “neighborhoods”, then “community meet- when speaking with Edward Wright, a legislative aide in Supervisor Mar’s office: “We leaders engender undesirable behaviors ings” were introduced. Nonetheless, Nurse are alarmed because the data just isn’t there.” Responding to residents’ concerns about below. When leaders are selected for obe- Managers were out of touch with patients being targeted, Mar wanted his office to gain some insight by looking more closely at dience rather than competence, they are and their caregivers. If no one noticed that facts, more specifically in the outline of statistics through police reports, etc. easily threatened by criticism or setbacks. 6 staffers abused 23 patients over 3 years, Worse, they are threatened by competent supervision failed. subordinates and often push them out. The mistreated patients resided on Since the imposition of CEO John Kanaley North 1 and North 2, the “Integrated in 2004, then Mivic Hirose in 2009, loyal- Wellness” neighborhoods where 40% are ists were rewarded and critics ostracized. cognitively impaired. Per LHH’s Facebook To make the trick work, LHH manag- page, North 1 has; “a dedicated staff of ers pursued recognition and trumpeted qualified professionals with years of expe- awards. A PR Director was hired to embel- rience helping residents with challenging lish and publicize achievements. A puffy behaviors. The program provides a variety website was created. Happy faces crowded of therapeutic services… and compassion- LHH’s Facebook page. All this booster- ate counseling with the goal of improved ism made it onerous to differ by reporting social functioning.” North 2 aims “to flaws or abuses. achieve a satisfying quality of life while The announced “resignation” of former meeting their psychosocial and emotional CEO Mivic Hirose, whose 2018 salary was needs.” What happened? Why were devi- “In March, I requested that SFPD pro- commanding officer of the Tactical Com- $308,762, was Kabuki. Records show that ant employees assigned to such special- vide data on victim demographics at a pany, Falvey oversees the Tactical Unit she remains employed as a Clinical Nurse ized wards? How did they pass the hiring hearing I called in response to a series of (SWAT Team), Explosive Ordnance Dis- Specialist. What hasn’t been addressed is process? Why were they playing with cell home invasion robberies targeting Chi- posal Unit (Bomb Squad), Hondas, Tac- her entourage. The folks she promoted phones while working? nese families in the Sunset District and tical Canines, Mounted Unit, Specialist are unlikely to empower staff to expose The Health Commission is supposed other neighborhoods,” said Mar. “Four Team and the Hostage and Crisis Negotia- misconduct. Now, Margaret Rykowski to oversee LHH. Three commissioners months later, Chinese residents and tion Team. As commander of the Tactical is LHH’s Acting-CEO – and also DPH meet monthly with LHH managers as a businesses have been victims of many Company, Falvey oversees the unit’s criti- Director of Compliance and Privacy. Her Joint Conference Committee. There, they more high-profile violent crimes. Yet I cal support to patrol officers as it responds dual role harbors conflicting interests. are spoon-fed a diet of good news. Rarely still haven’t received the information I to crises such as hostage rescue operations, Suppose someone reports misconduct by do patients, families or members of the requested. When we know better, we do and assists with security during planned LHH brass. Would Rykowski adjudicate public attend. Lacking situational aware- better, and it is deeply frustrating that and unplanned demonstrations. that violation as DPH Compliance Direc- ness, commissioners seldom ask relevant SFPD has not already provided this basic “I think that (the 10 percent drop in tor – and also defend against it as LHH’s questions. They miss signs of trouble, information that can help ensure all com- home invasion) is a significant improve- CEO? often acting as cheerleaders rather than munities are safe.” ment and reinforces that some of the The mystery is why Quality Director overseers. When former Health Director This concern Mar things we are doing Regina Gomez, who earned $273,436 in Barbara Garcia was fired for a conflict of reiterated at Town in the burglary unit 2018, was removed. The July WSO mis- interests, the commissioners commended Hall meetings, and …there is no mention of and robbery unit are takenly reported that she had resigned. her. at a hearing back in “Hate Crimes.” It only gives a working,” Falvey said. In fact, she was placed on paid adminis- Communication: Cultural factors and April with the Board According to infor- trative leave. Importantly, Gomez did not peer pressure can inhibit the open expres- of Supervisors. tally of the number of robberies, mation released to govern clinical nursing and those nurses sion of discontent. As reported in the Feb- Capt. Tim Falvey assaults, burglaries, etc. Statis- the press and posted didn’t report to her. Yet, LHH Chief Nurs- ruary 2016 Westside Observer, a brave told the press “statis- tics do not include unfounded on the SFPD web- ing Officer, Madonna Valencia, who does handful of nurses protested before the tics showed a 10 per- site, officers deterred oversee nurses, wasn’t held accountable. Civil Service Commission about favorit- cent drop between incidents nor the number of a burglary in process Neither were the supervising nurses for ism, nepotism and cronyism at LHH. A 2015 and 2018 in victims.” on July 22 along the the affected wards. 2007 LHH report warned about the lack of home invasion prop- 1500 block of 44th Gomez’s job involved reporting alleged diversity within Nursing and the problems erty crimes.” This is Avenue. Arresting patient abuses – once brought to her associated with cultural dominance. A a category that includes burglary, robbery three young men in their 20’s, officers at attention – to regulators. Obeying stricter majority of LHH nurses are from the Phil- and what he described as “hot prowls” the scene took them to County Jail. reporting requirements, LHH reported ippines. Asian cultures tend to be collec- where the suspect enters an occupied Even with a website and regular news more cases: 28 over the past 2 years. LHH tivist rather than individualistic. Though residence. releases, the information readily available was deemed deficient in handling 15 cases, dedicated and caring, LHH nurses may be But this did not make sense to Mar. to the public, according to Mar, is lacking. 9 for tardy reporting. All were patient- reluctant to speak out - or cannot afford Because of the incident of repeated bur- Wright noted that when fellow staff mem- to-patient altercations. That helped sink the risk. glaries out in the Avenues he questions ber in Mar’s office, Alan Wong, met with LHH’s 2019 Medicare rating from a proud Establishing a Culture of Safety requires SFPD’s accuracy. SFPD some info was given. “But it was not 4 stars to a mediocre 2 stars. Ironically, a root-cause analysis of why these abuses Yet, Falvey believes his work is deter- what we requested,” said Wright. When Gomez’s amplified reporting set the stage festered untold. Why did LHH’s own Com- ring crime as he has more than 20 years pressed further, Wright was not able say for blame. Because the separate spate of pliance Office and Hotline fail to spot the in law enforcement with the SFPD. As patient abuses by staff went undiscovered, scandal? Does LHH still treat whistleblow- Cont. p. 6 Gomez was apparently fingered as the ulti- ers as pathogens? Were abuses reported mate reporting authority. and buried? What derailed supervision Paradoxically, Gomez was replaced on the affected wards? Were line-staff by Troy Williams, SF General Hospital’s afraid to speak up, indifferent, or blinded (SFGH) Quality Director. Under his watch, by group allegiance? How did hiring and State inspectors threatened SFGH with assignment practices inflict such troubled fines and payment cuts for an improper workers upon helpless patients? Hope- policy allowing the under-reporting of fully, these questions will be addressed in patient abuses allegations since 2016. Plus, LHH’s “Turn-Around Plan” in September. SFGH was cited for 2 negligent deaths and For now, LHH has promised State deficient Skilled Nursing services. The inspectors that all staff will be re-trained rationale for Williams replacing Gomez is in reporting abuse. Nurse Managers will elusive. check their patients weekly instead of LHH leaders have been preoccupied monthly, and re-engage with their staff. with flow, rushing patients in and out to Hiring will require 2 references and ques- accommodate SFGH referrals. Quality tions about abuse and neglect. Tighter We don’t just live in the community, we invest in our community. It’s our belief of care turned to process, churning out controls will be applied to narcotics and We don’t just live in the community, we invest in our community. It’s our belief data and dashboards. “True North met- that real estate isn’t just about buildings – it’s about the people inside and the sedatives, and cell phones. Abuse allega- that real estate isn’t just about buildings – it’s about the people inside and the rics”, core measures, survey outcomes and tions will be audited for timely reporting. lives they build. Vanguard Properties has been gay-owned and operated since “Kaizen” workshops became proxies for lives they build. Vanguard Properties has been gay-owned and operated since As to why this scandal occurred, perhaps 1985. We have supported many of our community programs, that focus on the patient well-being. For example, LHH’s Supervisor Norman Yee’s proposed hear- th May 5 Executive Committee meeting ing will provide insights – if employees 1985.LGBT+ We havecommunity. supported many of our community programs, that focus on the celebrated metrics showing; “100% patient can safely testify. LGBT+ community. satisfaction with their care experience. We Acknowledgement: Thanks to the cur- are currently on target.” Meanwhile, man- rent and former LHH employees who pro- agers were apologizing to the families of vided tips and insights. Kevin K. Ho ESQ. | 415.297.7462 23 abused patients. Splendid metrics don’t [email protected] BRE# 01875957 Dr. Derek Kerr was a senior 415.297.7462 ensure good care. JonathanKevin K. McNarry Ho ESQ | .415.215.4393 | Supervision: Gone are the days when physicians at Laguna Honda [email protected]@vanguardsf.com BRE# 01747295 BRE# 01875957 Hospital where he was fired former Nursing Director Virginia Leish- KevinandJonathan.comJonathan McNarry | 415.215.4393 man roamed the wards, chatting with for repeatedly exposed wrong- [email protected] BRE# 01747295 doing by the Department of patients and checking on staff. In the old KevinandJonathan.com building, each 30-bed ward had a Head Public Health. Contact: Der- Nurse who interacted with patients and [email protected] vanguardproperties.com

vanguardproperties.com Page 5 September 2019 Utilities Watch Water-Sewer-Power, A Primer.

e begin the “school year” with a primer: What is the San Francisco Public WUtilities Commission (SFPUC, water-sewer-power), and what does it do? SFPUC is a billion dollar public business. The start, with its largest project, building new City calls it an Enterprise Department as it gener- digesters, delayed by at least one year; the ates its own revenues. Those revenues are mainly cost of that delay will be at least $39 million, from your monthly water and sewer (wastewa- but expect much more overrun. From PG&E ter) bill payments. Thousands of employees are CleanPowerSF may buy electricity distribution busy, from San Francisco to the Sierras, where facilities of unknown value and condition. The most of our water originates. SFPUC headquar- largest project of the WSIP (water program) ters is at 525 Golden Gate, in the Civic Center. Its remains incomplete; its cost has more than general manager is Harlan Kelly, husband of the doubled. The State mandates that the volume City Administrator. of water coming down the Tuolumne River be SFPUC employs numerous private com- doubled; SFPUC will lose much of its water; panies by contract. Construction contractors how will the lost water be replaced? Or, can do most building; engineering companies do SFPUC convince the State to accept a remedy much planning and design. that forfeits less water? SFPUC’s Water Enterprise gathers and puri- Governance is ever a concern. SFPUC is fies water for City residents, and wholesales led by a Commission of five appointees of the water for about 1.8 million of those living south Mayor. The City Charter and oversight groups and east of San Francisco, our suburban cus- guide as well. SFPUC has recently let a billion My 2¢ • Will Durst © 2019 tomers. The Wastewater (sewer) Enterprise and a half of work without competitive bid- treats and discharges City sewage and storm ding—which is not necessarily required. This water (plus a bit from outside the City limits). raises questions of whether, through our rates SOFT TISSUE RACIST Wastewater is treated at one of three plants. for water and sewer, residents overpay. In the hat a long hot lousy stinking summer. We’ve One, North Point, treats only during the wet past rates were used by the City as a sort of slush spent so much time sending thoughts and season when flows are large. Eighty percent fund, paying for Supervisors’ and Mayors’ pet Wprayers to Gilroy and El Paso and Chicago and Virginia Beach and Dayton and even Toledo, there’s hardly been time for ice cream and barbecues and theme parks. Who can relax In the past rates were used by the City as a sort of slush fund, paying for with everybody so focused on being Strong? Supervisors’ and Mayors’ pet programs, unrelated to water and sewer. Corrup- Fireworks are out of the question being responsible for the madness as the horrific spate of mass shoot- pointed out to their televisions in tion and waste are ever-present concerns where public money flows. SFPUC is ings has the entire country recoiling varying degrees of intensity, “you, the one city department that need not get voter permission to sell bonds. from any and/ or all loud noises, and that’s you, you’re talking about you.” yes, that includes the strident deni- What nobody mentions about of the City’s wastewater, from the Eastside, programs, unrelated to water and sewer. Cor- als by the president that his vitriolic this 2nd Amendment brouhaha, it’s is treated at the Bayview (Southeast) plant. ruption and waste are ever-present concerns rhetoric has anything to do with not the guns so much as the bullets Twenty percent, from the Westside, is treated where public money flows. SFPUC is the one at the newer Oceanside plant south of the Zoo. city department that need not get voter permis- While the sewage of Westside residents does sion to sell bonds. 45 went on to blame video games, the internet, men- not flow to Bayview, that plant holds interest After the City’s private water provider failed tal illness and all sorts of things, somehow neglecting to for Westside residents because your sewage rate to deliver water needed to extinguish fires in pays for it, and will be paying for its improve- April 1906, after the Great Earthquake, San mention the word “guns” at all, while claiming the only ment—now underway. Francisco stepped up. It obtained permission true answer to this disturbing spray of terror is his des- Since 2003 SFPUC has been engaged in to tap a watershed in Yosemite, built a gravity- upgrading aging facilities, first water (Water flow conveyance system, and has since enjoyed perately needed immigration reform. Yep.” System Improvement Program, WSIP, $4.9 bil- abundant, exceedingly clean water, 85% from lion, now nearing completion) and recently the Sierras. Over the years it has acted to clean riling up the racist element often that are the real problem. Guns don’t sewer (Sewer System Improvement Program, wastewater so that discharges in Bay and ocean referred to as his base. We’re not kill people, bullets do. They are the SSIP, $7 billion). SFPUC sells bonds; these are are acceptably clean. SFPUC is and should be saying all Donald Trump supporters things that put the holes in the body paid off over 30 years. The cost of $7 billion will proud of its accomplishments. Yet there are are lethally ignorant racists, just that making the blood leak out way too Cont. p. 5 be well over $10 billion once interest is also paid inevitably warts, too. Please return here for most lethally ignorant racists are quick. Donald Trump supporters. Trump declared he doesn’t have Re-zoning (Cont. from p. 5) to bondholders. Your monthly rates rise to pay more on accomplishments and warts. off the bonds, as well as paying for ever rising * * * In response he said, “I don’t think a racist bone in his body, so the salary and operating costs. Rates have been ris- Necessary? California has a new standard my rhetoric is racist at all. As a mat- general consensus is- must be his Cont. p. 5 ing at multiples of inflation, and are expected to for when police may use deadly force—that is, ter of fact, I think my rhetoric brings soft tissue. And that’s a lot of soft continue to do so. For example, recently sewer shoot: “when necessary in defense of human people together.” And it has proven tissue. Can’t wait for the upcom- rates rose in one recent year 11%. life.” “Necessary” replaces “reasonable.” Sup- to be effective in bringing white ing announcement by the president Recently SFPUC also operates an electric- pose there is a hostage situation; you’ve proba- supremacists together with immi- that there is no room in his admin- ity provider, CleanPowerSF. City facilities long bly seen the police shows on TV. Perp has a train grant victims. istration for racists because all the generated electricity for MUNI, City Hall, the car (or MUNI bus) of 15, and a gun. Perp tell Under intense pressure from slots have been filled by his family. airport and Port, power generated when water authorities no one need get hurt; he just needs a vulnerable GOP congressional He expressed confidence he falls from the high Sierras. Now CleanPowerSF helicopter, or plane, and money. False moves by candidates, Trump did manage to could work out a deal with Con- also buys renewable power on the market, and authorities, or failure to do per demand, then mumble something about racism gress on “meaningful background sells to ordinary consumers—you. It may buy and only then does someone get hurt. “Neces- being bad. Of course, his words checks,” but Moscow Mitch McCo- PG&E facilities and undertake to distribute sary in defense of human life?” Were you the might have been easier to under- nnell has gone Full Turtle pulling electricity citywide. (Generation of electricity, police, would you risk finding out? stand if he had taken off the hood. his head into his shell and refus- and distribution of it, are separate functions.) Steve Lawrence is a Westside resident and SF 45 went on to blame video games, ing to encourage or discourage any Recent SFPUC issues include: the $7 bil- Public Utility Commission stalwart. Feedback: the internet, mental illness and all optimism. Which is his way. lion SSIP (sewer program) is off to a shaky [email protected] sorts of things, somehow neglecting Suspicions run rampant they’re to mention the word “guns” at all, both counting on the 116th Con- while claiming the only true answer gress returning from recess on the to this disturbing spray of terror is Monday after Labor Day and being In response to the commentary (Quentin Suzy is a proven and trusted advocate for his desperately needed immigration distracted by the umpteen other Kopp July/August ‘19) about the candidates in women and survivors of violence: reform. Yep. Everything is always all catastrophes, calamities and cata- the District Attorney’s race and to correct the As President, Suzy championed Police Com- about the wall. Except Mexico pay- clysms that will surely arise before record on multiple counts. Distorting Suzy Lof- mission Resolution 16-28, about the processing ing for it. their arrival, once again making tus’s 15-year career in public service as an Assis- of sexual assault kits and notification to the sur- Although blaming mental illness, this issue as dated as the fashions tant District Attorney for San Francisco, Special vivors of the assaults about the results. Trump also failed to mention it was worn by trustees at the Asylum of Assistant Attorney General, President of the San Suzy worked with the Police Commission to he who got rid of Obama’s regula- Charenton. Which in 1814 played a Francisco Police Commission, and Deputy Legal establish requirements for survivors to be noti- tion that kept people who received role similar to… Congress. Counsel of the San Francisco Sheriff’s Depart- fied of the status and progress of their case and Social Security checks for mental ill- Copyright © 2019, Will Durst. Will ment is disrespectful and disappointing. set reporting requirements so the department nesses and deemed unfit to handle Durst is an award- winning, nation- Suzy Loftus put forward her proposal to change would not end up with a backlog of cases. their financial affairs from buy- ally acclaimed comedian, columnist, the way survivors are treated and how cases of Suzy’s landmark reforms became the gold ing guns. Probably just slipped his and former CETA documentarian in sexual assault and rape are handled. Her work is standard that was later adopted by the California mind. That’s one slippery mind. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For past col- informed by survivors of sexual assault, current legislature and made into state law. Also interesting to note; many umns, commentaries and a calendar and former prosecutors, community advocates, Additionally, the SF Police Officers Associa- people hearing Donald Trump of personal appearances, please visit and policy experts. tion’s has not made any endorsements in the race. accuse hatred and mental illness for willdurst.com. There is more to justice than prosecution. I hope that readers of the Westside Observer Survivors deserve to have their needs priori- will look beyond misleading opinions and exam- tized. That includes expanding access to trauma- ine actual facts before voting in this election. We’re On The Web westsideobserver.com informed social services, mental health care, Tami Carter is a marketing and communications support groups, and victim advocacy. professional living in the Outer Sunset. Page 6 September 2019 Youth Guidance Center (Cont. from p. 1) Haney tried to rename Washington High health needs, among other ideas.” Breed engineers with a hammer. called on the supervisors to keep the School after Maya Angelou. One problem, The Chronicle reported August 25 that The City is preparing to close dozens of California’s Deputy Attorney General Leif permanent, residential treatment beds at facility open and update its treatment Angelou dropped out of Washington High at the age of 14. He also wanted to distribute Dautch, a November candidate for San Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospi- programs. free condoms to ten- and eleven-year-olds. Francisco District Attorney, has “proposed tal in order to increase capacity in a short- “It will be a real challenge to do that,” Yes, getting rid of the YGC is right up transforming the nearly empty juvenile hall term psychiatric respite program also Nance stated. “There are entities outside Haney’s alley. It doesn’t help that the Board into a mental health justice center to treat operated at the hospital. of my department and outside the city and of Supervisors has reportedly not developed people battling mental illness.” Breed has prioritized short-term stays for county of San Francisco that would have a plan for what to do with the vacated YGC San Francisco politicians have a long his- the homeless over long-term mentally ill to look at those plans, approve those plans, facility. tory of social engineering. Few remember patients. She is creating another Navigation and look at the feasibility and suitability of Haney is currently developing legislation how Mayor Ed Lee dismantled the Mental Center at SF General. whatever vision is created.” called “Navigating Homelessness Together” Health Rehabilitation Facility (MHRF) in According to the San Francisco Exam- Many San Francisco juvenile delin- that would force all eleven supervisorial June 2013, after Mayor Gavin Newsom had iner, “The proposed closure of 41 beds in the quents may now be shipped out of county unit, which currently operates 55 residential where they may face much harsher condi- I don’t want the Youth Guidance Center to be closed. I beds reserved for patients with severe men- tions. Separating youth from their families tal health challenges who are unable to live and communities by dumping them into don’t want the YGC facility to become a Navigation Center or independently, would reduce its bed count out-of-county alternatives may harm their mental health “justice” center. Please contact your Supervi- to 14.” rehabilitation. sors and Mayor Breed to voice opposition.” Further, “None of the patients cur- Further, “Nance added that key stakehold- rently living in the Adult Residential Facil- ers were not consulted before the measure ity (ARF) will lose their homes, stressed was introduced, including leaders in the districts to build at least one Navigation reconfigured it in 2008 by reducing its 147 Department of Public Health spokesperson African American community and the San Center in the next 30 months. Supervisors psychiatric beds to just 47. Rachael Kagan, who said that the beds are Francisco Juvenile Justice Commission.” Gordon Mar (D-4), Hillary Ronen (D-9), The MHRF was constantly over-budget being ‘redistributed’ to allow for a 27-bed This idiotic action makes San Francisco and Shamann Walton (D-10) are already by approximately $8 million to $12 million expansion at the hospital’s Hummingbird the first major City in the country to shut co-sponsors. annually. An enlightened Lee decided that Place, a low-barrier homeless shelter, called down a juvenile hall in an effort to elimi- Supervisors based their votes on the mental health patients would be better Navigation Center, that specifically serves nate the jailing of children. Another first for decline of juvenile crime and the costs of served by placing them back into the com- clients struggling with mental health and “politically correct” San Francisco. operating the facility per occupant. The munity. “In the community” often means substance use issues.” “For me this is about history,” said Super- YGC was operating at a lower rate of occu- in out-of-county communities. Does this Hall wrote, “To those who vote them in visor Ahsha Safaí. “We incarcerate more pancy. Thus, the cost per juvenile delinquent sound familiar? [politicians] and are footing the bill, you’d people ... than any other country in the increased. Many of the mental patients had trouble better be prepared to fight. Don’t forget, world. We have a culture of incarceration.” If more children were prosecuted for either receiving their medications and/or YGC sits on Laguna Honda property. Look The average stay at the YGC is 23 days. crimes — such as breaking into cars, vandal- taking their medications. Within a year at what our leaders have done to that once Only D-2 Supervisor Catherine Stephanie ism, assault, or robbery — the YGC would many of the mental patients were back on nationally-acclaimed facility – once the envy voted to keep the YGC. Thank you for your soon be full. the streets and homeless. of cities across the country for needy seniors. intelligence, Supervisor! Stephanie called for As former D7 supervisor Tony Hall bril- Mayor Gavin Newsom did the same Now home to conflicting populations of additional community input prior to such a liantly stated in his July Westside Observer thing with Laguna Honda Hospital by mental and substance abuse patients and drastic step and before real alternatives are article, “(I)f our laws were enforced, the eliminating 420 skilled nursing beds from homeless indigents, forcing our less fortu- in place. “I think we all know we can do bet- YGC would be filled to capacity. The last the LHH rebuild, promising more com- nate elders to seek refuge and treatment in ter and things need to change, and we need thing we should be doing is eliminating munity-based alternatives — which were more expensive out-of-town facilities.” to put our youth first,” Stefani said. what was intended to be an established never built! At least 1,659 San Francis- I don’t want the YGC to be closed. I don’t More interesting, Supervisors have said correctional, rehabilitative, counseling cans have been discharged out-of-county want the YGC facility to become a Naviga- that transfer out of county would not be nec- and vocational justice community half- because of the severe shortage of long- tion Center or mental health “justice” center. essary, since the legislation requires creation way houses. This unprofessional treatment term care medical facilities in the City. Please contact your Supervisors and Mayor of community-based facilities, including a increases the dangers to the community at Now, Mayor Breed is shoving long-term Breed to voice opposition. secure environment for those who need it. large. The fact that the present YGC has not mental health patients out of beds that George Wooding, Neighborhood Emeritus; Those settings would include mental health operated as it should have, or at near capac- some of them have lived in for 15 years. Contact him at [email protected]. services, job training, and other support ity is not due to lack of street crime, but to systems. the permissive policies pursued by the last Navigating and scrolling through the Really? Creation of community-based three administrations.” Victim Statistics (Cont. from p. 4) SFPD web site there is a “crime data dash- facilities rarely happens. It cost $45.5 mil- NACCP president and former district particularly what discrepancy was, only board.” But on that web page there is no lion to build the YGC in 2007 and now with Supervisor Amos Brown called on supervi- that it wasn’t enough. mention of “Hate Crimes.” It only gives a no plan, the City is considering duplicating sors to consider African American youths, If it has to do with victims and other tally of the number of robberies, assaults, facilities throughout the city and/or paying who make up the majority of those in juve- pertinent info, it seems the data is lacking. burglaries, etc. Statistics do not include out-of-county fees for services. No wonder nile hall, saying he was concerned they When searching through the SFPD web unfounded incidents nor the number of a $12.2 billion City budget leads to deficit would be “shipped out of town to other site, the grid and graph formats only list victims. There is no mention of any par- spending! facilities.” statistics of the last five years. Mar wants ticular social demographics or location, Ultra-progressive co-sponsor, District 6 “If we close down juvenile hall, where to see details from at least 10 years or other than the police station from which Supervisor Matt Haney, led the charge to get will violent or sexual offenders and those more. the statistical numbers were gathered. The rid of the YGC. with mental health issues go?” Brown asked. Most of what is presented is static and missing info concerning victims pushed Citizens may remember Haney, the for- “Through sensible, respectful conversation, difficult to read. It is difficult to translate Mar and his office into action. mer president of San Francisco’s Board we should tweak the facility and amend it, what the numbers and pie-charts signify. Supervisor Mar is working with the of Education, wanted to paint over the but not end it.” Also, several of the references on the SFPD Board of Supervisors and The City Attor- 13-panel, 1,600 square foot mural at Wash- According to the Chronicle “Supervisors website provide links to other websites. It ney’s Office to draft legislation requiring ington High School depicting scenes from have said that if juvenile hall closes, there appears SFPD is relying on other parties/ SFPD to track and report demographic “slave owner” George Washington’s life. will be community conversations about vendors to provide their detailed informa- information of crime victims through Members of Isis and the Taliban would be what to do with the facility, including pos- tion to the public, such as through DataSF. the District Attorney’s office, in direct proud of Haney’s revisionist history. sible uses to address homelessness or mental org, and GovQA, a public sector compli- ance sector outreach headquartered in response to the concerns raised at Mar’s Woodridge, IL. Town Hall meetings, and formal hearing From a 21st Century point of view by Sunset residents. where forensic science and information Mar aims to have the legislative draft is growing in leaps and bounds, the lack completed and introduced by Septem- of specific data is perplexing. Supervisor ber. If approved and implemented, Mar’s Mar notes the concern is growing. legislation will help the City further iden- “Hate-motivated crimes,” Mar said, tify trends in crimes against vulnerable “overall have surged in the past few years, communities. This includes those trends increasing across the nation for three con- that may not rise to the legal definition of secutive years from 2014-2017 according a hate crime. to the FBI. In San Francisco, the surge has Jonathan Farrell is a local San Francisco been especially dramatic, increasing by reporter. 61% from 2017 to 2018.”

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PO Box 27176, SF 94127 Contributors: Lou Barberini, Mitch Bull, Julie Casson, Will Durst, John Far- Publisher: Mitch Bull rell, Jonathan Farrell, Katherine Howard, Dr. Derek Kerr, Carol Kocivar, Quen- [email protected] tin Kopp, Anmarie Mabutt, Brandon Miller, Patrick Monette-Shaw, Sergio Editor: Doug Comstock Nibbi, Glenn Rogers, Howard Strassner, George Wooding. [email protected] Award Winning News for the Neighborhood Ad Sales • Mitch Bull Society of Professional Journalists, Nor Cal Chapter The ideas and opinions expressed in these pages are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff or publisher of this paper. The Westside Observer is a free monthly newspaper serving the entire West of Twin Peaks area of San Francisco. Circulation is 18,000 copies, distributed 10 times a year. 16,000 are distributed -to-door, 2000 are distributed via free distribution racks in the West of Twin Peaks area, as well as libraries and other key drop-off points (see westsideobserver.com/hardcopy.html). Page 7 September 2019 Raided Westside Journalist Bryan CarmodySpeaks Out ELLEN LEE by Dr. Derek Kerr

National SPJ President, J. Alex Tarquinio Thomas Burke Bryan Carmody ryan Carmody, the freelance journalist whose Sunset newsroom was raided by the SFPD this May, spoke out August 13th at a Society of Professional Jour- ZHOU 1 Bnalists (SPJ) forum at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in San Francisco. The panel included National SPJ President, J. Alex Tarquinio, and F O R M AY O R Thomas Burke, the media lawyer who represents Carmody. Carmody was cata- Attorney Tom Burke pulted into interna- asserted that “receiving and tional controversy after Burke was confi- requesting information” is the SFPD broke into his dent that the SFPD part of “the sausage-mak- home and office on May ing process of journalism.” 10th. Using illicit search wouldn’t use the seized City Hall’s “condemnation warrants, cops sought information in a legal and lack of appreciation for to identify the source case. However, the SFPD what journalists do every who leaked the confi- day” surprised him. While dential police report now knows the phone search warrants for jour- on Public Defender Jeff numbers of police officers nalist sources are gener- Adachi’s 2/22/19 death. ally illegal, journalists can One month before, Car- who have spoken with be subpoenaed to testify, mody had refused to Carmody.” with 5 days advance notice reveal his source when 2 to seek legal counsel. Even SFPD inspectors dropped by with a cryp- though the Shield Law protects sources TE tic threat of a federal grand jury subpoena. from being outed, he felt that the raids O “Woken up from a deep sleep” by the would inhibit sources from contacting sledge-hammering of his gate, a shirtless journalists. Burke was confident that the V Carmody was handcuffed for 6 hours as SFPD wouldn’t use the seized information gun-toting officers plundered his belong- in a legal case. However, the SFPD now NOVEMBER ings. Upon asking to make a call, a cop knows the phone numbers of police offi- th offered, “Here’s your phone, go ahead and cers who have spoken with Carmody. As unlock it for us.” No way. Similarly, Car- for the FBI involvement, Burke was mys- mody said nothing to 2 FBI agents who tified. Carmody previously indicated that 5 prodded him about “criminal conspiracy” the FBI investigates public corruption, a and “obstruction of justice”. The cops then charge that would apply if a police officer raided Carmody’s office at 794 45th Ave- sold the stolen report. Carmody insisted nue near Cabrillo where they confiscated that didn’t happen; “I did not compensate, computers, cameras plus 30 years of notes in any way…the officers who were involved and digital photos. He was left with no in this – not even a cup of coffee.” San Francisco has a phones, no equipment, no way to work. In 30 years of practice, Burke said “I’ve A friend set up a GoFundMe campaign to never known an American journalist, who replace $6,000-worth of equipment. Even- hadn’t gone to jail, who was more targeted.” tually, the SFPD returned the devices but That targeting was fueled by outrage from $12.3 billion budget. security experts advised him not to use the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, the them. Public Defender’s Office and Adachi’s Attorney Tom Burke explained that the family. Once the City Attorney informed3 raids were prohibited by the California Police Chief William Scott that his raids So where is the money? Shield Law2. As enacted in 1974, it pro- were legally untenable, and barraged by tects journalists, including freelancers, media criticism, Scott apologized. from being forced to reveal their sources The Carmody search warrants were If you don’t like what you see in this city, and unpublished information. Impor- pursued by the Internal Affairs Division – tantly, it also protects sources. After the part of SFPD Administration under Chief vote for Ellen Lee Zhou for Mayor. home and office raids, Burke learned that Scott. As ex-cop Lou Barberini reported4 since March 1st, the SFPD had acquired 3 in the July Westside Observer, there are Ellen has the practical experience to resolve other search warrants for Carmody’s cell “cowboys” within SFPD’s Internal Affairs phones, thereby gaining access to phone Division. Their botched raids resembled San Francisco’s ongoing problems — numbers, text messages and location data. the retaliatory “get-the-cop” investigations All 5 warrants were subsequently quashed, that Barberini described. Accordingly, we don’t have to live like this. by the same judges who issued them, Carmody received sympathy; “Most of because the SFPD had failed to tell them the rank and file came up to me and said; that Carmody held a Press Pass issued by ‘What they did to you was wrong.” Further, San Francisco Voters Guide — Mayoral Election the SFPD. the Police Officers Association blasted5 Ethical questions about privacy and Chief Scott as “deceitful” for blaming “a Ellen Lee Zhou, public servant since 2004, London N. Breed, a public servant since 2012, purloined documents came up. Although lack of due diligence by department inves- proposes common-sense traditional her failing policies are a big part of the City’s the Adachi family was traumatized by the tigators” when the fault arose within his family solutions to social problems. many problems. police report that Carmody distributed, administrative circle. SPJ’s Tarquinio noted that elected officials Given law-enforcement capabilities for San Francisco is famous for homelessness, illegal drugs and violence. London Breed is incapable forego the privacy rights of ordinary citi- unlocking computers, Carmody advised, Ellen Lee London N. or unwilling, to advance solutions to these long-standing problems. As Mayor, Ellen Lee Zhou zens. Carmody added that the police report “Don’t write stuff down that you don’t Zhou Breed will clean up the City and fight for common-sense results. It is time for a change. would eventually be made public, albeit want someone to see.” He admitted that he with privacy redactions. And none of the “would have been sunk” without Burke’s 1. Support law enforcement to arrest criminals and drug dealers. YES NO TV stations that purchased it revealed the legal assistance. Journalists who are 2. Create programs to make 50,000 empty apartments available to teachers and SF families. YES NO whole file. He emphasized that he had no threatened by police can find legal help animus toward Adachi, and defended sell- through SPJ’s NorCal chapter or the First 3. Support whistleblowers, fight corruption and hold public servants accountable. YES NO ing the report as “sunlight” that “cleared Amendment Coalition. 4. Top-to-bottom audit of the City’s checkbook and reduce the bloated government. YES NO up what happened and dispelled rumors.” Dr. Derek Kerr is a San Francisco inves- He contrasted the City’s murky statement tigative reporter Contact: watchdogs@west- 5. Protect tenants rights and property ownership and local controls over development. YES NO about Adachi’s death with the forthright sideobserver.com 6. Sanctuary City protections for felons and criminals. NO YES announcement when Mayor Ed Lee died. As for being a “non-mainstream journal- Endnotes 7. Protect parental rights from abusive policies. YES NO 1. www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zJuqjQWn8Q&feature= ist”, Carmody explained that staffing cuts youtu.be 8. Protect the homeless from drugs and heal with love and hope. YES NO at media outlets raised their reliance on 2. firstamendmentcoalition.org/california-shield-law/ stringers – freelance photojournalists who 3. www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Redacted-war- 9. Help empty storefront owners to regain their businesses. YES NO cover breaking news. Once the media rant-mars-police-chief-in-Adachi-case-14275080.php 10. Reduce the City’s abusive power over residents. YES NO pounced on the story, Carmody decided 4. www.westsideobserver.com/news/barberini. his best defense was to “talk to everybody html#jul19 Paid for by Ellen Lee Zhou for Mayor 2019 | FPPC # 1414996 Financial disclosures available at sfethics.org and anybody.” 5. sfpoa.org/node/1222 Page 8 September 2019 that the manager stop following her and passengerside. A check on the driver — Taraval Station Community Meeting ­— threatened to pepper spray him. When he revealed that his license had been sus- Tuesday, September 17 • 6 pm – 7 pm at Taraval Police Station • taraval.org stopped she fled with stolen merchandise. pended. He was cited. Saturday | August 10 Robbery Theft – Resisting Arrest – Cited 4:30 pm | 19th Ave & Winston Dr 7:46 pm | 2100 Taraval St A woman was in the back of a MUNI bus when 5 suspects approached her and The victim confronted the suspect when demanded her property. The suspect he saw him stealing money, but he fled pushed and punched her, then fled with the store. Officers found the suspect and her backpack. ordered him to stop but he continued to move away. They detained and handcuffed Sunday | August 18 TARAVAL STATION Crime Report him, despite his resisting, then refused to Robbery provide his name. After further investiga- An Uber driver picked up a passenger SF Police Officers Make Arrests in Taraval Burglary tion, he was identified and cited. who was acting erratically, demanding to JULY 31, 2019 | 11:24 AM Monday | August 12 get out. But when he stopped, the passen- n July 22nd, 2019 at approximately 2:49 PM, Taraval district police officers Suspended License – Methamphet- ger refused to get out. The driver exited, responded to a burglary in progress call at a residence on the 1500 block of amines opened the suspect’s door —then backed 44th Avenue. away when he noticed that the suspect O 7:33 pm | 1400 46th Ave Upon arrival, officers had a knife. The suspect got out and sat in noticed a gray Ford Officers noticed a car with a registration the driver’s seat and the driver continued Fusion parked with its expired since April 2018. During a traffic to tell him to leave. He made a threaten- engine running. An stop a check revealed a suspended drivers ing slashing motion towards him when he officer contacted the license. The driver said his paperwork was eventually left. The driver noticed that his driver of the vehicle in his backpack and gave them permission phone was gone when got back to his seat. who was later iden- to look inside. They found the paperwork Battery and a substance suspected to be metham- tified as 20 year-old 3:18 pm | 1300 48th Ave Vallejo resident Tristen phetamine. After further testing the driver At Taraval Station a man said a neighbor Stelly and questioned him as to who he was waiting for. was cited. he had an ongoing issue with, pushed him While one officer was talking with Stelly, other officers saw two suspects running out Tuesday | August 13 in a shared garage which caused an injury the front door of the victim residence. The first suspect saw the officers and dropped a Burglary – Marijuana Offense to the his hand. The suspect then fled. semi-automatic firearm before retreating into the residence. Officers saw a second sus- 12:59 am | 400 Ramsell St Burglary – Possession of Stolen pect exiting the home armed with a firearm and a flat pry bar. The officers ordered the property suspect to drop the firearm and the pry bar. He complied and was taken into custody. A woman told officers she heard a suspi- The two firearms and the pry bar were seized and secured, along with a third firearm cious noise from her downstairs tenant 8:34 am | 200 Serrano Dr found on the steps next to the home. and officers discovered that a door had A woman said that her her cell phone was The first suspect attempted to flee out of the back door of the home to a getaway car, been forced open. A search of the area stolen when her home was burglarized but he was quickly apprehended. inside located numerous marijuana plants. on Saturday. When she called her phone, Twenty-two year-old San Francisco resident Jose Banos-Gomez was charged with Vandalism – Stay Away Order which was in the suspect’s possession, he burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a fire- 1:25 am | 1200 Ocean Ave answered and wanted “to give her items arm and resisting arrest. A man with a stay away order from back.” Officers found the suspect and a Twenty year-old San Francisco resident Frank English was charged with burglary, McDonalds was located near the dam- search revealed multiple items belonging conspiracy, possession of burglary tools and possession of a loaded firearm. age made to a McDonald’s drive through to the victim. He was arrested. Twenty year-old Vallejo resident Tristan Stelly was charged with burglary and window and door. A check also revealed a Assault conspiracy. warrant and he was arrested. 11:25 pm | 1100 Ocean Ave All three suspects were booked at the SF County Jail. While arrests have been made, Wednesday | August 14 A man who had non-threatening injuries, anyone with information call the SFPD 24 hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip said he was smoking outside when the sus- to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous. Arson – Probation Violation – Ar- rested pect walked up to him and stabbed him in the chest, then fled. Friday | August 2 admonished. 10:33 pm | 100 Holloway Ave Resisting Arrest – Investigative De- Battery Assault A man was reported trying to set a tree tention 5:19 pm | 3200 20th Ave on fire. Officers located the suspect, who 7:03 pm | Dewey & Laguna Honda Blvds was wheeling a shopping basket filled with 7:41 pm | 4300 Judah St A man was out walking when three sus- A cyclist riding in the area was cut off by ashes and burnt residue. He told them he Officers arrived at a reported fight scene pect came up behind him, threw him on the suspect in a vehicle. When an argu- bought a frozen pizza and had built a fire and saw the suspect with a glass bottle the ground, punched and kicked him, ment ensued the driver punched the to cook it. Another spot was found nearby in his hand. He refused to put the bottle cyclist and drove away. Then fled the area. down. He was subdued with pepper spray Battery with a recent fire. A check revealed the sus- Warrant Arrest pect was on probation and he was arrested. and handcuffed. Then he was cited. 4:06 pm | 200 West Portal Ave 12:21 pm | 200 Lee Ave Saturday | August 17 Monday | August 19 When a suspect refused to leave a store, A taxi driver said he was driving the sus- Battery Battery officers detained the suspect. A check pect to his location when he suddenly 10:44 pm | Junipero Serra & Sloat Blvds revealed warrants out of San Francisco wanted to stop and get out. When he 12:15 am | 1300 Noriega St and Pleasanton. The suspect was arrested. refused to stop the rider sprayed him with A man was eating at a restaurant when a Officer responded to a report of a battery A man was sitting on MUNI when the Saturday | August 3 an unknown substance. He stopped the stranger started up a conversation. He did car and the suspect got out. not want to engage with the suspect, who suspect suddenly ran towards him and Battery Search Warrant – Arrested Productionpushed him Specifications off of his :chair and put him in punched him on the forehead, then went Publication: Westside Observer to the back of the bus and sat down. At the 7:34 am | Plymouth Ave & Lobos St 4:00 am | Oakland, CA a headlock. The suspect then fled. Media Unit: 5” x 4” Horizontal next stop, the suspect exited the bus. A woman was out exercising when some- A search warrant involving a gun fired at Suspended Driver’s License – Traffic one grabbed her from behind, threw her BleedViolation Area: None Tuesday | August 20 a victim resulted in locating the suspect Printing: Full Color to the ground and inappropriately touched and a search revealed illegal weapons and 5:00 pm | 3200 20th Ave Robbery her, then walked away. She called her hus- weapon parts. He was arrested. When officers saw a car with heavily and 3:53 pm | 3200 20th Ave band, who confronted the suspect. He illegally tinted windows on the front and Cont. p. 12 punched the husband and fled. Wednesday | August 7 Sunday | August 4 Battery – Arrested Traffic Collision – Hit & Run – Cited 6:16 pm | 600 Capitol Ave Investigating a battery incident from July 12:50 am | 300 Judah St in which the victim was seriously injured A woman said she heard a crash and dis- when the suspect punched him during a covered that her car had been damaged basketball game, TNT officers found the EST: 1990 by a car that was parked close by. When suspect and he was arrested. she tried to exchange information with the suspect, who fled. Officers found and Friday | August 9 cited the suspect. Robbery Vandalism to Vehicle – Cited 11:28 pm | 400 Urbano Dr Specialists in Residential 12:58 pm | 47th Ave & Vicente St A man was walking on the sidewalk when Notified that a man saw the suspect throw- he noticed a car following him, then a sus- Urban Landscaping ing a brick at his car window, officers pect approached and put him into a head- detained him. And when damages to mul- lock. He escaped but two more suspects Janet Moyer Landscaping specializes in the creation of custom residential tiple cars nearby were found, he was cited. wrestled him to the ground. When he took landscapes that address the unique challenges posed by San Francisco’s Monday | August 5 the phone from his pocket and threw it climate, terrain and architectural constraints. away from him, they released him, took Discharge of Firearm – Detention the phone and immediately fled. Irrigation Association Certification Award winning design Certified Irrigaton Contractor, Certified “Outstanding Achievement Award” 3:49 pm | 1200 46th Ave Robbery of a Store Irrigation Designer, Certified Landscape California Landscape Contractors The victim said he was cleaning his gun, 12:35 pm | 200 West Portal Ave Irrigation Auditor Association, 2007 - 2009, 2012 & 2013 which had been loaded, when he acci- A manager at Walgreens said the sus- 415 - 821 - 3760 . 1031 Valencia St., San Francisco . jmoyerlandscaping.com dentally pulled on the trigger and injured pect had a history of shoplifting at the Landscape Contractor License 853919 . Pest Control License 36389 himself. After investigation, he was store and confronted her. She demanded

JML_Specialists_p2_WestsideObserver.indd 1 6/15/2016 1:24:57 PM

JML Contact . . . . . Michael Padgett Client Name . . . . . Janet Moyer Landscaping Print - Westside Observer EST: 1990 Contact Phone . . . . 415-821-3760 Job Title ...... Contact Email . . . . . mpadgett@jmoyerlandscaping .com Description ...... 5” x 4” Horz - Specialists Ad Page 9 September 2019 and related public safety concerns. approved by the Board of Supervisors in Secret Schackles: SF’s Electronic Monitoring In 2012, in Sentinel Offender Services violation of both state and local law. The A New Wrinkle in Bail Reform Presents Glut of Pretrial Individuals LLC vs. Glover, several probationers in Board did approve three amendments Georgia sued Sentinel alleging the com- extending the term and/or amount of the by Anmarie Mabbutt pany was collecting unauthorized pro- LCA contract in 2017, 2018 and 2019. n February 6, 2018 Board President London Breed announced San Francisco gram fees under an invalid contract and The Board’s failure to approve the new would become the first jurisdiction in the country to eliminate all locally con- was forcing participants to submit to and EM contract with Sentinel comes in the Otrolled criminal justice administration fees. County officials, including mem- pay for drug testing that was never ordered wake of the January 2018 Humphreys bers of the Public Defender’s Office and the newly created Fines and Fees Task Force, by the court. On appeal, in November and March 2019 Buffin v. City of S.F. had demonstrated how these criminal justice fees were discriminatory, counterproduc- 2014, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled decisions and a massive increase in the tive and disproportionately impacted low income communities and people of color. The for the probationers. The Court found the number of individuals being monitored. legislation expressed the Supervisors’ hope that they would inspire other jurisdictions to Columbia contract invalid because Sen- The rulings found San Francisco’s cur- “find more fair and just ways to fund their criminal justice systems.” tinel’s probation services contract with rent cash bail system unconstitutional. Eighteen months later it appears San without approving the Sentinel contract. Columbia County had not been approved After Humphreys, judges must make an Francisco officials may be having a Founded in 1993, Sentinel Offender as required by state law. The Court found inquiry and determination as to a defen- change of heart. The Sheriff inserted a Services LLC is a Georgia based private that absent a valid contract, it was not dant’s ability to pay bail. For those indi- clause in its new electronic monitoring for profit nationwide provider of EM and within the lawful power of the Columbia viduals who are otherwise eligible for bail (EM) contract with Sentinel Offender probation services with a troubled history County courts to require probationers to but are unable to afford it, judges are now Services that authorizes the submit to probation supervision by Sen- required to find the least restrictive non contractor to collect pro- tinel or any other unauthorized monetary condition (LRNMC) for pre- gram fees if there is a “SFSD provider and thus it was unlaw- trial release. For many, the LRNMC has policy change.” When asked ful to allow Sentinel to extract been court ordered Own Recognizance recently under what cir- payment from individuals for Release with EM as a condition. EM has cumstances the Sheriff’s any unauthorized services. The played a huge role in San Francisco’s pre- Office might reinstate EM Court also ruled that any mon- trial landscape post Humphreys. The program fees, Director of ies collected under the invalid number of electronically monitored pre- Communications Nancy contract should be refunded to trial individuals has increased approxi- Crowley replied “The SFSD participants. mately 650% from 42 in November 2017 has no plans to reinstitute The circumstances of the to 316 in June 2019. EM participant fees under Georgia lawsuits appear very Based on the Sheriff’s most recent EM Sheriff Hennessy.” Mayor similar to the conditions under program invoices, Sentinel is currently London Breed and District which the San Francisco Sher- providing EM related services to approxi- Attorney candidates Suzy iff operated the county’s EM mately 396 individuals in San Francisco Loftus and Leif Dautch did program with its prior con- including 80 sentenced individuals and not respond to requests tractor Leaders in Community 316 pretrial individuals. When asked to for comment but District Alternatives (LCA). Between comment on the potential liability expo- Attorney candidates Chesa May 2014 and June 2017, LCA sure to the Sheriff’s Department and the Boudin and Nancy Tung are operated San Francisco’s EM county for operating its EM program both opposed to any efforts to reinstate and a reputation for predatory and illegal program without the Board approval of without the Board approvals mandated EM program fees. collection practices. In May 2013, the the contract required by state law. The by the Penal Code, the Sheriff’s Com- The San Francisco Sheriff’s new EM LA County Probation Department con- Rules and Regulations of the Sheriff’s EM munications Director Nancy Crowley contract with Sentinel Offender Services ducted an audit of its Sentinel contract. program required participants to submit wrote that the Sheriff “will be submitting began August 1, 2019. Even though the The audit found nearly 25% of the GPS and/or pay for random drug and alco- an amended resolution to the Board of California Penal Code requires it, the San devices used to track individuals were hol testing whether or not their charges Supervisors.” Until then, it appears Sher- Francisco Board of Supervisors has not faulty. In September 2013, the Orange involved drug or alcohol related issues. iff Hennessy plans to continue to operate approved the contract. The Supervisors County Board of Supervisors terminated Between May 2014 and January 2018, San Francisco’s EM program without a received public testimony in March and its EM contract with Sentinel due to LCA collected from program participants Board approved contract. July 2019 alerting them to the problem repeated equipment failure, major defi- an average of $20,000/month in registra- Anmarie Mabbutt is a California attor- but chose to break for summer vacation ciencies in full case management services tion and administration fees that were not ney and longtime SF resident.

Police Pensions (Cont. from p. 1) definition of immediate, I too was process- captain’s test, with a temporary captain’s experience. Meanwhile, a CPA, with oodles high school class? ing the situation. Only after I completed position. She responded to the gift of the of government-certified operations expe- The two-tiered department creates a leg- my thought process was I required to make $1 million pension spike by suing SFPD rience, waits on the SFPD sergeant’s pro- acy of distrust, so that subsequent genera- a decision to order the pursuit be immedi- and the San Francisco Police Officers’ motional list, while making approximately tions are reluctant to take a promotional ately terminated.” Association with a $2.5 million discrimi- $5,000 per month less than a person who test that ends up being contingent upon For city residents, the morale of SFPD nation lawsuit. shares none of his expertise. officers, or whether the 172nd candidate on Including the aforementioned victim Patronage and embezzling taxpayer one’s identity or juice. nd On July 8, 2019 the San Francisco Police the sergeant’s list vaults over the 22 candi- of discrimination, SFPD officers recently funds are close sisters, and combined with Officers’ Association (POA) filed a griev- date, may not appear tallied that Chief the Chief’s directionless staffing choices, is ance against Chief Scott for bypassing can- important. However, Scott has promoted demoralizing the department and expedit- didates on the Civil Service promotional there are gigantic 11 “acting captains,” ing SFPD retirements. Historically unprec- lists by promoting lower-scoring candi- economic costs not which means that edented, in the past few months six young dates based on identity or juice, and for only to other city he has unnecessarily officers have turned in their SFPD guns filling openings with officers who didn’t employees, but also tapped the SFERS and stars to work for neighboring agen- even take the test. The POA cited the to the taxpayers who pension fund for cies. Likewise, it is unprecedented for fed- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) have to backstop the over an additional eral agencies to come into the Tenderloin between the POA and SFPD. MOU Para- underfunded San $11 million. The to conduct street level narcotics enforce- graph 122 states: Francisco Employees same SFPD inside ment because both SFPD and the District “… when a vacancy occurs in a pro- Retirement System’s tabulation deter- Attorney’s office have failed to address the motional rank, an eligible list exists for (SFERS) pension Lou Barberini, father of the author, joins the line to welcome mined that Chief problem. that rank, a position exists in the budget fund. President Dwight Eisenhower (Lou is third from the right) Scott promoted 18 Sadly, perhaps Chief Scott’s promotion for the promotion and an appointment is When Chief Scott “acting lieutenants” policies are just reflective of a two-tiered made, the promotional appointment shall promotes lieutenants who never took the who will receive pensions of 90% of the city: be made immediately and on a permanent captain’s test to “acting captain,” it equates $20,000 salary increase over the next 30 A tourist has their car broken into and basis.” to a $40,000 annual raise for the “act- years of life expectancy, for a total cost of SFPD says: We’re too busy to come out. Go On July 15, 2019 Chief Scott responded ing captain” position. No big deal from $9.7 million. For every year’s layer of tem- home and figure out how to file a police to the POA’s grievance, stating Paragraph an SFPD budget perspective. Chief Scott porary lieutenants and captains, the cost report on-line from our website. 122 is about “timing” and it means that: is just shifting the $40,000 from a more to the SFERS’ pension is over $20 million. A former major league baseball player “… when promotional appointments are deserving candidate sidelined sitting on And it is pretty clear that the actuaries for has his car broken into and SFPD says: We made, they must immediately be made.” the bench to a less qualified person. SFERS are out of the loop on budgeting will be out immediately to dust your car for In other words, Scott believes that he can But what about the cost to the SFERS for these off-the-books pension raids via prints. reward whom he wants because the agree- pension? Usually, “acting captains” are spiked salaries. A SFPD officer studies for hours for a ment doesn’t require him to make a deci- appointed close to retirement. The officer In August, Chief Scott asked sergeant promotional test: Sorry, your postgraduate sion; only when he actually gets around banks the extra $40,000 in their final year’s and lieutenant candidates to submit their degree is not a competitive resume. to making a decision then he must imme- paychecks; and then for the next 30 years resumes for another round of promotions A SFPD officer doesn’t even take the diately appoint someone. Chief Scott’s of life expectancy, receives 90% of that off the current Civil Service lists. Candi- same promotional test: You only graduated Clintonesque word-parsing of the defini- $40,000 in increased pension benefits. In dates on the lists are holding their breaths high school? Don’t worry, we’ll make you tion of “immediate” may have created a other words, frequently for just one year of that Chief Scott will not use their resumes a captain! slippery slope, because officers can now service, the Chief has granted over $1 mil- (technically called “secondary criteria”) Chief Bill, it is time to make supporting apply his liberal interpretation to the pro- lion in additional retirement compensa- against them by promoting lower-scoring your cops on the streets your first priority! tocol defined by the Department’s General tion. Wouldn’t a CEO in the private sector candidates. Lou Barberini spent 21 years with SFPD, Orders (DGO’s). perform a cost/benefit analysis before pay- Consistent with that fear, also in August, after working for a Big Four firm and as a Consider DGO 5.05 I(c)(3), which fiats ing an employee an extra $1 million over Chief Scott promoted an attorney from financial advisor. He has an MBA in Taxa- how supervisors should monitor vehicle 30 years for a single year of “temporary” the District Attorney’s office to Director tion, and currently provides retirement pursuits: “When the risks appear too service? of SFPD operations. Like the college music planning and wealth management through unreasonable, the supervisor shall imme- Chief Scott recently rewarded a lieuten- major who became SFPD’s Chief Financial Nich Captial Partners. Contact: Lou.bar- diately order the pursuit terminated.” ant who was the former president of an Officer, the attorney’s LinkedIn account [email protected] Now a supervisor can say, “Per my chief’s identity union, but who never took the displays she has absolutely no operations

Cont. p. 9 Page 10 September 2019 Money Matters By Brandon Miller In Praise of Our Neighborhood Characteristics by Howard Strassner Protect Yourself When the Government Won’t fter living in the Westside for over 48 years I feel that I uitable has always seemed to me like one of those neutral words that am prepared to define the essentials of neighborhood you use when you don’t want to say anything mean, but can’t think Acharacteristics, for resident property owners, as a start to Sof anything nice. Like when your five-year-old is so proud of himself for picking deal with a typical neighbor’s concerns with proposals to increase out his Spiderman costume to wear to a funeral and you sigh and deem it “suitable.” density. The view from a property owner’s win- that desires them. tape mess.” True, but this particular red Suitable is also at the heart of some dows should remain similar to the view Westside neigh- tape has big implications for your money contentious government and regulatory before any increase in density. I think borhoods also consider that a low level and future. Because if no one is protecting standards regarding the financial indus- this means that when the owner looks of congestion is an essential neighbor- you from higher-priced investments, you try. And knowing about these regula- out her rear windows, after a nearby den- hood characteristic. We should begin to may be working harder to help your advi- tions may keep you from getting financial sity increase, she sees a similar amount of consider that the reduction in the supply sor retire than yourself. advice that eats into your savings and private open space owned by her neigh- of parking will actually reduce congestion; So just who is looking out for you the benefits the advisor more than you. bors. However, perhaps way over to one because it is difficult to desire to drive investor? Right now, only you. (And me Let me explain. side some existing open space might be someplace where there is a shortage of through this article.) Which is why I sug- Financial advisors are required to meet replaced with a building. If the property parking. gest you take the following steps before a suitability standard. This means that owner’s property is detached, the view The appearance of a neighborhood trusting anyone to provide you with finan- they are only obligated to provide advice from the side windows should be essen- when walking on the streets is definitely cial advice: about investments that are suitable for tially unchanged, except that if he looks a neighborhood characteristic. This 1) Do your research. Ask prospective you the investor. It’s perfectly legal for steeply upward he may see a new building means that commercial street front set- advisors if they are a fiduciary. If they them to recommend one investment over in the distance. When the existing owner backs should generally be maintained and aren’t, ask what kind of protections you get a similar one that’s less expensive. That’s looks out their front windows they should that front yard gardens should continue as with their advice. Also, find out how much better for them, not for you. see their current view, except that if they a delight to all who pass. Again, seeing or experience and what types of expertise A fiduciary, on the other hand, is legally look way to one side they may see a larger walking to a tall building a block or two they have, as well as how they are rated by obligated to always act in your best inter- building. Essentially any increase in height away does not change this characteristic. financial professional organizations. est. So you never have to worry about or density or loss of backyard open space Hopefully my neighbors will see that 2) Follow the money. Commission- their recommendations benefiting them is at least a block least away from the prop- essential neighborhood characteristics based advisors earn their money by, you over you. erty owner. can be preserved while allowing for some guessed it, commissions. The more invest- Many, but not all, financial advisors are The current level of ease or difficulty density and height that is nearly out of ments they buy and sell for you, the bet- fiduciaries. And this is where the contro- to find a curb side parking space for a sight. Hopefully we can see that we live ter the advisor does. This can make their versy sets in. current property owner should remain in a City as well as a neighborhood, and advice less objective. Fee-based advisors Toward the end of his presidency, unchanged. This may not apply to their our City has severe housing supply and guests or visitors to neighborhood retail affordability problems. Hopefully more of You’ll be sharing your hopes, fears, and dreams with them, so sites. Here we should note that San Fran- my neighbors will see that these problems cisco has long held that a “need” for will impact their children and even them- make sure your financial advisor is someone you like.” parking is not an environmental impact selves, and that something can be done. and that recently the Planning Code was Next month we can discuss what some changed to eliminate any past or future localized height and density might look don’t have this same incentive since they Obama tried to help protect consumers requirement to provide any on-site park- like, and how trying to provide affordable charge a predetermined, mutually agreed- with the Dodd Frank rule. This required ing for any use, retail, office or residential. housing for teachers and other community upon fee for their services. financial professionals who offered retire- Further, we should also consider that in servers can limit extreme windfall profits 3) Trust your gut. When speaking with ment advice to act in their clients’ best the near future, as more people elect not while allowing some development. anyone you are considering, do you get a interest. Since the vast majority of advisors to own a car but rather use robotic taxis, good feeling about the person? Do they Howard Strassner is a former Presi- handle IRAs and other retirement vehicles, that there will be less “need” for parking. speak in plain enough language that you dent of the Coalition for San Francisco this rule would have required that most Meanwhile Residential Priority Parking can honestly understand the advice they’re Neighborhoods everyone serving in that capacity become Permits are available to any neighborhood a fiduciary. This could be seen as a big win providing and the rationale behind it? Do for consumers. they seem trustworthy, like someone you Enter Trump and an administration that can confide in? You’ll be sharing your believes fewer regulations are better. They hopes, fears, and dreams with them, so challenged the fiduciary rule and had it make sure your financial advisor is some- overturned in court. Instead, the Securi- one you like. ties and Exchange Commission (SEC) has As with many other things in life, you produced a Regulation Best Interest rules have to be your own best advocate when package that critics say guts consumer it comes to hiring a financial professional. protections by potentially weakening fidu- While there may be many non-fiduciaries ciary standards. who provide good, honest advice, remem- Fearing that these changes could erode ber that they are not legally obligated to do investors’ belief in financial advisors and what is best for you. If you don’t find that the industry as a whole, the Certified suitable, look for advisors who are also Financial Planning Board of Standards fiduciaries. decided to step up and issue a rule that The opinions expressed in this article all CFP professionals must act as fiducia- are not intended to provide specific advice ries. But they have pushed back enforce- or recommendations for any individual or ment of their own rules until mid-2020 to on any specific security. ßNo advice may be give everyone time to implement the new rendered by Brio Financial Group unless a standards. client service agreement is in place. By now, you may be rolling your eyes andHAIR thinking, “typical SALON bureaucratic &red BARBER SHOP

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Holiday Special: Free Haircut with Purchase of Color Enhance Your Image Pet Friendly Salon Page 11 September 2019 Education Carol Kocivar ©2019 Some Things Never Change am about to go visit my grandson to celebrate a 5th birthday! That means finding just the right present for the smartest, cutest, most I adorable little boy. (Oops, excuse me. My grandma thoughts just Massive solar arrays - bright for our future or squirted out on the printed page.) Let me start again. That means find- is that it’s something I can do with my grand- cloudy for the environment? ing just the right present for a five year son. We can go outside and look at nature and olar power seems like a slam-dunk for being environmentally benign, but some old. For fun, I did a web search on what try to create what we see. We can talk about solar projects are not as completely beneficial to the environment as they are por- is popular with the 5 year old crowd. Yes, his favorite colors and favorite activities and Strayed. One problematic type of project is an immense bank of solar panels built people can still make a meal out of articles capture that in a picture. We can use this to on public land, far from those who need the power. like “The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Olds, Accord- talk about feelings and what they might look In the past, the American desert was This is not your grand-dad’s lawnmower. ing to Child Psychologists.” like. Or superpowers or friendships or what it sometimes considered merely a scenic Protected species­—desert tortoises, kit What’s a bit fascinating is that these lists are looks like to be nice to someone. landscape with little other value. Today foxes, and burrowing owls may be moved not much different from the list I made for Once I make up my mind on a present, I this flat, cheap-to-lease public land is very out or shooed away but no such luck for attractive to large solar and other devel- the other residents. Heavy grading equip- opment projects. This is the case with the ment will crush and plow up burrows, Once I make up my mind on a present, I support our local stores. Gemini Solar Project proposed for U.S. destroying the homes of kangaroo rats, Sorry Amazon, I don’t shop on line.” Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land pocket mice, ground squirrels, iguana, in Nevada, northeast of Las Vegas. lizards, and even tarantulas. Habitat will I learned about this be shredded and plowed under—Joshua my children when they were five years old. In support our local stores. Sorry Amazon, I project from Laura Cun- trees and wildflowers alike. fact, I still have the gazillion legos I gave to my don’t shop on line. ningham, co-founder of Roadways will be cleared, graded, kids years ago, and the books I couldn’t part That means a trip to Growing Up Arts and Basin and Range Watch, and paved. Concrete drainage channels, with when the children grew up and left for Crafts in West Portal—where I bought these a non-profit dedicated detention ponds, berms, and spillways homes of their own. same things for my kids years ago. I look at to protecting our deserts will be installed to control the runoff I still keep a supply of these in our back all the marker and crayon possibilities. I run Laura Cunningham and public lands. Cun- during rainstorms. Posts to support the room: board games, jump ropes, rubber balls, my fingers over the drawing pads to judge the ningham is a field biologist; she grew up panels will be pounded into the ground. soccer balls, basketballs. quality of the paper. in the Bay Area, studied paleontology, Massive transmission lines will be Anything that I ever bought that required To top off my shopping, I head to the chil- zoology, botany, herpetology, and natural installed. The entire area will be fenced electronics, batteries, or slime has disap- dren’s section of Bookshop West Portal, our resources management at U.C. Berkeley, off, with fences from ground level up to 8 peared. I take that as a message not to repeat local independent book store. I wedge myself and worked as a contract biologist for feet tall with concertina wire on top. expensive mistakes. between antsy three year olds and let my eyes I am leaning towards my most favorite gift travel through the selections on trains and of all: New crayons and markers along with a buses and anything that moves—but mostly They have survived because they have remained virtually nice pad of paper where all the creativity can trains. untouched by large-scale development for thousands of years. Des- find a safe home. I can’t let a birthday go by without at least And it’s not just because I want to use the one book to snuggle up with. ert lands may appear vacant, but they are full of life…” new markers. (Well, there is a little truth to Children’s advocate Carol Kocivar lives in that….) the Westside: [email protected] various development projects. One part Even the relocated tortoises (over 300!) What I like best about this kind of present of her job was to walk a project site, map will be negatively impacted. Just like peo- its plants and animals, and find ways to ple, tortoises don’t always do well when relocate or otherwise preserve species. evicted from their homes. Many never As a result of her direct experience with adapt and wander the desert, stymied by the damage inflicted by large-scale devel- fences, until they die from dehydration or opments, Cunningham has spent the last are eaten by predators such as coyotes — ten years opposing certain projects. The who watch translocations with interest. mission of her group is no bull-dozing in Those tortoises that do survive have the Mohave Desert ecosystems. to deal with an unfamiliar terrain and Our public lands are being exploited competition from the current residents. with little protection for the ecosystems Males in particular have difficulty find- that live there. The BLM gives developers ing a mate. The local tortoise girls pre- permission to bulldoze thriving plant and fer the boy-next-door to a stranger. And animal communities based on the prem- the hometown boys will fight to defend ise that damage their territory. to an ecosystem Although a tor- can be miti- toise-on-tortoise gated by moving fight is not going threatened spe- to garner the cies to another same ratings as area. This doesn’t American Ninja, always work. it can result in Our govern- injury or death ment leases out for the defeated Last Chance to See Our Giant Water LiliesDEPARTMEourNT public OF landELE CTIONS male. We are nearing the end of Giant Water Lily season. Famous for its enormous leaves, for low prices, Land that links which allow it to absorb as much sunlight as possible, the individual leaves can grow compared to what a private landowner habitat areas is known as a connectivity 4-6 feet in diameter. would charge. Tax incentives are often corridor. Most species need to be able to The Conservatory is open Tues – Sun, 10 am – 6:30 pm (Last ticket sold at 6 p.m.) added to the deal. travel to vary the gene pool and preserve Closed Mondays. www.conservatoryofflowers.org The area selected for the Gemini Solar the genetic flow (health of the gene pool.) Project is one such landscape. How big Too much in-breeding can cause a popu- an area are we talking about here? The lation decline. The Gemini Solar Project Gemini Solar Project will occupy over and its fences are right in the middle of a San Francisco, 7,100 acres of prime desert habitat. That connectivity corridor between prime tor-

M is an area almost seven times the size of toise habitats. Tuesday 04:43P

2018-05-08 View AA Audio

Text Lan- est 8 s T State IAL BALLOT General Tabulator:3 estern Meet Your OFFtionIC W Elec , November 6, 2018 Tuesday Golden Gate Park or one-quarter the size In addition, there are huge cumulative of the City of San Francisco. impacts across the range of all desert tor- New Voting America’s desert lands are extremely toise habitats from other solar and wind Voting Dominion vulnerable to ecological disturbance. projects and military base expansions.

Total Ballots Cast: 14 They have survived because they have How serious are these impacts? Des- System remained virtually untouched by large- ert tortoises are dying throughout their in the scale development for thousands of years. range; they are in an extinction spiral. Desert lands may appear vacant, but they Yes, this is serious. November 5, 2019 are full of life, both above ground and Birds are not immune to the damage election! under the surface. wrought by construction. Nests in low The system features: The desert has developed a biological bushes may be spared during construc- soil crust within which live algae and tion, but all of the habitat surrounding More rankings in ranked-choice voting contests blue-green fungi, all part of the web that the nest will be removed, making it more sustains life there. Construction of the difficult for the adults to feed their young. More intuitive ballot marking Gemini Solar Project involves clearing After the young have fledged, work crews Ballot-Marking Devices with improved accessible features this land and grading it flat, damaging will clear out the remaining nests and the upper layer of soil. The Gemini Solar bushes. With their homes completely Ballot-Scanning Machines that enhance election transparency Project Environmental Impact Statement destroyed, the birds will have to move to (EIS) shows a picture of a 23,500 pound, other areas, where they will be in com- 250 HP “heavy duty mulcher” as possible petition with the resident birds, putting sfelections.org (415) 554-4375 /sfelections mowing equipment (EIS, Vol 2, page 21). Cont. p. 13 Page 12 September 2019 CAN PG&E DO THIS PROPERLY? Do you have a pinched nerve? by Glenn Rogers G&E has a plan to reduce wildfire danger on windy days by turning off the power We can help. along lines where fire is likely. Experts claim this could last as long as 5 days. The Dear friend, million hospitalizations due to medica- question many are asking is, can PG&E be trusted to execute this plan accurately P It’s hard to believe, I know, but it’s true. tion. Last year the WHO reported 350,000 and with minimum disruption to the public? After all, PG&E has been convicted of 6 Last year more Americans were killed by deaths due to medication people took... federal offenses, one of them obstruction or lying to investigators. Also, PG&E has vio- and 160,000 were when the drugs were lated its probation.¹ Therefore, some argue that power should be allowed to be turned prescription drugs than by guns, AIDS, suicides prescribed correctly. off by PG&E only with the help of a public agency, to make sure Californians are not More people died last unnecessarily inconvenienced. and terrorists combined ... But we’ll get to that in year from medication a minute. than at Pearl Harbor and Worst case scenario—we can expect our cell phones to fail. Let me start by Vietnam. Amazing huh? explaining the photo If drugs make people If an accident occurs, how are we to contact help? How depen- in this letter. You know well, then those who take dent on electricity are the police and fire department to do their when I meet people in the most should be the work and answer calls?” town they usually say, healthiest, but this sim- “Oh yeah, I know you, ply isn’t the case. you are Doctor Mea- Many people are CONSEQUENCES OF ELECTRICAL OUTAGE? stations for electric cars. Uber or Lyft will beginning to understand be unreachable by phone or app. BART kim. You have been on Those having medical treatment at home that health comes from will be closed since they get their power the corner of Beach and will be affected disproportionately, as will within. This is why chi- from PG&E. Caltrain will be using sustain- Jones for years”…(and those with stair lifts. Typically, stair lifts for ropractic helps so many able electrical power as soon as this year or we just moved to our the disabled have a reserve of 25 extra rides people. You see, your 2019 and will not be effected. MUNI gets new office on Clement after a power failure. After that, disabled body can heal itself. Your body doesn’t its power from the Hetch Hetchy Dam, Street). Well, that’s me. I’m also the woman persons must be carried up or down stairs. need any help; it just can’t have any interfer- which is a separate electrical system also. hugging her niece at the Jersey Shore in the Hospitals may generate their own electric- ence. With chiropractic, we don’t add any- Will parents that work in private indus- picture. ity, but healthcare centers, where patients thing to the body or take anything from it. try be able to go to work in offices without Seventeen years ago something hap- go for dialysis, will likely do without. We find interference in the nervous system computers or light? Elevators will not work pened that changed my life forever. I was a Street lights and traffic signals may be and remove it, thus enhancing the healing in tall buildings. How many people will young woman living in Philadelphia when out during outages, a serious problem capacities of the body. be able to climb stairwells? Fortunately, it happened. I was driving with a friend after dark. Worst case scenario—we can We get tremendous results ... it really is City employees working in City govern- when she missed a stop sign and rammed expect our cell phones to fail. If an accident as simple as that. ment buildings get their power from Hetch into the side of another car. We were all occurs, how are we to contact help? How shaken up. The police were called and we For the past eight years, people from San Hetchy Dam and may be allowed to work. Francisco and the surrounding area have dependent on electricity are the police WHEN WILL WILDFIRES HAPPEN? all went to the hospital. No one was bleed- and fire department to do their work and ing, so the doctors took some x-rays of come to see me with their pinched nerve answer calls? Burglar alarms will likely not There will be major setbacks to an area our neck, gave us pain meds and sent us problems. be working. Doorbells will not work, since should the electricity be turned off. This on our way. The next day I woke up with • Headaches computers will also be out of service. Your will likely occur when the east Diablo or pain everywhere and it just kept getting • Migraines automatic garage openers will be dysfunc- Santa Ana winds are blowing hard with worse. For years I tried everything that I • Chronic Pain tional. Know how to open the garage door little humidity. Then, after the power has could find. For an escape from the pain, • Neck pain manually? Few will be able to do that. been turned off, the power lines will need I went to medical doctors, physical thera- • Shoulder/arm pain Food will be spoiling at home, at restau- to be inspected to see if they are safe again. pists, acupuncturists, I tried special pil- • Whiplash from car accidents rants, and at grocery stores. Having a meal Therefore, the solution of turning off the lows, and anything I thought might help. • Backaches at a restaurant will be difficult even if food electrical grid on windy days, to save us I spent a lot of time and money. Along the • Numbness in limbs is fresh. Lights and dishwashers will not be from wildfire, must be considered long and way I had two more car accidents and the • Athletic injuries, just to name a few. available to staff. How long will our sewer hard, before it is implemented. pain kept getting worse and worse. I had Here is what some of your neighbors Endnote system be able to store untreated sewage developed fibromyalgia, neck pain, mid- have said: 1. www.abc10.com/article/news/investigations/ “I had back pain for 15 plus years and two before it needs to discharge it untreated? the-history-of-pges-problems/103-b7badd6e- back pain and low-back pain with tingling Will pumps be able to move sewage at all? 8eea-4ae3-a935-8628ba98b87e and numbness down my right arm and back operations. Now I play tennis, sit at my Gas stations are dependent on pumps leg. I was scared that something was really computer and enjoy an active pain free life! Glenn Rogers, PLA is a landscape archi- —out of service. So will the charging wrong with me. This could not be normal. Thank you Dr. Meakim!” — A. McGrath tect working and living on the west side. I was only 33 years old and felt like I was “All possible medicines and doctors, you 100. That is when someone told me about a made a miracle taking away my pain!! I chiropractor that they thought could help. am a happy wife and mother again!” — L an officer his car. The suspect’s vehicle was Police Report (Cont. from p. 8) As a matter of fact, after the first person Igudesman later located and towed. A store manager, said she tried to stop two told me about him, two more people did “I have had chronic neck, shoulder and suspects from shoplifting but they threat- Thursday | August 23 that same week. So I made an appoint- arm pain for the last 4 years. After seeing Dr. ened to use mace, then left the store with Robbery ment with the chiropractor. Thank good- Meakim I can now twist off caps, button/zip stolen merchandise. my own pants and there is no longer a need 5:50 pm | Capitol Ave & Grafton Ave ness that they took the time to help me! I Resisting Arrest – Traffic Violation – for me to ice my arm in the morning and The victim said he was on a MUNI when went to his office where he asked me about 11:47 am | 9th Ave & Irving St my problems, did an exam, and took some night! I feel more energetic, and can move five to six suspects stared at him, then my arm and neck pain free!” — C. Brubaker Officers arrived at the location and detained elbowed him as they left the bus. He also x-rays of my head and back. After that he a man who was reportedly harassing peo- pointed out where my nerves were pinched My qualifications: got off the bus and confronted the suspect. I am a graduate of Palmer College of ple. The suspect refused to follow instruc- Another suspect then arrived on a motor- and adjusted them. The adjustment was so tions and walked away. A struggle ensued light I barely felt it. I began crying as I felt Chiropractic, I have published articles in cycle and told the victim that he was going leading chiropractic journals and taught when they handcuffed him and an officer to rob him but he fled when a suspect the pain leave my body for the first time in was injured. The suspect was arrested. years. It may sound strange, but I was so chiropractic to chiropractors! I’ve been pointed a gun at him. helping your neighbors in San Francisco Burglary Theft from a Vehicle happy and grateful for the relief that I still thank him every day! After that, I knew since 2004. I’ve been entrusted to take 3:42 am | 1700 25th Ave 1:48pm | 19th Ave & Eucalytpus Dr what I had to do. I had to become a chiro- care of tiny babies to athletes that you may A witness saw the suspect loading items The victim was stopped at a red light when practor, and that’s how it happened! know. into a vehicle from the home of a recently a car pulled up next to them, stopped, and I have adjusted many children within the My assistants are Miranda and Nancy deceased person. Officers found the sus- two suspects jumped out, broke a window first 15 minutes after birth. They obviously and they are friendly and helpful and ready pect and the suspect was arrested. and stole the victim’s backpack, then fled didn’t complain of neck pain or back pain; to assist you to set up an evaluation. Our Wednesday | August 21 the area in their car. I adjust them to keep them healthy... as clinic is both friendly and warm and we try Battery Saturday | August 24 with all the hundreds of children I care our best to make you feel at home. We have for in my office. wonderful service at an exceptional fee. 7:32 am | 2000 12th Ave Robbery You see, it’s not normal for kids to get ear Our clinic is called Healthy Life Chiroprac- When the suspect’s dog, began to act 4:53 pm | Winston Dr & Buckingham Way infections, asthma, allergies or a number of tic and it is at 101 Clement Street (at the aggressively towards the victim’s dog, he A woman was waiting for the bus when other illnesses we see clear up in our office corner of Clement St. and 2nd Avenue). told the suspect to get off his phone and to several suspects tried to pull her purse everyday. Our phone number is 415-751-7071. Call control his dog. The suspect punched the away. During the struggle, she fell on the When the nervous system is working today for an appointment. We can help victim in the head before fleeing. ground, and they grabbed her cell phone correctly your internal resistance and heal- you. Trespassing – Vandalism – Cited before fleeing the area. ing powers are enhanced. Thank you.—Dr. Christina Meakim 9:38 am | 1200 23rd Ave Monday | August 26 A healthy family does NOT rely on D.C. The suspect, was sitting on a couch in an Discharging a Firearm – Animal Cruelty medication to make it well. My family does P.S. When accompanied by the first fam- apartment he had recently sold but, due not turn to medication to seek health and ily member, I am also offering the second 10:29 pm | 2100 40th Ave to deteriorating mental health, believed we don’t have a “medicine chest” in our family member this same examination for he was still the owner. The victim pressed A woman heard six shots fired and discov- home. Due to years of advertising satura- only $17. charges and the suspect was cited. ered a bullet in her home. Officers deter- tion from the pharmaceutical companies P.P.S. Can you imagine not having to Evading a Police Officer mined that the suspect climbed a ladder to most Americans do seek health from out- wait at a doctor’s office? Well, your time get on her roof to shoot at a raccoon and 11:33 pm | Monterey Blvd & San Anselmo side in and most families have a “medicine is as valuable as mine. That’s why we have one of the bullets came in the house. A chest” filled with an average of 16 different Officers stopped a vehicle with an expired a no-wait policy. You will be seen within deceased raccoon was found nearby. medications. registration and broken rear lights, but the minutes of your appointment. Editors Note: This feature is an abbreviated In an average year, the World Health suspect then drove away as soon as the P.P.P.S. Of course, all people respond dif- version of the Taraval Police Report found Organization (WHO) reports over 1.5 ferently to care. officers approached making contact with at www.taraval.org Page 13 September 2019 Don’t Miss Another Issue Per Year

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Become a friend Follow Sloat Boulevard, May 25, 1917 | Shifting track on Sloat Blvd ., west of 19th Avenue . By Permission from the San Francisco Public Utilities Photo Center on Facebook @WestS_Observer our City. I am rooting for her. and give your input, if you haven’t already, No More Turning a Blind Eye Everything in life is cyclical. And with on how we can better serve our City. I ask by John Farrell changing economies and with uncertain all who live, work and visit our City to ou have read or heard in the media all over our nation that San presidential policies, we need to address respect each other and to respect our City. Francisco is a mess - a haven for crime and homelessness. Sure these crime and homeless issues and Respecting each other and each other’s Ywe are not the only troubled city in our country but it hits home develop future plans to ensure all vital property, and keeping our streets, parks, to me. This is my home. I am a fifth generation San Franciscan and services and programs are met. I am tired and beaches safe and clean starts with each appreciate our City. Every time I cross the Golden Gate Bridge and see that beautiful city of hearing we don’t have enough teach- and every one of us. If we can do this, than landscape I am in awe. ers, we don’t have enough police, we don’t millions more can be spent on services If you live on the Westside you know how changed her ruling and the man is now have enough emergency operators, we and programs, especially for those in need lucky we are. Over the past several years being held in custody pending trial after don’t have enough muni drivers… I can of assistance in our City. though, we have experienced a dramatic she had the opportunity to see the security go on. It’s great being number one but not We need to appreciate our blessings increase in break-ins, and we are seeing video of the attack and learned of new alle- in property crimes per capita among our and how precious life is; and understand more and more homeless on our streets, gations against the man involving threats nation’s 50 biggest cities. Further, there is and be sensitive to our differences, espe- many mentally ill and drug addicted. Also with a knife. no excuse for the dirty and drug infested cially in these volatile times. Hatred, in any an increase in those living in RV’s and vans, Coincidently, this apartment complex on streets throughout our city. This has got to form, such as racism, bullying, domestic such as near SF State, and several months the waterfront where the attack occurred is end. We have a City budget of $12.3 bil- and sexual violence; child, senior, LGBTQ ago there was a number of home inva- across the street from the proposed navi- lion, $1 billion more than last year. or any type of abuse and animal cruelty is sion robberies that targeted our Chinese gation center that has the neighbors in an In my articles in May, June and July I unacceptable, will not be tolerated, and families. These issues need to be addressed uproar. This attack doesn’t help the City’s focused on addressing our homeless crisis must be disavowed. before they get further out of hand. case, since the City’s is building it whether by enforcing our quality of life laws while Harry Truman said, “It’s amazing what But nothing compares to the extent of you can accomplish when you don’t care the crime, drugs, homelessness and over- who gets the credit.” all filth our visitors, residences and busi- If we work together there is nothing we nesses have to deal with every day on our can’t accomplish and along the way make a Eastside, such as in the Financial District, positive impact in people’s lives. the Civic Center and Tenderloin neigh- Next time you see a policeman, muni borhood to name a few. San Francisco has driver, fireman, teacher, nurse, or other the highest crime per capita in our nation, public servant, thank them. They are the and the number of homeless in our City ones in the trenches making this City run has increased by 17% since 2017 despite day after day. The same goes for our veter- our City’s efforts creating hundreds of new ans for their service to our country. beds and spending over $300 million on It’s easy to turn away hoping that things homelessness annually. will get better but they will only get worse, In August there were several attacks especially for these individuals who need on our waterfront, including the well- the neighbors like it or not. showing compassion and providing ser- our help and for our residents and taxpay- publicized and vicious attack by a men- Prior mayors like Joe Alioto, Diane Fein- vices, especially to mentally ill and drug ers who rely on our government to address tally ill man on a young woman named stein, Art Agnos and Frank Jordan made addicted people who need our help. Our our crime, drug, filth and homeless prob- Paneez Kosarian outside her apartment decisions on what they believed was in the City’s current approach is not working and lems for the health and safety of our City. complex. Superior Court Judge Christine best interest of the City whether you agreed we need to look at alternatives as men- No more turning a blind eye. Van Anken released the man against the with them or not. You never felt the City tioned in these articles. John Farrell Broker/Realtor® – Farrell request by our District Attorney since she was losing its direction, like it has over This is the greatest city in the world. We Real Estate, MBA, Former Assistant Asses- believed he was not a threat to the com- recent mayors. It is now in Mayor Breed’s have great people working in our depart- sor – Budget & Special Projects, Westside munity. Subsequently, Judge Van Anken hands to take the bull by the horn and lead ments and I ask all to rise to the occasion resident - [email protected]

Solar Arrays (Cont. from p. 11) the power; for example, brownfields (polluted sites) stress on both populations. and farmland that has been degraded by overuse or Birds will be in further danger once the solar panels under which the water table has been sucked dry. are installed. The bright reflective surfaces, so close to (Do we sense a pattern of environmental destruction the ground, look like lakes from the air. Nevada is part here?) of the Pacific Flyway. We don’t think of water birds fly- There is a cost to the environment from every ing over the desert, actually many do - on their way to new project, no matter how well intentioned — the Salton Sea or the Great Salt Lake. What happens whether it is building sea walls against the ris- when a tired, thirsty bird sees a large body of water ing oceans or installing ‘green’ projects on public below? They fly down to it - very fast, and crash into the lands. This environmental cost should be factored panels, usually resulting in death. into every project that purports to be beneficial, so We need to pull back and look at the big picture in our that comprehensive planning can occur and long- efforts. Alternatives to massive desert solar arrays: term decisions can made based on all the potential 1. Aggressively support insulation (homes and businesses) impacts. and purchase of energy-saving appliances and lighting. The Gemini Solar Project will supply power to 2. Aggressively promote and fund distributed solar. Install California as well as Nevada. We all have a stake in solar panels right where the energy will be used - on top how this is done. of houses, parking lots, commercial buildings. Protect the Contact Cunningham to find out how you can panels from shadowing with tough new legislation. On a help: bluerockiguana @mail.com. To learn more recent BART trip to Walnut Creek, I saw miles of roofs about what is going on in your deserts on your pub- but very few solar panels. Why is that? lic land at: www.basinandrangewatch.org/ 3. If massive solar farms are absolutely necessary, build Katherine Howard is a local open space and envi- them much closer to the urban centers that will be using ronmental advocate. EVERY SUNDAY • FLOWER PIANO IN GOLDEN GATE’S BOTANICAL GARDENS

Page 14 September 2019 September Visit the iconic Cliff House 10 - 14

TUE • AUTHOR AMOR TOWLES FRI • AUTHOR SEAN CARROLL Tue Sep 10 | 7 pm | Amor Towles’ Fri Sep 13 | 7 pm | A theoretical physi- Join us for these Cliff House Weekly Favorites first novel, Rules of Civility, was a New cist, he is one of the most celebrated York Times bestseller and named writers on science. Already hailed as • Zinc Bar Happy Hour, Monday – Friday, 4:00 to 6:00 pm by The Wall a masterpiece, • Wine Lovers’ Tuesday – Half Priced Bottled Wines* Street Journal as Something Deeply • Bistro Wednesday Nights – $35 Three-Course Prix Fixe one of the best Hidden shows for the first time books of 2011. His second novel, A that facing up to the essential • Friday Night Jazz in the Balcony Lounge Gentleman in Moscow, was also a puzzle of quantum mechan- • Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet New York Times bestseller and was ics utterly transforms how we *Some restrictions apply. Promotions are not valid on holidays. named as one of the best books of think about space and time and 2016 by the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Philadel- changes, well, everything. Bookshop West Portal, 80 phia Inquirer, SF Chronicle, and NPR. CinéArts, 85 West West Portal. Guided Historical Walks Portal - SOLD OUT! SAT • KIDS DAY! Spend a memorable Saturday morning exploring WED • BOOK SWAP! Sat Sep 14 | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Lands End. Start with a continental breakfast at Wed Sep 11 | 6 pm | Meet your Meet and Greet with Clifford, the the historic Cliff House then walk through Adolph neighbors at Rain Tree Cafe, bring Big Red Dog. Sutro’s magical ‘kingdom by the sea’ with historian a book - get a book. Rain Tree Cafe, Sat Sep 14 | 1 pm | SF Ballet Pri- guide John A. Martini. John’s walks will be 118 West Portal Ave. ma Ballerina, Sasha De Sola and offered in September and October. THU • AUTHOR EMMA DONOGHUE author C.V. Monterrubio’s new illustrated bilingual For more information and to make reservations visit cliffhouse.com/history-walk. Thu Sep 12 | 7 pm | In Akin, a re- book: On tiptoes • De puntitas which features two stories, one tired NY profes- 1090 Point Lobos 415-386-3330 CliffHouse.com sor’s life is thrown based on Sasha’s ballet career into chaos when up to date and another of a boy he takes a young she inspired to be a dancer him- TUE • THE COGSWELL TIME CAPSULE SAT • AUTHOR AIDA SALAZAR great-nephew self. Both stories speak to life Tue Sep 10 | 6:30 pm | Depos- Sat Sep 14 | 1-1:45 pm | Local to the Riviera, in beyond ballet: resilience, over- ited 1879 by an eccentric dentist author Aida Salazar will read hopes of uncovering his own mother’s wartime secrets coming life obstacles and following your heart and and millionaire in a fountain at from her recently-published in the next masterpiece from this NY Times bestselling your passion regardless of hardship. Bookshop West Columbus and Montgomery, was middle grade novel in verse The author. Bookshop West Portal, 80 West Portal Portal, 80 West Portal opened a century later. Historian Moon Within—a story about a Nick Yablon draws from his book, young girl and familial and cul- Remembrance of Things Present: tural expectations around her September 2019 The Invention of the Time Capsule, and will exhibit and changing body. Ages 8–18 and examine the documents and objects from the box. their caregivers. West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox. EVERY SUNDAY • FARMERS MARKET RSVP (capacity 25). Calif. Historical Soc., 678 Mission SAT • BOOK LAUNCH: MAESTRAPEACE Farmers Market | Every Sun | 9 am–1 pm | Fresh St. my.californiahistoricalsociety.org Sat Sep 14 | 1-2:30 pm | fruits and vegetables stars in this popular market, rear TUE • PEOPLE OF PARKSIDE It’s the 25th anniversary of parking lot: Stonestown (19th Ave @ Winston). Tue Sep 10 | 7 pm | POPS meeting is the first Thursday the monumental mural that EVERY SUNDAY • VICTORIAN TOUR of the month at the Taraval Station, 2345 24th Ave. adorning the Women’s Build- Sundays | 2 pm | Victorian era architecture Lafayette ing in the Mission. Weaving TUE • HOUSE DETECTIVE ADVENTURE in myriad female figures, Square. SF’s illustrious history, steep streets & fabu- FRI • JOHN KALEEN GROUP Tue Sep 10 | 7:30 pm | Ann lous views! 1801 Bush St. garden. Donations MUNI 1, historical and sacred, it high- Fri Sep 6 | 7-11 pm | It’s a hot version of “Summer- Shepherd was investigat- 3. Check out many tours of SF: INFO: sfcityguides.org lights women’s accomplishments across time and and time,” a cool version of “Footsteps” and beautifully ing the prior inhabitants of envisions a world healed of injustices. Main Branch/ SUNDAYS • FREE COMMUNITY YOGA crafted originals! The JKG is a jazz quartet in the classic her Fernando Nelson home, Koret, 100 Larkin. Every Sun | 10 am | Bring Your Own Mat for outdoor style. Cliff House, 1090 Point Lobos. this and unearthed stories of families that mirrored SF de- SUN • 39TH ANNUAL COMEDY DAY yoga at Playland at 43rd Ave. All classes are FREE and SAT • AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL DROP IN. (Rain cancels.) 1360 43rd Ave & Judah. Can- velopment. Serendipitous connections led to the most cellations: Playland Yoga Facebook Page. remarkable discoveries. SF Historical Society members, Free. $10, $5 seniors, students, K–12 teachers, and peo- EVERY TUES • QUE SYRAH HAPPY HOUR ple with disabilities. Updates at sfhistory.org. Roosevelt Every Tue Happy Hour | 4–8 pm | Que Syrah Wine Middle School parking (from Palm Avenue). Bar. Take $1 off each glass, 10% off each bottle (con- Sun Sep 15 | 12-5 pm | Five hours - one stage at Robin sumed on site). 230 West Portal Ave 731-7000 FRI • JOHNNIE BAMONT Williams Meadows, Golden Gate Park. Watch last EVERY THURS • NIGHTLIFE year’s Comedy Day on demand: comedyday.org Every Thu | 6–10 pm |  The Academy of Sciences TUE • COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING brings live music, science, mingling and coctails. GG Tue Sep 17 | 6-7 pm | Meet with Captain Rainsford Park $12 ($10 Members). calacademy.org/nightlife. at Taraval Station. Taraval Community Forum. Meets: Sep 7 | 11am - 6:00 pm | Autumn Moon in Chinatown 2345 24th Ave. taraval.org (Every 3rd Tues.) FRIDAYS • TEEN COMPUTER CORPS with entertainment, arts and crafts, food and drink. Fri | 4-5:30 pm | Trouble with Technology? We can The opening parade will proceed from California help with kindles, email, laptops, tablets, cell phones and Grant Street with costumed kids, artisans, giant Fri Sep 13 | 7-11 pm | An SF native, Johnnie plays so- and other electronic gadgets at the Parkside Branch, puppets, lion dancers, ribbon dancers, and marching prano, alto, tenor, baritone saxes and flute. Johnnie is a 1200 Taraval. Info: 415-355-5770. bands. It will end at the main stage on Washington member of Huey Lewis and has toured with numerous artists including Boz Scaggs, Cheryl Crow, Sly & the Fam- SATURDAYS • COMPUTER HELP St., where Polynesian dancers, acrobats and martial August 2019 artists will among many featured artists. ily Stone, and Tower of Power. Cliff House, 1090 Pt. Lobos Sat | 2-4 pm | Drop-in help with a teen tech savvy vol- BESTSELLERS unteer! Bring your laptop, eReaders, gadgets, digital SAT • EARTHQUAKE SAFETY SAT • PARTY FOR THE PARKS Sat Sep 14 | 6 Cocktails -7:15 Dinner/Dance | Every 1 . Hollow Kingdom Kira Jane Buxton * cameras, tablets or cell phones and we can help you Sat Sep 7 | Noon-1 pm | The Seismic Safety Outreach 2 . Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming learn how to use it. West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox. team brings hands-on training on how residents, both child deserves access to a safe, clean, imaginative, Medicine, Reimagining Life Louise Aronson * place to play. Proceeds support the renovation of over WED • GWPNA MEETING young and old, can prepare before, during and after 3 . Mind in Motion: How Action Shapes Thought an earthquake. On the last day of class, participants a dozen city playgrounds, benefiting over 20,000 chil- Barbara Tversky * Wed Sep 4 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm | GWPNA meetings are dren. Civic Center Plaza. Cocktail Attire 415 906-6232 4 . Nickel Boys Colson Whitehead held the first Wednesdays of the month and are open will receive a free disaster kit! Saturdays, Sep 7, Sep 14 & Sep 21, at Noon. Parkside Branch, 1200 Taraval. [email protected] 5 . On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Ocean Vuong to members, guests and public. 131 Lenox Way, West 6 . Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens Portal Playground Clubhouse. SUN • OPERA IN THE PARK 7 . City of Girls Elizabeth Gilbert THU • OUTER RESIDENTS 8 . Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover 9 . Becoming Michelle Obama Thu Sep 5 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Outer Sunset Parkside 10 . The Lager Queen of Minnesota J . Ryan Stradal * Residents Assn. (OSPRA). We will talk about transit at 11 . The Sixth Man: A Memoir Andre Iguodala the Ortega Library, 3223 Ortega St. mediasusan2@ 12 . Chances Are Richard Russo gmail.com 13 . KD: Kevin Durant’s Relentless Pursuit to be the THU • LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE Greatest Marcus Thompson 14 . Inland Tea Obreht Thu Sep 5 | Noon - 2 pm | When tradition prevents 15 . American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Re- Tita from marrying the man she loves, cooking be- publican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump comes her expression of feelings. Through her recipies, Tim Alberta she is able to convey her emotions to all who eat her Sun Sep 8 | 1:30 pm | SF Opera Orchestra and stars of the season’s Opera al Fresca. Bring friends and family for a * Spoke at BookShop West Portal; signed copies available food. Main Library/Koret Aud., 100 Larkin. fantastic afternoon of Arias al fresco and celebrate the opening of the Opera’s Season. Robin Williams Meadow, GG Park FREE. WHAT ARE YOU READING? Page 15 September 2019 TUE • CUBAN SALSA DANCING sacre, 300,000 Chinese tortured, and killed, 80,000 Tue Sep 17 | 6:30-7:30 pm women raped. Footage was secretly filmed by Rev. | Cuban Salsa (Rueda de Ca- John G. Magee. Main Branch/Koret, 100 Larkin St. Real Travel By Sergio Nibbi sino) has spread throughout MON • CENTRAL COUNCIL All Tied Up Cuba and around the world. Mon Sep 23 | 7:30 pm | West of Twin Peaks Central Come experience the fun for ixty years! It may seem like a long time but to quote that old cliché “it seems like Council meets to discuss local topics on the 4th Mon yesterday.” We went to Carmel in 1960 for our honeymoon and continued to go total beginners - no partner each month. Forest Hills Clubhouse, 381 Magellan required. RSVP starts Tue, Sa couple times a year. We eventually bought a modest home of our own in town. Ave. westoftwinpeaks.org 9/10 - 415-355-5770 or at One of our favorite spots has always been where that one came from, but what a gem to wear at a movie night. Rebel Without a Parkside Branch, 1200 Taraval.. TUE • THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO Talbott Ties, and through the years I man- aged to accumulate a nice collection of ties Cause was released in 1955, and how can WED • THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED when people still wore ties. one forget that great scene Wed Sep 18 | 7-8:30 pm | Dulais Rhys - an illustrated My collection grew from with James Dean drag rac- lecture on Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big knit ties, to narrow ones, to ing his car as Natalie Wood Bopper, who died in a plane crash 1959, known as holiday ties, and ordinary and Sal Mineo watch in ter- ‘The Day the Music Died,’ (a line from Don McLean’s every day varieties. Eventu- ror as the car careens over song American Pie.) Merced Branch, 155 Winston. ally, Talbott’s started selling the cliff and into the ocean. Tue Sep 24 | 6:30 pm | Larry Oppenheim of Opera shirts, jackets, bow ties, and Sadly, James Dean died one FRI • SOUL SAUCE for the People will tell and show—with film clips-- vests, and even went into month before the release of the to understand and enjoy the plot, characters, and the wine business. Looking the film. themes of Mozart’s warmest and wisest comedy. (Per- thru my closet I still have a So many fond memo- formed by the SF Opera in Oct.). Oppenheim makes nice assortment of knit ties ries, but wait, James Dean’s opera enjoyable and accessible -even if you have not that were very popular at demise is not the only sad gone to an opera. West Portal Branch, 190 Lenox. the time. Somehow I just ending to this story. Dur- WED • AUTHOR GARY MARCUS can’t work up the courage ing our last visit to Carmel Fri Sep 19 | 7-11 pm | A mix of Afro-Cuban, Jazz, and Wed Sep 25 | 7 pm | Rebooting to donate them to charity, I happened to be driving Brazilian music — a rich, warm sound with beautiful AI - Building Artificial Intelligence but if you see a homeless person wearing down Ocean Avenue and I couldn’t believe one on Market Street or the Tenderloin my eyes, Talbott Ties is gone, closed, a grooves, the band mixes jazz greats (Miles Davis, El- We Can Trust. Two leaders in the you’ll know where it came from. Some of “For Lease” sign sadly displayed in the lington, Cole Porter) with original arrangements that field offer a compelling analysis glide through the air. Cliffhouse, 1090 Point Lobos. the Christmas ties window. A notice on of the state of the art and the are real gems with line mentioned that THU • KEVIN STARR LECTURE steps we must take to achieve sparkling Christmas the company had Thu Sep 19 | 6 pm | SF Chronicle columnist Carl Nolte a truly robust artificial intelli- trees, decorated orna- laid off most of their will be featured speaker as SF Historical Society hosts gence. Bookshop West Portal, 80 ments and brightly employees and was its third annual Kevin Starr Memorial Lecture. Free. West Portal. colored stripes. auctioning off all its Xavier Auditorium in Fromm Hall on the USF campus. WED • PROPERTY TAX 101 But all my ties equipment. And to Free parking Koret Center Parking Lot . Wed Sep 25 | 6:30 pm | For many, your home is your didn’t come from make matters worse Talbotts. One of my I saw that the Talbott FRI - SUN • LEGACY FILM FESTIVAL biggest asset in life, but laws around property taxes and savings can be complicated. The SF Assessor’s Of- favorites was pur- wine division had Fri -Sun Sep 20-22 | One of a kind festival of films chased in Danang, been sold to E & J fice will teach you how your property taxes are calcu- from around the world celebrating older adulthood Viet Nam, with its red and white diago- Gallo in 2015. One of my favorite Pinots and addresses the challenges and triumphs of aging. lated and share tax savings that you may be eligible nal strips, highlighted with silver threads. born in the same barrel as Carlo Rossi? $10-12. New People Cinema (1746 Post St -Japan- for. RSVP: https://forms.gle/aw9mA3uAUt86Z2wy5 While there we visited a silk On the brighter side I saw that town). Held at Merced Branch, 155 Merced. worm farm. We watched in Talbott ties are still available on FRI - SUN • OKTOBERFEST BY THE BAY THU • AUTHOR CHARLES POSTEL awe as the worms spun their Amazon. $175.00 for a Talbott tie, Thu Sep 26 | 7 pm | The Civil magic tirelessly, working so hard and I thought that 15 or 20 bucks War unleashed a torrent of to create a tie for me, a pair of was ridiculous at the time. Having claims for equality—former stockings for the women, or a known that I would have bought slaves, women’s rights activists, parachute for a hang glider. a ton of them. Considering the farmhands, and factory workers Just as unusual is a solid black return I would have done better all engaged in the pursuit of the tie that I purchased in Rome than buying Apple stock 20 years many years ago that has a sym- ago. At least I still have the ties to meaning of equality In Equality: bol of a fasces on it, the original console me, and perhaps at the An American Dilemma, 1866- symbol of fascism that came next dress up function I can tie Fri-Sun Sep 20-22 | Fri 5 pm-12 am, Sat 11 am-5 pm 1886, Postel forces us to rethink some of the central from ancient Imperial Rome a bottle of Talbott’s wine around & 6 pm-12 am, Sun 11 am-5 pm | Annual Munich tra- myths of American history. Bookshop West Portal, 80 as a symbol of power and was my neck out of respect to Robb ditions— German beer, food, music, and fun - four West Portal. adopted by Mussolini’s Fascists. Talbott. different sessions. Items range from around $3 to $12. WED • CELLO PERFORMANCE It was eventually referred to as So if you’ll excuse me now I’m Beer/wine $6 a glass. Chico Bavarian Band and the Wed Sep 25 | 6-7 pm | ¡Viva! Fascio, a bundle of sticks featuring an axe headed to Total Wines and More to pick Internationals. $25 Pier 35. oktoberfestbythebay.com Solo cello performance featur- as a symbol of strength through unity. up a $17.00 bottle of a 92 point Kali Hart Still hanging on my tie rack is another tie Pinot Noir to drown my sorrow…...and I SAT • COASTAL CLEAN-UP ing classical Latino Hispanic compositions & cellist Staph- from Barney’s in New York with Martini may even put on one of my knit ties out of anie Li. Her passion for music olives all over, and one with a full length respect for the last 60 years. figure of James Dean. I don’t remember has led her all over the world. Sergio gets around—the world! She recently graduated SF Con- servatory of Music. Ocean View SAT • SUTRO LANDMARK WALK Branch, 345 Randolph. Sat Sep 21 | 10 am - Noon | Golden Gate Beach THU • OMI NEIGHBORS IN ACTION Stewards help keep Ocean Beach and our SF coastline Thu Sep 26 | 7 pm | OMI-NIA General Meeting at beautiful, clean, and safe for all. Ocean Beach - Bring Temple UMC, 65 Beverly. (Every 4th Thu) Your Own bag or bucket, gloves, and water bottle. THU • SHARING THE HARVEST SAT • MARCH FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION Thu Sep 26 | 7 pm | Support the Hamilton Center in Sat Sep 21 | Reg 9 am/Ceremony 10 am | Hundreds to end homelessness at Bimbo’s 365 Club. Enjoy a VIP will participate in Suicide Prevention’s 14th Out of reception, gourmet dinner by Foxtail Catering, live the Darkness. Walk provides support for survivors of auction, and an exciting program $125 & up, 1025 loss and those with lived experience around suicide/ Columbus. 415-409-2100, hamiltonfamilycenter.org Sat Sep 28 | 9:30 am | Walk Through SF’s Fabled Pleasure Grounds—starts with breakfast at historic Cliff mental illness. Lot A Oracle Park. afsp.donordrive.com House, then walk through Sutro’s l ‘kingdom by the sea’ with historian John A. Martini. Saturdays — 9/14, /28, THU • THE JOURNALIST OF CASTRO STREET /12, & /26. $40 RSVP 415.666.4006 SAT • ESSENTIAL OILS Thu Sep 26 | 6 pm | Dr. Andrew E. Stoner discusses THU • AUTHOR FRANK DUNNIGAN TUE • DE YOUNG FREE DAY The Journalist of Castro Thu Oct 3 | 7 pm | From the nos- Tue Aug 6 | 9:30 am - 5:15 pm | Art from 17th-20th Street: The Life of Randy talgic days of downtown shop- centuries, native Americas, Africa, & Pacific. 50 Hagi- Shilts, LGBTQIA Center at ping and grand movie palaces to wara Tea Garden Drive. Free first Tuesdays. Mail Library, 100 Larkin St. the skyline, change is a constant TUE • LEGION OF HONOR FREE DAY factor since SF’s settlement in Tue Aug 8 | 9:30 am - 5:15 pm | 4000 years of ancient FRI • THE TURNAROUND JAZZ QUARTET the 1700s. Local historian Frank and European art in the exquisite Beaux-Arts building Dunnigan showcases the old city in an unforgettable setting overlooking Golden Gate as well as the newly emerging Bridge. 100 34th Ave. Free first Tues. one in Classic San Francisco: From Ocean Beach to Mis- Sat Sep 21 | 2-3 pm | Learn about the emotional, sion Bay. Bookshop West Portal, 80 West Portal. THU • OMI NEIGHBORS IN ACTION physical, and spiritual attributes of essential oils. Cre- SUN • ASIAN ART MUSEUM FREE DAY Thu Aug 29 | 7 pm | OMI-NIA General Meeting at Tem- ple UMC, 65 Beverly St.@Shields. SF State Warriors and ate your own blend to take home! RSVP: (Limit 20) Sun Aug 4 | 10 am-5 pm | Every first Sunday is free Fri Sep 27 | 7-11 pm | William Berg is a local jazz saxo- Recology are invited. Meets very 4th Thu -No meeting 415 355-5615. Ocean View Branch, 345 Randolph. at the Asian Art Museum (save $12) 17,000 artworks phonist and woodwind doubler taking his cues from in July for summer break. spanning 6 thousand years. Special exhibitions may SAT • FORGOTTEN HOLOCAUST the great innovators of jazz– Coltrane, Shorter, Davis, require separate charges. 200 Larkin St. Got An Event? Westside Events Get Priority Sat Sep 21 | 2-5 pm | In Sino-Japanese war the Chi- delighting since 2005. Cliffhouse, 1090 Point Lobos. nese capital Nanking fell. The infamous Nanking Mas- [email protected] Page 16 September 2019 including nonstop music, singing, dancing, and the best of German food and drink. This year’s entertainment features the 21-piece Chico Bavarian Band. Cheers! For info and tickets: sftourismtips.com Union Square Live It’s the final month of Union Square Live 2019, an ongoing sum- mer event that presents weekly free, live outdoor performances of dance, music, cir- cus, and theater. You can often learn how to dance salsa or tango with the presenters. These fun shows always encourage the audience to get involved. So, go on, enjoy the end of summer and get out on the square! Schedule and details: unionsquarelive.org/ California Rum Festival (9/7) Taste some of the best rums around at the SOMArts We’re back from our summer break and there is a lot going on both in the neighbor- Cultural Center. Try a wonderful variety from large, micro, and boutique distilleries. hood and city during September. The Giants are still in the race and playing enter- In addition, attend seminars by rum producers and aficionados, and mingle with other taining baseball; the 49ers are opening their season this week, and Original Joe’s has rum lovers. Discount tickets on Groupon: “rum fest” announced they are going to occupy the former Paradise Pizza location (393 West Por- tal Avenue) with a new restaurant. But that’s not all. Continue reading to see more fun SF Fringe Festival (9/5 - 9/14) If you love theater, this month you are really in luck things to do this month… because September offers a 14-day grassroots theater festival, featuring over a hundred unique performances by dozens of indie companies. All performances will take place BookShop West Portal is at the EXIT Theater in downtown SF at very accessible prices. Visit fringefestivals.com having a week-long literary festival…Our very own local book shop, BookShop West Portal is having a week-long literary festival starting the second week in September. On Tuesday, September 10th, they will be hosting Amor Towles, the author of A Architecture and the City Festival (9/1-9/30) San Francisco invites you to engage with Gentleman in Moscow—one its design and architecture in ways you haven’t experienced before. Included are behind- of the most successful novels the-scenes and walking tours, films, exhibitions, lectures, and more. Explore and appre- of the past half-decade. He is a really big deal, and there’s an interesting story of how ciate the city’s true structural backbone under the 2018 theme, “Future City.” Visit www. little BookShop West Portal got him. The short version is that they entered a national archandcity.org for more details. bookseller contest, did a lot of work, and were shocked by actually winning a visit from Sunday Streets (9/8 & 9/22): The 2019 edition of Sunday Streets takes place on Septem- the man himself! Tickets are selling fast! Over 100 in just a few days. ber 8 in the Tenderloin and on September 22 in the Western Addition neighborhoods of Wednesday, September 11th, they will have a fun community book swap. It may be San Francisco. This monthly street fair rotates among the city’s distinct districts, where hosted at Rain Tree Cafe, a neighboring cafe, with a guest author involved. each local community comes together to enjoy free family activities, live music, and Thursday, September 12th, follows with a hosted event featuring Emma Donaghue closed traffic so people can play safely in the streets. Free. sundaystreetssf.com in the bookstore. Her breakout novel, several years ago, was Room, a story about a kid- napping that later got made into an Oscar Best Picture nominee. She’ll be discussing her SF Cheese Fest (9/14 & 9/15) The annual SF Cheese Fest features samples of amaz- forthcoming novel, Akin. They are expecting standing room crowds for her. ing craft cheeses from more than two dozen California cheesemakers, celebrating local On Friday, September 13th, Bookshop co-hosts, along with Wonderfest, the Bay food pioneers in the art of preservation, which also includes cured meat, jams, pickles, Area Beacon of Science, renowned physicist Sean Carroll, discussing his forthcoming, and more. Enjoy with your favorite beverages from local brewers and winemakers, and Something Deeply Hidden: Quantum Worlds and the Emergence of Spacetime. dance along to the live ‘30s jazz band. sfcheesfest.com And finally, on Saturday, September 14th, it will be a day of children’s activities, 10:30 - 11:30 am will be a meet and greet with Clifford, the Big Red Dog, and at 1 pm The Bloody Mary Festival (9/14) Looking to put a little kick in your Saturday after- the highlight of which will be a visit from both the author and the subject of On Tiptoes/ noon? Head over to the SOMArts Cultural Center for one of two sessions to sample the De Puntitas. It’s a bi-lingual book about Sasha De Sola, a prima ballerina with the San tastiest, most innovative bloody Mary concoctions crafted by 12 outstanding Bay Area Francisco Ballet. bars and restaurants. Vote on the best one, enjoy live entertainment, and even learn how It sounds like a very busy week at the BookShop! Come out and support this local to shake up your own version of this beloved cocktail. thebloodymaryfest.com treasure. BookShop West Portal is located at 80 West Portal Avenue. Call them at 415- 564-8080 for more information. Folsom Street Fair (9/29) Unlike most of the family-friendly neighborhood street fairs you’ll find in SF, this raucous all-day festival is for adults only, who don’t mind a lot of September brings out the best weather of the year (at least the sunniest…) and with nudity and erotic paraphernalia. It’s one of those “only in San Francisco” events, featur- the sun comes the many festivals. There are many ways to experience the different ing 13 city blocks of leather and fetish players and dance floors with indie, electronic, neighborhoods, food, beverages and cultures that make up the fabric of this quilt we call and alternative music. Leave the kids at home between 10am and 4pm for an experience San Francisco. Enjoying a weekend at a festival is a great way to immerse yourself in a you will never forget! The parade starts at 2:30pm. folsomstreetevents.org new experience for a day. Here’s a partial listing of the festivals in September… Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival (9/7 & 9/8) Head over to colorful Grant Avenue Festa Coloniale Italiana (9/7): Held right in the heart of the North Beach neighbor- in the heart of Chinatown for two full days of entertainment, food, shopping, parades, hood (SF’s Little Italy), this free street festival is a great family and cultural event. Head kid’s activities, and more. Lion dancers and dragon parades, maybe you’ll even try a over to Stockton Street, just across from the famed Washington Square Park, to enjoy traditional mooncake to celebrate the full moon and Chinese culture! moonfestival.org delicious Italian food, a pizza toss, specialty Italian handicrafts, wine tasting, and live performances featuring Moreno Fruzzetti. Visit the festival›s website for more details A Taste of Greece (9/20 - 9/22) This annual event showcases the cultural and culinary Sunset Community Festival (9/21) - Come Eat, Drink, diversity of SF’s Mission District. Get your Shop, Play, Connect, Be Local and celebrate “Westside fill of delicious Greek treats such as spanako- Pride” at the 25th annual Sunset Community Festival pita, moussaka, kotopoulo, and gyros. And of presented by Sunset Youth Services in collaboration with course, the festival wouldn’t be complete with- Sunset Mercantile on Saturday, 11 am-4 pm at the West out Greek wine, pastries, live Greek music and Sunset Playground on Ortega & 39th Avenue. Featuring dance! festival.annunciation.org/ local makers, merchants, artists, yummy food, an electric vehicle info fair with demos presented by The Golden Gate Electric Vehicle Association, wine and beer tasting, Free Days at the SF Museums… you may not be aware, but our great museums offer live music and performances, Ortega Library Anniversary celebration and oodles of free days during each month. It’s an easy way to visit without spending a lot of money fun for all ages including bounce houses, mini petting zoo, games and so much more! if you know when to go. The ticket gets you into the general exhibits and permanent Details: sunsetyouthservices.org/sunset-community-festival. collections, it’s extra to see the special galleries. Popular, so arrive early. 1st Sunday of each month – Asian Art Museum Craft Spirits Carnival (9/21 & 9/22) Sample some of the best craft spirits at this year’s st event, featuring a weekend of sampling the best whiskey, bourbon, vodka, tequila, 1 Tuesday of each month – Conservatory of Flowers / Contemporary Jewish Mu- grappa, and more. The event runs for two days on Saturday, and Sunday (1pm to seum / de Young Museum / Palace of the Legion of Honor / Museum of Crafts and 5pm). For additional informationa nd get tickets at up to 50% off on Goldstar. Design / Yerba Buena Center for the Arts 2nd Tuesday of each month – SF Botanical Gardens (includes holidays) California Vegetarian Food Festival & Sympo- 1st Wednesday of each month – GLBT Museum sium (9/21): This year’s festival will be held at the Palace of Fine Arts and features 100% vegan Do you have an event, a neighborhood fact or just an observation to share? Drop us a line and green products. This one-day event features at [email protected] and share your ideas or just let us know what you think. plant-based foods, chefs, entertainers, and lifestyle vendors. You will also find speakers, panelists, kid’s activities, and so much more. The event runs from 11 am to 6 pm. Find tickets at a ServingServi nFoodg Foo das A sGood Good asAs OurOur P Pricesrices Are are Lo wLow discount on Goldstar. San Francisco Improv Fest (9/18-9/21): If you enjoy watch- ing and laughing along with improv performances, get ready for 10 days of awesome shows at the Eureka Theatre at Jack- son Street and Battery. This festival is in its 15th year of cel- Where Friends ebrating improvisational theater. It will feature work by both Meet local and visiting ensembles, as well as workshops and other events to help educate the public and strengthen the improv community in the SF Bay Area. Visit the sfimprovfestival.com for more details. Oktoberfest (9/20 - 9/22): It’s that time of year again for you lovers of beer and all things German! Head over to Pier 35 for the annual three-day Oktoberfest by the Bay, Where Friends Meet