Ramsey the ringer

On Jan. 29, 2020, I awoke to texts, emails, and calls from workers, City Hall insiders, and loyal readers of this column. Just 10 months prior I penned a piece about Mohammed Nur... Read More

Emer Heatley and Matthew Macfadyen in Stonehouse. Photo: courtesy ITV

Television

When truth elevates drama

By Michael Snyder

As much as fiction can reveal about the human condition, the account of a true story — especially one inspired by an uncommon situation — can have deeper impact by virtue of v... Read More

Politics as Usual

Mayor HAL 9000

It’s time San Francisco really leads on city governance

By John Zipperer

“I keep coming back to the love thing, because I love you. . . . You’re married, but you don’t love your spouse. You don’t love your spouse, because your spouse doesn’t ... Read More

Kehinde Wiley's The Death of Hyacinth (Ndey Buri Mboup). Photo: Ugo Carmeni / COURTESY Kehinde Wiley and FAMSF

Art World

‘Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence’ premieres at the de Young

By Sharon Anderson

“That is the archaeology I am unearthing: The specter of police violence and state control over the bodies of young Black and Brown people all over the world.” — Kehinde Wi... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Business owner hosing homeless woman highlights city’s failures

Millions go to nonprofits, yet ‘Q’ remained on the streets for years

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“My office is well acquainted w/the victim + have been trying for many months to get her support from @SF_DPH”— Aaron Peskin, five-term member and current president of the S... Read More

John Singer Sargent's White Ships. IMAGE Courtesy of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Art World

John Singer Sargent in Spain

By Sharon Anderson

“You have to see the paintings with your own eyes. Prepare to be flabbergasted.”— Art Critic Sebastian Smee, The Washington Post The Legion of Honor presents “Sar... Read More

District 2 Supervisor

Restoring the public’s faith in government

By Catherine Stefani

Over the past few months, rarely has a week gone by without a story detailing a new scandal involving mismanagement of our nonprofit contracts. In early September of last year, an... Read More

The Marina Times endorsed District 6 supervisor Matt Dorsey, and he won big. Photo: facebook.com/mattdorseysf

Reynolds Rap

A word to San Francisco’s newly elected supervisors, and the inaugural Hypocrite Hill Awards

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“‘Housing First’ isn’t dead yet, but it’ll be in an induced coma for the foreseeable future — because neither permanent supportive housing nor an unenforceable free-fo... Read More

Irmandade: The Shape of Water in Pindorama. PHOTO: SMAC Gallery; Lhola Amira

Art World

‘Lhola Amira: Facing the Future’

FAMSF launches new contemporary African art program

By Lynette Majer

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco has begun a new program — the first of its kind — to interpret the museum’s permanent collection of African art through the lens of co... Read More

Downtown is more than just a dense area of offices and stores; it is a cultural center fed by the coming together of people, businesses, artists, ideas, and activities. Photo: John Zipperer

Politics as Usual

Downtown’s up and down

By John Zipperer

As someone who grew up in small cities, I’ve always had a fascination with big cities, and particularly their downtowns. Tall buildings, lots of people, the energy of hundreds o... Read More

Banks Repeta and Jaylin Webb star in Armageddon Time. Photo: Anne Joyce / Focus Features

Films

Exalting the dozen best movies of 2022

By Michael Snyder

In a year replete with horrors big and small, it’s fitting that so many frighteningly creative horror movies were released during the past dozen months. Not that there’s room ... Read More

Joan Brown, Self-Portrait with Swimming Coach Charlie Sava, at Larsen Pool, San Francisco, 1974; courtesy Estate of Denver Art Museum - SFMOMA

Art World

SFMOMA presents in-depth Joan Brown retrospective

By Sharon Anderson

The most comprehensive examination in over 20 years of San Francisco-born artist Joan Brown’s vibrant, autobiographical paintings and sculptures is currently on view at SFMOMA t... Read More

Politics as Usual

Ho-ho-who?

What a justice-involved Santa taught me about the real meaning of democracy

By John Zipperer

’Twas the month before Christmas, when all through the townNot a creature was stirring, as voting wound down.The people cast ballots with caution and care,In hopes of results th... Read More

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in Spirited, now streaming on Apple TV+. Photo: Courtesy of Apple TV Plus

Films

Happily ever after for the holidays

By Michael Snyder

According to the perennial tune, it’s the most wonderful time of the year — and we’re in the middle of it, complete with family gatherings that can be nourishing or trying. ... Read More

People gather on the streets of the Tenderloin to buy, sell and use drugs just blocks from the Tenderloin Linkage Center.

Reynolds Rap

The grift that keeps on giving

From fudging failed figures to spending $500,000 on a self-serving study, harm reduction provider HealthRIGHT 360 wants to keep their golden goose

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

“Eisen visibly bristles when people, even in jest, refer to the organization as an ‘empire,’ but acknowledges that her vision all along has been to expand HealthRight 360’... Read More

Cover Stories