Rents less of a bargain

Rents appear to be heading upward and concessions downward in San Francisco. Photo: Garey De Martini

Rents are soaring across America, and climbing slowly in San Francisco. Nationwide, residential rents are up 7.5 percent so far this year, three times higher than normal, accordin... Read More

Learning the art and science of conversation is important. Photo: Daisy-Daisy

MomSense

Social skills 101

Casual conversation not only builds confidence but also boosts our mood

By Liz Farrell

Have you noticed that since the world began to reopen, our social skills have needed a tune up? I think we all got used to talking to the same people and not doing much. We also g... Read More

The Best of Books

The Marina Books Inc. best-seller list

By Kevin McCarthy

Hardcover Fiction 1. Malibu Rising: A Novel, by Taylor Reid 2. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel, byLaura Dave 3. Paper Palace: A Novel, by Miranda Cowley Heller ... Read More

Lemon ricotta pancake with simple blueberry compote. Photo: susan DYer Reynolds

La Deliziosa Vita

Have brunch in your pajamas with easy lemon ricotta pancakes and skillet-fried potatoes

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

One of my mom’s go-to weekend dishes was her lemon ricotta pancakes: fluffy and light with just a touch of sweetness offset by lemon zest. I make them about once a month, especi... Read More

Avocado toast options from Toasty. Photo: facebook.com/toastysf

Modern Eating

Get out for a bit o’ brekkie

By Julie Mitchell

Going out for dinner is always a special treat, and eating lunch anywhere but in our own kitchens is welcome. Even a quick burrito from a taco truck qualifies as an adventure. ... Read More

A 1910 photo of vagabond author Harry A. Franck. Photo: unknown

Politics as Usual

Vagabonding through a changing America

The modern flirtation with authoritarianism isn’t new; Americans have long felt an attraction to the dark side

By John Zipperer

One can easily imagine Harry A. Franck in San Francisco. I expect he’d have felt right at home hanging out in a North Beach bar, swapping tales — many of them true — with lo... Read More

News Briefs

Permanent shared spaces

By John Zipperer

Local businesses will be able to take advantage of streamlined permitting for a now-permanent right to use sidewalks, curbside space, full-street spaces, and open lots for commerc... Read More

News Briefs

More libraries open

By John Zipperer

The San Francisco Public Library system has continued its reopening in the wake of the pandemic. Some branches, such as the Marina Branch (1890 Chestnut Street) and the Golden Gat... Read More

News Briefs

Crime update

By John Zipperer

From June 21–27, there were 69 examples of one of San Francisco’s modern plagues, the auto burglary, in just one week on the Northside, according to SFPD’s Northern Station.... Read More

Reynolds Rap

Six podcasts, four trials, and a blog

D.A. Chesa Boudin spends more time in the media than in court

By Susan Dyer Reynolds

And this is where Balko announces he’s found the villain in this attack. No, not the attackers. Not the SF legal system, which still seems confused about what to do about the at... Read More

Aaron Tveit and Cecily Strong in Schmigadoon! now streaming on Apple TV Plus. Photo: courtesy Apple TV Plus

Television

Situation comedies meet merry melodies

By Michael Snyder

It’s no exaggeration to say that we could use some laughs in times like these — in fact, anytime at all. Beyond the ostensible healing power of laughter, there’s also the we... Read More

In-home bicycling can be a great way to stay fit in the comfort of your own home, Photo: blickpixel

Coastal Commuter

Getting healthy on the bicycle to nowhere

By Michael Snyder

Being health-conscious is more than a trend. It’s a necessity after a year-plus of plopping down in comfy chairs and gobbling snack-packs while streaming binge-a-thons, and ... Read More

News Briefs

Is San Francisco ready to shine on?

By John Zipperer

The local and national opprobrium over well-publicized dirty streets in San Francisco has struck a nerve. A group of business, civic, and community leaders teamed up with Mayor Lo... Read More

News Briefs

Briefly noted

By John Zipperer

Over the next 18 months, San Francisco Recreation and Park Department will begin phasing out loud, gas-powered leaf blowers in favor of quieter electric bowers. Though the high em... Read More

News Briefs

Facts and figures

By John Zipperer

153: rank of San Francisco in Wallethub’s list of the 182 most stressful cities to live in America . . . 20 percent: greater amount of land covered by Golden Gate Park than New ... Read More

Issue August 2021