THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, AUG. 13, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
The United Democratic Club hosted an open-air forum for District 8 Supervisor hopefuls at the Noe Valley Town Square, serving up political pitches in a manner usually reserved for revenge, as speakers and attendees had to bundle up against the cold toward the end of the 90-minute event.
The four candidates — Michael Nguyen, Manny Yekutiel, Gary McCoy and Darshini Patel — spent most of the evening debating housing, homelessness, Muni, public safety and surveillance, with a recurring underlying question: How much change is ambitious, and how much is just promising — and this phrase surfaced repeatedly — unicorns and rainbows?
Given the bucolic bubble that is Noe Valley, housing and transportation were the dominant issues. Yekutiel came armed with the biggest policy goals of the night: 10,000 new homes in District 8 over eight years, a Market Street “housing priority district,” substantial redevelopment of underused sites, and the conversion of garages and backyards into apartments. He also produced an impressive list of specific sites where he believes housing could go.
Nguyen was enthusiastic about one type of housing — social housing — but then repeatedly resorted to referencing the aforementioned unicorns and rainbows. McCoy essentially said, sure, build there, but first figure out why projects already approved aren’t getting built. Patel argued that the city needs a district-wide strategy rather than inventing special zoning schemes.
On Muni, the candidates generally agreed that the system needs more money and better service. Yekutiel offered the grand vision of a vastly expanded subway system. Others were more concerned with the slightly less glamorous but perhaps more immediately useful goals of reliable buses, adequate operators, and the protection of existing service.
Regrettably, less space was given to public safety and street conditions. In particular, drug policy was glossed over, and given McCoy’s role in past programs dominated by harm reduction, this stood out. Most candidates groused about the city’s growing arsenal of cameras and license-plate readers. Yekutiel was more supportive of the current scheme, but not at the cost of creating a surveillance state, especially given the nature of the administration in Washington.
On homelessness, candidates mostly rejected the idea that simply clearing encampments solved the problem. Patel emphasized prevention and housing assistance. McCoy called for more family-sized affordable housing, vouchers and restoration of peer workers to street-crisis teams. Nguyen opposed involuntary conservatorship except as an extreme last resort.
Yekutiel was the exception, giving Mayor Daniel Lurie’s approach an enthusiastic thumbs-up. He argued the city should continue the current approach, while demanding measurable results. He proposed safe-sleeping sites and cabins in District 8 and argued that people shouldn’t be allowed to sleep on the street if an alternative is available.
When asked for hoped-for measurable accomplishments, candidates revealed their respective brands. McCoy promised more housing and better bicycle infrastructure. Nguyen offered social housing, vacant-storefront activation, free Muni for young adults and universal childcare. Yekutiel doubled down on his 10,000 homes goal and filling all vacant storefronts in the district. Patel promised a brass tacks approach — getting stalled projects built, expanding childcare capacity, and enforcing the vacant-storefront tax.
Organizers had attempted to get this race’s hyrax-in-the-room issue — allegations that Yekutiel had sexually assaulted someone at a party several years ago — out of the way early with a question that allowed Yekutiel to again deny the charge and all candidates to voice support for victims. But toward the end a street theater tag team out of central casting disrupted proceedings, the stouter one alternatively shouting “we believe survivors” and “free Palestine” while the slimmer grumbling one in bunny ears repeatedly chided organizers for chilling free speech. Of course, it wouldn’t be a San Francisco debate without the diversion.
In the end, Yekutiel offered the biggest vision and biggest promises; Nguyen managed to produce a stodgy conservative mien from progressive rhetoric; McCoy emphasized practical implementation and development; and Patel positioned herself as the candidate who wants to make City Hall actually function before promising to remake the city. But some pressing issues remained unaddressed.
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EVENTS
Out and about Aug. 13–19, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Fogust aside, there are some outdoor events across the city as well as some indoor events. Read on and enjoy.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Don’t miss Aura, an immersive light-and-sound show that weaves the history of Grace Cathedral into a “canvas of light, music, and projection.” 7:30 and 8:45 p.m. through Aug. 29. Tickets from $26.
Friday, Aug. 14
Mark your calendar for the Chinatown Night Market every second Friday. Stroll the street under the festive red lanterns while you eat, drink, shop, and support the merchants. 5 to 9 p.m. on Grant Avenue and Waverly Place. Free admission.
Saturday, Aug. 15
I have fond dahlia feelings: joy at having one rebloom and delight at seeing some in the window of a local florist with blooms the size of a human head. These beauties are not shy about their showiness. If you’re also a fan of the city’s official flower, you won’t want to miss the annual Dahlia Show and Competition. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Sunday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at the Hall of Flowers
Merola Grand Finale will celebrate the conclusion of their Summer Festival, with opera’s rising stars performing arias and ensembles before they head off to world stages. 7:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Opera House. Tickets from $10.
The fourth annual Pizza, Bagel and Beer Music Festival will take over North Beach today. Taste unlimited bites from over 36 pizzerias and pizza makers, sips from craft breweries, and unlimited bagel slices, while picnicking to live music in Washington Square. Noon to 4 p.m. on Stockton and Filbert streets. Tickets from $70, which benefit local causes.
Sunday, Aug. 16
Enjoy live performances from deaf, deaf/disabled, and hearing artists from across the world at the 14th annual Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival Community Day. Organized by the Urban Jazz Dance Company, the festival begins with an interactive youth workshop and also features booths from local deaf organizations and vendors. ASL interpretation provided. Noon to 4 p.m. at the Presidio Tunnel Tops East Meadow. Free admission.
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