THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
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Independence days
by John Zipperer
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Happy Fourth of July! Whether you’re into fireworks, political contemplation, or just relaxing and maybe cooking out on this national holiday, we wish you a safe and happy Fourth.
How many people actually spend their holidays paying attention to the original purpose of the day off? I admit to giving nary a thought to Lincoln, Polk, or any of the other presidents on Presidents Day. And I can’t be the only one who gets Memorial Day and Labor Day mixed up.
But we Americans make a big to-do about the Fourth of July, ensuring it is a celebration of the country’s successful extrication from the clutches of Great Britain, which at one time was Public Enemy #1, because of taxes or some such. Then they became our best friends, so all’s good.
I’ve got a couple podcast suggestions to help you celebrate Independence Day 2024 in style.
First, Melissa Caen and I go back to the country’s Founders to come up with some answers to the questions being bandied about by Democrats trying to move beyond President Biden’s, um, debacle of a debate. Most of the smarts in that conversation come from Melissa, an attorney and political analyst who has a remarkable ability to take a lot of deep-dive information and present it in a way that doesn’t require you to have a Ph.D. in political history. It’s a fun conversation, and it even reveals just why we have a vice president in this country after all. The reason would be familiar to any businessperson: It was designed by committee.
And keep a lookout for next week’s Voice Weekly podcast, which we’ll be dropping this weekend. It represents another kind of independence; Melissa Caen and I interview Jared Klickstein, a young man who spent a decade struggling with addictions, sometimes living on the streets, and being failed by almost every government and nonprofit that was supposed to help addicts get off the street. He’s got some jaw-dropping stories (such as casually mentioning losing body parts while on a bender, or the shocking method he considered using to get housing and medical care). But Jared’s been clean since 2018; he’s employed, back with family, and author of a new book; and he’s a source of great insight into the lives of people struggling to overcome addiction. We’re happy to help him celebrate his independence from the street, and we look forward to all of his future contributions to our world.
Happy Independence Day, everyone.
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When Gavin Newsom was District 2 supervisor and wrote a column for the Marina Times, it was evident even then his aspirations were much larger than leading a seven square-mile city. I once teased him that he couldn’t finish a job, to which he did that cocky side to side thing with his head, flashed his pearly whites, and laughed, albeit a bit uncomfortably. As governor — simply another steppingstone in his dream of becoming president — Newsom has made some questionable staffing decisions […]
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Politically motivated dark money news websites outpaced ethical local news outlets
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Out and About
What to do this week
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Thursday, July 4
Today’s Downtown First Thursdays promises a hot-dog-eating contest with Peaches Christ, a glow-in-the-dark parade, music by Coco & Breezy and the Motown on Mondays D.J.s in addition to kiddo fun, a street discoteca with “the biggest disco ball west of the Mississippi,” beer gardens, wandering street performers, and tons more. Check it out on Second Street from Market to Howard, 5–10 p.m. Free admission, but reserve here.
A front-row view of the fireworks, which will be launched from two barges on the bay, will be aboard the historic liberty ship, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, docked at Pier 35 in Fisherman’s Wharf. Get there early for seating. Tickets from $25.
See more upcoming events online.
Listen up! Our podcasts
- Voice Weekly: Answering Questions About Replacing Biden—Melissa Caen Explains the Law
- John Rothmann: Celebrate our independence and San Francisco with the Golden Gate Park Band
- Building in San Francisco: quicker? With John Rothmann
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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