One of the many heated debates in San Francisco is when the city will truly reboot. Must there be safety first? If so, the city would need more police officers, less crime. There would have to be a vast reduction in drug dealers on the streets and addicts perishing before our eyes. Communities would have to be swept, painted, tidied, and repaired. Oh, and either more or fewer cars and parks (depending on your perspective). And let’s not forget about “affordable” housing for all.
After that, San Francisco could really start again. Businesses would launch and hire, visitors would visit and spend. Families would take root in every neighborhood and children would attend excellent public schools. Theaters, restaurants, bars, and retailers of every size will overflow.
Only then will we have pride again in San Francisco.
Nonsense. Stop waiting. Get out, now.
Life attracts life
This is where events like Downtown First Thursdays come in. This free monthly party is held on Second Street between Market and Howard streets, and offers D.J.s, live music, a wide variety of entertainment, food, drink, and things to buy.
For a prior First Thursdays I tagged along with Rob Stobo, founder of the Bay Area Bright Futures Foundation (BABF) a group that funds local initiatives to help underserved youth. It’s also helping to get people back to the office. It recently secured a partnership between a ride-sharing company and public transportation, which will reduce transportation costs to and from work. (Details soon to be published here, so be on the lookout.)
When people are out having a great time, good things follow.
Before we left for the outdoor party, I asked Stobo if he believed a perfect (or least a much improved) urban environment was required for the city’s credit rating to escalate. No, not at all, he said. When people are out having a great time, good things follow. Just get involved, be active, and take part in the system.
Stobo is walking the talk. During the 2024 election, he dove in, throwing events for candidates he believed in, like Matthew Boschetto, who ran for District 7 supervisor and Catherine Stefani, former District 2 supervisor, now California Assemblywoman for District 19. He says he loves San Francisco and wants to ensure that everyone in the city has all the opportunities to flourish.
Concentrating efforts in the struggling Financial District makes sense. After all, if there aren’t enough companies currently filling the empty office buildings, why not bring the people to the streets?
Hence First Thursdays. I found the atmosphere to be genuinely joyous. Not forced, but lighthearted and real. The city looked amazing, too, with a backdrop of stunning architecture, where sleek modern skyscrapers are gorgeously juxtaposed against the classics. Beats were thumping. People of all ages were dancing, walking around, chatting. There were plenty of unique vendors to peruse, and created spaces for Instagram-worthy photos, such as the grounded disco ball.
Do the right thing and enjoy yourself
“Everyone should contribute to the city, whether supporting city events, volunteering, or attending political events,” said Stobo, who believes that such community rallying is growing daily. Still, he acknowledges that there must be balance. Every party eventually ends, and seriousness must begin.
Without doubt, fixing San Francisco requires consistent hard work and a commitment to making sure money goes to places that won’t fritter it away — or worse. BABF vets carefully. For example, it provides grants to proven organizations that promote healthy local communities. Just one is The Salvation Army Kroc Center, which offers after-school services, summer camp programs, and meals to children, as well as housing assistance in its 38,000-square-foot facility in the Tenderloin.
Debate settled
San Francisco is already on the mend, not just because of fun social events that inspire residents to get out and about, but with commitments from people like Stobo who are willing to get involved and support worthy organizations and initiatives.
Improvements aren’t happening fast enough for many, but the city is changing and the general consensus is that it’s for the better. There’s no reason to delay being part of the action. Utopia will never exist, particularly in Baghdad by the Bay.
Check out the next Downtown First Thursdays on April 3, from 5–10 p.m. Rain or dry.
