THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024
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Conventional thinking
by John Zipperer
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Today is the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Republicans had theirs a month ago just 90 miles away in Milwaukee. And with that, the major political conventions are over for a while. Chicago has hosted more of the major parties’ political conventions than any other U.S. city, including four years in which it hosted both major party conventions.
So what about San Francisco? Well, we’re kind of underperforming in that respect. Let’s take a fun trip through some data.
Only four conventions have been held here, and that’s only if you expand the definition of “San Francisco” to include Daly City, which hosted the GOP convention in 1956 and 1964. San Francisco itself only hosted two conventions. The Democrats convened here in 1920 (anyone remember who was nominated that year? It was presidential nominee James Cox, whom you’ve probably never heard of, paired with a vice presidential pick you have heard about: Franklin D. Roosevelt). (They lost.) They came again in 1984, when Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro were nominated. (They lost.)
Maybe national conventions don’t come to San Francisco because it’s the kiss-of-death for their nominees? (The GOP has a mixed record in their Daly-City-sorta-San-Francisco conventions; Eisenhower won in a landslide in 1956, and Barry Goldwater lost in a landslide eight years later.)
Hometown pride would urge us to get more political conventions and the related deluge of media coverage. But we’ll have to wait until a party is brave enough to risk the San Francisco nominee curse.
Okay, speech over. Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
SOTTO VOCE
Four years after Troy McAlister killed Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt, their families still wait for justice
Over the next several weeks, Sotto Voce will be updating the status of some high profile San Francisco criminal cases
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
McAlister was booked for driving a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, running a red light, speeding, hit and run, manslaughter, burglary, resisting arrest, driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs, DUI causing injury, possession of methamphetamines, possession of methamphetamines for sale, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a large capacity firearm magazine. And, it turns out, McAlister was the same man arrested June 28, Aug. 20, Oct. 15, Nov. 6, and Dec. 20, for which he served a combined 11 days in jail. […]
CRIME
Because of judicial error, courts toss dozens of misdemeanor cases without a trial
San Francisco judges should inform us about what goes on in court
by John Trasviña
NEWS
She said, he said: Pelosi vs. Wiener on A.I. bill
State senator’s SB 1047 A.I. regulation bill draws heated opposition
by John Zipperer
Quote of the week
“You’ll never forget that a bush is just randomly jumping out at you on the street.”
—Cory Barnette, Bushman, CBS Bay Area News
Nomi toon
ICYMI
BITS & BITES
Mikiko Ando, the West Coast’s only woman omakase chef, offers incredible experience at Sushi Adachi
Her not-to-miss dish? (Hint: you’ve never had uni this good)
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
CRIME
Two armed robbery suspects apprehended after vehicle pursuit ends with collision at 3rd St and Folsom
by FriscoLive415
RIGHT STUFF
Bringing a little Midwest hustle to the art community in San Francisco
Gallery owner on Clement Street is committed to art and community
by Ixchel Acosta
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EVENTS
Out and About
What to do this weekend
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
I hope you’re enjoying your summer whether trips abroad, visits to family wherever, or just staying put, because there will always be things to do in San Francisco. Here are my picks for the weekend and a recommendation for next week.
Friday, Aug. 23
The San Francisco Playhouse’s production of the Tony Award-winning Evita is in the final stretch, with the final performance Sept. 7, so there’s still time see the acclaimed musical about the powerful Argentine matriarch Eva Perón as she charts a new era in history. Tickets from $30.
Saturday, Aug. 24
It’s the Dog Days of Summer over at the TreasureFest on Treasure Island today and Sunday. While always pet-friendly, this weekend will feature a doggie fashion show, themed cocktails and “dogtails,” special food bites for you both, pet vendors, live music, and more like wares from over 300 vendors and family fun for all including the doggos. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tickets: $15–$20.
Tuesday, Aug. 27
You won’t want to miss the Will and Willie 2024 Presidential Election Special No. 1, hosted by political satirist Will Durst and yes, that Willie, our former mayor. The Will and Willie Show is a periodic podcast, TV, and radio talk show broadcast from iconic venues through the city, and tonight’s will be at Manny’s, which will also be broadcast live on the Will and Willie YouTube channel. The show is a fundraiser for Durst, who suffered a severe stroke in 2019, and continues to recover. Tickets: $20 and some change.
Listen up! Our podcasts
- John Rothmann interviews Danny Sauter, candidate for Supervisor of District 3
- John Rothmann interviews Myrna Melgar, supervisor of District 7
- John Rothmann interviews Stephen Martin Pinto, candidate for supervisor of District 7
- John Rothmann interviews Matt Boschetto, candidate for supervisor of District 7
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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