THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2025
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
As the city’s political junkies continue to speculate over who Mayor Daniel Lurie will appoint as a replacement for recalled District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, Natalie Gee, top aide to District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, pulled papers this week to run in the June 2026 special election for the seat. Whoever wins that contest will also have to run in the regularly scheduled election the following November as well.
Gee, who lives in the Outer Sunset, has strong progressive credentials, having worked as Walton’s chief of staff since 2019 and as an organizer with the Chinese Progressive Association for over a decade. She has an ideal resume for a successor to Gordon Mar, who Engardio defeated in 2022, riding a wave of public outrage that spurred recalls of District Attorney Chesa Boudin and some members of the Board of Education.
Should Gee be elected, it may very well seem like those recalls never happened. That’s something worth thinking hard about.
Meanwhile, we’ve been seeing some other transitions in the policy shop space, most recently with Jim Wunderman, who served over 20 years as CEO of the Bay Area Council as well as in the mayoral administrations of both Frank Jordan and Dianne Feinstein, moving over to California Forever, the billionaire-backed concern working to develop a new city in Solano County just southeast of Travis Air Force Base. He’ll be joining fellow San Francisco policy expatriate Gabriel Metcalf, the former CEO of SPUR who serves as California Forever’s head of planning.
Another transition of sorts, like the electoral developments in District 4, beckons thoughts of what is old is new again, but in District 3. Progressive former supervisor, mayoral aspirant, and putative Oogosho Aaron Peskin is now treasurer of the North Beach Business Association, succeeding longtime jewelry artist Dan Macchiarini. Based on the legislative chicanery foisted on recent legislation from Peskin’s successor, Danny Sauter this week (see below) it would appear that Peskin’s title is for standing purposes only.
It sure looks like some people want the bad old days back. That’s something worth thinking hard about.
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Top News
LAW AND ORDER
Judge denies diversion for Hanako Abe and Elizabeth Platt killer Troy McAlister
Nov. 25 jury trial hearing set for man with over 100 felonies across multiple counties
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
“Your actions, in combination with some terrible luck, have resulted in two people losing their lives,” Care Court creator and lead judge Michael Begert told six-figure felon Troy McAlister in denying his request for diversion to drug court. “… I think the way forward, as I see it, is for you to face your community through the criminal justice system and take accountability.”
CITY HALL
District 3 zoning changes survive shenanigans at Board of Supervisors
“I think that this is a slippery slope going down this path, where other district supervisors want to write legislation for a different district,” she added. “It puts us on a path that I frankly don’t want to be on.”
by Mike Ege
POLITICS
Trump holds off on troops . . . for now
For his part, Trump did say he spoke with Lurie, but he downplayed the mayor’s impact and instead credited “[g]reat people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others” for convincing him to hold off on sending troops.
by John Zipperer
Quote of the week
“And good grief, Charlie Brown. It’s enough to drive a person to drink gin straight out of Snoopy’s supper bowl.”
—Elizabeth Statmore on the uneven media coverage around AB 715, in “Tall tales, recreational embellishments, or straight-up disinformation?”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
DRUGS
Federal forces in San Francisco’s fentanyl fight
What’s the background on federal forces in San Francisco regarding the fentanyl crisis?
by Liz Le
EDUCATION
San Francisco students struggle to read
District scores are sliding in the wrong direction due to audaciously high reading goals that will never be met.
by Carol Kocivar
POLITICS
SF Democrats honor change makers,boost fight against fentanyl at gala
‘Local and state political luminaries gathered in historic North Beach venue
by Sofia Wallace
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EVENTS
Out and about Oct. 29–Nov. Nov. 5, 2025
What to do this weekend and beyond
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Happy Halloween — again! I’m confident most of you have your plans set — from neighborhood trick-or-treating to decorated houses to the adult versions — but there are a few more below, along with some music, festivals, theater, a conversation with an interesting duo, and more.
Thursday, Oct. 30
We can always count on the Exploratorium to deliver a fun-filled evening, especially this time of year with some creepy science things like the Creepatorium, which sounds like it will live up to its name with events like a cow’s eye dissection, carnivorous plants, power tool pumpkin carving, ghost illusions, and lots more, including spooky vibes and a costume contest. Adults only. Tickets $23.
Friday, Oct. 31
If you’re up for a party of thousands of humankind perhaps the aptly named Nightmare on Front Street is for you. Schroeder’s, Harrington’s, and the Royal Exchange will offer Halloween-themed food and libations, and there will also be live music, costume contests, and more. 2–10 p.m. between California and Sacramento streets. Free admission, RSVP here.
The Tony Award-winning Suffs is based on the American women’s suffrage movement and focuses mainly on historical events leading up to the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Through Nov. 9 at the Orpheum. Tickets from $62.
We all love the movies filmed in our city, right? View one of the classics, Vertigo, at the San Francisco Symphony. Tickets from $170.
Saturday, Nov. 1
For tea lovers and the tea curious, the San Francisco International Tea Festival is the place to be. Enjoy complimentary unlimited tastings from over 30 local and global producers, lectures, a swag bag, and a souvenir porcelain tasting cup. Through Sunday at the Ferry Building (don’t forget to support the farmers at the market on Saturday). Tickets: $26 and change.
This is a favorite, and if you need to do holiday shopping, get it done early at the Renegade Craft Fair this weekend. Browse over 250 artists offering ceramics, glass art, apparel, textiles, leather goods, and more, including hands-on workshops. Enjoy local cuisine and music, and wander with your pup while enjoying your favorite libation. Through Sunday at Fort Mason (which is also another farmer’s market day, so bring your tote bags). Free admission.
It’s time for our favorite Fall Restaurant Week to get us out to eat. It’s a great way to explore and support our neighborhoods and have a great meal. If that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is. Participating restaurants here. Through Nov. 9. Brunch/lunch from $10; dinner from $30.
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