THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, NOV. 13, 2025
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
District 4’s new Supervisor, Beya Alcaraz, made her first official appearance at the board this week. Although the board was off for the Veterans Day holiday, they convened a special meeting on Monday to approve legislation appropriating funds to backfill SNAP benefits suspended by the federal government shutdown. Alcaraz’s first official act was to ask to be named as a cosponsor of the bill, which passed unanimously.
Outside the chambers, Alcaraz continued to endure some criticism regarding the nature of her appointment, her qualifications, and her background. At least one commentator made fun of the oversized pantsuit she wore at some press conferences. However, we understand from a casual perusal of the fashion press that this is actually a trend. So, either the new supe is trendy, or she borrowed a suit from Art Agnos like Matt Gonzalez did.
More troubling are the revelations over the breakdown of her pet retail business, which have been heavily detailed by both the Chronicle and the Standard. When we first got the tip that Alcaraz got the appointment and posted it on X,(scooping everyone, by the way) we noted that she had briefly run a pet rescue nonprofit that the Secretary of State had suspended. When we asked her office about this they responded that Alcaraz had filed the paperwork to establish the entity, but decided not to follow through, so it was never active.
That dovetails with the narrative of being overwhelmed by running a business while commuting across two counties to go to school (Alcaraz attended Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill in addition to City College of San Francisco), but questions remain. They should be answered before the supervisor is christened “Supervisor Pig Pen” by some wag.
There’s also the reaction to the appointment just outside the chambers — that is, among her new colleagues and staff at City Hall. So far, what we know about Beya Alcaraz that might be relevant to her credentials for the job are that she ran a failed business in her district; she has no degree, no experience as an organizer, activist, aide, or appointed or elected official, and she even failed to vote in three consequential elections since 2019.
Mind you, this is San Francisco, where serious candidates for the Board of Supervisors generally have some experience as activists or officials, and policy experts come to work as aides from as far away as the Beltway. From what we’re hearing, the reactions on the second floor range from confusion to outright offense. Some wonder whether the appointment is a big “F*ck You” from Mayor Daniel Lurie.
“They want her to succeed, but they will basically write her off as a pawn of the mayor,” is one thought we’ve heard.
Finally, there is also how the appointment will be seen by constituents, and whether the dwarf on the hill on the other side of town can spin that sentiment into a narrative that could not only sink Alcaraz, but also what many regard as a relatively well-functioning Board of Supervisors over the next couple of rounds of elections.
Surviving that is a tall order.
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Top News
DRUGS
Open data shows S.F. police drug calls surge 50 percent in two days
New website tracking police call and response times finds a troubling anomaly
by Liz Le
In addition to tracking real-time dispatch, 911sf.org calculates real-time response times from police and ranks police station districts on a rolling 48-hour basis. The website’s developer, who spoke with The Voice but wishes to maintain anonymity, recently noticed a “wobble” in the rate for drug calls, including both to 911 and nonemergency calls to police. On Nov. 3, calls were down to 34. On Nov. 10, it hit 81. The normal rates seen previously “were around 50-60,” according to the developer.
OPINION
All Rise: San Francisco’s escalation is separate and unequal
Today the divide between San Francisco’s best and worst is widening. We are becoming two cities, separated by an unequal acceptance of basic standards for public safety and human dignity.
by Erica Sandberg
TRANSPORTATION
Sept. 24 N-Judah near-crash: Driver asleep at the wheel
The runaway vehicle, which barreled unchecked through the Sunset Tunnel, narrowly averted a catastrophic head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle, reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour as it hurled towards Duboce Park.
by Liz Le
Quote of the week
“They don’t mention that their parents are Israeli, to be told, ‘How could you possibly support a genocide?’ So it just basically silences discussion. It silences dissent, and it’s intimidating.”
— Oakland attorney Marleen Sacks on continuing discrimination in Oakland schools against Jews, in “State finds Oakland Unified created ‘discriminatory environment’ for Jewish students”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
DOWNTOWN RECOVERY
Not so fast on a Hail Mary for Macy’s Union Square
The retail giant will explore ‘re-envisioning’ its Union Square location. Will it end up being what residents expect?
by Erica Sandberg
EDUCATION
State finds Oakland Unified created ‘discriminatory environment’ for Jewish students
Department of Education affirms claims; district commits to staff training on antisemitism
by EdSource staff
A&E
True stories reclaim past glories
Two filmmakers endeavoring to preserve significant moments from the past in their latest projects deliver fascinating images of personalities and eras they chose to conjure.
by Michael Snyder
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EVENTS
Out and about Nov. 13–19, 2025
What to do this weekend and beyond
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
As we head into the inevitable holidays, here’s a range of preholiday events (mostly), including music, from a cappella to classical and contemporary; a film festival and a speaker series; sips and shopping; and more, like some beautiful light installations.
Thursday, Nov. 13
There’s still time to see Let’s Glow S.F., which illuminates eight landmark sites downtown, including the Transamerica Redwood Park, with large-scale animated projection art. 5:30 to 10 p.m. Here through Friday. Free.
And you have more time to see AURA: An Immersive Odyssey of Breathtaking Proportions, another light projection that’s been traveling the globe to rave reviews. It comes to us here at Grace Cathedral accompanied by original symphonic music. Select days and times through December. Tickets from $28.
Friday, Nov. 14
Francophiles will enjoy the third edition of San Francisco French Cinema Days, which opened last night, celebrating the best of French cinema with five movie screenings. Tonight is the drama Les Enfants vont bien, which involves a mother who disappears after unexpectedly showing up with her kids at her sister’s. 4 p.m. at the Vogue Theatre. Screenings of additional films through Sunday. Tickets: $27.
Tonight is the launch of the “Making History Fun Again Speaker Series” at the legendary Redwood Room. The monthly program is designed to bring the city’s colorful history to life, “while connecting generations through storytelling, culture, and spirited conversation” with speakers like the last living ex-con from Alcatraz, travel writers, and journalists. Several specialty cocktails inspired by the city’s past will also be available for purchase, including Pisco Punch, martinis, and others. Go early if you want to sip and shop. 6 p.m. at the Clift Hotel through Saturday (5 p.m.). Free with RSVP here.
Listen to our podcasts
- What can we really do about fentanyl use on our streets?
- New housing proposed in the Western Addition, Christine Pelosi will not run for the State Senate and the questions swirling around the newly appointed Supervisor in District 4.
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- The Cliff House to reopen, how to save MUNI and a call to rewrite the S.F. City Charter!
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