THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2025
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Season of unforced errors
by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
People must be tired. Members of the city’s political class are apparently making a lot of rookie mistakes. It may be time for Mayor Daniel Lurie to declare a timeout and have everyone take a nap.
Take, for instance, our stories below. Susan Dyer Reynolds covers how Christin Evans, aspiring millstone of San Francisco homelessness policy, forgot she needed to reapply for her seat on the Homelessness Oversight Commission. Meanwhile, John Trasviña reports on how this week’s highly contentious Board of Education Meeting may have ended up with a vote that wasn’t a valid vote at all.
Then there’s the ongoing parade of consequences being endured by the besieged District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio. His support for Proposition K, a ballot measure to close the Upper Great Highway to vehicle traffic and create the Potemkin Park Sunset Dunes, provoked yet another recall campaign by angry westsiders — this time against him.
Now comes word that Engardio has a recordkeeping problem. The recall campaign made full use of the intersection of 22nd Street and Irving Street to tell local media all about it this morning. The conference attracted about 70 people including media, and featured San Francisco Political Time Lord Quentin Kopp, Richmond District activist Rich Correia, and Sunset business owner Albert Chow as speakers.
The mistake? Engardio’s office appears to have deleted, or perhaps forgot to reenter, a calendar entry in May 2024 of a meeting with Todd David, the political director of tech-driven PAC Abundant SF, and Lucas Lux, president of Friends of Great Highway Park, from a schedule report submitted to the city’s Ethics Commission.
Now if the meeting was for personal business or maybe even campaign work, some campaign legal eagles tell us, that’s not a big deal. But it takes place in late May 2024, shortly before Engardio introduced what would become Proposition K at the board. If the meeting was about an official act by Engardio as supervisor, and given the timeline and people involved, it certainly looks that way, then his office made a big boo-boo.
Everybody, get some sleep. Please.
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Top News
REYNOLDS RAP
Christin Evans wants her seat back on the Homeless Oversight Commission
Here’s why the Board of Supervisors shouldn’t give it to her (a two-part series; Part 1 Part 2).
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
On the city of San Francisco’s website, the Homeless Oversight Commission displays a list of seven appointees, four selected by the mayor and three by the Board of Supervisors. Six of the seven seats expire between 2027 and 2029, except for one, which expired May 1, 2025. The box reads, “VACANT. Term expired 5/1/25. Holdover member — Christin Evans.”
Perhaps Evans was busy banning Harry Potter books at her bookstore on Haight Street — or, in a perfect world, she decided not to reapply after realizing Mayor Daniel Lurie’s administration doesn’t believe “Permanent Supportive Housing” (a.k.a. “free housing forever for drug tourists”) should be a thing. More than likely, though, Evans just got comfortable like the rest of San Francisco’s mostly useless commissioners and forgot that her term was up.
EDUCATION
Confusing end to school board meeting creates more questions for ethnic studies
Confusion over procedure during a contentious school board meeting may make a controversial vote on an ethnic studies curriculum invalid.
by John Trasviña
CITY HALL
S.F. lawmakers tackle tough bills before recess
Supervisors will be taking August off after votes on shelter compromise, storefront zoning.
by Mike Ege
Quote of the week
“We are pouring millions into keeping people alive without investing enough in the steps – accessible treatment, counseling, and recovery programs. If we stop at naloxone, we’re failing those who need real pathways to healing.”
— Gina McDonald, cofounder of Mothers Against Addiction and Drug Deaths, on the missing factors in San Francisco’s substance abuse policies, in San Francisco’s drug users projected to cost $7,452 a day in naloxone alone
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
CITY HALL
S.F. lawmakers tackle tough bills before recess
Supervisors will be taking August off after votes on shelter compromise, storefront zoning.
by Mike Ege
VOICE BOX
To reduce SFMTA deficits, turn the cable car over to a private operator
A Private operation would allow for fare adjustment and optimized service
by Marc Joffe
A&E
SFMOMA acquires cutting-edge contemporary art collection
New works span mediums from Northern California and worldwide artists.
by Sharon Anderson
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EVENTS
Out and about July 30– Aug. 6
What to do this week and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Most of us love our San Francisco summers, right? I particularly like the singing bridge in the fog (although others find it maddening). In any case, we have some outdoor events this week, like rowing in the new India Basin Park and some nature events, too. And a lot is going on in Golden Gate Park, including the Grateful Dead tribute. Add some cultural events from dance to music and more, and there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Thursday, July 31
Grahame Lesh & Friends will host a concert series, The Heart of Town, at Pier 48 in Mission Rock in celebration of the Grateful Dead and the spirit of San Francisco. Through Saturday. Tickets from $276
This made me chuckle for some reason, maybe it’s its simplicity: Pairings: Corn. Well, why not? The quintessential summer veggie, who doesn’t like corn? Or popcorn? Or tortilla chips? At this Exploratorium After Dark event, you can learn about corn’s science and history and enjoy some tastings. Tickets: $23
Friday, Aug. 1
Deadheads won’t want to miss Dead & Company, the three-day tribute to the Grateful Dead, celebrating 60 years of their music with special guests. Through Sunday. Tickets from $635.
Shakedown in the Park, a pop-up marketplace along JFK Promenade, will feature handmade goods, food, art, clothing, and more, like lots of Deadheads. Free.
Pōpoloheno – Songs of Resilience & Joy is a music presentation celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of African descendants in Hawaii following its discovery. The program features original mele inoa, songs that honor and celebrate individuals and their lineage, ensuring their legacies become an integral part of Hawaiian cultural memory. An impressive roster of artists will join four-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Pe‘a. Tickets from $52.
The San Francisco Symphony will present Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, featuring the singer on screen leading audiences in a “visual-musical journey” of her songs with guest vocalists and musicians. Tickets from $39.
Listen to our podcasts
- What happened at the BOE on Ethnic Studies with Quincy Yu.
- Good news about higher education in California
- Efforts to revitalize downtown S.F., problems with health care and the challenges we face with ethnic studies
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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