THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024
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Powered by science
by John Zipperer
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
This week, we published a conversation I had with Dr. Melanie Ott, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology. Our topic was the outbreak and spread of the mpox virus — the facts about it, what people should know about it, what scientists in San Francisco are doing about it. Even though we were discussing a terrible virus, I went away from the conversation feeling happy. I usually do after speaking with scientists.
Back in my tech journalism days, some of the highlights included visits to Sun Microsystems’ campus to meet with their top scientists, or our entire editorial team heading to Armonk, New York, to talk with IBM’s geniuses. Later, interviewing theoretical physicist Michio Kaku was fun — he shared examples of incredible breakthrough work taking place in labs around the world.
That kind of thing makes me feel happy, and it should make everyone feel happy.
The fact that it doesn’t make everyone happy raises some important questions about our media and our educational systems. But the Bay Area is not the only place where the economy is powered by cutting-edge science; every industry in the country from agriculture to climate tech to automobiles is powered by cutting-edge science. In the health sciences area, that’s inescapably true, and we’ve got some of the best brains in the world right here in San Francisco addressing everything from cancer to AIDS to, yes, mpox.
And that’s a reason for happiness and hope. Powered by science.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
SOTTO VOCE
Democrats for No Change
Moderate fave for District 5 Bilal Mahmood “abstains” from DA race; Aaron Peskin wants to stop VCs from buying up neighborhoods (unless he gets a box of chocolates); small businesses pen letter calling Dean Preston ‘a liar’
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
First, a confession: In March of 2002, San Franciscans voted to pass ranked choice voting (RCV) as an amendment to the City Charter, and I was one of those voters. The measure passed, and it has been confusing voters in every city election since 2004. Not only that, RCV often leads to the least popular and least qualified candidates slipping into office and the most popular candidate not […]
ELECTION 2024
GrowSF asks D5 supervisor candidate Autumn Looijen to move aside
Political advocacy group has endorsed Bilal Mahmood
by Erica Sandberg
ELECTION 2024
Fielder notably absent at forum dedicated to ‘digital divide,’ related issues
by Mike Ege
Quote of the week
“The escalated state oversight has further highlighted the need for SFUSD to take corrective action to eliminate deficit spending and implement sustainable financial practices. We all share the goal of returning SFUSD’s budget to local control.”
—Laura Dudnick, SFUSD executive director of communications, on KQED
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
A&E
Star power short-circuited
When it comes to the movie business, the road to hell can be paved with good actors.
by Michael Snyder
NEWS
San Francisco’s role in the mpox fight
Q. & A. with Dr. Melanie Ott, director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology
by John Zipperer
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EVENTS
Out and About
What to do this weekend
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Although it’s technically still summer until Sept. 22, Labor Day weekend, the “unofficial end of summer,” is just a few days away. Many are traveling this last three-day weekend of the year, but if you’re doing a staycation, here are my pics for upcoming things to do to get you out and about.
Friday, Aug. 30
The winner of over 100 international awards including a Grammy and three Tony Awards, Wicked tells the story of a friendship between two young women, discrimination, and corruption in the not-so-merry land of Oz. Through Oct. 13 at the Orpheum. Tickets from $80.
Saturday, Aug. 31
The Kings Mountain Art Fair in Woodside is hands down my all-time favorite. The offerings are gallery quality and the stunning venue with meandering paths through a redwood grove simply can’t be beat. Add to that the fair’s proceeds support the local volunteer fire brigade and elementary school. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. through Monday. Free admission.
Also the last Saturday of the month is a Jazz Jam in Hayes Valley, where singers and musicians do their thing. If you want to come listen, that’s fine, too. 1–4 p.m., Hayes Valley Art Works. Free ($5–$20 donation welcome), sign up here.
Listen up! Our podcasts
- Voice Weekly: Jonathan Brown on the latest mayoral poll, with Melissa Caen and John Zipperer
- John Rothmann interviews Autumn Looijen, candidate for supervisor of District 5
- John Rothmann interviews Scotty Jacobs, candidate for supervisor of District 5
- John Rothmann interviews Bilal Mahmood, candidate for supervisor of District 5
- John Rothmann interviews Trevor Chandler, candidate for supervisor of District 9
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
Support our newsroom
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