Features

Bay Area bartender Erik Proctor says San Francisco’s LGBTQ community recently has “come a long way” in terms of accepting diversity. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Last Call with Saul: Catching up with mixologist Erik Proctor

The Mix bartender says SF could be doing more to help during pandemic

Bay Area bartender Erik Proctor says San Francisco’s LGBTQ community recently has “come a long way” in terms of accepting diversity. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Parents who must stay at home with their children during the pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance under a federal law that went into effect in April. (Courtesy photo)

Family First Coronavirus Response Act offers childcare help

Expanded Family Medical Leave Act accommodates working parents’ needs

Parents who must stay at home with their children during the pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance under a federal law that went into effect in April. (Courtesy photo)
South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

South African Chenin Blanc captivates as an alternative white wine

Country’s Coastal Region a primary source of the varietal into the future

South Africa produces much of the world’s white wine, including versatile chenin blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)

‘America’s Summer Road Trip’ showcases notable historic sites

Free online journey takes U.S. history lovers to 12 places of interest

The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Massachusetts, the 10 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Aug. 1 stop on America’s Summer Road Trip, tells the story of a woman who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials. (Courtesy Henry S. Rutkowski)
San Francisco legislators have proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal for employers of essential workers to discriminate against them if they have coronavirus. (Courtesy photo)

New protections for SF employees tested for COVID-19 on the job

The City has stepped up to provide clarity in pandemic era’s time of uncertainty

San Francisco legislators have proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal for employers of essential workers to discriminate against them if they have coronavirus. (Courtesy photo)
DJ Denise Dunne, who moved to San Francisco in the 1970s, was at the forefront of the era’s music scene. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

DJ found home in SF’s countercultural communities in the 1970s

After 45 years in The City, 38 spent in the same Noe…

DJ Denise Dunne, who moved to San Francisco in the 1970s, was at the forefront of the era’s music scene. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)

To taste or not to taste: Winery visit during a pandemic

A pleasant cheat day at Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley

Saul contemplates a “Medieval Times” show during his visit to the picturesque winery Castello di Amorosa in Calistoga. (Courtesy photo)
Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)

Have passport, but should you travel?

Access to reliable health care not guaranteed overseas

Traveling overseas isn’t necessarily safe for several reasons, including a lack of enforcing distancing on flights and in terminals. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco’s CAREN Act would make it illegal to make false police reports based on race. (Courtesy photo)

Pertinent details about the timely CAREN Act

Proposed law aims to protect rights of minorities often victims of fraudulent emergency calls

San Francisco’s CAREN Act would make it illegal to make false police reports based on race. (Courtesy photo)
Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)

Biodynamic Hawk and Horse Vineyards serves up a trio of fine vintages

Bordeaux-style wines come from Lake County

Tracey and Mitch Hawkins of Hawk and Horse Vineyards pose with a Scottish Highlands cow. (Courtesy Rocco Ceselin)
During the pandemic, there is no blanket exemption for people who, due to a medical condition, want to refrain from wearing a mask in a hotel. (Courtesy photo)

Medical disability rights in the era of COVID-19

Those who cannot wear masks may register concerns with government agencies

During the pandemic, there is no blanket exemption for people who, due to a medical condition, want to refrain from wearing a mask in a hotel. (Courtesy photo)
The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip — Part Three

The third of a three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

The dependable Vinny Von Van, supplied by ModVans, is hooked up at Bear Lake Venture RV Park, Utah. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Coronavirus does not take holidays off, but mistakes happen

I seemingly forgot the potential severity of being around strangers

People were out and about, not social distancing, during SF Pride last week. (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Ericka Scott, a curator and fellow at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, is getting assistance from her husband, who is incarcerated, to mount “Restoration,” an exhibition of work by people in prison. (Kevin Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Restorative art on the inside and out

Curator Ericka Scott organizes exhibition of works by prisoners

Ericka Scott, a curator and fellow at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, is getting assistance from her husband, who is incarcerated, to mount “Restoration,” an exhibition of work by people in prison. (Kevin Hume/S.F. Examiner)
People who are arrested by police are entitled to make three phone calls, according to California law. (Courtesy photo)

Your rights when you are detained: Do you really get a phone call?

By Christopher Dolan and Casey Hultin Detained? No. Arrested and booked? Yes.…

People who are arrested by police are entitled to make three phone calls, according to California law. (Courtesy photo)
(Shutterstock)

Summer learning can be fun

It’s been almost a month since the 2019-20 school year ended, and…

(Shutterstock)
Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)

The Great American Road Trip – Part Two

A three-part series chronicling road travel as America slowly reopens

Hoodoos and canyons populate Fairyland Trail Loop at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Julie Kessler/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Winemaker Isabel Galindo led a tour of Las Moradas de San Martin in Spain. (Courtesy photo)

Winemaker Isabel Galindo showcases garnacha from Madrid

Las Moradas de San Martin began making fine wine in 1999

Winemaker Isabel Galindo led a tour of Las Moradas de San Martin in Spain. (Courtesy photo)
A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sierra Nevada outings beat blues of vicious virus

Hikes offer chance to stretch legs without rubbing elbows

A short and scenic hike leads to the base of Horsetail Falls from Highway 50. (Matt Johanson/Special to S.F. Examiner)
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 15, 2020 stated that an employer who fires an employee for being gay or transgender is violating the law. (Courtesy photo)

Supreme Court decision a monumental ruling for LBGTQ rights

Anti-discrimination employment protections in Civil Rights Act extended across the U.S.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 15, 2020 stated that an employer who fires an employee for being gay or transgender is violating the law. (Courtesy photo)