News Columnists

Owners of Levi’s Plaza on The Embarcadero say gas boilers on the property will be replaced by electric and solar sources in the next few years. (Shutterstock)

Big plans for clean power at Levi’s Plaza

Transition to net zero carbon in step with S.F.’s environmental goals

It will be interesting to see how many cab drivers are back on the road when state rules about unemployment benefits change. (Kevin Hume/The Examiner

Not everyone is optimistic about the reopening

Despite positive vibes, despair prevails for some of us

People walk along Ocean Beach on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

An ocean of emotion

Reflections on daily life along the Great Highway

On Tuesday, some folks around town — Jacob Hubbard is pictured in Dolores Park — gathered, and weren’t wearing masks. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner) (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

We made it to the other side!

Congrats, S.F., for handling hardship with compassion

On Tuesday, some folks around town — Jacob Hubbard is pictured in Dolores Park — gathered, and weren’t wearing masks. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner) (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Real estate agents say that trying to charm a homeowner into selling by writing a glowing letter is a practice that’s losing popularity. (Shutterstock)

Home-buying love letters are on the way out

What’s meant to promote fairness could end up being discriminatory

Real estate agents say that trying to charm a homeowner into selling by writing a glowing letter is a practice that’s losing popularity. (Shutterstock)
Kids Only in Los Altos, which closed due to the pandemic, has reopened in a new nearby location. (Jaya Padmanabhan/Special to The Examiner)

With imagination, small local businesses are recovering

Retail and restaurant traffic on the increase

Kids Only in Los Altos, which closed due to the pandemic, has reopened in a new nearby location. (Jaya Padmanabhan/Special to The Examiner)
For some intrepid souls, driving a cab in The City is not a thankless job. (Shutterstock)

When you love the job, but the job doesn’t love you back

Some people have cab driving in their blood

For some intrepid souls, driving a cab in The City is not a thankless job. (Shutterstock)
Researchers have identified the microscopic algae, Pseudo-nitzschi, which was responsible for the closure of California’s Dungeness crab season in 2015. (Courtesy C.J. Wingert, San Francisco State University)

A microscopic killer lives in SF’s waters

Researchers find ocean acidification threatens local fisheries

Researchers have identified the microscopic algae, Pseudo-nitzschi, which was responsible for the closure of California’s Dungeness crab season in 2015. (Courtesy C.J. Wingert, San Francisco State University)
Jeannine Suarez shows off a Derby jacket, beloved for its signature squiggly lined-lining. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>

The Derby is back: Celebrating life and legacy of the iconic S.F. jacket

Jeannine Suarez greets satisfied customers at her store in the Haight

Jeannine Suarez shows off a Derby jacket, beloved for its signature squiggly lined-lining. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>
A visit to the Blockbuster in Bend was a highlight of my vacation in Northern California and Oregon. <ins>(Instagram)</ins>

Sometimes I think about leaving San Francisco

Fun recent road trip confirms my love for The City

A visit to the Blockbuster in Bend was a highlight of my vacation in Northern California and Oregon. <ins>(Instagram)</ins>
In 2020, there were lots of condominiums for sale in San Francisco, but new listings in 2021 are significantly reduced. (Shutterstock)

Condo bargain hunters: you’re too late

After pandemic-related rush, inventory in The City is way down

In 2020, there were lots of condominiums for sale in San Francisco, but new listings in 2021 are significantly reduced. (Shutterstock)
Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>

Three distinct flavors of Asian tragedy: ‘Minari,’ ‘Bitter Melon,’ ‘The Valley’

Contemporary films exemplify diverse, complex experiences

Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an Oscar for her role in “Minari.” <ins>(Courtesy A24)</ins>
The late Ruach Graffis is beloved for helping cab drivers, labor organizing and dedication to social justice. <ins>(Facebook screenshot)</ins>

The great taxicab in the sky

Mentor Ruach Graffis led her life, and ended it, with dignity

The late Ruach Graffis is beloved for helping cab drivers, labor organizing and dedication to social justice. <ins>(Facebook screenshot)</ins>
The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir area of Yosemite National Park supplies San Francisco’s drinking water. Shutterstock

SF’s water supply could use leadership, not litigation

Solutions needed to keep taps and salmon running

The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir area of Yosemite National Park supplies San Francisco’s drinking water. Shutterstock
Housemates Pierce Smith, 81, and Ed Taylor, 27, enjoy living together in Smith’s home in the Inner Sunset, via a program called Home Match, which pairs seniors with people looking for an affordable place to live. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Housing creation with heart

Home Match links seniors with people who need an affordable place to live

Housemates Pierce Smith, 81, and Ed Taylor, 27, enjoy living together in Smith’s home in the Inner Sunset, via a program called Home Match, which pairs seniors with people looking for an affordable place to live. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

‘Keeper of the Fire’ matches words with images

Filmmaker Lou Dematteis sheds light on poet Alejandro Murguía

Photojournalist and filmmaker Lou Dematteis is part of the team behind “Keeper of the Fire,” a documentary about poet Alejandro Murguía screening at the Roxie at 4:45 p.m. June 5 and online in June in SF DocFest. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Many minimum-wage employees take jobs that aren’t fulfilling because they have no other options. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

Nobody wants to work your terrible job

With Universal Basic Income, people can lead more meaningful lives

Many minimum-wage employees take jobs that aren’t fulfilling because they have no other options. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
The price of housing in Lake Tahoe has skyrocketed since the pandemic due to the influx of people from the Bay Area. (Shutterstock)

Taking a look at Lake Tahoe’s new homeowners

Their economic impact has changed the face of real estate

The price of housing in Lake Tahoe has skyrocketed since the pandemic due to the influx of people from the Bay Area. (Shutterstock)
International Bird Rescue helped save Bay Area birds that were contaminated by mysterious goo in 2015. <ins>(Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>

International Bird Rescue marks 50 years of wildlife protection

Group established in wake of massive oil spill continues essential rehabilitation, research

International Bird Rescue helped save Bay Area birds that were contaminated by mysterious goo in 2015. <ins>(Mike Koozmin/S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>
Describing his experience in India, journalist Dilip D’Souza posted, “Got my second vaccination dose at the BKC Covid Centre today: 4.5 hrs with surging crowds.” (Courtesy Dilip D’Souza)

India thought it had herd immunity from COVID — until it didn’t

Country’s crisis points to importance of getting vaccinated

Describing his experience in India, journalist Dilip D’Souza posted, “Got my second vaccination dose at the BKC Covid Centre today: 4.5 hrs with surging crowds.” (Courtesy Dilip D’Souza)