News Columnists

Poet and translator Jack Hirschman was known for championing fellow writers, particularly unsung voices from the working class and people whose first language isn’t English. <ins>(Photo by Marco Bakker/Courtesy Agneta Falk)</ins>

Agneta Falk on Jack Hirschman’s arcane life and love

‘Word man’ was legend among street artists, poets and those we used to call hipsters

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, pictured with Rose Pak in 2014, says the late Chinatown activist was “helping to guide the community away from the divisions, politically.”

Willie and Rose: How an alliance for the ages shaped SF

How the Mayor and Chinatown activist shaped San Francisco, then and now

How much disorder is tolerable in a city that sees itself as a progressive beacon, but where the housing crunch leaves thousands homeless? (Image courtesy of Creative Outlet)

Order and disorder in San Francisco

The homeless and addiction crises may be better understood as disorder, not crime

  • Sep 16, 2021
It’s not uncommon to find a plastic tampon applicator washed up on the beach. <ins>(Courtesy Eva Holman)</ins>

The environmental toll of disposable feminine products

Uninhibited feedback by cisgender women is key

It’s not uncommon to find a plastic tampon applicator washed up on the beach. <ins>(Courtesy Eva Holman)</ins>
Changing zoning in San Francisco neighborhoods where single family homes prevail is crucial in the effort to achieve equity. (Shutterstock)

To make SF livable, single-family zoning must be changed

Let’s move to create affordable housing for working class families

Changing zoning in San Francisco neighborhoods where single family homes prevail is crucial in the effort to achieve equity. (Shutterstock)
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the U.S. (Shutterstock)

Why California teens need mental illness education

SB 224 calls for in-school mental health instruction as depression and suicide rates rise

  • Sep 15, 2021
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents in the U.S. (Shutterstock)
Taso Papadopoulos, co-owner of Brothers Papadopoulos Flowers, the longtime flower stand at 19th Avenue and Quintara Street, has been working the family business since he was 13. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

19th Avenue florist still blooming after all these years

The Papadopoulos brothers have been making delightful bouquets for decades

Taso Papadopoulos, co-owner of Brothers Papadopoulos Flowers, the longtime flower stand at 19th Avenue and Quintara Street, has been working the family business since he was 13. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Waymo’s exhibit drew a crowd at The Exploratorium. <ins>(Jeff Elder/The Examiner)</ins>

Apple HQ moving to Texas? Bogus to the core

Waymo after dark, Theranos overload and more from Silly Valley’s gossip machine

  • Sep 10, 2021
Waymo’s exhibit drew a crowd at The Exploratorium. <ins>(Jeff Elder/The Examiner)</ins>
San Francisco’s true purpose is at the center of every policy debate facing The City today. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>

What is San Francisco for?

‘We are about our neighborhood politics’

  • Sep 2, 2021
San Francisco’s true purpose is at the center of every policy debate facing The City today. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)</ins>
Nearly 8 million Californians elected Gavin Newsom to office in 2018; now is the time for voters to unite so he can finish his term. (Max Whittaker/New York Times) Nearly 8 million Californians elected Gavin Newsom to office in 2018; now is the time for voters to unite so he can finish his term. (Max Whittaker/New York Times)

There are two Californias in recall politics

Ideology splits the state along geographical lines

Nearly 8 million Californians elected Gavin Newsom to office in 2018; now is the time for voters to unite so he can finish his term. (Max Whittaker/New York Times) Nearly 8 million Californians elected Gavin Newsom to office in 2018; now is the time for voters to unite so he can finish his term. (Max Whittaker/New York Times)
A pod of three bottlenose dolphins breach the water’s surface in San Francisco Bay near the Richmond San Rafael Bridge in January 2019. (Courtesy Bill Keener/The Marine Mammal Center)

SF’s increasing porpoises, whales demonstrate how protections pay off

City should use lessons to address other environmental challenges

A pod of three bottlenose dolphins breach the water’s surface in San Francisco Bay near the Richmond San Rafael Bridge in January 2019. (Courtesy Bill Keener/The Marine Mammal Center)
Jenna Littlejohn is a grantwriter for nonprofits and arts and cultural organizations, including Bird & Beckett Books and Records in The City. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>

Jenna Littlejohn: Devoted to preserving San Francisco’s vibe

‘There must be some kind of magic going on’

Jenna Littlejohn is a grantwriter for nonprofits and arts and cultural organizations, including Bird & Beckett Books and Records in The City. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>
San Franciscans supporting the “Great Walkway” — who oppose the recent reopening of a portion of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic — rallied on Aug. 15. <ins>(Robyn Purchia/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

MIT study: Closing ‘Great Walkway’ is a mistake

Let’s learn lessons from the pandemic and reclaim our streets from cars

San Franciscans supporting the “Great Walkway” — who oppose the recent reopening of a portion of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic — rallied on Aug. 15. <ins>(Robyn Purchia/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
San Francisco will miss Janice Mirikitani, left, Jean Feilmoser, center, and Terry Collins, whose activism and community spirit reverberated beyond The City. <ins>(Courtesy photos)</ins> San Francisco will miss Janice Mirikitani, left, Jean Feilmoser, center, and Terry Collins, whose activism and community spirit reverberated beyond The City. (Courtesy photos)

Guided by voices: Remembering the lives of Janice Mirikitani, Terry Collins and San Franciscans passed on

‘It’s the people of true revolutionary commitment…who are responsible for the culture of The City’

San Francisco will miss Janice Mirikitani, left, Jean Feilmoser, center, and Terry Collins, whose activism and community spirit reverberated beyond The City. <ins>(Courtesy photos)</ins> San Francisco will miss Janice Mirikitani, left, Jean Feilmoser, center, and Terry Collins, whose activism and community spirit reverberated beyond The City. (Courtesy photos)
Two questions are on the ballot in the upcoming election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, and it’s important for voters to answer both. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

I plan to vote ‘no’ for the recall of Newsom and pick a candidate to replace him — here’s why

It’s prudent to have input on who may take office next

Two questions are on the ballot in the upcoming election to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom, and it’s important for voters to answer both. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Server Dragos Pintlie dropped off a bay Shrimp Louie salad for Howard Golden at John’s Grill when indoor dining resumed in March. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

Why SF restaurants need more federal relief funds

‘They should right the wrongs and tap up the funds’

Server Dragos Pintlie dropped off a bay Shrimp Louie salad for Howard Golden at John’s Grill when indoor dining resumed in March. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Sanchez Street, near 24th Street, is among The City’s roadways that will become a perrmanent Slow Street.<ins> (Jordi Molina/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Do San Franciscans want to live in homes on Slow Streets?

Real estate values may rise, along with traffic on nearby roads

Sanchez Street, near 24th Street, is among The City’s roadways that will become a perrmanent Slow Street.<ins> (Jordi Molina/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
After nearly 15 years of being part of Google, the most successful money machine in internet history, it’s still not clear that YouTube has fulfilled its financial potential both for itself and everyone involved in its vast digital economy. (Dani Choi/The New York Times)

Is YouTube a success? It’s a serious question

By Shira Ovide New York Times This question will sound ridiculous, but…

  • Aug 5, 2021
After nearly 15 years of being part of Google, the most successful money machine in internet history, it’s still not clear that YouTube has fulfilled its financial potential both for itself and everyone involved in its vast digital economy. (Dani Choi/The New York Times)
A coalition of community members dedicated to improving The City’s tree canopy recently planted saplings in the Mission. Courtesy Ben Carlson/Friends of the Urban Forest

Mission residents go out on a limb to welcome 150 new trees

A community greening effort in the Mission is taking root. Last Thursday,…

A coalition of community members dedicated to improving The City’s tree canopy recently planted saplings in the Mission. Courtesy Ben Carlson/Friends of the Urban Forest
In his extensive filming of The City during the pandemic, Eric Goodfield said he has been “observing how the environment affects the behavior of people.” (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

Filmmaker Eric Goodfield fixes lens on SF’s COVID days

140 days of shooting in The City made for ‘greatest adventure’

In his extensive filming of The City during the pandemic, Eric Goodfield said he has been “observing how the environment affects the behavior of people.” (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)