News Columnists

My backyard once was, like much of the San Francisco Bay’s estuary, a tidal marsh.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Revenge of the tidal marsh in my East Bay backyard

Home improvement attempts foiled by workers, weather

My backyard once was, like much of the San Francisco Bay’s estuary, a tidal marsh.<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>
Some have raised objections to a plan to remove a Monterey cypress tree in the median on Geary Boulevard in Japantown. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

SF needs plan to protect trees and one agency in charge

Transit planners want to remove a Monterey cypress on Geary against the public’s will

Some have raised objections to a plan to remove a Monterey cypress tree in the median on Geary Boulevard in Japantown. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Teacher and activist Benjamin Bac Sierra is the author of “Pura Neta,” a novel about life in San Francisco’s Mission. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Benjamin Bac Sierra: From San Pancho with amor

Former street kid spreads love with teaching, writing, activism

Teacher and activist Benjamin Bac Sierra is the author of “Pura Neta,” a novel about life in San Francisco’s Mission. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
The pandemic, which cleared out major thoroughfares in San Francisco, has ushered in the opportunity for people and the government to consider major changes in economic and public policy.<ins> (Chris Victorio/S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>

Things we should have learned from the pandemic but didn’t

Health care and housing are possible for everyone, and there are ways to pay for them

The pandemic, which cleared out major thoroughfares in San Francisco, has ushered in the opportunity for people and the government to consider major changes in economic and public policy.<ins> (Chris Victorio/S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>
University of California San Francisco is studying the longevity of the COVID-19 vaccine, and how factors like stress or sleep play a role. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/TNS)

Do sleep, stress, and age affect the longevity of the COVID-19 vaccine? UCSF researchers plan to find out

As COVID-19 vaccines continue to roll out across the country, information on…

University of California San Francisco is studying the longevity of the COVID-19 vaccine, and how factors like stress or sleep play a role. (Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images/TNS)
The tech company Opendoor provides customers the opportunity buy homes with all-cash offers. (Courtesy Opendoor)

Buyers and renters beware: Koch Industries could be your new landlord

New home buying methods may have a hidden downside

The tech company Opendoor provides customers the opportunity buy homes with all-cash offers. (Courtesy Opendoor)
At a rally in February, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, left, and Eric Lawson remember Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai man who died after he was pushed to the pavement in San Francisco. (Ekevara Kitpowsong/Examiner file photo)

The criminal justice system can’t fix what’s wrong in our community

My 87-year-old mother walks gingerly, slowly, deliberately, one step in front of…

At a rally in February, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, left, and Eric Lawson remember Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai man who died after he was pushed to the pavement in San Francisco. (Ekevara Kitpowsong/Examiner file photo)
COVID restrictions have prompted a benefit or two, such as empty streets in The City. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Taking the scenic route through a pandemic

Streets of San Francisco are pleasantly free of traffic

COVID restrictions have prompted a benefit or two, such as empty streets in The City. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
San Francisco workers who are members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers are calling for The City’s retirement board system to stop investing in Chevron. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

SF should step up efforts to divest from fossil fuels

Retirement fund continues to include big oil companies

San Francisco workers who are members of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers are calling for The City’s retirement board system to stop investing in Chevron. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
Rev. Roland Gordon shows “The Great Cloud of Witnesses” collage mural at the Ingleside Presbyterian Church, which he began building in 1980.<ins> (</ins>

Rev. Roland Gordon preaches love in action

Pastor promotes peace, hope through art and prayer

Rev. Roland Gordon shows “The Great Cloud of Witnesses” collage mural at the Ingleside Presbyterian Church, which he began building in 1980.<ins> (</ins>
Disability advocates protested outside the home of San Francisco Health Officer Tomas Aragon. (Courtesy Brooke Anderson)

Vaccine rollout plan for people with disabilities remains deeply flawed

On February 13, disability activists paid a visit to the house of…

Disability advocates protested outside the home of San Francisco Health Officer Tomas Aragon. (Courtesy Brooke Anderson)
It’s great to be in San Francisco, where residents are happy to be and looking forward to days ahead. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)

I’m finally hopeful about the future of San Francisco

For those of us still here, it’s a brand-new day

It’s great to be in San Francisco, where residents are happy to be and looking forward to days ahead. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)
Perceived supply and demand in the Bay Area’s expensive rental market can play a big part in determining what people pay. (Shutterstock)

Bay Area rental market is rebounding — but why?

Hearing about people leaving town can have as big an effect as actual economic factors

Perceived supply and demand in the Bay Area’s expensive rental market can play a big part in determining what people pay. (Shutterstock)
In 2017 in McAllen, Texas, immigrant children were separated from their families, to be placed in U.S. homes while their parents faced deportation. (Shutterstock)

A family separated at the border survives

New task force, nonprofits help immigrants traumatized by former Zero Tolerance policy

In 2017 in McAllen, Texas, immigrant children were separated from their families, to be placed in U.S. homes while their parents faced deportation. (Shutterstock)
Embarcadero Plaza near San Francisco’s waterfront previously was named Justin Herman Plaza.<ins> (Sarahbeth Maney/Special to S.F. Examiner file)</ins>

Where the streets have more than one name

Welcome changes on roads, schools reflect goals for diversity, equality

Embarcadero Plaza near San Francisco’s waterfront previously was named Justin Herman Plaza.<ins> (Sarahbeth Maney/Special to S.F. Examiner file)</ins>
While health officials say COVID-19 isn’t spread through the use of bulk foods and reusable containers, there continues to be a reliance on wasteful disposables. (Shutterstock)

Bulk shopping is back, and that’s a good thing

Self-service is safe, but sustainability still elusive during pandemic

While health officials say COVID-19 isn’t spread through the use of bulk foods and reusable containers, there continues to be a reliance on wasteful disposables. (Shutterstock)
Leticia Duarte, left, and Michelle Narrivato appeared in a Creative Corps production of “The Two Fridas” in Washington Square Park.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

For Leticia Duarte, all the world’s a Zoom stage

Actor is optimistic about the future of live theater

Leticia Duarte, left, and Michelle Narrivato appeared in a Creative Corps production of “The Two Fridas” in Washington Square Park.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
The recent great weather had us meeting friends and strangers out and about San Francisco, including a stop in Washington Square. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>

This town still has heart

Optimism in the air as The City opens up again

The recent great weather had us meeting friends and strangers out and about San Francisco, including a stop in Washington Square. <ins>(Shutterstock)</ins>
Realtors discussing the local scene on the “Southern Oregon Real Estate Show” podcast (the city of Klamath Falls, Ore. is pictured) describe a “sold-out market.”<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>

Not everybody is moving from SF to Austin

Pandemic has pushed city dwellers to smaller towns

Realtors discussing the local scene on the “Southern Oregon Real Estate Show” podcast (the city of Klamath Falls, Ore. is pictured) describe a “sold-out market.”<ins> (Shutterstock)</ins>
hospital nurses healthcare medical (Shutterstock)

City’s contract nurses win fight for emergency sick leave benefits

After months of advocacy with their union and City Hall, hundreds of…

hospital nurses healthcare medical (Shutterstock)