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Happy Holidays District 8 Neighbors!
As the season lights up our neighborhoods and homes, I want to take a moment to thank you. Nearing the end of 2024 and heading into my final two years representing you on the Board of Supervisors, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have had to get to know and work with so many of you since I was first elected back in June of 2018. All Supervisors of course think their Districts are the best, but in my case I know District 8 really is.
Whether you’re spending the holidays with friends and family, volunteering to support our neighbors in need, or simply taking some time to rest up, I hope this season brings you and your loved ones much joy.
As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office. The office will be closed from December 24 through January 2, but you can always reach us at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org. In the new year, come visit us in City Hall, where we will be moving from Room 284 down the hall to Room 268.
Warmest wishes, and see you around the District!
Gratefully yours,
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MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR: OFFICE HOURS
VIRTUAL OFFICE HOURS: Join me online this Saturday, January 11th, from 10AM-12PM! Reach out to mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure a spot.
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IN-PERSON OFFICE HOURS: Come meet me in Cole Valley on Saturday, January 25th, from 10AM-12PM! Reserve a spot by emailing mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org.
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DISTRICT 8 ART SHOW AND HAPPY HOUR!
New Year, new office, new art! Join me, my staff, and local queer artists for an art show in our new office on Thursday, January 30th, from 3-5pm! Drinks and light refreshments will be served. RSVP required! A signup link is forthcoming!
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NOE VALLEY TOWN HALL
Please join me on January 13 for a Noe Valley Town Hall! Together with District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, SFPD Mission Station Captain Liza Johansen, Ingleside Station Captain Amy Hurwitz, and DEM Director of Street Response Coordination Sam Dodge, we'll discuss public safety, street conditions, and the latest updates in Noe Valley.
- Date: Monday, January 13th, 2025
- Time: Doors open at 5:00pm; Program starts at 5:30pm; Event ends at 6:30pm
- Location: Noe Valley Ministry
- Address: 1021 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA
RSVP required for entry. Sign up here: bit.ly/noevalleytownhall
Questions?
Please contact Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org
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UPCOMING NOE VALLEY TOWN SQUARE EVENTS
December 29, 3:30-5:30pm: Chanukah Wonderland - Annual Chanukah celebration including treats, bouncy house, and crafts - open to the entire community. More info here!
December 31, 3:00-7:00pm: Noe Valley Night Market - the last one of the year! More info here.
UPCOMING CASTRO EVENTS
December 20, 5-10pm: Castro Night Market: RSVP here!
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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!
Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!
- Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
- Dolores Heights Improvement Club: Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.
- Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.
- Bernal Cut Project has monthly work days along the east and west sides of San Jose Ave, join the newsletter to find out what's going on and to plant, weed or mulch.
- Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.
- Castro Art Walk is a monthly community-driven event where local businesses host special events to share art with the neighborhood! Check out their website to learn which businesses are participating and head out to the Castro each month on the first Friday, from 5-8pm!
- Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.
Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our newsletter? Email Henry DeRuff at henry.deruff@sfgov.org.
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SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS
Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:
- Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom
- Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks
- Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station
- Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley
- Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station
- Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights and Glen Park
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24TH STREET REPAVING
Repaving 24th Street in Noe Valley is long overdue. My office has been working with the Department of Public Works to ensure that it is done in a thoughtful way that takes into account the impacts to merchants and residents along the corridor, including advocating for the repaving to take place after the holiday season. Here’s an update from DPW and their contractor, Basset Engineering:
What: San Francisco Public Works has hired Basset Engineering to perform infrastructure upgrades on 24th Street between Homestead and Guerrero Street. Some blocks will include open-cut sewer excavation and rehabilitation (lining) work while other work will include concrete curb ramp construction, concrete bus pad installation, and street base replacement. Once the concrete restoration is completed on all blocks, the contractor will schedule final repaving of the roadway.
When: The anticipated start date for construction is the week of January 6th, 2025. Work on 24th Street is anticipated to be completed in May 2025.
Workdays & Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:00pm
(Note: Weekend work is allowed however none is anticipated at this time.)
The best way to stay updated on the project is to sign up for email updates from the project team here. You can also visit the project website here for more information.
For questions, please contact:
- Alex Murillo at DPW: (628) 271-2244
- Daire Lordan at Basset Engineering
- Office: (415) 930-2385
- After-hours/urgent: (415) 410-4211
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NEW 28TH AND CHURCH STOP SIGN
Earlier this year, my office successfully advocated for and secured stop signs at the intersection of Church and 28th streets, which had been long-sought by Upper Noe Neighbors and the Upper Noe community. At long last, the MTA installed the stop sign in November. Here’s an update from the MTA:
A new all-way stop was installed by SFMTA crews on Church and 28th Streets on Friday, November 22, 2024.
Two nearby J Church stops were moved the following week to align with the new stopping pattern. The existing Clipper Street stops will be moved to 26th Street and the existing 27th Street stops will be relocated to 28th Street.
These safety and J Church stop spacing changes were approved by the SFMTA Board of Directors on October 15. They do not include major infrastructure changes.
With these changes in effect, the J Church will stop primarily at even numbered streets on Church Street between 14th and 30th Streets.
A future Muni Forward project will evaluate potential J Church reliability improvements on Church Street from 22nd to 30th streets in collaboration with the Noe Valley community. More details can be found on the J Church Safety and Accessibility Project webpage.
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VOLUNTEER WITH US!
We are always looking for D8 office volunteers and interns! In particular, we are looking for volunteers or interns on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning in the new year. Volunteering or interning in my office is a great opportunity to serve District 8 and learn about the issues facing our city, gain valuable experience in the legislative branch of local government, and see how elected officials can work with the community to create effective public policy solutions to solve our toughest problems. Sign up here or reach out to anh.v.ha@sfgov.org for more information.
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FACES IN THE CROWD:
JENN MEYER
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Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!
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The Castro Street Fair just hit the 50 year mark, an enduring neighborhood feature that’s remained true to its original mission to promote the neighborhood and LGBT rights. Along with the annual PRIDE march and Folsom Street Fair, the Castro event is a community mainstay that features city streets, a welcoming feel, and outdoor weather to draw thousands.
Pulling off the event can be daunting. In the weeks leading up to the big day, it’s a 24/7 enterprise for Jenn Meyer, who heads the fair’s board of directors. The event accommodates 175 booths, 200 volunteers, and a budget of $275,000.
It’s a mix of corporate sponsors such as Verizon and Waymo but there’s an emphasis on local businesses, nonprofits, and artists. This year included the tumbles and flips of SF Cheer, as well as pole dancing by local masseuses. The 90 degree weather – which feels a far cry from today – meant scant sales for the wool sweater booth, and a candle maker had to shut down when his wares began melting. The high temps yielded intriguing clothing options. The Iowa State Fair it’s not.
Going back 50 years, the fair was the brainchild of camera shop owner Harvey Milk. He had the urge to publicize a burgeoning gay neighborhood in a way that dispelled fear and worry. Small businesses, including his own, needed notice and customers. In 1974, the fair covered two blocks along Castro Street.
Spin forward to this year, and the fair is among the biggest in the city, spread across seven blocks including main stem Market street. It’s grown to the point where a production company is needed to line up permits, collect fees, and allocate booth space. This year included extra buzz with mayoral candidates dropping by to work the crowd.
Meyer believes the fair is as important as ever. The pandemic hit local businesses hard and the city’s street life isn’t always inviting. But the broader shift to an online, stay-home world that has darkened downtown and other shopping strips is less of a problem locally, she believes. “Customers want to help local businesses here, and the Castro gives them a reason to come into a store,” she says. The fair can only further the trend, she adds, by getting more people out and about. “We’re all about emphasizing the attractions of a thriving place,” she said.
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On December 17, the Board of Supervisors adjourned our last meeting of the year in memory of Bob Dockendorff, who died peacefully in his sleep at his Diamond Heights home in the early morning of Monday December 9th. He was 85 years old. Bob was an active presence in Diamond Heights, longtime member and president of the Diamond Heights Community Association, and LGBTQ champion, particularly in the US military. He helped lead the charge to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and provided counseling and support to those it impacted. Rest in Power, Bob. May your memory be a blessing.
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On December 10, we honored Andrew Jordan Nance with a Special Commendation at the Board of Supervisors meeting. In 2014, Andrew founded Mindful Arts San Francisco, a volunteer-facilitated mindfulness instruction program benefiting SFUSD students. Andrew’s work helps children develop focus, emotional awareness, and resilience. Since Mindful Arts’ founding a decade ago, Andrew has recruited hundreds of mindfulness volunteers to engage with SFUSD students, serving an estimated 1,000 youth each year.
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On December 6, we took our Fall 2024 interns out to lunch. I’m grateful to this amazing group of interns for their dedication and service to the office!
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This year’s Castro Winter Wonderland on December 7 was a treat! Thanks to the Castro Merchants for a spectacular, fun event!
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Also on December 7, I got to meet Santa at Cuppa in Glen Park! Thanks to the Glen Park Merchants for bringing him to town!
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On December 2, I joined the Castro Merchants for another great annual holiday tree lighting! There are so many great small businesses to support this holiday season!
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On November 26, I joined Saint Anthony’s for their 3rd annual Giving Thanks on Golden Gate Block Party, along with a number of other elected officials and Tenderloin neighbors.
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On November 23, we hosted office hours in Glen Park at the wonderful Destination Baking Company!
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On November 18, we wrapped up the SF Residential Care and Treatment Workgroup, which I have been co-chairing over the past 6 months to focus on solutions to San Francisco’s shortage of longer term treatment beds for people with severe mental illness. Keep your eyes out for our report and recommendations coming in early January.
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Mandelman introduces redaction legislation for 'personal safety'
Bay Area Reporter, December 17
"These new disclosure requirements, however, have raised security concerns for reproductive health and LGBTQ organizations regarding potential impacts to their officers and staff," Mandelman continued. "The requirement to make publicly available in one place the names of these organizational leaders and the other organizations with which they are associated jeopardizes the privacy and security of these individuals at a time when the rights of reproductive health and our LGBTQ community are under attack from far right groups across the country and the incoming federal administration.
"Especially at this time, San Francisco must remain vigilant and proactively work to protect our most vulnerable communities from right-wing hate groups and those who intend to harm, harass, and bully our people," he added.
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Daniel Lurie wants to declare a fentanyl emergency. Here’s why that might not be possible
San Francisco Chronicle, December 13
The city already has a similar program, called SoMa Rise, a sobering center that gives unhoused people experiencing addiction a place to sleep, shower, get a meal and referrals to treatment programs. SoMa Rise took years to open, so Supervisor Rafael Mandelman said the mayor would need to find a way to expedite the city’s permitting process to create more centers like it, especially in light of the budget deficit.
“We’re going to have to figure out how to do more with less and prioritize our city’s spending on the people with the greatest needs,” Mandelman said.
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This S.F. neighborhood could be the next to get outdoor drinking
San Francisco Chronicle, December 11
Cole Valley began hosting a night market last week, which Mandelman called a “smashing success.”
“Establishment of this Entertainment Zone will allow the neighborhood to build on that success and continue to throw great outdoor events that bring people together, build community and support our local businesses,” he said in a statement.
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San Francisco Supervisors Reverse City's Controversial RV Parking Ban
KQED, December 11
“This is not going to mean the mass displacement of RVs, but these are some tools to be sparingly used as necessary when nothing else is working,” Mandelman said.
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San Francisco shoots down RV parking restrictions adopted this fall to curb homelessness
San Francisco Chronicle, December 10
City transit and homeless response officials portrayed the policy as a balanced approach designed to get people who are living in vehicles into safer and more stable housing while also addressing community concerns. Residents in many neighborhoods have put pressure on their elected officials to address the rise in RVs parked on city streets, raising concerns about impaired sight lines for other drivers, illegal dumping of garbage and sewage, and fewer on-street parking spots.
Mandelman, who sided with SFMTA, called the policy “compassionate” and “constrained,” adding that some San Franciscans may argue it didn’t go far enough.
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SF supervisors overturn expanded overnight RV parking restrictions
San Francisco Examiner, December 10
In his remarks explaining his vote, Mandelman described the crowd’s opposition as a “humane” position. Nevertheless, he said, “it is not the position of the majority of San Franciscans or anything close.”
That being the case, Mandelman said, he has a responsibility to help The City meet his constituents’ demands “that they be able to use their public spaces, that they not be privatized in a completely unregulated way.”
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San Francisco police tout increase in traffic enforcement for 2024
"We are still far, far, far below the enforcement levels the department was at prior to the pandemic, much less 10 years ago. And my concern is that we don't really have a clear plan or notion for how we're going to get anywhere close to those levels of enforcement," Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco District 8 Supervisor, told CBS News Bay Area.
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SF's Castro likely to remain under Mission police precinct
Bay Area Reporter, December 6
"I think the feedback we have heard and the feedback we have provided is that residents and merchants in the Castro have an existing relationship with Mission Station and, frankly, get a lot of resources from Mission Station, and the concern that I have had that I have heard from others is whether Park Station would have the ability to provide the same level of service we have been getting."
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SF supervisors settle 1 suit against trans income program
Bay Area Reporter, December 5
Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro neighborhood on the board, voted for the settlement.
"Especially in this moment, it is important for us to pick our battles wisely," he stated to the B.A.R. "I am willing to send our city attorneys into fights they may lose, but I am not willing to send them into court when they are almost certain to lose and the most likely result is an award of significant attorneys' fees to a group like Judicial Watch."
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SF Castro's small businesses relying on holiday shoppers to survive
ABC 7, December 2
Leaders here say they also want to encourage people to shop locally for holiday gifts this season.
"I think we still haven't completely recovered from COVID. I think all of our neighborhoods are feeling the loss of tourism dollars. A lot of folks are spending more time outside the city," said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman.
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S.F.’s tallest Christmas tree lights up city’s newest entertainment zone
San Francisco Chronicle, November 30
Mandelman added: “As a global hub for culinary excellence, arts, and entertainment, San Francisco is uniquely positioned to make Thrive City a must-experience destination.”
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San Francisco officials finalize LGBTQ museum site purchase
Bay Area Reporter, November 26
"This is a historic day for San Francisco and our LGBTQ+ community," stated gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro at City Hall and has long championed the museum project. "With this purchase, a two-decades-long dream of securing a permanent home for the GLBT Historical Society Museum is finally a reality. The museum will serve as a local and international destination and a community hub to elevate the stories and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring they are celebrated and remembered for generations to come."
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Milk's alma mater keeps his memory alive
Bay Area Reporter, November 20
"I think this memorial is always a reminder of the nonlinear path of history, you know, and the fact the queer community has seen real progress and real setbacks, you know, often happening within months of each other or years," said gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, a former Milk club president.
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San Francisco supervisors reopen the door to gay bathhouses
Bay Area Reporter, November 19
At the committee hearing Mandelman had noted how he has been working to allow for the return of gay bathhouses for four years but keeps encountering "roadblocks" to address.
"We thought we were done, but we were not," said Mandelman, noting that, "Article 26 of the Police Code puts the San Francisco Police Department right at the center of approving and reviewing all applications for bathhouses."
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Anger over ‘street chaos’ fuels ouster of another blue-city mayor
Politico, November 9
Rafael Mandelman, a member of the Board of Supervisors and Breed ally, said that in hindsight, it’s clear many voters made up their minds months ago about wanting to shake up City Hall.
“It seems like there was a set of voters who were never going to have London Breed on their dance card in any way,” he said. “They just weren’t going to consider her at all.”
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SF mayoral frontrunners present a rare united front on Prop. M
SF Examiner, October 29
“If you care about the future of small businesses, if you care about the resilience of our economy, if you care about the revival of downtown, if you care about the services that are provided by our general fund, whether that be police, or fire, or our social services for vulnerable folks, or our public transportation, you must vote ‘Yes’ on M,” Mandelman said.
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SF supervisors panel backs LGBTQ museum project
Bay Area Reporter, October 23
"The rationale for a great queer history museum in San Francisco might seem self-evident, but I am going to run through it. San Francisco is arguably the queerest city in the world," said Mandelman, who represents the Castro at City Hall and for years has worked with city officials to find a property to buy for what is set to become the country's first free-standing LGBTQ history museum and archival center.
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