The GrowSF Report: San Francisco records lowest monthly overdose deaths since 2020
The GrowSF Report: San Francisco records lowest monthly overdose deaths since 2020
PLUS: Breed and Farrell neck-and-neck in new SF mayoral poll
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of August 11, 2024:
- July overdose deaths in San Francisco at record low
- Breed and Farrell neck-and-neck in new SF mayoral poll
- Bay Area voters won’t see $20B housing bond this November
- Waymo tests driverless rides on SF freeways
- Downtown SF nightlife gets a $500k boost
Recent & upcoming openings:
- Sobakatsu brings fresh soba to SF’s Japantown
July overdose deaths in San Francisco at record low
San Francisco recorded 39 fatal drug overdoses in July, matching its lowest monthly total since data collection began in 2020. The drop follows 49 overdose deaths in June and comes as public health officials work to expand access to medication-based treatments for opioid-use disorder.
Dr. Grant Colfax, the city's public health director, noted that fentanyl remains the leading cause of overdose deaths. He praised recent federal changes that allow patients to take methadone home and receive remote prescriptions, though California has yet to adopt similar regulations.
Breed and Farrell neck-and-neck in new SF mayoral poll
A new poll shows Mayor London Breed and former mayor Mark Farrell are neck-and-neck, with Breed holding a slim 51 percent to Farrell’s 49 percent. This dead heat comes after previous numbers gave Breed a comfortable 8-point lead — so the race is far from over.
“We have known since launch that this was going to be a two-person race between our campaign and Mayor Breed,” Jess Montejano, Farrell’s campaign spokesperson, told the San Francisco Standard. “What this poll now makes clear is that Mark is the only hope voters have to deliver real change in City Hall, unless they want four more years of London Breed or Aaron Peskin.”
Peskin comfortably holds third place with 28 percent, and we need to keep him out of this race. His history of contentious behavior and opposition to housing projects has already done enough damage to the city.
Bay Area voters won’t see $20B housing bond this November
A $20 billion affordable housing bond will no longer be on the ballot for Bay Area voters this November, after the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority decided to delay it. The board voted unanimously to scrap the bond, which was intended to fund the construction and preservation of subsidized housing across the region.
The decision comes amid concerns about public support, a pending lawsuit, and the potential effects of Proposition 5, which could lower the threshold for passing future housing measures.
“We have to be strategic,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, who sits on the authority’s board.
We're disappointed by this decision. The Bay Area’s need for affordable housing is more urgent than ever, and the delay raises concerns about how we’ll meet our housing goals without the necessary funding. State housing regulators want local governments to build more than 2.5 million homes by the end of the decade. In the Bay Area, that works out more than 440,000 units.
Waymo taxis take the onramp to the freeway
Waymo has begun offering fully driverless rides on San Francisco freeways, starting with its employees. This marks the first time the Alphabet-owned company’s robotaxis will drive on city freeways without a human backup driver.
This could mean a new era of autonomous driving where speed and efficiency are no longer bound by city streets alone. While the initial rollout is limited to employees, the move sets the stage for Waymo to rev up its services, making longer, faster trips a reality for Bay Area riders.
Downtown SF nightlife gets a $500k boost
We’re getting the support we need in downtown SF. Memorable spots like The Stud and 1015 Folsom are receiving up to $50,000 to bolster their weekend and evening events. The grants are set to transform our nightlife with fresh performances, vibrant murals, and more.
We’re happy to see new life in San Francisco’s downtown spaces, from First Thursdays, raves, and outdoor movies. Our nightlife has been thriving again even though there’s a long way still to go.
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Recent & upcoming openings
A great city is constantly changing and growing, let’s celebrate what’s new!
Sobakatsu brings fresh soba to SF’s Japantown
Sobakatsu is quietly making waves in Japantown. This 600-square-foot restaurant has no website, no social media, and no phone number—but that hasn’t stopped curious diners from discovering its specialty: fresh soba noodles. Tucked away at 1700 Laguna St., Sobakatsu is the city’s first and only restaurant dedicated to these delicate, hand-crafted noodles.
WHERE: 1700 Laguna St., San Francisco
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Join a fireside chat with Bilal Mahmood
The Civics Club at Commons is hosting Bilal Mahmood for a Fireside Chat on Monday, August 19 at 7pm. Bilal is a candidate running for District 5 supervisor against the incumbent Dean Preston. Bilal will spend the evening talking about all of SF’s hot button topics: housing, climate, revitalizing the city.
The Commons is a community space in Hayes Valley. This event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Monday, August 19 from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
WHERE: 540 Laguna St., San Francisco, CA
Star in a GrowSF video, help us promote our November voting guide
We're producing a couple videos to promote our November guide and we're looking for people to star in them. If you're interested, fill out this Google form.
Join us at the next Sunset Night Market
The Sunset Night Market returns to San Francisco's Irving Street on August 30, offering a mix of AAPI food, local vendors, and community activities. This year’s market spans from 19th to 26th Avenues, running from 5 PM to 10 PM.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of street foods, shop from local artisans, and experience live music and cultural performances. The market is a family-friendly event, inspired by the night markets of Asia, bringing together the best of San Francisco’s diverse culture. Check out The Bold Italic’s last coverage of it and their video reel.
WHEN: August 30th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
WHERE: On Irving St. between 19th and 26th avenues
The Spirit of San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city and the Bay Area. Here’s what makes it great. Brought to you by The Bold Italic.
What we’re doing this week
Pizza, Bagel, and Beer Festival
San Francisco's Pizza, Bagel & Beer Festival is set to take over North Beach on August 17, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Hosted by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation and headlined by legendary pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani, the event promises a carb-loaded celebration featuring over 30 pizzerias, six bagelries, and 20 breweries.
Attendees can enjoy unlimited tastings from local favorites and out-of-town guests, with proceeds benefiting local causes like Slice Out Hunger and the Salesian Boys & Girls Club. With a lively atmosphere and plenty of gourmet options, this festival is a must-visit for any pizza and beer enthusiast.
WHEN: Today, August 17, 2024 from noon to 4 p.m.
WHERE: San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, 1630 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
Union Square in Bloom finale
Union Square Plaza will host the grand finale of the Union Square in Bloom event. Visitors can enjoy live music, an outdoor bar garden, and light bites as the summer celebration wraps up in style.
The event, presented by the Union Square Alliance and Amazon, will also feature the announcement of the Bloomies winners. For those participating in the Bloom Passport contest, don’t forget to bring your passport—you might just walk away with a prize valued at $500.
WHEN: Today, August 17th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Union Square, San Francisco
What we’re writing about
We produced a deluge of stories about last weekend’s Outside Lands. Read all of them here.
Chappell Roan stole the show at Outside Lands 2024 — because of course
Outside Lands made many correct decisions when they signed on Chappell Roan this year: They put her on the main stage, placed her in the late afternoon, and promoted the hell out of her around the festival. All weekend long you couldn’t miss the signs of her, people wearing her merch, people talking about seeing her, people online begging for Sunday tickets.
Finally, it was time, “Greetings from Chappell Land” splashed across the back screen and the mid-west princess came out on stage, her band and herself wearing their 80s camp and marching band blue and yellow show outfits.
I feel conflicted about SF’s only Denny’s closing
Denny’s on Mission had its last day of business was Aug. 1, with franchise owner Chris Haque citing vandalism, slow business, and dine-and-dash customers as the reason. We’re conflicted about the closing. It’s a loss for SF, but having eaten at this San Francisco Denny’s multiple times in the past decade, it’s always had a decidedly lifeless vibe, lackadaisical service staff, and a large dining room alongside bland entrees. It was also the most expensive Denny’s in California.
The many cold Coachella girls of Outside Lands — and other iconic moments
Karl the Fog is a beloved, yet unforgiving part of life in San Francisco. A typical August that delivers blistering heat for our country will instead blanket San Francisco avenues with mists and sub-optimal temperatures.
That didn’t stop festival fashion from getting suitably light on fabric, once the sun peaked out for a couple hours on day two of Outside Lands. Say what you want about the Coachella girls — respectfully — but many of us admired their bravery. Or scratched our heads over it.
New Indian gem TIYA opens in SF’s Marina District
We’ve lost some of our best modern Indian restaurants in recent years in San Francisco, like August 1 Five and Taj Campton Place. Thankfully, we just gained the brilliant new TIYA in San Francisco’s Marina District from chefs and brothers Sujan and Pujan Sarkar.
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