The GrowSF Report: SF may end boycott of 30 states
The GrowSF Report: SF may end boycott of 30 states
PLUS: Sunset home explosion was illegal drug lab
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of February 13, 2023:
- SF may repeal boycott of 30 states which has driven up city contracting costs
- Construction material prices heading back down
- Sunset home explosion was illegal drug lab
- San Francisco Restaurants, Bars Enlist ‘Micro-Influencers’ To Lure Customers
- Supervisor Dean Preston wants to condemn a condemnation of socialism
SF may repeal boycott of 30 states which has driven up city contracting costs
We may soon repeal a law that prohibits city employees from traveling to or doing business with companies based in 30 states that have passed laws limiting LGBTQ rights, abortion access, and voting rights.
A new city report found that the law has been ineffective and cumbersome, adding costs and complexity to city contracting. Supervisor Ahsha Safaí wants to amend the boycott to exclude construction contracts, and Supervisor Rafael Mandelman is working on repealing the entire law. Mayor London Breed favors repealing or reforming the boycott.
We’re just glad we’re fixing a well-intentioned, but poorly performing law!
Construction material prices heading back down
In a very encouraging sign for the future of homebuilding in San Francisco, prices of raw construction materials have started going back down after spiking in early 2021. High prices of raw materials like wood, aluminum, and steel means that both brand new housing and home renovations have been extremely expensive and, often, uneconomical.
This trend reversal is great news for home builders and home owners, alike!
Sunset home explosion was illegal drug lab
They say you can never truly know your neighbors…
A "narcotics manufacturing lab" in the Sunset District exploded last Thursday, killing one person, destroying a whole house, and causing massive property damage to the homes and vehicles nearby. It's not the first time a drug lab has caused chaos in the city, but it's certainly one of the most dramatic.
Supervisor Joel Engardio, who represents the Sunset, says that illegal drug labs are just as serious as open-air drug markets when it comes to the harm they can cause. The suspect, 53-year-old Darron Price, has been arrested on charges of manslaughter, manufacturing controlled substances, and two counts of child endangerment. Luckily, the children weren’t in the house when the illegal lab exploded.
"Both crimes should be prosecuted in San Francisco," Engardio said in a statement. He's planning a town hall for residents of 22nd Avenue to discuss the incident.
San Francisco Restaurants, Bars Enlist ‘Micro-Influencers’ To Lure Customers
The latest trend in small business marketing is teaming up with “micro-influencers” – social media users with small followings focused on niche interests. A merry band of content creators recently descended on the Keys Jazz Bistro to promote the business’s offerings and share its story. The symbiotic relationship between these small businesses and influencers has led to a fruitful collaboration promoting local pizzerias, bars, and special events.
Andrew De Los Santos, a social media influencer with tens of thousands of followers, quit his job to become a full-time influencer. His day starts with editing video footage and ends with “foodie parties” that bring in a handful of influencers to share the restaurant or bar experience. The ultimate goal is to convert likes and traffic into actual sales and revenue.
In the words of Vas Kiniris, a longtime small business advocate, “the camera always eats first.”
Supervisor Dean Preston wants to condemn a condemnation of socialism
It was a week where several people overdosed and one person was stabbed to death in the Tenderloin. But Tenderloin Supervisor Dean Preston said nothing about that.
Instead… Preston made a stink about a Congressional resolution denouncing “the horrors of socialism” which was even supported by Nancy Pelosi.
Rather than sign our safe streets pledge, or say a single word about a murder or the humanitarian crisis unfolding on our streets every day, he chose to virtue signal about his failed ideology instead. We deserve better.
Celebrate San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city. Here’s what makes it great:
Small Business Boogie on Clement Street this Tuesday
Come boogie on down for the February edition of the Small Business Boogie!
This month we visit Clement Street in the Inner Richmond.
The Small Business Boogie will highlight 4 different local small businesses and descend en masse upon each for around 20-25 minutes, shop til we drop, and then move on to the next one.
WHEN: Tuesday, February 21st
WHERE:
6:00pm - The Spanish Table - (130 Clement Street)
6:30pm - Park Life - (220 Clement Street)
7:00pm - Green Apple Books - (506 Clement Street)
7:30pm - The Bitter End - (444 Clement Street)
Each business will be offering a one night only special offer/discount during the event and if you make it from start to finish you'll be entered into a raffle with a chance to win a gift certificate from each of the participating businesses.
First drink at the last stop is on us!
Over 200 couples married at City Hall on Valentine’s Day
In a beautiful display of the diversity of love, hundreds of couples tied the knot at City Hall on Valentine’s Day.
We love to see love on display!
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Topical Tweets
Yes, there is good stuff on Twitter. Here’s some of it:
Do you know how to say “Arguello”?
Ever wonder why there aren’t any convenient hotels when your family visits? Well… it’s because new hotels are illegal in most neighborhoods.
