San Francisco is not a hellscape at all
I had my first real visit in SF recently, and don’t worry: I had a nice time!
Right before I visited San Francisco, a slew of articles came out with headlines about San Francisco’s “doom loop.”
From my outsider’s perspective, SF seemed to suffer from the same problems as other big American cities: public transit, homelessness, drugs, crime, and gentrification. But the city’s better than many places, too; I completely understood its charm. Everyone was friendly, navigating the city was easy, and the beautiful weather put me in an unshakeable good mood.
Read the latest by Lindsay Pugh on her visit from Ann Arbor
More from The Bold Italic
Everything was bananas at the Hayes Valley Carnival
Between the hot dogs and San Francisco-made ice cream, a few carnival game booths and face painting, the atmosphere was excited and jubilant. And everyone who I talked to remarked about the importance of neighborhood events as a space and time to bring your kids, meet your neighbors and enjoy a sunny weekend afternoon.
Read the latest and see photos by Aaron Levy-Wolins
Anchor Brewing’s closure reminds me that nothing lasts forever
Anchor Brewing is shutting down after over 125 years. This news hits me hard, as Anchor provided such a sense of community here in San Francisco. A landmark in Potrero Hill, it began as Golden City Brewery in 1871, ultimately becoming Anchor Brewing in 1896. It has lived through — in one form or another — the great earthquake, Prohibition and countless other misfortunes.
If there’s someplace you enjoy visiting that you haven’t been, go back. If there’s someone you love who you haven’t seen or called, reach out. Because the place — and the friends — won’t always be there.
Read the latest by Cameron Weston
Packed from day one: New Flour+Water Pizzeria hits North Beach
Flour + Water Pizzeria just opened June 28, 2023, in North Beach in the former Rose Pistola space, an Italian favorite since I moved here in 2001, and of so many San Francisco longtimers. It’s heartwarming to see life in the 4,000 square foot space again after six years (!), located on a prime block of Columbus Ave. And it’s already packed every night, even early on a Tuesday.
Read the latest by Virginia Miller
What we’re doing this week
SF Mime Troupe performs “Breakdown”
The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe continues its 2023 season with more free and lively performances in park settings around the Bay Area with their 2023 new musical “Breakdown.”
WHEN: July 29 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
WHERE: Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens
Mission St. between 3rd & 4th streets
San Francisco, CA + Google Map
2023 “Up Your Alley / Dore Alley” Street Fair & Fetish Festival
If rubber, sportswear, biker gear, punks, or any variety of built, hairy men turns you on, then they’ve got it. Up Your Alley typically features DJs, gogo dancers and bondage & kink performer plus you can cruise 40+ “adult” vendors selling all sorts of gear – whips, leather, kilts and more.
WHEN: July 30 beginning at 11 a.m. to ~6 p.m.
WHERE: Near 9th and Folsom streets
The cost is free but donations are encouraged.
What’s on our mind
We keep content mostly fun and light at The Bold Italic, but the future of the Bay Area interests us, too. Here’s what we are thinking about in local government. Brought to you by GrowSF.
Speed cameras may be coming
About a decade ago, SF implemented “Vision Zero”, a plan to bring traffic-related deaths and injuries down to zero. Unfortunately, we are nowhere near our goal; given distracted driving from cell phones and the American penchant for large cars, pedestrians are now in more danger than ever before, writes Isabel Funk for SF Chronicle.
The Bold Italic is brought to you by GrowSF and edited by Saul Sugarman. Send us a pitch, a question, comment, or advertise with us: info@thebolditalic.com
San Francisco is obviously a fantastic city and is recovering from the downturn caused by Covid. Downtown is quiet but not zombietown. The neighborhoods are as vibrant as they ever have been..