San Francisco Bay Guardian Issue 48.09

2013·23.9 MB·English

by  San Francisco Bay Guardian

r a i s i n g h e l l s i n c e 1 9 6 6
the san francisco bay guardian | sfbg.com | november 27 - december 3, 2013 | vol. 48, no. 9 | free
We dissect The Circle and its dystopian vision of Big Tech,
showcase a look at alternative movie posters,
boil down cookbooks from vegan to the meatiest
of meats, peruse local comics, and review
a dozen great books PAGE 28
2 SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN opinion news food + drink the selector music arts + culture film classifieds
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opinion news food + drink the selector music arts + culture film classifieds NOvemBeR 27 - DeCemBeR 3, 2013 / SFBG.COm 3
intelligence
bridge name game buying time Political alerts
banned from
for ccsf
Remember how some folks wanted the bulb Wednesday 27
to rename the San Francisco-
Oakland Bay Bridge after San San Francisco City Attorney Harvey Milk and GeorGe
People residing in makeshift Dennis Herrera filed for a court Moscone MeMorial
Francisco’s legendary 19th
shelters at the Albany Bulb injunction Mon/25 seeking to Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro and Market,
century eccentric, the Emperor made a final push against evic- prevent the accrediting com- SF. tinyurl.com/MilkMoscone. 7pm,
Norton? They’re undeterred by free. A candlelight vigil and march will
tion from the former East Bay mission that’s be held in remembrance of the 35th
the California Legislature’s recent landfill, but the city of Albany trying to shutter anniversary of the murders of San
decision to rename the western Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and
is continuing with plans to City College of Mayor George Moscone. The event
Bay Bridge span for Willie Brown.
transform the untamed space San Francisco is meant to honor their memories
Emperor’s Bridge Campaign mas- into a state park. On Fri/22, (the Accrediting and bring people together. It is being
termind John Lumea sees it this co-sponsored by a broad coalition,
authorities set up a transition- Commission for including the Harvey Milk LGBT
way: If the bridge naming simply al shelter for residents whose Community and Democratic Club.
must go forward as a matter of poli-
camps would be cleared. Junior Colleges) from racing to friday 29
tics, why not tweak it slightly? Then
That followed a court decision terminate CCSF’s accreditation
motorists could drive over “the Black Friday roller disco Party
Willie L. Brown Jr. Crossing ... of denying 50-60 campers a in eight months. If successful, San Francisco Women’s Building,
stay-away order they’d hoped the injunction would stay in place 3543 18th St, SF. [phone].
The Emperor Norton Bay Bridge.”
would keep police at bay. as long as the case remains in lit- 8pm-12am, free. SF Indiefest and
PHOTO BY ALAN SANCHEZ Black Rock Roller Disco present a Black
igation. “It is obvious to me, and Friday roller disco party inside the
tgi follies should be obvious to the court, Women’s Building auditorium. Disco
costumes encouraged! Skate rentals
that the ACCJC’s legal strategy
will be provided, or bring your own.
By now, everybody knows about free art for kids is to run out the clock,” Herrera
saturday 30
Oakland Art Murmur, the down- said. “It seems the only thing the
town art walk held the first Friday Great news for art-loving youth: When the San Francisco Museum of Modern ACCJC doesn’t want delayed is citizen JournalisM syMPosiuM
of every month. Stork Club at Art reopens in 2016, a $10 million endowment will allow youths 18 and under City College’s termination.” East Bay Media Center, 1949 Addison,
2230 Telegraph keeps the party to receive free admission (previously, only ages 12 and under could enjoy this AP PHOTO BY TONY AvELAr Bbleorgkg. e3rps man, dfr seoec. iLailv me estdrieaa mmaevresn, s will
going until 11pm with “First perk). “The initiative deepens SFMOMA’s converge for a series of conversations
Friday Follies,” a free after-party commitment to inspiring more young people buried, but not on citizen journalism, featuring those
who helped capture Occupy Wall Street
consisting of music, burlesque, through vibrant art experiences,” a press protests and a discussion led by host
and “a creepy little puppet show” release explains. Meanwhile, artists who are treasure Clark Sullivan on ethics in citizen jour-
from Shadow Circus Creature featured in its collection will ncuarliisomsi.t yB, rainngd yeonuthr sumsiaarstmph.one, laptop,
Theater, a San Francisco puppetry be awarded lifetime museum Weeks after mass booty-shakin’ at
monday 2
troupe specializing in “Disturbing memberships, also free. the Treasure Island Music Festival,
Puppets for a Disturbing World.” www.sfmoma.org a government memo unearthed World aids day ForuM
by the Center for Investigative San Francisco LGBT Community
Reporting revealed that parts of the Center, 1800 Market, SF. 6:30-
mayor’s neW job? 8:30pm, free. This year’s forum, titled
island are still radioactive — and
“Getting to Zero in San Francisco: How
dangerous. State health workers Close Are We?” offers attendees the lat-
U.S. Ambassador to China Gary discovered radioactive shards bur- est news on San Francisco’s progress in
Locke announced his early resig- fighting HIV/AIDS from experts in the
ied in public lawns, CIR reported. field. They will also be informed about
nation last week, and rumors are
One object was “so hot that holding programs that are helping the city get
rampant that closer to its goal of zero new HIV infec-
onto it for an hour could cause
Mayor Ed Lee tions. The interactive town hall forum
radiation burns, hair loss and pos- structure of the event enables it to be
was on a short sible ulceration.” Other documents as informative as possible, and ensures
list of candidates audience engagement with the topic.
warned that local playgrounds
to fill his shoes. tuesday 3
aren’t safe. The hazard can be
News of Locke’s
traced back to the US Navy. #GivinGtuesday: ProJect
resignation came
HoMeless connect
while Lee was on an official visit 3200 California, SF. [phone]
the Presidio struck back dreamforce’s ugly sole
to China, his third this year. If Lee or [email protected]. 10am-8pm,
free. People ages 12 and up are asked
did ditch San Francisco’s top job
to come help put together personal
Three museum teams battling for prime real estate in the Presidio, The latest in venting about Silicon’s Valley’s attitude prob-
for broader horizons, the political hygiene kits for homeless people in
domino effect would be fascinating. right behind Crissy Field, heard back from the folks in charge — with lem is an anonymous tell-all by an attendee of Salesforce’s San Francisco. Participants may come
reactions amounting to “eek, ugly!” Possibilities include museums Dreamforce conference, hosted by bajillionaire CEO Marc anytime during either of two shifts,
Bstuatf ft,h ies ltahtaets Lt eweo’rsd “,n aoctc ionrtderinegs tteod h.”is on sustainability, history, and the personal art collection of Star Benioff. Dishing on Valleywag.com, the unnamed techie tears wAfhtiecrhw raurnd ,1 e0vaemry-o1npem is a inndv i3te-d4 :t3o 0ap m.
AP PHOTO BY DArrYL BuSH Wars Sith Lord George Lucas. “We have significant issues with the Benioff up for his insufferable bloviating. Benioff even tweet- Hanukkah Candle Lighting, which
will begin at 4:30pm. The kits will be
proposed building,” the Presidio Trust said about Lucas’ proposal. ed a photo of his glittery custom-made Christian Louboutin
distributed by volunteers the follow-
“It should be redesigned to be more compatible with the Presidio.” kicks, which he dubbed “cloud walkers.” When Haitian Prime ing week at Bill Graham Civic Center
obama, interruPted
The force was not strong with Lucas, this time. Minister Laurent Lamothe was brought onstage to publicly Auditorium. This
event is part of
thank the CEO for his philan- #GivingTuesday,
By now, President Barack Obama
thropy, the author cringed. which is a national day
should fully expect to be interrupted dedicated to charitable
“It was awful. Here was the
by protesters while on visits to San activities.
prime minister of an impov-
Francisco. As Obama delivered com-
erished country, flown into
ments at the Betty Ong Recreation
a tech conference by an ego-
Center in Chinatown on Nov. 25, two maniacal billionaire, in those
people broke into his speech to call shoes, who wanted to have his
for an end to forced deportations of
ring kissed in public.”
undocumented immigrants.
4 san Francisco Bay Guardian oPinion neWs Food + drink tHe selector Music arts + culture FilM classiFieds
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opinion news food + drink the selector music arts + culture film classifieds November 27 - December 3, 2013 / SFbG.com 7
opinion
“in the faCe of this Challenge to our puBliC eduCation, i see hope.” – Chris JaCkson
Why I’m resigning from
the City College board
By Chris JaCkson Even more disappointing has
been our state Community College
OPINION When I worked in the state Board of Governors. Instead of
Legislature, a member once told an performing its public-policy duties,
overly ambitious guy that there are the state Board of Governors, led
those who get into politics to be by State Chancellor Brice Harris,
someone and those who get into has continued to allow itself to be
politics to do something, and we bullied by the ACCJC to the point
have enough of the first type. where there is a serious question of
Serving on the City College of who really sets public policy for the
San Francisco Board of Trustees was 112 colleges in our statewide system:
always a means for me to work to our publicly appointed Board of
connect underserved communities Governors or the unelected, unac-
to education and eventually eco- countable private ACCJC.
nomic empowerment. It pains me to see the scope of
One of the first measures that our class offerings pared back, our
I passed while on the board was to community-based campus con-
expand City College’s Community/ tinually threatened with closure,
Outreach Ambassador to the much-needed academic counselors
Mission and the Southeast cam- laid off, and our Second Chance
puses. Through this program, City program for ex-offenders with an
College was better able to do out- over 900-student waiting list. It
reach to underserved communities. pains me even more to be sidelined
Be it by protecting CCSF’s GED by Harris and our public Board of
program or child care sites, working Governors and watch them shrink
with community leaders to contin- and cower to the power of Barbara
ue to make the Mission campus an Beno and her private ACCJC.
educational jewel to its residents, or But in the face of this challenge
working with Bayview advocates to to our public education, I see hope.
ensure the Southeast campus’ sur- Students like Trustee Shannell
vival and eventual growth, I came Williams, Student President Oscar
to the CCSF Board of Trustees on Pena and former Trustee William
We give thanks this holiday season
a mission to help ensure that our Walker rallying students to stand
most vulnerable populations are up for their public education give
given access to education as a means me hope. The American Federation
of equity. of Teachers Local 2121 and the EDITORIAL We offer a lot of criticism from Point Reyes down to Santa recognized global leaders in pur-
Although I’ve had amazing suc- Save CCSF coalition have become here on the Guardian’s editorial Cruz and this is perhaps the best suits ranging from technological
cess and even made a few mistakes rallying points not just for the page, which is probably inescapable region on the planet. innovation to progressive and
along the way, I don’t want anyone immediate CCSF community, but given the obvious failures of our We’re thankful to have a environmental organizing and
to doubt my continued passion and for the larger SF community. Their political and economic systems to functional, modern transportation advocacy. We’re proud of the polit-
commitment to the communities bravery in the face of the withering address the needs of the people and system that offers plenty of good ical initiatives hatched here in the
that CCSF serves. It is this passion attacks on public higher education the planet and to uphold the pro- alternatives to the automobile. Bay Area, from marriage equality
to do something and not simply be should be commended and be a gressive values that the Guardian While there’s certainly room for to criminal justice reform. We
a figurehead that has led me to the model that others should follow. and much of the Bay Area sup- improvement, BART is an amaz- have a cornucopia of artists and
difficult decision to resign from the At this moment, there exists the ports. We have so much potential, ing transit system that closes the musicians tucked into every little
CCSF Board of Trustees. base for a long-lasting coalition of and it’s sometimes maddening gap among the Bay Area’s many nook of the city, from the stage
The Accrediting Commission of students, educators, and commu- when we fall short of realizing it. diverse communities, while Muni of Slim’s to the studios of surreal
Community and Junior Colleges, an nity fighting for the high-quality, So, this week, in the spirit of does a good job at ferrying huge Hunters Point Shipyard. And the
unelected and publicly unaccount- affordable education. Thanksgiving, we’re going to put numbers of people around this locals here cook up some of the
able organization, seeks to Thank you for the opportu- a positive spin on the civic scene bustling city. Caltrain is a great world’s best culinary offerings,
change the values and charge nity to do something to make and talk about some of the things link down the peninsula and we’re from a plethora of fancy restau-
of City College from an an impact in people’s lives. that we’re thankful for. super excited to see it electrified rants to quickie taquerias to sur-
inclusive, community-based Thank you for allowing me We’re thankful to live in such and that transportation officials prisingly bountiful food trucks.
and student-focused college the opportunity to serve a beautiful, vibrant place. San are working hard to connect And we’re really thankful for
to a simple junior college on the City College of San Francisco is one of the greatest downtown San Francisco to down- you, the person reading these
that serves the few Francisco Board of cities in the world, both physically town Los Angeles with a long words. The Guardian has been
and shares the Trustees. 2 and culturally. And we’re thrice overdue high speed rail line. And around since 1966 because of the
values of the blessed to have Marin County we love how San Franciscans have support of our readers, our adver-
corporate edu- Chris Jackson and the East Bay — particularly embraced bicycles as an important tisers, and our community, and
cation reform was elected the progressive and diverse cities everyday transportation option. we’re grateful that you’ve all given
movement. Chris to the CCSF of Oakland and Berkeley — just We’re thankful that so many us the opportunity to offer the
JaCkson Board of a short bridge ride away. Layer smart, interesting, creative people news, views, and reviews that are
Trustees in on top of that the nearby Sierras, have been drawn to San Francisco helping to shape this wonderful
2008. Sonoma County, and the coastline and its environs. This is home to place. Happy Thanksgiving. 2
8 SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN OPINION NEWS FOOD + DRINk ThE SELECTOR mUSIC ARTS + CULTURE FILm CLASSIFIEDS
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opinion news food + drink the selector music arts + culture film classifieds November 27 - December 3, 2013 / SFbG.com 9
news
sf GeneRAl Reduces psycH cARe
A 22-bed psychiatric unit at General CEO] Sue Currin due
San Francisco General Hospital to budgetary constraints.”
will be taken out of service, and However, a second internal
reopened only if the facility memo went out the following day,
experiences a high caseload of to “clarify” the first one. In that
patients exhibiting the worst message, Nursing Director Kathy
signs of psychiatric crisis. Ballou wrote: “We are not closing
As of Nov. 19, five patients psych beds or any beds.” Instead,
were receiving care in that unit, beds in 7B would be closed unless
7B, according to spokesperson “we get acute patients needing
BART sTAndoff conTinues As BoARd modifies conTRAcT
Rachael Kagan. None had symp- that level of care,” she wrote. “As
toms that rose to the level of in other hospitals, we are account-
The BART Board of Directors voted Director Gail Murray noted that with each other and that we lost the requiring acute care. Instead, able to our operating budget.”
8-1 on Nov. 21, with conservative the unions had given up raises for lives of two employees,” Director they were classified as sub-acute Further complicating matters,
young Director Zakhary Mallett in years when BART had budget defi- John McPartland said of the pro- patients, a distinction that essen- said Barros, is that patients can
dissent, to approve a hard-won con- cits, and now that the district is run- tracted labor negotiations and tially means they didn’t present fluctuate rapidly between needing
tract with its unions, after remov- ning surpluses, it’s reasonable to give the fatalities that occurred while the an immediate threat to them- acute care and a lower level of
ing Section 4.8, the paid family workers raises that amount to about unions were on strike Oct. 19. He selves or others. attention. “They absolutely can
leave section that the district says 2 percent per year for four years. called the contract “more than fair But under a new policy that swing back and forth.” She added
was inserted by mistake. “Our employees kept the system and equitable.” will take effect after they have that patients initially requiring
The motion also directed man- going...They’re the reason why we Director James Fang, who rep- been released, all 22 beds in 7B a lower level of care could expe-
agement to negotiate a settlement keep 40-year-old cars still running,” resents western San Francisco, sound- will be closed — unless they are rience worsening conditions
over that issue with its unions, Murray said, later adding, “To say ed the strongest criticisms of BART needed for acute patients who if they’re unable to secure an
which have already approved the this contract is not a good contract management and negotiators. “Yes, it do reach that critical threshold. appointment in time to get help,
contract and now must decide is wrong.” was a mistake, but nobody has come The unit will be staffed only if and delays are very common.
whether they are willing to do so forward and said ‘there was a mistake patients can’t be accommodated Kagan emphasized that the
again without that provision or and I’m responsible,” Fang said, later in the hospital’s other acute psych unit wasn’t being closed down,
whether the possibility of another adding, “The ones who signed this unit, which has 21 beds. but did confirm that sub-acute
sH!T
BART strike is once again looming. must be held to account.” The decision was made in patients would no longer be
The next day, BART’s largest Fang then went further, albeit response to a changing financial able to receive treatment in
unions, SEIU Local 1021 and ATU without specifics, when he said, picture under federal health care 7B. Instead, those patients will
Local 1555, issued a joint statement: “Every bit of management advice reform, Kagan explained. be placed with various service
“We consider the Board’s actions to we’ve received has not worked out to “There is a big push ... to providers throughout the city,
be unprecedented and illegitimate, the district’s best interests.” ensure hospitals are only pro- she said. “The goal is to move
and we’re considering our next steps, Director Robert Raburn echoed viding acute care,” Kagan said, the patients to their appropriate
H@#pened
including possible legal action. The Fang’s calls for accountability: “I’m and this trend is driving efforts placement.”
BART Board of Directors has disre- still not clear on how that [contract to reduce sub-acute patients. “It Meanwhile, this shift coin-
garded the vote of more than 2,000 provision] arrived and it hasn’t been fiscally makes more sense,” she cides with an overall rise in city-
BART workers and has chosen to sub- 11.20-11.26.2013 accounted for by anyone at the dis- added, because insurers pay high- wide demand for psychiatric ser-
vert the collective bargaining process, trict who said ‘I am responsible.’ ” er rates for acute care than for vices. According to a report deliv-
and we take their actions seriously.” But he also said that the pro- lower levels of treatment. ered to the Police Commission
After meeting in closed session vision was clearly an error and not Yet some hospital staff mem- earlier this year, SF General had
for about two hours, Vice President something arrived at through the bers are nervous about the impli- 6,293 patient admissions for psy-
Joel Keller began the open session The rest of the board agreed, negotiations: “Both parties agreed on cations of this shift, because it chiatric holds in 2012, a sharp
with a motion to remove Section 4.8 even while acknowledging it is more a $67 million package and we should means fewer patients will be able increase from 5,837 in 2009.
from the contract, approve the rest, than they hoped to pay given the keep that intact because it’s fair.” to access psychiatric care at SF While there were deep cuts to
and direct management to negotiate district’s capital needs and aggres- Reached by the Guardian while General unless they represent a the city’s Department of Public
with the unions. sive expansion plans. union leadership was conferring to danger to themselves and/or the Health during the economic
Mallett, the 25-year-old new- “We’re probably paying more for plan next steps, SEIU Local 1021 general public — at a time when downturn, Mayor Ed Lee has
bie who lives in unincorporated this than we anticipated we would Political Director Chris Daly told demand for these services is on recently trumpeted a boost to
West Contra Costa County but pay, and labor is probably giving up us, “We are about as up in the air as the rise. city coffers thanks to growing
whose District 7 includes part of more than they want to, but that’s we’ve ever been.” “To us, it’s a matter of priority economic activity. But if the city’s
San Francisco, spoke first: “Even the nature of collective bargaining,” He called it “unlikely” that for the city,” said Brenda Barros, financial health has improved, it
before this hiccup, I was not in the Keller said, who also began what union leadership would simply sub- an employee at SF General who is seems odd that its safety-net hos-
position to support this contract. I turned into a chorus of criticism for mit the board-revised contract to an active with hospital union SEIU pital would be put into the posi-
find it too costly.” how district negotiators signed off on up-or-down vote by union member- 1021. “Do you want to take care tion of reducing psych care due
But he was the only one to take a provision the board never agreed to. ship, saying that he doesn’t think it of these people, or don’t you?” to budgetary pressures when that
that stance, with the rest of the “We ended on a sloppy note and would be approved. Some staff members are kind of care is sorely needed.
directors calling the underlying con- that’s regrettable,” Keller said, pledg- And Daly echoed the concerns doubtful that 7B will reopen. For Barros, it’s a matter of
tract a fair compromise, even if all ing that if he’s elected president expressed by several BART directors An internal SF General memo whether or not city officials will
said they couldn’t support the paid next month — an ascension that is about how this mistake happened issued Nov. 18 informed the 7B decide to allocate more funding
family leave provision that would customary for the vice president — and why nobody has taken responsi- staff: “Our census will be grad- for mental health services. “If
add anywhere between $4 million he plans to launch a full investiga- bility or been held accountable: “If I ually reduced until we won’t they don’t have enough money
and $44 million to a contract that tion into what happened. were on that board, I’d have the gen- have any more patients. Then in Public Health,” she said, “then
was already going to cost the district “I’m pained that we put our- eral manager’s head, there’s no two 7B will be closed.” The memo they need to put more into Public
an additional $67 million. selves in such adversarial positions ways about it.” (Steven T. Jones) added, “this came from [SF Health.” (Rebecca Bowe)
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