Neighborhood Newspapers Making the News

August 9, 2010 by Ingleside Light

The San Francisco Chronicle ran a story today about the San Francisco Neighborhood Newspaper Association with a special focus on two newspapers that are celebrating fortieth anniversaries.

As you may have noticed, the first sentence regards a story printed by your very own Light.

CCSF’s Chancellor Donating Raise to Offset Budget Cuts

August 7, 2010 by Alex Mullaney

City College of San Francisco’s Chancellor Don Q. Griffin announced he will donate his six percent raise this year to the college, The San Francisco Examiner reports.

The money will go to the Save the Classes Project.

Planning Commission Registers Complaints

August 2, 2010 by Anthony Myers

Over 450 signatures were presented to the Planning Commission in protest of a planned Ocean Avenue apartment building. It’s low income housing, and there won’t be much on site parking available because of the project’s proximity to public transit.

Our July/August issue reported on the same project, but went to press before the Planning Commission meeting. The monthly OARC meeting that led up to the Planning Commission meeting was well attended, but there wasn’t nearly the outpouring of complaints.

Perhaps those in the new development could get special permits to park in CCSF’s reservoir (besides, it’s likely many will be students); perhaps they could even use the fenced off old McDonald’s overflow parking lot.

Excelsior Parking Summit is June 29

June 26, 2010 by Anthony Myers

Do you ever have trouble finding parking? Do have other concerns related to parking in the neighborhood? Do you have solutions that might help?

The Excelsior Parking Summit will convene June 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 4750 Mission St. to explore whether a consensus can be achieved on parking issues and problems and what potential solutions to pursue.

The meeting is hosted by the Excelsior District Improvement Association (www.ExcelsiorSF.org) and sponsored by Supervisor John Avalos, (415) 554-6975.

There will be a follow up workshop to focus on priority actions and solutions on July 10, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the same location.

‘Light Up Excelsior’ Campaign Looks Bright

June 16, 2010 by Anthony Myers

After a brief but concentrated lobbying effort by local activists, PG&E has agreed to increase the wattage on streetlights along Persia Avenue starting in June.

Increasing the output from 100 to 150 watts should help the light penetrate the canopy of elm trees that co-mingle with the light poles.

“I don’t see any speed bumps at all,” PG&E spokesman Matt Herron said, referring to assigning work crews for the area.

Since PG&E owns the poles and the city Public Utilities Commission pays the light bills, the Excelsior Action Group pulled together representatives of both agencies to work out a solution on May 26.

That was good news to May Ling, who helped coordinate the “Light up the Excelsior” campaign. She felt that the poor lighting in some areas may encourage would-be criminals to operate in the neighborhood. Excelsior had the first murder in the city this year. “We don’t need that kind of distinction,” Ling said.

The campaign began with some public safety meetings back in November. Then in April, 10 volunteers canvassed Persia Avenue residents to ask them to leave their porch lights on.

“We knocked on doors, giving free CFL blubs to our neighbors that responded to our survey,” Ling said. The survey was simply asking if they would be ok with upping the wattage. “The final tally from our walk was three ‘no’ and 49 ‘yes’ out of approximately 100 households.”

PG&E owns the majority of streetlights in San Francisco, but the PUC owns a little over 10,000.

At the recent meeting, PUC representative Roman Muros Jr. reported that Mission Street would be one of the first to get new LED streetlights to replace the old high-pressure sodium lights.

The LED’s give off a whiter light than the yellow-tinted sodiums. The LED’s are also 50 percent more energy efficient.

The commission is replacing all their sodium bulbs over the next two years. PG&E currently has no plans for any such changes.