News

Door may soon close on local public-access television

Supervisors urge Sacramento to reverse law that de-funds community stations this year

A state law passed two years ago that has already killed public-access television stations across California is slated to end funding this summer for San Francisco’s Access SF, which runs channels 27 and 29.

A franchise fee of about $600,000 that supports the station will be eliminated June 30, and is unlikely to be replaced by the city, which is facing its worst financial crisis in a generation. The fee, most of which comes from Comcast Corp., makes up most of the station’s annual $900,000 budget.

San Francisco’s supervisors, urged by vocal fans of public-access TV, are fighting the anticipated loss of funding. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a resolution by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi asking San Francisco’s congressional and state legislators to restore the funds under laws governing public, education and government cable access.

News

Stacey’s Bookstore writes final chapter

After 85 years in business – selling millions of books during that time – a San Francisco landmark soon will close its doors to the public.

Stacey’s Bookstore, located at 581 Market St., held its final lunchtime author event Wednesday as hundreds of faithful supporters, former employees, local authors and more walked the aisles of the shop for what may be their last time. The bookstore will close for good the week of March 16.

“I can remember coming here 20 years ago and my book would always make the best-seller list because of what Stacey’s would do in business bestseller lists,” local author Susan RoAne said. “When I read the news, I gulped … this is just heartbreaking for all of us. Stacey’s has been wonderful to me.”