Hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, floods and all-around bad weather hammer the country, but not here (usually). But then again, there are those earthquakes, and at this time of year close to the anniversary of the 1906 quake that pulverized this great city, we’re reminded of the risk of another Big One.
- For example, think of that skyscraper building boom in the city — is it really a good idea to build way high on shaky ground, and, heck, what’s a hapless city dweller to do when the sky comes tumblin’ down? (New York Times). A local artist is even crowdfunding for free disaster prep guides for all city residents — and in print, no less (as the artist says, “All the information is available online, but what are you going to do if the internet is down?”). (Hoodline).
- If you’re nervous about being flattened by a temblor the next time around, take a look at information on issues like what’s gone on with residential seismic retrofitting in San Francisco and the ABCs of a good earthquake survival kit. (San Francisco Public Press).
Sex Crime Victims — the Aftermath
- Children who have been commercially sexually exploited now have a way to build relationships with parents and caregivers in a program developed at UC Davis. “Life After ‘The Life’: Putting Families Back Together After Children Are Trafficked” (The Chronicle of Social Change).
- Survivors of sexual assault blasted San Francisco agencies for how the city deals with sexual violence cases, where, they say, victims are often blamed for their own rapes. “Survivors Say SF ‘Makes a Mockery’ of Sexual Assault Cases” (San Francisco Examiner).
- Human trafficking is a $32 billion-a-year global enterprise, and more than 100,000 American children are involved, according to California’s Health and Human Services Agency. For an overview of sex trafficking locally, read the special report “Force, Fraud, Coercion: Human Trafficking in the Bay Area” (San Francisco Public Press).
City Life, City Lights
- Interim Mayor Mark Farrell seems to be intent on making his mark, perhaps via the broom-and-dustpan route, in proposing to create a needle litter cleanup team and to increase street cleaning funding by nearly $12.8 million over the next two years. “Farrell Unveils $13M Spending Boost Over Two Years to Clean Up SF Streets” (San Francisco Examiner).
- San Francisco can get pretty again, but a few are taking the block-by-block approach: Some North Beach dwellers are installing state-of-the-art, app-controlled permanent light fixtures on a block of Broadway to showcase its charms and make it safer. “Neighborhood Groups Light Up North Beach” (Hoodline).
- Housing entrepreneurs beware — the so-called sharing economy isn’t created equal, if you take heed of a study on Airbnbs in San Francisco. The Journal of Housing Economics study discovered that Asian or Hispanic Airbnb hosts’ rates were way cheaper than those charged by white hosts for similar digs — 8 to 10 percent less, to be specific. “Airbnb Prices Lower Among Minority Hosts in San Francisco” (Journalist’s Resource).
The Grass Is Looking Greener …
Things are looking up for pot aficionados. For those in the cannabis crowd who want to move from the mere recreational to the serious professional sphere of weed, they could have checked out business opportunities at the Retail Cannabis Hiring Fair held recently at City Hall. “City Hall Goes Green, for the Retail Cannabis Hiring Fair” (SF Weekly).
- Cannabis businesses may be in line for working with banks (they can’t do that under current law), because a state Senate bill is in the works to create banks and credit unions that would deal only with marijuana businesses in the state. “A Cannabis Banking System for California? Effort Moves Forward in Senate” (The California Report).
