Crisis line training starts
09
Oasis saved!
ARTS
New City College trustee
ARTS
05
02
09
SF Sketchfest
The
www.ebar.com
Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities since 1971
Vol. 56 • No. 2 • January 8-14, 2026
San Francisco enters year 2 under Lurie by John Ferrannini
Courtesy the supervisor’s office
Alan Wong turned to greet a supporter after his inauguration December 1.
Supe Wong talks Great Highway, PG&E by John Ferrannini
N
ewly-appointed District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong is calling out some supporters of the Sunset Dunes Park who claimed he had not meaningfully engaged with them before announcing his support of a potential ballot measure that would return the question of the future of the upper Great Highway to San Francisco ballots. The new Sunset District supervisor, a straight ally, also discussed Pacific Gas & Electric Co. power outages that have impacted his district, and demurred on an LGBTQ issue expected to soon come before the Board of Supervisors during a phone interview late last month with the Bay Area Reporter. Great Highway dominates D4 issues The future of the Great Highway continues to dominate District 4, even after the recall of gay former supervisor Joel Engardio, whose support for the roadway’s closure led to his early exit from office. Wong said he is honoring his pledge to talk to both sides. “I met with the Sunset Dunes folks more than any other group,” Wong told the B.A.R. He also posted pictures of the various meetings to Facebook. After Wong’s December 19 announcement that he’d support returning the contentious issue to the ballot, Lucas Lux, the president of the Friends of Sunset Dunes, blasted him in a statement. “We are deeply disappointed with Supervisor Wong,” Lux stated. “We believed that he was serious when he said he wanted to help restore trust after a divisive few years in the Sunset. Instead, he’s doing the opposite: claiming he’d listen to constituents while actively turning his back on them. This is unacceptable and we, along with thousands of Sunset Dunes volunteers and supporters in District 4 and across the city, will do everything we can to protect the park we love.” According to Lux, Wong had promised that “he would participate in a public process to hear from District 4 residents,” and that he had not done so. But Wong tells the story differently. “When I was about to enter this office, I stated I would listen to everybody and meet with everybody, and I had different ideas about how to do that, and I expressed different ideas. Ultimately, I did it in the format I did it – going to different community groups and listening to them, so I think I did my part in listening to all these See page 6 >>
E
xactly one year into the Daniel Lurie administration, San Francisco’s mayor is going to be tested in ways he wasn’t in 2025. One big question mark is the impact of potential federal budget cuts to HIV/AIDS services, and whether the city will be able to backfill those cuts as it has in recent years. “Over the coming months, the mayor’s office will work closely with department leaders, the Board of Supervisors, and community partners to deliver a responsible budget that prioritizes core services and protects the health and safety of San Franciscans,” mayoral spokesperson Kate Poltrak stated January 6. “Although we haven’t seen proposed federal cuts yet, we have always made our best efforts to backfill federal cuts related to HIV/AIDS and we will continue to do whatever we can to support those with HIV/AIDS.” The extent of potential federal cuts won’t be known for months, but the mayor’s office has already met HIV/AIDS advocates to discuss potential impacts. Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D., a gay Black man who is CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, stated January 6, “We are aware that San Francisco city budget cuts are coming and may impact the work of public health and social service organizations. SFAF, through the HIV/AIDS Provider Network (HAPN), is advocating for the preservation of critical HIV and AIDS prevention, services, and care, and we will
John Ferrannini
Mayor Danile Lurie likely will have to contend with cuts to close a budget deficit this year.
continue to urge San Francisco to prevent funding cuts that will impact our communities.” Asked at a roundtable discussion with journalists – including the Bay Area Reporter, at City Hall on December 16 – Lurie said he was worried about the impact of President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on health care. “The health care cuts that are coming to our city are going to just be incredibly devastating,” Lurie said. “How do we make sure we keep as many people enrolled in a more onerous process that is going to be coming down from the federal government?”
TerMeer, who is living with HIV, echoed those concerns. “The federal administration’s cuts to Medicaid and other health services will severely impact HIV and other health programs across the nation – now is not the time to make additional cuts to health services,” he stated. “SFAF continues to be in conversation with our elected officials and looks forward to finding ways to preserve networks of care that serve the thousands of people living with and affected by HIV in our city.” See page 6 >>
Historic site of transgender resistance up for local landmark status by Eliot Faine
T
he San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission later this month will hold a public hearing at City Hall regarding the proposed historic designation of several local LGBTQ landmarks, including the site of the Compton’s Cafeteria Riots in the Tenderloin. Ultimately, it will be up to the city’s supervisors and mayor to grant local landmark status to the properties under review. Local activist group Compton’s x Coalition initiated the community-sponsored nomination for the property that housed one of the earliest recorded acts of transgender defiance to police brutality in the nation. Made up of Tenderloin residents, scholars, and historians, the coalition is working through San Francisco’s appeals processes to oust current facility owner, private prison operator GEO Group from the building. The Florida-based company currently operates a reentry facility at 111 Taylor Street, the site of the former Gene Compton’s Cafeteria. A city designated landmark affords safeguards under Article 10 of the San Francisco Planning Code, which declares the protection and perpetuity of culturally significant sites. For example, it protects the facade of a structure deemed a local landmark but does allow for substantial changes to its interior spaces to be brought before city
Cynthia Laird
The site of the former Gene Compton’s Cafeteria, at 111 Taylor Street, will be considered for city landmark status by the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission.
oversight bodies for approval. “Landmark expansion at 101-121 Taylor prevents demolition despite [state senator Scott] Wiener’s recent CEQA reform Demolition of an Article 10 landmark requires discretionary approval and findings (including Certificate of Appropriateness for major changes),” architectural historian Shayne Watson, a lesbian, wrote to the Bay Area Reporter. She was
referring to which waives regulations for state and local governments to review the state’s environmental law before approving projects. Despite the building’s recognition on both the California and National registers, those classifications don’t offer protection like a city landmark would. See page 3 >>
YOU BELONG
JANUARY 21-25, 2026 VIRTUAL Join us virtually for the largest political leadership and skills-building convening for the LGBTQ+ movement. WATCH THE MAINSTAGE ONLINE creatingchange.org/virtual CREATING-CHANGE-STRIP-2025.indd 1
12/18/25 11:01 AM
<< Community News
2 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 8-14, 2026
t
Lurie names Ferguson to City College board by Cynthia Laird
M
ayor Daniel Lurie on Monday appointed Ruth Ferguson to the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees. Ferguson, a straight ally, had sought a seat on the board in 2024 but came up short in the election. As a community college graduate with experience in public policy and advocacy, Ferguson will bring insight into the importance of accessible higher education, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. In her role on the City College board, Ferguson will work alongside other trustees to strengthen City College and ensure it remains an affordable and attainable educational opportunity for the San Franciscans it serves. Ferguson, 31, fills the vacant seat on the Board of Trustees left by Lurie’s appointment of District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong. She will need to run in the June 2 primary election to complete Wong’s term, which expires in 2028. “With firsthand experience as a community college student and a background in public service, Ruth Ferguson is the right person to ensure that our world-class city offers world-class educational opportunities,” stated Lurie. “City College
Courtesy the subject
Ruth Ferguson has been appointed to the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees.
provides an excellent education and economic opportunities for the more than 60,000 San Franciscans it serves each year, and Ruth will fight to keep it affordable and attainable. I look forward to working with her and the Board of Trustees to strengthen City College and support the next generation of San Francisco’s leaders.” Ferguson said she was “deeply honored” to be appointed.
“As a community college graduate, I understand the importance of an affordable and accessible education,” she stated. “San Francisco City College is a vital pathway to opportunity for our city. I look forward to working with the board and Chancellor [Kimberlee] Messina to prioritize student success, strengthen accountability, and grow enrollment to secure City College’s future.” Raised in a small, rural town in a strained public school system, Ferguson and her family found opportunity through community college – a pathway that enabled her to transfer to the University of Washington and later earn her master’s in public policy from U.C. Berkeley, according to the release. Ferguson went on to work in the California Legislature, where she advanced legislation on housing, transportation, and student homelessness in California community colleges. In 2022, she came forward as a whistleblower and co-founded Stop Sexual Harassment in Politics, successfully advocating with California legislative leadership to implement critical labor and accountability reforms. Currently, she works to advance street safety policies in San Francisco and advocates for housing affordability with District 9 Neighbors for Hous-
ing as a lead community organizer, the release stated. City officials praised the appointment. “Ruth has always showed up for San Francisco when it has mattered most,” stated District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter. “I’m excited for our city to benefit from her energy, dedication, and drive. She will be a tireless champion for our students and community.” Wong, who was reelected to the college board in 2024 but resigned last month when Lurie named him to the supervisor’s seat, also applauded the pick. “Ruth Ferguson is highly qualified for the position and brings the right mix of community college policy expertise, budget know-how, and experience navigating complex governance environments to be a successful member of the Board of Trustees,” stated Wong. “I am confident that City College of San Francisco – and this trustee seat – will be in good hands.” A City College trustee indicated her support. “I am looking forward to working with Trustee Ferguson to ensure higher education is affordable in San Francisco and that City College continues to be fiscally responsible. City College is the best resource for economic mobility in San Francisco,”
stated City College Board Trustee Heather McCarty, who identifies as queer. “I deeply value Trustee Ferguson’s experience advocating for community colleges throughout her career and I believe she will bring critical representation to the board.”
Fiscal concerns
The community college district continues to experience fiscal challenges. The district has a budget of $300 million. While the board was able to approve a balanced budget and set aside a 5% reserve in 2025, it faced harsh criticism from students and faculty over the cuts it made to do so. And it is already bracing for more fiscal challenges as it works on its next budget and those in coming years. In recent years, City College has also had a fraught relationship with the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, which accredits community colleges nationwide. However, in June 2025 the ACCJC reaffirmed City College’s accreditation through at least 2030. “This decision acknowledges the college’s meaningful progress in addressing areas of noncompliance related to financial decision-making and board governance,” the district stated in a news release at the time. t
HIV expert Silverman retires from amfAR board compiled by Cynthia Laird
D
r. Mervyn Silverman, a former San Francisco health director, has retired from the board of amfAR. He had served as a trustee for the national HIV/AIDS organization for 39 years. Silverman served as San Francisco’s health director from 1977 to 1985, and helped pioneer the U.S. response to the early AIDS epidemic. In 1983, he was instrumental in the launch of a citywide program to address the needs of people living with, and at risk for, HIV. The “San Francisco model,” as it became known, has since been replicated in cities across the country, a news release from amfAR noted. Silverman was also at the center of the controversy over closing gay bathhouses in the 1980s. In 1984, as the AIDS epidemic was raging, some officials in San Francisco thought that if the city closed bathhouses, which were frequented by gay men, the spread of the disease could be slowed. Others felt that bathhouses provided venues for safer sex education, and the owners of the establishments wanted to remain open for business. Silverman ordered the bathhouses to close; they reopened hours later, as the Bay Area Reporter noted at the time. In October 1984 a San Francisco Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order that shuttered nine gay bathhouses and sex clubs. In late November of that year another judge lifted the restraining order but imposed new rules on how the bathhouses and sex clubs could operate. No longer could they rent private rooms, unless they secured a hotel license, and employees had to monitor the sexual behavior of patrons. Today, bathhouses are now allowed
Courtesy amfAR
Dr. Mervyn Silverman has retired from the amfAR board.
in San Francisco, as the health department in January 2021 rescinded the old rules. The B.A.R. reported last summer that a straight contractor is seeking to open one. During his tenure on the amfAR board, which started in 1986, Silverman devoted his expertise and energy to a wide range of roles, the organization’s release stated, including terms as president (1986-1996), and board secretary (2011-2018). He also served as chairman of amfAR’s program board in 2009, and chairman of amfAR’s program advisory council beginning in 2010. Silverman rotated off the board on February 7, 2018, and was reelected on October 2, 2020, according to the release. “Few individuals have left a mark on amfAR – and on the field of public health – as profoundly as Dr. Silverman,” stated amfAR board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy. “His integrity, courage, and steadfast commitment to public health helped define our early re-
Law Office of Shelley S. Feinberg Serving the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ+ Community Since 1999.
• Probate • Wills/Trusts • Trust Admin • Estate Planning FLAT FEE!
Flood Building, 870 Market St, Suite 420 By Appointment only! 415-421-1893
www.ShelleySFeinberg.com • trust@shelleysfeinberg.com
sponse to HIV and guided our work through some of the most pivotal moments in the epidemic. We are deeply grateful for his service and honored to have worked alongside him.” Silverman has held other leadership positions throughout his career, including medical director of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and director of the Office of Consumer Affairs for the Food and Drug Administration, as well as numerous academic and organizational appointments, the release noted. From 1965 to 1967, he served as a Peace Corps doctor in Thailand and later served as the Corps’ regional director for East Asia and the Pacific. Silverman has been formally recognized for his work by UC Berkeley; the Association of Physicians in AIDS Care; and Washington and Lee University, his undergraduate alma mater. In 2008, he received amfAR’s Award of Courage. Silverman earned his MD from Tulane University School of Medicine, and his MPH from Harvard University School of Public Health. “Dr. Silverman was indispensable to amfAR in the 1980s when the organization first rallied the public, scientists, and government to invest in AIDS research and promote compassionate policies, and he has been an asset to the Foundation ever since,” stated Kyle Clifford, amfAR’s incoming CEO. “His contributions over the years helped generate the momentum for amfAR not only to become a leader in HIV cure research but also intensify efforts to treat and prevent other diseases and conditions. His guidance will be missed.”
SFMTA launches survey ahead of budget work
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has launched a short survey to gather input ahead of its two-year budget process. According to an email announcement, Muni faces the largest budget crisis it has ever had. “We’re working hard to stretch every dollar: cutting costs and becoming more efficient to prioritize essential Muni services that our riders rely on. However, without new funding, San Franciscans could face significant
reductions in transit and other transportation services,” the agency stated. Mayor Daniel Lurie is eyeing a local parcel tax measure on the November ballot, while regional entities are working on a separate ballot measure that would raise taxes in several counties, including San Francisco, to provide funding for Muni, BART, and other transit agencies. To take the SFMTA survey, go to https://tinyurl.com/2s3w8d9x.
SF Zoo offers free admission for kids
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is kicking off the new year by offering free admission to children, ages 11 and under, throughout the month of January. The offer runs through January 31, a news release stated. “This is a great opportunity to enjoy the zoo, be outdoors, and see amazing animals if you haven’t visited in a while,” stated Cassandra Costello, interim co-CEO. “We’re here 365 days a year, and what’s great is that every visit you’ll see something different, from our giraffes having breakfast or wolverines wrestling in snow. It’s a lot of fun, especially for kids.” The maximum number of kids is five per adult. If tickets are purchased through the zoo’s website, please note there is a $1 processing fee per ticket (including the free kid’s ticket). There is no fee if the tickets are purchased in person at the zoo’s on-site ticket window. In addition, EBT/SNAP and Museums for All discounts are now available to provide accessibility to the zoo for anyone with an EBT/SNAP card. Named cardholders with a matching photo ID can receive up to four admission tickets at $5 each and are available for purchase at the zoo’s ticket windows, the release noted. SF Zoo partners with the Discover & Go program, where visitors to San Francisco Public Library and other local libraries can receive a free pass to the zoo. To access, users must log in with their library card credentials on the Discover & Go website at sfpl.discoverandgo.net, to print or download their pass. SF Zoo winter hours are 9:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit sfzoo.org.
East Bay cities seek volunteers for homeless count
Oakland and other cities in Alameda County are seeking volunteers for the biannual Point in Time count, which seeks to determine the number of unhoused residents. The count takes place Thursday, January 22. According to a news release from Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s office, the city is seeking 500 volunteers to ensure a comprehensive and meaningful count. “The biannual Point in Time homeless count is a critical opportunity for us to understand the scale of homelessness in Oakland,” Lee stated. “We’re asking 500 volunteers to help carry out this count. That’s not a small ask, but homelessness is not a small problem. To achieve real solutions, we need data. The bi-annual Point in Time count enables us to better allocate resources and implement effective programs to tackle this issue head-on. Homelessness affects all of us; solving it will also take all of us.” Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife also encouraged residents to participate. “The Point in Time count is so critical for volunteers to support,” Fife stated. “For just a few hours a day, a volunteer can contribute time that will lead to tangible resources for the City of Oakland. These resources will create real solutions for our unsheltered population.” The city’s role will be to conduct the counting of Oakland’s unsheltered individuals, such as those living outside in vehicles, encampments, and other locations considered uninhabitable, the release stated. Volunteers are requested to work in shifts between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 a.m. and will be asked to download a mobile app called Counting Us. Prior to the count, volunteers will receive training on how to properly survey individuals, best practices, and safety measures while out in the community. The Alameda County form to register also lists other cities where people can sign up. For more information and to register, go to alameda.pointintime. info. t
t
Business News>>
January 8-14, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 3
LGBTQ literary magazine adapts to digital age by Matthew S. Bajko
F
or 32 years bimonthly magazine The Gay & Lesbian Review has provided its readers erudite editions filled with thought-provoking essays on myriad issues impacting the lives of LGBTQ people. It also has built up a reputation for its reviews of books and other entertainment content. Its tagline declares it as “a bimonthly magazine of history, culture and politics.” Each issue has a theme with upwards of six articles focused on the topic. The debut issue for 2026, spanning January and February, is themed around kink with such featured articles as “The Power of the Foot” and “Reclaiming the Sacred Dungeon.” At the helm has been founding editor Richard Schneider Jr., who will be retiring this year. Taking over as managing editor will be Jeremy C. Fox, a former journalist and editor at the Boston Globe who left the New England newspaper in 2024. “I think it has made a difference. There needs to be some kind of intellectual center of LGBT thought and movement. The Gay & Lesbian Review has always been that kind of forum,” said Schneider, who is in his 70s and lives in Boston’s South End neighborhood. In 2012, Fox began contributing pieces for The G&LR and was hired on as an associate editor in 2017. Working alongside Schneider, Fox has assisted with expanding the magazine’s online presence and efforts to bring in younger LGBTQ writers, creators, and subscribers. “I think if you are an intellectually curious person interested in the world, and if you’re interested in what LGBTQ people have been doing for the last millennia, there is something you will find in almost every issue that will be relevant to you,” said Fox, 50, a longtime president of the Boston chapter for the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists.
unlimited access to the content at glreview.org. While it posts all of the articles, poems, and reviews found in the print editions to its website, that content is behind a paywall and only available to subscribers. “What we have online is we have a blog,” noted Schneider, where more topical content can be posted along with the “Here’s My Story” column featuring short memoir-like pieces submitted by contributors. “It allows people to tell their story in 1,200 words or less.” With the gay hockey drama “Heated Rivalry” hitting fire with HBO subCourtesy G&LR scribers and dominating headlines over The January-February issue the past month, Fox weighed in with a of The Gay & Lesbian Review review of the limited series’ first three focuses on kink. episodes for the magazine’s online blog. While he began to lose interest in Fox earned his MA in journalism the show, based on a romance novel by from the Harvard Extension School, later Rachel Reid, the pen name of straight teaching courses there and at Northeastmarried mom Rachelle Goguen, Fox ern University. In recent years, nonetheless celebrated its providFox has helped with coming ing gay representation at a up with the theme for each time when concern is growprint issue and editing reviews ing that LGBTQ content on and feature articles, while TV is diminishing due to the Schneider has served as its art current political environment. director overseeing its layout. “I want to see all the The leadership transition queer stories being told. Business has “been a process,” said And if the sweet, sexy fanBriefing tasy Schneider. of ‘Heated Rivalry’ feels The men, who are both a little too good to be true gay, spoke to the Bay Area Reporter via after a while, I want audiences to know a joint video interview last fall to discuss that there are more tart stories out there the various editorial changes they have waiting,” wrote Fox. already ushered in and what readers will see be rolled out in the coming months Broadening focus as Fox takes the helm. One priority has The magazine is trying to increase its been increasing the content that is pubfocus on television shows and films with lished solely on the magazine’s website its arts coverage, which traditionally has in hopes of enticing readers to then subleaned more toward books and other scribe for the print or digital editions. artistic mediums, noted Schneider. “We need to have an appealing web “We should do more with movies. Evpresence for readers,” noted Fox. erybody likes movies,” said Schneider. “I A popup window notes website visidon’t know why we don’t do more, maybe tors can read three essays for free and because we have so damn many books.” then need to become subscribers to gain All of the changes to the magazine’s
Obituaries >> Art Tomaszewski June 16, 1949 – December 20, 2025
Art peacefully succumbed at home in San Francisco after many years battling the complications of Parkinson’s disease. Art earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University. He worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines beginning in the mid-1980s, based out of San Francisco International Airport. He has long been active in the leather community of San Francisco and volunteered with the former AIDS Emergency Fund. For some years, he headed AEF’s Board of Directors during the 1990s. Art founded the LeatherWalk, a march that used to go from Castro Street via several leather bars that ended with a celebratory event at the SF Eagle. The march, which launches Leather Week the Sunday before the Folsom Street Fair, had raised thou-
<<
Historic site
From page 1
The city’s possible landmarking of the Taylor Street site comes ahead of the 60-year anniversary in August of the Compton’s Cafeteria riots, reportedly sparked by a drag queen tossing a cup of hot coffee in the face of the police officer who tried to arrest her without a warrant. The exact date has been lost to time, despite the efforts of historians and others to determine it. That night in August 1966 at Compton’s marked one of the country’s earliest recorded acts of defiance by trans people against police brutality. The Compton’s riots occurred three years before the better known Stonewall riots in New York City in 1969, which are credited with the beginning of the modern LGBTQ rights movement.
sands of dollars for the AEF and successor agencies. (It is now produced by the San Francisco Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District.) Art also competed in the Mr. SF Leather contest and was featured as Mr. December and on a cover of a Bare Chest Calendar. Known for his good-hearted nature and hilarious wit, his memory is cherished by his spouse of many years, David Bell.
Janis Marie Zivic July 17, 1942 – December 14, 2025
Janis Marie Zivic was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of former World Welterweight Boxing Champion Fritzie Zivic and Helen Stokan Zivic. She earned a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh and taught American literature and writing at Upper St. Clair High School. After relocating to San Francisco, Jan founded The Zivic Group Inc., an
Nearly a year ago, on January 27, 2025, 111 Taylor Street became the first property granted federal landmark status specifically for its connection to the transgender movement in the U.S. In 2022, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors declared the intersection in front of Compton’s, and the exterior walls of 101 Taylor Street, as the city’s 307th landmark. Because the bulk of the structure was not covered by the local landmark, local historians and preservation planners are concerned this leaves the site vulnerable to being torn down. GEO Group has run the reentry facility on out of the site for 36 years. GEO Group is currently the subject of Board of Supervisors hearings, looking into alleged human rights violations and the death of its former resident Melvin Bulauan Tenderloin district Supervisor Bilal
executive recruiting firm later acquired by Spencer Stuart. In 1986, she and her partner, Paula Chamberlin, welcomed their daughter, Jessie, who became the center of Jan’s life. Following a traumatic brain injury in 1999, Jan co-founded vibrantBrains and earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of San Francisco. She remained deeply committed to creativity, learning, and service throughout her life. A quiet fighter, Jan survived both brain cancer and pancreatic cancer. To honor the caregivers who supported her, she established the Jan Zivic Career Development Award for Patient Care Assistants at UCSF. Jan recently relocated to Living Out, an LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs, where she died suddenly following a fall. She is survived by her daughter, Jessie Zivic Chamberlin, and many loving family members and friends. Memorial and donation details can be found at everloved.com/life-of/ janis-zivic
Mahmood, who initiated the investigation, requested to reconvene after November’s hearing to continue the process. The next hearing date has not yet been determined. The supervisors want to hear from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as a main contractor with GEO Group, though officials with the state agency had declined to appear before. The landmark hearing is for the Historic Preservation Commission to consider initiating the landmarking process. If the commission votes to approve the nomination, there are several more steps before the landmark designation becomes official. The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission will hear this and other items on Wednesday, January 21, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 400 at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.t
digital platform and print editions, stressed Fox, are being implemented with one ultimate goal in mind: ensuring The G&LR remains in print. “As to the question about do we see ourselves going online only, the answer is over my dead body,” Fox told the B.A.R. “I am kind of an old-fashioned guy in some ways and I really like magazines and I like books.” He pointed to the ability for readers to “thumb through” the printed magazines to find articles of interest to them. It is a different experience than scrolling around online content, said Fox. “We were just talking a few days ago about how you can’t really thumb through a website. You can’t just, like, thumb through and see which articles are of interest to you on topics that appeal to you,” said Fox. “Especially since each issue has a particular theme, it is nice being able to see all the articles together and go from one to the next and be exploring the theme of the issue.” To which Schneider added, “I am still surprised we exist in hard copy. I guess for all the reasons Jeremy specified, people still like hard copy magazines and books.” The magazine has traditionally had 8,000 print subscribers, with several hundred digital subscribers. While it has readers in all 50 states, the largest group of subscribers are residents of New York City. Los Angeles and San Francisco vie for the number two city, said Schneider. “We have more subscribers in California than any state,” he said. A one-year print subscription costs $24.95, while it is $39.95 for a two-year subscription, whereas a one-year digital only subscription costs $18.99. The magazine’s print run is between 10,000 and 11,000 copies, as it is sold at Barnes and Noble bookstores. It also mails out copies to overseas subscribers, mostly in Canada and the United Kingdom, who pay a slightly higher rate. “We are struggling to maintain our subscription base,” acknowledged Schneider, adding that it is an industrywide issue. “It is hard for magazines these days to maintain their subscriber numbers, but we have done OK.” Its readers are largely 50 years of age or older and skew more toward men than women. Its editorial focus spans the breadth of the LGBTQ community, Fox pointed out, and it created a grant program a few years ago that awards up to $700 to young scholars to produce an article for publication. (One about gay farmers appears in the new print issue.) It recently created an account on TikTok to reach a younger audience. It is one way the magazine has been increasing its social media presence in order to meet readers where they are consuming
media nowadays. “My vision for how we keep the magazine going and keep it relevant, and also how we attract some readers under 50 maybe, is that I want to expand the variety of perspectives and the variety of reviewers that we have in the magazine,” Fox said. “Since I have started putting together our feature articles, I have worked hard at – as Richard has done for a long time – trying to balance and make sure we have cisgender women as well as cisgender men represented, and I have brought in more transgender writers than we have typically had in the past.”
Diversifying pool of writers
Another of his priorities has been to work with more writers of color from various backgrounds. Fox sees doing so as vital to ensuring the magazine’s longterm success. “I am trying to bring in more writers with different ethnic backgrounds and all kinds of different experiences so that we bring in new readers along with them. And that we show the entire community that we have something for them,” said Fox. “I don’t want us to ever wind up just catering to a cisgender, gay male audience. The G&L Review has never been exclusively that, but it seems, for whatever reasons, it seems to be easier to find gay men who are interested in contributing.” The birth of the magazine traces back to the campus of Harvard, where Schneider earned a Ph.D. in sociology in the early 1980s. He initially launched the magazine under the title of the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review, based on the campus group then known as the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus for which he wrote newsletters, competing against other LGBTQ magazines. “There were rivals in the past but there aren’t anymore, really,” said Schneider, who in the 1990s had been the director of research for Boston-based consulting firm The Center for Strategy Research. A major challenge Fox will need to confront, said Schneider, is ensuring people know that The G&L Review exists not merely online but continues to publish print issues. “We have to let people know we are here,” he said. “I think the challenge for us is getting people to make that transition from finding out about a magazine online, even maybe liking it and learning something from it, and converting over to the hard copy magazine, which means pulling out a credit card to make that happen.” The magazine’s “bringing information and ideas to the people,” said Fox, is a need that hasn’t gone away. “I hope to see it stick around for another 32 years. After that, I expect to be dead,” he quipped. t
Let’s talk cannabis. CASTRO • MARINA • SOMA C10-0000523-LIC; C10-0000522-LIC; C10-0000515-LIC
<< Open Forum
4 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 8-14, 2026
Volume Volume56, 56,Number NumberXX 2 Month JanuaryXX-XX, 8-14, 2026 2026 www.ebar.com
PUBLISHER Michael M. Yamashita Thomas E. Horn, Publisher Emeritus (2013) Publisher (2003 – 2013) Bob Ross, Founder (1971 – 2003) NEWS EDITOR Cynthia Laird ARTS & NIGHTLIFE EDITOR Jim Provenzano ASSISTANT EDITORS Matthew S. Bajko • John Ferrannini CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kyle Amato •J.Race Christopher BealeBannon • Robert • Robert Brokl Brokl Brian Bromberger Christopher J. Beale • Philip • Brian Campbell Bromberger Heather Philip Campbell Cassell • Myron Eliot Faine Caringal • Heather Michael•Flanagan Cassell Meg Collins • Jim • Chelsea Gladstone Davis Liz Highleyman Natasha Dennerstein • Brandon • EliotJudell Faine• •Lisa Michael Keen Philip Mayard Flanagan • Jim• Gladstone Laura Moreno • Liz Highleyman David-Elijah Brandon Judell Nahmod • Michele • Mark Karlsberg William•Norby Lisa Keen JL Odom Kennedy Matthew • Paul Parish • Philip • Tim Mayard Pfaff Jim McDermott Piechota • Adam • Laura Sandel Moreno • David-Elijah Jason Serinus Nahmod • Mark• Gregg WilliamShapiro Norby • JL Odom Gwendolyn Tim Pfaff • Jim Smith Piechota • Charlie • Joshua WagnerPolanski Ed Walsh Adam Sandel • Cornelius • GreggWashington Shapiro • Gwendolyn • Sura Wood Smith • Charlie Wagner • Ed Walsh • Cornelius Washington • Evelyn C. White ART DIRECTION Max ART Leger DIRECTION Max Leger PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PRODUCTION/DESIGN Ernesto Sopprani PHOTOGRAPHERS Jane PHOTOGRAPHERS Philomen Cleland Rick Gerharter Jane Philomen•Cleland Gooch JoseGerharter Rick A. Guzman-Colon • Gooch Rudy A. Jose K. Guzman-Colon Lawidjaja • Georg Lester Rich Stadtmiller Rudy K. Lawidjaja• Christopher • Georg Lester Robledo Fred Stadtmiller Rich Rowe • Shot• in Christopher the City Robledo Steven Fred Rowe Underhill • Shot•inBillthe Wilson City Steven Underhill • Bill Wilson ILLUSTRATORS & CARTOONISTS Christine ILLUSTRATORS Smith & CARTOONISTS Christine Smith VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVERTISING Scott PRESIDENT VICE Wazlowski –OF 415.829.8937 ADVERTISING Scott Wazlowski – 415.829.8937 NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media NATIONAL ADVERTISING – 212.242.6863 REPRESENTATIVE Rivendell Media – 212.242.6863 LEGAL COUNSEL Paul H. COUNSEL LEGAL Melbostad, Esq. Paul H. Melbostad, Esq.
Bay Area Reporter B Area Reporter 44ay Gough Street, Suite 302
SanGough Francisco, CASuite 94103 44 Street, 302 415.861.5019 www.ebar.com San Francisco,•CA 94103 415.861.5019 • www.ebar.com A division of BAR Media, Inc. © 2026 President: Michael M. Yamashita A division of BAR Media, Inc. © 2026 Director: Scott President: Michael Wazlowski M. Yamashita Director: Scott Wazlowski
News Editor • news@ebar.com Arts Editor News Editor• arts@ebar.com • news@ebar.com Out &Editor Arts About• listings arts@ebar.com • jim@ebar.com Advertising Out & About•listings scott@ebar.com • jim@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com Advertising • scott@ebar.com Letters • letters@ebar.com
Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the right to editweekly. or reject advertisement which the the Published Bayany Area Reporter reserves publisher believes is in taste or which adverright to edit or reject anypoor advertisement which the tises illegal items which might result in legaladveraction publisher believes is in poor taste or which against Bay items Area Reporter. Adsresult will not rejected tises illegal which might in be legal action solely onBay theArea basisReporter. of politics, against Adsphilosophy, will not be religion, rejected race, age, or sexual orientation. solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, religion, race, age, or sexual orientation. Advertising rates available upon request. Advertising rates available upon request. Our list of subscribers and advertisers is confidential is not sold.and Theadvertisers sexual orientation Our list and of subscribers is confi-of advertisers, and writers published dential and isphotographers, not sold. The sexual orientation of herein is neither inferred norand implied. Wepublished are not advertisers, photographers, writers responsible for unsolicited artwork. herein is neither inferred normanuscripts implied. Weorare not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork.
t
Headline New hope for marijuana reform
Aside from getting rid of the penny, the only other positive thing President Donald Trump has done thus far, in our opinion, is issue an executive order last month directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to move forward with loosening regulations on marijuana. This effort, we note, was started during the administration of President Joe Biden, and now Trump has the opportunity to finish the job. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, the most restrictive category that includes heroin. Under the president’s order, cannabis would be reclassified to a Schedule 3 drug, on par with codeine, ketamine, certain stimulants, and some forms of steroids, as Reuters reported. The reclassification would make it easier to conduct medical research involving cannabis. Trump’s order noted that the federal Food and Drug Administration completed a review of medical use of marijuana in 2023 and “found scientific support for its use to treat anorexia related to a medical condition, nausea and vomiting, and pain.” Longtime readers know that the late Denis Peron, a gay man, championed medicinal use of marijuana, ultimately seeing Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, approved by California voters in 1996. Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which allows recreational use, followed in 2016. Many other states now allow the use of cannabis, either medically, recreationally, or both. Yet, federal drug laws lag far behind. Trump recognizes this fact. “The Federal Government’s long delay in recognizing the medical use of marijuana does not serve the Americans who report health benefits from the medical use of marijuana to ease chronic pain and other various medically recognized ailments,” Trump’s December 18 executive order stated. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidentialactions/2025/12/increasing-medical-marijuanaand-cannabidiol-research/ “Americans who often seek alternative relief from chronic pain symptoms are particularly impacted. For example, in one re-
From CNN
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 drug.
search survey, 20% of participating United States veterans reported using fewer opioids as a result of their medical marijuana use. One in 10 seniors used marijuana in the last year and some evidence shows improvements in seniors’ health-related quality of life and pain with medical marijuana use. However, the current Schedule I position of marijuana has impeded research. “The lack of appropriate research on medical marijuana and consequent lack of FDA approval leaves American patients and doctors without adequate guidance on appropriate prescribing and utilization,” the order stated. “One patient survey showed that just 56% of older Americans using marijuana have discussed the usage with their health care provider. This places patients, especially seniors who may be on multiple medications, at increased risk of drug interactions or other adverse events. The Federal Government must improve the research infrastructure for medical marijuana to better serve Americans.” The president also cited public support, to the dismay of some Republicans in Congress who remain opposed to cannabis reform. At his December announcement, Trump said he had other constituencies in mind. “We have people begging me to do this,” he said, citing the overwhelming public support in polls for medical marijuana, as Politico reported.
Headline Power imbalance
by Gwendolyn Ann Smith
T
here seems to be an intriguing disunion in what transgender people want versus what non-transgender people perceive we want. More than this, the reaction to transgender needs feels disproportionate, as if we are asking for something deeply threatening to, well, everything. Maybe that’s true, too. You see, most transgender people really have a simple demand: just leave us alone. I know I’m painting with a very broad brush here, but I feel that the majority of transgender people want to just live our lives. We don’t need anything that special. We just want to be accepted as who we say we are – what we say we are – and to go from there. Indeed, for decades, this is precisely what happened. Yes, you may not have heard as much about us, and there were certainly challenges, but we were there. Everything that seems to be a moral panic today was going on then – and the world did not stop turning. In an interview conducted by David Forbes for the Trans News Network and published January 1, Billie Jean Sweeney, a former New York Time editor, laid out what so many of us already know: Over the last handful of years, the so-called paper of record had been on a deliberate antitrans bent, directed by the paper’s publisher and top editors. This is no surprise. In February 2023, about 200 Times contributors published an open letter, https://nytletter.com/ calling out the Times for its biased coverage of transgender issues. Times writers who pressed the paper for change put their own jobs at risk in the process. Separately, around the same time, GLAAD issued an open letter signed by 100 LGBTQ organizations and leaders. https://glaad.org/new-york-timessign-on-letter-from-lgtbq-allied-leaders-andorganizations/ The paper has all but ignored any attempt to open even the most rudimentary dialogue. Again, this isn’t about trans people wanting to be given anything special – just to be treated fairly. Meanwhile, the right has spent years now, at every opportunity, treating transgender people
Christine Smith
as literal demons. We are accused of being pedophiles and perverts who are all out to attack women, trick men, and force your children to become one of us. Statehouses across the country have sought to pass laws against our very existence, and similar bills are now ready to be taken up in the United States Senate. As this goes on, President Donald Trump has turned “transgender for all” into some weird rallying cry. It is like a shorthand without explanation, designed to inflame but lacking much substance. Even much of the political left is seemingly piling on: while many have continued to hold the line when it counts, others somehow blame transgender people for the loss of the presidential election in 2024, refusing to consider that it was a flawed Democratic campaign that had far more to do with it. Indeed, it seems odd to blame transgender people when the left could barely utter the word in 2024. All of this over a group of people who, for the most part, only want the most basic of freedoms: the right to exist. Yet, this does make me wonder. If we are allowed to be left alone to thrive in this world, what does that mean for those so deeply opposed to transgender people in the first place? I’m not talking about those who have bought the propaganda of transgender people stalking restrooms and winning sports trophies
Trump has the support of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Politico reported, adding that Trump’s willingness to ignore GOP congressional leaders underscores how he’s embracing the more diverse base that elected him in this specific case. Even under a reclassification, marijuana would still be treated as a controlled substance on a federal level and its use subject to tight restrictions and criminal penalties, as Reuters noted. Importantly, such a move, which still has many hurdles to overcome, would be good news for California’s legal cannabis industry, which has been struggling for years amid high taxes and lower than expected consumer demand because many people still get their weed through the black market. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that about 60% of cannabis consumed in the state is procured illegally. Locally, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently voted 8-2 to eliminate the city’s cannabis tax for 10 years, in an effort to help the industry, as media outlets reported. The Chronicle noted that reclassification could help legal cannabis companies reduce their federal taxes. Companies are forbidden from deducting business expenses if they traffic controlled substances classified under Schedule 1 or 2, the paper reported. That means cannabis companies are paying an effective 70% federal tax rate. After the drug is declassified, that rate could be cut to somewhere between 20% to 30%, according to Hirsh Jain, vice chair of the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce and founder of Ananda Strategy, a California consulting firm that advises cannabis retailers and brands. We hope that Bondi and federal regulators move swiftly to implement Trump’s order. (We know, that is an unusual thing for us to write, to say the least.) But much like when we gave credit to former President George W. Bush for creating the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (its implementation capacity now impacted by Trump’s elimination of USAID), we recognize that Trump’s decision to move forward with reclassification of cannabis is long overdue. More research is needed for marijuana, and reclassification is the first step toward meeting that goal. t
in competitions, nor those who simply think, “but trans people are icky.” There surely has to be something that people genuinely fear about transgender people that causes some to spend this much time, money, and energy to stand against us. For one, I think we are, in our nature, standing for body autonomy. If we can do what we want in, and to, these bodies of ours. If we can dress how we wish, determine our own names and genders beyond a societal expectation foisted upon us at birth, and adjust our very forms thanks to hormones and surgery, then who is to say that everyone has a right to their own bodies? What does this do, for example, to abortion rights, when one doesn’t have a say over what happened with – and within – another human being? Is this at the heart of Trump’s “transgender for all” statements? That anyone should have the right of self-determinism when it comes to the mass of cells that they inhabit? Likewise, what does it say to this deeply patriarchal society when those designed as women can become men and usurp the station that men assigned for them? Likewise, what does it say for other women to see someone assigned male at birth who finds so much value in being a woman that they will fight this hard to earn the right to be one? Sure, I think the majority of attacks on transgender people in this country are there because we are a useful minority group that can be attacked, but lacks the power to strike back in much of a meaningful way. Like every other group, we serve as an easy target. Also, yes, we can serve as a quick distraction, I suppose, though the attacks of the last few years sure don’t feel so simple: these are causing me and mine direct harm. I do find myself considering that – to paraphrase William Shakespeare – perhaps they protest too much, and betray that they have larger fears when it comes to trans people. Irrational ones, to be sure, but still fears that gnaw deep into the anti-trans soul. Ironically, in attacking us, they have only made their own fear more powerful. All this time, they could have just let us live our lives. t Gwen Smith really doesn’t ask for much. You can find her at www.gwensmith.com
t
Politics >>
Month XX-XX, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 5
LGBTQ training underway for CA suicide line staff by Matthew S. Bajko
T
raining on queer and transgender issues for counselors with the state’s 988 suicide support line for youth is now underway. California officials expect by the end of March that staff manning the phones at the dozen call centers around the state will have completed the LGBTQ cultural competency course. In mid-December, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the trainings had begun and should wrap up by early spring. More than 1,000 crisis counselors are being offered the new training. “California is committed to meeting every young person where they are, with compassion, understanding, and support,” stated California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Johnson. “These new trainings reinforce our responsibility to ensure LGBTQ youth are met by crisis counselors who are equipped, prepared, and affirming. At a moment when more young people are reaching out for help, we are ready to step in and support.” Agency spokesperson Rodger Butler told the Bay Area Reporter this week that the live virtual training sessions began on December 1 and will continue through March. It did not have data on how many crisis counselors had already completed the training session designed “to improve their understanding of LGBTQ identities, support needs, risk factors, and best practices for compassionate, effective crisis intervention,” according to state officials. “Recorded trainings will also be available to accommodate crisis counselors’ varying work schedules. We are still finalizing the remaining training schedule and complete attendance data is not yet available,” wrote Butler in an emailed reply to the B.A.R.’s questions. Overseeing the trainings is LGBTQyouth focused nonprofit The Trevor Project, which did not respond to the B.A.R.’s queries about the start of the sessions by the deadline to do so Wednesday. According to its 2024 research into the mental health needs of LGBTQ youth, the nonprofit found that 35% of the 1,081 residing in California had seriously considered suicide in the past year. “To meet these young people where they are, it’s critical for crisis counselors to understand their identities, and the unique challenges they face,” stated Mark Henson, Trevor’s vice president of advocacy and government affairs, in the news release from Newsom’s office announcing the commencement of the training sessions. “We are beyond grateful for CalHHS’ partnership, and we look forward to our continued work together to ensure the state’s 988 crisis counselors get the training they need to give LGBTQ youth the culturally competent crisis care they deserve.” As the Political Notebook first reported last summer, The Trevor Project is receiving a portion of the $17.5 million allocated by Newsom and state legislators last year toward the 988 State Suicide and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Fund for overseeing the training sessions. The state leaders did so in response to the Trump administration canceling the specially trained LGBTQ crisis counselors youth under the age of 25 could request when calling the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. As of last July, the “Press 3 option” youth could utilize in order to be connected to a counselor equipped to handle questions about sexual orientation and gender identity matters had been disconnected. “As the Trump administration abandons the well-being of LGBTQ youth, California is putting more resources toward providing vulnerable kids with the mental health support they deserve,” stated Newsom. “We’re proud to part-
Prefer inks to links? Receive a weekly print edition of the Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco’s only LGBTQ newspaper, delivered by first class mail, every week, to your home or office. Convenient mail subscriptions are available for 3, 6, or 12 month periods and ensure you’ll always keep up with the latest, most comprehensive coverage of national, state and local LGBTQ issues, arts, culture, and nightlife produced by California’s largest LGBTQ newsroom. 13 weeks 26 weeks 52 weeks
From The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is overseeing training for the state’s 988 suicide support line for youth.
ner with The Trevor Project to improve critical 988 services for young people in times of crisis.” The suspension at the national level of the service specifically for LGBTQ and questioning youth prompted a number of leaders in statehouses across the country to take action to see that their state’s suicide support line still offered such support. In July, the Illinois Department of Human Services announced that its 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline would continue to provide mental health support services for LGBTQIA+ youth. Since launching in 2022, Illinois’ 988 Lifeline has developed a subnetwork of crisis counselors trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth and adults under 25. Each month the LGBTQIA+ youth subnetwork of the 988 Lifeline supports more than 1,600 calls and 600 chats or texts from young people residing in the Prairie State. “The Trump administration’s decision to end these specialized services is a cruel reversal of proven practices,” stated Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D). “Unequivocally, in Illinois, we stand side by side with each member of the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming youth. If you need help and you call 988, you’ll be met with the compassion, competence and respect.” The website https:// www.988colorado.com/en/whatis-988 for the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line notes that, “All help seekers – including members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community who previously used the ‘Press 3’ option – will continue to receive affirming, compassionate, and confidential support from trained specialists.” In the Golden State, to further address inflated rates of suicidal ideation in LGBTQ youth, gay Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles) last year authored legislation requiring that The Trevor Project’s 24 hours per day, 7 days per week suicide hotline 1-866488-7386 be included on student identification cards given to those in grades 7 to 12 and enrolled in the state’s public colleges and universities. (The line also can be accessed by texting START to 678-678.) Having pledged to enact it once it reached his desk, Newsom did so October 10, which is observed as World Mental Health Day. As of July 1, the impacted schools will need to update the design of their ID cards for pupils. Youth anywhere in the U.S. can call The Trevor Project’s own helpline number and receive support. As for the 988 number, a youth needs to be located in California in order to be connected with a counselor at one of the 12 call centers in the Golden State.
$50 $85 $160
To begin your mail subscription, call us at 415-861-5019 or email keepintouch@ebar.com
Bi Bay Area leaders to tie the knot
Wedding bells await two prominent bisexual leaders in the Bay Area who got engaged while visiting the famous (and much photographed) Hakone Shrine in Hakone, Japan. Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) popped the question to Jaria Jaug, elected last month president of the Berryessa Union School District Board, on the shores of Lake Ashi across from the iconic red torii gate with the snow-capped Mount Fuji off in the distance. Lee, 30, made their engagement public via an Instagram post on New Year’s Eve. He became the first bi member of the state Legislature in 2020, and two years later Jaug became the youngest woman and first openly bi member of her school board. Now 26, she is the associate director of care policy for Working Partnerships USA. Both will need to seek reelection this year if they are to remain on their respective governing bodies. For Lee, chair of the Legislature’s Progressive Caucus, his filing deadline is in early March for the June 2 primary election to advance onto the November ballot, on which the race for Jaug’s school board seat will be. In order to avoid having to pay the filing fee, Lee is once again collecting more than 1,000 signatures in order to qualify for the primary race. Throughout this month on select weekend days, he will be at coffee shops and other venues across his district, which includes Fremont, Milpitas, Newark, Sunol, and Berryessa in northern San Jose. “Most candidates pay the expensive fee to avoid this requirement, but not us. We’re going to be out there again to collect the signatures to get on the ballot to really prove the power of people-powered campaigns,” stated Lee. For exact times and locations of where Lee will be, sign up for his campaign emails at https://www. votealexlee.com/ And the couple’s pending nuptials are sure to be celebrated at Lee’s annual Lunar New Year dim sum fundraiser, his largest event to raise campaign funds. It will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 28, at the Mayflower Restaurant in Milpitas. Tickets start at $188 each and can be bought online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/alexleelunar26 t
Barry Schneider Attorney at Law
family law specialist* • Divorce w/emphasis on Real Estate & Business Divisions • Domestic Partnerships, Support & Custody • Probate and Wills www.SchneiderLawSF.com
415-781-6500 *Certified by the California State Bar 315 Montgomery St., Ste. 1025, San Francisco, CA 94104
Keep abreast of the latest LGBTQ political news by following the Political Notebook on Threads @ https://www.threads.net/@ matthewbajko and on Bluesky @ https://bsky.app/profile/politicalnotes.bsky.social.
UNDERHILL.indd 1
Professional headshots / profile pics Weddings / Events
StevenUnderhill 415 370 7152 • StevenUnderhill.com
12/22/25 6:40 AM
<< From the Cover
6 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 8-14, 2026
<<
Lurie
From page 1
In recent years, the city has backfilled federal HIV/AIDS funding that was cut. However, agencies such as the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, Project Open Hand, and the LYRIC Center of LGBTQQ Youth did see some cuts. With a two-year city deficit of $936 million to fill, and not much help, if any, expected from the federal government, Lurie is asking for $400 million in spending cuts from city departments, and says he will deliver a “responsible budget that prioritizes core services.” Lurie said that he’s not going to “get into what may or may not happen” in the 2026 budgeting process, “but we’ve given instructions to all the department heads that we have to see a minimum in $400 million in savings, and so we’re going to work with them. They have till February to come back to us; We’re meeting with them weekly.” Asked about how he’ll stave off layoffs, Lurie punted the question until February. “People ask, how are you going to do it? We did it last year with a variety of methods,” he said, “and we’re going to look at everything in the coming months.” On other issues, such as public transportation, Lurie is asking voters later this year to raise their own taxes to prevent the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency from going off a fiscal cliff. “We have built such a broad coalition of support around this,” Lurie said of the proposed November 2026 ballot measures – one a regional tax measure, and the other a local parcel tax increase Lurie is shepherding. “I think we have built such a broad coalition of support around this and I’m going to go all in on it. … This is going to be a top priority of mine in 2026. That and charter reform. There is no economic recovery without Muni.”
Family zoning to be tested
While the Board of Supervisors’ moderate majority was able to ensure the passage of his family zoning law late last year, with the state demanding the city build 82,000 residential units in the next five years – and with the city very behind in meeting that requirement – the effectiveness of one of his signature initiatives will be put to the test. Asked how confident he is that the city can meet its housing production goals now that family zoning has passed, Lurie said, “Family zoning is a first step. It’s not the only step. We have a really high cost of construction, high cost of materials. We have high interest rates. So there’s a lot of macro economic factors at play, and we need support on those as well. I look forward to working with the supervisors, also with the state, and if we can find partnership at the federal level as well.” Lurie is a supporter of U.S. Senator Adam Schiff’s (D-California) Housing BOOM Act, short for Building Occupancy Opportunities for Millions. The federal legislation would try to spur affordable and middle-income housing construction through expanded tax
<<
Wong
From page 1
groups,” Wong said. “I don’t think it’s accurate to say I didn’t engage with them,” Wong continued. “I met with Lucas Lux. He gave me a multiple-page document explaining his rationale. I went on a tour of the Great Highway for an hour. Out of all the groups, Sunset Dunes engaged with me the most, actually. … I think the pictures speak for themselves.” Lux disputes Wong’s telling of events. He stated January 6, “Supervisor Wong didn’t promise private meetings, he promised public process. And he broke that promise to us and the public.” The day prior, a San Francisco court ruled against a legal challenge to the park. Wong had said on the day he was inaugurated that he would speak with both supporters and opponents of the permanent closure before committing to future policy specifics.
Courtesy the candidate
District 8 supervisor candidate Michael Trung Nguyen.
credits and other incentives. The legislation was referred to the Senate Finance Committee December 3.
Charter reform
The city’s charter was last reformed three decades ago. Late last year, a large group of experts started to convene that includes gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, who represents District 8, and San Francisco Interfaith Council Executive Director Michael G. Pappas, also a gay man. Reform proposals may reach voters in November. “If length and complexity of a city’s charter correlated with effectiveness of public service delivery, San Francisco would have the most efficient and responsive government around,” stated Mandelman. “For several years now, a consensus has been building that, after nearly a century of amendments and additions, our nearly 600-page charter is overdue for a comprehensive refresh. “I am hopeful that the stakeholders we are bringing together can help us think through the strengths and weaknesses of various reform proposals and set us up to offer the voters of San Francisco a proposal that will allow future city leaders to deliver the excellent government San Franciscans demand and deserve,” he added. Pappas did not return a request for comment for this report. On the day of the working group’s inaugural meeting December 10, Pappas noted in a Facebook post that its focus is to enable more efficient and effective deliver of local government services. “Together, with respected and experienced colleagues from a diverse cross section of sectors, we will carefully examine our city’s lengthy, overly complex and outdated charter that, more often than not, makes it too difficult for government to effectively deliver for San Franciscans,” wrote Pappas. “It is our hope that this process will result in proposed common-sense charter reforms to set our city up for success. Over the coming months this body will engage in a series of public working group meetings to provide input on a variety of charter reform ideas.” Queer San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women member Sophia Andary expressed to the B.A.R. that any reform effort needs to be more well-rounded. “There appeared to be significantly more corporate interest and support “I understand this community,” the Sunset District native said shortly after he was sworn in on December 1. “I can commit to be someone who listens to everybody, who is open minded.” Wong replaced Engardio, who was recalled in September in large measure for his support for the 2024 ballot measure, Proposition K, that closed the upper Great Highway to vehicle traffic and established the Sunset Dunes Park atop it. Critics claimed Engardio did not do enough outreach to learn what District 4 voters wanted. Asked what he would do differently than Engardio, Wong said he didn’t want to make comparisons. “I wouldn’t compare. I’m not doing it in a way that compares,” he said, but he added that, “I think for me, I like to collaborate with people. My approach to things on any given issue is to try to build the largest coalition possible with the largest number of people around common-sense issues I want to work on.”
from individuals aligned with wealth, rather than from community rooted organizations doing on the ground work with marginalized communities,” stated Andary, who was speaking for herself and not as a city commissioner. “Marginalized communities would be negatively impacted with certain charter reforms, and I personally think it’s important to have as many diverse voices at the table.” Andary has also been critical of the voter-approved commission tasked with streamlining and making recommendations about the future of the city’s commissions. As the B.A.R. reported, Andary and her fellow commissioners recently issued a joint statement denouncing the recommendation to turn their oversight body into merely an advisory one as a diminishment of their independent authority and ability to protect and advocate for the city’s female and gender-nonconforming residents. Looking beyond local matters, 2026 also gives Lurie the opportunity to show off his accomplishments, thus far, to the world due to the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup matches coming to the region. The championship football game takes place February 8 at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium in Santa Clara, while the soccer matches are set to begin during Pride Month in June, with local LGBTQ sports advocates planningt to a Pride House for queer and trans fans based out of the San Francisco LGBT Center, as the B.A.R. first reported in December. “I’m really excited about it,” Lurie said. “We get to show off, during Super Bowl, like we’re going to have the world’s eyes on us. That’s going to be a really important market and test for our city, and I’m excited to show the city off and the region off.”
District 8
The races for supervisor in evennumbered districts (including in heavily LGBTQ Districts 6 and 8, which include South of Market and the Castro, respectively) in 2026 are expected to be a referendum on Lurie’s tenure thus far. Running to represent District 8 are Gary McCoy, a gay man who led both of the city’s main LGBTQ Democratic clubs, Alice B. Toklas and Harvey Milk; gay patent attorney and San Francisco Democratic Party County Central Committee member Michael Trung Nguyen, whose drag persona is Juicy Liu; and Emanuel “Manny” Yekutiel, a gay man and Castro resident who owns an eponymous cafe and political events space in the city’s Mission district. Yekutiel declined an interview request for this report, citing his need to campaign. McCoy didn’t return multiple requests for comment by press time. Nguyen said December 17 that, “There’s a lot of things at stake” in 2026, and hopes that if the transit-focused parcel tax passes that property owners don’t just raise rent on tenants to compensate. Asked about Lurie’s tenure thus far, Nguyen gave what he saw as positives and negatives. “He has done a lot to be a cheerleader for San Francisco, which is much needed. San Francisco had been sort In an open letter to Wong, Alice Duesdieker, vice president of Outer Sunset Neighbors; Molly Rose, representing Sunset Parent Advocates; Eliza Panike, Outer Sunset Neighbors and District 4 SFMTA Citizens Advisory Council member; and Poppy Gilman, Offix Edge owner and District 4 resident, criticized Wong, writing, “We are stating plainly that taking a controversial position – while refusing to meet with Outer Sunset organizations after committing to do so – undermines trust and damages your credibility in this neighborhood. We believe this can still be corrected. We are asking you to: Meet directly with Outer Sunset organizations and constituents that were ignored [and] Hold your decision on this ballot measure until after engaging in those conversations.” Wong said he did not vote for Proposition K, which passed citywide but overwhelmingly failed in District 4, not winning a single precinct there. A measure to repeal it and reopen the upper
t
of caught in a ‘doom loop’ narrative – largely of the previous mayor’s making,” he said, referring to former mayor London Breed. “I go downtown every day and I’ve definitely seen improvement in the streets, more conventions, so that’s been great.” Nguyen pointed to Lurie’s muted reaction to the second Trump administration as something he didn’t like; other Golden State Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have been more outspoken than Lurie, who has made a practice of avoiding uttering the president’s name. “I wish the mayor had taken more of a stand publicly,” Nguyen said. “The mayor could have done more to show moral leadership.” Nguyen did point out that back in October, with the Bay Area on the brink of a surge of federal immigration agents, Lurie made an announcement no other blue city mayor had made before: the president was calling off border patrol agents already staging for a surge in San Francisco. Lurie said at the time it was because of his powers of persuasion, while President Donald Trump added his usual flare to Lurie’s account of events, saying that “friends of mine who live in the area” were key to the decision, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who he said spoke highly of Lurie and of the city’s efforts to turn the corner. (Benioff had created a stir when he initially told reporters Trump should send federal troops to the city, before changing his position.) For Mandelman, Lurie’s nonconfrontational attitude with the Trump administration paid off for San Franciscans who would have been harmed in a surge of border patrol agents. “He’s not going to shake his fist at the sky,” Mandelman said of Lurie. “He’s actually going to do his job as mayor of San Francisco.” Mandelman pointed out that the City Attorney’s office has filed 10 lawsuits against Trump’s administration since the president began his second term last January. “We are fighting back,” Mandelman said. “But we’re not going to do it in a way that makes us more of a target than we already are.” Still, Nguyen said, “It was a behind the scenes thing, and I wish he [Lurie] were more public about it.” Nguyen is also concerned about the aforementioned $400 million in potential budget cuts. He thinks that if the city invested in universal basic income for artists, it would see returns in economic activity, citing an Irish universal basic income program that claimed society got back one euro and 39 cents for every euro invested. Late last year, the Board of Supervisors voted to settle a second lawsuit against the city for its GIFT program, which gave a guaranteed income to some transgender San Franciscans on the basis of their gender identity. Both lawsuits asserted the program was illegal on that basis. The other programs the suit alleged were illegally discrimina-
tory were the San Francisco Guaranteed Income Plan for Artists, the Abundant Birth Project, and the Black Economic Equity Movement, or BEEM, which is not funded by the city. Those programs were accused of illegally taking race into account in deciding who to disburse money to. Nguyen stated that the programs “were designed as targeted tools to address poverty and systemic discrimination, not to divide our communities.” “This ‘reverse discrimination’ framing is part of a national strategy to create wedges between communities of color, and I do not subscribe to it,” he continued. “I’m glad the Board of Supervisors chose to settle this case so the city can limit costs and uncertainty, and I take seriously the City Attorney’s point that this narrow settlement does not bar San Francisco from designing future programs that support trans communities and other vulnerable groups. But settling a lawsuit cannot be the end of the conversation – it must be the beginning of a new phase of work.” Nguyen said that, “I don’t think we can cut our way to prosperity. I think it’s a very right-wing narrative. We should be making historic investments in arts and culture. … It would be a shame if the mayor just kind of cut all these programs that add to the magic of San Francisco.” The B.A.R. also asked the two LGBTQ Democratic clubs what they thought about Lurie’s first year and their hopes for 2026. The Alice club did not return a request for comment for this report by press time. Melissa Hernandez and Reid Coggins, co-presidents of the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, stated, “We are disappointed by Mayor Lurie’s Trumplike quest to consolidate mayoral power, gut citizen oversight of government, and prioritize billionaire interests over the needs of working families. As we enter a new year, our club hopes that Mayor Lurie will prioritize the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors, stand up against Trump, and commit to building a more equitable San Francisco for the Us’s.”
Great Highway to cars on weekdays was floated by District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the Richmond District. Mission Local reported. that Wong did not reach out to Chan before announcing his support, but that he did reach out to supporters and opponents of Sunset Dunes. “Supervisor Chan is still in favor of reopening the highway and going back to the compromise, but we have not seen any proposals from Supervisor Wong so we can’t comment on what his plan might be,” Robyn Burke, a legislative aide to Chan, told the B.A.R. on January 5.
were installed near Golden Gate Park. However, more power outages followed. Wong said during the interview that he has written a letter to PG&E asking the utility “for answers, and information on remedies.” With the largest outage happening the Saturday before Christmas, the situation was untenable for small businesses. “Essentially all commerce stopped, and this was in the middle of the holiday season as Christmas approached, and winter solstice for the Asian community,” Wong said. “We had people on ventilators who had to go to the hospital because of the outage.” Wong wants a hearing and compensation for those affected. “I called for a public hearing on this disaster – getting PG&E to show up and get us answers on how all this happened and how we can prevent this from happening in the future, because there’s been a lack of sufficient response,” Wong said.
Power woes
Wong has spent much of his time in office thus far just trying to keep the Sunset District’s lights on – in December 2025, District 4 saw six power outages. After the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Mission substation went out on December 20, resulting in a massive outage through the city, temporary generators
National stage
With Lurie receiving 71% approval among likely voters according to a November 13-18 David Binder poll, it’s hard to predict when, how, or if, the Levi Strauss heir’s new denim will fade. “What we’ve put in place, people are feeling it,” Lurie said. “Now we have to put our foot on the accelerator. Now we have to go execute.” Lurie is thinking he’ll be attending his first U.S. Conference of Mayors conference in Washington, D.C. January 28-30. “People say I should go to that,” he said. Lurie, a former nonprofit executive, said that when he was running for office, San Franciscans who traveled often would report that when they divulged their city of residence, people would look at them with concern and ask “Oh God – San Francisco. Are you OK? Are you safe?” As 2026 dawns, Lurie said, “I don’t think people are asking that question.” t
See page 7 >>
t <<
Community News>>
Wong
From page 6
“During an earthquake or a fire, life could have been lost. … I am sending a query to our city departments, including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the city controller’s office, and others, to look into the fiscal and operational implications and practicalities of potentially having a public electric grid. My position is that I’m open to the idea, and at the same time, I’d like to understand what the fiscal and operational implications are for the city if we were to consider something of that magnitude.” PG&E has announced credits for customers affected by the blackouts. Residential customers will automatically receive a $200 bill credit, and business customers will receive an approximately $2,500 credit, according to a December 22 statement from the company. “We recognize the significant impact this outage had on our customers, and we are committed to providing immediate and meaningful support,” stated Vincent Davis, senior vice president and chief customer officer. “We are making this as fast and easy as possible for our customers. The credits are one way we are working
January 8-14, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7
to restore trust and ensure our customers receive the assistance they deserve.” Outer Sunset Merchant & Professional Association President Bill Barnickel has been working with Wong on helping merchants submit claims to PG&E. “I just called and said, ‘Hey, Alan, we gotta collaborate,’” he said. Barnickel went door to door to merchants to ask if they had electricity problems and gave them the PG&E number to complain. “I will do the follow-up next week,” Barnickel said in a January 3 phone interview. “The big issue we’re going to have is the follow-up. It’s great we file claims, that PG&E gets the paperwork, but once again, it’s the follow-up. I just want to get it done properly.” Barnickel, who is on the city’s veterans affairs commission, also worked with Wong when the latter was a legislative aide to then-District 4 Supervisor Gordon Mar. Wong was instrumental in helping veterans get affordable housing, Barnickel said. “Alan’s the person who can do the job,” Barnickel said. “He’s not the most gregarious type, but he gets the job done. That’s all I can say, and I hope he does a good job and he has my support.” In June, Wong is running to complete
Engardio’s term, which ends early next year. So far, there are two candidates running against him: Natalie Gee, chief of staff to District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton, and former recreation and park commissioner David Lee. Reached for comment, Gee stated that she’s “been thrilled with the outpouring of support that our campaign has received from people all across the district.” Gee stated she, too, has the same priorities as Wong, and will listen to District 4 voters. “After being let down time and again, District 4 residents want a supervisor who is accountable to them, not powerful backers and outside interests,” she continued. “That is exactly the supervisor I will be. Sunset voters can trust me to deliver on funding true public safety, making our streets safe, and uplifting our small businesses.” These will be her highest priorities, she concluded. “They can trust that my number one priority is representing their interests in City Hall, not running for higher office, currying favor with the ultra-wealthy, or selling out to corporate interests,” she stated. Lee stated to the B.A.R. January 6 that
he set up a Change.org petition asking PG&E to increase the credit from $200 to $500 per impacted household, and from $2,000 to $5,000 per impacted business. The online version has one signature as of press time, but Lee stated over 100 signed a written, physical copy. “I have been working with the impacted Asian merchants and residents to demand that PG&E increase the credit,” he stated. “We also want bilingual customer service reps to help monolingual people fill out the PG&E claim form.” Lee did not return a request to comment for this report by press time. After Engardio was recalled, but before Wong was appointed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, the seat was briefly filled by 29-year-old political novice Isabella “Beya” Alcaraz, who resigned after one week due to controversies stemming from her handling of a Sunset district pet store. Wong said he is devoting two staff members – half his staff – to directly handling constituent concerns. Asked his priorities for this year, he said public safety, permit reform, and education. Wong had been a trustee of the board of City College of San Francisco immediately before Lurie appointed him District 4 supervi-
sor. He particularly wants to increase the child care subsidy to 200% of the area median income. “I will be an ally to our public and private schools in the Sunset district,” he said. “Many families move to the Sunset so their kids can grow up in a neighborhood that is safe and clean, and I will be a cheerleader for public schools and be there to support them and promote initiatives when practical.”
DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026
(CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/11/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2025.
Registrant/Owner(s): CORBETT T. LEE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/17/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/17/2025.
Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): 3DGE MARKETING, 455 MARKET STE 1040 #846983, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): 3DGE MARKETING LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2025.
LGBTQ issues
Wong said that he is still studying LGBTQ issues expected to come before the Board of Supervisors. While on the City College board, Wong was instrumental in the college district hiring a gay man as interim chancellor. Mitchell Bailey served in the role until the district hired its permanent chancellor, Kimberlee Messina, last June. Wong is unsure if he will be supporting a batch of LGBTQ landmark proposals being sponsored by gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, entering his last year as District 8 supervisor. Asked about it, Wong said, “I think I would need to learn a little bit more about it because I don’t have that information.” t
Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560319 To all interested persons, the Petitioner TIFFANY JUANA FUNG AKA JUANA TIFFANY TERESA LAUX filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name TIFFANY JUANA FUNG AKA JUANA TIFFANY TERESA LAUX to proposed name JUANA TIFFANY TERESA LAUX. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 22, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560321 To all interested persons, the Petitioner JUDITH CLAIRE BREES filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name JUDITH CLAIRE BREES AKA J. CLAIRE BREES AKA CLAIRE J. BREES to proposed name CLAIRE BREES. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 27, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560328 To all interested persons, the Petitioner RUI CHAO LI filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name RUI CHAO LI AKA JIMMY LEE to proposed name JIMMY LEE. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 27, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560332 To all interested persons, the Petitioner FELIX KERZHNER AKA FELIKS KERZHNER filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name FELIX KERZHNER AKA FELIKS KERZHNER to proposed name FELIKS KERZHNER. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 27, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407975 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ANTONIETA CONSULTING SERVICES, 222 TAYLOR ST #202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MARIA A. JANDRES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/13/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407867 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): YVES NOIRE, 1518 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): LISA GONZALES. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407999 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ACES PROPERTY SOLUTIONS, 91 ELLINGTON AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): FLORENCE LAUZON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/15/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407972 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): THE LOTUS PRACTICE, 28 GEARY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/ Owner(s): ANJNA CHAMPANERI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407949 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): A B PLUMBING; A.B. PLUMBING; PRECISION FLOW PLUMBING: PRECISIONFLOW PLUMBING, 910 SILLIMAN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): AB PLUMBING INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/03/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/05/2025.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407968 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GREPTILE, 50 FRANCISCO ST #130, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): TABNAM, INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/23/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408001 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ERGOEROTICS; CENTER FOR SEXUAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATION; SUTHE; SUTHE PRODUCTS; PAMPERED PETAL; BLUSHING LOTUS; SOOTHE PRODUCTS, 28 GEARY ST #650, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): THE SQUARED H CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/2012. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/15/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407963 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): NEW ME, 3020 GEARY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): VERA BEAUTY BROW & LASHES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/09/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407966 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FULL PROOF, 4126 13TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): TIPPLE TOP INDUSTRIES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407767 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BELLA, 316 11TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): BALUCA LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/03/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/07/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407955 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): TOTO MELTS, 2235 3RD ST #E407, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107-2105. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): ETHIOROOT NATURALS, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/08/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407778 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SANTOS DIVINOS, 934 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): HOME ART N ARTIFACTS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/10/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/10/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407964 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO, 757 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): FRIAR PERCH LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407907 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GO BANANAS, 1671 YORK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): F2 DESIGN LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/25/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407985 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CARGETGO, 1390 MARKET ST #200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-5404. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CARGETGO.COM LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/31/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407987 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): WEROAST COFFEE COLLECTIVE, 1385 HARRISON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): DABCO, LLC
DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407977 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): DEKA FABRICATION, 1335 YOSEMITE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): ONE HAT ONE HAND LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407930 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ALICE, 343 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/ Owner(s): CUORE MATTO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/02/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407746 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): THE FUSION GRAIN EXPRESS, 1355 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): PINOY EAT2 LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/05/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/05/2025. DEC 18, 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560335 To all interested persons, the Petitioner MATTHEW LAWRENCE SPRINGER filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name MATTHEW LAWRENCE SPRINGER AKA MATTHEW LAMBERT SPRINGER AKA MATTHEW L. SPRINGER AKA MATTHEW L SPRINGER AKA MATTHEW SPRINGER AKA MATT SPRINGER to proposed name MATTHEW LAWRENCE SPRINGER. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 29, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560337 To all interested persons, the Petitioner DAVID SAMUEL WELCH AKA SAM JONES III filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name DAVID SAMUEL WELCH AKA SAM JONES III to proposed name SAM JONES III. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 29, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560338 To all interested persons, the Petitioner CHARLENE ANN BALAGTAS LEODONES filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name CHARLENE ANN BALAGTAS LEODONES to proposed name JAMIE ANN BALAGTAS LEODONES. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: JANUARY 29, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407836 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PAWPITOS PET SALON, 2264 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): LUIS BENITEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/17/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408024 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MATCH AND MELT CRAFT BAR, 1808 MCALLISTER ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MOHAMMAD FEREYDOUNI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/17/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/17/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408025 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE MERCHANDISE; ARCADE & VENDING SERVICES; KNIGHT LIGHTS; KNIGHT LIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT; PHOTOBOX; 2295 17TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual.
DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407969 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): JS CLEANING SERVICES, 625 S 33RD ST, RICHMOND, CA 94804. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JOSE ISAAC SORIANO RODRIGUEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/20/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/10/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407882 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): TOUCH TOUCH FLOWERS DESIGNS BY ALBERT, 419 19TH AVE #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121-3149. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ALBERT E. LOUIS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/24/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/24/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407960 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): THE NEW GARDEN CAMP, 333 BAKER ST #505, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a general partnership. Registrant/Owner(s): CHASON MAKSIM ALEXANDER IONOV & LILLY PEALL FERRIS. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408016 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BLOC REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION, 2346 33RD AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): BATSHON REAL ESTATE COMPANY (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408014 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MOMMY’S INDIAN GROCERY, 1138 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): CHAAT DINER SAN FRANCISCO INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408015 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CHAAT DINER, 1140 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): CHAAT DINER SAN FRANCISCO INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408011 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PHERO, 157 7TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): STYLIST ON STANDBY, INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407980 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CEYORA HEALTH, 1020 MARIPOSA ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): FINESSE FORCE LLC (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/11/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2025-0407865 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as MOMMY’S INDIAN GROCERY, 1138 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by LALIT SAHA ESTATES LLC (CA). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/21/2025. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2025-0405221 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as CHAAT DINER, 1140 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business was conducted by a limited liability company and signed by LALIT SAHA ESTATES LLC (CA). The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/20/2024. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2024-0404243 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as CITY LIGHTS PALACE, 706 SACRAMENTO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by ALLAN NUTTALL. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/22/2024. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025.. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2022-0397255 The following persons have abandoned the use of the
Senior Data Analyst
Produce business intelligence by querying data repositories & generating periodic reports. Req. Bach. in Data Analytics, Bus. Analytics & Risk Mgmt., or rel. field & 2 yrs exp in job or 2 yrs exp as Mktg. Data Analyst, or rel. occup. Any suitable combo of educ, training &/or exp is acceptable. Jobsite: San Francisco, CA. Wage range: $170,000/yr to $204,300/yr. Send resume ref#24187 to K. Finnsson, Activision Blizzard Media LLC, 555 California St, #200, San Francisco, CA 94104.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408013 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FIREHORSE SALON, 659 HAIGHT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): STEINER PIERCE LIMITED (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/2009. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. JKT-Partners-1x3_062223.indd 1 DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408036 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PIER 70 TIME MACHINE, 1070 MARYLAND ST #2.35, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): POTRERO HILL ARCHIVES PROJECT (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/01/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408046 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BAYSHORE GAS & FOOD, 319 BAYSHORE BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): BAL STATIONS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/12/2004. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/19/2025. DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
Senior Software 1/5/26 7:52 AM Developer, SDK. Research, design, & dev. computer software or specialized utility programs in Ads Engineering team for next generation Ads Platform. Req. Bach. in Comp. Science, or rel. field. Jobsite: San Francisco, CA. Wage range: $193,700/yr to $204,300/yr. Send resume ref#24191 to K. Finnsson, Activision Blizzard Media LLC, 555 California St, #200, San Francisco, CA 94104.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407988
JKT-Partners-1x3_062223.indd 1
1/5/26 7:54 AM
<< Classifieds
8 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 8-14, 2026
fictitious business name known as EMERALD SPA, 441 STOCKTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by ALLAN NUTTALL. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 05/27/2022. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025..
DEC 25, 2025, JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF GERARD VAN DIST IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: CASE NUMBER PES-25-308782 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the lost will or estate, or both, of GERARD VAN DIST AKA GERARD MARC GEORGES VAN DIST. A Petition for Probate has been filed by RONALD LAU & BRIAN KEENE in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that RONALD LAU & BRIAN KEENE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s lost will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: JANUARY 21, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 204, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined by section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept SUMMONS IN A CIVIL ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Ohio corporation, Plaintiff(s) v. REPAIRPAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, and AUBREY JACKSON SHELTON II, a California citizen, Defendant(s). CIVIL ACTION NO. 25-cv-05094-DMR To Defendant: AUBREY JACKSON SHELTON II, a California citizen, 2261 Market St #4705, San Francisco, CA 94114. A lawsuit has been filed against you. Within 21 days after the service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it) - or 60 days if you are the United States or the United States agency, or an officer or employee of the United States described in Fed. R. Civ. P. 12 (a)(2) or (3) - you must serve on the plaintiff an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The answer or motion must be served on the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney, whose name and address are: COZEN O’CONNOR, VALERIE D. ROJAS (SBN 180041), VROJAS@ COZEN.COM, 601 SOUTH FIGUEROA ST #3700, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017. If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You also must file your answer or motion with the court. Date 06/17/2025, Mark B. Busby, Clerk of the Court. SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE COMPANY’S COMPLAINT For its Complaint against Defendants RepairPal, Inc. (“RepairPal”) and Aubrey Jackson Shelton II (“Shelton”), Plaintiff Scottsdale Insurance Company (“Scottsdale”) states as follows: 1. This is an insurance coverage action seeking declaratory relief pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201, 2202, and 1332 and for breach of contract. PARTIES 2. Scottsdale is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio with its principal place of business located in Scottsdale, Arizona. 3. RepairPal is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business located in San Francisco, California. 4. Shelton was a senior accountant at RepairPal and is a citizen of the State of California. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1332(a)(1). There is complete diversity of citizenship between Scottsdale, on the one hand, and RepairPal and Shelton, on the other hand, and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs. 6. Venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b)(1) and (2) because Shelton resides in San Francisco and RepairPal is headquartered in San Francisco, and a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred in this district. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS The Policy 7. Scottsdale issued Business and Management Indemnity Policy No. EKS3468389 to RepairPal (the “Policy”) effective for the period from March 1, 2023 to March 1, 2024 (the “Policy Period”). A copy of the Policy is attached hereto as “Exhibit 1.” 8. Subject to the Policy’s terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and endorsements, the Policy provides coverage under an Employment Practices Coverage Section and a Directors and Officers and Company (“D&O”) Coverage Section. (Ex. 1 at Declarations, Item 3.) 9. Insuring Clause A(1) of the D&O Coverage Section states that Scottsdale shall pay the “Loss” of the “Directors and Officers” for which the “Directors and Officers” are not indemnified by RepairPal and which the “Directors and Officers” have become legally obligated to pay by reason of a “Claim” first made against the “Directors and Officers” during the Policy Period or, if elected, the Extended Period and reported to Scottsdale pursuant to Section E(1) of the Policy, for a “Wrongful Act” taking place prior to the end of the Policy Period. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § A(1).) 10. Insuring Clause A(2) of the D&O Coverage Section states that Scottsdale shall pay the “Loss” of the “Company” for which the “Company” has indemnified the “Directors and Officers” and which the “Directors and Officers” have become legally obligated to pay by reason of a “Claim” first made against the “Directors and Officers” during the Policy Period or, if elected, the Extended Period and reported to Scottsdale pursuant to Section E(1) of the Policy, for a “Wrongful Act” taking place prior to the end of the Policy Period. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § A(2).) 11. “Directors and Officers” is defined in the D&O Coverage Section, in relevant part, as any person who was, now is, or shall become a duly elected or appointed director, officer, or similar executive of the Company, or a full-time or part-time employee of RepairPal. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § B(4), as amended by Endorsements No. 25, 32, 40.) 12. “Claim” is defined in the D&O Coverage Section, in pertinent part, as “a criminal proceeding against any ‘Insured’ commenced by a return of an indictment or similar document, or receipt of filing of a notice of charges,” among other things. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section §§ B(1)(d), as amended by Endorsements No. 4, 30, 34.) 13. “Insured” is defined as the “Company” (i.e., RepairPal) and the Directors and Officers. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § B(5); General Terms & Conditions § B(2); Declarations, Item 1.) 14. “Loss” is defined in the D&O Coverage Section, in relevant part, as damages, judgments, settlements, pre-judgment or post-judgment interest awarded by a court, and “Costs, Charges and Expenses” incurred by Directors and Officers under Insuring Clause 1, with several exceptions. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § B(7), as amended by Endorsement No. 7.) 15. “Wrongful Act” is defined in the D&O Coverage Section, in relevant part, as: any actual or alleged error, omission, misleading statement, misstatement, neglect, breach of duty or act allegedly committed or attempted by: a. any of the Directors and Officers, while acting in their capacity as such, or any matter claimed against any Director and Officer solely by reason of his or her serving in such capacity; b. any of the Directors and Officers, while acting in their capacity as a director, officer, trustee, governor, executive director or similar position of any ‘Outside Entity’ where such service is with the knowledge and consent of [RepairPal] . . . . (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § B(9).) 16. “Costs, Charges and Expenses” is defined in the D&O Coverage Section, in pertinent part, as “reasonable and necessary legal costs, charges, fees and expenses incurred by any of the Insureds in defending Claims . . . .” (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § B(3)(a), as amended by Endorsement No. 34.) 17. The Policy states that it shall be the duty of Scottsdale and not the duty of the Insureds to defend any Claim. (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § F(1).) 18. The Policy states: “The Insureds agree not to settle or offer to settle any Claim, incur any Costs, Charges and Expenses or otherwise assume any contractual obligation to admit any liability with respect to any Claim without the prior written consent of [Scottsdale], such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. [Scottsdale] shall not be liable for any settlement, Costs, Charges and Expenses, assumed obligation or admission to which it has not consented” (the “Consent Provision”). (Ex. 1 at D&O Coverage Section § F(3).) The Underlying Action 19. On or about August 15, 2023, the United States of America
SCOTTSDALE-2x11.5-LEGAL-122525.indd 1
by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Petitioner: RONALD LAU & BRIAN KEENE, 4306 GEARY BLVD #301, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118; Ph. (415) 742-4522.
JAN 01, 08, 15, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407899 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CAN-CUN #3, 3211 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): EL GRAN TACO LOCO, INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/25/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 11/25/2025. JAN 01, 08, 15, 22, 2026 SUMMONS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: KEYHAN MOHANNA, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS TRUSTEE OF THE KEYHAN MOHANNA REVOCABLE TRUST DATED JULY 8, 2003, YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: MITCHELL ZHANG, INDIVIDUALLY CASE NO. CGC-23-608770 NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo. filed an Indictment against Shelton, No. 3:23-cr-00258-JSC, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (the “Underlying Action”). A copy of the Underlying Action is attached hereto as “Exhibit 2.” 20. In the Underlying Action, the Government alleged that Shelton engaged in a scheme to defraud RepairPal by diverting money in RepairPal’s bank accounts for his own personal use. (Ex. 2 ¶¶ 6-7.) 21. The Government asserted that Shelton inflated his salary and bonus by representing that he was entitled to receive “executive loans” and “reimbursements” that he did not actually incur, provided false payroll documentation in furtherance of the scheme, and failed to disclose to RepairPal that he had improperly transferred money from RepairPal’s bank accounts to his personal accounts. (Id. ¶ 7.) 22. The Government asserted the following causes of action against Shelton: (1) bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344(a); (2) wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; (3) tax evasion in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7201; (4) aiding and abetting in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2; and (5) forfeiture in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 982(a)(2). (Id. at 1.) Scottsdale’s Coverage Position 23. After the Underlying Action was tendered to Scottsdale for coverage under the Policy, on or about October 2, 2023, counsel for Scottsdale sent a letter to counsel for Shelton indicating that Scottsdale would provide a defense to Shelton in connection with the Claim pursuant to its right and duty to do so under the Policy. A copy of the October 2, 2023 letter is attached hereto as “Exhibit 3.” 24. Pursuant to Scottsdale’s right and duty to defend under the Policy, Scottsdale appointed Theresa Kristovich of the law firm of Kabat Chapman & Ozmer to defend Shelton with respect to the allegations asserted against him in the Underlying Action. (Ex. 3 at 5.) 25. On or about October 6, 2023, counsel for Shelton sent a letter to counsel for Scottsdale disputing Scottsdale’s entitlement to appoint counsel to defend Shelton in the Underlying Action. A copy of the October 6, 2023 letter is attached hereto as “Exhibit 4.” 26. In the October 6, 2023 letter, counsel for Shelton stated: “Mr. Shelton requests that Scottsdale accept his appointment of Paul Hastings as counsel and cover Paul Hastings’ fees as they defend him in the criminal case.” (Ex. 4 at 3.) 27. On or about October 13, 2023, counsel for Scottsdale sent a letter to counsel for Shelton again stating that it was appointing Theresa Kristovich of Kabat Chapman & Ozmer to defend Shelton pursuant to Scottsdale’s right and duty to do so under the Policy. A copy of the October 13, 2023 letter is attached hereto as “Exhibit 5.” 28. Scottsdale has never consented, in writing or otherwise, to Shelton incurring any Costs, Charge and Expenses by any law firm or company other than Kabat Chapman & Ozmer in connection with the Underlying Action. 29. Shelton has refused to use Theresa Kristovich of Kabat Chapman & Ozmer to defend him in the Underlying Action. 30. Shelton retained Paul Hastings LLP to represent him in connection with the Underlying Action without Scottsdale’s consent. 31. Upon information and belief, Paul Hastings LLP incurred fees and expenses in connection with its representation of Shelton in the Underlying Action. 32. On or about February 29, 2024, Shelton filed a lawsuit against RepairPal, No. 2024-0197, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware alleging that RepairPal failed to advance to Shelton the fees and expenses that he allegedly incurred in defense of the Underlying Action in violation of the RepairPal Bylaws and a February 24, 2020 Indemnification Agreement entered into between RepairPal and Shelton (the “Advancement Action”). 33. On or about June 3, 2024, the court in the Advancement Action entered an Order directing RepairPal to pay two-thirds of the fees and expenses that Shelton allegedly incurred in defense of the Underlying Action. 34. On or about May 28, 2025, Scottsdale was informed that RepairPal believes that Scottsdale should reimburse it for the fees and expenses that it has been ordered to pay that were allegedly incurred by Paul Hastings, LLP on behalf of Shelton in defense of the Underlying Action. COUNT I – DECLARATORY JUDGMENT AS TO CONSENT PROVISION 35. Scottsdale hereby adopts by reference the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 34 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein. 36. An actual, present, and justiciable controversy exists concerning whether Shelton violated the Consent Provision by failing to obtain Scottsdale’s consent to Paul Hastings, LLP incurring fees and expenses in connection with the Underlying Action. 37. Scottsdale requests that the Court declare that there is no coverage under the Policy for any fees or expenses incurred by Paul Hastings, LLP (or any other law firm or company to which Scottsdale did not consent) in connection with Shelton’s defense in the Underlying Action and, as a result, Scottsdale is not obligated to reimburse Shelton or RepairPal for any such fees and expenses. COUNT II – BREACH OF CONTRACT 38. Scottsdale hereby adopts by reference the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 37 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein. 39. The Policy constitutes a valid and enforceable contract between Scottsdale and Defendants. 40. Scottsdale has performed all of its obligations under the Policy with respect to the Underlying Action. 41. Defendants breached the Policy by failing to obtain Scottsdale’s consent to use Paul Hastings, LLP to defend Shelton in the Underlying Action. 42. Defendants’ breach of the Policy was material and, therefore, excused any obligation on the part of Scottsdale to provide coverage under the Policy for any fees or expenses incurred by Paul Hastings, LLP in connection with the Underlying Action. 43. Defendants’ breach of the Policy was a substantial factor in causing Scottsdale’s damages. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Scottsdale prays that this Court enter an Order: 1. declaring that there is no coverage under the Policy for any fees or expenses incurred by Paul Hastings, LLP (or any other law firm or company to which Scottsdale did not consent) in connection with Shelton’s defense in the Underlying Action and, as a result, Scottsdale is not obligated to reimburse Shelton or RepairPal for any such fees and expenses; 2. finding that Defendants’ breach of the Policy was material and, therefore, excused any obligation on the part of Scottsdale to provide coverage to Shelton for any fees or expenses incurred by Paul Hastings, LLP in connection with the Underlying Action; 3. awarding Scottsdale its costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees; and 4. awarding Scottsdale all other relief that the Court deems just and equitable. 5. Jury trial demanded. DATED: June 16, 2025, COZEN O’CONNOR By: Valerie Rojas Attorneys for Plaintiff SCOTTSDALE INSURANCE COMPANY
ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. The plaintiff without an attorney: MITCHELL ZHANG, INDIVIDUALLY, 1405 GREENWICH ST #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109; (415) 827-7393. AUG 31, 2023, Clerk of the Court, Austin Lam, Deputy.
JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560343 To all interested persons, the Petitioner ROBERT JIE WEN TAN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name ROBERT JIE WEN TAN AKA KIT MAN TAM to proposed name ROBERT JIE WEN TAN. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 03, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560341 To all interested persons, the Petitioner ERNESTO JOSE MARQUEZ MARTINEZ & HANNILOR KELLY CORDOBA MONTIEL filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name ADRIANA MELEK MARQUEZ CORDOBA to proposed name MELEK AYSUN MARQUEZ CORDOBA. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 03, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560346 To all interested persons, the Petitioner JING-WEN YU filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name JING-WEN YU to proposed name SABRINA JINGWEN YU. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 05, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560349 To all interested persons, the Petitioner QUOC PHAM NGO filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name QUOC PHAM NGO to proposed name PHAM QUOC NGO. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 10, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560352 To all interested persons, the Petitioner CHARLES EDWARD LOUIS TYBERG filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name CHARLES EDWARD LOUIS TYBERG to proposed name CHARLES EDWARD LOUIS WINTERS. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 10, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560359 To all interested persons, the Petitioner JOSHUA ADAM ZATKIN-STERES filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name JOSHUA ADAM ZATKIN-STERES to proposed name JOSHUA ADAM SYZYGY. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 17, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-25-560355 To all interested persons, the Petitioner CAROLINE LINDA SWENSON filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name CAROLINE LINDA SWENSON to proposed name LOTUS CAROLINE SWENSON. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 17, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560361 To all interested persons, the Petitioner JANIE JULIE SHUI filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name JANIE JULIE SHUI AKA JULIE JANIE SHUI to proposed name JULIE JANIE SHUI. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 17, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560365 To all interested persons, the Petitioner MENG WEI KO filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name MENG WEI KO to proposed name CLAIRE MENG WEI KODALIN. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 17, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560370 To all interested persons, the Petitioner JARRETT ELTON COGGIN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name JARRETT ELTON COGGIN to proposed name JARRETT ELTON COGGIN PICKEL. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Notice of Hearing: FEBRUARY 19, 2026, 9:00 am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407965
12/19/25 9:02 AM
Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PIETRONIGRO, 811 BURNETT AVE #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131-1560. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): FRANK PIETRONIGRO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/09/2025.
JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407991 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): STUDIO PPAH, 611 40TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): LISA KEIKO HONDA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/12/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
t
350 TOWNSEND ST #865, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): KIRAKIRA MEDIA INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/20/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/12/2025.
JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408126 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): COVERFLOW, 525 BRANNAN ST #404, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): TRANSMUTEDOTCOM, INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/08/2024. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/06/2026. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408009 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BIG NOTE CREATIVE, 1942 LANE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/ Owner(s): DARRIN FOX. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/21/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/16/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408042 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): 19TH AVE ARCO, 1401 19TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94122. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): WALIA OPERATIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/15/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/19/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408090 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ARTFUL ORGANIZING SF, 1890 BRYANT ST #209, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ANDREA H. MAYNARD. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/30/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407935 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SCRUB SAVVY, 141 ADRIAN AVE, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): SF HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/03/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/03/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408105 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CPT, 323 GEARY ST #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JEAN FRANCOIS DRAGEON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/31/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/31/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408041 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BLACK HEART TATTOO APPAREL, 177 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): BLACK HEART TATTOO APPAREL, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/19/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408103 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ELIZABETH ROCKS LLC, 88 HOWARD ST #700, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ELIZABETH WARBURTON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408125 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ERIN SOLO HAIR, 3112 24TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ERN NICOLE SOLOMON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/05/2026. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408115 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): INNER WORLD STUDIOS, 201 CORTLAND AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): LACEY PANZERO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/02/2026. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408074 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GURUNIC, 505 MONTGOMERY ST, FL 11, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-2585. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JEONGHYUN KIM. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408062 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PROSPERB MEDIA, 945 TARAVAL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a general partnership. Registrant/Owner(s): JOSEPHINE ZHAO & CHI H. CHAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/24/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/24/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408022 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): EMPOWERED SF PHYSICAL THERAPY, 2121 19TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): KRISTIN GOODRICH PHYSICAL THERAPY INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/28/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/17/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408063 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SAN FRANCISCO INTEGRATIVE MASSAGE, 1844 MARKET ST #2, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): NEURO REFLEX THERAPY, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/25/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/24/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408072 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PRACTICAL COMPASSION PSYCHOTHERAPY, 2107 UNION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): PRACTICAL COMPASSION PSYCHOTHERAPY, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/20/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408070 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BUENA VISTA MOTOR INN, 1599 LOMBARD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): GAJANAN INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/23/2013. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/26/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408088 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): HEALTHY BUDDHA, 900 BUSH ST #420, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): AYUR HOLISTIC HEALTH INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/29/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408112 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): APEX ELECTRIC & AIR, 418 RAMSELL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): IBS USA INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 01/02/2026. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0407993 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): OMOI,
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408039 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): STOOKEY’S CLUB MODERNE; STOOKEY’S; CLUB MODERNE; STOOKEY’S AT YOUR SERVICE, 895 BUSH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): A FRISCOVICH LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/22/2014 The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408040 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PHATWOOD SMOKEHOUSE DELI; FULL TUMMIES NETWORK, 4928 THIRD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): PHATWOOD SMOKEHOUSE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/18/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408096 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CQ NOODLES, 2121 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CK WONTON NOODLE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 11/01/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408099 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BAY AIR HEATING & COOLING, 2390 CHESTNUT ST #303, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): HIGHLANDS ENTERPRISES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on N/A. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408100 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CUSTOMER FIRST CONSULTING, 12 KRAUSGRILL PL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): NGM ENTERPRISES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/15/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/30/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408109 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): OWNTIME COFFEE, 303 CORBETT AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): OWNTIME VENTURES LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/18/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/31/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408067 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SF SMASH & GRILL, 380 BUSH ST #5, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): ASIAN EXPRESS RESTAURANT LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/16/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/26/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2025-0408083 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MOTACITY, 928 VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CALIVERDE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 12/29/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/29/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2021-0395059 The following persons have abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as LESLIE’S NAILS, 1548 FILLMORE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by CAN QUANG LE. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/30/2021. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/23/2025. JAN 08, 15, 22, 29, 2026
Classifieds Tech Support >>
OASIS SAVED! Popular nightclub receives emergency donation; will close for only a few months D’Arcy Drollinger at a recent Oasis show
by Jim Provenzano
A
fter announcing in July that SoMa nightclub Oasis would permanently close after New Year’s Eve, a surprise emergency donation made last week could possibly save the nightclub, which will now only temporarily close for a few months. The substantial donation comes from the Stevens Family. Although the amount was not disclosed, it appears that it’s large enough to sustain the nightclub, and possibly the purchase of the building at 298 11th Street. Considered a queer sanctuary for any patrons, Oasis has won multiple awards and hosted hundreds of events in the past 11 years. But this is not the first time the venue has suffered a financial crisis. In the past few years, the venue hosted two marathon telethons online. The first
raised more than $250,000, but only covered Oasis’ debt. That wasn’t enough to fully fund the nightclub’s needs, including paying performers, staff and rent. The announcement in July 2025 stated that the nightclub would have to close. This is after Oasis merged with the nonprofit Oasis Arts in May 2025 as a means of survival, but also to continue the creative process of bringing new shows to audiences at other venues as well.
Chosen family funds
Since 2014, Oasis has hosted hundreds of drag performances, fully staged show parodies and live cabaret singers. Oasis Arts’ mission is to elevate diversity and bring dynamic art to the community by uplifting historically marginalized voices across generations, cultures, and personal expressions. “This moment reflects the heart of San Fran-
cisco,” said D’Arcy Drollinger, owner and artistic director of Oasis and Oasis Arts, as well as the City of San Francisco’s first Drag Laureate. “Saving Oasis is more than keeping a venue open, it’s about protecting space for marginalized artists to take risks, share their stories, and build sustainable careers.” In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Drollinger said of the news, “It’s very exciting and not what I was expecting at the 11th hour, but also a reminder that magic can happen at any time.” Months after its announced closure, Drollinger was encouraged to submit a request for funding from the Stevens Family, who came forward last week with a significant financial gift to Oasis Arts, the nonprofit arm that is responsible for programming at Oasis, allowing its iconic and award-winning cabaret acts, theatre performances, nightclub parties, and drag shows to continue.
Drollinger, who said he did not know the Stevens Family beforehand, said Sky Stevens is a fan of Oasis. And I think he wanted to see if he could help, because he understood how important Oasis is to the community and he didn’t want to see it go away. And if he was able to help direct some of the funds that the family gives away, and it was great. And both his parents were wonderful and very supportive about what we’re doing.” Drollinger added, “It’s a powerful statement that allies are stepping forward to support the visibility and creativity of our queer community. Oasis Arts exists because artists and audiences believe in each other, and this moment proves our city still shows up for the spaces that make it unique.” See page 11 >>
by Jim Gladstone
for lively, engaged shows here. And speaking of engaged, People magazine reported that Booster and game designer John-Mietween torrential downpours, late afterchael Sudsina, his fiancé, were planning to be marnoon darkness, and news-induced miasried here over the New Year holiday, with Bowen mic gloom, San Francisco in January can Yang and Matt Rogers among the wedding party. be rough on the psyche. Sketchfest audiences can anticipate some exFortunately, this is also where the conventional tremely fresh new material at Booster’s shows. Laugh through the January doldrums armamentarium against Seasonal Affective Disorder Nori Reed stumbled onto her comedic destiny in (light boxes, Saint John’s Wort, melatonin) is augment2017 when she participated in a stand-up workshop ed by a potent local alternative therapy: SF Sketchfest, for trans women of color in Oakland which led to a which begins its three-week 2026 run on January 15. quick rise to Bay Area notoriety. While developing Eliciting grins, guffaws, and sporadic gales of material at open-mic nights around the Bay, she coThe Los Angeles Blade covers Los Angeles and produced California news, laughter since 2002, Sketchfest provides ample opthe woman-centered monthly Manhaters portunity to venture out of your cave and lighten politics, opinion, arts and entertainment and features national stand-up showcase atand Oakland’s White Horse Bar. your mood. This year’the s edition features over 200 Reed has since relocated to Los Angeles, where international coverage from Blade’s award-winning reporting events,exciting including improv, stand-up, tribute panels LGBT her star has continued to rise, as both a performer team. Be part of this publication serving Los Angeles and podcast through February 1, many and writer.fiAs a staff writer for the children’s sit-com from the team behind therecordings, Washington Blade, the nation’s rst LGBT queer comedians. “Raven’ s Home, ” she created the first live-action trans newspaper. From featuring the freeway to the Beltway we’ve got you covered. character to ever appear on the Disney Channel. Eagerly awaited And her regular “Trans-It Girls” live shows with This year’s Sketchfest slate of LGBTQ talent inHayden Johnson have become major community cludes seasoned vets, rising stars, and at least one gathering events for transfolk in the Hollywood enperformer who’s never played San Francisco before. tertainment industry. Joel Kim Booster, one of the most exciting gay “Sketchfest feels like a homecoming for me now,” comics to emerge over the past decade has appeared Reed told the B.A.R. “I’m originally from Kentucky, at Sketchfest “at least six times.” As his career has but I was kind of born in the Bay Area.” grown to include writing and acting for television and film (“Loot,” “Fire Island”), Booster says that New kid in town Sketchfest offers him the increasingly rare opportuA hit at last summer’s Edinburgh Fringe, Chicagonity to convene and catch up with comics en masse. based Parker Callahan makes his San Francisco debut “I feel a real sense of community there,” Booster at Sketchfest with “Soda Pop,” which he described as a said in a recent interview with the Bay Area Report“stand-up comedy, pop concert, TED Talk, multimeer. “Performers who spend most of their time in difdia hybrid performed by a twink in a Speedo.” ferent cities every few days get a chance to see each At 35, Callahan may be stretching the limits of other and hang out. It’s reenergizing.” twinkdom, but he’s also stretching the notion of Booster also notes that the combination of queer stand-up. Parker Callahan’s ‘Soda Pop’ at SF Sketchfest and Asian audiences in San Francisco always makes See page 11 >>
Queer comedy 2017 0B Media a Kit at SF Sketchfest Mission Statement
Join more than 13,006 LGBTQ readers of our FREE weekday email newsletter! Our FREE weekday email newsletter is sent each Monday through Friday at 10am and includes our most recent coverage of LGBTQ news, politics, arts, entertainment, and nightlife – plus special discounts, ticket giveaways, and more.
Scan the QR Code or visit us online at www.ebarcom/newsletters
<< Music & Film
10 • Bay Area Repor ter • January 1-7, 2026
‘Sorry, Baby’
Eva Victor’s academia assault drama strikes a nerve
by Gregg Shapiro
On our screens in 2025, there was no shortage of women overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. Linda (Rose Byrne) in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Agnes (Jessie Buckley) in “Hamnet,” and Willa (Chase Infiniti) in “One Battle After Another,” are just a few examples. Agnes (non-binary Eva Victor) in “Sorry, Baby” (A24), is another. Consider this a warning, even with moments of levity woven into its engrossing fabric, “Sorry, Baby,” written, directed by, and starring Victor, is not an easy watch. Like other movies set in the insular world of Creative Writing MFA programs, such as Curtis Hanson’s “Wonder Boys” and Todd Solondz’s “Storytelling,” it can feel a little off-putting. However, to their credit, Victor succeeds in peeling back that heavy curtain. Of course, that’s only one of the movie’s many facets. Separated into five sections, and spanning a few years, “Sorry, Baby” begins with friends, and former grad school classmates and housemates Agnes and Lydie (the marvelous Naomi Ackie) reuniting in the New England town where they attended school at the fictional Fairport. Agnes still lives there, having been made a full professor. Lydie, who is now
HBO
Naomi Ackie and Eva Victor in ‘Sorry, Baby’
married to her non-binary spouse Fran (NB actor E.R. Fightmaster), and is expecting her first child, lives in New York. The two old friends pick up where they left off, covering a variety of subjects, in-
cluding the difficulty of Agnes still living in the town and teaching at the school where something terrible happened to her years before. The professorship that Agnes has was
Mighty real queer music by Gregg Shapiro
D
isco icon Sylvester’s breakout album is reissued, genderqueer chanteuse Neko Case has a new altcountry album, and Jay Som and Hand Habits offer new music worth a listen. Was anyone else troubled by hearing the classic Sylvester song “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” in a Starbucks commercial? If it caused apoplexy among Christian nationalists, let’s call it progress! Sylvester, who passed away in 1988 at only 41, was the very definition of a queer disco diva. His 1978 breakout album, “Step II” (Fantasy), newly reissued on CD and vinyl in expanded deluxe editions, contained a pair of songs – “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and “Dance (Disco Heat)” – that forever cemented his legacy. The album, co-produced by Sylvester and Harvey Fuqua, proved that Giorgio Moroder didn’t corner the market on electronic dance music. Backed by powerhouse vocalists Izora Rhodes and Martha Wash (aka Two Tons o’ Fun, aka The Weather Girls), Sylvester achieved dancefloor classic status with both songs.
Unwilling to be stuck in a box, Sylvester demonstrated his musical flexibility throughout the album by calling on additional influences, including soulful balladry (a cover of the Bachrach/David number “I Took My Strength From You”), classic R&B (“Was It Something I Said”), and roof-raising gospel (“Just You and Me Forever”). The reissue includes six “Mighty Real” remixes and one of “Disco Heat.” www.sylvesterofficial.com In genderqueer chanteuse Neko Case’s early years on the fabled Bloodshot Records label, she was to alt-country what Sylvester was to disco. Possessing a singular vocal style, Case’s versatility, like Sylvester’s, earned her a devoted following. Her post-Bloodshot solo output found her subtly broadening her sonic output (probably also influenced by her membership in the band The New Pornographers). Case’s magnificent new album, “Neon Grey Midnight Green” (Anti), her first in seven years, continues that trajectory. For the record, Case hasn’t been idle during that period, publishing a memoir earlier this year and working diligently on a musical adapta-
1/5/26 7:27 AM
formerly that of Preston Decker’s (Louis Cancelmi). At dinner with Lydie and other fellow MFA classmates, including the despicable and needy Natasha (queer actor Kelly McCormack), they
reminisce about their shared professor/ advisor. The fact is, Decker sexually assaulted Agnes, who was his star student. The impact of that attack has left an indelible mark on Agnes, who struggles daily with the aftermath, especially following the way she was treated by a doctor, as well as some at the university, at the time she reported the incident. Fortunately for her, Agnes, who exhibits a degree of social awkwardness (see the voir dire scene, for example), finds herself surrounded by good people who genuinely care about her. Aside from Lydie, there is Agnes’ neighbor Gavin (sexually fluid actor Lucas Hedges), with whom she begins a sexual relationship. He provides her with necessary support. Agnes also strikes up an unexpected friendship with Pete (John Carroll Lynch), a sandwich shop owner, who comes to her aid when she has a panic attack in the parking lot of his business. Make no mistake, the primary reason for watching “Sorry, Baby,” is Eva Victor, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her devastating performance. Considering that this is also Victor’s directorial debut, you can see the promise of her prodigious talents. “Sorry, Baby” is currently streaming on HBO Max and Amazon Prime. Rating: A- t www.a24films.com/films/sorry-baby
Reissues of Sylvester, new grooves by Neko Case, Jay Som and Hand Habits
tion of “Thelma & Louise.” What she came up with for “Neon Grey Midnight Green” is especially notable for the losses she suffered in the past few years, including the passing of fellow musicians Dex Romweber and Dallas Good. Aside from musical references to The Flaming Lips (“An Ice Age”) and Ian & Sylvia (“Mathc-Lit”), and a detour into spoken word (“Tomboy Gold”), the album was worth the wait and our patience is rewarded on “Winchester Mansion of Sound,” “Destination” (dig the string section), “Wreck” (more strings!), and “Baby, I’m Not (A Werewolf ).” Case performs in Sacramento, Monterey, Napa and San Luis Obispo March 4-7. www.nekocase.com Queer singer/songwriter Jay Som (aka Melina Duerte) also took a few years (six!) between albums. Her latest, “Belong” (Polyvinyl), gets off to a splendid start with a trio of exceptionally rhythmic tracks: “Cards on the Table” (which deserves some dance floor action), the rockier “Float” (with Jim Adkins), and the funky “What You Need.” Hayley Williams (of Paramore) joins Jay Som on “Past Lives,” and tracks such as “Casino Stars,” “D.H.,” and “Drop A” rank among her best songs. www.jaysommusic.com With each successive album, Hand Habits (aka NB singer/ songwriter Meg Duffy) continues to make some of the most compelling music out there. Their sixth full-length album, “Blue Reminder” (Fat Possum), is no exception. Perhaps the most accessible set of songs they’ve ever released, things really get rolling with the aptly titled “Wheel of Change.” “Nubble” swirls out of the speakers and washes over us like refreshing ocean spray. “Jasmine Blossoms” blooms in the most soulful way, while “Bluebird of Happiness” soars on rocking wings, and the instrumental “Beauty 62” allows Duffy to show off their jazz side. If there’s any justice, fans of modern country music will embrace the title cut. www.handhabits.band t
Untitled-10 1
t
t
Books>>
January 1-7, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 11
‘Get Real, Chloe Torres’
Crystal Maldonado’s Vibrant YA novel shares plus-size friendship and romance
by Laura Moreno
I
n Crystal Maldonado’s vibrant young adult novel “Get Real, Chloe Torres,” published in May 2025 by Holiday House, a Latina teenager embarks on a cross-country summer adventure with good friends. The book is an endearing coming-of-age novel that captures the thrill and uncertainty of being on the precipice of entering adulthood. At the center of the novel is Chloe Torres, a queer, plus-size high school graduate about to turn 18. She is preparing to attend the Rhode Island School of Design and is acutely aware that the bonds of adolescent friendship are about to be tested. When she scores VIP tickets to a reunion concert in Las Vegas of her favorite boy band, Chloe and two friends, Sienna and Ramona, plan a road trip from Massachusetts hoping to renew the closeness they once shared. Years earlier, the trio’s bond was fractured when a stolen kiss between Chloe and Ramona introduced uncertainty into what had been effortless camaraderie. As the girls visit unforgettable places like Niagara Falls, the emotional terrain grows increasingly complex. Chloe finds herself drawn to Sienna, who identifies as pansexual, while Ramona, a lesbian with a reserved demeanor, still has feel-
<<
SF Sketch Fest
From page 9
“A tight ten-minutes of jokes isn’t really my strength,” Callahan told the Bay Area Reporter in a recent interview. “In Chicago, I’ve done tons of sketch comedy and improv, and ‘Soda Pop’ draws on that. It’s just me, but I’m doing characters and musical bits; there are lots of visuals and video elements.” Over the course of an hour, Callahan creates a giddy, chaotic vibe full of hairpin turns and abrupt transitions. “It’s sort of like you’re watching my brain unfolding on stage.” Edinburgh reviewers praised “Soda Pop” as “camp as hell,” “a work-out for the
<<
Oasis saved
From page 9
Negotiations with the landlord of the building continue, with the nightclub hopefully remaining in the space, which has its own illustrious history. The Stevens Family donation may aid negotiations toward Oasis Arts buying the building. Mark Stevens of the Stevens Family is the managing partner of SCubed Capital in Menlo Park. His philanthropic donations include hundreds of local and regional organizations, from hospitals to arts nonprofits, university and school programs, the Olympics and Paralympics, and many community services. “In just more than a decade, Oasis has become a leader in creating new art that connects and entertains, and has become a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community in times when
in the novel’s favor, allowing moments of uncertainty, impulsiveness, and honesty to land without explanation or apology. Drawing on her background as a first-generation Latina growing up in Massachusetts and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Maldonado crafts a story very much grounded in her own lived experience.
Friendship, heart and humor
think about family expectations, personal ambitions, and their own shared history. Maldonado’s prose is particularly effective in evoking the sensory texture of summer travel: the heat of long car rides, the thrill of roadside attractions, and the cathartic release of live music. The author’s writing style is confident, solid, energetic and firm-footed, keeping the reader anchored in Chloe’s point of view. Sentences tend to be short and straightforward. This simplicity works
Friendship and belonging emerge as central themes in the book. And to be sure, friendship is very much facilitated by humor. The subtle humor interwoven throughout the narrative is one of the best aspects of Maldonado’s writing. Chloe’s internal commentary captures the awkwardness and immediacy of youth, but always with the healthy perspective of a good sense of humor, even or especially about oneself. This strength of being able to step back and be self-aware is particularly important for marginalized teens who may have to navigate issues of exclusion and the tendency to dumb things down to stereotyping. Maldonado’s laughter and emotional candor enable her to tackle important is-
Joel Kim Booster
Nori Reed
was the Polly Ann restaurant, and became a gay space in 1968. A pair of leather bars named The Covered Wagon and the Leatherneck followed. Then it became The Plunge, replete with a pool, in 1979-1980, before becoming the first Oasis. That name lasted through the 1990s, with many live music acts performing there, until its change to dance clubs Caliente and V/sf, which closed in 2009. Since its grand opening on New Year’s Eve in 2014, the new Oasis has hosted hundreds of drag, cabaret, live theater, and queer-themed shows. The iconic venue has been home to some of San Francisco’s most popular events, from drag nights Mother (hosted by the late Heklina, originally a co-owner of Oasis with Drollinger), Princess and Reparations, the Drag King Contest, live parody shows like “Star Trek Live” “Nine to Five,” and several annual productions of “The Rocky Horror Show.” Celebrity appearances have included Cher, The B-52s’ Cindy Wilson, Jane Fonda, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, and dozens of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performers. During the pandemic, Oasis performers, faced with the temporary closure of the nightclub, took to the streets with Meals on Heels, a drag queen food delivery service. So, what will happen at Oasis? Following New Year’s Eve, the nightclub will temporarily close for several months. Plans include the development of 2026 programming, and working on ways to use the existing space permanently. The temporary closure will pave the way for a new chapter, with further updates and announcements to follow. Some of the events held for many
years at Oasis have already made migration plans in advance of the hiatus. Local performer and producer Tito Soto said in an email that the Princess drag night has events scheduled for March 20 and April 24, and that Reparations will return in Spring 2026, with the venues to be announced soon.
Author Crystal Maldonado
ings for Chloe. The author deftly allows the complex mix of emotions among them to simmer and surface gradually. Chloe’s narration is witty and selfaware, marked by sarcasm, and a running commentary on fandom culture and social media. Her clever observations stay with the reader: “Sometimes my brain seems to have a mind of its own” and “If social media taught me anything, it’s that my life needs a soundtrack and a constant stream of likes.” The road-trip gives the girls room to
senses,” and “a gloriously unfiltered hour of gay brain static.” In addition to performing, Parker works in Chicago as the operations manager for a food pantry and soup kitchen for the underprivileged. “I care deeply about people in my community, making sure everybody’s basic needs are met,” he said. “And as a performer, I am very much aware that people come to have a good time; I want to deliver that and kind of remove the pressures of everyday life. I keep my worlds pretty separate, but I do see them as kind of dovetailing. My mission in life is to kind of ease people’s burdens.” See the full schedule at www.sfsketchfest.com. t
we’ve needed it most,” said Sky Stevens, Mark’s son, on behalf of the Stevens Family. “It is a cultural institution that has provided me, and countless others, immense joy. My family and I are excited to see what this next era of Oasis brings to San Francisco.”
Past and future
Drollinger offered statistics that show Oasis Arts’ contributions. “Ou no profit has really become more of an integral part of what Oasis is,” he said. “We’re really able to point to all of our different programs that we do. Our impact report looks pretty strong. Like last year we did 352 events, we sold over 48,000 tickets. We gave artists almost $800,000. So we do good for the community and I think they really saw that.” Before the venue became Oasis in the early 1980s, including with a removable dance floor that had a swimming pool beneath it, the space
The festively muraled exterior of Oasis
sues like queer joy, body acceptance, and the fear of growing apart in a manner a wide range of readers will find engaging. The novel’s treatment of queer identity is similarly grounded. The diverse cast of characters includes Chloe’s gay cousin Diego, a long-lashed drag queen who provides comic relief, aligning with Maldonado’s stated mission: to create stories where all sorts of marginalized youth “can see themselves and feel empowered.” The novel’s emphasis on fandom as a unifying force resonates in a postpandemic era where collective experiences like concerts provide relief from isolation. Indeed, this idea is reflected starting with the dedication on the first page, “To my fellow fangirls, who love with their whole hearts,” signaling the novel’s understanding of fandom as emotional and cultural anchor. All in all, “Get Real, Chloe Torres” is a refreshing read reminiscent of YA books in the vein of author Sarah Dessen’s work, but with an inclusive twist. Ultimately, it is an ode to the exhilarating threshold between adolescence and adulthood, an impactful read that will leave you with a sense of warmth and possibility for what the future holds. t www.crystalwrote.com
Drollinger said, “I feel like this will give us an opportunity to reframe who we are as a performing arts institution, not just a drag bar. And yes, we have big, fabulous parties. But people see who we are as part of the artistic culture of San Francisco.” www.sfoasis.com t
Proudly Celebrating our 49th Year! 1977 – 2024
Monday 8am
(last seating 9:45pm)
Tuesday 8am
(last seating 9:45pm)
Open Daily!
New Adjusted Hours
Wednesday 8am (last seating 9:45pm)
Thursday 8am Open 24 Hours
Friday
Open 24 Hours
Saturday
Open 24 Hours
Sunday 7am
(last seating 9:45pm)
Proudly the community 1977. 3991-Aserving 17th Street at Market &since Castro (415) 864-9795 3991-A 17th Street, Market & Castro 415-864-9795
Winter Sale! Our biggest sale of the year, now through Feb 3!
$25* tickets on more than 35 events in select areas when you buy two or more designated performances!
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER
*There is a $15 per order service charge on ticket purchases made by phone or online that are not part of a subscription package. To avoid this fee, tickets can be purchased in person at our Ticket Office.
calperformances.org/winter-sale 510.642.9988
2025–26 Season