September 17, 2026 edition of the Bay Area Reporter by Bay Area Reporter

Bare Chest Calendar's new look

Candidates oppose Flock

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Vol. 56 • No. 38 • September 17-23, 2026

Cynthia Laird

A proposed ordinance would allow gay bathhouses such as the one proposed by Kevin Born at 40 12th Street, to be exempt from a window transparency requirement.

Another code fix sought for gay SF bathhouses by Matthew S. Bajko

urns out updating San Francisco municipal codes to allow gay bathhouses to reopen in the city isn’t finalized. Like a carnival game of Whack-a-Mole, issues continue to pop up. This time it has to do with the look of the entrances into the establishments. Under current planning code rules, the windows can’t be opaque. The requirement for see-through windows came to light while Ashbury General Contracting & Engineering CEO Kevin Born sought permits over the last year to turn his company’s former headquarters just off the intersection of Van Ness Avenue and Market Street into a traditional bathhouse for men to have sex with men. As such, it would have rooms to rent with doors that can be locked. As the Bay Area Reporter has extensively covered over the past six years, gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman has been working to update the city’s various codes to pave the way for gay bathhouses to return to San Francisco since a de facto ban was implemented on the establishments at the start of the AIDS epidemic. At the time, local health officials imposed rules to restrict private rooms with locked doors at bathhouses and require staff to monitor the sex of their patrons with the aim of stopping the transmission of the then largely deadly disease. Once the regulations were put into effect, the bathhouses shuttered and only sex clubs without private rooms remained. Today, there is just one sex club catering to men who have sex with men, Eros in the Tenderloin. While it has play spaces and showers, it doesn’t offer private, locked rooms. With various medications allowing people living with HIV not to transmit the virus and others preventing those who are negative from contracting it, Mandelman and others contend the rules on bathhouse operations enacted decades ago are now antiquated. Since 2020, he’s been excising the provisions from the city’s various codes. Ones in the health code were removed in 2021, while others in the city’s zoning codes were amended the following year to allow for gay bathhouses to be situated in the city’s LGBTQ neighborhoods of the Tenderloin, South of Market, and in the Castro district that Mandelman represents at City Hall. Two years ago, the police code was updated.

Code update

Now, Mandelman is back for a fourth time with a code update. At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting he introduced an ordinance to amend the planning code’s section 145.1 covering storefront window transparency and fenestration so adult businesses like bathhouses and sex clubs are exempt from it. “It shouldn’t be this complicated to legalize bathhouses, but I guess after eight years on the Board of Supervisors I should not be entirely surprised,” Mandelman, who is board president, told See page 8 >>

Milk-inspired neon artwork lights up San Francisco airport terminal

People wait outside the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport beneath a neon piece of artwork with one of his quotes.

Matthew S. Bajko

by Matthew S. Bajko

he arrivals level curbside area of Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport is now aglow in neon lights. Greeting passengers as they exit the aviation facility is roughly 8,000 square feet of signs ablaze above them. Comprising 48 neon signs modeled after the marquee of the historic Castro Theatre, the artwork zigzags along the overhang for the outdoor area and runs the course of the terminal. At its first entrance, Door 1, is a small marquee with Milk’s famous quote, “You gotta give them hope,” in white neon lights shining down from above. It is one of nine Milk quotes artist Andrea Bowers selected for her installation attached to the underside of the canopy outside of the terminal’s arrivals area. Another states, “All human beings have power. You are just one person, but you have power.”

Lite Brite Neon Studio, an LGBTQ and artists of color collective in Kingston, New York, produced the neon pieces for Bowers. They were purposefully shipped to San Francisco this past May 22, which is Milk’s birthday and celebrated as an unofficial state holiday in California. In an Instagram post that day with photos of the artwork being prepared for transport to the West Coast, Bowers wrote, “Happy birthday to Harvey Milk! It’s so rewarding to finally have the work ship for an almost 8-year-long project at SFO.” Over the summer the neon artwork was installed, along with 19 mirror balls. One final step is to activate the orbs, which have lights aimed at them to make them sparkle, so that they rotate. The switch to do so is set to be turned on this month. “They bring so much joy,” said SFO Museum Director and Chief Curator Jennifer McCabe of the decorations more commonly found adorning dance

floors and not an exit area of an airport. “It is also unusual to see an artwork in this location, which I love.” Bowers, whose neon artwork has lit up cities, museums, and galleries across the globe, won the $1.1 million commission for the Milk terminal’s underpass lighting art project in 2019. Initially expected to debut three years ago, its installation was delayed by the prolonged construction timeline for the remodel of the terminal. The Bay Area Reporter was unable to reach Bowers for comment about it now being in place. During a 2020 interview, she told the B.A.R. that Milk “is such an important part of San Francisco history. I was so excited to find out about this opportunity to apply for this public artwork at the Harvey Milk Terminal. That was just an obvious, amazing subject matter for me. I wanted to focus on his life’s work, and the joy and hope in his work.” See page 4 >>

SF mass landmark listing request flummoxes state historic office by Matthew S. Bajko

ow to proceed with a request from San Francisco leaders to have all of the city’s local landmarks be listed on the California Register of Historic Resources has flummoxed the state office that oversees the registry. Talks between city and state officials are ongoing on what steps are needed to begin the public review process for adding the hundreds of properties to the register. LGBTQ historic sites that could be recognized by the state include the former residences of late leaders like gay supervisor Harvey Milk and pioneering lesbian couple Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin. The location of Milk’s Castro Camera store and apartment at 573-575 Castro Street became a city landmark on July 2, 2000, while the Noe Valley cottage at 651 Duncan Street owned by Lyon and Martin became the city’s 292nd landmark in 2021. Also added to the state register could be the 127-year-old Queen Anne Victorian once owned by the late gay U.S. ambassador James Hormel. Friday, September 11, Mayor Daniel Lurie signed the city landmark designation for the mansion at 181 Buena Vista Avenue East on the corner of Duboce Avenue across from Buena Vista Park. In August 2024, the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission adopted a resolution calling

Courtesy Mayor’s Office

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie signed the city landmark designation for the former home of late gay U.S. ambassador James C. Hormel on September 11.

on the California Office of Historic Preservation to add “all current and future San Francisco Landmarks” to the state registry for historical properties “as quickly as possible.” It also called on both the state office and the city’s Planning Department “to bring this about in an expeditious manner.”

Two years later, however, the oversight body’s request has yet to be carried out. In June, Lurie and gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman sent the state office a letter to “amplify” the request made by the city commissioners that the local landmarks be “incorporated into and listed in the California Register of Historical Resources as expeditiously as possible.” Lurie and Mandelman, who is board president, noted, “As that resolution indicates, the City and County of San Francisco has adopted the California Register significance criteria as the basis for designating City Landmarks under Articles 10 and 11 of our Planning Code. Furthermore, our Planning Department and Historic Preservation Commission follow rigorous protocols to ensure that locally designated City Landmarks meet the relevant criteria for designation.” In August, Mandelman’s legislative aide Renil Bejoy and Richard Sucré, director of preservation, operations, and compliance for the planning department, met with State Historic Preservation Officer Julianne Polanco to begin hashing out the details for how to take up San Francisco’s mass landmark listing request. Various logistical issues still need to be worked out, including just how many of the city’s 330-plus landmarks are not already on the state registry overseen by the California Office of Historic Preservation. See page 8 >>

<< Community News

t Bare Chest Calendar takes a new monthly focus 2 • Bay Area Reporter • September 17-23, 2026

by Matthew S. Bajko

ongtime devotees of the Bare Chest Calendar are in for a unique 2027 edition of the annual fundraiser for Bay Area LGBTQ nonprofits. The main monthly pin-up photos do not feature solely the man selected to represent each month. Instead, next year’s calendar uses shots with different groupings of the 2027 calendar men for the main photo for each of the 12 months. Surrounding the grid with the days of each month on the page below are four smaller photos of that month’s calendar man, with several board members who oversee the philanthropic project featured in September. “This is the first time we have done it,” said Larry Rich, president of the oversight body for the calendar, which is marking its 43rd edition in 2027. After the new class of calendar men was selected in the spring, they were invited up to the LGBTQ resort town of Guerneville in Sonoma County in midMay for a weekend of photo shoots and bonding, with additional photos later taken in San Francisco. The different images selected for the 2027 calendar were taken by either Tom Schmidt, who goes by Dot, or Joe Mazza. “Being on the calendar is about fundraising first and foremost, but it’s also about working together, bonding, and having fun as a team,” noted Rich, who was Mr. January for the 2019 calendar, in an introductory note for next year’s edition. “The images taken this year capture some of that energy, excitement, and calendar magic. We are happy to share these memories with you and to present some amazing group shots this year – unique in our 40+ year history.” The cover image of the calendar shows eight of the men, divided into groups of four in two canoes, paddling along the Russian River. For March’s main photo, five of the guys are shown in front of a crackling fire within a brick hearth, while the July image is of a quintet of the calendar men tubing on the river. “We’ve had some really good responses from the community. I think the calendar is more fun and does emphasize the group nature or team nature of what we are doing,” said Rich. “As for the team itself, we also had positive feedback about how bonding of an experience the weekend was and how much closer they felt to their brothers. We treated them like royalty.”

Another milestone

Next year’s calendar includes another milestone, the first back-to-back calendar man in over two decades, Rich told

the Bay Area Reporter during a phone interview. Nicholas Galarza, the 2026 calendar’s Mr. January, is back to represent the first month of the year in the 2027 edition. “I believe the last time it happened was in 2006 and 2007, so 20 years ago. Mr. December those years was the same person,” said Rich, a gay resident of the Castro known as “Big Daddy” due to his role as the calendar’s president and CEO. “It is really unusual for people to do the calendar more than once. And when they do, often it is some time apart, so they will do it five or 10 years later.” Galarza, 39, told the B.A.R. a man he met while in rehab for a drug addiction had been a past Bare Chest Calendar man and encouraged him to do it. (He wanted to be Mr. January since that is his birthday month.) “I thought it would be an opportunity to help me really get out of my shell, because I really suffered from social anxiety at that point and I feel like I’m doing a lot better with regards to that now,” said Galarza. “The leadership really helped me last year when I was in crisis. I wanted to give back and I felt that I could also do it better than I did it last year.” Earlier this summer, Galarza made headlines in the local press for receiving the 30 millionth meal from Project Open Hand, a nonprofit that helps feed people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses. Delivering the food to Galarza at his Noe Valley apartment the morning of July 27 was Congressmember Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). Kicked out of his North Carolina home by his parents after coming out to them as gay in high school, Galarza was later drummed out of the Army in 2000 under the military’s homophobic “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy when a fellow servicemember outed him. He spent several years either homeless or moving in with men he had met, and during that time contracted HIV by having unprotected sex. In the summer of 2017, Galarza moved to San Francisco and established a new life. But when COVID hit in 2020, he lost his job, then his Tenderloin apartment, and again found himself unhoused. He became addicted to meth, which led him to seeking help at Ferguson Place, a residential treatment program run by the nonprofit PRC for people living with HIV or AIDS and co-occurring substance use and mental health issues. Today, Galarza is in graduate school for social work with a goal of working for an agency that provides services to LGBTQ youth facing homelessness. One way for him to give back to PRC for the support he received from the agency is via the Bare Chest Calendar. It started out as a fundraiser for the

Joe Mazza

Bare Chest Calendar men go tubing on the Russian River for the July 2027 image.

AIDS Emergency Fund, which is now a program of PRC, and, in 2021, the calendar became its own nonprofit. In addition to financially benefiting PRC, the 2027 Bare Chest Calendar is also raising funds for the LYRIC Center for LGBTQQ Youth in San Francisco, the Rainbow Community Center based in Concord, California, and the American Legion Alexander Hamilton Post 440 whose members are mainly LGBTQ+ military veterans. “Navigating the heavy realities of addiction and homelessness, it was the residential and legal services at Positive Resource Center (PRC) that gave me the foundation I needed to find stability and start my life over,” Galarza noted in a Facebook post earlier this year, adding that he has also found support from the Castro Country Club, a sober meeting place in the city’s LGBTQ neighborhood where he volunteers and for which he raised money during his reign as the King of Hearts with the Grand Ducal Council of San Francisco. “I want to ensure that the next generation of our community has the support they need before they reach the point of crisis. Being part of the Bare Chest Calendar brotherhood has shown me that we are stronger together.” Sam Wren, named the 2024 calendar’s Mr. April and who has served ever since on the committee that helps its board of directors, told the B.A.R. that the pictorial change-up for the 2027 edition showcases how each year’s calendar men form close bonds with one another and that it is not a solo endeavor. “Instead of just individual shots, it shows more group activity-type things. It is a group-type thing or a family-type thing you get involved in with other

guys that are running to help raise money for the community,” said Wren, a gay man who is a squadron member with Post 448. The squadron is for the sons of relatives who served in the military. (While daughters are not allowed as squadron members, according to Post 448 Commander Mario A. Benfield, there have been transgender individuals who joined it.) Wren’s maternal grandfather served in the U.S. Army and uncle was in the Navy. He had pitched several years ago that Post 448 be named a beneficiary for the calendar to ensure it would have annual revenues coming in. Benfield, a gay U.S. Marine Corps veteran who’s served as its commander on and off for 25 years, told the B.A.R. that it just received a $2,000 check from the calendar. A hog farmer from Illinois who moved to San Francisco in 1987, Benfield has long personally supported the Bare Chest Calendar. “I buy one every year. Sometimes I have each gentleman sign it,” Benfield said of the calendar men. He told the B.A.R. he likes the change made for the 2027 calendar’s main photos, as it showcases the “esprit de corps” of the men chosen for it. “It is the belief if they stick together for the good of the organization then there is positive results,” explained Benfield. “Each member of the unit continues to climb up to the mountain top for the glory. They are a band of brothers baring their chests so they can achieve longevity and stimulate the community.” As PRC’s director of communications Seth Abrahamson has worked closely with the Bare Chest Calendar for six years and has become close friends with

its leadership. He noted it has raised more than $300,000 for the nonprofit since 2022. (Since its founding the calendar has raised more than $3.5 million for its beneficiaries.) “What they do is amazing. They connect with people on such a deep level,” said Abrahamson, a gay Castro resident whose husband had competed years ago to be a calendar man but was not picked. Echoing the description of the calendar as “a brotherhood,” Abrahamson noted to the B.A.R. that the calendar “men” are more diverse today, with nonbinary and transgender individuals able to compete. As the calendar notes on its website under the “inclusion” tag, it takes pride in its diversity efforts, “not only with regard to trans men, but also with racial diversity, representation for people with disabilities, etc.” “That direction is just lovely to me. It is really welcoming to everybody, which is really important in society right now,” said Abrahamson. When the men for the 2028 calendar are chosen next spring, they will be breaking the 400 mark of those who have appeared in it, noted Wren. “It’s been around a long time. It’s about people who want to serve the community and a volunteer thing,” said Wren, adding that being a calendar man provides practical experiences one can apply to their personal and professional lives. “It gives people an opportunity to acquire new jobs and working skills that they don’t have normally.” With the experience he gained from being a 2026 calendar man, Galarza has taken on an informal leadership role with the calendar class of 2027, noted Rich, who hopes he will one day join the board.

Francisco and at their beautiful home in the Gold Country. They enjoyed extensive travel until curtailed by Jeff’s failing health. Jeff and Jesus recently relocated from San Francisco to Cathedral City where they joined a rich group of Deaf and hearing expatriates of the city. A memorial for Jeff will be held at the waterfall on Sutter Creek where Jeff, Jesus, their many dogs, and countless friends enjoyed great times.

the Sierra Club Books’ calendar division at 49½. He was deeply committed to environmental stewardship and protecting his family’s Maine tree farm from development. Alan co-founded the Gay/Lesbian Sierrans in the mid-1980s, the Sierra Club’s first LGBTQ section. His dedication to community and public service included involvement with the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Voters Project, Pride at Work, the Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus, and San Francisco FrontRunners. He served on the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Open Space Committee. His manifold interests included religion, the natural world, history, astronomy, and languages. Alan was long involved with the California Men’s Gathering. He possessed a deep and enduring curiosity about the world. A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 1, at Bloom in the Desert Ministries in Palm Springs. It will be livestreamed at bloominthedesert.org. Donations may be made to Bloom in the Desert or to the Kennebec Land Trust at tklt.org.

See page 8 >>

Obituaries >> Jeff Campbell August 7, 2026

Jeff Campbell, founder of The Clean Team, a home cleaning business founded in 1979 in the Castro, passed away on August 7, 2026. The company, located on Market Street near Noe Street, took root in the city’s growing gay community just as the AIDS crisis swept through Jeff’s beloved Castro. The Clean Team served many sick and dying clients, and its dedicated workers were often sick themselves. Despite their unrelenting sadness, The Clean Team cleaned houses in San Francisco until Jeff’s retirement in 2011. Jeff wrote five books about different aspects of house cleaning, the most successful being “Speed Cleaning” which was serialized in the San Francisco Chronicle. Jeff and his spouse of 38 years, Jesus Omila, lived and loved life in San

Alan Douglas Weaver October 18, 1947 – July 11, 2026

Alan Douglas Weaver passed away on July 11, 2026, at Stonewall Gardens Assisted Living in Palm Springs, California, of Parkinson’s disease. He was 78. Alan earned an undergraduate degree in history from Harvard and attended the Berkeley Graduate Theological Union. He was fluent in French and Spanish. He retired from

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4 • Bay Area Reporter • September 17-23, 2026

Obergefell to lead Russian River Pride Parade compiled by Cynthia Laird

im Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic 2015 marriage equality decision, will serve as grand marshal for the Russian River Pride Parade Saturday, September 19, in the LGBTQ resort town Guerneville in Sonoma County. The parade kicks off at noon in downtown Guerneville, followed by a festival. This year’s theme is “Let It Flow.” The court case, Obergefell v. Hodges, made history 11 years ago when the court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. In 2013, same-sex marriage became legal in California after the Supreme Court upheld an appellate court ruling in Hollingsworth v. Perry. That same year Obergefell had married his late partner, John Arthur, dying at the time from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on a Maryland airport tarmac. Three months after they wed, Arthur died. But a few months prior, because Ohio didn’t recognize the couple’s marriage, the men had sued the state in federal court. It led to the landmark ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. A year after the court victory, Obergefell teamed up with Matt Grove, who is straight, to launch Equality Vines LLC, which has a tasting room in Guerneville. Since the release of its first wine in 2016, the company has donated $300,000 to equality organizations, including Russian River Pride, according to its website. In 2022, Obergefell ran for an Ohio Statehouse seat, but came up short. Obergefell told the Bay Area Reporter that he’s honored to serve as grand marshal. “Given the increased attacks on our community’s rights and ability to live authentically, safely, and equally, Pride carries even greater weight and importance these days,” he wrote in an email. “Guerneville is a special place for me, and I look forward to gathering with my community and our allies to celebrate how far we’ve come and to recommit ourselves to the fight for equality, to guarantee that future generations enjoy a world that is better and brighter than the past.” A news release from Russian River Pride stated that the festival headliner will be award-winning folk singer-songwriter Deidre McCalla, whose music celebrates hope, struggle, love, and the power of human spirit. There will also be music by DJ John Parker, drag performances by Rubyblue Genderbender, Madd Dogg 2020, Dulce De Leche, Dusty Pörn, Mocha Fapalatte, and Puppet Maestro Rich. Admission to the festival is free. There will be a Big Raffle drawing at 4:15 p.m., the release stated. Ahead of the parade, on Friday, September 18, there will be the Let It Flow Variety Show at the R3 Hotel, 16390 Fourth Street, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets for that start at $23.18 and are available online at (The R3 was put on the

Terminal

From page 1

Milk’s winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in November 1977 marked the first time that an out gay candidate had won election to public office in both San Francisco and California. His district included the LGBTQ Castro neighborhood and its historic movie palace that Bowers drew inspiration from and reopened earlier this year after an

market a few years ago and there was a price cut announced in May, as the B.A.R. previously reported.) For more information about Russian River Pride, visit russianriverpride.org.

procurement steps, according to an announcement. Interested people can join the Zoom call by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ynx7r9jz.

LeatherWalk coming up

People can now apply for CA Safe at Home program

The San Francisco Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District’s annual LeatherWalk event will take place Sunday, September 20, kicking off Leather Week in the city. Cultural district officials noted there is a new start time and location: 10 a.m. at the SF Eagle, 398 12th Street in the city’s South of Market neighborhood. An announcement noted that walk participants will hit the streets in SOMA at 11 a.m. Stops include Oasis, the Powerhouse, Azucar Lounge, Leather Etc., Rocco’s Cafe, The Stud, Nosh Box, Mr. S, and the Lone Star before heading back to the Eagle. The Reverend Daniel Borysewicz of MCC-San Francisco and the San Francisco Night Ministry will deliver a blessing of the leathers. Cheer SF will be entertaining walkers at the Powerhouse, where team photos will be taken, the announcement noted. An entertainment zone will be in effect, district officials noted, meaning participants can purchase an alcoholic beverage at one of the stops and bring it along as they walk the route. The LeatherWalk is a fundraiser for the cultural district. People can fundraise individually or as part of a team. People can also walk without fundraising. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/895b8za. The culmination of Leather Week is the Folsom Street Fair, set for Sunday, September 27, in SOMA.

From Instagram

San Francisco will honor the late Dolly Parton with a free event September 25.

SF to honor Dolly Parton

San Francisco will honor Dolly Parton, the late singer-songwriter and lifelong straight ally to the LGBTQ community, with “Dolly Day” Friday, September 25, from noon to 3 p.m. in Union Square. The event is free and open to the public. extensive remodel overseen by its new operator, Another Planet Entertainment, to allow for more live performances and music concerts. Tragically, Milk was assassinated 11 months into his first term the morning of November 27, 1978 along with then-mayor George Moscone. In 2018, city officials agreed to name Terminal 1 at SFO after Milk, five years after gay former supervisor David Campos had initially floated a proposal to name the

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Courtesy Russian River Pride

Jim Obergefell will be the grand marshal of the Russian River Pride Parade.

Parton died August 25 after a battle with cancer. She was 80. According to a news release, the party coincides with California state Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) and gay Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) passing their bill to make September 25 Dolly Parton Day in the Golden State in honor of her literacy legacy. The date plays on Parton’s first movie, the 1980 comedy hit “9 to 5” that also stars Jane Fonda and lesbian actor Lily Tomlin. Dolly Day is designed as a joyful gathering rather than a somber remembrance, the release stated. It will be an afternoon of live music, community spirit, and all-out glam in the heart of the city. The event invites fans, families, diehards, and newcomers alike to come together in a tribute to Parton, whose songwriting, generosity, and warmth touched millions of lives worldwide. Parton started her Imagination Library, a book-gifting program for kids, that numerous cities and states participate in, including San Francisco and California. “Dolly Parton touched so many lives, including the lives of children right here in San Francisco,” stated Mayor Daniel Lurie, whose office is co-sponsoring the event. “Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, every child in San Francisco is eligible to receive a free book monthly until their 5th birthday. Since launching last year, more than 11,000 children have participated in the program, and more than 64,000 books have been placed into the hands of young readers across our city.” Throughout her long career, Parton embraced her LGBTQ fans, championed marriage equality, and spoke with compassion about the dignity of transgender people, as Joe Hollendoner, a gay man who’s CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, noted at the time of her passing. In addition to Lurie’s office, Dolly Day co-sponsors are the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, the Union Square Alliance, and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures.

El Sobrante to hold Pride celebration

The East Bay town of El Sobrante will hold its third annual Pride celebration Sunday, September 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at La Moine (Cheese) Park, 3531 Morningside Drive in Richmond. The park is on the border with the unincorporated town in Contra Costa County. This year’s theme is “Get Your Kicks in ’26,” according to a flyer. The event is open to everyone and is billed as an afternoon of love, unity, and community. Activities include face painting and a petting zoo; Jelly’s Place Rescue, which will have puppies available for adoption; and food trucks. Entertainment will feature DJ Page Hodel, drag queens, drag kings, and more. Special guest will be Mia Munro, the flyer noted. “The El Sobrante Pride Committee believes that meeting people face to face is half the battle to understanding them and letting our wonderful community grow,” the flyer stated. Admission is free. For more information, visit the El Sobrante Pride Facebook page.

HIV and aging listening session

The California Department of Public Health’s Office of AIDS will hold a listening session for the new HIV and Aging Project Tuesday, September 29, at 1:30 p.m. over Zoom. An announcement stated that the session is for people living with or without HIV age 50 and older, caregivers, advocates, community and prevention partners, local health jurisdictions, and community-based organizations. The purpose of the meeting is to gather feedback as the office begins planning the program’s next phase and a request for applications, or RFA, is prepared. The RFA is not final, and not every recommendation may be adopted, depending on funding rules, the law, and policy and

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Ph.D., has announced the state’s Safe at Home program is now accepting applications for individuals seeking and providing legally protected health services in the Golden State. According to a news release, Assembly Bill 82, signed into law in 2025, expands California’s Safe at Home program eligibility to include individuals who are providers, employees, volunteers, or patients of gender-affirming health and gender-affirming mental health care and their family members. “All people have the right to feel safe,” Weber noted. “I am proud to be part of the program that protects California residents and helps empower them to live their life in peace.” AB 82 was authored by gay Assemblymember Chris Ward (DSan Diego). It provides a substitute mailing address to those in fear for their safety so they can keep their physical address confidential, out of public records, and out of the hands of those who wish to harm them, the release stated. Once enrolled in Safe at Home, an individual may be eligible to be registered as a confidential voter and request their Department of Motor Vehicle records be suppressed, the release explained. Ward stated the new law is important. “I authored AB 82 to recognize a simple truth: no one should be threatened with violence or assault for accessing health care they need, ensuring their loved ones receive the health care they need, or providing legal health care they were trained to provide,” he stated. “By expanding California’s Safe at Home program in 2025 to include patients, their families, and health professionals providing medically necessary care for transgender individuals, AB 82 strengthened critical privacy and safety protections at a time when these Californians are increasingly being targeted with threats of violence.” Individuals who would like to apply for the Safe at Home program under this new applicant type should visit sos.ca.gov/safeathome for details about how to apply. t

entire airport after the gay icon. A compromise was reached to instead select one of the airport’s four terminals, thus making Milk the first LGBTQ icon to have an airport terminal named in their honor.

Art inspired by Milk

Amid the protracted bureaucratic wrangling over the airport naming details, focus at one point turned to the public artwork planned as part of the $2.5 billion remodel of the Milk terminal. Former District 9 supervisor Hillary Ronen, a legislative aide to Campos who succeeded him in office, had pressed to see that at least some of the art was inspired by Milk. The first debuted in the departures area for the terminal in a space called the Central Inglenook near the American Airlines check-in counters. The photographic exhibit created by the SFO Museum traces Milk’s life from his childhood in New York to his days as a pioneering political operative in San Francisco during the 1970s. More recently a Milk-themed mural

Matthew S. Bajko

Disco balls are included in the neon artwork outside Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport.

created by transgender and queer San Francisco-based artist Craig Calderwood was unveiled in 2024. It surrounds a three-story atrium in the ter-

minal’s pre-security arrivals level with escalators to the baggage claim area and ground transportation below. See page 8 >>

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<< Open Forum

6 • Bay Area Reporter • September 17-23, 2026

Volume 56, Number 38 September 17-23, 2026 www.ebar.com

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B.A.R. endorses Bay Area city council candidates

esidents in Bay Area cities will decide who will represent them at their respective city halls. This year, a number of LGBTQ candidates are either seeking reelection or trying to win election to the legislative bodies in the November 3 election. Below are the Bay Area Reporter’s recommendations for some East Bay contested races. We’ll have more soon.

Oakland City Council District 2 Charlene Wang

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Charlene Wang, a lesbian, won a special election in Courtesy the candidate 2025 to the District 2 Oakland City seat, which Councilmember includes ChiCharlene Wang natown, Little Saigon, Eastlake, San Antonio, Bella Vista, Trestle Glen, Crocker Highlands, Lakeshore, and Jack London Square. Wang is running for a full four-year term and we endorse her. In her B.A.R. endorsement questionnaire, she noted that she’s the first out LGBTQ+ woman to represent District 2, which includes the city’s LGBTQ Cultural District. Wang has been effective on the Oakland City Council. As chair of the Public Safety Committee and Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, she has shifted the Oakland Police Department’s focus toward sexual exploitation of minors, which “disproportionately harms LGBTQ youth who flee abusive homes or foster care,” she noted. Data centers for artificial intelligence companies have become a hot-button issue in the Bay Area, as well as nationally. Wang stated that she authored the council’s resolution supporting California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, review of advanced manufacturing projects. “I do not support data centers without vetting, environmental reviews, and commitments to the community,” Wang wrote. “Any proposal should protect ratepayers, minimize environmental impacts, and provide enforceable community benefits such as union jobs and housing investment.” Flock Safety cameras are another big issue in cities. Oakland does use the automated license-plate reader cameras. Wang stated that she authored stronger safeguards, “including eliminating the national-network access that has been how federal agencies have had backdoor access to local data, financial penalties against Flock for any instance of data misuse that does not match up with contract requirements ... and provisions that ban the use of these cameras for the purposes of immigration enforcement or punishing anyone for seeking gender-affirming care or an abortion.” She is working with Mayor Barbara Lee’s office and OPD to refine the list of 60 law enforcement agencies that have Flock data sharing programs with the police department, “with OPD to be stricken if they have not adopted sanctuary city laws.” On law enforcement reform, Wang noted, “Oakland’s LGBTQ community has a fraught relationship with law enforcement because of the history and continuing reality of criminalization. Reform requires accountability and trust. At the same time, the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center has requested more police presence after vandalism and hateful acts directed at the cultural district. We need both dependable 911 response and constitutional policing.” She added that she worked with SPARTA Pride, an organization of transgender servicemembers and veterans, to recruit trans service members dismissed from the military into OPD, helping the department better reflect the community it serves. Overall, we’ve found Wang to be responsive to her constituents and an LGBTQ voice on the City Council that is important. We endorse her for a full term.

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Vallejo City Council District 5 Tara BeasleyStansberry

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Courtesy the candidate

Vallejo City Council candidate Tara BeasleyStansberry

Tara Beasley-Stansberry, a lesbian, would continue out representation on the Vallejo City Council, as gay District 5 Councilmember Peter Bregenzer, whom she ran

against in 2022, opted not to seek reelection. Since then, Beasley-Stansberry has served on the Vallejo Planning Commission, providing local government experience for the council seat. She stated in her B.A.R. endorsement questionnaire that she would be open to data centers in the city, but her support would depend on the location, scale, environmental impacts, infrastructure demands, and tangible benefits to the community. “Economic development should not come at the expense of residents, our environment, or the reliability and affordability of essential resources,” she stated. She would want a thorough review of electricity and water demands before supporting a data center, as well as greenhouse gas and air-quality impacts, noise, traffic, backup power systems, and effects on surrounding neighborhoods and infrastructure. “Data centers commonly rely on backup generation, including diesel generators, which can require additional environmental and air-quality reviews,” Beasley-Stansberry stated. Key, too, is improvement to Vallejo’s economy, including permanent jobs, construction jobs, local hiring, and tax revenue, she noted. Vallejo also uses Flock automated licenseplate readers. The technology can be a “useful investigative tool for locating stolen vehicles, identifying vehicles connected to serious crimes, and supporting public safety,” BeasleyStansberry stated. “However, public safety must never become unchecked mass surveillance.” She has serious concerns “about data privacy, unauthorized access, data sharing, and the potential use of surveillance technology for purposes beyond those originally authorized.” As a councilmember, Beasley-Stansberry would support strict limits on data retention and sharing, documented law-enforcement purposes for every search, regular audits of system access, public reporting, and meaningful oversight by the city’s Surveillance Advisory Board. Beasley-Stansberry has worked with Vallejo’s senior community, and recognizes the needs of LGBTQ elders. She stated that she’s working with the board of the Florence Douglas Center, a hub for the senior community in the city. One concept the center is examining is a shared-housing model in which homes could be leased and rooms made available as affordable housing for seniors. Any plan would need to comply with applicable requirements, such as fair housing and accessibility, and BeasleyStansberry stated that she would want any housing initiative developed “to be explicitly welcoming and affirming to LGBTQ+ seniors, with strong nondiscrimination protections and a culture where residents do not feel they have to hide who they are to feel safe.” We think Beasley-Stansberry would be a good addition to the Vallejo City Council and recommend her for election in District 5.

Concord City Council District 3 Robyn Kuslits

Robyn Kuslits is a queer pansexual transgender woman who Courtesy the candidate would make history if elected to the Concord Concord City Council candidate City Council. More than that, however, Robyn Kuslits Kuslits has some good ideas and would be an asset to the Contra Costa County city as a whole, and its LGBTQ community. Kuslits, who served in the U.S. Navy, also worked at and then helped lead the Rainbow Community Center in Concord. A progressive labor Democrat, Kuslits stated in her B.A.R. endorsement questionnaire that she “will fight for workers and uphold progressive values to create the needed change in government that best serves the community.” Kuslits does not support new data centers in Concord. “AI data centers have tremendous power requirements and cannot be shut off during periods of peak demand,” she stated. “My community already experiences periodic power blackouts, and they will be furious to be sitting in the dark while a data center keeps humming away.” She also noted that “AI is un-

regulated and poses a tremendous threat to privacy and the human work force.” Kuslits would need to see “a more robust power grid and greater regulation of AI” to move toward supporting data centers. Like other cities, Concord uses Flock cameras now, which Kuslits, who holds a juris doctorate degree, believes are “unconstitutional violations of privacy and violate our Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches.” She stated she would fight to see that the city’s contract with Flock is not renewed. Kuslits stated that 25% of Concord residents are immigrants, and that most of them live in her district. “Current immigration enforcement puts all of us at risk of profiling and constitutional right violations,” she wrote. “Concord also has the only immigration court in the Bay Area, and we know [President Donald] Trump will be targeting our city. This has caused fear in the immigrant community, and local business is suffering as a result.” She stated that she would push for an ordinance preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement from utilizing city property for staging its operations. She also wants a partnership between Concord police and community advocates to respond to ICE operations and ensure those affected have resources to know where their loved ones are located, how to communicate with them, and address the trauma associated with losing a loved one. On the issue of LGBTQ seniors, Kuslits pointed out that the Rainbow center “has a great elder program, and I will fight to secure further funding for this program.” She wants to focus on outreach, training for housing providers, and luncheons to address social isolation. She’s also looking for opportunities in new affordable housing developments to secure units geared toward LGBTQ seniors. We’re impressed with Kuslits and recommend her for the District 3 seat.

Dublin City Council District 2 Steven Lorey

Steven Lorey is a bisexual queer man running for the District 2 Courtesy the candidate seat on the Dublin City Council in Alameda Dublin City Council candidate County’s Tri-Valley region. He had a 27-year Steven Lorey career serving in the U.S. Army as an infantryman and later as an intelligence professional. If elected, he would return out leadership to the City Council, which ended in 2022 after gay former councilmember Shawn Kumagi’s term concluded. Lorey is not a fan of data centers in his district or in the city. First, because land is at an incredible premium, he wrote in his B.A.R. endorsement questionnaire. Second, he stated that he’d “need to understand the long-term economic impact of a local data center as well as data supplied by real-world cases that are viewed through an appropriate analytical lens.” Dublin uses Flock cameras, but Lorey stated that he believes the company “has been misleading and disingenuous with their responses to public criticism and have no faith in the company itself.” That said, he does think there is a place for automated license-plate readers in routine law enforcement. In addition to the safeguards already in place, including a 30-day delete window, Lorey would want immediate retraining of all officers on the capabilities of the system along with the ethical implications of its use. “Secondly, I would want to see a transparent oversight program that includes supervisory review of officers’ access on a monthly basis with an independent, public audit from an outside organization (or a council-appointed committee) on a quarterly basis,” he stated. Lorey supports building affordable housing on BART property. “Dublin has two BART stations, and both are critical to anyone commuting into the Bay Area from the west,” he wrote. “Affordable housing near those stations could alleviate a lot of long commutes for people as well as get more cars off the road.” We believe Lorey would be a good addition to the Dublin City Council, and we endorse him in his race. See page 9 >>

Politics >>

September 17-23, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 7

Out bayside council candidates run against Flock cameras by Matthew S. Bajko

mong the issues a pair of out council candidates in two East Bay cities are running on this fall is opposition to the use of Flock Safety cameras by their police departments. Along with perennial topics like housing costs and fixing potholes, they have found many of their neighbors share their privacy concerns with the technology. In Albany, gay dad Jon Destin is one of five candidates running for two seats on the City Council elected citywide. Incumbent Councilmember Robin D. López is seeking reelection, while the other seat is open since Councilmember John Anthony Miki opted not to run again. Nearby in Emeryville, Corry Frydlewicz is one of four candidates running for two council seats elected citywide. She could become one of the first transgender city councilmembers elected in the Bay Area, along with Concord council candidate Robyn Kuslits, who is also running this fall as the Political Notebook recently reported. Incumbent Emeryville City Councilmembers Kalimah Priforce and David Mourra are both running for reelection on the November 3 ballot, while gay public policy analyst Brandon Soublet is also in the race. It’s been two years since the city, best known for having an Ikea store and being home to the Pixar animation studio, last had an out council member. As for Destin, he would be the first known out councilmember in his city should he be elected come November 3. He and Frydlewicz were just endorsed last week by the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club, the main LGBTQ political group for Alameda County. The Alameda County Democratic Party has endorsed Frydlewicz. In cities across the region, including San Francisco, civic leaders at the urging of police officials have entered into contracts with Flock Safety, allowing the company to install hundreds of automated license-plate reader cameras that track vehicle license plates. It argues they are a deterrent against mass retail theft and other crimes. But a growing chorus of critics contend the data collected can too easily be misused by police officers or improperly accessed by federal agencies like Immigration and Custom Enforcement to carry out roundups of foreign nationals no matter if they are in the U.S. legally or not under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. The American Civil Liberties Union has warned that companies like Flock and its competitors “are quietly trying to build a nationwide mass surveillance system.” Speaking to the B.A.R. in recent separate phone interviews about their candidacies, Destin and Frydlewicz both explained why they have singled out the Flock cameras while seeking the council seats. Frydlewicz noted she had ignored the advice she received against doing so. “Every time I am at an event and mention it as a topic, everyone says, ‘Hell yeah, get rid of those cameras!’ It was surprising to me that I don’t have to educate people as much as I thought I would,” said Frydlewicz. “Nobody likes supplying ICE with all this information that helps them take away their neighbors. Nobody trusts the federal government to do the right thing with our data.” Destin described the company behind the cameras as “a bad actor.” He called the Albany City Council’s approval several years ago of the contract with it “a mistake.” The current council voted September 8 to end the contract with Flock and not replace it. Destin applauded the decision while also criticizing the initial approval

Let’s talk cannabis. Courtesy the candidates

Corry Frydlewicz, left, is seeking a seat on the Emeryville City Council, while Jon Destin is running for a seat on the Albany City Council.

of the contract as not showing “good judgment,” he told the B.A.R. “We have to balance safety, which is a priority in our community, with privacy,” he said, “and I think at this moment in time Albany deciding to take away the Flock cameras is the right decision. In the future, let us see where we are at.” Destin added, “If I am lucky enough to earn enough votes and get on the council, I will always look at it pragmatically and practically.” The Emeryville City Council hasn’t taken any action to end its contract with Flock, which Frydlewicz said she would move to immediately end if elected to the council seat. She would prefer the city replicate Oakland’s speed safety cameras pilot, which has built into it privacy protections and prohibits the use of facial recognition software per the city’s webpage about it. “They could dust off their history books to three years ago and figure out how to do police work again. Flock cameras are not reducing the crime rate or a help to anything,” she said. “I don’t think we have seen any proof that Flock cameras improve public safety for anybody.” Frydlewicz, 43, who also identifies as lesbian and queer, grew up poor in Roselle, New Jersey, with parents who worked as public school teachers and later divorced and remarried. After graduating with a B.A. in game design from the since-closed Art Institute of Phoenix in Arizona, she moved to San Francisco roughly two decades ago with her ex-wife. Coming out as trans in 2021, Frydlewicz also moved to Emeryville that year having been able to purchase a condo. Around the same time she met her partner, Bethany Laska, who is nonbinary and a hairdresser. The couple, who have a nearly 4-year-old Chihuahua named Rogue, had a personal wedding last year and are planning a more formal marriage ceremony with family next spring. Employed as a technology specialist by a law firm, Frydlewicz serves on the HOA of their building, experience that led her neighbors to suggest she seek a council seat. While not top of mind when launching her campaign earlier in the year, having LGBTQ representation on the council is important, Frydlewicz told the B.A.R. “I don’t think about it that much,” she said of being one of the first trans council members in the Bay Area. “I do want to make people feel they have more of a voice on the council if they are queer or trans.” Soublet, 39, who resides in Emeryville with his partner Steven, and their rescue dog Temba, did not respond to the B.A.R.’s interview request about his candidacy. Destin, 57, a single father whose adopted son Sammy is a young adult, was named Albany’s 2026 Citizen of the Year

by its chamber of commerce. He’s served as president of the Albany Community Foundation, on the local YMCA board, and as a trustee of the Albany Education Foundation. His family escaped communist Hungary in 1972 when he was 2 years old and made their way to New York City. After graduating from UMass in Amherst in 1991 with a B.A. in political science, Destin was sent to Houston by Teach for America. It brought him to the Bay Area in the fall of 1994, living first in San Francisco until he became a parent and bought a home in Albany in 2012 due to its schools when his son entered kindergarten. A vice president of advertising at Visa, Destin started his own business to help companies with their marketing nearly two decades ago. He also founded an LGBTQ group for other families in Albany’s schools, and never envisioned seeking public office until this year. “It is not something I had planned out, but Albany is such an amazing community. I feel like we are at a crossroads with a lot of things happening in our town,” said Destin, in particular the recent news that the former Golden Gate Fields horse racing facility is to become a regional public park. While supportive of those plans, Destin noted it will mean a significant financial hit to the city and its school district due to the lost property tax revenue. While several local ballot measures going before voters are aimed at addressing the fiscal concerns, Destin told the B.A.R. he would like to have a hand in overseeing the matter as a council member. “I think I bring a different perspective to City Council. My lived experience of being an immigrant in this country and a gay man is very different than what you would get with other candidates,” said Destin, who is endorsed by City Councilmembers Peggy McQuaid and Jennifer Hansen-Romero, currently serving respectively as Albany’s ceremonial mayor and vice mayor. “It is important for us to see our visibility, that hasn’t really happened as well as I would like.” It speaks to another aspect of his campaign platform, that of belonging, added Destin. “Regardless of your sexuality, religion, race, or anything that differentiates you, I want to make sure everybody feels like they belong in Albany,” he said. To learn more about Destin’s platform, visit his campaign website at https://jondestin.com/. More about Frydlewicz’s campaign platform can be found on her website at corry4emeryville.com.t

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<< Community News

8 • Bay Area Repor ter • September 17-23, 2026

for their connections to queer and transgender history be added to California’s registry would greatly boost the number of LGBTQ sites on the statewide list. Few currently are on it. The San Francisco birthplace of the late lesbian activist Alice B. Toklas at 822 O’Farrell Street (between Larkin and Polk streets) was added to the state registry. According to an online database of registered properties, the Toklas site was listed by the state on December 21, 1981. It was the only LGBTQ historic site from San Francisco that the B.A.R. could confirm is on the state registry via the database. Landmarking historical properties has become a hot-button issue in San Francisco this year, with a number of supervisors working with planning staff to nominate sites across the city for designation as local landmarks. It is in response to the upzoning that Lurie and the board enacted to allow for denser residential development in various neighborhoods. Concerned it could lead to the demolition of historic sites, Mandelman and District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, for instance, have moved forward on designating various properties in their districts to become landmarks. While doing so does not prevent new construction on the sites, it does add some protection to preserving the facades of landmarked buildings and triggering closer scrutiny for proposed projects at the sites. Several properties nominated by Sauter currently making their way through the landmarking review process include a trio of properties in North Beach connected to LGBTQ nightlife. The building at 500-508 Broadway for decades had housed

Finocchio’s, the legendary female impersonators cabaret that opened in the 1930s and closed in 1999. The building at 473 Broadway had once housed Mona’s Candle Light, the fourth club opened in the late 1940s by lesbian bar owner Mona Sargent, who died in 2001. And, since 1948, Vesuvio Cafe has called 253 Columbus Avenue home, with queer and transgender people long among its clientele. The supervisors are expected to vote on approving landmark status for the three sites and several others nominated by Sauter, such as the Transamerica Pyramid, this fall. It is part of a push by Lurie, and backed by Mandelman, to see the city vastly increase the number of buildings deemed to be local landmarks. They are targeting by 2030 a doubling of the more than 336 current designated sites via new resources to survey the city’s historic properties and legislation to streamline the landmarking process. It has sparked a backlash from District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood and pro-housing groups like SF YIMBY who don’t want to see any impediments put on housing developers in the city. Mahmood has argued if a new historic designation would result in the loss of additional housing units, then that housing capacity should be found somewhere else in the city as a condition of approving a site as a local landmark. The contretemps over the landmark push led Mandelman last month to remove Mahmood from both the supervisors’ land use and transportation committee and the government audit and oversight committee. “Supervisor Mahmood is offering a commonsense approach to preserving genuinely historic resources without

making it harder for San Francisco to address its critical housing shortage,” stated Brandon Powell, YIMBY Action’s Bay Area organizing director. “With one-bedroom apartments renting for $4,000 a month, we can’t afford to block housing using the trojan horse of ‘historic preservation.’” Lurie has contended both new housing production and preservation of historic sites can be achieved at the same time. In the spring at a news conference announcing the landmarking push, he argued, “San Francisco doesn’t have to choose between growth and preservation, and as our city evolves, we are protecting what makes San Francisco special and gives our neighborhoods their character.” It was a contention Lurie and Mandelman raised in their letter to the state’s historic preservation office. “San Francisco has taken a number of actions to expedite housing production, including the adoption of a housing element in January 2023 to create 82,000 new homes, passage of a housing constraints reduction ordinance in December 2023, adoption of Citywide Objective Design Standards in November 2024, and adoption of the Family Zoning Plan in December 2025. It is our hope and belief that these actions will result in accelerated housing production in the years and decades to come,” wrote Lurie and Mandelman in their June 9 letter addressed to Polanco. “Given that, and State and Local restrictions on the exercise of local discretion around individual projects, it is all the more important to protect those properties that meet the criteria for landmarking prior to a development proposal coming forward for a particular parcel.” t

As for why so few people commit to being in the calendar two years in a row, Rich pointed out that being one of the

calendar men is a timely endeavor. It requires first entering the competition to be selected, and once chosen, there are numerous events and fundraisers the calendar men are required, or at least expected, to attend and take part in. “We have 30 events between May and December. We ask the guys to commit to half of them,” said Rich. He and the other board members count on the calendar men to turn out for the events in order to meet the fundraising target they annually set. Their goal with the 2027 calendar is $225,000, said Rich, adding that the maximum raised in recent years has been $260,000.

“It is a modest goal, so we may exceed it,” he told the B.A.R. One of the bigger events involving the calendar men is coming up over the Folsom Street Fair weekend – the Big Muscle Party: Folsom Edition taking place from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 26, at DNA Lounge. Hosted by BigMuscle. com, the afternoon circuit party is its 26th annual charity Folsom event, with all proceeds benefitting the Bare Chest Calendar and PRC. Presale tickets cost $39, including all fees, and can be purchased via the nightclub’s website at Tickets at the door will cost $43.

It usually brings in $55,000 and attracts around 1,600 attendees, said Rich. A 2027 Bare Chest Calendar costs $25 plus $5 if ordered online to be shipped within the U.S. To learn more about the calendar, how to compete to be selected for it, or to simply order next year’s version, visit its website at barechest.org. As for seeing the change in format with each month’s main photo being a group shot carry over to future calendars, Rich didn’t rule it out. “I think we might do it again,” he told the B.A.R. t

so resulted in “inadequate storefront transparency” and that he had done the “infill of publicly-facing windows without Planning Department review and authorization.” Earlier this year, Born agreed to replace the windows, and the violation was marked as abated in June. At the moment, Born has transparent windows installed on the facade of his building. But he told the B.A.R. he would like for the interior spaces of the bathhouse not to be visible to passersby in order to protect the privacy of the clientele. “I have gay friends who have even told me, ‘We don’t want to be seen going in there.’ People don’t want their privacy violated,” said Born, who is straight and a part owner of nightlife venue The Midway in the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood. “They don’t want to have to stand out on Market Street and someone passing by who knows them goes, ‘There is Joe. I didn’t know Joe was into bathhouses.”

Born told the B.A.R. this week he’s hopeful the fenestration code change will be approved, as he would like to have opaque windows that are perhaps backlit on the 12th Street facade of his building. He also said he and his architect are looking at having the main entrance into the bathhouse be at the back of the building off Stevenson Street, since that segment of the alleyway is less visible from either Market or Van Ness. “The original design was to have it down on Stevenson,” said Born, explaining the entryway could be obscured by using lighting and other elements in order to give patrons some privacy. “I think if this legislation happens, there will be some latitude in redesigning it.” He told the B.A.R. his conditional use permit hearing before the city’s planning commission is scheduled for November 5 and is hopeful it will be approved that Thursday. With an estimated price tag of $5 million for the project, Born remains hopeful of being

able to open during June next year. “It could be possible,” he said Tuesday. Since San Francisco officials moved to allow the return of gay bathhouses, their counterparts in several other jurisdictions have followed suit. The Minneapolis City Council in June voted to do away with the municipality’s 38-year-old ban on bathhouses and sex venues. Last month, the San Diego City Council updated its rules governing bathhouses imposed as a response to AIDS. And in the Empire State, gay legislators Senator Erik Bottcher and Assemblymember Tony Simone are carrying legislation to allow gay bathhouses to return to New York City. In San Francisco, the planning commission will first take up the latest code change for bathhouses before it goes before a supervisors’ committee, likely sometime in October. As it is an ordinance, it will require two votes for adoption by the full board before being sent to Mayor Daniel Lurie to enact into law. Mandelman legislative aide Renil

Bejoy told the B.A.R. that once the latest code change takes effect, hopefully other parties that have expressed interest in the past in opening up a gay bathhouse will file for the necessary permits to do so. At this time, Bejoy said none are willing to be public about their business plans. “We are aware of people who I would say have serious proposals but asked us not to share who they are publicly,” said Bejoy. “I think Kevin Born being able to get this thing over the finish line will prompt other people to come out of stealth mode.” Born told the B.A.R. he is already looking for a location in the city to open another bathhouse after being informed he couldn’t add additional floors to the two-story building he currently owns. Thus, he expects demand will outpace the capacity there and would like to find a larger building for the second location. “I am going to be my own first competitor because as soon as I am done with this, I want to open a second location,” said Born. t

cutting for the neon artwork in early October, at the start of LGBTQ History Month. Bowers, a straight ally based in Los Angeles, is expected to attend. She grew up in Ohio and recalled hearing on the news as a teenager about the deaths of Milk and Moscone when she spoke to the B.A.R. six years ago. Finding hope from the tragedy and light in darkness is imbued into the concept of her SFO art installation, particularly with its location at the Milk terminal. “There is nothing more depressing sometimes than waiting at the arriv-

als section for someone to pick you up or to get a car. You feel kind of lost,” Bowers had noted. “Also, this is your first glimpse of the city. I love the idea your first glimpse will be quotes from Harvey Milk surrounded by all this beautiful neon with disco balls.” A frequent visitor to San Francisco, Bowers’ terminal proposal was partly sparked by her finding a photo of Milk standing on the sidewalk and pointing up at the Castro Theatre marquee. It’s a block away from where he operated his camera store at 575 Castro Street that doubled as the headquarters for his political campaigns.

The disco balls she included harken to Milk’s friendship with the late gay disco star Sylvester, a fellow Castro resident featured in the Oscar-winning biopic “Milk” during a birthday party scene serenading the civil rights leader. They symbolize for Bowers both the gay nightclub scene and political activism of the 1970s. “In thinking about all of the gay clubs and theater sites back then they all had disco balls in them. They were not only being part of the culture coming together for the LGBTQ community but also sites of activism,” she had told the B.A.R. “It

just seemed to me kind of the Castro Theatre’s neon lighting seems to be an icon of that history. Their programming historically has supported that community, and Harvey’s office was in that neighborhood and was the neighborhood he represented.” For more information about Bowers’ “We’ve Got to Give Them Hope 2026” installation and other holdings in the SFO Museum collection, visit the landing page for the neon artwork on the airport’s website at https://www.sfomuseum.org/publicart/public-collection/weve-got-givethem-hope. t

Landmark listing

From page 1

Also under discussion is if the State Historical Resources Commission that votes on adding nominated properties to the California registry will take up all of the San Francisco sites at once or will break them up to be voted on in batches. “It might make sense to prioritize a certain number versus doing all of them all at once,” said Bejoy in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter.

Vote unlikely this year

It appears unlikely that the state commissioners will be voting on any of the San Francisco landmarks this year. They meet quarterly, with their last scheduled meeting for 2026 set to take place November 12-13. As of September 11, none of the city’s landmarked sites had been posted to the commission’s page for pending nominations set to be taken up when it meets later this fall. Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the city’s planning and building inspection departments, told the B.A.R. September 8 that how many of the city landmarks are to be nominated for the state registry has yet to be determined. Nor has it been decided, Hannan said, if the state office will accept the reports on each landmark generated by city planning staff or if new reports will be required to be created. “We are working with the State of California Office of Historic Preservation to determine how best to achieve the goals of the Historic Preservation Commission and Mayor Lurie. We have not determined an approach towards nominating local landmarks onto the state historical register,” Hannan stated in an emailed reply.

Bare Chest

From page 2

Galarza is able to personalize the purpose behind the calendar to his own life story that connects with people, said Rich, and makes him an effective fundraiser. “I think he has authenticity. The work we are doing is really meaningful to him,” said Rich, who has gotten to known Galarza better over the last year and a half. “He has benefitted from some of the calendar beneficiaries in the past.” Another bragging right for Galarza from being in the 2027 calendar is that he ended up in the most photos of any

Bathhouse

From page 1

the B.A.R. “We fixed the health code way back in 2020, the zoning in 2022, the police code in 2024, and now we’re tackling one more impediment that would-be operators have identified. At the end of the day, we will have queer bathhouses back in San Francisco, and I am grateful to have been able to help get us there. Even if it has taken way too long.” The latest code change request follows the B.A.R.’s reporting in July that Born had been flagged by the planning department for removing the ground floor windows of his building at 40 12th Street without a permit that triggered a complaint being filed years ago. He had done so when he thought he would turn the two-story building he owns into a cannabis business and wanted privacy for the operation and its customers. According to a notice of enforcement first posted in 2019, Born’s doing

Terminal

From page 4

Bowers’ artwork is already having an impact, said McCabe, a straight ally and mother of a transgender teenager who moved back to the Bay Area two years ago after being hired to oversee the airport’s museum. “When I visit it during the day, I see people stopped underneath, looking up and reading the quotes, which is kind of awesome to see,” said McCabe. “I think it is incredible.” Airport and city officials are to host a private reception and ribbon-

Matthew S. Bajko

The site of late gay San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk’s camera shop and apartment in the Castro is being eyed for state historic recognition.

Spokespeople for the state office had told the B.A.R. in early August that it “is in communication regarding this request” with San Francisco officials but that “there is no timeline identified for this process.” Jorge Moreno, a spokesperson for the state office, noted that the request from the city is unique. “While the (statute) and regulations are permissive in this regard, this is the first time a local government has made a request,” Moreno told the B.A.R., similar in scope to that of San Francisco.

Few LGBTQ landmarks on CA list

As the B.A.R. had noted in July, seeing all 18 of the San Francisco properties that have been recognized to date

of his fellow calendar men by one image, noted Rich. Next year’s edition features 11 men of the month, with the photos used for September showcasing Rich and three of his fellow board members. “That would not normally happen,” he said, but 2027 is a rare year where they did not get a full cohort of 12 calendar men. (This year’s calendar and the 2025 edition both featured 13 men, with the bonus member dubbed Mr. Lucky 13.)

Charitable duties

t <<

Election 2026 >> skirts of the Bay Area. Tracy elects its mayors for two-year terms. As we recently reported, Arriola earlier this month

welcomed a Sprouts Farmers Market to the city, an anchor tenant of the new Ellis Village Center. The city is also undergoing rapid growth, as home prices are cheaper. “So many people are priced out of the Bay Area. I am more than happy to welcome them to the city of Tracy,” he said during an interview with reporter Matthew S. Bajko. “But we need to make sure to en-

gage in smart growth and are building the supporting infrastructure along the way.” Arriola, who was raised in Tracy, said that his biggest accomplishment has been a revamp of its civic leadership. That was an issue two years ago when the City Council, of which the mayor is a voting member, had descended into dysfunction.

“My whole focus has been on getting the city back to functioning. I think we have been successful in doing that,” he said. “A priority focus has been on the local economy.” Tracy residents would do well to continue under Arriola’s leadership for a second term. We endorse him for reelection. t

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410113 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): WGM CONSULTING, 231 VALLEY ST #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): GREG MOORE. 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 08/12/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410010 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): THE MOON GROUP; THE MOON MANAGEMENT GROUP, 1600 BRYANT ST #410481, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94141. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): THE MOON ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/20/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/31/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410215 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MIGHTY CONSTRUCTION, 961 GOETTINGEN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): CHIEWCHOY SAETERN. 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 08/25/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410154 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): AU PLAISIR BAKERY, 276 FOWLER AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JULIANA ERIN FROGGATT. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/08/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/18/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410212 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BRITTANY MCLAREN COUNSELING SERVICES, 3042B CALIFORNIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): BRITTANY MCLAREN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/06/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/25/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410183 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): STARBOARD CRE, 49 POWELL ST 4TH FL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): STARBOARD COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/14/1991. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410234 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): NEXTWAVE REAL ESTATE, 891 BEACH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JULIA VILLANEUVE. 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 08/26/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410185 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BROOKWOOD STARBOARD CRE, 49 POWELL ST 4TH FL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): STARBOARD COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/14/1991. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

Editorial

From page 6

Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola

Dan Arriola, a gay man who is running for his second and final term as mayor of Tracy, has our endorsement. He has done a good job during his first term leading the San Joaquin County city on the out-

September 17-23, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 9

Courtesy the candidate

Tracy Mayor Dan Arriola

Legals>> ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560893 Petitioner KATE MARIE BARTENWERFER & DAVID WILLIAM BARTENWERFER filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name KATE MARIE BARTENWERFER to proposed name KATE MILLER and the present name JACKSON HAROLD BARTENWERFER to proposed name JACKSON WILLIAM MILLER. 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: OCTOBER 01, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560887 Petitioner RASHID ALI NUR filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name RASHID ALI NUR to proposed name BENDER ABDULRAHIM NUR. 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: SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560895 Petitioner NAOMI BARBARA QUINN & GRAHAM JAMESON WHITE filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name GIORGIO JAMES WHITE to proposed name REMI JAMES WHITE. 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: OCTOBER 01, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560896 Petitioner SHANNON NICOLE RIORDAN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name SHANNON NICOLE RIORDAN to proposed name SHANNON RIORDAN CHHIBBER. 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: OCTOBER 06, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560897 Petitioner AMANDA MATILDA REGODON & ARNO NIAZI filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name EVELINA WALLIN NIAZI to proposed name EVELINA WALLIN NIAZI. 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: OCTOBER 06, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560903 Petitioner LILIA TITULAURI filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name LILIA TITULAURI to proposed name LILIA CHANDLER DORENFELL. 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: OCTOBER 06, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560898 Petitioner MARTHA MCCUBBIN PLACK filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name MARTHA MCCUBBIN PLACK to proposed name MARTHA PLACK DREXLER. 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: OCTOBER 06, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410175 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): DJY GENERAL BUILDING, 1747 EUCALYPTUS DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): DEJIN YU. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/23/2025. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410187 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GUEVARA’S CARPET, 349 PARK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): TADEO GUEVARA. 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 08/21/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410142 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SOLO GUY LAB,1307 FRANCISCO ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MATTHEW FELDMAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/10/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/18/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410105 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FIRST RESPONSE TRAINING, 1243 RIDGEWAY DR, SACRAMENTO, CA 95822. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MILES AQUIAR. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/11/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/11/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410181 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ENDS MEET CO., 11 BLACKSTONE CT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JENNIFER MARIE ROSKO. 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 08/20/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410149 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MIKE KLOTZ COUNSELING; MIKE KLOTZ THERAPY; CYNICAL THERAPIST, 2443 FILLMORE ST UNIT 380-7174, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): MICHAEL KLOTZ MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, 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 08/19/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410182 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SERVE WELL LIQUOR MARKET, 595 ELLIS ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): ALI IMAAN 2026 INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/18/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410177 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MISSION MARKET & LIQUOR, 4304 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): SF LAMA FAMILY INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/20/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410211 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PRESENT TENSE FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY, 450 SUTTER ST #2125, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): AMIT ARUNKUMAR M.D., PC (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 08/25/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410172 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): EL ARROYO LAUNDROMAT, 2984 23RD ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): R&R SERRANO (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/20/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560900 Petitioner MARIA LOURDES GARCIA AKA MARY LOU GARCIA filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name MARIA LOURDES GARCIA AKA MARY LOU GARCIA to proposed name MARY LOU GARCIA. 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: OCTOBER 06, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260409959 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BUSINESS OF SHOW BIZ, THE; BUSINESS OF SHOWBIZ, THE, 1534 HAYES ST #3, SAN FRANCISCO,C A 94117. This business is conducted by a married couple. Registrant/Owner(s): VELINA LUCETTE BROWN & MICHAEL GENE SULLIVAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/14/1997. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 07/27/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410074 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SAAVEDRA DRAIN & PLUMBING, 1515 BRODERICK ST #141, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JOVANI SANCHEZ SAAVEDRA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/08/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/07/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410184 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): THE ROOST, 1030 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): MERCHANT ROOTS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/07/2020. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410144 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): STUDIO YUCA, 314 RUTLEDGE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): TRAVESIAS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/25/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/18/2026. AUG 27, SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 STATE OF NEW MEXICO, COUNTY OF VALENCIA, 13TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT. NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION. PLAINTIFF: NANCY YORK & VIOLET CHAVEZ V. DEFENDANT: GABRIELLE YORK AND BEN. CASE NO.: D1314-DM-2025-00457 STATE OF NEW MEXICO to GABRIELLE YORK & BEN, DEFENDANT. You are hereby notified that the above-named Plaintiff has filed an action against you in the above-titled Court and case, the general object thereof being: Guardianship of Minor Child A.Y. If you do not file a response in this case on or before thirty days after the third publication of this Notice, a default judgement may be entered against you. Your response must be filed with the above-titled Court.This case does not involve real property. Plaintiff: NANCY YORK, PO BOX 490, LOS LUNAS, NM 87031; (505) 489-8507. WITNESS the Honorable Judge Allen R. Smith, Div. III, District Court Judge of the District Court of Valencia County this 26th day of November, 2025 SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF RAMONA KELLOGG IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: CASE NUMBER PES-26309460 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of RAMONA KELLOGG. A Petition for Probate has been filed by CHRISTINA MILLER in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that CHRISTINA MILLER be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s 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: SEPTEMBER 22, 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 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. Attorney for petitioner: KRISTEN BARGMEYER (SBN 281230), 446 17TH ST #201, OAKLAND, CA 94612; Ph. (510) 465-3838. SEP 03, 10, 17, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560885 Petitioner ANA GLADIS SACAYON filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name ANDREW SANTIAGO SACAYON GALICIA to proposed name ANDREW SANTIAGO GALICIA-SACAYON. 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: SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560906 Petitioner MATTHEW JOSEPH MARTIN filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name MATTHEW JOSEPH MARTIN to proposed name MATTHEW JOSEPH O’DRISCOLL. 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: OCTOBER 08, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560888 Petitioner NIKOLAS FREDRIK KAMIYAMA CHANTHAKOUMMANO filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name NIKOLAS FREDRIK KAMIYAMA CHANTHAKOUMMANO to proposed name NIKOLAS FREDRIK KREJCIKOVA KALINFKAYA. 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: SEPTEMBER 29, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410245 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): OSTRA DESIGN STUDIO, 2766 GOLDEN GATE AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): CHARLOTTE ANDERSON. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/24/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410204 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): DOODLE, 599 3RD ST #304, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): WILD WEST LABS, 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 08/24/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410241 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SF GIFT HORSE, 160 MIRALOMA DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94127. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JENNY MALCHOW. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/26/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/27/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410168 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MISSION FAST FILL MARKET #2, 4199 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): GAWFCO ENTERPRISES, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/22/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410232 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): LOBA STUDIO, 803 VALENCIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JENNIFER LOURDES GARZA. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 10/29/2022. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410258 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ARIELLE FUNG LMFT, 582 MARKET ST #602, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ARIELLE DUALAN. 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 08/28/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410197 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SAN FRANCISCO SYNTHWORKS, 1156 BOWDOIN ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): AHMAD ABDO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/13/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/21/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410180 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MADDY RENE, 2169A GREENWICH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MADISON J FAUCI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410273 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): KC FIT SAN FRANCISCO, 2275 MARKET ST SUITE D, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): BRIAN KEITH COLLINS. 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 08/31/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410264 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): START AND SAVE MARKET, 405 EDDY ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): NASRADDIN YAHYA AHMED ABDO. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/24/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410274 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): EMPIRE REAL ESTATE, 461 BROADWAY ST #200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): FRANK C. YI. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2010. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410272 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SUTRO HOUSE PRESS; LILA BLAKE; CAMILLE ROTH; ROSIE DONLIN; MARIANNE BLACKWOOD, 5432 GEARY BLVD UNIT #499, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): STEPHANIE LONG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410166 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): LARKINS BROTHERS TIRE, 370 S. VAN NESS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): KEWL AUTOMOTIVE INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/20/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410201 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): RC EVOLUTION ROOFING INC, 336 COUNTRY CLUB DR, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94132. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): RC EVOLUTION ROOFING INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/24/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/24/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410240 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): VERO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, 2370 CHESTNUT ST #100, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): SEVERO PROPERTIES, 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 08/26/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410269 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): AAHANA MEDICAL AESTHETICS, 2175 3RD ST UNIT C1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): SHANKAR NARAYANA MUNDLURU, MBA, PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/28/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410222 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): JOE FISHER ARCHITECT, 27 MAIDEN LANE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): JOE FISHER ARCHITECT, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 07/10/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410252 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): KOVA MANAGEMENT GROUP, 1232 MARKET ST #104, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): N & S JANITORIAL SERVICES, 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 08/27/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410006 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MILKTOPIA, 1139 TARAVAL ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): JAM TEA INC (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 07/31/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026

<< Classifieds

10 • Bay Area Repor ter • September 17-23, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410218 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MOTOCAR BRAZIL, 3150 18TH ST #106, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): REAL FACTS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/25/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/25/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410275 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): QUESTION MARK TAVERN, 312 HARRIET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): SINOMBRESF LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/13/2023. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410227 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MAMAS ON WASHINGTON SQUARE, 1701 STOCKTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94133. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/ Owner(s): DBMK ENTERPRISES INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2005. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410279 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS OF SAN MATEO PENINSULA, 2935 VAN NESS AVE #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): BENRED GROUP LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/20/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410266 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): NAGO FOODS, 3145 GEARY BLVD #354, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): NAGO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/2009. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE 2022-0398955 The following has abandoned the use of the fictitious business name known as SALON BELLE LINDA, 4448 CALIFORNIA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business was conducted by an individual and signed by THUY LE. The fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 12/07/2022. The abandonment of fictitious business name statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/24/2026. SEP 03, 10, 17, 24, 2026 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MONIO PILPEL IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: CASE NUMBER PES-25-308164 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MONIO PILPEL. A Petition for Probate has been filed by HEDDY PILPEL in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that HEDDY PILPEL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s 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. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: SEPTEMBER 29, 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 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. Attorney for petitioner: PAUL MELBOSTAD (SBN 99951), G3MH LLP, 1388 SUTTER ST #1000, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109; Ph. (415) 673-5600. SEP 10, 17, 24, 2026 NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF ELBERT M. YEE IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: CASE NUMBER PES-26-309759 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of ELBERT M. YEE. A Petition for Probate has been filed by ELAINE YEE in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that ELAINE YEE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests the decedent’s 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: OCTOBER 05, 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 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. Attorney for petitioner: BERNARDO M. SILVA (SBN 115297), LAW OFFICE OF BERNARDO M. SILVA, ONE EMBARCADERO CENTER #1200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111; Ph. (415) 989-0310. SEP 10, 17, 24, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560922 Petitioner ANGELINA MASCHELLE MYERS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name ANTHONY MICHAEL MYERS AKA ANGELINA MASCHELL MYERS to proposed name ANGELINA MASCHELLE MYERS. 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: OCTOBER 15, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102.

SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560919 Petitioner FIONA STEVENS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name FIONA STEVENS AKA FIONA DOROTHY MARY STEVENS to proposed name FIONA DOROTHY MARY STEVENS. 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: OCTOBER 15, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560917 Petitioner YING YING CHEUNG filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name YING YING CHEUNG AKA LESLIE CHEUNG AKA LESLIE Y CHEUNG AKA LESLIE YING CHEUNG AKA LESLIE YINGYING CHEUNG to proposed name LESLIE YING YING CHEUNG. 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: OCTOBER 15, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410265 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION, 1379 THOMAS AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/ Owner(s): GUOLIAN YE. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 03/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/28/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410327 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PAST CORPORATION; PAST CORP., 211 GOUGH ST #201, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): REVO, 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 09/04/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410281 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ROBOTICS CENTER OF SILICON VALLEY; ROBOTICS CENTER, 90 WELSH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): DEEPAWARE, INC. (DE). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 05/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410300 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): US RAILWAYS; AMERICAN RAILWAYS; AUTRAI; AMIDAC INTERNATIONAL, 50 CALIFORNIA ST, FL 15, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): US HIGH SPEED RAIL (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/2007. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/02/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410331 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GEORGE ROSENFIELD CAPITAL GROUP, 2460 WASHINGTON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): GEORGE ROSENFIELD CAPITAL GROUP INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 06/01/2027. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410288 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MAJESTIA EDUCATION CONSULTANCY, 280 10TH AVE #1, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/ Owner(s): SAGARMATHA NEXUS VENTURES 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 09/01/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410295 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): LUCANIA, 1 FERRY BUILDING, SUITE 36, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): LUCANIA HOSPITALITY 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 09/02/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410296 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): A16, 2355 CHESTNUT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): D.O.C. RESTAURANT GROUP, 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 09/02/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410233 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BEST CHOICE CLEANERS, 2459 POLK ST #A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): DHOBI LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/26/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410328 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CALIFORNIA WATER AND FIRE, 454 A ST, DALY CITY, CA 94014. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CALIFORNIA WATER & FIRE RESTORATION, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/04/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410228 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CAFE JAROCHA, 2948 FOLSOM ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CAFE JAROCHA 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 08/26/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410344 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): LUTSY STUDIO, 471 29TH ST UNIT A, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94131. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ALESSIA DOMENICA NOBILE. 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 09/08/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410336 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PENNY ROYAL, 1160 POLK ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): 1160 POLK 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 09/04/2026. SEP 10, 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410276 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): MY SWEET ANGEL JEWELRY, 333 12TH ST #G16, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MILAGRITOS M. LOPEZ. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/31/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/31/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF MARGUERITE VAN ZWOL IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO: CASE NUMBER PES-26-309778 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of MARGUERITE VAN ZWOL. A Petition for Probate has been filed by TOM VAN ZWOL in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco. The Petition for Probate requests that TOM VAN ZWOL be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. 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: OCTOBER 13, 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 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. Attorney for petitioner: JEFF KLINK (SBN 200801), KLINK LAW OFFICE, 3200 L ST, SACRAMENTO, CA 95816; Ph. (916) 455-5575. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560934 Petitioner KATHERINE JANE ASHBOLT & DAVID JAMES BELL filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name EZRA RAPHAEL BELL to proposed name EZRA ROBERT BELL. 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: OCTOBER 27, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560931 Petitioner RANDY MICHAEL FILKINS filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name RANDY MICHAEL FILKINS to proposed name RANDY MICHAEL CARDOZA. 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: OCTOBER 27, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560936 Petitioner ROTHTHIDA JANNECA SOK filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name ROTHTHIDA JANNECA SOK to proposed name ROTHTHIDA JANNECA SOK NOLASCO. 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: OCTOBER 27, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME IN SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO CASE NUMBER CNC-26-560937 Petitioner DANIEL JAMES WALINSKY filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: present name DANIEL JAMES WALINSKY to proposed name DANIEL JAMES MUNSON. 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: OCTOBER 27, 2026, 9:00am, Dept. 103N, Rm. 103N, Superior Court of California, 400 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA 94102. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410057 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): HAYES ST MANAGEMENT, 320 HAYES ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): RICHARD SANDER. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/05/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 08/05/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410343 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SKY TOWN CONSTRUCTION, 513 VIENNA ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ZHIMIN LIANG. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/02/2010. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/08/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410148 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ZEBRAWOOD PSYCHOTHERAPY, 2607 38TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): DAMIAN KEITH BARTON. 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 08/18/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410305 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): JANFLAN PRINTS, 2110 JACKSON ST #202, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94115. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JANELLE FLANAGAN. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/02/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410316 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CLEARPATH CIVIC, 608 44TH AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): MARK RUSSELL GELADE. 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 09/03/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410333 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ONCALL LOCKSMITH CA, 2415 ALEMANY BLVD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): AYMEN ZITOUNI. 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 09/04/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410358 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): SKETCHXERIC, 1777 PACIFIC AVE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94109. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): ERIC BLUMENTHAL. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410355 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): PIXI ROSE, 1912 MARKET ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): NOELLE JEAN AVERY. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/03/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410313 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): KAORU MICHELLE STUDIO, 364 PAGE ST #4, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): KAORU HUDACHEK. The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/17/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410248 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): DU LA LA LA, 277 THRIFT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/Owner(s): JULIA ANNETTE CODY. 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 08/27/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410385 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): NU LOOK REFINISHING, 272 FOLSOM ST #220, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant/ Owner(s): STEVEN AMERICA STANLEY. 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 09/14/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410320 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FILIPINO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 122 9TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): FILIPINO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410357 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): EDUCATIONAL MEDIA ARTS, INC.; MAREA MEDIA INSTITUTE; ART OF TECH, 2261 MARKET ST #317, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): EDUCATIONAL MEDIA ARTS, INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 04/11/2016. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410351 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): AEROBICOS YO PUEDO, 4519 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/ Owner(s): EL GIGANTE CORPORATION (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 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 2026-0410359 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ROCKO’S CAFE, 3141 CLEMENT ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): ROCKO Y JENNY CORPORATION (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/08/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410309 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ALLIANCE OF SOUTH ASIANS TAKING ACTION POWER; CHINESE FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POWER; HMONG INNOVATING POLITICS ACTION FUND; STOP AAPI HATE ACTION; AAPI HOUSE CALLS, 17 WALTER U. LUM PL, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): ASIAN AMERICANS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUALITY ACTION FUND (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 01/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410374 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): LIPS CLUB BAR, 4461 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94112. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): CORPORACION DE ISABELLA INC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/10/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410330 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): FINANCIAL DISTRICT HARDWARE INC., 140 PINE ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111. This business is conducted by a corporation. Registrant/Owner(s): FUNK KAY HARDWARE INC. (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 02/18/2003. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410345 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): BABY PRIME NUTRITION, 2040 MISSION ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94110. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): BABY PRIME LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/08/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/08/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410338 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): REEDIE P TRUCKING AND CARGO, 1190 MISSION ST #1119, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/ Owner(s): LADEESHA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/03/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/04/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410349 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): ZELLI PHOTOBOOTH, 5432 GEARY BLVD #663, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94121. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): REMORA CREATIVE 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 09/09/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410319 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): GIGI’S HUT, FORT MASON CULTURAL CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94123. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): CHES BOBO LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/03/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/03/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410384 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): OMNI PRECISION CONSULTING, 1309 COFFEEN AVE #1200, SHERIDAN, WY 82801. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/ Owner(s): AVANTI VENTURES EXCHANGE LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 09/01/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/14/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410369 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): STARBELLY RESTAURANT, 3583 16TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94114. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): VAL 22 RI, LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/15/2009. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/10/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE 20260410377 Fictitious Business Name(s)/Trade Name (DBA): CLOUD SOURCED, 455 MARKET ST #1940, PMB 922291, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105-2448. This business is conducted by a limited liability company. Registrant/Owner(s): DARKSHORE SOLUTIONS LLC (CA). The registrant(s) commenced to transact business under the above listed fictitious business name or names on 08/21/2026. The statement was filed with the City and County of San Francisco, CA on 09/11/2026. SEP 17, 24, OCT 01, 08, 2026

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Lee Allen/Lisa Jane Brown, CertainSongsUK

by Gregg Shapiro

Gregg Shapiro: Bob, after a span of 30 years, why was now the time for Sugar to record new songs and go on tour? Bob Mould: There was a lot of interest building with fans, with people in the music business. It started to feel like something that people would be excited about. I reached out to David Barbe a couple of years ago with the idea and he was amenable to it. We went to Malcolm Travis, the drummer in Sugar, and he was pretty excited about it. I guess if we were ever going to revisit the three albums that we made in the ’90s and, as you mentioned, a few new songs…(the) clock’s ticking [laughs]. None of us are getting any younger. It just felt like the time to do it. So far, it’s been great. I’m glad you mentioned Malcolm. I went to college in Boston during the early 1980s and one of my favorite local bands from that time was Human Sexual Response, which featured Sugar drummer Malcolm Travis. How did you and Malcolm connect?

Bob Mould

Veteran rocker returns with Sugar

David Barbe, Malcolm Travis and Bob Mould of Sugar at a UK concert in early June

Malcolm and I connected in 1988. It was after I had left Hüsker Dü and before (my solo debut) “Workbook” was released. Malcolm was playing drums in a band called The Zulus. That was an offshoot of Human Sexual Response, right? Correct. It was Larry (Bangor) and Rich Gilbert and Malcolm and Rich Cortese was the bass player. They got signed to Slash Records and I was asked to produce their album. I was in the studio for a lot of time with Malcolm. I knew that he was a great drummer. That was in my memory bank as time went on and, then Sugar came together.

It feels natural to me. Starting with Hüsker Dü, that’s what set the stage for the configuration with Sugar and, as you said, with Jon and Jason. To me, the more musicians you have on stage, there’s less direct communication and less room for improvisation. (Even though) Sugar’s not a band that improvises a lot. Guitar, bass, drums, and vocals is such a direct way to address songs. There have been a lot of great three-pieces over the history of Western pop music. I always think about Jimi Hendrix Experience. Even the Ramones, who I loved, are a three-piece, but with the lead singer, a fourth member. It’s where I started and it’s been my main way of performing live with other musicians.

Sugar, like Hüsker Dü before it, and your current solo touring band with Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster, is a trio. What appeals to you about musical threesomes?

Does the Sugar tour setlist include all album tracks and B-sides? We have a general set that we play every night. We make alterations: maybe a couple times a

Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘Oscar’ Choreographer’s Wilde dance to be performed by the Australian Ballet at Zellerbach Hall

by Lou Fancher

or centuries, classical ballet has asked choreographers to operate using extreme positions and unconventional actions—the 180-degree penché arabesque; tossing a fellow dancer up onto one shoulder and zipping across the stage; not just pirouetting, but actually running en pointe; and so much more. With Cal Performances presenting The Australian Ballet’s limited tour of “Oscar,” a contemporary ballet by Christopher Wheeldon, the award-winning choreographer in a phone interview finds himself in a surprising, new position with heightened visibility. His positioning calls for foregrounding: Wheeldon’s ballet tells the biographical story of Irish author Oscar Wilde and finds technical, thematic, and artistic structure in his life and two works, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” and the short story, “The Nightingale and the Rose.” “Oscar” premiered in 2024 and features queer love and romance intermingled with Wilde’s

hedonism and self-destruction. The orchestral score by composer Joby Talbot will be performed by the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra under conductor Jonathan Lo.

The politics of dancing

Wheeldon, it’s fair to say, has created a narrative work that is not just a response to the heteronormative worlds of “Swan Lake,” “Romeo and Juliet” and other story ballets. In today’s environment, “Oscar” is a mini-revolt against powerful forces and has become something Wheeldon didn’t anticipate creating: a hot-potato political ballet. “I’m not a politically-driven person,” he said. “Sadly, living in this country for the last 30 years, it’s forced me into being active, especially socially. None of this was planned, the planning for (the limited U.S. tour) happened before Trump took over the White House again.” In late February 2026, San Francisco Ballet, for whom Wheeldon has choreographed numerous dances, cancelled its performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. after Donald Trump demanded it be also named for him. Numerous

Christopher Rodgers-Wilson

odern rock pioneer Bob Mould is not one to sit idle. Over the course of his more than 40-year recording career, the gay musician recorded six studio albums with Hüsker Dü, two full-length albums with Sugar, and more than a dozen solo studio records. That doesn’t even include other projects such as those he recorded in the dance/electronic realm. In 2026, reunited with his former Sugar bandmates David Barbe and Malcolm Travis, Mould is playing a series of live shows featuring Sugar fan favorites, along with some new songs. They’ll perform in San Francisco September 26 at The Warfield.

other performing arts groups cancelled as well. Wheeldon called the timing fortuitous and added, “It’s important our voices as queer artists are heard. The motivation for making this ballet was never political. Queer stories should be told and be a normal part appearing in any (art) form. It doesn’t appear in abundance in ballet and it’s clearly time for that to change. There are so many queer choreographers giving young queer men the opportunity to portray characters they can feel from within, not just playing The Prince or a Romeo.” “Oscar” is a two-act ballet. In Act I, the story explores romance, love, selfishness, following one’s heart, the willingness to sacrifice one’s life in the name of love. It establishes the narrative of Oscar as a literary star in London, a husband to Constance, his wife who Wheeldon said “turned a blind eye” to Oscar’s queer relationships and accepted bringing another man into their home. “The research I did all painted her as a society fashionista who was naïve,” said Wheeldon. “But Constance was a highly intelligent woman and I can’t imagine she didn’t know what was going on. If I’m wrong, I still like to think of Constance

week we’ll switch out a few songs. It’s not top to bottom album play or anything. A fair amount of “Copper Blue,” half of “Beaster, a fair amount of “FUEL” (“File Under Easy Listening”), and a lot of deep cuts and the new songs, as well. It’s a pretty interesting set. It’s been running about 90 minutes. We’re not real talkative on stage. We just get on to the music and keep going. We’ve cycled a few songs out and brought some new stuff in. When we pick up again in August, we’ll take a look at some other things that we haven’t been playing. How close is Sugar to releasing a new full-length studio album? We haven’t really even addressed that. We have the three songs that we that we did last June See page 13 >>

as having smarts and having the great love she showed in the sacrifices made for Oscar.”

Storytelling moves

Act II introduces audiences to the darker side of Oscar’s life. The two literary works serve to reveal the underbelly of London life and offer affinity to story ballet-making. The vivid character, physicality, and symbolism of birds and winged creatures have been used extensively in classical ballet in the canon. “It’s honestly fun to explore bird-like movement language,” Wheeldon said. “Similarly, Dorian’s descent into supernatural elements, his incarceration, his feverishness in solitary confinement, are dramatic and physical. That’s why I chose those tales for the ballet.” Oscar’s two-act story ballet structure, along with choreography based on traditional movement vocabulary and clear historical markers with loosely chronological storytelling, are not radical. Asked what then, has reviewers calling it “cutting edge,” Wheelon was forthright. “Honestly, it’s really not new,” he said. “It’s the storytelling style I enjoy. I suppose it leans towards something like ‘MJ, The Musical,’” which Wheeldon choreographed. “Art and life intertwined.” He hopes that Oscar’s “difference” rests primarily in the inventive use of storytelling language through dance. “It just happens to have a queer ballet,” he said. “The dominant impetuous always has to be that I’m passionate about the story.” Talbot wrote the score for Wheeldon’s “Alice in Wonderland” 15 years ago at the choreographer’s invitation. He said working with Talbot again on “Oscar” was comfortable and exciting. “Jody always surprises me,” said Wheeldon. “He writes incredibly descriptive, characterful music. He’s written for the symphonic classical world but also cinematic scores. He understands atmosphere, situation. The surprise comes in the stage between the basic score and the orchestration. That always brings delightful color, texture, and meat to the ballet’s bones. Now, he wrote what I consider to be his finest score in ‘Oscar.’ It captures the wit, brilliance and pomposity of Victorian era, but also the electronic darker vibration of the nightclub. The sweeping strings over the electro, techno club beat is pretty thrilling.” See page 12 >>

<< Theater & Music

12 • Bay Area Repor ter • September 17-23, 2026

‘The Cook’ at Berkeley Rep by Jim Gladstone

“T

he Cook” is overheated and under-seasoned. Eduardo Machado’s 2003 play, now at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, centers on a working class family that stayed behind when Castro overthrew Batista and many wealthier Cubans fled north to Miami and beyond. We meet Gladys (Yesenia Iglesias), the titular domestic servant for a high society Havana family and her husband, Carlos (Daniel Duque-Estrada), the family’s chauffeur, on New Year’s Eve in 1958. They’re in a busy manor kitchen, hustling to lead a small staff serving more than 50 party guests. The gorgeous set, by Tanya Orellana, offers the show’s most memorable presence, with its period-evocative turquoise tiling, a bountiful larder, and real running water. Gladys grew up alongside the ladyof-the-house Adria (Gisela Chipe) who operatically reveals that she’s pregnant and hightailing it to Miami, where most of her guests will also likely be landing in short order. Adria wonders if her dear, browner ‘sister’ will protect the family fort until they’re reunited after a presumably brief exile? “Why of course!” agrees her doting devotee, apparently blinded by the sequined sparkle of the boss lady’s MGM-worthy ball gown. Forty years later, the house is in a shambles (or so we’re told…Orel-

lana’s set resists the superficial besmirchment of a sheet thrown over a banister and sacks of provisions on the floor); Gladys may finally, kinda, realize that her fervent loyalty has blinded her to the fact that she’s been abandoned by her idol; and Adria’s arrogant pill of a daughter, Lourdes, shows up to sprinkle some salt in the kitchen crew’s wounds. Lourdes is also played by Chipe, in a dark-shades-and-leopard-print get-up that suggests costume designer Toni-Leslie James may have recently revisited ‘Desperately Seeking Susan.’

Authenticity in absentia

Machado’s got great material at the core of his story: The tension between class relationships and personal relationships in a period of economic and political turmoil. He’s also got the fixings of a lovely theme; the ways in which cuisine can be a carrier of culture, transcending time and geography. But instead of digging in, he has his characters act out, telenovela-style. Rather than richly layered characters, we get microwaved melodrama. Carlos, resentful that his wife is both bread baker and breadwinner, takes a mistress, who takes off; but not before leaving him with a baby, who he coerces Gladys into raising. Gladys and young Rosa (Geogina Morillo) quickly bond, pushing Carlos even further to the margins. Men are pigs. Except for gay men, like Gladys’

Ben Krantz Studio

Gisela Chipe and Yesenia Iglesias in ‘The Cook’ at Berkeley Repertory Theatre

cousin, Julio (Ashton Muniz), who is persecuted for his sexuality and ultimately dies in a Communist prison camp. A shoehorn similar to the one that must have been required to squeeze Julio in his skintight ’70s jeans may have been used to force this blip of a subplot into the script. There’s a similar sensationalism to

the play’s whisked-through conversations about skin-tone-based prejudice in Caribbean culture, which include a couple gratuitous N-bombs. And despite the play’s title and setting, food feels like almost like an afterthought; decorative garnish rather than main dish. During the final scene, Rosa asks Gladys, who has polished

her culinary technique over nearly a half century as has been recognized as one of Havana’s best chefs, how many lemons to use in a chicken dish. The reply: “Around two.” And one needn’t relish the nuances chef-speak to taste the artificiality of Machado’s dialogue. “You never loved me!” “Sometimes there are things bigger than love!” “I hate you!” Hungry for authentic tamales? Just Pop-Tarts here; not even toasted. It’s perplexing to find director David Mendizábal at the helm of this piece. His past two Berkeley rep productions, ‘Mexodus’ and ‘All My Sons’ offered verbal potency and thematic nuance in their takes on Latino culture and history, as did his superb ‘Don’t Eat the Mangos’ at Magic Theatre. He’s also directing this fall’s high-profile new production of ‘In the Heights’ at New York City Center. Not only is ‘The Cook’ a thinner, less finessed piece of writing that those other plays, it also feels like a strange choice for the current moment. Its socialists are bumbling failures. Its conservative capitalists are oblivious to all but the upper class. Its individual characters are aswim in delusion. There’s no clear point of view being served.t ‘The Cook,’ through Oct. 11. $33$142. Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. www.berkeleyrep.org

Q-Music: making music and poetry history by Gregg Shapiro

e’re offering a jump on LGBTQ History Month in October with some historic poetry readings by Alan Ginsberg, dance beats by Miss Grit, and upcoming local concerts with of Montreal and Zzzahara.

It would be inexcusable to write about LGBTQ+ recordings and exclude the limited-edition reissue of “‘Howl’ and Other Poems” (Craft Recording) by legendary gay poet Allen Ginsberg, pressed on “eco-friendly green blend vinyl” and re-released to commemorate Ginsberg’s centennial (he was born June 3, 1926, and passed in 1987). It’s an unforgettable experience to hear the poet himself boldly read his masterwork, recorded less than two years after Judge Clayton W. Horn ruled that the poem was “not obscene or pornographic.” As Ginsberg wrote in the original 1959 liner notes (reprinted on the back cover), “I used Chicago Big Table Readings (Jan ’59) of ‘Howl,’ ‘Sunflower,’ and ‘Kaddish’ on this record because they are the best I can find.” Ginsberg was a poet who was aware of the value of recording his voice reciting his work (he could be heard on albums released by Giorno Poetry

Systems, as well as his own albums including 1990’s major-label release “The Lion For Real”). The stunning “‘Howl’ and Other Poems” reissue also includes “A Supermarket in California,” “America,” and “Europe, Europe.” www.allenginsberg.org From poetry to propulsive dance beats, we have non-binary musician Miss Grit and their new album “Under My Umbrella” (Mute). Miss Grit (aka Margaret Sohn), who strikes an ear-pleasing balance between dancing and dreaminess, kicks things off with the blazing “Tourist Mind,” followed in rapid succession by the ethereally energetic “Mind Disaster.” “Won’t Count on You” lures us in before making the damning titular statement. “It Feels Like” bounces in before Miss Grift modifies the beats on “Waste

Me” and “You Will Change.” The worst thing that can be said is that it’s over too soon. www.missgrit.com

and the aggressive rock of “When.” Of Montreal performs on Oct. 1 at Bottom of the Hill. ofmontreal.net

Years before of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes came out as genderqueer, and began using multiple pronoun variations, the band released the album “The Gay Parade.” Barnes is an incredibly prolific artist, rarely letting a year or two lapse between of Montreal releases. The latest, “aethermead” (Polyvinyl), is the result of relocation and a break-up, so the mood is one of discovery and healing. Nevertheless, there’s no question that this is an of Montreal album, and there’s plenty to recommend, including the psychedelic strut of “Take the Form,” as well as “Listen to Music and Cry,” “Already Dreaming,” “Now We Cringe at the Thought,” “To Nothing’s Reward,”

What began as a solo project by trans frontwoman Lomes Oleander continues to take flight with the moniker Pigeon Pit. “Leash Aggression” (Ernest Jenning), Pigeon Pit’s fourth album since 2022, continues in the band’s trademark folk-punk style. Oleander sounds both breathless and exhilarated singing songs that are bursting at the seams with thoughtprovoking lyrics, as in the case of “Cherry,” “People on the Bus,” “Landlord Special,” “Thread the Needle,” “Return of the White-Knuckle Angel,” and “Rearview Mirror Blues.” Fans of Laura Jane Grace and Ezra Furman are sure to connect with Pigeon Pit’s music. pigeonpit.bandcamp.com

Long discussions about the sexual content and demands of the choreography allowed dancers to express their discomfort, or to communicate their joy in playing roles that felt generated “from the inside out.” Wheeldon said the feedback from the young, queer dancers especially increased his satisfaction with the ballet. Bringing it to stops only in New York and Berkeley, he anticipates lively response knowing a ballet and queer dancers he believes in are finally able to tell their stories.t

Oscar

From page 11

Devouring space

Parallels in the set and costume design create silhouettes that are Victorian, but through use of LED technology and other means, are cast into current clubbing culture. Minor amounts of spoken text appear because most people don’t read the program notes until the intermission, according to Wheeldon. “They realize they needed to read them or get seated too late to read them,” he said. “I’ve used supertitles before. There’s a disdain saying you should be telling the story clearly in only the movement. Frankly, with some of the masterworks I admire, if I didn’t read the program, I wouldn’t have had a clue.” The ballet has received recent reno-

It’s been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. On her new album “Distant Lands” (Lex), queer singer/songwriter Zzzahara isn’t so much imitating as she is finding inspiration in various sources. You can hear the fluence of The Drums on “Speed Racer” and “My Little Dove,” Cocteau Twins on “She Doesn’t Want Me to Exist” and “Chinese Tobacco,” and Liz Phair on “Wandering Eyes.” Zzzahara makes these stimuli her own and could very well serve as a source of inspiration for others on “Garden,” “Andy’s Got a Gun,” “Can Be Yours” (on which she’s joined by Winter), and “Whispering Tree.” Zzzahara performs on Oct. 6 at Bottom of the Hill. zzzahara.bandcamp.comt

Christopher Rodgers-Wilson

Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon

A scene from Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘Oscar’

vation in Act II that incudes structural shifts, cuts, major relighting, and minor amounts of new choreography. About this year’s company dancers,

Wheeldon said, “I’ve been working with the company on and off for 20 years. This is the first ballet I have created for them. They’re like San Fran-

cisco Ballet: with a similar hunger for movement, for devouring space, and for giving themselves over to the process of a choreographer.”

The Australian Ballet in the North American Premiere of ‘Oscar’ by Christopher Wheeldon. $60–$215, September 25-27, Cal Performances, Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft Way at Dana Street, UC Berkeley campus. www.calperformances.org

Books>>

September 17-23, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 13

‘(analog) Cruising: Folsom Edition’

Leo Herrera’s how-to guide to the leather festival

by Jim Provenzano

while back, writer and artist Leo Herrera arrived at a moment of growing fatigue with dating apps, and wanted to encourage and document a shift toward connection beyond the screen. He started with a few Instagram posts that have now gotten him almost 100,000 followers. Herrera assembled his essays into a self-published book. Blending memoir, self-help, history and field guide, “(analog) Cruising” has sold thousands of copies worldwide. His writing has been cited by The New Yorker, Dan Savage, Sniffies, the New York Department of Health and California State University. Herrera and Folsom Street Fair have teamed up for “(analog) Cruising: Folsom Edition.” The book is a limited edition of the viral cruising manual with a new cover and original chapter titled, “Valley of the Kings,” on Folsom and the history of San Francisco’s South of Market. Herrera will launch the new edition at The Stud, September 23 7pm to 9pm, and will sign books at the Folsom Street Fair merchandise booth on Sept. 27. Details below. Here’s an excerpt from “(analog) Cruising: Folsom Edition” The Valley of the Kings The veil that separates our mundane, public lives from our secret, feral, wet lives is thin, but strong as Kevlar. Yet Folsom Street Fair can pierce it, like the sun through the fog. It asks us: when that membrane dissolves, who are you and what are you made of? Every September, hundreds of thousands let their freak flag fly at the Folsom Street Fair. Folsom is a behemoth, one of the biggest singleday gatherings in the country and the largest leather event in the world. Like traditional fairs, there are games and performers, arts and crafts, chicken-

Monwell Frazier

Leo Herrera spoke at a “Cruising Revival” during this year’s Southern Decadence in New Orleans, sponsored by Sniffies.

on-a-stick and foamy beers. There’s also naked Twister, bruised nipples and shibari. It is unabashedly Queer, the dark sibling of Pride. Pride’s strength is its universality; it can happen in the smallest towns and sprawling cities. Folsom can only happen in San Francisco. It needs the city’s permissive, druggy and horny soil. Where else can broke young Queers from all over the Bay jerk off on the street next to the wealthy techies who displaced them? And this displacement is what the fair was founded to protest in 1984, when the neighborhood was said to be run down and ripe for redevelopment. That familiar grind of gentrification setting its sights on the crown jewel of leather and cruising culture.

Folsom Street Fair, 2010 The fair is ending and the fog is roaring in. Sweaters are begrudgingly thrown over leather harnesses. Thousands are pouring out of the fair, seeking refuge from the cold and a funnel for their horniness. The most valuable real estate in all of SoMa will be the tiny booths at the cruising club Blow Buddies. In mere minutes, the line will be a block long so I’m speed-walking, OK, I’m running, to the club. My manly leather boots turn into cha-cha heels, making a faggy tap-tap-tap on the sidewalk. Dozens of fidgety, wide-eyed firsttimers are already waiting, brave from the beers and permissiveness of the fair, having convinced themselves to go with a “What the hell, it’s Folsom.”

When it’s my turn, I rush in, like that ’90s game show, “Supermarket Sweep,” where contestants ran through a grocery store hunting for the most expensive items. I don’t know who or what I’m looking for, all I know is that I’m leaving here a winner. I dart through the club, past the lockers and piss tub, sizing up bodies like frozen turkeys. Too thin, too young, too muscled, too… jackpot. I get lost in the labyrinth of booths. I turn a corner and there he is, reclining against the black lacquered plywood, awash in red light. My Minotaur is in his late 50s, a beer belly, big hairy arms, a trucker hat, blue jeans, a leather vest over a T-shirt with a corny painting of a wolf howling at a full moon, the kind you get at truck stops in the Southwest. Maybe a trucker or a marijuana farm worker stopping in San Francisco for the fair, back when it was easier and cheaper to show up uninvited. Or maybe it’s a new tech millionaire in drag. Just one more of the day’s masc cosplay. What I am sure of is that I’m hard, so I walk to him and stand the distance of a painting. I reach out and stroke his belly softly with the back of my finger, as if he’s a feral cat. He smells like sweat and smoke and whiskey and gasoline

and balls and his breath is redolent of old cigarettes. As I get closer to see his face, he tilts his head down, so it remains in the shadow of his hat. An elegant move from a different era. What older man taught him that? Was it in a place like this? Here in SoMa? The South of Market had been a haven for us sexual deviants since at least the early ’60s. Before that, it had been the port city’s industrial engine, filled with wharves, warehouses, factories, as well as sailors, truck drivers, merchants, the men who became the mood boards for Gays. As San Francisco’s waterfront economy changed after World War II, SoMa’s aging warehouses, storefronts and industrial buildings offered cheap space. Perfect for the Queer servicemen, Gay motorcycle clubs and other homos who always managed to flock to the city. From the 1960s through 1980s, they opened leather bars, bathhouses, sex clubs, gear shops and community organizations, places with names like The Tool Box, The Stud, Ramrod, Bootcamp, Chaps, Ambush, Brig, Black ’n Blue, Arena, The Trench, The Eagle, Febe’s, The No Name and, of course, the sex club I am at right now, Blow Buddies. My Minotaur opens the door to the tiny booth. He might as well be welcoming me to Buckingham Palace. I resist the urge to curtsy as we walk in.t Leo Herrera’s books and other products are available at www.analogcruising.com instagram.com/herreraimages Herrera’s book launch at The Stud, Sept. 23, 7pm, 1123 Folsom St., followed by the weekly Truck party. www.eventbrite.com And look for him at the Folsom Street Fair merchandise booth, Sept. 27, 11am-6pm, www.folsomstreet.org

DEVOTION AND DESIRE Finn Turnbull

Bob Mould (right) with Sugar at a July concert in Portland.

Bob Mould / Sugar

new stuff. That’s what we’re doing this time around.

and then just started focusing on getting ready for all the touring this year.

Is there a genre of music or an artist that you listen to that might surprise your fans? I think during a lot of the 2000s, when I got deep into electronic music and was DJing regularly. I think that surprised a lot of people then. I think it probably would surprise new Sugar fans now, that I still have such a love of French house and progressive house music. It’s pretty far away from punk rock or grunge or shoegaze, which, I guess, are the genres in which I’ve worked in and around for most of my working career. I still like electronic music, but I’m not as informed or educated as I used to be when I was DJing. Back in those days, it would be looking for new music for half the day, listening online and trying to find new stuff to DJ.t

From page 11

Is there any chance that Jason (Narducy, who lives in the Chicago area) will be in town and will join Sugar on stage at Riot Fest? He’s already been on stage (with us). He jumped up at one of the New York shows [laughs]. It was great to see him. I think it was the third of the Webster Hall shows in New York City. I did not know that Jason was in town until late that morning. He was like, “Hey, I’m around. Can I come down?” I said, “Yeah, you want to jump up?” And he’s like, “Yeah!” Your eponymous 1996 album was released 30 years ago. Do you think you might include anything from that album on your concert tour to acknowledge the anniversary? No. I’m glad you mentioned it. Believe it or not, I completely lost track of that 30th anniversary. It’s the three (Sugar) albums, the B-sides and the

Directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer

September 13–20 | San Francisco | ODC Theater A visually stunning theatrical experience

Read the full interview on www.ebar.com. Sugar performs September 26, 8pm, at The Warfield with J. Robbins opening. $68-$90, 982 Market St. www.sugarcopperblue.com www.thewarfieldtheatre.com

Buy Online at CHANTICLEER.ORG

<< Books

14 • Bay Area Repor ter • September 17-23, 2026

Fall into books 2026 roundup, part 2

by Jim Piechota

ere comes the second of our Fall books series, where we present a group of outstanding and diverse nonfiction titles focusing on transgender theory, the effects of staying or going in a situation, as well as memoirs from an athlete, a drag king, and a media personality. Enjoy! “Changing Gender” by Susan Stryker, $32 (FSG) In theorist and author Susan Stryker’s thought-provoking examination of gender, she thoughtfully (and at times academically) deconstructs preconceived ideas that sex and gender are one and the same. Using historical examples and the works of authors, colleagues, trans pioneers, 1950s psychologist John Money, anthropologist Margaret Mead, and her longtime partner, Mimi, among others, she argues that misconceptions about trans communities are made through rampant misinformation dissemination and bigoted ideologies. Her numerous, well-informed opinions on transphobia began forming the foundation of the book specifically after Stryker attended a symposium by anti-trans speaker and far-right pundit Matt Walsh at Stanford University, while she was a visiting fellow there. While Walsh spoke about being consumed with the dynamics of pronouns, “grammatical gender,” and an unsubstantiated history of gender

itself, Stryker knew this discussion needed a countering perspective, and one based on facts, history, experience, and learned knowledge instead of bigotry and hate. This is a brilliantly creative, provocative book on identity and equality that begs for discussion, debate, and contemplation. Susan Stryker will be in conversation with Toshio Meronek at Fabulosa Books, September 17, 7pm, 489 Castro St. www.us.macmillan.com “The Leaving Gene: Essays on Staying, Going, and the Cost of Both” by Huck Smith $16.99 (Quick Draw Press) Readers who find themselves constantly contemplating whether they should stay or leave a person or situation will want to read this new collection of thought-provoking essays by gay author Huck Smith. Smith admits from the beginning of his illuminating self-examination that he is the kind of person who leaves. He has become an expert at “keeping one foot angled toward the door even when I’m standing in the middle of something that might have worked if I had stayed long enough to find out.” The author taps into very relatable, “fight or flight” feelings that a lot of us have experienced and he makes the conversation a practical one, rather than a cautionary one. He isn’t sure he has come full circle from the person who constantly kept one eye on the door, but his essays on fleeting youth (eye creams and finding

the first grey pube), messy, complicated relationships, adventures on Scruff, humiliatingly unexpected human bodily functions, “the human capacity for not wanting to know” something, fumbling first dates, making efforts to heal his broken soul, his aforementioned tendency to leave situations prematurely, and pages full of revealing and insightful blunders which greatly humanize the author and make us laugh and wince in equal measure. This is a fantastic book loaded with provocative revelations and afterthoughts; Huck Smith is a clever, seductive storyteller who will make you laugh with his cathartic reflections and also nod in appreciation and solidarity with the wisdom earned from a boatload of mistakes. This one is effortlessly candid and unique. www.huckysmith.com “Finding Renee Richards: The Groundbreaking Story” by Julie Kliegman $28.99 (HarperOne) Transgender tennis professional Renee Richards gets some long overdue recognition in this biography that puts her in the sports spotlight with her plight for equality in the 1970s. At age 41 in 1975, Richards (formerly Richard Raskind), a career ophthalmologist, made the decision to undergo genderaffirming surgery and soon after, relocated to California from New York to continue his medical practice but her pursuit of becoming a tennis pro rapidly took priority over everything. Author Julie Kliegman, who is nonbinary and transgender, diligently charts Richards’ life from childhood when she fantasized about embodying the girl she felt like she truly was inside, to a marriage, fatherhood, and

a post-transition tennis career. Her years focusing on tennis turned negative when she was deemed ineligible to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open in 1977, but Richards sued the organization in court and won her case. Kliegman draws on interviews and Richards’ own writings about her life and career to complete a life story that is as compelling as it is heartfelt, but not without a few shocking revelations as Richards reveals that she has since dramatically and shockingly changed her perspective on allowing transgender women to compete in women’s events. This eye-opening biography is a must-have for queer sports buffs. www.harpercollins.com “I Think My Therapist Hates Me” by Chris Olsen $28 (Simon Element) There was a time when authoring a memoir before one turns thirty was considered laughable and a waste of time and paper. Behold the modern times of AI-assisted TikTok content, explicit podcast material, and the rise of the Instagram product-sponsored social media “influencer.” Chris Olsen is only 28, mind you, but his life, according to this vibrantly written if tepid memoir, has been filled to the brim with therapist sessions, rehab stays, and changes of heart. Related as a series of Zoom appointments with his therapist, the book earnestly recaps Olsen’s late teens and twenties as a time of transition, not just between alcohol and drug use, but between torturing himself with self-destructive behaviors to becoming comfortable in his own queer skin. Olsen’s downward spiral began in Maryland when his parents separated

Intriguing nonfiction from Susan Stryker, Huck Smith and others while he was a teenager and his mother went into rehab soon after for alcohol dependency. From there, he experienced vicious anti-gay bullying, and enrolling in a performing arts school on the east coast just intensified his need to lash out and destroy himself. In dark, heavily detailed sketches about his intensive experiences with substance abuse rehabilitation, Olsen admits he hit rock bottom. In the early 2020s, social media beckoned and with the help of then-boyfriend Ian Paget, things coalesced digitally and financially, though the author has some choice words for Paget, post-break-up. There will come a day when it will require much more than a pretty face to score followers on social media. In the meantime, we have prematurely published memoirs like Olsen’s that are revealing, “cathartic,” and eye-catchingly pretty to have on the coffee table during a dinner party. www.simonandschuster.com “Showbiz! My Life as a Middle Aged Man” by Murray Hill $30 (Gallery) Drag king and transgender comedian Murray Hill’s story is a remarkable work of memoir in that nothing is spared or sanitized for his reading audience. The book is a candid and lively look at the performer who grew up in rural Connecticut in the 1970s and ’80s in a conservative Catholic household that Hill couldn’t wait to escape from. But the residual effects of a severely dysfunctional and abusive upbringing remained. It caused Hill to drink and snort excessively through college in Boston and beyond. He started morphing into his own persona after attending the New York City Wigstock festival in 1995 and became frustrated at the lack of diversity outside of the shirtless “sea of gay men.” Hill recounts his post-sobriety years as a fledgling cabaret performer who channeled his anger at former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani’s anti-gay nightclub-canceling activities with a 1997 mayoral campaign of his own (his “Let the Kids Dance” platform lost). As his notoriety rose, so did opportunities, like the trans character role of Fred Rococo on HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere.” This fantastic story of stumbling self-awareness combines heart, wit, and humor in generous portions. simonandschuster.comt

‘First They Came for My College’

by Gregg Shapiro

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atrick Bresnan’s New College of Florida documentary, “First They Came for My College” (Harry Hanbury Productions/Otis Lucas Productions), opens with a SCOTUS Justice William O. Douglas quote about the negative impact of the restriction of free thought and free speech and closes with a reminder of the attacks on institutions of higher learning since Trump’s reelection. Founded more than 60 years ago as a widely acclaimed public liberal arts school, Sarasota, Florida-based New College made the national news when in 2023 Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis installed a new board of directors of his choosing, including far-right figures Chris Rufo and Richard Corcoran, on January 6, no less. Praised for its beautiful scenery and sunlit bayfront setting, New College was a center of academic rigor, independent learning, queer expression, and radical acceptance. It had no fraternities or sororities, and no big sports teams. In other words, New College was everything that DeSantis and his ilk despised. As a perfect example of grooming, the conservative Board of Trustees set about recruiting a conservative student body, including Ciceronian Josh, as well as student athletes who, as it turns out, were misled about what’s

Fourth Act Films

A scene from ‘First They Came for My College’

possible for them at the school. Additionally, some of the student athletes brought disturbing elements to campus, including homophobia, a drop in academic standards, and other unsupervised bad behaviors. Essential components of New College’s more than 60-year history were being systematically dismantled. Returning students were no longer allowed to live on campus to make room for the influx of jocks in Crocs. There was the elimination of the Title IX office as well as the Gender Studies program, and the suddenly empty library shelves. During the summer, when students were away from campus, a school mascot, which had never existed, was created. Adding insult to injury, a hur-

ricane devastated the campus. Not surprisingly, several students and faculty members left the school. During all the trauma, there are small moments of triumph, including the revival of the cherished “Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening (particularly poignant considering Curry’s recent passing), and the humiliating silencing of controversial graduation guest speaker Joe Ricketts. There are probably some who will think that filmmaker Bresnan has too much of a liberal bent, especially when it comes to the depiction of student Josh’s transformation. However, the conservative voices we hear don’t do themselves any favors. Rufo’s blatantly offensive disregard for the opinions of anyone who does not follow his Christo-fascist doctrine is appalling. And it doesn’t take long for bumbling Corcoran, who is the kind of illiterate conservative fool who thinks saying “you guys’s” is grammatically correct, to show us who he is. Even if you don’t live in Florida, it’s important not to ignore what transpired at New College, and the implications for other U.S. colleges and universities. “First They Came for My College” opens in theaters on September 18, in time for the start of the new school year. Rating: B+t firsttheycameformycollege.com

Books>>

September 17-23, 2026 • Bay Area Repor ter • 15

‘Mr. Moonlight’ by Brian Bromberger

t is not hyperbole to say that had it not been for their gay manager Brian Epstein, we might never have heard of the Beatles or their music, a fact later acknowledged by the Beatles themselves. A new biography on Epstein, “Mr. Moonlight,” (after a 1964 Beatles cover song) recently published, is a testament to his impact on the Fab Four. Written by Philip Norman, one of the world’s experts on the Beatles, who penned individual biographies on three of the four members, also a collective bio on the group, reveals Epstein’s continued relevance almost six decades after his early tragic death. But the book skillfully details what made Epstein a crucial element in the evolution of the Beatles as the world came to know them.

In My Life

The fact that Epstein appeared at all in the music scene in the early 1960s is astounding, since he had no prior experience in pop music and preferred classical works. Born in 1934, his wealthy family ran a furniture shop in Liverpool, later expanded after acquiring a store called North End Music, which became the renowned NEMS chain of furniture and record stores. The family was Jewish, keeping a kosher kitchen and weekly Sabbath dinners. Epstein knew he was gay at an early age and wanted to become a dress designer, to the horror of his father. He was kicked out of various boarding schools due to poor performance. Later conscripted for national service as a clerk in the Royal Army Service Corps, his stunt imitating an officer led him to be evaluated by psychia-

Gay genius Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein’s glorious and tormented life told in Philip Norman’s biography

trists, who recommended he be discharged as “psychologically unfit,” militaryspeak for homosexuality. During this period, Epstein led a double life. He had a penchant for rough trade so was often beaten up, robbed, blackmailed, or courted arrest in trysts with straight male strangers. He never found a permanent lover. He gradually became a heavy drug user, drinking excessively, using sleeping pills. He was hospitalized for both depression and drug abuse.

Magical Mystery Tour

Keeping up with the current music scene and after reading about the Beatles in a local music newspaper, in 1961 he visited the Cavern nightclub to see them perform. He immediately sensed something different about them with their black leather outfits, shared harmonies, comic (and sometimes lewd) banter, and covers of the latest pop hits. He returned several times, finally volunteering himself as their manager and confessed he had no experience, but saw their potential. Impressed by his business demeanor, the Beatles agreed, as long as Epstein promised not to change their music. He changed their haircut to a bowlcut style (nickname “mop-tops”) and clothes, trading leather for suits, making them more attractive and marketable. He also introduced them to producer George Martin and arranged a recording contract with EMI. He replaced dissatisfied drummer Pete Best with Ringo Starr. He organized a concert tour in the United States, the first for any British band, and convinced Ed Sullivan to feature them live on his Sunday night show, creating Beatlemania. When the Beatles song “I Want to Hold Your

Biographer Philip Norman

Hand,” went to number one in America, he called it the greatest day of his life.

Ticket to Ride

He also introduced the idea of having rock concerts at stadiums, appreciably enhancing revenue. He developed their film career by having them work with American director Richard Lester, starring them in two films “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help,” both enormous box office and critical hits. When the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, Epstein had less to do and got into more personal trouble, such as an expensive gambling habit, abusing amphetamines, chronic insomnia, depression, and anxiety/stress. He encountered constant anti-Semitism while hiding his homosexuality, and may or may not have had a liaison with Little Richard. However, because it was still illegal in England until a month before he died, if Epstein had been exposed as gay, it would have ruined his career and possibly derailed the Beatles. He got along with all four Beatles, but was attracted to and closest with

John Lennon, whom he saw as a genius. But Lennon could be cruel to him, rewording a lyric of Lennon’s song “Baby You’re a Rich Man” to “Baby You’re a Rich Fag Jew,” dubbing Epstein’s 1964 autobiography “A Cellarful of Noise” to “A Cellarful of Boys,” calling him Jew Boy or Yid, and attacking him face to face about his clothes.

Carry That Weight

Yet when Epstein was in a drug treatment center, Lennon sent him a bouquet of flowers with a card: “You know I love you—I really mean that.” There is much speculation about a two-week holiday in Spain (after Lennon’s wife gave birth to their son Julian) on whether they had a sexual relationship. Lennon later hinted that he had tried gay sex, once out of curiosity and a second time to confirm he didn’t like it. Norman says it was conceivable they might have had an affair, but if so, a very short-lived one, since Lennon was decidedly straight. Epstein was found dead in his bed in August 1967 at the age of 32. The

Randy Boyd’s ‘The Unfrozen Few’ Frozen in time

Biographer Philip Norman

by Laura Moreno

“T

he Unfrozen Few, Book One: Welcome to the Future” is a novel that features 11 AIDS patients from the 1980s who escape near-certain death to take part in a controversial medical experiment: cryonic freezing. They awaken decades later once antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition, but despite this huge upside they find that the world they have entered leaves much to be desired. Author Randy Boyd’s return to novel-writing after 21 years is being met with great enthusiasm for good reason. He is a wonderful writer who is unafraid to tackle profound issues. This is a suspenseful read that is sure to keep your attention riveted. As if catapulted into the future, the unfrozen characters must reconcile their memories of the AIDS plague (regular funerals attended, AZT trials, the activism and grief that defined queer life in the 1980s) and the characteristics that defined the era (extreme secrecy, heavy societal stigma, and the memory of police raids) with a radically different present in which PrEP and cell phones exist,

social stigma has significantly decreased, and online dating is a thing. While the book has an eerie premise and deals with heavy, unsettling themes that are known to attract shady, unethical medical agendas, criminality and abuse, it is not formally considered to be horror. It does, however have fiction elements of mystery and dark social satire. Above all, “The Unfrozen Few” is a work of speculative science fiction that is firmly anchored in the author’s own experience living with HIV/ AIDS at the height of the plague when there was a vastly different medical and social landscape. Boyd states on his personal author website that his novels are “pieces of me set forth into the world, a reflection of my dreams, a part of my soul.” With a broadcasting background, Boyd began writing professionally at age 20. As a Black gay man, he has documented the epidemic in essays, short stories, and in his four previous novels: “Bridge Across the Ocean” (2000), “Uprising” (2001), “The Devil Inside” (2002), and “Walt Loves the Bearcat” (2005). Boyd has been awarded five Lambda Literary Award Finalist honors.

The speculative premise of this book is a brilliant vehicle for Boyd’s profound musings on how identity persists even when everything changes around us. It’s fascinating reading to see how survivors navigate a future that renders their trauma oddly temporal and permanent at the same time. Most striking of all, the 11 AIDS patients find themselves in a disorienting world they no longer feel a part of. The book has many memorable passages that make us appreciate our world today more. For example, none of the 11 AIDS patients can believe the United States has already had a Black president. Nonetheless, the question keeps coming up: What does survival mean when the world you knew vanished while you slept? The novel refuses easy redemption arcs; characters who expected salvation instead find a world that has continued without them, one that offers medical miracles but cannot restore lost decades or resurrect friends who have passed. Black gay physician Dr. Nathan Black, the estranged son of the unprincipled family of ingenious scientists behind the biotech firm conducting this experiment, is the nucleus of the book. He acts as a bridge for the newly awakened patients as the narrative explores survivor’s guilt, how queer identity has evolved, and the complexities that exist between the generations in today’s queer landscape. Add to that the layer of corruption taking place at the biotech firm now run by Nathan’s ruthless stepmother, Dr. Brenda Black, and the corporate cover up to hide it, and you have a very compelling page-turner of a story. A similar book is Joe Haldeman’s “The Forever War” (1974) in that it uses science fiction’s time-dilation

coroner ruled the cause of death as an “incautious” overdose of a drug prescribed for his insomnia. He had overdosed in the past. It was definitely not a suicide, though that is the common misperception. Minus the speculation about Epstein’s death, Norman has created an empathic, nuanced, and probably definitive portrait of Epstein, not afraid to discuss his flaws, but also make us realize how much Beatle fans owe him. When Lennon heard the news about Epstein’s death, he commented, “Then, we’re fucked.” In the slightly over two years later when the Beatles broke up, any time a crisis or disaster occurred, their reaction was “Brian would never have let it happen.” Epstein was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 in the nonperformers section, a long overdue recognition, since he was never honored during his lifetime. Still, Epstein remains elusive with Norman quoting Epstein’s lawyer, Nat Weiss; “He wasn’t just a Jekyll and Hyde character. He was Jekyll and Hyde and about twenty other people besides.” An enigma, with all his failings, the visionary Epstein transformed the Beatles into the most famous band the world has ever known, and for that accomplishment music lovers around the globe should forever be grateful.t

Read the full review on www.ebar.com. ‘Mr. Moonlight: Brian Epstein and the Making of the Beatles’ by Philip Norman. Da Capo Press, $32.50; ebook $16.99. www.dacapopress.com

Echoes of the plague in a dystopian tale

mechanics to explore how a soldier rendered ageless returns home only to experience alienation. Boyd’s characters confront a more intimate alienation from a queer community that survived the plague and is now unrecognizable. Even if tangentially, this book also provides indelible insight into of the degree to which media and technology have shaped our culture, habits and even our beliefs over time. “The Unfrozen Few” was named an

American Fiction Award Finalist for LGBT+ Fiction by American BookFest. No doubt, this is a thoughtprovoking book that will be of great interest to all generations as much for what it teaches us about gay history as for what it reveals about life today.t ‘The Unfrozen Few (Book One: Welcome to the Future)’ by Randy Boyd, West Beach Books, 598 pages, Kindle edition $6.99, paperback $20.95 www.randyboydauthor.com

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