think piece

Why Didn’t San Francisco’s Billionaires Save The Bay Bridge Lights?
When I first heard the news that the ‘Bay Lights’ were in danger of going dark, and that an $11 million dollar donation was needed in order to keep them on, I thought to myself “some billionaire will foot the bill, probably Marc Benioff,” but that didn’t happen. Instead, Illuminate,

Why Inauthenticity Destroys American Cities
Any major city in America that’s worth visiting, exploring or moving to is usually rich in culture. There’s a certain accent or walk that gives its residents a distinct flair that beautifully differentiates them from other places where big buildings gather beside people whose dreams are even bigger. But when

The East Bay Beer Passport is Here!
Step into a world of adventure with the 2023-2024 East Bay Beer Passport! There’s no better way to explore the East Bay than to literally drink it in. Each passport contains 27 coupons to buy one beer, get a second beer FREE at 27 of the finest locally owned breweries,

Can Austin Or Portland Replace San Francisco?
While I am the first person to scream San Francisco is dead, I’m also the first person to admit I’m a fucking idiot and I am absolutely an idiot. Will San Francisco ever live up to its own standards or our collective nostalgia? Probably not, but San Francisco is unique

Outrage Marketing: How Gillette and Others Profit Off Our Nation’s Divide
Gillette’s new commercial is so touching I almost forgot they charge more for a razor with less Blades simply because it’s pink. Remember their long running Venus ads with half naked model’s shaving already hairless legs under waterfalls? Beyond the veil of social responsibility and activism the simple truth is

San Francisco isn’t Neverland, it’s Laterland
This originally appeared in my Broke-Ass City column in the San Francisco Examiner. I’m currently sitting in my parents’ kitchen. It’s hot in San Diego. Hell, it’s been hot all over the state this past week, and I’m so glad that places in SoCal have air conditioning. Visiting San