This Way Up: Nabe Opposes Douglass Steps Addition

Sucks to be the Gashi's. The family- mother Cathy, her husband, and their 12 year-old son, and 2 year-old daughter- have outgrown their 1,000 square foot home at 20th and Douglass Streets, in the Castro. The only way to go? Up. However, their tiny abode happens to sit along the widely loved Douglass Street Steps. According to the current plan, their only legal option, the Gashi's expansion project will add 30 feet to the height of their home- and block views of the Castro theater and the nabe's symbolic rainbow flag. Enter the neighbors, en masse. (Note to self: do not fuck with the Castro.) Quoted in a Bay Area Reporter article on the subject, longtime local resident James Hollenbeck's statement hints at a larger consensus: "To think that the heart of San Francisco is going to lose the view of the Castro is devastating to me." While some have no problem with the proposed construction, over 200 locals have signed a petition against the plan; concerned parties have until the 25th to file an official opposition with the city. Otherwise, the Gashi's will receive an automatic green light. Or they'll be stalled out, wait (forever) for a planning hearing, and ultimately face the risk of being priced out of the city. Twenty-two: caught.
· Neighbors oppose home addition near revered stairwell [Bay Area Reporter]

[Photo and rendering: Tony DeYoung and Joe Metro, via the Bay Area Reporter.]

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Quote of the Week: Double dog dare! One of many...

Double dog dare! One of many barreling willingly toward foreclosure, Leandro Hernandez lives in Los Angeles. But he may as well be anywhere: "Foreclose me...I'll live in the house for free for 12 months, and I'll save my money and I'll move on." [LAT]

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Santa Clara Backpedaling on 49′ers Offer: Is Sana Clara backing away slowly...

Is Sana Clara backing away slowly from the 49ers' advances? Perhaps so: last night, the Santa Clara City Council voted to stand down on decision making regarding the ballot. The issue at hand: how to make the vote on said ballot legally binding, given the time needed to prepare for construction. "This is a more complicated issue than we originally thought," City Manager Jennifer Sparacino claimed. $51 million of complication, actually- that's the amount of additional funding requested by the 49ers to complete the $136 stadium. [SJ Business Times]

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"Pill Hill" Standoff Ends

This morning's brief Oakland standoff between police and an old-fashion robbery suspect ended today with neither fuss nor muss. (That is to say, no bloodshed. Good for you, Oakland.) The robber surrendered outside of a studio apartment near 32nd and Telegraph avenues around 11:30 a.m. this morning, located in the cutely named "Pill Hill" district.

Causing all of this commotion? It seems that 45-year-old Ken Stanley allegedly robbed a donut store on 44th and Broadway early this morning. After snatching some cash, Stanley "fled to his apartment where he refused to surrender to police for more than four hours." He and a second unidentified partner in crime were taken into custody.

Image: CBS 5

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New Global Monopoly Game Leaves Its Heart Elsewhere

Though this may amuse a smattering of transplants who neither want this city to grow nor evolve into the world-class city it secretly is, a new global Monopoly board is coming and San Francisco is not a part of it. You see, people of the earth get to vote to see which of the 68 world cities will make the final 22 on the global board game. San Francisco, it seems, is not on the list. In fact, California gets a pithy single nomination (Los Angeles) while France receives a shocking two (Paris and Lyon).

Naturally, we are sick to our stomach over this slight. With geographical locations whose existence we question, like "Buenos Aires, Argentina;" "Shanghai, China;" "Caracas, Venezuela;" and "Canada," we're both saddened and surprised not to find Baghdad by the Bay among the list. Hrumph, indeed.

Fear not, San Franciscans-or Oaklanders, Athertonians, or Orindaians, or whatever-there is a write-in wildcard category where you can vote up to 10 times per day for which city not in the nomination bunch will become one the properties on the board. The downside? You have to register. Alas. Anyway, you can vote here.

Gavin, this seems like your kind of issue, yes? Let's get on it, stallion.

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Automatic Weed Machine

And speaking of l'herb.

Somehow, we thought San Francisco would be the first one to sport these dispensers, but LA has beat us to the punch: two marijuana vending machines will be available for use starting Monday at different locations.

Yes, Mary Jane is now available via vending machine, but just how many hoops will you have to jump through to get at her? First, you must have a medical marijuana prescription. Next, you will need to be fingerprinted before purchasing a pre-paid credit card with your dosage imprinted upon it. Once you have the credit card in hand, you can enter the "standalone room" that is "protected by round-the-clock security guards." Then you can run home in glee at having paid for weed. from. a. vending. machine.

This is a well-timed advertisement for the vending machines, we suppose, given that the California Supreme Court has ruled that medical marijuana users can now be fired from their jobs if tested positive for the drug. In case you don't want to be seen entering your dispensary of choice by your boss, perhaps you can go for a late-night run for your pot strain of choice (OG Cush or Grandaddy Purple, according to Thrillist). If you move to LA, that is.