Elaine Santore
Photos by Luke Thomas

By Elaine Santore

August 18, 2008

Did I miss the main event?

After an action-packed week full of DCCC endorsements, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi’s Friday art party, Dirstrict 9 supervisor candidate Mark Sanchez‘ office opening, I have no idea how I have the energy to write this column. Sometimes everything feels like “work.”

And I’m back to school this week, which means my summer vacay is officially over and I’m supposed to develop some sort of routine. A routine that does not involve surfing the internet all day and pretending to be productive. Damn.

Also, tonight is the season four premiere of The Hills! Please do not try to contact me through any other means besides Twitter tonight, because I will not answer. I’ll be too busy lowering my intelligence and self-respect.

Another kick-off party for Mark Sanchez

“Raise your hand if you’ve been to all my other kick-offs,” District 9 supervisor candidate Mark Sanchez said during a party for his new chill campaign office at 988 Valencia Saturday night. The office has it all - a pool table, artwork, a back patio with a heat lamp, and cots in the back room for volunteers in need of beauty rest.

District 9 supervisor candidate Mark Sanchez, school board candidate Bobbi Lopez,
Sanchez campaign manager Sunny Angulo, Assemblyman Mark Leno,
and District 5 Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi.

Continue reading The CrackBerry Chronicles:
Sanchez Opens Swanky Campaign Office

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Trannyshack creator, hostess, and producer Heklina will MC Trannyshack’s final
performance on August 23, 2008 at the Regency Center in San Francisco. 
Photo by Leo Herrara

August 15, 2008

After nearly 13 years the longest-running weekly drag show in San Francisco, Trannyshack, will take its final curtain call Saturday, August 23, for the Trannyshack Kiss-Off Party.

Fans can enjoy celebrity performances by Tony Award-nominated, OBIE, Bessie, and GLAAD Media Award-winner Justin Bond of Kiki & Herb, drag artiste Lady Bunny, the Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic, Lady Miss Kier (formerly of Dee-Lite), and the lovely and talented Trannyshack creator, hostess and producer, Heklina, as MC.

Also appearing: “Best of the Best” Trannyshack legends the House of More! (with Juanita More!), Precious Moments, Putanesca, Fauxnique, Kiddie, Hoku Mama Swamp, Squeaky Blonde, and Peaches Christ.

The Kiss-Off Party will take place at the Regency Center on 1300 Van Ness. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 at Body, Piedmont Boutique, Clubcard, the Seventh Heart, online at ticketweb.com, or at the door for $45. Doors open at 9pm, show starts at 10 pm sharp.

Justin Bond
Photo by Liz Liguori

Continue reading Event: The Trannyshack Kiss-Off Party

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August 14, 2008

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By Jill Chapin

August 11, 2008

This unintentionally provocative question was recently asked of Senator Obama as to how we can individually tackle the escalating costs of our personal fuel consumption. The answer, by the way, is plenty.

Obama explained how just by keeping our tires properly inflated, we could reduce our costs at the pump. Senator McCain’s reaction to this proven gas saver is more revealing than Obama’s small but effective example of individual responsibility.

By mocking this suggestion, Senator McCain reveals an appalling lack of awareness when he summarily dismisses any attempts by each of us to be a part of the overall solution. And he exposes an arrogance that is both unattractive and counterproductive.

Ironically, it is now the democrats who are championing that entrepreneurial, inventive, pull ourselves- up-by-our-own-bootstraps mentality that used to be the hallmark of the GOP.

Continue reading What Can I Do?

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”
District 6 Supervisor Chris Daly
Photos by Luke Thomas

By Chris Daly

August 3, 2008

With the August 8^th filing deadline rapidly approaching, it’s fish or cut bait time in the hotly contested races for Supervisor.

The last week of July brought us two early indicators of campaign strength– signatures in lieu of filing fees and six-month fundraising totals. Even the strongest grassroots campaigns need to raise tens of thousands of dollars to print literature, pay office and phone bills, and send mail. Our new system of public financing, however, greatly levels this playing field, making $87,500 in public monies available to candidates raising $52,500 in contributions from San Francisco residents. (Additional public dollars are available if the voluntary spending limit is broken.)

Signatures in lieu of filing fee are far more valuable to campaigns than the $.50 waived by elections for each valid signature. They represent voters more likely to support the candidate and typically get rolled into campaigns’ “get out the vote” program. They also are a good show of on-the-ground campaign strength.

While the ability to collect signatures doesn’t necessarily equal success, the inability to put together a successful signature drive is a distress signal of a flagging campaign. Signatures and fundraising taken together help frame the races, and, with the exception of District 5, it looks like we have a bunch of interesting head-to-head contests.

Continue reading The Battle for the Board

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