Happy PRIDE Month!
This year, more than ever, it is important to show pride in our ourselves, pride in our communities and pride in our city. Join me and the District 8 office in the 2025 Pride Parade! Last year we had an incredible turn-out and this year promises to be even better. Pets, kids, adults young and old are all welcome to join our contingent!
When: Sunday June 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Where: Exact staging location TBD. The parade will start near the Embarcadero BART Station
Attire: Festive attire welcome but not required. We’ll have special edition Rafael pride t-shirts for the first 75 attendees
We’d love to have YOU join for this year’s pride parade. 🌈RSVP HERE! 🌈
P.S. If you’re a community organization that would like to march with Supervisor Mandelman — please contact anh.v.ha@sfgov.org.
You do not want to miss this year’s Pride Parade (and dance party) – sign up today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Castro
Castro Night Market: The Castro Night Market features local food vendors, merchants, and live entertainment on the 3rd Friday of every month. The next night markets are:
-
June 20th - PRIDE Night Market!
-
July 18th
-
August 15th
-
September 19th
-
October 17th
PRIDE Family Block Party: Join the Castro Merchants on June 28th for a vibrant celebration of PRIDE and community at Noe and Market Street, 12 - 5PM. Learn more here.
Castro Farmer's Markets: Every Wednesday, 3-7 PM through November 19th, 2025. |
|
Glen Park
Night Markets: The Glen Park Association is excited to announce a summer series of evening markets on the third Saturday of each month, June to September, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Music, merch, munchies -- they'll have it all!
-
June 21st
-
July 19th
-
August 16th
-
September 20th
Fourth of July: Celebrate 4th of July on Laidley St! The parade starts at 12:30 PM at Fairmont and Laidley, speakers will follow on the balcony close to Harper and Fairmont streets.
When: July 4th, 12:30PM
Where: The parade starts at Fairmont and Laidley |
|
Cole Valley
Cole Valley Nights: Come enjoy a family-friendly evening market in the heart of Cole Valley featuring local makers, merchants, organizations, food, music and fun for all ages! Check out the neighborhood while sampling the best of Cole Valley’s popular eateries and pubs and enjoy live music and activities.
June 12th - Music in the Valley, 4-9PM
And if you haven't checked it our already, turn the corner at the Night Market and explore the pop-up town square brought to Cole Valley by the Civic Joy Fund! Have thoughts on the town square? Email us at mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org! |
|
Noe Valley
Noe Valley Night Market: June 24th, 5PM - 8PM, Noe Valley Town Square
Noe Valley Community Clean-up: June 15th, 10AM - 12PM
Noe Valley Famers Market: Every Saturday 8AM - 1PM, Noe Valley Town Square
Want your neighborhood event featured in our newsletter? Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org with details! |
|
D8 Recology Pick-Up
Recology will be in District 8 TOMORROW collecting large, non-toxic items that don't fit or don't belong in your Recology carts! Learn what can be accepted at this link.
Region: District 8
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Where: James Lick Middle School
Enter on 25th Street, then turn right onto Noe Street.
For unusable items that need to be discarded, Recology employees will be available to help you dispose of them correctly. Goodwill will also be on-site and gratefully accepts gently used clothes, accessories, shoes, books, small household appliances, and electronics. We’ll even have free compost made from green cart materials available, so bring a 5-gallon bucket to take some home with you.
Please note: this event is for San Francisco residents only. Please bring proof of residency or the event ticket you received in the mail to enter. |
|
SFPUC Sewer Upgrades
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) contractor will be upgrading the aging sewer main pipes (ages range from 90–150 years old) to ensure reliable sewer service. Some sewer laterals may be replaced, as needed. No service disruptions are anticipated, and additional notice will be provided prior to and during construction.
WHERE: Oakwood STREET from 18th St. to 19th St.
WHEN: Anticipated mid-June 2025, for an estimated duration
of 1 month. Weather and construction issues could impact the
schedule. General workdays and hours (weather permitting) are
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Parking: Street parking will be restricted in the project area during construction hours. “No-parking” signs will be posted 72 hours in advance.
Sewer and water services in the area will NOT be interrupted during construction.
Traffic: Street closures in the project area will be necessary to ensure safety of workers and the public. Advance notice and detour signage will be provided.
Access: Follow posted signage on site. Businesses and residents in the work zone will maintain access to their driveways and entrances during construction.
Noise: Neighbors may hear construction noise periodically. Noisy work will be conducted in compliance with the San Francisco Noise Ordinance.
Odors: If necessary, odor control measures will be in place during construction.
Issues? For residents to contact: SFPUC Communications (415) 554-3233 or ssip@sfwater.gov. After hours: J. Flores Construction, Oscar Delgadillo at (510) 867-0073 |
|
California Adopt-a-Pet Day!
This Saturday, June 7, the San Francisco SPCA will team up with the California Animal Welfare Association and the ASPCA to celebrate the second annual California Adopt-a-Pet Day. Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event, more than 150 animal shelters across California will offer
fee-waived adoptions with the goal of finding loving homes for 5,000 dogs, cats, horses, and other small animals.
When: Saturday, June 7th
Where: 250 Florida Street, San Francisco |
|
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CITY! |
|
Join a Commission: San Francisco has 100+ committees and commissions that advise City Departments on how to administer the City’s services and revenues. From advising on how the City distributes its Sugary Drink Tax revenue to ensuring the success of San Francisco’s City College, these commissions are a great way to use your background and expertise in service to the City of San Francisco.
Interested? Email Melanie, melanie.mathewson@sfgov.org, with your resume and areas of interest/expertise
|
|
Apply for an SF Shines Grant: The SF Shines Facade Improvement Program provides financial assistance to small businesses that want to enhance the exterior appearance of their storefronts. This initiative aims to help local businesses that will increase the vibrancy of the neighborhood. The program will fund up to $20,000 for comprehensive exterior improvements that will transform the storefront. |
|
GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!
Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!
-
Bernal Cut Project has monthly work days along the east and west sides of San Jose Ave, join the newsletter to find out what's going on and to plant, weed or mulch.
-
-
Buena Vista Neighborhood Association: To learn more, visit BVNA’s website here.
-
-
Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.
-
-
Castro Art Walk is a monthly community-driven event where local businesses host special events to share art with the neighborhood! Check out their website to learn which businesses are participating and head out to the Castro each month on the first Friday, from 5-8pm!
-
Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the Ballroom of the Harvey Milk Recreation Center for the Arts, lobby level, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
-
Dolores Heights Improvement Club: Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.
-
Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.
Don’t see your neighborhood group but want your information added to our newsletter? Email Melanie Mathewson at melanie.mathewson@sfgov.org
|
|
SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS
Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:
-
Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom
-
Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks
-
Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM at Mission Station
-
Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley
-
Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM at Ingleside Station
-
Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights, Glen Park, and Upper Noe
|
|
|
|
May 4th-10th marked Small Business Week in San Francisco. On May 6th, I stopped by the City Hall Pop-Up Shop which featured hundreds of local vendors. I snagged some chocolate and met many incredible small business owners!
|
Also on May 6th, we honored Terry Asten Bennett, owner of the beloved Cliff's Variety store, for her years of service to the Castro Merchants Association. Thank you Terry!
|
In mid-May, I visited Japan along with the SF Chamber of Commerce. While there, I met with Japanese rail companies to learn about their world-class transit systems that are sustainable, efficient and profitable.
|
On Thursday, May 22nd, I spoke at the California Green Buildings Conference discussing how San Francisco is leading the charge for green infrastructure!
|
Also on May 22nd, we celebrated Harvey Milk's 95th birthday on the steps of City Hall.
|
On May 27th we rallied on City Hall steps for Queer and Transgender Asian and Pacific Islander (QTAPI) week, celebrating incredible QTAPI leaders in San Francisco, Michael Nguyen and Cecilia Chung!
|
On May 28th, we welcomed students and parents from the Chinese Immersion School to City Hall. They learned about the legacy of San Francisco's mayors, the role The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir plays in our City and even got a special look at the Mayor's office!
|
On May 30th, I joined Supervisor Fielder and Mission Station Captain Liza Johansen for a merchant walk on Valencia and 18th streets. Thank you to Sam Mogannam from Bi-Rite for pulling this together.
|
San Francisco has a new drug policy goal: long term remission
KQED, May 6
Mandelman advocates for substance-free long-term recovery housing through legislation that will prioritize active substance-abuse recovery programs over harm-reduction tactics. |
|
San Francisco Supervisor Mandelman Advocates for Mental Heath Reform
Hoodline, May 7
"Everyday, we all see people on the street in desperate need of help they never seem to get," Mandelman lamented, underscoring decades of inadequacies in fulfilling mental health care duties for those at the fringes, as cited by Supervisor Mandelman’s Office. |
|
|
|
San Francisco pays for the mental health system the State dismantled
GrowSF, May 19
“The overrepresentation of severely mentally ill people on our streets… is the legacy of de-institutionalization and the State’s failure to make good on the promise to find a better alternative.” |
|
What's new - and what's very familiar - in Lurie's budget proposal
SF Examiner, June 3
Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said he’s still digesting the budget, but he said “I think it represents a real effort to bring our expenditures more in line with our revenues. But it’s not probably the last time we’re going to have to look at this problem,” he said. “It doesn’t solve the problem forever. It solves the problem for the next couple of years.” |
|
San Francisco fire fleet to be modernized with private funding
Fire & Safety Journal of America, June 4
New legislation signed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie will allow the Fire Department to accept private funds for fleet upgrades. According to the San Francisco Government, the legislation was signed on May 30, 2025, and introduced with the support of Supervisor Connie Chan and Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman. The new law allows city leaders to accept behested payments from private donors to purchase emergency vehicles. This includes fire engines, trucks, and ambulances that are past recommended service life. |
|
Harvey Milk's Name is Not Going Anywhere in San Francisco
New York Times, June 4
Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, a 51-year-old gay man who represents the Castro, said he found it especially ironic that Mr. Hegseth wanted to ensure that ship names reflect the country’s “warrior ethos.” To Mr. Mandelman, that is precisely what Mr. Milk and others who fought for equal rights represent. “That entire generation that fought its way out of the closet and created space for queer people like me, they were our greatest generation,” Mr. Mandelman said. “They stepped up to win these rights. We’ve got to step up to keep them.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
