The Placemaker

The Placemaker

After eight years as mayor, Darrell Steinberg knows the homeless crisis will be part of his legacy regardless of the resources, energy and political capital he put into the search for answers.

“I know two things,” Steinberg says. “I think I have been hurt by the expectations I set for myself and I readily acknowledge it. I came in as president of the Senate, author of the (state’s) Mental Health Services Act, and I pushed really hard, and I think the fact that it grew worse not just in the city but in the entire state, people said, ‘Come on. You said it was going to get better,’ and I have to own that.”

Rescue Mission

Rescue Mission

I cannot repair a modern appliance. Troubleshooting computer problems, reprogramming the home security system and installing child car safety seats stump me. Shameful.

My feeble attempts at Mr. Fix-It are soon abandoned, followed by a call or text to my son or daughter-in-law. It begins with, “Do you know how to…?” When your 8-year-old granddaughter is better at operating the TV remote control, you admit shortcomings.

Plants are my strength. I am a plant rescuer. I can fix a plant, and nurture it to health and long life. Herbaceous or woody, deciduous or evergreen, once a plant enters hospice care, I perform miracles.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start

Fresh Start 2100 Q St. deserves an ambitious future By R.E. Graswich January 2024 The good stuff is gone. The presses were dismantled and sold for scrap in 2021, the hand-painted honeybee wallpaper stripped from the cafeteria decades ago. Last time I peeked through...
Day Tripping

Day Tripping

Cinnabon is a cinnamon-colored pit bull, all muscle with a tongue that dangles from a smile stretching the limits of her wide jawbones.

Okapi, a solid black German shepherd, has gigantic puppy paws that, at 4 years old, she has yet to grow into.
Tom is a senior—an 8-year-old mix of rottweiler, shepherd, perhaps a little pit bull.

All three dogs are gentle, calm and curious. They are ideal candidates to get out of the county animal shelter and walk a park trail, lounge on shaded grass, sneak favors on a restaurant patio—even for just one day.

Champions Of Breakfast

Champions Of Breakfast

Two Midtown breakfast spots span the spectrum from old-fashioned to new-fangled. Both create delightful mornings with excellent cooking.

Dig Deeper

Dig Deeper

This post has been sponsored by Dig Deeper As gardeners face hurdles, perseverance is key By Dan Vierria December 2024 Beyond aphid and powdery mildew, great challenges hide in weeds. Gardeners inevitably encounter these tests of body and will. This year was...