A grid of six black-and-white portraits showing diverse adults smiling at the camera.
Photos by Ted Weinstein

Every week, Mission Local asks city residents one big question. Do you have a question you think we should ask San Francisco? Send suggestions to thebigquestion@missionlocal.com.


Head-and-shoulders portrait of a smiling middle-aged man.
Tobin M.

“Playing drums, for West African dance classes, specifically. Itโ€™s the epitome of give and take. The dancers need you to do the drumming to give them the energy to dance, and the dancersโ€™ dancing makes you want to drum for them and you donโ€™t want to stop.” โ€”Tobin M., the Mission District

A middle-aged man with a mustache smiling at the camera, wearing sunglasses resting on his head.
Angelo T.

“Right now! I was loading the trunk and looked up and there was the moon rising in the east. Itโ€™s a full moon and it looks spectacular. It made me think of nature instead of all this bad political stuff. It gives you awe about the universe.” โ€”Angelo T., Noe Valley


A man wearing glasses in front of a storefront window advertising a coconut croissant tart.
Noah S.

“Petting my rabbit, whose name is Giggles. Heโ€™s a good boy. He’s 10 years old now. He’s a great rabbit, and rabbits are underrated pets. They’re easy to litter train. They’re very affectionate. They can run around the house like basically a vegan cat. People don’t appreciate them, but they’re really, really good pets.” โ€”Noah S., the Sunset District


A smiling person stands on a city street corner.
Benjamin L.

“Watching my friend’s 4-year-old daughter, her innocence and enjoyment of everything. We were walking around in the desert and she was just looking at water flowing through the dirt.” โ€”Benjamin L., the Mission District

A smiling woman wearing glasses and a collared shirt stands in front of a chain-link fence.
Peggy L.

“Spending time with my grandchildren. I’ve got six. Three of them are older, 15, 14, and 10, and then I have a 5, a 3-and-a-half, and a 5-month-old. Iโ€™m so happy they live nearby so I get to see them all the time.” โ€”Peggy L., Civic Center


A smiling woman with dark, curly hair wearing glasses and dangling earrings.
Lisa L.

“Talking with my housemate. Just having a simple conversation over a meal. Just connecting with another person. Not using a phone or watching a movie or anything, but just connecting.” โ€”Lisa L., Noe Valley


Send your suggestions for future questions to thebigquestion@missionlocal.com.

Ted Weinstein is a literary agent and photographer.

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