Today from Mission Local

Good afternoon!

After 12 years of planning, Rec & Parks has put a SOMA park on hold, saying there’s a funding shortfall. Eleni Balakrishnan interviews neighbors who wonder why their particular part of the city still lacks green spaces.

The Excelsiorโ€”wildly diverse and stubbornly ungentrifiedโ€”has resisted change for decades. Jordan Montero talks with residents and business owners about what they see coming for the neighborhood’s struggling business corridor.

Yes, the supes just passed a non-binding resolution condemning Trump’s move to end Temporary Protected Status. But read Xueer Lu to find out about the real-life impact of losing TPS for one Kaiser nurse.

In arts news, we’ve got a story on the “Mexican Mona Lisa,” a 1929 painting by Diego Rivera that wound up in a Cow Hollow bedroom. And see Lydia Chรกvez‘s roundup of September offerings at S.F. museums and galleries, including a great video of sculptor Lailah Babirye with her chainsaw.

More soon,

Sara


Latest News

SOMA park was in the works since 2012. It was just halted.ย 

“Even wanting to eat outside or just be outside, itโ€™s tough to find space to go.”

The Excelsior: Resisting change, or ready for a new business model?ย 

“I like to see new places opening, but Iโ€™m afraid of folks coming in who donโ€™t know the place.”

S.F. passes legislation supporting immigrants on the verge of losing legal status

“Mentally, she’s not OK. Physically, she’s still showing up.”


Diego Riveraโ€™s โ€˜Mexican Mona Lisaโ€™ hangs in an SF home

“Heโ€™s sort of in la-la-land when he paints this.”

A person wearing safety glasses, earmuffs, and an apron operates a STIHL chainsaw indoors.

Whatโ€™s on now at San Francisco museums, September 2025

Check out the new work by Ugandan-born sculptor Lilah Babirye.


SNAP

A two-story white house with blue trim, a bay window, and a staircase leading to the front door, surrounded by a black metal fence and plants.
Temporary agave height variance
By Scott Forman


Events

Today: Understanding Addiction and Recovery, Night 1: Harm Reduction, with Joe Eskenazi, Dr.Daniel Ciccarone, and Dr. Nicky Mehtani, at Manny’s, September 2, 6-7PM

Tomorrow: Understanding Addiction and Recovery, Night 2: The Overdose Epidemic and Recovery Debate, with Keith Humphreys and Del Seymour, at Manny’s, September 3, 6-7PM


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Volunteer and author of the daily newsletter. I'm a writer whoโ€™s covered wars, politics, and religion. Iโ€™ve lived in the Mission for over 30 years, and have appreciated the work of Mission Local since it began.