Welcome to The San Francisco Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• San Francisco hires New York consultant to boost Union Square.

• Upcoming Golden State Warriors match

• A deep dive into the life of Kenneth Rexroth

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”

— Roy T. Bennett

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San Francisco Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What is the name of the famous street in San Francisco that has been featured in numerous movies and is known for its series of eight tight hairpin turns?

A) Wall Street

B) Lombard Street

C) Market Street

D) Haight Street

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The San Francisco district known for its bohemian history, vibrant street life, and being the birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement is C) Haight-Ashbury.

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SoMa hotel returned to lender. (Link)

Daily Digest: Verdict in Bob Lee murder case; Databricks rakes in massive $10 billion funding round. (Link)

🏒 Sports

There is one very convoluted way the 49ers could still win the NFC West. (Link)

A blurry pic of Buster Posey at LAX is now driving SF Giants free agency rumors. (Link)

🏦 Finance

San Francisco hires New York consultant to boost Union Square. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 Bay Area Women’s Classic: Stanford vs Ohio St, UCLA vs Creighton
Chase Center, San Francisco
Friday, Dec. 20th | (More info)

🏀 Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors
Chase Center, San Francisco
Monday, Dec. 23rd | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Digable Planets
The Warfield, San Francisco
Saturday, Dec. 21st | (More info)

🎵 Midrift
The Independent SF, San Francisco
Sunday, Dec. 22nd | (More info)

Family

🎁 Volunteer: Holiday Gift Wrapping
2565 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco
Thursday, Dec. 19th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “San Francisco celebrating a futuristic international festival” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

San Francisco History

1969: The Stonewall riots in New York spark gay rights activism in San Francisco.

In 1969, the Stonewall riots in New York City marked a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, sparking activism and advocacy across the United States. The Stonewall Uprising, which began on June 28, 1969, was a series of protests by members of the LGBTQ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. This event served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world, leading to increased visibility and activism for LGBTQ+ rights.

The impact of the Stonewall riots was felt in San Francisco, where it sparked a wave of gay rights activism and advocacy. The events at Stonewall inspired LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in San Francisco to organize and mobilize for their rights, leading to the emergence of a vibrant and influential LGBTQ+ community in the city. The legacy of the Stonewall riots continues to be celebrated and honored in San Francisco, with Pride events and ongoing efforts to promote equality and acceptance for all.

The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, marking the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. This historic event not only commemorates the resistance and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and justice. In San Francisco, the Stonewall riots played a significant role in shaping the city's LGBTQ+ history and culture, leaving a lasting impact on the local community.

Famous San Franciscans

Kenneth Rexroth - Poet, translator, and critical essayist, known as the father of the Beat movement.

Kenneth Charles Marion Rexroth was an American poet, translator, and critical essayist, known as the father of the Beat movement. He is regarded as a central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance and paved the groundwork for the movement. After living in San Francisco for 41 years, Rexroth moved to Santa Barbara in 1968, where he taught two courses at UCSB. Bay Area poetry in the 40s and 50s was substantially the creation of Rexroth, along with Robert Duncan and William Everson. While Rexroth is more generally associated with San Francisco, he lived in Montecito for the last 14 years of his life.

Early Life and Literary Beginnings (1905-1927)

Kenneth Rexroth was born on December 22, 1905, in South Bend, Indiana. His early years were marked by a deep love for literature and poetry, and he began writing at a young age. In 1927, at the age of 22, Rexroth and his wife Andrée arrived in San Francisco, marking the beginning of his association with the city's vibrant literary scene.

Poetic Exploration and Influence (1927-1940)

Rexroth's arrival in San Francisco marked a period of poetic exploration and influence. He became an integral part of the city's literary circles, collaborating with other poets and writers to shape the Bay Area poetry scene. His work during this time laid the foundation for his later contributions to the Beat movement.

Literary Contributions and Beat Generation (1940s-1950s)

During the 1940s and 1950s, Rexroth's literary contributions gained widespread recognition, and he became associated with the Beat generation. His critical essays, translations, and poetry played a significant role in shaping the movement, earning him the title of the father of the Beat generation.

Connection to San Francisco Renaissance (1940s-1968)

Rexroth's connection to the San Francisco Renaissance was profound, as he was instrumental in shaping the literary and cultural landscape of the city. His influence extended beyond poetry, as he actively participated in discussions and events that defined the artistic and intellectual climate of the time.

Move to Santa Barbara and Later Years (1968-1982)

In 1968, after spending 41 years in San Francisco, Rexroth moved to Santa Barbara, where he continued to teach and engage with the literary community. His later years were marked by a continued dedication to poetry, translation, and critical essays, leaving a lasting impact on American literature.

Key Achievements of Kenneth Rexroth:

• Central figure in the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat generation.

• Influential poet, translator, and critical essayist, known for shaping the Bay Area poetry scene.

• Contributed to the literary and cultural landscape of San Francisco and Montecito.

• Paved the groundwork for the Beat movement and left a lasting impact on American literature.

• Remembered as the father of the Beat generation and a key figure in the San Francisco Renaissance.

Kenneth Rexroth's legacy as a poet, translator, and critical essayist continues to inspire and influence generations of writers and artists. His contributions to the literary world and his connection to San Francisco and Montecito remain an integral part of American literary history.

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