Welcome to The San Francisco Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming Maz Concert

• Upcoming Diplo concert

• A deep dive into the life of Patty Hearst

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.”

–Norton Juster

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!

In which San Francisco neighborhood would you find the iconic Ghirardelli Square, known for its shops, restaurants, and history as a chocolate factory?

A) Fisherman's Wharf

B) The Marina District

C) North Beach

D) Russian Hill

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The San Francisco landmark that offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, is B) Twin Peaks

The Best Stories of the Week

💼 Business

US sanctions hundreds of firms accused of supplying Russia's war machine. (Link)

Fires break out on abandoned Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion that Yemen rebels attacked in Red Sea. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Even 49ers reporters are sick of the 'ridiculous' Brandon Aiyuk reporting. (Link)

Matt Chapman homers in the 6th as Giants beat White Sox 5-3. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Wall Street rises toward records after Fed says 'time has come' for rate cuts. (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

🏈 Cal Poly Mustangs at Stanford Cardinal Football
Stanford Stadium
September 7th | (More info)

⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants
Oracle Park, San Francisco
Sep 5th | 6:45 PM | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Eagles of Death Metal
Potrero Del Sol, San Francisco
September 7th | (More info)

🎵 Diplo
Piers 30-32, San Francisco
September 8th | (More info)

🎵 Maz
Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery Tasting Room, San Francisco
September 8th | (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 with a large, central, computerized public library” 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

1918: Spanish flu pandemic hits San Francisco.

In 1918, the Spanish flu pandemic had a significant impact on San Francisco, causing widespread illness and mortality. The city initially escaped the first wave of the influenza in the spring of 1918. However, as the second wave swept through eastern cities in September, San Francisco was not spared. The devastating effects of the flu were felt as the city experienced some of the highest death rates during the pandemic. By the end of the winter in 1919, nearly 45,000 people in San Francisco had been infected with the flu, leading to a significant public health crisis.

San Francisco's response to the Spanish flu pandemic included the establishment of quarantine stations and emergency flu hospitals staffed by the US Navy. However, the city's efforts to control the spread of the virus faced challenges, particularly when the public, including The Anti-Mask League, resisted lockdown orders and mask-wearing mandates. The city's experience with the Spanish flu serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of reopening too soon and the importance of sustained public health measures in combating a pandemic.

The lessons learned from San Francisco's response to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic continue to be relevant today, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The city's experience highlights the importance of decisive and coordinated public health actions, as well as the need for community cooperation in adhering to preventive measures to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.

Famous San Franciscans

Patty Hearst - (1954-Present)

Patty Hearst, the granddaughter of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, was thrust into the public eye when she was kidnapped at gunpoint in her Berkeley, California apartment in 1974. What followed was a saga that captivated the nation, as Hearst's kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army led to her transformation from victim to revolutionary.

Early Life and Kidnapping (1954-1974)

Patty Hearst, born in 1954, grew up in a life of privilege as the granddaughter of media magnate William Randolph Hearst. In 1974, at the age of 19, Hearst was kidnapped at gunpoint from her Berkeley apartment by the Symbionese Liberation Army, a left-wing guerilla group.

Transformation and Controversy (1974-1976)

During her time in captivity, Hearst's captors subjected her to psychological and physical abuse, leading to her eventual transformation from victim to active participant in the activities of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Hearst's involvement in a bank robbery with the SLA led to her arrest and subsequent trial, where she claimed to have been coerced into participating in the criminal activities.

Legal Proceedings and Imprisonment (1976-1979)

Hearst's trial and subsequent conviction for her involvement in the bank robbery sparked national debate and controversy, with many questioning the extent of her agency and the concept of Stockholm Syndrome. She was sentenced to prison but was later released after serving 22 months, with her sentence commuted by President Jimmy Carter.

Life After Release (1980-Present)

Following her release from prison, Hearst married her former bodyguard, Bernard Shaw, and went on to have two children, Lydia Marie Hearst-Shaw and Gillian. She has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors and has spoken publicly about her experiences and the complexities of her time with the SLA.

Connection to San Francisco

Hearst's kidnapping and subsequent involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army took place in Berkeley, California, which is in close proximity to San Francisco. The events surrounding her kidnapping and trial had a significant impact on the local community and garnered widespread media attention.

Key Achievements of Patty Hearst:

• Subject of one of the most high-profile kidnapping cases in American history.

• Controversial transformation from victim to revolutionary during her time in captivity.

• Advocacy for philanthropic causes and public speaking about her experiences.

In summary, Patty Hearst's life has been marked by the extraordinary circumstances of her kidnapping and subsequent involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army. Her story continues to be a subject of fascination and debate, shedding light on the complexities of human behavior and the impact of traumatic experiences.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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