Hello District 8!
As we head into the holiday season, I hope everyone is enjoying the start of fall in San Francisco. My office will be hosting a Town Hall in Cole Valley tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5th. This Town Hall will feature Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, and SFPD Commander Tracy McCray, and will give residents an opportunity to discuss neighborhood concerns and hear directly from elected officlas. I look forward to seeing many of you there and wish you all a safe and warm start to the holidays.
Best,
Rafael |
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MEET YOUR SUPERVISOR!
Virtual Office Hours: Join me virtually on Saturday, November 8th from 10-11:30 AM for office hours. Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure your time slot!
In-Person Office Hours: Join me on Sunday, November 16th from 10-12 PM for office hours. Email mandelmanstaff@sfgov.org to secure your time slot! |
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COLE VALLEY PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL
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My office is hosting a Public Safety Town Hall in Cole Valley! Join me, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and SFPD Commander Tracy McCray for an opportunity to hear from local leaders on public safety efforts in Cole Valley, San Francisco and across California.
RSVP Here!
When: Wednesday, November 5th, 6 - 7:30PM
Where: Grattan Elementary Auditorium, 165 Grattan Street |
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SECURE YOUR MEDI-CAL BENEFITS
Please be aware that due to State budget changes, there are changes coming to some people’s Medi-Cal benefits. As of January 1, 2026, patients with certain immigration statuses will no longer be allowed to enroll in Medi-Cal. However, if you enroll before December 31, 2025, you can STAY on Medi-Cal indefinitely. It is also important that people currently receiving Medi-Cal make sure they renew their enrollment when it's due and don't lose their insurance. For more information:
How can I enroll or renew?
If you receive care or want to receive care from a Community Health Center, you can go there for assistance. SFCCC Community Health Centers: https://www.
sfccc.org/member-clinics.
Some Dental Benefits Ending for Some Immigrants on June 30, 2026: While people with certain immigration statuses who enroll before December 31, 2025, can stay on Medi-Cal, they will no longer eligible for most dental benefits after June 30, 2026 (except for pregnant people and children, who will still be eligible). If this applies to you, get your dental care now!
Don't delay your care, stay healthy! And remember that emergency care, including emergency dental care, will still be available. |
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GO GREEN THIS NOVEMBER!
Healthier, Cleaner, Quieter Communities Act: Starting January 1, 2026, the use of gas-powered landscaping equipment by professional landscapers, property owners, business owners, and the public is prohibited per San Francisco’s Healthier, Cleaner, Quieter Communities Act.
City Departments and their contractors began complying with this ordinance on July 1, 2024. Making the switch from gas-powered to electric equipment landscaping equipment will reduce carbon emissions and air pollution as well as decrease the high noise levels associated with gas-powered equipment. More information is available at
sfenvironment.org/landscaping.
Heat Pump Water Heater Day!: Heat pump water heater installation training - Step 1 to TECH certification. Become a certified heat pump water heater installer and learn how to sell the technology to your customers. Sign up for this free training
here.
Last month, My All-Electric Major Renovations legislation passed the full Board of Supervisors and will go into effect starting July of 2026. The legislation builds on my earlier All-Electric New Construction Ordinance, requiring major renovation projects to transition to clean, all-electric systems. Nearly half of San Francisco’s emissions come from buildings, most from the combustion of natural gas—a fossil fuel that worsens the climate crisis, pollutes our air, and increases risks during earthquakes. By requiring outdated systems to be replaced with clean, all-electric alternatives during major renovations, this measure represents the most cost-effective way to transition existing buildings and move San Francisco closer to its goal of net zero
emissions by 2040. |
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APPLY FOR A GRANT!
Green Infrastructure Grant: The Fall 2025 Application Cycle is Open! The GIGP is accepting applications for the Fall 2025 cycle! Eligible projects can receive up to $2.5 million in funding per project.
Applications are due Monday, November 17th, 2025.
Additionally, prepare for the Fall 2025 application by scheduling a site visit with the SFPUC’s Technical Assistance team by contacting gigrants@sfwater.org. Schedule your site visits with our team as soon as possible—don't wait for the workshop!
SF Shines Grant: Thanks to a unique program through the San Francisco Office of Economic & Workforce Development, small business owners can apply for a small business improvement grant!
SF Shines Facade Improvement: The SF Shines Facade Improvement Program provides financial assistance to small businesses that want to enhance the exterior appearance of their storefronts. This initiative aims to help local businesses that will increase the vibrancy of the neighborhood.
The program will fund up to $20,000 for comprehensive exterior improvements that will transform the storefront.
Eligible facade improvements include exterior lighting, window replacement/anti-graffiti film, door replacement, exterior tile, neon sign restoration, awnings and signage, exterior painting, murals and planters. |
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UPCOMING DISTRICT 8 EVENTS
Every Wednesday, 3 PM – 7 PM – Castro Farmers' Market
📍 Participating Locations
Saturday, November 15th, 10 AM – 11:30 AM –Glen Park Cleanup
📍 Meet at Critters Fritters Pet Foods
Saturday, November 15th, 9 AM – 12 PM – Bosworth Pedestrian Bridge Beautification
📍 Corner of Lippard & Bosworth
Sunday, November 23, 1 PM – 3 PM – 2nd Annual Noe Valley Friendsgiving
📍 Noe Valley Town Square
Tuesday, November 25, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Noe Valley Night Market
📍 Noe Valley Town Square
Monday, November 25, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Castro Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
📍 Bank of America Plaza, 501 Castro St.
Every Wednesday, 3 PM – 7 PM – Castro Farmers’ Market
📍 Noe & Market Streets |
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FACES IN THE CROWD:
RAMON CLARK |
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Welcome to Faces in the Crowd, written by Marshall Kilduff, accomplished journalist and long time volunteer with our District 8 Office. Marshall tells the stories of District 8 community members who are going above and beyond to contribute to San Francisco!
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How do you make a great neighborhood even better? That’s the unusual challenge for Ramon Clark, the newly installed president of the Glen Park Merchants Association.
The locale’s charms are no secret. The narrow, winding streets are dotted with construction work, sure signs that new owners are pouring money into remodels and expansions. There’s a canyon with a greenway park, seasonal stream and baying coyotes. The Cross Town Trail runs through the steep-pitched landscape that carries memories of pre-Gold Rush San Francisco. The new and old along with the natural and human-made all combine in tiny Glen Park.
The entirety of such charms just drew a special plaudit. The travel magazine Time Out crowned Glen Park as one of the top 35 “coolest neighborhoods” in the world. It wasn’t “in-your-face as other San Francisco neighbourhoods” and instead was “quietly cool” and “a good looking place.”
Naturally, locals including Clark are thrilled by the praise. Yet there’s still room to grow, things to improve, he notes. The postage stamp retail center can feel more like a plain crossroad than a warm shopping spot. Residents swarm through Diamond and Chenery during the day, but retreat home at night, leaving the snug village mostly empty. The attractions are there: Bird and Beckett bookstore, Canyon Market and the newly opened La Cigale restaurant. Clark bows his head at such a list of bright spots. But he and other small business owners want more feet on the street.
On a late summer evening when it’s light past 8 p.m., customer starved shops and eateries are closed, he notes. A periodic night market draws a crowd but it’s small, given the scale of Glen Park’s center. “We’re a village that people want to come to. Now we need to establish a personality,’ he says.
On his own, Clark operates a gym and training facility on Chenery. The storefront operation is trim and neat just like its owner. Coming out of the Covid era, he wondered what to do with his background in physical therapy and sports and hit on Glen Park after strolling its streets with his young son.
Clark acknowledges that Glen Park has a lot to work with. Its popularity and sleepy character attract families and couples looking for a small town pace. But the flip side is a dark retail heart at night and empty sidewalks.
Glen Park, he thinks, may be an advanced example of the city’s job picture post Covid. Though some employers are demanding workers return to the office, many employees still work from home. That means a drop in post- work foot traffic from the nearby BART station. Stopping off at a bar or cafe isn’t as frequent. His neighborhood needs to come up with a way to lure these stay-at-homes back outside, Clark thinks. “We need to get people to leave their dens and come on down,” he says.
Glen Park remains a pleasing break from the city’s glossier areas. It remains inviting and small scale, Clark notes. “Now we need to find a way to energize our businesses and keep the best of what we have.” he says.
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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CITY! |
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Volunteer with us!
We are hiring interns and volunteers for the winter, spring and summer! Interns help on a variety of projects, including responding to constituent concerns, researching legislation, prepping the Supervisor for events and much more! Interns are expected to commit at least 10 hours a week between 9-5pm, Monday through Friday.
Interested? Reach out to melanie.mathewson@sfgov.org with your resume and availability. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Learn About the Commission Streamlining Task Force!
Last November, San Francisco voters approved Proposition E, creating the Commission Streamlining Task Force. The Task Force is charged with reviewing the City’s many appointive boards and commissions and making recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on how to modify, eliminate, or consolidate them for more effective, efficient, and economical governance.
The Task Force meets every first and third Wednesday at 1 PM in City Hall room 408 to discuss potential improvements to the structure of City government. Learn more about the Commission Streamlining Task Force today on its website.
Interested members of the public can join the Task Force mailing list or share feedback by emailing commissionstreamlining@sfgov.org. |
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Claim Your College Funds!
On Friday, June 20th, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed by San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros highlighting a critical issue: more than 30,000 low-income students in San Francisco have not claimed $500 or more in college funds already set aside for them through the Kindergarten to College (K2C) and
CalKIDS programs.
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Over 80% of eligible San Francisco students have not yet claimed their CalKIDS money.
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Most low-income students are eligible for $500–$1,500 to help with books, housing, fees, or tuition.
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These funds can be claimed in less than 10 minutes online by following this link: Claim your funds!
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GET INVOLVED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! |
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JOIN A NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP!
District 8 is home to many active neighborhood groups that organize events for the community, lead projects to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful, and connect neighbors with City leaders to advocate for neighborhood priorities. Join an association or go to an upcoming local event - it’s a great way to get involved, make new friends, and change your community for the better!
Learn more about how to get involved in your neighborhood here!
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Buena Vista Neighborhood Association: To learn more, visit BVNA’s website here.
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Cole Valley Improvement Association: To learn more, contact CVIA here.
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Corbett Heights Neighbors: To learn more, visit CHN’s website here.
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Diamond Heights Community Association: To learn more, contact DHCA here.
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Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association: Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every other month from 7:00 – 8:00 pm, in the gazebo room of the California Pacific Medical Center, and preceded by a community social from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
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Dolores Heights Improvement Club: Green Gardens group holds monthly clean-ups on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 – 10:30 am. DHIC Board meets on the second Monday of every other month. Meetings are held via Zoom from 7pm – 8pm. Email info@doloresheights.org to obtain the Zoom meeting link.
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Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association: EVNA hosts a variety of events, including regular meetings. You can find their meeting information here.
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Glen Park Association meets quarterly and alternates between in-person and Zoom meetings. Email info@glenparkassociation.org for more information.
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Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association has an active membership and a number of committees working on a broad range of issues. Check out their website here.
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Mission Dolores Neighborhood Association: To learn more, visit MDNA’s website here.
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Mount Olympus Neighbors Association: To learn more, visit MONA’s website here.
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Upper Noe Neighbors meets every other month on the third Wednesday at the Upper Noe Recreation Center.
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Bernal Cut Project has monthly work days along the east and west sides of San Jose Ave, join the newsletter to find out what's going on and to plant, weed or mulch.
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Castro Art Mart is a monthly street fair on Noe Street between Market and Beaver the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, featuring LGBTQ art from local artists, live music, comedy and drag shows, and more.
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Castro Art Walk is a monthly community-driven event where local businesses host special events to share art with the neighborhood! Check out their website to learn which businesses are participating and head out to the Castro each month on the first Friday, from 5-8pm!
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Noe Valley Town Square hosts regular events such as Acoustic Sunday, Rhythm and Motion dance, the Noe Valley Farmers Market on Saturdays, and Free Sunday Morning Yoga.
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SFPD STATION CAPTAINS’ MEETINGS
Curious about safety in your neighborhood or have questions for SFPD? Attending your Station Captains’ Meetings is a great way to learn about what’s going on. Captains’ Meetings are at the following times:
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Park Station (1899 Waller): Fourth Wednesdays at 5PM on Zoom
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Neighborhoods: Cole Valley, Duboce Triangle, and Twin Peaks
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Mission Station (630 Valencia): Last Tuesdays at 5PM
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Neighborhoods: Castro, Mission Dolores, and Noe Valley
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Ingleside Station (1 Sgt. John V. Young): Third Tuesdays at 6PM
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Neighborhoods: Diamond Heights, Glen Park, and Upper Noe
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On October 3rd, my office hosted a Happy Hour at Rikki’s, the first women’s sports bar in SF!
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On October 5th, I celebrated the 51st Castro Street Fair along with residents and merchants.
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On October 8th, I joined fellow elected officials and community leaders to celebrate United Playaz 31st Anniversary!
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On October 12th, I celebrated Italian American Heritage month in North Beach!
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On October 16th, we hosted the final District 8 Art Show of the year featuring the life work of the late Richard Bolingbroke!
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On October 21st, I stopped by Manny’s to present Certificates of Honor to the organizers of San Francisco’s United Against Hate Week!
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Also on October 21st, I joined the Council of District Merchants for their 75th Anniversary Gala!
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On October 28th, we celebrated Halloween at the Board of Supervisors. My office went as the cast of The Bear!
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On October 29th, I was joined by Captain Angela Wilhelm and the Cole Valley Merchant Association for a merchant walk in Cole Valley!
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On October 31st, I celebrated Halloween with neighbors, merchants and community leaders!
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Prop. C architect facing ouster from Prop. C oversight commission
Mission Local - November 3rd, 2025
“Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, Shamann Walton and Stephen Sherrill voted unanimously today at the Rules Committee to recommend that Billy Lemon, an ally of Mandelman and the executive director of the Castro Country Club, a sober space in the Castro, take her place.
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Lurie and allies may overhaul city’s ‘overly complicated’ charter with 2026 measure
San Francisco Standard - October 31st
“Lurie is teaming up with Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, a moderate ally, and coordinating with the urbanist think tank SPUR for what could become a November 2026 ballot measure that will chip away at the myriad rules nestled in the charter — essentially, the city’s version of a constitution. They argue that excessive and redundant laws have gummed up city operations in a way that makes it difficult to deliver services and address some of San Francisco’s most daunting challenges."
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Trump 'surge' threat pushes forward S.F. $3.5 million plan to fund immigrant defense
El Tecolote, October 29th, 2025
“The status quo on Thursday was not a good one for San Francisco’s immigrant communities or our city,” said Board president Rafael Mandelman. “It was a status quo of terror and fear for too many people who, since January, have been living under this shadow.” Mandelman acknowledged that fiscally, the city is headed into “choppier and choppier waters,” with an ongoing federal shutdown now threatening SNAP benefits and other anti-poverty programs, and potential Medicare and Medicaid cuts looming next year. Still, he said, the measure would ensure the city’s “dollars go as far as possible.” |
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SF supervisors reappoint trans Latino immigrant activist to key commission
Bay Area Reporter, October 27th, 2025
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Ruiz Navarro was one of two people to apply to the commission, on which she is already serving, for a term ending June 6, 2026. Gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said at Rules on October 27 that it’s important she continue serving at “a time trans folks and people from Latin America in particular are experiencing extreme hate and oppression in this country … from the federal government.” |
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SF leader calls Trump's threat to send National Guard to city 'un-American'
ABC7 News, October 21st, 2025
"If the federal government wants to help San Francisco address drugs, we would welcome real assistance. We got real help during the Biden administration," he said. Mandelman says the city hasn't received confirmation if the National Guard will actually be sent to San Francisco. He tells ABC7 News that if it does happen, he and his colleagues will be ready. "We are not looking for a fight with the federal government. But if the fight comes to us, we will be able to respond," Mandelman said
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SF supervisors move forward set LGBTQ sites to landmark
Bay Area Reporter- October 21st, 2025
They are among the 16 properties expected to become city landmarks next year due to gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman requesting city officials begin the process to grant the sites such local recognition. The buildings are all located within his supervisorial district, spanning from Cole Valley and Corona Heights to the Mission and Noe Valley. |
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This S.F. neighborhood remains one of the region's best kept secrets. But the secret is getting out
San Francisco Chronicle - October 18th, 2025
"Then there’s Glen Park being named the 35th-best neighborhood in the world by London-based travel publication Time Out last month, including a top-five area in the entire United States and the “coolest” neighborhood in all of California. In the article’s immediate afterglow,
Reddit commenters raved
about Glen Park’s 70-acre swath of city-owned wilderness, its independent bookstore that transforms into an intimate concert venue at night, and the neighborhood’s easy access to BART, Muni bus lines and Interstate 280." |
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San Francisco leaders rebuke Menioff, Musk's calls for federal troops
NBC Bay Area - October 13th, 2025
“Local leaders have been watching Benioff and Musk's comments. San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said, I think it's pretty hard to take Elon Musk seriously at this point. I am choosing to treat his remarks as an expression of frustration that a lot of San Franciscans share," Mandelman said, adding, "I think his conclusion is completely wrong."
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SF health officials: 'Fragmented system' is a hurdle to timely drug treatment
San Francisco Examiner - October 10th, 2025
Voters in 2008 approved Proposition T — the Treatment on Demand Act
— requiring San Francisco to provide “enough free and low-cost substance abuse treatment services to meet demand and to maintain funding for such services,” according to its text, and to give annual updates. Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said The City’s annual reports could be more comprehensive. He said he has pushed for more information during his two terms on the board. He said that in previous years, it was “not terribly clear on if we are actually meeting that 1996 or 2008 mandate, where we might not be meeting that mandate, and what would be involved in closing the gap.” |
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