Ever wish you could ask someone in Congress what they’re doing about health care, national security or any big issue of the day? Now you can.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier will take questions on Monday, October 7 at 6:30p at the West Portal Playground Clubhouse (131 Lenox, above the Muni station). The town hall is free. All are welcome.

The sponsor is the Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, which proudly recognizes and celebrates gay residents on San Francisco’s Westside. Everyone is welcome to attend — gay or straight and any political party. Congresswoman Speier represents everyone living in Southwestern San Francisco and this is your opportunity to meet her and ask questions.

This town hall is co-hosted by:
Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood Association
Greater West Portal Neighborhood Association (GWPNA)
Sunnyside Neighborhood Association
Sunset Community Democratic Club
Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP)

On Monday, September 16, 2013, the City and County of San Francisco will close the filing 
period for a formal appeal of the 2013/2014 assessed property value. The period for appeals 
opened on Tuesday, July 2, 2013. 

Many property owners are not aware of this appeals deadline, so the Office of the AssessorRecorder wants to make every effort to ensure they are aware of their rights. We see the appeals process as an opportunity for property owners to bring additional information to the table. 

Our office is beginning to see a decline in the number of appeals for the first time in over four 
years, with 2012/13 appeals decreasing to 5,500 from 6,399 in 2011/12. As home prices in San 
Francisco rise, this trend of declining appeals is likely to continue as homeowners see their 
property regain its base year value. 
In order to appeal, property owners must complete the Application for Changed Assessment 
form (accessible by visiting www.sfgov.org/aab) together with a non-refundable $60 
administrative processing fee and submit it no later than 9/16/2013 to the Assessment Appeals 
Board (AAB) at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall, Room 405, San Francisco, CA 
94102. 

The Assessment Appeals Board is independently appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The 
role of the AAB is to equalize the valuation of the taxable property within the City and County of 
San Francisco. 
Below you will find our contact information if you have any questions. 
Office Website: www.sfassessor.org 
Office Email: assessor@sfgov.org 
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. 
Office Address: One Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 190, San Francisco, CA 94102. 
Sincerely, 
Carmen Chu 
Assessor-Recorder

The SFMTA has initiated a contest to name the future public plaza adjacent to the new Phelan Loop off of Ocean Avenue. The particulars are described on the enclosed invitation to participate in the naming contest, and we are requesting that you consider spreading the word through your organizations and neighbors. 

The contest can be accessed by clicking on this link: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1245991/Naming-Nominations-for-the-Ocean-Avenue-Public-Plaza and can also be accessed via the project web page at  www.sfmta.com/phelan.

If you or others prefer to participate via a mail-in ballot, it can be obtained by contacting me at 415.701.4790 or via e-mail at Jeannette.sanchez@sfmta.com .

 The contest will run from September 3 to October 15 and is open to all, although extra weight will be given to entries that originate in the communities adjacent to the plaza.

SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 22, 2013)—City Attorney Dennis Herrera today filed dual legal challenges involving the termination of City College of San Francisco’s accreditation, which, if successful, could enjoin private accreditors from shuttering California’s largest community college, and require the state governing board charged with evaluating college standards and eligibility for public funding to reassume its legal duties.

For the full press release, see below:

http://www.sfcityattorney.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=1335