AltWeeklies Wire
Levada's Secretnew
As he prepares to be deposed next week, former San Francisco Archbishop William Levada may have to come clean about a priestly child molester he protected in Portland.
House of the Accusednew
When priests within the Salesian order based in San Francisco were accused of sex abuse, the leaders chose to keep quiet.
Tags: Catholic Church, church sex abuse
The Deal With the Navy's Treasure Islandnew
Charges of favoritism darken San Francisco's plan to transform what is perhaps the city's last and best undeveloped urban oasis.
Tags: California, Bay Area, a political supporter of the mayor, and Los Angeles grocery billionaire Ron Burkle, Lennar Corp., Mayor Gavin Newsom and his predecessor, or TICD. Its principals lobbyist Darius Anderson of Sonoma, real-estate megadeal, Tony Hall, Treasure Island Community Developers, Willie Brown.
Sign of the Cult-Busternew
An outspoken ex-Moonie, lawyer and anti-cult crusadeer, Ford Greene has gotten in trouble with the town of San Anselmo, Calif., for putting up signs making statements like "Christmas Is No Fun in Fallujah."
Renegade Vintner Gets Wine Burghers in an Uproarnew
California vintners complain that the maker of the ubiquitous "Two Buck Chuck" is sullying the name of Napa Valley.
SF Weekly |
Ron Russell |
08-30-2005 |
Food+Drink
Top Church Official Turned Blind Eye Toward Accused Priestnew
Pope Benedict XVI named William J. Levada Roman Catholicism's top doctrinal watchdog -- even though, as San Francisco archbishop, Levada resolutely looked away from sex-abuse complaints against a renowned priest and legal scholar.
Derby Girls Draw in Fansnew
Career women assume tough-girl alter egos at night to compete in a new breed of roller derbies.
The Fight Over California's Pension Fundnew
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger battles with the Democrats for control of an investment portfolio that exerts more global financial influence than the entire economies of many sovereign nations.
Former Director of Indian Affairs Hawks New Casinonew
On his last day as director of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Kevin Gover -- against advice of those on his staff -- granted land rights to the Koi Nation. Now he's in the middle of the tribe's casino deal.
SF Weekly |
Ron Russell |
03-02-2005 |
Policy Issues
Tags: public policy issues
Catholic Church Tries to Keep Court Documents Zipped Upnew
San Francisco Archbishop William Levada doesn't want the public to know about decades of alleged sexual misconduct by his clerics. But why are district attorneys in San Mateo, Marin and San Francisco helping him keep secrets?
SF Weekly |
Ron Russell |
01-24-2005 |
Crime & Justice
Respected Small-Town Paper Struggles to Survivenew
The Point Reyes Light is among the nation's most respected small-town papers, having won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for public service for its work in exposing the Synanon cult. But the inheritance money Editor/Publisher Dave Mitchell used to keep the weekly alive is running out.
Tribes Used to Bring Slots to Bay Areanew
Native Americans have become little more than human props in the high-stakes battle involving real estate developers, powerful consultants, and out-of-state gaming interests to bring casino gambling closer to urban centers.
SF Weekly |
Ron Russell |
11-01-2004 |
Business & Labor
Tags: business & labor
Merchants of Passion: Selling Sex Toys on the Party Circuitnew
A Bay Area business, Passion Parties, has quietly staked a claim as the nation's premier supplier of sensual products. Rather than aim at the pleasure chest of the single girl, it has tamely positioned itself as an organization devoted to strengthening relationships.
