Hey there, San Francisco. 

A friend told me that he was surfing at Ocean Beach the other day when out of nowhere he spotted… swimmers. 

Suddenly, they were all around him. And wildly, they weren’t wearing wetsuits. 

I sorta brushed the story off and thought it must have just been a couple of rogue crazies. But then, in the Richmond Review on Wednesday, there it was. 

Apparently, since 1987, South End Rowing Club members have been making the 10-mile swim from a boat underneath the Bay Bridge to the shores of Ocean Beach. Fittingly, they call it the “longer, colder, harder” Bay to Breakers. 

On Sunday morning, 20 swimmers attempted this year’s swim. Two got hypothermia (and were pulled out of the water), while 18 finished. 

What an accomplishment! I’m cold just thinking about it. 

With that… onto the news… 

Quick bits: News to know 

🗑 After four years and over $500,000 spent, the city will finally start testing its new trash can designs in July, Mission Local reports. On display will be the three custom prototypes commissioned by Public Works, as well as three “off-the-shelf” cans, which would likely be more cost effective. 

• Multiple bins for each design will be scattered around town for at least 60 days. Each will have a QR code for residents to leave feedback. 

• Eventually, the city will choose one (or more!) of the designs to replace its 3,300 existing trash cans. (Mission Local) 

🚫 SFUSD will no longer use the word “chief” in its job titles to “avoid the word’s connotation with Native Americans,” the Chronicle wrote on Wednesday. 

• “Given that Native American members of our community have expressed concerns over the use of the title, we are no longer going to use it,” a district spokesperson told me over email. 

• SFUSD has not yet finalized a replacement term. (Chronicle) 

📉 San Francisco’s population dropped 6.3% between July 2020 and July 2021, according to recently released US Census data. That was the largest drop of any major US city. 

• New York City saw the second steepest decline, losing 3.5% of its population. 

• As the Chronicle noted, San Francisco’s 815,201 residents as of July 2021 was its lowest population estimate since 2010. (Chronicle / SF Standard) 

What else I’m reading: Links to browse 

• ‘Are We Next?’: Lincoln High Students Mourn Lives Lost in Uvalde Massacre (SF Standard) 

• Colin Kaepernick Comeback? He Just Had a Workout Today With the Raiders (SFist)

• The story behind how ‘Bob’s Burgers’ was created in San Francisco’s Mission District (SFGATE) 

• Welcome to California Gold Country (Eater) 

Weekend guide: Events, ideas, and more

🧥 Bundle up. After a couple of warm, splendid days, it looks like we’ll have some cooler weather (and wind) this weekend. On Saturday, expect a high of 63, Sunday a high of 65, and Monday (Memorial Day!) a high of 67. 

🥖 Road trip to Petaluma. On Thursday, the Chronicle published its guide to having the best day ever (food-wise) in Petaluma, which is about an hour’s drive north of the city. Reporters Jess Lander and Janelle Bitker say to start your morning at Stellina Pronto, head to Water Street Bistro for lunch, and try Table Culture Provisions for dinner. Check out more of their recommendations here. 

🥁 Attend Carnaval. Carnaval San Francisco takes place this Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm and promises to transform the Mission (on Harrison Street between 16th and 24th) into “an enormous celebration featuring music, dance, brilliant costumes and delicious food.” The grand parade will happen on Sunday at 9:30 am. More info here. 

🍿 Sing along to Sister Act 2. The Sundown Cinema series kicks off Friday night with a Sister Act 2 sing along in Dolores Park featuring the Oakland Interfaith Choir and Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The movie will start shortly after sundown (like its name suggests), which should happen at 8:18 pm. Show up early to snag a seat or reserve one in advance here. 

And finally… 🇺🇸 Metallica 

Apparently, the Giants have an annual “Metallica Night” at Oracle Park. And it happened on Tuesday. 

Drummer Lars Ulrich threw out the first pitch. Bassist Robert Trujillo yelled, “Play ball!” And, frontman James Hetfield and guitarist Kirk Hammett played “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

If you’re trying to get in a patriotic mood for the upcoming holiday, here you go:

SF Giants on NBCS @NBCSGiants

.@Metallica played tonight’s national anthem with City Connect guitars and equipment

May 25th 2022

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That’s all for today! Thanks so much for reading y’all and I’ll see you back here tomorrow. - Nick B. 🏊‍♂️