Hey there, San Francisco. 

Happy Wednesday. 

Today, the San Francisco health department announced that starting on Friday proof of vaccination (or a negative Covid test) will no longer be needed to enter bars, restaurants, or places “where elevated breathing occurs,” like gyms. 

“Cases continue to fall and our high vaccine rate continues to provide a strong defense against COVID-19,” Mayor Breed said on Twitter. 

It’s another sign that “normalcy” is returning. And personally, I’m feeling a little relieved that I won’t have to go searching for a photo of my vaccination card any longer. 

And with that…onto the news… 

Top story: State of the city 

Mayor Breed delivered her annual state of the city address on Wednesday. In it, Breed addressed: 

• Keeping “Covid experiments” (like outdoor dining spaces, guaranteed income programs, and a car-free JFK Drive) beyond the pandemic.  

• Adding more police officers to a department that’s at a “crisis level” in terms of staffing. 

• Building more housing for “future generations… to be able to afford to live here” and to cut down on homelessness. 

• Improving conditions in the Tenderloin. 

• And, not focusing on the “noise about what's happening in our city.” 

  • “On social media you see one video take off, as if it's telling the whole truth about who we are,” Breed said. “I know it's challenging with all that noise to really understand what's happening. But today I really want to talk about what's possible–hope. Hope for a better future for our city.” 

You can watch Breed’s full speech here.

Quick bits: News to know 

• 🚔 John Hamasaki, an outspoken law enforcement critic, will step down from his role on the city’s Police Commission when his term expires next month. “While I believe that we have done some good work, we have failed at changing the culture,” Hamasaki said on Twitter. The board of supervisors will choose Hamasaki’s successor. (Chronicle) 

• 🍵 Entrance to the Japanese Tea Garden and Conservatory of Flowers will soon be free for all San Francisco residents. Previously, the local rate was $7 for people under 65. (SF Standard) 

• 🛍 In an effort to discourage shoplifting, the board of supervisors voted Tuesday to enforce stricter regulations for street vendors, such as requiring them to have proof that they own the goods they are selling. Vending will also be banned altogether in UN Plaza, except for the farmers' market there on Wednesdays and Sundays. (Chronicle) 

What else I’m reading: Links to browse 

‘You can’t be scared to lose’: San Francisco D.A. Boudin speaks out after jury acquits officer of assault charges (Chronicle) 

Potion Putt arrives in San Francisco with 'wizardry' courses, magical decor, and drinks (SFist) 

San Francisco’s environmental pioneers had one thing in common: They were all women (Examiner) 

Chase Center is now home to one of the NBA’s first fully plant-based restaurants (Eater) 

And finally… Will Ferrell at the Chase Center

After a five-game losing streak, the Warriors needed a bit of a pick-me-up. 

And on Tuesday night, the team got just that from actor Will Ferrell, who threw on his uniform from the 2008 basketball movie "Semi-Pro” and warmed up with the Warriors before the game. 

Apparently, the Warriors’ Klay Thompson is a big fan of “Semi-Pro”, dressing up as Ferrell’s character “Jackie Moon” for Halloween one year and watching the film while he recovered from his recent string of injuries. 

"When I had some dark days I would put that movie on and it would make me smile,” Thompson told ESPN. “I'm very thankful for that film.''

Coach Steve Kerr said Ferrell emailed him a while back about the idea, but “didn't believe it was him.” Eventually, the two “concocted a plan.” 

“It felt like the time to do it, too -- make everyone laugh in a tough stretch in the season,” Kerr said. “He came into the locker room and made the guys laugh… He's hilarious.”

And, perhaps it worked. The Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday 112-97. 

You can watch the Will Ferrell shoot-around here. 

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