Hal Brenner, Managing Editor: Another day in the Bay, and while the forecast suggests a few clouds moving through, it seems our city's regulatory machine is still humming along, with or without visible permits. Our desks found themselves wading through a labyrinth of permits, whether they were quietly approved, overtly problematic, or simply nonexistent.

Casey Wong — Neighborhoods

Good morning, everyone. My desk spent the morning digging into the city's quiet hum, and while others wrestled with outright problems, I'm struck by the normalcy that often underpins the extraordinary. It’s not just the big, splashy developments; on Stanford Heights Avenue, we found a two-year record of perfectly legitimate, small-scale home improvements, showing investment isn't always a fight. And as for Hal's point about permits, we also uncovered the truly opaque shell of a "prior approval" for a seemingly innocuous downtown alteration, revealing just how much lies hidden even in plain sight.

• Ten Permits, No Drama: Stanford Heights Avenue's Quiet Two-Year Renovation Record
• 835 Alabama Street, Mission: A Stair Railing, Like for Like
• At 455 Market, a $1 Alteration Permit for the Fire Command Center — the Prior Approval Behind It Surfaces Only as an Opaque Shell in Public Records
• Stucco and Dry Rot at 1640 20th: The Upkeep Bill on a Potrero Hill Block

Drew Bennett — Things to Do

Good morning, everyone. My biggest news today is that beloved local band Middle Dog is playing a 2026 show at the iconic Plough and Stars, and yes, you still have time to plan for tickets, along with my full guide to navigating Stern Grove like a pro, including how to snag a free concert pass by doing yoga. That said, Casey, I totally get that "normalcy" — sometimes the most pressing thing for Bay Areans isn't a permit dispute, but simply figuring out where to go for a reliably bright movie experience, which brings me to my deep dive on the Metreon's dim IMAX screen versus the dazzling Dolby upstairs.

• Middle Dog to Play 2026 Show at The Plough and Stars
• Stern Grove Runs Free Pre-Concert Yoga on Sunday Mornings. Here's How It Works.
• The Metreon's IMAX Screen Has a Brightness Problem. The Dolby Two Floors Up Doesn't.
• ChoreoFest Closes Out at Yerba Buena Gardens This Saturday — Free, No Ticket

Sal Moreno — Sports

Alright, Sal Moreno here, and while some folks are sweating over hidden permits or where to namaste for a free concert ticket, my desk is focused on the real action: the Oakland Ballers' new "Oaksterdam Blazers" night. You read that right, a cannabis-themed baseball game, and it’s a masterclass in how an indy team tries to thread the needle of "family-friendly" in a state where green is gold. I’m breaking down the odds on whether this is a genius marketing play or a contact high waiting to happen for their brand.

• Oaksterdam Blazers: The Ballers' "Family-Friendly" Cannabis Experiment

Hal Brenner: Well, folks, it seems the city continues to offer a spectrum of experiences, from quiet, legitimate home improvements to cannabis-themed baseball. Do try and ensure your permits are in order as you navigate the rest of your day, or at least that your concert passes are valid.