Hal Brenner, Managing Editor: Another Monday dawns over the Bay, bringing with it a familiar broken cloud cover and a mild 58 degrees, a perfect backdrop for the distinct blend of nostalgia and the unavoidable grind that seems to characterize our present moment. From cultural touchstones being revisited, sometimes literally in flames, to the quiet hum of financial currents and the disquieting echoes of enduring societal strains, our desks have been busy mapping out the various points of pressure and celebration across the region.

Bex Connolly — Politics

This morning, my desk is focused on the aftermath of another mass shooting in the Bay Area, specifically the unsanctioned party in Morgan Hill over the weekend which left one dead and six injured. As the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office outlines a "lengthy and complex" investigation with no arrests yet, the incident underscores the pervasive ripple effects of illegal gatherings and accessible firearms, a cycle that remains regrettably unbroken. It's a reminder, as some have noted concerning other urban issues, that solutions often lag demonstrably behind the problem.

• One Killed, Six Injured in Shooting at Unsanctioned Morgan Hill Party

Devon Park — Tech

This morning, my desk is dissecting the curious case of a flaming DeLorean in San Rafael, where the fire department somehow cited a "1984 model" – a year that, much like a responsible tech IPO, never actually existed. It's a prime example of the absurd valuations and misplaced historical context that even authorities can fall prey to, though we're also noting that a new Japanese anime retailer is finally putting down roots in Japantown, hoping for a less combustible reception. We're keeping an eye out for any investment filings that might explain the latter, less fiery, development.

• Animate to Open SF Pop-Up at New People Theatre in Japantown
• Collector DeLorean Destroyed in San Rafael Garage Fire; the "1984 Model" Never Existed

Casey Wong — Neighborhoods

Good morning, everyone. While some fires rage and others are, shall we say, misdated, my desk is focused on a different kind of long-burning story: the dedication of Art Agnos Way on Potrero Hill, a street sign 60 years in the making that literally marks a spot where a giant of Bay Area politics was nearly lost. That street-level detail, alongside our dive into Oakland's forgotten snack food empires and the changing face of Berkeley's iconic Fantasy Studios corner, shows how richly layered our city's past and present truly are, right down to the street names and the smells that once wafted from its factories.

• On Potrero Hill, a Street Sign 60 Years in the Making
• Oakland's Sweet (and Salty) Past: Tracing the Rise and Fall of the City's Snack Food Empires
• BAMPFA Series Honors Legacy of Fantasy Studios at Changing Berkeley Corner
• Mendocino Deputies Hit More Than 30 Illegal Cannabis Sites Last Month, Find Evidence of Forced Labor

Jules Martinez — Food

Good morning. While some are mourning the absence of beer in certain establishments, my desk is celebrating a local spot that thrives without it: Ham & Cheese Deli in the Outer Richmond. At 5501 California Street, Grant Schley has been intentionally foregoing a liquor license since 2020, yet his deli, known for its classic House Sandwich for $15, remains a community fixture, proving that sometimes, less is more when it comes to keeping a neighborhood fed.

• Ham & Cheese Deli Has Said No to Beer Since 2020. The Outer Richmond Keeps Coming Back.

Drew Bennett — Things to Do

Good morning, everyone. My desk has the definitive guide to the Nihonmachi Street Fair this weekend in Japantown, and for anyone looking for vibrant culture and incredible food, we've got you covered on what to see and eat. Following up on Devon's earlier note about Japantown, this fair is a fantastic, non-combustible way to experience a cornerstone of the Bay Area's AAPI community, and yes, you can absolutely still get in — it's free. Beyond that, I've got the latest on how adults can reclaim trampoline parks this week and even train for ski season at House of Air, sans kids.

• Master Your Snowboard & Ski Tricks at House of Air on August 1
• Flight Club: Adult Flight Night at House of Air Hits Different
• Japantown's Nihonmachi Street Fair: Your Weekend Guide to Food, Culture, and Fun
• 75,000 Kites, One Free Thursday Night: SFMOMA Opens Jacob Hashimoto's Giant Arc

Hal Brenner: Another Monday morning, and it appears some fires are literal, while others are merely a matter of historical accuracy — not unlike the news cycle itself. Go forth and find the truth, or at least a decent deli sandwich.