San Francisco, CA
Overdue Library Book Returned in San Francisco — 54 Years Late
A copy of Langston Hughes’s ‘The Best of Simple’ found its way into the return pile at SF’s Merced Branch Library… decades after it was checked out.
San Francisco has a network of 29 public libraries that collectively check out tens of thousands of books a year; it’s one of many reasons why SF is largely regarded as among the most well-read, bibliophilic metros in the nation. Just this past summer the San Francisco Public Library had its 12 millionth book checked out since opening its first branch — the location opened on June 7, 1879, in Pacific Hall which housed a collection of 6,000 books in a Bush Street office building in the Financial District — 144 years ago.
But, some public library books in SF inevitably take longer to find their way back home (by way of return bins) than others after their 21-day checkout window closes. A few never return at all. Up until recently, a hardback copy of Langston Hughes’s “The Best of Simple,” a collection of stories composed from his once weekly column in the Chicago Defender, that was checked out on January 20th, 1970 was counted among those bonded pages lost to the void.
Well, that book, which was north of 54 years overdue, was recently returned to the SFPL’s Merced Branch Library decades after it was checked out.
“Originally due on January 20, 1970, this book was recently returned to our Merced Branch,” reads an Instagram caption published by the public library system; the original checkout card from 1970 was still inside. The book was found after someone cleaned their parent’s house — and “it finally made its way back to [San Francisco Public Library].”
While 54 years does (and, indeed, is) a long time for any book to be checked out from a public library, it doesn’t hold a candle (calendar?) to a copy of James Clerk Maxwell’s “An Elementary Treatise on Electricity” that was returned in June of 2023 last to a Massachusetts library… almost 120 years overdue.
To the SFPL cardholder who checked out that copy of “The Best of Simple,” they can breathe a sigh of relief: All San Francisco Public Library branches discontinued charging fines for overdue books back in 2019.
And as the SFPL noted, this book’s glorious, surprising, novel-worthy return home is a serendipitous nudge of just that: “What a perfect way to remind you that we don’t fine you for late books!”
Feature Image: Courtesy of SF Public Works
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Driver fled scene
What we know:
According to the San Francisco Police Department, the crash happened around 6:05 p.m. in the 5500 block of Mission Street. The driver fled the scene after striking the pedestrian.
The victim died at the scene.
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco: Anti-ICE protester gets probation for ‘depredation’ of ICE van’s tire
SAN FRANCISCO — A protester who was initially charged with misdemeanor assault has been sentenced to probation for a less serious offense, ending a federal prosecution that only started four months ago, court records show.
On Dec. 8, Angelica Guerrero, 35, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor “depredation” of an ICE van’s tire — a fancy legal term for slashing it with a knife. The same day, a federal judge sentenced Guerrero to probation, according to a minute order of the hearing.
The charge stemmed from an Aug. 20 protest, when Guerrero slashed the tire of an unmarked Chevrolet van being used in an ongoing “enforcement and removal” operation by the Department of Homeland Security on the 100 block of Montgomery Street, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges that Guerrero “made repeated threats” against one of the officers, including stating, “I’m going to (expletive) you up” and “I’m going after your family,” as well as threatening to stab the officer.
Guerrero was released within 48 hours but complained of “barbaric” conditions inside Santa Rita Jail, during an interview with ABC7.
San Francisco, CA
Beloved 11-Year-Old Bay Area Italian Restaurant Is Closing Its Doors For Good
BAY AREA, CA — Vespucci, a longtime Italian restaurant in San Mateo, will close permanently at the end of the year after 11 years in business, its owners announced this week.
Dec. 31 will be the restaurant’s final day of service, according to a message shared by owners Manuela Fumasi and Francesco Zaccaro, who reflected on more than a decade of serving the local community.
“From the moment we opened our doors, this community welcomed us with a warmth and kindness we will never forget,” the owners wrote. “As Italian immigrants, far from our first home, you made San Mateo feel like our home.”
The couple described the restaurant’s run as a “beautiful adventure,” acknowledging that it was often challenging but filled with meaningful connections, friendships and lasting memories. They thanked customers for celebrating milestones with them and for supporting the business over the years.
“This decision hasn’t been easy, but we know it is the right one for us at this time,” they said.
Vespucci has been a fixture in San Mateo’s dining scene since opening in 2015, offering Italian cuisine and serving as a neighborhood gathering spot for residents and regulars alike.
Inside, all of the artworks displayed were created by Maestro Vittorio Fumasi, with several pieces having been exhibited in major art shows in Italy and internationally. While some works predate the restaurant, others — including the low-relief piece “Italy” and the high-relief portraits of Vespucci — were commissioned specifically for the space.
Fumasi has also adorned Vespucci’s dining tables with her own artwork, and said some of those pieces will be offered for sale after the restaurant closes, allowing longtime customers to take home “a piece of Vespucci,” she told the San Mateo Daily Journal.
“We are going to miss you all,” the owners wrote. “With all our affection.”
The restaurant is located in downtown San Mateo at 147 E 3rd Ave. The menu can be found here.
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