COMMUNITY & SOCIETY
Castro

Privacy concerns raised by hotel guests and Castro residents have resulted in policy changes at the newly open 12-room boutique lodge The Hotel Castro (4230 18th St.).

Longtime Castro Merchants administrator Richard Magary died Tuesday, December 20. Magary was 81.

A neighborhood art event has returned, two candidates for State Assembly open Castro campaign offices, a neighborhood organization awarded grant funding, special events continue at the Castro Theatre, and holiday events are being scheduled.

Last week, the San Francisco Public Works Department replanted nearly half a dozen palm trees along the 400 and 500 blocks of Castro Street.

The future of car-free Saturdays and Sundays along a two-block section of Castro's 18th Street is uncertain and on indefinite pause after the Castro Merchants cut ties with its event producer.

On Monday, the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District (Castro CBD) voted to scuttle its proposal to install a private network of 125 security cameras.