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As we close out the year, I’m sharing a conversation that feels especially fitting for this moment.

In this episode, I sit down with Alan Wong, the newly appointed Supervisor for San Francisco’s District 4, to talk about his roots in the Sunset, his family’s immigration story, and the experiences that shaped his path into public service.

Before policy positions and headlines, this conversation focuses on the human side - growing up in the neighborhood, learning to serve through student government, protecting language access and education, and navigating leadership in a city that’s always in motion.

This is a reflective, grounded listen to close out the year - about people, place, and how we move forward together, even when change feels uncomfortable.

BONUS: Earlier this month, I joined the Fun Police podcast with my friends, Ben Bleiman, Sharky Laguana, and Manny Yekutiel, for a candid conversation about District 4 and the Sunset. If you’re looking for more context, that episode is linked here.

Photo credit: Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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In this episode, Pat Maguire opens up about the moments that shaped his new book, All Things Beautiful. He talks about the night that changed everything for his family, what grief taught him, and the unexpected place where he rediscovered purpose. This is a vulnerable, grounded conversation about loss, love, sobriety, and the work of becoming whole again.

We also touch on Conor’s unforgettable senior night — the 63-point game that sparked media attention and reminded Pat of the legacy Kevin left behind.

Episode artwork photo credit: Courtesy of Joseph Wittlake / International School of San Francisco

For more reading:

• SF Chronicle Article about Conor Maguire by Mitch Stephens: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/high-school/article/s-f-senior-makes-record-14-3-pointers-scores-63-20160889.php
• You can find Pat’s book, All Things Beautiful, wherever books are sold.

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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In this episode of The Sunset Connection, I talk with Pat Maguire, who opened and runs Java Beach Café with his wife, Buffy Maguire. Both Pat and Buffy are San Francisco natives with deep ties in the Outer Sunset.

We talk about what it was really like to grow up in an Irish-Catholic family in the Outer Sunset—when the neighborhood was close-knit, rough, and far from the calm place most people know today. Pat shares what it was like coming of age here in the ’80s and ’90s: why fights broke out between kids who all knew each other, how those rivalries turned into friendships, and what it means to look back without glorifying the past.

It’s one man’s story that captures a raw, often overlooked piece of the Sunset’s identity. Check out Pat’s book, All Things Beautiful, for more of his reflections—and stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation.

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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In this conversation, Joaquin shares how his upbringing inspired his work in public service and what the new SMART Property System means for homeowners, professionals, and the city’s future. Plus, a few of his favorite Sunset hangouts.

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There’s a K-Pop store in the Sunset District.
Yeah, you read that right.
In a neighborhood better known for dimsum than fandom, SarangHello has become a magnet for teens, stans, and anyone chasing joy. Jessica talks with owner Kevin Roger Teng about how he and his business partners, Pip and Ches, built a community hub out of pure love for K-Pop, and what it means when new energy moves into old neighborhoods.

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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What happened to the Sunset Night Market? What is Sunset Mercantile? And how did the Outer Sunset Farmers Market and Mercantile get started? Is there anything happening for the holidays in the Sunset?

Tune in to The Sunset Connection, where Jessica Ho talks with Angie Pettit of Sunset Mercantile about upcoming community events - from Diwali (Oct 19) and the Halloween Farmers Market (Oct 26) to the Halloween Night Bazaar (Oct 31), Holiday Mercantile, Light Stroll, and more.

✨ See the full calendar at sunsetmercantilesf.com

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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A foggy square, a rolling library cart, and a neighborhood ready to gather, this is how a small idea became a 15‑year tradition that now brings 700 people together every Friday in October. We sit down with Albert to tell the full story of Movies in McCoppin, from a merchants association looking for fresh energy to a city‑loved series that unites families across the Sunset and beyond.

We walk through the origin moment sparked by former Supervisor Carmen Chu’s suggestion, the early nights with a DVD player, and the steady evolution to bigger screens, better sound, and posters that have become part of the district’s visual history. Then we explore the secret sauce: playful pre‑show experiences tailored to each film, stormtroopers for Star Wars, hula lessons for Moana, NASA talks for Hidden Figures, a petting zoo for Zootopia, and a clever partnership model that buys food from Taraval restaurants and serves it for free, introducing neighbors to local favorites and keeping dollars nearby.

This year brings a strong lineup: Moana 2, Inside Out 2, Monsters, Inc., The Wild Robot, and Coco. There will be free popcorn, free food from local merchants, arts and crafts, and more!

For families looking to do something family-friendly for Halloween, which falls on a Friday this year, come join us for a Coco screening with trick‑or‑treat giveaways so families can bundle costumes, candy, and community in one stop. We also unpack how People of Parkside Sunset (POPS) evolved from a merchants association to a broader community advocate focused on safety, cleanliness, lighting, and bringing fresh attention to Taraval Street, even courting film shoots to boost local pride and foot traffic.

What sticks most are the memories: the roar when the series returned after the pandemic pause, kids singing along in costume, neighbors meeting future classmates. If you care about community building, local restaurants, family‑friendly events, and the simple joy of a movie under the fog, you’ll feel right at home here. Follow, share with a friend, and leave a review, then grab a blanket and come say hi on Friday night.

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.

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In this episode of The Sunset Connection, Jessica Ho sits down with Parag Gupta — SF Board of Education commissioner, affordable housing leader, and proud SFUSD parent. Education is often called the “great equalizer,” but in San Francisco it collides with housing costs, politics, and questions of trust in public institutions. Parag shares his family’s immigration story, his career in social impact, and why “boring government” might be exactly what our schools need. A wide-ranging, personal, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about schools, homes, and the future of San Francisco.

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📌 Listen on Buzzsprout
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✉️ Email: jessica.jasmine.ho@gmail.com

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The Sunset Connection — exploring the stories and histories that connect us.