Topic: San Francisco Bay Area

Clean energy 'gold rush' in Mojave spurs backlash

Clean energy projects in California are thriving. But environmentalists worry about impact of clean energy companies on Mojave Desert.

Bilingual and struggling

A bilingual parent tries to keep a native tongue alive at home, a problem faced by many immigrants.

Cities fret over democracy's costs as 'Occupy Wall Street' stretches on

Cities see costs mount as they supply security and other services at Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. What are cities' First Amendment obligations to the protesters?

Questions abound after fatal shooting is captured by cops' own camera

A camera on the chest of an Oakland, Calif., police officer recorded the officer's fatal encounter with a suspect. The incident highlights the rising use of police chest-cams – and the legal and ethical questions surrounding them.

The Monitor's View: Bypassing the jobs impasse in Washington

If the president and GOP dig in their heels and wait for 2012 to decide who’ll get their way on creating job, others will have to fill the void.

Pickled sea beans

Pickled sea beans are delicate and crunchy and add tangy flavor to a sandwich or tossed salad.

New BART protests could test emerging policy on cell service shutdowns

After criticism from civil libertarians and First Amendment scholars, BART says it will consider a policy of shutting down cellular service only in an 'extreme case.' But what is an extreme case?

Solar firm taps social-media expert to spur a 'rooftop revolution'

Patrick Crane was impressed by his solar roof. Now the former LinkedIn executive expects solar power to become a 'social phenomenon.'

Social media firms: Can they stop UK riots?

Social media executives meet with British government, police officials to talk about how to keep social media from being misused by would-be rioters.

Paying people to ID violent sports fans: a winning idea?

A California lawmaker wants to set up a fund to pay people who help identify violent sports fans. His legislation comes after brutal attacks this year at Dodger Stadium and Candlestick Park.

'Flash mobs' vs. law and order: BART protest adds fresh twist

Social media 'flash mobs' are becoming integral to the organization of protests. BART officials shut down cellphone service to thwart a protest Thursday. What will BART do Monday?

The rising demand for overseas television: America's United Nations of cable TV

Satellite TV lets immigrants cocoon in their own culture. Does it also alienate?

Something for Nothing

A poignantly dark comedy follows a 1970s Californian businessman who takes wing as a fledgling smuggler.

Opportunity Fund helps opportunity knock for low-income borrowers

Micro-lending to the poor in the US is quietly growing. But the Opportunity Fund finds that helping people learn how to save is important too.

Opinion: Street harassment of women: It's a bigger problem than you think

From Yemen to California, more than 90 percent of women have faced public harassment. It's not a compliment, a minor annoyance, or a woman’s fault. It’s bullying behavior. And we can't just ignore it. Here's how to respond.

Want to find a job? Nonprofit '.jobs' service seeks to revolutionize the search.

Hundreds of companies are teaming up with Monster founder Bill Warren to create the nonprofit '.jobs' job listing system. It aims to eliminate the middlemen for people who want to find a job.

Steampunk: The new Goth

The retrofuturistic trend draws on a Jules Verne-like view of the world and Victorian-era technology.

Bestselling books the week of 12/2/10, according to IndieBound*

What's selling best at independent booksellers across America.

Difference Maker Matching kids with adults who live their dream

Chris Balme puts together at-risk teens and business-world mentors who show them a brighter future.

How will California change if voters make marijuana legal?

Polls show California voters may well approve Proposition 19, which would make marijuana legal in the state. Costs and benefits are hotly debated by both sides.

Don Nelson, all-time winningest NBA coach, to leave Warriors bench

Don Nelson, who has more wins as a NBA head coach than any other, is reportedly about to step aside as coach of the Golden State Warriors as early as next Monday. Warriors assistant coach Keith Smart is expected to take over for Nelson.

TaskRabbit: a jobs lifeline for some unemployed

TaskRabbit is a short-term jobs service that pairs the unemployed and underemployed with people who need specific chores done.

TaskRabbit: new part-time work for people without jobs

TaskRabbit, a new online service, connects people who need errands done with those willing to do them. Some 70 percent of TaskRabbit runners are unemployed or underemployed.

Islamic ad wars on city buses across America

'Anti-Islamic' bus ads appear in major cities

A group called 'Stop Islamization of America' is promoting ads on major city public transportation that urge people to leave the Muslim faith. The anti-Islamic campaign is sparking thought about the religion's place in American society.