Topic: San Francisco

San Francisco could require employers to help workers commute

And the employers actually don't seem to mind too much.

High gas prices boost bus travel

After decades of decline, bus travel is on the rise again. But is it right for you?

Garden art that rocks

Landscape designer Cevan Forristt uses old stonework to give character to his garden.

Flowers, flowers everywhere

A garden center in England offers visitors something very different.

Eye to beak with a red-footed boobie!

For kids: Researchers 'rough it' in the wilderness to learn more about the wildlife on tiny Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean.

China's biggest pop star debuts her exotic talents in the West

Sa Dingding's music melds traditional harmonies with offbeat electronica to create a layered hypnotic sound.

Should we vote to blow up some guy's SUV?

A San Francisco man is soliciting suggestions for how to take his gas guzzler off the road forever.

A city locked out of its own data network

Officials in San Francisco charge that one of their own employees gave himself exclusive access to key switches on the city's computer network.

A water pump for the people

Inventor Martin Fisher designs easy irrigation tools for African farmers.

A California financier emerges as one of the nation’s most prolific philanthropists

Bernard Osher, called the ‘quiet giver,’ donates large sums to education and the arts.

USA

A city locked out of its own data network

Officials in San Francisco charge that one of their own employees gave himself exclusive access to key switches on the city’s computer network.

'Butterflies, show yourselves!' I shouted.

Suddenly, a small, black shadow darted from above. I craned my neck, hoping to see something.

More blacks explore Judaism

Conversions to Judaism among African-Americans are growing in a way that could affect the presidential election.

As California looks to expand death row, a flap over where to build it

Death-penalty foes want the condemned to be kept at San Quentin Prison rather than transferred to remote areas.

Lingro: Foreign-word widget

Pittsburgh is robot country

Growing out of its industry roots, Pittsburgh is now the Silicon Valley of droid design.

Rise in lawsuits against bloggers

Since 2004, 159 court actions have targeted citizen journalists for libel and other charges.

As California looks to expand death row, a flap over where to build it

Death-penalty foes want the condemned to be kept at San Quentin Prison rather than transferred to remote areas.

Smart parking spaces that chat with smartphones

Companies embrace praise

Employee recognition – especially in a down economy – can be an effective and inexpensive morale-booster.

Why I buy things I shouldn't

It started with that wool scarf in Paris and now has escalated to buying a lifetime national parks pass and dining on sea slugs.

U.S. defends laptop searches at the border

Courts have upheld routine checks of Americans' hard drives at the border. Critics say they're anything but routine.

EarthTalk: How green is corn-based plastic?

Pro: It’s compostable. Con: But only in an industrial composting facility.

White House scores key victory on government eavesdropping

The Senate approved a bill on Wednesday that protects telecom firms from lawsuits over secret surveillance.