An Urban Farm Collaborative Grows in Albany

Despite the city's approval of a new Sprouts supermarket at the Gill Tract, food activists and urban farmers are teaming up with Cal researchers on another part of the site.

• By Jean Tepperman
• Tags: Eco Watch, Gill Tract, urban farming, UC Berkeley, Occupy the Farm

The Real Purpose of Oakland's Surveillance Center

City leaders have argued that Oakland needs a massive surveillance system to combat violent crime, but internal documents reveal that city staffers are also focused on tracking political protesters.

• By Darwin BondGraham and Ali Winston
• Tags: Feature, Surveillance, Domain Awareness Center, political protests, crime

Jean Quan Should Fire Deanna Santana

The city administrator's recent decision to look for jobs in Dallas and other cities shows that she has no interest in staying in Oakland.

• By Robert Gammon
• Tags: Seven Days, Jean Quan, Occupy Oakland, Deanna Santana, Fred Blackwell

Letters for the Week of December 18

Readers sound off on food waste, panic over Fukushima, and the governor's water tunnels plan.

Corrections for the Week of December 18

Kain'bigan's address and Oakland's free parking rules.

The New Parkway Turns One

The Oakland movie theater celebrates its one-year anniversary and looks ahead to a community-oriented future.

• By Zaineb Mohammed
• Tags: Events, J. Moses Ceasar, The New Parkway, The New Parkway Theater

Taggers by Night, Muralists by Day

Oakland nonprofits want to reduce graffiti by hiring youth to paint murals on sites they've vandalized. Will property owners let them?

• By Sam Levin
• Tags: Culture Spy, graffiti, taggers, street art, Rock Paper Scissors Collective, Keep Oakland Beautiful

Review: Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness

An exploration of love and loss, with bear wrestling.

• By Anna Pulley
• Tags: Theater, Edward Gant's Amazing Feats of Loneliness, Anthony Neilson, Beth Wilmurt, Shotgun Players, Ashby Stage

Change Agent

Disrupting gender norms, getting off on femdom porn, and deflecting bad feelings about sex.

• By Dan Savage

Inside Llewyn Davis

It takes a Village.

• By Kelly Vance
• Tags: Movie Review, Inside Llewyn Davis, Ethan and Joel Coen, Cohen brothers

American Hustle

Would you believe?

• By Kelly Vance
• Tags: Aisle Seat, American Hustle, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

One-Night Stands

Repertory film listings for December 19-25, 2013.

Eat Like a Chef

At Box and Bells, staff-meal-inspired dishes showcase simple, indulgent cooking executed at the highest level.

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: Restaurant Review, Box and Bells, James Syhabout

Pandora's Price

The Oakland-based streaming radio service has backed off controversial legislation aimed at lowering the royalty rates it pays artists. Can the company find common ground with its critics?

• By Sam Levin
• Tags: Music, Pandora, Tim Westergren, Internet radio, musicFIRST Coalition, Internet Radio Fairness Act

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

• By Ellen Cushing
• Tags: CD Reviews, Beyoncé

Chrome Hoof

Chrome Black Gold

• By Mark Keresman
• Tags: CD Reviews, Chrome Hoof

Various Artists

Music from the Motion Picture Black Nativity

• By Lee Hildebrand
• Tags: CD Reviews, Black Nativity

Best Bites of 2013

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: Best Bites, Miss Ollie's, Ramen Shop, Masala Cuisine, Marrow, Molcajete, Pucquio, Tian Jin Dumplings, Homestead, Classic Guilin Rice Noodles, Box and Bells

LIBA Falafel to Open Restaurant in Uptown Oakland

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: News, Food on Wheels, LIBA Falafel, Gail Lillian, food truck, falafel bar

Tuman Turns Broken Car Window Into Fundraising Vehicle

• By Steven Tavares
• Tags: Politics, People, Law Enforcement & Crime

California May Become the First State to Require Kill Switches in Smartphones

• By Elly Schmidt-Hopper
• Tags: Business, Law Enforcement & Crime

California Legalization Initiative for 2014 Gets Tweaked

• By David Downs
• Tags: Legalization, dpa, peter lewis, initiative, The Control, Regulate and Tax Marijuana Act

Mid-Week Menu: Alchemy Cafe Is Open, and Cafe Aquarius Is Closed, Plus Lots of Foodie Options for Christmas and New Year’s Eve

• By Luke Tsai

Friday Must Reads: State Regulators Fine PG&E $14 Million; SF District Attorney Pushes Measure to Reduce Prison Population

• By Robert Gammon
• Tags: Business, Sports, Law Enforcement & Crime

Weekender: This Weekend's Top Five Events

• By Zaineb Mohammed

New Year's Eve in Bay Area: Extended BART, Broadway Shuttle Hours

• By Sam Levin
• Tags: Environment

Blame Ongoing Pot Prohibition On Ignorant South

• By David Downs
• Tags: Legalization, marijuana, legalization, polls, education, the south, California, obesity, ignorance, mortality

Thursday Must Reads: White House Panel Pushes to Curb NSA Spying; Obamacare Application Deadline Is Monday

• By Robert Gammon

Updated: Sources Say Golden State Warriors Owners Are Interested in Buying the A’s and Building a Waterfront Ballpark in Oakland

• By Steven Tavares and Robert Gammon
• Tags: Breaking News, Business, Sports

SPARC Winter Madness Sale Has Crazy Deals

• By David Downs
• Tags: Cannabis Culture, sparc, sf, medical marijuana, holiday sale

Wednesday Must Reads: Bay Area Air Pollution Soars; Big Sur Fire Rages On

• By Robert Gammon
• Tags: Politics, Business, Environment

Fine Dining for Vegans

Plus, Marrow plans expansion, and Alchemy Cafe opens new location.

• By Luke Tsai
• Tags: What the Fork, Sanctuary Bistro, vegan, gluten-free, Marrow, Alchemy Café, Alchemy Collective Cafe, What the Fork

BRIEFS 3rd Annual Erotic Shorts Film Competition Tickets on Sale Now!!