When Sophia Johnson and her husband, Tyler Troy, were expecting a third child, their friends suggested names like Grizzly and Third Street. Though the couple understood that such suggestions were a big joke among their friends, for them, naming their children after Berkeley streets was a tradition they took seriously. Berkeley has a wealth of lovely, old-fashioned names to be found on its street signs, said Johnson.
The year was marked by pressure, pushback and community. SUNY Downstate, which faced closure in 2024, took steps toward the future this year after protest from doctors, patients and local elected officials saved it from the brink. Parents and educators fought back against the city's sudden announcement that it would close four early childhood education centers. When the feds quietly began using the Metropolitan Detention Center to house ICE detainees, local residents and politicians rallied in the streets and outside the prison, demanding transparency and
In moments of urgency, it can be challenging to keep a grip on the rhythm of ordinary life. That's one of the many reasons we publish Fogcutter, SFGATE's weekly column of events, shoutouts and slices of life. Every Sunday, we write about hyperlocal art shows, concerts and cafes. We hope to provide an oasis of quiet when the headlines get loud - not to offer an escape, but some grounding.
The TCS New York City Marathon returns Nov. 2, attracting the world's greatest runners and the Five Boroughs' quippiest spectators. Before over 55,000 runners hit the streets on Sunday, we'd like to shed light on the burden of their two million friends, family, and supporters: designing a clever sign. Based on last year's performances courtesy of our friends at @whatisnewyork they've got quite a tough act to follow.
GOOD MORNING, SUNDAY! It's the perfect time to catch up on some of the great reporting and stories the Mercury churned out this week! (PRO TIP: If you despise being "the last to know," then be one of the first to know by signing up for Mercury newsletters! All the latest stories shipped directly to your email's in-box... and then... YOUR HEAD.)
The emcee of the pickle brine drinking contest greeted attendees with, "Welcome to Pittsburgh, you jagoffs!" highlighting the playful, local atmosphere of Picklesburgh.
Healdsburg is truly a slice of small-town Americana. Visitors can experience that balance between rural charm and modern refinement everywhere, including the town's Tuesday Concerts in the Park, three-Michelin-starred dining at SingleThread, and visits to its best galleries.
Oregon's police certification agency voted to strip Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp of his certification due to multiple instances of false testimony under oath.
In Ho Chi Minh City, one experiences a unique rhythm, walking through the heat while intermittently enjoying local bars and ice-cold beer for mere pennies.
The train station closest to my house has a split personality. Exit north and you've got an orderly bus lottery, tidy streets of chain stores, and the ever present Starbucks.
The Crank Corner's transition from a cell-phone shop to a medical cannabis dispensary reflects changing urban landscapes, with local culture being richly integrated into its new identity.