Maryland

Prison Terms and Essay Grading: The Technology Gap Widens

On the front page of today's New York Times, there is a story about a software program that can instantly grade essays. The system was designed by EdX, a non-profit group founded by Harvard and MIT, and it is gaining momentum. Last year, Hewlett-Packard's grant-making arm held two contests, each w ... More >>

Gov. Jerry Brown's Pardon Rate Keeps Pace With Fellow Forgiving Governors

On the day before Easter, Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned 65 convicted criminals. All of them had already served prison time, been free for at least 10 years, and, according to the Governor's office, had maintained clean records ever since. Most were drug offenders, though one man had been locked up for m ... More >>

Space -- The Final Frontier

Musketeers. Little Pigs. The number of polyester-era sitcom stars before you officiallyhave "Company." Many things seem to come in threes -- just hopefully not gubernatorialvetoes of legislation intended to keep bicyclists safe.Acting on the proposition that the third time really is a charm, Los Ang ... More >>

Clutch Singer Neil Fallon Remembers When Rock 'n' Roll Was Dangerous

While a host of hard-rock groups still try to emulate the monolithic sounds of Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, Maryland-based rock juggernaut Clutch stands as a rare band that captures the relentless swing and ferocious groove that elevated those two iconic acts to greatness. For more than 20 years, ... More >>

Food Truck Bite of the Week: Hoofing Burgers at Fins on the Hoof

Our weekly bite explores the city's food trucks, one at a time, highlighting our favorite mobile dishes and snacks. The Truck: Fins on the Hoof The Cuisine: Cal-Med comfort food Specialty Items: Lamb burger Worth the Wait in Line? At peak lunch time, a total 16 minutes from the end of the line to f ... More >>

Chick-fil-A Opening Gives Disappointed Republicans Something to Celebrate

What better place for beleaguered Mitt Romney fans and other gay-hating folks to wallow in their post-election sorrows than a brand spankin' new Chick-fil-A? Dozens of chicken lovers (or gay marriage haters) gathered outside the new Walnut Creek chicken restaurant yesterday to celebrate the opening ... More >>

Prop. 34: California Keeps Death Penalty, Once Again Shows It's Not as Liberal as Some Think

California: that big blue state that handed President Obama 54 free electoral college points and gave his campaign more money than any other state. The state that is on the brink of Democratic supermajorities in both the state House and state Senate and contains a voting population in which register ... More >>

Man Travels Across Country With No Money, Only Bacon

Sigh. Today in bacon news, an actor and comedian named Josh Sankey is attempting a road trip from NYC to LA armed with nothing but a truck full of 3,000 pounds of bacon, which he will attempt to barter for gas, lodging, sundries, and food (though presumably he could just eat the bacon).

Know Your Frozen Desserts: Taiwanese Snow Ice, Baltimore Snowballs, and More Icy Treats

Now that the temperature is finally warming up and hopefully offering a glimpse of that summer we wait all year long for, it could be downright embarrassing if you don't know how to tell your ice desserts apart. We don't want you ordering Taiwanese snow ice when what you really want is Philadelphia ... More >>

S.F. Pit Bulls: Protecting Yourself and the Controversial Breed

Peter Magowan, Former Giants President, Among Romney's Top Bay Area Donors

Californians would have loved 2002 Mitt Romney. That guy was the bleeding heart who pushed universal health care in his state; the conservationist who would attack a coal plant by saying "I will not create jobs that kill people!"; a man who signed a Planned Parenthood candidate questionnaire affirmi ... More >>

The Jug Shop Ushers in a New Year of Beer Tastings

It's only a few days into 2012, but you've been behaving very well. The New Year diet is working, and tonight you'll be gorging on raw carrot sticks, a handful of unsalted almonds, and a tall glass of water. At the end of the week, celebrate the success of your resolution by breaking it in grand fas ... More >>

Magicians Walking Across United States Finally Make it to New York City

Courtesy of the Great American Walkabout An easy stroll through Pennsylvania ​SF Weekly readers might recall the offbeat story about a few magicians who were on a random quest to walk the nation. When we caught up with them as they started their journey in San Francisco in March, they told us that ... More >>

A Giant Beer Dinner at Jardiniere

​You've done a lot to support the Giants. The orange wig, 'Let Timmy Smoke' t-shirt, and beard implant were all grand gestures. Next week, there's another way to celebrate the home team, and all you need to do is indulge in some quality food and beer.As the season winds down, Traci Des Jardins and ... More >>

What's Your Death Row Last Meal?

James Reynolds/Last SuppersRecreations of condemned inmates' actual last meal requests​I got to thinking about death-row last meal requests last week, which naturally made me think of mine. I don't want to speculate about why I'd be executed. Naturally, I would be being framed. I also asked ... More >>

Organic Chicken Actually Proven to Be Safer

Alarmed by the recent outbreak of drug-resistent salmonella in ground turkey, which killed one Californian woman? The way to protect yourself might be to buy organic. Yesterday, NPR reported that a University of Maryland study found that big organic chicken farms have much lower levels of antibio ... More >>

Zombies to Plunder San Francisco, Traffic Sign Warns

Rudeen Monte​Hacking electronic road signs so that they display warnings of impending zombie invasions has become something of a national pastime. Such pranks have taken place in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas, and probably elsewhere. (Our brains remain safely in our sk ... More >>

Change.org: Congress Pressures Hillary Clinton to Denounce Chinese Hackers

Ai Weiwei​Earlier today, we told you about the Change.org petition, a viral response to the beating of a transgender woman in Maryland. Seeing the significance of this San Francisco-based social-action platform -- which was recently attacked by Chinese hackers --  the pressure is now on for U ... More >>

Kamala Harris Files Brief Supporting Federal Health Care Reform

This won't hurt a bit...​California Attorney General Kamala Harris has filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit seeking to aid the defense of President Barack Obama's landmark health care legislation.The so-called Affordable Care Act, perhaps Obama's most significant legisla ... More >>

Robert Pattinson Plays Dirty with Elephants, Soy Will Not Give a Guy a Rack

​SFoodie's roundup of tips, news, and rants from the week in animal-free eats. twilightish.comRobert Pattinson's ripe, and his new movie stinks.​• Listen, I know you want to get freaky with Robert Pattinson, but please don't go see Water for Elephants, because it looks like some crazy ... More >>

Week in Gay: Ted Haggard is Bisexual and Anderson Cooper has a 'Companion'

Coming after cousin Geri​This edition of The Week in Gay is a potpourri (either a miscellaneous collection of stories or a mixture of dried flowers and spices) of four categories - plus an extra special bonus!Included are updates on the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the latest stories from San F ... More >>

DA Kamala Harris' Office Has ID'd at Least 76 Police Employees With Problem Backgrounds

D.A. Kamala Harris​The San Francisco District Attorney's office has so far notified Public Defender Jeff Adachi in writing of 76 police department employees with criminal or disciplinary backgrounds requiring disclosure.The letters come in response to a judge's order that D.A. Kamala Harris move q ... More >>

Police Create Committee To Suss Out Crooked Cops

Shawn CalhounChief George Gascon is angry. He wants you to be angry, too.​A retired judge and police team will begin reviewing the misconduct and criminal histories of San Francisco police officers. This is part of a new process to disclose information that may discredit cops testifying at trial. ... More >>

Chicken Salad Sandwich at Café Divis

John Birdsall Maryland chicken salad sandwich on brioche bun ($6.50). ​Monday, August 9, 2010 Christian Cisclé was the opening chef and manager of Farmer Brown spin-off Little Skillet, and put the place on the city's list of gotta-eat venues last year. In February, he had a parting of the wa ... More >>

S.F. Taxpayer-Funded Poll Reveals S.F. Taxpayers Don't Want to Pay Taxes

San Francisco voters say 'Bah Humbug' to new taxes, poll claims...​A poll commissioned by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority revealed that city voters are in no mood to pay the taxes the Board of Supervisors will likely today move to place on the ballot -- where voters will eventual ... More >>

iPhone 4 Hit With Class Action Lawsuits -- First of Potential Cavalcade

​Pair of San Francisco suits regarding iPhone 4 join Maryland Suit.  Those holding their breath until a lawsuit was filed over the propensity of the new iPhone 4 to get poor reception or even drop calls due to a supposed antenna problem can finally exhale. Apple and AT&T were yesterday hi ... More >>

Exclusive: DJ Mini-Mix From Bookworms

​Nicholas Dawson has been hard at work for over five years on the musical project Bookworms. In that time, Dawson has churned out a couple of EPs and the full-length LP The Hidden Staircase on Solos Records, in addition to remixing local favorites Mi Ami and Lemonade. His style is hard t ... More >>

Food, Inc. Whistle-Blower Coming to Bay Area for Series of Sustainability Talks

lancasterfarming.comCarole Morison.​"One more question, Mr. Pollan? Yes, thanks ― I'll make it a quick one. Shouldn't take long, I promise. So ― learning about sustainable chicken farms, pastured meat CSAs, and the horrors of industrial poultry production has been fascinating and all, but ... More >>

SF Weekly Letters

Scott “Wino” Weinrich rides metal’s sludgy resurgence

The "No Sex" Sign Guy: What Happened to Subtlety?

​Just feet from a gay pride flag flapping in the breeze, Owen Dias squats on the fire hydrant five days a week like Dorothy landed in Oz. In a city renowned for free love, the first topless club, and a mayor beloved despite his adulterous sex scandal, a man with a "No Unlawful Sex" sign is mostly ... More >>

Eight Creative Additions to Your Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is upon us, but instead of sticking with traditional turkey and stuffing, why not spice things up with some more creative fare? Some of these dishes might freak out your grandparents (or you, for that matter), but they're guaranteed to spark a conversation.​ 8. Guac-a-BirdJello is usu ... More >>

Police, U.S. Marshals Nab S.F. Homicide Suspect on Eastern Seaboard

The SFPD has found its man -- but who will find the municipality of 'Delaware, Maryland'?​Are San Francisco cops trying to put a good foot forward now that new Police Chief George Gascon is in town and vowing to improve the city's poor murder clearance rate? One could be forgiven that impression w ... More >>

My Battle with Judging the Mac Battle Royale with Cheese

Death by dairy: Mac Battle Royale w/Cheese​It's been more than 24 hours since SF Food Wars held its inaugural cooking competition at Stable Cafe (2128 Folsom at 17th St.). Even a day later, I am still weighted with quease for cheese, slogging through the day in a carbohydrate haze. When orga ... More >>

Clutch

Marketers, Law Enforcement Fulfill SF Weekly Prediction; Energy Beer Declared Stupid

SF's Top Eccentrics - Owen Dias a.k.a. Powell Street's No Sex Guy

Psycho Dogs

What makes canines go crazy? The answer is in their genes.

Legal Troopers

Slush Daddy

Showtime!

Best Handcrafted Jewelry

Jessica Mendels

Calling All Yahoos

Worried about what John Poindexter's up to as federal information czar? Call his home number and ask.

The New Defenders

An explosion of federal funding has Bay Area researchers at the forefront of America's counter-terrorism program. Will the money make us safer - or just make science a military secret?

Bella Italia

Antica Trattoria

Perpetual Movement

Not content to simply milk his invention, trance music pioneer BT continues to trip the light fantastic in a never-ending search for sound

Reel World

Black to the Promised Land, Short of Breath, The Last Waltz

Into the Woods

REAL ASTROLOGY For an Unreal World

Street Smart

All roads lead to Boulevard