The Best Holiday Gift? A Pardon From Gov. Brown
Governor Jerry Brown is handing out holiday presents to a few lucky strangers: pardons for one-time criminals who've stayed out of jail, turned their lives around and made positive contributions to their communities. Most governors hand out these pardons from time to time -- but Gov. Brown is handing out far more than his recent predecessors did.
Sunday Assembly: Church Without God?
A new organization called Sunday Assembly offers a place for sing-alongs, inspirational talks and reflection on how to be a good human being. It has all the elements of church, but one thing is conspicuously absent: God. We pay a visit to the Silicon Valley chapter of Sunday Assembly, which is bringing together atheists and secularists around the world.
California Slow to Map Dangerous Earthquake Faults
California is just one major earthquake away from death and damage -- billions of dollars in damage. That's why the state is always looking for ways to improve preparation for the next Big One. That preparation includes mapping active earthquake faults so new developments don't get built on top of them. But the effort still has a long way to go.
Under the Radar Pop and Jazz Highlights for 2013
A lot of people have music on their holiday shopping lists, and if you're looking to find something a little bit off the beaten path, we've got some help for you. Pop music reviewer Steve Hochman and jazz critic Andrew Gilbert join us to talk about their favorite music from 2013.
The Power of the Bolinas Free Box
The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales of more than $600 billion this year. But in the Marin County community of Bolinas -- best known for its reclusive residents and unmarked roads that discourage visitors -- it's always the season of giving, and taking. We stop by a Bolinas institution known as the Free Box.