What not to miss

TREASURE HUNT If you missed the 49th annual Big Book Sale last month at Fort Mason Center, then you missed your chance to leave with even more than you planned. Hidden among the 50... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Enchanting Kenwood

By Patty Burness

The tiny hamlet of Kenwood dates back to the late 1800s when it was part of a Mexican land grant. In 1895, the townspeople voted to name the location Kenwood, because it’s or... Read More

Enter Stage Left

The California Academy of Sciences museum: A curmudgeon’s view

By Evalyn Baron

Peter and I never met a museum we didn’t like. We had memberships to all of them in New York City, so, of course, when we moved to San Francisco, we joined as many as we coul... Read More

Weekend Traveler

Falling for West Marin

By Garrick Ramirez

You won’t hear many San Franciscans complaining about our lack of seasons in the dead of winter. Having to don an extra layer while a good portion of the country shovels thei... Read More

Real Estate

A residential and commercial real estate report for the Bay Area

By John Zipperer

There has been a 96 percent increase in home prices from the trough of the recession until today in the San Francisco-Oakland area. That, according to a study from RealtyTrac, puts... Read More

The Mystery Housebuyer

What to look for when you look at a potential new home

By anonymous

You’re heading into a for-sale house or condo to tour. You’re mentally armed with all of the questions you want to ask the listing agent about the seller, timing, other... Read More

Real Estate Today

Bears, tech humans and primal instincts

By Carole Isaacs

This morning I needed a bit of amusement, and fortunately my daughter sent me a YouTube video to brighten my spirits: Bear Hoe Down: What Goes On When You Are Not There (ow.ly/nxtv... Read More

Real Estate

House hunting sticker shock

By Stephanie Saunders Ahlberg

Talk about sticker shock. Have you watched as someone from middle America sees San Francisco home prices for the first time? They about pass out. The people who already live here, ... Read More

Home & Garden

The great pumpkin Educational and playful

By Julia Strzesieski

October is a month of goblins, ghouls, jack-o’-lanterns, and other scary things Halloween — what plants could be creepier than carnivorous ones? Fascinating and fun for chi... Read More

Caring For Our Kids

Raising readers

By Liz Farrell

Getting our children to love reading is one of the most important things we can do as parents. At school, they learn the basics of how to read, but inspiring a love for reading hap... Read More

Wellness

Are you getting good zzz’s?

By Thalia Farshchian

With the demands of a busy life, sleep tends to fall to the bottom of our priority list. Sleep deprivation is a growing issue — studies show the average hours of sleep in the 195... Read More

A & E

How to be yourself … in a costume

By Sandy Fertman Ryan

Ever since childhood, you were told to “be yourself.” And love yourself just as you are. Of course, you first have to look for yourself to find yourself to actually be ... Read More

A & E

Alcatraz: Life on the Rock

By Marilyn Damon Diamond

I’ve never chatted with a career criminal before,” I said, smiling at the soft-spoken 80-year-old man who was talking to me while eating scrumptious appetizers at San F... Read More

The Best of Books

What you’re reading (October 2013)

Books Inc. hardcover best-seller list

By Compiled by Sandy Mullin

The Violet Hour: A Novel, by Katherine Hill City of Thieves: A Novel, by David Benioff Beautiful Ruins: A Novel, by Jess Walter The Billionaire & the Mechanic: How Larry Ellis... Read More

The Tablehopper

A fall full of openings

By Marcia Gagliardi

By the time this column is in your hands (or on your computer screen), the reborn Fog City Diner will be open, but now as Fog City (1300 Battery Street, 415-982-2000). The brand-sp... Read More

Issue October 2013