The messiah Mark Zuckerberg is poised to save California and its impending financial ruin. More or less. How so? Facebook will have to pay so very many millions in taxes after the initial public offering, which will go on to pay even more each year when April 15th rolls around. Zuckerberg's company could have to fork over $189 million in taxes after the IPR goes live, or so says PrivCo, which researches private companies. The approaching IPO could value Facebook at $96 billion. "The federal government will be in the money too, collecting an estimated $714 million in federal income taxes from Zuckerberg," reports NorthJersey.com. more ›

The fine folks at Berkeley-based Annie's are enjoying a huge jump after their trading debut this morning. Annie's makes a slew of organic treats, including the superior-to-Pepperidge-Farm-Goldfish (debate amongst yourselves in the comments, please) Cheddar Bunnies. The IPO price valued Annie's somewhere near the $316.3-million mark.That's... a lot of cheddar. (Sorry.) more ›

Chilling bog-box retailer Wal-Mart plans on opening four Neighborhood Market grocery stores in the Bay Area at sites in the South Bay and East Bay. The morally-questionable company will unleash stores in San Jose, Pleasanton, Hayward, and San Ramon. Godspeed, anyone selling food their zones of destruction, for you are doomed. more ›

Yelp co-founder and CEO Jeremy Stoppelman rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange Friday morning as Yelp's sparkling IPO debuted. Shares of the stock climbed as astounding 61 percent to $24.15 in the first minutes of trading, after pricing at $15 on Thursday night. more ›

Apple reports its highest quarterly revenue and earnings ever, due in large part to sales of remarkable iPhone 4S. (We love our new white iPhone 4S more than anything else on Earth. This SFist editor and every privileged tween girl in SoCal thank you for the bitchin' phone, Apple!) "Apple's stock was up about 8% in after-hours trading about two hours after the market closed, which put its share price at $454," reports Information Week. "At that value, Apple's market capitalization stands at $423 billion, more than previous market cap leader Exxon Mobil, worth $418 billion." more ›

In what's proving to be a race to the bottom for the current crop of GOP candidates, Rick Santorum,—whose "Made In America" platform plan would prune corporate income taxes on manufacturing companies in order to keep jobs in the country—loves investing in overseas companies almost as much as he loves America. Much of his money goes to companies that outsource manufacturing work to factories in "China, Thailand, Malaysia and other countries." more ›

Yesterday, a "renowned group of transportation and financial experts" warned lawmakers that funding the state's $99 billion high-speed train is an "immense financial risk." The biggest concern from the group was California's "plan to spend all available funding -- $6 billion -- on a small stretch of track in the Central Valley and hope for the rest of the money." What's more, the bullet train's faces a $25 - $30 billion shortfall during its first phase, "and that there are no available funding sources that could fill that gap." more ›

A small yet jovial splinter group from the Occupy movement emerged in the glacial waters of Lake Merritt over the weekend. Calling themselves Aquapy Lake Merritt, the group built a large raft, armed it with supplies, and anchored in the middle of the small Oakland lake. They raised a pink and black banner declaring themselves and today's Port of Oakland closure. With shocking clarity, participant Colin Dodsworth, 28, explained to Oakland North the reason for the floaty protest, saying, "People have gotten really apathetic and turned off by typical protests...it's important to do creative, exciting things that will get people talking." more ›

Gov. Jerry Brown's new measure will ask voters to raise taxes on the wealthy over the next five years. His tax initiative, slated for the November 2012 ballot as soon as Friday, could help put a dent in our state's dwindling economy, "which the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office pegs at $12.8 billion." Or it could upset a lot of extraordinarily powerful people. Or both. more ›

Although it's sponsored by American Express, and supported by large corporations such as Amazon, Google, Clear Channel and countless others, the 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday will provide the antidote to Black Friday madness. Over 2.5 million have "liked" the event nationwide on Facebook, pledging to get out to support their local businesses. Groovy, yes? more ›

On the heels of Saturday's brutal pepper spraying of peaceful Occupy student protesters at the at UC Davis campus, the Board of the Davis Faculty Association called for the immediate resignation of UCS Chancellor Linda Katehi. Now the school's English Department has also called for the booting of Katehi. more ›

Don Harbison, owner of B Restaurant and Bar (with locations in SF and Oakland), sent SFist a list of Oakland companies taking part in today's general strike by going cash-only and eschewing credit cards. Air Lounge, Caffe 817, Ratto's, OB's, Pacific Coast Brewing Company (decided to close today), Quickly's, Coobi, Cosecha Cafe, Liege, Marketing Kings, Lucky Barbershop, Ajuda Day Spa, The Trappist, Tamarindo, and La Calle are all going cash-only for today to show support for Occupy Oakland and today's general strike. more ›

The cranky yet spirited folks at OccupySF, an Occupy Wall Street splinter group showing west coast solidarity, will hold a march up Market Street today. The group will meet at the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank at 101 Market just above Embarcadero BART station. They also need stuff. Lots of stuff. What kind of stuff? Well, among an extensive list of items they'd like to have, they're asking for: dishes, silverware, BART/Clipper cards, canopies, porta-a-potties, solar panels, photovoltaic generators, natural herbs, "fluoride free" toothpaste, natural honey, good knives, ink for a HP series 1200 printer, good selection of spices, seeds, and kitty [sic] pools. more ›

Seeing as how Gavin Newsom fixed the city's lackluster job market and disabled budget during his tenure as San Francisco mayor, it should come as no surprise that the budding lieutenant governor plans on giving our state economy a much-needed antidote. Newsom will head to San Jose today to reveal intricate plans on saving California's financial crisis. How's he going to do it, you ask? With green industry jobs and gadget-making, of course. San Jose Mercury News explains: more ›

In a surprising move, Google's first quarter saw lower-than-expected earnings. This morning, shares were down $39.51 to $539. "But heavy spending on new hires and other investments crimped the bottom line, reports Wall Street Journal. Although Google projected $8.11 a share, they reported an adjusted profit of $8.08 on Thursday. "Google added more than 1,900 employees to its headcount during the quarter, which made for the highest rate of new hires since the first quarter of 2008. Operating expenses rose to 33% of revenue for the quarter compared to 27% of revenues for the same period last year." more ›

Another blow for public education unfurled in the East Bay last night. The Oakland School Board approved 500 layoffs notices for Oakland teachers. Said notices will go to 231 elementary school teachers, 41 English teachers, 45 social science teachers, 28 sixth-grade teachers, 25 P.E. teachers, 13 social workers, and the entire adult education staff. more ›

KGO reports that district administrators, who are facing an $89 million deficit, will be proposing to the Golden Gate Bridge board of directors on Thursday a plan in which tolls would only be collected electronically starting in 2012, via FastTrak and through vehicle license plates. more ›

Falling between Italy and Brazil, the glorious state of California has, once again, ranked as the world's 8th largest economy. A report released yesterday by the Palo Alto-based Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy "looked at 2009 U.S. Commerce Department estimates for gross domestic product, which valued all goods and services produced in the state at $1.9 trillion," reports Business Week. "When compared to data compiled by the World Bank, California falls behind Italy's $2.1 trillion GDP but ahead of Brazil's $1.6 trillion economy." When compared to other states, Texas was the next largest state with a $1.1 trillion economy, "followed closely behind by New York." [BW] more ›

Uh oh. UCB plans to slice an addition 200 jobs next year in order to save money. "Chancellor Robert Birgeneau says a consulting firm hired to help the system save money concluded that the school has too many managers," reports KTVU. "The campus could save about $20 million by eliminating jobs through attrition, retirements, voluntary separations and layoffs." The esteemed school already cut 600 since 2009. more ›

Second verse, same as the first: San Francisco's unemployment rate skipped from 9.6 percent in June to 9.7 percent last month. Although, as SF Weekly reports, we're not the worst in the state, bot by the longest shot. "San Francisco County's unemployment rate of 9.7 percent is the sixth-lowest of the state's 58 counties (The state rate is 12.8 percent; the best-off county is Marin at 8.6 percent; and the hardest-up locale is Imperial at a Gaza-like 30.3 percent)." Read all about it. more ›

Modern Times Books, the Valencia Street bookstore that carries a wide variety of new and used books on "globalization, politics and media, as well as an array of graphic novels, fiction, and criticism" is in need of help. As Mission Local reports, "The 39-year-old Modern Times Bookstore on Valencia Street urgently needs an 'influx of cash' to pay its bills," as the store’s owners recently detailed to customers in a letter. more ›

According to Associated Press, "The Obama administration is providing $3 billion to unemployed homeowners facing foreclosure in the nation's toughest job markets with the largest chunk coming to California." The Golden State will receive $476 million, with Florida netting nearly $239 million, Illinois receiving $166 million, and Ohio landing a cool $149 million. more ›

We mentioned this briefly in yesterday's Day Around the Bay, but a whopping seven Bay Area Planned Parenthoods will lose their name. Citing fiscal and administrative problems, SFGate reports that, while the clinics will lose their affiliation on September 3, "Interim CEO Therese Wilson said the seven clinics will continue to provide reproductive health services to patients in Alameda, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Sonoma counties." more ›

Young, twentysomething Californians with advanced degrees are figuring out what Nancy Botwin has known since her husband died: growing and selling marijuana on the black market in a down economy is a swell idea. J.B. Powell (who used to write for the Bay Guardian) penned an article about regular Bay Area folks growing pot in order to stave off eviction, hunger, and creditor calls. more ›

"If they don't approve the Target, my wife might go on a killing spree," jokes @laughinghyena13. "Watch out SF!" more ›

Viz Media, one of the biggest publishers of creepy manga in the U.S., pruned some of its staff on Wednesday. Publishers Weekly reports that "as many as 55 people were laid off at Viz’s San Francisco headquarters and it appears its small New York office, which had about 5 staffers, has been closed. The number of staff released represents about 40% of the employees at Viz Media." Why? Well, one reason, according to figures, was a decline in sales by 20% in 2009. [via PW] more ›

Heard about that new Schedule M form that will give you a $400 break on your taxes if you qualify? Neither had we, but luckily CBS Money Watch posted a reminder today. more ›

Rich Lieberman has word that Air America Media, affiliate to the eco-tinged Green 960, will shutdown operations immediately. "Air America Media CEO Charlie Kireker tells staff the liberal radio network will cease live programming immediate and file Chapter 7 liquidation 'soon,'" reports Lieberman, who goes on to point out, "Kireker says the 'very difficult' economy has had a 'significant impact' on operations at the six-year old network.'" more ›