Can this be the theme for today's Super Bowl? Let's. "Touch Me" is a 1990 song by Italian group 49ers -- not to be confused with the other 49ers or, for that matter, with football. This 49ers song is miles above that other 49ers song. Enjoy. And have an Italian-house, eurofabulous Super Bowl Sunday, you guys!

[via Marke Bieschke]

The House voted today to repeal the U.S. military's ban on LGBT service. Wednesday's vote, 250-175,"propels the issue to the Senate for what could be the last chance for now to end the 1993 law that forbids recruiters from asking about sexual orientation while prohibiting soldiers from acknowledging that they are gay."

"Now is the time for us to act," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and "close the door on a fundamental unfairness in our nation."

If the 'don't ask, don't tell' ban is not overturned this year, it "could relegate the issue to the back burner next year when Republicans, who are far less supportive of allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military, take over the House and gain strength in the Senate."

[AP]

Sacramento Bee and most of the major networks are reporting that the GOP will win the House majority. What's more, they're looking good in the Senate, but the night is still young. Unlike Republicans. Ba-dum-bum. [Sacto Bee]

We're a little late getting this to you, but if you don't know yet, you will now. See, you did not win the Grand Prize drawing for the San Francisco Dream House Raffle. That is, unless you're from San Carlos and your name is Vivian Heinzel. Because she's was picked the big winner, who now has the chance to choose between the dream home or $1.8 million cash. Heinzel's new $2.4 million crib, located near Golden Gate Park, features an Edwardian exterior, modern amenities, 4-car garage, chef's kitchen, mahogany floors, 4 bedroom/4.5 bath, views of the tree canopy of Golden Gate Park, and a separate entrance for privacy. Following Saturday's drawing, Kenneth J. Foster, YBCA’s Executive Director, said, "The funding helps YBCA address budgetary needs during this difficult economic time and we plan to conduct another dream house raffle next year during the spring." A list of all winners can be found here.

by Lisa Hix

Like many people, Cari Zinter is looking for a place, a nice flat in the East Bay — except she would prefer that flat to be a platform in a tree. And she's willing to pay rent for a good solid oak in a backyard.

She'd been riding her bike across the country and decided she would like to build her own permanent residence in Oakland. In the name of finding "alternative ways of using space to live," her home among the birds would be rather simple — built on a 10-by-10 platform, with a wash basin for laundry and bathing, and a system for collecting rain water and using her urine for compost. In the future, she would even consider installing solar panels for electricity and a zip line to bring her bike up and down. She says she's hoping to inspire a new way of living, maybe even a whole community of people living in treehouses.

But perhaps Zinter, originally from Ohio, is unaware of how unpopular tree-sitters have become after a dozen or so poo-flinging activists — including our favorite Dumpster Muffin — spent 21 months altogether sleeping in the oak grove in front of UC Berkeley's Memorial Stadium. Failing to prevent the university from chopping down the trees to erect a athletic training center, the last four were neatly plucked out of their perches on September 9 when construction workers built a scaffolding for the Berkeley cops to reach them.

It's back. That house on Castro Street is - at last! - all dolled up for the holidays.

Now, why the heck would all these Republicans go Democrat? This is part of "The Plot." Instigated by Rush Limbaugh, the theory is that Hillary Clinton would be easier for Republican fave, John McCain, to beat at election time. By having Republicans voting for Hils in the primary instead of Barack Obama, this will help ensure that McCain will be the victorious one in the White House. Supposedly.

While you're not (technically) allowed to change party affiliations day of the primary -- protocol calls for one to sign a pledge card promising to support that party in the future -- the article reports that "dozens and dozens of Republicans scribbled addendums onto their pledges as new Democrats: 'For one day only.' 'I don't believe in abortion,'" and were rarely challenged by poll workers on their party change.

This certainly throws a twist into why Hillary won Ohio, doesn't it?

Picture of Ohio by Natalie Dee.

Offices in Capitol Hill received a manila envelope with a letter claiming responsibility for today's bombing of a landmark military recruiting station in Times Square, NYC. Our parent site, Gothamist, tells us that "WNBC reports that the letters, which arrived today, included a photo of the Army recruiting center 'before it was bombed and...the words 'We did it.'" Which group is claiming responsibility, exactly, remains to be known.

According to the AP, Senator Dianne Feinstein's office sent the following email to other lawmakers:

"A few offices on the House side have received a letter today addressed to 'Members of Congress' with a picture of a man standing in front of the Times Square recruiting station that was bombed in New York today with the statement 'We did it.' He is standing in front of it with his arms spread out and he's attached his political manifesto."

The email, according to Gothamist, also advised people not to open the letters and contact the police.

Today's Times Square attack caused minimal damage to a "New York military recruiting station before dawn Thursday and police were searching for a hooded bicyclist seen on a surveillance video pedaling away," according to CBS. Although the blast was minor, it could have caused "injury and even death."

Join us after the jump for details, lots of interesting details, about the re-opening.

Whether you're a pro-Obama gloater or you live in pro-Hillary Delegate Hub fantasyland, the next few weeks should be interesting. News about City College dedication after the jump.

(...a rainy day, in SF town.)

Heavens, no! You don't have to stay at home this weekend just because of a few pregnant storm clouds looming overhead. And you most certainly don't have to BART it to the Metreon, as most of us do during this kind weather, only to wind up staring down the barrel of some teenager's illegal firearm. 71Miles, a stellar travel site focused exclusively on regional travel, has some grand tips for chasing the S.A.D. blues away over the next few days. A few of our favorites:

Cozy up in a booth at a beachside diner. Skip the Cliff House in favor of next-door-neighbor Louis’ restaurant, a greasy-spoon diner with million-dollar ocean views—and it’s hardly changed since it opened in 1937. If the rain lets up, work off your milkshake on a hike down the hill to explore the ruins of the Sutro Baths.

Take the kids to the Tactile Dome. Instead of watching Finding Nemo for the 38th time, book a visit to the Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium, and feel your way through pitch-black darkness using only your sense of touch. Guaranteed to blow your mind. Reservations essential.