When Facebook stock publicly trades later this year, scads of people will turn into billionaires and millionaires seemingly overnight. One person who stands to gain an estimated $200 million is graffiti artist David Choe, who, in lieu of payment, was given shares of Facebook after his work adorned the walls at the first Facebook headquarters back in 2005. According to Fast Company, "In 2005 Sean Parker commissioned Choe to paint more provocative art, in the form of graphic sexually-themed murals on the walls of Facebook's early Silicon Valley HQ, and in 2008 Mark Zuckerberg asked him to paint more restrained ones on the new HQ's walls." more ›

Mayor Ed Lee today announced the arrival of a "letter of non-prejudice" (whatever that is) from the Department of Transportation which he says is a "strong sign" that the $1 billion+ in federal grant money is on its way for San Francisco's Central Subway. So, yes, by the time today's toddlers are tweens, they may be able to get from CalTrain to Chinatown in just a couple stops. more ›

Local rapscallions from the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) turned Bank of America ATMs into temporary political machines of activism overnight. Using non-adhesive stickers designed to look like BoA's ATM screens. In lieu of offering customers checking, savings, deposit, or withdraw options, the new menus "offered a list of everything BoA customers' money is being used for, including investment in coal-fired power plants, foreclosure on Americans' homes, bankrolling of climate change, and paying for fat executive bonuses." more ›

On this inactive news day, we bring you word that a woman is $1 million richer after buying a winning lottery ticket in San Francisco's Financial District. "The lucky winner, who officials named as M. Slater, purchased the winning $250 Million Cash Spectacular Scratcher ticket at Star Convenience at One Post St," reports SF Appeal. more ›

Some lucky soul has a lottery ticket worth more than $150,000 in their pocket. The Daily Derby ticket was purchased at Star Convenience in downtown San Francisco. It's worth $154,088. Nice. more ›

The Occupy SF encampment at Justin Herman Plaza got another high-profile visitor yesterday evening when former Clinton administration Labor Secretary and current UC Berkeley professor Robert Reich dropped in to show his support. After comparing the Occupy movement to the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 60s, Reich's pep talk encouraged occupiers to "Make so much of a ruckus - nonviolently - that Washington can't help but pay attention." more ›

Glorious fired Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, who was released from her duties earlier this week via a phone call, slammed her former employers in the press. Bad idea. In an interview with CNN, Bartz said, among other things, "These people fucked me over." She also told Fortune that the board was misguidedly "trying to show that they're not the doofuses that they are." Her candid talk, however, could squeeze her out of $10 million. more ›

For some bored downtown workerbees, flattening coins on the F-Market track is a shiny way to pass the time. Take, for example, Matthew Knudsen, who pressed these beauties just the other day. SFist asked Knudsen to tell us how he did it. "I work at an ad agency across from the F, and walk over the tracks everyday and decided to put some coins on the line and see if they'd squash, like on railroad tracks," he explained. "After a few cars knocking them off, I got a train to nail two of them... They sort of jump off when the train hits them, and flattens them right out." more ›

Skullcap-shatteringly brilliant blogger Diane Dorrans Saeks just posted what could possibly be the most important lifestyle piece you will ever read. Why? Because it's about Denise Hale, that's why. And yet? It's also about so much more. Or not. more ›

Way back in the 1990s, San Francisco was revered (sort of) as a city with which to be reckoned. Why? Because we had a stock exchange, that's why. Back in 1997, you see, people had jobs, money was made, and jerks flipped off cameras. (The latter was a Kurt-Cobainian phenomenon that, until duck face became all the rage, would sully Polaroids for years to come.) While the Pacific Exchange ceased most of its operations in 2001 -- a trading floor still operates on the second floor of the Mills Building -- many still harbor fond memories of the Pacific Exchange and all that it represented. more ›

It is done. A new victor emerges from the ashes of our modern day Catholics v. Protestant war. After a bloody feud spanning decades, Apple has now proven victorious over Microsoft, profit-wise. TechCrunch reports: "Microsoft has just announced their Q3 2011 results. The numbers appear to be good, beating analysts’ expectations. But with net income now at $5.23 billion, Microsoft now comes in well behind Apple, which had a net income of $5.99 billion last quarter." This comes after Apple beat Microsoft in market cap last year and in revenues in October. All hail the king and queen. more ›

Tidying up Justin Herman Plaza after this year's Valentine's Day Pillow Fight was far cheaper than previous years. Somewhere around $3,500, according to the Department of Public Works. "Feathers, trash and debris from the annual pillow fight in 2010 cost the department $35,000 to dispose of," notes the Bay Citizen, who suggest that dismal weather this year led to a meager turnout, "which contributed to the lower cost." [BC] more ›

Some lucky soul is $291,031 richer today. A Lottery ticket worth $291,031, purchased in downtown San Francisco, was just one number shy of winning it all. "The MEGA Millions ticket was purchased at Eastern Newsstand, located at 1 California St. in the city's Financial District." Call us crazy, but if it was our ticket, we'd still resent not having the final number. Anyway, kudos to you, winning ticket holder. [SF Appeal] 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 ›

Due to continuing controversy over "crumbling finances," Amy Andre, executive director of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee, quit this week. "This year saw controversy as beverage partners, typically community organizations who provide volunteers to work drink booths at the event in exchange for a portion of the revenue, received a letter saying that because of an 'accounting error,' their cut of proceeds was less than anticipated," reports BAR. "Several organizations received thousands of dollars less than they had expected." Also, Board President Mikayla Connell announced her departure from Pride's, effective immediately. Oh, drama. [BAR] more ›

Tommie Smith, the Ex-San Jose State sprinter who famously raised his fist during the 1968 Olympics, is selling his gold medal for $250K. AP reports: "The former San Jose State runner has put his gold medal for the 200 meters and spikes up for auction at New York-based M.I.T. Memorabilia. The bid starts at $250,000, and the sale is scheduled to close Nov. 4." [Stamford Advocate, via SFGate] more ›

The MacArthur Foundation named 23 MacArthur Fellows for 2010 today. That is to say, 23 smartypants learned from the Foundation that they will each land a cool $500,000 in "no strings attached" financial support over the next five years. We're jealous. more ›

Wired scribe and Longshot magazine (formerly 48 hour mag) founder Mat Honan -- who, most recently, made headlines after holding a benefit to recoup money lost after meeting alleged apartment scammer Rachael Smith -- told us today that his publication has hidden a tempting $750 somewhere around San Francisco today. more ›

Are you one of those hapless souls who keep Muni buses from moving because your flimsy dollar bills just won't fit into the fare box? We sure are. And we hate it. We're always trying to cram our two worn-out bills into the tight slot. And we can feel the passengers on the bus wishing us dead since the driver won't move until we cross the sacred yellow line. It consumes us. 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 ›

Yesterday afternoon, according to SFAppeal, the Far East National Bank located at 500 Montgomery was robbed. Police say a white male entered the bank and "demanded money" from a teller. The teller handed over some sweet cash, then the rapscallion vanished south down Montgomery. more ›

While this is old news, this map is a great way to navigate info on Recovery Funds affecting San Francisco. Signed into law by Obama on February 17, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is "an historic investment in America's infrastructure, energy technology, education and health care." Which is to say, San Francisco received money. Lots of it. more ›

Facing a $150 million budget deficit this year due to cuts in state funding and higher operating costs, UC Berkeley has hired Bain & Co., a Massachusetts-based consultant with offices in San Francisco, for a hefty $3 million fee, plus expenses, to help the university find long-term ways to save money. As Fark.com aptly puts, "Somehow, cutting consultant fees from the budget isn't likely to make the list." more ›

After announcing his bid for candidacy for California Governor this morning, Mayor Gavin Newsom sent this message via Twitter, "We've raised $15,000 online today. Thank you for the support. Help us reach our goal of $20,000. Please ReTweet: http://tr.im/ji64 ." $15K?! Jesus. (You totally owe us an onion bagel with cream cheese, Gav, for SFist's major linkage to your contribution links. Seriously. And we want it lightly toasted too. We digress.) So, yeah, the internet is cool and stuff. Who knew? Anyway, read more about Newsom's online world wide web internet "blitz" with this deeply fellating article. more ›

Happening right now (as of 4:30 p..m), the N Judah is anticipating big delays. Getting home should be difficult, so riders should explore non-Muni methods of getting home. more ›

Located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, a Greenfield father is accused of trying to sell his 14-year-old daughter into marriage. And how much was his nubile daughter worth to him? $16,000, 100 cases of beer, and several cases of meat. Arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, father of the year Macelino de Jesus Martinez, 36, went back to the unidentified 18-year-old suitor because payment wasn't made as promised. Jesus. What's more, according to the MomLogic, "Police say arranged marriages involving underage girls have become a problem in this small Central Coast farming community." Who knew? Strange. more ›

Look what little SFist found waiting patiently in the inbox. more ›

One Rincon Hill - the tallest apartment building west of the Mississippi, or however its tag line goes - has been open and ready for business for some time now. It should come as no surprise to regular readers of SFist that we are very envious of its inhabitants, people who are ten times better than you. more ›