SFGate's 'Scavenger' came up with the above handy Google map, denoting the 20 northern California cities with the highest unemployment rates. While it's not a joyous thing to behold, it is interesting to see where we're at right now in the state. The top spots went to #5: Madera (18.5% unemployment), #4: Salinas (18.7%), #3: Yuba City (19.2%), #2: Ceres (19.2%), and #1: Watsonville (24%).

Some Bay Area cities that made the list include Oakland (13.9%), East Palo Alto (16.8%), and San Pablo (17.6%), coming in at #18, #10 and #8, respectively.

Not so fun now, is it?

The Sacramento Bee has more info on all 20 cities.

Alas.

We hit the 100th murder mark over the weekend. And this big 1-0-0, as you know, is not a cause for celebration. Early Saturday morning at around 5 a.m., Jose Alberto Chel Camara, 21, and Jaiber Nah Carballo, 20 were shot and killed on 18th Street and South Van Ness. (The assailants were "described as two men in their 20s, but it was unclear whether one or both were the shooters" and no arrests have been made, yada, yada, same horrible story, different day.) These two homicides forced SF to break the unenviable 100-murder barrier this year. Hopefully, someone will take on the equally unenviable task of helping the city see a reduction in the growing murder rate. Starting... now. Ideally.

In 2006 SF saw a total of 85 homicides, 96 in 2005, and 88 in 2004 -- a fairly steady and frightening increase.

And seeing as how the police department and City Hall always enjoy asking for help from the public when it comes to crime, any suggestions on how to curb SF's climbing rate? We're sure they'd love to hear from you.