The Good Food Awards unfurl over the weekend and the Ferry Building is where you'll want to be. (If not for the food and wine, come for the chronic celebrity sightings. Par example: Jake Gyllenhaal perused artisanal goods over the weekend, which you probably missed while getting smashed in Dolores Park.) Where to start? Well, this year's opening reception on Friday, January 13 will be open to the public for the first time. (For a weighty $100, yes; but you're sure to consume that amount in food and booze, so it all breaks even... more or less.) In addition to honored chocolates, preserves, pickle, meats, coffee cheeses and more, Alice Waters and Ruth Reichl will be there to sprinkle their special brand of elfin slow-food personality and magic to and fro. more ›

A 6.3 earthquake killed more than 150 people in central Italy, making it the deadliest quake to hit the country in nearly three decades. According to reports, 10,000 to 15,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed and about 100,000 people have been left homeless in the medieval city of L'Aquila. more ›

In no particular order, awesome stuff to do on New Year's Eve. more ›

(Image at right goes out to all of the female-loving ladies and real men out there. You're welcome.) more ›