The San Francisco Experience

Escape to the Stars is a work of science fiction, but with an African American protagonist and hero. All too often the science fiction genre and space travel/adventure stories leave out people of color, and author Mark Sneed rectifies that shortcoming and gives us a unique and new perspective in his sixth novel. Christian Drake the protagonist unlike most space adventurers seems to have a live and let live tolerance for the aliens he encounters - another singular characteristic in science fiction ! 

While the Governor's management of California's response to the Covid pandemic has been an issue in the Recall, he has earned praise and criticism. Angela Hart frames the issues around his handling of Covid and further previews some major MediCal reforms coming in January which will transform the state's healthcare programs especially for the homeless.

With less than two weeks left before the historic Recall Election of Governor Gavin Newsom, the tide of opinion polls seems to be turning in his favor. But are there potential minefield issues like raging wildfires and increasing crime that could ambush his ride to victory ? Alexei Koseff, The Chronicle's Capitol reporter in Sacramento who follows the Governor and the Legislature shares his insights.

Tina Martin joined the Peace Corps in 1969 and served for two years in Tonga, a Polynesian Kingdom in the South Pacific. At times funny and other times moving, she learned the language and lived like a Tongan in a hut teaching English. Her memoir, entitled "Everything I should have learned I could have learned in Tonga",  is based on the 28 notebook/diaries she kept of her adventure 50 years ago.

The Economist Intelligence Unit has recently published The Global Liveability Index which ranks the top cities in the world by five criteria, Stability, Healthcare, Culture and Environment, Education and Infrastructure.  It is the first time that the full brunt of the Covid 19 pandemic was factored into the equation, and just as Covid has upended our lives, so too the global City rankings were significantly changed. Auckland, New Zealand ranks as the #1 most liveable city in the world.

In his debut novel - which is an ambitious trilogy - Jarrett has written a work about life's  second chances. But a second chance is not always guaranteed to be better than your first chance: it all depends what you make of it. He has a keen eye and incorporates life lessons from his stint as an expat in Thailand into the plot.  This is a well crafted work which earned  glowing praise from Kirkus Reviews. 

The special recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled for September 14, less than three weeks away. The polls are close and the campaigns are moving into high gear. Lauren Rosenhall gives us her perspective on the state of the race 20 days from election day.

Cork is Ireland's second city, located in the South West quadrant of the country and close to the Atlantic Ocean. Its a vibrant city with a strong identity, thriving economy, two world class universities and an innovative arts scene. A sister city of San Francisco since 1984, the links between the two cities are deep and historic. Listen to native son Conor Healy talk proudly  about his hometown !

Santander, located on Spain's North Coast, is a center of finance, industry, culture, tourism and agriculture.  Santander native Alfredo Casuso takes us on a tour of this beautiful seaside city.

Newsom has a razor thin lead of 1.2% in the Recall race based on an average of polls according to 538.org. At the same time, the Covid Delta surge is reminding voters - Hispanics in particular - how devastating the 2020 lockdowns were for their community. And the Governor is playing a risky Newsom or Bust strategy. We will track the campaign through election day September 14 with special guests to keep you up to speed on this historic vote.