Berkeley will officially be the first city in the nation to ban factory farms, hopefully inspiring other cities to consider this issue.

Without a miracle, the 80-year-old South Berkeley Community Church’s building at Fairview and Ellis streets will be auctioned off by the tax collector.

Monk's Kettle, Little Bird Bar, Tarts de Freybesse, Cafe Carem and Masterpiece Coffee all opened recently in the East Bay.