The Iraq War has overshadowed the other conflict in that region -- the one in Afghanistan. But a San Francisco-based charity hasn't forgotten and less than two weeks before Christmas, its volunteers are kitting handmade gifts for people a world away. California Report Producer Suzie Racho has this look at the group "Afghans For Afghans."  

Afghans For Afghans/The California Report

Well, you know what comes at the end of Thanksgiving dinner...dessert. More specifically, pie. Whether your favorite is pumpkin, pecan or apple, most pie fans say what really matters is the crust. And in San Francisco, a baker is using a family recipe as the base for her growing business. The California Report's Suzie Racho has more. 

Baking With Butter Love Bakeshop/The California Report

A restaurant kitchen is no place for the faint of heart. It's a fast-paced precise rumba that can be intimidating for those unfamiliar with the steps. An innovative program in Northern California is trying use this unique environment to help at-risk students. Besides building confidence and a love for food, the program provides life skills they can use in and out of the kitchen. The California Report's Suzie Racho has more.  - See more at: http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R411191630/c#sthash.rIN7eOEz.dpuf

Cooking Program Teaches Teen Chefs Life Skills/ The California Report

Summer fruit is the star at markets all over California right now, and once it's gone, it's gone. That is, unless you put all those summer flavors in a jar. Canning has a long history, and now a new generation is rediscovering a method of preserving food that used to be widely practiced. In San Francisco, a group promoting community canning is teaching people more than just how to make jam. The California Report's Suzie Racho brings us more.  - See more at: http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R907171630/d#sthash.HDy6ogSD.dpuf

Preserving the Art of Canning/The California Report

California's hot housing market shows no signs of cooling off, leaving many potential homebuyers looking for affordable alternatives. One Bay Area architect is hoping her design for a modular prefab house will be part of a movement toward more affordable housing. The California Report's Suzie Racho reports.

Fab Prefab: A Cool Concept in a Hot Housing Market/The California Report

If you're a rocker, it's pretty easy to find a jam session. But what if you're a classically trained musician? In the San Francisco Bay Area, there’s an orchestra offering a casual, no-strings attached place to create music and community. The California Report's Suzie Racho has more.   

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