News Pix: Bay Area Foraging, Immigration Overhaul and Alameda Gin

Food foraging is the new Bay Area craze. It’s a popular culinary trend, taking us back to our hunter-gatherer roots. What does it mean? Simple. You go out into the wild, find edibles in Mother Nature’s pantry and whip up a meal. Locally, Americano’s executive chef, Kory Stewart, has taken up the pastime, leading groups on foraging expeditions. Oysters on the half shell with grilled ramp mignonette were a hit with one group he led. (Gina Scialabba / KQED)

At a Philippine Independence Day celebration in Los Angeles earlier this month, traditional dancers, festooned in colorful feathers, capped the afternoon with an explosive tribal dance meant to symbolize the start of battle. (Steven Cuevas / KQED)

An amendment recently tucked into the proposed immigration overhaul package now being debated in the Senate could have big implications for Filipino Americans. It would put the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who fought alongside Americans on a fast track to citizenship. John Aspiras Jr., an 86-year-old veteran, has been waiting for his daughter’s visa to be approved for years.  (Steven Cuevas / KQED)

The craft cocktail movement has taken off, and with it an interest in locally produced artisanal spirits. But small distilleries in California face some unique legal challenges -- they can't offer paid tastings or sell bottles of their products on site. St. George's Spirits in Alameda has found creative ways to get around restrictions by offering paid tours with free tastings at the end. (Gina Scialabba / KQED)

The population living and working in San Francisco has been increasing in recent years; so has the number of cars trying to get in and out of downtown. One idea that has been floated to reduce traffic is congestion pricing. That's when drivers pay a toll at peak hours to enter or leave the most backed-up parts of the city.  (Craig Miller / KQED)

Berkeley Technology High's principal, Sheila Quintana, has had remarkable success increasing the school's graduation rate. This year 62 of 73 seniors graduated. In 2011, only seve did so. Better known as B-Tech, the school serves the most difficult students, kids who have been expelled from Berkeley High, are way behind in credits and often are homeless. Here, Sheila Quintana is pictured with two students. (Mark Coplan / Berkeleyside)