Military Communities: A Look at the Ongoing Fallout of the Federal Shutdown
The federal government shutdown is about to enter its second week with no resolution in sight. Some furloughed government workers might have enjoyed having a day or two off. But the impact is starting to have consequences big and small -- especially in California military communities.
State Health Exchange Sees Heavy Traffic Opening Week
Ready or not, like it or not, health care exchanges opened up across the nation this week, allowing individuals to shop for insurance. California's online marketplace, Covered California, went live Tuesday morning. The Covered California
website received more than 500,000 unique visitors on the first day, and the service
centers logged some 19,000 calls. For a closer look at how this first week has gone, Scott Shafer talks with Lisa Aliferis, editor of KQED's State of Health blog.
A New Wine Country in Baja
Plenty of alcoholic beverages carry the label "Made in Mexico" -- or maybe "Hecho en Mexico." Best known are beers like Corona and Bohemia, tequila, and the newly-hip mezcal. But Baja California is now home to a thriving wine region. It's all part of a gastronomic revolution that's helping to turn the area into a gourmet destination.
Meditation Program Help Vets Cope with the Trauma of War
For military veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, medication and counseling can be a first line of defense. But research by the Veterans Administration and others is finding that relief for PTSD symptoms like depression, anxiety and anger can be found in the ancient practice of meditation. Simply slowing down the mind and carefully breathing can help -- and that's exactly the goal of a program sponsored by the San Francisco Zen Center. It's called Honoring the Path of the Warrior.
Tales from the Tavern
Twice a year, the central coast town of Santa Ynez hosts a concert series called Tales From The Tavern. The series is a coveted stop on the singer-songwriter circuit, a treat for both artists and the audience.