UC Awaits Decision on Los Alamos Lab

Since World War Two, the University of California has managed Los Alamos Nuclear Lab, which produced the nation's first atomic bomb. But a series of scandals and allegations of mismanagement prompted the federal government to put the contract up for bid. UC is competing against the University of Texas. The winner is expected to be announced any day. Guest: Keay Davidson, San Francisco Chronicle reporter.

The Little Initiative That Could

Bell ringers in Santa hats may not be the only people accosting shoppers this weekend. Armies of paid campaign workers are out looking for signatures to help get dozens of initiatives on the ballot. In this era of big money politics, can the little guy still get a big idea on the California ballot? Hear the story of one average citizen who tried.Reporter: Tamara Keith

Churches Face Fiscal Realities

For many people, Christmas means getting all dressed up and going to church, lighting candles and singing carols. But packed pews at Christmas are increasingly the exception. In churches across the state, the dwindling numbers of regular members -- the ones who meet and greet, bring fresh flowers, and maintain the church -- are facing hard fiscal realities. In Redwood City, one church struggling to survive.Reporter: Nancy Mullane

Salvation Mountain

A religious experience of a different sort can be found well off the beaten track between Palm Springs and Los Angeles. It's a piece of outsider art -- half sculpture, half painting. And despite its remote location, travelers to "Salvation Mountain" say it's worth the trip.Reporter: Shona Crabtree

• More: Photo Slideshow : See photos of "Salvation Mountain" in the Southern California desert.

John Santos and The Machete Ensemble

Bay Area percussionist John Santos is founder and director of The Machete Ensemble, one of the leading forces in Latin jazz today. Santos is known as a prolific innovator who mixes jazz, dance and spoken word to create original compositions and put his own spin on classic standards. The grammy-nominated Machete Ensemble is marking its 20th anniversary with a double CD: a disk of previously unreleased material and another with new works. Guest: John Santos , percussionist, founder and director of The Machete Ensemble.

Extended Interview: John Santos

Hear a longer, online-only version of the interview with John Santos.