The New Strain on Churches

New unemployment numbers confirm what we already know -- it's tough out there. The spike in job loss and home foreclosures means business is booming for soup kitchens and food banks. In fact, they're overwhelmed. We visit one church in Long Beach that's straining under the weight of its ballooning meal program. Reporter: Debra Baer

Letters to Obama

Among those pinning their hopes on President-elect Obama are some who are far too young to vote. Middle school students at Oakland's Melrose Leadership Academy wrote down their thoughts for the new president, and a teacher and school psychologist are taking those letters and essays to Washington for the inauguration. We visited their classroom to record some of their letters. Reporter: Jacob Fenston

• More: Photo Slideshow

Green Building Blocks

We all know cars and trucks are big emitters of the greenhouse gasses that contribute to global warming. But there's another big source you might not expect: building materials like drywall, steel and cement. That's because manufacturing them requires vast amounts of energy. So, several Silicon Valley start-ups are looking for cleaner solutions -- and some are attracting major venture capital. Reporter: Marjorie Sun

• More: Reporter's Notes

An Environmental Film Festival

A quirky film festival in the Sierra foothills this weekend includes movies that feature killer sea slugs, hug-able sharks and a vegetarian who finds herself in an ethical quandary after marrying a fisherman in Alaska. The Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City is in its seventh year. It was started by the South Yuba River Citizens' League. Jason Rainey, the group's director, sat down with us this week.

• More: Wild & Scenic Film Festival official site

California Songs: 'The Bay' by Zion I

In this installment of our "California Songs" series, we hear from Oakland hip-hop duo Zion I. They give us the back story on "The Bay," a song celebrating the energetic melting pot known as the San Francisco Bay Area.