Christmas Eve in Berkeley. By Ted Friedman
Christmas Eve in Berkeley. By Ted Friedman

Berkeley pier offers new outlook on bay (SF Chronicle)
Berkeley’s first woman firefighter retires as first woman chief (Tribune)
Mitch Celaya leaving UC Berkeley for Calistoga police chief post (Tribune)
Irving Saraf, co-founder of Fantasy Films, dies (Deadline Hollywood)
Starting Jan. 1., shoppers will have to pay for grocery bags (Tribune)
Chronicle names Comal one of ten best new restaurants (Chronicle)
Chronicle names Magnes Collection “most improved” museum of 2012 (Chronicle)

Frances Dinkelspiel, Berkeleyside and CItyside co-founder, is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman...