Michelangelo Signorile, 07/18/12

Editor-at-large, HuffPost Gay Voices; SiriusXM radio host

The Boy Scouts had a chance to redeem itself, but it should now be considered an enemy of civil rights and a reckless organization whose actions are furthering bullying and discrimination in America

Steve Heilig, 07/20/12

Healthcare ethicist, editor, epidemiologist, environmentalist, and ethnomusicologist

Poet Lew Welch wandered off into the Sierra Nevada mountains back in 1971, leaving a brief note, a few books of poetry and other writings, and many friends and fans. No word has been heard from him since.

John Zipperer, 07/20/12

Vice president of media & editorial, The Commonwealth Club of California

There was enough religion and politics (and some chicken batter) mixed up in the news this week that you would be forgiven for thinking this was another country. We want to find out how much you were paying attention.

Christopher Caen, 07/20/12

Writer

For the couple people who missed last week, the topic was "who would you invite to a historical San Francisco dinner." No sooner did it hit the site than I started getting new additions to the cast.

María Elena Durazo, 07/18/12

Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles AFL-CIO

Programs like paid family leave help workers hold on to their pay, which they can spend in their communities. Such policies help keep people on their jobs, boost productivity, stimulate the economy and save businesses money.

David J. Cross, 07/19/12

Former journalist; blogger, Movoto.com

This month Batmania is set to kick back into overdrive. We thought it would be an appropriate time to ask a question only true fanboys and fangirls would want to know: How much does Wayne Manor cost?

Dean Baker, 07/16/12

Co-director, CEPR; author, 'The End of Loser Liberalism: Making Markets Progressive'

Ever since the housing bubble collapsed, the Federal government has refused to take major initiatives to help underwater homeowners. As a result, we are likely to see close to one million foreclosures both this year and next, with the numbers only gradually slipping back to normal levels by the end of the decade.

Richard Jennings, 07/19/12

Wine writer and reviewer

I've been a fan of wines from Spain's Rioja region for some years, and was therefore hugely excited to visit Rioja last month. In a trip filled with highlights, my visit to Franco-Españolas winery was a standout for me for several reasons.

Wendy Lazarus, 07/19/12

Founder and Co-President, The Children’s Partnership

Along with the recent Supreme Court decision on federal health reform comes a challenge to all of us who care about improving the health of Americans, especially children. Can we make the dental care provisions work for children

Mary Anne Hitt, 07/20/12

Director, Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign

On Tuesday, hundreds of Philadelphia residents rallied and spoke at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing on new safeguards to cut deadly soot pollution nationwide.

Gordy Grundy, 07/19/12

Artist and Columnist

Every legendary and aspiring street artist has made his or her mark many times over. In Echo Park, you see the new work first.

M.W. Jacobs, 07/18/12

Retired Journalist and English Teacher

We were in my cramped, dingy bedroom in the Mission District flat I shared with three other San Francisco State students in that spring of 1967. "What's that?" I asked of tablets in a baggie she held up to me. "Acid," Ruth replied.

Jed Kolko, 07/18/12

Chief Economist, Trulia

In recent weeks, three California cities have filed for bankruptcy: Stockton, Mammoth Lakes, and San Bernardino. If you live there, should you get out of town? And if you don't live there, should you worry that your city is next?

George Heymont, 07/18/12

San Francisco-based arts critic

Although I attended the 1987 world premiere of Nixon in China (and saw subsequent performances in 1988 and 1990), last month marked the first time I had seen Nixon in China in 22 years. A lot has happened in the interim.

Lisa Mirza Grotts, 07/18/12

Author, Etiquette Expert

Just because a woman chooses to reveal or emphasize her pregnancy doesn't mean she wants strangers, or even friends, to touch her belly or comment in certain ways on the fact that she's expecting.

Richard Ravitch, 07/17/12

Former Lieutenant Governor, New York

The existing trajectory of state spending, taxation and administrative practices cannot be sustained. The basic problem is not cyclical, it is structural. The time to act is now.

Rachel Stern, 07/17/12

Silicon Valley-based journalist, travel writer

Many people believe a two-week vacation is all they can manage. But it's possible to hit the road for two months or even two years -- even with a small amount in the bank --according to a panel of chronic world travelers in San Francisco.