Yeah, apparently the owners of Taqueria El Tacontento and Healthy Heavenly Foods aren’t too pleased with their increased rent. Kinda sucks that the damn Store Operations Board basically doubled their rent to make way for evil corporations, like (but not necessarily) Panda Express.

But you’re right, it does seem kind of silly for a business that’s already kind of struggling to turn away money-making business–even if it is to make a valid point. We mean, they’re still paying rent, right now … right? And plus, we know tons of people are majorly jonesing for some conveniently packaged spring rolls.

Uh huh. It probably would be better if they stayed open and maybe left their prominent signs up to inform customers of their peril. That way maybe they could make a little money and not leave their loyal patrons hungry. Well, we guess we’ll see you around. Have a good one! Yeah, we should totally get coffee some time. Coffee Spot? For sure, they’re still open.

Image Source: Kaptain Kobold under Creative Commons
Live Blog: Day 2 of UC Berkeley Strike [Daily Cal]
Two Bear’s Lair Vendors Strike in Protest of Lease [Daily Cal]

Last night, concert-goers at Zellerbach Hall got a rare taste of Kazakh culture that they will likely never forget, even if they can’t quite fight the urge to make a lot of Borat jokes in the process of remembering. (Cough. Cough.) The Symphony Orchestra of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory was in town for the second performance on their “USA Tour 2009.” And trust us when we say that they were here to charm the shit out of America–because they did.

First, the full symphony played a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “Overture to Romeo and Juliet,” a piece composed by a Russian, but much beloved by the West. It was lovely. The sounds wafted up to the mezzanine like the scent of a dozen roses floating on a spring breeze. Or, err, something.

Next, soloist Jania Aubakirova performed Rachmaninoff’s (another Russkie, incidentally) “Piano Concerto No. 2.” It was cool, but damn, it was long. Those Kazakhs don’t mess around. Also, Aubakirova was rocking this black dress with possibly the most epic neck ruff we’ve ever seen. It was tulle. It had black sequins embedded deep within its folds.

Her collar was, however, overshadowed by the costumes that came after intermission. The “Kazakh Traditional Music Ensemble,” Turan were easily the most interesting part of the performance. Sasha Baron Cohen’s thong unitard had nothin’ on these musicians. We totally mean that in the best way imaginable. Seriously.

The above video will give you a rough idea of the dombra, kyl kobyz jamming that went down, but it will by no means substitute for the magic and wonder of the in-person experience. And when they joined the rest of the symphony to play the “World Premiere” of composer Aktoty Raimkulova’s “Symphonic Poem, Jamilya” it was actually a very exciting melange of the ancient and the new. In conclusion: Throat singing equals complete badassery and we are definitely playing this ish at our next dance party. Very nice!

Ensemble “Turan” [YouTube]
Kazakhstan Conservatory Orch [Zellerbach]

In the (approximate) words of President Barack Obama, “Yes it can!” Finally, the ASUC has come up with a bill that would both be actually worth considering and might pass without a shit-ton of useless squabbling. (Cross your fingers … )

Now. You may be wondering to yourself, “What, pray tell, could this magical bill be, that will be cool and awesome and will save the student body thousands of needlessly spent dollars?” The answer, friends, is a bill being drafted by Elections Council Chair Vinit Sukhija that would greatly reduce physical polling stations for the ASUC’s mightily expensive elections. Instead, students would vote –wait for it, wait for it –online.

Last year, only about 10 percent of the votes were cast in person at one of the 13 real, $3,000-a-pop polling stations. Call us crazy technology-worshipping radicals, but might we suggest getting rid of physical polling stations altogether? The strongest anticipated argument against the bill thus far is that voter turnout will suffer from decreased publicity.

But the whole process is already so inbred, and the general non-sign-wielding population cares so little about the elections that we sincerely doubt the mere sight of those polling stations really drummed up that much voter turnout. They’re pretty much just tables with laptops on them, anyway.

And as long-contested Finance Officer Alan Ni once said, “Having more money is always good … ” We couldn’t agree more.

Image Source: Caveman 92223 under Creative Commons
ASUC Considers Polling Station Reductions [Daily Cal]

Yes, they are singing about trading in their souls for a pair of bunny ears and a cotton tail.

Upon further investigation of the matter, we discovered not only that this completely ridiculous–nay, ridiculously awesome–ditty was penned by two Noteworthy members back in 2003, but also that Noteworthy will actually be performing tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. in 10 Evans Hall!

For just $3 (students), you can see them perform with two other Berkeley a capella groups, DeCadence and the California Golden Overtones. Incidentally, Noteworthy’s manager is named “Joey Goodknight.” Yeah. Pretty much, we’re thinking about going just so we can cheer that name repeatedly, and maybe make some unwarranted puns.

Noteworthy-Fluffy Bunny [YouTube]

The “STUDENT TOWN HALL” will also feature Executive Vice Chancellor George Breslauer and Dean of Students Jonathan Poullard, not to mention “key student representatives,” who we’re sure are not in any way affiliated with the ASUC and are not in any way named “Will Smelko.”

We’re also sure that this “conversation” will be a very orderly and un-shit show-like event, where students and administrators, together, will make fair, rational arguments and everyone’s voice will be heard. No one will yell or be irrelevant and/or self-righteous and when Birgy opens his mouth, sunshine will spontaneously spill forth into the world. Solutions will be discovered and good times will be had by all.

OK, OK–our cynicism got a little out of hand, there. We guess any attempt at transparency is a worthwhile attempt at transparency. Right? So good on you, ASUC and Chancellor Birgeneau. We’re looking forward to seeing how things go down this Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Pauley Ballroom.

Image Source: Lara Brucker, Daily Cal

Sunday Shout-Out picks out the week’s stories that simply slipped our minds.

BPD asks if you’ve seen a 5′7″ slender man wearing a dark hoodie recently. Oh, there are about 10 in your field of vision right now? Well this is more difficult than expected … [Daily Cal]

Check out these teenagers getting skanky in the name of school spirit. Take it easy, kids. You’ll have plenty of time to scantily clothe yourselves in American Apparel during college. Also, we feel old. [Berkeleyside]

The Bay Bridge will still be closed tomorrow morning and there are no official estimates on when it will reopen. Well, on the bright side, if it collapses completely no one will be on it. [SFGate]

We hope all the otters are OK. Are there otters in the Bay? Oh, nevermind, this just sucks. [The Bay Area]

Image Source: Nathan Yan, Daily Cal [ASIB]
Earlier: Makin’ Their Marks

You see all those people above, leaning seemingly inexplicably to their left? You know why they’re leaning? It’s because they’re stoked. Super, super stoked. You know why they’re stoked? Because they just signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding … and Friendship … for Everyone!

OK, maybe we made those last bits up, but they did sign on to a very special partnership with the Building Trades Council of Alameda County that will allow four lucky electrical apprentices to try their hands at their craft in the high stakes electrical world of a national laboratory.

And all under the glaring lights of scrutiny focused unflinchingly upon them by reality television cameras. Do they have what it takes? ONLY TIME WILL TELL. OK, we made that up too. But seriously, it sounds like a pretty cool program. Way to streamline resources, Berkeley Lab and Alameda County!

Image Source: Roy Kaltschmidt, LBL site
Berkeley Lab Launches Apprenticeship Program for Electrical Resources [LBL]

That’s because on Nov. 8, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Upper Sproul Plaza, teams of Berkeley folk (students, faculty and otherwise) will be crafting the world’s largest California roll. As in the delicious, delicious, icon of America’s co-opting of other cultures. As in SUSHI. Not as in the vehicular moving violation.

The event is being sponsored by Berkeley’s Center for Japanese Studies (the department responsible for this and other seriously fab events) and Cal Dining, who will make sure rollers will have all the crab meat, avocado, rice and vineGarrrah! (apologies) that they’ll need to bring the record back to California. It now resides in Maui, apparently. And in 2001.

We’re not sure if you can still sign up, since there’s a “practice roll” you’d have to attend tonight at 8 in the Unit 1 APR. But if you’re interested, it can’t hurt to try, right? Plus, after the record is officially recorded, you get to eat whatever you made. For free. And you know how we feel about free food. So get on it, people!

Image Source: toastforbrekkie under Creative Commons
Japanese Food Culture on the Global Stage: Part II: The World’s Longest California Roll [IEAS]

Earlier today, our old (like, old as in silver fox old, of course) buddy Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy and hero of the universe, visited the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab to catch up with his former colleagues.

He talked to them about all sorts of fun things, like the future of energy research, $151 million in funding for awesome ambitious projects and Wayne Gretzky. True story–just watch the webcast and check out the PowerPoint presentation he made … all by himself. D’awww.

Oh, Steven. You haven’t changed a bit.

Lawrence Berkeley Lab [Site], via Berkeleyside
Earlier: Capchuring and Storing Carbon

Sunday Shout-Out picks out the week’s stories that simply slipped our minds.

People from all over the state descended on our lovely campus like swallows to attend a conference about statewide action for public education. Sounds like freakin’ Disneyland, right? [Daily Cal]

Target is coming to the Metreon, a.k.a. about a second away from the Powell Street BART station. In San Francisco. Which may still be more accessible for non-car wielding students than any Target in the East Bay. [NBC Bay Area]

Dave Weinstein, author of “It Came from Berkeley” tells a pretty epic tale of Berkeley’s birth and growth. And stuff. Also, old-timey visuals. Cool beans. [East Bay Express]

Well, this, friends, is why you ingest your caffeine before you get to work. [The Ticker]

Image Source: Emma Lantos, Daily Cal [ASIB]
Earlier: Live Long, and Prosper