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]

While you’re howling about the 32 percent fee increases, you might be relieved to know that some things are right in the world—the Berkeley City Council just voted to protect windsurfers while at the same time approving a ferry terminal.

The ferry will be another mode of transportation between here and San Francisco. Has potential, right? Think of it as a splashier alternative to BART.

OK, the skeptics sneer, a ferry’s all well and good, but what will windsurfers do? We’ve got you covered there, too: There’s a provision that insists that the ferry cannot “disrupt the flow of the windsurfers who frequent the area.”

Well that’s settled, then. A ferry and some rights for windsurfers. That’s all we really wanted.

Image source: cookipediachef under Creative Commons
Berkeley votes to protect windsurfing [NBC Bay Area]
City Council Approves Plan for Berkeley Waterfront Ferry Terminal [Daily Cal]

We’re currently in the lead of a little (non-meathead) neighborly competition to get Michael Cera and Portia Doubleday to come watch a free screening of their new movie “Youth in Revolt” with us on our campus. Seems fitting, seeing as Berkeley is mentioned by name in the theatrical trailer. Well, in the context of Michael Cera burning it down in the name of hapless, unrequited hipsterlust.

Regardless, we’ve seen Michael Cera through some pretty endearing awkward stages, and even though he got a lil’ too indie for L.A. and hightailed it to Portland, we  still want to show our puppy love by winning this thing big. Your last chance to participate is Nov. 29, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. PST, so get those votes in! C’mon, we can’t be the only ones who want to get a sneak preview of George Michael as a mustachioed cocksman with a penchant for the arson of UC Berkeley!!

Image Source: wvs under Creative Commons
“Youth In Revolt” competition [eventful]

We watched them a lot in our formative years, usually back-to-back and during times we should have been doing homework. We loved the elaborate set ups, the poor, abused crash test dummies and that hat that Jamie always seemed to be wearing.

As it turns out, one of the Mythbusters has a bit of an obsession of his own and is coming to our fair city tomorrow to give a free lecture on it.

Adam Savage (the one without the hat) has a quite a fondness for dodo birds and built an accurate model of one of their skeletons from scratch. He will be giving a talk entitled “My Dodo, History and Personal Reflections.” The event will take place tomorrow (Nov. 19) from 7-9 p.m. at the Bone Room, located at 1573 Solano Ave. in North Berkeley (try taking the 18 bus, it’s a bit of a trek from campus).

Who doesn’t love dodo birds, right?

Image Source: heath_bar under Creative Commons
The Bone Room Presents [via FuncheapSF]

We cannot think of anything more lame than still being located on Bancroft Way. Honestly, you might as well just kill yourself (cough, Alphonse Berber ….). If you didn’t already know about the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive’s impending move to where it’s at (Center and Oxford streets): duh. And, what with everyone being poor now and all, they’re working on a new building design to save some money. Get on with it!

In 1999, BAM/PFA was deemed seismically unsafe. Hence, the PFA’s on-campus relocation and BAM’s 2001 temporary retrofitting. In 2006, Toyo Ito (same dude that did the concrete beauty on Bacroft Way) was set to design a new home near the burgeoning downtown arts district. His plan would cost a cool 200 mil, almost all of which was to come from private investors.

Bam. Recession, and back to the drawing boards! The new plan will be unveiled early next year.

Image Source: mrgarin under Creative Commons.
UC Berkeley Modifying Museum Building Project; Alternate Plan Due Early Next Year [BAM/PFA]

Image Source: Anna Hiatt, Daily Cal

… but what about the rest of the world watching via the Internet? Here are some highlights:

Wednesday, Nov. 18

6:51 p.m.

“As hundreds of students rushed the building today where UC Regents were meeting – throwing wet red bandannas meant to look like blood – the regents’ finance committee voted to recommend a 32 percent student fee increase, setting off planned protests at several UC campuses.” [SFGate]

“The two-day meeting is being held at UCLA, where today’s session has been marked by raucous protests with at least 14 arrests. … A presentation on the budget and fee increase proposal by UC President Mark Yudof was interrupted. Police cleared the public from the hall but a group of protesters refused to leave, standing and singing ‘We Shall Overcome.’” [LA Times]

“‘We seem to be fighting each other rather than working together,’ said Regent Sherry Lansing, a former Paramount Pictures CEO, after several student outbursts had delayed the meeting. ‘This choice is not our choice. This is something that has been put on us by the Legislature and the federal government.’” [MercuryNews]

“Hundreds of students, staff and faculty massed on Sproul Plaza Wednesday for a rally denouncing student fee hikes, program cuts, layoffs and other cutbacks across the UC system. The rally, smaller than a similar protest in September, was part of a three-day strike that resulted in some class cancellations or relocations and scattered office closures.” [NewsCenter]

“English professor Bob Hass, a former U.S. poet laureate, called for higher taxes so that more money can be spent on education. Hass said California spent more money per student on education than all but one or two states before Proposition 13, which limits property tax increases, was passed in 1978. California now ranks nearly last on spending per student, he said.” [CBS5]

“I think it’s necessary to have a large number of students down there to show that it’s not just the unions, it’s the students being affected. In about eight years my daughter will be applying to school so I have to do this, you know?” [NYTimes] via Bay Area Blogs

And where oh where is Bearcardo?

“I see students really, really, really stressed out,” said Ricardo Gomez of the group Berkeley Students Against Cuts. “Not knowing whether or not they’re going to be here next semester.” [FoxReno]

Thursday, Nov. 19

10:07 a.m.

“About 30 students stormed UCLA’s Campbell Hall and barricaded the doors with chains and bike locks early this morning to protest a student fee increase that is expected to be endorsed by the University of California’s Board of Regents today.” [LA Times]

12:40 p.m.

“Dozens of students lined up early for seats inside the regents meeting, hoping for a chance at the microphone during the public comment time before today’s vote. Campus police with riot gear lined up between the loud but peaceful protesters and the entrance.” [CNN]

“Upon hearing the news about the vote to hike fees, an estimated 500 students at UCSC — some in costumes and face paint, some carrying picket signs — marched to the base of campus at Bay Drive and High Street and the west entrance on Empire Grade. They stood or sat in the middle of the road, blocking vehicles trying to enter UCSC. Police diverted traffic at several points leading to campus.” [Santa Cruz Sentinel]

2:11 p.m.

“Crossed the picket lines. In order to get my fucking education.” [Twitter]

4:06 p.m.

“Outside the meeting at UCLA where regents of the University of California raised student tuition today by 32 percent, about 1,000 students lay on the ground to symbolize what they called the death of affordable higher education, particularly for students from low-income families.” [SFGate]

“Only one member of the board, student regent Jesse Bernal, voted against the plan that UC officials said was necessary due to a recent plunge in financial aid from the state. The Los Angeles Times said the vote came with little discussion among the members and amid loud protests that could be heard in the campus meeting room.” [UPI.com]

“Some University of California regents who approved a student fee increase are trapped inside a UCLA building as protesters block the exits. The demonstrators are being confronted Thursday by lines of baton-wielding campus police, California Highway Patrol officers and metal barriers. … One person inside the building says the regents have been held there for two hours. [AP] via Google

4:29 p.m.

“UC President escorted out w police w tazers and rubber guns as students chant Shame on you.” [Twitter]

4:42 p.m.

6:43 p.m.

” … UC students should explore other means available to pay for their education: They can always go to community college like the rest of us. Screw those spoiled brat UCLA students. Hit up your rich mommies and daddies for the difference. Cry me a river. What a bunch of useless losers.” [LA Times]

Friday, Nov. 20

12:30 a.m.

“Police arrested 52 people at UC Davis after hundreds protested a 32 percent increase in undergraduate student fees on Thursday.” [KCRA]

9:04 a.m.

“UC Berkeley students took over a campus building in protest this morning, a day after the University of California regents voted to raise tuition by 32 percent. An undetermined number of protesters barricaded themselves at about 6 a.m. inside Wheeler Hall, which houses the English department.” [SF Gate]

“The campus police are working to resolve a protest action that is occurring in Wheeler Hall.  Staff, faculty and students who would normally be working in Wheeler Hall  are asked to remain out of the building until further notice.  Employees who can contact their supervisors should talk to them if possible to determine whether telecommuting or relocation to another work area is an option.  Those in the building right now are advised to leave until the situation has been resolved.
Employees who remain on campus may check in at Dwinelle Plaza at 10am. for further information.
Thank you to all of the members of the campus community for your patience in this matter.” -UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau via e-mail

10:49 a.m.

Campus police continue to work to resolve the protest action at Wheeler Hall.  Campus police are striving to end the occupation of Wheeler Hall with the safety of our campus community, including all those involved in this action, as an uppermost priority.
Wheeler Hall will remain closed until further notice.  Instructors who teach in Wheeler Hall will be contacted shortly by e-mail.” -Bobby B., again, via e-mail

12:41 P.M.

From the Daily Cal and the Daily Clog’s Twitter accounts:

“UC officers taser at least two student protesters at UCLA http://bit.ly/5CYv8u”
“Photo of police barricade in front of Wheeler Hall #ucstrike #ucregents http://www.dailycal.org/image.php?id=15855″
“One of our field reporters says that the crowd in front of Wheeler Hall is talking about storming the building. #ucstrike #ucregents”
“Fire alarms at Dwinelle, Barrows, MLK, Moffitt and VLSB have gone off in the last hour; hundreds of students evacuated. #ucstrike #ucregents”
“According to one of the organizers, Breslauer has agreed to begin negotiations with them.”

Expect continual updates throughout the course of the strike.

Image Source (lower): Valerie Woolard
32% Inflation in UCLA Tuition Causes Near Riots (14 Arrested, 1 Tasered) [YouTube]

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]

The three-day marathon strike/walkout/protest/slumber party/something has begun. The Clog will be bringing you more coverage later in the day, but for now check out the Daily Cal’s liveblog of the events, along with coverage of the Regents meeting at UCLA. We’ll be posting updates to our twitter as well.

Image Source: slimmer_jimmer under Creative Commons

You waited patiently, loud denizens of Berkeley, and now the day is finally here. The City Council is set to vote tonight on an ordinance that could relax noise limits. If passed, this would “allow entertainment venues and festival organizers to exceed the noise regulations if they obtain a permit beforehand.”

The noise limit would be raised from 10 to 15 decibels. More sound permits would be given out each year, without limits.

Obvious question: could Berserkeley get any louder? Between garbage trucks, sirens, and the amusingly colorful street vendors, the more frighteningly verbose street vendors,protesters, impromptu concerts, regularly scheduled concerts, drunk frat boys, and run-of-the-mill loudmouths, this city has our ears ringing regularly.

But they’re doing this to bolster the downtown economy. And as amusing as the guy who sells chain mail is, more festivals might do more to shore up consumers.

If it does pass, we’d suggest investing in some kind of noise-reducing earwear. This could get ugly.

Image Source: mikelao26 under Creative Commons
Berkeley may ease some noise limits [SFGate]

You may have heard about some flyers flying around campus lately, so you might know that serious sh*t is supposed to go down in the next three days. To that end, the Clog’s got a calendar of events, a “schedule” if you will, that will (hopefully) clear things up a bit.

(Note: What follows is a straight copy+paste. Kind of text heavy. Peruse at your own risk.)

UC BERKELEY Strike Week: November 17th through 20th
Schedule of Events for the Solidarity Strike and Open University
ucstrike.com / ucsolidarity.org / solidarityalliance.ucb@gmail.com

STRIKE TO PROTEST UC REGENTS MEETING IN UCLA 11/17 TO 11/19

Tuesday, November 17th
Strike Kick Off Event
Cifford Odets’ “Waiting for Lefty”
A staged reading directed by Peter Glazer
Featuring UC Berkeley faculty, students and staff
8:00 pm, Booth Auditorium in Boalt Law School

Wednesday, November 18th
Day 1 of the Strike: WALK OUT
5:00 am. UPTE Picket lines start at construction sites
7:15 am. Main Picket lines begin at all campus entrances
8:00 am. Student sit-in on the steps of Dwinelle
11:00 am. Begin gathering on Sproul Plaza for the Rally
Noon. Strike Rally sponsored by the Solidarity Alliance
Speakers include (list and order subject to change)
Ananya Roy, UC Berkeley Professor and Solidarity Alliance
Solidarity Coalition at UC Davis: Catherine Fung (Grad Student), Joshua Clover (Professor) and Jeff Bergamini (UPTE)
Berkeley UCUC: Nancy Reiko Kato (UPTE), Joe Pulido (AFSCME), Juan Garcia (CUE),
Annie McClanahan (UAW), Mary Kelsy (UC-AFT)
Faculty Organizing Group at UCSC: Barbara Epstein (Professor)
Bob Hass, UCB Professor and Former Poet Laureate of the US
UCB Students: Noah Stern, Viola Tang, Sohir Albgal, Marika Goodrich, and others
Kathryn Lybarger, AFSCME and Solidarity Alliance

1:30 pm. Send off of activists taking the bus to UCLA
1:30 – 3:30 pm. March led by the Strike Committee of the General Assembly
4:00 pm. First Strike Meeting: What’s Next?

7:00 pm. Film Screening and Discussion of Salt of the Earth (1954)
ASUC Senate Chambers, Eshelman Hall

9:00 pm on. Solidarity Booty Shake in the Bear’s Lair Food Court. Late night chill-out in 370-371 Dwinelle (Fourth floor). Bring food, music, a blanket, relax.

Thursday, November 19th.
Day 2 of the Strike: OPEN THE UNIVERSITY / SHUT DOWN THE REGENTS
5:00 am. UPTE Picket lines start at construction sites
8:00 am. UPTE Picket lines at UCOP in Oakland
7:15 am. Main Picket lines begin at campus entrances
8:00 am. Sit-in on the steps of Dwinelle
9:00 am – 10:00 pm. Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of The Black Scholar
Lipman Room, 7th floor of Barrows, Born of the SF State Strike, all TBS events are in Solidarity
9:00 am – 3:00 pm. The Open University Lectures in the Bear’s Lair Food Court
9:00 – 10:00. Welcome to the Open University / International Skype Connection
10:00 – 11:00. Gray Brechin, “It doesnt have to be this way: Higher Ed in the New Deal”
11:00 – 12:00. Daniel Graham on “The Coup in Honduras”
12:00 – 1:00. Ananya Roy on “The Financialization of Everything”
1:00 – 2:00. Michael Cohen and Kathryn Lybarger on “The IWW and American Labor Radicalism”
2:00 – 3:00. TJ Clark on “From Print Capitalism to Screen Capitalism”

9:30 am – 3:00 pm. The Open University Workshops on Sproul Plaza
9:30 – 10:30. Field Trip and Experiential Learning Tour with AFSCME 3299
10:00 – 11:00. “This is what Berkeley did for me” a photo workshop
12:00 – 1:00. “What is Public? A participatory event in search of the public”
12:00 – 1:00. “Utopias at Work”
12:00 – 1:00. “Ladies and no-gentlemen: How to Avoid Sexism in Organizational Situations”
12:00 – 1:30. Capoeira on the Picket Lines: Demonstration and workshop at Bancroft and Telegraph
1:00 – 2:00. Race and Racism on Campus and In America
1:00 – 2:00. Katherine Lee, “Academic Labor: A Workshop for Students and Workers”
2:00 – 3:00. Annie McClanahan & West Hays: “Prisons and Education: Teaching in CA Prisons”
2:00 – 3:00. Gray Brechin & Peter Byrne, “UC Inc. Workshop on Researching the Regents”
MORE AS WANTED, NEEDED and ABLE
Noon. Striking Workers March from Bancroft and Telegraph
3:10 pm. Dump your trash at California Hall, Sponsored by ASFCME
Bring your campus trash and rally at the east entrance of California Hall.
4:00 pm. Second Strike Meeting: What’s Next?
7:00 pm. Film Screening: “Alcatraz is not an Island” 102 Krober Hall
40th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz & American Indian Heritage Month
8:00 pm. Musical performance by John Handy Quartet, Lipman Room, Barrows
Part of The Black Scholar Celebration
9:00 pm. Film Screening and Discussion of The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
ASUC Senate Chambers, Eshelman Hall
9: 30 pm onwards: Nuit du cinema at 370-371 Dwinelle. Bring dinner, a pillow and a blanket, chill-out.
Friday, November 20th
Day 3 of the Strike: ESCALATE
11:00 -12:00 am. Bridges Recruitment & Retention Center Rally on Sproul
Noon. Mass Gathering at California Hall
9:00 – 1:30 Celebration of The Black Scholar’s 40th Anniversary, Lipman Rm, Barrows
2:00 – 5:30 pm: Poetry Reading sponsored by The Black Scholar
10:00am – 5:00pm: 40th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz, Bancroft Hotel
Speakers include original occupiers Dr. Lehman Brightman, Dr. LaNada War Jack and Ilka Hartmann as well as student presentations.

Ah yes. The coup in Honduras, Harvey Milk, sexism … it all ties neatly together with the regents’ meeting. Wait, what?

Also note: Chancellor Birgeneau is at UCLA for the duration of the meeting, so, uh … dumping trash in front of California Hall won’t do much.

Image Source: Jon Bradley Photography under Creative Commons
Schedule Courtesy Zhivka Valiavicharska
Earlier: (Belly)dance the Night Away