A wise sage once said “it’s not that easy bein’ green.” And yet, this city’s all about being green. As such, Berkeley is participating in some sort of challenge/contest/thing where—as far as we’ve been able to determine—some “green” companies are sponsoring the challenge by giving away “prizes” to people who take “pictures” of themselves “doing” green things. Mayor Tom Bates is already on top of it: read more »
The newly-opened Berkeley Bowl West, sister of the original produce mecca, just celebrated its three month anniversary by getting a fatty rebate check from PG&E for $167,029. We wonder how they decided on the 29 dollars.
Its rebate-receiving ceremony took place Friday, Sept. 3, and was attended by PG&E reps, Sun Light & Power President Gary Gerber and our beloved mayor, Tom Bates. According to In Berkeley, Thursday morning’s little blackout took place in preparation for the ceremony “to remind citizens of just how important electricity is to our daily lives.” Somehow we doubt the city would shut down the Asian Ghetto and Yogurt Park in honor of the Bowl, no offense.
The 636 solar panels placed atop of the new Berkeley Bowl are expected to produce 149,633 kilowatts of electricity per year. As if we needed another reason to frequent the beloved Bowl.
Image Source: JasonUnbound under Creative Commons
Berkeley Bowl West, Solar Power, and a Huge Rebate Check [triplepundit]
Posted by
Alex Bigman on Friday, July 17, 2009 07:31 pm
They grow up so fast. For those of you who may have zoned out, for the past three and a half years our little city has been planning to densify Downtown, growing tall buildings where there were no tall buildings before. And, in spite of many a frail attempt to oppose change, as of last Tuesday it looks like the familiar center region between Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oxford Street, Dwight Way and Hearst Avenue will indeed be going vertical-wise over the next twenty years. And that may not be the least of it. read more »
Posted by
Alex Bigman on Sunday, July 12, 2009 11:49 pm
Seems a sizable load of our “local color” (as the Berkeley brochures would euphemize our street urchin friends) have suddenly got things to do, places to be. Well, at least the latter. As mayor Tom Bates would be happy to tell you, homelessness is way, way down in Berkeley this year compared to last. Before we start fancying our grinning mayor a regular Rudy Giuliani, we might want to explore some slightly less uplifting alternative explanations for this exodus:
read more »
Earlier today, Mr. Mayor and the Berkeley City Council won a Clean Air Award for the Berkeley FIRST program under technology and research. In fact, this isn’t the first time the Berkeley FIRST program got an award.
In a nutcell, the program lets the city finance solar panel construction for residents, making the expensive devils more affordable. In the words of one resident who participated in the program, “About a year ago, I realized I couldn’t afford it, so I gave up the idea. Then I heard the city would fund this scheme.”
Schemes involving harnessing the power of the sun? We can get behind that. Not bad, Mr. Mayor, not bad. The Clog congratulates you and the other winners of the 2009 Clean Air Awards.
Image Source: Justin Gonzaga, Daily Cal
2009 Clean Air Award Winners [Breathe California] via Facebook
Posted by
Jill Cowan on Monday, February 09, 2009 10:10 pm
With the advent and viral popularization of social networking sites, like Myspace or that new one–uh, what’s it called? Facetome? Facepamphlet? Facebook! That’s definitely it–anyone can find out anything about anybody, anytime. Anyway, as the face of youth interaction rapidly changes, it seems only natural that the face of parent-child interaction would, likewise, change. Thus, old people started making themselves Facebooks and new moral conundrums were conceived.
Should you accept your mom’s friend request? How should you respond when your dad’s ex-co-worker’s girlfriend’s brother writes on your wall just to say hey and to tell you that from the looks of your pictures, you really know how to have a good time? So many possibilities for awkwardness, yet so many possibilities for hilarity to ensue! read more »
Posted by
Danica Li on Friday, November 21, 2008 08:34 am
Surprise! Given the opportunity, homeowners took swift advantage of a new Berkeley program that let them install solar panels for the grand sum of no money up front at all. This being Berkeley, the question isn’t if the tickets, like the Oakland Tribune reports, went faster than spots to a Bruce Springsteen concert. The question is if the tickets went faster than a speeding cheetah, a freight train, a pack of dogs on a 3 legged cat? Faster than the arctic caps are liquefying, the economy combusting, our coral reefs dying and our natural resources adjourning to the afterworld thanks to our relentless efforts to consume everything on Earth ever? Faster, even, than instant noodles?
The morning after the presidential election, the city opened its online application for a program to help homeowners with the cost of solar installation by shifting that cost onto their property-tax bills for the next 20 years. Within the first nine minutes, 40 applications were immediately received. Bam!
So who won out? read more »
Yesterday the Daily Cal exploded endorsements for the 2008 election, and when we say ’sploded, we mean it. Below, we’ve transcribed the notable for the Berkeley Ballot, but the Web site has the full list, including all the arguments and justifications. Keep in mind that the Daily Cal also has a directory of voter resources and information on state propositions.
read more »
Posted by
Jill Cowan on Sunday, October 05, 2008 02:04 am
What, with the economy in shambles, and the BART system threatening to crumble under our feet unless it gets some Tender Lovin’ Care (a.k.a. funding), we see no better time to take on the time-consuming and costly task of making California a little bit more like Europe. Though, as the Daily Cal reports, “Bullet trains used to be a luxury only found in foreign metropolises,” this all could change as early as, um, well, eight years from now.
If Proposition 1A gets passed in November, we’d be one step closer to beginning construction on every Southern California-based Berkeley student’s pipe (or rail) dream–a high-speed train system “that would span from San Francisco to Los Angeles.” All California has to do is vote to funnel $10 billion in state bonds into the project, and gather up a bunch more in private capital. No biggie. read more »
Posted by
Jill Cowan on Sunday, September 21, 2008 11:01 pm
Last week, South Berkeley was shaken by a series of shootings. The police have no suspects yet, but if you’ve got information, you’re urged to call 510-981-5900. The Clog sends its condolences to those affected. [Daily Cal]
The Berkeley community mourns the loss of Cal’s ultimate bando. Robert Briggs, 81, was involved with the Cal band for most of his life, serving as Cornet player, director and, after his retirement, he remained a beloved watchful presence. The Clog sends its condolences to Briggs’s friends and family. [Daily Cal]
Mayor Tom Bates is up for re-election in an epic rematch that’s been brewing since 2002, against Shirley Dean. In Bates’s discussion of “Successes and Regrets,” he makes that whole anti-Marine recruiting thing, and–come to think of it–that whole oak grove lawsuit thing seem like mere blips on his practically flawless mayoral radar. [SF Chron]
Earlier: Stories for Berkeleyans
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