Daily Archives: December 17, 2010
The Berkeley Wire: 12.17.10
Energy Secretary Steven Chu named Cal alumnus of the year [UC Berkeley]
Two appointed co-editors of local weekly [East Bay Express]
Conservative surprised to agree with Berkeley liberals [American Thinker]
2007 Metropolitan Magazine Home of the Year for sale [SF Curbed]
Former soldier urges vets to “return to Berkeley” [Chandlers Watch]
Berkeley to offer reduced services from Dec. 23 to Jan 3 [City of Berkeley]
Photo: Carnivorous pitcher plants at the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden by D.H. Parks/Berkeleyside Flickr pool
Comic Relief struggles after founder’s death
Comic Relief, once regarded as one of the best comic bookstores in the U.S., is in danger of closing its doors unless it gets a new infusion of cash.
Money has been so tight in recent months that the store has laid off two employees, according to Sophie Yanow, the public relations coordinator for Comic Relief. Its distributor, Diamond, is no longer sending Comic Relief new releases because of the cash flow problem, which was first reported in … Continue reading »
Berkeley dangerous city for cyclists and pedestrians
Berkeley is considered the most dangerous city of its size for pedestrians and cyclists, according to the city’s health department which, along with its police force, has received funds worth a total of $434,000 to address road safety.
The health department ranked Berkeley number 1 out of 55 similarly sized cities for bicyclists and pedestrians injured and killed, according to a report in the Oakland Tribune. Last year, three pedestrians were killed by cars, and … Continue reading »
John Scharffenberger: From chocolate and wine to tofu
Long known for the success of his premium wine and chocolate companies, John Scharffenberger is making a name for himself these days as a tofu hawker.
In June, Scharffenberger, 59, who divides his time between a home in North Berkeley and a place in the country, signed on as the CEO of the Hodo Soy Beanery in Oakland, an artisan food factory that makes products from organic, non-GMO soybeans.
The company, whose founder Minh Tsai was previously profiled here, makes fresh tofu, yuba (tofu skins), and soymilk, as well as prepared dishes such as spicy braised tofu salad, poached yuba loaf, and soy omelette. … Continue reading »
Berkeleyans show generosity of spirit for local causes
Over the next few days more than 850 Berkeley families will find a Holiday gift in their mailboxes — a check from the Berkeley Holiday Fund, an organization which has been providing such welcome surprises for an impressive 98 years.
Co-chair Linda Williams describes the Berkeley Holiday Fund as a kitchen-table charity. The fund sends out a single letter every year to a large, although not comprehensive, constituency of Berkeley residents, soliciting donations. The money collected goes directly to those in … Continue reading »
