Daily Archives: December 29, 2011
The Berkeley Wire: 12.29.11
BHS girl’s basketball team advances to series semi-final [Mercur y News]
Luca Cucina: good, cheap lunch [Mercury News]
Dog lost for 5 years found in Berkeley; reunited with Central Valley family [CCTimes]
From homeless barracks to UC Berkeley [Huffington Post]
Cal Bears lose Holiday Bowl [Daily Cal]
Berkeley comic book publisher announces new comic expo [SF Weekly]
Photo: Go Get Them Worms, by D. H. Parks/Berkeleyside Flickr pool.
Cause of Berkeley hills fire under investigation
The two homes that caught on fire in the Berkeley hills on Wednesday night suffered more than $1 million in damage, according to Deputy Fire Chief Gil Dong.
The houses at 1005 and 1007 Miller Avenue near Grizzly Peak Boulevard suffered extensive structural damage, he said.
Fire officials do not yet know what cause the fire, which erupted shortly after 8:30 pm and sent flames shooting up more than 60 feet in the air. Four fire fighters were injured … Continue reading »
Out in Berkeley to enjoy live music on New Year’s
Even on a slow night you can find a generous array of live music in Berkeley, but on New Year’s Eve the People’s Republic offers a particularly enticing selection, especially if you’re looking for the chance to dance. Every venue seems to play to its comfort zone, with La Pena delivering Cuban, Ashkenaz offering Balkan, Freight & Salvage bearing bluegrass, and Jupiter getting groovy. Why brave the Bay Bridge when you can dance the night away close to home?
Orquesta La Moderna Tradición @ La Pena
Even in Cuba, bands focusing on the gracious 19th century style known as danzon are rare, but Orquesta La Moderna Tradición breathes new life into this elegant form, which combines Afro-Cuban percussion with flute and violins. Violinist/arranger Tregar Otton, who’s also a key member of the Mexican music ensemble Los Cenzontles, co-directs the band with conguero Michael Spiro, a percussion master who’s been at the center of the Bay Area Latin music scene for more than 25 years. Cuban-born Felix Samuel and Caracas-raised Eduardo Herrera share lead vocals, while flutist Jesus “Chus” Alonso, violinist Sandy Poindexter, pianist Robert Karty, clarinetist Don Gardner, timbalero Carlos Caro, bassist Steve Senft-Herrera and percussionist Sage Baggott (guiro and bongos) round out the ensemble. With a family friendly vibe, this might be the most welcoming New Year’s event in the region. … Continue reading »
Berkeley 2011: How closely did you follow the news?
It was a busy year in Berkeley, what with various Occupy movements, gun violence at the high school, restaurants opening and closing, and more. How closely did you pay attention? Here is a quiz to test your news savvy. The answers are after the jump.
1) Phil Kamlarz retired Nov. 30, 2011 after working for the city for 36 years, the last eight as city manager with a salary of $242,580. How much unpaid vacation and sick leave pay did he take with him?
a)$44,000
b)$249,420
c)$147,439 … Continue reading »
12 steps to get fit for 2012
By Susan Helmrich
Last year, around this time I wrote an article about New Year’s resolutions and exercise. So, how did you do?
The holiday season is upon us once again, and it is time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the new. The new year is a time to make resolutions, if you are so inclined, which is merely another way of setting goals for yourself for the coming year. How are you doing … Continue reading »
Two homes in Berkeley hills damaged by fire
Two homes on Miller Avenue in the Berkeley hills were extensively damaged Wednesday night when a fire that spread to three alarms broke out.
The fire in the heavily wooded area broke out at 8:32 pm at 1005 Miller Avenue near Grizzly Peak, according to Assistant Fire Chief Gil Dong. The fire quickly spread to an adjacent house, prompting officials to evacuate nearby homes. The flames were contained by 10:41 pm, but not before crews from Oakland and Alameda were … Continue reading »
