Blogs from Berkeley, California, United States, North America

Everyone knows Dr. Oppenheimer taught Physics at UC Berkeley. Several scenes in the movie were part of my own experience at Berkeley. Photo 1: Edwards Field is a track only facility on the west side of the campus. I remember attending track meets, playing soccer on that field and running the steps during a PE class. Several world records were set there. Photo 2: This archway over Strawberry Creek separated the Faculty Club from the science area of campus. I walked through this archway almost every day that classes were held. Photo 3: LeConte* Hall, home to the physics department, also housed many of Berkeley's other famous profs, such as Nobel winners Saul Perlmutter, George Smoot III, Charles Townes, Luis Alvarez, Donald Glaser, Reinhard Genzel, Owen Chamberlain, Ernest Lawrence. You probably recognize some of the names. ... read more

Actually, from the time I first set foot on the UC Berkeley campus as a sophomore in high school, I fell in love with the UC Berkeley campus. It became both my dream and a goal through my high school years to matriculate to Berkeley. The day I received the letter in the mail, during my senior year of high school was one of the happiest days of my young life. Most people here in the Valley consider me to be a Berkeley liberal. I just consider myself a liberal, though I think I became that way in high school, thanks to friends like Mario Olmos and Bob Osganian. But here are some unique only in Berkeley quirkiness: THE NOBEL IS THE WORLD’S most prestigious award for academic, cultural, and scientific advances. A Nobel Laureate will, ... read more

From the SF Chronicle: Bay Area broadcaster Joe Starkey, famous for his call of “The Play” in 1982, will retire as Cal’s football radio play-by-play announcer after the 2022 season. Starkey’s “the band is out on the field” call 40 years ago is widely considered one of the most recognizable calls in sports history. However, his legacy extends far beyond a single moment or play. I remember (Nov. 20, 1982) that call so vividly, even though I was in the car with my then baby (not quite 2 years old) son. We were running and errand, and we stayed in the car to listen to the end of the game. Earlier in the afternoon, I was watching TV and hoping we would beat the Standfurd Indians. As time was running out, a Cal player (Paul Najarian) ... read more

From Finance Buzz: Although Berkeley may be considered more bougie than bohemian these days, the counterculture vibe that made it so famous in the 60s is still recognizable in its local haunts, and food and art scene. Dine at world-famous Chez Panisse — considered by many to be the birthplace of the California cuisine food movement — where the focus is on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. For art and cinema aficionados, the UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is on a mission to “inspire the imagination (and) ignite critical dialogue” with diverse exhibitions and hard-to-find independent films. For a taste of the old days, head to the University of California’s epicenter of protests and performances, Sproul Hall, or head to Telegraph Avenue for bookstores and street vendor wares. I love Berkeley, as I attended ... read more

The pessimist in some of us say there might not be another tomorrow. But, I am an optimist, and I started planning some trips for June and this summer. And I am assuming my cycling trip to Croatia in October will take place. But, I will tell you that I do not watch podcasts or online videos of travel, or travel related activities. I am surely in the throes of severe withdrawal. Is my bag packed? Is my passport ready? What is going on? I just renewed my Global Entry on my passport. And my miles keep piling up in various frequent flyer and hotel reward accounts, with many credit cards having a negative balance. First, to keep myself sane, I checked in on many of you, particularly those who live in foreign countries. Everyone has ... read more