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Berkeley Local Customs

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Who Berkeley is named after
  • Tip Rating:
    • supune
  • Updated By supune on April 8, 2003
  • Berkeley Page by supune
    • Berkeley was named after philosopher Bishop George Berkeley(1685-1753).

    I think this guy was the one to ask something to the effect of "If a tree falls in the forest but no one hears it, does it make a sound?" His name also comes up in Mathematics and is associated with logic.

    Please correct me if I'm wrong.

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  • Website: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/aboutberkeley
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    Tightwad Hill
  • Tip Rating:
    • Karnubawax
  • Updated By Karnubawax on January 12, 2007
  • Berkeley Page by Karnubawax
    • Berkeley Local Customs
    by Karnubawax
    Tightwad Hill overlooks the Memorial Stadium behind the UC campus, and is one of Berkeley's most famous landmarks. Poor students and other cheapskates have been crowding onto this hill to watch Cal football games for free for over 80 years (it is tradition that Cal students must watch at least one game from Tightwad Hill during their matriculation). Getting here is easy enough - just go to the left of the main gate and walk up the dusty hill. You'll be sharing the view with others (MANY others if it's a big game), but the price sure is right, and the views of the Bay Area are incredible.

    One annoyance is, of course, the cannon. It blasts off after every Cal score and at the end of the game when (not if, but when) they win. The cannon is also located on Tightwad Hill, about 20 feet from where you'll be sitting. The cannon itself has a rich history; it was given to the University by the Class of 1964 as their Senior gift, and was first fired at the 1963 Big Game. In 1972, the PAC-8 banned all cannons from University stadiums, so the stubborn Cal students just moved it to the hill right above it!

    Berkeley's most famous rock band - Green Day - even has a song called "Tightwad Hill" on one of their albums!

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  • Website: http://savethecannon.com/
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    Expect a Relaxed, Community Feel
  • Tip Rating:
    • lisa_lise
  • By lisa_lise on November 29, 2004
  • Berkeley Page by lisa_lise
    • Berkeley Local Customs
    by lisa_lise
    I love the feel of certain parts of Berkeley. This yellow house is typical of those in my friend’s neighborhood. Note the bonsai tree on the porch rail and the open windows. I could easily see myself living happily in Berkeley.

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    Spend a few hours in Berkeley...
  • Tip Rating:
    • ucbwalker
  • By ucbwalker on August 26, 2002
  • Berkeley Page by ucbwalker
    • Spend a few hours in Berkeley and nothing will shock you anymore. Wandering along Telegraph Avenue, between Bancroft (where it borders the campus) and Dwight, you'll see middle-aged women walking around topless, bums asking for change so they can 'snag a bomb sack of weed', the rudest bumper stickers on sale from rabid populist street vendors, etc. etc. If there is one place in America where the Establishment is not welcome, it is here.

    Many complain that Berkeley - and Telegraph Avenue in particular - is stuck in the sixties and needs to move on. But I admire the city and its people for hanging on to ideals of social justice and egalitarianism, and for rejecting the call of yuppiedom. Come to Berkeley with peace in your heart and you'll feel right at home.

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    Bask in the craziness and...
  • Tip Rating:
  • By lygchicana on August 24, 2002
  • Berkeley Page by lygchicana
    • Bask in the craziness and holistic atmosphere of one of the most liberal cities in the world. Warning:BERKELEY IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!!!
    BEST BIKE SHOP IN BERZERKLEY: VELOSPORTS, 1650 Martin Luther King, Jr. Hwy, Berkeley,CA. SALES/SERVICE (510)849-0497. FOR ALL YOUR CYCLING NEEDS.

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    local customs
  • By NACCAT on April 8, 2003
  • Berkeley Page by NACCAT
    • If you live here, you'll know these:
    Movies and Film - UC Berkeley Film Archive,
    Fresh Food - Berkeley Bowl, Whole Foods

    Shattuck theaters

    Best World Music/Reggae/Ethnic Dance Club - Ashkanaz

    Best Bars - The Mallard, Albatross, Blakes, Becketts (Irish), Vallassa (best place for pool and drinks)

    If you are looking for Punk Rock/Underground bars - ACME

    Best gyms - Berkeley YMCA - they have EVERYTHING

    Best parks - Tilden Recreation Park

    Best Road Biking rides - old Tunnel Road, Skyline boulevard and Grizzly Peak

    Best Long run - Inspiration point - 8 miles

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    Bicycling as a statement against oil wars
    isolina_it
  • By isolina_it on December 9, 2007
  • Berkeley Page by isolina_it
    • Berkeley Local Customs
    by isolina_it
    Good thing i dont have to ride to work with a bike with a basket like this in amsterdam, my boss would relocate me to siberia (nothing against it but being sicilian i like to have as much warmth as possible ): ehm...i actually work for an oil company :P!!

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    Bumperstickers
    isolina_it
  • By isolina_it on December 9, 2007
  • Berkeley Page by isolina_it
    • Berkeley Local Customs
    by isolina_it
    Just like: if you dont have much to say, let your van speak for you! :)

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    The Civic Arts Program...
    zwack
  • Updated By zwack on August 25, 2002
  • Berkeley Page by zwack
    • Berkeley Local Customs
    by zwack
    The Civic Arts Program administers and develops projects which accomplish the mission of the Civic Arts Commission, which advises the City Council on all matters affecting the beauty and culture of the city.

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    How to greet someone.
  • By grdvs on December 28, 2002
  • Berkeley Page by grdvs
    • Greetings in Berkeley, CA - Berkeley
    Greetings in Berkeley, CA
    by grdvs
    The typical greeting for a stranger on the street is, "Spare change?" The correct answer is also, "Spare change." Less frequently heard is, "shrooms." The correct response is, "weed."

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    1 | 2
    More Berkeley Tips
    Overview
         		Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 6
    Things To Do
    Tips: 42 - Photos: 65    		Nightlife
    Tips: 14 - Photos: 8
    Transportation
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 5    		Restaurants
    Tips: 54 - Photos: 35
    Shopping
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 9    		Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 15 - Photos: 21
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 3    		Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 8 - Photos: 3
    Local Customs
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 8    		Packing Lists
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 0
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1    		General Tips
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 5
    Flights
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 0
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