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Sites,
Restaurants & Things To Do |
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Berkeley
High School |
2223
Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley CA
510-644-6121 |
Berkeley
High School has a set of Art Deco murals on Martin
Luther King... I only wish they did a two tone or
three tone paint job on it! |
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United
Artists Berkeley |
2274
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-1487 |
One
of the Art Deco buildings on the Main Berkeley Library
block |
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Metropole
Restaurant-Bar |
2271
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-848-3080 |
A charming
little building |
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Barnes & Noble |
2352
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-644-0861 |
If you
can’t find (or order) what you want from our local,
independent bookstores such as Cody’s, Easy Going,
Diesel, or Black Oak, consider Barnes & Noble or
Borders |
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Other
Change Of Hobbit-Fantasy |
2020
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-848-0413 |
Fantasy
books and magazines (not to be confused with Saul
Zaentz’s Fantasy Records, which has produced the
remarkable movies Amadeus and The English Patient) |
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Berkeley
Conference Center |
2105
Bancroft Way
Berkeley CA
510-845-5740 |
Downtown
Berkeley conference center in refurbished Masonic
Hall |
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Berkeley
Convention & Visitors |
2015
Center Street
Berkeley CA
510-549-7040 |
Convention
and Visitor’s Bureau - the place to go for hotels,
restaurants, and business in Berkeley |
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MAC
- Macintosh Everything Store |
2010
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-644-0500 |
As Wayne & Garth
would say “A very excellent Macintosh Computer store
in Downtown Berkeley. Their prices are great and
their service is superb. They won my heart the first
time I walked in (about 1990), asked about some sottware,
and they tore open the package and installed it into
one of the state-of-the-art Macintosh IIci Computers.
Tell Albert and Serena Ho that Ira Serkes sent
you there!
Check the address |
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Berkeley
Dog & Cat Hospital |
2126
Haste Street
Berkeley CA
510-848-5041 |
I moved
to Berkeley in June 1974, and have used Berkeley
Dog & Cat ever since. They’re wonderful, and have
taken care of all our babies over the years. They
helped Magus, Squirt, Polymer, Snidely, Gouger, Beau
live long lives
The great folks at BD&C continue to take great
care of Lucy The Cat. Lucy, for those in the know,
ranks all the homes we see between 1 and 4 paws...
unless it’s really bad... at which she gives in
the dread “hairball” rating
Here’s Gouger’s eulogy
Gouger Serkes - 1980 to 1997
Gouger Serkes, our beloved baby, died on 14 May
97 after a long, loving happy life of 17 years.
I knew him over 1/3 of my life... several months
longer than I knew Carol.
Gouger was a sweet cat. He had soft, warm ears,
silky smooth head fur, a matted tummy, and a full
body purr. The nice folks at Berkeley Dog & Cat
always enjoyed it when he stopped by for a visit
or short vacation.... one of the techs even came
by to kiss him goodbye once she knew his time had
come. We'd often serenade each other - I'd whistle
to him, he'd meow back in response, and we'd do
it again and again. I always tired of singing before
he did.
Gouger often kept me company when I worked on the
computer, and was a great "email buddy". He'd nestle
between my forearms as I downloaded email, typed
responses, and sent my missives into the ether.
The Gouge, aka Big Fella, also helped give birth
to my book "How To Buy A House In California" by
sleeping on the manuscript, along with his elder
brother Snidely. Gouger, Snidely and Beau are all
resting together now. |
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Ace
Hardware - Berkeley |
2145
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-845-0410 |
Ace
Hardware has a pretty good HO & N Model train section
downstairs, and an excellent selection of hardware.
They've a parking lot around the corner you can use
while shopping. |
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Alta
Bates Medical Center |
2001
Dwight Way
Berkeley CA
510-204-1507 |
The
other Alta Bates Branch. It was Herrick Hospital
when I first came to Berkeley. Then again, Santa
Fe trains still ran past the Santa Fe Bar & Grill,
and the Albany Library was yet another hospital |
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Hotel
Shattuck |
2086
Allston Way
Berkeley CA
510-845-7300 |
Well
located in Central Berkeley, near BART, shops, Berkeley’s
Theater District (live theater and movies) and a
short walk to UC Berkeley |
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Rex
Keys |
1908
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-845-7784 |
Central
Berkley locksmith |
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Berkeley
Library Main Branch |
2090
Kittredge Street
Berkeley CA
510-981-6100 |
It’s
a wonderful resource (and right near the downtown
YMCA). The library has an excellent selection of
design and architecture books, music, as well as
DVD and videos in numerous languages (including English).
When you visit the main ilbrary site, be sure to
check out the commercial building just to the south
(on Shattuck) and the United Artists mural above
the UA theater down the street. If you're on an
Art Deco tour, check out the murals on the Martin
Luther King side of Berkeley High School.
It's Mayan Art Deco Designed in 1930 by James Plachek |
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Act
One & Two |
2128
Center Street
Berkeley CA
510-548-7200 |
FIrst
run art films in Berkeley's Arts District. In the
past few years the sidewalk has been widened, trees
were put in, and restaurants have tables and chairs
ala Paris. It's a real treat, and would be great
to see in other neighborhoods too. |
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California
3 |
2113
Kittredge Street
Berkeley CA
510-848-0620 |
3 Theaters
in a newly remodelled Art Deco Theater. |
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Shattuck
Cinemas |
2230
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
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I call
it the Hink’s theater, because before the movie theaters
were there, it was the Hink’s Department store -
wooden floors and balcony’s on the mezzanine level.
The theaters are particularly pleasant, with Egyptian
and Oriental themes |
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U
C Theatre |
2036
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-6267 |
Alas... “It’s
time for me to go -goodbye, Groucho” is what’s on
the marquee. The UC Theater is currently closed,
and hopefully wil reopen soon |
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Blockbuster
Video |
2352
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-849-9585 |
Front
Row Video on Solano, or Movie Image on Shattuck (or
netflix.com) are far better, but sometimes you just
have to go to Blockbuster, so here’s how to get there |
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Movie
Image |
2318
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-649-0296 |
Great
place for cult films and videos |
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Berkeley
Symphony Orchestra |
2322
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-841-2800 |
Kent
Nagano conducts the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra |
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The
Cambodiana |
2156
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-4630 |
Outstanding
Lamb Chops... Really! Also check
http://www.downtownberkeley.org/ |
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Sun
Hong Kong Restaurant |
91
Shattuck Square
Berkeley CA
510-841-2288 |
Huge
color photos of Hong Kong Bay. Also check
http://www.downtownberkeley.org/ |
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Giovanni’s |
2420
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-6678 |
Pizza & Italian
Food. Also check
http://www.downtownberkeley.org/ |
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Berkeley
Repertory Theatre |
2025
Addison Street
Berkeley CA
510-845-4700 |
Tony
Amendola is one of the fine actors with Berkley Rep
in his background.
Berkeley has created a Downtown Arts District,
and Berkeley Rep has been the anchor. I recall
the first time I went to Berkeley Rep - it was
in a converted commercial space on College Avenue
(next to the Elmwood Theater) and I went to see
a Bertoldt Brecht play with my friends Diane & Shel |
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PG&E
- Pacific Gas & Electric |
Martin
Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley CA
800-743-5000 |
The
company that the Bay Guardian loves to hate |
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YMCA-Berkeley |
2001
Allston Way
Berkeley CA
510-848-9622 |
Friendly
place in downtown Berkeley. I usually go several
times a week, then make my coffee and fruit/vegetable
stop at French Hotel/Andronicos in North Berkeley
or Cafe Espresso/Monterey Market in Northbrae.
They also have branches in Albany and South & West
Berkeley.
Hot Tip - you can park for free during limited
hours! Have your parking ticket stamped at the
front desk when you come in. Be aware of the free
hours - if you come in (or stay beyond) validation
hours.
The Kittdredge Garage next to the Berkeley Public
LIbrary at 2020 Kittredge Street has 2 hours of
validation
Mon-Thu 5-11 AM & 4-10:30 PM
Sun 5-11 AM & 4-8 PM
The Great Western Garage just up the street at
2061 Allson Way has validated parking
Mon-Fri 5-10:30 PM
Sat 8 AM - Noon |
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Radio
FM 94.1 KPFA |
1929
Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley CA
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When
I was growing up in The Bronx, I’d often listen to
listener supported WBAI FM. I saved the very first
check I ever wrote in California to subscribe to
KPFA. It’s alternative radio at it’s best... you
probably won’t agree with most of what they have
to say, but it’s the best place to go for a different
viewpoint. One of my favorite shows was “Shouting
Out” with Mama O’Shea, and I stopped by the old KPFA
studio on Shattuck Avenue the day that I “retired” from
Chevron. Other commentators of note are Bill Mandel,
a Soviet Union specialist, whose fiery testimony
against the HUAC Committee in San Francisco is a
joy to listen to. Caspar Weinberger was also a commentator
in the past. |
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Berkeley
Historical Society Museum |
1931
Center Street
Berkeley CA
510-848-0181 |
Small
Berkeley History Museum definitely worth a visit
when you’re in the area. Limited hours - check the
web site to make sure they’ll be open when you visit. |
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Jupiter |
2181
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-TAPS |
Try
their pizzas, named after the moons of Jupiter. Friendly
downtown Berkeley pub. |
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Triple
Rock Brewery |
1920
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-BREW |
An old
time brewery, with ambience reminiscent of the thirties.
You’ll have to pay more than a nickel for your beer
and sandwich. I believe the same brothers operate
Jupiter down the street in central Berkeley. |
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Berkeley
Architectural Heritage Association |
2318
Durant Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-841-2242 |
Interested
in Berkeley Architecture? Join! |
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Berkeley
Arts Festival |
2200
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-665-9496 |
Summer
brings the Berkeley Arts Festival - Theater, Art,
Music, Dance, Drama , Museums, and the spoken word.
I believe it's usually June-July |
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Homefinders
Bulletin |
2158
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-549-6450 |
Berkeley
Rental Agency |
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Comic
Relief |
2138
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-843-5002 |
Graphic
Novels, Comics, Manga, and Comic Strips, Popular
and Fringe Culture, Movie/TV, and Art Books. |
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Pegasus
Books Downtown |
2349
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-649-1300 |
Duplicate
Two Pegasus bookstores in Berkeley - Solano and
Shattuck, and a sister store Pendragon on College
Avenue in Rockridge
Duplicate |
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Arinell
Pizza |
2109
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-841-4035 |
If there
were a Pantheon dedicated to Pizza, Cheese Board
would be Zeus
Arinell would win the award for “most like NY style”,
Lococos and Cugini would be lesser gods... and
Zachary’s would be mere mortals.
Zachary’s keeps on getting awards, but I think
that’s only because the Cheese Board is only open
limited hours druing the daytime |
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How
Berkeley Can You Be Festival |
Berkeley CA
510-849-4688 |
What
a fun parade. Art Cars, dancers, singers, and even
Naked People!
Usually the 3rd or 4th Sunday in September. The
festival is in Civic Center Park at Martin Luther
King Jr. Way and Allston.
The Solano Stroll is the first Sunday after Labor
Day. |
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Saigon
Express |
2045
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-486-1778 |
Pleasant
little Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Berkeley.
The building it’s in was once the Mason Mc Duffie
Real Estate company, one of the original developers
of some of Berkeley’s most pleasant neighborhooods.
The railroad (Southern Pacific) depot was just to
the west, in what’s now Berkeley Square |
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Berkeley
Daily Planet |
Berkeley CA
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Berkeley’s
local weekly paper through November 2002. It's now
shut down, but is supposed to be brought back to
life. We still have the East Bay Express, and the “Daily
Cal” |
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e-Housing |
2161
Shattuck Avenue #317
Berkeley CA
510-549-2000
888-945-RENT |
Berkeley
Rental Agency |
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Habitot
Children’s Museum |
2065
Kittredge Street
Berkeley CA
510-647-1111 |
A children's
museum in Berkeley! |
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Berkeley
Police Department |
2100
Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley CA
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Berkeley
Police Department - Crime Stats Map |
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Plearn |
2050
University Avenue
Berkeley CA
510-841-2148 |
One
of the first Thai Restaurants in Berkeley |
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Berkeley
Unified School District |
2134
Martin Luther King Jr Way
Berkeley CA
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The
place to go for information on Berkeley’s Schools |
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Trumpetvine
Court - Part of Downtown Architectural Walking
Tour |
Berkeley CA
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Take
the walkway to the west of Jupiter Pub, and you’ll
find yourself in this pleasant court in downtown
Berkeley. Hungry? Have a pizza and beer at Jupiter,
or a sandwich at Panini |
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Tupper & Reed
Building - Becketts Irish Pub |
2271
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
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An Architectural
Treasure by WR Yelland.... now Beckett's Pub |
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Spiro
Building |
2277
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
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Morse
Block |
2276
Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley CA
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Post
Office |
2000
Allston Way
Berkeley CA
800-275-8777 |
This
is one of the most handsome buildings in Berkeley,
and I have the pleasure of seeing it several days
a week when I work out at the Berkeley YMCA. It’s
worth a visit. Murals inside. |
