SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants faced the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park for the third time in the series on Aug. 7, Nik Burns was there. Burns, who has been going to games since he was a child — “They’ve been my favorite team since the womb,” he says — is a big fan of…
BERKELEY, Calif — Uniform tables, chairs and umbrellas line the sky-lit room, leading to the counter at the back, where chefs cook furiously as the orders keep coming. Located in the proximity of University of California on Bancroft Way, Julie’s Cafe is unique in its cuisine selection, incorporating a wide variety of ethnic foods, but…
BERKELEY, Calif. — Customers at the Farmers’ Market in Berkeley all demonstrate one common belief: When at the Saturday market, residents come together to form a strong sense of community. Customers are enthusiastic and dedicated to return to their local market, not only for their produce, but also to support their local farming community. A…
BERKELEY, Calif. — Just approaching the already busy block of Saturday’s Farmers’ Market, the smell of all different types of food and flowers meet you at the entrance. You can see a woman playing her guitar, another dressed in a clown suit holding balloons and several street musicians. The Kashiwase Farms is already busy, slicing…
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — People float around outside choosing between hot dogs and chicken fingers, while the stadium erupts into cheers behind them. The game is the Giants vs. the Brewers, and most everyone has the Giants insignia on their hats and sweatshirts. Iza Bertram, wearing a Giants T-shirt, said she’s a fan because, “My husband is.”…
Always known as a health-conscious state, California’s college town of Berkeley sustains the reputation by holding Farmers’ Markets each week on different days and in different locations around the city. Vendors sell products ranging from produce, meat, and baked goods to coffee, spices, and cooking oils. The markets are not necessarily local as some vendors get…
BERKELEY, Calif. — The Farmers’ Market has been a widely recognized alternative food system to the industrial food model since its opening day in May of 1987. Its vibrant community attracts visitors and gives locals a valuable go-to location. Some of the vendors have been there since the opening of this viable and largely organic market.…
BERKELEY, Calif. — When a customer orders a gluten-free item, the staff at Tivoli Caffe in Berkeley knows exactly what to do. The family-owned restaurant on Bancroft shifts into high gear as employees prepare the allergy-friendly food, keeping cross-contamination in mind. “My sister has celiac disease, so we’re very cautious. Every customer that walks in here…
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants, World Series champions two out of the last three years, are one of only 20 teams that have won multiple World Series, and even fewer have won two out of a three-year stretch. So the big question is why does a team that has dominated baseball for the…
BERKELEY, Calif. — If you visit Berkeley, you likely walk down Telegraph Avenue. This central street has a rich history as one of the cities counter-culture hubs. Despite this claim to fame, some people have begun to feel that Telegraph is no longer as relevant as it once was, instead becoming a tourist trap and…
BERKELEY, Calif. — The bustling streets of Berkeley were filled with people busy with their own agendas; few stopped long enough to notice the man with the basket of flowers. It was a day ordinary as any other, but Tim King decided it was his duty to pass out beautiful flowers to the strangers on…
SAN FRANCISCO — Off to a slow start, the San Francisco Giants showed promise at the Aug. 8 Milwaukee Brewers game once they got on base in the top of the seventh inning and then later scored. The night was cold and windy, but fans still packed the stadium, cheering as enthusiastically as ever. The…
BERKELEY, Calif. — Ellia Fashion is a small shop founded by Ellia, her preferred job name. She’s been selling handmade jewelry for 20 years and says, “You can walk down the street, you’ll see nothing like this.” adding, they’re “one of a kind.” This small street booth has earrings, necklaces and bracelets ranging from $5…
SAN FRANCISCO — After winning the World Series last season and twice in the past three years, the San Francisco Giants have spoiled their fans. For a team that hadn’t brought home a championship since they moved west from New York in 1958, winning it all twice was surely a relief and a major accomplishment,…
BERKELEY, Calif. — Jimmy and Gus Shamieh created C.R.E.A.M. (Cookies Rule Everything Around Me) two years ago, a family business aiming for quality that people could afford. The ice cream sandwiches, which cost $2.50, are made fresh in the store daily, and offer a wide range of choices. Cream is easy to find: a line of loyal…
BERKELEY, Calif. — Along Berkeley’s bustling Telegraph Avenue, amid street vendors and coffee shops, lies a hidden treasure: Rasputin Music. While its faded exterior is easily overlooked, the shop holds a wealth of music merchandise. Covering three floors and dominated by a sea of CDs, movie and record collections, Rasputin Music has attracted music lovers…
SAN FRANCISCO — Local Steve Firpo goes to Giants games at least once a month and has been coming to the Italian Heritage Night since it began 10 years ago. “My heritage is important to me,” Firpo said. He came to the game with 30 of his family members, sitting in an area designated for…
