berkeley – Teen Observer Archive

August 1, 2019August 1, 2019

Top 5 tips for next year’s kite fest

BERKELEY, Calif. — César E. Chávez Park in the Berkeley Marina hosted its 34th annual Kite Festival this past weekend. The festival has been a hit with both residents and travelers ever since 1985, and continues to grow and improve each year.

People from all walks of life gathered together in appreciating and enjoying the craftsmanship, kite flying, culture, shopping and diverse food options that are associated with the festival.

Here are five things you can’t miss:

• Food

Authentic and freshly prepared barbecue, noodles and funnel cake are always amazing options if you’re feeling hungry while walking around the festival. Photo by Taylor Battie.

No matter where you look while visiting the Kite Festival, there will be lines of food trucks in your sights. Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, you can choose from food that varies from fruit topped with lime tamarind to hot dogs or barbecue chicken, and everything in between. Be sure to bring cash because most trucks cannot accept cards.

• Street Vendors

The claimed World’s Smallest Kite is an amazing souvenir for those that aren’t able to commit to bringing a full sized kite home. It may be tiny, but the excitement it brings is still larger than life. Photo by Taylor Battie.

Another fun activity for visitors of all ages is browsing the various vendor stalls present throughout the festival. These friendly owners sell a variety of items, including sunglasses, legos, stuffed animals and, of course, kites. Kites of all shapes and sizes can be purchased from almost every vendor at the venue. Even the acclaimed “smallest kite in the world” can be found on the sides of the walkways.

• Kids Activities

From hamster balls to bungee trampolines, there are plenty of activities to keep younger visitors of the festival occupied. Photo by Taylor Battie.

This festival is completely family-friendly as there are many activities for children. These include zip-lining, arts and crafts, bungee trampolining and the infamous “candy drop.” You can also visit the petting zoo for a pony ride or the face painting station for some extra fun.

• Street Performers

There’s never a dull moment at the festival, so you don’t have to look far to find a performance to watch. Street performers line the walkways showcasing their various talents. These performances include Japanese dancing, synchronized kite-flying and the work of a not-so PG-13 magician. No matter what you watch, it is worth a moment of your time.

• Live Music

This year’s festival included the talents of a group of Taiko Drummers from Hamamatsu, Japan, who captivated the audience with their traditional sound. They were accompanied by Japanese dancers whose synchronized movements and chanting allowed the audience to become fully immersed in the cultural experience. Visitors can expect more live music and multicultural experiences at future festivals.

• Obviously, the kites

The Giant Creature Kite Expo draws in passionate kite makers and flyers from far and wide to show off their humongous and colorful kites. Photo by Madeleine Grant.

We said there were only five things, but it wouldn’t be the Kite Festival without the kites. There are many displays of fine craftsmanship all throughout the festival, as many people create their own kites. It’s easy to see the passion and excitement that radiates throughout the park as kites of all shapes and sizes fly through the air. For newcomers, there are free kite- making and kite-flying lessons available.

Whether flying a kite with your family and friends, or spectating a performance or Rokkaku battle, there are endless ways to appreciate and have fun with kites at this festival.

Each kite is like a work of art and the festival presents visitors with the opportunity to have an experience like no other.

Check out more photos on Instagram.

July 31, 2019July 31, 2019

Thousands spend hours at Berkeley’s kite festival

July 30, 2019

Kids and people of all different ages in the Kite Festival Day. (Photo by Chelsea Balingasa / Teen Observer)

BERKELEY, Calif. — One park, dozens of tent stores, hundreds of kites and tens of thousands. This city’s annual kite festival is built from all of those elements — and more.

“There are a lot of people; the weather is good. So I will probably recommend it,” Sindhuri Kampli, a mother who came with her family to the festival from Fremont, said. She spotted the event on Facebook and said her daughter, Jasmine, 7, had been a fan of kites for a long time.

Kampli said she loved this opportunity and decided to take her family out to relax and see all the beautiful kites — many of them oversized and others dancing in a synchronized fashion to music.

Walker Brown, a photographer from Richmond, said he makes the drive every year. “I can often get good photos here, both of objects and people,” he said.

All the tent stands aren’t just for food, though. Some businesses were selling hand-sewn fabric.

And others were encouraging people to register to vote.

What makes the festival different from kite-flying in the park? There are multiple shapes and patterns, including hearts, circles, ovals, lines — and many more. Some groups were competing to see who could fly kites as seamlessly as possible.

(Link to video to check out a sample of the kite performance: https://youtu.be/bWUToOIqgUo)

One team set their synchronized performance to a series of different musical tracks, with a leader calling out commands of when to rise and land and move. (Photo by Chelsea Balingasa / Teen Observer)

July 31, 2017July 31, 2017

Mars touts out-of-this-world vintage styles

BERKELEY, Calif.— Mars Mercantile, one of the most popular vintage stores here is home to a multitude of retro clothing items. Managed by Ian Long, a 24-year-old Berkeley resident, the store and its image have gone through a journey of self-discovery.

Ian Long standing behind the cash register, noted to be his favorite place in the store.

Long spent his childhood in Shasta County, California, where his family ran a small organic farm.

“Starting the week I turned 3 years old, my family started going to Saturday morning farmers’ markets in Redding, and for about nine months of the year, every year, that was my childhood,” said Long.

Throughout his time living in a small town, Long developed many strong relationships within his community and said his trips to the market were vital in doing so.

Growing up in a small town that is “only a few hours away, but has almost nothing in common culturally, economically, politically with the Bay Area,” Long said, has been an important aspect of his background and upbringing. His decision to move to Berkeley came from a desire to attend college and to leave his small-town roots.

However, as he was a rather rebellious teenager, Long “had pretty terrible grades” throughout high school. He took time off following graduation, then decided to attend community college before transferring to University of California, Berkeley, where he was accepted in the Peace and Conflict Studies program.

While working as a resident adviser, Long stopped by Mars Mercantile to pick up clothes for a costume party. After walking into the retro clothing store, the then-manager of the store greeted him, and he quickly recognized her as a girl who used to live in Shasta County during his childhood.

He applied for jobs and eventually went back to Mars to ask his old friend if there were any positions available. Although they had just hired the last person they needed for their staff, she said she would put in a good word for him. Shortly after, he was hired.

Long said he worked hard to re-establish the store’s devoted following, and to make sure that the store’s prices were affordable for Berkeley’s many students. He advanced to opening the store, then to the assistant manager, and eventually became the manager.

His and other employees’ pride themselves on building customer relationships, and Long even recalled the time a loyal customer came in after just returning from a trip to China to show a few of the items he had purchased.

Long said he also has had the opportunity to rebuild the vintage store’s identity. Due to the various customers that continue to come back, Long and the owner have chosen to not just prioritize a certain demographic, but instead, the store has opened its arms to any and all who choose to explore the store’s endless racks of clothes.

As Long said, “The fact that we find the right mix of styles that cater to different people” is what sets Mars apart from competitors. Their store doesn’t just focus on one side of the “style spectrum” or a specific gender. In fact, Mars has dedicated each floor of their store to both men’s and women’s clothes.

The staff at Mars will personally help you to make sure that you find that perfect piece. Long described his staff as “people-y-people,”meaning his employees are more than willing to spend time acting as personal stylists of sorts to any customer who enters the store.

Long said, “Our attention to detail, and our attention to people, is very special.”

Long described his experience with a returning customer: “He remembered coming in here and having all these experiences… finding the really cool thing you know, when he was in high school that gave him that sense of identity.”

July 31, 2017July 31, 2017

A kite glides in Berkeley

Kites of all colors, shapes, and sizes, soar through the summer sky. Photo by Allie Anderson.

BERKELEY, Calif. — The last weekend of July brings a world of color down by the Berkeley Marina, where children, families and friends have been going on for more than 30 years to the Berkeley Kite Festival.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with a few kites, and kite enthusiasts finishing setting up. Within a couple of hours, the entire hill is covered with kite fliers and kite watchers. There are small kites, big kites and people of all ages enjoying the view.

“It really turns out here in Berkeley, like by noon everyone will have held a kit. Anyone can do it from 5 years old to over 80 years old,” John Barresi said, while continuing to fly and do tricks with his own kite.

He has been participating in the sport for more than 25 years, simply because “it’s relaxing.” He noted that when one is tense, the kite will be tense, too, but if the controller on the ground is relaxed, the kite flows more freely, which makes for a better time.

There are also kite ballets and competitions at the event for more organized entertainment. The festival brought thousands to Cesar E Chavez Park over two days. Remember to grab a kite and a sweater before you go next year.

August 7, 2015August 7, 2015

Berkeley market builds close relationships

BERKELEY, Calif. — The weekly farmers’ market downtown here, held every Saturday year-round, continues to provide locals and tourists with fresh goods and new relationships. The market, founded in 1987 by the Ecology Center, is a friendly and open area where California farmers spend five hours selling their organic and locally grown products to the community.

Fruits and vegetables at the farmers' market. — Fruits and vegetables are some of the many items sold at the downtown Berkeley farmers’ market, which is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dante Kaleo, an employee for the Ecology Center, said that the farmers’ market sends “a very live vibe.” Kaleo also said that the farmers’ market is important to him because “I’m giving back to my community. This is my community, my people.”

Each week the farmers’ market will attract both old and new customers alike. Kristen Sidell, an architect living in Berkeley, visited the Saturday event with her children for the first time recently despite going to the Thursday and Sunday farmers’ markets many times before, and she said they had a fantastic experience. “It’s great,” she said.

The variety of the offerings of the 65 vendors is one reason that about 1,200 customers show up each week.

The vendors at the farmers’ market also add to the friendly atmosphere by being kind and chatting with everyone. Lupe Sanchez, a farmer from Aromas, has been selling herbs and spices for the past nine years. “You meet new people, build relationships, and talk freely,” Sanchez said.

Katie Coffman, a vendor here for two years, said, “I love coming to the farmers’ market because there’s a beautiful connection between the farmers and consumers. You’re seeing a product coming directly from the farm to the consumers.”

July 8, 2015August 8, 2015

Chez Panisse: French style brought to America

BERKELEY, Calif. — The American restaurant with a very French style of dining, Chez Panisse, founded by Alice Waters and friends, will celebrate its 44th year Aug. 28.

A view of the Chez Panisse kitchen with a chef preparing for lunch – photo by Christian Ormson

Recently, the Teen Observer staff did a walk-through of the early-morning set up to see how the staff approaches an average day.

The earth-tone cedar shingles, as well as the over-hanging tree branches on the decorative porch fencing is the first clue that customers might be walking into a different kind of establishment.

Inside, in the first-floor dining room, dim lights, handmade architectural details and even the wildflower flower arrangements add to a seasonal feel. General Manager Jennifer Sherman said these details should “point towards what you’re about to eat.”

The restaurant and the upstairs and less-formal cafe change their menus daily and buy from local farmers who don’t use pesticides or chemicals.

The dining room serves a four-course meal, and those in the cafe can order a la carte.

“The wonderful thing about Chez Panisse is that it’s so collaborative, there’s a lot of people coming together under Alice’s idea,” said Sherman.

It’s a busy hustle when the cooks arrive in the morning at 6:30 a.m to prepare for the lunch crowd. These chefs have a specific area of expertise in cooking, with lots of variation.

While someone may be preparing sheets of pasta, another will be sorting out the fresh, best-looking raspberries from the not-so-good ones, which might go into a sauce. There will be a chef setting up cheese blocks while the bartender prepares the bar with glassware.

Chez Panisse has an open design concept. After a fire destroyed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining area 30 years ago, Waters saw that as an opportunity to open the space so restaurant-goers could see from the front of the house to the back, an open-concept that has become widespread.

August 9, 2014September 6, 2014

Build Pizzeria recovers from fire

BERKELEY, Calif. — BUILD Pizzeria at the corner of Shattuck and Bancroft streets has been a well-received hot spot since opening 15 months ago. The restaurant that offers a sophisticated, modern twist on pizza was forced to shut down for a week after a small kitchen fire broke out on July 26.

General Manager Jonaten Martinez said no one was hurt, but all the appliances had to be replaced. “The fire broke out about 1:30 a.m.on Saturday night and was a result of procedures being improperly followed,” he said, informing us that an employee left a plastic rack on the stove that then caught on fire.

One of the managers was in the office doing paperwork when suddenly the sprinkler system went off. “We later saw him on the cameras running out from the office through all the smoke that had filled the back,” said Martinez. The pizzeria was cleared by the health department and reopened on Friday, Aug. 1. “There was a really great crowd for the re-opening,” said Martinez.

BUILD offers specialty pizzas from the menu but customers can also build their own: They can choose from among two types of crust, six sauces, seven cheeses and 42 toppings.

The owners imported wood-fired pizza ovens from Italy that reach 750 degrees and cook the pizzas in three to five minutes. In addition, they offer soups and pastas — which can also be built or customized.

The menu was formulated by the original head chef, who is no longer with the company, and owners Lisa Holt and David Shapiro, who also designed the interior. Lisa Holt’s background in five star hotel interior design is apparent once walking through the doors. Martinez said, “We try to bring Berkeley into the restaurant,” which features wall-size prints of black-and-white photos from People’s Park in the 1960s.

Sous chef Jonathan Popenuck reaches out to local vendors himself to try and acquire the freshest vegetables possible. “The owners told us that the priority is always freshness, never cost,” he said. BUILD continues to experiment with different ways to draw in the crowds, including offering “Cal Night” where students with IDs can access a special menu at discounted prices. The restaurant also hosts fundraisers for the university. A great deal of growth and success is sure to come for this Berkeley gem.

What brings people to the farmers’ market?

BERKELEY, Calif. — At the corner of Center and Milvia streets each Saturday morning is the inviting aroma of fresh fruit, multicultural cuisine and friendly chatter. The Berkeley Farmers’ Market, consistent with the city’s diversity and individualism, is the perfect settling ground for vendors, shoppers, street artists, city officials and street people looking for help. Farmers, families, shoppers, bakers and more share space from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. What brings people here?

Dozo the clown at the Farmers' Market and her two most famous items, by Anna Levy — Dozo the clown at the Farmers’ Market,
Photo by Anna Levy

Dozo the Clown is a balloon street artist who has been coming to the market for three years. She was a “cultural refugee” from New Jersey who came to San Francisco to find her place, she said. She studied at New College in San Fransisco, with a thesis on clowns and their impact on society through American History. When she discovered she could find a job entertaining children, after teaching herself to work with balloons, she knew she had found her passion. “Everyone is so relaxed and happy to be here”, she says. Her once a week trip to the market pays $60 on average, as she works only for tips (and also accepts jokes). As not only a clown but also a poet, California was the place to be for her. “There is so much culture and acceptance in San Francisco,” she said.

Evalyn Carbrey, the City of Berkeley Health, Housing and Community Services program director, comes to the Farmers’ Market several times during the summers. Thanks to her close relationship with the Farmers’ Market, she is able to provide checks and food stamps to help underprivileged people eat healthier foods, such as the fresh fruits and vegetables sold at the market, she said. The campaign also encourages drinking more water and cutting out other drinks, such as sugary juices or soda. Her program, the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, works to serve pregnant women, new moms and children under five. This project is only possible with the aid of the Ecology Center, which matches government funding.

Lucky and Sativa the cat at the Farmers' Market by Anna Levy — Lucky and Sativa the cat at the Farmers’ Market
Photo by Anna Levy

Sitting on the grass are Lucky and Shadow, a young couple selling homemade jewelry, notebooks and Tarot readings. They discovered the market by attending an event three weeks earlier and decided to come back each Saturday morning since. In order to have a station at the market, vendors must apply. However, Lucky and Shadow have yet to be confronted about their nearby location. “I’m not sure if we’re allowed to be here, but we’ll stay until somebody tells us to go away,” she said. Lucky is a disabled student, battling lupus while juggling both school and medical fees. While interviewing the couple, a vendor presented Lucky with a free peach. Lucky’s face brightened, and she told us, “We work at the farmer’s market, but we can’t afford to eat here. It’s nice to get fresh food once in a while.”