Telegraph Avenue's News & Events
Good news for Mario's La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant! — "Hi all, Things are looking good for Mario’s La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant! Final approval on the transfer of Mario’s ABC liquor license appears to be imminent—in my latest phone call to ABC’s 
Anita Williams, she told me that all paperwork pertaining to the license has been filed and completed by the Oakland ABC district office, and has been forwarded to the ABC office in Sacramento. Also, the resident’s protest has been withdrawn. It seems after much lobbying on Mario’s behalf by the City Council of Berkeley, along with others, Mario’s may rest assured that their license-transfer is moving forward.
We have been working on this issue for quite some time. On September 22nd, 2009, we submitted to the City Council of Berkeley a council item in support of the license transfer, and gained unanimous approval from the Council regarding the transfer. We understand frustrations about the length of time it’s taken to get this license transferred. We fully have supported Mario’s in seeking this license transfer, and appreciate all other supporters of Mario’s, especially those who have taken the time to help lobby for this license transfer—be it by calling, writing in, or anything else.
Mario’s is a stellar restaurant, which wholly deserves this license to transfer. Again, the holdups which have taken place at ABC have certainly been frustrating to us, as well as all others who support Mario’s, as I know you all do.
Here’s hoping the rest of the process goes smoothly and quickly!"
Sincerely,
Kriss Worthington, Councilmember, City of Berkeley, District 7
City of Berkeley Honors Owners of Ann's Kitchen — David & Suki An, owners of Ann's Kitchen (voted Best Breakfast 2009 by the Daily Cal), located at Dwight & Telegraph Ave, were given a rare honor by the City of Berkeley on December 2nd. Mayor Tom Bates & City Councilman Kriss Worthington presented them with a proclamation that was unanimously approved by the Berkeley City Council. 
The proclamation announced that December 2nd, 2008 would be known as the David and Suki An Day in the City of Berkeley in gratitude for their many years of dedicated service to the homeless & disadvantaged in the city of Berkeley.
Each year. for the last 18 years, on the day before Thanksgiving, the Ans open their restaurant and provide a lavish Thanksgiving meal to all those who wish to partake. They have provided love, warmth and great food to all who have entered their restaurant and the City of Berkeley is very proud to have such great people with us. Thanks Suki & David.
The “new” WillardNA.org Website! — The Willard Neighborhood website is back and is better than ever. http://wna.localpost.com
As George Beier, president of the Willard Neighborhood Association says,
"Nothing like a recession to give one a little extra time! I’ve beefed up the website. The point of the site is to track LOCAL issues, events, businesses, you name it! If you have an article you’d like to publish – send me an email! Perhaps you own a local business or are an artist –I’ll put a free “ad” up for you. Perhaps you’ve heard about a crime in your neighborhood that didn'tt make the papers? Or maybe you’ve lost your cat? I’ll pretty much post anything, or show you how you can do it yourself. I’ll also be posting what happens at the steering committee so you all can follow some of the issues that we’re tracking on a neighborhood level. Check it out!"
Laurie Chastain and Celtic radtrad group "Remencier" —
Celtic fiddler Laurie Chastain, a resident of the East Bay, will have her latest release, "Remencier" 
on sale at Amoeba's Music on Telegraph Avenue.
The fiddler Chastain plays several times a year at La Bateau Ivre.
Check their site at http://www.lebateauivre.net/ to see when she will perform. Her music will bring you great joy.
Louis Cuneo — founded Mother's Hen in 1971 and is founder and coordinator of the Berkeley Poetry Festival, Muchos Somos Series, Touch of a Poet Series and currently publishes online the Open Mic Directory 
for the Bay Area. Known as a haiku poet who helped establish a unique form of American Haiku.
Cuneo has recently turned his attention to haiga, the visual aspect of haiku. He now spends most of his free time capturing the intimate moments of Berkeley and the Bay Area in his photographs & sells his photos every Sunday on Telegraph Avenue. 2007-2008 saw some of his giclee prints winning awards and being hung in the Berkeley City Hall.
Cal Performances — Do not forget to enjoy some of the world's best performances at Cal Performances. They resume their schedule in September, after a two month vacation for the summer. Remember that it is just down the street. The best performers in the world!!!!!!And you can get tickets for $20 half an hour before curtain call if any are still available.
http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu/presents/season/2009/calendar_current.php#current