Last week, the famed image of legendary rock musician Jimi Hendrix disappeared from campus during the ongoing restoration of Sather Gate. The image had been there since the Civil Rights Movement in the ’60s, according to campus character John Fizer.

After The Daily Cal printed an article on the mysterious disappearance, The James (Jimi) Marshall Hendrix Foundation contacted us to offer the campus a “replacement image.”

“I know it won’t be exactly the same … but I understand traditions,” said  Greg Groeper, the charitable giving coordinator for the foundation, in an e-mail.

Unfortunately, spokespeople from the campus decided not to accept the replacement image.

The last ASUC meeting of February ended surprisingly quickly Wednesday night. But a quick end to a tumultuous month for the Senate did provide an indication of things to come.

Among the issues brought up at the meeting was the possibility that textbook publishers would reach an agreement with either academic departments on campus or local book retailers to sell viewing rights for books online. The change in price was mentioned as a potential discount of $70 on a $100 textbook.

Discussion over the recent recall of Senator John Moghtader was surprisingly sparse given the gravity of the occasion. Except for a brief statement by Senator Tara Raffi in opposition to the cost of the recall and reports for elections council officials, the controversial election seldom came up.

Elections Council Chair Emily Liedblad did announce that turnout on Monday and Tuesday was 3,786 students, which according to her publicity chair exceeded his expectations.

Results of the recall will not be available until next week. Why an electronic election shall take so long to figure out has not been fully clarified by Liedblad.

Executive Vice President Krystle Pasco said during her report that there is the possibility of a ballot initiative for spring elections to pay for the costs of redeveloping Lower Sproul Plaza.

Amusingly, a disruptive student known within ASUC meeting circles for her loud interruptions, bizarre accusations and clear passion for ethnic studies, attended the meeting Wednesday. At a previous meeting, UCPD was called to the chamber to remove her if she didn’t quiet down.

A daily roundup of the biggest headlines in Bay Area and national news.

Carpoolers May Face Discounted Tolls

In light of a budget gap of $140 million, the Bay Area Toll Authority is considering levying discounted tolls for Bay Area carpoolers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. If the proposal passes, carpoolers can expect discounted fees of $2 to $3.

Photo Ban on Soldiers’ Coffins Lifted

The New York Times reports that press photographers may now take pictures of soldiers’ coffins, but only with permission from the soldiers’ families. The ban was instated in 1991 and has been supported by both Democratic and Republican administrations.

Sather Gate is making its return to Sproul Plaza after months of restorative work to the campus icon.

Pieces of the bronze gate are being put in place starting today. The campus plans to have the gate back in full form before Cal Day on April 18.

Contractors removed the gate in October for a $1.5 million restoration project of the century-old gate built in 1910.

Capital Projects spokesperson Christine Shaff said there were few surprises in the project and the contractors kept the schedule. About 5 percent of the bronze had to be replaced, but Shaff said the new pieces will be indistinguishable from the old.

A daily roundup of the biggest headlines in Bay Area, national news and international news.

San Francisco Considering Traffic Restrictions on Market Street

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, city officials on Tuesday agreed to allow a study on Market Street traffic between Van Ness Avenue and the Embarcadero. The study, which is scheduled to be completed within three months, will consider how businesses and traffic on surrounding streets would be affected by restrictions on private car transit.

Gun Control Law Confirmed

The Los Angeles Times reports that a law prohibiting gun ownership by people convicted of certain misdemeanors was upheld by the Supreme Court 7-2 on Tuesday. The law, passed in 1996, extends the ban from those convicted of felonies to those convicted of a domestic violence crime, which are misdemeanors.

Japanese Rate of Export Lowest in Several Years

The gap between Japanese exports and imports has increased to over 950 billion yen, the largest since 1980 according to the BBC. The Japanese government said the country’s economy is in its worst crisis since World War II.

A daily roundup of the biggest headlines in Bay Area and national news.

NASA Satellite Crashes Into Ocean

The Washington Post reports that a satellite designed to monitor carbon dioxide emissions that was launched this morning never reached orbit. The satellite plunged into the Indian Ocean when a piece failed to separate from the satellite. The rocket had insufficient energy to support the extra mass.

Hearst Announces it May Sell or Close Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that if near-term savings–likely in the form of deep cuts to union and non-union staff–cannot be accomplished “quickly,” Hearst Corp. will seek a buyer for the Chronicle. It goes on to say that if a buyer does not come forward, it will shut the Chronicle down.

Climber Rescued From Half Dome

According to the Associated Press, a man who was caught in an avalanche at Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome was rescued on Tuesday. The man was swept 100 meters and survived a night in freezing conditions before he was picked up by a helicopter. He remarkably survived with only a few broken bones.

A weekly roundup of the biggest weekend headlines in Bay Area and national news.

East Bay Feels Magnitude 3.2 Tremor

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that an earthquake hit the East Bay at 7:01 p.m. on Saturday. The quake’s epicenter was a little over four miles southwest of Pleasanton and caused no significant damage.

Space Shuttle Flight Delayed for Fourth Time This Year

According to Reuters, NASA has delayed the year’s first scheduled space shuttle flight for the fourth time. The delay comes in response to concerns over some of the craft’s fuel pressurization valves.

As 10 couples step, skip and spin  across the gleaming hardwood floor of Pauley Ballroom, judges look for their technique, rhythm and timing.

The dancers are dressed in a melange of colors that flow along with every movement. From the audience, spectators shout and cheer for their favorite couples.

On Saturday, more than 200 competitive dancers from throughout Northern California graced Pauley Ballroom to compete at the 9th Annual UC Berkeley Ballroom Classic. Competitors came from universities including UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz and Stanford, according to Bryan Peng, the competition’s coordinator.

The event began in the morning and continued until midnight. (Click here to read more…)

A daily roundup of the biggest headlines in Bay Area and national news.

Man Stabbed, Dies at Fruitvale BART Station

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a man was stabbed and died last night at the Fruitvale BART station around 9:30 p.m. The incident comes after a man was fatally shot at the same BART station on New Year’s Day.

Food Banks See Increase in Traffic

The New York Times reports food banks across the country have noticed a 30 percent demand increase last year compared to 2007. Many of the needy are people who never faced a financial crisis before.

Staying true to their word on Facebook, Caffe Strada ended their 20th anniversary promotional week with a cup of joe free-for-all today.

“We ordered tons of stuff,” said Daryl Ross, owner of Caffe Strada. “We have about 75 cases of milk, 500 pounds of coffee and chocolate, and are going to put the employees on shorter shifts so they won’t burn out. We were originally thinking 2500 people, but based on feedback, we’re thinking there’ll be 5000 people. Scary.”

The event, following week-long giveaways of T-shirts, dinner at Adagia restaurant, and free nights at the Ross-owned Bancroft Hotel, commemorates the cafe’s opening in 1989. Ross, who frequented Cafe Mediterraneum when he was a Philosophy undergrad here at Berkeley, says he enjoys the feeling of having a place that can be a part of people’s lives. (Click here to read more…)