Berkeleyside, Berkeley's independent news website, brings together leading figures to talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the city for startups. Is Berkeley's reputation as a business-hostile place merited? Are things changing for the better? How can one nurture innovation here?

 

Speakers include:

Will Wright, creator of The Sims and founder, Stupid Fun Club 
David Hyman, founder and CEO, streaming music service MOG 
June Taylor, founder and CEO, jam maker The Still Room 
Judith Iglehart, chief of staff for Mayor of Berkeley 
Rauly Butler, senior VP retail banking for Mechanics Bank. 
Kalimah Priforce, founder, Qeyno Labs
Andre Marquis, head of Lester Center for Entrepreneurship, UC Berkeley

 

Join entrepreneurs, policy makers and local business leaders for a lively, interactive discussion. Ample time will be devoted to questions.

Jump over a bonfire for "Chahr-Shanbeh Souri" to shake off the darkness of winter and welcome the lightness of spring at this free outdoor family-friendly festival.

The celebration extends inside the Persian Center, where a traditional altar holds green grass, live goldfish, food and other items representative of spring called the "haftseen" or seven 's's as each item on the table begins with the letter 's'. Persian music, dance, food and craft vendors, cultural organizations, and children's activities add to the experience. Vendors and other sponsors are welcome.

The Jewish Music Festival is a preeminent platform for artists transforming, unpacking, and creating Jewish music with engaging passion and skill. This edition of the Festival focuses on the sacred musings and interconnected traditions inspiring contemporary songsmiths and composers around the world. The musicians will showcase original compositions, inspired from genres ranging jazz, to hip hop, roots and Western and Eastern classical traditions.

Saturday, March 3, Michael Winograd & Judith Berkson, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 8pm.

Sunday, March 4, Ben Goldberg's Orphic Machine, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, 8pm.

Please visit www.jewishmusicfestival.org for the complete schedule, ticket prices, and sales. Discounts for seniors, students, JCC members, and groups of ten or more. For more information, please call 510-848-0237 x119. Box Office: 866-558-4253 or www.jewishmusicfestival.org

Resources for Community Development just celebrated the opening of Alameda Islander. They have now built 51 affordable housing development projects and are housing over 3,200 people. Their office and center of operations is in Downtown Berkeley in the Oxford Plaza complex, which is one of their developments.

The Downtown Berkeley Ambassadors patrol the district seven days per week to assist visitors and businesses and offer social service outreach to needy people. If you need assistance, just call the Ambassador Dispatch Line

AMBASSADOR DISPATCH LINE 

Monday:      8:00am-5:00pm

Tuesday:     8:00am-9:00pm

Wednesday:8:00am-9:00pm

Thursday:    8:00am-10:30pm

Friday:         8:00am-10:30pm

Saturday:    10:00am-10:30pm

Sunday:       10:00am-7:00pm