Berkeley

A politically progressive California city of 110,000 across the Bay from San Francisco. Home of the Free Speech Movement, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Green Day, Counting Crows, and the University of California (Go Bears!) a.k.a. "Cal". The elements Berkelium (Bk), Californium (Cf), and Americium (Am), among others, were discovered at U.C. Berkeley. The cradle of the anti-Vietnam war movement (which led to Goveror Ronald Regan tear-gassing his own citizens). Early opponents to the "Patriot Act" and the Iraq war. First city to: -- divest (remove investments) from South Africa, accelerating the end of Apartheid. -- covert its entire diesel fleet to biodiesel fuel. -- enact a comprehensive smoking ban. -- voluntarily implement city-wide school busing. -- implement curb-side recycling. -- install curb cuts in sidewalks for wheelchairs and bicycles. -- prohibit the sale of ozone-destroying styrofoan fast-food cups and clam-shell containers. Barbara Lee, the only U.S. Congressman to vote against giving Pretzeldent Bush the authority to attach Afghanistan and Iraq, represents Berkeley. Home to the "How Berkeley Can You Be" parade each September.