The Buzz 01.08.15

WHO’S IN TOWN?

In 2013, Krste Asanovic, a UC Berkeley computer science professor, foresaw the end of an era in tech development. “No longer can computer architects or software stacks rely on the previously relentless improvements in transistor technology,” he wrote by way of introduction to a five-year project, ASPIRE (“algorithms and specializers for provably optimal implementations with resilience and efficiency,” naturally). The research group uses “deep hardware and software co-tuning” to chart the future of computing – the smartphones your grandchildren might use. The ASPIRE team presents at this invitation-only conference for students, faculty and industrial sponsors.

Jan. 12-14. Marriott, 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. (510) 643-1455, https://aspire.eecs.berkeley.edu.

DID YOU KNOW?

Every year, thousands of super fit runners who want to run Big Sur International Marathon (and pay to do it) cannot because it sells out quickly. For the first time, 50 county residents can grab a post-sell-out spot at an in-person random drawing 9-10:30am Saturday, Jan. 10, at Treadmill in the Crossroads Carmel. www.bsim.org, 625-6226.

OVERHEARD

“What was the name of that small movie theater that used to be where the Aquarium is? The one that showed stuff like A Clockwork Orange and had pillows on the floor covered in lice?”
- Woman to her husband Dec. 29, at the going-away party for music writer Mac McDonald

GOOD WEEK / BAD WEEK

GOOD:

[Editor's Note: This Good Week has been deleted due to a reporting error. The Pacific Grove Police Officers Association and city of Pacific Grove have not signed a memorandum of understanding on its contract. The original report used outdated information.]

BAD:

In the dark of Christmas night, burglars ransacked Carmel Valley’s Hacienda Hay & Feed, making off with a haul that Chris Olew – who’s owned the store with wife JoAnn for 15 years – estimates at around $35,000. Five days after the crime, he still wasn’t sure just how much was taken. “Every time we turn around, we find something else missing,” he says. He believes the thieves cased his store beforehand, as they took everything from horse tack and medicine to computers and power tools. The Olews are insured, but Chris isn’t sure yet what losses will be covered. “If the insurance can help us out we’ll be OK. If not, we’re touch and go,” he says. “It’s like getting slapped in the face.”