In the latest stroke of what's become routine in Berkeley - the closing of chain stores and restaurants due to Berkeley's principled yet still irritatingly-executed preference for the local and independent - the always poorly-patronized Taco Bell on University Ave. has recently been shuttered. And in keeping with the tastes of the city's residents, its shell will be inhabited by a fledgling, locally-owned enterprise. A donut shop. Not quite a certified-organic greengrocer, but not Taco Bell either. Little problem, though: the name. Flakey [sic] Creme. What, STDonuts was taken?

[Owls! postings will appear at somewhat erratic times this week, daily readers may wish to note.]