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While UC profs are proffering manifestoes to solve California’s energy crisis and Berkeley radicals are rallying for a state takeover of the gas and electric industries, a few locals, calling themselves Public Utility Kinship Exhibition (PUKE) decided to take matters into their own hands Monday.  

With an ironing board laden with goodies, they held a bake sale for PG&E outside its offices at Center Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

“Spare change for PG&E; any amount will help,” Carol Denney, on squeeze box, called out between songs. 

Jim Nelson, on banjo, echoed her appeal. 

Patricia Davis had just paid her electric bill. Emerging from the PG&E office she grinned at Denney and Nelson – and at Richard List whose square head covering was adorned with light bulbs.  

“Sorry,” Davis said. “I just gave them all my money.”  

“But they have special needs,” Denney responded. “You need to open your heart.”