Fireplaces

One of the main attractions of the Berkeley Institute are its four fireplaces, which seem to be constantly lit, even into late May. They are a source of warmth, a focal point of socializing and congregation, and a sometime incinerator/place to dry clothing. The fireplaces constitute of a gas outlet underneath cement logs, so that when lit, it gives the impression of a traditional wood fireplace. Matches are always a precious commodity, and matchboxes can be found misplaced throughout the institute. While gas may be relatively cheap, the fireplaces are a drain on CES's financial resources and a potential liability not faced by other more boring institute buildings; this fact leads ward members to fear the prospect of a day when the gas is cut off and the fireplaces go cold. But until that day, the fireplaces remain as one of the primary strong points and attractions of the University Ward & Berkeley Institute building.

Foyer/Main Room Fireplace
The main fireplace, it is a magnet for people in skirts and socializing in between sacrament meeting and classes. More class/discussion time has been lost to socializing around the fireplace than to stale old mission stories. People are usually good about respecting the fireplace and not tossing junk in it. A favorite pasttime around this fireplace is playing the game Hot Pants: a person, usually in jeans, stands in front of the fire for a lengthy period of time, then rushes to a couch and sits down quickly, experiencing the exquisite pain that comes from exposing bare flesh to hot denim.

Recently, the burnt outline of Joseph Smith has been supposedly seen in this fireplace.

Oval Room Fireplace
A favorite of the Freshmen Sunday School class and people sequestered away studying.

Relief Society Room Fireplace
A favorite of the women in the ward, and Matt Marostica's/MJ Pritchett's Tuesday night Institute class.

Upstairs/MTC Room Fireplace
The least used of the four fireplaces, this fireplace differs in style than the other three; instead of cement logs, there is a standing metal grate, and little plumes of flame pop up. This is less visually appealing and practically gives off less heat; however, during study time the fireplace is still turned on. This fireplace was also the site of an ill-advised attempt by one ward clerk who, tired of the time it was taken to use the paper shredder to dispose of 7 years of old ward financial records, decided to burn them in the fireplace grate. It was at this time that the clerk discovered that tithing carbon copies smoke profusely when burned - it took two fans constantly running for a week to air out the room and get rid of the smoky smell.