An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 hit the Bay Area at 8 a.m. Thursday, as the Hayward Fault gave way north of San Leandro and the area suffered one of its largest disasters in decades. -more-

Friday, May 26 -more-

In a May 16 Perspective, Robert Cabrera of the Berkeley Property Owners Association (BPOA) wrote that vacancy-decontrolled rents in Berkeley are some $100 higher than they would otherwise bee. He sympathized with the plight of “the poor, the elderly and students for whom $100 is a significant portion of their income,” and cited anecdotal evidence that some tenants may be “hoarding” apartments to avoid forfeiting rent control. -more-

Over a period of several years, four acquaintances – two male and two female – become involved in a round robin of sexual and romantic relationships, and learn to communicate about sex, in Patrick Marber’s 1998 London Critics’ Circle award-winning Best Play “Closer,” which opened in a strong production Wednesday at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. -more-

Having been snubbed by the North Coast Section for a playoff spot, the senior-filled Berkeley High boys volleyball team’s 2000 season is already a distant memory for players and coaches still involved in postseason play. -more-

The Berkeley Federation of Teachers and the Berkeley Unified School District reached a tentative contract agreement early Thursday morning, but the details of the deal won’t be released until early next week. -more-

THEATER -more-

Brilliant white egrets pose motionless along the lagoon’s edge, peering intently into the waters. Shoreline reeds yield to grassy upland meadows. Nestled amidst the high, leafy branches, magnificent wooden towers have suddenly arisen. -more-

Construction of a regulation-size baseball field at the East Campus site is looking more and more like a dead deal. -more-

In the article “BFT, BUSD closer to deal” (Daily Planet, May 18), your editor reported: “Wednesday night, no one showed up to speak up about the contract issue ...” It’s true, no one spoke about a contract, but I certainly did speak about the ISSUE. -more-

Older, disabled and long-term tenants may get a tool to help prevent property owners from moving into their units. -more-

A caller to the Daily Planet on Thursday said she had just sighted the man and his two pit bulls responsible for attacking Oakland resident Jamonie Robinson earlier this month. -more-

DEA searches home -more-