Vice President Al Gore announced to the world during the Tuesday night debate that he might not be the most exciting politician.  

George W. Bush was not that exciting either, said Bruce Cain, Director of UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, speaking to the group of political science students gathered in the basement of Moses Hall on the UC campus to watch the first campaign debate. 

The students seemed to agree, with several in the audience characterizing the debates as “hard to pay attention to.” 

“Neither candidate stood out. I’d like to have seen Nader in these debates,” said Ryan Clark, a sophomore who registered for the Green Party a day earlier. “I know that Nader would have brought the death penalty and campaign finance reform issues to the table with him.” 

Sophomore Nirav Kamdar said the debate was too centered on issues that did not touch him, such as Social Security and Medicare. 

“It seems like it’s mostly their own agenda. Perhaps because I’m young, I don’t understand the details of these issues.” 

Kamdar also said he felt that both candidates moved quickly to the political middle, making it difficult for him to differentiate between the two. 

“Voting without much sense of their differences is like a blind draw,” he said. 

As the debates began, Cain warned students to watch for references to the 12 citizens invited to put a human face on the candidates’ debate rhetoric.  

“They brought 12 people from swing (vote) areas. Watch how Bush and Gore use their stories. It’s always a question of whether they’ll get the stories right,” said Cain, adding that the Bush Web site would have fact checkers posting responses to everything that Gore said in his speech. 

The more than 100 students roared with laughter when these characters appeared in the candidates’ narration, particularly at the end of the debate when Gore referred to a Winnebago-driving, poodle-walking 79-year-old woman in his final statement as an example of the middle class people his health care policy would help. 

Other stock phrases, like “fuzzy math,” “a lockbox on social security” and “the wealthiest 1 percent” drew laughter as students tried to predict when the soundbytes would be used again. 

Both candidates touched on education issues. This was a particular sore point for Veronica Terriquez, who graduated last year with a Masters degree in Education. 

“Standardized testing was proposed by both of them, and without programs like teacher training, those tests just serve to tell the same story - that rural and poor urban areas don’t perform as well on standardized tests. Then, because these schools don’t perform as well, which we already knew, they get penalized by not getting funding, and the situation gets worse,” said Terriquez. 

She singled out Bush’s plan to implement school vouchers as particularly odious. 

“Vouchers take money from the public schools, which are already short of funds, and lets middle class kids go to private schools. This means that the gap between poor kids and the rest of the nation will widen,” she said, adding that in California this would perpetuate an unequal achievement between youth of color and white kids. 

“There are schools here that don’t even have adequate textbooks,” she said. “How will standardized tests measure that?” 

While debating Gore on which sectors of American society would receive tax breaks from the government, Bush drew the loudest laugh of the night when he said “(It’s) not the role of a president to decide right and wrong,” . 

Professor Raymond Wolfinger, the Heller Professor of political science at UC Berkeley, said the comment was “ironic when considering the Republicans’ stance on moral issues” during the Lewinsky scandals. 

“Republicans have discussed moral issues throughout Clinton’s presidency. 

“To say that the president does not decide what is right and wrong at this point....” he said, letting his voice trail off to make his point. 

Wolfinger also noted the “Nader effect” on the debate. Saying that Bush “muffled” policy contrasts with Gore to “not be blown away,” in the debates, Wolfinger felt that Gore pointed out those differences clearly. 

“I think Gore explicitly pointing out his differences with Bush was an implicit response to Nader’s point that there is no distinction between the parties,” said Wolfinger, a Democrat. “The differences were made clear. Even though I was battling sleep, I got that much from the debates.” 

Others felt that Nader and the political climate created by mass protests in Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles pushed Gore more to the left than he’d have been otherwise. 

“I think Nader and the protests were on Gore’s mind. It’s good to hear a politician say that special interests had too much power in Washington,” said Charlene Lee, a junior English major. 

Overall, however, the debates and the debaters were considered duds by most in Moses Library. 

“There was no winner, no one really stood out. Bush seemed more human than Gore, but Gore seemed more well versed in the issues,” continued Lee, adding candidly, “I’d like to have switched channels and watched some of the A’s game.”

Thursday, Oct. 5

Candidate meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church 

941 The Alameda (at Los Angeles) 

The NorthEast Berkeley Association sponsors a meeting featuring candidates for the Districts 5 and 6 City Council seats, plus discussion of Berkeley ballot measures. 

3rd annual Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Association Golf Tournament 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. Entry Fee includes cart range balls and Award Luncheon. Proceeds benefit Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Scholarship Fund. 

$99 Entry Fee 

644-6554 

New Role for the U.N.  

in the New Century 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion with Rosemary van der Laan, President of the Board of Directors of the UN Association of the United States, about globalization and it’s impacts on the economic, social and political lives of the world.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Capoeira Arts Cafe  

& Company Perform  

Noon 

BART plaza, Downtown  

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

A Brazilian extravaganza of Samba, Capoeira and more. Free. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

2118 Milvia St., Second Floor 

Conference Room 

Discussion of the West Berkeley Air Monitoring Project.  

Contact Nabil Al-Hadithy, 705-8155 

Public Works Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) Discussions will include the status report on the Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign.  

665-3440 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Topics will include a discussion on the adoption of a housing code amendment to ensure the proper functioning of gas appliances in residential units.  

Contact Oscar Sung, 665-3469 

Friday, Oct. 6

Opera: Marriage of Figaro & Schubert Songs 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

More info contact Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Circle Dancing 

7:45 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Finnish Brotherhood Hall 

1970 Chestnut St. 

Beginners welcome; no partners needed.  

John Bear: 528-4253 

“Stocks, Bonds, and the Future” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Dennis Quan, Account Executive at Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11  

For info and reservations, 848-3533 

Sustainable Business Alliance Networking Lunch 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Saffron Caffe 

2813 Seventh St. 

The purpose of this lunch is to network with other businesses interested in sustainable business practices. The lunch is open to non-members.  

Call Terry O’Keefe, 451-4000 

Learn to Birdwatch 

Oct. 16, 18, 23 & 25 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

UC Botanical Gardens 

200 Centennial Drive 

$50 for members; $65 for non-members 

Call for info or to enroll: 643-2733 

Saturday, Oct. 7

Berkeley Grassroots Greening Tour 

Starts at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. 

Celebrate Open Garden Day by joining this annual bicycle tour of local community and school gardens. Part of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Houses or Open Hills? 

10 a.m.  

Experience Black Diamond Mines Regional Park’s ghost towns, coal mines, spectacular views and open space on this hike by the proposed sites of 7,700 homes near Antioch. Cosponsored by Save Mount Diablo. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Open Garden Day 

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

The sixth annual Open Garden Day offers garden lovers an opportunity to peek into 34 local community and school gardens. The gardens offer fresh food, children’s activities, composting demonstrations, and more. Special electric bus tour and bicycle tours will be available. Maps and schedules are available in East Bay libraries, nurseries, and in the pages of this very newspaper.  

More info: BCGC, 883-9096  

Harwood Creek Cleanup 

9 a.m. - Noon 

John Muir School  

2955 Claremont Ave. 

Help clean up and restore the creek that runs through John Muir school. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, chippers/shredders, tools and pick-up trucks. 

Voter Empowerment Town Hall Meeting 

1 - 4 p.m. 

West Bay Community Center 

1290 Fillmore St. 

San Francisco 

Sponsors include the Berkeley NAACP Youth Council. 

For additional info: 1-877-316-9071 

Women’s Evening At the Movies 

7:30 p.m. 

Pacific Center 

2712 Telegraph 

A monthly night at the movies for lesbian, bi and transexual women. This months featured film is “Fried Green Tomatoes.” 

$5 donation requested 

Call 548-8283  

Free Estate Planning Seminar 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

St. Ambrose Church 

1145 Gilman St. (at Cornell Ave.) 

Call Catholic Charities of the East Bay, 768-3109 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Harvest Fair 

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

BYA Community Garden Patch 

1308 Bancroft Way (between Acton and Bonar) 

The seventh annual fair features pumpkin carving, face painting, music, Karaoke, crafts, and fresh produce grown right in the BYA garden. Kids of all ages are welcome. Call 845-9067 

Locate Long-lost Relatives 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  

Cody’s Books 

1730 Fourth St. 

If you are looking for a missing relative, the International Soundex Reunion Registry may be able to help. The ISRR is a free, nonprofit service.  

Call Bob Crowe, 835-1550 

Pearl Ubungren Dancers with Joey Ayala 

PUSOD 

1808 Fifth St.  

Also performing will be Kayumanggi and Bobby Banduria. Free.  

Call 883-1808 for additional info.  

Sunday, Oct. 8

Voter Registration Sunday 

11 a.m. service 

St. Paul’s AME Church 

2024 Ashby Ave. 

Sponsored by the Berkeley NAACP Youth and College division 

Call: 710-0238 

—Compiled by  

Chason Wainwright 

Author and Minister Sarah York to Speak 

10:45 a.m.  

Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley 

1 Lawson Road 

Kensington 

York is the author of “Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life and Mourning Death.” 

More info: 525-0302 

Tibetan Cultural Preservation 

6 p.m.  

Tibetan Nyingma Institute  

1815 Highland Place 

Erin Clark and Sandy Olney speak on “Sustaining the Tibetan Tradition.” 

call 843-6812 

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Cal Alumni Singles 20th Anniversary Dinner 

UC Faculty Club 

Dinner scheduled for Oct. 15 

For reservations call 527-2709 by Oct. 10 

Kenya, 40 Years Ago and Today 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call 644-6107 for more info  

Wednesday, Oct. 11 

Are Domed Cities in the future? 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom  

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion based on UC Berkeley alumnus Tim Holt’s book, “On Higher Ground.” Set 50 years in the future, part of the book takes place in an East Bay enclosed by a climate-controlled dome.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Tenant-Landlord Problems? 

12:30 - 2 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Bring your concerns about repairs, harrassment and housing rights.  

Call 644-6107 

Homeless Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center  

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

644-8616 

Police Review Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St.  

The commission will discuss their workplan/goals for the upcoming year.  

644-6716 

Board of Library Trustees 

7 p.m.  

South Branch  

1901 Russell  

644-6095 

Waterfront Commission 

7 p.m. 

His Lordships Restaurant 

199 Seawall Dr.  

644-6376 x234 

Planning Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

705-8137 

Commission on Disability 

6:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

655-3440 

Thursday, Oct. 12

East Timor: The Road to Independence 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion of events leading up to the creation of the newest nation of the millennium and issues raised on the road to independence.  

$3 admission 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Meeting Life Changes 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

With John Hammerman.  

For info: 644-6107 

Sterling Trio 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing a variety of chamber music. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Zoning Adjustments Commission 

7 p.m.  

Old City Hall  

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

705-8110 

Community Health Commission 

6:45 p.m.  

Mental Health Clinic 

2640 MLK Jr. Way 

665-6845 

Friday, Oct. 13

“The Evolution and Cost of Ethical Drugs” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Stanford D. Splitter, retired MD speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

Call for reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow & Indian Market 

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Entry 1 p.m.  

Enjoy Native American foods, arts & crafts, drumming, singing and many types of native dancing. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley, this event is free.  

Civic Center Park 

Allston Way at MLK Jr. Way 

Info: 615-0603 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

1 - 4 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Sunday, Oct. 15

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Los Gatos Opera House 

Celebrate the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. This benefit features a variety of musical groups, local artists and samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries and microbreweries. Proceeds benefit Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person; $80 for this event and the Oct. 22 event in SF 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

A Muslim Approach to Life 

3 p.m. 

St. Johns Presbyterian Church 

2727 College Ave.  

A presentation on the Muslim spiritual life and culture which will focus on women’s lives and the uniqueness of women’s spiritual journeys. This is the first of four Sunday programs that will focus on this theme.  

Call 527-4496 

Time, Space, and Knowledge Vision 

6 p.m.  

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Ken McKeon speaks on “Time, Space, and Knowledge, Right from the Start.” 

Call 843-6812 

1923 North Berkeley Fire Walking Tour 

10 a.m. - Noon 

Phil Gale leads this tour of the Sept. 18, 1923 fire site, identifying various changes wrought in buildings and landscape. The tour includes the Mayback chimney, around which a new home was constructed. Pre-paid reservations are required.  

$10 

Call for reservations, 848-0181 

Monday, Oct. 16

Private Elementary School Parent Information Panel 

7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St.  

A panel of parents from six area private schools discuss the admission process and their experiences. Sponsored by the Neighborhood Parents Network 

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

Call 527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Is the West Berkeley Shellmound a landmark? 

7 p.m.  

City Council Chambers 

2134 MLK Jr. Way, 2nd floor 

Continued and final public hearing on the appeals against landmark designation of the West Berkeley Shellmound. The City Council may possibly make it’s decision at this meeting. 

Landscape Archeology and Space-Age Technologies in Epirus, Greece 

8 p.m.  

370 Dwinelle Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Professor of Archeology, Art History and Classics Dr. James Wiseman presents a slide-illustrated lecture. 

Mario Savio Memorial Lecture 

7:30 p.m. 

Pauley Ballroom 

UC Berkeley 

Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Hochschild will speak on the theme “Forwards and Backwards - Women, globalization, and the new class structure.” Free.  

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Clement Blvd.  

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

“Women and Trafficking: Domestic & Global Concerns” 

6 - 9:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

The Berkeley Commission on the Status of Women invites the public to this forum which will include an expert panel discussion, and a movie on Women and trafficking. Free. 

Call 644-6107 for more info.  

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Promise and Perils of Transgenic Crops 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, professor of Plant and Microbiology at UC Berekeley, of the scientific basis for biotechnology, it’s risks and benefits. 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Rafael Mariquez Free Solo Concert 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Public Library, South Branch 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This Chilean folksinger and guitarist presents his original settings of selections by Latin American poets. 

Contact: 644-6860; TDD 548-1240 

Vocal Sauce 

Noon 

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

The JazzSchool’s vocal jazz ensemble perform award-winning arrangements by Greg Murai.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 20

“The Ballot Issues” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  

Luncheon: $11 

Call 848-3533 

Human Nature 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

The X-plicit Players present this idyllic nude ritual. Watch or participate: Be led blindfolded through body tunnels, into body streams while sensing psychic/body qualities through touch. Also presented on Oct. 21.  

$12 admission 

Call 415-848-1985 

Saturday, Oct. 21

A Day on Mt. Tam 

9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Come play and hike in San Francisco’s beloved playground. This outing is part of a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

AHIMSA Eight Annual Conference 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

International House, Great Hall 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

The AHIMSA is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to encourage dialogues and public forums which bridge spiritual, scientific and social issues. This years conference is titled “Violence! Scientific and Spiritual Perspectives.”  

Admission is free 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Center St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Taste a whole farmers’ market’s bounty of fall fruit varieties. 

Free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Sunday, Oct. 22

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Presidio’s Golden Gate Club 

Greenbelt Alliance brings the farm to the city in this celebration of the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. Featured are samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries, microbreweries. Also featured are live music and local artwork. The event benefits Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

An Evening with Alice Walker 

7:30 p.m.  

King Middle School  

1781 Rose St. (at Grant) 

free parking 

Join internationally loved novelist, poet and essayist Alice Walker in celebrating her new book of autobiographical stories, “The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.” Benefits Berkeley EcoHouse and KPFA Radio, 94.1 FM.  

Tickets: $10 advance, $13 door 

Tickets available at independent bookstores 

More info: 848-6767 x609 

Take a Trip to the Oakland Ballet 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organized by the Senior Center to see “Glass Slippers.”  

Tickets: $6 each 

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Monday, Oct. 23

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Turns 100 

6 p.m. 

Nov. 4 

Silver Dragon Restaurant 

835 Webster St. 

Oakland 

Reservations: $30 per person 

More info: 548-5295 

Public Schools Parent Information Night 

7 - 9 p.m.  

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St. 

Parents, principals and other administrative staff from 11 elementary schools will speak about their schools. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network.  

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Come taste a bounty of fall fruit varieties for free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Thursday, Oct. 25

International Jewish Video Competition Winners 

7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way 

Screening of the four winners in the Museum’s seventh annual competition.  

Call 549-6950 

Thursday, Oct. 26

East Bay Science & Arts Middle School 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Middle school students perform dances of folk, swing, and Cuban rueda styles. Free.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 27

“Transporation: What’s in Store?” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club  

2315 Durant Ave.  

Larry Dahms, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Council speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

More info and reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 28

Pedaling the Green City 

11 a.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Take a leisurely bike ride along the future San Francisco Bay Trail. One in a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Saturday, Nov. 4

Breathtaking Barnabe Peak 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Hike through Samuel P. Taylor State Park’s lush forests and climb to the heights of Barnabe Peak, overlooking Point Reyes. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Monday, Nov. 6

Airports vs. the Bay 

7 p.m. 

Albany Community Center 

1249 Marin St.  

Albany 

David Lewis, Executive Director of “Save the Bay” will speak on the airports’ plans to expand into the SF Bay and other challenges to Bay restoration.  

Contact: Friends of Five Creeks, 848-9358 

Thursday, Nov. 9

The Life and Art of Chiura Obata 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Public Library 

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

A slide show and lecture presented by Obata’s granddaughter, Kimi Kodani Hill, celebrating Obata’s book, “Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art of the Internment,” and the retrospective exhibit of Obata’s work to appear this Fall at SFs De Young Museum. 

For details call 644-6850  

Saturday, Nov. 11

Moonlight on Mt. Diablo 

1 - 10:30 p.m.  

Hike up the Devil’s Mountain by daylight, catch a glorious sunset and hike back by the light of the moon. One in a series of free outing organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Sunday, Nov. 12

Views, Vines and Veggies 

9:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

Climb Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf State Park and peer down upon the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Then please your palate at the Landmark Winery and visit Oak Hill organic vegetable and flower farm. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

“Time Across Cultures” 

2 - 4 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Claremont Ave.  

The annual Roselyn Yellin Memorial lecture with a slide-illustrated panel discussion. Also a tour of the “Telling Time” exhibit at the Judah L. Magnes Museum followed by a reception at the museum, 4 - 5 p.m.  

More info: 549-6950 

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Take a Trip to the Steinbeck Museum and 

Mission San Juan Bautista 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organzied by the Senior Center.  

$40 with lunch, $25 without  

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Thursday, Nov. 16

Reminiscing in Swingtime 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Library  

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

George Yoshida, author and jazz drummer, presents a multi-media program recounting the big band experience in the Japanese American internment camps. The presentation will be capped with a set of live jazz by the George Yoshida Quartet. 

Call for more info: 644-6850 

Saturday, Nov. 18

S.F. Stairs and Peaks 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Begin the day with a visit to the farmer’s market, then meander up the stairways and streets of Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower. Then up Russian Hill, descending to Fisherman’s Wharf for a ride back on the new historic streetcar line. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 

Berkeley Free Folk Festival 

11 a.m. - 1 a.m.  

Ashkenaz  

1317 San Pablo Ave. 

Fourteen hours of free concerts, workshops, jam sessions and to top it off a Saturday night dance. The fifth annual Folk Festival will feature Shay & Michael Black, Spectre Double Negative & the Equal Positive, Larry Hanks, Wake the Dead and many others. Sponsored by Charles Schwab and the City of Berkeley.  

More info or to volunteer: 525-5099 

Sunday, Nov. 19

Mt. Madonna & Wine  

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Hike through evergreen forests and visit the remains of a 19th century estate, then finish the day with a visit to Kruse Winery. One of many free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: (415) 255-3233 for reservations 

ONGOING EVENTS 

Sundays 

Green Party Consensus Building Meeting 

6 p.m. 

2022 Blake St. 

This is part of an ongoing series of discussions for the Green Party of Alameda County, leading up to endorsements on measures and candidates on the November ballot. This week’s focus will be the countywide new Measure B transportation sales tax. The meeting is open to all, regardless of party affiliation. 

415-789-8418 

Tuesdays 

Easy Tilden Trails 

9:30 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, in the parking lot that dead ends at the Little Farm 

Join a few seniors, the Tuesday Tilden Walkers, for a stroll around Jewel Lake and the Little Farm Area. Enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers, turtles, and warblers, and waterfowl. 

215-7672; members.home.com/teachme99/tilden/index.html 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

Computer literacy course 

6-8 p.m. 

James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. 

This free course will cover topics such as running Windows, File Management, connecting to and surfing the web, using Email, creating Web pages, JavaScript and a simple overview of programming. The course is oriented for adults. 

644-8511 

Saturdays 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Poets Juan Sequeira and Wanna Thibideux Wright 

Thursdays 

The Disability Mural 

4-7 p.m. through September 

Integrated Arts 

933 Parker 

Drop-in Mural Studios will be held for community gatherings and tile-making sessions. This mural will be installed at Ed Roberts campus. 

841-1466 

Fridays 

Ralph Nader for President 

7 p.m.  

Video showings to continue until November. Campaign donations are requested. Admission is free.  

Contact Jack for directions at 524-1784. 

2nd and 4th Sunday 

Rhyme and Reason Open Mike Series 

2:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. 

The public and students are invited. Sign-ups for the open mike begin at 2 p.m. 

234-0727;642-5168 

Tuesday and Thursday 

Free computer class for seniors 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Compiled by Chason Wainwright 

Al Gore – No Clinton, but probably my choice 

By Russell Morse 

“Al Gore is for the people.” I swear, when I heard those words, I was shocked. Did anybody really believe that? The speaker was a young kid who grew up in the projects and now lives in a detention center for juveniles. Fitting in a filthy denim suit, with bits of straw in his hair from working outdoors, he wants Al Gore for president. 

And maybe now, after the debates, so do I. 

I like Al Gore. I never did before. I bet my roommate $100 that G-Dub would be our next president way back when he was butting heads with John McCain. I’d been rooting for W – a reflection of my cynicism. I alsobelieved that no politician, particularly one from either corner of the partisan ring, could escape corporate control, look out for average folks and be anything more than a puppet. 

I heard Gore speak at the Democratic Convention which I covered as a reporter. However, he was drowned out by protesters who reminded me that “Gore” rhymed with “corporate whore.” Everything he said sounded forced and it was painful to hear. 

The primary reason I wasn’t able to get into Al Gore was that he wasn’t Bill Clinton. He’s not suave. He can’t crack a joke. And he’s not a backwoods redneck who climbed his way to the top. Sadly, no one but Bill Clinton can be Bill Clinton. Clinton’s whole thing was that you could identify with him. He was Everyman. Gore’s just fighting for Everyman. 

But what Gore does have is honest eyes and intellect. Watching the debate and seeing the Vice President tackle difficult issues like foreign policy and abortion in stride, I began to develop a sort of admiration for him. He’s articulate (honestly, I might only think that because his opponent stumbles over words and resorts to insults) and he knows what concerns middle class Americans. He’s more or less in touch. 

What I kept waiting to hear was a question about the growing prison population or the death penalty. If Gore is touting himself as a champion of the working class, shouldn’t he acknowledge that the prison system is “Everyone’s” social problem? 

And what about poor folks? If Bush wants tax breaks for the rich and Gore is fighting for the middle class, where does that leave everyone else (namely, those whom Clinton referred to as “the ones serving us our hot dogs and soda” at the DNC)? 

I’m not exactly content. But I believe Gore’s heart is in the right place. He’ll never be Clinton, but he could be my president. 

Russell Morse, 19, is a sophomore at San Francisco State University  

Those dudes are scary 

By Swan Gant 

Last night was the first time I sat down and actually took time to listen to what George W. and Al had to say, and as I listened, I realized just how little I felt them. 

At first, they argued about senior medical benefits so I wasn’t too interested. Then they debated on women’s rights, the new abortion pill, education and tax cuts. That’s when I realized I was scared. 

They are scary because I don’t think I have anything in common with them. 

They are making decisions that are going to affect me, but at 16 years of age there’s nothing I can do. 

George W. didn’t approve of the new Abortion Pill saying he didn’t see a need for it. He fears that if this drug becomes too widespread, abortions will become more and more common. 

Al made it quite clear that if he was elected he would make sure women got to chose for themselves. Gore gets props for this one, although the pill doesn’t sound that safe to me. 

On education, both Bush and Gore support safer schools, of course. Bush wants more schools with higher expectations, I agree with that. He wants reading programs where students get cash for books they read. 

Gore said that he wanted to test new teachers and make tests mandatory. Gore believes you should shut down failing schools. Gore also proposed that college tuition be tax deductible. I do plan to go to college, and a tax write-off for tuition is cool. But I like Bush’s plan more because everyone needs to know how to read. 

On taxes Bush wants to give tax cuts to everyone, not just the middle class, and that sounded good – too good to be true. 

Gore focused more on middle class families. I am not middle class. Middle class people don’t need as much attention as poor people – folks who struggle to put food on the table like the ones I come from. 

Still, in the end I didn’t feel them. If I saw either candidate walking down the street I wouldn’t notice. And they wouldn’t notice me or anyone else who’s poor or powerless. That’s scary. 

Swan Gant is 16 and a high school senior 

Too Busy to Watch 

By Charles Jones 

I missed the debate last night. 

I really wanted to catch it, but I had priorities. My son had to be picked up from daycare by 6 p.m. and my daughter needed diapers after that. Plus, I had to pick up dinner for the family. I didn’t get home until 8 p.m., well after the debate are over on the West Coast. With me constantly juggling my political affiliations, I was upset that I missed it. So when a co-worker brought in a tape of the debate, I jumped at the op to see George W. Bush break out of his public speaking slump. 

Anticipation proved better than the debate itself, with its weak moderation and unintelligent, emotionally charged outbursts. The West Texan (for some reason, it matters) couldn’t understand the “fuzzy Washington math” that Gore used in his examples of their respective differences in policy. Al was (for the most part) calm and collected, loaded his guns and shot straight. There were rude interruptions, disregard for time restrictions, and constant blinking from Bush. 

I turned off before the end, not yet convinced by either candidate and knowing I’ll (better yet they’ll) have another chance, provided I can get home before they are finished. 

Charles Jones, 23, writes for YO! Youth Outlook and is the father of a 6-month-old and a 3-year-old. 

“Things change every year in high school water polo. That’s why you have to be wary of every opponent.” 

That statement, made by Berkeley High water polo coach Bill Gaebler after Tuesday’s matches against Grenada High School, applied to both the boys’ and girls’ matches. After beating Grenada 21-5 last season, the boys managed to pull out a tight 6-3 victory after being tied at halftime. And the girls, who took three overtimes to beat Grenada a year ago, jumped out to a 9-0 first-half lead and won by a final of 12-3 on Tuesday. 

The boys’ match was tightly contested throughout, with both teams struggling to penetrate the opponent’s defense for good shots. The teams were tied 2-2 at the half, but the Yellowjackets showed better stamina in the second half, pulling away for the three-point victory. Joe Ravera and David Schooley led the ‘Jackets with two goals apiece, and goalie Chris May made several crucial second-half saves to preserve the win. 

The girls’ match that followed was much less competitive. Berkeley jumped out of the gate with four first-quarter goals, including two by Carrie Guilfoyle in the last 1:30 of the period, while not allowing any shots by the opposition. The second quarter was more of the same, with the ‘Jackets tallying five more goals to open their lead to 9-0 at halftime. Six different girls scored for the home team in the first half, and goalie Amy Degenkolb carried a light load with just one save before halftime. 

Berkeley appeared to let up a bit to start the second half, and Granada’s Mary Moruza took advantage of their lax defense to score the only two goals of the third quarter.  

“We worked on some things we didn’t get to work on in the first half, and that gave them some scoring opportunities,” Gaebler said. “That’s the way the game goes sometimes.” 

But Berkeley quickly shut the door on any comeback hopes for the visiting team, scoring two goals in less than a minute to begin the final period. Moruza pulled one goal back to complete her hat trick for the game, but Grenada was unable to put any more scores on the board, and Aurora McAllister’s goal with three minutes remaining in the game set the final score at 12-3 in favor of the Yellowjackets.

No one smashed a magnum of champagne across the prow of the four-ton pickle Wednesday morning at Old City Hall.  

Instead, AC Transit officials opted for a ribbon cutting to dedicate a big, green low-emission bus – dubbed the “pickle” – to the people of Berkeley in celebration of the ongoing partnership between the city and AC Transit. 

Emblazoned with the city’s logo, the low-floor, cleaner-burning diesel bus is one of latest additions to the AC Transit fleet that currently serves the San Pablo corridor. Berkeley’s official bus will soon be rotated into normal service. 

Attended by AC Transit directors and staff, along with city officials and a catchy little two-piece jazz band, the ceremony, titled “A Partnership in Motion,” hailed the bus as one of the first of a new breed of low-emission buses that will serve the first “Bus Rapid Transit” program, which is in its infancy along the San Pablo corridor. 

AC Transit Director Miriam Hawley – Hawley’s also a City Council candidate – presented the mayor with a plaque “dedicated to the people,” she said, for their support of the bus system. 

“There is no city more appropriate to receive this award,” she said. “Berkeley is a leader in the region, and is a proud transit-first city.” 

The rallying cry of the ceremony was the passage of Measure B, a half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation programs. A measure to extend the tax, due to expire in 2002, will be on the November ballot. 

“Our first step is to pass Measure B,” Dean said. “You can’t have a first class city without a first class transit system.” 

Dean also talked of adding a light rail on Telegraph Avenue to serve the UC Berkeley campus and a city-wide transit pass modeled after the university “class pass.” 

UC Berkeley Director of Parking and Transportation Nadesan Permaul said that since the “class pass” went into effect two years ago, 22,000 students have begun to use the buses. He said that just 2,000 were using the bus regularly before the pass. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington said that in the interest of reducing car trips and therefore traffic, the bus system “needs to be appealing to everyone,” he said.  

“Traffic is either first or second in the number of complaints that we hear from our constituents,” he said. 

Councilmember Linda Maio lauded the work of the system on searching for and implementing environmentally-friendly technology. 

“Our generation’s challenge is to fight for a safe environment,” she said. “(Automobile) emissions are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas.” 

Maio also said that many of her constituents have said that they have been using the bus, something that she said “she didn’t hear 10 years ago.” 

Jim Gleich, Deputy General Manager for AC Transit, said that by the end of next year he hopes to have “zero-emission vehicles.” 

In 1999, AC Transit successfully road tested a battery-powered hybrid electric bus with a clean-burning, propane auxiliary generator, and they recently received an $8 million grant from the state to continue fuel-cell engine development. 

The Berkeley bus was built by North American Bus Industries in Alabama and purchased by AC Transit to help meet California’s tough emission standards, said agency spokesman Mike Mills. 

State-of-the-art electronics enhances the performance by controlling firing, the transmission and other functions, which also makes it more reliable, he said. 

The low-floor ramp folds down and greatly improves wheelchair accessibility. 

The emerald-green bus will be operate along San Pablo Ave. as part of the Bus Rapid Transit program. AC Transit joined with Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, El Cerrito. Emeryville, Richmond and San Pablo to introduce transportation and streetscape improvement, Hawley said. 

She said that the changes are aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving pedestrian safety and increasing transit use. 

If Measure B is approved, only by a two-thirds vote, the project would receive a $20 million allocation.

Want more from Andrew Lam 

Editor: 

Thank you for running Vietnamese-born Andrew Lam’s lovely piece on his grandmother today (Oct 2nd). Some months ago I saw, in a San Francisco paper, another moving article by him about leaving his country. He is truly a talented writer of fine prose. Let’s have more. 

Beatriz Coda  

Rainforest protests explained 

Editor: 

I am a member of a campus coalition of the Rainforest Action Group and Ecopledge.com, a coalition working to stop Citibank from funding environmentally destructive projects all over the world. 

The destruction of some Citibank property last week has moved me to write a letter explaining what the Citi campaign is about. 

Last Tuesday, Sept. 26th, after the Reclaim the Streets rally in downtown Berkeley, someone smashed the windows of the local Citibank branch. First of all, I would like to set the record straight: this crime was not committed by our members, nor do we condone it. We do not advocate the destruction of property. 

Nonetheless, I would like to say that the Citi campaign is extremely urgent. Rainforest Action Group is boycotting Citigroup and its subsidiaries because of its direct financial involvement in a number of environmentally and culturally destructive projects. Citigroup has funded mining in the Amazon, oil pipelines in African rainforests, clearing Headwaters forest here in California, and more. All of these projects destroy habitats, threaten endangered species, and displace Native peoples from their homes.  

Rainforest Action Group and Ecopledge believe that Citigroup should be held accountable for its actions, particularly when those actions degrade the overall health of our planet. A part of the funding Citigroup uses for its destruction comes from customer assets (i.e. clients’ money). For these reasons, we are urging students and citizens to boycott Citigroup.  

For anyone who would like more information on how to get involved with RAG or Ecopledge, you may contact adinah@hotmail.com or dfcamazonia@yahoo.com. An International Day of Action against Citibank is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in front of Citibanks across the U.S., and we urge Berkeley students to come out with us on that day to stand up and be heard! 

Adinah Curtis 

UC Berkeley student 

Mill Valley 

Date:  

Wed, 04 Oct 2000 07:54:52 -0700 

From:  

"Kirstin L. Miller"  

To:  

opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com 

10/4/00 

Letter to the Editor 

submitted by Kirstin Miller 

day phone: 510 644-1600 

eve phone: 51- 465-0226  

You recently published a satire on Berkeley politics by Morlock Chaillot (Letters, Sept 29). The piece was somewhat amusing, but why did 

you run it as a Letter to the Editor? There is no Deep Ecologists' Gaian Alliance as far as I know, and no real person named Morlock 

Chaillot. Why publish someone who doesn't have the courage to stand up with their real name for what they supposedly believe in?  

But, there is was. And, in spite of all the twisted accusations and assumptions erupting from Mr. or Ms. (Mad Woman of Chaillot's) clever 

pen in an attempt to portray ecological city planning as a farce, it didn't pull off the desired effect. However, the letter did make room for the 

opportunity to shed some light on a few of the implications and assumptions.  

First of all, although some of the Berkeley elite love to portray Richard Register as a lone individual who champions pedestrian scale 

infrastructure against the wishes of everyone else in Berkeley, Ecocity Builders is not the only group on the planet advocating for ecological 

and pedestrian oriented urban planning. Surprise! Secondly, ecocity theory and planning is not an evil plot to convert your town into an ugly 

mass of high rises. Surprise again! Register did invented the term "ecocity" in 1978. His Ecocity Berkeley, Building Cities for a Healthy 

Future, has been well respected in eco-urban circles since it was first published in 1987. He is also the author of three other books, including 

Village Wisdom, Future Cities and the upcoming Ecocities.  

Far from building a gloomy "Gotham City" with "shadowy, phallic spires" as the Morlock Challiot letter maintains, Ecocity Builders is 

dedicated to returning healthy biodiversity to the heart of our cities. That means nature---creeks, bike paths, gardens, and open space. (Does 

that sound like an evil plot to ruin us all? I think not.) Ecocity thinking is about creating whole cities based on human scale needs and 

transportation, rather than the current pattern of automobile driven excess, wasteful consumption and the destruction of the biosphere. 

(Again, I fail to see why working towards a goal like this would be considered not worthwhile, not important or unrealistic.) Guided by 

ecological design principles and by using common sense, we can cast aside our dependence on the automobile and recreate our human 

habitat in balance with natural systems. But it is up to us to start the process.  

Register's thinking is not bizarre or fantastic or unreal. In fact, it makes complete sense. What is unreal, bizarre and fantastic is that more 

people don't think through how we are currently creating our built habitat and realize that we need to shift the pattern away from auto sprawl 

and waste, and toward compact centers linked by transit. Everywhere, even in Berkeley. 

Kirstin Miller 

Berkeley 

Subject:  

Fw: U.C. SNAILS TO RESPOND -- AGAIN 

Date:  

Wed, 4 Oct 2000 07:24:50 -0700 

From:  

"Jonathan Petty"  

To:  

U.C. SNAILS TO RESPOND -- AGAIN 

Well, it's official. Chancellor Berdahl does not exist. 

This was the implication of the Coalition of University Employees' 32nd consecutive "Bargaining Update" submitted to 18,000 clericals who are grinding toward their 

second Christmas season without a fair contract or holiday monies, which the non-existent Chancellor as good as promised in his "Speech to Berkeley Staff Assembly" of 

September 26.  

At that time a figure apparently impersonating the Chancellor, claimed "I really do 'get it'," and alluded to previous promises dating back over a year and most evident at 

last June's State Assembly Higher Education Committee at which U.C. President Atkinson -- another figment of our imagations -- was raked over the coals by state legislators for 

heading the "worst public employer in California." They in turn alluded to brave promises tendered by Atkinson at his christening more than two years back to inaugurate a 

brave new "change of course" in labor relations. Atkinson's promises led to two years of stalled, bad-faith labor bargaining by U.C. A year later he was all but publicly called a 

liar by Sanator Richard Alarcon. 

Berdahl's identical promulgation of a "change of course" ("I very much understand how URGENTLY we need to make changes", italics his), resulted in the U.C. bargaining 

team returning to the table without even having bothered to respond to CUE's last wage proposal made 27 days ago! In addition, "UC prsented only two carelessly drafted 

proposals. If a clerical had produced such slipshod work, disciplinary action would have resulted." In the context of the alledged Chancellor's apparent promise of a "change of 

course", such contempt for U.C.'s 18,000 increasingly exasperated staff can only be taken as an equal sign of public contempt for the Chancellor himself -- if in fact the man 

really exists. 

It may be slightly premature to conclude that Berdahl is imaginary. Several possibilities suggest themselves and must be eliminated before we can achieve certainty: 

1. Berdahl does not exist and the figure speaking for U.C. is a cardboard cutout with a dummy bank account into which U.C. is funnelling hundreds of thousands of dollars 

annually. 

2. The man speaking for the Chancellor is an imposter and U.C.'s bargainers know it. 

3. U.C. bargainers are rogues who have hijacked the office of labor relations and, like pirates, are acting on their own. 

4. Though Chancellor Berdahl does indeed exist, his public statements, like Atkinson's before him, in fact represent palliative purring intended to lull staff, students, and 

public back to sleep. 

Only further testing can determine which of these possibilities is in fact the case. Whatever the result, unless a fifth possibility miraculously appears -- right-on, fair 

bargaining with CUE -- the possibilities of a systemwide clerical strike are becoming more and more concrete. 

Jonathan Christian Petty 

Coalition of University Employees 

Subject:  

Letters to the Editor 

Date:  

Tue, 3 Oct 2000 22:26:39 -0700 

From:  

Sylvia Scherzer  

To:  

judith@berkeleydailyplanet.net 

Please feel to edit my comments re presidental-debate of last night:  

Dear Editor:  

Presidential Debate - Tues. Oct. 3, 2000  

Gov. G.W.Bush stated in the debate that he would have pre-schoolers, in the Head Start programs, read. As if 

that's the measure of success at that level of education!  

Since the 1960's head start teachers & administrators of these programs have found that art, music, dance, 

physical education, dramatics, having hands-on training with cooking, nature study, field trips, science 

experiments, gardening, story-telling, poetry read or acted out by peers/actors, etc. will continue to 

activate/stimulate curious minds to have the readiness to learn to read all in due time.  

The finest educators, school psychologists, doctors who know the human brain, eye-hand coordination, test 

results from public-private schools from pre-school through post-doctorate degrees have shown that these very 

children cannot nor should not read before they are chronologically & developmentally ready. G.W.Bush's 

information in this area is totally non-existant or he has been grossly misinformed.  

Mr. Bush came across as the man to whom we should trust all  

decisions: military, social security, health care, education. He continued to call Mr. Gore's statistics: "fuzzy". 

Mr. Gore's intelligent comments were factual, to the point & well-delivered.  

The woman's right to choose what is to be done with her body & vice-president Gore's committment to uphold 

Roe v. Wade should give any unsure voters the reason to vote Democratic this election. I am both a retired 

elementary school teacher & school librarian for K-12.  

Sincerely, Sylvia P. Scherzer - Emeryville CA  

2 Anchor Dr. #376 - (510) 923-9658  

Editor: 

In response to the letter (8/31) from Terry Powell: 

Terry Powell from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) public relations department, operated for the Department of Energy (DOE), is just doing her job when she promotes the lab’s official line on the continuous dumping of radioactive waste from their National Tritiu Labeling Facility (NTLF) and Melvin Calvin Lab on the UC campus. 

The Lab’s boosters endlessly repeat the mantra “tritium emissions below the U.S. EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS).” Never do they address the many credible criticisms of their absurdly low estimate for radioactive tritium exposure, including those in the report by IFEU, made by independent scientists hired at local taxpayers’ expense by the City of Berkeley. 

Dumping in short bursts and a short stack actually located below the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) are easily understandable reasons why exposure to LHS workers and visiting children could exceed the NESHAPS standard. Just because the flawed exposure estimates concocted by LBNL remain unchallenged by the perfumed suits at the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances is no reason for anyone to believe them.  

All the Lab’s arguments seem like such blather when one visits the site and sees the tritium stack just 30 feet from the LHS’s fence. Common sense tells one that whatever is coming out of the stack is all over whoever is near it. In this cases it’s most of the areas children. Triatiated vapor is extremely hazardous and has been identified as a cause of leukemia, cancer, infertility and other genetic defects.  

Ms. Powell is incorrect when she states that almost all their tritium is captured and recycled. As sloppy as their records are, they do indicate large quantities missing. Even when LBNl has admittedly dumped does not support her claim.  

Also contrary to what Ms. Powell claimed, LBNL’s treatability “study” was just a scam to unload years of backlogged mixed waste without obtaining the usual permits. Mixed waste, toxic chemicals contaminated with radioactive waste, is fed into an “oxidation cell” complete with igniter plugs and exhaust vents, and can run in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Sure sounds like an incinerator to me.  

Playing games by reclassifying the NTLF as a “non-nuclear” facility and “delisting” their mixed waste does not alter the reality that large amounts of dangerous radioactive material are stored, used and dumped there. Neither the NTLF or Calvin Lab are appropriately sited in our community and should be closed and cleaned up.  

Mark McDonald 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

Cal sophomore forward Laura Schott has been named the Pac-10 Women’s Soccer Player of the Week for Sept. 26-Oct. 2, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced Tuesday.  

Schott, from Wilsonville, Ore., tallied four goals in two games to lead Cal to the Golden Gate Classic Title. Schott leads the Bears with 29 points (14 goals, one assist). Six of Schott’s 14 goals have been game-winners. She has already moved into a tie for fourth on Cal’s all-time career goals (25) list and into fifth with 59 career points. Schott also ranks among the nation’s leaders this season. She ranks second nationally in goals per game at 1.27 and ninth nationally for points per game at 2.64.  

California senior defender Tami Pivnick has been named to the Soccer America Team of the Week for her outstanding play in the Bears victories over Colorado College and San Diego. Pivnick also was selected to Soccer America’s Team of the Week for Sept. 11-17 for her efforts in helping the Bears win the Nike/Wake Forest Invitational.

Be wary of trench coats on warm days. That’s the advice given by Sergeant Powell, Head of the Crime Prevention Unit at UC Berkeley. 

After a brief stakeout last week his unit got its man: a bolt-cutter-wielding bike thief who went to the well one too many times at Worcester Hall on campus. “We caught a career criminal,” says Powell. 

Even if the thief goes to jail, don’t be surprised if the number of bike thefts does not drop as the school year progresses. Since the start of university classes, Aug. 28 through Sept. 21, over 55 bikes worth over $21,000 have been stolen on campus according to UC Police records. 

That’s an average of over two bikes per day although some days show as many as five bikes being stolen. Last year 300 bikes worth almost $100,000 were reported stolen on campus during the entire year, an increase in incidence over the previous year of 44 percent, according to the FBI Crime Index. Only three of those, or 1 percent, were recovered. 

Bike theft is one of the biggest headaches for the campus police department. After general larceny, it is the most frequent property crime on campus. 

Sergeant Powell is not too worried yet.  

“If we get a series going up,” he says he will respond with a “sting” involving a particularly attractive bike. But for the time being, “one a day is not going to set any records,” he said. 

Most of the bikes will appear at the Berkeley Flea Market, according to Powell. 

Speed is the key for a successful bike thief. Even cheap bolt cutters, available from any hardware store, can make quick work of a chain or cable lock and even some “U”-locks, and they do not take much room to operate.  

”You can use bolt cutters while they are in a duffle bag or even up your sleeve,” says Matt Thomas, manager of Summit Bicycles on Gilman Street.  

It’s easy to steal a bike because “if you’re crouched over a bike, they just assume it’s yours,” he says. 

To handle the more stubborn U-locks, some thieves have abandoned bolt cutters for small car jacks that fit inside the U and wrench the locks apart from the inside out. Check. 

Riders have responded with commercially available steel plates that slide over the U-lock to prevent the jack from fitting inside the space meant for the bicycle. Check mate? Doubtful. 

Senior Samantha Clarendon had the steel-reinforced U-lock on her bike last year when she entered Moffitt Library. When she came out, there was no sign of her bike or the lock. “I was amazed,” she says. 

Even so, Sergeant Powell recommends the reinforced U-locks that should affix the front tire to the back tire and the entire carriage to a solid object.  

He tells of hapless riders locking bikes to removable street signs with predictable outcomes. 

Powell credits licensing and registration, mandatory by law, in helping reduce bike theft and return found bikes to their owners.  

Riders like Thomas, however, feel differently. “They say it deters bike theft, but I don’t believe it,” 

Thomas points out that not all bike theft occurs to stationary bikes.  

He describes “bike checks” where groups, usually made up of kids, stop riders to steal their bikes by crowding them. 

“‘Strong arming’ is also very popular,” he says referring to simply throwing an arm across someone’s chest as he rides in order to knock him off the bike. “Stealing a bike that isn’t locked down is much easier,” he explains.

California is close to setting a record in voter registration this year, with a week to go before the deadline for signing up to cast ballots. 

The state had 15.1 million registered voters as of early September, the most recent figures available from the secretary of state’s office. 

Although California reached a new high with 15.6 million registered before the 1996 presidential election, that figure included about 1 million people who had moved out of California or died, Secretary of State Bill Jones said Wednesday. 

Those names have been taken off the roles, he said. 

That makes California’s current figures the true record, Jones said, adding that he would not be surprised if the state surpassed 15.6 million over the next week. 

Jones is holding get-out-the-vote activities around the state this week for Voter Registration week. Tuesday is the registration deadline for those who want to vote in next month’s election. At least 20 county election offices plan to stay open until midnight that day to accept last-minute registrations. 

Hundreds of supermarkets have put up voter registration forms near checkouts at the request of state election officials. 

At Raley’s Supermarket in West Sacramento, Josephine Certo picked up some groceries and a form for her husband. 

“It’s a good thing they have these here,” Certo said. “I registered when we moved a few weeks ago but he never did. He’s never registered before.” 

Registration data shows 494,457 new people registered to vote between Feb. 7 and Sept. 8. Most of those gains were in the Democrats’ favor, with an additional 203,000 Democrats turning in forms, compared to 146,000 Republicans. A significant number – 119,087 – declined to state party affiliation. 

Analysts credit the increase in registration to everything from the presidential race to simply an increase in the number of Californians. Republicans and Democrats expect thousands of volunteers to register voters this weekend, the last before the registration deadline. 

“Since March 1999 we have been actively registering people for this election,” state GOP spokesman Stuart DeVeaux said. 

“It’s been our No. 1 focus and goal. We believe that Democrats actually turn out to vote less than Republicans so the real key to the election will be turnout,” he said. Democratic Party spokesman Bob Mulholland credited new laws with making registration more accessible to residents. This is the first presidential election where residents were able to register at Department of Motor Vehicle sites. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas and Electric Co., losing $1 million an hour from skyrocketing wholesale energy costs, sought permission Wednesday to eventually pass $2.2 billion in losses onto their customers. 

Southern California Edison Co. prepared a similar filing for the Public Utilities Commission. 

The moves were among an array of actions Wednesday by public and private utilities grappling with the changes in California’s deregulated electrical power market. 

The power woes started this summer with skyrocketing power prices in the San Diego area, served by San Diego Gas and Electric. That prompted the larger northern utilities to take steps to fend off similar spikes. 

PG&E, which serves 4.5 million people from Bakersfield to Oregon, told the PUC that its petition was prompted by the “extraordinary and unforeseen crisis in wholesale retail power markets in California.” 

Unless the PUC acts, the utility “and its customers face a deepening regulatory and financial crisis over the rapidly growing mountain of debt PG&E is incurring to buy power in wholesale markets in order to serve its customers,” the company said in its petition. 

SoCal Edison, which serves about 4.3 million customers, planned a similar request as early as Thursday, said a company executive who spoke on condition of anonymity. The company is absorbing losses slightly lower than PG&E’s. 

PG&E also prepared a request for the Independent System Operator – the Folsom-based board that manages most of California’s power grid under the state’s 1996 deregulation law – to authorize a $100 cap on some wholesale power purchases. Earlier, the cap was lowered from $750 to $500, and then two months ago to $250. 

SoCal Edison also sought wholesale price curbs, although in a different form than PG&E’s. 

The two huge utilities, bound by rate freezes, are not able to pass their energy costs onto their customers, and they have been absorbing hundreds of millions of dollars in costs monthly. 

Under the deregulation scheme, investor-owned utilities must operate with a rate freeze until they sell off their assets as required by the 1996 law. 

A six-alarm fire decimated an abandoned building near Downtown Oakland this morning, and burning embers carried in the wind started another fire, damaging two occupied buildings across the street. 

No one was injured in the fires, although some of the occupied apartments were damaged and the Red Cross is offering assistance to some of the 50 people who were evacuated. 

Oakland fire Capt. Vicky Evans-Robinson said the fire was first reported at 4:01 a.m. by someone who smelled smoke in the Telegraph Avenue area but could not see any flames. 

An engine was sent to investigate the report and firefighters found a full-blown blaze tearing through the basement of the building located at 2421 Telegraph Ave., she said. 

As the fire escalated, the firefighters backed out and called for help. A first alarm was called at 4:09 a.m. with successive alarms called up until the sixth at 4:57 a.m. Some 125 firefighters and almost two dozen engines and seven trucks were called to the scene to engage the flames. The Alameda County Fire Department also provided personnel. 

The brown brick building, owned by Telegraph Gateway Apartment Inc., has been vacant since the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, Evans-Robinson said. Like many of the buildings in the area, it consists of a first floor of commercial space with several floors of housing stacked on top. 

At 7:30 a.m., flames could still be seen burning steadily from behind the window openings. All of the windows were boarded before the fire, but flames consumed the wooden coverings. Through the smoke-tainted openings, bystanders could see the charred remains of the floors of the top three stories that had caved in, and the gray morning sky where the ceiling once stood. 

Evans-Robinson said that wood within the building fed the fire and helped the flames ravage the structure, while the brick exterior nestled the heat like an oven. 

Oakland building officials, concerned that the building would collapse, deemed it unsafe for entry. From two ladder trucks, firefighters doused the building with water to keep the flames at bay. 

The fire was under control at 6:37 a.m., Evans-Robinson said.  

Damage at that building is estimated at $1.5 million. 

The fire, which witnesses said created flames that were more than 10 feet high, spewed bits of burning embers. Some of those embers flew north diagonally, across the street and lodged between two buildings, located at 2404 and 2414 Telegraph Ave. 

That started a second fire at 5:27 a.m. By the time it was controlled at 6:15, Evans-Robinson said, some 50 residents had been evacuated and the damage was estimated at $300,000. All of the 15 apartment units within the buildings sustained water damage, she said, and top floors were damaged by fire. 

Treba Barrett, who lives above an adult video store and arcade at 2404 Telegraph Ave., said that her family, her husband and two children woke up when family members who also live in the building knocked on the door to tell them about the fire across the street. 

Barrett, who turned 25 today, said the residents began to douse the roof of their buildings with water. She said she knew something bad was going to happen when she saw the embers, about the size of charcoal bricks, flying through the air. 

She believes firefighters could have done more to prevent the fire from spreading to her building. 

“They just let it be,” she said, “until the roof caught on fire, and once it caught on fire they evacuated the building.  

“I think the whole thing would have been prevented if they would have wet the roof down.” 

Evans-Robinson said that additional firefighters were called to the scene due to concern about the flying embers. They kept watch from nearby rooftops for burning debris, she said. But before the fire spread, she said, there was no need to evacuate nearby residents. 

The cause of the original fire is still under investigation. Evans- Robinson said she did not know if anyone was squatting in the abandoned building, but Barrett said that drug users “go in and out” of the it all the time.

SACRAMENTO — More than two-thirds of California public schools, including some of last year’s lowest-scoring rural schools, improved enough to share in $677 million in state rewards, test score rankings released Wednesday show. 

The state Department of Education released the 2000 Academic Performance Index numbers for 6,209 schools and calculated how much they rose since 1999. 

State Superintendent of Schools Delaine Eastin said Wednesday that the department expected about 60 percent of schools to improve and she was thrilled that the percentage was above that mark. 

“I’m here to tell you we’re doing very well,” she said at a press conference at Bannon Creek Elementary School in Sacramento. “This is a long process. We haven’t fixed everything in public education in the last few years. But we have made very fine progress.” 

The number that improved their scores enough to claim rewards as high as $25,000 per teacher surprised even Gov. Gray Davis, who made the incentives part of his school-improvement crusade. 

“I frankly did not expect 70 percent of schools to rise and meet the challenge, but that’s what happened,” he said Tuesday in a telephone conference with reporters. “I could not be happier.” 

The department said 4,180 schools are eligible for the reward system created by Davis and the Legislature to boost test scores that lagged behind the nation in nearly all grades and subjects. 

The department will further check their eligibility between now and January, when checks are expected to go out. 

The Academic Performance Index or API is based on a school’s Standardized Testing and Reporting exam scores. It ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. Davis wants all schools to hit at least 800. 

The 1999 API was the baseline for measuring growth. Each school’s goal was 5 percent of the difference between its 1999 API and 800. Those already over 800 had to increase at least one point. 

All schools that met their growth targets will share in $577 million in rewards. The schools will get more than $150 per student to be used as the school site committee determines; all staff at the school will also get an estimated $800 per employee. 

The state will dedicate $100 million for the biggest individual bonuses, $5,000 to $25,000 for about 12,250 teachers and principals in schools in the bottom half of the state whose APIs went up the most. 

Elementary schools had the greatest growth, with 131 of them increasing their APIs by 100 points or more, according to a computer-assisted analysis by The Associated Press. 

At the top of the list is Lincoln Elementary, a kindergarten-through-second-grade school in the Exeter Union District in rural Tulare County, which went up 189 points from 504 to 693. 

The school’s three-dozen teachers are cautiously excited about the possibility of getting the top bonuses of $25,000 each, said principal Miriam Smith. 

The school would use its share to buy additional computer programs, Smith said. 

The new scores are particularly sweet for the second top-improving school, Saul Martinez Elementary in Mecca, a small farming community of migrant workers in the Coachella Valley Unified School District south of Indio. 

Last year, Martinez had the state’s lowest API at 302. This year, it went up 188 points to 490. 

“I’m so thrilled for my community and my kids,” said Martinez Principal Paula Thayer. “It was devastating for us last year to be labeled the lowest-performing school in California.” 

One reason for the improvement was the decision by parents of half the students eligible for testing in the kindergarten-through-third-grade school to not have their Spanish-speaking children take the test, said Martha Tureen, assistant superintendent for Coachella Valley. 

The school would still be eligible for awards, because the state Board of Education decided that test waivers by parents would not count against the required test participation rate of 95 percent. 

The top-improving high school was rural Tulare Union High School, where the API rose 90 points to 644. 

“I feel great,” said Gerald Benton, superintendent of the Tulare Joint Union High School District. 

The 2000 APIs range from a low of 346 for Verde Elementary in West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond to a high of 969 for Gretchen Whitney High School in the ABC Unified School District in Cerritos in Los Angeles County, which was also the highest for 1999. The median of the scores released Wednesday was 667. 

The entire range of scores rose this year. In 1999, Whitney’s high score was 966, while Martinez was the lowest at 302. The 1999 median was 627. 

However, not all schools increased their APIs. The 936 schools in the bottom half of the state that did not meet goals can apply to be in Davis’ second three-year school improvement program. 

With an estimated 60 million viewers expected to bask in the blue light of the televised presidential debates Tuesday night, a group of students at UC Berkeley voiced their frustration with a process that left Green Party candidate Ralph Nader out of the national limelight. 

“Without Nader, the debates are a big advertisement for two corporate-sponsored candidates,” said freshman Abe Gardner, standing in the noonday sun at Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus surrounded by 20 other activists and Green Party members.  

Chanting “Let Ralph debate!,” and carrying signs denouncing a “two party duopoly,” the advocates criticized recent regulations drawn up by the Commission on Presidential Debates that require third party candidates to poll at 15 percent of the vote to be included in the presidential debates. 

“If the 15 percent rule had applied in 1992, Perot wouldn’t have been allowed to debate,” said Jacob Sprunck, who painted his pectorals in red and white “blushes for democracy” for the demonstration. “We need to bring it back to the ’92 standards and allow credible third parties to be in the debates.” 

The Commission on Presidential Debates was launched in 1987 by then-national chairs of the Republican and Democratic parties Frank Fahrenkopf and Paul Kirk. Formerly sponsored by the League of Women Voters, the presidential debates, and consequently the CPD, fell into Democrat and Republican hands in 1988. At that time, the New York Times reportedly quoted Kirk as saying, “As a party chairman, it’s my responsibility to strengthen the two-party system.” 

The commission, still governed by Fahrenkopf and Kirk today, then raised the bar for third party perception in the debates to 15 percent of the vote.  

Today, with the Green Party on the ballot in 46 states, the Gallup polls show Nader holding a steady four percent of the national vote. So Nader falls well short of the CPD requirements. 

Participation in the debates, claim Nader supporters, will open the possibility of increasing support for the Green Party candidate, whom they call a veteran debater. 

“This guy comes at you like a lawyer. He’d tear into Bush and be more than a match for Gore. But these guys are afraid of him, and would never let him into the debates,” said Gardner. 

Snehal Shingavi, a graduate student in English agreed. “Major party candidates assume that business as usual works, and Nader has the ability to open the debate to a wider field of issues. We only hear the opinions of one corporate monster with two heads.” 

Protesters also directed their anger at debate sponsor Anheuser-Busch and poured cans of Budweiser down a public drain. 

“It shows the corporate nature of these debates,” said Gardner, “It’s not democracy, it’s capitalism. In fact, when you have big money influencing politics, it’s more like corporate feudalism. No one but Nader is willing to talk about the corporate nature of these debates.” 

At stake in the upcoming elections is a critical 1 percent of the voting public, say Nader advocates. Nader needs 5 percent of the national vote to qualify the Green Party for $13 million in governmental campaign funds in 2004. 

Rallies like Tuesday’s are part of a national movement to get that final percentage point, Gardener says. 

“With California considered a “safe” state for Gore, where Democrats could possibly win by over 10 percent,” said Gardner. “People shouldn’t worry about ‘throwing their vote away.’ The winner here will get all of the state’s votes, regardless of whether Gore wins by 1 percent or ten. But that margin can add up to 1 percent nationally for Nader, and put the Green Party over 5 percent nationally. So a vote for Nader is not a vote against Gore. It means that there will a credible Third Party in 2004,” Gardner said. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington, a Gore supporter, showed up at the rally to fuel the civic process. “Most people in Berkeley have more in common with Nader than either of the two party candidates,” he told the crowd, speaking through a bullhorn under the shadow of Sather Gate. 

Worthington offered this explanation to the Daily Planet for seeming to cross party lines. 

“Nader will inspire more people to vote, and even if that works against Gore, it will help in other areas – governor races, congressional races - most of those votes will be for Democratic candidates and 1 percent of the vote could put Democrats back in power in the House,” he said. 

Third Party candidates could increase interest in the elections. According to Jeff Cohen, the founder of New York-based media watchdog group Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, the 1992 debates, which included Ross Perot, attracted a record breaking 90 million viewers. In 1996, however, the post-CPD debates which excluded Perot on the 15 percent rule, averaged only 41 million viewers. 

“I’m not going to watch the debates.” said Gardener. “There will be no surprises in the presidential debates,” he said. “People’ll hear that Gore is a good debater and Bush has a bunch of one-liners. If Nader were there, I’d watch. There would be something to look forward to.” 

Wednesday, Oct. 4

“An Evening With Jane Goodall” 

7 p.m. A slide show and lecture by the world-renowned chimpanzee research scientist, conservationist and humanitarian.$16 general; $12 students. Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley. (925) 935-1978 or www.wildlife-museum.org 

Prayer Gathering 

6:30 p.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Board of Education Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Old City Hall, Council Chambers 

Second Floor 

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

Contact Dr. Jack McLaughlin, 644-6147 

Citizens Budget  

Review Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Task Force on  

Telecommunications 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Discussion will focus on planning for the next Task Force Foum on “The Future of Telecommunications in the Bay Area.”  

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Fire Safety Board Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

Fire Training Division 

997 Cedar St.  

A scheduled question and answer session on the proposed auxiliary water delivery system for fire fighting purposes.  

644-6665 

Commission on the Status of Women 

7:45 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Discussions will include planning for the Commission’s Oct. 18 public forum on “Women and Trafficking: Domestic and Global Concerns.”  

Contact: Ruby Primus, 665-6923 

Thursday, Oct. 5

3rd annual Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Association Golf Tournament 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. Entry Fee includes cart range balls and Award Luncheon. Proceeds benefit Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Scholarship Fund. 

$99 Entry Fee 

644-6554 

New Role for the UN  

in the New Century 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion with Rosemary van der Laan, President of the Board of Directors of the UN Association of the United States, about globalization and it’s impacts on the economic, social and political lives of the world.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Capoeira Arts Cafe  

& Company Perform  

Noon 

BART plaza, Downtown  

A Brazilian extravaganza of Samba, Capoeira and more. Free. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway,  

549-2230 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

2118 Milvia St., Second Floor 

Conference Room 

Discussion of the West Berkeley Air Monitoring Project.  

Contact Nabil Al-Hadithy, 705-8155 

Public Works Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Discussions will include the status report on the Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign.  

665-3440 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Topics will include a discussion on the adoption of a housing code amendment to ensure the proper functioning of gas appliances in residential units.  

Contact Oscar Sung, 665-3469 

Planning & Development  

Meeting 

Second Floor Conference Room 

2118 Milvia St.  

Topics will include the West Berkeley Air Monitoring Project.  

Friday, Oct. 6

Opera: Marriage of Figaro & Schubert Songs 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

More info contact Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Circle Dancing 

7:45 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Finnish Brotherhood Hall 

1970 Chestnut St. 

Beginners welcome; no partners needed.  

Call John Bear, 528-4253 

– compiled by Chason  

Wainwright 

“Stocks, Bonds, and the Future” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Dennis Quan, Account Executive at Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11  

For info and reservations, 848-3533 

Sustainable Business Alliance Networking Lunch 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Saffron Caffe 

2813 Seventh St. 

The purpose of this lunch is to network with other businesses interested in sustainable business practices. The lunch is open to non-members.  

Call Terry O’Keefe, 451-4000 

Learn to Birdwatch 

Oct. 16, 18, 23 & 25 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

UC Botanical Gardens 

200 Centennial Drive 

$50 for members; $65 for non-members 

Call for info or to enroll: 643-2733 

Saturday, Oct. 7

Berkeley Grassroots Greening Tour 

Starts at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. 

Celebrate Open Garden Day by joining this annual bicycle tour of local community and school gardens. Part of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Houses or Open Hills? 

10 a.m.  

Experience Black Diamond Mines Regional Park’s ghost towns, coal mines, spectacular views and open space on this hike by the proposed sites of 7,700 homes near Antioch. Cosponsored by Save Mount Diablo. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Open Garden Day 

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

The sixth annual Open Garden Day offers garden lovers an opportunity to peek into 34 local community and school gardens. The gardens offer fresh food, children’s activities, composting demonstrations, and more. Special electric bus tour and bicycle tours will be available. Maps and schedules are available in East Bay libraries, nurseries, and in the pages of this very newspaper.  

More info: BCGC, 883-9096  

“Redesigning Retirement”  

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

UC Berkeley (call for exact location) 

The UC Berkeley Retirement Center and the Academic Geriatric Resource Program will present retirement as a time of great potential. Participants will take part in interactive workshops dealing with the impact of technology on retirement; community involvement of older adults, among other topics. Prominent experts in the field of aging and retirement will take part in “ask the experts” sessions.  

$25. No on-site registration. Register by September 25. 

Contact: Shelly Glazer at 642-5461 

Harwood Creek Cleanup 

9 a.m. - Noon 

John Muir School  

2955 Claremont Ave. 

Help clean up and restore the creek that runs through John Muir school. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, chippers/shredders, tools and pick-up trucks. 

Voter Empowerment Town Hall Meeting 

1 - 4 p.m. 

West Bay Community Center 

1290 Fillmore St. 

San Francisco 

Partially sponsored by the Berkeley NAACP Youth Council. 

For additional info: 1-877-316-9071 

Women’s Evening At the Movies 

7:30 p.m. 

Pacific Center 

2712 Telegraph 

A monthly night at the movies for lesbian, bi and transexual women. This months featured film is “Fried Green Tomatoes.” 

$5 donation requested 

Call 548-8283  

Free Estate Planning Seminar 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

St. Ambrose Church 

1145 Gilman St. (at Cornell Ave.) 

Call Catholic Charities of the East Bay, 768-3109 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Harvest Fair 

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

BYA Community Garden Patch 

1308 Bancroft Way (between Acton and Bonar) 

The seventh annual fair features pumpkin carving, face painting, music, Karaoke, crafts, and fresh produce grown right in the BYA garden. Kids of all ages are welcome.  

Call 845-9067 

Locate Long-lost Relatives 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  

Cody’s Books 

1730 Fourth St. 

If you are looking for a missing relative, the International Soundex Reunion Registry may be able to help. The ISRR is a free, nonprofit service.  

Call Bob Crowe, 835-1550 

Pearl Ubungren Dancers with Joey Ayala 

PUSOD 

1808 Fifth St.  

Also performing will be Kayumanggi and Bobby Banduria. Free.  

Call 883-1808 for additional info.  

Sunday, Oct. 8

Surmounting Sunol Peaks  

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

Learn about local geology while enjoying the panoramic views from three Sunol peaks. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Author and Minister Sarah York to Speak 

10:45 a.m.  

Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley 

1 Lawson Road 

Kensington 

York is the author of “Remembering Well: Rituals for Celebrating Life and Mourning Death.” 

More info: 525-0302 

Tibetan Cultural Preservation 

6 p.m.  

Tibetan Nyingma Institute  

1815 Highland Place 

Erin Clark and Sandy Olney speak on “Sustaining the Tibetan Tradition.” 

call 843-6812 

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Cal Alumni Singles 20th Anniversary Dinner 

UC Faculty Club 

Dinner scheduled for Oct. 15 

For reservations call 527-2709 by Oct. 10 

Kenya, 40 Years Ago and Today 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call 644-6107 for more info  

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Are Domed Cities in the future? 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom  

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion based on UC Berkeley alumnus Tim Holt’s book, “On Higher Ground.” Set 50 years in the future, part of the book takes place in an East Bay enclosed by a climate-controlled dome.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Tenant-Landlord Problems? 

12:30 - 2 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Bring your concerns about repairs, harrassment and housing rights.  

Call 644-6107 

Homeless Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center  

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

644-8616 

Police Review Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St.  

The commission will discuss their workplan/goals for the upcoming year.  

644-6716 

Board of Library Trustees 

7 p.m.  

South Branch  

1901 Russell  

644-6095 

Waterfront Commission 

7 p.m. 

His Lordships Restaurant 

199 Seawall Dr.  

644-6376 x234 

Planning Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

705-8137 

Commission on Disability 

6:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

655-3440 

Thursday, Oct. 12

East Timor: The Road to Independence 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion of events leading up to the creation of the newest nation of the millennium and issues raised on the road to independence.  

$3 admission 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Meeting Life Changes 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

With John Hammerman.  

For info: 644-6107 

Sterling Trio 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing a variety of chamber music. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Zoning Adjustments Commission 

7 p.m.  

Old City Hall  

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

705-8110 

Community Health Commission 

6:45 p.m.  

Mental Health Clinic 

2640 MLK Jr. Way 

665-6845 

Friday, Oct. 13

“The Evolution and Cost of Ethical Drugs” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Stanford D. Splitter, retired MD speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

Call for reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow & Indian Market 

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Entry 1 p.m.  

Enjoy Native American foods, arts & crafts, drumming, singing and many types of native dancing. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley, this event is free.  

Civic Center Park 

Allston Way at MLK Jr. Way 

Info: 615-0603 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

1 - 4 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Sunday, Oct. 15

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Los Gatos Opera House 

Celebrate the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. This benefit features a variety of musical groups, local artists and samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries and microbreweries. Proceeds benefit Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person; $80 for this event and the Oct. 22 event in SF 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

A Muslim Approach to Life 

3 p.m. 

St. Johns Presbyterian Church 

2727 College Ave.  

A presentation on the Muslim spiritual life and culture which will focus on women’s lives and the uniqueness of women’s spiritual journeys. This is the first of four Sunday programs that will focus on this theme.  

Call 527-4496 

Time, Space, and Knowledge Vision 

6 p.m.  

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Ken McKeon speaks on “Time, Space, and Knowledge, Right from the Start.” 

Call 843-6812 

1923 North Berkeley Fire Walking Tour 

10 a.m. - Noon 

Phil Gale leads this tour of the Sept. 18, 1923 fire site, identifying various changes wrought in buildings and landscape. The tour includes the Mayback chimney, around which a new home was constructed. Pre-paid reservations are required.  

$10 

Call for reservations, 848-0181 

Monday, Oct. 16

Private Elementary School Parent Information Panel 

7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St.  

A panel of parents from six area private schools discuss the admission process and their experiences. Sponsored by the Neighborhood Parents Network 

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

Call 527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Is the West Berkeley Shellmound a landmark? 

7 p.m.  

City Council Chambers 

2134 MLK Jr. Way, 2nd floor 

Continued and final public hearing on the appeals against landmark designation of the West Berkeley Shellmound. The City Council may possibly make it’s decision at this meeting. 

Landscape Archeology and Space-Age Technologies in Epirus, Greece 

8 p.m.  

370 Dwinelle Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Professor of Archeology, Art History and Classics Dr. James Wiseman presents a slide-illustrated lecture. 

Mario Savio Memorial Lecture 

7:30 p.m. 

Pauley Ballroom 

UC Berkeley 

Barbara Ehrenreich and Arlie Hochschild will speak on the theme “Forwards and Backwards - Women, globalization, and the new class structure.” Free.  

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Clement Blvd.  

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

“Women and Trafficking: Domestic & Global Concerns” 

6 - 9:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

The Berkeley Commission on the Status of Women invites the public to this forum which will include an expert panel discussion, and a movie on Women and trafficking. Free. 

Call 644-6107 for more info.  

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Promise and Perils of Transgenic Crops 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, professor of Plant and Microbiology at UC Berekeley, of the scientific basis for biotechnology, it’s risks and benefits. 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Rafael Mariquez Free Solo Concert 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Public Library, South Branch 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This Chilean folksinger and guitarist presents his original settings of selections by Latin American poets. 

Contact: 644-6860; TDD 548-1240 

Vocal Sauce 

Noon 

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

The JazzSchool’s vocal jazz ensemble perform award-winning arrangements by Greg Murai.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 20

“The Ballot Issues” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  

Luncheon: $11 

Call 848-3533 

Human Nature 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

The X-plicit Players present this idyllic nude ritual. Watch or participate: Be led blindfolded through body tunnels, into body streams while sensing psychic/body qualities through touch. Also presented on Oct. 21.  

$12 admission 

Call 415-848-1985 

Saturday, Oct. 21

A Day on Mt. Tam 

9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Come play and hike in San Francisco’s beloved playground. This outing is part of a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

AHIMSA Eight Annual Conference 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

International House, Great Hall 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

The AHIMSA is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to encourage dialogues and public forums which bridge spiritual, scientific and social issues. This years conference is titled “Violence! Scientific and Spiritual Perspectives.”  

Admission is free 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Center St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Taste a whole farmers’ market’s bounty of fall fruit varieties. 

Free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Sunday, Oct. 22

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Presidio’s Golden Gate Club 

Greenbelt Alliance brings the farm to the city in this celebration of the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. Featured are samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries, microbreweries. Also featured are live music and local artwork. The event benefits Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

An Evening with Alice Walker 

7:30 p.m.  

King Middle School  

1781 Rose St. (at Grant) 

free parking 

Join internationally loved novelist, poet and essayist Alice Walker in celebrating her new book of autobiographical stories, “The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.” Benefits Berkeley EcoHouse and KPFA Radio, 94.1 FM.  

Tickets: $10 advance, $13 door 

Tickets available at independent bookstores 

More info: 848-6767 x609 

Take a Trip to the Oakland Ballet 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organized by the Senior Center to see “Glass Slippers.”  

Tickets: $6 each 

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Monday, Oct. 23

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Turns 100 

6 p.m. 

Nov. 4 

Silver Dragon Restaurant 

835 Webster St. 

Oakland 

Reservations: $30 per person 

More info: 548-5295 

Public Schools Parent Information Night 

7 - 9 p.m.  

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St. 

Parents, principals and other administrative staff from 11 elementary schools will speak about their schools. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network.  

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Come taste a bounty of fall fruit varieties for free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Thursday, Oct. 25

International Jewish Video Competition Winners 

7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way 

Screening of the four winners in the Museum’s seventh annual competition.  

Call 549-6950 

Thursday, Oct. 26

East Bay Science & Arts Middle School 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Middle school students perform dances of folk, swing, and Cuban rueda styles. Free.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 27

“Transporation: What’s in Store?” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club  

2315 Durant Ave.  

Larry Dahms, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Council speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

More info and reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 28

Pedaling the Green City 

11 a.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Take a leisurely bike ride along the future San Francisco Bay Trail. One in a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Compiled by Chason Wainwright 

Council should have looked first 

Editor: 

I would venture to say that not a single one of the eight council members who voted to designate 1525 Shattuck Avenue a ‘structure of merit’ have ever gone within 10 feet of these buildings  

When I first listed this property over 30 years ago, it had already declined into a “chopped-up” rabbits’ warren of offices and a couple of residential units. If one looked very hard and long they would find a couple of “fish fin” side shingles that gave some clue to it once being an attractive structure.  

Thanks to Harvey Sherback, a real endangered species from the ‘60s, hundreds of signatures were gathered in protest of removing this eyesore. Harvey is the only resident of this property and did not want to relocate. He did an excellent job of obtaining signatures of people who never, ever saw this property.  

He frightened a few businesses on North Shattuck Avenue, that this quality upgrade motel would cause them to lose a few parking spaces. The projected motel would have 25 parking spaces, five to ten more than they needed and which they were willing to share with some of the adjoining businesses.  

I remember over 25 years ago when Alice Waters and her four partners wanted to transform an ugly single family house into the present Chez Panisse restaurant. Here again, if you scraped off the terrible stucco and aluminum paint of that existing old house, one might have found a “landmark” property and then there would not have been a wonderful Chez Panisse that glorifies our North Shattuck Village. 

The proposed project would enhance our North Shattuck neighborhood. It would not be another “Motel Six” or “Holiday Inn,” but a charming Mediterranean facility that would be a “landmark” and a “structure of merit” from our present generation.  

I have signatures from neighboring businesses and merchants who have approved this venture, once they were shown the plan.  

I have no financial or agency interest in this project. I just feel that it would be a valuable addition to our neighborhood. 

Aubrey Lee Broudy 

Berkeley 

Kennedy tenant happy as a bunny 

Editor: 

I am not a rabbit either! I am just a student, one of thousands, looking for a place to live. Luckily, I am a resident of the Berkeleyan apartment building at 1910 Oxford St., one of Patrick Kennedy’s developments. 

What this building has afforded me is the opportunity to live close to campus (unheard of these days) and to live in a new, clean and very well-kept apartment building (an even greater rarity).  

What I cannot fathom is the inability of some of Berkeley’s residents, who are non-students of course, to understand that students need housing. And enough housing will never be attained through the construction of one or two story sites. Do the math! 

So why don’t we all face the fact that something must be done for the sake of students, low-income people, and the elderly. Let us not misdirect our attacks onto those who are willing to take action to solve these very real problems; let us instead applaud them. And to the rest of them, “stop the rhetoric!” 

Gemilyn Diwa 

Berkeley 

Notes from the underground 

Editor, 

The Morlochs in H.G. Wells’ story live underground and feed off the Eloi as if they were no better than rabbits. Morloch Chaillot of the Deep Ecologists’ Gaian Alliance (Letters, Sept. 29) affirms that the future lies underground, and states that someday we shall all be rabbits.  

Morloch also castigates Richard Register for being a front for out of town developers. I confess, I am confused. Is it sarcasm? Is the alternative to 15 story buildings a subterranean class that feeds on the thoughtless creatures above (City Council candidate Carrie Olson and her supporters?), or is Mr. Register really a crook, and the Deep Ecologists as out of touch with reality as they sound? 

Why is five stories a magic number? Thirty years ago I lived in the Unit 3 dorm. It was, and still is, eight stories high. Should we demolish the top three floors? 

I did not, and do not, consider the dorms a disaster area. The problem is one of context. The dorms have open space on the ground, and are adjacent to commercial areas or take an entire block, and therefore do not create the disaster scenarios that have been described in previous opinion pieces.  

You don’t have to be offered money to support high-rise (or at least higher-rise) building in downtown. One merely has to look at the Los Angeles basin to see what happens when everybody gets their dream of a low-rise environment. Sorry Morloch, Mr. Register does have a constituency in Berkeley. 

Robert Clear 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

Thank you for running Vietnamese-born Andrew Lam’s lovely piece on his  

grandmother today (Oct 2nd). Some months ago I saw, in a San Francisco  

paper, another moving article by him about leaving his country. He is truly  

a talented writer of fine prose. Let’s have more. 

Beatriz Coda  

Editor: 

I am a member of a campus coalition of the Rainforest Action Group and Ecopledge.com, a coalition working to stop Citibank from funding environmentally destructive projects all over the world. The destruction of some Citibank property last week has moved me to write a letter explaining what the Citi campaign is about. 

Last Tuesday, Sept. 26th, after the Reclaim the Streets rally in downtown Berkeley, someone smashed the windows of the local Citibank branch. First of all, I would like to set the record straight: this crime was not committed by our members, nor do we condone it. We do not advocate the destruction of property. 

Nonetheless, I would like to say that the Citi campaign is extremely urgent. Rainforest Action Group is boycotting Citigroup and its subsidiaries because  

of its direct financial involvement in a number of environmentally and culturally destructive projects. Citigroup has funded mining in the Amazon, oil pipelines in African rainforests, clearing Headwaters forest here in California, and more. All of these projects destroy habitats, threaten endangered species, and displace Native peoples from their homes.  

Rainforest Action Group and Ecopledge believe 

that Citigroup should be held accountable for its actions, particularly when those actions degrade the overall health of our planet. A part of the funding Citigroup uses for its destruction comes from customer assets (i.e. 

clients’ money). For these reasons, we are urging students and citizens to boycott Citigroup.  

For anyone who would like more information on how to get involved with RAG or Ecopledge, you may contact adinah@hotmail.com or dfcamazonia@yahoo.com. An International Day of Action against Citibank is coming up on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in front of Citibanks across the U.S., and we urge Berkeley students to come out with us on that day to stand up and be heard! 

Adinah Curtis 

UC Berkeley student, living in Mill Valley 

Editor: 

In response to the letter (8/31) from Terry Powell: 

Terry Powell from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) public relations department, operated for the Department of Energy (DOE), is just doing her job when she promotes the lab’s official line on the continuous dumping of radioactive waste from their National Tritiu Labeling Facility (NTLF) and Melvin Calvin Lab on the UC campus. 

The Lab’s boosters endlessly repeat the mantra “tritium emissions below the U.S. EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS).” Never do they address the many credible criticisms of their absurdly low estimate for radioactive tritium exposure, including those in the report by IFEU, made by independent scientists hired at local taxpayers’ expense by the City of Berkeley. 

Dumping in short bursts and a short stack actually located below the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) are easily understandable reasons why exposure to LHS workers and visiting children could exceed the NESHAPS standard. Just because the flawed exposure estimates concocted by LBNL remain unchallenged by the perfumed suits at the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances is no reason for anyone to believe them.  

All the Lab’s arguments seem like such blather when one visits the site and sees the tritium stack just 30 feet from the LHS’s fence. Common sense tells one that whatever is coming out of the stack is all over whoever is near it. In this cases it’s most of the areas children. Triatiated vapor is extremely hazardous and has been identified as a cause of leukemia, cancer, infertility and other genetic defects.  

Ms. Powell is incorrect when she states that almost all their tritium is captured and recycled. As sloppy as their records are, they do indicate large quantities missing. Even when LBNl has admittedly dumped does not support her claim.  

Also contrary to what Ms. Powell claimed, LBNL’s treatability “study” was just a scam to unload years of backlogged mixed waste without obtaining the usual permits. Mixed waste, toxic chemicals contaminated with radioactive waste, is fed into an “oxidation cell” complete with igniter plugs and exhaust vents, and can run in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Sure sounds like an incinerator to me.  

Playing games by reclassifying the NTLF as a “non-nuclear” facility and “delisting” their mixed waste does not alter the reality that large amounts of dangerous radioactive material are stored, used and dumped there. Neither the NTLF or Calvin Lab are appropriately sited in our community and should be closed and cleaned up.  

Mark McDonald 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

It was a sit in, of sorts.  

Long-time patrons of the French Hotel Cafe on Shattuck Avenue decided to drag their own tables and chairs from home to the sidewalk in front of the cafe Tuesday afternoon.  

The establishment stopped putting chairs and tables on the sidewalk at the end of May, when the owner was cited for not having an administrative permit to do so. 

“Some of us have been coming here for 20 years,” said Leonard Pitt. “And then one day we were told we couldn’t sit out here.” 

Owner Sandy Boyd applied for the permit in August, but was told that it would take 30 days for it to be processed. 

“The timeline now is two to four months,” said manager Nathan Arata. “It’s out of our hands now.” 

The cafe gave out a free cup of coffee to each person who showed up to protest.  

“Some of the people protesting have been coming here for years and are valued customers,” he said. “We want to support them.” 

Several of the protesters, including City Council District 5 candidate Carrie Olson, say they are not only protesting the fact that the cafe needs an administrative use permit, they’re making the point that it takes too long to get a permit.  

“It’s an impediment to the business and an inconvenience for customers,” she said.  

Olson said that the patrons checked with police to find out if it was legal to bring their own tables and chairs beforehand. 

“They said it’s legal to bring your own tables and chairs as long as you don’t obstruct the sidewalk,” she said.

City Council candidates from Districts 5 and 3 dined on salmon then stepped to the podium to respond to questions from Chamber of Commerce members at the City Club Tuesday. 

Questions from the audience of about 65 business people stuck to issues such as economic development and the November bond measures. 

While most questions from the group were general and posed to the entire panel of candidates, developer Patrick Kennedy took the opportunity to go after District 5 candidate Carrie Olson. 

Kennedy attacked Olson’s opposition to the General Plan, and mocked a decision of the Landmark Preservation Commission – of which she is an active member – to landmark the Hot Dip Galvanizing structure at Gilman and Fourth streets, the corrugated metal building its detractors called a “tin shed.” 

The building’s Landmark status was eventually overturned by the City Council. 

“I’m glad I get to respond to this finally,” Olson said, explaining she was absent when the commission voted on the structure. If she had been there, she would have voted against it, she said. 

Olson then went on to take on Kennedy’s “Gaia” building, under construction on Allston Way. The council hopeful said she opposes the “process, not the project.” 

“Ten stories are being allowed for an approved seven stories,” she said. 

She argued that the project has grown from the City Council-approved 87 feet, or seven stories to 10 stories because of lofts, office spaces and an elevator tower that will make it a total of 116 feet. The project has been granted a building permit, however. 

Vice Mayor and District 3 incumbent Maudelle Shirek took the opportunity to maintain that she is pro-business. “If you look at the records,” the 89-year-old vice mayor said. “You’ll see my clear, strong support for jobs and my fight to save industry in Berkeley.” 

Her opponent, James Peterson, brushed lightly over his widely-reported admission of taking campaign money from an applicant before the Zoning Adjustments Board of which he is a member. Peterson recused himself from voting on the applicant’s project at last week’s ZAB meeting. 

He went on to say he would offer “a new vision, and a new voice for a new Berkeley.” 

Peterson called Measure Y, which Shirek supports, a “poorly written, ill-conceived ordinance that uses the elderly and handicapped to enforce rent control.” 

Measure Y restricts owner move-in evictions. 

Marcella Crump-Williams, also a District 3 candidate, opposed the measure as well. She said that it “could be devastating to a lot of people.” 

The District 5 candidates; Olson, Miriam Hawley, Tom Kelley and Mark Fowler – candidate Benjamin Rodefer attended but had to leave early before the measure was discussed – all gave their support to the measure.  

Before he left, Rodefer asked business leaders to get involved and prevent Berkeley from becoming “another Walnut Creek or Fresno.” 

“We’re in danger of being co-opted,” he said. 

District 5 candidate Mark Fowler had the most unique idea on how to help the council handle its business more efficiently. Give the council vitamin therapy and a catering service, he said. 

Hawley, a member of the AC Transit Board, suggested holding a series of meetings within District 5 to deal with traffic something she believes to be a big problem in the district. 

“We’ve looked at it by the street and that doesn’t work,” she said. “We need to deal with it in a more holistic way. We need to look at the neighborhood as a whole.” 

“Berkeley is really coming together in many ways,” said Tom Kelley, a member of the Green Party. Kelley asked the business leaders to help put an end the “us versus them” division between business owners and neighborhood residents. 

Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could abruptly limit the rights of disabled employees at the University of California and other state institutions, activists said Tuesday. 

If the Court rules as expected, the decision could bar employees from suing the University and other state entities for discrimination under the Americans With Disabilities Act, said speakers at a panel discussion held on the UC Berkeley campus 

The case, University of Alabama vs. Garrett, challenges the constitutionality of the decade-old disability rights law, known as the ADA. Oral arguments will be heard in the case  

Oct. Tuesday’s event, held at the UC Berkeley student union was timed to coincide with demonstrations in Washington D.C. calling attention to next week’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court. 

“If the Supreme Court finds against Garrett a large part of the ADA would be deemed unconstitutional,” Daniel Davis, a student speaker who heads the Disabled Students’ Union, told audience members Tuesday. “What is at stake is whether state sovereignty or civil rights will prevail,” he said. 

Davis, along with a panel of seven activists and disability rights lawyers who convened the afternoon “teach in” yesterday, view the pending case as a crucial test of the future of the ADA, and indeed of federal civil rights laws in general. 

“The implications are enormous,” attorney Linda Kilb told an audience of 60 people, many in wheelchairs. “We are talking about a situation where the (Supreme) Court is broadly directing the authority of Congress to pass civil rights laws and to determine within those laws the types of prohibitions and standards that will be a part of federal policy,” she said.  

At issue in the case, say legal experts, is a complex constitutional power struggle that pits the states against the federal government and the U.S. Congress against the Supreme Court. In recent cases, Kilb said yesterday, the Court has sharply curtailed the application of federal civil rights laws to state entities. The ADA will likely receive similarly unkind treatment, she and other panelists predicted.  

The Garrett case originated in Alabama and wound its way to the nation’s highest court in Washington D.C. It is being closely watched by Bay Area disability rights activists who say that an adverse decision would reverberate across the country, rendering the ADA inapplicable to state entities that have discriminated against disabled persons. Under the 11th Amendment, states are immune from lawsuits brought against them in federal court unless Congress specifically “abrogated” that immunity to enforce civil rights laws passed pursuant to the 14th Amendment.  

“Every entity that can claim it is a state entity would be immune,” said Guy Wallace, a disability rights lawyer in San Francisco who has filed a brief in the Garrett case and was a featured speaker Tuesday. Wallace predicted that a vast array of state-associated entities from public schools to parks to museums, virtually any organization funded with state money, would be affected. 

Left unsaid at Tuesday’s clearly partisan gathering, though, was that California already has in place state civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination against disabled persons in public accommodations and elsewhere. These laws, passed as part of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act and other legislation, would 

not be affected by the Garrett decision, said Davis, who heads the Disabled Student Union. 

Attorney Kilb, who directs the Berkeley-based Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, did caution against taking a too alarmist view of the Garrett case. “We have to remember that the ADA will not be completely dead if we lose Garrett,” she said, because the ADA would still apply to private parties. “States do a great many things in our society but they are not the be-all and end-all of (discriminatory) action,” Kilb counseled. 

Indeed, the ADA was recently applied in a federal lawsuit against actor Clint Eastwood, who owns a hotel in Carmel that was allegedly inaccessible to wheelchair users. Eastwood won the case last week after a jury found in his favor. 

Still, speakers at yesterday’s meeting viewed the threat posed by the Garrett case in broad terms.  

“What we have accomplished has provoked a backlash,” said Paul Longmore, a history professor at San Francisco State University who is himself disabled. “Some people just don’t want people with disabilities to be around,” he said. “They want us to go back to being invisible, shut away, excluded. But we are not going away, we’re not going to be hidden again,” he said to loud applause. 

The Garrett case takes place against the backdrop of a presidential election whose outcome could well determine the direction of future Supreme Court civil rights jurisprudence.  

Panelists at yesterday’s forum said they were alarmed by the possibility that the next president will have a chance to appoint as many as three new Supreme Court justices. Those appointments could tip the balance of the Court decisively where federal civil rights laws are concerned. By narrow 5-4 majorities the court recently struck down portions of one law barring age discrimination in employment and another allowing rape victims to sue their attackers.  

Participants at the forum said these decisions indicated that the ADA and other civil rights laws were in imminent peril as well. 

Misdemeanor charges were filed Tuesday against executives from five companies accused of marketing products for diabetes patients that either contained potentially harmful drugs or failed to accurately measure blood-sugar levels. 

Operators of three of the companies were accused of selling food supplements spiked with prescription drugs used to treat diabetes, including Phenformin, which was banned in the United States because of potential side effects. 

Two other executives and their companies, Los Angeles-based Breen Laboratories and Irenda Corp., were charged in connection with the manufacture of beverages that doctors give to patients in glucose tolerance tests. Prosecutors contend that true blood-sugar levels were masked because the drinks did not have enough glucose in them. 

The defendants were charged in five separate misdemeanor complaints. They include: 

l Henry Chuan Hsue, 46, president of Sino-American Health Products Inc. of Torrance. Hsue and his company each were charged with one count of making false and misleading statements and offering an unadulterated drug for sale. 

Hsue said that his company recalled the product, Zhen Qi Herbal Extract, in February after being notified by authorities that it was spiked with a prescription drug.  

l Clive Stevens, 66, of Blaine, Wash., owner of Chinese Angel Health Products Inc., a company also known as Chinese Herbal Health Products. Stevens, a former partner with Hsue, was charged with two counts each of offering a misbranded drug for sale. 

l Dinh Minh Ta, 43, of Temple City, identified as the operator of Alhambra-based health food distributor Diabetic Capital LLC. Ta was charged with one count each of offering for sale a misbranded drug, offering an adulterated drug, false advertising, offering for sale a falsely advertised good or drug, manufacturing a drug without a license and unlawfully misbranding a drug. 

The product in question, Dianolyn Capsules, were manufactured in China and imported for resale in the United States. 

l Ireneo Dancel Daliva, 54, president of Irenda Corp. Daliva and his company were charged with one count each of offering for sale a misbranded drug and offering for sale an adulterated drug. He also was charged with making false statements. The company’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment. 

l James E. Stewart, 59, of Lomita, owner of Breen Laboratories. Stewart and his company were charged with two counts each of offering for sale both a misbranded drug and an adulterated drug and manufacturing a drug without a license. 

OAKLAND — The Oakland Unified School District announced today it is looking into allegations that standardized testing results were fudged in three classrooms. 

According the district's Office of Public Information, “irregularities” have been alleged at Horace Mann, Toler Heights, and Carl B. Munck elementary schools. The implication is that teachers or other staff there exaggerated SAT/9 test scores to boost student ratings at the schools. 

Allegations against the first two schools were reported to the district by the state, and allegations against Carl B. Munck Elementary School came from within the district, according to a school district news release. 

“If we find that any of these irregularities were created by  

someone on our staff trying to inflate test scores, there will be swift discipline, up to and including termination,” Oakland schools Superintendent Dennis Chaconas said in the news release. Chaconas has called a news conference for 2:30 p.m. today to discuss the allegations.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis is standing behind a California law that imposes some of the nation’s toughest rules on press access to inmates, blocking those reporters who do land face-to-face interviews from taking in cameras or writing materials. 

Davis last week vetoed a bill that would have eased the policy, telling lawmakers he wants to avoid turning convicts into celebrities. 

Critics contend Davis rejected the measure because he fears reporters will unearth what really goes on behind prison walls. 

A reporter who wants to interview a specific inmate in person must apply to the corrections department to get on the inmate’s visitor list, a process that usually takes at least a month, and can only interview the inmate during normal visiting hours. 

Reporters who get permission for a face-to-face interview cannot use cameras or recording devices or take in their own writing materials.  

They must ask prison officials for paper and pencil to take notes. 

State lawmakers voted three consecutive years to ease the restrictions.  

This year’s legislation would have made it easier to arrange interviews, allowing reporters to submit a blanket application covering a year rather than apply for each interview, and use cameras, tape recorders and writing materials. 

Davis, a first-term Democratic governor who campaigned as tough on crime, has now vetoed the bill twice, following the lead of his Republican predecessor, Pete Wilson. 

Inmate interviews are particularly important during the current debate over whether innocent people are being sent to death row, said Peter Sussman, a former San Francisco Chronicle editor. 

Journalists “are the court of last resort if they’re cutting off appeals,” said Sussman, who wrote a 1993 book on the subject, “Committing Journalism.”  

“Any attempt to restrict press access to prisoners has the appearance of aiding a cover-up, even if that’s not the governor’s intent.” 

The American Civil Liberties Union accused Davis of vetoing the bill because “he is afraid the truth will come out.” 

Davis spokeswoman Hilary McLean denied that. 

“This bill is inconsistent with the national trend to reduce, not expand, rights of prisoners,” Davis wrote in his veto message last week, referring to prohibitions on inmates profiting from their crimes by selling book, TV or movie rights. 

“The purpose of incarceration is punishment and deterrence; it is not to provide additional celebrity to convicts, many of whose criminal acts were brutal and violent, thereby causing further pain to the victims and their loved ones,” Davis wrote lawmakers. 

The trend was largely started by California. 

“It is just about the most restrictive state in the country,” said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “California has really put the issue on the front burner.” 

Dalglish took issue with the argument that media access brings celebrity to inmates. Taxpayers need to know how prisons are run, she said. 

“The inmates who are celebrities were celebrities before they went to prison,” Dalglish said. 

Only Mississippi has a more restrictive policy, barring face-to-face and telephone interviews, according to the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). In California, inmates can telephone reporters collect; the calls can be monitored. 

Four other states — Arizona, Idaho, Indiana and Kansas — also block face-to-face inmate interviews, most of them imitating California, said SPJ President Kyle Niederpruem, an assistant city editor at the Indianapolis Star. 

California’s prisons cost taxpayers $4.6 billion a year, and the public needs to do know what is going on in them, she said. 

“You have some of the most expensive and most populous prisons in the nation ... and they’re just keeping it hidden away,” Niederprum said. 

Corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton said reporters have plenty of access. They can go on prison tours virtually any day they wish, and interview inmates they randomly meet on those tours, she said. 

“If they want to do some expose on the prison system, there’s absolutely nothing to prevent them from doing that,” Thornton said. 

She and Davis noted that journalists can accept collect phone calls from inmates, and inmates can mail them letters — though the letters are subject to censorship. 

The department had a more open policy before 1971, when Black Panther George Jackson was interviewed at San Quentin 66 times in six months. He subsequently was involved in an escape attempt and riot in which two inmates and three guards were killed — the subject of a book, “The Road to Hell.” 

The department’s interview ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1974, but overturned the same year when state lawmakers passed an “Inmate Bill of Rights.” It was reimposed in 1994 when the pendulum swung back to the view that inmates should have no more rights than the basic rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, Thornton said. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Read the bill, AB2101 by Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, at http://www.assembly.ca.gov 

Society of Professional Journalists Web site with links to states’ inmate access policies, www.spj.org 

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis has demanded that federal authorities move quickly to reduce electricity rates, but has failed to appoint a director of the one state agency set up to help power customers, a newspaper reported Tuesday. 

The Democratic governor has not named a chief to the Office of Ratepayer Advocates, which is part of the Public Utility Commission, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. 

The watchdog office was created after deregulation of California’s electrical power industry began four years ago. 

The office was set up to help consumers fight for lower electricity, natural gas, telephone and water bills. 

Consumer advocates say the absence of a director may have prevented the governor from getting an early warning about the price spikes that have tripled some utility bills in San Diego. 

And the continuing vacancy has hurt the office’s ability to work to lower prices, they say. 

“He didn’t appoint one of the key people who could have sounded the alarm about energy deregulation,” said Bob Fellmuth, director of the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego. “It’s a terrible failure on his part.” 

Davis spokesman Roger Salazar said the governor hopes to fill the ratepayer position quickly, and that the governor wants the best person possible. 

Nettie Hoge, a consumer advocate and director of the Utility Reform Network, said the absence of a watchdog director affects the ability of the office to perform its duties. 

“There’s some good people there, but there’s no coordination, no one to set priorities,” Hoge said. 

COVINA — Students got an unusual assignment from their English teacher: Pick out a victim, come up with a recipe for assassination and devise a successful getaway formula. 

The Covina High School teacher no longer works for the school district. 

“I was outraged,” parent Joyce Jarvis said after learning of teacher Andrew Phillips’ classroom assignment. “It went through my mind, ‘How dare he give an assignment like this in the first place?’ ” 

Phillips instructed students to write the assignment as a journal entry in conjunction with the reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Pit and the Pendulum.” 

He told them to choose someone to kill, give reasons why and detail how to keep it secret. According to his students, the only requirement was that the person to be assassinated could not be anyone at Covina High School. 

“And the first thing that hit me was Columbine and what if he has a loose end in the classroom that wants to make a name for himself and the teacher is supporting this type of action? It could be (my son) that’s shot or bombed or whatever,” Jarvis said. 

Michael Miller , superintendent of the Covina-Valley Unified School District, said without elaboration Monday: “I can tell you the teacher associated with this assignment is no longer with the school.” 

The teacher offered the class an alternative assignment for those who did not want to plot the assassination: describing eight to 10 motives for killing another human being. 

“Why should any child be forced to think about committing a murder?” said the student’s mother, who also spoke with the newspaper on condition of anonymity. 

Although district officials would not say whether Phillips was fired or quit, district assistant superintendent of personnel Louis Pappas said as far as the district was concerned, the case was closed. 

“There’s no appeal process in this particular instance for the employee, and it’s basically a done issue,” he said. 

CHICAGO — Flu vaccines could help day-care children and their school-aged siblings stay well and reduce the use of over-prescribed antibiotics, a new study suggests. 

But while the vaccine could also help keep adults under age 65 healthy and reduce missed work days, a cost-analysis conducted in another study found no savings in giving the flu shots to those adults. 

The day-care study, led by Dr. Eugene S. Hurwitz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, appears along with the cost-analysis, done by another CDC researcher, in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. 

The studies follow a CDC recommendation earlier this year for people to take annual flu shots as of age 50, rather than 65. Data have suggested that many people 50 to 65 have chronic conditions that put them at risk for hospitalization or even death if they get the flu. 

With a lag in vaccine production this year, federal health officials said last month that the ill and elderly should be given first priority this season. 

But researchers who examined youngsters under age 5 said the benefits of their vaccination extends beyond their health. 

The authors noted that 70 percent of children under 5 spend several hours weekly in day care. Such children are considered high-risk for flu, with as many as half contracting it in a single season. 

HHe focused on the vaccination’s impact on family members. The most notable effect – an 80 percent reduction in potential flu cases – occurred among the vaccinated children’s school-aged family members. 

But also reduced among the family members, by more than 70 percent, were: absences from school, absences from work to care for sick children, doctor visits, earaches and antibiotics prescribed. 

In JAMA’s accompanying cost-analysis, researchers charted 1,184 healthy employees at Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, Mich., in 1997-98 and 1,191 the next flu season. Half the subjects, ages 18-64, received the vaccine. 

While the vaccine wasn’t effective in preventing the flu strain in the first season, its efficacy rate in the second season was 86 percent. It also reduced doctors’ visits and work absences, but the net cost still was $11 per person. 

A previous study suggested that flu shots make sense for working adults. But the high cost savings found in that study were calculated with flu rates of at least 35 percent, “which are very high and not typically seen in healthy working-age adults,” said Dr. Carolyn Buxton Bridges of the CDC’s influenza branch. Bridges led the JAMA cost-analysis. 

——— 

On the Net: 

CDC: http://www.cdc.gov 

JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org 

WASHINGTON — High-tech companies could bring in nearly 600,000 new skilled foreign workers over the next three years and also hire thousands more foreign students from U.S. graduate schools under a bill the Senate passed Tuesday. 

The 96-1 vote reflected broad election-year support for the technology industry that is increasingly flexing its political muscle through lobbying and campaign donations to both parties. 

With U.S. unemployment rates holding steady near a 30-year low, companies in Silicon Valley and along other burgeoning high-tech corridors say they need the additional workers with six-year H-1B visas to fuel their continuing rapid growth. 

“The short-term problem is how to fill the key positions immediately so that we don’t lose opportunities to foreign competitors or so that we don’t force American businesses to move offshore to where skilled workers might live,” said Sen. Spencer Abraham, R-Mich. 

Despite the overwhelming Senate vote, obstacles remain in the House, where Republican leaders have differed over measures aimed at assuring that the skilled immigrants don’t displace American workers. 

A bill from Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, that was approved by the Judiciary Committee would require companies using visas to increase the median pay of their U.S. workers in addition to establishing job projections for them. The industry opposes Smith’s bill. 

The House Rules Committee chairman, Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., who cosponsored another visa bill, called the Senate version “dynamite” and said House leaders would find a way to get it passed. 

Industry advocates – including Microsoft and Sun Microsystems, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers – praised the Senate vote and called for the House to follow suit. 

Computer software and other high-tech companies contend that 300,000 jobs are going unfilled for a lack of qualified workers. Labor unions, however, argue that that the companies want more immigrants to put keep down wages of Americans holding the same jobs. 

Sen. Ernest F. Hollings, D-S.C., cast the lone vote against the bill. Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., did not vote. 

Under present law, the government issued 115,000 H-1B visas during the fiscal year that ended Saturday. With no new legislation the ceiling would fall to 107,500 this year and to 65,000 next year. 

Democrats in both chambers said last week they will try to put other immigration measures, which had slowed consideration of the visa bill, on one of the spending bills that Congress must pass before adjourning for the year, under threat of a presidential veto. 

The measures include granting amnesty to illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States before 1987 and offering permanent residency to more political refugees from Central America and Haiti. ——— 

The bills are S.2045, H.R. 3183 and H.R. 4227. 

On the Net: 

Search for bills at: http://thomas.loc.gov 

BOSTON — Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader, shunned by the presidential debate commission, scored a ticket to Tuesday night’s debate but was turned away at the door. 

“It’s already been decided that whether or not you have a ticket you are not welcome in the debate,” John Bezeris, a representative of the debate commission, told Nader. The commission had excluded all but Democratic and Republican candidates. 

“I didn’t expect they would be so crude and so stupid,” Nader said after being turned away. “This is the kind of creeping tyranny that has turned away so many voters from the electoral process.” 

Nader, who took the subway to the debate site, had received the ticket as a gift from Todd Tavares, a 21-year-old Northeastern University student who said he got it from a roommate. 

When he arrived at the site of the debate at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, Bezeris, surrounded by several police officers, told Nader he could not enter because he was not an invited guest. 

Nader was among a trio of third-party candidates who did their best Tuesday to keep the Republican and Democratic nominees from stealing the show. 

Hours before the debate, a judge threw out a court challenge filed earlier in the day by Massachusetts Libertarians to try to force organizers to include their candidate, Harry Browne. 

“The plaintiffs have slept on their rights by waiting until the last minute to seek relief,” Suffolk Superior Court Judge Gordon Doerfer ruled. He said intervening in the debates would deprive the public of information it needs about the candidates. 

The lawsuit claimed Browne should be included because Massachusetts, which officially recognizes the party, spent $900,000 to help pay for the debate. 

Nader also criticized the commission’s decision to limit the debate to candidates with more than 15 percent support in national polls. Only the Democrat, Vice President Al Gore, and the Republican, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, qualified to participate. 

“They have the keys. This debate commission is a private company created by the two parties,” Nader told about 1,000 supporters. “The thing is why do we as a society let them control the gateway? Why don’t we have many gateways, many debates?” 

As he concluded his remarks some students chanted “Let Ralph debate! Let Ralph debate!” 

Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan, meeting reporters in his Boston hotel, said it was unfair to keep his party out. He and Nader were appearing separately on Fox News Channel after the debate. 

“I feel like Slippery Rock State Teachers and we made the Final Four of the NCAAs and they won’t even let us in the gymnasium,” Buchanan said. “They won’t even let us on the gym floor to show what we can do.” 

Buchanan, who has more than $12 million in federal campaign funds to spend, outlined plans to launch an advertising campaign next week in states he says have been abandoned by Republicans, including California, New Jersey and most of New England. 

He is aiming for 5 percent of the popular vote in the Nov. 7 election to guarantee that the Reform Party gets federal matching funds again in 2004. Buchanan said the ads would run mainly on Christian radio stations and would highlight local concerns, such as immigration in California and Arizona. 

BOSTON — Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush clashed over tax cuts, prescription drug assistance under Medicare and abortion Tuesday night in their first campaign debate of the fall, pivot point in the closest White House contest in a generation. 

Combative from the outset, Gore charged that his rival’s tax plan would “spend more money on tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent than all of the new spending he proposes for education, health care, prescription drugs and national defense all combined.” 

But Bush, standing a few feet away on a debate stage at the University of Massachusetts, said Gore’s economic plan would offer relief only to the middle class. “Everybody who pays taxes ought to get relief,” he said. At the same time, he said, it would produce “dramatically” bigger government with 200 “new or expanded programs” and 20,000 new bureaucrats. 

“It empowers Washington,” added the governor, who hastened to tell a national viewing audience he was from West Texas – not the nation’s capital. Over and over, he accused Gore of “fuzzy math.” 

Gore and Bush met for the first of three presidential debates over the next two weeks, each man seeking advantage in a race so close that poll after poll shows them within a point or two of one another. Their vice presidential candidates, Democrat Joseph Lieberman and Republican Dick Cheney, debate Thursday in Kentucky. 

Jim Lehrer of PBS was moderator, operating under strict rules negotiated in advance by the Gore and Bush camps. It was, he said at the outset, the first of three 90-minute debates between the two major party rivals – a format that excluded Ralph Nader and Pat Buchanan, running as minor party candidates. 

In a reprise of his acceptance speech at this summer’s Democratic National Convention, Gore said it was important to stand up to the special interests, pharmaceutical companies among them. “Big drug companies support Governor Bush’s prescription drug proposal,” he said. “They oppose mine.” 

Bush made a sour face when he heard that, and in his next breath offered a swift rebuttal. 

“I’ve been standing up to Big Hollywood and Big Trial Lawyers,” he shot back, mentioning two groups that have lavished campaign donations on Gore and Democrats. 

The two men argued at length over prescription drugs for Medicare recipients, a key issue, particularly in the key battleground states of the Midwest. Bush blamed Washington for failing to pass legislation, and touted his own plan to have states offer benefits. “You’ve had your chance, Mr. Vice President,” the governor said. 

But Gore, who favors a prescription drug benefit available to all Medicare recipients, said that under Bush’s plan only low-income seniors would receive immediate help. Everyone else would have to wait up to four years, he said. In addition, he added, seniors could be forced into HMOs to get a prescription drug benefit. 

“I cannot let this go by, the old-style Washington politics, trying to scare you with phony numbers,” Bush swiftly replied. He accused Gore of “Medi-scare.” 

“This is a man who has great numbers,” he said of the vice president. “I’m beginning to think not only did he invent the Internet, he invented the calculator.” 

Asked about a recent FDA decision approving the use of the abortion pill RU-486, Bush said, “I don’t think a president can” overturn such a decision. He then restated his willingness to sign legislation banning so-called “partial birth abortions,” and said Gore wouldn’t. 

Gore said he would ban such late-term procedures, but only if it included exemptions to protect the life or health of the woman, the position Clinton has taken in vetoing two bills on the subject from the Republican-controlled Congress. 

Eager to regain the offensive on a volatile issue, Gore said Bush would appoint justices to the Supreme Court who would overturn a 1973 ruling that legalized a right to abortion. “I support a woman’s right to choose. My opponent does not.” 

Bush said he was “pro-life,” but disputed any suggestion that he would use the issue as a litmus test for appointments to the high court. 

Gore sighed audibly when Bush said that, as if to register disbelief. 

On the first foreign policy issue to come up, Gore and Bush agreed they would not use force to try and remove Slobodan Milosevic from power in Yugoslavia, even though they agreed he had been defeated in recent elections and should give up power. 

Asked about energy policy, Gore attacked Bush for proposing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Area. 

Bush said such domestic oil exploration was preferable to continuing to import a million barrels of oil a day from Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. 

To keep the candidates cool, university officials turned the thermostat inside the Clark Athletic Center gym well below 65 degrees. That’s the show-time temperature, once the lights were flipped on and seats filled, that was required under contract by the Commission on Presidential Debates. 

The bipartisan group is sponsoring all four debates with the idea that they will be shown on as many TV networks as possible. Most were carrying the first one, but NBC gave its affiliates a choice between the baseball playoffs and the debate, while FOX went with its series premiere of “Dark Angel.” 

Home to Grove Street Park, the South Berkeley Library, the Ashby BART Station and a struggling shopping area, District 3 sits roughly between Ellsworth and Sacramento streets and Dwight Way and the Oakland border. According to the 1990 census, the area had a median income lower than the city’s as a whole and home values were also below the rest of the city. The area is home to a little less than half the city’s African American population, a reminder of the times when African Americans were unable to live east of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

The District 3 elections have been rocked by questions around candidate James Peterson, a member of the Zoning Adjustments Board, who accepted funds for his campaign from an applicant whose project was coming before the board. Peterson does not deny receiving the funds and recused himself from the vote on the project, as the city attorney recommended. The Daily Planet interviewed the three District 3 candidates before this news was revealed. These interviews follow. 

Maudelle Shirek 

Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek is still fighting the good fight, standing up for the little guy, demanding decent affordable housing, living wages, job training, advocating for the rights of children, youth, seniors and others whose voice might get lost in city politics.  

Why would an 89-year-old eight-time councilmember - the oldest elected public official in California - want to keep up the day-in-day-out battle, when she could settle into an easy chair and admire the work she’s done as councilmember since 1984? 

“I guess I’m just stubborn,” Shirek said with a grin, then, becoming more serious, says, “I still have something else to do, to say, something else to accomplish.” 

What are some of the incumbent’s more recent achievements? She reels them off: getting the council to fund job training, helping to relocate Berkeley Bowl to the old Safeway store site at Shattuck Avenue and Oregon Street, getting money into the city’s affordable housing fund, getting $1 million in federal dollars to upgrade the Ashby-Adeline avenues corridor. 

When asked if she is anti business, as her opponent James Peterson has charged, the vice mayor smiles.  

“I don’t think because I advocate social and economic justice, I am anti business, I think that’s pro-business” she said, explaining that the more people who have jobs – including homeless people – the more money they have to spend, enhancing the overall local economy. “As long as they’re jobless, what do they have to spend?” 

She further points to her support of the Bayer Corporation, because of the local jobs and job training it has brought. Another pro-business activity Shirek points to is her support for the revolving loan fund which small South Berkeley businesses have used. Then she talks about her support for the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation which has brought housing projects with retail on the ground floor to the district. 

She is also a strong supporter of the Ed Roberts campus at the Ashby BART station, the complex that will house offices for a variety of disabled support services. It will help revitalize the area, she said. 

Among the challenges ahead for Shirek are getting positive changes at the Berkeley Black Repertory Theater. She’s been one of the strongest critics on the council the nonprofit’s current management practices.  

Shirek and Peterson appear to agree on this subject, saying it is critical for the governing board to broaden. 

“It needs a good community board, instead of it being owned by one family,” Shirek said. 

When asked why the African American community in South Berkeley is not a visible force at City Council meetings, Shirek said people in her community organize more on the neighborhood level, with block and neighborhood associations. “People haven’t had an opportunity to fulfill their dreams as they should,” she said. “We’re still having repercussions from slavery.” 

When Shirek came to Berkeley in the 40s there was only one black school teacher in Berkeley, one in Oakland and one in San Francisco – “all women”, she said. 

Nevertheless, she added, “When the council does not listen, they come out.” 

As for crime, Shirek pointed out that she has voted to hire more police. However, she said she thinks a more fundamental response to crime in Berkeley is to provide more job training and open a 24-hour center for young people. The schools are not doing their part, Shirek added.. They’ve eliminated courses for students who don’t plan to go to college, such as auto mechanics, and they need more counselors. The idea of one counselor for 700 students is appalling, she says.. 

As for what can be done about disparity between the health of the South and west Berkeley African American population and the Caucasian hills population, Shirek points to the $200,000 the progressive faction put into the budget for the city’s health department, funds that the vice mayor and Councilmember Margaret Breland pushed for, to use to fight the high rate of low birthrate babies. The community is meeting to determine how best to spend the funds, Shirek said. 

Unlike Peterson, Shirek supports Measure Y, the eviction protection ballot measure. She said she knows several older people who have been put out of their homes, which Measure Y would shelter if it passes in November. 

Shirek has long been outspoken on the need for affordable housing. “We have to advocate for the central government to do more. The federal government is cutting down on the number of Section 8 (low income) vouchers,” she said. 

Even though she’s running hard along the campaign trail, Shirek is modest when it comes to her accomplishments. “People have helped me do it. I couldn’t do it by myself.” 

Marcella Crump-Williams 

District 3 residents might see Marcella Crump-Williams riding her bicycle around the neighborhood or know her in her capacity as block captain. 

The City Council candidate for District 3 has little experience in formal city government. Instead, her heart has led her into the political arena.  

Crump-Williams, who lost her employment at the Oakland Army base when it shut down, saw the suffering of a 95-year-old neighbor and decided to go into politics to remedy the wrong this woman and many other elderly people face. 

The woman got sick and ended up, temporarily, in a nursing home. “I saw she was distraught,” Crump-Williams said. “I thought there would have been some way for a caregiver to come into her home so she didn’t have to be moved.” 

The city should play a role in providing bonded, in-home care, she said. “When you take people out of their homes, it kills their spirit,” she said. 

There’s another problem that Crump-Williams would take on, if elected to the City Council. In fact, it’s a problem she’s already begun to tackle on a neighborhood level. It’s the lack of true integration in her neighborhood. 

“There’s a large number of Hispanics moving into Berkeley,” she said. She’s noted that the African American children and Hispanic children do not play together. “They live on the same block,” she said. 

To help remedy the situation, Crump-Williams set up a block party and invited Brazilian dancers. They had the participants all stand in a circle and hold hands, Crump-Williams said. The result was that neighbors were holding hands with neighbors they did not know. 

She said, she’s noted the divisions are more than skin deep. The Hispanics who are homeowners in her neighborhood do not associate with those living in apartments.  

She’s learned even more since she got on the campaign trail. “I didn’t see a black face at the Berkeley Democratic Club,” she said. 

Crump-Williams said she would address the issues that divide people in Berkeley, if elected to the council. 

As for the question of the Black Repertory Theater, Crump-Williams said that she recalled the time “a long time ago” when there were more shows and more opportunities for children. She said she hopes to help the theater initiate new programs. 

There are some new stores on the Alcatraz/Adeline avenue corridor, Crump-WIlliams said. But to help the business district along, she says “We need to have a refacing of the area,” she said. “It needs to look cosmetically up to date.” 

Asked about the Ed Roberts Campus, Crump-Williams said she thought the buildings might be too big and block the sun from those nearby. 

It could cause more people to come to the area so that the BART station might start charging fees for parking, she said. The project “seems experimental,” she said. 

As for affordable housing, Williams said she is “for (affordable housing) for working people. The emphasis is on working,” she said.  

As for crime, Crump-WIlliams says there should be a stricter curfew on young people loitering about. “They should be off the streets by 9 p.m.,” she said. 

Crump-Williams said she would like people to know what’s going on at the City Council. She’s thinking of organizing people to rotate attending the meetings, one person from 7 to 8 p.m., another from 9 to 10 p.m. and so on, she said. Then people would get together and discuss the issues that relevant to them and see what their options were. 

Crump-WIlliams says she is running on her own merits. “I’m not running against so and so,” she said. She’s hired a campaign advisor from San Francisco and said she wants to raise $5,000 for campaign materials, which she plans to have in both English and Spanish. 

James Peterson 

One sweltering day a couple of weeks ago, James Peterson, City Council candidate for District 3, insisted on wearing a suit jacket for a photograph. It wasn’t about ego. For Peterson, the image he portrays – especially to youth – says everything. 

“If they see a James Peterson walking down the street with an Armani suit and a beautiful tie, they’re going to say, ‘I wonder what that guy does. Let’s talk to him. Maybe he can show us something different.’”  

Peterson says he’s from the “old school” of good manners and decorum. He’d use these qualities on the council. 

“I can help restore dignity and respect (to the City “Council),” he said, adding that he believes he can work with all factions involved in city politics. “I listen carefully,” he said. “I’m not an ideologue.” 

It turns out that Peterson cut his teeth working for former Rep. Ron Dellums, D-Berkeley, with whom Shirek has a long association. Shirek appointed Peterson to the Zoning Adjustments Board.  

Peterson currently works as a consultant on low-income housing tax credits. He’s working with Volunteers of America, arranging financing for the purchase of a building for a correctional facility for women and their children in east Oakland. 

How does Peterson differ from the vice mayor?. “I may be more pro-business than Maudelle,” he said. “I’m not afraid for Berkeley to develop the city in terms of retail business and affordable housing.” 

He’s all for bringing “dot-coms” to the city. “I am comfortable with e-commerce as a way of doing business,” he said. He does not support adding a sales tax for those doing Internet sales, and suggested that local independent booksellers get together and create their own web sale sites. 

The Berkeley Black Repertory Theater, in District 3, has been soundly criticized in a city auditor’s report for poor management and for being run by one sole family. 

“It clearly needs to expand its board,” Peterson said. “The board should include those capable of raising a substantial amount of funds.” 

To this, the theater needs to reach out to the public, including the business community, he said. 

“I want to see (the theater) on equal footing with the Berkeley Repertory Theater,” Peterson added. 

Peterson blames the lack of development along the Adeline/Alcatraz corridor on the “lack of sophisticated leadership from the person who represents that area.” In contrast, Peterson says, “I personally know a lot about high finance.”  

He supports the Ed Roberts campus, which he says could be a major source of revitalization of the south Berkeley business district. It is a proposed complex of offices at the Ashby BART Station to include offices for nine organizations that support people with disabilities. 

“I propose to spend a great deal of time to put South Berkeley on an equal footing with the other parts of the city, including downtown and Fourth Street.” 

As for the problem of crime in the District 3 area, the focus should be on children.  

“We can clearly save the children,” he said. “Whether or not we have the capacity to save those who have chosen to solve their differences with guns is a monumental problem that’s clearly much larger than my existence.” 

One solution may be a military-type school for youth who get in trouble, such as proposed by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, “a camp-like program in which we can direct the young people in to teach the young people how to live, how to handle problems.” Berkeley should not create its own school, but hook up with Oakland’s. 

Another part of the solution is opening children’s eyes to the world around them. 

“We must make certain they are taken to the museum, to art galleries. They will be so impressed,” he said. “It will give their minds a new thought pattern and a new way to look at life.” 

Shirek and Peterson take opposing views on Measure Y, which would restrict owner move-in evictions. “It is ill-conceived and poorly written,” Peterson said. “It will adversely and detrimentally impact small black property owners. It’s wrong to create a measure in response to one or two problem (landlords).” 

As for the health disparity study that showed the great gap between the health of whites who live in the hills and blacks who live in the flatlands, Peterson asked the question: “How did we let it go so long?” 

The answer, he said, is a nurse practitioner program, where nurses would go into the homes to address prevention and intervention. 

Peterson has opened an office at 2471 Shattuck Ave. and said he has put $10,000 of his personal funds into the campaign, but does not know how much he will raise. 

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Taxi Scrip  

Community Meeting 

1 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Info: 644-6107 

“Comfort Baking for Brunch and Breakfast” 

6:30 p.m.  

Sur La Table 

1806 Fourth St.  

Pastry chef Letty Halloran Flatt will present favorite recipes from her book “Chocolate Snowball and other Fabulous Pastries from Deer Valley Bakery.” 

$40  

Call Michael O’Neill at Sur La Table, 849-2252 

Defending the Americans 

with Disabilities Act 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Pauley Ballroom West 

Third Floor 

MLK Jr. Student Union 

UC Berkeley 

Coinciding with the March for Justice in Washington, D.C., to defend the Americans with Disabilities Act against constitutional challenges posed in the Trustees of the University of Alabama vs. Garrett case. Free, but seating is limited to 500 attendees.  

664-3216 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets. 

Wednesday, Oct. 4 

“An Evening With Jane Goodall” 

7 p.m. A slide show and lecture by the world-renowned chimpanzee research scientist, conservationist and humanitarian.$16 general; $12 students. Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley. (925) 935-1978 or www.wildlife-museum.org 

Prayer Gathering 

6:30 p.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Board of Education Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Old City Hall, Council Chambers 

Second Floor 

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

Contact Dr. Jack McLaughlin, 644-6147 

Citizens Budget  

Review Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Task Force on  

Telecommunications 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Fire Safety Board Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

Fire Training Division 

997 Cedar St.  

644-6665 

Thursday, Oct. 5

3rd annual Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Association Golf Tournament 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. Entry Fee includes cart range balls and Award Luncheon. Proceeds benefit Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Scholarship Fund. 

$99 Entry Fee 

644-6554 

New Role for the UN in the New Century 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion with Rosemary van der Laan, President of the Board of Directors of the UN Association of the United States, about globalization and it’s impacts on the economic, social and political lives of the world.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo  

642-9460 

Capoeira Arts Cafe  

& Company Perform  

Noon 

BART plaza, Downtown  

Shattuck Avenue at Center Street 

A Brazilian extravaganza of Samba, Capoeira and more. Free. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

2118 Milvia St., Second Floor 

Conference Room 

Contact Nabil Al-Hadithy, 705-8155 

Public Works Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-3440 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Contact Oscar Sung, 665-3469 

Friday, Oct. 6

Opera: Marriage of Figaro & Schubert Songs 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

644-6107 

— Compiled by Chason  

Wainwright 

Circle Dancing 

7:45 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Finnish Brotherhood Hall 

1970 Chestnut St. 

Beginners welcome; no partners needed.  

Call John Bear, 528-4253 

“Stocks, Bonds, and the Future” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Dennis Quan, Account Executive at Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11  

For info and reservations, 848-3533 

Sustainable Business Alliance Networking Lunch 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Saffron Caffe 

2813 Seventh St. 

The purpose of this lunch is to network with other businesses interested in sustainable business practices. The lunch is open to non-members.  

Call Terry O’Keefe, 451-4000 

Saturday, Oct. 7

Berkeley Grassroots Greening Tour 

Starts at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. 

Celebrate Open Garden Day by joining this annual bicycle tour of local community and school gardens. Part of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Houses or Open Hills? 

10 a.m.  

Experience Black Diamond Mines Regional Park’s ghost towns, coal mines, spectacular views and open space on this hike by the proposed sites of 7,700 homes near Antioch. Cosponsored by Save Mount Diablo. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

“Redesigning Retirement”  

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

UC Berkeley (call for exact location) 

The UC Berkeley Retirement Center and the Academic Geriatric Resource Program will present retirement as a time of great potential. Participants will take part in interactive workshops dealing with the impact of technology on retirement; community involvement of older adults, among other topics. Prominent experts in the field of aging and retirement will take part in “ask the experts” sessions.  

$25. No on-site registration. Register by September 25. 

Contact: Shelly Glazer at 642-5461 

Harwood Creek Cleanup 

9 a.m. - Noon 

John Muir School  

2955 Claremont Ave. 

Help clean up and restore the creek that runs through John Muir school. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, chippers/shredders, tools and pick-up trucks. 

Women’s Evening At the Movies 

7:30 p.m. 

Pacific Center 

2712 Telegraph 

A monthly night at the movies for lesbian, bi and transexual women. This months featured film is “Fried Green Tomatoes.” 

$5 donation requested 

Call 548-8283  

Free Estate Planning Seminar 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

St. Ambrose Church 

1145 Gilman St. (at Cornell Ave.) 

Call Catholic Charities of the East Bay, 768-3109 

Sunday, Oct. 8

Surmounting Sunol Peaks  

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

Learn about local geology while enjoying the panoramic views from three Sunol peaks. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Cal Alumni Singles 20th Anniversary Dinner 

UC Faculty Club 

Dinner scheduled for Oct. 15 

For reservations call 527-2709 by Oct. 10 

Kenya, 40 Years Ago and Today 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call 644-6107 for more info  

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Are Domed Cities in the future? 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom  

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion based on UC Berkeley alumnus Tim Holt’s book, “On Higher Ground.” Set 50 years in the future, part of the book takes place in an East Bay enclosed by a climate-controlled dome.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Tenant-Landlord Problems? 

12:30 - 2 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Bring your concerns about repairs, harrassment and housing rights.  

Call 644-6107 

Thursday, Oct. 12

East Timor: The Road to Independence 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion of events leading up to the creation of the newest nation of the millennium and issues raised on the road to independence.  

$3 admission 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Meeting Life Changes 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

With John Hammerman.  

For info: 644-6107 

Sterling Trio 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing a variety of chamber music. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 13

“The Evolution and Cost of Ethical Drugs” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Stanford D. Splitter, retired MD speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

Call for reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow & Indian Market 

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Entry 1 p.m.  

Enjoy Native American foods, arts & crafts, drumming, singing and many types of native dancing. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley, this event is free.  

Civic Center Park 

Allston Way at MLK Jr. Way 

Info: 615-0603 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

1 - 4 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Sunday, Oct. 15

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Los Gatos Opera House 

Celebrate the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. This benefit features a variety of musical groups, local artists and samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries and microbreweries. Proceeds benefit Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person; $80 for this event and the Oct. 22 event in SF 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

Monday, Oct. 16

Private Elementary School Parent Information Panel 

7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St.  

A panel of parents from six area private schools discuss the admission process and their experiences. Sponsored by the Neighborhood Parents Network 

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

Call 527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Is the West Berkeley Shellmound a landmark? 

7 p.m.  

City Council Chambers 

2134 MLK Jr. Way, 2nd floor 

Continued and final public hearing on the appeals against landmark designation of the West Berkeley Shellmound. The City Council may possibly make it’s decision at this meeting. 

Landscape Archeology and Space-Age Technologies in Epirus, Greece 

8 p.m.  

370 Dwinelle Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Professor of Archeology, Art History and Classics Dr. James Wiseman presents a slide-illustrated lecture. 

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Clement Blvd.  

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Promise and Perils of Transgenic Crops 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, professor of Plant and Microbiology at UC Berekeley, of the scientific basis for biotechnology, it’s risks and benefits. 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Rafael Mariquez Free Solo Concert 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Public Library, South Branch 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This Chilean folksinger and guitarist presents his original settings of selections by Latin American poets. 

Contact: 644-6860; TDD 548-1240 

Vocal Sauce 

Noon 

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

The JazzSchool’s vocal jazz ensemble perform award-winning arrangements by Greg Murai.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 20

“The Ballot Issues” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  

Luncheon: $11 

Call 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 21

A Day on Mt. Tam 

9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Come play and hike in San Francisco’s beloved playground. This outing is part of a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

AHIMSA Eight Annual Conference 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

International House, Great Hall 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

The AHIMSA is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to encourage dialogues and public forums which bridge spiritual, scientific and social issues. This years conference is titled “Science, Spirituality and Nonviolence.”  

Admission is free 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Center St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Taste a whole farmers’ market’s bounty of fall fruit varieties. 

Free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Sunday, Oct. 22

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Presidio’s Golden Gate Club 

Greenbelt Alliance brings the farm to the city in this celebration of the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. Featured are samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries, microbreweries. Also featured are live music and local artwork. The event benefits Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

An Evening with Alice Walker 

7:30 p.m.  

King Middle School  

1781 Rose St. (at Grant) 

free parking 

Join internationally loved novelist, poet and essayist Alice Walker in celebrating her new book of autobiographical stories, “The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.” Benefits Berkeley EcoHouse and KPFA Radio, 94.1 FM.  

Tickets: $10 advance, $13 door 

Tickets available at independent bookstores 

More info: 848-6767 x609 

Take a Trip to the Oakland Ballet 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organized by the Senior Center to see “Glass Slippers.”  

Tickets: $6 each 

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Monday, Oct. 23

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Turns 100 

6 p.m. 

Nov. 4 

Silver Dragon Restaurant 

835 Webster St. 

Oakland 

Reservations: $30 per person 

More info: 548-5295 

Public Schools Parent Information Night 

7 - 9 p.m.  

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St. 

Parents, principals and other administrative staff from 11 elementary schools will speak about their schools. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network.  

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Come taste a bounty of fall fruit varieties for free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Thursday, Oct. 26

East Bay Science & Arts Middle School 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Middle school students perform dances of folk, swing, and Cuban rueda styles. Free.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 27

“Transporation: What’s in Store?” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club  

2315 Durant Ave.  

Larry Dahms, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Council speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

More info and reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 28

Pedaling the Green City 

11 a.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Take a leisurely bike ride along the future San Francisco Bay Trail. One in a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Saturday, Nov. 4

Breathtaking Barnabe Peak 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Hike through Samuel P. Taylor State Park’s lush forests and climb to the heights of Barnabe Peak, overlooking Point Reyes. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Thursday, Nov. 9

The Life and Art of Chiura Obata 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Public Library 

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

A slide show and lecture presented by Obata’s granddaughter, Kimi Kodani Hill, celebrating Obata’s book, “Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art of the Internment,” and the retrospective exhibit of Obata’s work to appear this Fall at SFs De Young Museum. 

For details call 644-6850  

Saturday, Nov. 11

Moonlight on Mt. Diablo 

1 - 10:30 p.m.  

Hike up the Devil’s Mountain by daylight, catch a glorious sunset and hike back by the light of the moon. One in a series of free outing organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Sunday, Nov. 12

Views, Vines and Veggies 

9:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

Climb Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf State Park and peer down upon the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Then please your palate at the Landmark Winery and visit Oak Hill organic vegetable and flower farm. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Take a Trip to the Steinbeck Museum and 

Mission San Juan Bautista 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organzied by the Senior Center.  

$40 with lunch, $25 without  

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Thursday, Nov. 16

Reminiscing in Swingtime 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Library  

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

George Yoshida, author and jazz drummer, presents a multi-media program recounting the big band experience in the Japanese American internment camps. The presentation will be capped with a set of live jazz by the George Yoshida Quartet. 

Call for more info: 644-6850 

Saturday, Nov. 18

S.F. Stairs and Peaks 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Begin the day with a visit to the farmer’s market, then meander up the stairways and streets of Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower. Then up Russian Hill, descending to Fisherman’s Wharf for a ride back on the new historic streetcar line. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 

Berkeley Free Folk Festival 

11 a.m. - 1 a.m.  

Ashkenaz  

1317 San Pablo Ave. 

Fourteen hours of free concerts, workshops, jam sessions and to top it off a Saturday night dance. The fifth annual Folk Festival will feature Shay & Michael Black, Spectre Double Negative & the Equal Positive, Larry Hanks, Wake the Dead and many others. Sponsored by Charles Schwab and the City of Berkeley.  

More info or to volunteer: 525-5099 

Sunday, Nov. 19

Mt. Madonna & Wine  

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Hike through evergreen forests and visit the remains of a 19th century estate, then finish the day with a visit to Kruse Winery. One of many free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: (415) 255-3233 for reservations 

ONGOING EVENTS 

Sundays 

Green Party Consensus Building Meeting 

6 p.m. 

2022 Blake St. 

This is part of an ongoing series of discussions for the Green Party of Alameda County, leading up to endorsements on measures and candidates on the November ballot. This week’s focus will be the countywide new Measure B transportation sales tax. The meeting is open to all, regardless of party affiliation. 

415-789-8418 

Tuesdays 

Easy Tilden Trails 

9:30 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, in the parking lot that dead ends at the Little Farm 

Join a few seniors, the Tuesday Tilden Walkers, for a stroll around Jewel Lake and the Little Farm Area. Enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers, turtles, and warblers, and waterfowl. 

215-7672; members.home.com/teachme99/tilden/index.html 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

Computer literacy course 

6-8 p.m. 

James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. 

This free course will cover topics such as running Windows, File Management, connecting to and surfing the web, using Email, creating Web pages, JavaScript and a simple overview of programming. The course is oriented for adults. 

644-8511 

Saturdays 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Poets Juan Sequeira and Wanna Thibideux Wright 

Thursdays 

The Disability Mural 

4-7 p.m. through September 

Integrated Arts 

933 Parker 

Drop-in Mural Studios will be held for community gatherings and tile-making sessions. This mural will be installed at Ed Roberts campus. 

841-1466 

Fridays 

Ralph Nader for President 

7 p.m.  

Video showings to continue until November. Campaign donations are requested. Admission is free.  

Contact Jack for directions at 524-1784. 

2nd and 4th Sunday 

Rhyme and Reason Open Mike Series 

2:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. 

The public and students are invited. Sign-ups for the open mike begin at 2 p.m. 

234-0727;642-5168 

Tuesday and Thursday 

Free computer class for seniors 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Compiled by Chason Wainwright 

School bond numbers are misleading 

Editor: 

On Saturday, Sept. 23, “School Board Details Bond Measure” stated, “The schools have yet to spend $60 million from that bond,” referring to “unspent” funds of the 1992 school bond. This statement is highly misleading. 

There is “money in the bank” from the ’92 bond. But there are two enormous projects “in the pipeline” which have not begun to bill BUSD and total about $50 million. They are the classroom building renovation at King ($20 million), and the new library/ multipurpose/ cafeteria building at BHS (about $30 million). These projects are already 2 1/2 years along their trajectories and will require another 1 1/2 years to complete. Other projects already in use, like Thousand Oaks, have not submitted their last invoices. In other words, the $60 million is committed money. 

The long duration of major projects – as much as four years from planning to completion – is one of the potent reasons why voters are asked to approve another bond now rather than later. The article also omitted a vital fact. The ’92 bond was preceded by distribution of the “Green Book,” the detailed presentation of its goals and spending plan. The ’92 bond building program is not yet over; the ’92 Green Book is still “on the job.” The School Board is obliged to list on its agenda and to publicly discuss every item of spending over $15,000. When the board alters bond spending it is still apt to be reminded by those who have stayed tuned about the Green Book, though its figures are showing their age. If not for this yardstick for measuring the track record of the 1992 bond I would not be on board this campaign and would have no basis for faith in another bond. 

The school board approved detailed plans for AA and BB. Though available on request, these plans were not widely circulated until inclusion in a more comprehensive, user friendly orange document. This work has now been carefully done. The “book” was approved by the board on September 20 and is now being dispersed. For a copy call BUSD Public Information, 644-6320. Like the Green Book, it contains a framework for insuring that execution of each measure fulfills its goal. 

Bruce Wicinas, 

Berkeley Citizens for Safe and Sound Schools Co-chair 

Right imbalance, build more housing 

Editor, 

Why is there is a housing and transportation crisis in Berkeley? Perhaps it’s because the city added 10,500 new jobs since 1980, while it lost 55 housing units (source: Berkeley General Plan). 

This jobs-housing imbalance continues today, and is exacerbated by the actions of the city’s residents. For example, at a recent zoning board meeting, not a single resident complained about the development of a new office building for 200 workers (and their cars) at Fourth and Cedar streets. However, they argued vociferously against 48 units of new housing at 2700 San Pablo Avenue that might allow some of those employees to live within 2 miles of their work place. 

Berkeley’s parking, transportation and housing crisis will not be addressed unless the city approves more housing along its commercial corridors. In the spirit of compromise, the developer of the 2700 San Pablo Avenue project has offered to reduce the height of the proposed project from five stories to four stories. The resulting plan supports public transit, helps to revitalize vacant storefronts, and addresses the city’s housing crisis. Despite the complaints of neighborhood NIMBYs, the Zoning Adjustments Board should demonstrate leadership and approve this reasonable and responsible project. 

Christopher Hudson 

Berkeley 

Enough landmarks already 

Editor: 

In the name of fairness, the Landmarks Preservation Commission should issue a short roster of the buildings, parking lots, and tool sheds which, under its exceedingly generous definitions, the commission considers neither landmarks nor structures of merit. Since there are so few of them and because Berkeley is easily America’s Sinea, it might be simpler to declare the entire city a landmark district and freeze it forever in legislative amber. 

The problem is that “landmark” no longer has any meaning in Berkeley. 

Gray Brechin 

Berkeley  

Suppression of Free Speech in Berkeley  

Editor: 

My name is Eleanor Pepples and I reside in the Berkeley Hills of California. 

I am a candidate for City Council in Berkeley’s District 6. 

Recently, my free speech rights were violated. In my race, supporters known around town as the “People for Pepples” and I have posted signs in places like the Monterey Market, the Marin Circle, on Vine Street near Peet’s, on Shattuck near The Cheese Board and The Flower Shop, on Hearst Street near Zellerbach Hall, by the City Clerk’s Office on Addison Street, by City Buildings on Cedar Street and by the Old City Hall on Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. These signs have my photograph surrounded by the words People for Pepples, they list the name of the office I am seeking: Berkeley City Council, and they list as contact information, the website: 

www.peopleforpepples.com. The goal of these signs is to spread the word about our campaign’s ideas and ideals. My campaign wants to share with the citizens of Berkeley thoughts on how we might make our City Council more efficient, why we want a fiscally accountable government, and why our city would benefit from having a leader and not a follower from District 6 on the Council. Someone who would work across party lines and across districts to get the job done; someone who would listen to the people and act effectively to resolve issues of importance to individuals choosing to live or work in Berkeley. 

On Friday, September 29th at least one representative of the current city government, an employee in the Department of Public Works, removed a large number of these signs. Apparently, after this representative of the Mayor’s administration tore down the signs, he triumphantly presented them to the Berkeley City Clerk’s office boasting that he had taken down a “truckload of them”. My supporters responded quickly by posting signs the very next day in the same areas and in new locations. By Sunday, October 1st, many of the signs were removed again. These signs listed not only the website but also listed a telephone number to make it easier for citizen’s to reach my campaign office. The signs comply in every way with the spirit and in the letter of laws governing what types of signs can be posted in an election. 

The signs were removed without just cause. I ask for your support in declaiming this type of illegal action, not only because it restricts my First Amendment right to freedom of expression, but also because it deprives the public of your chance to learn about a candidate’s honest effort to inform the voters in an election year that they have a choice to vote for a new voice and a new vision for our City Council. 

I ask for your support in protesting against this action, and for your vigilance in ensuring that no more signs are removed. We must not tolerate this type of activity in our democracy. 

Eleanor Pepples 

Berkeley 

Eco city design jumps into the debate 

Editor: 

Taking out the ad for an Ecocity Amendment to the General Plan and against Planning Commissioner Gene Poschman’s opposition to ecological innovation has brought ecological city design right into the center of public debate, so it’s working. That’s what it means when we get 20 phone calls, 50 percent condemning us and 50 percent congratulating us for bringing these issues out into the open. 

To Morlock Chaillot, hiding under a nom de plum and fictitious organization, let’s be clear that Berkeley’s “well-thought-out zoning” has in fact left us with a gigantic housing problem. Higher density in centers, not scattered throughout town, is a known solution around the world and the use of ecological features like rooftop gardens and solar greenhouses, pedestrian streets and bridges between buildings, far from being fantasies, exist in many places but are so small in number they are overwhelmed by a car-swamped way of building cities.  

Though Berkeley is better than most cities in this regard it has not a single pedestrian street nor real public plaza. Rooftop gardens exist in a few hidden places. Are bridge buildings a ridiculous fantasy? Check out Stephens Hall directly south of the Campanile on campus. It’s a really magnificent bridge building seven stories tall, nestled into the redwoods and up against beautiful Strawberry Creek. If such features were common instead of rare we’d have an extraordinarily lively city with room for both people and the creeks now buried. 

Let’s be clear about “attacking” people too. Is pointing out the real meaning of Carrie Olson’s use of the term “rabbit warren” an attack on her personally? Though she seems to be quite a decent person, she should take responsibility for use of such terms. The fact is, small places serve low-income people and calling them “rabbit warrens” is genuinely unhelpful.  

Meantime Carol Denney’s presumably non-personal attack on me saying I attack others, I don’t work for transit and I’m all about greed suggestions she should learn something about her subject. I organized support for AC Transit’s 52 line when my neighbors were about to shoot it down years ago, and I’ve been exploring ecological cities for 3 decades and am as broke as ever. Either there is something about me that is definitely not greedy or I’m an incredibly slow learner. 

Bottom line: we need more specific, clear content in addressing these very real problems, not generalizations, inaccuracies and sarcasm. 

Richard Register 

Berkeley 

Subject:  

Letter 

Date:  

Sun, 1 Oct 00 19:31:24 -0700 

From:  

To:  

“Berkeley Daily Planet”  

Editor 

The Berkeley Daily Planet 

2076 University Ave. 

Berkeley, CA 94704 

opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com 

Editor, 

The Morlochs in H.G. Wells’ story live underground and feed off the Eloi  

as if they were no better than rabbits. Morloch Chaillot of the Deep  

Ecologists’ Gaian Alliance (Letters, Sept. 29) affirms that the future  

lies underground, and states that someday we shall all be rabbits.  

Morloch also castigates Richard Register for being a front for out of  

town developers. I confess, I am confused. Is it sarcasm? Is the  

alternative to 15 story buildings a subterranean class that feeds on the  

thoughtless creatures above (Carrie Olson and her supporters?), or is Mr.  

Register really a crook, and the Deep Ecologists as out of touch with  

reality as they sound? 

Why is 5 stories a magic number? Thirty years ago I lived in the unit  

three dorm. It was, and still is, 8 stories high. Should we demolish  

the top three floors? 

I did not, and do not, consider the dorms a disaster area. The problem  

is one of context. The dorms have open space on the ground, and are  

adjacent to commercial areas or take an entire block, and therefore do  

not create the disaster scenarios that have been described in previous  

opinion pieces.  

You don’t have to be offered money to support high-rise (or at least  

higher-rise) building in downtown. One merely has to look at the Los  

Angeles basin to see what happens when everybody gets their dream of a  

low-rise environment. Sorry Morloch, Mr. Register does have a  

constituency in Berkeley. 

Robert Clear 

3134 California 

Berkeley, CA 94703 

843-1868 

ubject:  

andrew lam 

Date:  

Mon, 2 Oct 2000 20:31:36 EDT 

From:  

BESCODA@aol.com 

To:  

opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com 

Dear Editor: 

Thank you for running Vietnamese-born Andrew Lam’s lovely piece on his  

grandmother today (Oct 2nd). Some months ago I saw, in a San Francisco  

paper, another moving article by him about leaving his country. He is truly  

a talented writer of fine prose. Let’s have more -- Beatriz Coda  

Editor: 

In response to the letter (8/31) from Terry Powell: 

Terry Powell from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) public relations department, operated for the Department of Energy (DOE), is just doing her job when she promotes the lab’s official line on the continuous dumping of radioactive waste from their National Tritiu Labeling Facility (NTLF) and Melvin Calvin Lab on the UC campus. 

The Lab’s boosters endlessly repeat the mantra “tritium emissions below the U.S. EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPS).” Never do they address the many credible criticisms of their absurdly low estimate for radioactive tritium exposure, including those in the report by IFEU, made by independent scientists hired at local taxpayers’ expense by the City of Berkeley. 

Dumping in short bursts and a short stack actually located below the Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) are easily understandable reasons why exposure to LHS workers and visiting children could exceed the NESHAPS standard. Just because the flawed exposure estimates concocted by LBNL remain unchallenged by the perfumed suits at the EPA and the California Department of Toxic Substances is no reason for anyone to believe them.  

All the Lab’s arguments seem like such blather when one visits the site and sees the tritium stack just 30 feet from the LHS’s fence. Common sense tells one that whatever is coming out of the stack is all over whoever is near it. In this cases it’s most of the areas children. Triatiated vapor is extremely hazardous and has been identified as a cause of leukemia, cancer, infertility and other genetic defects.  

Ms. Powell is incorrect when she states that almost all their tritium is captured and recycled. As sloppy as their records are, they do indicate large quantities missing. Even when LBNl has admittedly dumped does not support her claim.  

Also contrary to what Ms. Powell claimed, LBNL’s treatability “study” was just a scam to unload years of backlogged mixed waste without obtaining the usual permits. Mixed waste, toxic chemicals contaminated with radioactive waste, is fed into an “oxidation cell” complete with igniter plugs and exhaust vents, and can run in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Sure sounds like an incinerator to me.  

Playing games by reclassifying the NTLF as a “non-nuclear” facility and “delisting” their mixed waste does not alter the reality that large amounts of dangerous radioactive material are stored, used and dumped there. Neither the NTLF or Calvin Lab are appropriately sited in our community and should be closed and cleaned up.  

Mark McDonald 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

Ebony Museum of Arts 

The museum specializes in the art and history of Africa.  

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.  

30 Jack London Village, Suite 209. (510) 763-0745. 

Habitot Children’s Museum 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

“Back to the Farm.”  

Ongoing 

An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more.  

Cost: $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under.  

Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

647-1111 or www.habitot.org 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St.  

549-6950 

Free 

Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season” 

Through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical. Highlights include treasures from Jewish ceremonial and folk art, rare books and manuscripts, contemporary and traditional fine art, video, photography and cultural kitsch. 

“Spring and Summer.”  

Through Nov. 4. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum 

2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley 

Wednesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Open Thursdays til 9 p.m.  

“Hans Hoffmann”  

An exhibit of paintings by Hoffmann which emphasizes two experimental methods the artist employed: the introduction of slabs or rectangles of highly saturated colors and the use of large areas of black paint juxtaposed with intense oranges, greens and yellows. 

Oct. 11 - Jan. 16, 2001: Amazons in the Drawing Room: The Art of Romaine Brooks.  

The Asian Galleries  

“Art of the Sung: Court and Monastery,” open-ended.  

A display of early Chinese works from the permanent collection.  

“Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes: The First 3,000 Years,” open-ended. 

“Works on Extended Loan from Warren King,” open-ended. 

“Three Towers of Han,” open-ended. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students age 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

642-0808. 

UC Berkeley Museum  

of Paleontology 

Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley 

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing.  

A 20-foot tall, 40-foot long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. 

“Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet.  

Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

642-1821. 

Mills College Art Museum 

5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland 

“The 100 Languages of Children,” through October.  

An exhibit of art by children from Reggio Emilia, Italy. At Carnegie Building Bender Room. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 

430-2164 

TRAX Gallery 

1306 3rd. St., Berkeley 

Mary Law “Altered Ceramic Pots”  

through Oct. 21 

For more information or to sign up for the workshop call 526-0279 or e-mail to cone5@aol.com 

Downtown Berkeley Association 

Lunchtime Concert Series 

Every Thursday through October 

noon - 1p.m. 

Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza 

1 hour free parking available in Center Street Garage 

Oct. 5: Brazilian music players Capoeira Arts Cafe & Company 

Oct. 12: Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing chamber music 

Oct. 19: Jazzschool’s vocal jazz ensemble Vocal Sauce 

Oct. 26: East Bay Science & Arts Middle School will perform folk, swing and Cuban rueda dances 

Albatross Pub 

1822 San Pablo Ave.  

843-2473 

Oct. 4: Whiskey Brothers, 9 p.m. 

Oct. 5: Keni “El Lebrijano,” 9 p.m. 

Oct. 10: Mad & eddie Duran Jazz Duo, 9 p.m. 

Oct. 12: Keni “El Lebrijano,” 9 p.m. 

Oct. 14: pick Pocket ensemble, 9 p.m. 

Ashkenaz 

1317 San Pablo Ave.  

525-5099 

For all ages 

www.ashkenaz.com 

Oct. 3, 9 p.m., Dan, Tom and Mary, $8. 

Oct. 4, 8 p.m., Nigerian Bros. and DJ Henri-Pierre Koubaka, $10. 

Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., Laura Allan Band, $5. 

Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m., Clan Dyken and Diane Patterson, Leonard Benalley, $9. 

Oct. 7, 9:30 p.m. ,West African Highlife Band, $11. 

Oct. 8, 9 p.m. ,Sekouba Bambino Diabate, $10. 

Yoshi’s 

Oct. 2. Christian McBride Band, $16. 

Oct. 3 through Oct. 8, An Evening with Branford Marsalis, $26 to $30 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child. 

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200 or  

(510) 762-BASS. 

The Jazzschool 

2375 Shattuck Ave. 

Oct. 8, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Bobbe Norris and Larry Dunlap present a vocal workshop, “Making the Song Your Own.” The workshop is $30 for Jazzschool students and $40 for others. 4:30 p.m., Norris and Dunlap perform. 8:00 p.m., Peck Allmond Group featuring Kenny Wollesen CD release performance.  

Oct. 15, 4:30 p.m., Mark Levine and The Latin Tinge.  

$12; $10 students/seniors; $6 for Jazzschool students and children under 13 

Reservations: (510) 845-5373. 

Deborah Voigt 

The Grammy award-winning soprano performs the music of Strauss, Wagner, Schoenberg and others. Voigt has appeared with leading opera companies including the San Francisco Opera and has sung opposite such artists as Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.  

Oct. 15, 3 p.m.  

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus, Bancroft Avenue at Telegraph.  

$28 - $48  

642-9988 

Eli’s Mile High Club 

3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland 

(510) 655-6661 

Doors open at 8 p.m. 

Oct. 6, Henry Clement  

University of California,  

Berkeley Art Museum 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way 

642-1412 

“Treasures from the George Eastman House” 

Various programs and a 16-film salute to little-known actresses. 

“Neo-Eiga: New Japanese Cinema” 

Oct. 7, 7 p.m. : “Wildlife” (1997), directed by Shinji Aoyama, US premiere; 9 p.m. : “Timeless Melody” (1999), directed by hiroshi Okuhara, US premiere 

Oct. 14, 7 p.m. : “Nabbie’s Love (1999), directed by Yuji Nakae, West Coast premiere; 8:55 p.m. : “Gemini” (1999), directed by Shinya Tsukamoto, Bay Area premiere.  

$7 for one film; $8.50 for double bills. UC Berkeley students are $4/$5.50. Seniors and children are $4.50/6.00  

Theater 

“Uttar-Priyadarshi (The Final Beatitude)” 

Oct. 7 and Oct. 8.  

The Chorus Repertory Theater presents an epic play exploring war, personal accountability, and public power using a mixture of text, music and elaborate theatrical design.  

$24 to $48.  

Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.  

Zellerbach Hall,  

University of California, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley.  

(510) 642-9988. 

“The Green Bird”  

by Carlo Gozzi 

Berkeley Repertory Theatre 

2025 Addison St. 

Adapted by Theatre de la Jeune Lune and directed by Dominique Serrand.  

“The Green Bird” runs through Oct. 27. For tickets contact the box office at 845-4700 

“The Philanderer”  

by George Bernard Shaw 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Performed by the Aurora Theatre company, “The Philanderer” takes on the challenging and often humorous exploration of gender roles and the separations that exist between the sexes. 

Tickets for preview showings are sold at $26. Showtimes run Wednesday through Saturday through October 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees show at 2 p.m., plus selected Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Admission for regular performances is $30. Student discounts are available. For tickets and information call 843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org. 

“MIMZABIM!” 

Climate Theatre & Subterranean Shakespeare 

La Vals Subterraniean  

1834 Euclid 

Through Oct. 14 

Thursday - Saturday, 8:00 p.m. 

$12, Students $8 

“Fanny at Chez Panisse” 

Julie Morgan Theatre 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley 

Musical based on the book with opening proceeds going to the Verde Partnership Garden in Richmond. 

Through Oct. 29 

Runs Wednesday - Sunday, 7 p.m.  

$26 - 34  

1-888-FANNY06 

“Moonlight”  

by Harold Pinter 

A Last Planet Theatre production 

Potrero Hill Playhouse 

953 De Haro 

San Francisco 

Pinter’s most recent play features a man named Andy who is dying and his wife, Bel, who can’t get their two sons to pay them a visit. A story of infidelity, sibling rivalry, marital combat and moonlight and memory.  

Runs Thursday - Saturday, Oct. 5 (preview) through Oct. 28. All shows at 8:30 p.m. No show Oct. 26.  

$20 opening night, $10-15 regular run, $5 preview 

More info and tickets: 845-2687 

Exhibits 

Traywick Gallery 

1316 Tenth St.  

527-1214 

Charles LaBelle 

Through Oct. 15 

LaBelle’s new series of large-scale color photographs highlight nighttime nature in Hollywood. He recreates trees at night using a hand-held spotlight and playing on the beam across the leaves and branches. The opening reception will be held on September 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.  

Blue Vinyl by Connie Walsh  

Through Oct. 15 

This multimedia project combines video, sound and printmaking to explore concepts of intimacy and its relation to private space.  

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11-6 p.m. and Sundays 12-5 p.m. 

A.C.C.I. Gallery  

“Paperworks,” through Oct. 7.  

A group exhibit of works by Carol Brighton, Vannie Keightley, Jean Hearst. 

1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527 

Berkeley Art Center 

“Ethnic Notions: Black Images in the White Mind,''  

Through Nov. 12. An exhibit by Janette Faulkner exploring racial stereotypes in commercial imagery. Free. Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Live Oak Park, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 644-6893 

California College of Arts and Crafts  

Free. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oliver Art Center, 5212 Broadway, Oakland. 594-3712 

!hey! Gallery 

Lori Now and Michael Pollice display recent paintings through Oct. 14. Reception Oct. 7, 7 - 9 p.m. with cellist Diane Pauson and vocalist Elisheva Herrera.  

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 4920-b, Telegraph, Oakland. Call Richelle Valenzuela at (510) 428-2349. 

Berkeley Historical Society  

“Berkeley’s Ethnic Heritage.” An overview of the rich cultural diversity of the city and the contribution of individuals and minority groups to it’s history and development.  

Thursday through Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m. Admission free.  

1931 Center St.  

Call 848-0181 

Lizabeth Oliveria Gallery 

Paintings by Timothy Buckwalter, Hilary Harkness, and Jerry W. King, Through Oct. 28. Artist reception Oct. 7, 7 - 9 p.m. 

Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.  

942 Clay St., Oakland. Call 625-1830 for more info.  

Readings 

Rhyme & Reason Poetry Series 

Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant 

Second and fourth Sundays of each month. For open reading following featured readers, sign up at 2 p.m., readings begin at 2:30 p.m. 

Rhyme and Reason Poetry Series 

Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive 

2621 Durant Ave. 

2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. 

Includes featured readers and open mike poetry. Free 

2 p.m. sign-up. Program runs from 2:30 - 4 p.m. 

Oct. 15: Professor Ron Loewinsohn (Morrison Room, UC Main Library) 

Oct. 29: Fernando Brito, Lara Dale 

234-0727 

Holloway Poetry Reading Series 

8p.m., Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall 

For more information call 653-2439 

Oct. 10: Susan Stewart and Chris Chew, books include “The Hive” and “Yellow Stars”  

Nov. 1: John Yau and Garrett Caples, books include “Forbidden Entries” and “My Symptoms” 

Nov. 7: Marie Howe and Brian Glaser, “The Good Thief” and “What the Living Do” 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley 

2066 University Ave.  

548-2350 

Oct. 7, 7p.m., Kimi Kodani Hill presents with art slides from her grandfather. “Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art on Internment” 

Lunch Poems: A Noontime Poetry Reading Series 

Morrison Room, Doe Library 

UC Berkeley 

12:10 - 12:50 p.m.  

Call 642-0137 

Under the direction of Professor Robert Hass, this is a series of events on the first Thursday of each month. Free.  

Oct. 5: Elizabeth Alexander, Nov. 2: Goh Poh Seng  

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National  

Laboratory 

Scientists and engineers guide visitors through the research areas of the laboratory, demonstrating emerging technology and discussing the research’s current and potential applications. A Berkeley lab tour usually lasts two hours and includes visits to several research areas. Popular tour sites include the Advanced Light Source, The National Center for Electron Microscopy, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, The Advanced Lighting Laboratory, and The Human Genome Laboratory. Reservations required at least two weeks in advance of tour. 

Free. University of California, Berkeley. 

486-4387 

Bernard Maybeck Weekend 

Oct. 14 & 15 

Sponsored by the California Preservation Foundation celebrates the buildings of the renowned architect. Saturday features a slide lecture at Swedenborgian church with historian Gray Brechin and a private tour of the Palace of Fine Arts. Sunday will focus on Berkeley, where Maybeck built most of his homes and raised his family. The tour will include six private residences and the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The weekend will end with a reception at the Chick House in the Oakland hills.  

More info call California Preservation Foundation: 763-0972. 

Berkeley City Club Tours 

Guided tours through Berkeley’s City Club, a landmark building designed by architect Julia Morgan, designer of Hearst Castle. 

$2. The fourth Sunday of every month except December, between noon to 4 p.m.  

2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. 

848-7800 

Golden Gate Live Steamers 

Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size, run along a half mile of track in Tilden Regional Park. The small trains are owned and maintained by a non-profit group of railroad buffs who offer rides.  

Free. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley.  

486-0623  

Oakland Historic walking tours 

Runs through October.  

The tours cover downtown Oakland and its historic waterfront. All tours begin promptly at 10 a.m. and last between an hour and an hour and a half.  

Free. Call for reservations. Oakland. (510) 238-3234. 

University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden 

The gardens have displays of exotic and native plants. 

Botanical Garden Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Tour Orientation Center for a free docent tour. $3 general; $2 seniors; $1 children; free on Thursday. Daily, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Botanical Garden, Centennial Drive, behind Memorial Stadium, a mile below the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley. (510) 643-2755 or www.mip.berkeley.edu/garden/ 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tours 

Oct. 15 - The 1923 North Berkeley Fire Line led by Phil Gale 

Oct. 22 - University Avenue Indian Business Community led by Kirpal & Neelum Khanna 

Nov. 5 - What’s Happening Downtown? led by Debbie Badhia 

More info call 848-0181 

Seven members of Berkeley’s “Bike the Bridge Coalition” were arrested and charged with felony conspiracy after they tried to bike across the Bay Bridge Monday morning in the middle of rush hour traffic. They were protesting a range of bike issues including Gov. Gray Davis’ veto of Senate Bill 1629, the “Good Roads Bill.” 

Sgt. Steve Dutra of the San Francisco division of the California Highway Patrol said that the bicyclists have been charged with conspiracy, fleeing, failure to yield and bicycling on a freeway. 

“They are being charged with conspiracy because this was an ongoing event,” Dutra said. “This was planned well in advance. They were trying to get as many people on the bridge to try to disrupt traffic.” 

Dutra said that about 8:50 a.m., a vehicle carrying the seven bicyclists dropped them off beyond the toll plaza and they began to bike west across the bridge. Two were stopped shortly afterward and taken to the Oakland city jail, two were diverted off the freeway at the Fremont Street ramp in San Francisco and three others were followed farther before they were stopped, promptly arrested and taken to the San Francisco city jail. 

“The ones that didn’t stop (in Oakland) have been additionally charged with failure to yield,” he said. 

Jason Meggs, spokesperson for the coalition, spoke to the Daily Planet from the San Francisco Jail. 

“We had no intention of blocking traffic and what we did didn’t hurt anyone” he said. “In fact, bicycles are traffic and everyday bicyclists are being blocked from travel even as we suffer for and subsidize single-occupancy motor vehicles. This is how we’ve expressed our outrage. The Bay Bridge should be open for bicycles; it’s better than most streets in San Francisco, the view is gorgeous and traffic went smoothly this morning. It went about 35 to 45 miles per hour.” 

Meggs said some of the bicyclists were tackled off of their bikes, and the police kept them in handcuffs for nearly four hours. 

Dutra said he was unaware of this because he was not on duty at the time of the arrests.  

Meggs said the ride was an emergency protest to Gov. Davis’ Sept. 29 veto of Senate Bill 1629, a bill that called for provisions for non-motorized traffic, such as the building of bike lanes, sidewalks and paths on all major highways in the state. 

The coalition is also protesting Davis’ veto of SB 1809, which would have allowed more trails to be built, as well as several other issues, including motorcar and oil dependency, the building of motorcar only structures such as the Bay Bridge and the discrimination against bicyclists and pedestrians by the police, motorists, government officials and city planners. 

Meggs said the last major bridge ride was Sept. 10, 1998. He said the CHP blocked the transbay terminal and Fremont off-ramps causing a major back-up, “in violation of their own law,” he said.  

Jesse Palmer, spokesperson for the Bike the Bridge coalition, said Meggs and another bicyclist were still in jail at 7 p.m. Monday. He believed that the others had been released.

Residents near Grove Street Park don’t want convicted drug offenders hanging out in their neighborhoods. So neighborhood activists went with Mayor Shirley Dean, Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek and Councilmember Kriss Worthington to meet with the District Attorney. 

In response, Alameda County District Attorney Tom Orloff pledged he would issue more “stay away orders” to individuals charged with drug-related crimes around the south Berkeley park.  

Blaming liberal Berkeley judges, Orloff backed away from Dean’s request to prosecute “wobbler” laws to the fullest extent possible. “Wobblers” are charges which can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor.  

Felonies carry sentences that can lead to five years in state prison, while a misdemeanor carries a one-year maximum sentence in a county facility. 

At last week’s meeting, during which stricter prosecution of domestic violence cases was also raised, the group expressed frustration with a host of enforcement issues in south Berkeley. Residents of the Oregon-Russell Street neighborhood believe a lack of prosecutorial toughness toward convicted drug dealers perpetuates a crime problem on their streets, Dean said. 

“They believe that a felony anywhere else is a misdemeanor on Oregon Street,” Dean said. 

In the last month, shootings on Russell Street and continued daily suspected drug activities prompted residents to call for an enhanced police presence in the area. The Berkeley police complied and overt drug dealing seems to have subsided. But residents worry that when police pull back, the problems will return. 

“There is concern that criminals charged with certain crimes related to drug dealing are not being charged to the highest manner. I asked that the DA look into charging “wobblers” as felonies, rather than misdemeanors. We want him to lean toward felonies,” Dean said.  

“Can we find ways to keep people involved in drug trafficking from coming back to the areas? We haven’t found that yet. We have seen problems in this area for over 30 years,” Dean said. 

John Adams, the branch chief of the Berkeley-Albany DA’s office, said that such “stay away orders” are a simple, effective means to curb drug dealing in certain areas. “Stay away orders are easy to enforce. You see a guy who’s not supposed to be in People’s Park for instance and you arrest him. That’s a slam dunk.”  

Charging people with felonies rather than misdemeanors, however, would do little to curb the drug dealing around Russell and Oregon streets, he said. 

“Most of the arrests for drug charges are already felonies,” he added. “The only wobbler for drug related crimes is possession of methamphetamines,” said Adams, mentioning that this is not a big percentage of drug-related arrests in Berkeley. 

The two neighborhood residents who attended the meeting, could not be reached for comment, but Adams and Dean said that the residents asked specifically about a “crack house” on Oregon Street that they claimed was the center of drug activities in their area. Residents also singled out individuals they felt were ringleaders of such activities, and asked the DA to target them for prosecution. 

“I ran a check on that guy right there, and there wasn’t a single drug-related offense,” Adams said. But he added that lack of evidence to prosecute the owners of the Oregon Street house or the individuals in the nearby park doesn’t mean such activities don’t exist. It means that drug dealing in Berkeley is more sophisticated than in neighboring cities, he said. 

“Berkeley is unique in that dealers here don’t sell except to their selected clientele. In Oakland, a person can just walk up the street and buy from a stranger. That makes it much more difficult to track activities here in Berkeley,” he said.  

In the meeting, the DA’s office recommended other means the city could pursue to lower crime in the neighborhood. Orloff cited an Oakland ordinance to impound cars involved in drug-related crimes. Adams also suggested “selling out the property from underneath” the suspects via “civic abatement” ordinances already in city books. 

“If citizens can show that the home is a ‘nuisance’ - anything that tends to affect the quality of life - they could begin a process of removing the people from the house,” he said. 

“The law is in the books, you just have to use it,” Adams added. 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque could not be reached for comment. 

Worthington, however, saw the meeting as much about specific solutions to the Grove Park issues as a means of expressing frustration with the way the District Attorney was running things at a local level. 

“We have community policing,” said Worthington, “and now we want community District Attorneying. We want the DA to reflect Berkeley values, and to take issues like domestic violence seriously.”  

“It wasn’t surprising that they blamed liberal judges, and a liberal City Council for Berkeley’s problems,” he added. 

Significantly, the DA did commit to a broader meeting, and Worthington said that the issues of domestic violence will be brought up then.  

Mayor Dean however, plans on taking the DA’s recommendation to meet with local judges first. 

“After that, we’ll go back to the table with the DA,” she said. 

The next meeting is not yet scheduled.

Forgive ninth-grader Craig Long for having to have his mother bring him up to speed on the academic achievement gap issue. He stays pretty busy in his advanced placement classes, especially geometry, he said. 

Long, fellow freshman Bradley Johnson, sophomores Nathan Simmons and Mercedes Ruiz, and junior Sarah Rivera are making a trip to Cleveland Heights, Ohio, for a three-day national conference beginning Oct. 4 on the “academic achievement gap,” a conference where minority students from 15 high schools across the nation will look at why minority students – even those coming from affluent homes – do less well academically than their white and Asian counterparts. 

The five students were chosen for their strong GPA’s, their high test scores, their participation in numerous extracurricular activities and because they are minorities.  

These high achievers make up a minority within the minority, because they have achieved a high level of academic success, which others have not. 

The five students will represent Berkeley High School at the national conference in Ohio held by The National Task Force on Minority Achievement. 

As part of their participation, the students will shadow other high achieving, black and Latino students at Cleveland Heights High School and Shaker Heights High School in Cleveland. 

But the most important information is what the students already know: How they have achieved academic success while many of their peers have not. They will be asked to share that information. 

“The focus is supporting them and creating a culture of high achievement,” said School Board Director Shirley Issel. “Then they can teach us what they’ve learned.” 

The students will give a report to the school board at its Oct. 14 meeting, and share their experiences with their peers and with a panel of experts at the conference. 

Berkeley Unified is one of 15 districts that participates in the National Task Force on Minority Achievement, a task force that is studying the chronic shortage of African–American, Latino and Native American students who achieve at high levels academically. 

“It doesn’t make sense, common sense,” Issel said. “(The participating communities) have a very highly-educated, wealthy minority community, and the students are still underperforming their Asian and Caucasian counterparts.” 

There is a sharp divide between the wealth of the Caucasian community and Berkeley’s black and Latino communities which may be less substantial in the other communities represented at the conference, including Chapel Hill, N.C., Amherst, Mass., Evanston, Ill., and Madison, Wisc. 

At the conference the students will be looking at the premise in Christopher Jencks’ and Meredith Phillips’ book “The Black-White Test Score Gap,” which says that traditional explanations, such as racial segregation and inadequate funding of black schools, have not stood the test of time.  

They say that the average black student now attends a school in a district that spends as much per pupil as the average white child’s district, and class sizes in predominately black schools are the same in predominately white schools.  

But predominately white schools seem to attract more skilled teachers than black schools, they say, and the benefit that black students who attend predominately white schools receive from having better teachers seems to be “offset by the social costs (i.e., racism) of being in an overwhelmingly white environment,” they say. 

Once a taboo subject, discussion of the racial gap in test scores has gained steam among many black and Latino academics, like Dr. Ronald Ferguson – an African-American researcher at Harvard and keynote speaker at the conference – who says that teachers’ low expectations for black and Latino students hinder their performance. 

Researchers like Ferguson are trying to find places and cases – like Johnson, Long, Ruiz, Rivera, and Simmons – that buck the trend, and to learn from their success. 

Ferguson and others have written a comprehensive survey that the BUSD will administer to students in the 8th, 9th and 11th grade in hopes of identifying some of the causes for the gap. 

A teenage girl was attacked and raped Friday about 7:30 p.m. near the Ohlone park baseball diamond at Delaware and Sacramento streets. 

Berkeley Police Lt. Russell Lopes said the girl was walking to the north Berkeley BART station when she was attacked by three boys. One of them then allegedly raped her. 

The rape suspect is described as an Asian male, 16 to 18 years-old, 5 feet 7 inches wearing a red baseball cap, a white T-shirt, and blue jeans. Lopes said that the suspect’s hair was described as shaved on the sides in a “fade,” and he had a bad case of acne. 

The other two suspects were described as Asian males between 16 and 18 years old. There are no suspects.

On a chilly Sunday night, Nigerians of all ages came out to the Independence Day celebration in El Cerrito to watch ancestral dances, eat home-cooked spicy soup, and strut their stuff in the colorful traditional costumes of their nation in transition. 

“This is the first time in a long time that we are celebrating self-rule and nationhood after a full year of civil democracy,” said Chike Nwoffiah, who has been living in California 13 years.  

“Nigerians across the world are reflecting on how rough it’s been, and hoping that on Independence Day next year we will still have a true democracy.” 

More than 10,000 Nigerian immigrants live in the Bay Area, according to Nwoffiah, and a large number live in Berkeley and Oakland. In the past two years, they have cautiously watched their homeland transition from a devastating 15-year military dictatorship under Sani Abacha to current President Olusegun Obasanjo’s fledgling democracy. 

“You all know the old adage: He who is a fool at 40 is a fool forever,” Nwoffiah warned the crowd, and many answered back with a hearty “amen.” Nigeria is celebrating 40 years of independence. 

But people said that in spite of Nigeria’s uncertain future, they have been partying all week. The evening started out with the national anthem set to a slow rhythm on skin-covered drums, and escalated into a series of jubilant dances from Nigeria and other African nations.  

It was not long before many in the crowd were on their feet and throwing dollar bills on the sweating dancers to show their appreciation. 

Sylvester Uadiale said he and his wife came from San Leandro with their three children, all who were born in the United States, to educate them about Nigerian ways.” 

I want my kids to see how we behave so that when they go back home to visit they will know what the culture is about,” Uadiale said.” That way they will grow up and be able to make sense out of their history in this country and over there.” 

Wearing an intricately patterned headscarf and sarong, Eromomen Esoimeme, 10, said that she’s been dancing as long as she can remember. 

“It’s fun and it’s my heritage,” she said before performing with Masquerade, an Oakland-based dance troupe.  

“If someone talks bad about you and you’re thinking about your heritage, nothing can hurt you. Anyway, they’re probably just jealous because their parents don’t teach them about their own history.” 

The audience cheered enthusiastically as dancers wearing face masks and with bells on their fingers invoked the spirits of their ancestors, all against a painted backdrop of clay huts and  

dense foliage. 

James Esoimeme helped organize the event with Friday and Beverly Jumbo, who teach Nigerian culture and dance at Berkeley Youth Alternatives and Malcolm X Elementary school. 

He said Nigerians in the Bay Area share a strong commitment to preserving their culture and fostering unity among the more than 250 different ethnic groups in Nigeria. 

“We are all here tonight to thank God that we are free at last from our oppressors – it’s taken us a long time, but if all Africans can work together and plan our future together, we’ll stay strong.” 

A few non-Nigerians also came out to join in the festivities. Pauline Vanderpalm of Oakland, said that she came out to watch the celebration because she loves Nigerian music and is intrigued by the culture. 

“It is such a mysterious country,” she said. 

Yvette Hochberg, who is visiting Berkeley after living and working in development in Senegal for the past five years, said that she has participated in many Independence Day events-both here and in Africa.  

“These people have a lot of pride, aside from all the problems in Nigeria,” she said.  

“Incredible people have come out of there.” 

The Nigerian immigrant community in the Bay Area, which has established networks of business professionals, scientists, artists and teachers, is the fruit of what President Obasanjo referred to as his country’s “brain drain” in a televised Independence Day speech. 

“We have forged amazing unity abroad,” Nwoffiah said as he watched Senegalese dancers shake the floorboards during an enactment of a harvest ritual. “The Bay Area has attracted Nigerians with an extremely high level of intellectual resources.” 

Hochberg said that the Nigerians she knows have come to Berkeley because of the area’s open embrace of different cultures. “It is a lot more integrated here than in other places,” she said, as she sat next to another American woman wearing a brightly-colored African robe. 

For most immigrants who have re-settled here, community celebrations are a way of maintaining a close connection to  

their homeland, Nwoffiah said. 

“The concept of exile doesn’t exist in our psyche. We Nigerians may have fled persecution, but wherever we go there is some fundamental thing inside us that says ‘I will return.’” 

Those interested in learning more about West African traditional music and dance can contact Beverly Jumbo at Performing Arts Media, 568-7909.

A fresh breeze from the Andes blew over UC Berkeley’s International House Thursday evening. 

Residents, alumni and their guests packed the dining commons to hear the pre-Columbian flutes of an Ecuadorian group and feast on a culinary mosaic from Latin America. The tables came alive with Mexican tamales and ajiaco soup, Argentine beef empanadas, Caribbean avocado salad and Spanish churros.  

The victuals were a welcome change from the usual cafeteria food and readied diners’ palates for a performance by Mexican-American singer Juanita Newland-Ulloa and the Ecuadorian band Groups Atahualpamanta.  

The event marked the end of the Latino/Chicano/Latin American heritage month, which the International House celebrates each September. The month celebrates the achievements of the Latino community and their contribution to American culture, said Maribel Guillermo, program coordinator at the house. 

Newland-Ulloa’s performance included stylized versions of several mariachi and bolero songs, like “Paloma Blanca” and “Perdicion,” arranged for piano and violin. She interspersed her songs with brief commentaries on her life and the difficulty of being a woman in the macho world of Latin American music.  

“When I started in music, a lot of Latin groups were made of men, and they were not interested in having women,” she said. “Latin American women have been composing all through the century, and people don’t know who they are. They describe emotional intimacy beautifully in song.” 

Music was not her only concern. Newland-Ulloa also spoke about bilingualism, saying California’s elementary schools need a more diverse approach to education, then sang “Mariposa,” a lullaby in English and Spanish. 

New Jersey-born Newland-Ulloa earned her master’s degree in music at UC Berkeley, and her bachelor’s at Yale. She was born into an upper-class family with roots in Mexico City, and later lived in Mexico, Panama and Spain. She is the lead singer of the Picante ensemble and was accompanied Thursday night by Kit Eakle on violin. 

Grupo Atamalpahuanta, from Ecuador, took over from Newland-Ulloa. The group includes four men from the small Indian village of Otavalo, in the Ecuadorian Andes. They came to the United States courtesy of Earth Mandala and the Consulate of Ecuador in San Francisco. 

“We come here to play the music taught to us by our ancestors,” said group member Humberto Muenala. 

That included a traditional Ecuadorian song, “Feliz he de sentirme,” as well as the Bolivian ballad, “El Taquirari.” Atamalpahuanta also played classic South American songs accompanied by a mix of pre-Columbian and Spanish instruments using instruments like the “cicus,” “quenas,” “zanjas” and “rondados.” 

The event was the first of a series of heritage banquets at the International House this year. The next celebration is slated for October 21, when the community will celebrate the Indian tradition of Divali. A Native American banquet is November 16 and a Chinese New Year party January 24. Also under consideration include the Mexican Day of the Dead, the Persian New Year, a Passover Seder and a Christmas posada.

Monday, Oct. 2

“2nd annual Berkeley City Championship” 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Entries accepted August 1. Entry Fee includes gift, cart and awards dinner. Proceeds benefit local organizations and projects. This event determines Berkeley City Champion and Seven other Flight Winners. 

$115 Entry Fee 

841-0972 

“Clean Lies, Dirty War” 

7:30 p.m. 

Unitarian Fellowship  

1924 Cedar 

This event is part of a national campaign to end sanctions on Iraq. Also, a film “Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq”  

6 p.m.  

(510) 528-5403 

Magnetic Massage from Japan 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call Maggie or Suzanne at 644-6107 

Landmarks Preservation Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

The agenda includes a presentation by the archeological consultant candidate for who would review the West Berkeley Shellmound Landmark.  

Peace & Justice Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-6880 

Youth Commission 

6 p.m.  

MLK Jr. Youth Center 

1730 Oregon St.  

Topics to be discussed include the Berkeley High School Security Camera issue and the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Communication Youth Employment Funding. 

644-6226 

Personnel Board Meeting 

7 p.m. 

Permit Center  

2118 Milvia St.  

644-6951 

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Taxi Scrip Community  

Meeting 

1 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

644-6107 

“Comfort Baking for Brunch and Breakfast” 

6:30 p.m.  

Sur La Table 

1806 Fourth St.  

Pastry chef Letty Halloran Flatt will present favorite recipes from her book “Chocolate Snowball and other Fabulous Pastries from Deer Valley Bakery.” 

$40  

Call Michael O’Neill at Sur La Table, 849-2252 

Defending the Americans  

with Disabilities Act 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Pauley Ballroom West 

Third Floor 

MLK Jr. Student Union 

UC Berkeley 

Coinciding with the March for Justice in Washington DC to defend the Americans with Disabilities Act against constitutional challenges posed in the Trustees of the University of Alabama vs. Garrett case, soon to be heard before the US Supreme Court, this event will feature prominent disability studies and legal scholars discussing the issues surrounding the case. Free, but seating is limited to 500 attendees.  

Call Daniel Davis, 664-3216 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets. 

Wednesday, Oct. 4

“An Evening With  

Jane Goodall” 

7 p.m. A slide show and lecture by the world-renowned chimpanzee research scientist, conservationist and humanitarian.$16 general; $12 students. Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley. (925) 935-1978 or www.wildlife-museum.org 

Prayer Gathering 

6:30 p.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Board of Education Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Old City Hall, Council Chambers 

Second Floor 

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

Contact Dr. Jack McLaughlin, 644-6147 

— Compiled by Chason  

Wainwright 

Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Task Force on Telecommunications 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Fire Safety Board Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

Fire Training Division 

997 Cedar St.  

644-6665 

Thursday, Oct. 5

3rd annual Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Association Golf Tournament 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. Entry Fee includes cart range balls and Award Luncheon. Proceeds benefit Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Scholarship Fund. 

$99 Entry Fee 

644-6554 

New Role for the UN in the New Century 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion with Rosemary van der Laan, President of the Board of Directors of the UN Association of the United States, about globalization and it’s impacts on the economic, social and political lives of the world.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Capoeira Arts Cafe & Company Perform  

Noon 

BART plaza, Downtown  

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

A Brazilian extravaganza of Samba, Capoeira and more. Free. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

2118 Milvia St., Second Floor 

Conference Room 

Contact Nabil Al-Hadithy, 705-8155 

Public Works Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-3440 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Contact Oscar Sung, 665-3469 

Friday, Oct. 6

Opera: Marriage of Figaro & Schubert Songs 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

More info contact Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Circle Dancing 

7:45 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Finnish Brotherhood Hall 

1970 Chestnut St. 

Beginners welcome; no partners needed.  

Call John Bear, 528-4253 

“Stocks, Bonds, and the Future” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Dennis Quan, Account Executive at Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11  

For info and reservations, 848-3533 

Sustainable Business Alliance Networking Lunch 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Saffron Caffe 

2813 Seventh St. 

The purpose of this lunch is to network with other businesses interested in sustainable business practices. The lunch is open to non-members.  

Call Terry O’Keefe, 451-4000 

Saturday, Oct. 7

Berkeley Grassroots Greening Tour 

Starts at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. 

Celebrate Open Garden Day by joining this annual bicycle tour of local community and school gardens. Part of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Houses or Open Hills? 

10 a.m.  

Experience Black Diamond Mines Regional Park’s ghost towns, coal mines, spectacular views and open space on this hike by the proposed sites of 7,700 homes near Antioch. Cosponsored by Save Mount Diablo. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

“Redesigning Retirement”  

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

UC Berkeley (call for exact location) 

The UC Berkeley Retirement Center and the Academic Geriatric Resource Program will present retirement as a time of great potential. Participants will take part in interactive workshops dealing with the impact of technology on retirement; community involvement of older adults, among other topics. Prominent experts in the field of aging and retirement will take part in “ask the experts” sessions.  

$25. No on-site registration. Register by September 25. 

Contact: Shelly Glazer at 642-5461 

Harwood Creek Cleanup 

9 a.m. - Noon 

John Muir School  

2955 Claremont Ave. 

Help clean up and restore the creek that runs through John Muir school. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, chippers/shredders, tools and pick-up trucks. 

Women’s Evening At the Movies 

7:30 p.m. 

Pacific Center 

2712 Telegraph 

A monthly night at the movies for lesbian, bi and transexual women. This months featured film is “Fried Green Tomatoes.” 

$5 donation requested 

Call 548-8283  

Free Estate Planning Seminar 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

St. Ambrose Church 

1145 Gilman St. (at Cornell Ave.) 

Call Catholic Charities of the East Bay, 768-3109 

Sunday, Oct. 8

Surmounting Sunol Peaks  

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

Learn about local geology while enjoying the panoramic views from three Sunol peaks. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Cal Alumni Singles 20th Anniversary Dinner 

UC Faculty Club 

Dinner scheduled for Oct. 15 

For reservations call 527-2709 by Oct. 10 

Kenya, 40 Years Ago and Today 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call 644-6107 for more info  

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Are Domed Cities in the future? 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom  

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion based on UC Berkeley alumnus Tim Holt’s book, “On Higher Ground.” Set 50 years in the future, part of the book takes place in an East Bay enclosed by a climate-controlled dome.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Tenant-Landlord Problems? 

12:30 - 2 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Bring your concerns about repairs, harrassment and housing rights.  

Call 644-6107 

Thursday, Oct. 12

East Timor: The Road to Independence 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion of events leading up to the creation of the newest nation of the millennium and issues raised on the road to independence.  

$3 admission 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Meeting Life Changes 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

With John Hammerman.  

For info: 644-6107 

Sterling Trio 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing a variety of chamber music. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 13

“The Evolution and Cost of Ethical Drugs” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Stanford D. Splitter, retired MD speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

Call for reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow & Indian Market 

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Entry 1 p.m.  

Enjoy Native American foods, arts & crafts, drumming, singing and many types of native dancing. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley, this event is free.  

Civic Center Park 

Allston Way at MLK Jr. Way 

Info: 615-0603 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

1 - 4 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Sunday, Oct. 15

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Los Gatos Opera House 

Celebrate the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. This benefit features a variety of musical groups, local artists and samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries and microbreweries. Proceeds benefit Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person; $80 for this event and the Oct. 22 event in SF 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

Monday, Oct. 16

Private Elementary School Parent Information Panel 

7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St.  

A panel of parents from six area private schools discuss the admission process and their experiences. Sponsored by the Neighborhood Parents Network 

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

Call 527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Is the West Berkeley Shellmound a landmark? 

7 p.m.  

City Council Chambers 

2134 MLK Jr. Way, 2nd floor 

Continued and final public hearing on the appeals against landmark designation of the West Berkeley Shellmound. The City Council may possibly make it’s decision at this meeting. 

Landscape Archeology and Space-Age Technologies in Epirus, Greece 

8 p.m.  

370 Dwinelle Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Professor of Archeology, Art History and Classics Dr. James Wiseman presents a slide-illustrated lecture. 

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Clement Blvd.  

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Promise and Perils of Transgenic Crops 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, professor of Plant and Microbiology at UC Berekeley, of the scientific basis for biotechnology, it’s risks and benefits. 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Rafael Mariquez Free Solo Concert 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Public Library, South Branch 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This Chilean folksinger and guitarist presents his original settings of selections by Latin American poets. 

Contact: 644-6860; TDD 548-1240 

Vocal Sauce 

Noon 

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

The JazzSchool’s vocal jazz ensemble perform award-winning arrangements by Greg Murai.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 20

“The Ballot Issues” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  

Luncheon: $11 

Call 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 21

A Day on Mt. Tam 

9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Come play and hike in San Francisco’s beloved playground. This outing is part of a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

AHIMSA Eight Annual Conference 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

International House, Great Hall 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

The AHIMSA is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to encourage dialogues and public forums which bridge spiritual, scientific and social issues. This years conference is titled “Science, Spirituality and Nonviolence.”  

Admission is free 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Center St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Taste a whole farmers’ market’s bounty of fall fruit varieties. 

Free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Sunday, Oct. 22

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Presidio’s Golden Gate Club 

Greenbelt Alliance brings the farm to the city in this celebration of the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. Featured are samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries, microbreweries. Also featured are live music and local artwork. The event benefits Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

An Evening with Alice Walker 

7:30 p.m.  

King Middle School  

1781 Rose St. (at Grant) 

free parking 

Join internationally loved novelist, poet and essayist Alice Walker in celebrating her new book of autobiographical stories, “The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.” Benefits Berkeley EcoHouse and KPFA Radio, 94.1 FM.  

Tickets: $10 advance, $13 door 

Tickets available at independent bookstores 

More info: 848-6767 x609 

Take a Trip to the Oakland Ballet 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organized by the Senior Center to see “Glass Slippers.”  

Tickets: $6 each 

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Monday, Oct. 23

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Turns 100 

6 p.m. 

Nov. 4 

Silver Dragon Restaurant 

835 Webster St. 

Oakland 

Reservations: $30 per person 

More info: 548-5295 

Public Schools Parent Information Night 

7 - 9 p.m.  

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St. 

Parents, principals and other administrative staff from 11 elementary schools will speak about their schools. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network.  

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Come taste a bounty of fall fruit varieties for free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Thursday, Oct. 26

East Bay Science & Arts Middle School 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Middle school students perform dances of folk, swing, and Cuban rueda styles. Free.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 27

“Transporation: What’s in Store?” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club  

2315 Durant Ave.  

Larry Dahms, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Council speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

More info and reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 28

Pedaling the Green City 

11 a.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Take a leisurely bike ride along the future San Francisco Bay Trail. One in a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Saturday, Nov. 4

Breathtaking Barnabe Peak 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Hike through Samuel P. Taylor State Park’s lush forests and climb to the heights of Barnabe Peak, overlooking Point Reyes. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Thursday, Nov. 9

The Life and Art of Chiura Obata 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Public Library 

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

A slide show and lecture presented by Obata’s granddaughter, Kimi Kodani Hill, celebrating Obata’s book, “Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art of the Internment,” and the retrospective exhibit of Obata’s work to appear this Fall at SFs De Young Museum. 

For details call 644-6850  

Saturday, Nov. 11

Moonlight on Mt. Diablo 

1 - 10:30 p.m.  

Hike up the Devil’s Mountain by daylight, catch a glorious sunset and hike back by the light of the moon. One in a series of free outing organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Sunday, Nov. 12

Views, Vines and Veggies 

9:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

Climb Bald Mountain in Sugarloaf State Park and peer down upon the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Then please your palate at the Landmark Winery and visit Oak Hill organic vegetable and flower farm. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Tuesday, Nov. 14

Take a Trip to the Steinbeck Museum and 

Mission San Juan Bautista 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organzied by the Senior Center.  

$40 with lunch, $25 without  

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Thursday, Nov. 16

Reminiscing in Swingtime 

7:30 p.m.  

North Berkeley Library  

1170 Alameda (at Hopkins) 

George Yoshida, author and jazz drummer, presents a multi-media program recounting the big band experience in the Japanese American internment camps. The presentation will be capped with a set of live jazz by the George Yoshida Quartet. 

Call for more info: 644-6850 

Saturday, Nov. 18

S.F. Stairs and Peaks 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Begin the day with a visit to the farmer’s market, then meander up the stairways and streets of Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower. Then up Russian Hill, descending to Fisherman’s Wharf for a ride back on the new historic streetcar line. One in a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 

Berkeley Free Folk Festival 

11 a.m. - 1 a.m.  

Ashkenaz  

1317 San Pablo Ave. 

Fourteen hours of free concerts, workshops, jam sessions and to top it off a Saturday night dance. The fifth annual Folk Festival will feature Shay & Michael Black, Spectre Double Negative & the Equal Positive, Larry Hanks, Wake the Dead and many others. Sponsored by Charles Schwab and the City of Berkeley.  

More info or to volunteer: 525-5099 

Sunday, Nov. 19

Mt. Madonna & Wine  

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Hike through evergreen forests and visit the remains of a 19th century estate, then finish the day with a visit to Kruse Winery. One of many free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: (415) 255-3233 for reservations 

ONGOING EVENTS 

Sundays 

Green Party Consensus Building Meeting 

6 p.m. 

2022 Blake St. 

This is part of an ongoing series of discussions for the Green Party of Alameda County, leading up to endorsements on measures and candidates on the November ballot. This week’s focus will be the countywide new Measure B transportation sales tax. The meeting is open to all, regardless of party affiliation. 

415-789-8418 

Tuesdays 

Easy Tilden Trails 

9:30 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, in the parking lot that dead ends at the Little Farm 

Join a few seniors, the Tuesday Tilden Walkers, for a stroll around Jewel Lake and the Little Farm Area. Enjoy the beauty of the wildflowers, turtles, and warblers, and waterfowl. 

215-7672; members.home.com/teachme99/tilden/index.html 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

Computer literacy course 

6-8 p.m. 

James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. 

This free course will cover topics such as running Windows, File Management, connecting to and surfing the web, using Email, creating Web pages, JavaScript and a simple overview of programming. The course is oriented for adults. 

644-8511 

Saturdays 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

Poets Juan Sequeira and Wanna Thibideux Wright 

Thursdays 

The Disability Mural 

4-7 p.m. through September 

Integrated Arts 

933 Parker 

Drop-in Mural Studios will be held for community gatherings and tile-making sessions. This mural will be installed at Ed Roberts campus. 

841-1466 

Fridays 

Ralph Nader for President 

7 p.m.  

Video showings to continue until November. Campaign donations are requested. Admission is free.  

Contact Jack for directions at 524-1784. 

2nd and 4th Sunday 

Rhyme and Reason Open Mike Series 

2:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. 

The public and students are invited. Sign-ups for the open mike begin at 2 p.m. 

234-0727;642-5168 

Tuesday and Thursday 

Free computer class for seniors 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Compiled by Chason Wainwright 

Nearing the end of her life and plagued with senility, my grandmother fell into a strange state of grace. At 95, she believed herself a young woman again living in her hometown in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.  

One day when I visited her in her convalescent home in San Jose, where she had lived for the last decade or so, I asked grandma to name the names of her four children and she looked a bit astonished: “Children?” She said in her frail, hoarse voice, “Mister, but I am only 17.” 

Receding from her memories are the years in America, years full of longing and grief for her lost homeland.  

Lost, too, mercifully, are her memories of the war and the incredible suffering it caused her.  

The garden outside her window teemed with life, butterflies and bees hovering over gardenias and roses, but her vision had begun to travel far beyond its walls.  

In her mind, grandmother had already gone back to a happier time, rowing her boat down the river in the old country, singing some folk songs, watching white cranes fly above the green rich rice fields, celebrating Tet with relatives and neighbors – to an unhurried world of long ago. 

My parents and aunts sighed and shook their heads whenever they visited, feeling guilty for not being able to care for her at home, sad that their mother no longer knew them.  

On the other hand, I took a different attitude altogether. I saw that there was a mixed blessing in her senility and forgetfulness.  

After all, grandmother had, in her own way, managed to conquer time. 

Years ago, when she was still lucid, grandma bought a wooden clock carved in the S shape of the map of Vietnam from a shop in Anaheim’s Little Saigon. Above her bed, the clock ticked mournfully, a constant reminder of how long she’d spent away from her home and hearth.  

Sometimes she would watch that clock tick as she counted her rosary and then cried silent, bitter tears. 

Indeed, America’s concepts of time only helped to confuse her.  

She did not know why, for instance, a grandson had to leave home at 18.  

When I left home for college, she wept. I overheard her protesting to my mother in an incredulous voice: “How can you let him go? He’s immature at 17 and now he’s 18, somehow he’s mature? Not everyone is a real adult at 18 or 21 either. It’s not so simple.” 

Once, I remember, she asked me how far Vietnam was from California.  

I shrugged, “Well, I guess it’s about 18 hours.” Hearing this, grandma made a scowling face and snapped: “If our country is only less than a day away by your easurement, then tell me how come I’ve been waiting for 15 years, seven months and eight days now and I am still here in America?” 

Since her exile to America at the end of the Vietnam war, time had been her enemy, telling her how long she’d been away from the country of her birth. It finally lost its grip on her that last year.  

That year before she died, she was no longer ruled by the clock. She traveled freely most of the time to the distant past and she seemed, if not happy, then at peace. 

The last time I saw her alive, we held hands. Perhaps grandma thought I was a beau from the next village come courting or a distant relative, but she blushed when I told her that she was beautiful. 

“Let’s hurry,” she said, her eyes staring at an impossibly far away place, “we’re going to be late for the celebration at the temple.” 

Perhaps she is there now. As for me, since she passed away I am, I must say, not as fearful of old age as I once was. When I grow old and senile, I too should like to forget all the sorrow and sadness in my own life. Memories of heartbreaks and great losses will be dissolved like smoke in the morning wind. Like grandma, I’ll relive instead all the moments of intense happiness: walking with my first love down Bancroft Street at dusk; singing silly songs with my siblings on Christmas Eve when we were kids; luxuriating in my mother’s arms as a child after a warm bath; watching the moonrise with my cousin over the ocean on a tiny island in Thailand. 

And above all, I should like to return to that windblown pine hill of Dalat, Vietnam, a plateau of forests high above the sea where I grew up. 

I will sit again with my best friend in fourth grade, the two of us leaning against a pine tree and looking up at the clouds drifting by, our sweaters and hair stuck with pine needles after a game of hide and seek. 

It was on that same hill that I later lost my first watch, a Mickey Mouse watch which I got for my seventh birthday.  

Mickey’s arms pointed at the hours and minutes that slowly led me away from my childhood wonders and eventually my homeland. I had cried for days afterwards, but I now think it’s apt that the watch should lie decaying somewhere on that lovely hill. 

For perhaps there is something that the adult forgets and only the very young and very old could know: That time and space are an illusion, a trick of the mind... 

See me then as a starry-eyed child among pine trees, staring at the shifting sky, enraptured by an impossible sense of beauty, delighting simply to be in the world.

Two weeks ago, Cal punter Nick Harris was heralded as a Heisman Trophy candidate. This week, after failing to get off three kicks, he’s just another problem for head coach Tom Holmoe to worry about. 

Three mistakes on the punting squad and a delayed touchdown lead to 18 Washington State points in a 21-17 Cougar victory, their first Pac-10 road win since 1997. The Bears are now the only team to lose a conference game to Washington State since that season, and they’ve done it twice. 

“I’ve had worse feelings than this, but not much,” Holmoe said after the game. “I feel for the Cal fans right now, because we’re not giving them what they want. My biggest job right now is keeping the players strong and keeping their heads up.” 

As usual, the Bear defense played a stout game, giving up just 279 total yards and holding the Cougar running game under 100 yards on the day. But with Washington State touchdown drives starting at the Cal 18 and 24 yard-lines, not to mention another drive that began on the Cal 20 and ended in a Cougar field goal, the offense and special teams didn’t give defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich’s boys much breathing room. 

Cal took the opening kickoff and promptly failed to produce a first down, summoning Harris onto the field to save them from themselves as he has done many times this season. But the snap was low, and Harris had to eat the ball and take a 12-yard loss, giving the Cougars the ball at the Cal 20. The defense stiffened, as usual, and Washington State had to settle for a short field goal. 

“We know we’re the backbone of this team and we have to carry this team,” said linebacker Chris Ball, who had a sack and two tackles for loss in the game. “It’s just not good enough right now. We have to come out and shut teams out, because if they don’t score they can’t win.” 

Cal again couldn’t gain 10 yards in three plays on their next possession, and Harris came onto the field again. He got this kick off, and Cougar return man Collin Henderson fumbled the ball away to Cal’s James Bethea. 

The good fortune brought the Bear offense to life, and quarterback Kyle Boller took the team 29 yards to pay dirt, hitting freshman wideout Chase Lyman, who is fast becoming Boller’s favorite target, in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown and a 7-3 Cal lead. 

Sophomore cornerback LaShaun Ward was thrown out of the game near the end of the first quarter, after he punched an opposing player long after the whistle.  

“That put us in a huge bind, especially with Jameel (Powell) out,” Holmoe said. “You have to play as a team, and you can’t have guys taking things into their own hands.” 

With Ward dismissed and fourth cornerback Powell out with an injury, the Bears were left facing the Cougars’ spread passing attack, which usually employed four or five wideouts, with return specialist James Bethea and safety Bert Watts covering receivers one-on-one. Only constant pressure by defensive end Andre Carter and blitzing linebackers kept Cougar signal-caller Jason Gesser from picking apart the Cal secondary. 

Watts and Bethea played well considering their lack of experience, but Gesser victimized starting cornerback Harold Pearson several times, hitting 6-3 wideout Milton Wynn for several big gains on jump balls over Pearson. Wynn ended up with 125 receiving yards for the game. 

The Cougars put together their longest scoring drive of the day bridging the first and second quarters. They mixed the run and pass to drive 68 yards to the Cal 13 before two straight offensive holding calls killed the drive. Kicker Anousith Wilaikul kicked his second field goal of the game to narrow the Cal lead to one with 11:42 left in the half. 

The following possession was yet another three-and-out for the Bears, and Harris was again called upon to get the team out of their own end. But in what Holmoe termed “a freak occurrence,” Harris whiffed on the punt.  

“I was spinning the ball to get the laces on top, and it spun right out of my hands,” Harris said after the game. “That has never happened to me before. The punt team definitely lost the game today. You just can’t win when that kind of thing happens.” 

Adam Hawkins recovered the ball for the Cougars on the Cal 18, and the Bear defense found itself with its back to the wall once again. Four plays later, running back Dave Minnich took a draw six yards into the end zone. 

The visit coaches decided to go for a two-point conversion, hoping to extend their lead to seven points. Gesser threw a nice fade pass to the right corner of the end zone, and receiver Marcus Williams outjumped Pearson for the ball. 

The next drive brought hope to the Cal fans, as the Bears drove 65 yards for the tying touchdown. Other than one six-yard pass to Charon Arnold, all yards came on the ground, as tailbacks Joe Igber and Joe Echema combined to run for 53 yards. Boller snuck outside on a bootleg from six yards out for the touchdown, leaping past two defenders to sneak inside the left sideline into the end zone.  

The game was tied 14-14 at halftime. 

Cal’s defense came out of the locker room fired up, and drove the Cougars back to their own nine yard-line with a sack by blitzing linebacker Matt Nixon.  

But after forcing a Washington State punt and driving down the field for a goal-to-go series from the two yard-line, the Bears settled for a Mark Jensen 20-yard field goal and a 17-14 lead. 

With a quarter and a half left, the Bears seemed to have the game in hand. Their offense was finally clicking, and the defense was regularly stuffing the Cougars. But then Cal’s punting team came back on the field. 

The snap was fine, and Harris had a firm grip on the ball. Unfortunately for the Bears, a lineman missed his assignment, leaving backup free safety Erik Coleman free. He smothered Harris and the ball, and Hawkins picked up the ball and returned it to the Cal 24, where Harris dragged him down by the facemask, giving the Cougars the ball at the 12. 

“Our punting game was a big disappointment today,” Holmoe said. “Those are two things that don’t happen to us (the Harris drop and the blocked punt).” 

Facing a third down on the 10, Washington State’s Gesser tossed a pass to Williams, who was double-covered. Williams caught the ball, then it came out as he hit the ground. The side judge called it an incompletion, and both teams returned to their huddles. A Washington State player was hurt on the play, and as medical staff attended to him on the field, the officials huddled in the end zone. After several minutes, the call was overturned and the Cougars were awarded a touchdown. The call brought a chant of “Referees suck!” from the Cal faithful, but it made no difference. The point-after was good, and the Cougars had a four-point lead. 

“The back judge overruled the side judge and said he caught the ball,” Holmoe said. “There’s nothing we can do about it. I can’t explain the long delay, but I’m sure it was a tough call. ” 

Echema brought the ensuing kickoff back to the Washington State 33, and Igber scored an apparent touchdown on a draw play. But a holding call brought the ball back, drawing even more creative chants from the crowd.  

Holmoe declined to try a 50-yard field goal, and Boller overthrew Lyman on fourth down to turn the ball over to the Cougars. 

After getting the ball back on their own 35, the Bears once again got the home crowd’s hopes up by driving 47 yards for a first down on the Cougar 11. But Igber lost three and Echema gained two on running plays, bringing up a desperate third-and-11 to go. Boller scrambled and slipped down for no gain, bringing up fourth down with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Holmoe decided to go for the touchdown, but the offensive line, which lost left tackle Langston Walker to a leg injury earlier in the drive, let two players through to pressure Boller, who tossed a pass to no one as he fell. 

Boller completed just 11 of his 31 passes for 89 yards for the game, and seems to have regressed from the solid play of the season opener against Utah to the inaccuracies of last season, when he completed just 38.6 percent of his passes.  

The running game has improved in the last two games, and the Bears gained 181 yards on the ground, but Boller knows he’s the key to the offense. 

“I just couldn’t hook up with my receivers today,” Boller said. “If you can’t do that, it’s hard to win football games.”

The University of California system has formed an internal task force to investigate whether its nine campuses are under reporting the number of on-campus rapes and sexual assaults. 

The move comes after a five-month investigation and a series of articles by the Sacramento Bee that allege campus officials have ignored a federal law requiring them to gather rape and sexual assault statistics from a wide variety of campus authorities. 

The Clery Act was named after Jeanne Clery, a former student at Pennsylvania’s Lehigh University who was raped and strangled in her dormitory room by a fellow student in 1986.  

It requires universities to publish an annual report for several crime categories along with statements of security policies or risk losing federal funding.  

Each student, prospective student and employee must receive the report. 

“The Clery Act has a history of confusion nationwide,” Chuck McFadden, spokesman for the UC President’s office, told the Daily Planet. “There is confusion with compliance, confusion with reporting stats, and confusion as to who does the reporting.  

“Colleges around the country have been complaining of vagueness,” he said. 

Nonetheless, McFadden said he believes the UC system is complying with the act. 

“The task force is being appointed to see if we’re doing as well as we think we are doing,” he said. 

McFadden said UC Davis has issued a nine-page, point-by-point response to the articles published last week by the Bee. 

UC Berkeley Police Capt. Bill Cooper said he believes campus police go beyond the requirements of the Clery Act. 

“We have a significant publication that includes our data that fulfills our obligation,” he said. 

Cooper said the same information is also available on the UC Police website. 

The publication, called “Safety Counts,” shows two different columns: offenses reported to the University and Berkeley Police, and unverified offenses reported to other campus officials. 

The publication released by the UC Berkeley police instructs victims of sexual assault to use other reporting methods besides the UC Police if necessary.  

These can include the University Health Center, social services and the Gender and Equality Resource Center. 

According to crime reports from 1998, there were 12 reported forcible sex offenses to UC Berkeley or city police.  

Ten were reported but unverified, or were reported to other university officials.  

In 1999, the number dropped to six forcible sex offenses reported to the police departments, while nine were reported to other university officials. 

According to the publication, individual incidents may be reported multiple times within the same calendar year.

Perennial powerhouse St. Mary’s High witnessed an unwelcome, yet eerily familiar spectacle last Saturday afternoon as Archbishop Riordan High (San Francisco) put together the kind of punishing offensive exhibition that St. Mary’s fans have grown used to their own Panthers imparting. Powered by a dominant defensive line and a very methodical “seven minutes and a cloud of dust” Wing-T offense, Riordan (4-0) ran for 364 yards en route to a 28-7 victory in a non-conference meeting between the two schools.  

From Riordan’s opening 13-play, 7:23-minute drive, St. Mary’s defensive line was moved almost at will, seemingly unable to handle Riordan’s three back, no-wideout set. With Riordan’s 6-2, 240-pound fullback Rich Mier bursting through the line and running backs Jeremy Konaris and Marc Walker sweeping down the sideline, Riordan offered a simple picture of Panther-like football. Eat the clock and wash it down with points has been the St. Mary’s battle cry this year. Watching Riordan gain ground on hand-off after hand-off, St. Mary’s fans heard it loudly echo back from across the Bay. 

“They play that ball control, they eat the clock. And when you get possession, you just can’t make mistakes,” said St. Mary’s head coach Dan Shaughnessy. “We do that to other people. It’s terrible when happens to you.” 

Hampered by two early Riordan touchdowns and lack of time, not to mention a very stingy Riordan rushing defense, early on St. Mary’s (2-2) all but abandoned their vaunted ground attack. On their fourth possession, already trailing 14-0 with 3:30 remaining in the first half, the Panthers turned to senior quarterback Jason Washington. Taking over on his own 20-yard line, Washington responded by giving Riordan its only scare, spearheading a 51-yard drive bolstered by two 15-yard pass-interference penalties committed by a stunned Riordan defense.  

Backed up on to its own 26-yard line, Riordan called a time-out to compose the defense. After gathering its wits, Riordan blitzed Washington, resulting in a Mier sack for a loss of 15 yards. Two incompletions and one scramble later, Riordan had survived the only drive the Panthers could sustain in the first half.  

“We told our kids that we are going to keep that ball away from them as much as we can, try to wear them down. They have a lot of kids going both ways. And we obviously we can’t give up the big play to (Panther’s running back Trestin George). We put a guy on (George) wherever he went. That was our whole focus today, that kid.” 

The second half was a nightmare for St. Mary’s, when two of their five possessions ended with fumbles and a third with an interception. Coming out of the locker room needing 14 points to tie, Panther wide receiver Courtney Brown promptly fumbled the ball, setting up yet another six-minute, 10-play, 51-yard Riordan march to the endzone.  

Trailing 21-0 and looking increasingly desperate, St. Mary’s next possession wasn’t much better. Relying on the pass-interference and holding penalties by Riordan for their only positive offensive yardage, the officials marched St. Mary’s up to the 47-yard line. Facing a second-and-15 close to midfield, Washington fumbled the ball under heavy Riordan pressure, and the Crusaders recovered to end the threat. 

It wasn’t until late in the fourth quarter that Riordan allowed any Panther points, and even those didn’t come at the end of a long drive. Facing second-and-10 on his own 44-yard line, Washington spotted wide receiver Omar Young streaking down the right sideline. In a testament to the arm strength and accuracy that is becoming obvious to the Panther faithful, Washington threw a 55-yard bomb, hitting Young in stride at the one-yard line to step into the endzone. It was, perhaps, the one good memory that St. Mary’s will take from the game.  

“We wanted to pass against them, and we thought we could pass against them in certain sets,” Shaughnessy said. “But, give them credit. They called out a lot of our own patterns. We made adjustments at half-time, but it was too little too late.” 

Fourteen seconds after the St. Mary’s score, Riordan running back Jeremy Konaris responded with a spectacular play of his own. After a Panther squib kickoff left Riordan at their own 40-yard line, Konaris turned the corner on a sweep left and sprinted the remaining 60 yards down the left sideline to give Riordan a 27-7 lead. After Mier successfully converted his fourth point after attempt of the afternoon, Riordan had their 21-point margin of victory. 

St. Mary’s takes on Pinole Valley next Friday at 7 p.m.

Even City Council members agree their meetings are too long. Agenda items get pulled for a variety of reasons and end up stuck in what seems a permanent backlog.  

So the council has agreed that for three hours – and no longer – members will meet to revise their procedures. The goal is shorter and more efficient meetings. 

“We stay so long every meeting. We talk too long, have too many items on the agenda,” Councilmember Margaret Breland told the Daily Planet. “People are pulling items for political reasons, for more information, because they don’t want to vote on it at the time, or to add one or two words to an item and then get credit for it.” 

Such machinations create left over agenda items that “just keep getting rolled over from one meeting to the next,” Breland said. 

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Mayor Shirley Dean asked City Manager Weldon Rucker to review three proposals for new procedures. Rucker will recommend which suggestions might help the council run more smoothly at a meeting this month. 

Breland, Dean and City Auditor Anne Marie Hogan have all recommended changes.  

The reform process began in June, Breland’s aide Calvin Fong said, when Hogan asked councilmembers to meet the same requirements as city staff: that their proposals be submitted one month in advance, accompanied by relevant financial analysis and logistical information. 

“My proposal was aimed at making the process more efficient, enabling everyone to know what kinds of decisions they will have to make and have the information they need,” Hogan said.  

But Dean said Hogan’s idea would create other backlogs. She wants councilmembers to take a “vote of interest” before asking staff to research an issue. 

“Staff time wouldn’t be wasted examining one person’s project that has very little chance of passing,” Dean said. “Then if the item passes the vote of interest, the staff could evaluate it.” 

At that same June meeting, Breland had proposed that the nine council members limit themselves to proposing three items at a time. 

“People had too many items on the agenda,” Breland said. “Don’t add another until one has been dealt with. That’s still 27 every meeting, and that’s a lot to plow through.”

In a game interrupted by an on-field fight and two confrontations between the referee and University of San Diego coaches, Cal sophomore Laura Schott shined through the distractions with a hat trick, leading the Bears to a 3-0 win in the championship game of the Golden Gate Classic 

Schott scored once in the first half and twice in the second to lead Cal to its second straight victory and its tenth in 11 games this season. The only blemish on the Bears’ record is a 1-1 tie with perennial women’s soccer power Santa Clara a week ago. 

Schott scored the lone first half goal after 23 minutes of play, taking a nicely placed cross from Brittany Kirk and nudging the ball into the net from three yards out.  

“All I had to do was shield the defender and pretty much tap the ball in,” Schott said. “Brittany gave me a great ball.” 

The first half was played end to end, with both teams counter-attacking with ferocity. Cal players put several shots just over the crossbar, and San Diego goalkeeper Leila Duren also made a nice save on a free kick off the foot of defender Tami Pivnick. 

San Diego squandered several first-half scoring chances, as the front line struggled to hook up on passes. A physical first half of play was an omen, as several hard collisions went uncalled by the referee, and the San Diego defenders fouled Schott four times in the half. A San Diego assistant coach was given a yellow card within the first 20 minutes for yelling at the referee.  

The San Diego coaches kept up a constant stream of abuse at the official, saying he wasn’t calling the game both ways. San Diego head coach John Cossaboon was given a yellow card in the second half as he continued his verbal assault on the referee, and the two had a heated conversation following the game, with Cossaboon telling the official he didn’t keep control of the game. 

With the outcome of the game still in doubt entering the second half of play, Schott put her mind to putting the game away. When teammate Kyla Sabo put a perfect ball past San Diego’s last defender, Schott coolly dribbled around Duren and slotted the ball home, giving the Bears a two-goal lead. 

“Kyla had a couple of people on her, and she still managed to get the ball to me perfectly,” Schott said. “All I had to do was beat the keeper.” 

When Schott streaked past two defenders and again evaded the goalkeeper 15 minutes later for an unassisted goal, the game was safely in Cal’s hands. But San Diego sweeper Marya Young refused to go without a fight. Literally. On an ensuing Cal corner kick, she apparently spit on Cal freshman Ashley Valenzuela, setting off a melee that the referee was unable to stop until nearly all players from both teams were involved. 

Boyd felt the fight was a product of San Diego’s frustration at being on the short end of the score. 

“They were down 3-0, we had been outplaying them the entire game, we got into their box and Young spit on Ashley. She responded with a little language, and (Duren) pushed her, then the player that spit on Ashley punched her, so Ashley punched back.” Boyd said.  

“We don’t have to take punches,” Boyd said. “If we get punched and it’s obvious, we’ll punch back.” 

Boyd also said the San Diego players’ actions reflect on their coaches. 

“They take two yellow cards screaming and yelling, and that attitude is reflected in their team,” he said. 

After cooler heads finally prevailed and the brawl was broken up, Young, Duren and Valenzuela were all issued red cards and sent off the field. 

With a one-player advantage and a three-goal lead, Boyd pulled several starters, including goalkeeper Maite Zabala, and let his reserves knock the ball around the field for the final 25 minutes of the match. 

Zabala said the fight shouldn’t overshadow a good game by the Bears, who struggled to beat Colorado College on Friday. 

“We played really well, and it’s too bad (the fight) had to happen. You never want to see people get kicked out of the game like that,” Zabala said. “We did a good job keeping our composure afterwards and continue to play the game.” 

The Bears will try to extend their unbeaten streak against Washington and Washington State this weekend, as they travel to Pullman on Friday and Seattle on Sunday.

LIVERMORE — Scientists at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory are dabbling in a bit of Buck Rogers technology as they develop a series of test laser guns for the military. 

A team of 10 researchers at the facility are developing the laser technology for short-range air defense missions. 

The Army approached the lab about the project four years ago and now it has become a reality. 

The devices developed at the labs are all prototypes that fire a laser beam about four inches wide, but is invisible to the human eye. 

“We’re building them for test evaluation, to see whether the technology could be extended to areas of interest,” said Lyn Pleasance, a laser program leader at Livermore Lab. 

Those areas of interest would be the further development of a long-range laser weapon to be carried on a mobile platform. The new laser weapons would be ground-based systems used to target rockets and other artillery more than a mile away, according to Army officials. 

In about six months, the lab will deliver a prototype weapon to the test facilities at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Attorneys for Napster Inc. were due back in court Monday to justify the reprieve the company won in July that kept its wildly popular Internet music-sharing service up and running. 

A federal judge had issued an injunction against Napster, saying it was encouraging “wholesale infringing” against music industry copyrights. 

But only hours before Napster’s computer servers were to power down, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the injunction, keeping the company’s MusicShare service alive – at least for now. 

Lawyers for Redwood City-based Napster, which claims to have 22 million users, now have to persuade three judges on the court to keep the stay in place, pending a trial of the Recording Industry Association of America’s lawsuit against Napster. 

Both sides say they are fighting for their survival.  

The three-judge panel has already expressed concerns about the injunction, and will try to determine whether it was overly broad, said Marcie Mihaila,  

an appellate lawyer who has followed  

the case. Attorneys for each side will have 20 minutes to make their case. A decision is not expected for at least a month. 

“Our message will be that this service is causing serious injury to songwriters,” said Carey Ramos, who will be arguing on behalf of the recording industry. “It really needs to be restrained. We urgently

OAKLAND — State officials confirmed they have begun investigating health and safety issues involving facilities caring for the developmentally disabled which contract through a nonprofit agency. 

The Department of Developmental Services is investigating several facilities which contract with the Regional Center for the East Bay, one of 21 nonprofit agencies in the state which provide placement services for the developmentally disabled. 

Paul Verke, a spokesman for the investigating agency, would not discuss specific allegations, only saying they involved safety issues and that the Regional Center’s procedure’s and records would be under scrutiny. The alleged shortcomings in care stems from a shortage of board and care homes, relegating developmentally disabled clients in group homes. 

As boarding homes closed, Regional Center was strapped for funds in 1997 and 1998 and could not build new ones, said Regional Center’s director Claudia DeMarco.  

DeMarco confirmed that the state’s investigation involves health and safety concerns and said the booming Bay Area economy and cost of living was driving many service providers out of the business – further depleting the Regional Center’s resources. 

“The issue has to do with what’s happening in the Bay Area and rates of pay for the providers,” DeMarco said. “A booming economy is great for a lot of folks, but it tightens the market.” 

FOLSOM — California has had a rough summer in terms of power consumption, with warm temperatures throughout the state causing consumers to crank up air conditioners, sapping electricity supplies. 

Now a partial solution may have been found for the San Francisco Bay area. 

Portable power plants could make their way to the region next year to help alleviate the demands for electricity that have plagued this area. A proposal by the California Independent System Operator calls for 440 mobile generators to beef up power production. 

The portable generators would be trucked into the region and used during periods of peak electricity consumption when weather temperatures rise. The units generate no more than 50 megawatts and would operate for 500 hours during the summer. 

One environmental group doesn’t like the proposal because the generators emit more pollution than larger ones under consideration. The search for power solutions is a quick fix at the expense of the environment, said Bradley Angel of Greenaction, an environmental group. 

“There should not be a mad rush to bring in polluting facilities,” he said. 

The larger units are powered by a jet turbine while the small generators use natural gas or diesel fuel.  

VENTURA — A man stabbed three staff members in a hospital waiting room before police shot and killed him, authorities said Sunday. 

The victims’ wounds were not life-threatening and the three were “doing fine” on Sunday, police Lt. Carl Handy said. 

The identities of the attacker and victims were not immediately released, and investigators were still trying to discover the motive for the stabbings, Handy said. 

The man “jumped one of the staff, started hitting him, and took out a knife and started stabbing him” at 10:15 p.m. Saturday at Community Memorial Hospital, Handy said. 

Two staff members who tried to intervene were also stabbed. 

Officers were called and fired a non-lethal beanbag round at the man but were unable to subdue him, Handy said. 

“When he came at the officers with a knife he was shot one time and he died about two hours later,” the lieutenant said. 

Police have had several contacts with him in the past, Handy said, but he declined to provide further information. 

It was the second of two unrelated hospital confrontations in Southern California on Saturday. 

At about 5 p.m., an off-duty police officer from the city of Orange allegedly brandished a handgun and threatened to shoot workers at Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center in Los Angeles. 

“A nursing supervisor told officers the man exhibited a handgun in a threatening manner,” Los Angeles police spokeswoman Charlotte Broughton said. 

LOS ANGELES — Three years ago, Xochitl Rodriguez left her human resources job and decided she wanted to teach. Without classroom experience or teaching courses, Rodriguez was hired by the Los Angeles Unified School District and was placed in charge of 20 kindergartners. 

As she walked into the aging Parthenia Elementary School, she admits she was scared by the “thought of being responsible for so many kids.” To cope, she began the long process of taking teaching courses at night and occasional workshops and classes to get help. 

Rodriguez’s situation was not unusual for the nation’s second-largest school district. Educators and researchers say the lack of qualified teachers for its 711,000 students is one of the district’s most pressing problems, particularly for poor and minority students. 

It is a problem also shared by New York, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta and other large U.S. cities, said Michael Pons, spokesman for the National Education Association. 

Of Los Angeles’ 35,100 teachers, nearly one-fourth are working without having completed the required coursework or in-class experience needed to obtain a permit. And, district officials say, most of these teachers are going to low-income communities. 

“The very children who need a fully qualified, effective teacher the most are the least likely to get one,” said Margaret Gaston, co-director of the Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning. 

For its part, the district says little can be done. The district checks candidates’ education backgrounds, references and gives initial interviews. It is then up to the candidate to choose the school, and typically, the most qualified teachers have gone to the least troubled schools. 

“We cannot do a forced transfer of a teacher,” said Superintendent Roy Romer. “It’s one we cannot order, it’s something we have to encourage with incentives.” 

The statewide issue prompted legislation in July and September. It offers incentives for people to go into – or return to – teaching in poor-performing schools. It includes providing block grants to school districts to pay for incentives, including signing bonuses, pay raises and housing subsidies, to attract credentialed teachers to work in the schools. 

Romer also hopes to improve conditions with better recruitment efforts. 

But the problem is still upsetting for parents and teachers, who believe it will only be exacerbated in coming years. In the Los Angeles district, more teachers are going to be needed for enrollment growth that is averaging 10,000 students a year. 

In the 1998-1999 school year, 75 percent of the district’s new hires were not credentialed. This year, 57 percent of the city’s new teachers did not have credentials, which require education courses, an exam and experience as a student teacher. 

An emergency permit requires a college degree and a basic skills test. Romer said city schools could not function without them. 

“We wouldn’t have classroom staff if we didn’t have this (system),” he said. “We can’t get along without it. An emergency credential doesn’t mean a bad teacher, it just means inexperienced.” 

John Perez, a Los Angeles high school teacher, said that is exactly the problem. 

“The emergency permit system is terrible,” said Perez, a vice president for the teachers’ union. 

“They don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t have the background in education, in child development,” Perez said. “It took me five years to learn how to teach, and it took me another five years to perfect what I learned in the first five

LOS ANGELES — A study that contradicted earlier reports that the gnatcatcher was near extinction will not influence a decision to set aside nearly 800,000 acres in Southern California for the tiny songbird. 

The study, released last week, was funded by land and highway developers and the U.S. Navy. It concluded that the few thousand remaining California gnatcatchers have millions of close avian cousins in a Mexican songbird – some with similar DNA – and therefore are not in danger of extinction. 

Assistant field supervisor Jim Bartel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said even if the study is correct, gnatcatchers would qualify for federal protection as a “distinct population segment” in the United States. 

“This study is really not related at all to the decision at hand,” Bartel said. 

Fish and Wildlife is required to protect coastal habitat for the gnatcatcher because of the bird’s threatened species status. The agency faced a court-ordered deadline Saturday to file its decision.  

It requested a two-week extension. 

The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group that sued the federal government to set aside habitat, agreed to the extension. 

However, it was unclear Saturday whether the extension was granted. 

SACRAMENTO — A proposed expansion of San Francisco International Airport would be exempted from California’s main environmental law, under a bill signed Saturday by Gov. Gray Davis and authored by the leader of the Senate. 

The bill by Sen. John Burton, D-San Francisco, also calls for a study into a joint management scheme for the San Francisco and Oakland airports that could include linking the facilities by high-speed rail and ferry. 

Backers of the expansion plan, including San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, believe the airport is overcrowded and requires new runway space to handle an increasing number of passengers. 

The proposed expansion would add another runway to the airport. 

Burton’s bill allows San Francisco to bypass some rules of the California Environmental Quality Act if it proceeds with a plan to buy and restore 18,000 acres of salt ponds near Newark in exchange for the damage to the Bay inflicted by building another runway. 

The bill essentially gets San Francisco off the hook to produce a second environmental review of the 18,000-acre wetlands restoration in just a year. The federal government will instead perform the review, which airport officials said they couldn’t finish in such a short time. 

San Francisco officials and the Federal Aviation Administration are studying how the expansion will affect the Bay and the surrounding communities. That study might be complete by the summer of 2001. 

Environmentalists have opposed plans for extending runways at San Francisco International Airport because of concerns over dumping landfill into San Francisco Bay. 

Last week, while many of their comrades toiled away in trig class and daydreamed of freeing themselves from the village of portables known as Berkeley High, a group of students were at 11,000 feet in the High Sierra backpacking, catching golden trout and soaking up mountain air. And they were getting school credit.  

These students are enrolled in the school’s new interdisciplinary environmental studies program they call Common Ground. 

The program is described by Dana Richards, its founder and director, as a “high-level, rigorous academic program with its heart in environmental studies.”  

Common Ground is one part academics based in environmental studies, and one part hands-on projects and field studies, Richards said.  

“They can take one or six courses in the program,” he explained. “And if they take any of the classes, they can participate in any of the set of projects.” 

The projects can range from working on the school’s recycling program, to taking a trip to the Sierras to backpack. 

The department offers a constellation of 11 courses with roots in the sciences, literature, religion and photography, with an environmental slant. 

Richards explained that eight of the courses are “completely devoted to the subject,” like wilderness literature, where students read works of Native American writers on nature and better-known authors such as Thoreau and London. 

Three of the courses are more or less affiliated with the program, but now directly a part of it, he said. One is a ceramics class. Some of the students are enrolled in environmental studies and some are not. Those enrolled in Common Ground are working on a solar fountain initiated by the students in environmental studies, while other students in the class are working on different kinds of projects. 

There are 12 teachers that teach in the Common Ground program. 

Around 1 p.m. Friday, four seniors in Richards’ ecoliteracy class were busy working on a new greenhouse, set to be placed between the H building and the Community Theater. 

“We’re making a greenhouse, and we went backpacking for five days,” said In-David Crickmore, a senior. “It’s definitely better than sitting in a classroom.” 

Richards is quick to say that though the students often spend part of their schooldays working in a garden or building a greenhouse instead of hitting the books, the program carefully balances the academics with hands-on experience. 

“That’s why it’s focused around juniors and seniors at this point,” he said. “They have a little bit more elective freedom and the classes are a little more difficult.” 

He said that he hopes the program will be include grades 9-12 in the future. 

Richards, who studied environmental science at UC Santa Cruz, said that he’s always wanted to create a comprehensive environmental studies program at a high school, 

And since Berkeley, is the cradle of the ecology movement, it’s a natural fit, he says. 

Richards added that he doesn’t like to preach a doomsday, environmental disaster doctrine. “It’s important to give the students a taste of the good things that people are doing for the environment out there,” he said. 

In late October, Richards plans to take 130 students to Yosemite for another backpacking excursion, and as many as 30 may get the opportunity to go to Cuba in January. 

“These are experiences that kids will remember forever, instead of just keeping their seats warm,” Richards said. 

Some students in the program are also working on a cafe/art space they have aptly named Cafe Phoenix. 

“It will not only be a place where kids can get good organic food, it will also be a place for art, music, dance and poetry performances,” he said.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Jim Hightower: “Election 2000: a Space Odyssey” 

8 p.m. 

King Middle School 

1781 Rose St. 

Sponsored by KPFA and Global Exchange 

“I am an agitator,” Hightower says. “The agitator is the centerpost in a washing machine that gets the dirt out.” 

$10 in advance/$12 at the door 

848-6767 x609 

Introduction to Permaculture 

1 - 4 p.m.  

Ecology Center  

2530 San Pablo Ave. 

As part of their “Sustainable Living” series, the center presents an afternoon discussion on the urban garden led by Claudia Eve Joseph, director of the East Bay Permaculture Exchange.  

More info: 548-2220 x233 

Tour Mission District Gardens 

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

One of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance for this fall. Tour SF’s Mission District and learn about the role of gardens and open space in community planning. 

Call: 415-255-3233 to make reservations 

Dharma Publishing  

Showroom Tour 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

RSVP: Lunch and volunteers only (1 - 3 p.m.) 

Dharma House 

2910 San Pablo Ave. 

RSVP: Lunch and volunteers only (1 p.m. -3 p.m.) 

See traditional Tibetan book making, sacred art projects, spinning copper prayer wheels and a video of the work Peace Ceremony in Bodhgaya, India.  

More info: 848-4238 

South Berkeley Cultural  

Landscape Walking Tour 

Led by Bill Coburn. 

Contact Berkeley Historical Society, 848-0181 

Sunday, October 1

Return of the Raptors to  

Marin 

Drivers: 11:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  

Bikers: 10:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Witness the migration of birds of prey over the Marin Headlands. Includes a hawk talk and banding demonstration and lunch at Rodeo Lagoon. Bike from SF or meet at Hawk Hill. Part of Greenbelt Alliance’s series of free outings.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Open Paw Seminar 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

Pauley Ballroom 

UC Berkeley 

Dr. Ian Dunbar, world renowned veterinarian and animal behaviorist presents this free seminar on the prevention and treatment of problem cat and dog behavior. Co-sponsored by the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society and the Berkeley Animal Shelter, the goal is to make animals more adoptable through interaction with trained volunteers.  

More info: Janet Kotlier, 527-7387 

Celebrate Nigerian  

Independence Day 

5 p.m.  

El Cerrito Veterans Memorial Building 

6401 Stockton Ave.  

El Cerrito 

International treats, Nigerian music, dance and live entertainment, including a West African dance and drum performance by students from Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley.  

For more info call 234-5333 

Berkeley City Championship  

Golf Tournament 

11 a.m. registration 

1 p.m. shotgun start 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

This tournament will determine the city champion. The tournament is open to Berkeley residents, people who work or go to school in Berkeley only. 

Contact Michael Clark, 841-0972 

Sunday Worship Celebration 

11 a.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Monday, Oct. 2

“2nd annual Berkeley City Championship” 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Entries accepted August 1. Entry Fee includes gift, cart and Awards Dinner. Proceeds benefit local organizations and projects. This event determines Berkeley City Champion and Seven other Flight Winners. 

$115 Entry Fee 

841-0972 

“Clean Lies, Dirty War” 

7:30 p.m. 

Unitarian Fellowship  

1924 Cedar 

This event is part of a national campaign to end sanctions on Iraq. Also, a film “Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq” starting at 6 p.m.  

(510) 528-5403 

Magnetic Massage from Japan 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call Maggie or Suzanne at 644-6107 

Landmarks Preservation  

Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

The agenda includes a presentation by the archeological consultant candidate for who would review the West Berkeley Shellmound Landmark. 

Peace & Justice Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-6880 

Youth Commission 

6 p.m.  

MLK Jr. Youth Center 

1730 Oregon St.  

Topics to be discussed include the Berkeley High School Security Camera issue and the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Communication Youth Employment Funding. 

644-6226 

Compiled by Chason Wainwright

Lisa Taylor’s curiosity made her take a Yoga class 11 years ago. The former modern dancer now teaches at two Yoga centers in Berkeley. For her, Yoga is not just a job. It’s a way of life, affecting her at both physical and spiritual levels. 

In February, she went to Rishikesh, a pilgrim-town in India, to learn more about Yoga’s roots. Rishikesh is revered for its association with saints and spirituality. “I wanted to journey to the roots of Yoga,” said Taylor, who is 35, but looks 21. Taylor’s classes at Fourth Street Yoga are normally packed. She has students of all ages, from the twenty somethings to the seventy year olds. They are primarily Americans. Most of them are regulars.  

Berkeley has at least six other Yoga centers. While some Indians question the authenticity of the Berkeley Yoga boom, nobody questions its popularity. 

Megan Starkey, 35, a mother of two, began taking classes on the recommendation of her chiropractor, to deal with chronic back pain. She practices every day, and tries to attend a class every week at the Yoga Center on Addison Street. “I enjoy the practice, and it keeps me out of pain, which is important. I also really enjoy getting in shape and being flexible and stronger. For me, it’s a way of strengthening my back muscles, as well as a way to slow down and relax.” 

Starkey’s case is not unique. Most of the people interviewed had started Yoga while recuperating from some kind of injury or discomfort.  

Ulysses Hillard, 28, is an engineering hydrologist at Natural Resources Consulting Engineers, Berkeley. When he’s not working, he’s often bicycling or dancing the Argentine Tango, both of which leave his muscles sore. “The exercise is good, but you get tight in places. Bicyclists typically have very tight butts. One thing you can do is plain stretch, but Yoga’s supposed to have a better method to it. I don’t know. I’m not sure. That’s why I want to try it out.” Hillard underscores that he does not want classes that focus on the spiritual or meditative aspect of Yoga.  

But according to Ruth Goldstone, 31, a Yoga instructor through UC Berkeley’s recreational sports program, one leads to the other. “It often starts out that way, and as people start getting the physical benefits, then it leads to them being curious about the larger aspects of it. So, even if it starts out in its less pure form, some one who stays with it will grow into it and go deeper into the teachings,” she said.  

Most students corroborated her statement. The Yoga centers organize meditative retreats and workshops regularly for their students. 

Deborah Johnson, 48, runs a clothing business geared to the Yoga community. “Yoga is joy,” she said. “I do Yoga to get in touch with the quiet side of myself. It fits my lifestyle and my beliefs, as its a non-denominational type of practice and yet very, very spiritual. It’s a very open and wide practice, in which, many people can find their own way.” 

But according to some Indians, Yoga may have lost its way here. “This is pure commercialization,” said Vikram Arora, 32, who runs an Indian music shop in Berkeley. 

“I attended one of these classes, and had to pay $10 for it. Why should I go there again? And a lot of these teachers don’t really know the pure form of Yoga, as it is practiced in India.” 

But Goldstone disagrees. “It probably would be a more pure experience if the training did occur in India. I have Yoga-teacher friends that have gone to India and studied and definitely been enriched by the experience.  

But I still think that a lot of the Yoga happening here is and can be a pure experience. It depends on the commitment of the teacher.” Taylor, who has been to India, says that there are a lot of different Yoga-traditions in India, which have been evolving for thousands of years since the Vedas, and are still doing so today.  

Though the Bay Area is home to thousands of Indians, those interviewed said they are almost never seen at Yoga classes. According to an informal survey, many Indians would like to go, but do not find the time to do so.  

“Most Indians in the Bay Area are here on H1-B visas, which means that they’re here to work. And so, everything else takes second priority,” said Sandeep Singh, who’s doing his masters degree in Information Systems at the University of California at San Francisco.  

Taylor has a different theory. “Indians already have the spiritual foundation – it is so widespread. It is so much a part of their lives. 

They now want what we have – material success. We may have material success, but we’ve lost the spiritual aspect in the west.”  

Bad management real reason theater may close  

Editor: 

Why the UC Theater is so close to closing down for good is really no esoteric mystery to longtime patrons attending it less and less these days – and the reasons have next to nothing to do with the whitewashing excuse of costly seismic retrofitting. 

For one thing, moviegoing is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Patrons hardly shell out their hard-earned cash for tickets and overprice refreshments (despite begrudged re-fills offered for large items) to be insulted at the box office by smug, scowling or smart-aleck punk kids, which the theater management excels at hiring and training to be rude and obnoxious to customers.  

Watching these brats being forced to enter the real world and act like adults would by itself make seeing the theater shutdown worthwhile – almost.  

For another, UC Theater’s film programming has grown so regressively repetitious and monotonous that it’s reached the point of outright tedium, especially in its tiresome fetish for French films and its imitative parroting of the Castro Theater’s calendar. I mean, how many times ad nauseam can you sit through “Breathless,” or any other of the same, recurring cycle of fatiguing fad films which the theater specializes in cramming down our throats, without starting to lose you own breath? 

Sure, the theater screens a catchy flick every now and then, sucking in a sizable, sheepish, seal-clapping, fad-following audience with Film 101 class movies like “Lawrence of Arabia.” But no amount of Berkeley Bowl-style bailout city subsidies for seismic retrofitting will save the theater from permanently shutting its doors due solely to uncreative, unimaginative film programming.  

Bringing back the unruly hooligans who go along with the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” turning over the theater to the Pacific Film Archive, so everyone can be forced to suffer even more obscure and unknown films which most moviegoers neither know nor care less about, or turning it into yet another vapid multiplex – catering to the sophomoric film tastes of supposedly hip and cool students (translation: town transients) – rank among the very last things the theater should do to expedite its death knell even further, and sooner.  

Original film programming aimed at adult audiences, by somebody who really knows movies, is the only thing that will continue to attract the resident baby-boomers who mostly support this theater. 

Refusing to face facts by censoring the truth in the press, while in Berkeley’s habitual mode of denial, will neither change the truth nor save the theater in the long term – even if the UC Theater name does manage to hang on, barely, as one of the town’s sacredest of sacred cows.  

Joseph Covino Jr. 

Berkeley 

Next, go after the bully 

Editor: 

I applaud Channel Four for removing the ax-wielding Nike ad. However, I am just as concerned about a Bud Lite ad I feel is even more insidious.  

I am referring to the ad that depicts a marathon runner taking a man’s Bud Lite during a race. The man sets out after the runner, shoving people out of his way, even knocking some of them to the ground. This ad disturbs me because it depicts the bullying mentality that seems to be growing in our country: if I want something, I can do anything to get it no matter how it hurts other people. The Nike ad was a shocker. This ad is not removed from reality and that’s what scares me.  

I hope this ad is also pulled. 

Anne Smith 

Berkeley 

How Berkeley can we really be? 

Editor: 

So, once again, thousands of people celebrated “How Berkeley Can You Be?” while, once again, what put Berkeley on the map was never mentioned, i.e. People’s Park and Vietnam. Let’s face it, the People’s Republic of Berkeley is no more. Instead, we have a brain-washed community like Berlin under Hitler. 

George Kauffman 

Berkeley 

Time for the new fire station is now 

Editor: 

It has been nine years since the devastating Oakland-Berkeley hills fire. Those of us living in the Berkeley hills still do not have adequate protection in case of another such fire or the “promised” earthquake. Must we wait another nine years, or until another disaster, for a modern firehouse to serve our neighborhoods? 

Station No. 7 is seismically unsafe and too small to house an extra engine and crew, as a safety measure during the fire season. The present station is located on a narrow, winding street. The fire truck cannot turn left without first backing around. It must also go uphill to get to the east side of the hills and the Tilden park area. This takes time.  

Common sense tells us that increased response time will inevitably lead to larger and fires which are more difficult to control. Every minute counts, especially considering that Engine No. 7 has to act alone until additional help arrives from downtown. 

Time is also very important in medical emergencies. As we get older, this is a concern for many of us living in the hills.  

After the 1991 fire, Berkeley and Oakland were to build a new fire station together to serve both cities. For many reasons, Oakland has gone ahead and built their new fire station in the Oakland hills. It is far south of the proposed replacement site for Station No. 7 and would be of little immediate help for the North Berkeley hills and the Park Hills area. 

While the voices of the neighborhood need to be heard, it is hard to imagine any serious objection to the proposed Shasta-Park Gate site for the new Station No. 7 from anyone who experienced the 1991 inferno. It is past time to pick up the pace on this project.  

Betty & Frank Saarni 

Berkeley 

Jr. college recognized, can still get better 

Editor: 

As the department chair of the Architecture/Engineering department of Laney College in Oakland, I was pleased to read of the plan to formally use the community colleges to increase diversity on the UC campus. The simultaneous admission to UC and an appropriate community college will finally include and legitimize our roll in preparing students for the professional world.  

A simple addition to the plan would solve what I see as a continuing problem with transfer at present. As a class is formed each year all the seats are filled, but in the next two years there will be dropouts leaving empty seats for that class as it moves through the University. Every empty seat costs the University money for the remainder of the semesters as that class proceeds to graduation.  

What I suggest be included in this new plan is the opportunity for these students to transfer both in the Fall and Spring semesters. At present, our department’s existing articulation agreement for transfer allows for transfer only in the Fall semester.  

Using student/institution “academic contracts,” putting more responsibility on the student, admissions for either semester could be determined once a year with minimized extra work for the admissions departments, and would quickly address the on-going, economic problem of empty seats remaining unfilled.  

Thomas L. Thurman 

Berkeley 

Problem’s not the ferry service, it’s lazy people 

Editor:  

What's all the fuss about the Ferry service not advertising enough to draw ridership? Fact is, it took me all of 5 minutes to determine where the ferry leaves from in Richmond, the bus to get there, as well as phone numbers to call for fares, timetables, etc. It's all right there in the front of the Pac Bell Yellow pages, page 14, under the section 'Public Transportation'. 

To be somewhat more thorough (i.e. I have too much time on my hands...) I did a quick check online. If you go to Yahoo | Regional | State | California | Metropolitan Areas | SF Bay Area | Travel & Transportation | Mass Transit | Passenger Ferry Service | Red & White Fleet - well there it is! ( the maps section does seem incomplete - that's the internet!!) 

I agree with that last sentiment, though. People don't want to sit in traffic. John Doe wants plenty of alternatives for Mr. Smith, so that Jonny has an empty freeway to ride on. 

Lets face it, it's not so much that the ferry service hasn't spent enough money to tell people of their existence, as it's that our society tends to be lazy, self serving, and spoiled. 

Oh - and if anyone wonders how I commute - it's by bicycle, avoiding busy streets like the plague, riding instead on back streets and along Aquatic Park, where I enjoy viewing an assortment of avian life, fresh air, good exercise, little traffic, and a speedier commute than by car (I've timed and compared with friends during rush hour!!). 

David Zucker 

Emeryville 

Gray Brechin  

To:  

opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com 

Editor: 

In the name of fairness, the Landmarks Preservation Commission should issue 

a short roster of the buildings, parking lots, and tool sheds which, under 

its exceedingly generous definitions, the commission considers neither 

landmarks nor structures of merit. Since there are so few of them and 

because Berkeley is easily America's Sinea, it might be simpler to declare 

the entire city a landmark district and freeze it forever in legislative 

amber. 

The problem is that "landmark" no longer has any meaning in Berkeley. 

Sincerely, 

Gray Brechin 

1364 Scenic Avenue 

Berkeley, CA 94708 

510/204-9607 

Richard Register wrote: 

Pays to Advertise 

396 September 29, 2000 

Richard Register 

Taking out the add for an Ecocity Amendment to the General Plan and 

against Gene Poschman's opposition to ecological innovation has brought 

ecological city design right into the center of public debate, so it's 

working. That's what it means when we get 20 phone calls, 50% 

condemning us and 50% congratulating us for bringing these issues out 

into the open. 

To Morlock Chaillot, hiding under a nom de plum and fictitious 

organization, let's be clear that Berkeley's "well-thought-out zoning" 

has in fact left us with a gigantic housing problem. Higher density in 

centers, not scattered throughout town, is a known solution around the 

world and the use of ecological features like rooftop gardens and solar 

greenhouses, pedestrian streets and bridges between buildings, far from 

being fantasies, exist in many places but are so small in number they 

are overwhelmed by a car-swamped way of building cities. Though 

Berkeley is better than most cities in this regard it has not a single 

pedestrian street nor real public plaza. Rooftop gardens exist in a few 

hidden places. Are bridge buildings a ridiculous fantasy? Check out 

Stephens Hall directly south of the Campanile on campus. It's a really 

magnificent bridge building seven stories tall, nestled into the 

redwoods and up against beautiful Strawberry Creek. If such features 

were common instead of rare we'd have an extraordinarily lively city 

with room for both people and the creeks now buried. 

Let's be clear about "attacking" people too. Is pointing out the real 

meaning of Carrie Olson's use of the term "rabbit warren" an attack on 

her personally? Though she seems to be quite a decent person, she 

should take responsibility for use of such terms. The fact is, small 

places serve low-income people and calling them "rabbit warrens" is 

genuinely unhelpful. 

Meantime Carol Denney's presumably non-personal attack on me saying I 

attack others, I don't work for transit and I'm all about greed 

suggestions she should learn something about her subject. I organized 

support for AC Transit's 52 line when my neighbors were about to shoot 

it down years ago, and I've been exploring ecological cities for 3 

decades and am as broke as ever. Either there is something about me 

that is definitely not greedy or I'm an incredibly slow learner. 

Bottom line: we need more specific, clear content in addressing these 

very real problems, not generalizations, inaccuracies and sarcasm. 

Hello Judith, 

Sorry, it's a short Perspective-length one, one third longer than you 

asked me to write. Maybe though, after printing three or four to one 

against me I can rate a modest piece rather than sound bite. If you 

don't like it or would rather cut it and change its basic meaning so it 

can fit a small format, please do me the courtesey and let me know by 

phone or e-mail soon so I can send it elsewhere. Thanks. 

I have to add for you personally that when you say I shouldn't attack 

people then you print personal comments about me like "Morlock's" 

comparing me to Nixon saying "I am not a crook," that I am personally 

"indulging in his usual obsessions," calling me "vicious" when I'm 

pointing out the meaning in exactly what other people are saying, which 

in particular is denying people housing by the hundreds, that I should 

get in touch with my "inner" whatever it would happen to be... This is 

not personal?! You loose me, Judith. You print Carol Denney's comment 

about me being greedy and her false information about me not supporting 

transit. That's not personal too? It seems you have a double standard 

going here. She's so far off base in so many comments in a very short 

letter she's kind of really talented! (But that's the way it is if you 

feel no obligation to substantiate what you say, which she and "Morlock" 

don't do, which would make their letters much longer.) I am proposing 

open space and transit in downtown first and she says I'm not, and my 

neighborhood is threatened by new development, and she says it's not, 

namely the University's planned Surge Building (which I oppose) that 

would bring hundreds of cars a day to a corner exactly one block from my 

apartment. You are under no obligation to explain your policy to me but 

you should at least know that I see that it is inconsistent. 

Then again, why do you print such a strictly personal letter as 

"Morlock's" with almost no substantiation in particulars other than his 

or her statement of slightly exaggerated (15 stories) height limits? (I 

usually support more like 12 or 13 actually, but only with terracing, 

solar access and the like. My schemes are "wild?" How so? They are 

based on a pretty thorough and sober assessment of today's urban 

condition and on successes all over the world. "Hollow," "looking 

glass," "no basis in reality," "phallic," "shadowy?" How so? Those 

last three certainly don't have anything to do with my drawings 

representing what I actually propose. My opposition is "wonderful," 

"distinguished," "good people?" How so? Gimme a break! They render 

many hundreds of people stuck for a place to live and promote automobile 

commuting like crazy along with all the pollution and hazards that 

causes. We need a little specificity here! Your criteria you mentioned 

to me on the phone, "abstain from personal attacks," certainly isn't for 

such editorialists. I'd suggest you not print letters by people who 

don't have the courage to stand up personally with their real names and 

that you make sure when they say they represent an organization that the 

organization actually exists. 

Richard Register 

A last-minute header goal by sophomore forward Laura Schott gave Cal a come-from-behind victory over Colorado College Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium. Cal defeated the Tigers 2-1 in the opening game of the Golden Gate Classic and improved their record to 9-0-1. 

Following a Colorado College (9-4) penalty, the Bears’ offense set up for a final attempt at breaking a 1-1 deadlock in the 89th minute of the game. Former Pac-10 player of the week Tami Pivnek lined up outside the Tigers’ penalty box and struck a perfectly targeted ball just in front of Colorado College’s goal. Schott angled a header past goal keeper Caitlin Carlson and into the bottom left side of the net. 

“They were a really tough team,” Schott said after the game. “I feel like our character pulled it out.” 

Character, coach Kevin Boyd said, shouldn’t have even been a factor in this one. 

“It should never have been that tight,” he said. “Their team works hard, but we were the better team. We came out looking fatigued.” 

After a 120-minute double overtime marathon match against Santa Clara last week, which led to the Bears only non-win of the season, Cal players recognize that they need to increase their level of intensity earlier in the game. 

“We didn’t come out with the effort we needed,” said junior midfielder Gretchen Vanderlip, who scored Cal’s first goal in the 77th minute off a double assist by Amy White and Kassie Doubrava. “We tend to be less intense for games against lower caliber teams and that’s not good.” 

Colorado College’s Rebecca Carroll scored her team’s only goal of the game in the 28th minute, breaking free of the Cal defense on a quick counter-attack and sending a strike past the outstretched arms of Cal goalkeeper Maite Zabala.  

“This definitely wasn’t our best offensive game,” Schott said. “Timing was our biggest problem. I give our defense a lot of credit.” 

Through the first 60 minutes of the match, Colorado College looked as if they were going to upset the nation’s No. 8 team, pushing the ball forward and minimizing Cal’s offensive opportunities. But the Bears proved too much for the Tiger team to handle. 

“We expected Cal to be very talented,” Colorado College coach Greg Ryan said. “We had good chances, but in the end you look at a kid like Laura Schott and she’s the difference.” 

Schott continues to lead the Bears in points with 23, which includes 11 goals and an assist. The Bears outshot the Tigers 25 to 8 for the game, including two shots that ricocheted off goal posts. Cal’s Zabala had only two saves in the Bears’ victory. 

Cal’s 9-0-1 record is impressive in and of itself, but it’s even more remarkable considering that Cal played its last six games before Friday’s affair away from Edwards Stadium and against such soccer powerhouses as Santa Clara. 

Cal faces University of San Diego Sunday at 1 p.m. in the second half of the Golden Gate Classic, co-hosted by Cal and UC San Francisco.  

“San Diego is as good of a team, if not better, than Colorado College,” Boyd said. “Our players are going to have to come out ready to play.” 

The Bears hit the road again to open their Pac-10 schedule with a pair of games against Washington State (Oct. 6) and Washington (Oct. 8) before hosting Stanford on Oct. 15.

A collection of green houses and small classrooms at the corner of Hearst Avenue and Oxford Street, better known as the Oxford Tract, will be replaced with a three-story structure and a 200-space underground parking lot, if a UC Berkeley plan bears fruit.  

It’s a frustrating situation for Councilmember Dona Spring, in whose district the new building is to be erected. 

“There is not much leverage the city has to stop it,” said Spring, who opposes the building’s height and bulk and the number of parking places that are planned. “All we can do is deal with the impacts.” 

The regents approved the site’s Environmental Impact Report a few weeks ago, but Spring along with Mayor Shirley Dean and most the City Council have refused to give up the battle to get the university to significantly change its plans. At the Sept. 19 City Council meeting, Spring called on the city manager to look into legal actions to force the university to block or blunt the project. 

But instead the councilmember went along with Dean’s plan to meet with the university before talking lawsuit. A high-level closed-door meeting took place a few days after the council meeting, but the outcome is being held under wraps. 

“I’m not at liberty to say (what happened),” the mayor said. “One of the big issues was traffic. We had a good discussion about traffic.”  

Spring also said the talks were confidential, and she could not talk much about them. She revealed only that they turn around the planned Walnut Street access to the parking structure. “Our (former) traffic engineer made that decision,” Spring said, arguing that the entrance and egress to the structure on the residential street would cause chaos in the neighborhood. 

Also present at the meeting was Chancellor Robert Berdahl, Assemblymember Dion Aroner, who called the meeting, City Manager Weldon Rucker and their staffs. 

“We were trying to find an area of common agreement for ongoing problems in the relationship between the city and the university,” said Hans Hemann, Aroner’s legislative aide. “There had never been face to face negotiations between the university and the city over the Oxford Tract, and this was a first step in that direction.” 

At issue in many of the town-gown tensions is the university’s ability to bypass local concerns. The university is governed by the state, not municipal laws. 

But that does not mean the university ignores city concerns, said Irene Hegarty, the university’s director of community relations. Community concerns heard during public hearings are often incorporated into the building process. 

“But once the regents approve the project,” she added, “the decision can only be challenged in court.”  

The new building, now in the design phase, will occupy roughly one third of the five-acre parcel, and will house classrooms and offices, moving from their traditional space on campus, while earthquake retrofitting takes place. 

“It’s a seismic replacement building,” Hegarty said, referring to the building to be erected on the Oxford Tract. “It’s called surge space, where departments can move during seismic relocation.” 

Hegarty stressed that the need for such a building is acute. 

“Now there are several retrofit projects being held up because of our inability to move departments,” Hegarty said, mentioning that the computer science department, now located in a basement which regularly floods, is a candidate for such space. 

Dealing with the impact of the building will mean resolving an incongruous, “rather cold” office building located a classic Berkeley neighborhood, Spring said. Traffic snarls, already bad in the area, will worsen, with the addition of 200 new parking spaces at the site, she said.  

When Spring talked about a lawsuit, she was referring to a possible challenge to the university’s approval of the Environmental Impact Report. The impact of traffic on the area was inadequately analyzed, she said. 

“The traffic data that was used is 10 years old. They took it straight from the long-range development plan written in 1990. There’s a lot more traffic impact now than there was 10 years ago,” Spring said. 

University officials disagree. 

According to Jennifer Lawrence, the university’s principal planner for capital projects, traffic studies on the impacted area were conducted twice last year, once in April and again in October. 

“We hired a consultant to run traffic circulation reports,” Lawrence said. 

Just one issue in many, the presence of the potential court case looms if the city and university find their differences irreconcilable. But by all accounts the meeting was a good beginning and another is scheduled for next week. 

“I’m satisfied that we can talk about it,” Spring said. “What we want is a better traffic assessment, for the buildings to be put to residential use after the retrofitting is finished, and a design which blends the building into the surrounding neighborhood.” 

“It’s too soon to know the outcome of these talks,” Hegarty said, “and we will continue to dialogue, but so far there is nothing specific to discuss.” 

“Most important is that there is a willingness to work co-operatively with the city,” Hegarty said. 

Groundbreaking for the seismic replacement building will take place in June or July of 2001 if all goes according to university plans. 

Judith Scherr of the Daily Planet staff contributed to this report.

Everyone loves a second chance. A second chance at a job interview, a second opportunity to take a test, another shot at introducing yourself to that beautiful someone… who doesn’t like second chances? On Thursday night, the Berkeley High defense forced five turnovers to give its offense not just two but five chances to move the football. But the Berkeley Yellowjackets (0-4) failed to capitalize and the Livermore Cowboys (3-1) left nothing to chance with a 15-0 victory. 

Livermore turned to a devastating ground game that featured nine different players rushing for yardage. The Cowboys collected 227 yards on ground, as junior Etim Hedman shouldered the load with a team-high 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Junior John Morehouse broke off a 58-yard run on his first carry of the night and led all players with 103 rushing yards.  

The Cowboys were so effective with their ground game that they literally ignored their passing attack. Quarterbacks Brian Rocha and Andy Riele attempted just two passes between them and Rocha was sacked two times for 21 yards. One of those sacks was the result of Berkeley High senior linebacker Emanuel Golzales’ stellar play. Golzales’ sack of Rocha came with 20.9 seconds left in the first half and forced a fumble recovered by the ‘Jackets.  

Livermore looked solid in its first offensive possession, marching 80 yards downfield for an eventual four-yard touchdown run by senior running back Nik McElley. In the second quarter, Berkeley quarterback Nitoto Muhammed slipped down inside his own endzone for a Cowboy safety.  

Up 9-0 with more than two quarters to play, all signs pointed to an easy Livermore victory. But Berkeley’s defense clamped down on Livermore’s offense for the rest of the game, and the Cowboy offense didn’t score again until late in the fourth quarter. 

In fact, while Berkeley’s defense continually forced turnovers, their offense was all too willing to give the ball back. The Yellowjacket defense forced five Cowboy turnovers on the night — four through fumbles and one by turnover on downs — but the ‘Jackets gave the ball right back four of the five times they gained possession of the football.  

Berkeley’s last turnover, a fumble recovered by Livermore’s Issac Jenkins near the end of the game, gave the Cowboys possession at Berkeley’s three-yard line. Hedman headed in for a touchdown on the next play, sealing the win for Livermore and sending Berkeley home still in search of its first victory this season.  

Unlike its defense, Berkeley’s offense clearly needs some fine tuning. The Yellowjackets tallied just 139 rushing yards, marking the first time this season Berkeley did not roll up 200 or more yards on the ground. and Muhammed completed only two of his 12 attempts for 46 yards and two interceptions.  

Ironically, it was Berkeley’s quarterback and top wide receiver that contributed the biggest rushing plays. Franklin ran reverses for 47 yards on three carries while Muhammed finished with 26 rushing yards, the second highest total on the team. The duo combined for 83 yards on 13 carries, a 6.3 average yard per rush that doubled the 3.1 average yard per rush gained by Berkeley’s running backs on 20 attempts. 

The Yellowjackets open up league play at home on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against De Anza.

Holocaust experts and activists detailed the difficulties of earning recognition and reparations for non-Jewish victims of Nazi war crimes during a panel discussion at the Castro Theatre. 

The panel was held earlier in the week as part of a screening of Paragraph 175, a documentary which recounts gay and lesbian persecution under the Third Reich.  

The Nazis labeled many groups of people as “degenerates,” said panelist and historian James Lichti of Hebrew Union College. They were sterilized, interned in camps and killed. 

The mentally and physically disabled were the first of those persecuted, he added.  

More than 400,000 disabled people were forcibly sterilized during the regime’s reign, said Shawna Parks, panelist and lawyer at Disabilities Rights Advocates in Oakland. More than 275,000 disabled people were mass murdered in camps. 

On behalf of 16 international organizations representing disabled victims, Parks and other advocates are petitioning for reparations from last year’s Swiss Banks’ class action lawsuit settlement, she said. The banks held gold and valuables looted from Nazi victims, including the disabled. 

The settlement was set at $1.25 billion, but how the funds will be distributed has yet to be decided. A federal hearing on the issue is scheduled for Nov. 20 in New York.  

As illustrated in the film, finding survivors willing to talk about their experience is difficult, said Parks.  

“The older they get, the fewer there are,” she said.  

Disabled victims who did not die in camps were sterilized and have no children to carry on their story, she added. 

Also, many of the remaining disabled are living in managed care facilities and cannot leave to testify, she said.  

With deaf survivors, the language barrier poses another dilemma, she said. In addition, the learning disabled may not be able to communicate well. 

Other survivor groups like African-Germans and the Roma-Sinti have been reluctant to come forward as well, said historian Lichti. 

About 250,000 Roma-Sinti were murdered during the war, he said. Africans and African-Germans were systematically sterilized. 

Yet these groups feel that they were not oppressed compared to the Jews, he added.  

“Why does the suffering of one group take away from another?” he asked.  

Many Orthodox Jews rail against the inclusion of non-Jews as victims, he added. 

“Please don’t take the holocaust away from us,” is a comment that the film’s producer and panelist, Michael Ehrenzweig, said he heard repeatedly at previous screenings of the film. 

One audience member, Gloria, spoke of the preferential treatment of non-Jews in the seven concentration camps she survived. 

Often, non-Jews were chosen to lead teams of laborers, she said. Many had families outside from whom they could receive care packages. 

“There’s always this tension among survivors,” said Parks, especially where money is involved. “Sometimes it’s hard to remember who the bad guys were.” 

More than 225 people attended the public dialogue to discuss the recognition of these “other victims.” 

The panel was organized and funded by the Jewish Museum of San Francisco and the German Goethe Institut. The Holocaust Center of Northern California co-sponsored the event.

SAN FRANCISCO – An audit of government agencies in California shows that some, such as police departments and school districts, denied people access to information that is clearly defined in state statutes as public. 

The audit was conducted by the California First Amendment Coalition and the Society of Professional Journalists. University journalism students sought records at more than 130 local government agencies in the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California. 

According to the audit, police departments denied oral requests 80 percent of the time. Police were closely followed by cities, which rejected 79 percent of requests, and school districts denied 72 percent of requests. 

When oral requests were followed up by written requests that cited the state’s disclosure statutes, the audit shows that police departments improved to 64 percent, cities denied 60 percent and school districts denied 33 percent. 

Students asked sheriffs departments for copies of reports to the attorney general detailing the circumstances of deaths of people in custody; police departments were asked for logs of 911 emergency calls; school districts were asked for expulsion records; and cities were asked for copies of notices to landlords for health or safety-related code violations that left their premises considered “unfit for human occupation.” All of the documents asked for are public under California’s Public Records Act, according to the First Amendment Coalition.

SAN FRANCISCO – A judge said Friday he will reduce the $121 million in punitive damages that a jury awarded to 17 black workers who were discriminated against at a Wonder Bread plant. 

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Stuart R. Pollak said the punishment against Interstate Bakeries Corp., the nation’s largest bread wholesaler, did not fit the crime. 

“I’m not at all persuaded that anything like $121 million is necessary to make the point that the jury was trying to make here ... to deter such conduct in the future,” Pollak said from the bench during a three-hour hearing. 

Pollak did not say what he would reduce the damages to or when he would make that decision. 

After a two-month trial and nine days deliberating, a jury in August found that the workers at the San Francisco plant were passed over for promotions, subjected to racial slurs and suffered other indignities at the hands of co-workers and managers. 

The bakery, based in Kansas City, Mo., produces Wonder Bread, Twinkies, Home Pride and Hostess Cupcakes. 

The same jury also awarded 21 workers involved in the suit $11 million in actual damages to cover lost wages and for pain and suffering, but the judge reduced that to $5.8 million shortly after it was awarded.

SAN LEANDRO – A carjacking suspect is probably kicking himself after police said he tried to carjack an undercover car. 

Bryan Keith Jackson is a suspect, along with his father, in a string of at least nine carjackings in the east San Francisco Bay area. 

The younger Jackson was arrested Thursday night. His father, Prentess Eugene Jackson, was arrested Monday in San Leandro while allegedly driving one of the stolen vehicles. 

Police said the father and son team would shine a bright light at cars on the road, pretending to be police officers. When the motorists stopped, the suspects would carjack them. 

According to police, Bryan Jackson shone a light into an unmarked car driven by two undercover CHP officers. Once Jackson realized his mistake, he fled the crime scene. But police caught him soon after.

JOLO, Philippines – The Philippine military eased some restrictions Friday on news coverage of its assault on Muslim rebels holding 17 hostages on a southern island, but continued to limit communications. 

Journalists are now allowed to travel to Jolo island but will only have access to certain areas and will need military supervision, officials said. 

“We’re going to balance between giving access and preventing the rebels from replenishing their inventory of hostages,” Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said. 

At least 16 journalists have been seized in recent months by the Abu Sayyaf rebels. All have either been released or have escaped. 

The military imposed a wide range of restrictions when 5,000 troops launched their assault on the rebels Sept. 16, largely cutting Jolo island off from the rest of the world. Relief officials said Friday that medicines and food were running out because of limited transportation. 

Civilian ferries resumed operation Friday but continued to be under military supervision to prevent the guerrillas’ escape, officials said. Cellular phone links remained cut to limit communications among the rebels. 

Until Friday’s relaxation, the military had prevented most journalists from entering Jolo. A small group of journalists there, including an AP reporter and photographer, were restricted in where they could travel. 

The military says it still remains unsure of the exact location of the hostages — an American, three Malaysians and 13 Filipinos. 

More than 80,000 villagers have fled their homes to escape the fighting since the assault began two weeks ago. 

At least 111 Abu Sayyaf rebels are believed to have been killed in 36 clashes in which four government soldiers have died, the military says. 

Gen. Narciso Abaya, commander of the assault, acknowledged Friday that the military had erred in believing the rebels would fight back instead of fleeing through Jolo’s jungles. 

“We were anticipating that they would resist initially, but they never did,” he said. 

“We believe we are progressively closing in on the Abu Sayyaf,” he added. “It may take some time because it’s very hard to engage an enemy that keeps on running.” 

Sympathetic villagers on the predominantly Muslim island have also helped the Abu Sayyaf flee, Abaya said. 

He said the military believes all the hostages are still on Jolo, including American Jeffrey Schilling. 

Schilling was seen on Jolo on Tuesday, a day after he called the U.S. Embassy and said he had been taken by speedboat to another island, Abaya said. 

Schilling, from Oakland, California, also told the embassy that the rebels were demanding $10 million for his release, Philippine officials said. 

Asked whether there was a chance that the rebels had escaped with Schilling, Abaya replied: “It’s a very long coastline. There is a possibility.”

SACRAMENTO – The disposal fee for old tires is going up next year to pay for an expanded regulation and cleanup program aimed at illegal tire piles. 

Tire pile fires in Westley in Stanislaus County and near Tracy burned a total of 12 million tires in the past few years, causing air and water pollution in the region to increase. 

A bill signed by Gov. Gray Davis will increase the waste tire disposal fee from 25 cents to $1 per tire through Dec. 31, 2006. The fee then drops to 75 cents a tire. The increase takes effect Jan. 1. 

The measure is sponsored by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Comerce. 

In his bill-signing announcement Friday, Davis said California generates more than 31 million used tires every year, far more than any other state in the country produces. 

The money will be used for an expanded regulation program that includes a reporting system to trace tires from their sale to disposal to make sure they are not illegally dumped. 

Some of the money will also be used to clean up the Westley and Tracy sites and other illegal tire piles around the state. And the state’s effort to find markets for recycled tires will be expanded from its current base. 

The Westley fire was ignited by lightning in September 1999 and burned for 34 days.  

The state attorney general and Stanislaus County have sued the owners of the site, saying they failed to reduce its size over time and maintain proper fire prevention measures. 

The tire dump near Tracy caught fire in August 1998 and smoldered for months. State officials said it had been operating without a state license for several years before the fire.

EL SEGUNDO – Mattel Inc. has found a buyer for the Learning Co., the software unit that lost hundreds of millions of dollars and led to the resignation of the toymaker’s chief executive and other top officials. 

The world’s largest toymaker said Friday it will sell the software business behind software titles like Carmen Sandiego to an affiliate of Los Angeles-based Gores Technology Group, which specializes in buying and turning around technology assets. 

The announcement said Mattel will get “a contractual right to receive future consideration” for the division that it acquired 16 months ago for $3.5 billion but has been losing money at a pace of about $1 million a day. 

Mattel will take a $430 million after-tax loss from discontinued operations as a result of the deal. 

The company announced its intention to sell the Learning Co. in April after the unit lost nearly $300 million. 

Mattel also said Friday it plans to eliminate about 350 jobs in the U.S. and reduce its quarterly dividend to five cents a share from nine cents to save $130 million annually. 

The company said it expects to take about $250 million in pretax charges from restructuring over the next two-and-a-half years, including $100 million in the third quarter. The moves will result in about $200 million in pretax savings. 

Mattel, which has brands including Barbie and Hot Wheels, has been scrambling to sell the Learning Co. whose losses have been a drag on its stock price. 

The losses also contributed to the departure in February of Mattel Chief Executive Jill Barad, who was forced to step down after reporting the company’s fourth consecutive quarterly loss. The company’s president, chief financial officer and other senior executives also resigned. 

Barad expected the company to be an immediate money maker that would spearhead Mattel’s move into interactive toys. 

Instead, analysts viewed the purchase as one of the worst deals in recent corporate history, rivaling Quaker Oats’ bungle in buying Snapple for $1.7 billion only to sell it three years later, in 1997, for $300 million. 

Mattel’s shareholders have criticized Barad’s exit package, valued at close to $50 million.

BOSTON – Buy low, sell high: It’s a homeowner’s dream that is coming true in this city thanks to soaring property values. But while sellers profit, the poor struggle to pay rising rents. 

In Boston’s resurgent Jamaica Plain neighborhood, however, some homeowners are donating some of their windfall profits to help poor neighbors keep their homes. 

The Affordable Housing Fund in Boston has collected about $35,000 since it was established last year, including two $10,000 donations this week. 

It has helped pay for tenants’ legal battles, as well as security deposits and rent. The money will also be used to hire someone to organize tenants to fight unfair rent increases or evictions. 

“I haven’t heard of anything like that. It sounds like an interesting answer to the problem of gentrification,” said Sheila Crowley, president of the Washington-based National Low Income Housing Coalition. 

To Steve and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner, who are moving to Oregon and have donated to the Boston fund, the project is about fairness. They said the people who helped improve the neighborhood — and boost housing values — should not be forced to leave because of rising rents. 

“It’s part of the basic concept: You benefit, you give back,” said Deborah Eisenbach-Budners. 

That attitude is rare, according to Randy Shaw, president of Housing America, an affordable-housing advocacy group in San Francisco, where the market is also extremely tight. 

San Francisco residents have seen housing values triple in the past 10 years but often view their profits as a result of their own “genius,” and don’t think about helping the neighborhood, Shaw said. 

“Once people hear about this, maybe other people will think about it,” he said. 

Jamaica Plain’s fund grew out of an effort organized two years ago by a tenants group, City Life/Vida Urbana. City Life got several landlords to sign a pledge promising to keep rents affordable. Then the organization realized that homeowners might be willing to help them out as well. 

The neighborhood has a strong sense of community, Steve Eisenbach-Budners said. “If you don’t have a sheetrock bucket over your head, you’ll walk down the street and see five or 10 people you know,” he said. 

Blacks, Hispanics and various European immigrant groups all have deep roots in the neighborhood, and many have endured widespread blight and crime suffered in the 1980s and early ’90s. 

Since then, improvements in public transportation, the creation of green space, and reduced crime have made Jamaica Plain a desirable place to live.  

But the demand — combined with a citywide vacancy rate of about 1 percent — has driven up housing costs. 

Between 1995 and 1999, the average price of a three-family house in the neighborhood rose 85 percent, from $118,000 to $220,000. Average rents for a two-bedroom apartment rose about 50 percent between 1995 and 1999, from $861 to $1,288. 

Poorer residents simply cannot afford to pay market prices, said Elliot Roman, 46, who has lived in Jamaica Plain for 30 years. 

“It seems like every time a community improves, poor people get pushed right out of it,” he said. 

Last year, Roman’s 6-year-old daughter and his ex-girlfriend were nearly evicted from their apartment after a rent increase. But money from the fund was used to hire a lawyer, who was able to thwart the eviction. 

“If it wasn’t for people donating their funds, my family would be out on the sidewalk or in a shelter,” Roman said.

PASADENA – Latino activists protested outside Republican Party offices, trying to drudge up support for a bill that would make permanent residency possible for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants. 

Outside the Republican Club of Pasadena Thursday, some took part in the nationwide mobilization by beginning a symbolic two-day fast across the street from the Republican storefront in Pasadena. They object to congressional Republicans’ blocking a bill called the Latino and Immigrant Fairness Act, sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. 

“The Republicans are courting the Latino vote, but they don’t want to vote for us,” said Angela Sanbrano, executive director of the Central American Resource Center. 

The bill would give amnesty to illegal immigrants and others who have lived in the United States since 1986. The current cutoff date is 1972. 

It also would give green cards to Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Hondurans and Haitians who have been living in the United States since December 1995. That same treatment is currently given to Nicaraguans and Cubans. 

A third element of the bill would allow illegal immigrants eligible for green cards the chance to apply without having to return to their home countries. 

Unofficial estimates placed the number of people who could be helped by the legislation at more than 800,000. 

Opponents call the bill a blatant pre-election move that rewards lawbreakers and encourages illegal immigration. 

“We are a government of laws, and they are here illegally,” said John Lampmann, spokesman for Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, head of the House Immigration Subcommittee. “When you encourage people to come in illegally, which amnesties do, you’re undercutting the opportunity for those who have played by the rules.” 

Protesters said the legislation, which the Clinton administration supports, would help hundreds of thousands of immigrants who contribute to the U.S. economy and consider this country home. 

“I don’t know anyone in El Salvador,” said Jose Panameo, 22, who arrived as a teen-ager from Central America and was among the protesters Thursday in Pasadena. He is fighting deportation as he studies computer science at Los Angeles City College. 

“I can“t imagine what kind of a future I would face back there,” Panameo said.

SAN FRANCISCO – David Hostler first learned the troubling news when he journeyed more than 3,000 miles from his Hoopa Valley reservation, California’s largest, to dig through troves of tribal artifacts on display and in storage at Harvard University. 

Upon arriving at the Ivy League school’s Peabody Museum of Archaelogy and Ethnology, which owns the largest collection of American Indian remains outside the Smithsonian, officials suggested he don a pair of gloves and a dust mask before sifting through the collection. 

“That’s when I found out some of the artifacts had been contaminated,” said Hostler, a director of the Hoopa museum and a ceremonial leader of the tribe, which has 4,000 members and an 89,000-acre reservation about 40 miles outside the Northern California coastal city of Eureka. 

Two years later, Hostler and fellow Indians across the United States remain unsettled by the notion that human remains and sacred objects being returned to them under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, may be poisoned with heavy metals and pesticides that were used as preservatives. 

On Friday, representatives of California’s 110 tribes began arriving at San Francisco State University for a three-day workshop aimed at raising awareness of the potential health risks that scientists consider especially acute because many of the artifacts — steeped in spiritual significance — have been or will be returned to their traditional use. 

“For people who are only hearing about this for the first time, it’s only human to be scared and angry,” said Lee Davis, an anthropology professor at SFSU and consultant for the Hoopa tribe. 

Pesticides and other toxins, including mercury and arsenic, have been routinely used on all kinds of artifacts to preserve them and keep insects away, with the idea that the objects would only be displayed under glass. 

But that changed when the repatriation act, passed in 1990, required museums to return headresses and other regalia to their rightful tribal owners. 

It is unclear how widespread the contamination may be, since most of the evidence is anecdotal and no official empirical studies have been conducted to determine whether mercury, arsenic, DDT and other toxins used as pesticides or preservatives persist in harmful levels. 

SFSU on Friday released preliminary findings of a study showing traces of mercury in a handful of items that have found their way back to the Hoopa tribe. There were also low levels of pesticides on some samples, including DDT and naphthalene, an active ingredient in mothballs. 

But even Peter Palmer, a chemical analyst who led the study, questioned whether the results were reliable, saying he was “not sure how they would hold up in a court of law.” 

He and other researchers noted how they are impeded by financial constraints and limited in the types of testing they can do since a lot of the cultural material must remain intact, and removing toxins could be destructive to the material. 

“There are no easy answers — a lot of uncertainties,” Palmer told a large group of other scientists, Indian leaders and other observers during one of Friday’s sessions, calling the study a “best effort” by students. “At least we’ve done this much.” 

Palmer and other scientest agree more long-term and in-depth studies are needed. On Sunday, organizers plan to start drawing up a cohesive plan to address the issues raised at the workshop. 

“The ramifications are complex,” said Jeff Fentress, coordinator of SFSU’s artifact testing lab. “Where did all these contaminants come from? What other contaminants are there? What exposure have we all had all these years? And last, what do we do about it?”

SACRAMENTO – Researchers from the University of California, Davis, are preparing for a new expedition to the Sea of Cortez, six months after five of their colleagues died in a boating accident there. 

Accident survivor and postgraduate researcher Gary Huxel is among ecologists that will make the trek to the Mexican islands off Baja California in late October. 

Expedition leader and world-renowned scorpion expert Gary Polis died in March after a wave capsized the research team’s fiberglass boat. Postgraduate biology researcher Michael Rose and three Japanese scientists also died. 

Survivors say an unexpected weather shift caused the accident. 

The group was spending spring break week studying spiders and scorpions that inhabit small islands in the Sea of Cortez. The sea, also known as the Gulf of California, is 300 miles south of San Diego. 

Huxel said he was motivated to go back to the islands by Polis’ research. 

“It was funded by him and it’s something he, and all of us, would want to move to,” Huxel said. “Our focus has shifted, as it started to do under Gary, to a more experimental approach instead of counting organisms.” 

University officials said the March accident was a tragedy that could not have been prevented. Still, campus’ risk management officials have taken steps to advise students and researchers about the dangers of field trips, including travel abroad programs. 

“We’ve found that many departments already had things in place — safety manuals or orientation meetings before trips,” said Bonnie Robbins, a risk management specialist. 

“What was missing before was a repository for this information that one student could go to get that sort of information,” she said. 

The researchers have already been to the area off Baja California twice this summer. The area is located about 300 miles south of San Diego. 

“It’s definitely a weird feeling I can’t really express, to know that there is all this beauty there covering up some real dangers,” said Francisco Sanchez-Pinero, one of the lead researchers who had chosen to stay home during the fatal March expedition. 

Huxel said it was difficult to return, but added that he pursued the research for “the same reasons we got started.” The other three survivors are not yet ready to go back to the site, he said.

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gray Davis has vetoed increases for injured and unemployed workers despite complaints that California’s benefits are among the nation’s lowest. 

Davis said Friday that a bill that would have boosted benefits for workers injured on the job would have been too costly for employers. A measure raising unemployment benefits might bankrupt the state’s unemployment insurance fund, he contended. 

“Bills intended to assist workers — a goal I embrace — must not at the same time overburden businesses, which must succeed in order to provide jobs for those workers,” Davis said. 

Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, said the unemployment fund “has plenty of surplus and could go two years” without an increase in the amounts employers pay into it. 

And Marc Marcus, president of the California Applicants’ Attorneys Association, said the veto of the injured worker bill showed the governor was “out of touch with the financial ruin workers and their families endure following a workplace injury.” 

California ranks 49th among states in its level of benefits for most injured workers; 41 states have higher unemployment benefits. 

One of the vetoed bills, by Sen. Patrick Johnston, D-Stockton, would have raised maximum benefits for workers temporarily off work due to job-related injury from $490 to $651 a week in three annual steps starting next January. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2003, the maximum weekly benefit would have been $651 or one and a half times California’s average weekly wage, whichever was greater. 

The bill also would have boosted benefits for permanent disabilities and for the survivors of workers killed on the job. 

Davis, who vetoed a similar measure last year, said benefits need to be increased, but he contended Johnston’s bill, when fully implemented, would have have boosted employer costs $2.6 billion a year without making enough cost-saving changes in the system. 

“I intend to sign a bill that incorporates reasonable benefit increases and additional system reforms to ensure that California’s system of workers’ compensation operates in a fair and cost-efficient manner,” he said in his veto message. 

But Marcus’ organization, which is made up of attorneys who represent injured workers, said the bill would have boosted employer costs only $1.5 billion a year when fully implemented. 

Marcus said if Davis is waiting for a compromise between groups representing workers and employers before signing a benefit increase “it’s never going to happen.” 

He said his group is considering trying to put a measure on the ballot raising benefits. 

The other bill, by Sen. Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, would have raised maximum weekly unemployment benefits to $300 or half the previous year’s average weekly wage, whichever was greater, starting next January. Currently the maximum payment is $230 a week. 

Davis said the increases would cost the unemployment fund $1.7 billion over the next three fiscal years and put the fund’s solvency at risk unless there was an increase in employer assessments. 

He also suggested that the fact that “California is experiencing the lowest unemployment rate in decades” was another reason for vetoing the bill. 

Pulaski said actual jobless figure may be greater than the 5 percent cited by state officials. 

“According to the state Employment Development Department, there are some 830,000 people who are unemployed,” he said. “The University of California says it could be up to 3 million based on the uncounted. Many of those people, if not most of those people are looking for work.”

UKIAH – It was 1967 and young prosecutor Tim Stoen was sitting in the Mendocino County Courthouse, being quizzed by a roomful of officials for a new job representing the poor. Afterward, one of the interviewers approached him with outstretched hand. 

“Allow me to introduce myself,” said the stranger, “I am Jim Jones.” 

Thirty-three years later, after becoming Jones’ trusted legal adviser turned chief accuser, after losing his 6-year-old son to the cyanide-soaked end of Jonestown, after the long, slow process of putting himself back together, Stoen is back at work as a Mendocino County prosecutor. 

“You can go home again,” he says. 

——— 

The first time Stoen laid eyes on Jones was Good Friday 1966. A year out of Stanford law school, Stoen was walking to his office as a deputy district attorney when he saw about 70 people standing on the courthouse steps protesting the Vietnam War. A staunch conservative, Stoen wasn’t in sympathy. But he was struck by the well-scrubbed, multiracial crowd and by one of its leaders, a heavyset white man. 

On Aug. 8, 1967, Stoen met Jones again, this time inside the courthouse. 

Much had changed. Infused with the spirit of the ’60s, Stoen was ready to quit prosecuting and seek social justice on a grass roots level as a volunteer in San Francisco’s happening Haight-Ashbury District. Friends offered him an alternative, a paying job as director of a federally funded office providing legal services to the poor. 

The job interview was a formality. Stoen met with several county officials he knew and a few he didn’t. On a whim, he answered the conventional, “Tell us about yourself,” with the slightly flip, “I am a theological conservative and a social radical.” 

Afterward, one of the strangers approached. 

“I want to thank you for your courage,” he said. 

The stranger was Jim Jones, the man from the anti-Vietnam march. 

Over the next year, Stoen got to know Jones, who was on the board of directors of the legal aid office, one of his many officials posts. Jones also was foreman of the Mendocino County grand jury and would later be appointed chair of San Francisco’s housing authority. 

“People of stature, people of affairs ... for some reason just gravitated to Jim Jones. There was just an unbelievable chemistry,” Stoen said. 

——— 

Stoen went back to work for Mendocino County from 1970-76 and then took a job with the DA in San Francisco, site of Jones’ new headquarters. 

By that time Stoen had met and married his first wife, Grace, and was the proud father of a son, John Victor. 

He’d also seen Grace leave the Peoples Temple and begin a long, wrenching battle for their son, whom Jones refused to give up, claiming he was the real father. 

In early 1977, Stoen decided to “give Utopia a second chance.” He went to Jonestown, the Guyana compound he had helped Jones plan some years before. 

“Then, I started to see the real Jim Jones,” Stoen says. 

In November 1977, Stoen left Jonestown. He went underground for three months, afraid that open defiance would bring harm to John Victor. Soon, though, he was convinced fighting was the only option — “How could I have lived with myself if I hadn’t?” 

It didn’t work. 

On Nov. 18, 1978, Jones ordered more than 900 of his followers to drink cyanide-poisoned punch. Among the victims, 6-year-old John Victor Stoen. 

A tape recording preserves some of Jones’ last words: “We win when we go down. Tim Stoen has nobody else to hate. Then he’ll destroy himself.” 

——— 

After Nov. 18, 1978, a lot of people had the same question: “How could somebody who was head of special prosecution for a major American city have been the lawyer for a guy who does a Jonestown?” 

Stoen was never charged with any wrongdoing. But in some ways, he still holds himself accountable. 

“People trusted Jim Jones because they trusted me. I have to bear that weight on my shoulder for the rest of my life,” he says. 

For years, Stoen worked in private practice. Then, he started thinking about getting his old job back. 

Most welcomed his return this summer to Ukiah, a small city about 120 miles north of San Francisco. 

A few weren’t so enthusiastic. 

“I don’t want to hound the man. I just don’t feel that he should be in the public employ,” says retired county employee Clif Shepard, who wrote to The Press Democrat in Santa Rosa to express his dismay. 

Assistant District Attorney Myron Sawicki also had reservations at first. 

“In all honesty, he came through with flying colors,” says Sawicki. “It’s time for the people to give it a rest. Yes, he may have used some bad judgment back then, but this was not a question of his basic honesty. He believed the wrong man.” 

“Most people in this community have been so good to me and so kind to me that it is really incredible,” says Stoen. “Those few that don’t, they figure that I knew more than I did. That I was some sort of planner.” 

In some ways, Stoen would rather they believe that than know the truth: “I was a true believer.” 

——— 

These days, Stoen rarely thinks about Jones. 

He has remarried and is keenly involved in his new career pursuing his old goal of social justice through the work-intensive, glamor-free field of fraud prosecutions. 

If there are ghosts in the Mendocino County courthouse, they are friendly ones. 

Stopping in a corridor, Stoen remembers bringing John Victor in his bassinet to night meetings and, later, watching the growing toddler amuse himself by throwing a ball along the polished floor. 

Dominating Stoen’s weathered wooden desk are two framed photographs. One, a black-and-white shot of a laughing blonde woman, is of his second wife. The other is a color shot capturing the brilliant, clear-eyed smile of John Victor, taken the day before his death. 

Against a wall stands a bookcase resplendent with leather-bound copies of the world’s classics. They include a slender volume of Sir Thomas More’s “Utopia.” 

“The question that still remains, to me, is how much of Jones was opportunistic and how much of him was real,” says Stoen. “I would like to say that he was a good man that went bad. I’m not so sure I could say that. I just always see in Jim Jones, from the day that I met him... an opportunist streak.” 

Looking back, Stoen sees himself as “ideologically blind on purpose. I wanted to create a just society and I was tired of all the delays. I was impatient. That was my fatal flaw.” 

“Utopianism is a gilded curse,” he says. “Once you accept the possibility of humankind being made better, of a perfect society coming into existence, then those who are leading it and finding impediments along the way make a very easy step to the point that they say, ’I’m going to force this through because I’m doing it for your own good.’ Utopianism in the long run breeds slavery.”

Multicolor campaign signs have begun sprouting on telephone poles and in front yards, but you really know it’s election season when colorful accusations burst onto the scene. 

That’s what’s happening in the District 3 council race. 

A letter that has sparked the fury of the campaign to re-elect Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, was written by Marcy Li Wong, an applicant who had a project before the Zoning Adjustments Board, of which Shirek opponent James Peterson is a member. The letter targets Peterson. 

Wong, the architect working on a project proposed for 1544 Spruce St., did not return any of the Daily Planet’s six telephone calls. 

In the letter dated Thursday Sept. 28, written to members of the ZAB, Wong references the Spruce Street project, which was up for a vote that night.  

In the letter, Wong first identifies herself as the applicant for the project then states: 

“I was telephoned by ZAB member James Peterson in mid-September, 2000, following the ZAB hearing on this project, which resulted in a continuance pending mediation. He discussed this project and then informed me that he is running for the City Council. He solicited my support and told me that he would send me an envelope for a contribution.” 

In the letter, Wong goes on to say that, on reflection, she felt uncomfortable with Peterson’s request and asks Peterson to recuse himself from voting on the Spruce Street project “even though doing so may hurt my project’s chances for approval.” 

The accusatory tone of the letter angered Peterson, who tells a very different story of his conversation with Wong. 

“I may be black, but I am sophisticated and politically savvy,” he told the Daily Planet. “There is no way in the world I would behave that way. I am also devastated.” 

Peterson explained that he had recommended that the two sides in the dispute over changes to the Spruce Street property go to mediation to work out their differences. Peterson said he called Wong to find out how the mediation had gone. He was concerned that she understand that a neighbor would be heavily impacted by the project, he said. 

He further stated that it was not he who raised the question of his candidacy, but Wong. “She said, ‘Congratulations for running for council,’” he said. Then, Peterson continued, Wong told him she wanted to support him and asked him to send her a campaign contribution envelope.  

“I didn’t solicit the support,” he said, adding that, to date, the $10,000 he was using for his campaign “has come from my own pocket.” 

He added that he would be willing to resign from the board. “I’m devastated,” he said. 

Peterson went on to speculate that someone from the Shirek campaign may have been “forcing” Wong to write the letter. “The question is, is there something else going on here?” 

In response to the question of “force,” Mike Berkowitz, spokesperson for the Shirek campaign, laughed. He said, “more seriously,” that he thought Peterson’s actions could end up in court. 

But City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque said the concern is of a lesser nature. 

“State law prohibits the receipt of over $250 for certain officials,” she said. That would include members of the ZAB. And Berkeley limits campaign contributions to $250, she noted. 

Wong’s contribution was less than $50, Peterson said.  

Albuquerque said the remedy would be for Peterson to recuse himself from the vote on the Spruce Street application. 

Berkowitz, however, said the question was not about the amount of money contributed. 

“It is wrong (for a public official) to solicit money for something while a case is pending,” he said, adding that the state and local fair campaign commissions would be looking into the issue. “The judgment is so questionable,” he said. 

Friday, Sept. 29

Union Demonstration at Lawrence Berkeley Lab 

Noon 

Cyclotron Road (at the top of Hearst Ave.,  

a block above Gayley) 

A rally at the entrance to the lab to protest alleged discriminatory pay patterns that have affected women, people of color, and older employees. 

More info call 841-0700 

Saturday, Sept. 30

Jim Hightower: “Election 2000: a Space Odyssey” 

8 p.m. 

King Middle School 

1781 Rose St. 

Sponsored by KPFA and Global Exchange 

“I am an agitator,” Hightower says. “The agitator is the centerpost in a washing machine that gets the dirt out.” 

$10 in advance/$12 at the door 

848-6767 x609 

Introduction to Permaculture 

1 - 4 p.m.  

Ecology Center  

2530 San Pablo Ave. 

As part of their “Sustainable Living” series, the center presents an afternoon discussion on the urban garden led by Claudia Eve Joseph, director of the East Bay Permaculture Exchange.  

More info: 548-2220 x233 

Tour Mission District Gardens 

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

One of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance for this fall. Tour SF’s Mission District and learn about the role of gardens and open space in community planning. 

Call: 415-255-3233 to make reservations 

Dharma Publishing  

Showroom Tour 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

RSVP: Lunch and volunteers only (1 - 3 p.m.) 

Dharma House 

2910 San Pablo Ave. 

RSVP: Lunch and volunteers only (1 p.m. -3 p.m.) 

See traditional Tibetan book making, sacred art projects, spinning copper prayer wheels and a video of the work Peace Ceremony in Bodhgaya, India.  

More info: 848-4238 

South Berkeley Cultural  

Landscape Walking Tour 

Led by Bill Coburn. 

Contact Berkeley Historical Society, 848-0181 

Sunday, October 1

Return of the Raptors to Marin 

Drivers: 11:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  

Bikers: 10:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Witness the migration of birds of prey over the Marin Headlands. Includes a hawk talk and banding demonstration and lunch at Rodeo Lagoon. Bike from SF or meet at Hawk Hill. Part of Greenbelt Alliance’s series of free outings.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Open Paw Seminar 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

Pauley Ballroom 

UC Berkeley 

Dr. Ian Dunbar, world renowned veterinarian and animal behaviorist presents this free seminar on the prevention and treatment of problem cat and dog behavior. Co-sponsored by the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society and the Berkeley Animal Shelter, the goal is to make animals more adoptable through interaction with trained volunteers. 527-7387 

Celebrate Nigerian  

Independence Day 

5 p.m.  

El Cerrito Veterans  

Memorial Building 

6401 Stockton Ave.  

El Cerrito 

International treats, Nigerian music, dance and live entertainment, including a West African dance and drum performance by students from Malcolm X Elementary School. 234-5333 

Berkeley City Championship Golf Tournament 

11 a.m. registration 

1 p.m. shotgun start 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

This tournament will determine the city champion. The tournament is open to Berkeley residents, people who work or go to school in Berkeley only. 

Contact Michael Clark, 841-0972 

Sunday Worship Celebration 

11 a.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Monday, Oct. 2

“2nd annual Berkeley City Championship” 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Entries accepted August 1. Entry Fee includes gift, cart and Awards Dinner. Proceeds benefit local organizations and projects. This event determines Berkeley City Champion and Seven other Flight Winners. $115 Entry Fee. 841-0972 

“Clean Lies, Dirty War” 

7:30 p.m. 

Unitarian Fellowship  

1924 Cedar 

This event is part of a national campaign to end sanctions on Iraq. Also, a film “Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq” starting at 6 p.m.  

(510) 528-5403 

— compiled by Chason  

Wainwright 

Magnetic Massage from Japan 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call Maggie or Suzanne at 644-6107 

Landmarks Preservation Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Discussion of the city’s hiring an archeologist to study the possible mound remnants in the streets. 

Peace & Justice Commission 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-6880 

Youth Commission 

6 p.m.  

MLK Jr. Youth Center 

1730 Oregon St.  

Topics to be discussed include the Berkeley High School Security Camera issue and the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Communication Youth Employment Funding. 

644-6226 

Personnel Board Meeting 

7 p.m. 

Permit Center  

2118 Milvia St.  

644-6951 

Tuesday, Oct. 3 

Taxi Scrip Community Meeting 

1 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Info: 644-6107 

“Comfort Baking for Brunch and Breakfast” 

6:30 p.m.  

Sur La Table 

1806 Fourth St.  

Pastry chef Letty Halloran Flatt will present favorite recipes from her book “Chocolate Snowball and other Fabulous Pastries from Deer Valley Bakery.” 

$40  

Call Michael O’Neill at Sur La Table, 849-2252 

Defending the Americans with Disabilities Act 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Pauley Ballroom West 

Third Floor 

MLK Jr. Student Union 

UC Berkeley 

Coinciding with the March for Justice in Washington DC to defend the Americans with Disabilities Act against constitutional challenges posed in the Trustees of the University of Alabama vs. Garrett case, soon to be heard before the US Supreme Court, this event will feature prominent disability studies and legal scholars discussing the issues surrounding the case. Free, but seating is limited to 500 attendees.  

Call Daniel Davis, 664-3216 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets. 

Wednesday, Oct. 4

“An Evening With Jane Goodall” 

7 p.m. A slide show and lecture by the world-renowned chimpanzee research scientist, conservationist and humanitarian.$16 general; $12 students. Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley. (925) 935-1978 or www.wildlife-museum.org 

Prayer Gathering 

6:30 p.m. 

East Bay Community Church - Berkeley 

1798 Scenic Ave. 

849-8280 

Board of Education Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Old City Hall, Council Chambers 

Second Floor 

2134 MLK Jr. Way 

Contact Dr. Jack McLaughlin, 644-6147 

Citizens Budget Review Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Task Force on Telecommunications 

7 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Contact Phil Kamalarz, 644-6480 

Fire Safety Board Commission 

7:30 p.m.  

Fire Training Division 

997 Cedar St.  

644-6665 

Thursday, Oct. 5

3rd annual Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Association Golf Tournament 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. Entry Fee includes cart range balls and Award Luncheon. Proceeds benefit Berkeley Black Police Officers’ Scholarship Fund. 

$99 Entry Fee 

644-6554 

New Role for the UN in the New Century 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion with Rosemary van der Laan, President of the Board of Directors of the UN Association of the United States, about globalization and it’s impacts on the economic, social and political lives of the world.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Capoeira Arts Cafe & Company Perform  

Noon 

BART plaza, Downtown  

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

A Brazilian extravaganza of Samba, Capoeira and more. Free. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

2118 Milvia St., Second Floor 

Conference Room 

Contact Nabil Al-Hadithy, 705-8155 

Public Works Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

665-3440 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Contact Oscar Sung, 665-3469 

Friday, Oct. 6

Opera: Marriage of Figaro & Schubert Songs 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

More info contact Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Circle Dancing 

7:45 p.m. - 10 p.m. 

Finnish Brotherhood Hall 

1970 Chestnut St. 

Beginners welcome; no partners needed.  

Call John Bear, 528-4253 

“Stocks, Bonds, and the Future” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Dennis Quan, Account Executive at Morgan, Stanley, Dean Witter speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11  

For info and reservations, 848-3533 

Sustainable Business Alliance Networking Lunch 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. 

Saffron Caffe 

2813 Seventh St. 

The purpose of this lunch is to network with other businesses interested in sustainable business practices. The lunch is open to non-members.  

Call Terry O’Keefe, 451-4000 

Saturday, Oct. 7

Berkeley Grassroots Greening Tour 

Starts at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. 

Celebrate Open Garden Day by joining this annual bicycle tour of local community and school gardens. Part of a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

Houses or Open Hills? 

10 a.m.  

Experience Black Diamond Mines Regional Park’s ghost towns, coal mines, spectacular views and open space on this hike by the proposed sites of 7,700 homes near Antioch. Cosponsored by Save Mount Diablo. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

“Redesigning Retirement”  

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  

UC Berkeley (call for exact location) 

The UC Berkeley Retirement Center and the Academic Geriatric Resource Program will present retirement as a time of great potential. Participants will take part in interactive workshops dealing with the impact of technology on retirement; community involvement of older adults, among other topics. Prominent experts in the field of aging and retirement will take part in “ask the experts” sessions.  

$25. No on-site registration. Register by September 25. 

Contact: Shelly Glazer at 642-5461 

Harwood Creek Cleanup 

9 a.m. - Noon 

John Muir School  

2955 Claremont Ave. 

Help clean up and restore the creek that runs through John Muir school. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, chippers/shredders, tools and pick-up trucks. 

Women’s Evening At the Movies 

7:30 p.m. 

Pacific Center 

2712 Telegraph 

A monthly night at the movies for lesbian, bi and transexual women. This months featured film is “Fried Green Tomatoes.” 

$5 donation requested 

Call 548-8283  

Free Estate Planning Seminar 

9:30 a.m. - Noon 

St. Ambrose Church 

1145 Gilman St. (at Cornell Ave.) 

Call Catholic Charities of the East Bay, 768-3109 

Sunday, Oct. 8

Surmounting Sunol Peaks  

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.  

Learn about local geology while enjoying the panoramic views from three Sunol peaks. One outing in a free series organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Cal Alumni Singles 20th Anniversary Dinner 

UC Faculty Club 

Dinner scheduled for Oct. 15 

For reservations call 527-2709 by Oct. 10 

Kenya, 40 Years Ago and Today 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Call 644-6107 for more info  

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Are Domed Cities in the future? 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom  

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion based on UC Berkeley alumnus Tim Holt’s book, “On Higher Ground.” Set 50 years in the future, part of the book takes place in an East Bay enclosed by a climate-controlled dome.  

$3 admission  

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Tenant-Landlord Problems? 

12:30 - 2 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Bring your concerns about repairs, harrassment and housing rights.  

Call 644-6107 

Thursday, Oct. 12

East Timor: The Road to Independence 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave. 

A discussion of events leading up to the creation of the newest nation of the millennium and issues raised on the road to independence.  

$3 admission 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Meeting Life Changes 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

With John Hammerman.  

For info: 644-6107 

Sterling Trio 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing a variety of chamber music. 

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 13

“The Evolution and Cost of Ethical Drugs” 

11:45 a.m.  

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Stanford D. Splitter, retired MD speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

Call for reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 14

Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow & Indian Market 

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Entry 1 p.m.  

Enjoy Native American foods, arts & crafts, drumming, singing and many types of native dancing. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley, this event is free.  

Civic Center Park 

Allston Way at MLK Jr. Way 

Info: 615-0603 

Traffic Calming Workshop 

1 - 4 p.m.  

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Sunday, Oct. 15

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Los Gatos Opera House 

Celebrate the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. This benefit features a variety of musical groups, local artists and samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries and microbreweries. Proceeds benefit Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person; $80 for this event and the Oct. 22 event in SF 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

Monday, Oct. 16

Private Elementary School Parent Information Panel 

7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St.  

A panel of parents from six area private schools discuss the admission process and their experiences. Sponsored by the Neighborhood Parents Network 

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

Call 527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Is the West Berkeley Shellmound a landmark? 

7 p.m.  

City Council Chambers 

2134 MLK Jr. Way, 2nd floor 

Continued and final public hearing on the appeals against landmark designation of the West Berkeley Shellmound. The City Council may possibly make it’s decision at this meeting. 

Landscape Archeology and Space-Age Technologies in Epirus, Greece 

8 p.m.  

370 Dwinelle Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Professor of Archeology, Art History and Classics Dr. James Wiseman presents a slide-illustrated lecture. 

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Traffic Calming Workshop 

7 - 10 p.m. 

St. Clements Church 

2837 Clement Blvd.  

Help to achieve reasonable traffic speeds and volume on local streets.  

Thursday, Oct. 19

The Promise and Perils of Transgenic Crops 

7:30 - 9 p.m.  

International House, Homeroom 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

A discussion with Dr. Peggy Lemaux, professor of Plant and Microbiology at UC Berekeley, of the scientific basis for biotechnology, it’s risks and benefits. 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Rafael Mariquez Free Solo Concert 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Public Library, South Branch 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This Chilean folksinger and guitarist presents his original settings of selections by Latin American poets. 

Contact: 644-6860; TDD 548-1240 

Vocal Sauce 

Noon 

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Shattuck Ave. at Center St. 

The JazzSchool’s vocal jazz ensemble perform award-winning arrangements by Greg Murai.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 20

“The Ballot Issues” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave.  

Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  

Luncheon: $11 

Call 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 21

A Day on Mt. Tam 

9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Come play and hike in San Francisco’s beloved playground. This outing is part of a series of free fall outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance. 

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations 

AHIMSA Eight Annual Conference 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

International House, Great Hall 

UC Berkeley 

2299 Piedmont Ave.  

The AHIMSA is a nonprofit foundation whose goal is to encourage dialogues and public forums which bridge spiritual, scientific and social issues. This years conference is titled “Science, Spirituality and Nonviolence.”  

Admission is free 

Contact Maribel Guillermo, 642-9460 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Center St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Taste a whole farmers’ market’s bounty of fall fruit varieties. 

Free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Sunday, Oct. 22

A Taste of the Greenbelt 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Presidio’s Golden Gate Club 

Greenbelt Alliance brings the farm to the city in this celebration of the Bay Area’s agricultural and culinary bounty. Featured are samples from over 40 local restaurants, farmers, wineries, microbreweries. Also featured are live music and local artwork. The event benefits Greenbelt Alliance’s ongoing efforts to protect Bay Area farmlands and open space.  

$45 per person 

1-800-543-GREEN, www.greenbelt.org 

An Evening with Alice Walker 

7:30 p.m.  

King Middle School  

1781 Rose St. (at Grant) 

free parking 

Join internationally loved novelist, poet and essayist Alice Walker in celebrating her new book of autobiographical stories, “The Way Forward is With a Broken Heart.” Benefits Berkeley EcoHouse and KPFA Radio, 94.1 FM.  

Tickets: $10 advance, $13 door 

Tickets available at independent bookstores 

More info: 848-6767 x609 

Take a Trip to the Oakland Ballet 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

This is an outing organized by the Senior Center to see “Glass Slippers.”  

Tickets: $6 each 

Call Maggie or Suzanne, 644-6107 

Monday, Oct. 23

Berkeley Chinese Community Church Turns 100 

6 p.m. 

Nov. 4 

Silver Dragon Restaurant 

835 Webster St. 

Oakland 

Reservations: $30 per person 

More info: 548-5295 

Public Schools Parent Information Night 

7 - 9 p.m.  

Epworth United Methodist Church 

1953 Hopkins St. 

Parents, principals and other administrative staff from 11 elementary schools will speak about their schools. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network.  

Admission: free to members, $5 non-members 

527-6667 

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Fall Fruit Tastings 

2 p.m. - 7 p.m.  

Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way 

Come taste a bounty of fall fruit varieties for free. 

Info: 548-3333 

Thursday, Oct. 26

East Bay Science & Arts Middle School 

Noon  

BART Plaza, Downtown 

Middle school students perform dances of folk, swing, and Cuban rueda styles. Free.  

Contact Carrie Ridgeway, 549-2230 

Friday, Oct. 27

“Transporation: What’s in Store?” 

11:45 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club  

2315 Durant Ave.  

Larry Dahms, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Council speaks at 12:30 p.m. Luncheon is served at 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. 

Luncheon: $11 

More info and reservations: 848-3533 

Saturday, Oct. 28

Pedaling the Green City 

11 a.m. -3:30 p.m.  

Take a leisurely bike ride along the future San Francisco Bay Trail. One in a series of free outings organized by Greenbelt Alliance.  

Call: 415-255-3233 for reservations  

lic and students are invited. Sign-ups for the open mike begin at 2 p.m. 

234-0727;642-5168 

Tuesday and Thursday 

Free computer class for seniors 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Compiled by Chason Wainwright 

Letter obsessed using usual tactics 

Editor: 

Richard Register’s declaration, “I am not a rabbit” (Letters, Sept. 22) will someday sound as hollow as Richard Nixon’s similar post-Watergate protestation, “I am not a crook.” 

Mr. Register is indulging in his usual obsessions (jamming 15-story buildings into Berkeley’s slim downtown) and his usual tactics (viciously attacking anyone who won’t follow him into his looking-glass world – which is pretty much everyone).  

His target this time was Carrie Olson, a fine City Council candidate in District 5. Ms. Olson simply proposes to defend our downtown’s existing, well-thought-out zoning against Mr. Register’s wild schemes, which have no basis in reality and no constituency in Berkeley. 

A day earlier, Mr. Register – or the out-of-town developers for whom he fronts – rented most of a Daily Planet page to attack two wonderful sitting Council members, plus one of the city’s most distinguished volunteer commissioners. 

As for the commissioner, Mr. Register has been crying “Off with his head!” for years, but still can’t even spell his name correctly – let alone understand his wisdom. 

Mr. Register should stop assailing good people, and get back in touch with his inner rabbit. It is time he recognized that Berkeley’s future does not lie upward, in some hubristic Gotham City of shadowy, phallic spires.  

Instead, we Deep Ecologists affirm that it lies downward: in high-density underground housing projects nestled snugly in Mother Earth’s womb.  

To paraphrase another Nixonism: Someday, Mr. Register, we shall all be rabbits. Go ask Alice. 

Morlock Chaillot 

Facilitator, Deep Ecologists’ Gaian Alliance 

Berkeley 

More southside housing would improve area 

Editor: 

The future of Berkeley’s Southside is at a critical point. The response we take today to the draft Southside Plan will determine whether the collaborative efforts of numerous neighborhood groups and the city are ever realized.  

The drafted Southside Plan discussed at the last Planning Commission meeting is the winning outcome of a collaborative working group process among neighborhood groups and the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Huge amounts of time and effort by students and neighbors improved the Southside Plan from the original draft.  

The result: a consensus that the Southside needs more housing (permanently affordable and market rate) in order to improve safety, congestion, vibrancy, and diversity.  

It would be a waste if this plan does not result in the desired outcomes due to delays within the Planning Commission, barriers in the review process, and ambiguous loophole language. 

Next week’s “Transportation, Housing and the Environment” Election Forum for Berkeley City Council Candidates provides Berkeley residents with another opportunity to ensure that this successful planning effort is actually implemented.  

This forum will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Berkeley Community Media. How will City Council candidates ensure that the spirit of the Southside Plan is manifest in the physical environment, rather than languishing on paper? 

All the groups that effectively worked together to build a consensus around the draft Southside Plan hope not to allow vague language and ambiguous definitions to nullify Berkeley’s collaborative vision for the Southside. 

Rachel Hiatt 

Students for a Livable Southside 

Berkeley 

Ebony Museum of Arts 

The museum specializes in the art and history of Africa.  

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.  

30 Jack London Village, Suite 209. (510) 763-0745. 

Habitot Children’s Museum 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

“Back to the Farm.”  

Ongoing 

An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more.  

Cost: $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under.  

Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

647-1111 or www.habitot.org 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St.  

549-6950 

Free 

Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season” 

Through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical. Highlights include treasures from Jewish ceremonial and folk art, rare books and manuscripts, contemporary and traditional fine art, video, photography and cultural kitsch. 

“Spring and Summer.”  

Through Nov. 4. 

UC Berkeley Art Museum 

2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley 

Wednesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Open Thursdays til 9 p.m.  

“Hans Hoffmann”  

An exhibit of paintings by Hoffmann which emphasizes two experimental methods the artist employed: the introduction of slabs or rectangles of highly saturated colors and the use of large areas of black paint juxtaposed with intense oranges, greens and yellows. 

Oct. 11 - Jan. 16, 2001: Amazons in the Drawing Room: The Art of Romaine Brooks.  

The Asian Galleries  

“Art of the Sung: Court and Monastery,” open-ended.  

A display of early Chinese works from the permanent collection.  

“Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes: The First 3,000 Years,” open-ended. 

“Works on Extended Loan from Warren King,” open-ended. 

“Three Towers of Han,” open-ended. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students age 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

642-0808. 

UC Berkeley Museum of  

Paleontology 

Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley 

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing.  

A 20-foot tall, 40-foot long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. 

“Pteranodon”  

A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. 

California Fossils Exhibit, ongoing. An exhibit of some of the fossils which have been excavated in California. 

Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

642-1821. 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst  

Museum of Anthropology 

Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College  

Avenue, Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29.  

This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles.  

“Approaching a Century of Anthropology: The Phoebe Hearst Museum,” open-ended.  

This new permanent installation will introduce visitors to major topics in the museum’s history, including the role of Phoebe Apperson Hearst as the museum’s patron, as well as the relationship of anthropologists Alfred Kroeber and Robert Lowie to the museum. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” ongoing. 

This exhibit documents the culture of the Yahi Indians of California as described and demonstrated from 1911 to 1916 by Ishi, the last surviving member of the tribe. 

$2 general; $1 seniors; $.50 children age 17 and under; free on Thursdays. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

643-7648 

Mills College Art Museum 

5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland 

“The 100 Languages of Children,” through October.  

An exhibit of art by children from Reggio Emilia, Italy. At Carnegie Building Bender Room. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 

430-2164 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

“Math Rules!” Ongoing. A math exhibit of hands-on problem-solving stations, each with a different mathematical challenge. 

“Within the Human Brain” Ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning  

experiments. 

“Saturday Night Stargazing” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza.  

Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

$7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4 

642-5132 

Holt Planetarium  

Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. 

“Moons of the Solar System,” through Dec. 10. Take a tour of the fascinating worlds that orbit Earth and other planets out to the edge of the Solar System.  

“Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18;  

$3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Centennial Drive, University of California,  

Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

The Oakland Museum of  

California 

1000 Oak St., Oakland 

“Helen Nestor: Personal and Political” Through Oct. 15.  

An exhibit of images documenting the Free Speech Movement, the 60s civil rights marches, and women’s issues. 

“California Classic: Realist Paintings by Robert Bechtle” through Oct. 1.  

An exhibit of 18 paintings and drawings by the Bay Area artist dating from 1965 to 1997. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students; free children age 5 and under; second Sundays are free to all. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; first Friday of the month, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

(888) OAK-MUSE or www.museumca.org. 

Lizabeth Oliveria Gallery 

942 Clay St., Oakland 

625-1350 

www.lizabetholiveria.com 

Tuesday- Saturday  

10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.. 

Franklin Williams exhibit through Sept. 30 

TRAX Gallery 

1306 3rd. St., Berkeley 

Mary Law “Altered Ceramic Pots”  

through Oct. 21 

For more information or to sign up for the workshop call 526-0279 or e-mail to cone5@aol.com 

Music 

Downtown Berkeley Association 

Lunchtime Concert Series 

Every Thursday through October 

noon - 1p.m. 

Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza 

1 hour free parking available in Center Street Garage 

Oct. 5: Brazilian music players Capoeira Arts Cafe & Company 

Oct. 12: Members of the Berkeley Symphony performing chamber music 

Oct. 19: Jazzschool’s vocal jazz ensemble Vocal Sauce 

Oct. 26: East Bay Science & Arts Middle School will perform folk, swing and Cuban rueda dances 

Albatross Pub 

1822 San Pablo Ave.  

843-2473 

Oct. 4: Whiskey Brothers, 9 p.m. 

Oct. 5: Keni “El Lebrijano,” 9 p.m. 

Oct. 10: Mad & eddie Duran Jazz Duo, 9 p.m. 

Oct. 12: Keni “El Lebrijano,” 9 p.m. 

Oct. 14: pick Pocket ensemble, 9 p.m. 

Ashkenaz 

1317 San Pablo Ave.  

525-5099 

For all ages 

www.ashkenaz.com 

Sept. 28:Benefit for Bay Area Arts Collective. Features the Hip Hop group Nameless and Faceless $5, 9 p.m. 

Sept. 29: Box Set (Folk Rock), Legion of Mary (Psychedelic Rock) $11, 9p.m. 

Sept. 30: Soukous Stars (African Rumba) $11, 9:30 p.m. 

525-5099 

Oct. 3, 9 p.m., Dan, Tom and Mary, $8. 

Oct. 4, 8 p.m., Nigerian Bros. and DJ Henri-Pierre Koubaka, $10. 

Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., Laura Allan Band, $5. 

Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m., Clan Dyken and Diane Patterson, Leonard Benalley, $9. 

Oct. 7, 9:30 p.m. ,West African Highlife Band, $11. 

Oct. 8, 9 p.m. ,Sekouba Bambino Diabate, $10. 

924 Gilman St. 

924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, member-run no alcohol, drugs, and violence club. Most shows are $5. Memberships for the year are $2. Shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.  

Sept. 29: The Hellbillies, Subincision, Fracas, Union of the Dead, Monster Squad 

Sept. 30: Yaphet Koto, Pitch Black, Phantom Limbs, Sangre Amado 

Call 525-9926.  

Yoshi’s 

Oct. 2. Christian McBride Band, $16. 

Oct. 3 through Oct. 8, An Evening with Branford Marsalis, $26 to $30 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child. 

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200 or  

(510) 762-BASS. 

The Jazzschool 

2375 Shattuck Ave. 

Oct. 1, 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., Kai Eckhardt, Fareed Haque, Alan Hertz and Kit Walker.  

Oct. 8, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Bobbe Norris and Larry Dunlap present a vocal workshop, “Making the Song Your Own.” The workshop is $30 for Jazzschool students and $40 for others. 4:30 p.m., Norris and Dunlap perform. 8:00 p.m., Peck Allmond Group featuring Kenny Wollesen CD release performance.  

Oct. 15, 4:30 p.m., Mark Levine and The Latin Tinge.  

$12; $10 students/seniors; $6 for Jazzschool students and children under 13 

Reservations: (510) 845-5373. 

Deborah Voigt 

The Grammy award-winning soprano performs the music of Strauss, Wagner, Schoenberg and others. Voigt has appeared with leading opera companies including the San Francisco Opera and has sung opposite such artists as Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.  

Oct. 15, 3 p.m.  

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus, Bancroft Avenue at Telegraph.  

$28 - $48  

642-9988 

Jupiter 

2181 Shattuck Ave. 

(510) THE-ROCK 

All acts play at 8 p.m. 

Sept. 29 : Squelch 

Sept. 30 : Noe Venable & the Ruiners  

Eli’s Mile High Club 

3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland 

(510) 655-6661 

Doors open at 8 p.m. 

Sept. 29 : J.L. Stiles 

Sept. 30, J.J. Malone 

Oct. 6, Henry Clement  

Yoshi’s 

Sept. 27 through Oct. 1, The James Carter Electric Project, $16 to $20 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child.Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200 or (510) 762-BASS. 

Magnificat 

Sept. 30, 8 p.m. “The Song of Songs” includes works  

by Palestrina, Monteverdi, Grandi, Mazzocchi; $18 seniors; $12 students. First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant Streets, Berkeley. (415) 979-4500. 

Hausmusik 

Early Music at St. Alban’s 

“Musique de Table”: An evening of chamber music by composer Georg Philip Telemann along with food and historical readings about food. 

$17 general; $14 students/seniors. Advanced reservations recommended.  

Oct. 7, 8 p.m. Parish Hall, St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. (510) 527-9029.  

Films 

University of California,  

Berkeley Art Museum 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way 

642-1412 

“Treasures from the George Eastman House” 

Various programs and a 16-film salute to little-known actresses. 

“Neo-Eiga: New Japanese Cinema” 

Oct. 7, 7 p.m. : “Wildlife” (1997), directed by Shinji Aoyama, US premiere; 9 p.m. : “Timeless Melody” (1999), directed by hiroshi Okuhara, US premiere 

Oct. 14, 7 p.m. : “Nabbie’s Love (1999), directed by Yuji Nakae, West Coast premiere; 8:55 p.m. : “Gemini” (1999), directed by Shinya Tsukamoto, Bay Area premiere.  

$7 for one film; $8.50 for double bills. UC Berkeley students are $4/$5.50. Seniors and children are $4.50/6.00  

Theater 

“Uttar-Priyadarshi (The Final Beatitude)” 

Oct. 7 and Oct. 8.  

The Chorus Repertory Theater presents an epic play exploring war, personal accountability, and public power using a mixture of text, music and elaborate theatrical design.  

$24 to $48.  

Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.  

Zellerbach Hall,  

University of California, Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley.  

(510) 642-9988. 

“The Green Bird”  

by Carlo Gozzi 

Berkeley Repertory Theatre 

2025 Addison St. 

Adapted by Theatre de la Jeune Lune and directed by Dominique Serrand.  

“The Green Bird” runs through Oct. 27. For tickets contact the box office at 845-4700 

“The Philanderer”  

by George Bernard Shaw 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Performed by the Aurora Theatre company, “The Philanderer” takes on the challenging and often humorous exploration of gender roles and the separations that exist between the sexes. 

Tickets for preview showings are sold at $26. Showtimes run Wednesday through Saturday through October 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees show at 2 p.m., plus selected Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Admission for regular performances is $30. Student discounts are available. For tickets and information call 843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org. 

“MIMZABIM!” 

Climate Theatre & Subterranean Shakespeare 

La Vals Subterraniean  

1834 Euclid 

Through Oct. 14 

Thursday - Saturday, 8:00 p.m. 

$12, Students $8 

“Fanny at Chez Panisse” 

Julie Morgan Theatre 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley 

Musical based on the book with opening proceeds going to the Verde Partnership Garden in Richmond. 

Through Oct. 29 

Runs Wednesday - Sunday, 7 p.m.  

$26 - 34  

1-888-FANNY06 

“Moonlight”  

by Harold Pinter 

A Last Planet Theatre production 

Potrero Hill Playhouse 

953 De Haro 

San Francisco 

Pinter’s most recent play features a man named Andy who is dying and his wife, Bel, who can’t get their two sons to pay them a visit. A story of infidelity, sibling rivalry, marital combat and moonlight and memory.  

Runs Thursday - Saturday, Oct. 5 (preview) through Oct. 28. All shows at 8:30 p.m. No show Oct. 26.  

$20 opening night, $10-15 regular run, $5 preview 

More info and tickets: 845-2687 

Exhibits 

Traywick Gallery 

1316 Tenth St.  

527-1214 

Charles LaBelle 

Through Oct. 15 

LaBelle’s new series of large-scale color photographs highlight nighttime nature in Hollywood. He recreates trees at night using a hand-held spotlight and playing on the beam across the leaves and branches. The opening reception will be held on September 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.  

Blue Vinyl by Connie Walsh  

Through Oct. 15 

This multimedia project combines video, sound and printmaking to explore concepts of intimacy and its relation to private space.  

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11-6 p.m. and Sundays 12-5 p.m. 

A.C.C.I. Gallery  

“Paperworks,” through Oct. 7.  

A group exhibit of works by Carol Brighton, Vannie Keightley, Jean Hearst. 

Opening Reception, Sept. 1, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527 

Berkeley Art Center 

“Ethnic Notions: Black Images in the White Mind,''  

Through Nov. 12. An exhibit by Janette Faulkner exploring racial stereotypes in commercial imagery. Free. Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Live Oak Park, 1275 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 644-6893 

California College of Arts and Crafts  

Free. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Oliver Art Center, 5212 Broadway, Oakland. 594-3712 

Chi Gallery  

“Alegres Cantos en Mi Ser (Songs of Joy in My Being)” through Sept. 30.  

An exhibit of paintings depicting scenes of Afro-cuban music, by Susan Mathews. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. 912-A Clay St., Oakland. (510) 832-4244. 

!hey! Gallery 

Lori Now and Michael Pollice display recent paintings through Oct. 14. Reception Oct. 7, 7 - 9 p.m. with cellist Diane Pauson and vocalist Elisheva Herrera.  

Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 4920-b, Telegraph, Oakland. Call Richelle Valenzuela at (510) 428-2349. 

Berkeley Historical Society  

“Berkeley’s Ethnic Heritage” through March 2000. An overview of the rich cultural diversity of the city and the contribution of individuals and minority groups to it’s history and development.  

Thursday through Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m. Admission free.  

1931 Center St.  

Call 848-0181 

Lizabeth Oliveria Gallery 

Paintings by Timothy Buckwalter, Hilary Harkness, and Jerry W. King, Oct. 3 through Oct. 28. Artist reception Oct. 7, 7 - 9 p.m. 

Gallery hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.  

942 Clay St., Oakland. Call 625-1830 for more info.  

Readings 

Rhyme & Reason Poetry Series 

Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant 

Second and fourth Sundays of each month. For open reading following featured readers, sign up at 2 p.m., readings begin at 2:30 p.m. 

Rhyme and Reason Poetry Series 

Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive 

2621 Durant Ave. 

2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. 

Includes featured readers and open mike poetry. Free 

2 p.m. sign-up. Program runs from 2:30 - 4 p.m. 

Oct. 15: Professor Ron Loewinsohn (Morrison Room, UC Main Library) 

Oct. 29: Fernando Brito, Lara Dale 

234-0727 

Holloway Poetry Reading Series 

8p.m., Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall 

For more information call 653-2439 

Oct. 10: Susan Stewart and Chris Chew, books include “The Hive” and “Yellow Stars”  

Nov. 1: John Yau and Garrett Caples, books include “Forbidden Entries” and “My Symptoms” 

Nov. 7: Marie Howe and Brian Glaser, “The Good Thief” and “What the Living Do” 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley 

2066 University Ave.  

548-2350 

October 1, 3 p.m., Lawson Fusao Inada and Patricia Wakida duscuss with a slide presentation, the new Japanese American anthology “Only What We Could Carry: The Japanese American Internment Experience” 

Oct. 7, 7p.m., Kimi Kodani Hill presents with art slides from her grandfather. “Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art on Internment” 

Lunch Poems: A Noontime Poetry Reading Series 

Morrison Room, Doe Library 

UC Berkeley 

12:10 - 12:50 p.m.  

Call 642-0137 

Under the direction of Professor Robert Hass, this is a series of events on the first Thursday of each month. Free.  

Oct. 5: Elizabeth Alexander, Nov. 2: Goh Poh Seng  

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National  

Laboratory 

Scientists and engineers guide visitors through the research areas of the laboratory, demonstrating emerging technology and discussing the research’s current and potential applications. A Berkeley lab tour usually lasts two hours and includes visits to several research areas. Popular tour sites include the Advanced Light Source, The National Center for Electron Microscopy, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, The Advanced Lighting Laboratory, and The Human Genome Laboratory. Reservations required at least two weeks in advance of tour. 

Free. University of California, Berkeley. 

486-4387 

Bernard Maybeck Weekend 

Oct. 14 & 15 

Sponsored by the California Preservation Foundation celebrates the buildings of the renowned architect. Saturday features a slide lecture at Swedenborgian church with historian Gray Brechin and a private tour of the Palace of Fine Arts. Sunday will focus on Berkeley, where Maybeck built most of his homes and raised his family. The tour will include six private residences and the First Church of Christ, Scientist. The weekend will end with a reception at the Chick House in the Oakland hills.  

More info call California Preservation Foundation: 763-0972. 

Berkeley City Club Tours 

Guided tours through Berkeley’s City Club, a landmark building designed by architect Julia Morgan, designer of Hearst Castle. 

$2. The fourth Sunday of every month except December, between noon to 4 p.m.  

2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. 

848-7800 

Golden Gate Live Steamers 

Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size, run along a half mile of track in Tilden Regional Park. The small trains are owned and maintained by a non-profit group of railroad buffs who offer rides.  

Free. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley.  

486-0623  

Oakland Historic walking tours 

Runs through October.  

The tours cover downtown Oakland and its historic waterfront. All tours begin promptly at 10 a.m. and last between an hour and an hour and a half.  

Free. Call for reservations. Oakland. (510) 238-3234. 

Tilden Regional Park  

Sept. 30, 2 p.m. “Autumn Leaf Prints,” Bring a plain T-shirt to make a colorful memory of autumn. For age 5 and older. $2. 

University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden 

The gardens have displays of exotic and native plants. 

Botanical Garden Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Tour Orientation Center for a free docent tour. $3 general; $2 seniors; $1 children; free on Thursday. Daily, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Botanical Garden, Centennial Drive, behind Memorial Stadium, a mile below the Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley. (510) 643-2755 or www.mip.berkeley.edu/garden/ 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tours 

Sept. 30 - South Berkely Cultural Landscape led by Bill Coburn 

Oct. 15 - The 1923 North Berkeley Fire Line led by Phil Gale 

Oct. 22 - University Avenue Indian Business Community led by Kirpal & Neelum Khanna 

Nov. 5 - What’s Happening Downtown? led by Debbie Badhia 

More info call 848-0181 

Dance 

Yoshi’s 

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200 or  

(510) 762-BASS 

The Berkeley High women’s water polo team lost 9-6 to DeAnza in what amounted to a scrimmage Thursday afternoon. 

The match was supposed to be the team’s first league game, but there was a shortage of qualified referees for the day and the league canceled the game. But DeAnza coach Randy Sorenson decided to bring his team to the Willard Middle School pool for the match anyway, and the teams engaged in a spirited game that Berkeley never led. 

The match started off slowly, as the teams each scored a goal in the first period. DeAnza’s defense cut off the Berkeley attack on several occasions, and the Dons’ pressure and constant fouling caused the Yellowjackets to repeatedly let the shot clock run out before getting off a shot. Despite having only two substitutes, the Dons beat their opponents to almost every loose ball, and were much faster in transition than the Yellowjackets. 

On defense, the Yellowjackets chose to lay off of DeAnza’s outside players, giving them clear shooting lanes, and goalie Amy Degenkolb was forced to make several diving saves to keep the score tied. DeAnza finally broke though in the second period, scoring four goals while allowing only one, breaking out to a 5-2 lead. Rasham Nassar was the key player for the Dons, as she controlled the offense from the outside and scored three goals in the period, including a breakaway with just seconds remaining in the half. 

The Yellowjackets looked strong coming out for the second half, and quickly scored a goal to cut the DeAnza lead to two. But the offense stalled again as they struggled to get the ball inside. DeAnza again scored at the end of the period, this time on a long shot by Kristen Cassady, and the Yellowjackets were facing a 6-3 deficit heading into the final period. 

The ‘Jackets again roared out of the gate to start the period, as Cody Keffer scored two quick goals. But with just three minutes remaining, Berkeley fell apart, allowing three goals in less than two minutes, including another breakaway for Nassar. It was her fifth goal of the match, and ended any comeback hopes for the home side. Berkeley was able to pull out one more goal before the end of the match, but ended up on the losing end of the stick. 

With the match not counting in the league standings, the Yellowjackets will kick off their league season next Thursday against Pinole Valley at 4:30 p.m. The ‘Jackets are 2-1 this season.

“Institutional expansion” or “livable neighborhood”? 

Call it a scratched LP, or a hip hop sample. It’s the same old noise in the decades-long battle for southside land use between the university and the city.  

Today’s focal point is the pavilions – or “cafeterias,” depending on whom you ask – of UC Berkeley’s Units 1 and 2.  

The massive dormitory towers were designed by renown architects John Carl Warnecke and Lawrence Halprin, and advocates claim that they “express the functionalism and the playfulness of the modern era (of American architecture).”  

One resident of Unit 1, on the other hand, who asked not to be named, said she felt that the Units are “ugly, and look like housing projects.” 

Either way, the eating centers of both units are scheduled to be ripped out to make way for more parking lots and more housing – part of the university’s “Underhill plan” to redevelop the lot between Dwight Way and Haste Street, College Avenue and Bowditch Street. With housing shortages already acute, and state demands calling for campus expansions, whatever history remains could soon be carted to the Berkeley land fill as rubble. 

That sets the stage for a showdown between the city and the university. The Berkeley Landmarks Commission designated the “pavilions” as city landmarks at their Sept. 11 meeting by a vote of 7-0 with two abstentions. 

“The commission was very careful to mention that the primary features of the landmark is landscaping and grounds. No one said that the buildings themselves were knockouts,” said Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Robert Kehlman. 

“Given the density of the area, the tree shading and the terracing make it a magical area to walk in,” added Kehlman. 

Such aesthetic considerations, however, are mostly symbolic gestures with little legal heft. City designation of university properties are not binding because the university legally falls under the jurisdiction of the state. 

“The university has no zoning regulations which we can apply to it,” said Lesley Emmington Jones, also an LPC member. “The question becomes this: Does the southside of campus become a neighborhood community based on the needs of the community or an institutional expansion zone? To rip out the pavilions and build more towers in their place takes the soul of the structure, and leaves a dark windscape in its place,” she added. 

“Many of us are unhappy with the university’s plans to develop the area,” stated Kehlman, “but our decision was not based on our displeasure with the university’s actions.” 

University officials could not be reached for comment. 

The Landmarks Preservation Committee will issue a “notice of its decision” to designate the units as Berkeley landmarks at its meeting Monday. The “notice of decision” is simply a formality to open the two-week window during which people can appeal. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center at 1901 Hearst Ave. 

As the Cal Bears head into their Pac-10 opener on Saturday, most of the questions concerning the offense haven’t been answered by the team’s first three games. Can Kyle Boller bring the offense together? Will any receivers distinguish themselves as starters? Will the Bears ever make a long-range field goal? 

The Bears have been remarkably consistent so far this season. They have played just badly enough to lose two of their three games, and just barely held on to beat winless Utah. The offense has been unable to take advantage of punter Nick Harris’s outstanding season, as nearly half of Cal’s drives have begun on the opponent’s half of the field.  

Boller has looked both brilliant and awful, alternately making nice touch passes with firing the ball over and around his receivers. The coaching staff seems to have finally realized that asking a sophomore to make constant adjustments at the line is too much for Boller to bear. The Bears were called for delay of game five times against Fresno State, most of them coming as Boller tried to check to a new play at the line of scrimmage. Head coach Tom Holmoe and offensive coordinator Steve Hagen will implement a simpler plan this week against the Cougars, along with an increased emphasis on the running game, as tailbacks Joe Igber and Joe Echema have established themselves as twin threats out of the backfield. 

“We’ve got to get a little bit more, more yardage, more carries, out of those guys and be able to establish a little bit more,” Holmoe said. “I don’t think there’s an identity on offense right now. There’s really not a personality.” 

The wideouts have been another story. Chase Lyman has become a favorite target for Boller, and the freshman has earned a starting role for the Washington State game. Fellow freshman Geoff McArthur has also been promoted to starter for the game and has the hands and speed to be an outstanding receiver. but must show a better understanding of the offense to have an impact. McArthur either ran the wrong route or broke off his pattern early several times against Fresno State, one of which resulted in an easy interception that killed a promising drive. 

Even on the rare occasions the offense has managed to drive down the field, they’ve struggled to score points. Part of the blame must be laid on kicker Mark Jensen, who has made just two of his five field goal attempts and hasn’t made a kick longer than 29 yards. Holmoe declined to attempt two long field goals against Fresno State, indicating his lack of confidence in Jensen. Look for freshman Tyler Fredrickson to get a shot at the field goal duties this week, as he has looked solid in practice.

Talks between the Berkeley Unified School District, Mayor Shirley Dean’s office and the Downtown Berkeley Association over a proposed food court at Berkeley High School have taken on the proportions of a Bill Clinton speech – they keep going and going and going. 

At the Sept. 6 school board meeting, the board approved $5,000 for an implementation plan for the project. Superintendent Jack McLaughlin said at the time that he hoped a week later carts piled high with delicious and nutritious food prepared by downtown merchants would be rolling into the gallery of the Berkeley Community Theater. There, he hoped to play music and create an ambiance that would keep students on campus for lunch.  

That was three weeks ago, but 3,200 students are still pouring into downtown at lunchtime. 

“We’ve pulled back and are reassessing,” said Dean. “It’s just not there yet. There’s no timetable for this.” 

The Child Nutrition Advisory Committee – a committee of parents, students and citizens appointed by the school board in 1998 after a new food policy was adopted – has to take nutrition, logistics and money into account as they work with the DBA, the police, merchants and the city to devise a plan for the food court and give it wings. 

According to Eric Weaver, chair of the committee, the High School’s food service spent $60,000 last year to serve only roughly 150 students eligible for free meals federally subsidized through the USDA. Weaver says that the number of students actually eligible at Berkeley High is close to 600. 

The problem is, he says, that more low-income kids would likely participate in a program that provided great food with a good atmosphere – the ultimate goal of everyone involved – which skews the calculation as to whether or not the food court would be economically viable. 

He explained that food services would be reimbursed $2.13 from the federal government for meals for low-income students that meet federal low-income guidelines. To meet federal requirements, it has to include milk or juice, and fruit – each of which costs roughly 60 cents. 

“So that leaves $1.53 for the entree,” he said. “If the merchants charge $2.50, it will obviously be a loss (to the district).” 

Weaver said that the idea is for food services to buy the food from the vendors, add fruit and milk, and sell it to the students. 

Initially the district asked the merchants to sell their food at half the price they sell it in their restaurants.  

Manuch Fany, the owner of Round Table Pizza at 2017 University Ave., said “no way,” along with the rest of the merchants. 

“We know that we’re going to lose money at first, but telling me to come that far below my cost is unreasonable,” he said. 

Weaver estimates that if a mix of students – some paying full fare and low-income students paying less – frequent the food court, food services could realistically ask the merchants to charge 25 percent less than they charge in their restaurants and food services would subsidize the food any more than they had last year, he said. 

“But we don’t know if the merchants would accept that,” he said. 

He added that a ticket system would probably be used to eliminate the stigma for students getting free lunches. 

Caleb Dardick, Interim Director of the Downtown Berkeley Association, said that the vendors’ committee has not proposed prices to the school district. 

“Our understanding is that they’ll study the issue and come back to us,” he said. “But every single day, 3,200 students flood the downtown, which has a huge impact on the merchants.” 

Fany said that he often has to act as a watchdog over the students, only letting a few in at a time and throwing rowdy ones out. Some businesses only let three students in their stores at a time, he said. 

Another variable in the equation is the nutrition content of the food. The district’s food policy asks for a push to organics and asks for an elimination of potentially harmful food additives and processes, such as bovine growth hormones, irradiation and genetically modified foods. 

“Asking for all the ingredients to be organic will greatly increase the price of food,” Dardick said. 

He said, however, only one of the list of nine merchants expected to participate didn’t fit into the USDA guidelines the policy employs. 

Gered Lawson of the Food Systems Project, headed by former Assembly member Tom Bates who is assisting the committee, said that they want to work with merchants to help them make the transition to organics. Merchants would not be excluded if they didn’t use organics, he said. 

Lawson added that he has also been meeting with students to find out if the food court would fly with the consumers. 

“It’s got to get off on a good start or it will never take off with the kids,” Weaver said.  

But others say that there has been ample time to put it together. 

“Let’s get this thing going,” said Jennifer Drapeau, Dean’s aide. “We want a timeline. Our concept was that it was something that could evolve.” 

Lawson said that it’s important for everyone to get involved to get it right the first time. 

“The whole idea is s complex and challenging feat to pull off,” he said. “And it’s really going to take the whole community to pull it off. It may be a little slower, but the benefits of study will be helpful.”

Cal announced today that two members of its freshmen class, defensive tackle Jonathan Giesel and running back Pana Faumuina, had suffered injuries in the last two weeks and would be lost for the season. Both are eligible to apply for medical redshirt status and are expected to return in full health next fall as redshirt-freshmen.  

Giesel suffered an injury to his tendon in his right arm, near his elbow, during the Illinois game. He attempted to play at Fresno State, but a decision was made early this week to repair the tendon surgically. That surgery is scheduled next Tuesday at Alta Bates hospital. He will undergo a three-to-five month rehabilitation period and hopes to be recovered to participate in spring drills next April.  

Giesel was a key member of Cal’s playing rotation at defensive tackle, having been credited with 2 tackles on the season. His absence will increase the playing time of redshirt-freshman Josh Beckham, who has played extensively the first three games including a starting assignment in front of Daniel Nwangwu last week. Derek Deutsch will also get a bigger opportunity at a tackle position.  

Faumuina aggravated an existing shoulder injury on Tuesday of this week during contact drills. The medical staff was already planning on correcting the shoulder instability at the end of this season, but the new injury caused the staff to move forward on the decision to surgically repair the shoulder immediately. Faumuina is expected to be back in time to participate in spring drills.  

“We believe both Jonathan and Pana have bright futures at Cal,” said head coach Tom Holmoe. “We’re sorry that they won’t be able to help us this year, but the bright side is that they’ve gotten their feet wet and they’ll be back next year with four full seasons of eligibility. That’s a big advantage for them.”  

Holmoe also indicated that sophomore tight end Terrence Dotsy will almost certainly redshirt this season. The 6-4, 280-pounder has a redshirt year to utilize and thus would return next season as a sophomore again with three full years of eligibility. He has been hampered by a hand injury most of the early-season.

Come this evening and it’ll be a scant 239 years until the world is disrupted by the Y6K problem on the Jewish calendar.  

Tonight’s services are the first in the three-day holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  

The transition into year 5761 will be celebrated by Berkeley area congregations in the traditional way: with readings from the Torah, sermons, ceremonies, feasting and pondering the big questions.  

“This is the time when we think about very important questions,” said Rabbi Ferenc Raj of Berkeley’s Temple Beth El. “This will be the last Rosh Hashanah in the 20th Century, and as we travel into the 21st Century, what will we bring with us? If it is only material wealth, you must realize how quickly that disappears. Neither property nor power will bring inner peace. If we are prepared as Jews, we are prepared as human beings, citizens of the globe.”  

A scant 10 days after Rosh Hashanah comes Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and highest of the Jewish high holidays. Put loosely, the short intermission between holy days is one’s last chance to make a good impression on God.  

“In terms of prayers we do on Rosh Hashanah, the most powerful one is Una Tana Tokes,” says Rabbi Andrea Berlin of Temple Sinai in Oakland. “The relative philosophy behind it is it’s up to us what we decide to do with our lives for the coming year. On Rosh Hashanah our fate for the year is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed. It is within our power to decide what kind of people we’re going to be in the year, in those 10 days in between.” 

The interim between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time to undertake charitable acts and think positive thoughts.  

“Every Rosh Hashanah we do positive things and eat sweet foods. We tell each other that we should be inscribed in the book of life for a good year, a good, sweet year,” says Rabbi Yehuda Ferris of the Chabad of the East Bay. “You dip challah (sweet, fluffy bread prepared for Jewish holidays and the Sabbath) and apples in honey. You eat pomegranates, and should do as many good deeds as you have pomegranate seeds.  

“Everything you eat is a little pun,” continues Rabbi Ferris. “In Hebrew, the word for carrot (gezer) means ‘decree.’ So when you eat carrots, you’re asking God for a good decree. If you lettuce, raisins and celery, it’s ‘let-us have a raise-in celery!” 

The symbolic connections with food don’t stop there. On Sunday, congregations around the world will travel, bread in hand, to bodies of water for the ancient ceremony Tashlikh. 

“You’re supposed to do it at a place of living water, a constant source of water flowing outward,” said Rabbi Berlin, who, lacking a nearby body of water meeting the dictionary definition, will lead her Oakland congregation to Lake Merritt. “We read the same liturgy that is read during the Rosh Hashanah service. Then as we take the crumbs out of our pockets, we think of habits we want to get rid of; parts of ourselves we want to go into the new year without. You think of that and toss the crumbs into the water.” 

Rabbi Raj points out that the ceremony is derived from a literal interpretation of the Book of Micah, chapter seven verse 19: “You (God) will cast all their sins into the depth of the sea.”  

Another Rosh Hashanah tradition is the blowing of the shofar, a horn crafted from a ram’s horn. While most of the shofar-blowing worldwide will be done in temple, Chabad of the East Bay is planning a public “concert” outside Cody’s Books late Sunday afternoon, “for the coronation of The King” – and they don’t mean Elvis. 

“No, not Elvis, hopefully not,” chuckles Rabbi Ferris. “And not Don King or Larry King. Or Bruce Springsteen. They call him ‘The King,’ right?” 

Upon being informed that Springsteen’s nickname is actually “The Boss,” Ferris maintained that the ceremony was still not for Bruce.  

The tour and cruise operator, Red and White Fleet, was ordered Thursday by the state Public Utility Commission to continue running its weekday ferry service from Richmond to San Francisco. 

“We don’t have cash,” said John Clark, attorney for the Red and White Fleet, who was visibly agitated after Public Utilities Commission administrative judge Sheldon Rosenthal rendered his ruling. 

“We can’t buy gas. We can’t pay the crew,” Clark told the judge. The PUC granted the Red and White Fleet permission to operate the route last year. 

The San Francisco-based company had announced earlier this week that it would halt its ferry service from the Richmond Ferry Terminal to San Francisco after its last trip on Sept. 28. Red and White Fleet officials said not enough people are riding the ferry and that had caused losses of $1 million since the route’s inception one year ago. 

“I’m really elated,” said Karen Dorantes, 45, a Bank of America employee and a belly dancer who has performed on the ferry in a bid to attract new riders. 

Dorantes is a member of Friends of the Ferry, a group of East Bay commuters,  

who is fighting the company’s effort to shut down the ferry route. The group appeared at the emergency meeting held at the Public Utilities Commission in  

San Francisco. Dorantes said she didn’t buy Red and White’s argument that it doesn’t have the money to continue the service. 

“If you don’t have any cash, how come you still have money to operate the (Pacific) Bell ballpark runs? If you don’t have any cash, how can you keep your excursion boats and your charter business?” Dorantes asked. 

Red and White Fleet had wanted to stop running its Richmond to San Francisco  

route last month, backing out of an agreement it had with Richmond to operate until September 2001. It filed a cessation application with the PUC last  

month. 

But Red and White’s attempt to sever the route came just two weeks after the PUC told the company to continue service at least until October, when it would hold full hearings on the matter. 

These hearings are scheduled for Oct. 25. 

Red and White attorney John Clark said he did not know how his client would run its boats Friday morning. 

“I haven’t see anyone come up with taking money out of their pockets to hand to the ferry to allow the boat to operate,” he said. 

The company has said that about 50 people use its $5 dollar each-way service everyday. It had anticipated at least 200 people per day. 

Friends of the Ferry said ridership is low because the company has not properly marketed the route. The group has handed out flyers and passed out free tickets to promote the ferry runs. 

As she sat on the boat Thursday morning, Friends of the Ferry member Betty  

Lucas, 45, said more people would ride if the company would just advertise  

more aggressively. 

“It’s a slap in the face,” said Lucas. “They never did the work that they were supposed to do. People don’t want to sit in traffic. They want alternatives.” 

SAN FRANCISCO — Pedestrians are more likely to get hit by a car in Sacramento County than any other place in California, according to a new study released Thursday. 

Overall, more pedestrians were injured or killed by cars in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties last year. But the likelihood that a person will be struck on any given stroll was highest in and around the capital, the nonprofit Surface Transportation Policy Project reported. 

“Traffic engineers and public works have basically turned their backs on providing safe places for pedestrians,” James Corless, co-author of the study, said of Sacramento County. “It’s a high-growth area and they’re doing a lot of stuff that’s really dangerous. If there are sidewalks, they’re very narrow and right next to lanes of traffic.” 

The study concluded that the human and economic toll – from medical bills, lost work time and quality of life costs – topped $3.9 billion last year; 688 pedestrians died and 14,346 were injured on California streets, according to the study, which analyzed California Highway Patrol data. 

Nationwide, about 6,000 pedestrians are killed every year, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported. 

The problem is particularly acute in multilane suburban sprawl like that of Sacramento County. There, a drag-strip mentality can leave pedestrians cowering. In 1999, 30 pedestrians were killed and 516 were injured in Sacramento County traffic accidents. That’s about one death or injury per 2,200 county residents. 

But the quicker pace of cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco also forces pedestrians to scramble for sidewalk safety. 

Three pedestrians have been killed in as many weeks on San Francisco streets. On Monday, a 74-year-old retired electrician was struck and killed, the 23rd pedestrian to die in the city thus far this year, police said. 

Last year, with 26 deaths and 963 injuries, one in 800 San Franciscans was involved in a traffic accident. That rate was about twice as high as the next most accident-prone area, Los Angeles County, where one of every 1,750 residents was injured or killed in 1999. 

Still, the study rated Sacramento County more dangerous because people there walk less than in San Francisco or Los Angeles counties. 

Whether Californians are rich or poor also has a direct affect on how likely they are to get struck, Corless said. And since low income families are more likely to be members of a minority, race was also a factor. 

“Latinos and African Americans, especially children and the elderly, are at the highest risk,” the report said. That’s because they are less likely to have money to own and operate a car and must walk or take the bus to move around. 

If you want to lollygag across the street without care, move to San Luis Obispo County. For the second straight year, it was ranked the safest for pedestrians. 

MARTINEZ — The night before she was last seen alive, Selina Bishop thought she had resolved an argument with her boyfriend over his “big plan” and was under the impression they were going to go away somewhere together, her diary shows. 

“Hopefully, it’s really all taken care of now,” Bishop wrote in one of her last journal entries, referring to an argument she had with Glenn Helzer on the night of Aug. 1. “I told him I wanted to go to Great America and he said he had something better planned. I don’t know. I hope we have a nice time.” 

Bishop was last seen alive Aug. 2, at a Berkeley brewpub with Helzer. 

Helzer, 30, his brother Justin Helzer, 28, and their housemate Dawn Godman, 26, are charged with the killing five people; Bishop – the 22-year-old daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop; Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly Concord couple; Selina Bishop’s mother, Jennifer Villarin, 45, and her friend James Gamble, 54. 

The Helzers and Godman have pleaded innocent to murder charges. They are due in court Jan. 22 for a preliminary hearing. 

The remains of Bishop and the Stinemans were recovered in nine duffel bags that surfaced the second week of August in the Mokelumne River in southern Sacramento County. The bullet-riddled bodies of Selina’s mother and Gamble were found Aug. 3 in Selina’s Marin County apartment. 

Police believe Bishop and the Stinemans were stabbed and beaten to death at the home the Helzers and Godman shared in Concord.  

There, investigators found three books on human anatomy, a bloodstained sword and several machetes, according to search warrant records released Wednesday at the request of The San Francisco Chronicle. 

Lengths of rope, duct tape, handcuffs, shackles, a hand saw, latex gloves, bloodstained clothes, human hairs also were found, the records show. And on a bedroom carpet there was an imprint of a human body. 

Prosecutors say the murders were carried out to cover up a botched plot to extort $100,000 from the Stinemans. 

In her diary, entries show Bishop was suspicious of her boyfriend and that she “did not want to be involved with his (Helzer’s) big plan,” search warrants show. 

But she also wrote affectionately about him. 

“I wish we could be together,” she wrote on Aug. 1. “Why is it so difficult?” 

SAN DIEGO — Despite the rise in home ownership across the country, blacks and Latinos were nearly twice as likely to be turned down for mortgage loans than whites, according to a study released Thursday. 

Discrimination based on ethnicity or income, known as redlining, in the mortgage industry is just bad as it has ever been, according to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN. 

“The banks have said, ’The numbers are changing, there’s less discrimination than before,’ but this study shows that that’s not really the case,” Rebekah Kebede, a spokeswoman for ACORN’s Sacramento office, said in a telephone interview. 

“People need to call them on what they’re doing. People need to say ’We know that you are discriminating, we notice,”’ Kebede said. 

Nationwide in 1999, blacks were denied mortgages 54 percent of the time, while Latinos were denied 39 percent of the time and whites were denied mortgages 27 percent of the time, the study said. 

ACORN analyzed data from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council about the lending activity of more than 7,800 institutions covered under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act. These lending agencies have more than $30 million in assets or make a substantial number of home loans annually. 

Overall, more loans from all ethnic groups were granted in 1999 as compared to previous years but there was no significant improvement in the number of loans to ethnic minorities, ACORN officials said. 

“About 95 percent of the increase in loans to minorities were increases in higher cost, subprime loans, or lenders giving loans to minorities with higher interest rates than conventional loans,” Kebede said. “That’s not really an improvement at all.” 

Banking industry executives said the numbers were deceiving. 

“I think there are dramatic improvements,” said James Ballentine, director of the Center for Community Development at the American Banking Association. “This is a very competitive market and lenders are reaching out more than ever to everyone.” 

Many lenders have programs to reach all potential home owners, such as educational seminars to teach people how to improve their credit in order to qualify for loans, he said. 

The ACORN study fails to recognize that with more mortgage applications being received by lenders, there will be more rejections, Ballentine said. 

Loans are generally approved based on the ratio of income to debt and the value of the property for sale, which the study did not examine, he said. 

“It’s also difficult to look at the study and determine the debt levels and credit histories of the people who applied and were denied,” Ballentine said. 

The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act statistics report only the ethnicity, gender and income of those who applied for mortgages and the percentage of loans granted and denied. 

The ACORN report also noted that: 

— Upper-level income blacks were turned down for loans 2.63 times more often than upper-level whites; 

— Upper-level income Latinos were more likely to be denied loans than middle-income whites; 

— In Brockton, Mass., while blacks make up 7.3 percent of the overall population, they also were granted 5.1 percent of the loans; and 

— For Latinos in Miami, Atlanta and Memphis, their loan acceptance rates were the same or only slightly less than their percentage of the overall population. 

Asian Americans were not included because their loan acceptance rates closely resemble those of white applicants. 

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation Thursday allowing independent voters to participate in primary elections, moving to salvage a wide-open process thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The “blanket” system approved by voters in 1996 and overturned in June let voters of any – or no – party choose any candidate in primaries. 

The new law permits independent voters to participate in primaries, but limits them to voting for one party’s candidates. It takes effect next year, and its impact will be felt in 2002, the year Davis and other statewide officials will be up for re-election. 

Ballots cast by independents would only be accepted by political parties that consented to do so. Both major parties signaled Thursday they are inclined to allow the independent voters to participate. 

Voters registered with a party will once again be permitted only to choose candidates affiliated with their party. 

“While this bill will not fully reinstate the open primary, it will ensure broader participation in primary elections than voters would otherwise enjoy,” the Democratic governor said. 

The Democratic and Republican parties bitterly fought the blanket primary approved in 1996, contending it violated their association rights by letting voters choose any candidate, regardless of party affiliation. 

Davis unsuccessfully sought to preserve that system, arguing in a brief filed with the court that it was healthy for democracy. 

While that position placed Davis at odds with his own party, Democratic Party Chairman Art Torres praised Davis’ move Thursday. 

Davis’ signature “now moves the state in the direction of compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision, and we thank the governor for that,” Torres said. 

Davis believes the new law “lives within the constraints imposed by the high court ruling,” said spokesman Phil Trounstine. 

Independents account for 2 million of the state’s 14.6 million registered voters, and their numbers have grown steadily in the last two decades. 

With the new law, independents – officially known as “decline-to-states” — become California’s most hotly pursued bloc in primary season, along with Hispanics. 

The state’s independents appear evenly split in their political leanings. 

In a recent survey, the Public Policy Institute of California found 35 percent of “decline-to-state” voters were drawn to Democrats, 31 percent to Republicans and 30 percent to neither, said pollster Mark Baldassare. 

State GOP Chairman John McGraw has endorsed the new open primary, and the party will vote on it at a February gathering. Democrats also approve and are expected to formally allow “decline-to-state” primary votes at a December gathering. 

Davis also signed a bill that allows voters to register 15 days before an election, instead of 29 as current law requires. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Read the open primary bill, SB28, and the registration bill, AB1094, at http://www.sen.ca.gov 

SACRAMENTO — Targeting a major cause of California air pollution, state regulators approved a plan Thursday to cut soot from diesel engines 75 percent over the next decade. 

The plan imposes the toughest diesel rules in the nation, requiring state-of-the-art filters on new diesel engines sold in California and the retrofitting of most existing engines. 

The plan, approved 11-0 by the state Air Resources Board, also requires production of low-sulfur diesel fuel for engines equipped with the filters. 

The air pollution causes problems ranging from reduced visibility to respiratory illnesses and increased risk of cancer. State officials say 28,000 tons will be spewed into California’s air this year. 

“It is certainly the No. 1 airborne toxic contaminant in California,” said Jerry Martin, a board spokesman. 

The proposal’s drafters hope to equip 90 percent of the state’s 1.2 million diesel-powered engines with the filters, Martin said. 

Those that are too old, one of a kind, in poor condition or altered in such a way that it may not be possible to retrofit them will be considered on a case-by-case basis, he said. 

California is the only state with the power to adopt emissions controls. The diesel plan comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers its own set of pollution controls for diesel-powered vehicles. 

Details of the plan will be spelled out in a series of regulations that the ARB would act on over the next three years. 

There are 687,100 diesel-powered cars, trucks and buses on California roads, about 500,000 off-road diesel-run vehicles and equipment, including tractors and construction vehicles, and about 16,100 stationary diesel engines, according to the ARB. 

The staff report includes varying estimates of retrofitting costs, depending on engine type and horsepower. 

Retrofitting a 475-horsepower heavy-duty truck, for example, would cost $4,750 to $9,500. 

The cost will be borne primarily by engine owners, although there may be some government grants, Martin said. 

Stephanie Williams, director of environmental affairs for the California Trucking Association, which represents 2,500 truck owners, said her group supports retrofitting. 

But she urged the board to help lobby for legislation next year that would ease the burden on truckers by suspending the sales tax on the low-sulfur fuel until 2006 and imposing a per-truck fee to help pay for retrofitting. 

The fee would be $50 a year for California trucks and probably $15 to $20 for out-of-state trucks, depending on how many miles they travel in California per year, Williams said. 

Manuel Cunha Jr., president of the Nisei Farmers League, which represents about 1,100 California growers, supported equipping new engines with the filters, but he questioned the need to retrofit tractors, bailers and other farm equipment that run on diesel. 

“How can you spend $10,000 on a tractor that only works 30 days a year?” he asked. “You have to look at it in that perspective.” 

Herbert Hunt, a farmer from Clarksburg, south of Sacramento, estimates it would cost him $15,000 to retrofit his 20-year-old tractor. 

The ARB plan is the latest development in California’s nearly 40-year effort to limit air pollution. The state already has the nation’s toughest emission requirements for gasoline-powered cars and trucks. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Read the proposal on the Air Resources Board’s Web site http://www.arb.ca.gov/homepage.htm 

WASHINGTON — Capping a bitter 12-year battle, the government on Thursday approved use of the abortion pill RU-486, a major victory for abortion-rights advocates that could dramatically alter abortion in this country. 

The long-expected decision by the Food and Drug Administration allows Americans an early-abortion method already used in France, Britain, China and 10 other countries. The action is expected to make abortion in the United States more accessible and more private. 

Coming in the final weeks of the presidential campaign, the move also is sure to renew fierce political debate. Republican candidate George W. Bush, whose father’s administration banned RU-486 imports in 1989, opposes abortion. Vice President Gore supports the pill option. 

The pill, known chemically as mifepristone and by the brand name Mifeprex, will be available to doctors within a month. 

Mifepristone, which blocks a hormone vital to sustaining pregnancy, only works during the first seven weeks of pregnancy, when an embryo is about one-fifth of an inch; that is earlier than surgical abortions often are offered. 

Two days after taking mifepristone, women take a second drug that causes cramping and bleeding as the embryo is expelled, much like a miscarriage. 

“For those who choose to have an early termination of their pregnancy, this is a reasonable medical alternative,” said FDA Commissioner Jane Henney, who approved mifepristone based on studies that found it 92 percent to 95 percent effective in causing abortion. 

Complications are rare; serious bleeding occurs in 1 percent of women. But the pill-caused abortion requires three doctor visits and, to ensure it is performed accurately, the FDA restricted its use to doctors with certain training and mandated that detailed patient-information brochures be given to every woman. 

Proponents hailed FDA’s move. Although some doctors already use a cancer drug called methotrexate to cause abortion – legal although not formally FDA-approved – they said mifepristone will increase access to the nonsurgical method. 

“At long last, science trumps anti-abortion politics and medical McCarthyism,” said Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority Foundation. 

Mifepristone may “turn the tide against anti-choice intimidation,” because doctors who don’t offer surgical abortion can use the pill in private offices instead of protester-targeted clinics, added Planned Parenthood president Gloria Feldt. 

But anti-abortion groups, which fought mifepristone by threatening U.S. drug companies with boycotts, pledged to continue fighting. 

“Never before has the FDA approved a drug intended to kill people,” said Rep. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who promised legislation calling for severe limits on which doctors could administer mifepristone. 

On the campaign trail, Bush called the FDA’s decision “wrong,” saying “I fear that making this abortion pill widespread will make abortions more and more common.” His campaign said if elected, Bush wouldn’t have the authority to overturn the FDA’s decision, but he would order a probe of whether the agency’s review was influenced by politics. 

Gore praised the pill’s availability. “Today’s decision is not about politics, but the health and safety of American women and a woman’s fundamental right to choose,” he said. 

Health experts note abortions did not increase when RU-486 debuted in France in 1988, or later across Europe. 

The pill’s journey to the United States began in 1994, when French manufacturer Roussel-Uclaf turned over U.S. rights to the drug to the nonprofit Population Council of New York. The council began clinical trials needed for FDA approval and created Danco Laboratories, a small company that will market mifepristone. 

On the Net: 

FDA: www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/mifepristone 

National Abortion Federation: http://www.earlyoptions.org 

National Right to Life Committee: http://www.nrlc.org 

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Marijuana is on the ballot across the West this fall, from proposals to allow its medicinal use in Colorado and Nevada to measures that would let it flourish in Alaska and the pot-growing “Emerald Triangle” of Northern California. Recent polls suggest the proposals are likely to pass in both Nevada and Colorado. In the past four years, similar medical-marijuana measures have become law in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Maine and Hawaii. 

Nevada’s Question 9 would let doctors prescribe marijuana for severe illness and pain. Nevada voters approved medical marijuana by 59 percent in 1998, but adding it to the state’s constitution requires another “yes” vote on Nov. 7. 

Nevada has strict anti-marijuana laws, yet a recent Las Vegas Review-Journal poll found 63 percent of likely voters backed the measure, with 28 percent opposed. And the state’s policy-making drug commission, which fought the measure two years ago, has been silent this year. 

“Nevada voters get it. They know this is a public health issue completely unrelated to the war on drugs,” said Dan Geary, a leader of the movement in favor of the measure. 

Colorado’s Amendment 20 would permit marijuana use for those with serious or chronic illnesses, under a doctor’s care.  

A recent Denver Rocky Mountain News poll found 71 percent of registered voters favored the measure, and 23 percent opposed it. 

It is the “the wrong message to send to our children,” said Dr. Joel Karlin, a past president of the Colorado Medical Society and spokesman of Coloradans Against Legalizing Marijuana. 

Advocates of medical marijuana use say it helps people suffering from ailments like glaucoma, nausea from chemotherapy and appetite loss from AIDS. Opponents, including the American Medical Association, say marijuana can contribute to cancer and affect eye disorders and multiple sclerosis. 

Out-of-state money is pushing both measures. Their chief backer is Americans for Medical Rights, bankrolled by three tycoons: New York financier and philanthropist George Soros, Cleveland insurance mogul Peter Lewis and University of Phoenix founder John Sperling. 

Since 1998, those supporting the Colorado and Nevada measures have reported raising at least $1.4 million. Opponents said have they raised less than $40,000. 

Not surprisingly, there is no organized opposition in California’s Mendocino County, where passage of Measure G would allow adults to grow 25 pot plants apiece as long as they are not for sale or transport. 

The Northern California area produces an illegal marijuana crop with an annual street value of around $1 billion. Last year, more than 300 pot plantations were raided in Mendocino County and $204 million worth of weed was seized. Authorities believe that for every plant they find, there are 10 more out there. 

Under the measure, the sheriff and the district attorney would make marijuana crime their lowest priority and county officials would seek an end to state and federal anti-marijuana laws. The district attorney and sheriff have refused to support the measure. 

Alaska’s ballot measure may face harder going. 

Besides making marijuana legal, the initiative would give amnesty for marijuana crimes and offer restitution for time in prison. 

Anchorage Police Chief Duane Udland warned that the measure would create “a drug culture, with all the young people sitting around stoned all the time.” 

Until 10 years ago, Alaska allowed people to have small amounts of marijuana, based on a 1975 Alaska Supreme Court ruling. Voters banned pot completely in 1990 but later approved its medicinal use. 

Ah, the good old days when a smoker could buy a cigar for a nickel and you really could spend only a nickel or a dime in a five-and-dime store. When it came to gardening, it seemed that the grass was greener, the sweet corn was sweeter and the apples were redder – or were they? 

In fact, the sweet corn was never sweeter and apples were never redder than today. Genes in modern corn hybrids pump up sugar levels way beyond that of yesterday’s sweet corn varieties. 

And just look at the color of apples now. The skin is a richer red and is more completely covered with red than was the skin of the original, first discovered growing wild on a farm in Peru, Iowa, about 1880.  

Apples became redder because this variety is especially prone to undergoing slight genetic changes. If even one cell in a tree undergoes such a change, perhaps spontaneously, perhaps due to the effect of sunlight or temperature, all growth beyond that point will carry on that change. If those changed cells happened to produce apples with redder skins, bingo, there you have it: A redder apple. 

All that is then needed is for an observant fruit grower to pick out that one branch bearing redder apples, cut it off and propagate it to make whole new trees producing redder apples. 

Apples are so prone to making “sports,” as these desirable mutations are called, that 30 different sports of this variety were found within a half-century of discovery of the original tree. 

This type of behavior is not limited only to apples and only to red color. Sports are responsible for seedless navel orange, red Anjour pear and White Sim carnation. 

As a gardener, keep an eye out for sports of any plant. One day you might find an apple branch with redder – or tastier – fruits, a weeping cherry branch with fatter blossoms or a delphinium spire with blossoms that last a long time. If you can discount such transitory environmental influences as fertilizer or weather, call out “Hey, sport,” then start propagating your find. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Dancers and artists pranced on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday to a driving drum tattoo, protesting rising rents and dwindling rehearsal space and demanding more from the city they’ve helped define. 

“Wake up San Francisco. No Art No Soul” read one protest sign as stiltwalkers teetered above a crowd of more than 3,200 performers, vowing unrest until city leaders come up with a concert plan to address their concerns. 

“The city need us to keep it a vital city,” said Jo Kreiter, an acrobat who shimmied up 15-foot-tall pole for a slow, bird’s  

eye ballet of twists and turns. “They need us to thrive here. Not just scrap out a living.” 

The musical call-to-arms came in the midst of a political tug-of-war over spiraling office space rents, driven up by the dot-com companies that are creeping into nearly every nook in the city. 

Performance studios in San Francisco pay on average $12.70 per square foot. But the market rate for the same space is $55 per square foot. 

After the rally, the Board of Supervisors’ Finance and Labor Committee began meeting inside City Hall to discuss the displacement of artists and nonprofit groups. 

One of the issues up for discussion was Mayor Willie Brown’s plans to offer $7 million in city grants to build space for performers and artists. The proposal, announced Tuesday, includes the development of a waterfront location for creative types some 150,000 square feet of office space for non-profits. 

Many of the artists losing their regular haunts are musicians from Downtown Rehearsal, the city’s largest rehearsal space, closed late last month in preparation for the building’s reported $14 million sale. 

The musicians, which include Chris Isaak, have taken the $750,000 offered by the building’s owner to find a new home. 

But they didn’t go quietly either, as dozens of bands throughout the city plugged in their amplifiers and played for about an hour. 

At Wednesday’s protest, Krissy Keefer grabbed a microphone and told the crowd that the show of unity would send a message that politicians could not ignore. 

Keefer said she wanted the city to buy buildings to house nonprofits, help artists pay for maintenance and the projects that emerge from the space. 

“We might be rabble rousers, but we are not isolated,” Keefer said. 

EMERYVILLE — The beleaguered Emery Unified School District has accepted the resignation of Superintendent J.L. Handy after alleging that he charged $68,000 in “questionable” expenses to official accounts. 

At a Monday night meeting, the board accepted Handy’s resignation by voice vote.  

It then approved the appointment of Laura Alvarenga as an interim superintendent. 

Alvarenga has worked as a high-level administrator at the Alameda County Office of Education, which took partial control of the financially distressed district as a condition of a $650,000 loan this summer. 

A district review of Handy’s reimbursements and credit card statements revealed $68,000 of the $132,000 he claimed either didn’t have receipts or were for items including personal meals, cellular phone calls as well as pet supplies and “numerous car washes.” 

The investigation dated to Handy’s 1993 arrival in Emeryville.  

He was fired as superintendent of Compton schools after similar charges of funds mismanagement arose in 1992. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington walked with other breast cancer prevention advocates from Old City Hall to the City Clerk’s office Monday to place a resolution on cancer prevention on the Oct. 10 City Council agenda. Claiming that current breast cancer programs target early detection, not prevention, advocates want the city to “reduce or eliminate its toxic practices by enacting changes such s banning the use of PVC plastic in new construction an working with public facilities and institutions to switch to safer alternative products and methods.”

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco musicians who had vehemently protested the closing of a rehearsal warehouse have decided to take the money and run. 

The musicians who rent space from Downtown Rehearsal formed a committee and struck a deal with owner Greg Koch who will pay $500,000 toward development of a new rehearsal space and an additional $250,000 to the musicians. 

Last weekend, during a heated meeting with Supervisor Gavin Newsom, the tenants and Koch at the facilities, some of the tenants vowed not to leave and others considered suing. But in the end, the musicians decided the payoff from Koch would go a long way toward finding new space to practice. 

JMA Properties of Cupertino has offered to purchase the building provided all the musicians are out by Oct. 6. 

SACRAMENTO – California will try to slow the proliferation of area codes by allowing separate codes for devices such as pagers and cellular telephones. 

Gov. Gray Davis signed a bill Friday directing the state Public Utilities Commission to ask federal regulators for permission to create area codes exclusively for such mobile devices. 

Backers said that would ease the need to create new geographic area codes that inconvenience customers. 

The new area codes would be used for cellular phones, fax machines, pagers and modems. 

“California should employ all possible conservation efforts before burdening businesses and consumers with additional area code changes,” Davis said Friday. 

The number of area codes in California has jumped from 13 in 1997 to 25 last year. 

The growth has been spurred by the emergence of new telephone companies, the growth in technology that has resulted in pagers, cell phones, Internet service, fax machines and point-of-sale credit card verification terms that require their own telephone lines.

A panel of experts from the growing field of death and dying addressed some 70 people Wednesday night at Herrick Hospital in an effort to stimulate public dialogue about a part of life most of us put off as long as possible. 

Patricia Murphy, of the East Bay Coalition on End of Life Care, said that her group organized the meeting as an “entreaty to people in our communities to start a conversation about the ‘last taboo’ in our society.”  

It was clear from the high turnout that many people in the Bay Area are ready to start talking. 

Emotions ran high throughout the meeting, as panelists and audience members shared their personal experiences with the loss of loved ones. 

Boyer C. August, who has AIDS, said that it is often difficult to walk the line between maintaining a positive attitude about his illness and being realistic about his chances of survival. 

“It all depends on your point of view,” he said. “I look at it this way: as soon as you’re born, you’re dying. For some of us it takes 75 years to do it, and then you’re dead. The trick is to enjoy life before you get there.”  

The discussion was led by Wendy Hanamura, producer of KQED’s “Bay Window” series and was inspired by Bill Moyer’s four-part series on PBS this month, called “On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying.” Hanamura said the Moyers’ special reflected a movement to remove dying from cold, sterile hospitals and move it into a more nurturing environment. 

The East Bay group was formed by health care professionals and community members who believe it is time to follow the path carved out by the natural childbirth movement and to accept death as an inevitable part of the life cycle. 

As one audience member remarked, the evening provided a rare opportunity to see a lawyer, a doctor, a patient, a parent, a chaplain and a social worker all seated at the same table and serving a common purpose – to share their collective expertise on living with a potentially terminal disease. 

August told the audience that contact with supportive friends and family is critical to anyone with a terminal illness. “If you keep communicating with others, you can survive,” he said, with his mother Joan Franciosa August seated beside him. “If you don’t, it breaks your heart.”  

Panelists and audience members agreed that quality medical attention is another key component in palliative care – and a rare commodity in these days of HMOs and malpractice suits. 

“We work in a culture in which the death of a patient is seen as a personal failure for a doctor,” said Dr. Jeffrey Burack, a physician at the East Bay AIDS Center. Burack said the health care system provides intensive medical interventions, but rarely the more caring and holistic services terminally ill patients need. Because of this, he said, there is often a profound mistrust of doctors, especially among minority communities and the disabled who sometimes feel the medical establishment “is only too happy to get them out of the way.”  

Lawyer Priscilla Camp warned that these fears are often an obstacle when taking control over the important legal aspects of dying, such as writing a will, or authorizing an “agent” to make health care decisions for an incapacitated patient. She said that it is best to take care of this often unpleasant paperwork “early on, before you are in discomfort and pain.”  

The central theme of the evening was the spiritual side of the dying experience. Bereavement counselor Howard Lunche and Rev. Betty Clark were on hand to discuss the importance of helping patients and their caregivers deal with “pain overload.”  

“We are so afraid of people who are dying that we forget to ask them how they are. I like to tell them ‘your spirit looks good’ – that really picks people up,” Clark said. She said that although she never forces her religious faith on anyone, she sees her job as meeting with people on their own terms, and helping them “travel whatever spiritual journey they’re on.”  

Lunche said he sees the most suffering and despair about death when people feel “dehumanized.” He views his role as an advocate for people who are dealing with a medical system “contrary to the idea of forming a relationship between the professional and the patient.”  

At the end of the panel discussion, one woman in the audience asked panelists what resources are available in the community for patients and caregivers who are without a supportive family network. 

Lunche echoed many in the room when he said that hospice care organizations, which organize a team of people to help patients and their families in their homes, provide many resources for people with a life threatening illness. 

Even those with low incomes can benefit from some hospice programs, said Bonnie Maeda, a nurse with the Mid-Peninsula Pathways organization. “We won’t turn anyone away. People just need to reach out for help and see what’s available.”  

The East Bay Coalition is currently forming smaller support groups throughout the area to encourage further discussion. For more information, contact Patricia Murphy at 450-8512.