The Week
News
‘Veil’ a good effort, but doesn’t connect
Berkeley’s talented 10-year-old Shotgun Players theater group, which grew out of repeated performances at LaVal’s Subterranean to play other venues in Berkeley and San Francisco, has now developed a new producing arm of its organization called Black Box Productions. -more-
New approach for conflicts at Berkeley High
This year Berkeley High School teachers and administrators decided to approach issues of violence and conflict from a new direction. -more-
Superintendent would help out in transition
The superintendent’s not going to “cut and run,” if he decides to take the job offered him heading up the Nevada state school system. -more-
Hazardous cleanup tops meeting agenda
At its meeting tonight the City Council will consider authorizing the city manager to contract with a hazardous waste disposal company for the cleanup and removal of hazardous spills that may occur in the future. -more-
Power crunch eases, warnings still in effect
The power crunch in California eased slightly Monday after a nuclear power plant that was closed for repairs returned to service ahead of schedule, but officials declared a power alert by late afternoon and asked some commercial customers to cut back on their use. -more-
$100 million claim filed in police killing of actor
LOS ANGELES — A $100 million wrongful death claim was filed against the city Monday by the sister of an actor who was fatally shot in the back by a police officer while holding a fake gun at a Halloween party. -more-
Transfer of judge will delay SLA fugitive trial
LOS ANGELES — The often-delayed case of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson took another unexpected turn Monday with announcement that the trial judge has been transferred and a three-month delay will be needed. -more-
Handheld device makers on the spot Companies have to prove they’re ready for the future
SAN JOSE — Palm Inc., hoping to retain its dominant position in the fast-growing market of handheld personal digital assistants, is promoting its wireless strategy and new applications in store for next year at its annual developers conference. -more-
Market Roundup
NEW YORK — The possibility of future interest rate cuts sent tech stocks surging Monday, lifting the Nasdaq composite index back above 3,000. -more-
Remodeling doesn’t have to be hellacious
“We’re going to remodel our kitchen!” I said excitedly to my friend Gloria. -more-
Superintendent offered top Nevada schools post
Berkeley Superintendent of Schools Jack McLaughlin has five days to decide if wants to accept an offer to take over Nevada’s top education post this weekend. -more-
Letters to the Editor
We need full investigation of Netanyahu incident -more-
Offense finally shows up for Bears
Sean Lampley went missing in the first half, but he turned up time to help California get an easy win against a tough opponent. -more-
Third sexual assault reported in schools
A prosecutor says a third sexual assault happened in Berkeley’s middle schools during a two-week period. -more-
Lady ’Jackets win first BHS tournament
It’s rare that the Berkeley Lady Yellowjackets face a test in their own gym. For the past decade, most of the close games the team has played have been at national tournaments far from home. But facing a talented team from Las Vegas in the championship game of the First Annual Lady Yellowjacket Tournament, head coach Gene Nakamura’s squad showed that they have the heart of a champion, beating Bishop Gorman 67-58. -more-
Schools keep desegregation plan
Despite possible legal challenges, the Berkeley Unified School District Board of Directors voted Wednesday to continue using the school’s current desegregation system — which assigns students to schools based upon a combined choice and lottery system. -more-
Horstmeyer’s pupil barely beats Bears
Santa Clara fought hard to escape Haas Pavilion Sunday afternoon with a win, answering California’s every effort throughout the game to pull out a 77-73 victory over the Bears. Senior guard Courtney Johnson scored a career-high 32 points for the Bears in the effort. The contest marked a reunion of sorts for California head coach Caren Horstmeyer, who left Santa Clara last year to take over coaching duties at Cal this season. -more-
New antennas radiate health risk worries
Berkeley residents are concerned about health risks from the radiation-emitting wireless antennas sprouting up around town but city officials say there’s nothing they can do as long as the antennas look good. -more-
Boys hold lead, beat Castlemont
Overcoming fatigue and an early deficit, the Berkeley Yellowjackets won the consolation championship game of the Chris Vontoure Classic at De La Salle Saturday, beating Castlemont (Oakland) 69-60. -more-
First generation college students under stress
All night study sessions. Nails bitten to the quick. Dark circles under the eyes. Final exams are next week, and students at UC Berkeley are gearing up for the most stressful time of the semester. -more-
Killer sea otters not so cute anymore
SAN FRANCISCO – It’s horrifying animal lovers and baffling scientists — two sea otters are sexually assaulting and then drowning harbor seal pups in an area about 80 miles south of San Francisco. -more-
Boy’s death not due to scooter accident, coroner concludes
SAN FRANCISCO – A three-year-old boy originally thought to have died Wednesday from scooter injuries was actually killed by another person, a coroner’s report revealed. -more-
Four San Jose stores evacuated after pepper spray incident
SAN JOSE — More than 50 people were hospitalized Sunday after pepper spray was released in four stores, police said. -more-
Missing girl’s body found in guardians’ backyard
MODESTO – Detectives have found the remains of a five-year-old girl in the backyard of her guardians’ home. -more-
Federal police officer killed after abducting student
ONTARIO – Police rescued a teen-ager Saturday after a roughly 10-hour standoff that ended with the death of a federal police officer accused of kidnapping the boy a day earlier. -more-
Protestors accuse Target of sweatshop conditions
PASADENA – Dozens of picketers lined the sidewalk in front of a local Target store Saturday, claiming that garments sold in the chain stores are made under sweatshop conditions in Nicaragua and that workers are not paid a living wage. -more-
Labor leader Huerta in fair condition with pneumonia
LOS ANGELES – Farm labor leader Dolores Huerta was recovering in fair condition Sunday from pneumonia and an infection. -more-
Calif. church targeting Hispanic community for gang awareness
ORLAND – The parish hall at St. Dominic Catholic Church is packed on a Thursday night — some 70 parents want to learn about the gangs on their streets. -more-
Child abuse case worst in 40 years, Burbank officer says
The Associated Press -more-
Xiana’s relatives say search is still going
VALLEJO – One year ago, 7-year-old Xiana Fairchild left home for school and never came back. -more-
Lesbian couple heads to small town, still face prejudice
HOLLISTER – For two lesbian women who started a small-town weekly newspaper in rural Hollister, it seemed like a simple and sweet idea: Leave the daily grind of the big city behind and take on a slower pace while being your own boss. -more-
Online group celebrates blue-collar academics
BERKELEY – To James Vander Putten, it’s somewhere he can laugh about the time his blue collar slipped out at a fancy faculty do. -more-
Intel keeps churning out even faster chips
SAN JOSE – The world’s largest manufacturer of computer chips can’t stop making them faster. -more-
Gateway investor files fraud lawsuit
SAN DIEGO – A shareholder has filed an investor lawsuit against Gateway alleging the computer seller misled investors in the fall about financial statements. -more-
BigBallot knows all about the chad issue
LOS ANGELES – Managing chads, hanging and otherwise, is a regular part of business for BigBallot Inc., the company that runs the All-Star balloting for Major League Baseball and other sports leagues. -more-
City seeks consultant for study
Focus on risks of 170-foot antenna tower -more-
The Berkeley Free Clinic where doctors are not gods and patients don’t have to pay
It’s not your ordinary medical clinic. No doctors in white lab coats, and they don’t ask for your insurance information at the door. But for more than 30 years, the Berkeley Free Clinic has provided thousands of clients with basic health services. -more-
Forum
Demonstration began, did not squelch Middle East discussion -more-
Cal’s Schott named NSCAA All-American
California sophomore forward Laura Schott was one of 12 players selected to the 2000 NSCAA/adidas first team All-America team announced Wednesday at the NCAA Men’s College Cup in Charlotte, N.C. -more-
Library leader was known for advocacy, humor
Adelia Lines was a lover of words. Director of the Berkeley Public Library, Lines died Dec. 7 of brain cancer at her home in Richmond. The 56-year-old library advocate, known as Dede to her friends, was a champion of literacy and of bringing resources to the under-served. She was also a wicked punster who, according to friends, could use humor to ease tension in the most stressful of situations. -more-
Corley leads Bears past USF
Guard scores 20 as defense stifles Dons -more-
Free speech debate continues for many
Protests that caused cancellation of a lecture by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Community Theater last week have sparked heated debate around free speech issues. -more-
Tough D spurs win over Reno
Backcourt comes through in victory -more-
Web site offers insight into Votomatic inventor
Interested in learning more about the Votomatic? Now a household word, the vote-counting machine spawned numerous similar machines, including the one at center stage in the Al Gore-George Bush battle for the presidency. -more-
’Jackets pick up intensity in second-round win
From a D- to a B+ in one day. That’s pretty impressive. -more-
Lecture series provides intellectual entertainment
Bruce Vogel’s been putting on a lecture series for 10 years. “I’m in the business of providing people with intellectual entertainment,” he said. -more-
Five arrested for fake initial public offering
LOS ANGELES — Federal agents have arrested five employees of a San Fernando Valley telemarketing firm that sold initial public offering shares of a company that never existed. -more-
Band rages against Napster service
SAN FRANCISCO — Socially conscious rockers Rage Against the Machine have apologized to their fans after Napster Inc. blocked access for users swapping the band’s mosh-rock favorites. -more-
Violence against Jews and Muslims on the rise worldwide
LOS ANGELES — As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, violence abroad against Jews and Muslims is rising, say leaders of civil rights groups that track hate crimes. -more-
Proposal would cut into California’s electric-car mandate
LOS ANGELES — In a move that alarmed environmentalists but failed to placate automakers, staff for the state’s air-quality board proposed Friday to sharply scale back a rule that would put thousands of battery-powered vehicles on California roads by 2003. -more-
One dead in L.A. apartment building collapse
LOS ANGELES — A 77-year-old Echo Park apartment building partially collapsed Friday, killing a man and causing minor injuries to 36 other people. -more-
Daughter ‘rejected because of body type’ Mother files complaint with Human Rights Commission
SAN FRANCISCO — Energetic fourth grader Fredrika Keefer glides across a rehearsal floor, showing off some of the moves the San Francisco Ballet School refused to watch when it rejected her, apparently for being too short and too chubby. -more-
Californians cut back on power usage
With a Stage Two power emergency declared almost every day recently, Californians are being asked to turn off lights and bundle up instead of cranking their heaters – and they have. -more-
Election uncertainty persists for market
NEW YORK — Wall Street went on a buying spree Friday, encouraged by a government employment report that could bolster the case for an interest rate cut early next year. Investors were so optimistic they shrugged off an earnings warning from Intel. -more-
California Rep. Julian Dixon dies at age 66
WASHINGTON — Rep. Julian Dixon, a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus who represented his west Los Angeles district for 22 years, has died. He was 66. -more-
Florida Court orders manual recount
In a stunning decision that resurrected Al Gore’s presidential candidacy, the Florida Supreme Court ordered an immediate count of the “undervote” across Florida and put the vice president within a razor-thin 154 votes of George W. Bush’s in the race for the White House. -more-
Civil Rights Commission to convene hearings
WASHINGTON — Floridians who believe they were denied their right to vote because of discrimination, fraud or other illegal practices will get a chance to testify next year before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. -more-
Fans gather to mark John Lennon’s life
NEW YORK — Hundreds of John Lennon devotees made their annual pilgrimage to Central Park on Friday to sing and reminisce about the former Beatle 20 years after he was shot to death by an obsessed fan. -more-
Pearl Harbor survivors’ personal recollections sharp after 59 years
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Denver Gray remembers the carnage created by a bomb dropped at Hickam Air Field. -more-
Sluggish ’Jackets still win
Surviving on defense and rebounding, the Berkeley Yellowjackets won their first-round game in the First Annual Lady Yellowjacket Basketball Tournament on Thursday, defeating an outgunned Bonita Vista team 50-36. But against a weaker opponent, Berkeley’s front-line players struggled, leading coach Gene Nakamura to bench several of them for much of the second half. -more-
A historic move
The historic Fox Cottage, at 2612 Channing Way is being prepared for its 500-foot move to 2350 Bowditch St. The cottage, built in 1930, has had some interior walls removed so workers can brace the frail brick walls for the move. Once the walls are stiffened, the cottage will be hydraulically lifted and put on dollies before it trundles to its new home around the corner. The cost of the excursion is estimated to be at least $750,000. -more-
School board approves parking plan
An interim parking plan for Berkeley High School approved 4-1 by the Board of Education Wednesday night provoked acrimony between school representatives and neighbors of the school, who feared it would compound an already dire parking situation. -more-
Second west Berkeley air study delayed
The City Council was unable to act Tuesday on a second air quality study that might definitively determine health risks to people who live or work near Interstate 80. -more-
Muslim students fast during Ramadan
While most Berkeley students prepare for long nights of studying and last-minute cramming, Muslim students will spend the last few weeks of this semester strengthening their links to God. And they will do so by fasting in celebration of Ramadan. -more-
Class action suit filed against ‘Riders,’ police department
OAKLAND— A class action federal suit was filed Thursday on behalf of at least 12 black men who say their civil rights were violated by four Oakland police officers known as “The Riders.” -more-
Smart growth popular in theory, not in practice
Mother of American hostage in Philippines appeals for his release
More women than men sought Kevorkian’s help
An analysis of 69 people who died with the help of Dr. Jack Kevorkian found that only 25 percent were terminally ill and five had no physical problems. It also found that more women than men sought his assistance. -more-
Switching on to solar power Green Mountain Energy opens facility in west Berkeley
Finding matches for hand-crafted tiles
Ceramic tiles are a beautiful accent in many old homes. Whether decorative or plain, the richness of this material commonly lends an air of grace and charm to old entranceway floors, baths and fireplaces. -more-
Replacing cracked putty on windows
Have you looked at the glazing putty around your windows lately? If so, chances are you noticed some cracked, broken or entirely missing strips of putty. The fact is, all single-pane windows need reglazing periodically. Replacing cracked putty will save energy and prevent rot from invading your windows. -more-
Proposed Chavez Street ignites controversy
A proposal to rename a stretch of University Avenue near the Berkeley Marina after labor hero Cesar Chavez has met with objections from some family members and supporters, who are calling the move a back-handed compliment. -more-
Letters to the Editor
Debate continues on Netanyahu protests and free speech rights -more-
’Jackets dominate outmanned Balboa
Following up a tough win against the towering frontcourt of Skyline last week, the Berkeley High boys’ basketball team was looking to avoid a letdown against a much smaller Balboa (San Francisco) squad. No problem. -more-
Train strikes Truck, driver
The driver of a truck narrowly escaped serious injury Tuesday evening when his truck was struck by a train after he became impatient and drove around a guard arm in an attempt to reach a construction yard 50 yards away, Union Pacific police said. -more-
Cal shakes shooting blues to beat Cleveland State
Shaking off a cold-shooting first half, the Cal Bears came on strong to beat Cleveland State on Tuesday night at Haas Pavilion. -more-
U.S. can benefit from technology investment
Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers called on policymakers Wednesday to continue expanding the technologically-dependent domestic economy and to foster relationships between international trading partners. -more-
Hills’ fire station issue heats up
Despite neighborhood opposition and legal complications, a neighborhood group brought an armload of petitions to the City Council Tuesday to underscore its request that the city continue working for the new hills fire station. -more-
Oakland officers plead innocent to ‘Riders’ charges
OAKLAND — Three of the four police officers charged in “The Riders” scandal pleaded innocent Wednesday to assault, kidnapping, filing false reports and other charges in one of the city’s biggest crackdowns on police misconduct. -more-
Interest group sues Kaiser Permanente
SAN FRANCISCO — A public interest group sued Kaiser Permanente on Wednesday, accusing the state’s largest HMO of jeopardizing patients’ health by prescribing them double dose-sized pills they must cut in half. -more-
More people paying for holiday lights
LOS ANGELES — People pay to get their pools cleaned, their lawns raked and their trees trimmed. So should it come as any surprise that more and more of them are paying to get their holiday lights put up? -more-
Power crunch driving businesses to consider solar energy projects
FOUNTAIN VALLEY — Power shortfalls and price spikes are leading some California companies to consider solar power, not just as a cleaner substitute for conventional energy but also as a reliable source of electricity in a volatile market. -more-
Handyman pleads innocent in Yosemite tourist killings
MARIPOSA — In the shadow of the mountains where he lived, worked and killed, motel handyman Cary Stayner pleaded innocent Wednesday to slaying three Yosemite National Park tourists. -more-
LAPD may cancel program over Boy Scouts’ gay ban
ANGELES — The Los Angeles Police Commission called on the Boy Scouts of America on Tuesday to drop its ban on gays, indicating it may fold the Police Department’s Explorer Scout program if it doesn’t. -more-
State board approves Oakland charter school
SACRAMENTO — The state school board approved two very different charter schools on Wednesday – an urban military academy backed by Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown and Gov. Gray Davis, and a basics elementary sought by parents in the high desert of Kern County. -more-
Al Gore’s fight goes on at breakneck speed
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Al Gore hung his presidential hopes on legal proceedings moving at head-spinning speed a day ahead of arguments before the Florida Supreme Court, counting on a court shocker to upset George W. Bush’s certified Florida victory. -more-
Holiday shoppers hit Fourth Street
It’s the middle of the day and dozens of shoppers buzz in and out of coffee houses, boutiques and music stores. Many sport designer sweaters and leather jackets with tall, black leather boots. -more-
Hewlett-Packard says it is making changes
PALO ALTO — Hewlett-Packard Co. CEO Carly Fiorina said Wednesday the company made management changes and sharpened its focus after posting disappointing results in its most recent quarter. -more-
Market Roundup
NEW YORK — Stocks turned abruptly lower Wednesday when an earnings warning from Bank of America incited a wave of selling and wiped out much of Tuesday’s big advance in the Dow industrials. High-tech stocks also fell sharply. -more-
Four landmarks commissioners barred
The Landmarks Preservation Commission was able to get through its entire agenda on Monday night, but it wasn’t pretty. -more-
Proposed Walnut Street antennas questioned
Wireless antennas proposed for the Berkeley-Richmond Jewish Community Center on Walnut Street are causing consternation in some quarters. -more-
Forum addresses youth violence issues
At a regional forum titled “Safe From the Start,” sponsored by the office of California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, parents, educators and health and social services professionals drew battle plans Tuesday to combat youth violence. -more-
AIDS quilts on display at community theater
The Berkeley High School AIDS memorial quilts already have nearly two hundred squares. -more-
Tobacco settlement money to insure children
SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County approved an unprecedented plan Tuesday to use its share of the national tobacco settlement to provide health coverage for all uninsured children in the county. -more-
Razor USA wins injunction against six scooter makers
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday barring six makers of popular aluminum scooters from selling models that allegedly infringe on a patent held by industry leader Razor USA. -more-
Autopsy finds actor shot in back by L.A. officer
LOS ANGELES — A policeman who killed an actor holding a realistic fake gun at a Halloween party shot the man in the back of the head and in the back, an autopsy report showed. -more-
State hospitals settle 10-year suit
SACRAMENTO — California hospitals have settled a 10-year-old lawsuit with the state for $350 million to cover Medi-Cal reimbursement rates that a federal court said were set too low. -more-
MP3.com renews its controversial service
LOS ANGELES — MP3.com restored its beleaguered music locker service Tuesday, seven months after lawsuits from record labels and music publishers forced its shutdown. -more-
Lawsuit threatened over sale of wildlife corridor
INDUSTRY — Conservationists have threatened a lawsuit to block the sale of a 2,533-acre wildlife corridor by the Boy Scouts of America to a city redevelopment agency. -more-
EPA cleanup plan could take 240 years
SACRAMENTO — Polluted groundwater caused when a Sacramento County company dumped contaminants into wells and landfills can be cleaned, according to a new plan by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. -more-
San Diego teen allegedly planned to shoot student
SAN DIEGO — A 15-year-old student who showed off a handgun on campus and threatened to shoot a classmate escaped the attention of school officials because no one reported him, authorities said Tuesday. -more-
AMA recommends over-the-counter selling for the morning after pill
ORLANDO, Fla. — The American Medical Association approved a resolution Tuesday asking the government to consider making the “morning-after” contraceptive available over-the-counter. -more-
Florida court will hear Al Gore appeal
Al Gore suggested Tuesday that even a rejection of his Florida Supreme Court appeal might not drive him from the presidential race, though many Democrats said that would be the limit of their loyalty. -more-
Online shopping expecting big sales
The year’s busiest shopping season is here, and online retailers and shipping services are hoping to avoid the fiasco of last December when online giants like BarnesandNoble.com and ToysRUs.com failed to deliver thousands of packages in time for Christmas. -more-
BRIEFS
SAN JOSE — Apple Computer Inc. became the latest personal computer maker to warn of disappointing earnings, saying Tuesday that first-quarter earnings will fall well short of Wall Street’s expectations because of a slowdown in sales. -more-
MARKET ROUNDUP
Wall Street had its first rush of euphoria in months Tuesday, with the Nasdaq composite posting its biggest one-day advance ever amid optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates. Blue chip stocks also soared, carrying the Dow Jones industrials up more than 338 points. -more-
Suit filed against clothing supplier for the military
WASHINGTON — A Nicaraguan garment factory that supplies discounted clothing to American soldiers imposes sweatshop conditions and starvation wages on its workers, a lawsuit filed Tuesday contends. -more-
Courts rules homeowners can’t sue companies for negligence
SAN FRANCISCO — Homeowners cannot sue construction companies for negligence anymore, unless building code violations or other defects cause injury or economic loss, the California Supreme Court decided Monday. -more-
San Jose remains No.1 in high-tech job employment
SAN FRANCISCO — San Jose maintained its position as the No. 1 place for high-tech jobs, but other cities with high employment growth were closing the gap. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
S.F. personality at stake in election
SAN FRANCISCO — The city holds a runoff election for nine supervisors Tuesday that could determine the future of dot-com expansions and other projects that some say are robbing San Francisco of its bohemian character. -more-
Berkeley shooting tops recent rash of violence
Berkeley police say another shooting took place yesterday morning in a city that has seen a rash of violence in the past several weeks. -more-
Authorities say federal officer abducted teen, eludes police
BERMUDA DUNES — Authorities were hunting Friday for a federal police officer who allegedly abducted a middle school student from a bus stop and escaped after a high-speed freeway chase. -more-
Survey: Foreign-born residents earn less, pay more
SAN JOSE — Foreign-born residents of Silicon Valley earn less on average than U.S.-born residents, but pay more for housing, a new government survey concludes. -more-
Explosion at pipe factory; no deaths, several injuries,
UNION CITY — An explosion at a pipe factory late Wednesday afternoon injured at least 12 people, rescue officials said. -more-
Power outages leading to holiday light display delay
Energy shortages have strained electrical and natural gas supplies, prompting the state to ask residents to keep their holiday lights off in the early evening and leading utilities to warn customers of skyrocketing heating bills. -more-