The Week

 

News

Office development ban in works

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Saturday February 03, 2001

The Planning Commission is asking the City Council to save crafts and manufacturing jobs in west Berkeley by enacting a moratorium on the construction and expansion of office space. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Saturday February 03, 2001


Saturday, Feb. 3

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Letters to the Editor

Saturday February 03, 2001

Community takes a hard look at Berkeley High -more-


Play ‘tough’ to take

By John Angell Grant Daily Planet Correspondent
Saturday February 03, 2001

As the story goes, Canadian playwright George F. Walker, born and raised in Toronto’s industrialized inner city, was driving a cab in the early 1970s when he saw a poster for a local theater company requesting original scripts. -more-


Panthers smother St. Joseph’s 78-50

By Tim Haran Daily Planet Correspondent
Saturday February 03, 2001

St. Mary’s John Sharper missed the game’s opening shot, but he and the rest of the aggressive Panthers team didn’t miss much else as they cruised to a 78-50 win over St. Joseph’s on Friday night. -more-


Technology in schools: blessing and burden

Staff
Saturday February 03, 2001

By Erika Fricke -more-


St. Mary’s loss to Bruins will cost them some rest

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Saturday February 03, 2001

3-1 defeat gives St. Patrick-St. Vincent first-round bye -more-


Schools awarded state money

By Judith Scherr Daily Planet Staff
Saturday February 03, 2001

Principal Patricia Saddler of LeConte School knows how she wants to spend the $22,225 award the state just granted the school because of its improved performance on the Stanford 9 test. -more-


’Jackets contain league’s leading scorer, get a win at De Anza

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Saturday February 03, 2001

Berkeley now 7-0 in ACCAL -more-


House ablaze

Barbarah Hendrickson/Special to the Daily Planet
Saturday February 03, 2001

Smoke and fire pour from a home at 782 Contra Costa Road midday on Friday. Firefighters had the blaze under control in about 20 minutes. The single-alarm blaze that was reported at 11:40 a.m. was probably caused by an electrical malfunction, Assistant Chief David Orth said. Nobody was injured in the fire, which destroyed the second floor of the home and killed two parakeets. Orth reported an early estimate of at least $200,000 damage. -more-


Union activists file charges against online’s Webvan

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

FOSTER CITY — Webvan Group could be among the first few dot-coms to push for unionization, but union activists say company rules are hurting their efforts. -more-


FERC finds no abuses in market

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

WASHINGTON — California power plants shut down during the state’s energy crisis had legitimate repair needs, federal regulators looking into allegations of market manipulation said Friday. -more-


State’s $60 million railroad investment questioned

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

WILLITS — California taxpayers are sinking $60 million into reopening a North Coast railroad that has repeatedly fallen victim to a quagmire environment, crippling costs and chronically poor maintenance and management. -more-


Corruption informant will not go to state prison

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Corrupt ex-policeman Rafael Perez will remain in local custody because moving him to state prison would place him in potential danger, a judge ruled Friday. -more-


Lawyers spar over sale of handguns

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

SACRAMENTO— California’s legislative counsel has concluded a new state law bars consignment sales of many used handguns, prompting criticism from firearms dealers and owners. -more-


Salmon considered for endangered list

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Fish and Game recommended Friday that coho salmon north of San Francisco Bay be considered for the state’s endangered species list as a result of its “dramatic and significant decline.” -more-


Stock market forecast murky

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

NEW YORK — With corporate earnings season almost over and two interest rate cuts under its belt, the stock market might appear poised for a February rally. -more-


New fire officials promoted

Daily Planet Staff
Friday February 02, 2001

In a solemn ceremony Thursday, Fire Chief Reginald Garcia swore in 12 of 14 fire officials who had earned promotions. -more-


Friday February 02, 2001

Utilities acted irresponsibly; why should consumers pay? -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

— compiled by Chason Wainwright
Friday February 02, 2001


Friday, Feb. 2

> -more-


Friday February 02, 2001

Friday, Feb. 2 -more-


Bears go on shooting spree, trounce UCLA

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Friday February 02, 2001

Opinions clash over uses for Oxford St. lot

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Friday February 02, 2001

A diverse group of 75 people attended the first public planning meeting Wednesday on the design and use for the last undeveloped site downtown – the Oxford Street parking lot. -more-


Albany grapplers pound on ’Jackets

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Friday February 02, 2001

Rocky start for class to help failing teens

By Judith Scherr Daily Planet Staff
Friday February 02, 2001

Unidentified man admitted to hospital

Daily Planet staff
Friday February 02, 2001

An unidentified man, who is a regular at a doughnut shop at the intersection of Ashby and College avenues, suffered a serious head injury on Wednesday night. Alta Bates Hospital is asking the public’s help in identifying -more-


Record number of applicants to UC Berkeley

Daily Planet wire services
Friday February 02, 2001

A record number of California high school seniors have applied for admission to UC Berkeley for the fall 2001 freshman class, including an unprecedented number of African American, Chicano, Latino and American Indian students. -more-


UCSF establishes Internet database of tobacco papers

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California, San Francisco said Wednesday it will use a $15 million gift to maintain documents on the tobacco industry in a permanent online archive and to establish a research center to study the material. -more-


Man shot to death on Highway 280

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — One person was killed in a drive-by shooting Thursday afternoon on a busy highway leading out of San Francisco. -more-


State encourages students to apply for expanded aid

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

The state of California has good news for high school seniors who are looking for money to attend college next fall. -more-


Poll finds Californians losing confidence in the economy

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — A majority of Californians believe the state’s economy is strong, but residents’ optimism about their own financial prospects is at its lowest point in five years, a new poll shows. -more-


Alleged school attack plotter pleads not guilty

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

Dog owner says attack could have been prevented

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

While prosecutors investigate whether a dog owner should be held criminally responsible for a 33-year-old woman’s death, family and friends were expected to attend a memorial service at St. Mary’s College in Moraga where Diane Whipple coached the women’s lacrosse team. -more-


Governor signs $10 billion power-buying bill

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

The Associated Press -more-


Measure adds to reversal of energy deruglation deal

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

Poll shows many Americans worried about energy

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

WASHINGTON — More than half of Americans are concerned that California-like energy problems could hit their communities, yet most oppose exploring for more oil in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, according to a poll by The Associated Press. -more-


Changing bulb doesn’t help lack of refrigerator light Q: Our refrigerator light bulb went out, and we tried replacing it with two new ones, but we’re still in the dark. What should we check out next? A: There are two obvious causes for a refrigerator

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

Q: Our refrigerator light bulb went out, and we tried replacing it with two new ones, but we’re still in the dark. What should we check out next? -more-


Materials, systems, appliances have a fairly long life

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

Buying a house is just the beginning. Before long, you’ll be repairing it, too. Fortunately, many building components – foundation, framing, plumbing and wiring – should last 50 years or more. But mechanical systems, appliances and surfaces exposed to the weather will not last nearly that long, even under the best of circumstances. -more-


Refinishing an old-house floor

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

Wood floors of the Victorian era, with plain, unfinished planks, have given way to parquet designs. Restoring these floors goes a long way to creating an authentic period look. Unlike unfinished planks that got their charm from natural wear patterns, shiny strip and parquet floors benefited from new finishing products such as oil, varnishes and shellacs, that added a special look to the floorboards. -more-


Council extends antenna ban for six months

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Thursday February 01, 2001

The City Council extended a ban on telecommunications antennae Tuesday for six months in residential areas, but modified the moratorium to allow antenna installation in west Berkeley and downtown. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Thursday February 01, 2001


Thursday, Feb. 1

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Gaia Building: example of healthy solution for housing

By Richard Register
Thursday February 01, 2001

Patrick Kennedy’s buildings have been passionately opposed by neighborhood conservatives and often by the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. These residential buildings, sometimes condominiums, sometimes apartments, with cafes, offices and shops on the ground floor, have in their opponents’ views been too big, too dense, and non-conforming with the opponents’ idea of Berkeley architectural esthetic traditions. -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Thursday February 01, 2001

Rolling Bears face a real test this week

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday February 01, 2001

There’s no denying it: the Bears are on a roll. This week’s games will go a long way to determine just how serious they are about keeping it going. -more-


Union, hotel mark ‘grand re-opening’

By Judith ScherrDaily Planet Staff
Thursday February 01, 2001

It wasn’t your typical ribbon-cutting at the Berkeley Marina Radisson Hotel Wednesday night. The giant scissors union organizer Stephanie Ruby held were inscribed “peace” and “justice.” -more-


Prep of the week

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday February 01, 2001

Angelita Hutton – Berkeley High -more-


Money OK’d for student program

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Thursday February 01, 2001

Last week the City Council boasted strong support for the Berkeley High Achievement Plan and Tuesday they acted on it. -more-


New bus services link UC with the Rockridge BART

Daily Planet wire services
Thursday February 01, 2001

The University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have teamed up with AC Transit and the City of Berkeley in a new pilot program to help relieve traffic congestion in the city and promote the use of public transit. -more-


Congresswoman Lee elected vice chair of progressive caucus

Daily Planet wire services
Thursday February 01, 2001

Congresswoman Barbara Lee today was elected as Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus. -more-


Police say student had Columbine fascination

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

SAN JOSE — The young man who allegedly assembled an arsenal of guns and explosives in his room and plotted a massacre at his community college was fascinated with the 1999 rampage at Columbine High School and “hated everyone,” police said Wednesday. -more-


Viciousness of dogs who attacked woman still being determined

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Police investigators continued to sift through a growing collection of evidence Wednesday as they attempt to determine the background of two dogs that killed a woman at her doorstep Friday. -more-


Senate OKs $10 billion state power-buying bill

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Lawmakers moved Wednesday to make the state a major power buyer under a $10 billion plan to rescue utilities pushed to the brink of bankruptcy by California’s disastrous deregulation law. -more-


Bay Area restaurant imposes energy surcharge to cover costs

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

FREMONT— Along with their ribs and fries, diners at three Original Hickory Pit restaurants are chewing on a 75-cent surcharge to cover higher energy costs. -more-


Families react to Lockerbie decision

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. — When the first verdict was announced, Daniel Cohen clasped his hands together and breathed deeply, overcome by emotion. -more-


No federal prosecution for convicted New York police

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

NEW YORK — The U.S. Justice Department will not pursue federal civil rights charges against four New York City police officers who killed an unarmed West African immigrant outside his Bronx apartment two years ago, a federal source close to the case said Wednesday. -more-


Fed cuts interest rates by half a point

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve, pledging a “rapid and forceful” response to the economy’s dramatic slowdown, cut interest rates on Wednesday by another half percentage point. -more-


Market Watch

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

NEW YORK — With Wall Street increasingly worried about a recession, investors sold off stocks Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said it would lower interest rates for the second time in a month. -more-


Team has no love for new lot

By Michelle Hopey Special to the Daily Planet
Wednesday January 31, 2001

By Michelle Hopey -more-


Mother of kidnapped man continues to call for release

Wednesday January 31, 2001

I called Radio Mindanao today at 3 pm PST to make the following appeal: -more-


Wednesday January 31, 2001

Calendar of Events & Activities

— compiled by Chason Wainwright
Wednesday January 31, 2001


Wednesday, Jan. 31

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Offering spaces counters goal of less cars

By Erika Fricke Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday January 31, 2001

By Erika Fricke -more-


Wednesday January 31, 2001

Labs should test staff blood -more-


City is trying to avoid taxing PG&E hike

By John Gelaurdi Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday January 31, 2001

As the energy crisis continues across the state, the city is trying to find an effective way to apply a utility tax break for gas and electricity users. -more-


Rebuilt Thousand Oaks school celebrates

Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday January 31, 2001

Speaking first in English, then Spanish, Principal Kevin Woodbridge welcomed the hundreds of parents and community members who turned out to the formal opening of the newly rebuilt Thousand Oaks School. -more-


Record number of minority students apply to UC

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

BERKELEY — A record number of underrepresented minorities applied to the University of California in the first year of a new program guaranteeing a spot to top-performing high school students. -more-


Problems noted in women’s health coverage

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — California could do much more to improve health care for women and girls, according to a report issued Tuesday by a women’s group. -more-


Owners of dogs who killed woman adopt prison inmate

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — The attorneys whose dogs killed a 33-year-old woman at her front door have adopted the prison inmate who ran a scheme in which vicious canines, including those two dogs, were bred and trained to guard methamphetamine labs. -more-


‘Columbine-style’ threat shuts down college

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

Audit details utility’s cash flow is all but flushed

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s cash flow is nearly exhausted and its credit ruined, and the beleaguered utility should consider staff cuts, a state-ordered audit disclosed Tuesday. -more-


Papers disclose recruitment efforts by Communist Party

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

WASHINGTON — Papers that had been stashed in Siberia since America’s Red Scare detail Communist Party efforts to recruit blacks in Harlem, steal State Department secrets and organize sharecroppers. -more-


Doctors raid organs from children for their research

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

Employees ordered to take time off

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

Consumer confidence at lowest level in 4 years

The Associated Press
Wednesday January 31, 2001

NEW YORK — Growing fears of a recession sent consumer confidence plunging in January to its lowest level in four years. -more-


Market Watch

Wednesday January 31, 2001

NEW YORK — Investors flocked to the safety of blue chips and shied away from the tech sector Tuesday while awaiting the Federal Reserve’s anticipated interest rate cut. -more-


Rental inspection plan aims at safety

By Neil G. Greene Special to the Daily Planet
Tuesday January 30, 2001

A proposal to inspect vacant rental units for safety hazards and code compliance, has left at least one property owner grumbling. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Tuesday January 30, 2001


Tuesday, Jan. 30

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Letters to the Editor

Staff
Tuesday January 30, 2001

Attack not by pitbulls, but Bull Mastiffs -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Tuesday January 30, 2001

Gone fishin’

Judith Scherr/Daily Planet
Tuesday January 30, 2001

Yvon Bryant of Oakland takes advantage of spectacular winter weather Monday and tests her luck fishing at the Berkeley Marina pier. She says she generally catches crabs and perch. Darryl Perry, fishing nearby, says he sometimes catches bass. Neither Perry nor Bryant eat more than one fish a month caught at the Marina, aware that eating more may be dangerous to their health. The state health department has warned against contaminants in the water. -more-


City seeks funds for failing freshmen

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Tuesday January 30, 2001

The city is trying to find funds to assist a popular proposal from a group of parents who are determined to help failing high school freshman get back on track. -more-


Council considers antenna moratorium

By John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Tuesday January 30, 2001

The City Council will consider extending a 45-day moratorium on new telecommunications antennae to give city staff time to revise zoning regulations to deal with the increasing numbers of applications for them. -more-


State gets higher mark on national report card

The Associated Press
Tuesday January 30, 2001

SACRAMENTO — California’s state government is scoring higher marks on a national report card, particularly in fiscal policy, but still ranks behind most other states, a new study shows. -more-


Battle wages on for energy deregulation

By John Cunniff The Associated Press
Tuesday January 30, 2001

The California energy mess has created two vastly different reactions, a popular impression that deregulation has failed and a determined opposition that views it as the only solution. -more-


DaimlerChrysler cuts 26,000 jobs over three years

The Associated Press
Tuesday January 30, 2001

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. —DaimlerChrysler AG's slashing of 26,000 jobs at its ailing Chrysler division stands as the most dramatic sign yet that the 1998 merger of German and American automakers has not lived up to its promise. -more-


Market Watch

The Associated Press
Tuesday January 30, 2001

Investors sent stocks moderately higher Monday but kept their purchases to a minimum while they awaited the outcome of this week's Federal Reserve meeting. -more-


Earthquake meetings organized

By Erika Fricke Daily Planet Staff
Monday January 29, 2001

Just days after a major 7.9 earthquake shook India causing massive damage and loss of life, the Claremont-Elmwood Neighborhood Association held a meeting to organize community preparation for the earthquake residents know will eventually hit the Bay Area. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Staff
Monday January 29, 2001


Monday, Jan. 29

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Letters to the Editor

Monday January 29, 2001

Instabilty is crippling Berkeley’s schools -more-


Bears clamp down on defense, beat Huskies

Daily Planet Wire Services
Monday January 29, 2001

Cal’s Lampley scores 21 in Seattle -more-


City Council in power play

By Jon Mays Daily Planet Staff
Monday January 29, 2001

In response to the California’s power crisis, Berkeley City Councilmember Linda Maio is asking for a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 24 to discuss various ways that the city can cut back on energy use and rid the city of the shackles of Pacific Gas And Electric. -more-


Cal loses late lead and game to Washington

Daily Planet Wire Services
Monday January 29, 2001

A second half surge and a five point lead with 7:51 remaining in the game were not enough to beat the Huskies Saturday night as Washington regained the lead with 1:18 to play, defeating California 69-68 inside Haas Pavilion. -more-


Raise the rates, say economic experts

Daily Planet Staff Report
Monday January 29, 2001

A group of 22 professors and economic experts say that a state utility takeover will only worsen California’s power crisis while raising power rates will help stakeholders, “share the pain.” -more-


Ruggers overcome slow start to maul Chico State

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Monday January 29, 2001

With 20 minutes gone in the first half on Saturday, the Chico State rugby team had to be pretty happy. They had conceded just one try to the 10-time defending national champion Cal squad to just one score, and had made two forays deep into Bear territory on Witter Field. Then the roof caved in. -more-


One dead, others in hospital after fire

Daily Planet Wire Report
Monday January 29, 2001

Residents are UCB students -more-


Bay Briefs

Monday January 29, 2001

Judge asked to throw out Raider lawsuit -more-


Football fans unconcerned with power shortage

By Andrea Cavanaugh Associated Press Writer
Monday January 29, 2001

LOS ANGELES – As Southern Californians gathered around their televisions to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, many consumers in the market for a big-screen TV seemed blissfully unaware a power crisis was at hand. -more-


No fences make good neighbors at co-housing complex

By Michelle Locke Associated Press Writer
Monday January 29, 2001

EMERYVILLE – On a drab afternoon, the rich, warm smell of vegetarian chili curls around the couch where 9-year-old Jessie flips through her math homework. -more-


Power companies’ woes hurting elderly investors

By Michael Liedtke Associated Press Writer
Monday January 29, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – Neale McFarland never expected to get rich by owning stock in California’s two largest utilities, but he knew he could always count on a decent-sized dividend check to cushion his retirement income. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

State now has to deal with utilities’ debts

The Associated Press
Saturday February 03, 2001

SACRAMENTO — With a $10 billion power-buying plan in place after two days of vote-wrangling, lawmakers prepared Friday for more contentious negotiations over what to do, if anything, about $12 billion in debts claimed by the state’s biggest utilities. -more-


Panel says UC hiring fewer women professors

The Associated Press
Friday February 02, 2001

The Associated Press -more-


Group sues over further development by Cisco Systems

The Associated Press
Thursday February 01, 2001

SAN JOSE — Opponents of Cisco Systems’ plan to build a $1.3 billion campus in one of the Silicon Valley’s few remaining rural areas filed suit Wednesday to halt the development or at least put it up for a referendum vote. -more-


Report shows medicine price gap

Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday January 31, 2001

When Margot Smith went shopping for medicine for a visiting relative, she was startled to find that different pharmacies charge greatly varying prices for drugs. Not content to simply purchase the cheapest drug for the relative, Smith, an active member of the Berkeley Gray Panthers, decided to take her discovery to a new level. -more-


Fatal dog attack investigation leads officials to felons

The Associated Press
Tuesday January 30, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Two white supremacists serving time at Pelican Bay State Prison are now part of the investigation into the bloody, fatal mauling of a 33-year-old San Francisco woman by dogs, state prison officials and local authorities confirmed Monday. -more-


“Killer Dog” owner can’t explain deadly attack

The Associated Press
Monday January 29, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – The lawyer who owned the two dogs that attacked and killed a 33-year-old woman says the animals were generally gentle and showed no previous signs of aggression. But neighbors who say they called Bane, a Canary mastiff, “Killer Dog” or “Dog of Death,” often avoided the dogs and regret not reporting them. -more-