The Week
News
Calendar of Events & Activities
Student gap top issue in district search
There is a growing consensus that the top issue for the next superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District will be tackling the achievement gap between white students and students of color. -more-
Council to hear report on health disparities
At its meeting tonight, the City Council will hear a report by the Community Action Team discussing its work plan to address the health disparities in Berkeley. The gap in health outcomes between wealthier Caucasian people who live in the hills and lower income people of color who live in the flatlands was pointed out in a Berkeley Health Department study last year. -more-
Berkeley professor honored
Gerald M. Rubin, professor of genetics in the Department of Molecular & Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, has been awarded the Newcomb Cleveland Prize for 2000 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for a review paper he published last year on the sequencing of the fruit fly genome. He shares the prize with about 100 co-authors, including CraigVenter, head of Celera Genomics Corp. -more-
Driver charged with murder in pedestrian deaths
SANTA BARBARA — Prosecutors charged a college freshman with four counts of murder and other crimes Monday for allegedly running down pedestrians with his car in a neighborhood near the University of California, Santa Barbara. -more-
Justices refuse to consider reviving disabled placard fee
SACRAMENTO — The U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal Monday to hear Gov. Gray Davis’ challenge of a ruling overturning a fee for handicapped parking placards is a victory for disabled rights, advocates say. -more-
California home sales, prices rise in January
LOS ANGELES — The state’s booming housing market shows little sign of a slowdown despite the softening economy, a report released Monday by the California Association of Realtors shows. -more-
State electricity hunger, but is no power glutton
The Associated Press -more-
U.S.-Russian project tests space sail
PASADENA — A U.S.-Russian group announced Monday it plans an April test launch of a space sail that relies not on wind but the gentle pressure of the sun’s rays to propel it. -more-
Power crisis contributes to schools budget woes
Skyrocketing energy costs, teacher pay raises and growing enrollments are just a few reasons the Berkeley Unified School District is facing a budget crunch in the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to a financial report released last week. -more-
Bears down Huskies
In a special night at Haas Pavilion, Sean Lampley etched his name into the California record books, and the Bears followed his strong offensive lead to defeat Washington State, 84-65, on Saturday night. -more-
City fails to buy KBLX land for park
The city’s effort to resurrect a deal to purchase 4.5 acres from KBLX Radio as an addition to Aquatic Park stalled when the station’s management said it wasn’t interested. -more-
St. Mary’s wins BSAL title, earns berth to playoffs
After St. Mary’s jumped to a 21-8 lead at the end of the first quarter in the BSAL title game against Salesian Saturday night, it appeared that the Panthers were on its way to recording yet another blowout in a season filled with lopsided victories. -more-
Celebrating Black History
The annual Black History Month celebration at the Martin Luther King Youth Services Center Saturday opened with a libation — the tradition of giving honor to ancestors and people before you. -more-
Consultant who lied about endangered frogs sentenced
An Emeryville environmental consultant has been sentenced to community service and fined in federal court for moving and harming threatened California red-legged frogs at a Concord development site. -more-
Transportation planning workshop scheduled
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission will hold a public workshop on the 2001 Regional Transportation Plan on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The plan will determine the way that government funds are spent for transportation infrastructure in the nine counties that make up the Bay Area. -more-
State GOP elects chairman to rally against Gov.Davis
SACRAMENTO — Shunning a movement to adopt a more moderate approach, California Republicans narrowly elected a conservative chairman Sunday to revive a party dogged by division and defeat. -more-
Police investigate student’s intent in fatal crash
Hells Angels charged in drug ring
VENTURA — A national Hells Angel leader and nearly two dozen others, including his son and daughter, have been arrested for allegedly participating in an extensive drug ring. -more-
Terry McMillan’s latest novel is of missed opportunities
Family. Can’t live with ‘em… Can’t live with ‘em. -more-
Record industry blames Napster for low CD sales
LOS ANGELES — In the ongoing battle between the recording industry and Napster, industry officials have brought forth new evidence in their attempt to prove the Internet music-swapping service has cut into their business. -more-
Judge’s remarks may help Microsoft in breakup appeal
WASHINGTON — Microsoft will try to convince an appeals court this week that the breakup of the software giant is unwarranted in a high stakes legal showdown that may focus as much on the judge who made the ruling as the legal underpinnings for it. -more-
Terms elevate pet relationship
A rose is a rose by any other name. Sure, but in Berkeley, Shakespeare wouldn’t be able to apply his famous saying to the special relationship between humans and their furry companions – the family dog or cat. -more-
Berkeley ends season with 14-game winning streak
The Berkeley High boys’ basketball team capped a 14-game winning streak to end its regular season Friday by defeating the El Cerrito High Gauchos 77-62 in Berkeley. -more-
Campus plan aims to taper truancy
The school board, parents and many students support a plan by Berkeley High Principal Frank Lynch to implement a “closed campus” for freshman next year, prohibiting the ninth graders from leaving campus during the school day. -more-
Preschool can’t make rent, closes down
Finding affordable quality childcare will get even harder next week, when Dragonfly Preschool shuts its doors forever. -more-
West Berkeley origins on grazing land
Berkeley Observed -more-
Creosote leak from chimney is dangerous
Q: A brick chimney goes up between two unheated rooms in our attic. For the last 35 years, creosote appears to have leaked out of the chimney and stained the wallpaper. Is this dangerous, and if it needs repair, what kind of technician handles this? -more-
Hundreds want to watch McVeigh execution
OKLAHOMA CITY — Constance Favorite offers a half-serious suggestion for how to accommodate the 250 people who want to watch Timothy McVeigh’s execution: Hold it in the middle of an Oklahoma field. -more-
Jeb Bush in tears over criticism of staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Jeb Bush wept before a black Baptist education group Friday as he introduced minority staffers and appointees he said have been ridiculed by other blacks for associating with him. -more-
Investors give $435 million to start-up
SAN JOSE — A start-up telecommunications company that still has no revenues has received about $435 million in venture capital, a huge amount of money in the beleaguered high-tech industry. -more-
State hits 30-year unemployment low
SACRAMENTO — The state’s unemployment rate hit a 30-year low last month as the state’s economic boom continues, the state reported Friday. -more-
Market Watch
NEW YORK — Speculation about an earlier-than-expected interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve helped technology stocks stage a last-minute comeback Friday, giving the Nasdaq composite index its first positive finish in more than a week. -more-
Panthers maul St. Elizabeth to reach championship game
If the St. Elizabeth boys’ basketball team went into Thursday’s playoff game at St. Mary’s with any hopes of upsetting the top-seeded Panthers, they were shattered almost immediately after the opening tip. -more-
Residents fight eviction
As rents continue to rise making Berkeley affordable for financially exclusive renters, book store employee Sarah Glickstein, 62, and four others are being evicted from their longtime homes under the Ellis Act. -more-
Calendar of Events & Activities
Cal women fall to UW
Late nine-point Washington run dooms Bears -more-
School Board votes to back Rebound program
Despite the adamant opposition of two of its members, the Berkeley Unified School District board of directors voted Wednesday night to give key financial backing to a Berkeley High School program for students failing two or more classes. -more-
Chinese church redefines itself
The Berkeley Chinese Community Church celebrated its centennial late last year. -more-
SFO system will warn of quakes
SAN FRANCISCO — Imagine picking up your baggage after a long flight when, over the public address system, a voice warns that a major earthquake is about to hit. -more-
Second dog in mauling case ordered destroyed
SAN FRANCISCO — The second dog involved in the fatal attack on a popular college lacrosse coach was declared “vicious and dangerous” Thursday and was ordered to be destroyed. -more-
Avalanche claims lives of two skiers
TRUCKEE — Two teen-agers who failed to return from a skiing outing at Squaw Valley USA were found dead in an avalanche Thursday near the Lake Tahoe-area ski resort. -more-
Bush declares Iraq strike successful
WASHINGTON — President Bush, in his first full-fledged news conference, declared the military strike against Iraq a success Thursday despite the sub-par performance of U.S. missiles. “We got his attention,” he said of Saddam Hussein. -more-
Skylights can brighten up a room during the winter
Possible suspects in Washington chopping legend
Venture capital funds down 33 percent
SAN FRANCISCO — Investments in venture capital funds plunged 33 percent during last year’s final quarter in a retreat spurred by the accelerating pace of Internet business failures. -more-
Last McDonnell Douglas plane delivered
LONG BEACH — The last plane to be built under the McDonnell Douglas name was delivered Thursday during ceremonies marking the end of an era for the Southern California aviation industry. -more-
Death of dance teacher remembered
Students and staff of Berkeley High School gathered at the Community Theater during their lunch break Wednesday to mark the one year anniversary of the death of Marcia Singman, a dance teacher at the school for more than 30 years. -more-
Arts & Entertainment
924 Gilman St. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless noted $5; $2 for a year membership Feb. 23: Subincision, 30 Second Fury, AKA Nothing, No Common Sense, Stalin’s War; Feb. 24: Slow Gherkin, Plus Ones, 78 RPMS, Merrick, Enemy You; March 2: Books Lie, Living Under Lies, Remnants, No Regrets, The Fadeaways, LWL; March 3: Dr. Know, The Dread, Hot Box, Anal Mucus; March 9: Dead and Gone, Sworn Vengence, Punishment, Misoura, The Computer Kills; March 10: The Varukers, 46 Short, Scarred for Life, Oppressed Logic, Faced Down; March 16: The P.A.W.N.S., Kill the Messenger, Phoenix, The Sugarlips; March 17: The Hood, Benumb, Above This World, Chrome Disorder, Eulogy 525-9926 -more-
Berkeley boys outlast shorthanded Jets 53-48
Milton, St. Jules lead balanced attack -more-
Commission given 90 day deadline for shellmound
The Landmarks Preservation Commission unearthed a problem when it considered awarding the West Berkeley Shellmound protective status last September - there were no city regulations for buried and paved-over landmarks. -more-
Roberson’s 39 points lead Lady ’Jackets past Encinal
It took the Berkeley High girls’ basketball team nearly two minutes to score its first points against Encinal Tuesday night, a lapse that may have cost the ’Jackets its second 100-plus point game in two weeks. -more-
Court makes ruling on ADA, states’ rights
The same five members of the Supreme Court who put George W. Bush in the White House decided Wednesday that persons with disabilities who work for their state governments cannot file discrimination suits against their employers under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. -more-
State attorney general backs cannabis club against feds
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is backing an Oakland cannabis distribution club in its fight with the federal government over medical marijuana. -more-
Berkeley lab helps make murder suspect, DNA match
State Attorney General Bill Lockyer announced today that a DNA match made at the California Department of Justice DNA Laboratory in Berkeley has fingered a suspect in a 1984 sexual assault and murder. Lockyer said David James McIntosh, a convicted sex offender currently in Folsom Prison on parole violations, will be charged tomorrow in the sexual assault and murder of 13-year-old Heidi Fredette in Tehama County. -more-
Market Watch
NEW YORK — The Nasdaq composite index fell to its lowest level in nearly two years Wednesday after an unexpected surge in inflation intensified investors’ fears about the future. -more-
Buildings up, trees down
Construction means some destruction -more-
Letters to the Editor
UC may have a conflict when it comes to biotech -more-
Pentagon Papers’ Ellsberg talks about secrets
Daniel Ellsberg, former defense analyst who many say helped end the Vietnam War by leaking the top-secret Pentagon Papers, told a group of 35 people Tuesday that he still has a secret or two. -more-
Bike boulevard becoming a Berkeley reality
Bright purple signs along Bowditch Street and Hillegass Avenue declare the streets to be “bicycle boulevards.” -more-
Ice skating club looks for continued success
Having won first place at the Pacific Coast Championships in Anaheim earlier this month, the Berkeley Ice Symmetrics precision ice skating team is hoping to win a medal at the National Skating Championships next month in Colorado Springs. -more-
BRIEFS
Man robs Wells Fargo bank, amount unknown -more-
Civil rights suit filed in Oakland ‘Riders’ case
SAN FRANCISCO — A new civil rights suit accuses additional Oakland police officers of wrongdoing in “The Riders” case. -more-
Less water for farmers, more energy needed to pump it
SAN FRANCISCO — A low snowpack in the Sierra Nevada and little rainfall so far this winter could mean less water this summer for farmers, who would have to pump more from wells to irrigate their crops. -more-
Man’s ‘three strikes’ sentence upheld
A California man, sentenced under a “three strikes” law to 25 years to life in prison after stealing an umbrella and two bottles of liquor, lost a Supreme Court appeal Tuesday. -more-
L.A. FBI agent first convicted of spying
LOS ANGELES — The arrest of a veteran FBI agent on charges of spying for Russia recalls the arrest more than 16 years ago of Richard W. Miller, who became the first FBI agent to be convicted of espionage. -more-
Senate approves power authority bill
SACRAMENTO — California’s Senate gave Gov. Gray Davis more leverage in his negotiations with utility companies Tuesday, approving legislation that would allow the state to buy or build power plants. -more-
Bill delaying graduation exam for a year OK’d
SACRAMENTO — The California Senate voted Tuesday to delay Gov. Gray Davis’ high school graduation test for a year, saying students need more time to prepare for its tough questions, especially in algebra. -more-
Actors save multi-faceted ‘Shrew’ tale
Because it is a slapstick comedy about a man who tortures his wife until she becomes subservient to his every whim, Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew” is a difficult play for modern audiences. -more-
Napster offers music companies $1 billion
SAN FRANCISCO — Napster Inc. offered $1 billion to the recording industry Tuesday to settle the copyright infringement suit that threatens to shut down the free Internet song-swapping service. -more-
Intel limits hiring and delays raises
SAN JOSE — Intel Corp. said Tuesday it will delay raises, cut back on hiring and slash spending, joining other high-tech companies in belt-tightening amid a slowing economy and sluggish personal computer sales. -more-
Market Watch
NEW YORK — Skittish investors sold off technology stocks Tuesday, pushing the Nasdaq composite index down more than 100 points for the second trading session in a row and sending all three major market indicators into negative territory for the year. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
School test will likely be practice
SACRAMENTO — It’s becoming more likely that the ninth-graders who take the state’s first high school graduation test starting next week will be doing it only for practice. -more-
Power problems could spread this summer
LOS ANGELES — As Californians brace for a summer of anticipated power shortages, their neighbors should be ready to share the pain, experts warn. -more-
Growing white asparagus, a garden delicacy
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. — White asparagus, long a European delicacy, has lately become popular also in America. Home gardeners can easily grow these so-called blanched or gourmet whites as well as the better-known green and purplish spears. -more-
State moves out of power alert for first time in weeks
California called off all power alerts Thursday for the first time in nearly six weeks, thanks to the availability of more imported electricity and the return to service of power plants that had been down for repairs. -more-
Investors see opportunity despite gloom
The stock market’s plunge has left many small investors so intimidated they are likely to miss out on the beginning of the next upturn and the chance to recoup their losses. -more-
Body found in jet’s wheel well at SFO
SAN FRANCISCO — A body was found in the wheel well of a US Airways jet at San Francisco International Airport, but authorities were not immediately sure how the man died or whether he was a stowaway. -more-