The Week
News
Calendar of Events & Activities
Disability organizations promoting awareness
Panthers rest, still dominate
With a big meet this weekend, the St. Mary’s track & field team rested most of its stars, but still managed to wipe up the floor with the opposition in its final league meet on Thursday. -more-
School Board members speak out on Army visit
Berkeley economy feels national slump
The loss of the ComputerWare store at Bonita and University avenues – the Bay Area chain went belly up at the beginning of the week – may be one sign that the high-tech downturn is making its way to the East Bay. -more-
Panel questions value of ‘affordable’ housing
By Erika Fricke -more-
Salmon fall short of immediate endangered listing
California wildlife regulators took a major step Thursday toward putting the coho salmon north of San Francisco Bay on the state’s endangered species list, but stopped short of ordering an immediate listing. -more-
Uninsured motorists cannot get pain, suffering damages
SAN FRANCISCO — Uninsured motorists injured in an auto accident caused by a government agency’s negligence cannot collect damages for pain and suffering, a divided California Supreme Court ruled Thursday. -more-
L.A. candidates said to violate campaign laws
LOS ANGELES — A political activist organization with ties to the Reform Party said Thursday it will try to get Tuesday’s mayoral election postponed due to alleged campaign finance violations by the state Republican and Democratic parties and two of the leading candidates. -more-
Millennium terror case against alleged smuggler goes to jury
LOS ANGELES — The conspiracy case against an Algerian accused of smuggling explosives into the country went to the jury Thursday after prosecutors accused him of being a determined terrorist and the defense suggested he was an unwitting courier. -more-
Two Earth First! members arrested
Two Earth First! activists were arrested Thursday for trespassing on Humboldt County land owned by Pacific Lumber Co. -more-
80 percent of freshmen took new grad exam
SACRAMENTO — About four-fifths of California’s ninth graders took the English half of Gov. Gray Davis’ new state high school graduation test last month, state school officials said Thursday. -more-
3 nursing homes seized by state
SACRAMENTO — The state has taken over the management of three nursing homes where investigators found evidence of patient neglect, health officials announced Thursday. -more-
Five rare condors released into wild
BIG SUR — Five California condors stepped tentatively into the wilderness and then flew away Thursday, the latest move in a difficult effort to bring the rare birds back from near-extinction. -more-
Gov. Davis endorses electricity rate hikes
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis for the first time Thursday endorsed rate increases for customers of two strapped utilities, while urging conservation and defending his handling of the state’s energy crisis. -more-
Colin Powell speaks with leaders in Middle East
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke Thursday with Israeli and Palestinian leaders after he learned that Israeli soldiers fired on a convoy carrying Palestinian security chiefs. -more-
Senators, White House negotiate school voucher
WASHINGTON — Senate and White House negotiators agreed Wednesday to a plan that takes money from persistently failing schools and gives it to families for tutoring programs. -more-
Bush does about-face on salmonella testing for schools
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration backed away from a proposal to ease salmonella testing requirements on meat for school lunches, saying it was overruling lower level Agriculture Department officials. -more-
How to make a house lighter, brighter – and healthier
NEW YORK — Ah, spring. Cool breezes, blue skies, daffodils – it’s so lovely outside. -more-
Decorating can be done in an afternoon
Did you know you can order art-quality photography at a pittance from the Library of Congress, or that you can turn a flea-market find into a lamp with decorative mountings available at almost any lamp shop? -more-
Rebels back off on beheading of Oakland man
MANILA, Philippines — In the face of a last-ditch military offensive, Muslim rebels retreated from their threat to kill an American hostage Thursday and send his head to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as a birthday present. -more-
Series spotlights new, classic documentaries
“Border guards and search lights and escape attempts and death in the middle of Berlin,” said a Berliner, remembering the days of the Berlin Wall in “After the Fall.” -more-
Nontechnical dot-coms workers struggle to find jobs
Dow goes wow with Dell; Nasdaq up 146
NEW YORK — Stock prices shot higher Thursday, propelling the Dow Jones industrial average up more than 400 points, after Dell Computer and Alcoa gave Wall Street its first really good earnings news in months. -more-
Berkeley High students leave for Cuba
Everything was fine until someone mentioned the towels. -more-
Film reveals ‘Secrets of Silicon Valley’
The recent downturn of the stock market evidenced the volatility of the new economy, and allowed those without the speed, courage, or resources to make buckets of money on tech stocks to smile smugly at investors with their now droopy portfolios. -more-
St. Mary’s Guy excels at Stanford
The St. Mary’s track & field team had a good day at the Stanford Invitational last weekend, led by Halihl Guy, who was selected as the Athlete of the Meet. -more-
Coming soon
Chocolate factory finally set to open its doors in May -more-
Panthers can’t find offense, lose to Salesian
The St. Mary’s baseball team nearly played a great game on Wednesday against BSAL rival Salesian. But one inning of defensive carelessness led to the Panthers going down, 2-1, to the league leaders. -more-
Widow says Harvard apology not enough
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University has sent a letter of regret to the widow of a former professor who was forced to resign almost 50 years ago on suspicions he was a Communist. -more-
’Jackets fall to De Anza, still looking for first win
Young team going through tough ‘rebuilding year’ -more-
Municipal code would regulate buried resources
The city is hammering out an amendment to the municipal code that will govern development above buried historic resources such as the West Berkeley Shellmound. -more-
Mountain bike team hears from professionals
David “Tinker” Juarez admitted he doesn’t know what he’ll do after his career as a professional mountain biker is over. But for now, the U.S. Olympic Cycling Team member loves to race and enjoys encouraging younger cyclists. -more-
Lucent denies bankruptcy rumors
TRENTON, N.J. — Shares of Lucent Technologies Inc. plunged as much as 30 percent Wednesday to an all-time low before the telecommunications giant strongly denied rumors it plans to file for bankruptcy reorganization. -more-
Students have own tobacco fight
Emboldened by their recent success in getting merchants along Telegraph Avenue to take down 30 percent or more of their tobacco advertisements, a group of Willard Middle-schoolers took their anti-tobacco campaign a step further Tuesday, asking merchants to put up anti-tobacco posters in place of the advertisements. -more-
Letters to the Editor
Schilling’s mother asks captors for compassion -more-
Arts & Entertainment
924 Gilman St. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless noted $5; $2 for a year membership. April 6: Link 80, Lucky Strike, 5th Wheel, Kung Fu Chicken; April 7: The Plus Ones, The Evaporators, The Pattern, Dukes of Hamburg, The Goblins/Disgoblins/Skablins/Gothblins; April 13: The Locust, Dead & Gone, Honeysuckle Serontina, Tourettes Latrec, Last Great Liar 525-9926 -more-
Some mistrust over tritium report
A consultant told a mostly skeptical audience Monday that current tritium emissions, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are not substantial enough to pose a health risk. -more-
Ralliers protest inhumanity of Mideast conflict
While some 100 activists rallied at the downtown Berkeley BART station against what they called the “brutality” of the Israeli government, eight people draped themselves in Israeli flags and blasted the Palestinians as the cause of the violence in Israel and Palestine. -more-
Black, Hispanic admissions up first year of 4 percent program
BERKELEY — Black and Hispanic admissions to the University of California increased in the first year of a program guaranteeing a spot for the top 4 percent of high school graduates. -more-
POLICE LOGS
Two unarmed youths allegedly stole $2 and a bag of marijuana from a man standing at a bus stop near the intersection of Haste Street and College Avenue Friday, according to police. -more-
Plan would put more counselors in public schools
SACRAMENTO — The state’s top school official wants to spend an additional $60 million a year to put more counselors in California’s public schools to try to avoid student violence. -more-
Pala tribe’s casino enters increasingly crowded market
PALA — An Indian tribe prepared Tuesday to open the state’s first new permanent casino complex since last year’s passage of an initiative legalizing tribal gambling. -more-
Bush taps Californian officials for key posts
SACRAMENTO — Despite speculation that President Bush would brush off the Golden State after his overwhelming loss here, he has tapped several Californians to serve in his administration – from national security adviser to top technology posts. -more-
Dow, Nasdaq sent spiraling
NEW YORK — Wall Street fell back into a deep slump Tuesday as a relentless stream of earnings warnings sent the Dow Jones industrials tumbling as much as 350 points and the Nasdaq composite index down more than 100. -more-
Unions propose self-sufficient aluminum smelters
SPOKANE, Wash. — Northwest labor organizations have launched an effort to make electricity-gobbling aluminum smelters energy self-sufficient within five years. -more-
Census study shows housing segregation
WASHINGTON — Segregation persisted in big cities over the past decade amid the nation’s growing racial and ethnic diversity, according to a report that provoked calls for stronger enforcement of laws against housing discrimination. -more-
Army recruit tour makes BHS stop
The U.S. Army’s $3.2 million Armor Adventure Van came to Berkeley High Monday as part of a three-day tour of East Bay High Schools intended to show students what today’s army is all about – and to encourage them to join. -more-
Arts & Entertainment
924 Gilman St. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless noted $5; $2 for a year membership. April 6: Link 80, Lucky Strike, 5th Wheel, Kung Fu Chicken; April 7: The Plus Ones, The Evaporators, The Pattern, Dukes of Hamburg, The Goblins/Disgoblins/Skablins/Gothblins; April 13: The Locust, Dead & Gone, Honeysuckle Serontina, Tourettes Latrec, Last Great Liar 525-9926 -more-
Questions over hike in landmark review fees
The city may have improperly raised the fee for historical landmark review by as much as 10 times the amount prescribed by a city ordinance. -more-
Rally calls for shut down of tritium lab
The Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste brought out its big – uh – guitars at a Monday afternoon rally/press conference where their “shut down the labs” message came through in song and speeches. -more-
Ideas plentiful for the now defunct UC Theater
The UC Theater’s dead. Long live the theater. -more-
Research yields 430 former lead smelting sites
SAN DIEGO — Researchers have discovered the sites of 430 former lead smelting factories spread among 35 states, most apparently unknown to government regulatory officials despite the risk they may harbor hazardous levels of the toxic metal. -more-
Companies say South Africa spurned cheap AIDS drug
PRETORIA, South Africa — Pharmaceutical firms suing the South African government say officials have rejected or ignored their offers to provide cheap or free AIDS drugs, countering the country’s claims that it needs to import cheaper generic alternatives because it cannot afford the patented drugs. -more-
Eyes on the future, there’re gaps in the past
In its feverish quest to develop magical electronic devices during the great expansion, America overlooked and bypassed some of the more mundane ingredients of a sound economy. -more-
EBay reminds users information could be sold in acquisition
SAN JOSE — Online auction powerhouse eBay Inc. is telling users their personal data would be shared if eBay is bought out or merges with another company. -more-
City commissioner accused of chair kicking
A raucous meeting of the Environmental Sampling Project Task Force last Thursday was further disrupted when a city commissioner allegedly kicked an empty chair which in turn struck another chair occupied by a political opponent. -more-
Arts & Entertainment
Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm.”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. $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. Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org -more-
Giambi leads A’s back to favorite status
Oakland slugger sets the tone on young club -more-
Leaflets spark controversy outside Berkeley markets
Israeli matzoh boycott hits home -more-
Berkeley gymnasts place well at state championships
Golden Bear Gymnastic Team members Ryan Race, Marissa Tolero and Jane Hartman, the only representatives from Berkeley, participated in NorCal’s Level 7 State Championships in Rohnert Park over the weekend of March 24-25 and came home winners. -more-
Police clarify private lot leaflet policy after incident
Several people handing out leaflets from the group Jews for Divestment were forced to leave the Berkeley Bowl parking lot yesterday as they tried to organize a boycott against Israeli matzoh. -more-
Film helps learning community discussion
“How can we create schools that expect all children to reach for their dreams?” -more-
Searching for Bobby Fischer in Berkeley?
Alex Setzepfandt, who attends private school in Berkeley, is just like any other 11-year-old kid, except that he plays chess good enough to be called a champion. -more-
Interstate 80 to be closed for bridge construction
Caltrans will close Interstate Highway 80 near University Avenue in Berkeley this week to set up construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge that will connect the city with its marina. -more-
Church looking for donations
The 650-member Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley is asking for donations of products, services or gift certificates from local businesses for its annual Goods and Services Auction on April 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. -more-
Bay Area’s smaller ‘schools within schools’ find success
SAN ANSELMO – Like 70 percent of America’s high school students, junior Jesse Gross is one of about 1,000 other teen-agers at his school. But unlike some of his peers, Jesse doesn’t feel isolated, insignificant or swallowed up by the huge school. -more-
Dead dot-coms’ gear ripples through tech economy
CAMPBELL – CDworld.com folded two weeks ago after six years in business. The company’s 11 workers have been let go and the small offices in a strip mall are nearly bare. -more-
California’s Asian population continues to grow
Drawn by high-tech jobs, immigrants are making communities more diverse -more-
Celebration honors César Chávez
About 200 people, half of whom were grade-school students, gathered to celebrate the state’s first César Chávez Day with poetry, dance and learning. -more-
Teachers told they’re leading way to bottom
Education expert Alfie Kohn, one of the nation’s most outspoken opponents of high stakes standardized tests, told hundreds of Bay Area teachers Thursday that California is leading the race to the bottom in public education by overemphasizing standardized tests. -more-
Sports shorts
Bears get early commitment from New Orleans prep star -more-
Berkeley census shows Hispanic, Asian communities grow
If the newest census figures are to be believed, Berkeley’s population has scarcely grown in 10 years. But the population has shifted. -more-
Natural disasters change a neighborhood
Berkeley Observed -more-
UC Berkeley research shows eye function
The eye as a camera has been a powerful metaphor for poets and scientists alike, implying that the eye provides the brain with detailed snapshots that form the basis for our rich experience of the world. -more-
Power regulators must decide whose energy bill will go up
SAN FRANCISCO — California power regulators already have approved the biggest electricity rate hikes in state history. Now they must decide which customers get hit hardest. -more-
Amid mixed emotions, AIDS quilt leaves S.F.
SAN FRANCISCO — Here in the city where so many have died from what at first was known as “the gay disease,” some say the move of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Atlanta is like another loss in their family. -more-
New suburbs swell as residents seek cheaper housing
TEMECULA — Horse lovers and cattle ranchers once were drawn to this remote valley for its leisurely pace and lush hills. -more-
Decorative moldings can spruce up your home
For most of us, a home is the single biggest investment we will make in a lifetime. so, we spend lots of time, money and energy doing what we can to maintain its integrity and improve its value. It’s no wonder that Americans spend more than $150 billion annually on home improvement and repair. -more-
Prosecutors don’t want TV coverage of SLA trial
LOS ANGELES — Cameras should be barred from the courtroom during the bomb conspiracy trial of former SLA fugitive Sara Jane Olson because the testimony could teach viewers how to make bombs, prosecutors argued Friday. -more-
Institutional buying rules the market
NEW YORK — Wall Street’s gyrations can be attributed to many causes, but, ultimately, the volatility comes down to a question of who is buying stocks and who is selling. -more-
Sometimes meat loaf, mashed potatoes are OK
To Anthony Maramarco, an informed investor, a renewed appreciation of value can be observed in America today, and the stock market reflects it. Value investing, he says, is back on the front burner. -more-
No question too invasive at bankruptcy hearings
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Your financial life flashes in front of you in a matter of minutes: your mortgage, income, bills, life insurance, taxes. You’re being grilled under oath in a room full of strangers, each awaiting a turn under the spotlight. -more-
Summer gas prices may jump
WASHINGTON — Expected low inventories of gasoline could set the stage for regional supply problems and another summer of high fuel prices, government and industry experts told lawmakers Friday. -more-
Airline unions high and flying strong
WASHINGTON — Unions, struggling in many industries, are flying high on the nation’s airlines. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
Delta flight returns to U.S. after Russians turn it away
SAN FRANCISCO — A Delta flight from Atlanta to Japan was forced back to the United States after Russian air traffic controllers said it didn’t have permission to fly through their airspace. -more-
Job fair aims to recruit ESL teachers
Faced with a critical shortage of teachers for English as a Second Language classes, adult schools throughout the East Bay are holding a job fair tonight, from 7 to 8:30, at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, 77 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill. -more-
Gov. Davis says worst power crunch is yet to come
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis urged lawmakers Tuesday to quickly approve $1.12 billion in energy conservation incentives to ease a warm-weather power crunch he said could hit as early as next month. -more-
Separatists threaten to behead Oakland man
MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered “all-out war” on a band of Muslim extremists Monday, hours after they vowed to behead a U.S. hostage to mark the president’s 54th birthday. -more-
Art center gets grant for new school program
The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts has been awarded its first major grant under new board and executive leadership. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will invest $150,000 so the JMCA can develop a pilot program based on the Lincoln Center Institute, a unique arts education program of New York's Lincoln Center. -more-
School employees get double back pay
Berkeley Unified School District classified employees were looking forward to collecting their March pay checks Friday because of 6 percent raises approved by the school board last week, retroactive to July 1 of last year. -more-