The Week
News
Students rally against Bush tax cuts
A group of UC Berkeley sociology students donned traditional blues garb and took up instruments to mock a congressional agreement approving President George W. Bush’s $1.25 trillion tax cut: -more-
Berkeley falls to Gauchos
The Berkeley High boys’ volleyball team has had a tough year. A collection of underclassmen, some of whom never played organized volleyball before this year, the ’Jackets have yet to win a match. Thursday, ACCAL leaders El Cerrito came calling, and the outcome was fairly predictable, as the Gauchos ran off an easy 15-2, 15-12, 15-2 win. -more-
Mayor’s State of the City address sheds light
School Board balances budget with cuts
After months of discussion and hand-wringing, the Board of Education cut more than $4 million from the district’s 2001-2002 budget Wednesday. -more-
Wind-aided fire burns Oakland residential neighborhood
OAKLAND — A six-alarm fire whipped by 45 mph winds destroyed a four-story building under construction and damaged or destroyed 11 homes early Thursday, fire officials said. -more-
EBay bans Nazi artifacts and hate-group material
Internet auction giant eBay Inc. is banning the sale of artifacts from Nazi Germany, the Ku Klux Klan and notorious criminals, in hopes of avoiding legal problems in other countries. -more-
U.S. breaks up Ukrainian immigrant smuggling ring
LOS ANGELES — Federal agents broke up a ring that smuggled hundreds of people from the Ukraine into the United States through Mexico and forced some into prostitution, authorities said Thursday. -more-
Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble strong
The Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble -more-
Gardening lilacs can yield many varieties
POUND RIDGE, N.Y.— Lilacs bring mixed emotions, linked in poetry to love but also death. Prized by gardeners in many lands, the flowers’ beauty and fragrance, aside from promptings of joy or sadness, proclaim Spring has fully arrived. -more-
Federal agents seize 260 pounds of ivory at airport
LOS ANGELES — Dining-room chairs and statues concealed more than 200 pounds of ivory in the nation’s biggest seizure of elephant tusks since laws banning their import took effect. -more-
N.Y. students protest standardized testing
SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Nearly 200 eighth-graders boycotted a state science exam with their parents’ blessing Thursday in this well-to-do community of doctors, corporate executives and other high-achievers. -more-
N.J. Senate approves resolution asking for resignation of justice
TRENTON, N.J. — The Senate approved a resolution Thursday urging Supreme Court Justice Peter G. Verniero to resign because he allegedly lied about racial profiling by state police. -more-
Bush orders California agencies to conserve
WASHINGTON — Federal workers in power-strapped California could be taking the stairs and sweating out the summer under an energy conservation directive signed by President Bush Thursday. -more-
Study: Bottled water no better than tap water
GENEVA — Despite perceptions that it’s healthier, there is little difference between bottled water and tap water – apart from cost – a conservation group said Thursday. -more-
U.S. losses seat on U.N. human rights council
UNITED NATIONS — The United States lost its seat Thursday on the top U.N. human rights body for the first time since the commission was formed in 1947. -more-
Lucent scientist arrested by FBI for stealing software
NEWARK, N.J. — Two Lucent Technologies scientists and another man – all three of them Chinese-born – were arrested by the FBI on Thursday and accused of stealing Lucent software and sharing it with a company largely run by the Chinese government. -more-
Delta pilots now prepare for vote
ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines pilots will soon begin voting on a new contract now that their union’s leadership has endorsed a tentative agreement that could end the threat of a strike at the nation’s third-largest carrier. -more-
Mayor’s state of the city address calls for unity
Mayor Shirley Dean outlined her vision of the city’s future Tuesday, which included a citywide conversion to solar power, creating affordable housing and a controversial 500-space garage under Civic Center Park. -more-
A neighbor tries to save a very special little girl
It was a mother's worst nightmare. She went to wake her daughter to get up for school, but the child would not wake up. She was unconscious and unresponsive to her mother's panicked reaction. I happened to hear the cry of my West Berkeley neighbor and went out that morning to find out what the matter was. “My baby!” she cried. “Does anyone know CPR!” came the cry from a family immobilized by grief. -more-
Arts & Entertainment
924 Gilman St. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless noted $5; $2 for a year membership. All ages. May 4: Plan 9, Zodiac Killers, Reverend B. Dangerous Freakshow, Dory Tourette & The Skirtheads, Knockoffs; May 5: Shikabane, Phobia, Harum Scarum, Vulgar Pigeons, Insidious Sorrow; May 11: Subincision, Next to Nothing, Fracus, Thrice, The Average Joe; May 12: The Sick, Impalid, Creuvo, Tearing Down Standards. 525-9926 -more-
Cal makes crew coach Gladstone new AD
In a surprise move this week, Cal Chancellor Robert Berdahl announced he had hired crew coach Steve Gladstone to be athletics director of the university. -more-
Speech stirs up parking controversy
Mayor Shirley Dean’s unveiling of a plan to construct a 500-space parking garage under Civic Center Park was barely unveiled before controversy erupted. -more-
Bears pound USF
SAN FRANCISCO – Behind outstanding pitching from freshman right-hander Brian Montalbo and a 17-hit attack, Cal powered past San Francisco, 12-1, Tuesday at Benedetti Diamond. -more-
Standardized tests rules schools
Students sound off on taking statewide exams -more-
’Quakes beat Cal in exhibition
The California men’s soccer team was blanked by the San Jose Earthquakes, 6-0, Tuesday afternoon in an exhibition at Golden Bear Soccer Field. -more-
Measures in place to help school deal with meningitis death
A 9-year-old girl who died Tuesday morning of bacterial meningitis set off a rapid community response from city health and school officials, who hoped to prevent the spread of both the disease and the rumors it engendered. -more-
Police say two should be happy morning scuffle didn’t slice them
Are you wondering about those two men you saw plunging through the giant plate glass window of north Berkeley’s famous Cheese Board Pizza Wednesday morning? -more-
One killed, seven injured as hijacked L.A. transit bus crashes
LOS ANGELES — A shooting suspect hijacked a transit bus Wednesday and held a gun to the driver’s head as police chased the bus through downtown until it crashed into a minivan. The van’s driver was killed and seven people were injured, police said. -more-
Vallejo man found guilty of kidnapping 8-year-old girl
VALLEJO — Curtis Dean Anderson was found guilty Wednesday of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 8-year-old Vallejo girl who testified that Anderson forced her to drink alcohol before he assaulted her last August. -more-
Feinstein cosponsors bill requiring better gas mileage for SUVs
Gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles would have to meet the same federal mileage standard as passenger cars under a bill introduced in the Senate. -more-
The new economy is really old stuff
It may be a bit early to announce a verdict, but today’s New Economy of computers, the Internet and telecommunications devices not even imagined a century ago may not measure up. -more-
Student dies of meningitis
A 9-year-old Oxford School student died Tuesday morning of bacterial meningitis. -more-
May Day fest celebrates workers
Most of the U.S. work force labored Tuesday, but at the Inkworks print shop in West Berkeley a banner of Che Guevara billowed across the balcony and members of Berkeley’s worker cooperatives celebrated May Day with the rest of the world. -more-
Immersion classes popularity soars
Flying in the face of Proposition 227, the voter-approved 1998 law abolishing bilingual education in California schools, the Berkeley brand of bilingual education has become one of the school district’s most popular programs in recent years. -more-
Conflict continues over Civic Center lot
The refurbishing of a paved area behind the newly renovated Civic Center building has alarmed park advocates who have been working to create a car-free transition to the park behind the structure. -more-
Bridge bike lanes may be possible
If the view from the Bay Bridge looks good from the window of a car, it’s even better with the Bay breezes circling your helmet, cyclists promise. -more-
125 arrested in Long Beach May Day protest
LONG BEACH — May Day protesters rushed a police line and threw rocks and bottles at officers Tuesday, leading to 125 arrests when the group refused to disperse, authorities said. -more-
Juror dismissed for discussing kidnapping case
VALLEJO — A juror was dismissed early Tuesday from deliberations in the case against Curtis Dean Anderson, who is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 8-year-old Vallejo girl last August. -more-
Users say Yahoo quietly extending porn crackdown to chat rooms
SAN JOSE — When Yahoo! Inc. got rid of the adult videos and DVDs on its shopping pages last month, the popular Internet site wasn’t done wrestling with pornography. -more-
Chemical leak in Richmond contained, shelter in place
RICHMOND — A chemical leak in Richmond that forced residents to stay inside for much of the day Tuesday has been contained, said Contra Costa County health officials. -more-
Lung Association gives 33 counties failing air grades
SACRAMENTO — Thirty-three of California’s 58 counties received failing clean-air grades Tuesday from the American Lung Association in its latest report on air pollution levels. -more-
Man sentenced to life for 1963 church bombing
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A former Ku Klux Klansman was convicted of murder Tuesday for the 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls, the deadliest single attack during the civil rights movement. -more-
GOP agrees on tax cut plan
WASHINGTON — Top congressional Republicans reached tentative agreement Tuesday on next year’s budget, deciding to include a $1.35 trillion, 11-year tax cut that would give President Bush most of the tax reduction he has long treasured but less than he and GOP leaders wanted. -more-
High job growth linked to population surges
WASHINGTON — There is plenty of work to be found in places like Las Vegas and San Diego. -more-
Market Brief
NEW YORK — Another wave of optimism swept over Wall Street Tuesday, carrying stocks higher and lifting the Dow Jones industrials to their highest level in nearly three months. -more-
Vietnamese father answers his American son: living with defeat
Recent revelations by former Sen. Bob Kerrey about his role in the death of women and children in Vietnam underscore how that war refuses to go away for America. The Vietnam War is an everyday remembrance for Thi Quang Lam – one of the four top South Vietnamese generals – who now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. His son, Pacific News Service Associate Editor Andrew Lam, finally mustered the courage to ask his father questions he has had since arriving here 26 years ago. -more-
Calendar of Events & Activities
Students rally to condemnBush’s environmental record
On the occasion of George Bush’s first 100 days, Students for Climate Protection rallied on the UC Berkeley campus Monday, blasting the president for what they called his “disastrous” environmental policies and vowing to do whatever they can locally to save the planet. -more-
Divided panel looks at SAT issue
At a time when many say an overemphasis on high-stakes, standardized tests in public schools perpetuates social and economic inequalities, a panel of experts visiting UC Berkeley last Friday discussed the strengths and drawbacks of perhaps the most infamous test of all: the Scholastic Aptitude Test. -more-
Homeless agencies vie for $1.5 million
The City Council is pondering grant applications from 15 nonprofit homeless service agencies that are vying for nearly $1.5 million in city and federal funds. -more-
Annual celebration honors struggles of People’s Park
At around this time of year in 1969, leaflets appeared on the streets of Berkeley bearing the words: “We are building a park on the land. We will take care of it and guard it, in the spirit of the Costanoan Indians. When the University comes with its land title we will tell them: ‘Your land title is covered with blood. We won’t touch it. Your people ripped off the land from the Indians a long time ago. If you want it back now, you will have to fight for it again.’ ” -more-
Berkeley Daily Planet earns reporting honors
Scarcely into its third year, the Berkeley Daily Planet picked up an award from the Peninsula Press Club on Friday at its 24th annual awards ceremony. The event drew more than 120 club members and contest participants. -more-
Mayor’s speech will address energy, housing, schools
Mayor Shirley Dean will give the annual “State of the City” address tonight and is expected to cover a range of issues including the energy crisis, housing and troubles at Berkeley High School. -more-
Cajoun-Creole band member dies at age 63
The great Cajun-Creole accordion player Danny Poullard died Friday morning of a massive heart attack while in his back yard. He was 63 years old. -more-
SLA fugitive defense given time to appeal for delay
LOS ANGELES — A judge Monday rejected a bid by former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson to delay her attempted-murder trial for five months but gave lawyers at least a week to file an appeal. -more-
Sex-change benefits approved in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco on Monday became the only city in the nation to pay for its employees to receive sex changes, after the Board of Supervisors narrowly passed the measure. -more-
Potential gubernatorial candidate to tour state
SACRAMENTO — After keeping a low profile since announcing he may run for governor, Los Angeles investment banker William E. Simon Jr. will make his first campaign-style appearances Tuesday. -more-
Illegal immigrants swamp INS offices to beat deadline
LOS ANGELES — With a midnight deadline looming to apply for a visa without leaving the country, thousands of illegal immigrants spent Monday standing in line at Immigration and Naturalization Service offices throughout the state. -more-
Closing arguments in Vallejo kidnapping trial
VALLEJO — A jury began deliberating late Monday in the case against Curtis Dean Anderson, who is accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 8-year-old Vallejo girl. -more-
Lead levels deemed safe can still be harmful to child’s IQ
BALTIMORE — Children exposed to lead at levels now considered safe scored substantially lower on intelligence tests, according to researchers who suggest one in every 30 children in the United States suffers harmful effects from the metal. -more-
Many senators don’t want investigation into Kerrey
WASHINGTON — Some of Bob Kerrey’s former Senate colleagues who served in Vietnam said Sunday they have little desire for a Pentagon investigation into his recent admission that civilians were killed during a mission for which he won the Bronze Star. -more-
Teens drink,drive less in states with stricter limits
WASHINGTON — Teens’ drinking and driving has dropped by nearly one-fifth in states with stricter blood-alcohol limits for young people, according to a 30-state survey of high school seniors. -more-
‘Slings & Arrows’ players hits their mark
Black Box Productions – “the anarchist wing of Shotgun Players,” joked playwright/director Rebecca Goodberg – is currently presenting two new challenging and thought-provoking short experimental works at LaVal’s Subterranean Theater in Berkeley. -more-
Reading the consumer mind can be difficult
There is something to be explained about the popular measurements of consumer confidence. A lot, perhaps, but a beginning would be to explain why people won’t buy a refrigerator but will buy a stock. -more-
Video game industry reports rapid growth
LOS ANGELES — Computer and video games now represent a $10.5 billion industry that eventually could rival the market for movies, according to a trade organization study. -more-
Water is the star at Berkeley Bay Festival
The Berkeley Bay Festival offers boat rides, art activities and educational experiences each year. And each year new people are stunned by what the Berkeley Marina has to offer. -more-
Trash causes trouble at Berkeley High
“I basically just flipped,” said Corinne Eno, chair of the Berkeley High school Grounds Committee, describing her reaction when asked to organize a campus clean-up in advance of an Arts Festival today. -more-
Letters to the Editor
New Temple Beth El will be good for the community -more-
Cardinal use late surge to avoid Bear sweep
A capacity crowd of 2413 fans filled Evans Diamond on Sunday to watch the Golden Bears (26-22, 11-10) play the Stanford Cardinal (34-12, 12-6). The Bears, having taken the first two games from Stanford, were looking for a sweep to further their chances at making the post-season. -more-
St. Mary’s has up-and-down day at Top 8
The St. Mary’s track & field team once again had a good day at a top meet on Saturday, with several wins at the Top 8 Invitational at James Logan High School. -more-
City plans for more affordable housing
The city plans to develop 100 affordable housing units in the coming year despite ongoing obstacles facing nonprofit developers such as the rising land and construction costs. -more-
Sierra Club suggests energy crisis solutions
Tuning up appliances, opening or closing vents and swapping energy-eating incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent ones are just a few ways Berkeley residents can reduce utility costs in light of California’s energy crisis, a Sierra Club panel said Saturday. -more-
People’s Park skate
Jay Moody, 22, of North Carolina celebrates the 32nd -more-
Berkeley High School beefing up its security
After police arrested five Berkeley High School students in connection with a series of assaults at the school over the last several weeks, city and school district officials announced late Friday a number of extraordinary measures for boosting safety. -more-
Maximum-security inmates managed outside murders, feds say Associated Press Writer
SANTA ROSA – Some send orders to kill through the mail disguised as letters to lawyers. Others scrawl notes in tiny letters on scraps of paper and wrap them in plastic for visitors to hide in their bodies. -more-
Maximum-security inmates managed outside murders, feds say
SANTA ROSA – Some send orders to kill through the mail disguised as letters to lawyers. Others scrawl notes in tiny letters on scraps of paper and wrap them in plastic for visitors to hide in their bodies. -more-
Utility’s bankruptcy hurting conservation rebates
SACRAMENTO – Pacific Gas and Electric’s bankruptcy filing could hurt the state’s efforts to encourage conservation with energy-efficiency rebates. -more-
Municipal utilities get second look as energy woes grow
SACRAMENTO – More California cities are considering starting their own utilities as the state’s problems with its privately owned power companies drag on. -more-
The battle for digital living rooms is joined
Companies spending millions on new entertainment tech -more-
Witnesses describe 1969 attack on Vietnamese village
Woman’s statement clashes with Kerrey’s recent account of raid -more-
District trying to increase revenue
As the June deadline for its 2001-2002 budget draws near, the Berkeley Board of Education will review increasingly specific plans for eliminating an anticipated shortfall of $5.2 million. -more-
Letters to the Editor
2700 San Pablo Ave. proposal does not conform to zoning -more-
Arts & Entertainment
Judah L. Magnes Museum “Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season” Through May 2002 An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical 2911 Russell St. 549-6950 -more-
Fielder on a tear as Panthers beat up on St. Joe’s
On fire. In a groove. Couldn’t miss with his eyes closed. Any superlative you can come up with, this week it applied to Jeremiah Fielder. -more-
Seeing the need for a service
’60s icon raises funds for cataract operations -more-
No power outage: Homers carry Bears past Stanford
Hutchinson throws complete game -more-
Council readies to split $7 million among nonprofits
The City Council heard from 45 speakers Thursday prior to awarding more than $7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that provide housing, homeless and health services. -more-
Berkeley Observed Looking back, seeing ahead
Development boom began over 100 years ago -more-
Albany police seek rap entries about safety
The Albany Police Department is looking for middle school and high school songwriters to write rap songs about teen driving safety, such as driving under the influence, accidents or using safety belts. -more-
Judge powerless to stop Napster copyright infringement
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge overseeing the case against Napster Inc. essentially threw up her hands and appealed for help Friday. For the moment, her memorandum guarantees Napster users can continue downloading copyright music at will. -more-
First black public defender in S.F. dead
SAN FRANCISCO — Frederick D. Smith, a Tuskegee Airman who became San Francisco’s first black public defender, has died following a long illness. He was 84. -more-
Daughter arrested for mother’s murder
SAN FRANCISCO — The daughter of a missing Antioch grandmother has been arrested on suspicion of murder one day after investigators identified body parts scattered in Solano and Sierra counties as those of the missing woman. -more-
Propisition 21 ruled legal in school shooting case
EL CAJON — A judge ruled Friday that the teen-ager charged in a deadly school shooting in suburban San Diego will be tried as an adult, rejecting a challenge to a new, voter-approved California law aimed at cracking down on juvenile crime. -more-
Feds, states spar over regional electric grid
SACRAMENTO — By pushing California to join other Western states in a regional organization to run the states’ power grids, federal energy regulators want something that will neither cut energy costs nor stave off blackouts, Western officials said Friday. -more-
Big rig driver charged in multi-vehicle morning crash
SACRAMENTO — One person died and seven were injured Friday in a rush-hour crash on Interstate 5 that officers say was caused by a big-rig driver who didn’t see a car when he tried to change lanes. -more-
Ex-professor’s widow gives $4 million to Fresno State
FRESNO — The widow of an education professor at California State University, Fresno gave the school $4 million Friday for its teaching programs. -more-
Milk prices down, but farmers add to herd
MODESTO — California’s dairymen continued adding cows to their herds last year, but the increased production led to slumping prices. -more-
Bush education plan could cost $7 billion
WASHINGTON — Fulfilling President Bush’s proposal to test every student in grades three through eight could cost states as much as $7 billion over the next seven years, the National Association of State Boards of Education says. -more-
Two new reports released on former Senator’s Vietnam unit
WASHINGTON — Two newly declassified official reports concerning a raid on a Vietnamese village by Bob Kerrey’s Navy SEAL team make no mention of civilian casualties that the former senator says he included in his initial after-action report on the incident. -more-
Jurors hear tape in trial of 1963 bombing
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Jurors heard a murky, secretly recorded FBI tape Friday that prosecutors say shows a former Ku Klux Klansman plotted a 1963 church bombing that killed four black girls. -more-
Navy resumes bombing in Puerto Rico
VIEQUES, Puerto Rico — The U.S. Navy dropped 500-pound dummy bombs from jet fighters and fired shells from ships as it resumed exercises on Vieques island Friday, despite the presence of protesters so close they forced a temporary halt to the fire. -more-
FDA cautions drug makers about AIDS advertising
WASHINGTON — The government is warning manufacturers of drugs used in the treatment of AIDS not to imply too much in their advertising. -more-
Illegal immigrants trying to beat deadline
WASHINGTON — Illegal immigrants are flocking to immigration offices to apply for visas as a Monday deadline approaches. -more-
Economy doing better, but recession lingers
WASHINGTON — The economy surprised the naysayers by turning in a solid growth rate of 2 percent in the first quarter – double what had been expected for a period in which there had been fears a recession might be beginning. -more-
Teens pump revenue into car market
DIAMOND BAR — Teenagers are setting the pace for a car-customizing craze that began in California several years ago and has now spread to the East Coast, Texas and the Midwest. -more-
Stock picking tricky even for pros
NEW YORK — With the Dow Jones industrials up nearly 10 percent during April, many individual investors are trying to decide whether to jump into the rally. But buying stocks can be dicey in an uncertain economy and fragile earnings environment. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
State Supreme Court gives boost to seniors’ patient rights
SAN FRANCISCO — About 1.5 million California seniors covered by Medicare-contracted HMOs got a legal boost Thursday from the state’s highest court, which ruled they can sue their health maintenance organizations for damages. -more-
Man pleads guilty to helping Reddy
OAKLAND — A man charged with smuggling two teenage girls from India into the country for a wealthy Berkeley landlord by posing as their father pleaded guilty as part of a deal with federal prosecutors, according to court documents. -more-
Report shows schools need more money
SACRAMENTO — All school districts should receive more school construction money more often, according to a report released Tuesday by the Legislative Analyst’s Office. -more-
Berkeley runners to ‘Breeze’ through Devil Mountain
Four of the seven Berkeley girls who ran a marathon in Rome last month to raise money to create a lounge at Oakland Children's Hospital in memory of a friend who died of cancer are at it again. -more-
Community helps nonprofits rebuild together
Nine community organizations and 29 households saved about $500,000 when 1,500 local volunteers completed a flurry of building repairs last Saturday. -more-
State retirement funds benefitting from power crisis
OAKLAND — Dozens of state legislators, more than a million state workers – and even Gov. Gray Davis may be indirectly profiting from California’s power woes. Calpers, the state retirement and pension system, has more than a billion dollars invested in power generators. -more-