The City Council closed the last Beth El public hearing Thursday and is set to render a decision Tuesday night on what has been called the “most important land use issue in more than 10 years.” -more-
We are fortunate that internationally famous music ensembles often visit Berkeley, especially in the years of the biennial Early Music Festival. But during the festival’s off years we can be glad that there is a rich vein of local talent that mounts concerts of pre-Classical music performed in authentic period style. -more-
924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 21: Babyland, 78 RPMs Derelectics, Man Alive, Philps & Reuter; July 27: Throw Down, Glood Clean Fun, Count Me Out, Time Flies, Faded Grey, Lab Rats; July 28: Over My Dead Body, Carry On, Merrick, Some Still Believe, Black Lung Patriots; Aug. 3: Sworn Vengeance, N.J. Bloodline, Settle the Score, Existence, Step; Aug. 4: Toxic Narcotic, Menstrual Tramps, Emo Summer, Four Letter Word, Shitty Wickets. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-
Former St. Mary’s AD, football coach will assist son at Tamalpais High -more-
G-8 Summit events spur local action -more-
The piano music of Arnold Schoenberg is not played as often as it deserves. Each piece is a gem, yet these gems defy most attempts to display them in the normal context of a variety of compositions from the Classical and Romantic traditions. -more-
The 2001 California women’s lacrosse team finished its third season as a varsity sport this past spring with a 12-6 mark and advanced to the title game of the Western Women’s Lacrosse championship under head coach Jill Malko. -more-
Berkeley may soon have better transportation for disabled and elderly people. -more-
Neighborhood controversy over a proposed three-unit townhome development in north Berkeley is reaching a critical point as city officials prepare for an appeal hearing of the project. -more-
The area south of the UC campus is a good example of a Berkeley neighborhood that has retained the character of its initial development despite 134 years of change. -more-
SANTA MONICA — Frustrated by a federal decision they expect will extend California’s use of the pollutant MTBE, Southern California water agencies Friday drafted a plan to defend the region’s wells against the water-fouling gasoline additive. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A Texas man who pulled a small knife on board an eight-hour American Airlines flight was found innocent of a federal charge by reason of insanity Friday. -more-
Assembly measure stalled -more-
LOS ANGELES — A judge dismissed misdemeanor charges against the lead lawyer for former SLA fugitive Sara Jane Olson Friday after both sides agreed that the case against attorney J. Tony Serra would be burdensome to the court, Serra’s lawyers said. -more-
SACRAMENTO — The state Assembly continued negotiations Friday to try to break its budget logjam while the Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Saturday. -more-
WASHINGTON — Ever since Woodrow Wilson, presidents have cozied up to popes. Lyndon Johnson lobbied a pope to back him on Vietnam. Ronald Reagan, once caught dozing during a papal address, talked Cold War tactics with a pope. -more-
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration will maintain a diverse AIDS panel from the Clinton era, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Friday. -more-
Dear Tom and Ray: -more-
AUSTIN, Texas – When times were good, Agillion Inc. looked like a million bucks. -more-
Proponents of a new transit system that uses the light-rail concept with buses instead of trains hope its possible implementation in the East Bay may become the Bay Area prototype in a system that is gaining ground across the country. -more-
The City Council extended a moratorium on the installation of wireless telecommunication antennas in Berkeley until the end of the year by unanimously approving a recommendation by the Planning and Development Department Tuesday. -more-
If an 8-year-old were given the task of designing a school curriculum, it might end up looking something like the Summer Program for West Berkeley’s Black Pine Circle private school. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California is expanding admissions, guaranteeing a spot to students who graduate in the top 12.5 percent of their high school class under a program that will send some to community college first. -more-
The painstaking search for a missing California woman that has captured national media attention is hurting murder investigations in Washington, leaders of the police union said Thursday. -more-
LONG BEACH — A horned puffin chick has hatched at the Aquarium of the Pacific, making it only the second location in the United States to successfully breed the distinctive sea bird. -more-
SAN DIEGO — A U.S. Forest Service firefighter has been arrested and charged with setting five fires over the past two months in the Cleveland National Forest. -more-
SALT LAKE CITY — An assistant U.S. attorney has been charged with lewdness for allegedly mooning a group of neighbors and exposing her breasts after losing her temper on the street outside their home. -more-
BALTIMORE — The government has suspended federally funded research on human subjects at Johns Hopkins University following the death of a healthy volunteer during an asthma experiment, the school said Thursday. -more-
WASHINGTON — Documents that the Democratic Party and unions have sued to keep secret reveal a campaign strategy in which labor and party officials served side by side on committees that directed the Democrats’ election activities in each state. -more-
SAN JOSE — Second-quarter profits more than tripled at eBay Inc., and the mammoth Internet marketplace said Thursday that business will be even better than expected the rest of the year. -more-
Another round of free outdoor summer theater hits Berkeley over this weekend – this time a very funny, slapstick all-female production of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” staged by Woman’s Will and performed in John Hinkel Park. -more-
Members of the board that oversees Pacifica Radio Network have until 5 p.m. today to resign if they want to avoid being named in three lawsuits that target the company. -more-
From the unconventional opening to a new twist of the knife at the end, Berkeley Opera’s production of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” is engaging. -more-
Thursday, July 19
In response to a series of home-fire deaths last year, the City Council adopted a new housing ordinance Tuesday designed to increase housing safety. -more-
Why would a recent high school graduate choose to spend part of his summer cooped up in a windowless laboratory using laser beams to test the elemental composition of a nickel? -more-
Homeless advocates, city officials and community activists applauded a Berkeley judge’s decision to rule, in the case of Ken Moshesh, that a law that makes sleeping outside a misdemeanor is unconstitutional. -more-
An Oakland man drowned Tuesday after he and a friend jumped off the Berkeley Pier as part of a bet to see who was the better swimmer. -more-
The Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative will be giving away compost on Saturday July 21 at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market as part of “Sustainable Agriculture” Day. Berkeley residents can bring a bag or bucket to Center Street and Milvia to be filled with compost from their own yard debris that is collected by the city every other week. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — University of California regents have endorsed a change in admissions policy they hope will increase enrollment, particularly of blacks and Hispanics, by blunting the disadvantage of being a high-achieving student in a low-performing school. -more-
NEW YORK — The change has been momentous, but it arrived so subtly that even those involved haven’t stopped to think about how it has changed their financial perspective. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Napster Inc. can resume its song-swapping operations on the Internet, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. -more-
Some say there’s a better solution to amnesty issue -more-
Berkeley’s Speakeasy Theater opened a pretty good grassroots stage production last weekend of Lyle Kessler’s 1983 gangster tale “Orphans.” This stage play was the source for Kessler’s somewhat reworked 1987 movie of the same title starring Albert Finney and Matthew Modine. -more-
On the front steps of the old Berkeley city hall, employees of MSGi Direct protest their company’s plan of moving to Southern California. MSGi Direct conducts telemarketing on behalf of environmental and progressive causes. Workers fear the move is in response to their efforts to unionize. They hope the City Council will persuade MSGi Direct to “remain in Berkeley or in the East Bay,” said Kerry Drew, one worker. “The City -more-
The City Council closed back-to-back public hearings Monday after listening to nearly 170 comments on the controversial proposal to build a synagogue, school and social hall at 1301 Oxford St. -more-
Lucia Rodriguez, a clerical assistant at the Berkeley Adult School for more than 20 years, sometimes has trouble explaining to friends why she loves her job so much. -more-
The California State Automobile Association reports today that the average price for gasoline in Northern California dropped 16 cents last month to $1.83, the lowest since March, after oil companies overestimated consumer fuel consumption. -more-
MODESTO — Protesters chanting “Where’s Chandra” and “Liar, liar, pants on fire” on Tuesday scolded Rep. Gary Condit for his relationship with an intern and demanded he resign. -more-
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE— An Air Force F-16 chase plane crashed in a remote mountainous area of eastern California on Tuesday, killing both men on board. -more-
LOS ANGELES — An Asian-American watchdog group demanded an apology Tuesday from NBC’s “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” because a comedian used a racial epithet on the show. -more-
WASHINGTON — More than 180 computers, at least one containing classified material, are missing from the FBI along with some 450 weapons, officials said Tuesday. -more-
CHICAGO — A heart-monitoring procedure used more than a million times a year during major operations appears to serve no benefit and may actually raise the risk of heart attacks, a study found. -more-
HARTFORD, Conn. — When Sheila Matthews’ son was in first grade, a school psychologist diagnosed him with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and gave his parents information on Ritalin. -more-
WASHINGTON — Manufacturing activity plunged in June for the ninth month in a row as the beleaguered industrial sector continued to suffer heavy damage from the yearlong economic slowdown. -more-
WASHINGTON— Amtrak is reviewing its expenses and may cut personnel and service to meet a congressional deadline for self-sufficiency. -more-
LONDON — Obese people who exercise have half the death rate of those who are trim but don’t exercise, a leading expert said Tuesday. -more-
LONDON — The Concorde took a big step closer to resuming service Tuesday after British Airways completed its first supersonic test flight of the aircraft since last year’s Air France crash near Paris grounded the fleet. -more-
The City Council will likely not take any action to establish zoning policies that would limit marijuana cooperatives because of a recent Supreme Court ruling against “medical necessity” legal defenses. -more-
MUSEUMS
Wood chips from a cut-down grove of Eucalyptus trees contaminated with radioactive Tritium is alarming a group of concerned residents near the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. -more-
The Parks and Waterfront Department is asking the City Council to approve a environmental report that deems the Harrison Street Skate Park project is ready to continue after months of setbacks related to the discovery of a carcinogen in the groundwater below the site. -more-
If pro-choice supporters aren’t vigilant in the months and years ahead, then they could see increasing limitations on women’s access to reproductive services like artificial contraceptives, in-vitro fertilization, sterilization and abortion. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — One of the nation’s top embryonic stem cell scientists is leaving the country to work overseas, and the university that employed him has temporarily halted new research in the area. -more-
MARIPOSA — Prosecutors said Monday they will seek the death penalty against a man if he is convicted of killing three Yosemite National Park tourists. -more-
MODESTO — On many of the sleepless nights since Chandra Levy vanished, her mother slips into her daughter’s small bedroom, full of memories, and curls up in the little bed. -more-
Twenty Indian tribes have no right to any of the $200 billion the tobacco industry agreed to pay under the landmark 1998 accord between cigarette makers and 46 states, a federal appeals court ruled Monday. -more-
WICHITA, Kan. — Tense moments unfolded when anti-abortion protesters descended on a church attended by an abortion provider – only to be met by churchgoers less than pleased by the disruption. -more-
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement agencies should review the way they recruit, train and supervise their officers to combat practices that unfairly target minorities, a group of police officials said Monday. -more-
WASHINGTON — When it comes to minorities and women, the face of the federal government looks more and more like America. When it comes to promotions, it’s a different story. -more-
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration wants to put on hold and re-examine a Clinton-era program spelling out federally required state cleanup plans for thousands of lakes and rivers around the nation, two administration officials said Monday. -more-
NEW YORK — Along with the tailings and other debris of the recent stock market debacle, some bright specks of pay dirt are filtering into the news of late. Not many, but enough to excite prospectors. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Attacking an increasingly popular Internet business practice, a consumer watchdog group Monday filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging that many online search engines are concealing the impact that special fees have on their results. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The tap water of at least 7 million Californians is contaminated with a chemical from rocket fuel, a problem that affects people in at least 17 other states, according to an environmental group’s study. -more-
The Berkeley City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to set aside $11.9 million for a three-year program to provide free bus passes for low-income middle and high school students last week. -more-
924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 20: Raw Power, Decry, S.M.D., Scurvy Dogs, Blown To Bits; July 21: Babyland, 78 RPMs Derelectics, Man Alive, Philps & Reuter; July 27: Throw Down, Glood Clean Fun, Count Me Out, Time Flies, Faded Grey, Lab Rats; July 28: Over My Dead Body, Carry On, Merrick, Some Still Believe, Black Lung Patriots; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-
Missed opportunities, wild pitches spell disaster for Legion squad -more-
Dressed in shorts, sneakers and a large blue apron, David Dobkin is getting ready for a big meal. He is marinating a salmon, cooking greens and cutting bread. It’s Friday night, and as they do three times a week, Dobkin and his neighbors are about to have dinner together in the common area of their cohousing development on Sacramento Street. -more-
The University of California women’s head crew coach Dave O’Neill announced Friday the hiring of Sara Nevin as the school’s women’s novice crew coach. She will begin her duties on August 15. -more-
The Berkeley City Council voted on Tuesday to support a museum exhibition that primarily features 15th- and 16th-Century European instruments of torture and death. -more-
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Sixteen Greenpeace activists were being held Sunday on suspicion of domestic terrorism following an unsuccessful attempt to halt a test of a ballistic missile defense system, officials said. -more-
Oakland police say the body of a man was found swinging from a freeway overpass near the Grand Lake Theater early this morning. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – At least eight energy companies have plans to build natural gas pipelines, which could lead to cheaper prices for consumers. -more-
SACRAMENTO – A $101 billion state budget failed to pass the state Assembly for the fourth time as Republicans on Saturday continued their opposition to a sales tax hike. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – The Internet economy is nursing a hangover, but the industry intends to party on this week at the Webby Awards — the dot-com version of the Oscars. -more-
Starting August 6, 19 Berkeley High School students will mount bicycles donated by the Berkeley Police Department and begin the 14-day, 600-mile ride from the entrance of Berkeley High to the entrance of Santana High School in San Diego County – the site of a deadly shooting rampage this year that left two students dead and 13 wounded. -more-
PASADENA — A Russian nuclear submarine launched a rocket Thursday to test a prototype of an American-sponsored spacecraft that sails on the feeble pressure of the sun’s rays. -more-
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Shirley Dean awarded $5,650 to the winners of the Cash for Trash contest. -more-
FRESNO — The San Joaquin Valley’s notoriously dirty air is the target of a planned suit by environmental groups who claim the federal government and the valley’s air district aren’t doing enough to clean it up. -more-
SAN DIEGO — Like many of his countrymen, Adrian Duran came to the United States from Mexico and lived a typically furtive existence: He worked off-the-books in low-paying jobs and always kept a nervous watch for immigration inspectors. -more-
WASHINGTON – The Bush administration is considering granting legal residency to millions of undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the United States. -more-
