The Week

 

News

10,000 reasons to love Gaia?

Wednesday August 15, 2001

Editor: -more-


Wednesday August 15, 2001


Wednesday, Aug. 15

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UC students have own idea to reconfigure districts 7,8

By John GeluardiDaily Planet staff
Wednesday August 15, 2001

The Associated Students of the University of California held a news conference Tuesday after submitting a redistricting plan that could elect the first student to the City Council and shift the city’s balance of power in the progressives’ favor. -more-


Don’t ostrocize, exercise vote

Wednesday August 15, 2001

Editor: -more-


Pacifica crisis reheats with show under siege

By Judith Scherr Daily Planet staff
Wednesday August 15, 2001

The crisis within the Pacifica family of listener-sponsored radio stations may be coming to a head, as the morning news magazine produced by popular host Amy Goodman was canceled Tuesday and replaced, in much of the country, by a rerun of an old show. -more-


City mocked for standing against execution

Wednesday August 15, 2001

Editor: -more-


State senator poses gun legislation

By Erika Kelly Daily Planet correspondent
Wednesday August 15, 2001

State Sen. Don Perata unveiled legislation Tuesday that would hold gun manufacturers liable for what he called irresponsible design and marketing of their products. -more-


Alta Bates Summit CEO announces resignation

Summit/Alta Bates sources
Wednesday August 15, 2001

OAKLAND— Irwin Hansen, president and chief executive officer of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center said today that he will resign, effective September 1. -more-


Police Briefs

Wednesday August 15, 2001

An incident between a cyclist and a motorist raged out of control late Sunday night, leaving a man and his bike banged up. -more-


Alternative high school garden gutted

By Erika Kelly Daily Planet Correspondent
Tuesday August 14, 2001

The garden is now barren where ripe tomatoes, strawberry vines and corn stalks once grew, but educators at the Berkeley Alternative High School already have plans to replant the garden removed by the school district last week in an effort to control rodents in the area. -more-


Guy Poole
Tuesday August 14, 2001


Tuesday, Aug. 14


Do not shoot the messenger

Robert Clear Berkeley
Tuesday August 14, 2001

Editor, -more-


Staff
Tuesday August 14, 2001


Civic Center receives quake monitoring equipment

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Tuesday August 14, 2001

The city’s newly remodeled Martin Luther King Civic Center Building is being fitted with monitoring equipment that will measure just how much the six-story building shakes, rattles and rolls during the next earthquake. -more-


Dark sky ordinances save energy

Yolanda Huang member, Parks & Recreation Commission
Tuesday August 14, 2001

Surrogate mother sues Berkeley couple

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — A California couple embroiled in a trans-Atlantic surrogate parent lawsuit has lined up another would-be family for twins that a British woman is carrying. -more-


Bigots and fountains in City Hall

Stuart Sidells Berkele
Tuesday August 14, 2001

Business school dean resigning at year’s end

Daily Planet services
Tuesday August 14, 2001

The University of California, Berkeley business school dean who once served as President Clinton’s National Economic Adviser is leaving to head the London Business School. -more-


The doctor is not always right

Gene Bernardi Berkeley
Tuesday August 14, 2001

Editor: -more-


Police cite homeless advocates who took over empty building

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Nine advocates for affordable housing were cited Monday, two days after breaking into and taking over an abandoned city-owned building to draw attention to their cause. -more-


What you don’t know....

George Kauffman Berkeley
Tuesday August 14, 2001

Editor: -more-


Bill would exempt hottest areas from power blackouts

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Desert dwellers could get a break if California is hit by rolling power blackouts later this summer. -more-


Go ahead – spend now, save later

By John Cunniff The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

As the economy weakens, the word is being spread to consumers from all directions, including Washington and the business community: If you care about the economy get out and spend. -more-


Chevron,Texaco closer to merger

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

NEW YORK — Chevron Corp. and Texaco Inc. have signed a consent order with the Federal Trade Commission, outlining the terms they expect to meet in order to gain regulatory approval for their merger. -more-


Emery Worldwide Airlines grounds plane fleet

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Emery Worldwide Airlines agreed to ground its 37-plane fleet Monday after the Federal Aviation Administration confronted the cargo carrier with more than 100 apparent violations of government safety regulations. -more-


Smart voter

Jon Mays/Daily Planet
Monday August 13, 2001

Karen Rose, who serves on Berkeley’s Commission on Disabilities and is blind, tests an audio voting system that may soon replace punch cards in this county. The system, already tested in March ,would make it easier for the blind to vote without help. At right is Deborah Seiler, of Global Electronic Voting Systems, the company that designed the machine. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Monday August 13, 2001


Monday, Aug. 13

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Technology could deliver us from the Tower of Babel

By Walter Truett Anderson Pacific News Service
Monday August 13, 2001

As the information and communications technology revolution rolls along, we have become accustomed to people talking to their computers, asking for information on electronic data bases, having conversations with robot voices on the telephone. -more-


Arts

Monday August 13, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Aug. 17: Blood Brothers, True North, The Cost, Red Light Sting, Betray The Species; Aug. 18: Dr. Know, The Sick, Society of Friends, Manchurian Candidates, Shut the F*ck Up; $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Closed campus plan at Berkeley High put on hold

By Ben LumpkinDaily Planet staff
Monday August 13, 2001

Plans for a “closed campus” for Berkeley High freshman have been postponed indefinitely, Berkeley schools Superintendent Michele Lawrence said Friday. -more-


No money, no mail

Richard Thompson
Monday August 13, 2001

Editor: -more-


Warm water pools design under way

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Monday August 13, 2001

With the blessings of the City Council, the Berkeley Unified School District has begun the initial design phases for the rehabilitation of the two warm water pools at Berkeley High School. -more-


Now it’s many friends of the creek

By Kenyatte Davis Daily Planet staff
Monday August 13, 2001

Twelve years ago, Janet Byron moved to Berkeley to attend UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism. -more-


Undergrad scholars enter graduate incubators

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Monday August 13, 2001

What are the Latino perceptions of success? How do Guatemala’s women organizations fight against social exclusion? Who are Silicon Valley’s new Vietnamese entrepreneurs? -more-


California sues EPA over ethanol requirement for gas

The Associated Press
Monday August 13, 2001

LOS ANGELES — California officials are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in hopes of reversing a decision requiring the state to use what they consider a needlessly expensive and polluting gasoline additive. -more-


Newest school board member experienced with kids’ issues

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Saturday August 11, 2001

In a wide-ranging interview Friday, school board member John Selawsky looks back on his first eight months on the job and shares some thoughts on current school topics, including budget difficulties, the new superintendent, reforms at the high school, and some notable program successes. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Compiled by Guy Poole
Saturday August 11, 2001


Saturday, Aug. 11

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‘Reefer Madness’ one-act is all over the map

Maryann MaslanSpecial to the Daily Planet
Saturday August 11, 2001

Reefer Madness, a 1936 anti-marijuana film that became a cult classic in the 1970s, has been adapted for the stage by the Elements of Theatre Company. -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Saturday August 11, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Aug. 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Soophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug. 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen; Aug. 17: Blood Brothers, True North, The Cost, Red Light Sting, Betray The Species; Aug. 18: Dr. Know, The Sick, Society of Friends, Manchurian Candidates, Shut the F*ck Up; $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Berkeley hockey player headed to Canadian camp

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Saturday August 11, 2001

A Berkeley hockey player has been selected as one of 10 kids across the country to receive scholarships to attend summer camps in Canada next week. -more-


Alta Bates expansion ‘skirmish’ heard by the ZAB

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Saturday August 11, 2001

The Zoning Adjustments Board heard what one commissioner called the “initial skirmish” on the Alta Bates proposal to expand its Emergency Department by 3,500 square feet Thursday night. -more-


Complacency could lead to Alaska’s beauty being ruined by drilling

Thomas Krassowski
Saturday August 11, 2001

Editor, -more-


Cal QB Boller among O’Brien candidates

Daily Planet Wire Services
Saturday August 11, 2001

Cal junior quarterback Kyle Boller has been listed a one of 30 candidates on the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top quarterback. -more-


New voting system may help disabled

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet staff
Saturday August 11, 2001

Touchscreens may replace punch cards -more-


Gaia Building is a pleasant surprise of good architecture

Hank Resnik
Saturday August 11, 2001

Editor: -more-


Passengers left from city’s first pier

By Susan Cerny
Saturday August 11, 2001

Ocean View’s first industries were the Pioneer Starch and Grist Mill, founded in 1855 by John Everding and A. Rammelsburg, and a lumber yard, founded in 1856 by Zimri Brewer Heywood and Captain James Jacobs. Jacobs and Heywood constructed the wharf in 1866. The wharf was located between Bristol (now Hearst) and Delaware streets. Freight was stored and shipped from the wharf and it also became a landing for a passenger steamer making four trips daily between Ocean View and San Francisco. -more-


Craig has served the Commission on Disablity with great success

Helen Rippier Wheeler
Saturday August 11, 2001

Editor: -more-


Berkeley park improvements among $2 million grant for Bay Area

The Associated Press
Saturday August 11, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – The federal government has approved $4.25 million in grants to be used in the renovation of California parks and recreational facilities, including some in Berkeley. -more-


SFO union head arrested for bank heists

By Ron Harris Associated Press Writer
Saturday August 11, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – The president of the air traffic controllers’ union at San Francisco International Airport admitted in an affidavit that he was the so-called “Robust Robber,” suspected of robbing up to nine banks, his attorney said Friday. -more-


Man faces trial in baby’s death

The Associated Press
Saturday August 11, 2001

SAN JOSE – A 24-year-old man pleaded innocent Friday to involuntary manslaughter and child neglect charges brought against him after he left his infant son for three hours in a hot car, where the baby died. -more-


Asian-Americans seek redistricting to unify communities

By Leon Drouin Keith Associated Press Writer
Saturday August 11, 2001

LOS ANGELES – In an attempt to unify its different ethnic communities, Asian-American groups unveiled a statewide redistricting plan that they hope will give them more political clout. -more-


California Supreme Court clarifies life support rule

By David Kravets Associated Press Writer
Saturday August 11, 2001

Justices block support removal on man in semiconscious state -more-


Readers share their thoughts on older drivers

By Tom and Ray Magliozzi King Features Syndicate
Saturday August 11, 2001

TOM: The column we wrote a few weeks back about the need to test older drivers for competence generated hundreds of letters. Surprisingly to us, most of them supported our position – although some did not. -more-


Want Giverny in a tub? A word to the wise: Start slowly

The Associated Press
Saturday August 11, 2001

Small steps are the key to having a water garden in your yard -more-


Investors, researchers unsure as companies ponder stem cell future

By Paul Elias AP Biotechnology Writer
Saturday August 11, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – Stock in companies doing all types of stem cell research fell Friday as investors puzzled over the boundaries drawn by President Bush. -more-


Tobacco trial judge rules $3 billion punitive damages excessive, suggests $100 million

By Cadonna M. Peyton Associated Press Writer
Saturday August 11, 2001

LOS ANGELES – A judge rejected a record $3 billion damage award against tobacco giant Philip Morris as excessive, offering a dying smoker $100 million instead. -more-


State kicks off rebates for energy-saving appliances

The Associated Press
Saturday August 11, 2001

SACRAMENTO – State energy officials and more than 580 retailers will team up next week to promote state-sponsored rebates for Californians buying Energy Star appliances. -more-


Worthington clarifies scout stance

By Judith Scherr Daily Planet staff
Friday August 10, 2001

Confusion has reigned since the mayor decided to cancel a City Hall visit with a group of visiting Japanese Boy Scouts, said Councilmember Kriss Worthington at a press conference called to clarify the issue on City Hall steps Thursday. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Friday August 10, 2001


Friday, Aug. 10

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Will technology deliver us from the Tower of Babel?

Walter Truett Anderson Pacific News Service
Friday August 10, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – As the information and communications technology revolution rolls along, we have become accustomed to people talking to their computers, asking for information on electronic data bases, having conversations with robot voices on the telephone. Speech-recognition systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and a plethora of new smart gadgets for homes, offices, even cars, are coming on the market. And more are on the way. Despite the current hard times in the high-tech industries, billions are being invested in the development of future speech-recognition devices – many of which most of us could probably do -more-


Literary review keeps public informed

By Adam David Miller Daily Planet correspondent
Friday August 10, 2001

Even a brief resume of Joyce Jenkins reads like a who’s who of poetry for the West Coast. Name the place, she’s been there. Name the activity, she’s done that. The award, she’s been granted it. -more-


Arts

Friday August 10, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Aug. 10: 90 Day Men, Assembly of God, Strong Intention, Under a Dying Sun; Aug. 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Soophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug. 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen; Aug. 17: Blood Brothers, True North, The Cost, Red Light Sting, Betray The Species; Aug. 18: Dr. Know, The Sick, Society of Friends, Manchurian Candidates, Shut the F*ck Up; $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Holmoe optimistic about his make-or-break season (again)

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Friday August 10, 2001

Listening to Cal head coach Tom Holmoe assess his chances of surviving another year at the helm of the football program on Thursday, some listeners couldn’t help but feel they’d heard this speech before. -more-


‘Quirky’ Berkeley makes front page

Judith Scherr Daily Planet editor
Friday August 10, 2001

It’s not very often these days our fair city makes even the local section of The Chron. -more-


Extend time line for better public comments

Friday August 10, 2001

Jim Sharp, community activist concerned with UC Berkeley’s remodeling project on the north-east side of campus, forwarded the Daily Planet this letter to Ed Denton, the University’s vice chancellor in charge of capital projects, from the Berkeley city manager. -more-


Census count leads to shift in district lines

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Friday August 10, 2001

Now that the 2000 Census has been released, Berkeley has begun the process of reshaping the city’s eight districts, which could shift the balance of power on the City Council. -more-


Appointee removed from disabled commission

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet staff
Friday August 10, 2001

After years serving on the Commission on Disability, Karen Craig, one of Berkeley’s most vocal advocates for the disabled community was informed through a letter from Councilmember Linda Maio on Wednesday, that she had been removed from her position. -more-


Berkeley building not a health threat, officials say

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Friday August 10, 2001

An official with the Berkeley Toxics Management Division said a west Berkeley building posted with “quarantine” signs Thursday poses no health threat to people living and working nearby. -more-


New law requires coverage for experimental cancer treatments

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Insurance companies will be required to provide basic medical coverage for cancer patients undergoing experimental treatments under a bill Gov. Gray Davis signed into law Thursday. -more-


Court clarifies life support guidelines

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court clarified Thursday when family members may pull the plug on their loved ones in a closely watched right-to-die case. -more-


Judge rules $3 billion tobacco fine excessive

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

LOS ANGELES — A judge ruled Thursday that a $3 billion punitive damages verdict against tobacco giant Philip Morris was excessive but he will only grant a retrial of the punitive issue if the cancer-stricken plaintiff won’t accept $100 million instead. -more-


Officials say Western states neared blackouts

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — California power managers say 65 million customers in 11 Western states and parts of Canada and Mexico were at risk of blackouts last week when several power suppliers failed to deliver electricity to the region as promised. -more-


Daylilies have much to offer

By Lee Reich The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

Atop their slender stems, tawny daylilies wave cheery greetings from the roadsides. There are also garden varieties of these pretty plants. -more-


Higher-priced stores feeling the consumer pinch

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

NEW YORK — Consumers, worried about layoffs and shrinking stock portfolios, continued their love affair with discounters in July, but the shift toward lower-priced stores left other top merchants with disappointing sales. -more-


New claims for unemployment insurance on the rise

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

WASHINGTON — After a three-week decline, new claims for state unemployment insurance rose last week, suggesting that some workers were having trouble holding onto their jobs in the sagging economy. -more-


AOL, MSN at bottom of provider heap

The Associated Press
Friday August 10, 2001

NEW YORK — The world’s two largest Internet service providers, AOL Time Warner Inc. and Microsoft Corp.’s MSN, came out on the bottom of a customer satisfaction survey. -more-


Breast-feeding program attacks health disparities

By Judith ScherrDaily Planet staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

While last year’s study by the city’s Health Department uncovered shocking statistics on the disparities between the longevity and health of hill-dwelling whites compared to flatlands’ minorities, one Berkeley program has found what could be the key to turning those numbers around. -more-


Alexander impresses in Cal’s first practices

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

Lorenzo Alexander is used to being the big dog on the block. He dominated the gridiron for four years at St. Mary’s High in Berkeley, using his massive 287-pound frame to push around smaller opponents. But after his first two practices for the Cal football team this week, he admitted that size isn’t the biggest factor in his mission to start for the Bears this season. -more-


Guy Poole
Thursday August 09, 2001


Thursday, Aug. 9,/h3>


Forum

Thursday August 09, 2001

Free market has rules -more-


Staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

MUSIC -more-


Teachers try to bridge middle, high school

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

In an effort to ease the adjustment into high school for 60 at-risk students, an “all-star” cast of Berkeley High teachers have spent this week showing the students around campus and sharing strategies for survival. -more-


Schott named pre-season All-American

Daily Planet Wire Services
Thursday August 09, 2001

California junior forward Laura Schott was picked as a second team preseason All-American by College-Soccer.com. -more-


Agency offers a service doorway for homeless

By John GeluardiDaily Planet staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

To access the Multi-Agency Service Center near downtown, clients walk down a narrow passage next to the Veterans Memorial Building on Center Street until it opens up onto a cloistered, courtyard garden. -more-


Berkeley resident documents street artists

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet staff
Thursday August 09, 2001

Few would imagine as they pass Claire Burch’s quiet wooden house in south Berkeley, that they are walking by historical archives. -more-


Health-related beach closings on the rise

The Associated Press
Thursday August 09, 2001

SANTA MONICA — More than ever last year, beachgoers around the country found their plans dampened by warnings to keep away from the water. -more-


Consumers are able to keep economy from constricting

By John Cunnif The Associated Press
Thursday August 09, 2001

The popular economic hope, shared by Washington, Wall Street, manufacturers, retailers and many academics, is that the consumer will pull the rest of the economy to higher ground. -more-


Alan Greenspan’s investments provide safety if not exuberance

The Associated Press
Thursday August 09, 2001

WASHINGTON — Alan Greenspan’s investment portfolio shows that in years when the stock market is in a funk, safety can beat exuberance, whether rational or not. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

Judge postpones Ford ignition trial

The Associated Press
Tuesday August 14, 2001

A proposed legal settlement that could cost Ford Motor Co. as much as $1 billion prompted a judge Monday to postpone a class-action trial on allegations that faulty ignition switches caused millions of cars and trucks to stall. -more-


SF homeless advocates take over vacant building

The Associated Press
Monday August 13, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — A group of homeless advocates has taken over a vacant four-story downtown building to remind officials about the need for affordable housing in one of the country’s most expensive cities. -more-


Rabbits in Berkeley? 4-h kids raising brood

By Erika Kelly Special to the Daily Planet
Saturday August 11, 2001

Pudge, Izzy, Echo and Paris are ready for their close-ups. The feisty, furry rabbits are the pride and joy of the new Berkeley 4-H Club’s four charter members. Accompanied by their human handlers, on Thursday, the rabbits were getting ready to strut their stuff at the Monterey County fair today and the San Mateo County Fair on Saturday. -more-


Student actors prepare monologues with seniors

By Kenyatte Davis Daily Planet staff
Friday August 10, 2001

Fifteen teens from Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s “School of Theatre” interviewed elders at the North Berkeley Senior Center last week to find inspiration for monologues that they will write over the next week and perform at the senior center Aug. 15. -more-


Airports respond to increased traffic

The Associated Press
Thursday August 09, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — While San Francisco International Airport struggles to overcome environmental objections to a runway expansion plan, other Bay Area airports are picking up the slack by handling more flights and more passengers. -more-