The Week
News
Berkeley High group leaves Yosemite under cloud of allegations
Hundreds of Berkeley High students came home a day early from a Yosemite National Park field trip Monday after other park guests complained of noise, threats and vandalism. -more-
Extreme Pizza becomes county’s first green restaurant
A Shattuck Avenue pizza shop that opened for business in August has become Alameda County’s first restaurant to be certified “green” by the Bay Area Green Business Program. -more-
City Council approves outside council to challenge university
Dissatisfied with the university’s draft Environmental Impact Report on the various construction projects proposed for the northeast quadrant of the UC Berkeley campus, the City Council voted unanimously in executive session Tuesday to seek outside legal counsel to advise them on how best to respond to the environmental document. -more-
‘Blake-O’Malley’ redistricting plan squeaks by council on 5-4 vote
The “Blake-O’Malley” redistricting plan squeaked by with a 5-4 margin Tuesday night, to the outrage of the moderate council faction. -more-
San Francisco is nation’s major city least likely to have a household with kids
SAN FRANCISCO — Some of the nation’s most kid-friendly cities are struggling to keep their children. Recent census figures show they aren’t faring too well. -more-
Police Briefs
A man was the victim of a car-jacking early Sunday morning at the corner of Curtis Street and Hearst Avenue, according to police. -more-
Vacancy: California hotel occupancy plummets after attacks, report says
LOS ANGELES — Hotels across California saw some of the lowest occupancy rates in a decade after the terrorist attacks and have moved quickly to lay off workers and retool marketing plans, industry officials said Tuesday. -more-
Regulators announce Edison rescue plan, consumers claim bailout
SAN FRANCISCO — State power regulators on Tuesday settled a suit by Southern California Edison, allowing the utility to pay its estimated $3 billion debt in part by retaining record rate hikes levied on customers this spring. -more-
Dr. John C. Lilly, championed study of interspecies communication
LOS ANGELES — Dr. John Cunningham Lilly, who championed the study of interspecies communications during a career that probed the mystery of human consciousness, has died. He was 86. -more-
National Guard will phase in security at airports over three weeks
SACRAMENTO — It will take three weeks for the National Guard to phase in increased security measures at all 30 California commercial airports, officials said Tuesday. -more-
Rodney King pleads innocent to drug charge
POMONA, Calif. (AP) — Rodney King, victim of the police beating that led to the 1992 Los Angeles riot, pleaded innocent Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of being under the influence of the drug PCP. -more-
Bill Jones receives support of Sen. John McCain
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Arizona Sen. John McCain is returning a favor to California Secretary of State Bill Jones. -more-
EPA cannot be sued to enforce clean water laws, appeals court rules
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court said Tuesday that the Environmental Protection Agency cannot be sued to enforce clean water laws. -more-
Judge unseals documents sought by groups seeking to show racial profiling in scientist’s case
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A federal judge unsealed 20 of 22 documents sought by Asian-American advocacy groups trying to prove racial profiling in the prosecution last year of nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee. -more-
Massachusetts governor unveils new security measures at Boston airport
BOSTON — Acting Gov. Jane Swift unveiled new security steps Tuesday that include a new chief of security at Logan International Airport, where hijackers boarded the two planes that smashed into the World Trade Center. -more-
Washington ferries considers selling naming rights to fill budget holes
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Imagine crossing Puget Sound aboard the ferry Microsoft, or hopping the Starbucks for a weekend in the San Juan Islands. Tight budgets have state officials looking at selling advertising — including naming rights — on Washington state’s fleet of ferries. -more-
Investors snap up World Trade Center relief-related bonds in just two hours
NEW YORK — The city easily sold $1 billion in bonds Tuesday to meet immediate costs from the World Trade Center disaster, selling out in just two hours as investors placed $4 billion worth of orders. -more-
State revenues take hit in wake of sagging economy, terrorist attacks
SACRAMENTO — State revenues tumbled far below forecasts in the past three months and budget officials warn that emergency reserves could dry up if the economy continues to sag. -more-
Two restaurants closing operations at Disney’s California Adventure theme park
ANAHEIM — Two high-profile restaurants are closing their doors at Disney’s California Adventure after failing to pack in big enough crowds at the struggling theme park. -more-
EMI signs deal with online music company pressplay
SAN FRANCISCO — EMI Recorded Music will license its extensive artist catalog to pressplay, the online service that hopes to bring legitimate music downloads to consumers before year’s end. -more-
City puts brakes on movable feast
While the city has taken steps to close down the last of Berkeley’s mobile food vendors, the City Council offered a temporary reprieve Tuesday for a popular organic food cart. -more-
Tuesday, Oct. 2
MUSIC
Latino community holds forum with superintendent
Parents and advocates of Latino students will gather Sunday at Rosa Parks Elementary School to exchange ideas with Michele Lawrence, the Berkeley Unified School District’s new superintendent, on possible remedies for the students’ unique difficulties in the school system. -more-
Next, it’ll be a moratorium on business visas
Race and culture matter in mental health care
By Judith Scherr -more-
Saying the state is not valid, means it should be destroyed
Editor: -more-
Bay Area people not abandoning their cars
SAN FRANCISCO — Despite efforts to persuade people to abandon their cars and take mass transit, walk or ride a bicycle, 82 percent of Bay Area commuters drive or ride in a motor vehicle, according to Commute Profile 2001. -more-
California’s power predicament grows in complexity
SAN FRANCISCO — California officials agree the state’s general fund must be repaid for the nearly $9 billion the Department of Water Resources has paid for electricity, but months-long debates over the details continue to slow progress. -more-
Hispanic group files lawsuit to challenge new districts
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Hispanic group filed a federal lawsuit Monday charging that congressional and state Senate redistricting plans approved by California lawmakers dilute the power of Hispanic voters. -more-
Supreme Court orders reconsideration in pepper spray protesting case
Governor signs bills including unemployment benefits boost
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis signed a flurry of bills Monday including a measure boosting unemployment benefits, four energy-related measures and an effort to prevent meningitis outbreaks. -more-
Mexicans turned back at border for not renewing old visas
McALLEN, Texas (AP) — About 2 million Mexicans failed to convert their border-crossing cards into new high-tech IDs by the Oct. 1 deadline, and hundreds were turned back Monday when they tried to get into the United States. -more-
New York City selling $1 billion worth of bonds to help pay for aftermath of attacks
NEW YORK — New York City offered $1 billion in bonds for sale Monday to start paying for the aftermath of a terrorist attack Mayor Rudolph Giuliani branded “maniacal” during an address to the United Nations. -more-
Source says head of security at Boston airport will be ousted
BOSTON (AP) — The head of security at the city’s Logan Airport is being ousted, three weeks after terrorists crashed two planes hijacked from the airport into the World Trade Center, an official in the governor’s office said Monday. -more-
Missouri lawmakers upset by ban of TV newscasters’ patriotism
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — State lawmakers were upset about a ban of on-air displays of patriotic symbols by newscasters at a TV station owned by the University of Missouri-Columbia. -more-
After coming to a near standstill, New York City criminal trials resume
NEW YORK (AP) — Few criminal trials have taken place in the city since the attack on the World Trade Center because the Police Department, stretched to maintain high security, could not free up officers to testify. -more-
Missouri station pulls Maher’s show after viewers’ complaints
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The talk show “Politically Incorrect” has been temporarily taken off the air in Springfield because of viewer complaints about comments made by host Bill Maher after the terrorist attacks. -more-
Speaker launches task force on terror effects on state economy
SACRAMENTO — A special Assembly task force studying effects of September’s terrorist attacks on California’s economy and public safety will begin hearings this month in Sacramento and Los Angeles, Assembly leaders said Monday. -more-
PG&E payments may be delayed in chemical exposure case
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Plaintiffs in chemical exposure cases against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. that inspired the movie “Erin Brockovich” still could receive $160 million in settlement money, though a portion could be delayed by a decade under the utility’s bankruptcy recovery plan. -more-
Anti-war activist returns flag taken in 1970 protest
Arab-American convenience store owner killed, family believes it was hate crime
REEDLEY, Calif. (AP) — The family of an Arab-American shop owner killed during the weekend thinks he was the victim of a hate crime. -more-
Federal authorities arrest 20 men for allegedly receiving fraudulent commercial driver’s licenses
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The state Department of Transportation said Monday it canceled a total of 111 fraudulently issued driver’s licenses as part of an investigation into its Pittsburgh office. -more-
Organization holding auction to buy medical supplies for Burmese tribe
The glow of short, white candles dimly flickered onto a mother holding her baby. The tiny girl shivered in the humid Burmese evening. -more-
Hospital chief: Alta Bates not a public service
When Alta Bates Summit announced its plan to consolidate services between its two facilities — Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley and Summit Medical Center in Oakland — East Bay lawmakers cried foul. -more-
Tragedy’s aftermath exposes fault lines in south Asia
My mother's voice on the telephone crackled with anxiety. -more-
Cal shows improvement but loses to Washington
Husky hex continues as Bears lose early lead -more-
Principals are a vanishing breed
The Berkeley Unified School District had to fill almost a fourth of its school principal jobs this year, and faced a shortage of candidates that administrators say is getting worse. -more-
Housing Authority ‘at the crossroads’
Housing officials presented a plan Tuesday to restructure the troubled Berkeley Housing Authority, which they say is on the verge of collapse because of years of “ineffective and inefficient” organization. -more-
Making signs of peace: anti-war activists rally
Local artists and residents gathered Friday night at the Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland to combine their energies to create posters, collages and pictures that represented their anti-war and peacemaking expressions in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. -more-
Project Open Hand needs volunteers
One East Bay community service agency is looking for volunteers to help serve the 500 meals a day that it is now able to make for people with HIV/AIDS, seniors and homebound or critically ill patients. -more-
Governor to sign bill raising unemployment benefits
Maximum benifits would jump by $100 per week next year -more-
Companies turn losses to profits with hypothetical accounting
“Pro forma” results usually look better than official GAAP numbers; tech companies looking at -more-
CEO defends hospital’s plans
When Alta Bates Summit announced its plan to consolidate services between its two facilities – Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley and Summit Medical Center in Oakland – East Bay lawmakers cried foul. The plan, which calls for “Centers of Excellence” to be instituted at both hospitals, seemed to break an agreement the hospitals made with the community at the time of their merger in 1999. -more-
Berkeley Observed Looking back, seeing ahead
Cal Ink: Etched into the history of the 20th century -more-
Wary networks begin fall season delayed by attacks
LOS ANGELES — Even as networks delay or drop potentially sensitive episodes and clip violent scenes in terrorism’s immediate wake, network executives expressed uncertainty Tuesday about how deep or lasting the effects of Sept. 11 will be. -more-
Yellowjackets win a thriller
Berkeley comes back to beat -more-
School district files suit against employees to return overpayment
The Berkeley Unified School District filed suit in Alameda County Superior this week to recoup money mistakenly paid to dozens of service employees. -more-
Schott-Kirk combo lifts Cal to victory
Housing Authority looking for low income tenants
Let the mayor be proud of her cutting-edge city
Editor: -more-
When the School Board doesn’t follow the rules....
Elected officials support Barbara Lee
Editor: -more-
Back on planes, fear of racial profiling remains
Police Briefs
On Wednesday, members of California Peace Action, an anti-war group, reported that their group had received several hateful e-mails over the last few weeks, some of which may have risen to the level of threats. -more-
Car questions beget car answers in the world of Tom and Ray
Dear Tom and Ray: -more-
Slower growth in Silicon Valley could lessen strain on resources
SAN JOSE — With the high-tech industry settling down and the economy slowing, Silicon Valley can expect slower growth over the next 10 years, according to a study released Friday. -more-
State utilities expect natural gas bills lower than last winter
SAN FRANCISCO — Natural gas prices are dropping nationwide, and two California utilities say their customers can expect substantially lower heating bills — a relief after gas bills exploded last winter by as much as 150 percent. -more-
Test scoring error sends reward money to the wrong schools
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The state Department of Education may have to reclaim $750,000 it mistakenly awarded to San Joaquin Valley schools after a scoring error on a standardized test. -more-
Female state senator doesn’t celebrate women’s suffrage
TOPEKA, Kan. — A female state senator says she views women’s suffrage as a sign that American society doesn’t value the family enough but she wouldn’t deprive women of the vote. -more-
Jury awards $100 million to plaintiffs who sued drug-maker over heartburn medicine
PORT GIBSON, Miss. — A jury awarded $100 million Friday to plaintiffs who claimed a drug-maker pushed sales of a heartburn drug even as the federal government moved to ban it. -more-
Defense spending to favor spying, communication over bombs
LOS ANGELES — In the nation’s “new kind of war” on terrorism, defense spending is likely to focus as much on information and surveillance as bombs and bullets. -more-
Keep notes on today’s garden to help you grow tomorrow’s
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. — Sooner or later a gardener finds the need to keep a journal. From simple jottings in a notebook to entries in a computer database, today’s diary helps to grow tomorrow’s garden. -more-
White is a versatile color in the flower garden
White flowers and leaves are not the first things that come to mind when planning a colorful garden. Nonetheless, they can really spruce up a flower bed. -more-
News from around the state related to the terrorist attacks
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden Gate Bridge will reopen to pedestrian and bike traffic Monday, but for reduced hours. -more-
Safeway earnings rise as chain girds for possible strike
SAN FRANCISCO — Supermarket giant Safeway Inc. on Friday announced higher quarterly profits amid weakening sales growth that executives said should continue as consumers react to the economic fallout from this month’s terrorist attacks. -more-
A weekend seminar on activism
Redwood-Sequoia Congress will focus on activist networking -more-
Fraud and authenticity in the New York art world
Berkeley Repertory Theater has kicked off the opening of its 34th season, in the company’s new Roda Theater, with a hypnotic world-premiere production of Naomi Iizuka’s new play, “36 Views.” -more-
Winless Bears still looking for answers
Holmoe says Boller is still the starter -more-
Car thefts increased by 33 percent since last year
The Toyota Camry cruising past their squad car didn’t match the color of the stolen Camry Emeryville police were looking for, but Detective Alan Johnson said officers quickly noticed something suspicious about its driver. The young man was so small, they could barely see his eyes peering over the dashboard. -more-
Berkeley coordinator glad to be rid of off-field issues
Former Mt. Tam head coach Johnson brings new system to BHS -more-
Neighbors fear Alta Bates expansion will increase traffic
A plan to rebuild and expand the emergency room at Alta Bates Medical Center is meeting opposition among neighborhood groups and a city commission. -more-
No justice in ‘shoot-em-up”
Editor: -more-
Bay Area Women Against Rape celebrates 30 years
Bay Area Women Against Rape, an Oakland-based nonprofit that helps sexual assault victims navigate an often intimidating medical and law-enforcement process, will mark its 30th anniversary Friday evening with a reception at the Waterfront Hotel on Jack London Square. -more-
Program aims to build community within BHS
“Community” is not usually a word used to describe 3,400-student Berkeley High School. -more-
So Much Yet to be Given
There is sadness in everyone - -more-
LA mayor appointed to air safety task force
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mayor James Hahn has agreed to head up a national task force on airport security and said he will work to restore the nation’s confidence in air travel. -more-
Hundreds gather to honor UC’s community partners
UC Berkeley honored nine of its community partnership programs Tuesday during a two-hour gala held at the University House on the north side of campus. -more-
Security tightened at Oakland Airport
At Oakland International Airport, the most common phrase used by one curb security supervisor is “no more.” No more curbside check-in. No more passengers taking their time to bid goodbye to loved ones who drop them off outside terminals. -more-
Feinstein’s proposed visa-freeze could hurt Berkeley
While Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s proposed six-month moratorium on student visas is designed to heighten security in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, some people are saying that the measure could hurt Berkeley businesses and undermine cherished local values of freedom and democracy. -more-
Federal agents seek foreign students’ records after attacks
SACRAMENTO — Federal investigators are reviewing foreign students’ records at California college campuses as they probe the Sept. 11 East Coast terrorist attacks, officials said Thursday. -more-
In wake of attacks, Yom Kippur takes an even more solemn tone
Giuliani receives support for extending term as NY mayor
NEW YORK (AP) — Rudolph Giuliani obtained the support of two of the three mayoral candidates Thursday for a plan that would allow him to stay on at City Hall for an extra three months while he guides the city through the aftermath of World Trade Center attack. -more-
‘Desperately ill’ man becomes third recipient of artificial heart
HOUSTON — A “desperately ill” man became the world’s third recipient of a self-contained mechanical heart after a six-hour operation. -more-
Engineers see measure of success in performance of WTC design
CORONADO — As he watched the World Trade Center burn, Bob Hendershot knew the clock was ticking. In the safety of their San Diego home, his wife stared at the televised images and asked “What’s gonna happen?” -more-
Roll right through painting jobs with the correct tools
Paint industry experts say that about 95 percent of do-it-yourself interior wall painting is done with a roller. Even a rank amateur can use a paint roller because they’re simple to use, effective and fast. -more-
Kill mildew before it has a chance to grow
Though a toilsome task, pulling weeds is essential to a healthy looking garden
Hot weather may not inspire any more gardening activity than plucking a juicy tomato off the vine, but don’t neglect weeding. Untended weeds become worse troublemakers later. -more-
Flea markets can save you a bundle
Here’s a comparison of what decorators Jane Bell Cammarata and Linda Clay estimate it would cost to buy items at a flea market to furnish a child’s room, and what the same items might cost new or at an antiques store (their purchases were hypothetical): -more-
Davis signs bills aimed at status quo in Legislature, Congress
Gov.Gray Davis has signed redistricting -more-
State treasurer urges regulators to set stage for bond sale
SACRAMENTO — State Treasurer Phil Angelides said Thursday that delays by the California Public Utilities Commission mean the state won’t issue $12.5 billion in energy bonds to repay the state general fund until next year. -more-
Toy makers respond to parental concern by de-emphasizing violence
Slow-starting ’Jackets roll over Pinole Valley
When it comes to ACCAL play, the Berkeley High girls’ volleyball is a machine, chewing up opponents and spitting them out. The Yellowjackets went undefeated in league play last year, and head coach Justin Caraway is confident of repeat. -more-
Anti-hate effort goes cultural
A press conference and culture festival in the Florence Schwimmley Little Theater on Wednesday capped off Berkeley High School’s three-day student-led effort to raise campus consciousness of scapegoating in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. -more-
Solution to come from Israelis and Palestinians
Solution to come from Israelis and Palestinians -more-
City Council may need to take another look at Shellmound boundaries
A lawsuit brought by West Berkeley landowners against the city may force the City Council to review the landmark status of one disputed corner of the West Berkeley Shellmound. -more-
There are many shades of gray
There are many shades of gray -more-
Council considers competing redistricting plans
Despite heavy UC Berkeley student lobbying for a student-majority council district at a public hearing Tuesday, the City Council focused mostly on two other proposals that adhered to charter guidelines. -more-
Anti-war protesters do get it
Anti-war protesters do get it -more-
Athlete, scholar, role model memorialized at Ohlone courts
There’s a story Paul Freedman tells about playing basketball at Ohlone Park with his high-school friend Bobby Winslow. Unlike the usual lay-up where, if all goes well, ball meets backboard, hand brushes net, and two points are chalked up – Bobby could drive the hole like a pro. “Bobby was an incredibly graceful player,” said Freedman. Five-foot-eleven and slender, Winslow may not have been an obvious candidate for the fly-through-the-air-with-the-ball-behind-your-back acrobatics of their idol Michael Jordan, but in basketball, as in life, Bobby was exceptional. -more-
War on drugs fuels terrorists
War on drugs fuels terrorists -more-
Supreme Court to consider if Catholic group must cover contraception
By David Kravets -more-
Bay Briefs
UC Berkeley gets grant to control binge drinking -more-
Feinstein seeks to increase screening of foreign students
WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., wants to close U.S. borders to new foreign students for six months to give immigration authorities time to put in place initial background checks and a tracking system once students are in this country. -more-
Study: State too dependent on natural gas
SACRAMENTO (AP) — California could face another energy crisis by relying too heavily on new natural gas-fired plants to boost electricity production, said the author of a study released Wednesday. -more-
9th Circuit Court of Appeals denies challenge to Northstar oil development
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a challenge to the development of the Northstar oil field in the Beaufort Sea. -more-
Terrorist threat renews push for military on border
IMF warns terrorist attacks could trigger global recession
WASHINGTON — The International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday that severe fallout from the terrorist attacks in the United States could trigger a growth recession worldwide. But the 183-nation lending agency insisted that this outcome could still be avoided by aggressive government policy actions to stimulate growth. -more-
Terror attacks leave thousands unemployed and without severance pay
WASHINGTON (AP) — Carl Chambers’ job crumbled with the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, and since, he has relied on his union and government help to make ends meet. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
City Council passes municipal food policy
Last week, the Berkeley City Council passed one of the first municipal food policies in the country. The policy will bring fresh, local and organic foods to the institutional food programs run by the city. The policy will also support activities that contribute to healthful eating patterns for city residents and support small scale, regional sustainable agriculture. -more-
Edison letter links its bailout to national terror crisis
SACRAMENTO — A letter from Southern California Edison, linking support for its so-called “bailout bill” to national security in the wake of terrorist attacks, is being hammered by opponents as a desperate act and cynical offense to thousands of Americans killed Sept. 11. -more-
Saturday Bay Area peace rally draws thousands
15,00 people gather at Dolores Park to protest U.S. presence in Afghanistan -more-
Iranian national who allegedly threatened to ‘kill all Americans’ held without bail
LOS ANGELES — An Iranian national who allegedly threatened to “kill all Americans” when he was caught smoking on an international flight was ordered held without bail Friday after a prosecutor argued his actions threatened thousands of lives. -more-
Airliner returns to LA under F-16 escort after passenger incident
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A passenger allegedly uttered an anti-American threat after he was caught smoking aboard an airliner, forcing the Air Canada jet to return to Los Angeles International Airport under escort by Air Force fighters Thursday. -more-
New Forest Service proposal for roadless areas alarms greens
WASHINGTON — The Forest Service is proposing to give its local managers more discretion to skip environmental analysis and public input for small logging and road-building projects in some of the most pristine areas of the national forests. -more-